Abstract
The activation energy and rate constants for the decomposition of sodium persulfate in the presence of acrylic acid have been determined for monomer compositions representative of those used in a polymerization process to prepare sodium polyacrylate superabsorbent polymers. It was found that, relative to buffered aqueous conditions, the rate of decomposition of sodium persulfate is increased by a factor of two- to sevenfold in the presence of acrylic acid, low levels of neutralized acrylic acid, or high levels of acrylic acid at low % neutralization, due to an induced decomposition mechanism by the monomer. However, high concentrations of partially neutralized acrylic acid (high solids) decrease the decomposition rate of persulfate relative to that in the presence of acrylic acid (not neutralized). An ionic gel cage mechanism that influences the rate of decomposition of sodium persulfate is proposed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 591–600, 1997
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