The kinetics of the in situ polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate in wood using dynamic mechanical measurements

Abstract

AbstractThe in situ polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate in wood, in the presence of uranyl nitrate, (UN), and/or 2,2′‐azo‐bis‐isobutyronitrile, (AIBN), has been investigated in the temperature range 55°‐72°C. The course of the polymerization reaction was followed by measurement of tan 5 in an automated Rheovibron viscoelastometer. The kinetics, studied by applying the Guggenheim method to the data, showed the polymerization to be first order whether catalyzed by UN or initiated by AIBN. The activation energy (Eα) for AIBN‐initiated polymerization was 121 kJ/mol, and was unaffected by varying monomer concentration in acetone. On the other hand, Eα for the UN‐catalyzed polymerization was found to be 59.1 and 73.5 kJ/mol respectively for the neat and 50 percent monomer concentration reaction mixture. The enhancement in Eα is attributed to the complexatton of the dioxouranium (VI) ion in the presence of solvent acetone, with consequent reduction in catalytic activity.