KINETICS OF RADIATION-INDUCED GRAFT-POLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE ONTO POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE)

In the reported experiments, the graft polymerization of styrene onto preirradiated poly(ethylene oxide) was studied. From the measurement of swelling of the polymer in various solvents the solubility parameter of poly(ethylene oxide) was estimated as 9. 3. The kinetic analysis of the reaction indicated that the graft polymerization was diffusion controlled. Kinetic parameters of the reaction such as integral //0**tR//i dt, k//p, k//t//r, and k//t were obtained in poly(ethylene oxide)-styrene system and compared with those in poly(isobutylene oxide)-styrene system.