Studies on aqueous polymerization of acrylamide. Potassium persulfate/2‐mercaptoethylamine hydrochloride redox system

The kinetics of aqueous polymerization of acrylamide, initiated by the potassium persulfate(K2S2O8)/2‐mercaptoethylamine hydrochloride (MEAH) redox pair was studied under nitrogen atmosphere at 30 ± 0,1 °C. The initial rates of polymerization were found to be proportional to [K2S2O8]1,5 (in the range of 0,8 to 1,2 mmol−1), to [acrylamide]1 (in the range of 0,8.10−1 to 1,2.10−1 mol 1−1), and to [MEAH]1 (in the range of 1,0 to 7,0mmol 1−1), respectively. The overall energy of activation was found to be 9,8 kcal mol−1 (40kJ mol−1). Water miscible alcohols and common salts (NaF, NaCl, (CH3)4NI) appeared to depress both the polymerization rate and the maximum conversion. With MnSO4.4H2O the reverse influence was found.