Radiation polymerization of acrolein at low temperatures

Radiation polymerization of acrolein in the presence of the additives such as 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate, acrylic acid, and water at low temperatures (0–78°C) was studied. The polyacrolein resulting from the polymerization gave a small particlelike microsphere (0.5–5 μm in diameter). The rate of the polymerization reaction of acrolein appeared to be accelerated by the addition of a small amount of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate or acrylic acid. The particle size of the polyacrolein particle varied with the condition of the polymerization and increased or decreased with an increase in the addition concentration of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate or acrylic acid.