Solution Polymerization of Acrylamide to High Conversion

Abstract

<p>This thesis reports an experimental investigation of the free radical polymerization of acrylamide in water (Part I) and the development of gel permeation chromatography (GPC) technology for the measurement of molecular weight distribution and conversion (Part II). The aim of Part I was to develop a kinetic model for the polymerization capable of predicting conversion and molecular weight distribution up to high conversion with the production of polymer of number-average molecule weight over one million. The aim of Part II was to develop numerical techniques required for instrumental spreading correction in GPC data interpretation. A further aim was to experimentally investigate the feasibility of molecular weight distribution and conversion analysis of polyacrylamide in aqueous carrier solvent.</p>