Uranyl ion-sensitized polymerization of acrylamide and methacrylamide in aqueous solution

The kinetics of polymerization of the vinyl monomers, acrylamide and methacrylamide, photosensitized by uranyl ions in homogeneous aqueous acid medium was studied systematically. Monochromatic radiation of wavelengths 365, 405, and 436 mμ was used for irradiation. Uranyl perchlorate in aqueous perchloric acid (pH = 0–2) was used as the sensitizer to ensure that only uncomplexed UO₂²⁺ ions existed in the solution. Polymerization was found to proceed without any induction period, the steady state being attained in about 10–20 min., and was followed by the measurement of the rate of monomer disappearance by bromine addition method. The chain lengths of the polymers were determined by viscometry. It was observed that there was no change in the initiator concentration, UO₂²⁺], during polymerization. The dependence of the rate of polymerization on variables like light intensity, light absorption fraction by the active species, wavelength, monomer concentration, hydrogen ion concentration, temperature, nature of the acid used (HClO₄ and H₂SO₄), viscosity of the medium etc., were studied. A kinetic reaction scheme is proposed and discussed in the light of the experimental results. Certain rate parameters were calculated. The mechanism of photosensitization by uranyl ions with specific reference to primary photochemical act, initiation of polymerization etc., are discussed.