Kinetic features of radical polymerization of styrene under microwave irradiation conditions

A comparative study of radical polymerization of styrene under thermal and microwave heating conditions has been carried out. The polymerization reaction orders with respect to the monomer and initiator concentrations and the polymerization rate constants have been determined. It has been found that non-thermal microwave effects are not manifested during styrene polymerization, because styrene is a weakly polar substance.