ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLEX PARTICIPATION MODEL FOR FREE-RADICAL CO-POLYMERIZATION

The probability theory has been used to derive equations for the complex participation model for free-radical copolymerization, showing how the composition, the triad fractions, and the number fractions of sequences in a copolymer are related to the reactivity ratios, the equilibrium constant, and the monomer composition. We show how a patterned search method can be used to yield “best” estimates of the reactivity ratios and the equilibrium constant, using the experimentally determined copolymer composition, triad fractions, or number fractions of sequences provided sufficient data are available. Experimental data for the 1, 1-diphenylethylene-methyl acrylate system available in the literature have been used to demonstrate this method of analysis. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.