Theoretical Studies of Free Radical Polymerization

9403566 O'Shaughnessy Theoretical research will be conducted on free radical polymerization, a method widely used in the synthesis of mass produced polymers and many types of advanced polymeric materials. The kinetics of free radical polymerization are intimately associated with the static and dynamical properties of high polymer solutions and melts through the process of termination of growing living chains by interpolymeric reaction with one another. A systematic theory of free radical polymerization will be developed based on recent advances in the theory of interpolymeric reaction rates which exploit concepts of scaling and universality. The principal quantities of practical and fundamental significance will be evaluated. This work will provide a basis for first principles models of closely related methods such as emulsion polymerization and will allow the interpretation of a large body of experimental data on the properties of polymers in the liquid and glassy state. %%% Modern analytical and computational techniques will be applied to the problem of free radical polymerization. This is one of the primary processing methods whereby polymeric materials are produced, yet it has very little theoretical basis. Thus, this research will provide a fundamental understanding of this important processing technique. ***