Polymerization of Acrylamide Initiated by the Redox System Potassium Persulfate/Lactic Acid, Catalyzed by Silver Ions

Abstract

The aqueous polymerization of acrylamide initiated by the potassium persulfate/lactic acid system catalyzed by Ag⁺ ions has been studied iodometrically over the temperature range from 35 to 50 ± 0.2°C. The rate of polymerization is governed by the expression R_p ∞ [M]^0.8[K₂S₂O₈]^1.0[Ag]^1.0 The deviation from normal kinetics has been studied. A tentative mechanism of initiation is suggested. The overall energy of activation is 5.52 kcal/mol.