Synthesis of poly(N,N,N-trimethyl–N-2-methacryloxyethyl) ammonium chloride initiated by anodically generated Sn2+ cation

Abstract

Cationic polymerization of N,N,N-trimethyl–N-2-methacryl oxyethyl ammonium chloride (DMAEM-MC) was studied using a new synthesis technique and new initiator system, Sn2+. The Sn2+ was produced by the electrolysis of a sacrificial anode. The polymer was prepared in a batch reactor using only Sn material as electrodes. Factors affecting the conversion and average molecular weight of the polymer by electrolysis were obtained. On the one hand, the results indicated that the agitation rate, initial pH, current density and assembly of electrodes significantly affected both conversion and polymer molecular weight. On the other hand, temperature and monomer concentration were minor factors in the electropolymerization, while these two factors were the major factors in conventional chemical methods. The optimal pHi and agitation rate were 5.50 and 0 rpm, respectively. The reaction rate increased with current density; however, the current efficiency decreased with increase in current density. The results also revealed that the optimum reaction temperature and monomer concentration were 25 ∘C and 0.73 m, respectively.