Vinyl prepolymers - methods of preparation and application

The theoretical part of this thesis is focused on bulk radical polymerization of styrene, methylmethacrylate, vinyltoluene and paramethylstyrene. It summarizes actual informations about kinetics and performance possibilities of bulk polymerization. Experimental part deals with polystyrene prepolymers preparation by bulk polymerization. The aim is to find optimal conditions for prepolymers preparation. Prepolymers should be usable for subsequent polymerization nearly up to 100% conversion. Conversion values were gravimetrically determined and molecular weights were obtained by viskosity measurements, which were realized by Ubbelohde viscometer. In the experimental part, there were performed simulations targeted on conversion dependence on time. The purpose was a prediction of monomer conversion at a given time during polymerization. Differences between reality and simulation were low in most of cases and the found form of kinetic behavior calculations provides satisfying results. In the conclusion of this thesis was suggested a new procedure for polystyrene prepolymers preparation