The photo-initiation of the polymerization of vinyl compounds by means of cerous ions
The kinetics of the polymerization of acrylonitrile and methacrylic acid photosensitized by cerous ions have been studied. Cerous salts have been photolyzed in different media by means of the flash technique and ceric ions were produced, accompanied by fluorescence. Quenching of the fluorescence of the excited ceric species has been investigated with and without the presence of monomer and it has been demonstrated that hydrogen ions are necessary for the polymerization reaction to proceed. The results are consistent with the following electron transfer processes: Ce 3+ . HOH + hv ^+ (Ce 4+ . HOH - )*, Ce 4+ . HOH - )* hv ^+ Ce 3+ . HOH+ hv ", Ce 4+ . HOH - )* +H + ->Ce 4+ . H 2 O+H', Ce 4+ . HOH - )* +H + + M ->Ce 4+ +H 2 M H', where M = monomer.