Preparation of poly (sodium‐p‐styrenesulphonate) by radiation‐induced polymerisation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to prepare poly(sodium‐p‐styrenesulphonate) (PSSNa) and investigate the effects of polymerisation conditions on the polymerisation rate of sodium styrenesulphonate (SSNa) and molecular weight of PSSNa.Design/methodology/approach – SSNa polymers were prepared in both solution state and solid state by the γ‐ray radiation‐induced polymerisation. The molecular weight of polymer was measured with Ubbelohde viscosimeter and the molecular structure was characterised with IR and UV spectrophotometers.Findings – In the radiation‐induced polymerisation of SSNa, factors such as irradiation dose rate, total dose, irradiation temperature, additives, etc. have impacts on the polymerisation rate, polymer yield and molecular weight of polymer. In aqueous solution, the reacted monomer number of SSNa and the total activation energy (Ea) of polymerisation were found to be 1.28×104 mol/100 eV and 12.98 kJ/mol, respectively. In the solid state, the SSNa was polymerised too, although the ...