Solution Polymerization

A method in which monomers are dissolved in a solvent and polymerized. Generally, the resulting polymer dissolves in the solvent and polymerization proceeds in a homogeneous system. Taking radical polymerization as an example, the number average degree of polymerization is expressed by the following formula.

Here, Cs is the chain transfer constant, [S] is the solvent concentration, [M] is the monomer concentration, _and is the number average degree of polymerization in the absence of solvent. As is clear from the above equation, in solution polymerization, chain transfer occurs via the solvent, so the molecular weight of the polymer produced is smaller than in bulk polymerization. Also, in solution polymerization, it is possible to remove the heat of polymerization, but a process for separating the produced polymer from the solvent is required.

Source: Morikita Publishing "Chemical Dictionary (2nd Edition)" Information about the Chemical Dictionary 2nd Edition

単量体を溶媒に溶かして重合させる方法．一般に，生成重合体は溶媒に溶解し，重合は均一系で進行する．ラジカル重合を例にとれば，数平均重合度は次式で表される．

ここに，C_s は連鎖移動定数，[S]は溶媒濃度，[M]は単量体濃度，は溶媒不在下での数平均重合度である．上式から明らかなように，溶液重合においては溶媒による連鎖移動が起こるために，塊状重合に比べて生成重合体の分子量が小さくなる．また，溶液重合においては重合熱の除去が可能となるが，生成重合体と溶媒との分離工程が必要となる．

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