Polymerisation reactions initiated by high electric fields. Kinetic applications in the field of free cationic polymerisations

Free cationic polymerisations were initiated in bulk by field ionisation with a positive tip. Dilatometric measurements obtained with ‘dry’ and ‘ultra-dry’ styrene, a-methylstyrene and isobutylvinylether were in agreement with kinetic equations derived by assuming that in the absence of deactivating impurities the space charge is built up only by growing macromolecules. Determination of the space charge by independent physical methods suggests that the kp values of the literature need to be re-evaluated. It was also shown that charge injection enhances the degree of dryness (measurable by this process) and is therefore useful in ultimate purification of monomers.