Bulk and suspension polymerization of styrene in the presence of n‐pentane. An evaluation of monofunctional and bifunctional initiation

Abstract The plasticizing effect of n ‐pentane on the rate of bulk free radical polymerization of styrene and molecular weight distribution development has been modeled on the basis of the free volume theory for both monofunctional and bifunctional initiation. A strong decrease in the reaction rate in the late stages of the polymerization, due to the displacement of the onset of the gel effect, has been observed for both types of initiation. …