Template polymerization of sodium vinyl-sulphonate in the presence of poly(allylamine) hydrochloride

The radical polymerization in aqueous solution of sodium vinyl sulphonate in the presence of poly(allylamine) hydrochloride as a template has been studied using dilatometry and the obtained polyelectrolyte complexes have been characterized by viscosimetric and thermal analysis. The time-conversion curves have shown an unusual trend characterized by a slowing down phase followed by an increase in the polymerization rate. The same trend has been observed at various reaction temperatures, and at different monomer concentrations. The results of the viscosimetric analysis have indicated that the molecular weight of the formed polymer increases by increasing the initial template concentration, the other operating conditions remaining unchanged. The mechanism of this template polymerization is discussed in this paper.