Postpolymerization of quaternary ammonium acrylate polymer produced by electropolymerization

Postpolymerization of dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate‐methyl chloride (DMAEM‐MC) electropolymerization, with Sn +2 /EDTA as initiator, was studied. The factors that affect the stable average molecular weight of the polymer (MW ∞ ) created by postpolymerization were investigated. The results indicate that the major factors affecting the MW ∞ are the current density, pH i value, and the [Sn +2 ] i /[EDTA] i ratio. On the other hand, original reaction temperature, initial initiator concentration, and initial monomer concentration are minor factors affecting the postpolymerization polymer. Increasing the current density decreases the MW ∞ at fixed operating conditions. The optimum [Sn +2 ] i /[EDTA] i ratio to obtain the highest MW ∞ mainly depends on the pH i value. At 3.25 and 4.00 pH i values, the optimum [Sn +2 ] I /[EDTA] i ratio is 5.00. However, at 1.75 and 2.50 pH i values, the optimum ratios are 1.00 and 2.00, respectively. The results also reveal that increasing the original reaction temperature, initial initiator concentration, and initial monomer concentration increases the molecular weight. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 1071–1076, 2001