Application of thermal analysis to study the macroredox polymerization of styrene with hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene

Ceric ammonium nitrate–hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene macroredox initiator has been investigated for the polymerization of styrene in nitric acid medium at 35 °C. Water inhibited the polymerization of styrene using this macroredox system. The products obtained were crosslinked and insoluble in water and organic solvents. A probable mechanism for the copolymerization reaction has been inferred from differential scanning calorimetry. Kinetic parameters for thermal degradation have been calculated by thermogravimetry (TG).