Polymerization of maleic acid and itaconic acid studied by FT‐Raman spectroscopy

In this research, we used a new redox free radical initiation system consisting of potassium persulfate (K₂S₂O₈) and sodium hypophosphite (NaH₂PO₂). In the presence of NaH₂PO₂, the thermal decomposition of K₂S₂O₈ is accelerated, and the temperature required for the formation of free radical is reduced. We polymerized maleic acid (MA) using the K₂S₂O₈/NaH₂PO₂ initiation system in an aqueous solution, and monitored the polymerization process with FT‐Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectroscopy data indicate the formation of a saturated carboxylic acid with the disappearance of the characteristic bands of MA as the thermal decomposition of K₂S₂O₈ progresses, thus indicating the formation of poly(maleic acid) (PMA). We also found that itaconic acid (IA) polymerizes in the presence of the new initiation system. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 223–228, 2001