| abstract |
"POLYMERIZATION PROCESS". The present invention relates to a water-soluble or water-expandable polymer preparation process comprising the steps: (a) forming an aqueous mixture comprising: (i) a ethylenically unsaturated monomer or mixture of monomers soluble in water; (ii) at least one first ultraviolet primer; and (iii) at least one second ultraviolet primer; (b) performing the polymerization by subjecting the aqueous mixture formed in step (a) to irradiation by ultraviolet light at an intensity of up to 1,000 Wcm ^ -2 ^, subjecting the product of step (b) to light irradiation. greater than 1,000 <109> WCM ^ -2 ^, in which a significant amount of the first initiator (s) is activated in step (b) and a significant amount of the second initiator (s) (s) is activated in step (c). The process is particularly suitable for the production of highly effective water soluble or water expandable polymers useful as flocculants, coagulants, rheology modifiers, dispersants, superabsorbents and binders, etc. |