Abstract
The purpose of the present paper is to investigate the polymerization of styrene by Hard clay (Crown clay). The results obtained were as follows: Although Hard clay was treated with high temperature (700°C), its activities of polymerization were not missing, and the degree of polymerization of styrene was not affected whether the reaction was carried out an atmosphere of nitrogen or not. The reaction between Hard clay and styrene occurred in equivalent amount, the apparent activation energies of polymerization were 0.6kcal/mole. Furthermore, the average degree of polymerization of obtained polymer was about 60-80 at 0°C. These results suggest that the polymerization of styrene by Hard clay is initiated by the acid side of its surface and the progresses as a cationic mechanism.
