Abstract
The bulk polymerization of styrene was carried out under ultrasonic irradiation. The effects of power input and frequency of ultrasonic waves on the polymerization rate and the molecular weight distribution of polymer were studied. The mechanism of polymerization was not affected by ultrasound, but the overall rate constant decreased linearly with increase of net ultrasonic energy, and the average molecular weight of polymer slightly increased with ultrasonic irradiation. These results are caused by the accelaration of termination reaction and/or the decrease of initiator efficiency with ultrasonic irradiation.
