Electroinduced dispersion polymerization of acrylonitrile in the presence of poly(acrylic acid) and catalytic amount of Ce(IV)

Electroinduced dispersion polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by Ce(IV) was performed in an electrolytic cell in the presence of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). Micron-size polyacrylonitrile (PAN) particles were stabilized with PAA by electrostatic interaction or by a PAA-Ce(III)-PAN ternary complex formation. A PAA-PAN stable polymer was formed in the cathodic compartment, and the reduced initiator was reoxidized in the anode, thus allowing for the continuation of the process. A possible mechanism of polymerization is suggested.