Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Graft copolymers have been prepared by the irradiation of polymer latices swollen with monomer. The latices used were prepared by radiation polymerization of emulsions to avoid the presence of initiator molecules in the second stage. Latices of polystyrene swollen with methyl methacrylate and polymethyl methacrylate swollen with styrene have been used. Polymerizations were followed dilatometrically and the dependence of polymerization rate on monomer concentration and radiation intensity obtained for both systems studied. Separation of copolymer from homopolymers has been attempted by thermal gradient elution chromatography; the method proved satisfactory when the solvent—nonsolvent system benzene—petroleum ether was used, but failed to give separations when benzene—methanol was used. This failure is thought to be due to cosolution phenomena.</jats:p>