What is the Difference Between Free Radical and Ionic Polymerization?

Free radical and ionic polymerization are two different processes of forming a polymer material. They are subtypes of chain-growth polymerization. The key difference between the two lies in the nature of the initiators used and the mechanisms involved in the processes.

Free Radical Polymerization:

• Initiated by free radicals, which are very reactive, short-lived components containing one or more unpaired electrons.
• The radical makes the monomer a reactive radical.
• Most free radical polymerizations can be run at or below room temperature.

Ionic Polymerization:

• Initiated by ionic initiators, which can be anions or cations.
• The anion or cation binds with the monomer, making a reactive charged species.
• Ionic polymerizations employing vinyl reactants can also be run at or below room temperature, with heating typically employed only when melting is required.

In summary, the main difference between free radical and ionic polymerization is the nature of the initiators used and the mechanisms involved in the processes. Free radical polymerization uses free radicals as initiators, while ionic polymerization uses ionic initiators. Both processes are subtypes of chain-growth polymerization and are used to form polymer materials.

Comparative Table: Free Radical vs Ionic Polymerization

The main difference between free radical and ionic polymerization lies in the initiators used and the mechanisms involved in the processes. Here is a comparison table highlighting the key differences between the two types of polymerization:

Both free radical and ionic polymerization are subtypes of chain-growth polymerization, and they are used to form polymer materials from a large number of monomer units via chemical bonds.