Cryopolymerisation

The mechanism of cryochemical chain reactions is examined in relation to polymerisation. The study of such processes in crystals has led to the discovery of a low-temperature limit to the rates of chemical reactions. Polymerisation occurring under the conditions of a sharp change (by 5–6 orders of magnitude) in the molecular mobility of the medium in the region of the devitrification of the matrix has been investigated in vitreous systems. Unusual mechanoenergetic chains of chemical reactions have been observed in the study of systems immersed in liquid helium. The chemical reaction is initiated by a local brittle fracture and is propagated along the specimen in the form of an autowave. Auto-oscillations of the rate of cryopolymerisation have been observed under certain conditions. The bibliography includes 132 references.