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Influence of CO 2 on ultrasound‐induced polymerizations in high‐pressure fluids
Author(s) -
Kuijpers M. W. A.,
Jacobs L. J. M.,
Kemmere M. F.,
Keurentjes J. T. F.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.10464
Subject(s) - polymerization , viscosity , methyl methacrylate , polymer chemistry , radical polymerization , kinetics , chemistry , cavitation , ultrasound , materials science , chemical engineering , polymer , thermodynamics , organic chemistry , composite material , physics , quantum mechanics , acoustics , engineering
A strong viscosity increase upon polymerization hinders cavitation and subsequent radical formation during an ultrasound‐induced bulk polymerization. Ultrasound‐induced radical polymerizations of methyl methacrylate (MMA) have been performed in CO 2 ‐expanded MMA, as well as in bulk MMA. For this purpose, the phase behavior of CO 2 /MMA systems has been determined. With temperature oscillation calorimetry, the influence of CO 2 on the viscosity and on the reaction kinetics of ultrasound‐induced polymerizations of MMA has been studied. In contrast to polymerizations in bulk, this technique shows that a low viscosity is maintained during polymerization reactions in CO 2 ‐expanded MMA. As a consequence, a constant or even increasing polymerization rate is observed when pressurized CO 2 is applied. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005