Premium
RAFT Dispersion Polymerization of Styrene in Water/Alcohol: The Solvent Effect on Polymer Particle Growth during Polymer Chain Propagation
Author(s) -
Huo Fei,
Wang Xiaohui,
Zhang Yaoyao,
Zhang Xu,
Xu Jianxiong,
Zhang Wangqing
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201200640
Subject(s) - polymerization , chain transfer , polymer , chain growth polymerization , polymer chemistry , dispersity , solvent , precipitation polymerization , dispersion polymerization , reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer polymerization , monomer , kinetic chain length , chemistry , bulk polymerization , solution polymerization , styrene , living polymerization , chemical engineering , materials science , radical polymerization , organic chemistry , copolymer , engineering
The RAFT polymerization of styrene in a solvent consisting of a water/alcohol mixture with different water contents is performed and the solvent effects on polymerization kinetics, polymer chain propagation, and polymer particle growth are evaluated. It is found that the solvent affects the RAFT polymerization kinetics greatly, and the apparent polymerization rate constant ( K p app ) increases with an increase in the water content of the water/alcohol mixture. In addition, RAFT polymerization in a water/alcohol mixture with a higher water content affords better control of the polydispersity index (PDI) of the synthesized polymers. Furthermore, the solvent also exerts a great influence on the growth of the polymer particles. Hollow particles are formed either at the initial polymerization with low monomer conversion or in the solvent with a low water content, whereas solid polymer particles are produced either at high monomer conversion or in the solvent with a high water content.