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(Mini)emulsion Polymerization: Effect of the Segregation Degree on Polymer Architecture
Author(s) -
González Iker,
Paulis Maria,
de la Cal José C.,
Asua José M.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
macromolecular reaction engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.37
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1862-8338
pISSN - 1862-832X
DOI - 10.1002/mren.200700031
Subject(s) - miniemulsion , emulsion polymerization , polymerization , methyl methacrylate , polymer chemistry , chain transfer , monomer , emulsion , polymer , materials science , chemical engineering , butyl acrylate , kinetic chain length , copolymer , acrylate , chemistry , solution polymerization , radical polymerization , organic chemistry , composite material , engineering
A continuous loop reactor was used for the production of 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate (2‐EHA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and acrylic acid (AA) pressure sensitive adhesive by both emulsion and miniemulsion polymerization. Similar high monomer conversions were achieved in both processes, but striking differences in polymer architecture were found. A mathematical model was used to analyze these differences concluding that because the costabilizer suppressed monomer diffusion from miniemulsion droplets, the average polymer concentration in the polymerization loci was lower in the miniemulsion process. This resulted in less chain transfer to polymer, and hence in lower sol molecular weight and gel content.