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Block Copolymers From Living Emulsion Polymerization: Reactor Operating Strategies and Blocking Efficiency
Author(s) -
Altarawneh Ibrahem S.,
Gomes Vincent G.,
Srour Mourtada H.
Publication year - 2012
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.201100052
Subject(s) - copolymer , dispersity , emulsion polymerization , chain transfer , polymer chemistry , materials science , polymer , emulsion , monomer , living polymerization , molar mass distribution , polymerization , reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer polymerization , acrylate , chemical engineering , radical polymerization , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , engineering
Diblock copolymers are generated using xanthate‐based RAFT agents in conjunction with emulsion polymerization via stage‐wise operations. First, emulsion polymerization is conducted for styrene, methyl acrylate, and butyl acrylate monomers to obtain polymers of specified molar mass. At the second stage, polymers undergo chain extension to produce block copolymers. Linear growth of molecular weight with respect to conversion establishes the living characteristics of the process. Under batch conditions, partly homopolymers are produced. Semi‐batch operation produces copolymers of higher purity with low polydispersity. The choice of blocking sequence is crucial for reducing the influence of the terminated chains on the distribution sequence of copolymers produced.