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Flash Latex Production in a Continuous Helical Photoreactor: Releasing the Brake Pedal on Acrylate Chain Radical Polymerization
Author(s) -
Chemtob Abraham,
Lobry Emeline,
Rannée Agnès,
Jasinski Florent,
Penconi Marta,
Oliveros Esther,
Braun André M.,
Criqui Adrien
Publication year - 2016
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.201500060
Subject(s) - photopolymer , photoinitiator , acrylate , monomer , methacrylate , materials science , polymerization , polymer chemistry , copolymer , radical polymerization , chemical engineering , photochemistry , chemistry , polymer , composite material , engineering
The continuous photopolymerization of acrylate and methacrylate monomer miniemulsions (25% solids content) is investigated at room temperature in a compact helix minireactor. Using n‐butyl acrylate, the process yields 95% conversion after only 27 s residence time, and gel‐free high‐molecular‐weight products. Under optimized conditions, a 25‐fold increase in efficiency is obtained when compared to a batch photopolymerization. The reaction set‐up offers a frugal process because of moderate irradiance (2.6 mW cm −2 ), photoinitiator concentration (0.75 wt%), and low‐power UV‐A fluorescent lamp.