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Mathematical Modeling of the Stabilizer‐Free Dispersion Copolymerization of Styrene and Maleic Anhydride: Particle Growth
Author(s) -
Torraga Maria G. F.,
Giudici Reinaldo
Publication year - 2020
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.202000036
Subject(s) - copolymer , dispersity , materials science , maleic anhydride , dispersion (optics) , dispersion polymerization , nucleation , polymer chemistry , stabilizer (aeronautics) , particle (ecology) , styrene , polymer , polymerization , chemical engineering , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , physics , oceanography , geology , optics , engineering , mechanical engineering
A model is proposed for particle growth in the stabilizer‐free dispersion copolymerization of styrene (ST) and maleic anhydride (MAH). The model is based on the assumptions that 1) polymerization occurs in both the continuous phase and the polymer particles, 2) the nucleation step is fast, and the number of polymer particles is fixed during the process, 3) the particle population is monodisperse, 4) the propagation step between ST and MAH follows the terminal model, and 5) the termination step is diffusion‐controlled, causing an autoacceleration effect in the process. The model predicts the global conversion, copolymer composition and the polymer particle diameter during time. The validation data are obtained experimentally by stabilizer‐free dispersion copolymerization and the model predictions are in good agreement with the experimental data.