Premium
A simple model for the semicontinuous heterophase polymerization: Ethyl methacrylate as a case example
Author(s) -
Alvarado Abraham G.,
HernándezMontelongo Rosaura,
Rabelero Martin,
PérezCarrillo Lourdes A.,
Puig Jorge E.,
LópezSerrano Francisco
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.25275
Subject(s) - nucleation , materials science , radical , polymerization , methacrylate , monomer , homogeneous , polymer chemistry , particle (ecology) , radical polymerization , chemical engineering , thermodynamics , composite material , polymer , chemistry , organic chemistry , physics , engineering , oceanography , geology
A simple but comprehensive model considering homogeneous and micellar nucleation, coagulation, entry of radicals to particles and to micelles and radicals' exit from particles, is presented. The model is validated, in a starved semicontinuous heterophase polymerization of ethyl methacrylate, at three monomer addition rates. The model accurately describes the overall and instantaneous conversion, the average particle density and diameter, and the number and weight average molar masses evolutions over time. It is found that even though the average number of radicals is much smaller than 0.5, the system is not 0‐1. An empirical function was used to describe the gel effect. The homogeneous nucleation was the prevailing mechanism for particle formation and large exit rates of radicals were observed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60: 223–232, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers