Open AccessMethyl methacrylate-styrene copolymers prepared by utilizing the Trommsdorff effect in an inverted two-stage extruder
Author(s) -
Pengfei Zhan,
Jianding Chen,
Anna Zheng,
Han Shi,
Tao Wu,
Dafu Wei,
Xiang Xu,
Yong Guan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
materials research express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.383
H-Index - 35
ISSN - 2053-1591
DOI - 10.1088/2053-1591/abb4fd
Subject(s) - copolymer , plastics extrusion , reactive extrusion , materials science , methyl methacrylate , extrusion , polymer chemistry , viscosity , monomer , styrene , chemical engineering , methacrylate , polymer , composite material , engineering
In this work, the influence of initial viscosity on the Trommsdorff effect was firstly investigated, and it was confirmed that 1000 ± 100 Pa · s of viscosity could be a criterion of the Trommsdorff effect. On this basis, a new inverted two-stage extruder was established, the designed ‘blocking unit’ was introduced to the screw configuration, and then the continuous bulk copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (St) was carried out. The results showed that the blocking unit could effectively enhance the residence time of copolymerization, and make the molecular weight distribution of copolymer more uniform. The position of the Trommsdorff effect in the extruder was then determined by the thermal effect of copolymerization, and the mixed monomers were continuously added to effectively utilize the Trommsdorff effect. As a result, the MMA-St copolymers with high molecular weight and narrow distribution were prepared via reactive extrusion, which possessed higher melt flow rate and better thermal stability than pure-PMMA. The present work provides important reference and guidance for the industrialization of bulk free radical copolymerization via reactive extrusion.