Semibatch operation and primary cyclization effects in homogeneous free-radical crosslinking copolymerizations

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2005

Authors

dias, rcs (Author) Other; costa, mrp (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Polymer

Vol. 46

Pages: 6163-6173

ISSN: 0032-3861

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 18 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 15 Citations

COMPENDEX

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Chemical sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-2AV

DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2005.04.101

Abstract (EN): A theoretical analysis is presented on the use of semibatch reactors for producing non-linear copolymers through the homogeneous free-radical polymerization of mono- and divinyl-monomers. The kinetic scheme distinguishes two kinds of pendant double bonds and five kinds of polymer radicals, as it also takes into account the primary cyclization of terminal divinyl units. In spite of the fairly large number of groups and reactions, the generating function of vector chain length distribution of polymer species can still be accurately computed by a numerical implementation of the method of characteristics and thus average molecular weights before and after gelation can be reliably obtained. The influence of feed policies of the monomers, initiator and transfer agent on gelation, average chain lengths and weight fraction of sol is discussed, as well as their sensitivity to some kinetic parameters.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11