Dynamics of network formation in aqueous suspension RAFT styrene/divinylbenzene copolymerization

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Miguel A. D. Gonçalves (Author) Other; Virgínia D. Pinto (Author) Other; Rolando C. S. Dias (Author) Other; Julio C. Hernándes-Ortiz (Author) Other; Mário Rui P. F. N. Costa (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Macromolecular Symposia

Vol. 333 No. 1

ISSN: 1022-1360

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Proceedings

ISI Web of Knowledge - 4 Citations

Scopus - 1 Citation

INSPEC

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Chemical engineering

Associated Projects

LA 20 - PROJECTO ESTRATÉGICO - LA 20 - 2013-2014

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-008-J3X

DOI: 10.1002/masy.201300046

Abstract (EN): Experimental studies concerning the RAFT copolymerization of styrene and commercial divinylbenzene were performed in order to assess the use of controlled radical polymerization for the production of non-conventional polymer networks. Aqueous suspension polymerizations were carried out in stirred batch reactor and changes of a few operation parameters were tried in order to assess their effect on key product properties: reaction temperature, initial ratio monomer/RAFT agent, monomer dilution in the organic phase and crosslinker content in the monomer mixture were changed along the experimental program. Polymerizations were extended beyond the gel point in order to synthesize gel beads. The effect of different commercially available RAFT agents (e.g. S-thiobenzoyl thioglycolic acid and two trithiocarbonates) on network process formation was also studied. Dynamics of gel formation was measured using size exclusion chromatography with refractive index and light scattering detection. Iodine chloride titration yielded pendant double bonds concentration. In-line and off-line FTIR-ATR measurements were also performed in order to obtain information concerning the kinetics of formation and final structure of the gels.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13