Toward an understanding of the role of water‐soluble oligomers in the emulsion polymerization of styrene–butadiene–acrylic acid. Function of carboxylic acid

In a further effort to understand the role of water‐soluble oligomers formed during the emulsion terpolymerization of styrene/butadiene/acrylic acid (St/Bu/AA), the reaction temperature, initiator concentration, and ionic strength were varied and the kinetics and resulting oligomers were characterized as a function of reaction time. The rate of polymerization (R_p) was observed to increase with increasing temperature and initiator concentration; the reasons for this vary. The increase in R_p with increasing initiator concentration is mainly attributed to the increase in the number of oligomeric radicals formed and, subsequently, the resulting number of particles (N_p). Increasing the temperature increases the water solubility of both monomers and polymers, which results in changes in the composition and molecular weight of the oligomeric radicals being formed. The primary reaction locus in the St/Bu/AA system was noted to shift to the aqueous phase after most of the styrene and butadiene had reacted, based on the unreacted AA profile. The role of water‐soluble oligomers (both oligomeric radicals and dead oligomers) during the emulsion polymerization of St/Bu with acrylic acid can be described by three periods: (1) particle generation and (2) before and (3) after the critical surface saturation concentration (CSSC) is reached during the particle growth period. The incorporation of AA monomer into the oligomer chains after the CSSC may cause destabilization of the latexes through a bridging flocculation mechanism. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1988–1999, 2003     

Kinetics of emulsion copolymerization. II. Effect of free radical desorption on the rate of emulsion copolymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate

The rate coefficient for radical desorption from the polymer particles is derived for an emulsion copolymerization system, assuming, for simplicity, that only monomer radicals can desorb from the particles. The effect of free radical desorption on the rate of emulsion copolymerization and the copolymer composition is theoretically analyzed, using the rate coefficient for radical desorption developed in this paper and a mathematical reaction model proposed earlier by the present authors for an emulsion copolymerization system where the average number of total radicals per particle does not exceed 0.5. The validity of the analysis is demonstrated experimentally using the seeded emulsion copolymerization of styrene (ST) and methyl methacrylate (MMA). Radical desorption from the particles does not affect the copolymer composition, but the desorption of MMA—monomer radicals plays an important role in determining the rate of emulsion copolymerization, while the desorption of ST—monomer radicals from the particles can be neglected from a kinetic point of view.     

Radical entry into particles during emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate

The entry of free radicals (formed in the aqueous phase) into polymer particles is the subject of the present work. A model has recently been developed based on the postulate that the aqueous-phase growth of the free radicals to a critical size is the rate-determining step for entry. An experimental strategy was devised to study this phenomena. Polystyrene latex with a water-insoluble inhibitor partitioned into the polymer particles was used as seed for secondary polymerization of vinyl acetate. This was done to form and isolate stable oligomers of the critical size. The presence of vinyl acetate oligomers was detected with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thin-layer chromatography. Fast atom bombardment–mass spectroscopy (MS) was used to determine the molecular weights of the oligomers. Though it was not possible to determine the precise size of the vinyl acetate oligomers formed, the MS results show that the number of monomer units in the oligomers has an upper bound of 12–14. The number of units in the oligomer of critical size was estimated to be about 5–6. These experimental results are quite close to model predictions; thus this work helps in corroborating the model. Additional work is necessary to conclusively validate this model. The experimental strategy used in this work has made it possible to determine the approximate size of oligomers formed in the aqueous phase during emulsion polymerization. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effect of molecular weight distribution on polymer diffusion during film formation of two-component high-/low-molecular weight latex particles

We describe fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) studies of film formation by a new type of two-component latex particles. These particles consist of a miscible blend of two components that have a similar composition but very different molecular weights. In our approach, we used sequential seeded emulsion polymerization to generate (in situ) a fraction of oligomer in poly(butyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) P(BA-MMA) seed particles that contained a relatively high molecular weight (high-M) dye-labeled polymer. In this way we could systematically change the molecular weight distribution of polymer inside the particles. We varied the amount and the molecular weight of the oligomers. For latex films cast from these two-component particles, we studied the diffusion rate of the high molecular weight polymer by FRET. These measurements revealed that oligomers promoted diffusion rate during latex film formation (oligoplasticization). We analyzed our diffusion data in terms of the Fujita–Doolittle free-volume model and showed that higher molecular weight oligomers are less efficient as plasticizers. In separate experiments, oligomers with similar molecular weights as those in the two-component particles were introduced via latex blending. We compared oligoplasticization in latex blends films with that in the two-component particles films. Finally, we investigated the rheological behavior of the two-component polymers with compositions adjusted to have a common T_g (2 °C). The higher the molecular weight of the oligomer, the more that had to be added to achieve T_g = 2 °C. All of the oligomers were much shorter than the entanglement length and act as diluents of the entanglements in the high-M polymer. We found that incorporating larger amounts of oligomers with a higher molecular weight resulted in a more pronounced drop in polymer viscosity, associated with the decrease in the entanglement density.     

Mechanochemical copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene initiated by the grinding of quartz

The copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene mechanochemically initiated by the grinding of quartz in the monomer mixture was investigated by using a vibrating ball mill. The effect of the grinding of quartz on the copolymerization was investigated by characterizing both the polymer formed and the ground quartz. The copolymerization proceeds apparently from the quartz grindings and was closely related to the total surface area of the ground quartz. The molecular weight distributions of the copolymers formed were unimodal as found in a homopolymer of only methyl methacrylate. It was clear from the composition analysis of the copolymer that the mechanochemical copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene proceeded with a radical polymerization mechanism because of radicals on the quartz surface produced by the grinding. The monomer reactivity ratios obtained by the Fineman‐Ross method suggested that the copolymers formed were alternating copolymers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2011–2017, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10544     

Mechanism of particle formation in radical emulsion copolymerization of styrene with α-tert-butoxy-ω-vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol macromonomer

In the batch emulsion copolymerization of styrene and α-tert-butoxy-ω-vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol macromonomer, carried out at macromonomer concentrations exceeding the critical micelle concentration (c_mc), particles are formed by a two-step coagulative nucleation mechanism. This mechanism leaves its mark on morphology of particle interface, rate of polymerization and on molecular weight distribution of the obtained polymer. AFM studies revealed that the interface of particles is composed of objects with dimensions close to dimensions of the primary particles. Compartmentalization of styrene in the macromonomer micelles leads to the higher initial rate of styrene conversion than in the similar macromonomer free homopolymerization of styrene. The initial polymerization in the monomer-swollen macromonomer micelles, similar to the microemulsion polymerization, is responsible for the formation of the highest molecular weight component. In the mature particles there are two different polymerization loci: the interfacial layer and the core. This leads to bimodal molecular weight distribution of the formed polymer.     

Semibatch styrene suspension polymerization processes

Emulsion and suspension polymerization processes have widely been studied for more than 40 years. Although both polymerization processes are performed in heterogeneous media, each one presents its own typical characteristics, such as the particle size distribution, molecular weight distribution, polymer particle nucleation rate, and polymerization rate. In this study, semibatch styrene suspension polymerizations were carried out with feed compositions typical of emulsion processes. The initial reactor charge resembled the recipe of standard styrene suspension polymerizations, and the emulsion polymerization constituents were added during the batch. The influence of the moment at which the emulsion feed was started on the course of the polymerization and the effects of the feed on the polymer properties were analyzed. The polymer particle morphology and the average molecular weights changed very significantly with the emulsion feed time, and the changes could lead to the production of broad molecular weight distributions. Core–shell polymer particles could also be obtained, with the core being formed of polymer particles originating from the suspension polymerization process and the shell being formed of polymer particles originating from the emulsion polymerization. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3021–3038, 2003     

Emulsion copolymerization of alpha-methylstyrene and styrene

Fast copolymerizations of styrene and alpha-methylstyrene can be achieved in emulsion systems where free-radical reactions in the bulk or solution are inefficient. The Smith–Ewart–Gardon theory of emulsion polymerization was developed for homopolymerizations but should extend to this copolymerization since the particular comonomers meet the basic assumptions of this model. Sodium lauryl sulfate surfactant provided faster initial polymerization rates, but steady-state conversions were faster with potassium laurate, especially at higher alpha-methylstyrene contents. This is ascribed to acceleration of potassium persulfate decomposition by the former soap. Monomer concentration in the polymerizing particles was constant during steady reaction rates. The rate of volume growth of particles during this interval was generally as predicted by theory. The number of particles and particle sizes could be predicted well if allowance was made for initiator wastage reactions. The observed average number of radicals per particle appeared to be 0.5. Analysis of the composition of monomer droplets and proton NMR analyses of copolymer compositions provided independent confirmations that the present emulsion copolymerization was consistent with the terminal copolymerization model.     

Preparation and characterization of P(St‐co‐4VP) particles produced by using emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization

Emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization of styrene (St) and copolymerization of St and 4‐vinyl pyridine (4VP) in the presence of ammonium persulfate were studied. A comparison between the two polymerization systems was made. It was found that there were big differences comparing polymerization rate, the number and size of the particles and distribution, and molecular weight. For the St–4VP system, it was found that the additional amount of 4VP influenced the copolymerization of St and 4VP, molecular weight, and particle size. The formation mechanism of the particles was discussed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1502–1507, 1999     

Semicontinuous emulsion copolymerization of styrene and butyl acrylate

Semicontinuous emulsion copolymerization of styrene and butyl acrylate with a constant rate of feed of monomer emulsion was investigated. The integral composition of the copolymer at the end of the feeding was different from the feed composition, and the difference was proportional to the monomer feeding rate. The closer the feed composition was to the composition at the azeotropic point, the lower was the sensitivity of the system to the feeding rate. At low feeding rates, the copolymerization proceeded at conversions of about 90–95%, and the composition of the copolymer was practically equal to that of the monomer feed. The reactivity ratios determined under these conditions were probably influenced by diffusion inside the growing polymer–monomer particles.     

聚烯烃产品中低聚物的分析

通过对CX（淤浆均聚 + 淤浆共聚 + 离心脱除低聚物）工艺产品中离心机脱除低聚物前后聚合物的分子量分布的分析对比,得出离心机可以脱除低聚物,最终产品中低聚物含量降低;通过力学和热稳定性的研究,证明了产品经离心机脱除低聚物后力学及热性能均有所提高;利用核磁分析了烯烃淤浆聚合工艺难以生产高共聚单体含量的聚乙烯牌号的原因。     

一种可自交联有机硅乳液的制备

通过苯乙烯乳液聚合成种子,再在种子核外生成苯乙烯与甲基丙烯酸-3-三甲氧基硅丙酯（MPS）的共聚物,形成核-壳型乳胶粒,从而得到自交联型的水分散涂料。这种含硅涂料能在涂覆过程中发生自交联反应,不仅有效提高了涂层的光滑度、耐候性和耐沾污性,更减少了可挥发性有机溶剂（VOC）的排放量。通过透射电子显微镜（TEM）和动态光散射仪（DLS）研究了反应条件对所得乳液型涂料稳定性的影响。发现在MPS参与的乳液共聚合过程中,需选用离子型乳化剂,保持介质pH值在7左右,控制MPS浓度来提高乳液稳定性,防止乳胶粒聚并。并用红外光谱（FTIR）和^29Si固态核磁谱（NMR）表征了所得聚合物的微结构。     

Kinetics and mechanism of emulsion copolymerization. IV. Kinetic modeling of emulsion copolymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate

Based on the micellar nucleation theory, a mathematical kinetic model for an unseeded emulsion copolymerization system is developed, where the radicals with and without electric charge are discriminated from each other in view of the role in the particle nucleation process. In order to demonstrate the validity and utility of this kinetic model, the experiments of the unseeded emulsion copolymerization of styrene (ST) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) are carried out varying the initial initiator (potassium persulfate) and emulsifier (sodium lauryl sulfate) concentrations and the monomer composition in the initial monomer feed, and various kinetic features observed are compared with the model predictions. It is concluded from this comparison that in this system, almost all the polymer particles are generated by the charged radicals stemming from the initiator, and further that this mathematical kinetic model can provide a satisfactory explanation of the various kinetic features observed.     

苯乙烯可逆加成-断裂链转移聚合动力学

为了实现可逆加成-断裂链转移(RAFT)聚合过程中,苯乙烯均聚、高分子量聚苯乙烯的合成及苯乙烯与其他单体共聚时,对苯乙烯转化率、共聚时组成和分子量大小的控制,进行了二硫代苯乙酸-1-苯基乙酯(PEPDTA)调控苯乙烯本体和细乳液聚合动力学分析。在本体聚合中,反应速率慢,链增长自由基与"中间态"自由基的终止反应对聚合速率影响较小,很难合成窄分布、高转化率、高分子量的聚苯乙烯;在细乳液聚合中,反应速率快、转化率高,随着PEPDTA含量增加,乳胶粒数量减少、粒径分布变宽,诱导期和缓聚现象明显;聚合物的数均分子量随转化率线性增长,RAFT试剂浓度越高,分子量分布越窄,反应时间越长,分布越宽。以Smith-Ewart方程为基础,建立了苯乙烯RAFT细乳液聚合动力学模型,模型动力学曲线与实验数据相符合,能较好地预测实验过程。     

The preparation of uniform polystyrene latices by true emulsion polymerization

Conventional emulsion polymerization of styrene produces some polydispersion in particle sizes in the latex. By carrying out a one-stage polymerization of finely emulsified monomer droplets of styrene formed in a mixture of methanol and water, it is possible to prepare stable latices of polystyrene in which the particles are perfectly uniform in size. The polymer has a relatively low molecular weight, but it is more stable to fragmentation by surfactant solutions than polystyrene prepared by conventional emulsion polymerization, the molecular weight of which is greater. The surface charge density of the particles is higher than that of particles produced by emulsion polymerization, and this probably accounts for the stability of the dispersion during polymerization and of the latex.     

Elektrochemisch initiierte polymerisation von acrylnitril

With the aid of an electrochemical initiated reaction of pure acrylonitrile in the presence of 0,1–1% water and of small concentrations of quaternary ammonium salts, an oligomeric, yellow, in acetone soluble compound was obtained with a molecular weight of 1000–3000. The high current-yield – up to 100 g/Ah, this means that per electrontransfer up to two polymeric molecules were obtained –, the low molecular weight, the independence of molecular weight of current density, the insensitivity to oxygen, and experiments of copolymerization with styrene indicate that the oligomer is formed at the cathode by an anionic mechanism. The influence of electrolyte structure, of cathode material, of current density, of water concentration, of convection, and of temperature on the formation of the oligomer has been investigated. A proposal of the structure of the oligomeric acrylonitrile has been made.     

Modeling of bulk copolymerization reactor using chain-length-dependent rate constants

A mathematical model is developed for a batch reactor in which binary free radical copolymerization occurs. The diffusion-controlled features of the propagation and termination reactions are taken into account by applying the free volume theory, whereas the chain-length-dependent termination rate constant is formulated by using the continuous probability function. Application of the pseudokinetic rate constant method, as well as the terminal model, reduces the complex rate expressions for the copolymerization system to those for the corresponding homopolymerization system. In addition, the moment equations of the living and dead polymer concentrations, as well as the equation for copolymer composition, are derived to compute the average molecular weight and the copolymer composition. The model is proven adequate when applied to the copolymerization system of styrene and acrylonitrile with AIBN(2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile) initiator. The results of model prediction clearly show that even the propagation reaction is limited by the diffusion of monomers at higher conversion and that the azeotropic fraction of styrene is about 0.6. It is noticed that as the monomer conversion increases, the molecular weight distribution tends to become broader because the weight-average molecular weight increases at a faster rate than the number-average molecular weight. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 1015–1027, 1997     

Simulation model for the emulsion copolymerization of acrylonitrile and styrene in azeotropic composition

A simulation model based on the “unit segment” concept which provides prediction of conversion and molecular weight of product, is proposed for the emulsion polymerization of AN and St in azeotropic composition. Effects of initiator concentration and emulsifier concentration on conversion and molecular weight were studied experimentally and theoretically. It is found that the desorption of AN radicals should be taken into account, and the number of radicals per particle is always less than 0.5. The concentration of polymer particles is proportional to the 0.58 power in respect of the emulsifier concentration and to the 0.35 power in respect of the initiator concentration. The auto-acceleration effect becomes significant when both initial emulsifier concentration and initiator concentration decrease, which influences the average molecular weight of the products. The azeotropic composition of AN–St is 28.5:71.5 by weight for this system at 60°C reaction temperature.     

Graft frequency of graft copolymers by chain transfer of growing polymer radicals to trunk polymers containing nitro groups

The relationship between the chain transfer constant, extent of monomer conversion, and number of branches was derived for the graft copolymerization through chain transfer of growing polymer radicals to the pendent aromatic nitro groups on the trunk polymer. The equation derived enables us to predict the number of branches for a given monomer trunk polymer. The relationship obtained is compared with the experimental data previously reported for the graft copolymerization of styrene onto poly(vinyl p-nitrobenzoate). The value of α′, the ratio of nitro groups with branches to those which are attacked by polystyrene radicals, is less than unity except for the graft copolymers obtained with high initiator concentrations and at early stages of the reaction. This lowering of α′ is attributed to the steric hindrance of branches already formed on the trunk polymer which prevents the attack of polystyrene radicals on the nitro groups and side reactions, such as reaction of the nitroso groups formed as an intermediate with styrene.