Effect of pressure on the precipitation and sol-phase aqueous polymerization of methyl methacrylate

Effect of pressure (atmospheric to 120 kg/cm²) on the K₂S₂O₈–Na₂S₂O₄-initiated aqueous polymerization of methyl methacrylate has been studied at 25°C. When the concentrations of the redox initiator are so adjusted as to obtain the separating polymer phase as a coarse coagulum, the conversion, rate, and molecular weight of polymerization tend to rise initially with increase of pressure up to a certain value and fall subsequently to a limiting value. However, these parameters fall monotonously with an increase in pressure when the polymer phase separates out as a fine colloid at a lower concentration of the initiator. The initial rise in rate is consistent with an increase in k_p and or a decrease in k_t under high pressure; the ultimate fall in rate may be due to a decrease in the diffusion of monomer from the aqueous phase to the growing polymer radical site. The fall in the molecular weight with pressure is explained on the basis of enhanced monomer transfer. In the colloidal range the pressure dependence trend is related to the stability of the colloidal phase. The rate is proportional to the square root of the product of K₂S₂O₈–Na₂S₂O₄ and varies linearly as the first power of the monomer concentration as also observed under normal pressure conditions. The MWD values of the polymers are ca. 2.5 and do not change with applied pressure.     

Polymerisation von Vinylchlorid bei Atmosphärendruck 1. Polymerisationssysteme zur Herstellung von U-PVC

A method for polymerization of vinylchloride (VC) at atmospheric pressure is described, in which the gaseous monomer is polymerized with K₂S₂O₈ as an initiator at 45°C to 60°C. The amount of the polymer formed (so-called U-PVC) as a function of the reaction time depends on the rate of monomer flow. The reaction rate increases with higher initiator concentration as well as with increasing temperature. It is also possible to initiate the polymerization with the redox-system K₂S₂O₈/Na₂SO₃/Cu²⁺ within the range of 0°C to 20°C. By means of transmission electronmicroscopic (TEM) investigations the particle size and particle size distribution as a function of polymerization time and temperature was determined.     

On the possibility of using combined polymerization and drying in synthesis of polyacrylamide

This paper presents investigation results of polyacrylamide synthesis with combined polymerization and drying. First, polyacrylamide synthesis was carried out in concentrated aqueous solutions of acrylamide at 30°C. Polymerization was initiated by K₂S₂O₈/Na₂S₂O₃ an oxidation–reduction system. The monomer conversion degree at this stage did not exceed 80%. Further, polymerization with simultaneous solvent elimination from the prepolymer was carried out in a dryer with infrared heat supply and natural convection. Such conditions provide monomer conversion degree up to 100%.     

Kinetics of graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate in wool fibers

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate in wool fibers was investigated in the aqueous LiBr–K₂S₂O₈ system without homopolymer. The rate of grafting and the degree of polymerization of graft polymer were determined on varying the extent of reduction of wool fibers and the concentration of monomer. From the graft copolymerization behavior observed at a given concentration of redox catalysts (LiBr and K₂S₂O₈), the thiol groups in wool fibers were considered to play a role as a sort of catalyst of polymerization, not as the chain transfer agent, and also to give the grafting sites. So, the initiation process of grafting was assumed to be started by d[S·]/dt = k_i[SH]_eff, and the kinetic consideration was found to lead to the following expression in agreement with the experimental results: 1/DP = (k_t/k_p²[M]_fib²)R_p, where d[S·]/dt is the rate of formation of thiol radicals by radicalotropy to ? SH from SO₄^?., OH·, or Br·; k_i, k_p, and k_t are the rate constants of initiation, propagation, and termination, respectively; [SH]_eff and [M]_fib are the concentration of the effective thiol groups and the MMA monomers within the wool fibers, respectively; DP is the average degree of polymerization of graft polymers, and R_p the overall rate of grafting.     

Effects of redox initiator on graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto natural rubber

Effects of cumene hydroperoxide (CHPO)/tetraethylene pentamine (TEPA), tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHPO)/TEPA, and potassium persulfate (K₂S₂O₈)/sodium thiosulfate (Na₂S₂O₃) redox initiator on methyl methacrylate (MMA) grafted natural rubber by emulsion polymerization were investigated. The optimum reaction condition for each redox initiator on the grafting of natural rubber was studied. The grafted poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) stays on the surface of rubber particles. CHPO dissolves very well in the oil phase and TBHPO dissolves moderately in the oil phase, and K₂S₂O₈ /Na₂S₂O₃ initiation is water‐soluble. Each can interact with TEPA in the aqueous phase. CHPO was found to give a higher grafting efficiency. To promote a greater grafting efficiency and yield a lower homopolymer content of PMMA, vinyl neo‐decanoate (VneoD) was added. Percentages of grafting of MMA on natural rubber latex initiated by CHPO/TEPA, TBHPO/TEPA, and K₂S₂O₈/K₂S₂O₃ of 84.4, 74.5, and 61.1, respectively, were in good agreement with percentages of PMMA in the aqueous phase as 7.2, 12.0, and 17.9 by CHPO, TBHPO, and K₂S₂O₈. VneoD produces allylic radicals on polyisoprene chains, favoring the grafting reaction with other vinyl monomers. CHPO/TEPA is thus a better redox system for grafting of MMA monomer on natural rubber latex. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2587–2601, 2006     

The study of free radical polymerization of acrylonitrile by oxidation–reduction system using potassium persulfate–thiourea in aqueous medium

The polymerization kinetics of acrylonitrile (AN) with the potassium persulfate (K₂S₂O₈)/thiourea redox system has been investigated volumetrically in an aqueous medium in the temperature range of 40–80°C. The rate of polymerization (R_p) and rate of K₂S₂O₈ disappearance have been measured. The effects of some water‐miscible organic solvents, cationic, anionic, nonionic surfactants, and complexing agents on the R_p were investigated. The temperature dependence of the rate was studied, and the activation parameters were computed using the Arrhenius and Eyring plots. The effects of organic solvents on polymerization were also investigated. All of them depressed both the initial rate and limiting conversion. A mechanism consistent with the experimental data involving K₂S₂O₈–thiourea complex formation, which generates free radicals, is suggested. Molecular weight of the polymer was determined by viscometry. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Surfactant-free aqueous RAFT polymerization of styrene in the presence of CaCO3 particles

A new method to achieve well-controlled surfactant-free aqueous RAFT polymerization of styrene initiated by K₂S₂O₈ in the presence of CaCO₃ particles was proposed. It was found that the hydrophobic monomer of styrene was adsorbed on the surface of CaCO₃ particles and well-controlled surfactant-free aqueous RAFT polymerization mediated with the RAFT agent of S,S′-bis(α,α′-dimethyl-α″-acetic acid) trithiocarbonate (BDMAT) was achieved. The weight ratio of the feeding CaCO₃ to the styrene monomer on the aqueous RAFT polymerization was investigated, and it was found that high CaCO₃/styrene weight ratio led to fast aqueous RAFT polymerization. The aqueous RAFT polymerization kinetics was checked, and the fast RAFT polymerization rate at low molar ratio of styrene/BDMAT/K₂S₂O₈, the linear ln([M]_o/[M])–time plot, the linear increase in the number–average molecular weight with the monomer conversion, and the relatively low PDI values (1.1～1.3) were demonstrated. The surfactant-free aqueous RAFT polymerization was compared with the general emulsion RAFT polymerization in the presence of the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant. It was found that the surfactant-free aqueous RAFT polymerization seemed more valid than the emulsion RAFT polymerization. The proposed method is believed to be a new strategy to achieve well-controlled surfactant-free aqueous RAFT polymerization.     

High pressure semibatch emulsion and miniemulsion copolymerization of vinyl acetate and ethylene

This study presents the experimental study of semibatch emulsion and miniemulsion copolymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) and ethylene to vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) copolymer at 60°C and 80–300 psig. In the miniemulsion copolymerization, a water-soluble initiator (K₂S₂O₈) is used and VAc miniemulsion is prepared in presence of surfactant and cosurfactant using a sonicator or a high-shear homogenizer. Then, ethylene gas is supplied to the reactor at constant partial pressure. In a miniemulsion process, the mass transfer limitations of VAc from monomer droplets to the aqueous phase, and to micelles or polymer latex particles that are present in conventional macro-emulsion polymerization can be eliminated and the transfer of ethylene dissolved in the aqueous phase to the miniemulsion droplets is the major ethylene transport process for the polymerization. The experimental data show that the amount of ethylene incorporation into the copolymer is higher in miniemulsion polymerization than in emulsion polymerization. The ethylene pressure has been found to have a strong impact on the ethylene incorporation into the copolymer phase in both emulsion and miniemulsion copolymerizations but the increase is more pronounced in miniemulsion case. The VAE copolymer latex particles prepared by miniemulsion polymerization exhibited higher storage stability than those prepared by macro-emulsion polymerization.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of Potassium Persulphate/L-Serine Initiated Polymerization of Methylmethacrylate

The polymerization kinetics of methyl methacrylate with K₂S₂O₈/L-serine redox system has been investigated volumetrically at 35±0.1°C under nitrogen atmosphere acidic aqueous medium in DMF/H₂O mixture (50% v/v). The rates of polymerization were measured varying concentrations of the monomer, initiator, L-serine as well as temperature; and it was found to increase with increasing of both temperature and concentrations of monomer, initiator, and L-serine. The overall energy of activation (E _a ) has been calculated to be 29.48 kJ/mol from the Arrhenius plot in temperature range 25–50°C. The molecular weight of the polymer was determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Based on kinetic studies and depending on the results obtained, a suitable reaction mechanism has been suggested and the rates of polymerization found to obey the following equation: V _p [methyl methacrylate]^1.09[L-serine]^1.03[K₂S₂O₈]^0.96.     

Semicontinuous emulsion copolymerization of 3‐O‐methacryloyl‐1,2:5,6‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐D‐glucofuranose (3‐MDG) and butyl acrylate (BA). Monomer feed addition

New polymer colloids based on the saccharide monomer, using of 3‐O‐methacryloyl‐1,2:5,6‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐D ‐glucofuranose (3‐MDG), were prepared by semicontinuous emulsion polymerization, a widely used industrial process. The copolymerization of 3‐MDG and butyl acrylate (BA), by the monomer‐addition technique, at 70°C, using sodium persulfate (Na₂S₂O₈) as an initiator, was investigated. The influence of some reaction parameters, such as the type and concentration of the surfactants as well as the monomer addition rate (R_m) on the polymerization rate (R_p), the colloidal properties, and the stability of the latexes, was studied. It was found that under starved‐feed conditions the polymerization rate and the particle size (D) increased with an increasing rate of monomer addition. The weight‐average molecular weight (M _w) also increased by enhancing R_m and a narrower molecular weight distribution was obtained. Furthermore, the type and the concentration of the surfactants strongly influenced the particle size and its distribution. The effect of the seed stage on the particle size and its distribution was also investigated. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2091–2102, 2003     

Adhesion improvement in glass fiber reinforced polyethylene composite via admicellar polymerization

Admicellar polymerization (polymerization of monomer solubilized in adsorbed surfactant bilayers) has been used to form a thin film of polyethylene onto the surface of milled glass fibers using sodium dodecyl sulfate as the surfactant. The decrease in ethylene pressure was used to follow the solubilization and adsolubilization processes as well as the reaction processes. An increase in initiator (Na₂S₂O₈) to surfactant ratio gave thicker and more uniform coatings of polymer onto the glass fiber surface according to SEM micrographs. Although a substantial amount of ethylene polymerized in solution according to the pressure drop, the decrease in pressure attributed to admicelle polymerization corresponded to the amount of polymer formed on the glass fiber, indicating little, if any, solution polymer deposited on the fibers. The admicellar‐treated glass fiber was used to make composites with high‐density polyethylene. The composites showed an increase in tensile and flexural strength over composites made from as‐received glass fiber, indicating an improvement in the fiber‐matrix adhesion of the admicellar‐treated glass fiber.     

Preparation of gelatin–N-vinylpyrrolidone graft copolymer

The graft copolymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone (VP) onto gelatin was carried out by the following four different initiator systems: AIBN, K₂S₂O₈, H₂O₂—Fe²⁺, and Ce⁴⁺—HNO₃. The last one caused the monomer to lose the double-bond and polymerization ability due to the hydrolysis of the monomer. Using α,α-azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator, the graft copolymerization of gelatin and N-vinylpyrrolidone in aqueous medium was studied systematically. The relationships between the rate of grafting and the concentration of initiator, monomer, and gelatin were established experimentally. Meanwhile, the rate equation was also derived from the proposed reaction mechanism, and it was similar to the equation previously obtained experimentally. The apparent activation energies for homopolymerization (E_h), graft copolymerization (E_g), and over all polymerization (E_p) were calculated. The graft efficiency and molecular weight of the grafted PVP were measured by hydrolyzing the backbone with hydrochloric acid. The graft copolymers Gel-g-PVP were added into the coating films, and the physical properties of the films, such as hardening ability, dimensional stability, and wetting property were investigated. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 68: 1485–1492, 1998     

Kinetic studies of the chemical polymerization of substituted aniline in aqueous solutions and characterization of the polymer obtained Part 1. 3‐Chloroaniline

Aqueous polymerization of 3‐chloroaniline (mCA) was studied using sodium dichromate as oxidant in the presence of hydrochloric acid. The effect of hydrochloric acid, sodium dichromate and monomer concentration on the polymerization rate, specific viscosity of the obtained polymer and ac conductivity was investigated. The initial and overall reaction rates increase with increasing hydrochloric acid concentration or sodium dichromate concentration, but decrease with increasing monomer concentration. The specific viscosity values (η_sp) increase with increasing hydrochloric acid concentration or monomer concentration, which means that the molecular weight of the polymer samples increases accordingly. On the contrary, the molecular weight decreases with increasing sodium dichromate concentration. The highest ac conductivity value of the obtained polymer was found for 0.0255 mol l⁻¹ of Na₂Cr₂O₇, 0.8 mol l⁻¹ HCl and 0.0956 mol l⁻¹ monomer concentration in the reaction medium. The order of the polymerization reaction with respect to hydrochloric acid, Na₂Cr₂O₇ and monomer concentration was found to be 1.0, 0.9 and 0.75, respectively. The apparent activation energy (E_a) for this polymerization system was found to be 13.674 × 10⁴ mol⁻¹. The obtained poly(3‐chloroaniline) was characterized by UV–visible, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. X‐ray diffraction analysis and electron microscopy studies were carried out. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) results were used to confirm the structure. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

(S)-2-(Ethyl propionate)-(O-ethyl xanthate) and (S)-2-(Ethyl isobutyrate)-(O-ethyl xanthate)-mediated RAFT polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone

(S)-2-(Ethyl propionate)-(O-ethyl xanthate) (X1) and the newly synthesized (S)-2-(ethyl isobutyrate)-(O-ethyl xanthate) (X2) were used as the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agents for the radical polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP). The former showed the better chain transfer ability in the polymerization at 60 °C. Kinetics study with X1 shows the psuedo-first order kinetics upto 45% monomer conversion. Molecular weight (M _n) of the resulted polymer increases linearly with increase in the monomer conversion upto around 45%. Polydispersity of the corresponding poly(NVP)s increase gradually from 1.2 to 1.9 with increase in the monomer conversion. Chain-end analysis of the resulted polymer by ¹H NMR shows clearly that polymerization started with radical forming out of xanthate mediator. Living nature of the polymerization was confirmed from the successful homo chain extension experiment and also the hetero-chain extension experiment involving synthesis of poly(NVP)-b-polystyrene amphiphilic diblock copolymer.     

Mechanical property investigation of single polymer particles with the variation of molecular structure of crosslinking monomer

The effects of the swelling ratio (S/R), the existence of methyl side groups, the length and molecular structure of backbone chain of crosslinking monomer on the variation of mechanical properties of single polymer particle were investigated. For the study, monodisperse polymer particles were prepared via one‐step seeded polymerization using PMMA as seed particles and 1,n‐alkanediol di(meth)acrylate or (ethylene glycol)_n di(meth)acrylate as crosslinking monomer. Recovery rate, K‐values, breaking strength, and breaking displacement were measured as mechanical properties and they were performed by using microcompression test. The following observations were made: (1) only breaking strength was closely related to the swelling ratio; (2) the existence of methyl side groups increased the K‐values but decreased the recovery rate of the polymer particles; and (3) K‐values were the most sensitive to the variation of backbone chain length of crosslinking monomer, and they were decreased with the increase of the backbone chain length of crosslinking monomer. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Preparation of interpenetrating polymer network gel beads for dye absorption

Preparation of interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) gel beads for dye absorption was carried out by using simultaneous crosslinking method. First, sodium alginate (SA), 3‐(methacrylamido) propyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (MAPTAC), and/or acrylamide (AM), K₂S₂O₈, and N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBAM) were mixed in aqueous solution. The beads were prepared using K₂S₂O₈ and MBAM as the initiator and crosslinking agent, respectively. Then, the solution was dropped into CaCl₂ solution mixed with N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA). The former was used as the crosslinking agent of alginate and the latter was used as the accelerator for the polymerization of monomer in the alginate solution. The gel bead composed of only alginate was also prepared to compare the properties with IPN gel bead. The components in IPN gel bead were examined by FTIR analysis. The factors effecting the particle size of alginate and IPN gel beads were investigated. In alginate gel bead, the concentration of solution affected the particle size, whereas type of monomer affected the particle size of IPN gel bead. The IPN gel bead had smooth surface (from SEM results), different from the alginate bead. Alginate content caused the swelling behavior of dried IPN beads. Cationic dye was absorbed by crosslinked alginate gel bead. The absorption of reactive dye by IPN gel bead was a result of its cationic charge. The absorption density of IPN gel beads was the reciprocal of the absorbent dosage. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 1585–1591, 2006     

Modelling of a continuous kneader reactor for the polymerization of partially neutralized acrylic acid

A mathematical model and analysis of the continuous polymerization of partially neutralized acrylic acid (AA) in a continuous kneader reactor is presented here as an initial attempt to simulate the synthesis of a superabsorbent polymer. A detailed kinetic model has been used to describe the copolymerization of AA and sodium acrylate (NaA) in aqueous medium. This model is used to describe batch and continuous operations. The polymerization is initiated by a mixture of potassium persulphate (K₂S₂O₈, KPS) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as oxidizing agent and ascorbic acid (AsA) as reducing agent. A novel set of kinetic parameters has been estimated by fitting experimental data from different literature sources. The operation of a continuous kneader reactor modelled as a plug-flow reactor with axial dispersion is theoretically investigated to predict temperature profile, total and individual monomer conversion, consumption of KPS, H₂O₂, and AsA, and polymer average molecular weights. The simulation results show the presence of a hot spot close to the reactor entrance that could be potentially severe during startup and could have a detrimental impact on polymer quality. This model is a first step in the direction of achieving optimal operating protocols and exploring improved polymerization reactor designs.     

Polymeric multifunctional carboxylic acids as crosslinking agents for cotton cellulose: Poly(itaconic acid) and in situ polymerization of itaconic acid

Multifunctional carboxylic acids have been used as nonformaldehyde durable press finishing agents for cotton. In previous research we found that maleic acid (MA) and itaconic acid (IA) polymerize in situ on cotton fabric at elevated temperatures when both potassium persulfate (K₂S₂O₈) and sodium hypophosphite (NaH₂PO₂) are present, thus imparting wrinkle resistance to the treated cotton fabric. We also found that MA and IA polymerize in aqueous solutions in the presence of K₂S₂O₈ and NaH₂PO₂. In this research, we compared the effectiveness of poly(itaconic acid) (PIA) applied to cotton fabric as a polymer and IA applied as a monomer and allowed to polymerize in situ for crosslinking cotton cellulose. We found that IA is more effective in esterifying cotton cellulose and imparting a high level of wrinkle resistance to the fabric as it polymerizes in situ than PIA applied as a polymer. We also found that tensile strength loss of the cotton fabric crosslinked by IA polymerizing in situ as a function of fabric wrinkle recovery angle is practically the same as that crosslinked by PIA applied as a polymer. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 319–326, 2001     

Polymerization of Butyl Acrylate using Potassium Peroxy Disulfate as Initiator in the Presence of Phase Transfer Catalyst—A Kinetic Study

The kinetics and mechanism of free radical polymerization of butyl acrylate (BA), using potassium peroxydisulfate (K₂S₂O₈) as initiator in the presence of propiophenonebenzyldimethylammonium chloride (PPBDMAC) as phase transfer catalyst (PTC) has been studied. The reactions were carried out under inert, unstirred conditions and at a constant temperature of 60°C in cyclohexanone/water biphase media. The dependence of the rate of polymerization (R_p) on various experimental conditions such as different concentrations of monomer, initiator, phase transfer catalyst, varying acid and ionic strength, temperature, and volume fraction of aqueous phase were studied. The order with respect to monomer, initiator, and the phase transfer catalyst were found to be 1.5, 0.5, and 0.5, respectively. The rate of polymerization was independent of acid and ionic strength. Based on the results, a mechanism has been proposed for the polymerization reaction.     

Polymerization in an electrodeless glow discharge. II. Olefinic monomers

The rates of polymer deposition from various olefinic monomers in an electrodeless glow discharge were studied. The previously found empirical relationship (with styrene in part I) between the rate of polymer deposition R, the monomer pressure p_M, and gas pressure p_x in a steady-state flow system (i.e., R = a(p_M)² [1 + b(p_x)], R being nearly independent of the discharge power) was also found with all monomers investigated. (The effect of gas was examined with nitrogen in this study.) However, it was found that the polymer deposition is controlled by the monomer flow rate and R_o (in pure monomer flow) is proportional to the flow rate of monomer F_w (based on the weight); i.e., R_o = kF_w, where k is a characteristic rate constant of the polymerization. Olefinic monomers can be generally classified into two major groups, i.e., type A monomers which predominantly polymerize, and type B monomers which decompose in a glow discharge. Type B monomers have smaller values of a and k compared to type A monomers. The values of a and k for type A monomers both increase with increasing molecular weight of the monomer. The values of k for all monomers investigated are within roughly an order of magnitude, indicating that the reactivity levels of monomers are very similar in a glow discharge polymerization.