Winsor I-like (micro)emulsion polymerization of styrene initiated by oil-soluble initiator

Batch emulsion polymerization of styrene initiated by an oil-soluble initiator and stabilized by non-ionic emulsifier (Tween 20) has been investigated. The rate of polymerization vs. conversion curve shows the two non-stationary rate intervals typical for the non-stationary-state polymerization. This behavior is a result of the continuous particle nucleation and the decrease of monomer concentration at the reaction loci with increasing conversion. The initial increase of the polymerization rate is attributed to the increase of particle number and the polymerization proceeding under the monomer-saturated condition—the Winsor I-like (micro)emulsion polymerization. The decrease of the polymerization rate is the result of the depressed transfer of monomer from the monomer reservoir to the reaction loci. Above 50 °C the monomer emulsion separates into two phases: the upper transparent monomer phase and the lower blue colored (microemulsion) phase. The polymerization mixture consists of the microdroplets (act as the reaction loci) and large degradable monomer droplets (act as the reservoir monomer and emulsifier). The continuous release of emulsifier from the monomer phase and the microdroplets induce the continuous particle nucleation up to high conversion. The initial formation of large particles results from the agglomeration of unstable growing particles and monomer droplets. The size of large (highly monomer-swollen) particles decreases with conversion and they merge with the growing particles at ca. 40-50% conversion. The coarse initial emulsion transformed during polymerization to the fine (semitransparent) polymer emulsion as a result of the continuous particle nucleation, the shrinking of highly monomer-swollen polymer particles and the depletion of monomer droplets. The low overall activation energy of polymerization is mainly ascribed to the decreased barrier for entering radicals into the latex particles with increasing temperature.     

Anionic ring-opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane in emulsion above critical micelle concentration

Batch anionic ring-opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane in emulsion using nonionic and cationic emulsifiers was studied. The concentration of emulsifiers was set above their critical micelle concentration. Effects of emulsifier concentration, nonionic/cationic emulsifier ratio and cationic emulsifier/initiator (KOH) ratio on the kinetics, average particle size and distribution and on the average molecular weight and distribution were investigated and discussed. At the beginning of the polymerization, empty micelles, active micelles (polymer particles) and monomer droplets co-exist in emulsion. The transport of monomer from monomer droplets toward empty micelles was confirmed by monomer droplets and empty micelles disappearance and by formation of smaller particles. The transport of monomer from monomer droplets toward polymer particles was not confirmed, since the average polymer particle size did not increase during polymerization. It was proposed, that at lower conversions, monomer diffuses from polymer particle interior to particle surface, while at higher conversions, the monomer diffuses from larger to smaller polymer particles. Emulsifier concentration, nonionic/cationic emulsifier ratio and cationic emulsifier/KOH ratio have an evident effect on the kinetics and on the average molecular weight, thus demonstrating that cationic emulsifier participates to the initiation reaction.     

Semibatch anionic ring-opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane in emulsion

The semibatch anionic ring-opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane in emulsion was studied under the condition of no seed particles used in polymerization system. Concentration of emulsifier was set above critical micelle concentration. Effect of monomer feed rate on the chemical kinetics, average particle size and distribution and on the polymer molar mass and distribution was investigated. During monomer addition, polymerization rate was constant and controlled by the monomer feed rate. According to the proposed mechanism for anionic polymerization in emulsion, it was assumed that also the number of active polymerization sites and monomer concentration at the particle surface, where propagation occurs, remain constant. A continuous increase of average particle size and absence of extensive condensation reactions at high conversion suggested that the freshly added monomer diffuses toward hydrophobic polymer particles, where it is consumed in propagation reaction and/or accumulated in the particle core.     

Study of different types of monomer emulsion feedings to semibatch emulsion polymerization reactors

Semibatch emulsion polymerization processes with a monomer emulsion feed are of great importance in both academia and industry. Monomer emulsion feeds can be applied to semibatch reactors using either a stream of an emulsified monomer or two streams of a neat monomer feed and an aqueous solution of an emulsifier. The effect of the feeding policy on the rate of polymerization and on the secondary particle formation was studied for a seeded semibatch emulsion polymerization of styrene. When a single-stream monomer emulsion feed is applied to a semibatch process, the monomer-swollen micelles formed in the feed might become the locus of initiation upon entering the reaction vessel. Under the conditions of this study, the application of monomer emulsion feed in either one stream or two streams did not result in secondary particle formation. The incoming monomer-swollen micelles were disintegrated to supply emulsifier molecules for the stability of growing particles, before they can capture radicals and become polymer particles. The rate of polymerization was found to be independent of the way that the monomer emulsion feed is added. In the absence of nitrogen, the rate of polymerization decreased more appreciably for the monomer emulsion feed, due to the oxygen dissolved in the emulsified monomer. The number of particles, however, was not affected by the purging policy. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 2472–2477, 2001     

Semibatch emulsion polymerization of butyl acrylate. II. Effects of emulsifier distribution

The effects of emulsifier distribution ratio between the initial charge and the feed on particle formation and kinetics of butyl acrylate emulsion polymerization, using sodium lauryl sulfate as emulsifier and potassium persulfate as initiator, were investigated. The number of particles increased with initial emulsifier concentration in the reactor charge. It was shown that traditional ranking, in terms of number of particles produced, of semibatch emulsion polymerization with monomer emulsion feed is not always justified and a semibatch emulsion polymerization can produce far more particles than a conventional batch emulsion polymerization. The number of polymer particles was found to be practically independent of the emulsifier distribution ratio between the charge and the feed for a high overall emulsifier concentration, while for a low overall emulsifier concentration, the number of particles increased with initial loading of the emulsifier. The polydispersity index (PDI) of the final latexes showed a minimum with emulsifier distribution. A bimodal particle size distribution, and a latex with a large PDI, was obtained when there was no emulsifier in the charge. As the initial emulsifier charge increased, a unimodal PSD with a smaller PDI was obtained. With higher proportions of emulsifier in the initial charge, the PDI rose again due to particle nucleation at monomer‐starved conditions, and a skewed unimodal PSD was obtained. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 582–597, 2001     

Self‐assembly of pH‐responsive acrylate latex particles at emulsion droplets interface

The self‐assembly of pH‐responsive poly (methyl methacrylate‐co‐acrylic acid) latex particles at emulsion droplet interfaces was achieved. Raising pH increases the hydrophilicity of the latex particles in situ and the latex particle acts as an efficient particulate emulsifier self‐assembling at emulsion droplet interface at around pH 10–11 but exhibits no emulsifier activity at higher pH. This effect can be reversibly induced simply by varying the aqueous phase pH and thus the latex emulsifier can be reassembled. The effect factors, including the aqueous phase pH, the surface carboxyl content, ζ‐Potential of the latex particles and oil phase solvent have been investigated. Using monomer as oil phase, the latex particles could stabilize emulsion droplets during polymerization and cage‐like polymer microspheres with hollow core/porous shell structure were obtained after polymerization. The mechanism of the latex particles self‐assembly was discussed. The morphologies of emulsion and microspheres were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

A Mathematical Model for Emulsion Polymerization

Experimental studies of emulsion and suspensoon polymerization of styrene at 50~C are reported.Amathematical model for a batch emulsion polymerization in a unbaffled reactor with stirrer is proposed.This model allows for not only the effect of adsorption of the emulsifier onto the monomer droplets butalso the gel-effect.Data from the suspension polymerization tests are used to determine the relationshipbetween K_t and X_p Conclusion of these data in the model provided a good prediction of the number andsize of the latex particles and the conversion rate over most of the conversion range.     

Mass transfer and thermodynamic effects in emulsion polymerisation

The course of emulsion polymerisation is shown to depend on the water-solubility of the monomers concerned. With insoluble monomers, the mass transfer rate of monomer to polymer particles can sometimes be exceeded by the polymerisation rate, and viscosity within the particles is appreciable throughout the course of the reaction. Thus, surfactant is adsorbed before monomer droplets disappear. With more soluble monomers, mass transfer rates of monomer are high and since the equilibrium concentration of polymer in particles is low the monomer droplets disappear early in the reaction. Consequently, water-insoluble monomers often conform to Smith-Ewart behaviour, whereas water-soluble monomers do not. With water-soluble monomers the final particle number is proportional to the cube of the initial surfactant concentration.     

阳离子聚合物乳液的合成研究

本文通过常规乳液聚合法合成阳离了聚合物乳液，讨论了反应引发剂、阳离子乳化剂、功能性单体、共聚单体和单体浓度等各种因素对聚合速率、乳液性能等的影响。     

Microemulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of macroinimer

The kinetics of o/w electrostatically and sterically-stabilized microemulsion polymerization of styrene with and without macromonomeric azoinitiator (macroinimer; MIM) have been investigated. The microemulsion polymerization stabilized by the ionic emulsifier sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or the non-ionic emulsifier Tween 20 (Tw 20) was initiated by ammonium peroxodisulfate (APS)/sodium thiosulfate (STS) redox system. The rate of polymerization vs. conversion curve shows the two non-stationary rate intervals. This behavior is a result of two opposing effects, the continuous particle nucleation and the decrease of monomer concentration at the reaction loci. The addition of MIM favors the additional particle nucleation. The sterically (Tw 20)-stabilized microemulsion polymerization is much faster than that of the electrostatically (SDS)-stabilized microemulsion polymerization. This was attributed to the higher Tw 20 concentration and increased solubilization of MIM and comonomer concentration in the polymer particles. The formation of initial large polymer particles is attributed to the intensive agglomeration polymer particles with monomer droplets. The continuous decrease in the average size is mainly attributed to the additional particle nucleation.     

Rate of emulsion polymerization of styrene

In emulsion polymerization, the Smith and Ewart theory gives about two or three times the number of polymer particles obtained by experiment. In this paper, a reaction model is proposed which, from the standpoint of reactor design, can give an adequate explanation of the whole course of an emulsion polymerization of monomer highly insoluble in water. Among other things, the generating process of polymer particles is examined in detail. It is demonstrated experimentally that a new parameter proposed here, which represents the degree of difficulty of monomer initiation in micelles, is indispensable in explaining that process. Also confirmed is that monomer initiation takes place more easily in polymer particles than in micelles. According to the new model, the progress of polymerization, i.e., monomer conversion, the number of the polymer particles, and properties of polymer thus produced can be estimated with satisfactory accuracy. Furthermore, approximate equations are derived for easier estimation.     

核壳型复合聚合物乳液合成工艺研究

以乳化单体加料的种子聚合技术,合成了聚丙烯酸乙酯/聚苯乙烯核壳型复合聚合物乳液.确定了种子聚合过程中乳化剂补加量与聚合单体量之间的定量关系和合理的单体加料速率.该体系所得聚台物乳液的乳胶粒是“翻转型”的核壳结构.     

Experimental study of emulsion polymerization with crosslinking

Herein is reported the results of an extensive experimental investigation of the kinetics of emulsion polymerization as affected by crosslinking in the polymer particles. The model monomer system, methyl methacrylate (MMA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), was chosen for this study due to its earlier comprehensive investigation in bulk polymerization. Standard recipes with sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) as anionic emulsifier and potassium persulfate (KPS) as initiator were used for the batch emulsion polymerizations. Results, which clearly show the effect of crosslinking on the kinetics, are discussed in detail. These include swellability of polymer particles by monomer; polymer particle nucleation rates, below and above the critical micelle concentration (CMC); average number of radicals per particle; and gel-sol levels. It was found advantageous to use electron spin resonance (ESR) to follow radical concentrations during crosslinking in polymer particles. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 935–957, 1997     

高固含量苯丙微乳液聚合的研究

以阴／非离子型乳化剂作为复合乳化剂体系，进行高固含量St-BA微乳液聚合的研究。获得了固含量达34％，而乳化剂总用量为3．0％、乳液粒径为38．2nm的聚合物微乳液。讨论了聚合方法、乳化剂、反应温度、单体滴加速度、搅拌速率等因素对微乳液聚合的影响。     

纺织用高性能喷胶棉粘合剂的研制

利用种子乳液聚合方法制备了用于喷胶棉粘合剂的高性能苯丙乳液,研究了乳化剂、引发剂、交联剂、反应温度、反应时间及搅拌速率等因素对该苯丙乳液性能的影响,在此基础上确定了最佳的工艺条件。当软硬单体的质量比为30/70、乳化剂用量为3.6%、引发剂用量为0.6%、交联剂用量为2%、反应温度为76～85℃、反应时间为75 min、搅拌速率为300 r/min时,所得苯丙乳液的性能最佳。     

Semibatch emulsion polymerization of butyl acrylate. I. Effect of monomer distribution

The effects of initial monomer charge on the particle formation and on the rate of polymerization were investigated for semibatch emulsion polymerization of butyl acrylate using sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as a surfactant and potassium persulfate (KPS) as an initiator. For the semibatch process with monomer (M) feed, it was found that by varying the monomer distribution ratio between the initial reactor charge and the feed it is possible to alter the contribution of monomer‐flooded and monomer‐starved nucleation mechanisms to the whole nucleation process. The number of particles increases as the initial monomer charge decreases, if the monomer concentration is below a critical value for any fixed system. The increase in number of particles is associated with a broad particle‐size distribution which might depict an emerging second peak on the particle‐size distribution curve. For low emulsifier concentration systems, a larger number of particles was obtained for a lower amount of monomer charge. Particle coagulation and emulsifier adsorption on the monomer droplets were counted as the main reasons for such behavior. For a semibatch process with monomer emulsion (ME) feed, the larger number of particles was formed at a lower initial monomer charge, similar to an M‐add semibatch process. However, the application of monomer charge to an ME‐add process was found to increase the possibility of secondary nucleation and led to the occurrence of a bimodal particle‐size distribution. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 3094–3110, 1999     

Continuous emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate. Part I: Experimental studies

An interesting feature of commercial continuous emulsion polymerization reactors is the important phenomenon of sustained oscillations. Laboratory investigations of emulsion polymerization in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) have shown that the conversion, number of polymer particles and other related properties often oscillate widely with time. These oscillations can lead to emulsifier levels too small to adequately cover polymer particles resulting in excessive agglomeration and reactor fouling. Herein is reported an extensive experimental study of vinyl acetate emulsion polymerization in a CSTR. The effects of initiator and emulsifier concentrations, mean residence time and rate of agitation on the production rate and size distribution of polyvinyl acetate latices were investigated. Domains of reactor operation which give rise to sustained oscillations and massive agglomeration of the latex are mapped which give rise to sustained oscillations and massive agglomeration of the latex are mapped out. The effect of different start-up policies on reactor transients were also investigated.     

含氟丙烯酸酯共聚乳液的制备及表征

以甲基丙烯酸甲酯（MMA）、丙烯酸丁酯（BA）等为主要单体,丙烯酸全氟烷基酯（Zonyl TM）为含氟单体,甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯（HEMA）为交联单体,采用种子乳液聚合法制备了含氟丙烯酸酯共聚物乳液。研究了Zonyl TM、HEMA、引发齐（APS）用量、复合乳化剂（SDS/OP—10）、聚合温度、聚合时间和搅拌速度等因素对聚合反应最终转化率、耐水性和乳液稳定性的影响。制备的乳液单体总转化率高,乳液凝聚率低,聚合反应稳定,涂膜的综合性能优良。此外,含氟乳胶膜对水的接触角及TG分析结果表明,Zonyl TM有效参与了共聚反应,提高了涂膜的耐水性及耐热性。     

A Mathematical Approach to the Analysis of Swollen Emulsion Polymerization of Styrene

A mathematical model for swollen emulsion polymerization of styrene was derived in this study. The experimental data were obtained using two different swelling agents: cetyl alcohol and lauryl alcohol. In the studied system, potassium persulfate and sodium dodecyl sulfate were used as initiator and emulsifier, respectively. The variation of total monomer conversion with the polymerization time obtained with different swelling agent-emulsifier combinations and data from SEM photographs of the final latexes were evaluated for estimation of the model parameters. In the mathematical model, it was assumed that the polymerization takes place according to first-order kinetics, within the forming latex particles in the presence of monomer diffusion from the monomer droplets to the forming latex particles. The kinetic rate constants and the variation of effective diffusion coefficient of monomer with the polymerization time were estimated using model expressions. Relative rate factor-Thiele modulus diagrams were derived for swollen emulsion polymerization system.     

Semibatch anionic ring‐opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane in emulsions: effect of the amount of seed polymer particles

Semibatch anionic ring‐opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane with the use of seed polymer particles in emulsions was studied. The concentration of the emulsifier was set above the critical micelle concentration. We investigated the effect of the amount of seed polymer particles on the chemical kinetics and the average particle size and distribution. During monomer starving conditions the polymerization rate strongly depended on the monomer feed rate and not on the amount of seed particles. Throughout the entire monomer feed period the average particle size increased. This increase depended on the number and the size of seed particles. In emulsions with higher particle sizes higher equilibrium conversions were obtained. In our opinion, a greater extent of backbiting reactions is responsible for lower equilibrium conversions during and at the end of the process. The seeded semibatch process seems a reasonable choice for designing emulsion products with high monomer conversion and desired particle size. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry