The SCOPE dynamic model for emulsion polymerization II. Comparison with experiment and applications

Paper I provides the underlying theoretical framework for the SCOPE dynamic model of emulsion copolymerization. The present paper compares the model predictions for styrenemethyl methacrylate copolymerizations with experimental measurements made at a variety of polymerization conditions. The SCOPE model predicts conversion–time profiles reasonably well over wide ranges of initiator concentration, monomer concentration and monomer composition. In addition, the model accurately predicts number average molecular weights and copolymer compositions over the entire range of monomer composition. Like previous investigations of this system, the present study suggests that free radical desorption from polymer particles plays a dominant role on the copolymerization kinetics: Simple case II Smith-Ewart kinetics do not apply. The model for this system was applied to understand how changing reaction conditions could effect polymer properties such as particle size and molecular weight distributions. The power of the SCOPE model is illustrated by using it to predict conversion profiles, temperature profiles and copolymer properties for some large-scale versions of these recipes.