Batch and Semicontinuous Styrene–Butadiene Emulsion Copolymerization Reactions

Abstract

In this work an experimental and simulation study of batch and semicontinuous styrene/butadiene emulsion copolymerization process was developed. The mathematical model combines the classical emulsion copolymerization equations, with mass balances, partitioning of components among all liquid phases, micellar and homogenous nucleation mechanisms and mass transfer equations between liquid and gaseous phases. Simulation results show good agreement with experimental measurements of conversion, average particle diameter and pressure.

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber by Miniemulsion Polymerization Using In Situ Generated Surfactant

“…Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) is one of the most widely produced synthetic rubbers, and accounts for around 40% of the global synthetic elastomer production [ 1 ]. The styrene-to-butadiene ratio and its microstructure (1,4- cis , 1,4- trans , and 1,2-vinyl) play important roles in determining the final properties of SBR [ 2 , 3 ]. From a commercial point of view, high butadiene-level SBR latexes with high cis / trans ratios and low gel contents are targeted since both contribute to increase the SBR’s processability.…”