Effect of the operating conditions on the particle size distribution by the suspension polymerization process

Abstract

In this research, we focus on the study of the operating conditions that influence on suspension process for obtaining (co)polymers of styrene with polar monomers (copolymers of styrene with acrylate of butyl (S-BA) and copolymers of styrene with vinyl acetate (S-VAc)) using the technique of conventional free radical polymerization (FRP). At higher agitation speed, the reaction performance decreases. Likewise, the influence of the molecular weight of the dispersing agent, in this case polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), influences the polymerization performance was also observed. That is, at a higher molecular weight of PVAs, there is an increase in the particle size of the bead and in the polymerization yield. Finally, there is an influence of the polar part on the copolymer both for the yield and for the particle size of the bead. When obtaining copolymers of S-VAc, the yield is lower compared to the respective styrene homopolymer and higher in the S-BA.