Aqueous copolymerization

An emulsion model that assumes the locus of reaction to be inside the particles and considers the partition of AN between the aqueous and oil phases has been developed (50). The model predicts copolymerization results very well when bulk reactivity ratios of 0.32 and 0.12 for styrene and acrylonitrile, respectively, ate used. 

Hexafluoiopiopylene and tetiafluoioethylene aie copolymerized, with trichloiacetyl peroxide as the catalyst, at low temperature (43). Newer catalytic methods, including irradiation, achieve copolymerization at different temperatures (44,45). Aqueous and nonaqueous dispersion polymerizations appear to be the most convenient routes to commercial production (1,46—50). The polymerization conditions are similar to those of TFE homopolymer dispersion polymerization. The copolymer of HFP—TFE is a random copolymer that is, HFP units add to the growing chains at random intervals. The optimal composition of the copolymer requires that the mechanical properties are retained in the usable range and that the melt viscosity is low enough for easy melt processing. 

Ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene are copolymerized in aqueous, nonaqueous, or mixed medium with free-radical initiators. The polymer is isolated and converted into extmded cubes, powders, and beads, or a dispersion. This family of products is manufactured by Du Pont, Hoechst, Daikin, Asahi Glass, and Ausimont and sold under the trade names of Tefzel, Hostaflon ET, Neoflon EP, Aflon COP, and Halon ET, respectively. 

Tetiafluoioethylene—peifluoiopiopyl vinyl ethei copolymeis [26655-00-5] aie made in aqueous (1,2) oi nonaqueous media (3). In aqueous copolymerizations water-soluble initiators and a perfluorinated emulsifying agent are used. Molecular weight and molecular weight distribution are controlled by a chain-transfer agent. Sometimes a second phase is added to the reaction medium to improve the distribution of the vinyl ether in the poljmier (11) a buffer is also added. 

Polymerization. The first successful polymerizations of VDE in aqueous medium using peroxide initiators at 20—150°C and pressures above 30 MPa were described in a patent issued in 1948 (73). About a year later, the first copolymerizations of VDE with ethylene and halogenated ethylenes were also patented (74). After a hiatus of over 12 years a commercially feasible process was developed and PVDE was ready for market introduction (2). 

The aqueous phase into which the monomer mix is dispersed is also prepared in a separate tank before transferring to the copolymerization ketde. It contains a catalyst, such as benzoyl peroxide [94-36-0], to initiate and sustain the polymerization reaction, and chemicals that aid in stabilizing the emulsion after the desired degree of dispersion is achieved. Careful adherence to predeterrnined reaction time and temperature profiles for each copolymer formulation is necessary to assure good physical durabiHty of the final ion-exchange product. 

Small amounts of TAIC together with DAP have been used to cure unsaturated polyesters in glass-reinforced thermo sets (131). It has been used with polyfunctional methacrylate esters in anaerobic adhesives (132). TAIC and vinyl acetate are copolymerized in aqueous suspension, and vinyl alcohol copolymer gels are made from the products (133). Electron cure of poly(ethylene terephthalate) moldings containing TAIC improves heat resistance and transparency (134). 

Suspension Polymerization. At very low levels of stabilizer, eg, 0.1 wt %, the polymer does not form a creamy dispersion that stays indefinitely suspended in the aqueous phase but forms small beads that setde and may be easily separated by filtration (qv) (69). This suspension or pearl polymerization process has been used to prepare polymers for adhesive and coating appHcations and for conversion to poly(vinyl alcohol). Products in bead form are available from several commercial suppHers of PVAc resins. Suspension polymerizations are carried out with monomer-soluble initiators predominantly, with low levels of stabilizers. Suspension copolymerization processes for the production of vinyl acetate—ethylene bead products have been described and the properties of the copolymers determined (70). Continuous tubular polymerization of vinyl acetate in suspension (71,72) yields stable dispersions of beads with narrow particle size distributions at high yields. 

Solution Polymerization These processes may retain the polymer in solution or precipitate it. Polyethylene is made in a tubular flow reactor at supercritical conditions so the polymer stays in solution. In the Phillips process, however, after about 22 percent conversion when the desirable properties have been attained, the polymer is recovered and the monomer is flashed off and recyled (Fig. 23-23 ). In another process, a solution of ethylene in a saturated hydrocarbon is passed over a chromia-alumina catalyst, then the solvent is separated and recyled. Another example of precipitation polymerization is the copolymerization of styrene and acrylonitrile in methanol. Also, an aqueous solution of acrylonitrile makes a precipitate of polyacrylonitrile on heating to 80°C (176°F). 

Column sorbents for aqueous media show )ust average properties. This is due to the different copolymerization process, which does not allow easy formation of macroporous beads with proper pore topology. This fact also reflects many experiences of SEC users, who have to input much more effort to get good aqueous SEC work accomplished. 

Anionic polyacrylamide was prepared by gamma radiation-initiated copolymerization of acrylamid with sodium acrylate in aqueous solution at optimum conditions for the copolymerization [17]. The copolymerization process produces water-soluble poly (acrylamide-sodium acrylate [pAM-AANa] of high molecular weight [17,54]. 

Poly(acrylamide-diallylethylamine-HCl) (cationic polyacrylamide pAM-HCl) was prepared by gamma radiation-initiated copolymerization of acrylamide with di-allylethylamine-HCI in aqueous solution at the optimum composition for copolymerization of acrylamide with diallylamine derivatives [61]. 

The reported values for the exponent of the dose-rate for the polymerization rate in gamma radiation-induced copolymerization of acrylamide with methyl chloride salt of A, A -dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEM-MC) in aqueous solution was found to be 0.8 [16]. However, the dose-rate exponent of the polymerization rate at a lower dose-rate was found to be slightly higher than 0.5 for gamma radiation-induced polymerization of acrylamide in aqueous solution [45,62]. 

From the logarithmic plot of the Arrhenius equation shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the overall activation energy, / p, was calculated to be 0.65 and 0.56 Kcal/mol for AM-AANa and AM-DAEA-HCl systems, respectively. However, the corresponding reported values for gamma radiation induced copolymerization of acrylamide with DMAEM-MC in aqueous solution was found to be 2.0 Kcal/mol [16]. 

Poly(MA-CDA) was synthesized as described previously by a free radical copolymerization followed by hydrolysis in aqueous solution. By the fractional precipita- n of the copolymerization product (MW = 14,200, MW/Mn = 3.1) different average-molecular weight po-ly(M A-CDA)s with narrow polydispersity were obtained as shown in Table 2. 

In aqueous solutions the persulphate ion is known as a strong oxidizing agent, either alone or with activators. Thus, it has been extensively used as the initiator of vinyl polymerization [43-47]. However, only later, Kulkarni et al. [48] reported the graft copolymerization of AN onto cellulose using the Na2S203/K2S20s redox system. 

An effective method of NVF chemical modification is graft copolymerization [34,35]. This reaction is initiated by free radicals of the cellulose molecule. The cellulose is treated with an aqueous solution with selected ions and is exposed to a high-energy radiation. Then, the cellulose molecule cracks and radicals are formed. Afterwards, the radical sites of the cellulose are treated with a suitable solution (compatible with the polymer matrix), for example vinyl monomer [35] acrylonitrile [34], methyl methacrylate [47], polystyrene [41]. The resulting copolymer possesses properties characteristic of both fibrous cellulose and grafted polymer. 

The copolymerization occurs in an aqueous emulsion. When free radicals are used, a random copolymer is obtained. Alternating copolymers are produced when a Zieglar-Natta catalyst is employed. Molecular weight can be controlled by adding modifiers and inhibitors. When the polymerization reaches approximately 65%, the reaction mixture is vacuum distilled in presence of steam to recover the monomer. 

As shown for the synthesis of PS [291], the monomer may be localized in the vicinity of the filler surface by previously grafting a polymer capable of swelling in the base monomer. Copolymeric latex of polychloroprenemethacrylic acid was added to the aqueous dispersion of chalk. The acid groups reacted with chalk and the latex particles became chemically grafted to chalk. When further portions of styrene were added they were completely absorbed by modified chalk. 

The process of copolymerization of AN with 4 has been studied in aqueous solution (in suspension), in emulsion, and in dimethylformamide (DMF) solution3, l9. ... 

In a recently published paper6, on the investigation of AN copolymerization with the quartemary salt of l,2-dimethyl-5-vinylpyridinium sulfate (DMVPS) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with 2,2 -azoisobutyronitrile as initiator, and in aqueous medium in the presence of the potassium persulfate/sodium metabisulfite oxidation-reduction system at 60 °C, the authors found the reactivity of the monomers, especially that of MVPS (methylvinylpyridin sulfate) to depend significantly on the polarity of the medium. 

Reactivity ratios for the copolymerization of AN and DM WS in DMSO were found to be rj =0,53 and r2=0,036, and in water r1=0,56 and r2=0,25. The higher reactivity of DM VPS in the copolymerization with AN in aqueous medium, as compared with its reactivity in DMSO, can be explained by a higher degree of dissociation of DMVPS in aqueous medium. This fact also produces a considerable effect on the character of the distribution of monomeric units within the copolymers, which manifests itself in the change of their solubility in water. Copolymers containing 30% of monomeric units AN obtained from a 90 10 mixture of AN and DMVPS in DMSO, irrespective of the level of conversion, are completely soluble in water, whereas copolymers of the same composition, but obtained in aqueous medium with a yield 40%, are insoluble in water. 

Thiols react more rapidly with nucleophilic radicals than with electrophilic radicals. They have very large Ctr with S and VAc, but near ideal transfer constants (C - 1.0) with acrylic monomers (Table 6.2). Aromatic thiols have higher C,r than aliphatic thiols but also give more retardation. This is a consequence of the poor reinitiation efficiency shown by the phenylthiyl radical. The substitution pattern of the alkanethiol appears to have only a small (<2-fokl) effect on the transfer constant. Studies on the reactions of small alkyl radicals with thiols indicate that the rate of the transfer reaction is accelerated in polar solvents and, in particular, water.5 Similar trends arc observed for transfer to 1 in S polymerization with Clr = 1.4 in benzene 3.6 in CUT and 6.1 in 5% aqueous CifiCN.1 In copolymerizations, the thiyl radicals react preferentially with electron-rich monomers (Section 3.4.3.2). 

Free-radical copolymerization of vinyl acetate with various vinyl siloxane monomers was described 345). Reactions were conducted in benzene at 60 °C using AIBN as the initiator. Reactivity ratios were determined. Selective hydrolysis of the vinyl acetate units in the copolymer backbone was achieved using an aqueous sodium hy-droxide/THF mixture. The siloxane content and degree of hydrolysis were determined by H-NMR. 

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