Chain transfer to mercaptopropionic acid, reactivities of vinyl acetate and butyl acrylate copolymers and other factors affecting mini-emulsion polymerization reactions

• Main Author: Castanares, Karen Grace B.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2000
• Subjects: Emulsion polymerization; Chemical reactions; Polymerase chain reaction; Acids; Vinyl acetate; Chemistry
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/2340
• Institution: De La Salle University

Emulsion polymerization has gained considerable interest for decades now due to its industrial applications. It allows synthesis of high molecular weight polymers, it is a clean method employing water as its solvent and the latex may be processed directly into products with minimal purification. The focus on mini-emulsion is consistent with the growing trend in the development of microscale processes.This study aims to determine the efficiency of mercaptopropionic acid in controlling the molecular weights of polymers by chain transfer, investigate the composition of vinyl acetate-butyl acrylate copolymers, and other factors that generally affect mini-emulsion reactions.The reactions were carried out at 60 degrees Centigrade raised to 80 degrees Centigrade after one hour and allowed to continue for a period of three hours using semicontinuous method of monomer addition, and agitation by magnetic stirrer. The monomer systems studied were butyl acrylate, vinyl acetate and styrene. Sodiumdodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and nonyl phenol ethoxylate were used as emulsifiers.Mercaptopropionic acid was found to