Abstract
To estimate influences of suspension polymerization conditions including conversion, polymerization temperature, stirring rate, initiator concentration, monomer concentration, and suspending agent concentration on the volume average diameter (Davg) and particle size distribution (PSD) of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) microspheres, vinyl acetate (VAc) was suspension-polymerized at low temperature using 2,2′-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) as an initiator. The effects of each condition, on Davg of PVAc microspheres, were expressed as follows, Davg = [conversion] a[temperature]b[rpm]c[ADMVN] d[VAc]f [suspending agent]g. Logarithms of Davg were linearly proportional to those of polymerization conditions, and their exponents, a, b, c, d, f, and g were calculated as 0.27, -13.7, -1.37, -0.21, 0.58, and 0.29, respectively. Variations of PSDs, according to polymerization conditions, were examined by considering polymerization rate, droplet or suspension viscosity, and droplet break-up/coagulation equilibrium. From these results, PVAc microspheres with various sizes and narrow PSDs were obtained effectively under carefully controlled polymerization conditions, which can be used as promising precursors of novel PVA microspheres through heterogeneous surface saponification.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 4064-4070 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Applied Polymer Science |
Volume | 101 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2006 Sept 15 |
Keywords
- Microspheres
- Narrow PSD
- PVAc
- Suspension polymerization
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Chemistry(all)
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Polymers and Plastics
- Materials Chemistry