(181bk) Mathematical Modeling of Dispersion Copolymerization of Styrene and Maleic Anhydride: Nucleation and Particle Growth

A model is proposed for nucleation and particle growth of stabilizer-free dispersion copolymerization of Styrene and Maleic Anhydride. The model is based on the assumptions: 1) polymerization occurs both in continuous phase and polymer particles; 2) when the length of the radicals in the continuous phase exceed jcrit, they precipitate, forming aggregates; 3) the aggregates coagulate between then forming particles; 4) the radicals in the continuous phase can entry into polymer particles, limiting the nucleation step; 5) The termination step is diffusion-controlled, causing an auto-acceleration effect in the process. The model permits to predict the conversion and the polymer particle diameter during time. The validation data was obtained experimentally by stabilizer-free dispersion copolymerization. The model predictions were in good agreement with the experimental data.