Emulsion copolymerization of styrene and butyl acrylate: experimental study in batch and semicontinuous reactors

• Grant number: 14/04905-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Industrial Operations and Equipment for Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Reinaldo Giudici
• Grantee: Natália Bahia Barbosa
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The purpose is to study the process of emulsion copolymerization of styrene and butyl acrylate in batch and semi-continuous process for obtaining emulsions with solids content above 40%. The proportions of the two comonomers, the concentrations of initiator, emulsifier and chain transfer agent and the feed flow rate in a semi-continuous process will be varied. Measurements to be performed include monomer conversion, copolymer composition, average size and size distribution of the polymer particles, the molar mass distribution of the copolymer and the glass transition temperature of the copolymer. The influence of the process variables on the quality of the emulsion obtained will be analyzed.