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Coupling Kinetic Modelling with SAOS and LAOS Rheology of Poly(n-butyl acrylate).
Hannah Grotian Genannt Klages1, Nihal Ermis2, Gerrit Albert Luinstra1
1Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Bundesstr. 45, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|December 7, 2021
Summary
This study validates a kinetic model for n-butyl acrylate polymerization using molecular and rheological data. The validated model accurately predicts polymer properties like molar mass distribution and branching.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Rheology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Radical polymerization is a fundamental process in polymer synthesis.
- Accurate kinetic models are crucial for predicting polymer properties.
- n-Butyl acrylate polymerization is widely studied but requires precise modeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate a kinetic model for n-butyl acrylate polymerization.
- To predict key polymer characteristics including conversion, molar mass distribution, and branching.
- To correlate rheological data with molecular architecture.
Main Methods:
- Development and validation of a kinetic model based on radical polymerization principles.
- Utilizing literature-derived rate parameters for n-butyl acrylate.
- Experimental validation using molecular analysis and rheological measurements.
- Analysis of rheological data via Carreau-Yasuda and Van Gurp-Palmen plots.
Main Results:
- The kinetic model successfully predicts conversion, molar mass distribution, and branching densities.
- Rheological measurements effectively differentiate subtle variations in long-chain branching.
- Molar mass differences were found to be the primary driver of differences in viscoelastic response.
Conclusions:
- The validated kinetic model provides a reliable tool for predicting n-butyl acrylate polymer properties.
- Rheological analysis, particularly using specific plots, is sensitive to long-chain branching.
- Understanding molar mass impact is key to interpreting viscoelastic behavior in polymer oscillations.
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