Kinetics of continuous addition emulsion polymerization

Abstract

An analysis of the kinetics of continuous addition emulsion polymerization is presented. For systems that follow the Smith‐Ewart mechanism, this analysis predicts that the reaction will approach a steady‐state condition if the rate of monomer addition R_a is constant. In the steady state, the rate of polymerization depends on R_a according to a reciprocal relationship, 1/R_p = (1/K) + (1/R_a), where K depends on the number of particles and the propagation rate constant. Above a critical value of R_a, the particles will become saturated with monomer and R_p will be constant and independent of R_a.