Polymerization Techniques Advantages and Disadvantages
Polymerization Techniques Advantages and Disadvantages
Polymerization Techniques Advantages and Disadvantages
Characteristics
Advantages
Bulk
Solution
Suspension
Emulsion
Polymerization occurs at
interface of two
immiscible solvents,
usually water and an
organic solvent
Precipitation
Interfacial
Disadvantages
Exothermic nature of polymerization
reactions (particularly chain reaction
polymerizations) makes temperature
control of system difficult
Product has broad molecular weight
distribution
Removals of tracers of unreacted
monomer difficult
Necessary to select an inert solvent to
avoid possible transfer to solvent
Lower yield per rector volume
Reduction of reaction rate and average
chain length
Not particularly suitable for production
of dry or relatively pure polymer due
to difficulty of complete solvent
removal
Need to maintain stability of droplets
requires continuous and a minimum
level of agitation
Possibility of polymer contamination
by absorption of stabilizer on particle
surface
Continuous operation of system
difficult
Difficult to get pure polymer due to
contamination from other
components of polymerization
system
Difficult and expensive if solid
polymer product is required
Presence of water lowers yield per
reactor volume
Separation of product difficult and
expensive
Catalyst systems are special and need
careful preparation
Molecular weight distribution depends
on type of catalyst
Limited to highly reactive systems
Need appropriate choice of solvent to
dissolve reactants
affects the conversion of the monomer to the polymer. The reactor also effectively establishes the ultimate
properties of the polymer such as polymer structure, molecular weight, molecular weight distribution,
and copolymer composition. To perform its functions satisfactorily, the reactor must remove the heat of
polymerization, provide the necessary residence time, provide good temperature control and reactant
homogeneity, control the degree of back-mixing in a continuous polymerization, and provide surface
exposure. In addition, the reactor must be applicable to mass production and economical to operate.