Scaling-up of poly(vinyl chloride) prepared by single electron transfer degenerative chain transfer mediated living radical polymerization in water media: 1) Low molecular weight. Kinetic analysis

This paper reports the kinetic study of the scale-up for the production of PVC by using a single electron transfer degenerative chain transfer mediated living radical polymerization in water media in a 150 L reactor. It presents the study of several parameters that have an important role in the reaction kinetics (initiators, suspending agents, catalysts and temperature). The thermal stability of the materials was also assessed using a standard discoloration test employed by the PVC industry.The results show the possibility of scaling-up this new and promising technology using the same facilities as the conventional free radical polymerization process with results closely matching those obtained in 50 mL glass reactors.