| An original method is presented as an efficient technique for characterizing polymers, and understanding the kinetics of the polymerization reactions.; The Automatic Continuous Online Monitoring of Polymerization Reactions (ACOMP) method developed at Tulane University involves following one or more characteristics of a polymerization reaction: monomer conversion, different molecular weight averages, intrinsic viscosity, etc.; By performing an automatic withdrawal and dilution of the polymer solution to create a small stream which flows through a detector train, including light scattering, viscometer, refractive index, Ultraviolet/Visible detectors, a continuum of data points can be obtained, allowing powerful analysis methods to be developed.; The goal of this work is to expand ACOMP to new polymerization reactions, such as free radical copolymerization, controlled radical polymerization, inverse emulsion polymerization, both to achieve a complete physical characterization of the polymers synthesized and a better understanding of the reaction mechanisms. For each of the reactions ACOMP brings significant innovations in the analysis of the kinetics. Other new methods, such as Automatic Continuous Mixing (ACM) and Simultaneous Multiple Sample Light Scattering (SMSLS) are also used, as well as traditional multi-detector Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC).; As an immediate consequence it is hoped that the information on reaction kinetics and mechanisms offer a better fundamental knowledge, control and ability to optimize reactions. At the industrial scale, online monitoring should allow a more efficient use of resources, energy, reactor and personnel time as well as a higher product quality. |
