MWD Prediction in PS Synthesis Using Asymmetric Bifunctional Initiators

ASTEASUAIN, MARIANO; BRANDOLIN, ADRIANA; SARMORIA, C

Viña del Mar

Congreso; II Simposio Binacional de Polímeros Argentino-Chileno (ARCHIPOL II); 2003

Comité Organizador ARCHIPOL II

We focus on polystyrene synthesis using asymmetric bifunctionalinitiators. Several models describing this system that are reported in theliterature [1-4] aim mainly at the prediction of monomer conversion and averagemolecular properties. In this work we extend one of them [1,2] to allow MWDprediction. For this purpose we apply the probability generating function (pgf)technique we have previously developed [5,6].In spite of the complexity of the kinetic scheme,the pgf technique allows the MWD to be easily and efficiently modeled. In theabsence of experimentally measured MWD, we validated our model comparingaverage molecular weights obtained from the calculated MWD with experimentaldata of those magnitudes reported in the literature [1,2]. Good agreement wasobtained.