Packed column reactor for continuous atom transfer radical polymerization: Methyl methacrylate polymerization using silica gel supported catalyst

A continuous column reactor packed with silica gel supported CuBr-HMTETA catalyst has been successfully developed for ATRP of MMA. The reactor had a good catalytic stability up to 100 h. The MMA conversion decreased with an increasing feeding flow rate. The polymerization kinetics was first order with respect to the monomer. The molecular weight increased linearly with conversion, demonstrating the living character. Possible flow back-mixing and polymer trapping in the pores of silica gel caused some broadening in the molecular weight distribution. This type of packed column reactor is believed to be a significant development for possible commercial exploitation of the ATRP process.