Emulsion polymerization of vinylidene fluoride: Effects of mixing and reaction conditions on the initial rate of polymerization

In order to contribute to a better understanding of the emulsion polymerization of vinylidene fluoride (VDF), an experimental study under conditions of temperature and pressure similar to those found in industrial processes was carried out. It is shown that the initial rate of polymerization is strongly influenced by the agitation of the reactor, with the rate of reaction increasing as the rate of agitation increases. In addition, using a more efficient impeller also increases the polymerization. It is proposed that this is due to mass transfer limitations. This idea is confirmed by a similar dependence of the average molecular weight on agitation. Experimental data also shows that particles are formed by homogeneous coagulative nucleation. It is proposed that particle nucleation occurs throughout the polymerization, and that a competition between controlled coagulation and particle generation governs the rate of reaction.