Citation: Peng Cui, Chang-Tong Song, Xian-Hong Zhang, Dong Chen, Yu-Hong Ma, Wan-Tai Yang. Preparation of Ultralow Molecular Weight Poly(vinyl chloride) with Sub-micrometer Particles via Precipitation Polymerization[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, ;2019, 37(7): 646-653. doi: 10.1007/s10118-019-2252-x shu

Preparation of Ultralow Molecular Weight Poly(vinyl chloride) with Sub-micrometer Particles via Precipitation Polymerization

a.
State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
b.
College of Material Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China

Corresponding author: Xian-Hong Zhang, xhzhang@mail.buct.edu.cn Wan-Tai Yang, yangwt@mail.buct.edu.cn
Received Date: 16 January 2019
Revised Date: 5 March 2019
Available Online: 4 April 2019

Poly(vinyl chloride), with ultralow molecular weight, produced by free radical polymerization either at high temperature or in the presence of chain transfer agents, is widely used as special resins and polymer process additives. This paper reports a new process, called self-stabilized precipitation polymerization, in which the polymerization of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is conducted in hydrocarbon diluents without addition of any suspending agent or emulsifier. The merits of this novel strategy include: (1) PVC resins with ultra-low number-average molecular weight (M_n) from 4000 to 15000, which is much lower than M_n of those prepared by conventional suspension and emulsion polymerizations, (2) sub-micrometer PVC particles with near spherical morphology, and (3) the very simple post-polymerization separation process. Under mild stirring, polymerization proceeds stably and smoothly. The influences of main process factors, such as solvents, initiator and monomer concentrations, polymerization time, and temperature on both particle morphology and M_n of the polymer products are investigated systematically. The molar ratio of ―CH₂―CHCl―/―CH＝CH―CH₂CHCl, a good indicator of structural defects, is about 1000/0.1 which means the low molecular weights do not result from chain transfer to the monomers. Then the mechanism of this polymerization is proposed. In summary, this novel polymerization technology provides a straightforward method for preparing PVC particulate products with low M_n.
- Precipitation polymerization,
- Vinyl chloride,
- Ultralow molecular weight,
- Pure product
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