Catalytic polymerization and copolymerization of olefins and acrylates in aqueous and nonaqueous media

Resumen

In Chapter 1, a literature review has been presented. Chapter 2 describes the experimental set up, which was designed and implemented for catalytic homo- and copolymerizations. In Chapter 3, the mass transfer of ethylene in gas-liquid and gas-liquid-solid systems was investigated. Phase equilibrium was also determined. Chapter 4 discusses the ethylene homopolymerization in toluene media. The effect of pressure and temperature on catalyst activity and polymer structure was analyzed. A mathematical model was developed and its kinetic parameters were estimated. Chapter 5 presents the copolymerization of ethylene with butyl acrylate and methyl acrylate in toluene media. The influence of acrylate presence on the catalytic activity and polymer microstructure was investigated. The mathematical model was extended to copolymerization and the kinetic parameters estimated. The mechanical properties of the copolymers were studied. Chapter 6 discusses the challenges of the catalytic polymerization in aqueous media, focusing on the factors that affect catalyst activity. Chapter 7 is devoted to the waterborne catalytic copolymerization of ethylene and acrylates. In Chapter 8, acrylic macromonomers were synthesized by the free radical polymerization and controlled radical polymerization (ATRP, NMP, RAFT polymerization). Chapter 9 details an attempt to incorporate butyl acrylate macromonomers in the polyethylene. The final objective of this Thesis is to study the waterborne copolymerization of ethylene and acrylic monomers using a monometallic palladium catalyst containing phosphine ligands