Inverse Emulsion Polymerization of Acrylamide in Near-Critical and Supercritical Continuous Phases.

摘要

The inverse microemulsion polymerization of water-soluble acrylamide monomers within near-critical and supercritical alkane continuous phase provides a potential route for production of polymers with novel physical properties and at high reaction rates. In order to define conditions for a model polymerization process, the phase behavior of a nonionic surfactant/acrylamide/water system in near- and supercritical mixtures of ethane and propane was examined. Results show that in mixtures of ethane and propane the continuous-phase density determines the phase behavior. Increasing the total dispersed-phase volume fraction lowers the density (and consequently pressure) required to form a stable microemulsion. Dynamic light scattering results suggest the presence of strong micelle-micelle interactions, or clustering, the extent of which increases rapidly as the phase boundary is approached. Reprints. (kt)