1.

4 POLYMERIZATION TECHNIQUES
Physical factors that determine the conditions under which a reaction is carried
out include things like the nature of the monomer, the mechanism of
polymerization, the physical shape of the polymer, and the viability of the
process for industrial production. Which state the monomer is polymerized in
is determined by physical characteristics of reactions.
1.4.1 Bulk Polymerization
A monomer soluble initiator is dissolved with the monomer when the
monomer is utilised in a liquid state to create an equivalent phase. The
reaction mixture is heated to the required temperature while being stirred and
agitated. With this technique, polymer may be recovered quickly, and the
resulting product has less contamination. This method uses the free radical
polymerization process. Bulk When using monomers like ethylene, methyl
methacrylate, etc., polymerization is employed. It is straightforward, and the
resulting polymer, with the exception of the initiator, has a high purity and
little contamination.
ADVANTAGES:
 Simple, pure and do not require thermal insulation
 Very high molecular weights

1.4.2 Solution Polymerization

In order to create a homogenous monomer, solvent, and initiator system, a
solvent-soluble initiator is dissolved in the solvent along with the monomer. By
using this technique, vinyl acetate, etc., are created. A heterogeneous system
develops when a polymer is insoluble in a solvent, which causes the polymer to
precipitate. The solvent's ability to serve as a thinner medium and aid in
removing polymerization heat is a benefit. Because the characteristics of the
polymer are deteriorating, it is challenging to separate the solvent.
ADVANTAGES of Solution Polymerization
 Product sometimes directly usable
 Controlled heat release
DISADVANTAGES of Solution Polymerization
 Contamination with solvent
 Chain transfer to solvent
 Recycling solvent

APPLICATIONS
The solution Polymerization technique is used in making Acrylic coating, fibre
spinning, and film casting.

1.4.3 SUSPENSION POLYMERIZATION

The suspension polymerization method can polymerize monomers that are not
soluble in water. In this method, a suitable water-soluble inorganic stabiliser,
such as surface active agents, is used to dissolve the water-insoluble monomer
in a water system. The droplets in a dissolve that forms as it is stirred have a
diameter of 0.001 to 1 cm. Styrene, methyl methacrylate, vinyl chloride, and
acetate are all produced using suspension polymerization. Suspension
polymerization follows the bulk polymerization's kinetics. Each monomer
droplet functions as a separate bulk polymerization nucleus during suspension
polymerization. Heat transmission and process economy are both improved by
the water phase. Due to the control over the kinetic chain length during
suspension polymerization, high molecular weight polymers with narrow
weight distribution are produced. 100% of the monomer is converted into
polymer during polymerization. Moreover, it's necessary to separate and purify
the polymer.

ADVANTAGES of Suspension Polymerization

 Very easy to control heat and simple
 Product can be directly usable
 It is easy to handle

DISADVANTAGES of Suspension Polymerization

 contamination with stabilizing agent
  coagulation possible

APPLICATIONS: this technique is used in making ion-exchange resins,

polystyrene foam, and PVC.

1.4.4 EMULSION POLYMERIZATION

Similar to suspension polymerization, the monomer is dispersed in the
aqueous phase in this. In this method, the monomer is dispersed throughout
the water like an even emulsion. To do this, micelles of a surfactant, a surface
active agent, are formed. Alkyl amine hydrochlorides, alkyl ammonium halides,
alkyl glycosides, and alkali salts of fatty acids and sulfonic acid are all possible
surfactants. A water-soluble initiator is disseminated in water whereas a
surfactant stabilises a monomer that is insoluble in water. Surfactant reduces
surface tension at the monomer–water contact and aids in emulsion
stabilisation. The size of the micelles increases when a significant amount of
the monomer reaches the interior. As a result, the monomer molecules swell
the micelles' hydrocarbon core. Radicals are created in the water phase, but
the low monomer concentration in the aqueous phase makes the
polymerization there unimportant.