To better understand how reaction volume and vessel geometry, as well as light source intensity impact bench-scale photochemical reactions, variations to these conditions were investigated on model photo-induced electron/energy transfer reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerizations. By studying the kinetics of PET-RAFT in variously sized cylindrical vessels, path length for the light source was able to be varied. This showed no significant change in rate of polymerization as a result of the change in reaction vessel dimensions, suggesting that at normal bench scale, reaction vessel size and shape may be inconsequential. The intensity of the photo-reactor proved to be the most important factor, with an approximate 1/2 order scaling of the apparent rate with the intensity of the reactor, highlighting the importance of the type of light source. Reactant concentrations were also varied to better understand their roles in this photochemical process. Apparent rate of polymerization was shown to increase with catalyst loading, leveling off at higher concentrations possibly due to the optical density of the photo-catalyst.<br/>

Reaction and reactor conditions: How vessel geometry and light source intensity affect photoinduced electron/energy transfer reversible addition−fragmentation transfer polymerization

2019 Spring National Meeting

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