Flow polymerization and batch polymerization were performed using PET-RAFT polymerization under different process conditions. Various photocatalysts were demonstrated effecient to mediate PET-RAFT polymerization under batch and flow conditions without prior deoxygenation, however, polymerisation under flow conditions provided polymers with narrower molecular weight distributions in shorter irradiation times. After comparing batch versus flow, we decided to investigate the use of flow for the production of high molecular weight with various polymer architectures, including control of molecular weight distribution. Interestingly, running the flow reactor under fully-continuous or semi-continuous (slug flow) operation led to large discrepancies in product quality (composition and dispersity of synthetic polymers) over the course of the reaction; using the slug flow mode drastically increased the consistency of polymer product compared to the fully-continuous process, and repressed the formation of unwanted high molecular weight products that can potentially cause reactor fouling. The superior product formation under slug flow conditions was attributed to the increase in mixing due to recirculatory fluid flow, which homogenised the residence time distributions of the reaction mixtures.

Flow-mediated PET-RAFT polymerization for upscaled and consistent polymer production

2019 Fall National Meeting

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