Semibatch anionic ring-opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane in emulsion

The semibatch anionic ring-opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane in emulsion was studied under the condition of no seed particles used in polymerization system. Concentration of emulsifier was set above critical micelle concentration. Effect of monomer feed rate on the chemical kinetics, average particle size and distribution and on the polymer molar mass and distribution was investigated. During monomer addition, polymerization rate was constant and controlled by the monomer feed rate. According to the proposed mechanism for anionic polymerization in emulsion, it was assumed that also the number of active polymerization sites and monomer concentration at the particle surface, where propagation occurs, remain constant. A continuous increase of average particle size and absence of extensive condensation reactions at high conversion suggested that the freshly added monomer diffuses toward hydrophobic polymer particles, where it is consumed in propagation reaction and/or accumulated in the particle core.