Model of the gel fraction of polymer in the vinyl chloride/divinyl monomers suspension copolymerization

Based on our previous general model of the gel/sol partition, a model of the gel fraction of polymer is developed in the VC heterogeneously crosslinking suspension polymerization, where the kinetic factors such as two-phase polymerization mechanism, distinction of the gel and sol radicals, and the effects of the gel on kinetics are taken into account. The model is applied to the VC/diallyl phthalate (DAP) suspension copolymerization. The model parameters are obtained by fitting the experimental data with the model. The model turns out to be successful to predict the development of the gel fraction with conversion. It is inferred that the intermolecular crosslinking reaction is affected by diffusion. In addition, the crosslinks prove to be nonrandomly distributed in the VC/DAP suspension copolymerization.