Low temperature suspension polymerization of vinyl acetate using 2,2 '-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) for the preparation of high molecular weight poly(vinyl alcohol) with high yield

Abstract

To obtain high molecular weight (HMW) poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) with high conversion and high linearity for a precursor of HMW poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), vinyl acetate (VAc) was suspension-polymerized using a low-temperature initiator, 2,2'-azobis (2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) (ADMVN), and the effects of polymerization conditions on the polymerization behavior and molecular structures of PVAc and PVA prepared by saponifying PVAc were investigated. On the whole, the experimental results well corresponded to the theoretically predicted tendencies. Suspension polymerization was slightly inferior to bulk polymerization in increasing molecular weight of PVA. In contrast, the former was absolutely superior to the latter in increasing conversion of the polymer, which indicated that the suspension polymerization rate of VAc was faster than the bulk one. These effects could be explained by a kinetic order of ADMVN concentration calculated by initial-rate method and an activation energy difference of polymerization obtained from the Arrhenius plot. Suspension polymerization at 30 degrees C by adopting ADMVN proved to be successful in obtaining PVA of HMW (number-average degree of polymerization (P-n)): (4200-5800) and of high yield (ultimate conversion of VAc into PVAc: 85-95%) with diminishing heat generated during polymerization. In the case of bulk polymerization of VAc at the same conditions, maximum P-n and conversion of 5200-6200 and 20-30% was obtained, respectively. The P-n, lightness, and syndiotacticity were higher with PVA prepared from PVAc polymerized at lower temperatures.