A general kinetic model for epoxy polymerization

Abstract

A general kinetic framework to study epoxy polymerization is developed. Best-fit values of five rate constants are obtained using some experimental chromatographic data available in the open literature on a system involving a single liquid phase. Detailed sensitivity studies are then carried out to identify the most important rate constants. Average molecular weights and the polydispersity index are predicted using these parameters. The present model is more general than earlier kinetic models, and does not have the drawbacks of probabilistic models. The present model is used to predict the effect of intermediate addition of NaOH, to illustrate how general it really is. The model can easily be extended to apply to industrial reactors, which have additional physico-chemical phenomena associated with them, as for example, non-isothermal polymerization, presence of two liquid phases, etc.