Bulk copolymerization of styrene and acrylonitrile: Experimental kinetics and mathematical modelling

The kinetics of styrene-acrylonitrile bulk copolymerization have been experimentally investigated over a wide range of conditions. The effects of temperature, and initiator and of comonomer concentrations on rate of polymerization and on copolymer properties including chain microstructure and molecular weight averages are reported. A mathematical model which uses the free volume theory to account for diffusion controlled termination and propagation reactions is developed. The model is capable of predicting the conversion, composition and sequence length development up to limiting conversions.