Dynamic Monte Carlo Simulation of Atom‐Transfer Radical Polymerization

Abstract

AbstractSummary: A dynamic Monte Carlo model was developed to simulate atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The algorithm used to describe the polymerization includes activation, deactivation, propagation, chain transfer, and termination by combination and disproportionation reactions. Model probabilities are calculated from polymerization kinetic parameters and reactor conditions. The model was used to predict monomer conversion, average molecular weight, polydispersity and the complete molecular weight distribution at any polymerization time or monomer conversion. The model was validated with experimental results for styrene polymerization and compared with simulation results from a mathematical model that uses population balances and the method of moments. The simulations agree well with experimental and theoretical results reported in the literature. We also investigated the control volume size and number of iterations to reduce computation time while keeping an acceptable noise level in the Monte Carlo results.Comparison of the chain length distribution of polystyrene made with ATRP and conventional free radical (CFR) polymerization at 50% conversion. The initiator to monomer ratios are 1:100 (ATRP left peak), 1:500 (ATRP right peak), and 1:1000 (CFR).magnified imageComparison of the chain length distribution of polystyrene made with ATRP and conventional free radical (CFR) polymerization at 50% conversion. The initiator to monomer ratios are 1:100 (ATRP left peak), 1:500 (ATRP right peak), and 1:1000 (CFR).