Experimental & Modelling Digital Twin Approach for Polymer Synthesis via Re‐initiated Oxygen inhibited RAFT Polymerization

Abstract

AbstractControlled polymerization techniques like the reversible‐addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) are sensitive to impurities such as oxygen. This work explores the application of re‐initiation as a tool to enhance monomer conversion. A kinetic model for the oxygen inhibited RAFT dispersion polymerization for the synthesis of poly(4‐vinylpyridine)‐b‐polystyrene (P4VP‐b‐PS) is developed. Thus, using the kinetic model, the re‐initiation of the inhibited RAFT polymerization is partially (monomer conversion ≤10%) predicted. By implementing the re‐initiation as a solution, the synthesis of P4VP‐b‐PS copolymers with the high conversion (>96%) and a good dispersity (≤1.2) is enabled.