Modeling and parameter estimation of step-growth polymerization of poly(ethylene-2,5-furandicarboxylate)

The production of polymers from renewable materials has arisen increasing interest because of the environmental impacts caused by conventional processes. In this context, the present manuscript investigates the step-growth polymerization of poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate), PEF, a furanic polyester with structural similarity to poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, using ethylene glycol (EG), and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) as monomers. The polymerization is performed in two steps: direct esterification of EG and FDCA under continuous nitrogen flow, followed by the transesterification of produced diesters and oligomers under reduced pressure. In order to do that, experiments were performed at distinct reaction temperatures and using different nitrogen flow rates. Based on the obtained experimental data, a mathematical model was built and model parameters were estimated to allow for appropriate description of available data. The obtained results indicate that the rates of polymerization are highly limited by mass transfer and removal of reaction byproducts. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2017. (c) 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers