Kinetic Modeling of ICAR ATRP

Kinetic modeling is used to better understand and optimize initiators for continuous activator regeneration atom-transfer radical polymerization (ICAR ATRP). The polymerization conditions are adjusted as a function of the ATRP catalyst reactivity for two monomers, methyl methacrylate and styrene. In order to prepare a well-controlled ICAR ATRP process with a low catalyst amount (ppm level), a sufficiently low initial concentration of conventional radical initiator relative to the initial ATRP initiator is required. In some cases, stepwise addition of a conventional radical initiator is needed to reach high conversion. Under such conditions, the equilibrium of the activation/deactivation process for macromolecular species can be established already at low conversion.