IMPROVED METHODS FOR SOLVING MONOMER PARTITIONING IN EMULSION COPOLYMER SYSTEMS

A new algorithm for the calculation of monomer partitioning in emulsio n copolymer systems is presented. The algorithm can be applied both to monodisperse and polydisperse systems and the outputs of the algorith m include the distribution of the volume fractions of the monomers acc ording to the particle size distribution, the volume fractions of the monomers in the monomer droplets, and the aqueous phase and the total volumes of all the phases in the system. The algorithm can handle both Interval II and Interval III conditions, using the same set of equati ons. This results in substantial computer time savings during the simu lation of emulsion copolymerization systems. Examples of applications are given. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.