Fourier-transform Raman spectroscopic on-line monitoring of the anionic dispersion block copolymerization of styrene and 1,3-butadiene

The anionic dispersion block copolymerization of styrene and 1,3-butadiene has proved a sui: table technique to synthesize block copolymers of tailor- made blocklength under technically relevant conditions. For this purpose, h owever, an efficient analytical on-line technique is required to control th e Concentrations of individual reactants and product. The present communica tion shortly outlines the potential of non-invasive light-fiber Fourier-tra nsform Raman spectroscopy in combination with a self-modeling curve-resolut ion analysis to monitor the polymerization progress and to derive concentra tion profiles of the two monomers and polybutadiene without prior calibrati on of the investigated system.