Vinyl Chloride Emulsion Polymerization Reaction: Effect of Various Formulations

A mixture of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as ionic emulsifier and stearyl alcohol as non-ionic emulsifier was employed in a vinyl chloride emulsion polymerization reaction to study the influence of various interactive parameters involved in the reaction system. It was found that the particle size was dependent on the amount and type of emulsifier. The average particle size of polyvinyl chloride was dropped by higher amount of emulsifying agents. At the gel point, more heat was generated by higher amount of vinyl chloride fed into the reaction system. The molecular weight of the polymer was decreased by increases in reaction temperature while, it increased by augmenting the amount of emulsifier. According to the 13C NMR and FTIR spectroscopic data no defect was detected in the chain structure of synthetic polyvinylchloride product. An optimization of polymerizationreaction condition was reached based on ultimate particle size desired for its favorabledistribution in plastisols.