Polymer Degradation in a Solution: Monitoring and Predicting Quality Parameters

Abstract

The experimental study of polymer degradation processes in a solution is carried out. A mathematical description of the time dependences of the main polymer structural characteristics, i.e., the number average M_w and the weight average M_n molecular weight and the polydispersity coefficient K_p are obtained. For the model adequacy to be tested and the calculation error to be estimated, linear polymers—SKD-ND rubbers— are used as experimental samples. The change in the polymer molecular weight distribution (MWD) and its parameters are studied by gel permeation chromatography. The resulting dependences can be used for the process control systems. The developed mathematical description relates the controllable and control parameters in the structure (initial reagent concentrations, the reagent ratio, reaction temperature, etc.). However, the complete reconstruction of the mode of the MWD and its time dependence cannot be achieved.