Modeling of the Production of Hydrogels from Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate and (Di)Ethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate in the Presence of RAFT Agents

Abstract

The copolymerization kinetics of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with either ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) or diethylene glycol dimethacrylate (DEGDMA) in the presence of RAFT controllers is studied using a mathematical model recently developed in our group. The model is based on the concept of multifunctional polymer molecules. The cases of conventional and controlled homopolymerizations of HEMA as well as the RAFT copolymerization of HEMA/EGDMA and HEMA/DEGDMA are addressed and are in good agreement with available experimental data. The bulk/solution version of the model is used as first approximation of the behavior of a RAFT dispersion copolymerization of HEMA/EGDMA carried out in supercritical carbon dioxide.