Development of a Coupled Viscosity‐Polymerization Model for the Synthesis of High Solids‐Low Viscosity Latexes

Abstract

Abstract Summary: The development of a model‐assisted methodology for the synthesis of high solids‐low viscosity latexes is presented. A simplified polymerization model for systems with a polydisperse particle size distribution, PSD, was developed. The polymerization model was then coupled with an equation for the computation of the viscosity. Their combination resulted in a powerful tool that helped to screen strategies for the synthesis of high solids‐low viscosity latexes. Furthermore, using the model‐assisted methodology it was possible to determine the workable viscosity boundary for a given formulation. The evolution of the viscosity with the volume fraction was calculated for different polymerization strategies. Particle size distribution evolution of Simulation 1. Large particles (•) and small particles (□). image Particle size distribution evolution of Simulation 1. Large particles (•) and small particles (□).