Precise Polymer Synthesis by Autonomous Self‐Optimizing Flow Reactors

Abstract

Abstract A novel continuous flow system for automated high‐throughput screening, autonomous optimization, and enhanced process control of polymerizations was developed. The computer‐controlled platform comprises a flow reactor coupled to size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Molecular weight distributions are measured online and used by a machine‐learning algorithm to self‐optimize reactions towards a programmed molecular weight by dynamically varying reaction parameters (i.e. residence time, monomer concentration, and control agent/initiator concentration). The autonomous platform allows targeting of molecular weights in a reproducible manner with unprecedented accuracy (<2.5 % deviation from pre‐selected goal) for both thermal and light‐induced reactions. For the first time, polymers with predefined molecular weights can be custom made under optimal reaction conditions in an automated, high‐throughput flow synthesis approach with outstanding reproducibility.