Artículos de revistas
Mathematical modeling of the graft reaction between polystyrene and polyethylene
Fecha
2011-04Registro en:
Gianoglio Pantano, Ioana Agustina; Brandolin, Adriana; Sarmoria, Claudia; Mathematical modeling of the graft reaction between polystyrene and polyethylene; Elsevier; Polymer Degradation And Stability; 96; 4; 4-2011; 416-425
0141-3910
CONICET Digital
CONICET
Autor
Gianoglio Pantano, Ioana Agustina
Brandolin, Adriana
Sarmoria, Claudia
Resumen
Polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE) are two major components of household plastic waste whose blends are immiscible. Recycling them together is an attractive option that requires a compatibilization process to improve the blend mechanical properties. If a PE/PS copolymer is added or formed in situ, it may act as compatibilizer. The structure and molecular properties of this copolymer are key factors to assure its effectivity as a compatibilizer. In this work, we study the graft copolymerization reaction between polystyrene and polyethylene using the catalytic system composed of AlCl3 and styrene. We develop a model of this process which considers that PE/PS grafting and PS degradation occur simultaneously. We propose a kinetic mechanism for the whole process and apply the method of moments to solve the mass balance equations. The model is able to calculate average molecular weights as well as the amount of grafted PS. It accurately describes the available experimental data, constituting a valuable tool for simulation and optimization purposes.