Continuous Distribution Kinetics for Microwave-Assisted Oxidative Degradation of Poly(alkyl methacrylates)

Marimuthu, A and Madras, Giridhar (2008) Continuous Distribution Kinetics for Microwave-Assisted Oxidative Degradation of Poly(alkyl methacrylates). In: AIChE Journal, 54 (8). pp. 2164-2173.

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Abstract

The microwave-assisted oxidative degradation of poly(alkyl methacrylates) namely poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA), and poly(butyl methacrylate) was investigated. The kinetic parameters were compared to that obtained by thermal oxidative degradation. The molecular weight distributions (MWDs) were simulated using continuous distribution kinetic models. The MWD of polymer was expressed as a \gamma-distribution, and the mathematical solutions were developed in terms of \gamma-distribution parameters. The MWD of degradation mixture approaches an exponential distribution under both oxidative thermal degradation and microwave-assisted oxidative degradation of poly(alkyl methacrylates), indicating random chain cission. The degradation of PEMA was investigated in the presence of three different oxidizers. The hydrogen abstraction from polymer and the oxidative random chain scission of polymer radicals were found to be the important steps in the overall mechanism of microwave-assisted oxidative degradation of poly(alkyl methacrylates). The model developed can be used to predict degradation rate of the polymer in the presence of any oxidizers by knowing only the dissociation rate constant of the oxidizer

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	AIChE Journal
Publisher:	American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Keywords:	Microwaves;c-distribution;poly(alkyl methacrylates);oxidative-degradation.
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Chemical Engineering
Date Deposited:	10 Oct 2008 06:21
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:50
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/16049

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