Radical initiated polymerization in a bifunctional mixture via computer simulation

Computer simulations are performed to study the polymerization behavior in a mixture of bifunctional groups such as olefins (A) and acrylates (B) in an effective solvent (a coarse description for vegetable oil derived macromonomers (VOMMs) in solution) on a cubic lattice. A set of interactions between these units and solvent (S) constituents and their relative concentrations (p(A), p(B), and p(S)) are considered. Samples are equilibrated with Metropolis algorithm to model the perceived behavior of VOMMs. The covalent bonding between monomeric units is then implemented via reaction pathways initiated by stochastic motion of free radicals (a very small fraction). The rate of reaction shows decay patterns with the time steps (t) with power laws (i.e., R(ab)alphat(-r), r congruent to 0.4-0.8), exponential decays (i.e., R(ab)alphae(-0.001t)), and their combination. Growth of A-B bonding is studied as a function of polymer concentration p=p(A)+p(B) for four different model systems appropriate for VOMMs. The data from the free radical initiated simulations are compared to the original simulations with homopolymerization. While most of the data are consistent with experimental observations, the variations are found to be model dependent. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.