Taguchi Approach for Suspension Copolymerization of Styrene and Acrylonitrile: Reaction Rate, Molecular Weight, and Particle Size

There is an issue with wide particle size distribution during the suspension copolymerization of styrene-acrylonitrile. This results in a lengthy melting time for larger particles and the formation of undesirable small particles that can conglomerate and deposit in the product transfer line and equipment. Therefore, it is necessary to control the size distribution during production. The effect of different variables like the reaction temperature, final reaction temperature, the mixer speed, the monomer-to-water ratio, the initiator concentration, the chain transfer agent concentration, the proportion of styrene to acrylonitrile, as the suspending agent concentration, the proportion of styrene to acrylonitrile on the monomer conversion, the molecular weight and particle size of the product by Taguchi approach was investigated. As the results showed, the best Particle Size Distribution (PSD) was obtained at the temperature of 76°C and a water/monomer 65/35 (wt/wt), 0.016 suspending agent/monomer (wt/wt), 1000 rpm mixer speed, and 0.0095 (DEM) stabilizer /suspending agent (wt/wt).