Nucleation and Primary Particle Diameter of Vinylidene Fluoride by Dispersion Polymerization

Based on the nucleation theory of dispersion polymerization, the oligomer nucleation as the main mechanism in the dispersion polymerization of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) was identified using 19F-NMR and FT-IR. The relationship between VDF conversion ratio (X), the reaction pressure (p), initial initiator mass concentration (ρI,0), initial surfactant mass concentration (ρS,0) and PVDF latex particle size (d) was identified as d∝X0.36p1.20ρ-0.76I,0ρ-0.33S,0, among which reaction pressure (or monomer mass concentration) was the most effective factor.