Differences in emulsion polymerization fouling between acrylates and vinyl acetate studied in-situ with a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM)

• Published in: Heat and mass transfer Vol. 61; no. 9
• Main Authors: Hoffmann, K. M., Langhoff, A., Adams, J., Huellemeier, H. A., Augustin, W., Scholl, S., Johannsmann, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.09.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acrylates; Continuous flow; Emulsion polymerization; Engineering; Engineering Thermodynamics; Fouling; Heat and Mass Transfer; Heat transfer; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Microbalances; Monitoring; Pressure drop; Quartz crystals; Thermal resistance; Thermodynamics; Thickness; Vinyl acetate
• ISSN: 0947-7411; 1432-1181
• DOI: 10.1007/s00231-025-03597-x

Fouling is a severe problem in emulsion polymerization, which – among other consequences – currently prevents polymerization in continuous flow reactors. Measuring the early stages of fouling (< 10 μm) can be challenging due to the low sensitivity of traditional fouling detection methods (i.e., t...