Model-Based Optimization of Microgel Synthesis in the μm Size Range

Falco Jung, Agnieszka Ksiazkiewicz, Adel Mhamdi, Andrij Pich, Alexander Mitsos*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Microgels are functional polymer colloids with diverse applications, for example, in medicine, engineering, or agriculture. Some applications require large microgels in the size range of mu m, which could previously only be synthesized using microfluidics or a synthesis procedure involving a fed-batch reaction with a temperature ramp. We use dynamic optimization to determine a simpler synthesis recipe that allows us to synthesize microgels in the pm range using a batch procedure. First, a sensitivity analysis shows that the microgel size is sensitive to the initial concentration of initiator and the reactor temperature. Second, the dynamic optimization yields a batch recipe that provides microgels of the desired mu m size range. The recipe uses a low initial initiator concentration and a low reactor temperature. The respective recipe is validated experimentally; model simulation results and experimental measurements of the hydrodynamic diameter show good agreement.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)20437-20446
Number of pages10
JournalIndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
Volume59
Issue number46
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Nov 2020

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