Summary: The paper presents an experimental study of L‐lactide polymerization in molten state using as initiator the Stannous Octoate. The experiments were performed in a Haake mixer. The operating temperatures were between 170 and 195°C, the reaction time up to 60 min and monomer to initiator initial molecular ratio between 102 and 5 · 103. The conversion was determined by using 1H NMR and the molecular weights distributions by SEC. A preliminary mathematical modeling study was also performed, based on experimental data and a previously published reaction scheme.
The kinetics of L‐lactide ring‐opening polymerization initiated by stannous octoate and triphenylphosphine was investigated in a batch apparatus (Haake Rheocord Mixer). Based on the experimental data, a kinetic model is developed, considering a coordination‐insertion mechanism. Reactive extrusion experiments were further conducted for the same polymerization process, on a co‐rotating twin screw extruder. The melted material flow and mixing was described by using the Ludovic® commercial simulator. Based on the developed kinetic model and simulated flow of L‐lactide polymerization mixture, a mathematical model of reactive extrusion process is formulated, describing the evolutions of monomer conversion and average molecular weight along the extruder. The model is predicting with a reasonable good accuracy the experimental data.
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