The phenomenon of phase inversion occurs in liquid-liquid dispersions found in a variety of chemical engineering fields. From simple oil-water mixtures to complex polymeric systems, the operating variables that affect this physical phenomenon are discussed in this work. The contribution on this matter by a large number of researchers is critically assessed, outlining both coherent and conflicting results. A detailed review of the mechanisms by which phase inversion takes place is also provided. While this subject has been studied for the past fifty years, this multivariate nonlinear process is This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. not yet comprehensively understood, and this review article aims to describe the conclusions so far reached to provide insight for future research.

Production and consumption of poly(bisphenol‐A carbonate) resins are seeing a worldwide increase. However, their usage lifetimes are short and their final disposition as landfills pose environmental and health risks, due to the release of toxic bisphenol‐A (BPA). The development of alternative recycling routes is thus becoming subject of increasing interest. In this review, the main recycling processes of poly(bisphenol‐A carbonate) are described and critically compared, with special focus on the chemical mechanisms. While mechanical recycling is possible, the end products are restricted only to polymer blends, whose main mechanical properties decrease with each compounding cycle. In turn, chemical recycling can produce BPA monomer and a variety of by‐products that can be used in different industries, including the polymeric field, as synthesis reagents and precursors. The operation conditions of each method are reviewed, as well as the different results obtained in terms of product yield, composition, selectivity and reaction times. Reaction mechanisms are described in detail and a view on the usability of each end product is offered.

The phase inversion (PI) during the bulk polymerization of the styrene–polybutadiene system (high impact polystyrene manufacturing process) is empirically and theoretically studied in this article. In the experimental work, a series of reactions were performed with benzoyl peroxide as initiator and at temperatures considered of industrial interest (80°C and 90°C), varying also the reactor stirring level. PI was determined by offline viscosity measurements and verified by scanning transmission electron microscopy. The rheological behavior of each reacting system was analyzed and an empirical correlation to predict its apparent viscosity from fundamental reaction parameters was derived. This was achieved successfully for both before and after the PI point. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:491–502, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers