Determination of inline-particle sizes by turbidity measurement in high solid content emulsion polymerisations

Abstract Particle size determination in optically dense systems requires costly techniques or dilution of collected samples. Against this background, turbidimetry was investigated as a potentially robust well inexpensive alternative. Emulsion copolymerisations vinyl acetate and VeoVa10® with solid contents up to 48 wt% were examined time resolved respect mean particle at different temperatures, co-monomer ratios emulsifier concentrations. The hydrodynamic diameters validated by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Precise number the range from 100 250 nm obtained in-line for polyvinyl dispersions deviations sizes below ± 5%. In addition, turbidity values recorded means nephelometry process probe thus robust, system-related calibration created, which subsequently able reliably track diameter inline time-resolved.