Optimized Production of Multilayered Monodisperse Polymer Nanoparticles.

Abstract A dynamic optimization frame work is used to produce in a controlled way multilayered latex nanoparticles. The key feature of the method is to track a glass transition temperature profile, which is designed to produce polymer layers with the targeted properties. Several constraints are considered to achieve better control and produce nanoparticles with a specified particle diameter and layers’ thicknesses. To enhance the control of the different layers,two separate monomer feeds are considered under starving conditions throughout the fed-batch stages. The emulsion copolymerization of styrene and butyl acrylate in the presence of n-C12 mercaptan, as chain transfer agent (CTA), is illustrated here as a case study. The optimal feed profiles of the pre-emulsioned monomers are obtained using a genetic algorithm.