Reaction engineering of the emulsion homopolymerization of vinylidene fluoride: Progress and challenges

Abstract

The emulsion polymerization of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) is used to produce a range of commercially important products. Despite this, the current review article will show that very little is known about the kinetics of polymerization, particle nucleation, and role of chain transfer reactions. This is at least in part due to the extreme conditions needed for the polymerization, which can significantly limit the number of academic laboratories able to enable such reactions.