Dresden 2026 – scientific programme

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 60: Molecular and Polymer Dynamics, Friction and Rheology II

CPP 60.1: Talk

Friday, March 13, 2026, 12:15–12:30, HÜL/S386

Fouling in Emulsion Polymerization of Different Copolymers investigated in-situ with the Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) — •Kevin Marvin Hoffmann and Diethelm Johannsmann — Clausthal University of Technology, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Arnold-Sommerfeld-Straße 4, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany

In emulsion polymerization, reaction and particulate fouling leads to clogging, product contamination, and reduced heat transfer efficiency. Common techniques for in-line monitoring of fouling are based on the heat transfer efficiency across the surface and the pressure drop in pipes or tubes. These techniques show fouling layers at thicknesses of a few tens of micrometers, at least. They are not sensitive enough to study the initial stages of a fouling.

A quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) was used to study fouling in-situ. The QCM infers changes in mass on its surface to changes of its resonance frequency. It is sensitive down to the nanometer range. In addition to an estimate of the layer thickness, the QCM-D provides for additional information, derived from the comparison between the shifts in frequency and half-bandwidth as well as the comparison between different overtones.

It was found that polyacrylates behaved characteristically differently from polyvinyl acetates. The polyacrylates formed compact and stiff fouling layers. The polyvinyl acetates formed softer and more porous, extended layers. We assume that the stabilizing agent has a major impact on the fouling layer's nature.

Keywords: QCM; QCM-D; Fouling; Emulsion Polymerization