Research Journal of Applied Sciences

Kinetic Studies on Polyesterification of Unsaturated Oils and Diacids in the Alcoholysis Process

Okon D. Ekpa and Ibanga O. Isaac

Abstract: Polyesterification of unsaturated oils-coconut, soybean and palm kernel oils with glycerol and phthalic anhydride was investigated at 280°C. The oil content for the three resin samples was 60% each. The kinetic behaviour of the polyesterification and the resulting alkyd resins, were studied as a function of conversion and the reaction time. The relationship between the degree of polymerization, and reaction time show that the formation of long oil alkyds of coconut, soybean and palm kernel oils follows a second order kinetics with slight deviation from linearity at the onset of the reaction. This deviation suggests the occurrence of chain branching at relatively short intervals along the polymer chain.