Modeling of RAFT polymerization processes using an efficient Monte Carlo algorithm in Julia

Abstract

A kinetic Monte Carlo model of a RAFT process is presented. The algorithm has been developed and implemented in Julia for the three main RAFT theories under current discussion (Slow Fragmentation, Intermediate Radical Termination and Intermediate Radical Termination with Oligomers). Julia is a modern programming language designed to achieve high-performance in numerical and scientific computing. Thanks to a careful optimization of the code, it is possible to simulate a RAFT reaction scheme in short computing times for any of the three theories. The code is benchmarked against other programming languages (MATLAB, Python, FORTRAN and C), showing that Julia presents advantages for this particular system. The model offers an efficient method for predicting average properties and molecular weight distributions of the polymer species, including the bivariate MWD of the intermediate two-arm adduct. The proposed model can also be employed to obtain additional detailed information regarding the polymer microstructure at any reaction time.