Initiators
Initiator chemicals are compounds used to initiate or start a chemical reaction. In petrochemical industry, initiator chemicals are commonly used in the production of polymers. These chemicals are added to monomers, which are small molecules, to start a polymerization reaction and produce larger polymer chains.
Benzoyl peroxide
Used as a polymerization initiator for styrene and other vinyl monomers in the production of polystyrene, ABS, and other thermoplastic resins.
Di-tert-butyl peroxide
Used as a polymerization initiator for acrylics, vinyl acetate, and other monomers.
Cumene hydroperoxide
Used as a polymerization initiator for acrylates, methacrylates, and other monomers.
tert-Butyl hydroperoxide
Used as a polymerization initiator for olefins, acrylates, and other monomers.
Hydrogen peroxide
Used as a bleaching agent in the production of pulp and paper, as a propellant for rockets, and as an oxidizer for various chemical reactions.
Potassium persulfate
Used as a polymerization initiator for vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, and other monomers.
Ammonium persulfate
Used as a polymerization initiator for acrylonitrile, styrene, and other monomers.
Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)
Used as a radical initiator for the polymerization of acrylates, methacrylates, and other monomers.
Each of these initiators has specific properties that make them suitable for certain applications in the petrochemical industry.