Improved Particle Size Control for the Dispersion Polymerization of Methyl methacrylate in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide. Issue 20 (9th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McAllister, Thomas D.; Farrand, Louise D.; Howdle, Steven M.
• Other Names: Barner‐Kowollik Christopher guestEditor.; D'Agosto Franck guestEditor.; Perrier Sebastien guestEditor.; Whittaker Andrew guestEditor.; Schönherr Holger guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular chemistry and physics. Volume 217:Issue 20(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 2294
• Page End: 2301
• Publication Date: 2016-06-09
• Subjects: dispersion polymerization -- polymer particles -- poly(methyl methacrylate -- supercritical carbon dioxide; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Synthetic products -- Periodicals; Macromolecules -- Periodicals; 547.7
• DOI: 10.1002/macp.201600131
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1022-1352

Abstract

Abstract : Dispersion polymerization is a well‐established method of producing polymer particles that are easily handled and processed. With careful choice of reaction conditions this technique can yield well defined, spherical particles for a wide range of applications. The use of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2 ) as a reaction medium offers a route to performing these syntheses without excessive use of volatile organic solvents and minimizes work‐up and disposal steps. However a significant drawback has been the fact that up till now the control of particle size and morphology from CO2 have been limited. This study presents control of particle size and morphology over an unprecedented range for a single stabilizer in scCO2 by coordinating a few simple parameters to tailor the conditions toward different sizes. Further, this study introduces the novel approach in scCO2 of using delayed monomer addition which allows considerable reduction of the batch‐to‐batch variability as well as reduced agglomeration between particles. Abstract : This study presents control of PMMA particle size over an unprecedented range (0.3–5.3 μm) using only a single stabilizer by free radical dispersion polymerization in scCO2 . This study explores also delayed monomer addition to considerably reduce batch‐to‐batch variability and reduced agglomeration between particles.