Synthesis and characterization of copolymers of alphamethylstyrene-styrene aimed at its application in the encapsulation of silica particles

• Grant number: 01/11114-0
• Support type: Research Grants - Research Partnership for Technological Innovation - PITE
• Duration: July 01, 2002 - September 30, 2004
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal researcher: Amilton Martins dos Santos
• Grantee: Amilton Martins dos Santos
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química de Lorena (FAENQUIL). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). Lorena , SP, Brazil
• Company: Rhodia Poliamida e Especialidades Ltda
• City: Lorena

Abstract

The main objective of this project was to develop hydrophobic and or hydrophobic-hydrophilic copolymers using as comonomers styrene, methylstyrene, methyl-metacrylate, butyl acrylate, acrylic acid and acrylonitril for use as additives in plastics for different applications. These copolymers (additives) are added to plastics and elastomers to improve some of their properties, such as thermic resistance, dispersion, moldability and density, among others. Polymers formed by styrene, alphamethylstyrene and methyl-metacrylate are used as additives for plastics aiming for an increase in flexibility without altering their thermic resistance and as elastomers, adhesives and sealants, to confer a high degree of moldability, among other characteristics, to foams. It was sought to control the characteristics of the copolymers, such as composition (monomer ratio and their distribution in the chain) and molecular weight by means of the adjustment of the parameters involved in the copolymerization reactions: flow of reagents, temperature of reaction, agitation and nature of the solvents (polarity, pH and ionic force). In this manner different polymers were sought with physico-chemical properties compatible with the different applications previously mentioned. (AU)