Experimental investigation of polymerization of styrene mediated by TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidin-1-oxyl) in emulsion

Author(s)

German Giovanny Chaparro Montezuma

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Química
• Defense date: 2011-12-12

Examining board members

Liliane Maria Ferrareso Lona; Reinaldo Giudici; Paula Sbaite

• Advisor: Liliane Maria Ferrareso Lona

Abstract

Nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMRP) is a controlled polymerization technique with the ability to produce polymers with a highly controlled microstructure, narrow molecular weight distribution and low polydispersity values (very close to one). The polymer characteristics obtained in controlled radical polymerization have increased the interest of bringing this technique to an industrial level, however there are still some challenges to be faced, like, successfully develop NMRP in emulsion at low temperatures (lower than 100 °C) with inexpensive nitroxides commercially available, as 2,2,6,6- tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO). In this work NMRP of styrene in emulsion at temperatures below to 100 °C was carried out successfully. TEMPO was used as controller agent although this nitroxide usually works at temperatures above 120 °C. It was demonstrated an optimal control of molecular weights and polydispersities, together with a fast polymerization rate in an emulsion system (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/04006-8 - Living free radical polymerization in disperse medium: experimental and computational analysis
• Grantee: German Giovanny Chaparro Montezuma
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master