Polymer blends by self-propagating frontal polymerization

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The use of self-propagating frontal polymerization to produce polymer blends has been investigated. A homogeneous solution of monomer, polymer (of a second monomer), and initiator is initially heated at a specific location to start a polymerization front that propagates along the system. The obtained polymerization reaction is very fast compared with diffusion, so that the two types of macromolecules remain homogeneously distributed, as in the original monomer/polymer solution. In the case of two incompatible polymers, the system has no time to reach the equilibrium condition where phase separation occurs and a polymer blend is obtained in the form of a metastable solution. Applications to two incompatible pairs (methyl methacrylatestyrene and methyl methacrylate-methacrylic acid) are discussed. Moreover, it has been found that the presence of inert polymer in the initial mixture improves the process performance, leading to more stable propagation fronts, lower front temperatures, and higher monomer conversions.

Application of In Situ Polymerization for Design and Development of Oral Drug Delivery Systems

“…Although frontal polymerization dates back to the 70 s (46) and has been employed in engineering, chemistry, and astrophysics (47)(48)(49), its use in drug delivery is recent (30). Frontal polymerization is a process of polymerization whereby the reaction is initiated from one end of the sample and then it propagates throughout the sample.…”

Frontal polymerization as a convenient technique for the consolidation of tuff

“…Since the nineties, a great deal of work has been done mainly by Pojman et al who studied macrokinetics and dynamics [8][9][10][11][12] and new frontally polymerizing systems [13][14][15]; Morbidelli et al suggested the application of FP to the preparation of copolymers [16] and blends [17]; Washington and Steinbock published on the preparation of hydrogels by FP [18,19].…”

Gel formation in frontal polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate

“…Zhai et al, and Koike and Zhang et al have demonstrated the synthesis of gradient refractive index (GRIN) material by isothermal FP [26][27][28]. FP has also been used to cure mortar composition [29], synthesize copolymers [30], hydrogels [31], polymer-dispersed liquid crystals [33], homogeneous polymer blends [34], and crosslinked functional polymers [35].…”