Synthesis of two-phase polymer particles in supercritical carbon dioxide

Haddleton, Alice; Bennett, Thomas M.; Chen, Xinyong; Atkinson, Rachel L.; Taresco, Vincenzo; Howdle, Steven M.

Abstract

The synthesis of particles with discrete phases using traditional emulsion polymerisation is a well-established process. Phase-separated particles have a wide range of applications, such as in coatings, drug delivery, impact modification and as supports in catalysis. However, as a dry powder is often desired for the end application, post-polymerisation, energy intensive drying steps are usually required for the removal of water. Alternatively, dispersion polymerisation utilising supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) as a reaction medium allows for the production of dry, free-flowing powders upon release of the CO2. Here, we present the innovative use of scCO2 to provide a novel and environmentally acceptable route for creating phase-separated particles. Particles containing a high Tg poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) phase, combined with a low Tg polymer phase of either poly(benzyl acrylate) (PBzA) or poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA), were investigated. Both monomers were added to the reaction after the formation of PMMA seed particles. Benzyl acrylate (BzA) was chosen as a model low Tg monomer, with well-defined and detectable functionality when mixed with PMMA. Butyl acrylate (BA) was also used as an alternative, more industrially relevant monomer. The loading of the low Tg monomer was varied and full characterisation of the particles produced was performed to elucidate their internal morphologies and compositions.

Citation

Haddleton, A., Bennett, T. M., Chen, X., Atkinson, R. L., Taresco, V., & Howdle, S. M. (2020). Synthesis of two-phase polymer particles in supercritical carbon dioxide. Polymer Chemistry, 11(31), 5029-5039. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0py00729c

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 8, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jul 8, 2020
• Publication Date: Aug 21, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jul 10, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 13, 2020
• Journal: Polymer Chemistry
• Print ISSN: 1759-9954
• Electronic ISSN: 1759-9962
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 31
• Pages: 5029-5039
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d0py00729c
• Keywords: Organic Chemistry; Biochemistry; Bioengineering; Polymers and Plastics
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4758635
• Publisher URL: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/py/d0py00729c#!divAbstract