Polymers can be synthesized and/or modified in a supercritical medium. Most polymers show some solubility, plasticization, or swelling in supercritical fluid media. Depending on the choice of polymer-SCF medium, the degree of solubilization, plasticization, or swelling varies.

A well publicized example of polymerization involves that of fluoropolymers. However, the process should not be limited to fluoropolymers, since lower molecular weight polymers of most monomeric origins show some level of solubilization in a chosen (preferred) solvent. Further, most initiators and other participants of reactions are quite soluble in proper supercritical fluid solvents, thus creating a homogeneous or near-homogenous reaction environment. Homogenous reaction environments promote noncatalytic, but fast reactions. Such benefits can be further exploited using the basic operating principles of precipitation polymerization or suspension polymerization. We have developed a novel technology for supercritical fluid polymerization of fluoromonomer, achieving unique properties in resultant polymer, including average molecular weight and its distribution.

Dr.Lee's research group developed a novel process where polymerization can be carried out with controllability of molecular weight distribution. Other successful examples involve graft copolymerization in a supercritical fluid medium. A patent is issued in our name for this process. In a supercritical fluid medium, the effective glass transition temperature for the base polymer is significantly reduced and the permeability of the active monomer is substantially enhanced. Graft levels of 1-8% by weight were obtained for a variety of graft copolymers. They include PP-g-PS, PP-g-AA, PS-g-AA, PVC-g-PS, PVC-g-VAc, etc. For this process, a U.S. patent has been obtained.

For related subjects in graft copolymers, click here. If you are interested in licensing this technology, please contact Temarex Corporation, the technology transfer company on behalf of the University of Akron. For further University R & D on this or related process development, please contact us.

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