Microwave-assisted polymerization

Chauveau E, Marestin C, Martin V et al (2008) Microwave-assisted polymerization process a way to design new, high molecular weight poly(arylimidazole)s. Polymer 49 5209-5214... 

Since very recently the number of papers on microwave-assisted polymerization reactions has been growing almost exponentially [3], the purpose of this chapter is to provide useful details about the application of microwave irradiation to polymer chemistry during the last few years. A survey of past achievements in polymer synthesis and polymer composites can be found in review papers [1-8] whereas fundamentals of electromagnetic heating and processing of polymers, resins and related composites have been summarized by Parodi [9]. 

The continuous-flow microwave-assisted polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline was reported by Paulus et al. [232]. The flow process overcomes the problems associated with scale-up of the batch process, including safety issues. 

Paulus RM, Erdmenger T, Becer CR et al (2007) Scale-up of microwave-assisted polymerizations in continuous-flow mode cationic ring-opening polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline. Macromol Rapid Commun 28 484—491... 

Porous Carbon Materials from Sustainable Precursors 33 Heterogeneous Catalysis for Today s Challenges Synthesis, Characterization and Applications 34 Chemical Biotechnology and Bioengineering 35 Microwave-Assisted Polymerization... 

Recently, Seyler et al. reported a continuous-flow methodology for Suzuki coupling polymerization. poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) using this method shows a quite high molecular weight of 62 000 within only 30 min. This reaction time is comparable to that of microwave-assisted polymerization. 

C. Zhang, L. Liao, S. Gong, Recent developments in microwave-assisted polymerization with a focus on ring-opening polymerization. Green Chem. 9 303-314,2007. 

PANI/multiwalled carbon nanotube (PANI/MWNT) composite was synthesized by microwave-assisted polymerization as well. For this purpose, purified MWNTs and aniline were dispersed in a H2SO4 solution together with ammonium persulfate and irradiated using a microwave oven for 3 min. The resulting powders were filtered and rinsed with deionized water and ethanol, and then dried at 50 C overnight imder vacuum. The highest specific capacitance for the nanocomposite (322 Fg" ) was almost 12 rimes higher than that of MWNTs (25.4 F g" ) at 1 mAcm. Compared with the specific capacitance (360 Fg ) of the composite obtained by the oxidative polymerization method, the result of the experiment is Uttle lower. However, the miaowave-assisted method is simpler and more efficient, and the two values are still comparable (Table 27). "° " ... 

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