Polymer Chemistry Under the Action of Microwave Irradiation

Polymer Chemistry Under the Action of Microwave Irradiation 

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 effect of microwave irradiation on chemical reactions is usually described by comparing time needed to obtain a desired yield of final products compared with conventional thermal heating. Research in the area of chemical synthesis has shown potential advantages in the ability not only to drive chemical reactions but to perform them more quickly. In polymer synthesis other factors can be considered, for example molecular weight, polydispersity index, crystallinity, mechanical properties (i.e. strength, elongation, modulus, toughness), and thermal properties 

Microwaves in Organic Synthesis, Second edition. Edited by A. Loupy Copyright 2006 WILEY-VCH Veriag GmbH Co. KGaA, Weinheim ISBN 3-527-31452-0 

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I 74 Polymer Chemistry Under the Action of Microwave Irradiation... 

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