Preparation of cross-linked microparticles of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) by dispersion polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate using a PDMS macromonomer as stabilizer in supercritical carbon dioxide

This paper describes the dispersion polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) employing poly(dimethylsiloxane) monomethacrylate as the stabilizer in supercritical carbon dioxide. Under the optimized conditions fine free flowing powder of discrete and cross-linked micropolymer particles are produced with high monomer conversion during a very short reaction time (<4 h). The application of a power compensation calorimetry method to monitor the dispersion polymerization of GMA demonstrates a surprisingly short reaction time and clearly shows the progress of polymerization of GMA in supercritical carbon dioxide. The effects of reaction pressure and initial concentration of the initiator and stabilizer on the morphology of the final product were studied herein.