Polymer Synthesis We are able to synthesize or manufacture polymers using various polymerization mechanisms, for example,
Free radical polymerization
Cationic polymerization
Anionic polymerization and coordination polymerization
Ring-opening polymerization
(including controlled or living polymerizations for all above categories.)
Condensation polymerization
Our lab facilities are well equipped for performing different polymerization processes, such as emulsion, suspension, solution, bulk polymerizations, etc. The batch scale could vary from milligrams to tens of kilograms. Our pressure polymerization facilities allow us to synthesizing polymers at high pressures up to 5,000 psi.
The polymer or specialty polymer product that we have custom made for our clients include homo- or co-polymers, hydrophilic polymers, amphiphilic polymers, phosphazene polymers, functionalized oligomers, fluorescent dye-tagged polymers, biocompatible polymers, biodegradable polymers, wound dressing polymers, etc. We encourage you to tell us your special needs, so that we can effectively work with you to design polymers, and design or optimize polymerization processes as well.
Different polymerization processes may result in various final polymer products. As an example, heterogeneous polymerization processes, as listed in the table below, are widely applied to the synthesis of various colloidal systems and polymer products, e.g., coatings, ink systems, adhesives, encapsulated particles, polymer nanoparticles, porous polymer particles, and hydrogels as well. Our expertise allows us to design or select appropriate polymerization method and process for your synthetic case.
Polymer and Product Analysis By using GPC, preparative GPC, FTIR, UV-Vis, NMR, DSC, TGA, SEM, XRD, Particle Size Analyzer, Instron, Viscometer, etc., we are able to analyze polymer molecular weight and distribution, polymer composition and functionality, and some physical properties like Tg, thermal stability, structure, mechanical strength, viscosity, particle size and distribution, etc.
Table: Different types of heterogeneous polymerization systems
Type
Typical Particle Radius
Droplet size
Initiator
Continuous Phase
Discrete phase (particles)
Emulsion
50 – 300 nm
1 – 10 micron
water or oil soluble
Water
Initially absent, monomer- swollen polymer particles form
Dispersion
1 micron
-
oil soluble
Water
Initially absent, monomer- swollen polymer particles form