Emulsion polymers including one or more 1,1-disubstituted alkene compounds, emulsion methods, and polymer compositions

摘要

The present teachings show that it is possible to polymerize 1,1-disubstituted alkene compounds in an emulsion (for example using a water based carrier liquid), despite the possible reactions between the monomer and water. Polymerization of 1,1-disubstituted alkene compounds in an emulsion provides opportunities to better control the polymerization compared with bulk polymerization. The emulsion polymerization techniques can be employed for preparing homopolymers, copolymers (e.g., random copolymers), and block copolymers.

主权项

1. A process comprising the steps of:
i) agitating a mixture comprising: about 25 weight percent or more of a carrier liquid, a surfactant, and one or more monomers to form micelles of the one or more monomers in the carrier liquid, wherein the one or more monomers includes one or more 1,1-disubstituted alkenes; ii) reacting an activator with at least one of the monomers in the micelle for initiating the anionic polymerization of the one or more monomers; and iii) anionically polymerizing the one or more monomers to a number average molecular weight of about 700 g/mole or more; wherein the activator includes an ionic metal amide, an hydroxide, a cyanide, a phosphine, an alkoxide, an amine, an organometallic compound, or a metal benzoate; and the carrier liquid includes water and the water is present at a concentration of about 40 weight percent or more, based on the total weight of the carrier liquid and the one or more monomers, wherein the resulting polymer has a polydispersity index of about 1.7 or less.