A PROCESS FOR POLYMERIZATION IN THE PRESENCE OF NANOPARTICLES OF A MINERAL FILLER FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES

摘要

A process for polymerization in the presence of nanoparticles of a mineral filler for obtaining polymer nanocomposites which includes the steps of (a) mixing a mineral filler with a swelling agent in a liquid state or near a critical state or supercritical state; (b) subjecting the swelling agent of the mixture obtained in step (a) to an endoenthalpic or isoenthalpic phase change, by altering the conditions of temperature and/or pressure; and (c) polymerizing a monomer, in a continuous or a batch process, in the presence of the mixture of step (b); wherein the swelling agent is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon, a polar or vinylic organic compound, the same monomer used in the polymerization reaction or an inert compound present as a component of the reaction medium.