Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Living Anionic Polymerization Using A Microfluidic Reactor, Kazunori Iida, Thomas Q. Chastek, Kathryn L. Beers, Kevin Cavicchi, Jaehun Chun, Fasolka J. Michael

Kevin Cavicchi

Living anionic polymerizations were conducted within aluminum-polyimide microfluidic devices. Polymerizations of styrene in cyclohexane were carried out at various conditions, including elevated temperature (60 degrees C) and high monomer concentration (42%, by volume). The reactions were safely maintained at a controlled temperature at all points in the reactor. Conducting these reactions in a batch reactor results in uncontrolled heat generation with potentially dangerous rises in pressure. Moreover, the microfluidic nature of these devices allows for flexible 2D designing of the flow channel. Four flow designs were examined (straight, periodically pinched, obtuse zigzag, and acute zigzag channels). The ability to use …