Solvent-Free Polymerizations and Processes: Recent Trends in the Minimization of Conventional Organic Solvents

Solvent-free polymerization processes and polymer melt processing have received significant attention during the past decade in both industrial and academic laboratories. Environmental concerns and federally mandated emission regulations have primarily driven this intense interest, and will continue to fuel scientific developments in the future. Research efforts in such diverse scientific areas such as controlled bulk free radical polymerization, polyester melt polycondensation, and the development of suitable polymerization reactors has focused on the reduction and often elimination of traditional organic solvents. This chapter will highlight the importance of polymer synthesis and processing in the absence of organic solvents, and focus on remaining technical obstacles to be addressed. In addition, the following chapters will overview current research activities in solvent-free processes and will illustrate the broad-based approach to the reduction of organic solvents in future polymer-based technologies.