17 - Solid-state Polymerization

Abstract

Solid-state polymerization is one of the well-established topics in the field of polymer science explored in the 1960s. The development of solid-state polymerization was largely due to the use of high energy radiation, such as γ-rays, X-rays, electron beams and sometimes α particles, by polymer chemists. In addition, some polymerizations can be induced by visible light, UV radiation, thermally or with the aid of sensitizers. In particular, since γ-rays can penetrate into solids, the use of γ-rays expanded the usable range of temperature to lower temperatures at which monomers exist in the solid state, and led to the production of new types of polymers. The term ‘solid-state polymerization’ includes all types of polymerization in the solid state, such as crystalline, liquid crystalline and glassy states of pure monomers, mixtures or complexes of monomers with other compounds.