Abstract
We describe the first steps to scale-up the free radical dispersion polymerization of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) from the millilitre to the litre scale, utilising supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) as the reaction medium. Our key focus is to develop a reproducible and controlled reactor system that produces well-defined polymer particles with narrow size distribution. Two different approaches to monomer addition were investigated, along with variations of surfactant concentration to consistently achieve control of particle size on the large and small scale. Comparison of scanning electron microscopy images from the 60 mL and 1 L vessel demonstrated that very similar particle sizes and morphologies were obtained at high yield (> 90 %) on the small and the large scale. The impact of the differences between the two vessels and their influence on this well understood reaction was investigated.
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