Synthesis of polymers and modification of polymeric materials in electromagnetic fields

Abstract

Data on the effect of electromagnetic fields on polymerization processes are analyzed and integrated. The results of investigation of the response of polymeric systems including polymerization mixtures, polymer solutions, melts and gels to external electromagnetic fields are discussed. Mechanisms of changes in the kinetic parameters of cationic polymerization of certain monomers are considered. They are based on ideas of spatial redistribution of growing macroions and counterions depending on the degree of dissociation of the active sites, which can lead to an increase in the polymerization rate, stabilize it or slow down the process. It is shown that these mechanisms are universal for other ionic systems. Almost all types of polymerization processes are discussed to reveal potential fields of their application in additive manufacturing technologies. High demand for further studies of the effect of electromagnetic fields on polymeric objects is pointed out in connection with the need to solve problems in the design of novel materials and functional structures.The bibliography includes 214 references.