page_title: In situ polymerization
section_title: Urea Formaldehyde (UF) and Melamine Formalehyde (MF)
hierarchical_section_title: In situ polymerization / Urea Formaldehyde (UF) and Melamine Formalehyde (MF)
context_page_description: In polymer chemistry, in situ polymerization is a preparation method that occurs "in the polymerization mixture" and is used to develop polymer nanocomposites from nanoparticles. There are numerous unstable oligomers which must be synthesized in situ for use in various processes. The in situ polymerization process consists of an initiation step followed by a series of polymerization steps, which results in the formation of a hybrid between polymer molecules and nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are initially spread out in a liquid monomer or a precursor of relatively low molecular weight. Upon the formation of a homogenous mixture, initiation of the polymerization reaction is carried out by addition of an adequate initiator, which is exposed to a source of heat, radiation, etc. After the polymerization mechanism is completed, a nanocomposite is produced, which consists of polymer molecules bound to nanoparticles.
context_section_description: Urea-formaldehyde (UF) and melamine formaldehyde (MF) encapsulation systems are other examples that utilize in situ polymerization. In such type of in situ polymerization a chemical encapsulation technique is involved very similar to interfacial coating. The distinguishing characteristic of in situ polymerization is that no reactants are included in the core material. All polymerization occurs in the continuous phase, rather than on both sides of the interface between the continuous phase and the core material. In situ polymerization of such formaldehyde systems usually involves the emulsification of an oil-phase in water. Then, water-soluble urea/melamine formaldehyde resin monomers are added, which are allowed to disperse. The initiation step occurs when acid is added to lower the pH of the mixture. Crosslinking of the resins completes the polymerization process and results in a shell of polymer-encapsulated oil droplets.
caption: Urea formaldehyde resin
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