Our research group has successfully developed and demonstrated a novel polymerization process where a polymerization reaction can be uniquely carried out with excellent controllability of molecular weight distribution (MWD). The resultant polymer has the special property of a very narrow molecular weight distribution, or polydispersity index lower than 2.0. The process has been experimentally demonstrated for methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymerization and glycidal methacrylate (GMA) polymerization. Two U.S. patents have been received for this process, viz.,
- S. Lee et al., “Polymerization, Compatibilized Blending, and Particle Size Control of Powder Coatings in a Supercritical Fluid”, U.S. Patent No. 6,340,722 (issued January 22, 2002).
- S. Lee et al., “Polymerization, Compatibilized Blending, and Particle Size Control of Powder Coatings in a Supercritical Fluid”, U.S. Patent No. 6,849,678 (issued February 1, 2005)..
This processing capability is crucially important and effective in producing high quality powder coating materials. More information can be found in Advanced Powder Coating Technology section.
Sunggyu Lee, PhD 