Polymerization of Vinylidene Difluoride in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

The preparation of poly(vinylidene fluoride) in supercritical carbon dioxide is investigated with mixtures of carbon dioxide and vinylidene difluoride alone, as well as in the presence of macromolecular stabilizers my means of turbidimetry, and gravimetric measurements. The morphology of the obtained poly(vinylidene fluoride) powder, and the molecular weight distribution of the polymer was used to distinguish between homogeneous polymerization, precipitation polymerization, and dispersion polymerization due to the added macromolecular stabilizers. The effect of stabilizers and reaction conditions on the predominating locus of polymerization is discussed.