Thesis
PEK homo and copolymers via dispersion polymerisation
- Abstract:
-
This thesis is concerned with the development of the Ketonex dispersion process in order to reliably and reproducibly produce PEKK dispersions with controlled properties, together with the modification of pre-existing process parameters to achieve a range of particulate PAEK copolymers. Specific emphasis was placed on industrial considerations, pre-commercial scale-up and addressing potential materials applications.
Chapter 1 explores well established methods for the production of PAEKs by both nucleophilic and electrophilic routes. General materials properties are described, and structure-property relationships are discussed.
Chapter 2 describes in detail the process parameters associated with the Ketonex dispersion process. Parameters are discussed on a laboratory scale and are related to scale-up, industrial and commercial considerations.
Chapter 3 evaluates the production of PEKKs with a range of T:I ratios by the dispersion process. The PEKKs are analysed using a range of techniques and are compared to literature data for process evaluation.
Chapter 4 discusses the theory behind the action of the benzoic acid dispersant used in the dispersion process, which results in the production of fine particulate PEKK. A hypothesis involving the nucleation of polymerisation by aluminium benzoate is proposed.
Chapter 5 demonstrates how the dispersion process can be modified to produce a range of PAEK copolymers. The incorporation of imide and sulfone co-monomers are evaluated in detail, while a selection of alternative monomers undergo preliminary evaluation.
Chapter 6 addresses an epoxy toughening application. Amine end-capped PAEKs are produced by the dispersion process by in situ functionalisation. A protected end-capper is devised, its attachment and deprotection confirmed through a model compound approach and is successfully applied to the polymerisation system.
Actions
Access Document
- Files:
-
-
(Preview, Dissemination version, pdf, 14.0MB, Terms of use)
-
Authors
Contributors
- Institution:
- University of Oxford
- Division:
- MPLS
- Department:
- Chemistry
- Department:
- Oxford University
- Role:
- Supervisor
- Role:
- Supervisor
- Grant:
- Industrial Fellowship 2011
- DOI:
- Type of award:
- DPhil
- Level of award:
- Doctoral
- Awarding institution:
- University of Oxford
- Language:
-
English
- UUID:
-
uuid:01b22a84-6a62-4f6e-94e0-3489ee05f172
- Deposit date:
-
2016-02-23
- ARK identifier:
Terms of use
- Copyright holder:
- Kaylie Jane Smith
- Copyright date:
- 2015
If you are the owner of this record, you can report an update to it here: Report update to this record