METHODS AND INSTRUMENTATION FOR DURING-SYNTHESIS MONITORING OF POLYMER FUNCTIONAL EVOLUTION

摘要

A method of monitoring the evolution of polymer and/or colloid stimuliresponsiveness during synthesis of poly-mersand/or colloids, including postpolymerization modifications on natural andsynthetic polymers, includes providing a reactorin which the polymers and/or colloids are synthesized; and providing a meansof monitoring the stimuli responsiveness of thepolymers and/or colloids during said synthesis. Preferably, the method alsoincludes monitoring the evolution of the characteris-ticsof the polymers and/or colloids during said synthesis. Preferably, evolutionof polymer and/or colloid stimuli responsivenessis correlated to the evolution of the properties of the polymers and/orcolloids themselves. Also, preferably the conditions of thefluid in the reactor in which the synthesis occurs is determined. Thedetermination can be by detection, choice of materials andtemperature conditions, for example, and combinations thereof. The method andinstrumentation disclosed can lead to optimiza-tionand control of processes and synthetic and modification strategies leading topolymers and colloids with desired stimulire-sponsiveness.