New polymethacrylate dispersants for alumina particles prepared by group transfer polymerization

Abstract EN

Group-transfer polymerization of 3-( trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate was at- tempted for the first time with (methyl, n-butyl, and 2- ethylhexyl) methacrylates to prepare block and random copolymers at ambient temperature having low concentra- tion of 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate.

Some of these copolymers were tested as dispersants for a commercial high purity alumina powder.

The alumina/polymer in- terface has been examined by the DRIFT's technique, and it was found that copolymers were strongly attached to the surface with polymer chains laying on the surface, even if the interface was continuously washed with fresh solvent.

The influence of the media on dispersion of alumina has also been studied.

The marked differences between the packing densities indicate that the solvent plays an important role in the dispersion pro- cess.