A new initiation method that will allow polymeric systems to be polymerized without the use of heat or application or radiation was introduced. Radicals will be produced by means of a magnetic macro-initiator (MI) upon application of an external alternating current magnetic field (AC MF). The magnetic MI was prepared by coating a magnetic nanoparticle core with molecules containing a weak bond capable of cleaving and forming free radicals. Magnetically induced polymerization via the decomposition of a magnetic MI under the influence of an externally applied AC MF was shown to be possible through the use of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A minimum force of 62 kcal/mol∙Å applied to the core of the MI is required in order to decompose the C-N bond of the azo group, producing free radicals. Three different magnetic core (Fe3O4, FeCo, and Co) MIs were tested to initiate free radical polymerization of different acrylics with minor increases in temperature as compared to the thermal decomposition temperature of the azo group. The minimum magnetic field to break the C-N bond of the azo group, Fe3O4 &gt; FeCo &gt; Co. In order to have safe and effective magnetically induced polymerization, both the concentration of the MIs used and the duration of the AC MF need to be carefully controlled.

Magnetically induced free radical polymerization

249th National Meeting (2015)

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