Large-scale synthesis of polydimethylsiloxane as vitreous replacement applications
Ajrina Nur Shabrina1, Diba Grace Auliya2, Risdiana1
1Department of Physics Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia.
Designed Monomers and Polymers
|January 13, 2025
Summary
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) synthesis was successfully scaled up three and five times using ring-opening polymerization. The scaled-up PDMS maintained structural integrity and properties comparable to lab-scale production.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a versatile polymer with applications as a vitreous substitute.
- Large-scale demand necessitates efficient, scalable PDMS synthesis methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of scaling up PDMS synthesis.
- To characterize the properties of PDMS produced at larger scales.
Main Methods:
- Ring-opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) with hexamethyldisiloxane as a chain terminator.
- Scale-up of synthesis by increasing raw material and reactor volumes (3x and 5x lab-scale).
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of PDMS at 3x and 5x lab-scale.
- Viscosity ranges: 1000-3700 mPa.s (lab), 1130-3590 mPa.s (3x), 1270-4320 mPa.s (5x).
- Consistent refractive index (1.3982-1.4008) and surface tension (20-21 mN/m) across scales.
- FTIR analysis confirmed structural similarity to commercial PDMS.
Conclusions:
- PDMS can be effectively synthesized at larger scales using ring-opening polymerization.
- Scaled-up PDMS exhibits comparable properties to lab-scale and commercial products.
- This research supports large-scale production of PDMS for applications like vitreous substitutes.
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