Method of preparing polymer particles having narrow particle size distribution

US6800709B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Agfa-Gevaert NV · BE

Inventors

• Huub Aert · Pulderbos, BE
• Joachim Storsberg · Wörrstadt, DE
• Helmut Ritter · Wuppertal, DE
• Christiaan Van Roost · Aartselaar, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 6, 2002
• Grant date: Oct 5, 2004
• Expiry date: Mar 20, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S526/909
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method has been described of preparing monodisperse polymer particles by free radical polymerization or copolymerization of hydrophobic monomers in a water-based system in the presence of cyclodextrin, characterized in that said free radical polymerization is performed with semi-continuous addition of monomer, wherein said monomer is absent before initiating polymerization, and in that a total solid contents of less than 30% by weight is present in said water-based system, in order to provide monodisperse polymer particles which are very suitable for use in many applications as e.g. in inks or toners, in photonic crystal films, in thermal printing plates for computer-to-plate or computer-to-press applications, in inkjet media, in displays, in photographic films, or as a spacing agent.