CPOS SEMINAR: "Scalable Synthesis of Degradable Copolymers Containing α-Lipoic Acid via Miniemulsion Polymerization"

Speaker: Parker Morris, PhD Student, Chris Bates, Javier Read de Alaniz Groups, Materials Research Laboratory, UCSB

Polymers based on ring opening α-lipoic acid have attracted significant attention as degradable and biofriendly alternatives to commodity materials. In particular, the copolymerization of α-lipoic acid with commercially available, acrylic comonomers is a simple way to impart degradability without sacrificing material performance. We have previously utilized this technique to synthesis pressure sensitive adhesives and 3D printed soft objects. Many commercial products, however, are synthesized using emulsion polymerization — a process not yet studied using α-lipoic acid. This talk will cover the aqueous miniemulsion polymerization of α-lipoic acid with n-butyl acrylate at scales (~1 kg) that would be very difficult to achieve using other degradable comonomers. By obviating the need for toxic solvent, and relying on cheap, available starting materials this new process for degradable polymer synthesis is made accessible to a broad range of applications.