Additsioonipolümerimisel

Additsioonipolümerimisel is a manufacturing process used in polymer chemistry to produce high‑molecular‑weight materials through the addition of small monomer units to a growing polymer chain. The method relies on the catalyst-initiated opening of double bonds in the monomer, which then add sequentially to the end of a growing chain, gradually increasing the polymer’s length. Unlike condensation polymerization, which produces small by‑products such as water, additive polymerization proceeds without elimination, allowing for a cleaner reaction profile and better control over the final polymer’s architecture.

Historically, the technique emerged in the mid‑20th century with the development of radical initiators and coordination catalysts. The introduction of Ziegler–Natta and Phillips catalysts in the 1950s and 1960s extended the range of monomers amenable to additive polymerization, enabling the synthesis of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyesters with specified mechanical and thermal properties. In the 1990s, controlled/living polymerization methods such as atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and reversible addition–fragmentation chain‑transfer (RAFT) processes further refined the technique, allowing for block copolymers and functionalized polymers.

Applications of additsioonipolümerimisel span packaging, automotive parts, and biomedical devices. The process’s modular nature lets engineers tailor polymer chain length, tacticity, and end‑group functionality to meet stringent performance criteria. Ongoing research focuses on greener catalysts, solvent‑free conditions, and the incorporation of degradable monomers to align the process with sustainability goals.