Raman spectroscopic monitoring of the polymerization of cyanacrylate

Micro Raman spectroscopy is used to investigate the polymerization reaction kinetics of cyanacrylates. Polycyanacrylates have important applications i n medical and pharmaceutical research (polycyanacrylate capsules are used a s drug carriers in the pharmaceutical industry). The reaction of the acryla te-monomers in both bulk as well as in single trapped microcapsules has bee n monitored by Raman spectroscopy recording the decrease of the C=C stretch ing band as a function of time. The polymerization process is followed thro ugh reaction parameters such as ester function of the monomer (methyl/ethyl , butyl), the reaction medium (bulk, emulsion), temperature, and pH value. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.