Identifier

etd-04142014-151305

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Chemical Engineering

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

An important limitation in the development of the microparticles is the difficulty to develop a precise size distribution. Microparticles have a wide spread applicability in different fields including medical, pharmaceutical, textile, cosmetics, pesticide, printing industry, etc. The large and growing impact of microencapsulation in different fields of technology has made this process important. Microparticle size is a primary determinant of control release mechanism and the reaction kinetics and also impacts the allowable routes of administration, The main objective of this research work is to evaluate the effect of the process mixing on the size and size distribution of the trithiol-triacrylate microparticles prepared via dispersion polymerization using the primary amine catalyzed addition of trithiol to triacrylate. The influence of several synthesis parameters such as, the stirring rate, oscillation frequency and amplitude, surfactant concentration in the aqueous phase on the size distribution of the microparticles has been investigated. A comparison between the reactor with three blades propeller and oscillatory reactor in terms of particle size distribution and energy dissipation per unit mass has been reported. A laboratory investigation has been performed to identify the most suitable reactor based on the desired size distribution of the micropartcles. The experimental results indicate that oscillatory reactor is more suitable to achieve small particle size and narrow size distribution.

Date

2014

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Knopf, F. Carl

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.3767

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