abstract
- This chapter provides an overview of the state of the art on emerging technologies with potential use in the production of polymeric materials. The technologies include the use of alternative solvents for polymer synthesis, the preparation of polymer composites based on ionic liquids, and the use of alternative reactor and energy technologies. The low volatility, non-flammability, and recycling potential of room temperature ionic liquids also play a role in making them a preferred alternative reaction medium to meet environmental regulations and other requirements. Microwave irradiation is an alternative, efficient, selective, and rapid volumetric heating method, which increases the energy of molecules by directly interacting with their dipole moments. Microreactor technology for chemical processing is currently an area of rapid growth with many application fields. Microreactors have also been used for ionic polymerization or polycondensation processes.