(228g) Agglomeration Study of Aluminum Oxide Microparticles By Emulsion Polymerization

Agglomeration processes may be classified according to the principal mechanism by which the particles formingthe required product are joined. The more stable bonding forces are obtained by sintering, but these joins may also be formed by other processes, if binders harden or crystallize.

Some applications of alumina particles agglomeration with particle size control are adsorption of Cd, Cu and Asto reduce the environmental impact in some countries; porosity increased with application in filters, electrical sensors, catalysts and supplies and using abrasives for mechanical polishing in microelectronics parts and generalpolishing industry.

Currently most existing agglomeration methods focus on the use of antisolvents, sintering and fluidized beds,and other techniques that require expensive equipment at high pressures and temperatures.

This research has an important technological interest as there are few vendors offering agglomerated aluminumoxide. The proposed technique is emulsion polymerization which aims to minimize the above problems.

Polymerization is carried out in the presence of a monomer (epoxy) plus two catalysts (2-methyl imidazole and quaternary ammonium salt). A solution of surfactant is used to control the polymerization and particle size.

The research involves the study of the behavior of pure compounds by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC); determining the polymerizing temperature by DSC at different concentrations (5%, 7.5%, 10%) with the twocatalysts employed. In addition the polymerized microdrops with both catalysts are shown and agglomerated particles of aluminum oxide and the methodology used to obtain them.