Living cationic ring-opening polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline following sustainable concepts: microwave-assisted and droplet-based millifluidic processes in an ionic liquid medium

Abstract

The polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline in an ionic liquid has been studied using batch and continuous processes, and different heating sources. The living radical polymerization has been performed in batch and in a droplet-based millifluidic device under conventional or microwave-assisted heating, from 80 to 140 °C. The use of a droplet-based fluidic process leads to an enhanced polymerization rate as demonstrated by the determination of the activation energy (E_a = 61 kJ mol⁻¹) while keeping polymerization control and taking advantage of safer, versatile and cost-effective conditions.