Preparation of Monodisperse Bio-Based Polymer Particles via Dispersion Polymerization.

Monodisperse bio-based polymer particles were successfully prepared through the dispersion polymerization of tulip-derived α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone (MBL) in ,-dimethylformamide/ethanol (7/3, w/w) at 65 °C with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) as a colloidal stabilizer. The diameter of the polymer particles was well controlled by changing the composition of the reaction medium or PVP concentration. Furthermore, 100% bio-based poly(MBL) (PMBL) particles were prepared via the dispersion polymerization of MBL in water using hydrolyzed PMBL as a colloidal stabilizer, which was synthesized by hydrolysis of PMBL.

Preparation of Cylindrical Janus Particles Using a Stirring Method.

We previously discovered a novel method for the preparation of polymer particles that have a cylindrical shape. Polystyrene (PS) or poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) spherical particles were deformed into a cylindrical shape by stirring with a magnetic stirrer in a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) aqueous solution. In this study, cylindrical "Janus" particles consisting of PS and PMMA were prepared by this stirring method.