Raman spectroscopic monitoring of the polymerization of cyanacrylate

Micro Raman spectroscopy is used to investigate the polymerization reaction kinetics of cyanacrylates. Polycyanacrylates have important applications in medical and pharmaceutical research (polycyanacrylate capsules are used as drug carriers in the pharmaceutical industry). The reaction of the acrylate-monomers in both bulk as well as in single trapped microcapsules has been monitored by Raman spectroscopy recording the decrease of the CC stretching band as a function of time. The polymerization process is followed through reaction parameters such as ester function of the monomer (methyl/ethyl, butyl), the reaction medium (bulk, emulsion), temperature, and pH value.