Recent chemical advances in frontal polymerization

Frontal Polymerization is a technique of polymer synthesis in which the heat released by the reaction generates a self-sustaining polymerization front able to propagate through a reactor, thus converting monomer into polymer. After the ignition and the subsequent front formation, no further energy supplying is requested for the polymerization to occur. The syntheses can be performed in bulk or in solution; solid monomers, if molten at the front temperature, can also be used. Furthermore, monomers can be successfully used without removing the inhibitor, if present. The polymers previously obtained by this technique were polyacrylates, nylons and epoxy resins. In this chapter we present a short overview of our recent developments in Frontal Polymerization that allow us to use this technique for the preparation of polyurethanes, polyester/styrene resins, polydicylopentadiene and its IPNs with polyacrylates. Eventually, we give some preliminary details on the successful application of FP to the consolidation of stones.