Abstract: This invention relates to a method for synthesizing polyoxymethylene on a substrate. The method includes depositing monomer capable of forming polyoxymethylene by an initiated polymerization reaction and an initiator, via initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) onto a surface of a substrate in an initiated chemical vapor deposition reactor.

Abstract: Described herein are all-dry encapsulation methods that enable well-defined polymers to be applied around particles. One aspect of the invention relates to a method of coating a particle, comprising the steps of: placing said particle in a vessel at a pressure; rotating said vessel at a rotating speed for a period of time; mixing together a first gaseous monomer at a first flow rate, and a gaseous initiator at a second flow rate, thereby forming a mixture; introducing said mixture into said vessel via a vapor feedline; heating said mixture, thereby forming a reactive mixture; contacting said particle with said reactive mixture; thereby forming a polymer coating on said particle. The methods may be modified forms of initiated chemical vapor deposition using a thermally-initiated radical polymerization to create conformal coatings around individual particles while avoiding agglomeration. Particle surfaces may be coated with a range of functional groups.

Abstract: A method for ionic polymerization of ethylene oxide. In the first step of the method, a gaseous monomer composition comprising ethylene oxide at a first flow rate is mixed with a gaseous ionic polymerization initiator at a second flow rate, thereby forming a mixture. The formed mixture is then heated with at least one heated filament to thereby form at least one polymer. The method may also be employed to coat a variety of different substrates in situ during the polymerization reaction.

Abstract: A method for ionic polymerization of ethylene oxide. In the first step of the method, a gaseous monomer composition comprising ethylene oxide at a first flow rate is mixed with a gaseous ionic polymerization initiator at a second flow rate, thereby forming a mixture. The formed mixture is then heated with at least one heated filament to thereby form at least one polymer. The method may also be employed to coat a variety of different substrates in situ during the polymerization reaction.