Alternative synthesis of Aristoflex AVS®

Identifier:  TFG:1220

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG1220

Authors:  Sanromà Ferrús, Carla

Abstract:
The main aim of this project is to achieve an alternative synthesis of one of the cosmetics products produced in the AMPS production plant from the company Clariant Ibérica Producción, more specifically, the Aristoflex AVS®, in order to reduce costs and waste. The synthesis of this polymer at the production plant starts with the ammonia neutralization of the monomer 2-­‐acrylamide-­‐2-­‐methyl-­‐propanosulfonic acid (ATBS), the polymerization and finally replacing the ion ammonic with sodium. Ter-­‐butanol is used as a solvent, which is recirculated to be reused. First of all it was proposed to assess if the synthesis, which is normally made in the production plant, could also be used at the lab and giving the same results. The intention was to be able to get the best results in order to contrast eventual findings. I will call this first experiment results standard. The next project consists in modifying a little bit the synthesis in order to avoid using ammonia. We will do it by neutralizing directly the monomer ATBS with NaOH and then make the polymerization. Following this alternative synthesis, it will be studied varying different parameters in order to obtain the product with the best features, either by changing the initiator or the quantity, or varying the amount of cross-­‐linker. Cosmetic creams are mostly emulsions that should have specific final properties as a viscous gel for easy application. So what I mainly studied in these experiments and allows us to compare the efficacy of the products is the viscosity.