Abstract: The present invention discloses an emulsion polymerization process that comprises: (1) preparing an aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of (a) at least one monomer, (b) a polymerization control agent, and an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier is prepared in-situ within the aqueous polymerization medium; and (2) initiating polymerization of said monomer within the aqueous polymerization medium.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an emulsion polymerization process that comprises: (1) preparing an aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of (a) at least one monomer, (b) a polymerization control agent, and an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier is prepared in-situ within the aqueous polymerization medium; and (2) initiating polymerization of said monomer within the aqueous polymerization medium.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for synthesizing a hydrogenated polymer that comprises: (1) preparing a aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of (a) at least one monomer, (b) a polymerization control agent, and an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier is prepared in-situ within the aqueous polymerization medium; (2) initiating polymerization of said monomer within the aqueous polymerization medium to produce a latex of an unsaturated polymer; (3) treating the latex of the unsaturated polymer with (a) an oxidant selected from the group consisting of oxygen, air and hydroperoxides; (b) a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of hydrazine and hydrates of hydrazine; and (c) a metal ion activator to produce the hydrogenated polymer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an emulsion polymerization process that comprises: (1) preparing an aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of (a) at least one monomer, (b) a polymerization control agent, and an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier is prepared in-situ within the aqueous polymerization medium; and (2) initiating polymerization of said monomer within the aqueous polymerization medium.

Abstract: A process of preparing a nanocomposite comprised of an elastomer and at least partially exfoliated, intercalated water-swellable clay.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing an amphiphilic block copolymer, including the steps of: (1) preparing a first aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of (a) 4-vinylpyridine, (b) a trithiocarbonate RAFT agent, and an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier is prepared in-situ within the aqueous polymerization medium by the reaction of a latent surfactant with a surfactant activator; (2) polymerizing the 4-vinylpyridine within the first aqueous polymerization medium in the presence of a first free radical initiator to produce a poly(4-vinylpyridine); (3) protonating the poly(4-vinylpyridine) to form a protonated poly(4-vinylpyridine) RAFT macroinitiator; (4) preparing a second aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of the protonated poly(4-vinylpyridine) RAFT macroinitiator and a monomer containing ethylenic unsaturation but is exclusive of a surfactant; and (5) polymerizing the protonated poly(4-vinylpyridine) RAFT macroinitiator and monomer containing ethylenic u

Abstract: This invention relates to an aqueous based process for the preparation of intercalated and/or exfoliated natural or synthetic clays using block copolymers in latex form containing at least one non-polar block and one or more cationic blocks, wherein the block copolymers are prepared by an emulsion controlled free radical polymerization method.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an emulsion polymerization process that comprises: (1) preparing an aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of (a) at least one monomer, (b) a polymerization control agent, and an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier is prepared in-situ within the aqueous polymerization medium; and (2) initiating polymerization of said monomer within the aqueous polymerization medium.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for synthesizing a hydrogenated polymer that comprises: (1) preparing a aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of (a) at least one monomer, (b) a polymerization control agent, and an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier is prepared in-situ within the aqueous polymerization medium; (2) initiating polymerization of said monomer within the aqueous polymerization medium to produce a latex of an unsaturated polymer; (3) treating the latex of the unsaturated polymer with (a) an oxidant selected from the group consisting of oxygen, air and hydroperoxides; (b) a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of hydrazine and hydrates of hydrazine; and (c) a metal ion activator to produce the hydrogenated polymer.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for producing a polymer by controlled polymerization which comprises polymerizing at least one monomer in the presence of a free radical control agent of the structural formula: (Z)-(R1)n, wherein n represents an integer from 1 to about 6; wherein Z represents an aromatic or aliphatic moiety containing from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms; wherein R1 represents a moiety of the structural formula: wherein R2 represents a moiety selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, and alkaryl groups; wherein the alky groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, and alkaryl groups can be substituted, unsubstituted, linear, branched or cyclic; and wherein Ar represents a p-alkoxyphenyl group having an alkoxy moiety that contains from 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire which is comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads, wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting, and wherein said tread is a cured the rubber formulation which is comprised of (1) hydroxylamine end-group functionalized rubbery polymer of the structural formula: wherein P represents polymer chains of the rubbery polymer, and wherein (i) R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted straight, branched, or cyclic alkylgroups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, alkaryl groups, alkoxyl groups, halo-alkyl groups, and combinations thereof; or (ii) R1 and R2 taken together with the carbon and nitrogen to which they are attached form a 5 to 8 membered ring; and (2) a filler selected from the group consisting of ca

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for producing a polymer by controlled polymerization which comprises polymerizing at least one monomer in the presence of a free radical control agent of the structural formula: (Z)-(R1)n, wherein n represents an integer from 1 to about 6; wherein Z represents an aromatic or aliphatic moiety containing from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms; wherein R1 represents a moiety of the structural formula: wherein R2 represents a moiety selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, and alkaryl groups; wherein the alky groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, and alkaryl groups can be substituted, unsubstituted, linear, branched or cyclic; and wherein Ar represents a p-alkoxyphenyl group having an alkoxy moiety that contains from 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for synthesizing an epoxidized polymer that includes the steps of: (1) preparing a cationically stabilized polymer latex containing at least one conjugated diolefin monomer in a first stage, (2) treating the polymer latex from step (1) with formic or acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, and (3) allowing the mixture to react for a predetermined time and predetermined temperature to attain the desired level of epoxidation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for synthesizing an epoxidized polymer that includes the steps of: (1) preparing a cationically stabilized polymer latex containing at least one conjugated diolefin monomer in a first stage, (2) treating the polymer latex from step (1) with formic or acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, and (3) allowing the mixture to react for a predetermined time and predetermined temperature to attain the desired level of epoxidation.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition comprising: an vinylpyridine-styrene-butadiene (VPSBR) elastomer derived from monomers comprising vinylpyridine, styrene, and butadiene, wherein the VPSBR comprises from about 0.1 to about 8 percent by weight of vinylpyridine; and from about 5 to about 15 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of VPSBR, of an at least partially exfoliated clay.

Abstract: A process of preparing a nanocomposite comprised of an elastomer and at least partially exfoliated, intercalated water-swellable clay, comprising the steps of (A) forming a first blend of water-swelled clay and anionic polymer particle emulsion by blending: (1) an aqueous mixture comprised of water and a multilayered water-swellable clay, exclusive of an intercalant for said clay, wherein said water-swellable clay is comprised of a plurality of stacked platelets with water-expanded galleries between said platelets, wherein said galleries contain naturally occurring cationic ion exchangeable ions therein, and (2) an emulsion of anionic synthetic vinylpyridine-styrene-butadiene terpolymer (VPSBR) elastomer particles as an aqueous pre-formed elastomer emulsion having a pH in a range of from about 6 to about 11, comprised of anionic elastomer particles (elastomer particles having anions on the surface derived from an anionic surfactant) prepared by aqueous free radical induced polymerization of monomers in th

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for producing a polymer by controlled polymerization which comprises polymerizing at least one monomer in the presence of a free radical controi agent of the stxuctural formula: (Z)-(R1)n, wherein n represents an integer from 1 to about 6; wherein Z represents an aromatic or aliphatic moiety containing from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms; wherein R1 represents a moiety of the structural formula: wherein R2 represents a moiety selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aryl groups. heteroaryl groups, and alkaryl groups; wherein the alky groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, and alkaryl groups can be substituted, unsubstituted, linear, branched or cyclic; and wherein Ar represents a p-alkoxyphenyl group having an alkoxy moiety that contains from 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for producing a core-shell polymer that comprises: (1) preparing a monomer solution which is comprised of (a) at least one monomer, optional one crosslinking monomer (b) a conjugate acid of a surfactant with a pKa of less than 14, and (c) a controlled free radical polymerization agent; (2) preparing an aqueous medium which is comprised of (a) water, and (b) a conjugate base of a weak acid wherein the pKb of the base is less than 14; and (3) mixing the monomer solution with the aqueous medium under conditions that result in the in-situ formation of an emulsifier to produce a polymerization medium, and (4) initiating free radical polymerization within the polymerization medium to produce a core polymer, wherein the core contains a free radical control agents, (5) adding a second monomer to the polymerization medium containing the core polymer, and (6) allowing polymerization to proceed in the presence of the free radical control agent to produce the core-shell polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to preparation of nanocomposites comprised of elastomer and a dispersion of an at least partially exfoliated water swellable clay and to rubber compositions containing such nanocomposite and articles of manufacture which contain at least one component thereof. The nanocomposite is prepared by addition of a water suspension of water swellable clay particles to an anionic aqueous emulsion of elastomer particles to form a mixture to which an amine having at least two amine centers is added to intercalate and at least partially exfoliate the water swelled clay particles by an ion exchange within the galleries of the multilayered clay with cation exchangeable ion(s) and to aid in coagulating the elastomer and resultant clay particles to form said nanocomposite.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to sulfine control agents for synthesizing polymers via controlled free radical polymerization and to the polymers resulting therefrom. Such polymers include repeat units derived from the controlled free radical polymerization, particularly reversible atom fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization, of at least one vinyl-containing monomer, at least one conjugated diene monomer, or combinations thereof, in the presence of a sulfine compound having the formula: wherein R1 is alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl or substituted heterocycloalkyl, and wherein Y is alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, alkoxy, amino or thio.