Abstract: The present invention is a, solid block copolymer comprising at least two polymer end blocks A and at least one polymer interior block B wherein each A block is a polymer block resistant to lithiation and each B block is a polymer block susceptible to lithiation, and wherein said A and B blocks do not contain any significant levels of olefinic unsaturation. After lithiation, the lithiated polymer is reacted with at least one graftable functional molecule selected from the group consisting of an electrophilic graftable molecule containing a functional group and an electrophile. Preferred are carbon monoxide and ethylene oxide. Also claimed are processes for making such block copolymers, and the various end uses and applications for such block copolymers.

Abstract: Compounds or polymers that contain carbon-carbon unsaturation are brominated using a quaternary phosphonium tribromide as the brominating agent. The bromination process proceeds easily under mild conditions. The process can be highly selective. When the substrate is a butadiene polymer or copolymer, the brominated product tends to have excellent thermal stability.

Abstract: A thermoplastic, hydrogenated vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene block polymer composition, especially a hydrogenated styrene/butadiene triblock composition, functions well as a LED encapsulating material in that it provides one or more of optical clarity, thermal stability, ultraviolet light resistance, melt-processability and injection-moldability. The resulting LED resists deformation after setting or hardening under typical solder reflow conditions.

Abstract: A multi-functional polymer defined by the formula (Q-R¦n—Z—P2—Y where (Q-R)n is a functionality cluster, Q is a functional group, R is a multi-valent organic group, P2 is a long-chain polymer, n is an integer from about 2 to about 10, Y is a proton, a weak functional group, or a selective functional group, and Z is a branch point where the functionality clusters join the long-chain polymer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for partially hydrogenating polymer. The method comprises providing a polymer having at least one vinyl aromatic block; and hydrogenating the polymer in presence of a heterogeneous catalyst on a support selected from the group consisting of BaSO4, Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, active carbon and any combination thereof to obtain a hydrogenated polymer. The hydrogenated polymer comprises at least one hydrogenated vinyl aromatic block having a carbon ring linking with a backbone of the hydrogenated polymer, wherein the average weight percent of the hydrogenated vinyl aromatic block(s) having only one and two double bonds on the carbon ring is between 1-30 wt % based on the total weight of the hydrogenated polymer.

Abstract: A curable composition is described comprising a Michael donor component, a polyacryl component, and 1) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a reactive azlactone functional group, or 2) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a reactive ring-opened azlactone functional group. A telechelic polymer that is the reaction product of these components is also described.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel block copolymer containing a controlled distribution copolymer block of a conjugated diene and a mono alkenyl arene, where the controlled distribution copolymer block has terminal regions that are rich in conjugated diene units and a center region that is rich in mono alkenyl arene units. Also disclosed is a method for manufacture of the block copolymer.

Abstract: A composition having a sulfonated block copolymer which is solid and non-dispersible in water having at least two polymer end blocks A, at least one polymer interior block B, and at least one polymer block D. Each A block is a segment of one or more polymerized para-substituted styrene monomers, each B block contains segments of one or more vinyl aromatic monomers selected from polymerized (i) unsubstituted styrene monomers, (ii) ortho-substituted styrene monomers, (iii) meta-substituted styrene monomers, (iv) alpha-methylstyrene, (v) 1,1-diphenylethylene, (vi) 1,2-diphenylethylene and (vii) mixtures thereof, and each D block having a glass transition temperature of less than 20° C. and a number average molecular weight of between 1,000 and 50,000 Adhesives, coatings and membranes are formed from the composition. Various articles are formed with the composition including films, fibers, fabrics, laminates, and absorbent cores.

Abstract: A polymer nanoparticle is provided. The nanoparticle includes an inner layer having alkenylbenzene monomer units. The nanoparticle further includes an outer layer having monomer units selected from conjugated dienes, alkylenes, alkenylbenzenes, and mixtures thereof. The nanoparticle has at least one functional group associated with the outer layer. Applications of use as additives for rubber, including the rubber compositions, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a block copolymer or a hydrogenated product thereof excellent in low-temperature shrinkability, natural shrinkability, rigidity and the like, excellent in a balance of physical properties such as blocking resistance, resistance to fusion bonding in hot water, impact resistance and the like, and having a few fish eyes (FE's) caused by gels. Further, the invention provides a heat shrinkable film and a heat shrinkable multilayer film suitable for drink container packaging, cap seals and the like, using such a block copolymer or the hydrogenated product thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymeric nanoparticles comprising triblock and optionally diblock copolymer chains. The architecture of the polymeric nanoparticles may be controlled, resulting in nanoparticles having non-spherical shapes. The present invention also provides a method of preparing the polymeric nanoparticles and a rubber article such as a tire manufactured from a formulation comprising the polymer nanoparticles.

Abstract: A hybrid polymer has a structure in which a polyolefin segment and a polar polymer segment are connected not via a bonding group containing a heteroatom. A method of the invention produces the hybrid polymer with industrial advantages. The hybrid polymer includes a polyolefin segment (A) and a polar polymer segment (B), the polar polymer segment being obtained by radical polymerization of a radically polymerizable monomer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymeric composition having elastomeric properties over wide temperature ranges, of the type that comprises polymers and/of copolymers which are derived from substituted or non-substituted vinylaromatic monomers and compatible, homogeneous diene monomers. The inventive composition is based on stereoregular polymers and does not require the use of compatibilizer agents. The invention further relates to the method of obtaining said compositions and of hydrogenating same without the need for additional catalysts or methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monovinylarene-conjugated diene copolymer compositions adapted for blendability with acrylate polymers. In some embodiments, such compositions are provided that are particularly resistant to blocking when stored in pellet form.

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 relates generally to monovinylarene-conjugated diene block copolymers adapted for shrinkable film applications. In one embodiment, a block copolymer is provided wherein an oriented 2 mil film of the block copolymer oriented at 100° C. or less exhibits less than 10% shrinkage at 70° C., and at least 70% shrinkage at 100° C.

Abstract: Vinyl functional olefin polymers are prepared by polymerizing hexadiene or copolymerizing C2-C4-?-olefin, e.g., propylene, and hexadiene in the presence of a 2,1-insertion catalyst.

Abstract: A flower-like nano-particle composition including a poly(alkenylbenzene) core and a poly(conjugated diene) or a poly(alkylene) surface layer is provided. The nano-particles have a mean average diameter less than about 100 nm and are substantially free of chain ends. The nano-particles can be modified via, for example, hydrogenation. The nano-particles can advantageously be incorporated into rubbers, elastomers, and thermoplastics.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel block copolymer which can significantly improve the adhesion between a molded product composed of a nonpolar polymer such as polypropylene or polyethylene and a coating material or a molded product composed of a polar polymer, as well as a method for producing the same. Disclosed is a block copolymer comprising at least one poly (aromatic vinyl) block having a weight-average molecular weight of 1,000 to 500,000 and at least one cyclized poly (conjugated diene) block, as well as an oxygen scavenger and a modifier for polymer molding material, which comprise the block copolymer as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention is a, solid block copolymer comprising at least two polymer end blocks A and at least one polymer interior block B wherein each A block is a polymer block resistant to sulfonation and each B block is a polymer block susceptible to sulfonation, and wherein said A and B blocks do not contain any significant levels of olefinic unsaturation.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to monovinylarene-conjugated diene block copolymers adapted for shrinkable film applications. In one embodiment, a block copolymer is provided wherein an oriented 2 mil film of the block copolymer oriented at 100° C. or less exhibits less than 10% shrinkage at 70° C., and at least 70% shrinkage at 100° C.

Abstract: A nanoparticle which includes a multi-armed core and surface decoration which is attached to the core is prepared. A multi-armed core is provided by any of a number of possible routes, exemplary preferred routes being living anionic polymerization that is initiated by a reactive, functionalized anionic initiator and ?-caprolactone polymerization of a bis-MPA dendrimer. The multi-armed core is preferably functionalized on some or all arms. A coupling reaction is then employed to bond surface decoration to one or more arms of the multi-armed core. The surface decoration is a small molecule or oligomer with a degree of polymerization less than 50, a preferred decoration being a PEG oligomer with degree of polymerization between 2 and 24. The nanoparticles (particle size?10 nm) are employed as sacrificial templating porogens to form porous dielectrics. The porogens are mixed with matrix precursors (e.g., methyl silsesquioxane resin), the matrix vitrifies, and the porogens are removed via burnout.

Abstract: A polymer nanoparticle is provided. The nanoparticle includes an inner layer having alkenylbenzene monomer units. The nanoparticle further includes an outer layer having monomer units selected from conjugated dienes, alkylenes, alkenylbenzenes, and mixtures thereof. The nanoparticle has at least one functional group associated with the outer layer. Applications of use as additives for rubber, including the rubber compositions, are also provided.

Abstract: A polymer nano-particle composition is provided, wherein the nano-particle includes a poly(alkenylbenzene) core and a surface layer including poly(conjugated diene). A method for self-assembly of the nano-particles is also provided. The polymer nano-particles are preferably less than about 100 nm in diameter.

Abstract: A block copolymer mixture containing a branched block copolymer characterized in that it has at least three types of polymer blocks with different molecular weights, each comprising a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon as monomer units, the molecular weight distribution of a mixture of the polymer blocks S1, S2 and S3 each comprising a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon as monomer units is within a specific range, and in a gel permeation chromatogram of the mixture of three types of the polymer blocks S1, S2 and S3, M1/M3 and M2/M3 are within specific ranges, where M1, M2 and M3 are peak top molecular weights of the respective polymer blocks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel dicarbanionic initiator of formula (I). The present process further provides a process for the preparation of dicarbanionic initiator of formula (I) comprising reacting 1-bromo-4-(4?-bromophenoxy)-2-pentadecyl benzene of formula (II) with alkyllithium compound for an effecting halogen-lithium exchange reaction of 1-bromo-4-(4?-bromophenoxy)-2-pentadecyl benzene with sec-butyllithium in the presence of a non polar solvent, at a temperature in the range of 0 to 25° C. and its use as an initiator for the synthesis of telechelic polydienes and polystyrenes and SBS or SIS triblock copolymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer solid electrolyte excellent in thermal properties, physical properties and ion conductivity and being close to practical level; especially, a totally solid electrolyte and a composition for producing the same.

Abstract: A curable composition is described comprising a Michael donor component, a polyacryl component, and 1) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a reactive azlactone functional group, or 2) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a reactive ring-opened azlactone functional group. A telechelic polymer that is the reaction product of these components is also described.

Abstract: A curable composition is described comprising a Michael donor component, a polyacryl component, and 1) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a reactive azlactone functional group, or 2) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a reactive ring-opened azlactone functional group. A telechelic polymer that is the reaction product of these components is also described.

Abstract: Lithium-terminated polymers of one or more conjugated dienes and of one or more mono alkenyl arenes are coupled by reaction with an alkoxy silane coupling agent having the formula Rx—Si—(OR?)y, where x is 0 or 1, x+y=4, R and R? are the same or different, R is selected from aryl hydrocarbon radicals, linear alkyl hydrocarbon radicals and branched alkyl hydrocarbon radicals, and R? is selected from linear and branched alkyl hydrocarbon radicals, such that the resulting polymer composition contains less than about ten weight percent of uncoupled polymer diblock. The polymer compositions are subsequently selectively hydrogenated, and are useful in a variety of compounds and end use applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a block copolymer prepared by ATRP, wherein the polymer chain terminal group is structurally modified with the functionally effective group of a lubricant or polymer additive selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, metal deactivators, antiwear and extreme pressure additives and corrosion inhibitors. The invention also relates to a composition comprising the structurally modified block copolymer and a composition of matter subject to oxidative, thermal or light induced degradation, such as lubricants or polymers.

Abstract: This invention describes the obtainment of impact-resistant materials from a block copolymer that comprises as monomers an alkadiene (conjugated diene) and a vinyl aromatic compound, which is used as impact modifier to obtain such materials and in which, at least, one of the blocks of the vinyl aromatic compound is polydisperse. The invention allows obtaining morphologies such as rods, points or capsules by incorporating such copolymer into a polymeric matrix derived from vinyl aromatic monomers independently from other agents such as chain transfer agents, and achieving increases, in the impact values up to 50% through the use of the copolymer of this invention.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a practical solid polymer electrolyte that exhibits excellent thermal characteristics, physical characteristics, and ionic conductivity, and in particular, to provide a completely solid electrolyte and a copolymer composition that functions as the substrate for producing such an electrolyte. A solid polymer electrolyte comprising an electrolyte salt, and a copolymer in which a block chain A containing a repeating unit represented by a formula (I) shown below, a block chain B containing a repeating unit represented by a formula (II) shown below: (wherein, R9 represents an aryl group), and a block chain C containing a repeating unit represented by a formula (III) shown below: (wherein, R13 represents an aryl group or a heteroaryl group) are arranged in the sequence B, A, C.

Abstract: A structure that comprises a substrate; a cross-linked random free radical copolymer on the substrate; and a self-assembled patterned diblock copolymer film on the random copolymer; wherein the random copolymer is energy neutral with respect to each block of the diblock copolymer film. A method of making the structure is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gels prepared from novel anionic block copolymers of aromatic vinyl compounds and conjugated dienes. The block copolymers include a high molecular weight linear and/or radial block copolymer component (SBC1 and/or SBC2), and a diblock component (E1). The block copolymer may be combined with tackifying resins, oils and other components to form the gels of the present invention.

Abstract: Initiators for atom transfer radical polymerizations are described. The initiators have an azlactone or ring-opened azlactone moiety to provide telechelic (co)polymers.

Abstract: A multi-layer nano-particle composition including a polymer core and at least two additional layers is provided. The nano-particles have a mean average diameter less than about 100 nm. The nano-particles can be modified via, for example, hydrogenation or functionalization. The nano-particles can be advantageously incorporated into rubbers, elastomers, and thermoplastics.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to golf balls containing a centipede polymer in one or more core layers, one or more cover layers, one or more intermediate layers.

Abstract: A multi-layer nano-particle composition including a polymer core and at least two additional layers is provided. The nano-particles have a mean average diameter less than about 100 nm. The nano-particles can be modified via, for example, hydrogenation or functionalization. The nano-particles can be advantageously incorporated into rubbers, elastomers, and thermoplastics.

Abstract: A blend comprising a) from 5 to 40% by weight of a linear block copolymer of vinylaromatic monomers and dienes of the structure (I) S1—(B/S)1—S2 having a flexible phase fraction (B/S)1 of not more than 55% by weight, based on the block copolymer (I) and b) from 95 to 60% by weight of a linear block copolymer of vinylaromatic monomers and dienes of the structure (II) S3—(B/S)2—S4 having a flexible phase fraction (B/S)2 of at least 65% by weight, based on the block copolymer (II), where S1 is a block of vinylaromatic monomers having a number average molar mass Mn in the range from 40 000 to 100 000 g/mol, S2, S3 and S4 are in each case blocks of vinylaromatic monomers having a number average molar mass Mn in the range from 5000 to 20 000 g/mol, (B/S)1 and (B/S)2 are in each case copolymer blocks of dienes and vinylaromatic monomers having a number average molar mass Mn in the range from 15 000 to 40 000 g/mol.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a functionalized, coupled or starred block copolymer which is usable in a sulphur-cross-linkable rubber composition of reduced hysteresis in the cross-linked state, one at least of said blocks consisting of a polyisoprene and at least one other block consisting of a diene elastomer other than a polyisoprene the molar ratio of units originating from one or more conjugated dienes of which is greater than 15%.

Abstract: A block copolymer mixture comprising block copolymers (A), (B) and (C) each block comprising vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and conjugated diene monomer units: wherein block (A) comprises from 75 to 95 mass % of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and from 5 to 25 mass % of a conjugated diene, and which has a block portion composed mainly of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon having a number average molecular weight of from 30,000 to less than 150,000: block (B) comprises from 50 to 80 mass % of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and from 20 to 50 mass % of a conjugated diene, and which has a block portion composed mainly of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon having a number average molecular weight of from 20,000 to less than 120,000, and block (C) comprises from 60 to 95 mass % of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and from 5 to 40 mass % of a conjugated diene, which has at least one random copolymer block portion comprising, as monomer units, from 55 to 95 mass % of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and from 5 to 45 mass % of a conjugated die

Abstract: A novel process for preparation of block copolymers containing, for example, alpha-methyl-styrene/styrene glassy blocks is claimed, where the glassy blocks contain 25-50 mol % alpha-methyl-styrene and have Tg values in the range of 120 to 140° C. The copolymerization process, which is conducted at 35 to 60° C. and relatively high solids contents and with continuous addition of styrene, results in very high conversions of the alpha-methyl-styrene. Selectively hydrogenated block copolymers having high glassy block Tg values are also disclosed and claimed as well as high service temperature elastomeric compositions comprising the block copolymer and an olefin polymer or copolymer.

Abstract: A method of producing an engineered plastic selected from the group consisting of high impact polystyrene, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, methylmethacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymer, transparent impact polystyrene, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) adding a polymer containing at least one high vinyl segment having a 1,2-vinyl bond content of greater than 45% to a solvent comprising at least one vinyl monomer; (b) optionally adding at least one additional inert solvent; (c) optionally adding additives selected from the group consisting of extender oils, modifiers, and antioxidants; and (d) initiating polymerization of the at least one vinyl monomer by the use of an initiator and/or heat, wherein the presence of the at least one high vinyl segment in the polymer allows direction of the grafting site during preparation of the engineered plastic.

Abstract: To provide a block copolymer composition having a good balance in transparency and impact resistance, and particularly having an excellent impact resistance, by making a molded product of injection molding under high sear condition in such a manner as to hardly generate anisotropy. A block copolymer composed of a hard segment block comprising a block made mainly of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a soft segment block comprising a block made mainly of a conjugated diene, characterized by having a remarkably improved impact resistance without degrading transparency in respect of not only an extrusion-molded product and a blow-molded product but also an injection-molded product, by blending two kinds of block copolymers having a hard segment block of a specific structure.

Abstract: A process for coupling a living carbocationic polymer by reacting two molecules of a living carbocationic polymer with a coupling agent, the coupling agent having the formula I: CR1R2?CR3-Zn—CR4?CR5R6 ??(I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are, independently from one another, hydrogen, alkyl, or alkenyl, or two of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6, together are alkylene or alkenylene, Z is CR7R8, R7 and R8 are, independently from one another, hydrogen or alkyl, and n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 5, with the proviso that, when R3 is hydrogen, both R1 and R2 are different from hydrogen, and, when R4 is hydrogen, both R5 and R6 are different from hydrogen. The process allows for the convenient preparation of ABA-type block copolymers and of telechelic polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adhesive composition containing a block copolymer, wherein the block copolymer has a polymer block (A) which is principally composed of a ?-methyl styrene unit, and a polymer block (B) which is principally composed of a conjugated diene unit and of which at least part of carbon-carbon unsaturated double bonds may be hydrogenated, and having a good holding power at high temperatures.

Abstract: A crosslinked block copolymer concentrate includes at least 80 weight percent of a crosslinked block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic monomer, such as styrene, and a conjugated diene, such as butadiene. The crosslinked block copolymer includes 50 to about 90 weight percent of repeating units derived from the alkenyl aromatic monomer. The concentrate may be blended with a poly(arylene ether) to form a composition with high ductility. Blends of the concentrate and poly(arylene ether) may also be formulated to be translucent or transparent.

Abstract: A curable composition is described comprising a Michael donor component, a polyacryl component, and 1) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a reactive azlactone functional group, or 2) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a reactive ring-opened azlactone functional group. A telechelic polymer that is the reaction product of these components is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and process for enhancing the controlled radical polymerization in the presence of nitroxyls and nitroxylethers by adding a chain transfer agent selected from the group consisting of mercaptanes, thioethers and disulfides to the polymerizable mixture. A further subject of the invention is the use of mercaptanes, thioethers and disulfides for increasing rate and yield of controlled radical polymerizations in the presence of a nitroxyl or a nitroxylether.