Abstract: A modified-asphalt composition prepared by introducing a diene end-capped block copolymer with a molten asphalt composition.

Abstract: A method for forming a modified asphalt binder composition, the method comprising preparing a phosphorus pentasulfide-binder concentrate by introducing and mixing phosphorus pentasulfide and asphalt binder, where the phosphorus pentasulfide-binder concentrate includes greater than 0.5 parts by weight phosphorus pentasulfide per 100 parts by weight asphalt, preparing a polymer-binder concentrate by introducing and mixing polymer and asphalt binder, where the polymer-binder concentrate includes greater than 5 parts by weight polymer per 100 parts by weight asphalt, and introducing and mixing the phosphorus pentasulfide-binder concentrate with the polymer-binder concentrate to form a modified asphalt binder composition, where the phosphorus pentasulfide includes a blend of P4S10 and P4S9.

Abstract: A method for forming a modified asphalt binder composition, the method comprising preparing a phosphorus pentasulfide-binder concentrate by introducing and mixing phosphorus pentasulfide and asphalt binder, where the phosphorus pentasulfide-binder concentrate includes greater than 0.5 parts by weight phosphorus pentasulfide per 100 parts by weight asphalt, preparing a polymer-binder concentrate by introducing and mixing polymer and asphalt binder, where the polymer-binder concentrate includes greater than 5 parts by weight polymer per 100 parts by weight asphalt, and introducing and mixing the phosphorus pentasulfide-binder concentrate with the polymer-binder concentrate to form a modified asphalt binder composition.

Abstract: A functionalized elastomer defined by the formula where ? includes a polymer chain, ? includes a group 14 element, R1 and R2 each independently include hydrogen, a monovalent organic group, or a polymer chain, R3 and R4 each independently include a divalent organic group or a covalent bond, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 each independently include a monovalent organic group or a hydrogen atom.

Abstract: A fluorescent nanoparticle includes a core comprising an alkenylbenzene; an intermediate layer, an outer shell layer, and a fluorescent portion. The fluorescent portion includes a structure represented by the following formula: wherein L is a direct bond or a linker group, and F is any fluorescent moiety. The fluorescent portion is located in at least one of the following locations: the core, the intermediate layer, or the shell layer of the nanoparticle. Methods for making the fluorescent nanoparticle are also described.

Abstract: A process for preparing a modified asphalt binder composition, the process comprising mixing asphalt, an unsaturated polymer, and phosphorus pentasulfide to form a modified asphalt composition.

Abstract: A tire component comprising a vulcanized residue of a functionalized polymer defined by the formula I where ? is a rubbery polymer chain, B is a boron atom, R1 is a bond or a divalent organic group, and each ? is independently selected from thioalkoxy groups (—SR), amino groups (—NR2), or phosphino groups (—PR2), where each R is independently selected from monovalent organic groups or two R groups form a divalent organic group, which forms a cyclic structure.

Abstract: A tire component comprising a vulcanized rubber deriving from a functionalized polymer defined by the formula I where ? is a polymer chain, B is a boron atom, R1 is a bond or a divalent organic group, and each ? is independently selected from alkoxy groups (—OR), thioalkoxy groups (—SR), amino groups (—NR2), or phosphino groups (—PR2), where each R is independently selected from monovalent organic groups or two R groups form a divalent organic group, which forms a cyclic structure.

Abstract: A fluorescent nanoparticle includes a core comprising an alkenylbenzene; an intermediate layer, an outer shell layer, and a fluorescent portion. The fluorescent portion includes a structure represented by the following formula: wherein L is a direct bond or a linker group, and F is any fluorescent moiety. The fluorescent portion is located in at least one of the following locations: the core, the intermediate layer, or the shell layer of the nanoparticle. Methods for making the fluorescent nanoparticle are also described.

Abstract: A method of forming a functionalized polymer, the method comprising reacting a living polymer with a compound defined by the formula where R5 includes a monovalent organic group, R6 independently includes a monovalent organic group, each R7 independently includes hydrogen or a monovalent organic group, each R8 independently includes hydrogen or monovalent organic group, R9 includes a monovalent organic group, M is silicon or tin, and x includes an integer from about 2 to about 10, where R5 and R6 may optionally each independently be alkoxy groups, and where R7, R8, and R9 are non-Zerewitinoff organic groups.

Abstract: Anionically-polymerized living polymers are sequentially functionalized with certain agents X? and Y?. A method of preparing a functionalized polymer comprising the steps of reacting the polymer with a functionalizing agent X?, and then further reacting the polymer with a functionalizing agent Y?.

Abstract: A method of forming a functionalized polymer, the method comprising reacting a living polymer with a compound defined by the formula where R5 includes a monovalent organic group, R6 independently includes a monovalent organic group, each R7 independently includes hydrogen or a monovalent organic group, each R8 independently includes hydrogen or monovalent organic group, R9 includes a monovalent organic group, M is silicon or tin, and x includes an integer from about 2 to about 10, where R5 and R6 may optionally each independently be alkoxy groups, and where R7, R8, and R9 are non-Zerewitinoff organic groups.

Abstract: A process for preparing a functionalized polymerization initiator, the process comprising combining a functionalized styryl compound and an organolithium compound.

Abstract: A fluorescent nanoparticle includes a core comprising an alkenylbenzene; an intermediate layer, an outer shell layer, and a fluorescent portion. The fluorescent portion includes a structure represented by the following formula: wherein L is a direct bond or a linker group, and F is any fluorescent moiety. The fluorescent portion is located in at least one of the following locations: the core, the intermediate layer, or the shell layer of the nanoparticle. Methods for making the fluorescent nanoparticle are also described.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a directly bonded moiety, which can be located at a terminus of the polymer, defined by the formula —NH—NR1R2 where R1 and R2 independently are substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, allyl, aralkyl, alkaryl, or alkynyl groups, or together form a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene, alkenylene, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, or arylene group. The functionalized polymer can be provided by reacting a living polymer with a hydrazone. Such polymers can be used in the production of compositions that include particulate fillers.

Abstract: A process for preparing a modified asphalt binder composition, the process comprising mixing asphalt, an unsaturated polymer, and phosphorus pentasulfide to form a modified asphalt composition.

Abstract: A process for preparing a modified asphalt binder composition, the process comprising mixing asphalt, an unsaturated polymer, and phosphorus pentasulfide to form a modified asphalt composition.

Abstract: A multi-functional polymer defined by the formula (Q-Rn-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: A functionalized polymer terminated by using an isocyanato alkoxysilane terminating agent. A method of preparing a functionalized polymer comprising the step of contacting a living polymer with an isocyanato alkoxysilane terminating agent.

Abstract: Blends of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene and rubbery elastomers are prepared by a process that comprises polymerizing 1,3-butadiene monomer into syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene within a rubber cement of an elastomeric terpolymer by using a chromium-based, molybdenum-based, or iron-based catalyst composition. Polymer composition comprising the blend with improved properties is also provided.