Patents by Inventor Elena I. Vinokour

Elena I. Vinokour has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Intercalates and exfoliates formed with N-alkenyl amides and/or acrylate-functional pyrrolidone and allylic monomers, oligomers and copolymers and composite materials containing same
    Patent number: 5849830
    Abstract: Nanocomposites are manufactured by combining a host material, such as an organic solvent or a matrix polymer and exfoliated intercalates formed by contacting a phyllosilicate with an intercalant selected from the group consisting of (1) an N-alkenyl amide monomer and an allylic monomer; (2) an oligomer formed by copolymerizing an N-alkenyl amide monomer and an allylic monomer; (3) a polymer formed by copolymerizing an N-alkenyl amide monomer and an allylic monomer; and (4) mixtures thereof to adsorb or the intercalant between adjacent phyllosilicate platelets. Sufficient polymer is adsorbed between adjacent phyllosilicate platelets to expand the adjacent platelets to increase the spacing at least about 10 .ANG., preferably at least about 20 .ANG. (as measured after water removal), up to about 100 .ANG. and preferably in the range of about 30-40 .ANG., so that the intercalate easily can be exfoliated, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: AMCOL International Corporation
    Inventors: Semeon Tsipursky, Gary W. Beall, Elena I. Vinokour