Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hydrogenated styrene-based multiblock copolymer composition, having selectively quaternized midblock, for forming anion-exchange membranes (AEMs). The quaternized hydrogenated styrene-based multiblock copolymer is characterized as having a high glass transition temperature from the hydrophobic end-blocks, low vinyl (rubber) content, and quaternized mid-block. AEMs made from the composition have improved thermal and dimensional stability in electrolyzer operations.

Abstract: A filling composition is disclosed, the composition comprises (i) between 4 to 20 wt. % of a selectively hydrogenated isoprene-styrene block copolymer having a structure S-EP with at least 40 wt. % polystyrene content, a total diblock apparent molecular weight of at least 160 kg/mole, the polystyrene block S has a true molecular weight in the range of 60 to 110 kg/mole, and the polyisoprene block (EP) has a molecular weight in the range of 80-100 kg/mole, (ii) an oil, and (iii) optional additives. The filling composition is characterized as having a thixotropic ratio of 2-10, a drop point of at least 200° C., and a cone penetration at 25° C. of <500 dmm.

Abstract: A filling composition is disclosed, the composition comprises (i) between 4 to 20 wt. % of a selectively hydrogenated isoprene-styrene block copolymer having a structure S-EP with at least 40 wt. % polystyrene content, a total diblock apparent molecular weight of at least 160 kg/mole, the polystyrene block S has a true molecular weight in the range of 60 to 110 kg/mole, and the polyisoprene block (EP) has a molecular weight in the range of 80-100 kg/mole, (ii) an oil, and (iii) optional additives. The filling composition is characterized as having a thixotropic ratio of 2-10, a drop point of at least 200° C., and a cone penetration at 25° C. of <500 dmm.

Abstract: Compositions comprising (i) a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer, (ii) an oil, and (iii) optional additives are described herein. Compositions include but are not limited to cable fillings. The styrenic block copolymer having peak molecular weight of from about 125 to about 300 kg/mol, an oil and optional additives are described herein. The block copolymer includes a B block having vinyl content of from about 35% to about 49% and an S block having a polystyrene content of from about 28% to about 40%. The compositions may form a gel having a thixotropic ratio at 25° C. of from about 5 to about 10 and further characterized by specific low, middle and high shear rate viscosities at 25° C. and shear rates of 6 s?1, 50 s?1 and 200 s?1 of from 10,000 cps to 750,000 cps, 1,000 cps to 100,000 cps and 1,000 cps to 6,000 cps, respectively; a drop point from 100° C. to 250° C.; and a cone penetration at 25° C. of from 300 dmm to 685 dmm.

Abstract: Compositions comprising (i) a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer, (ii) an oil, and (iii) optional additives are described herein. Compositions include but are not limited to cable fillings. The styrenic block copolymer having peak molecular weight of from about 125 to about 300 kg/mol, an oil and optional additives are described herein. The block copolymer includes a B block having vinyl content of from about 35% to about 49% and an S block having a polystyrene content of from about 28% to about 40%. The compositions may form a gel having a thixotropic ratio at 25° C. of from about 5 to about 10 and further characterized by specific low, middle and high shear rate viscosities at 25° C. and shear rates of 6 s?1, 50 s?1 and 200 s?1 of from 10,000 cps to 750,000 cps, 1,000 cps to 100,000 cps and 1,000 cps to 6,000 cps, respectively; a drop point from 100° C. to 250° C.; and a cone penetration at 25° C. of from 300 dmm to 685 dmm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a selectively hydrogenated isoprene-styrene diblock copolymer having a polystyrene content of at least 40 wt. %, which when added to an oil-based mud composition, substantially reduces fluid loss. The polystyrene in the diblock has a true molecular weight greater than 60 kg/mole and the total apparent molecular weight of the diblock copolymer is at least 160 kg/mole. The drilling mud that contains about 0.5 pounds per barrel to about 10 pounds per barrel of a selectively hydrogenated isoprene-styrene diblock copolymer and a weighting agent, resulting in a drilling fluid composition exhibiting good suspension of the weighting agent and improved fluid loss performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a selectively hydrogenated isoprene-styrene diblock copolymer having a polystyrene content of at least 40 wt. %, which when added to an oil-based mud composition, substantially reduces fluid loss. The polystyrene in the diblock has a true molecular weight greater than 60 kg/mole and the total apparent molecular weight of the diblock copolymer is at least 160 kg/mole. The drilling mud that contains about 0.5 pounds per barrel to about 10 pounds per barrel of a selectively hydrogenated isoprene-styrene diblock copolymer and a weighting agent, resulting in a drilling fluid composition exhibiting good suspension of the weighting agent and improved fluid loss performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions comprising (a) anionic block copolymers of mono alkenyl arenes and conjugated dienes where one of the blocks is a controlled distribution copolymer of a conjugated diene and mono alkenyl arene having a specific arrangement of the monomers in the copolymer block, and (b) tailored softening modifiers have a particular structure that results in a surprising improvement in properties for the composition. Also included are processes for the manufacturing such novel compositions and various end-uses and applications for such compositions.

Abstract: A method of oxidizing the surface of carbon microfibers that includes contacting the microfibers with an oxidizing agent that includes sulfuric acid and potassiaum chlorate under reaction conditions sufficient to oxidize the surface. The invention also features a method of decreasing the length of carbon microfibers that includes contacting the microfibers with an oxidizing agent under reaction conditions sufficient to decrease the length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions comprising (a) anionic block copolymers of mono alkenyl arenes and conjugated dienes, and (b) tailored softening modifiers have a particular polydispersity index that results in a surprising improvement in properties for the composition. Also included are processes for the manufacturing such novel compositions and various end-uses and applications for such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions comprising (a) anionic block copolymers of mono alkenyl arenes and conjugated dienes where one of the blocks is a controlled distribution copolymer of a conjugated diene and mono alkenyl arene having a specific arrangement of the monomers in the copolymer block, and (b) tailored softening modifiers have a particular structure that results in a surprising improvement in properties for the composition. Also included are processes for the manufacturing such novel compositions and various end-uses and applications for such compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement to a process for preparing coupled styrenic block copolymers wherein adding from about 0.01 to about 1.5 equivalents of a metal alkyl compound per equivalent of living polymer chain ends to the cement, during or after polymerization, improves coupling efficiencies. The resultant radial styrenic block copolymers have reduced amounts of 5+ arm oligomers which can be very desirable is certain applications, such as the modification of bitumen.

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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: The present invention is a coupled radial anionic polymer comprising a polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane [POSS] of the formula [R—SiO3/2]n. POSS compounds having R=vinyl, glycidyldimethyl silyl, and isobutyl have been found effective in coupling anionic living polymers to yield radial polymers having 2 to 10 arms. Radial polymers of the present invention have been formed using POSS octamers and mixtures of POSS octamers, decamers and dodecamers. The present invention also relates to a process for coupling living anionic polymers with POSS compounds.