Abstract: Compositions and methods for preparing at least partially hollow nanoparticles having an outer shell comprising a one or more molecules and/or residues derived from a metal soap, where the nanoparticles each comprise a continuous inner void space that averages at least 10 percent of the volume of each of the nanoparticles. Such at least partially hollow nanoparticles can be employed in a variety of applications including, but not limited to, tire manufacturing.

Abstract: Modified rubber compositions containing an elastomer component and a modifier comprising a steroid and/or a peptide and methods of their production. Such modified rubber compositions can have improved properties and can be useful in making various articles of manufacture, such as, for example, in the manufacture of tires.

Abstract: A disk-like nanoparticle includes a core layer that comprises a cross-linked multi-vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon and a shell layer that comprises tri-block copolymer chains, each having a first, a second, and a third block. The first and third blocks of the tri-block copolymer chains comprise vinyl aromatic monomer units and are crosslinked with the core. The second block comprises conjugated diene monomer units and comprises a top and bottom axial surface of the disk-like nanoparticle. In the case of a nanoparticle having A-B-C tri-block copolymer chains, the third block comprises a top and bottom axial surface of the disk-like nanoparticle.

Abstract: A composition includes a polymer matrix, a multiple-acid-derived metal soap, wherein the metal has an oxidation state of +3 or +4. An associated method for making a rubber composition includes the steps of: combining a solvent and a multiple carboxylic, phosphonic, phosphoric, sulfuric, or sulfonic acid, or mixtures thereof, and mixing to form solution A; adding a source of metal ions to solution A and mixing to form a product A, the metal being selected from the metals having an oxidation state of +3 or +4, whereby product A includes a multiple-acid-derived metal soap; and combining the multiple-acid-derived metal soap with a diene rubber.

Abstract: Micro-sized particles having a polymeric structure of cells are provided. Also provided is a method of producing micro-sized particles having a polymeric structure comprising: (1) forming a homogenous solution by heating a mixture of a high molecular weight polymer and a low molecular weight material, wherein said low molecular weight material makes up at least about 50% by weight of the homogenous solution, (2) forming a dispersed solution by dispersing the homogenous solution formed in step (1) into an inert material, (3) cooling the dispersed solution to cause the high molecular weight polymer to phase separate from the low molecular weight material, (4) forming solid particles comprised of said low molecular weight material trapped inside a structure of cells of said high molecular weight polymer, and (5) removing the solid particles from the dispersed solution.

Abstract: A composition includes a diene rubber and a metal phosphate ester of the formula: M being a metal with an oxidation state of +3 or +4, and R1 and R2 are independently selected from any organic moiety including hydrogen, except R1 and R2 cannot both be hydrogen. In addition, a method of making a rubber composition includes combining a solvent and a phosphate ester and mixing these to foam a solution. A source of metal ions is then added to the solution. The metal in the source of metal ions is selected from the group consisting of metals with an oxidation state of +3 or +4. The product is then is combined with a diene rubber composition to form a useful article, such as the tread of a tire.

Abstract: A disk-like nanoparticle includes a core layer that comprises a cross-linked multi-vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon and a shell layer that comprises tri-block copolymer chains, each having a first, a second, and a third block. The first and third blocks of the tri-block copolymer chains comprise vinyl aromatic monomer units and are crosslinked with the core. The second block comprises conjugated diene monomer units and comprises a top and bottom axial surface of the disk-like nanoparticle. In the case of a nanoparticle having A-B-C tri-block copolymer chains, the third block comprises a top and bottom axial surface of the disk-like nanoparticle.

Abstract: A composition includes a vulcanizable diene rubber, a silica filler, and a metal-functionalized polyisobutylene succinic anhydride derivative. In one embodiment the composition has a reduced amount of oil and may include no oil. A tire tread composition includes, a silica filler, a metal-functionalized polyisobutylene succinic anhydride derivative, a rubber matrix, an optional oil, and one or more components selected from the group consisting of carbon black, vulcanizing agent, vulcanization accelerator, tackifier resin, antioxidant, wax, peptizer, vulcanization retarder, activator, processing additive, plasticizer, pigments, and antiozonant. A method for making the rubber composition and the tire tread is also provided.

Abstract: A composition includes a polymer matrix, a multiple-acid-derived metal soap, wherein the metal has an oxidation state of +3 or +4. An associated method for making a rubber composition includes the steps of: combining a solvent and a multiple carboxylic, phosphonic, phosphoric, sulfuric, or sulfonic acid, or mixtures thereof, and mixing to form solution A; adding a source of metal ions to solution A and mixing to form a product A, the metal being selected from the metals having an oxidation state of +3 or +4, whereby product A includes a multiple-acid-derived metal soap; and combining the multiple-acid-derived metal soap with a diene rubber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer/metal nano-composite. The nano-composite includes at least one copolymer chain having alkenyl monomer units and maleimide monomer units, and a nano-sized metal or inorganic crystal. It also provides a method of producing nano-sized metal/inorganic crystals in pure form. These nano-composites and nano-crystals can be useful as polymer fillers, tire rubber compounds, semiconductors, nano-magnets, catalysts, and quantum dots etc.

Abstract: Modified rubber compositions containing an elastomer component and a modifier comprising a steroid and/or a peptide and methods of their production. Such modified rubber compositions can have improved properties and can be useful in making various articles of manufacture, such as, for example, in the manufacture of tires.

Abstract: A disk-like nanoparticle includes a core layer that comprises a cross-linked multi-vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon and a shell layer that comprises tri-block copolymer chains, each having a first, a second, and a third block. The first and third blocks of the tri-block copolymer chains comprise vinyl aromatic monomer units and are crosslinked with the core. The second block comprises conjugated diene monomer units and comprises a top and bottom axial surface of the disk-like nanoparticle. In the case of a nanoparticle having A-B-C tri-block copolymer chains, the third block comprises a top and bottom axial surface of the disk-like nanoparticle.

Abstract: A composition includes a diene rubber and a metal phosphate ester of the formula: M being a metal with an oxidation state of +3 or +4, and R1 and R2 are independently selected from any organic moiety including hydrogen, except R1 and R2 cannot both be hydrogen. In addition, a method of making a rubber composition includes combining a solvent and a phosphate ester and mixing these to form a solution. A source of metal ions is then added to the solution. The metal in the source of metal ions is selected from the group consisting of metals with an oxidation state of +3 or +4. The product is then is combined with a diene rubber composition to form a useful article, such as the tread of a tire.

Abstract: A process for forming a nanoparticle composition is provided. The process includes polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent to form a first reaction mixture, and charging excess alkenylbenzense monomer and anionic catalyst to form mono-block and diblock polymers. Micelles of said mono-block and diblock polymers are formed, and at least one crosslinking agent is added to cross-link the micelles and form nanoparticles. The nanoparticles preferably have a poly(alkenylbenzene) core and an outer layer including monomer units selected from the group consisting of conjugated dienes, alkenylbenzenes, alkylenes, and mixtures thereof, and a size distribution of between about 1 and 1000 nm.

Abstract: A process for forming a nanoparticle composition is provided. The process includes polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent to form a first reaction mixture, and charging excess alkenylbenzense monomer and anionic catalyst to form mono-block and diblock polymers. Micelles of said mono-block and diblock polymers are formed, and at least one crosslinking agent is added to cross-link the micelles and form nanoparticles. The nanoparticles preferably have a poly(alkenylbenzene) core and an outer layer including monomer units selected from the group consisting of conjugated dienes, alkenylbenzenes, alkylenes, and mixtures thereof, and a size distribution of between about 1 and 1000 nm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing an imidazolium surfactant using a mixing apparatus. The present invention also provides a nano-composite comprising a clay and the imidazolium surfactant, and a composition comprising a polymer and the nano-composite. The nano-composite is practically useful in formulating compositions such as rubber and tire products with improved and well-balanced properties including gas permeability, cure properties, and/or mechanical properties etc.

Abstract: A composition includes a vulcanizable diene rubber, a silica filler, and a metal-functionalized polyisobutylene succinic anhydride derivative. In one embodiment the composition has a reduced amount of oil and may include no oil. A tire tread composition includes, a silica filler, a metal-functionalized polyisobutylene succinic anhydride derivative, a rubber matrix, an optional oil, and one or more components selected from the group consisting of carbon black, vulcanizing agent, vulcanization accelerator, tackifier resin, antioxidant, wax, peptizer, vulcanization retarder, activator, processing additive, plasticizer, pigments, and antiozonant. A method for making the rubber composition and the tire tread is also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preparing at least partially hollow nanoparticles having an outer shell comprising a one or more molecules and/or residues derived from a metal soap, where the nanoparticles each comprise a continuous inner void space that averages at least 10 percent of the volume of each of the nanoparticles. Such at least partially hollow nanoparticles can be employed in a variety of applications including, but not limited to, tire manufacturing.

Abstract: A composition includes a polymer matrix, a multiple-acid-derived metal soap, wherein the metal has an oxidation state of +3 or +4. An associated method for making a rubber composition includes the steps of: combining a solvent and a multiple carboxylic, phosphonic, phosphoric, sulfuric, or sulfonic acid, or mixtures thereof, and mixing to form solution A; adding a source of metal ions to solution A and mixing to form a product A, the metal being selected from the metals having an oxidation state of +3 or +4, whereby product A includes a multiple-acid-derived metal soap; and combining the multiple-acid-derived metal soap with a diene rubber.

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.