Homogeneous copolymers

By combining the concepts of copolymer homogeneity, matching refractive indices, and partial compatibilization via grafting, impact resistant polyblend systems can be produced from numerous monomer combinations that approach optical clarity. 

Preparation of Cellulose-Styrene-Sulfur Dioxide Graft Copolymer (Homogeneous Grafting). The procedure for preparation of cellulose-styrene copolymer in a S0 -diethylamine (DEA)-dimethylsulf-oxide (DMS0) medium was described in our previous paper (3). The grafting proceeds homogeneously throughout the reaction. 

Figure 30 A mechanism scheme for the self-assembly of PFS-PI block copolymers. Homogeneous nucleatlon followed by epitaxial growth yields cylindrical micelles with a semicrystalline core and a relatively narrow distribution of lengths. The rod ends remain active to further growth if additional polymer containing a PFS block is added. Reprinted from Wang, X. Guerin, G. Wang, H. etal. Sc/ence 2007,317(5838), 644-647, with permission from AAAS. ...

Homogeneous-heterogeneous copolymers. Homogeneous copolymers are formed only... 

Polydimethyl siloxane/ polycarbonate copolymer Homogeneous film 50 50 146 885... 

The method has severe limitations for systems where gradients on near-atomic scale are important (as in the protein folding process or in bilayer membranes that contain only two molecules in a separated phase), but is extremely powerful for (co)polymer mixtures and solutions [147, 148, 149]. As an example Fig. 6 gives a snapshot in the process of self-organisation of a polypropylene oxide-ethylene oxide copolymer PL64 in aqueous solution on its way from a completely homogeneous initial distribution to a hexagonal structure. 

Elimination of unreacted monomers can be accompHshed by two methods dual initiators to enhance conversion of monomers to product (73—75) and steam stripping (70,76). Several process improvements have been claimed for dewatering beads (77), to reduce ha2e (78—81), improve color (82—86), remove monomer (87,88), and maintain homogeneous copolymer compositions (71,72,89). 

Homogeneous GopolymeriZation. Nearly all acryhc fibers are made from acrylonitrile copolymers containing one or more additional monomers that modify the properties of the fiber. Thus copolymerization kinetics is a key technical area in the acryhc fiber industry. When carried out in a homogeneous solution, the copolymerization of acrylonitrile foUows the normal kinetic rate laws of copolymerization. Comprehensive treatments of this general subject have been pubhshed (35—39). The more specific subject of acrylonitrile copolymerization has been reviewed (40). The general subject of the reactivity of polymer radicals has been treated in depth (41). 

Although the reaction rate of ethylene and various copolymers differs substantially, the reaction constants can be estabUshed by using an arbitrary value of 1 for ethylene (5). Thus, a value of 0.1 would indicate that the comonomer reacts at 10 times the rate of ethylene. However, the wide range of reaction rates can present problems not only in determining the comonomer content of the final product but also in producing a homogeneous product (4,6). 

The second type of solution polymerization concept uses mixtures of supercritical ethylene and molten PE as the medium for ethylene polymerization. Some reactors previously used for free-radical ethylene polymerization in supercritical ethylene at high pressure (see Olefin POLYMERS,LOW DENSITY polyethylene) were converted for the catalytic synthesis of LLDPE. Both stirred and tubular autoclaves operating at 30—200 MPa (4,500—30,000 psig) and 170—350°C can also be used for this purpose. Residence times in these reactors are short, from 1 to 5 minutes. Three types of catalysts are used in these processes. The first type includes pseudo-homogeneous Ziegler catalysts. In this case, all catalyst components are introduced into a reactor as hquids or solutions but form soHd catalysts when combined in the reactor. Examples of such catalysts include titanium tetrachloride as well as its mixtures with vanadium oxytrichloride and a trialkyl aluminum compound (53,54). The second type of catalysts are soHd Ziegler catalysts (55). Both of these catalysts produce compositionaHy nonuniform LLDPE resins. Exxon Chemical Company uses a third type of catalysts, metallocene catalysts, in a similar solution process to produce uniformly branched ethylene copolymers with 1-butene and 1-hexene called Exact resins (56). 

Vinyhdene chloride copolymerizes randomly with methyl acrylate and nearly so with other acrylates. Very severe composition drift occurs, however, in copolymerizations with vinyl chloride or methacrylates. Several methods have been developed to produce homogeneous copolymers regardless of the reactivity ratio (43). These methods are appHcable mainly to emulsion and suspension processes where adequate stirring can be maintained. Copolymerization rates of VDC with small amounts of a second monomer are normally lower than its rate of homopolymerization. The kinetics of the copolymerization of VDC and VC have been studied (45—48). 

Poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) yields truly compatible blends with poly(vinyl acetate) up to 20% PEMA concentration (133). Synergistic improvement in material properties was observed. Poly(ethylene oxide) forms compatible homogeneous blends with poly(vinyl acetate) (134). The T of the blends and the crystaUizabiUty of the PEO depend on the composition. The miscibility window of poly(vinyl acetate) and its copolymers with alkyl acrylates can be broadened through the incorporation of acryUc acid as a third component (135). A description of compatible and incompatible blends of poly(vinyl acetate) and other copolymers has been compiled (136). Blends of poly(vinyl acetate) copolymers with urethanes can provide improved heat resistance to the product providing reduced creep rates in adhesives used for vinyl laminating (137). 

Figure 9 The schematical representation of dispersion polymerization process, (a) initially homogeneous dispersion medium (b) particle formation and stabilizer adsorption onto the nucleated macroradicals (c) capturing of radicals generated in the continuous medium by the forming particles and monomer diffusion to the forming particles (d) polymerization within the monomer swollen latex particles, (e) latex particle stabilized by steric stabilizer and graft copolymer molecules (f) list of symbols.

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