Patent ID: 9493610
Filing Date: 2016-11-15
CPC Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,C08G,C08L

Claim Text:
1. A method of reducing number average molecular weight of a high molecular weight polyphenylene ether polymer from a number average molecular weight of from about 34,000 to about 53,000 grams/mole to a number average molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 20,000 grams/mole, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing the high polymer weight polyphenylene ether polymer, a phenolic modifier, and a redistribution catalyst into the throat of a polymer melt-mixing extruder and (b) propelling the high molecular weight polyphenylene ether polymer, the phenolic modifier, and redistribution catalyst at a sufficient temperature to melt the high molecular weight polymer and for a sufficient duration in the extruder to permit the phenolic modifier to break the high molecular weight polyphenylene ether polymer into a low molecular weight polyphenylene ether having a number average molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 20,000 grams/mole, wherein no solvent is present in step (a) or step (b), and wherein the low molecular weight polyphenylene ether has a polydispersity (Mw/Mn) of greater than about 2.