Patent ID: 7928154
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: B29B,C08F

Abstract:
1. A method for preparing a polymer-organoclay composite composition, comprising: combining a solvent and an unexfoliated organoclay to provide a first mixture, wherein the unexfoliated organoclay comprises alternating inorganic silicate layers and organic layers, and has an initial spacing between the silicate layers; exposing the first mixture to an energized condition of a sufficient intensity and duration to increase the initial spacing of the inorganic silicate layers, to provide a second mixture; contacting the second mixture with a thermoplastic polymer composition so that the polymer composition fills at least one region located between at least one pair of silicate layers, wherein the polymer composition is at least partially soluble in the solvent; and removing at least a portion of the solvent from the second mixture, wherein the inorganic silicate layers remain separated by the polymer after removal of the solvent, wherein the organoclay comprises a quaternary organic cation of formula (2), formula (3), formula (4) or formula (5): wherein Ar wherein Ar 12 , Ar 13 , Ar 14 and Ar 15 are independently C 6 -C 50 aromatic radicals; and Ar 16 is a C 6 -C 200 aromatic radical, or a polymer chain comprising at least one aromatic group, wherein Ar 6 , Ar 7 , and Ar 8 are independently C 6 -C 50 aromatic radicals; “b” is a number from 0 to 2; R 3 is independently at each occurrence a halogen atom, a C 1 -C 20 aliphatic radical, a C 5 -C 20 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C 2 -C 20 aromatic radical; and Ar 11 is a C 6 -C 200 aromatic radical, or a polymer chain comprising at least one aromatic group, wherein Ar 6 , Ar 7 , and Ar 8 are independently C 6 -C 50 aromatic radicals; “b” is a number from 0 to 2; “d” is a number from 0 to 4; R 3 and R 4 are independently at each occurrence a halogen atom, a C 1 -C 20 aliphatic radical, a C 5 -C 20 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C 6 -C 20 aromatic radical; Z is a bond, a divalent C 1 -C 20 aliphatic radical, a divalent C 5 -C 20 cycloaliphatic radical, a divalent C 6 -C 20 aromatic radical, an oxygen linking group, a sulfur linking group, a SO 2 linking group, or a Se linking group; and Ar 9 is a C 10 -C 200 aromatic radical, or a polymer chain comprising at least one aromatic group.