Patent Number: 047217383
Section: claims

1. A composition of matter including a polymer sensitized to the heating effects of microwave energy which comprises said polymer and microwave sensitizing amount of a particulate, layered compound represented by the general formula: M(O.sub.3 ZO.sub.x R).sub.n wherein M is, selected from the group consisting of Zr, W, U, Ti, Th, Te, Sn, Si, Ru, Pu, V, Pr, Pb, Os, Nb, Mo, Mn, Ir, Hf, Ge, Ce and mixtures thereof; Z is selected from the group consisting of elements of Group V of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and having an atomic weight of greater than 30; x varies from 0 to 1; R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and organo radicals and n is 1 or 2, provided that n is 1 when R is terminated with a tri-or tetraoxy pentavalent atom, dispersed throughout said polymer. 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein Z is P. 3. The composition of claim 2 wherein at least a portion of said R groups have a polar bond. 4. The composition of claim 3 wherein said polar bond is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl and sulfhydryl bonds. 5. The composition of claim 3 wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Zr and Ti. 6. The composition of claim 1 wherein said polymer is a nonpolar thermoplastic polymer. 7. The composition of claim 6 wherein said nonpolar thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymers, terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and a polyene, and styrene-butadiene copolymers. 8. The composition of claim 1 wherein said particulate layered compound is selected from the group consisting of Zr(O.sub.3 PCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SH).sub.2, Zr(O.sub.3 PCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH).sub.2, Zr(O.sub.3 POCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH).sub.2, Zr(O.sub.3 POH).sub.2, and Zr(O.sub.3 PCH.sub.2 OH).sub.2. 9. A method for molding polymer compositions by use of microwave energy which comprises: (a) incorporating a microwave sensitivity-increasing amount of a particulate, layered represented by the general formula: M(O.sub.3 ZO.sub.x R).sub.n wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Zr, W, U, Ti, Th, Te, Sn, Si, Ru, Pu, V, Pr, Pb, Os, Nb, Mo, Mn, Ir, Hf, Ge, Ce and mixtures thereof; Z is selected from the group consisting of elements of Group V of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and having an atomic weight of greater than 30; x varies from 0 to 1, R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and organo radicals, and n is 1 or 2; provided that n is 1 when R is terminated with a tri-or tetraoxy pentavalent atom into a polymer to provide a polymer composition.  (b) subjecting said polymer composition to microwave energy for a time and at an intensity sufficient to raise the temperature of said polymer composition and thereby soften said polymer composition;  (c) molding said softened polymer composition into a desired shape; and  (d) allowing said molded polymer composition to cool while maintaining said desired shape. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein Z is P. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of said R groups have a polar bond. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said polar bond is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl and sulfhydryl bonds. 13. The method of claim 11 wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Zr and Ti. 14. The method of claim 9 wherein said polymer is a nonpolar thermoplastic polymer. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein said nonpolar thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymers, terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and a polyene, and styrene-butadiene copolymers. 16. The method of claim 9 wherein said particulate layered compound is selected from the group consisting of Zr(O.sub.3 PCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SH).sub.2, Zr(O.sub.3 PCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH).sub.2, Zr(O.sub.3 POCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH).sub.2, Zr(O.sub.3 POH).sub.2, and Zr(O.sub.3 PCH.sub.2 OH).sub.2. 17. The method of claim 9 wherein said polymer composition is subjected to microwave energy within the range of 20 to 110 Mc/sec. for a time of from about 4 to about 55 seconds. 18. A container for the microwave heating of food which comprises the composition of matter of claim 1.