Patent Application: US-33985206-A

Abstract:
a one step synthetic route of polymeric compositions of a polyolefin and inorganic network consisting of components selected from si , zr , ti , is disclosed . the synthetic route combines parallel reactions of free radical polymerization to form polymer , and hydrolysis of either si , or zr , or ti or both of them precursors . the network consisting of si , zr , ti , is chemically bonded to or within the polymer matrix . the inorganic or organic molecules can then be polymerized under conditions effective to cause the polymerized inorganic or organic molecules into macromolecular networks . the compositions of the polymeric composites can be easily controlled by adjusting the reactant ratio and reaction rate or conditions such as temperature and pressure , wherein the inorganic compositions disperse in nanoscale within polymeric composites when their concentrations fall below moderate levels . a novel synthesis route for making polymer composites and / or polymer nanocomposites of a polyolefin and an inorganic network consisting of components selected from si , zr , ti , is disclosed . the synthesis route comprises hydrolysis of either si , or zr , or ti alkoxides or mixtures of these precursors within a polymer matrix in supercritical fluids .

Description:
various synthesis routes for polymeric composites are known . these synthesis routes generally require several steps to produce the final composites as described in fig1 - 3 . for example , a route to generate fine ( nano meter size ) particle , a route to polymer , a mixing route of the fine particles and the polymer ; an alternative to catalyst developing based on nanometer size particles , then polymerization on the nano size particles ; an alternative to synthesis of inorganic particle on the gained polymer ; in order to improve increase bonding strength of the polymer and the inorganic particles , the polymer can be further modified by adding one coupling agent . these synthesis routes take high time consumption , high cost in chemicals , and produce large amounts of organic or inorganic wastes in the series of processes . the present invention provides improvements to reduce the number of synthesis steps in producing organic / inorganic composites in which organic polymer and / or inorganic particles are employed and modified for further application , which has been described in fig4 . more particularly , the present invention relates to the synthesis of polymeric composites using supercritical fluids . the polymer composites contain both an organic part and an inorganic part . the applied polymer is defined as the first organic part in the present invention , and provide most of the organic part . a second polymer part can be added to the first polymer part via polymerization together with the inorganic part via hydrolysis . hydrolysis is applied to generate inorganic part within the matrix of the obtained polymer in supercritical fluids . parallel reactions of polymerization and hydrolysis are applied to generate both inorganic part and the second organic part within the matrix of obtained polymer in supercritical fluids . the hydrolysis occurs using hydrolysis agents . the polymerization is initiated by free radical initiators . the present invention has the objective of overcoming the problems of taking multiple steps to generate the polymer composites . the present invention has advantages of generating polymer composites or polymer nanocomposites at a low labor and time consumption , a significant reduction of wastes and cost as depicted in fig5 . the generated materials are defined as polymeric composites in general , polymeric nanocomposites when inorganic network well dispersed in nano meter within the formed backbone of the organic polymer . the generated materials are also called polymer nanocomposites when either organic part or inorganic part dispersed in the other part in a nano scale , or the particle size of either organic part or inorganic part reaches a nanometer dimensions . the generated materials are also called an inorganic - organic hybrid polymer . the present invention provides a green synthesis route for polymer composites , which contains both an organic polymer and inorganic part . in the present invention , organic based polymers from polymerization can be homopolymers , copolymers , terpolymers , multicomponent polymers , or combinations thereof . suitable chemicals for organic polymers include monomers such as alkylenes ethylene , propylene , butylenes , phenylenediamine terephthalamide , vinyl alcohol , ethylenically unsaturated monomers , vinyl acetate , alkylene oxides , vinyl chloride , acrylic acid ester or vinyl monomer , vinyl silanes , styrene and the like , fluoroalkylenes , fluoroalkyl vinyl ethers , vinylpyrrolidone , or combinations thereof . and fluoroalkyl , difluoroalkyl , trifluoroalkyl , fluoroaryl , difluoroalkyl , trifluoroalkyl , perfluoroalkyl , perfluoroaryl chloroalkyl , dichloroalkyl , trichloroalkyl , chloroaryl , dichloroalkyl , trichloroalkyl , perchloroalkyl , perchloroaryl , chlorofluoroalkyl , chlorofluoroaryl , chlorodifluoroalkyl , and dichlorofluoroalkyl groups . vinylidine fluoride vinylflouride , chlorotetrafluoroethylene , tetrafluoroethylene , are suitable . suitable monomers include perfluorinated siloxanes , perfluorinated styrenes , perfluorinated urethanes , perfluoro - 2 , 2 - dimethyl - 1 , 3 - dioxide , tetrafluoroethylene , hexafluoropropylene , chlorotrifluoroethylene , ethyleneterphthalates . phenylene ethers can also be employed as monomers . these include 2 , 6 - dimethyl - 1 , 4 - phenylene ether , 2 , 6 - diethyl - 1 , 4 - phenylene ether , 2 - methyl - 6 - ethyl - 1 , 4 - phenylene ether , 2 - methyl - 6 - propyl - 1 , 4 - phenylene ether , 2 , 6 - dipropyl - 1 , 4 - phenylene ether , 2 - ethyl - 6 - propyl - 1 , 4 - phenylene ether , 2 , 6 - dibutyl - 1 , 4 - pheneylene ether , and the like . examples of suitable monomers include hexamethylene alipamide , examethylene azelamide , hexamethylene sebacamide , hexamethylene dodecanoamide , bis -( p - aminocyclohexyl ) methane dodecanoamide , tetramethylene alipamide and caprolactam and lauryl lactam . under impregnation in supercritical fluids , the free space of the applied polymer is increased as demonstrated in fig6 . therefore the foreigner molecules or ions can diffuse into the free volume to occur further reaction . examples of organic compounds to react with the unsaturated double bond of the coupling agent include unsaturated polyesters and resins of monomers having an unsaturated double bond such as methyl methacrylate , ethyl methacrylate , isopropyl methacrylate , 2 - hydroxyethyl methacrylate , 3 - hydroxypropyl methacrylate , 2 - hydroxy - 1 , 3 - dimethacryloxypropane , n - butyl methacrylate , isobutyl methacrylate , hydroxypropyl methacrylate , tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate , glycidyl methacrylate , 2 - methoxyethyl methacrylate , 2 - ethylhexyl methacrylate , benzyl methacrylate , phenyl methacrylate , phenoxyethyl methacrylate , 2 , 2 - bis ( methacryloxyphenyl ) propane , 2 , 2 - bis ) 4 -( 2 - hydroxy - 3 - methacryloxypropoxy ) phenyl ) propane , 2 , 2 - bis ( 4 - methacryloxy - diethoxyphenyl ! propane , 2 , 2 - bis ( 4 - methacryloxypolyethoxyphenyl ) propane , ethylene glycol dimethacrylate , diethylene glycol dimethacrylate , triethylene glycol dimethacrylate , butylene glycol dimethacrylate , neopentyl glycol dimethacrylate , 1 , 3 - butanediol dimethacrylate , 1 , 4 - butanediol dimethacrylate , 1 , 6 - hexanediol dimethacrylate , trimethylol - propane trimethacrylate , trimethylolethane trimethacrylate , pentaerythritol trimethacrylate , trimethylolmethane trimethacrylate , pentaerythritol tetramethacrylate , and corresponding acrylates thereto , and methacrylates or acrylates having a urethane bond in the molecule thereof , e . g ., di - 2 - methacryloxyethyl - 2 , 2 , 4 - trimethylhexamethylene dicarbamate and a corresponding acrylate thereto . in the obtained polymer composites , the ( si — o — si — o ) n is a derivative of an alkoxide of si , and methoxides , ethoxides , n - propoxides , iso - propoxides , n - butoxides , tert - butoxides , and the like can be exemplified . from dimers to hexamers of alkoxides thereof can also be used . in the obtained polymer composites , the ( si — o — si — o ) n represents derivatives of reactive alkoxysilanes generally called as silane coupling agents . examples of alkoxysilanes having an unsaturated double bond include 3 - methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane , 3 - methacryloxypropyl triethoxysilane , 3 - acryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane , 3 - methacryloxypropylmethyl dimethoxysilane , 3 - methacryloxypropylmethyl diethoxysilane , 3 - acryloxypropylmethyl dimethoxysilane , 2 - methacryloxy - ethoxypropyl trimethoxysilane , vinyl trimethoxysilane , vinyl triethoxysilane , and vinyl tris ( 2 - methoxyethoxy ) silane . examples of alkoxysilanes having a glycidoxyl group include 2 -( 3 , 4 - epoxycyclohexyl ) ethyl trimethoxysilane , 3 - glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane , 3 - glycidoxypropylmethyl dimethoxysilane , 3 - glycidoxypropylmethyl diethoxysilane , and 3 - glycidoxypropyl triethoxysilane . examples of alkoxysilanes having an amino group include n - 2 -( aminoethyl )- 3 - aminopropyl trimethoxysilane , n - 2 -( aminoethyl )- 3 - aminopropyl triethoxysilane , 3 - aminopropyl trimethoxysilane , 3 - aminopropyl triethoxysilane , and n - phenyl - 3 - aminopropyl trimethoxysilane . examples of alkoxysilanes having a mercapto group include 3 - mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane and 3 - mercaptopropyl triethoxysilane . examples of alkoxysilanes having an alkoxyl group include methyl trimethoxysilane , dimethyl dimethoxysilane , phenyl trimethoxysilane , diphenyl dimethoxysilane , methyl triethoxysilane , dimethyl diethoxysilane , phenyl triethoxysilane , diphenyl dimethoxysilane , isobutyl trimethoxysilane , and decyl trimethoxysilane , in addition to the above - exemplified compounds . though the disclosed uses si as the example , the principle is also available for ti , zr , al , y , la , or ta system and the likes . for example , the reactive alkoxysilicate can be replaced with a reactive alkoxytitanium . examples of titanate coupling agents having an unsaturated double bond include isopropyl dimethacrylisostearoyl titanate , isopropyl diacrylisostearoyl titanate , isopropyl trimethacryl titanate , isopropyl triacryl titanate , oxyacetyl dimethacryl titanate , and oxyacetyl diacryl titanate . examples of titanate coupling agents having an amino group include isopropyl tri ( n - diethylamino ) titanate , isopropyl tri ( 2 - aminobenzoyl ) titanate , isopropyl tri ( tetraethylenetriamine ) titanate , isopropyl 4 - aminobenzenesulfonyl di ( dodecylbenzenesulfonyl ) titanate , and isopropyl di ( 4 - aminobenzoyl ) isostearoyl titanate . the alkoxyl group and / or titanol group of the above - described coupling agent are / is reacted with derivatives of various alkoxides , acetylacetonatos , nitrates , or acetates of ti , zr , al , y , la , or ta . these examples illustrate the hydrolysis of teos within polyethylene under supercritical co 2 at 35 ° c . under pressure p = 3000 psi . 1 . 0 g polyethylene , teos and acetic acid are introduced into the autoclave , and subsequently purged with ethylene to remove air . then compressed co 2 was introduced into the autoclave and the reactor was heated to 35 ° c . compressed co 2 was continually added into the autoclave to reach the desired pressure at 3000 psi . the system was run for 24 hrs . after the reaction , the autoclave was cooled down and the compressed co 2 was vented out . the collected sample was washed by methanol and dried in a vacuum oven at room temperature . the melting temperature of these synthesized samples ( pesi01 - 04 ) are summarized in table 1 . ftir results of the synthesized samples from examples 1 , 2 , 3 are displayed in fig7 , which illustrates the silica glass formed within the matrix of polyethylene . this example illustrates the hydrolysis of tmos within polyethylene under supercritical co 2 at 35 ° c . at a pressure p = 3000 psi . 1 . 0 g polyethylene , tmos and acetic acid were introduced into the autoclave , subsequently purged with ethylene to remove air . then compressed co 2 was introduced into the autoclave and heating started to reach 35 ° c . compressed co 2 was continually added into the autoclave to reach a pressure of 3000 psi . afterwards , the system was run for 24 hrs . after the reaction , the autoclave was cooled down and the compressed co 2 was vented out . the collected sample was washed by methanol and dried in a vacuum oven at room temperature . the melting temperature of this synthesized sample ( pesio5 ) is summarized in table 1 . these examples illustrate the hydrolysis of teos within polyethylene in supercritical co 2 at 60 ° c . at a pressure p = 3000 psi . 1 . 0 g pe , teos and acetic acid were introduced into the autoclave , subsequently purged with ethylene to remove air . then the compressed co 2 was introduced to the autoclave and heating raised to 60 ° c . compressed co 2 was continually added into the autoclave to reach a pressure at 3000 psi . afterwards , the system was run for 24 hrs . after the reaction , the autoclave was cooled down and the compressed co 2 was vented out . the collected sample was washed by methanol and dried in a vacuum oven at room temperature . the melting temperatures of these synthesized samples are summarized in table 1 . ftir results of the synthesized samples from examples 6 , 7 , 8 are displayed in fig8 , which show the silica glass formed within the matrix of polyethylene . the dispersion of the formed silica gel particles for samples from examples 6 , 7and 8 is depicted in fig9 , 11 . it is demonstrated that nano meter silica glass particles were formed within the matrix of polyethylene when the silica concentration was low , and the silica gel network was formed on the surface of polyethylene when increasing the silica concentration . furthermore , xps results of samples from examples 6 and 7 are displayed in fig1 , which illustrates the silica gel formed within the matrix of the pe . the xrd pattern of the sample from example 8 is displayed in fig1 , which illustrates the amorphous phase of silica gel formed within the matrix of pe . these examples illustrates the copolymerization of ethylene and vtmo under supercritical co 2 at 60 ° c . under pressure p = 2500 psi . pre - cooled reactants and the initiator dissolved in heptane were weighed and added into one 100 ml parr microautoclave . by means of an isco syringe pump ( 260d ), the compressed ethylene was pumped into the autoclave to purge for three times to remove air , then continually to about 950 psi at room temperature . the autoclave was heated to the desired temperature at 60 ° c . at a rate of 3 ° c ./ min , while gradually pumping compressed ethylene to p = 2500 psi . the stirring speed was controlled at 400 revolutions per minute ( rpm ). the autoclave was coupled with an insitu ftir with an atr probe and pressure transducer , which allows monitoring of the reaction process and ethylene consumption . the reaction lasted for 4 hours in which the ethylene consumption rate was monitored . the system pressure was kept at a constant pressure of 2500 psi , a pulse technique of compressed ethylene was applied in order to measure the ethylene consumption rate . after the reaction , the autoclave was cooled to room temperature , and compressed ethylene was carefully vented leaving the solid sample in the autoclave . the collected sample was washed using about 50 - 65 ml methanol for three times in a filter connected to a vacuum line , and subsequently dried in a vacuum oven at 30 ° c . overnight . the dried sample was weighed and applied as the final product . the reaction condition for samples from example 9 and 10 was compared in table 2 . the synthesized procedure were followed by insitu ftir samples from example 9 and displayed in fig1 , 15 and 16 . these results demonstrate vinyl silane incorporated into the formed polyethylene through copolymerization under supercritical ethylene . furthermore , the reaction rate of ethylene was compared in table 3 . xps results of samples from examples 9 and 10 are displayed in fig1 , which illuminate surface silica composition in the obtained polymer composites . table 3 comparison of ethylene reaction rate during copolymerization of ethylene and vtmo reaction rate of ethylene ( g min − 1 ) time period in example 9 in example 10 ( min ) 1 g ( vtmo ) 2 g ( vtmo ) 0 - 30 0 . 18 0 . 089 30 - 60 0 . 066 0 . 043 60 - 120 0 . 017 0 . 0097 120 - 180 0 . 0027 0 . 0027 180 - 240 0 . 0025 0 . 00 examples 11 - 13 illustrates an alternative synthesis route for polymer composites and / or polymer nanocomposites . this example illustrates the polymerization of vinyl acetate on the nano powder of zirconia in supercritical co 2 . 10 . 10 g vinyl acetate , 0 . 0047 mol diethyl peroxyldicarbonate ( depdc ) in 10 g heptane , 0 . 20 g nano powder of zirconia are introduced into the autoclave , subsequently purged with co 2 to remove air . then , the compressed co 2 was introduced into the autoclave and started heating to 80 ° c . the compressed co 2 was continually added into the autoclave to reach a pressure of 2300 psi . afterwards , the system was run for 4 hrs . after the reaction , the autoclave was cooled down and co 2 was vented out . the collected sample was a white adhesive . cooled methanol was added to the sample and stir gently . after drying under vacuum at room temperature , solvent was removed and the sample becomes white solid . zro 2 content is calculated as 1 . 95 % by weight . this example illustrates the polymerization of vinyl acetate and vinyltrimethanoxysilane ( vtmo ) and hydrolysis of vtmo with acetic acid on the nano powder of zirconia in supercritical co 2 . 10 . 10 g vinyl acetate , 0 . 0047 mol diethyl peroxyldicarbonate ( depdc ) in 15 g heptane , 0 . 60 g vinyltrimethanoxysilane ( vtmo ), 0 . 93 g acetic acid , and 0 . 20 g nano powder of zirconia were introduced into the autoclave , subsequently purged with co 2 to remove the air . then , the compressed co 2 was introduced into the autoclave and heating initiated to 80 ° c . the compressed co 2 was continually added into the autoclave to reach a pressure of 2850 psi . the system was run for 4 hrs . after the reaction , the autoclave was cooled down and co 2 was vented out . the collected sample was a white adhesive . cooled methanol was added to the sample and stirred gently . after drying under vacuum at room temperature , the solvent was removed and the sample was a white solid . zro 2 content was calculated as 1 . 88 % by weight , and sio 2 content 2 . 31 wt %. this example illustrates the polymerization of vinyl acetate and vinyltrimethanoxysilane ( vtmo ), and hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate and ntmo with acetic acid on the nano powder of zirconia in supercritical co 2 . 10 . 57 g vinyl acetate , 0 . 0047 mol diethyl peroxyldicarbonate ( depdc ) in 15 g heptane , 0 . 61 g vinyltrimethanoxysilane ( vtmo ), 1 . 17 g tetraethyl orthosilicate ( teos ), 2 . 37 g acetic acid , and 0 . 21 g nano powder of zirconia were introduced into the autoclave , subsequently purged with co 2 to remove the air . then the compressed co 2 was introduced into the autoclave and starts heating to 80 ° c . the compressed co 2 was continually added into the autoclave to reach a pressure of 3000 psi . afterwards , the system was run for 4 hrs . after the reaction , the autoclave was cooled down and the co2 was vented out . the collected sample was a white adhesive . cooled methanol was added to the sample and stirred gently . after drying under vacuum at room temperature , the solvent was removed and the sample was a white solid . zro 2 content was calculated as 1 . 74 % by weight , and sio 2 content 5 . 15 wt %. a series of examples are shown to prove the concept of the one - step synthesis route in supercritical fluids including carbon dioxide and ethylene . in this route , the following reactions occur : a ) free radical polymerization ( includes initiation , propagation and termination steps ), b ) hydrolysis to produce metal oxide particles , and c ) linkage of the metal oxide particles to the polymer chain . ethylene can be polymerized at above 40 ° c . to generate white powder , increasing the reaction temperature results in an increased rate of reaction . examples are selected and described as in fig1 . herein polymerization was carried out at 40 , 50 and 60 ° c ., respectively . the characteristic peaks of polyethylene at 2929 , 2849 cm − 1 , 1472 and 1463 cm − 1 , 729 and 720 cm − 1 increased corresponding to polyethylene formation during the polymerization . the collected polyethylene is white powder . these examples illustrate possibility of free radical polymerization of ethylene can occur under supercritical conditions . copolymerization of ethylene and vinyl acetate occurs at or above 40 ° c ., increasing the reaction temperature results in an increased reaction rate . one example is selected and described as in fig1 . it is seen that vinyl acetate was consumed corresponding to the increase in intensity of the peak at 1648 cm − 1 , the formation of peva corresponding to the increases in intensities of peaks at 2920 and 2850 cm − 1 and 1729 cm − 1 . the collected poly ( ethylene - co - vinyl acetate ) is either white powder or adhesive solid depending upon the ratio of ethylene and vinyl acetate . these examples illustrate the possibility of the free radical copolymerization of ethylene and vinyl acetate can occur under supercritical conditions . copolymerization of ethylene and vtmo occurs at above 60 ° c ., increasing the reaction temperature results in increasing the reaction rate . one example is selected and described as shown previously in fig1 . during the heating copolymerization of ethylene and vtmo is seen to occur corresponding to the increases of intensities of peaks at 2921 and 2852 cm − 1 , 1260 and 1094 cm − 1 . the collected polymer composite is a white powder . the property of polymer composites varies up the ratio of ethylene and silicate . this example illustrates the possibility of free radical copolymerization of ethylene or vinyl acetate or both and vtmo can occur under supercritical conditions . hydrolysis of teos with acetic acid occurs at above 30 ° c . under supercritical co 2 . increasing reaction temperature to 60 ° c . results in full hydrolysis of teos . examples are selected and described as discussed previously and shown in in fig8 and 9 where fig8 is a ft - ir spectra of polymer composites , which shows the formation of si — o bonding in ( si — o — si ) n network within polyethylene corresponding to appearance of peaks at 1261 and 1047 cm − 1 while fig9 is a sem photomicrograph of the polymer composite showing that the formed silica particles can reach a high dispersion in a nano - scale . the above examples illustrate possibilities of separate polymerization or copolymerization of ethylene and vinyl acetate or ethylene and vtmo and hydrolysis of teos / vtmo with acetic acid under supercritical conditions . the one step synthesis route is developed based on these separate reactions , which reflects different parts of one step synthesis route . the present invention is further illustrated by the following non - limiting examples . the following examples illustrate the present invention but are not intended to limit it in any manner . pre - cooled reactants and the initiator dissolved in heptane were weighed and added into one 100 ml parr microautoclave . by means of an isco syringe pump ( 260d ), the compressed ethylene was pumped into the autoclave to purge for three times to remove air , then continually to about 950 psi at room temperature . heating the autoclave to designed temperature 80 ° c . at a rate of 3 ° c ./ min and while gradually pumping compressed ethylene to p = 2500 psi . the stirring speed was controlled at 400 revolutions per minute ( rpm ). the autoclave was coupled with an in - situ ftir using an atr probe and a pressure transducer , which allows monitoring the reaction process and ethylene consumption . though a relatively fast reaction was observed during the first hour , the reaction lasted for 4 hours for detailed observations of ethylene consumption rate and enhancement of complete hydrolysis of organic alkaloxides . the system pressure was kept at a constant pressure of 2500 psi . a pulse technique of compressed ethylene was applied in order to measure the ethylene consumption rate . after the reaction , the autoclave was cooled to room temperature , and compressed ethylene was carefully vented leaving the solid sample in the autoclave . the collected sample was washed by about 50 - 65 ml methanol for three times in a filter connecting to vacuum line , and subsequently dried in a vacuum oven at 30 ° c . overnight . the dried sample was weighed and applied as the final product . this example illustrates the copolymerization of ethylene and vtmo and hydrolysis of teos / vtmo with acetic acid under supercritical ethylene . 1 . 03 g vtmo , 2 . 03 g teos , 0 . 0089 mol depdc in 20 . 02 g heptane , 4 . 06 g acetic acid are introduced into the autoclave , subsequently purged with ethylene to remove air . then compressed ethylene is introduced into the autoclave and starts heating to 80 ° c . ethylene is continually added into the autoclave to reach pressure at 2500 psi . afterwards the system was run for 4 hrs . fig2 and 21 show the procedure of experimental and ethylene reaction rate during the polymerization . fig2 shows changes of in situ ft - ir spectra of the reactants under supercritical ethylene . the decreases of absorbance of vtmo , teos acetic acid is seen due to dilution effect with supercritical fluid . fig2 illustrates the in situ ft - ir during the heating procedure . the increases in intensities of peaks at 2917 and 2849 cm − 1 indicate copolymerization of ethylene and vtmo to form the organic part , while the increases in intensities of peaks at 1472 , 1462 and 1260 cm − 1 indicate the hydrolysis of teos and vtmo occurs to form the inorganic part . after the reaction , the autoclave is cooled down and ethylene is vented out . the collected sample is white powder , 11 . 31 g . silica content is calculated as 4 . 1 % by weight . the xps studies of the polymer composite obtained is illustrated in fig2 a . this example illustrates the polymerization of ethylene and vtmo and hydrolysis of teos / vtmo with acetic acid in supercritical ethylene , the ratio of teo / vtmo was changed compared to example 14 . 1 . 06 g vtmo , 4 . 00 g teos , 0 . 0091 mol depdc in 20 . 07 g heptane , 6 . 65 g acetic acid are introduced into the autoclave , subsequently purged with ethylene to remove air . then compressed ethylene is introduced into the autoclave and starts heating to 80 ° c . ethylene is continually added into the autoclave to reach pressure at 2500 psi . afterwards the system is run for 4 hrs . after the reaction , the autoclave is cooled down and ethylene is vented out . the collected sample is white powder , 12 . 32 g . silica content is calculated as 6 . 05 % by weight . the xps result of the polymer composite obtained from is illustrated in fig2 b . this example illustrates the polymerization of ethylene , vinyl acetate and vtmo and hydrolysis of teos / vtmo with acetic acid under supercritical ethylene . 1 . 30 g vtmo , 2 . 10 g teos , depc 0 . 0092 mol in 20 . 05 g heptane , 4 . 19 g acetic acid and 2 . 06 g vinyl acetate are introduced into the autoclave , subsequently purged with ethylene to remove air . compressed ethylene gas is then introduced into the autoclave and starts heating to 80 ° c . ethylene is continually added into the autoclave to reach a pressure of 2500 psi . afterwards the system is run for 3 hrs . fig2 shows the ft - ir results of reactants and products during the process . the increases in intensities of peaks at 2919 and 2850 cm − 1 are contributed by polyethylene formation . the decrease of intensity of peak at 1647 cm − 1 is due to vinyl acetate converting to peva . the significant changes in the wavelength range of 1100 - 1300 cm − 1 is due to the formation of silica in the copolymer . after the reaction , the autoclave is cooled down and ethylene is vented out . the collected sample is white powder , 12 . 91 g . silica content is calculated as si , 5 . 4 % by weight . xps result of polymer composite obtained from example 16 is illustrated in fig2 a . this example illustrates the polymerization of ethylene and vtmo and hydrolysis of teos / vvtmo with acetic acid under supercritical ethylene , the ratio of teos / vtmo is changed compared to examples 1 and 2 . 2 . 01 g vtmo , 10 . 02 g teos , 0 . 0046 mol depdc in 10 g heptane , 15 . 95 g acetic acid are introduced into the autoclave , subsequently purged with ethylene to remove air . then compressed ethylene is introduced into the autoclave and starts heating to 80 ° c . ethylene is continually added into the autoclave to reach pressure at 2500 psi . afterwards the system is run for 4 hrs . after the reaction , the autoclave is cooled down and ethylene is vented out . the collected sample is white powder , 5 . 96 g . silica content is calculated as si , 29 . 3 % by weight . xps studies of the resulting polymer composite obtained from this example is illustrated in fig2 b . this example illustrates the polymerization of vinyl acetate and vtmo and hydrolysis of teos / vtmo with acetic acid at 60 ° c . under supercritical co 2 . 15 . 14 g vinyl acetate , 2 . 01 g vtmo , 2 . 05 g teos , 0 . 0046 mol depdc in 10 g heptane , 5 . 29 g acetic acid are introduced into the autoclave , subsequently purged with co 2 to remove air . then compressed co 2 was introduced into the autoclave and starts heating to 60 ° c . compressed co 2 was continually added into the autoclave to reach a pressure of 3400 psi . afterwards , the system is run for 4 hrs . after the reaction , the autoclave was cooled down and co 2 was vented out . the collected sample is an adhesive compound , and washed by methanol , and then dried under vacuum . silica content is calculated as si , 3 . 98 % by weight . this example illustrates the polymerization of vinyl acetate and vtmo and hydrolysis of teos / vtmo with acetic acid at 80 ° c . under supercritical co 2 . 15 . 07 g vinyl acetate , 2 . 02 g vtmo , 2 . 08 g teos , 0 . 0069 mol in 15 g heptane , 5 . 30 g acetic acid are introduced into the autoclave , subsequently purged with co2 to remove air . then compressed co 2 is introduced into the autoclave and starts heating to 80 ° c . compressed co 2 is continually added into the autoclave to reach pressure at 2300 psi . afterwards the system is run for 4 hrs . after the reaction , the autoclave is cooled down and co 2 is vented out . the collected sample is a viscous liquid , adhesive - type compound , and washed by methanol , and then dried under vacuum . the silica content is calculated as si , 4 . 03 % by weight . to summarize , the affecting factors for the one - pot synthesis are summarized in fig2 . while the present invention has been described with what are presently considered to be the preferred embodiments , the claims are not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments . to the contrary , the claims are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent structures and functions as are apparent from the appended claims . one of skill in the art may alter the described examples , and reasonable modifications and variations are possible from the foregoing disclosure without departing from either the spirit or scope of the present invention . as used herein , the terms “ comprises ”, “ comprising ”, “ including ” and “ includes ” are to be construed as being inclusive and open ended , and not exclusive . specifically , when used in this specification including claims , the terms “ comprises ”, “ comprising ”, “ including ” and “ includes ” and variations thereof mean the specified features , steps or components are included . these terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features , steps or components . the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented to illustrate the principles of the invention and not to limit the invention to the particular embodiment illustrated . it is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by all of the embodiments encompassed within the following claims and their equivalents . 2 . u . s . pat . no . 5 , 334 , 292 rajeshwar , et al ., aug . 2 , 1994 . 3 . u . s . pat . no ., 5 , 492 , 769 , pryor , et al ., feb . 20 , 1996 4 . u . s . pat . no ., 6 , 034 , 151 moszner , et al . mar . 7 , 2000 . 5 . u . s . pat . no . 6 , 472 , 460 okamoto , et al . oct . 29 , 2002 . 6 . u . s . pat . no . 6 . 6 , 472 , 104 ulrich , et al . october 29 , 2002 . 7 . u . s . pat . no . 5 , 965 , 202 taylor - 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