Blends of oligopeptide terminal polyisobutylene or polystyrene

Abstract

Various blends of polymers are disclosed, comprising oligopeptide functionalised polymers such as polyisobutylene and polystyrene. Mono-functionalised and di-functionalised polymers (each containing 0 to 5 peptide units beyond its terminal amide group) may be blended with each other and / or with non-functionalised polymers to produce blended compositions. Such compositions are of use, for example, in vibrations dampers. Certain blends also exhibit self-healing properties.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 14 / 646,950 which is a 371 National Stage of International Application No. PCT / EP2013 / 074793, filed Nov. 26, 2013, which claims the benefit under 35 USC 119 of United Kingdom Application No. GB 1221246.0, filed Nov. 26, 2012.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to polymer blends, in particular to blends of polymers with oligopeptide end groups (named oligopeptide-terminal polymers in the following), and in particular to blends of oligopeptide-terminal polyisobutylenes, polyisoprenes, polystyrenes and copolymers of the aforementioned polymers. It also relates to the use of materials from such blends, for example as reinforced, shape-persistent thermoplastic elastomers, as vibration damping materials, as self-healing materials and in other applications.[0003]In typical thermoplastic materials, the polymer molecules start to flow along each other upon hea...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a new type of material that has specific properties, including the ability to damp vibrations. These materials are made by combining certain peptides, which form aggregates that can be used alone or mixed with other materials to create stronger and stiffer composites. The peptides used in the invention have a specific length that dictates the type of aggregate that forms, which is important for creating different types of aggregates and persisting them in mixtures. The materials can also be used as a matrix for reinforcing fillers to create stronger and stiffer materials with beneficial damping properties. Overall, the materials offer a new and effective way to damp vibrations without needing additional components.

Problems solved by technology

Materials exhibiting creep are not form-stable; they may be useful in certain applications but inadequate for others where shape-persistence is important.

This means that, by macroscopically damaging as by cutting for example, the material, the damage may heal just by itself, because molecules from both sides of the crack apparently can “leave” their network and reform a network with molecules from the other side.

However, in that prior patent, there is no disclosure or suggestion of blends of different oligopeptide-terminated polymers or of blends of oligopeptide-terminated polymers with other polymers such as medium or high molecular weight PIB.

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