Ordered Acrylic Polymers with Precise Functional Group Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to precisely place monomers with functional groups in specific regions of polymers, leading to incomplete incorporation and lack of control over long chain branching, resulting in inadequate polymer properties for adhesive applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of ordered polymers with specific reactive functional groups apportioned between blocks in controlled ratios, using techniques like living polymerization and crosslinking, to create polymers with enhanced cohesion and adhesion balance in adhesive compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional polymerization methods are used to incorporate vinyl-terminated macromer, then long chain branching may be generated, but incomplete incorporation and lack of control over the extent of branching occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses telechelic macromers with pre-formed vinyl end groups that are designed to react with the polymerization catalyst. This preliminary preparation ensures that the macromers are ready for complete incorporation without requiring further modification during polymerization, thus achieving both complete incorporation and controlled branching extent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the macromer by using telechelic structures with specific vinyl end groups. This parameter change enables complete incorporation by designing the macromer to be inherently reactive with the catalyst system, eliminating the incomplete incorporation problem of conventional methods.
2Manufacturing precision
If functional groups are placed at terminal ends of polymer chains to increase molecular weight, then molecular weight increases, but precise placement of monomers with functional groups in particular regions is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by distributing functional groups non-uniformly throughout the polymer structure. Telechelic macromers provide high concentrations of functional groups at chain ends, while internal branches provide functional groups within the polymer backbone, creating different functional zones within the same polymer molecule.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the polymer architecture into distinct regions: terminal chains with functional groups at ends, internal branches with functional groups within, and a core structure. This segmentation allows precise placement of functional groups in different regions to achieve specific adhesive properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If long chain branching is generated by incorporation of vinyl-terminated macromer, then processability and melt strength improve, but lack of control over extent of branching occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using a stoichiometric approach where the amount of telechelic macromer is precisely controlled relative to the catalyst and monomer. The vinyl end groups react quantitatively with the catalyst, providing a built-in feedback mechanism that ensures complete incorporation and predictable branching extent based on initial formulation ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the macromer to telechelic forms with controlled molecular weights and vinyl end group concentrations. This parameter control allows precise adjustment of the extent of long chain branching by varying the macromer-to-monomer ratio, while maintaining complete incorporation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the production of polymers with precise functional group distributions, resulting in improved peel adhesion, static shear, and high temperature shear performance, allowing for higher solids content and versatile adhesive applications.
Implementation Method 1
in situ during polymerization) either by action of the polymerization catalyst itself
Implementation Method 2
long chain branching may be generated in a polymer by incorporation of a vinyl-terminated macromer
Implementation Method 3
by the use of a linking agent
Data Source
AI summary
Polymers having ordered architectures and one or more reactive functional groups incorporated in select blocks or regions of the polymer in particular proportions relative to other regions in the polymer, are described. The polymers are well suited for use in adhesive compositions, and particularly for pressure sensitive adhesive compositions. In addition, various methods for forming the noted polymers and adhesive compositions utilizing the ordered polymers are disclosed.