Eastman-kodak Company

Craig L Barnes

Thomas N Blanton

Douglas Robert Robello

Nori Yamaguchi

Seshadri Jagannathan

Narasimharao Dontula

Mark R Mis

David Wallace Sandford

Kevin L Bishop

A polymeric nanocomposite comprises a non-polar hyperbranched polystyrene resin. An exfoliated or intercalated onium functionalized clay is dispersed within the resin. Such nanocomposites are more compatible with non-polar polymer matrices used in various articles of manufacture.

Exfoliated nanocomposites and articles containing same

A polymer composite comprising a thermoplastic polymer compounded with a phenolic antioxidant, an organo-disulfide antioxidant, and a silver-based antimicrobial agent. The specified combination of antioxidant stabilizers is superior in inhibiting undesirable discoloration of thermoplastic polymers in the presence of compounded silver-based antimicrobial agents. A process of preparing such a composite, comprising compounding the phenolic antioxidant and organo-disulfide antioxidant with the thermoplastic polymer prior to compounding the silver-based antimicrobial agent with the thermoplastic polymer.

Polymer composite

A nanocomposite made with an inorganic layered material and a star-shaped polystyrene that can be blended with normal linear polystyrene is disclosed. The inorganic layered material can have an exfoliated structure, substantially exfoliated, or intercalated structure. The exfoliated structure can result in significantly improved physical properties, even with only a very low content of clay. The invention is also directed to a process that can be used to make the compositions of the present invention. In one embodiment, a physical mixture of clay and star polymer is prepared and then the mixture is heated for several hours, preferably under high-shear mixing, to increase the rate of exfoliation, after which mostly inexpensive commodity linear polystyrene polymer completes the composition.

Exfoliated polystyrene-clay nanocomposite comprising star-shaped polymer

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LeRoy, NY, United States of America

Craig L Barnes