The Dow Chemical Company

William Marsh Rice University

Wen-Fang Hwang

William J Harris

Thuan P Dixit

Otto C Raspor

James Mitchell Tour

Richard E Smalley

Zenon Lysenko

Robert H Hauge

Howard K Schmidt

Matteo Pasquali

Zheyl Chen

Connie J Murphy

Natneal Behabtu

Hua Fan

Virginia Davis

Colin C Young

In some embodiments, the present invention relates to new processes to simultaneously shorten and functionalize raw or purified carbon nanotubes to improve their dispersity and processibility, and the short functionalized nanotubes that may be made by the processes. This present invention also relates to new compositions of matter using short functionalized carbon nanotubes with thermoset, thermoplastic polymers, high temperature polymers, and other materials; the processes for making such composite materials; and the products of said processes.

Short, functionalized, soluble carbon nanotubes, methods of making same, and polymer composites made therefrom

The present invention is generally directed to the block copolymerization of rigid rod polymers with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the CNTs generally being shortened, to form nanotube block copolymers. The present invention is also directed to fibers and other shaped articles made from the nanotube block copolymers of the present invention.

Copolymerization of polybenzazoles and other aromatic polymers with carbon nanotubes

Polyimide precursor solutions comprise an organic liquid and the reaction product of an aromatic dianhydride and an aromatic diaminobenzoxazole capped, on at least one terminal end, with a bifunctional chain extender. The bifunctional chain extender has one functional group reactive with the amine of the aromatic diaminobenzoxazole or the anhydride of the aromatic dianhydride and another functional group which does not form amic acid linkages, but which is capable of further reaction to increase the molecular weight of the polyimide precursor under conditions other than those used to react the aromatic diamine and aromatic dianhydride to form the polyimide precursor. These polyimide precursors can be converted into polyimidebenzoxazole polymers.

Polyamic acid precursors and methods for preparing higher molecular

This invention relates to polyamic acids and to methods for converting polyamic acid into polyimidebenzoxazole polymers. The polyamic acids are prepared by reacting a dianhydride with a diaminobenzoxazole under conditions sufficient to form polyamic acid with an inherent viscosity of greater than 2.0 dL/gram, as measured at 0.2 g/dL in N-methyl-pyrrolidinone at 25.degree. C. The polyamic acids are converted to polyimidebenzoxazole in the form of films, fiber, coatings and the like using thermal and chemical processes.

Polyamic acids and methods to convert polyamic acids into

Granular compositions which comprise a block copolymer containing blocks of polybenzazole polymer and blocks of thermoplastic polymer can be compression molded to provide a molded article having physical properties superior to molded articles made from the thermoplastic polymer alone.

Shaped articles containing copolymers of polybenzazoles

A process for consolidating/molding a material made of (a) block copolymers of rigid or semi-rigid PBZ with thermoplastic polymers, (b) block copolymers of rigid PBZ with semi-rigid PBZ, (c) molecular composites of rigid or semi-rigid PBZ with thermoplastic polymers, (d) molecular composites of rigid or semi-rigid PBZ with non-rigid PBZ polymers or (e) semi-rigid PBZ polymers, whereby the material, in its substantially acid-free, wet coagulated state, and in the form of a plurality of films or film layers, filaments or fibers, powders or granules, film layers, filaments or particulate, is subjected to a first pressure P1 which is sufficient to provide a substantially void-free consolidated material upon molding. Heat and a second pressure P2 is then applied to the wet coagulated material in amounts sufficient to fuse the films or film layers, filaments or fibers, powders, or granules into a single entity. Prior tot he application of the first pressure P1, surface water remaining on the material is removed, leaving the material with sufficient water to plasticize it.

Consolidation and molding of polybenzazole-containing materials

Granular compositions which comprise a block copolymer containing blocks of rigid rod polybenzazole polymer and blocks of thermoplastic polybenzazole polymer can be compression molded to provide a molded article having physical properties superior to molded articles made from the thermoplastic polymer alone.

Block copolymers can be formed from heterocyclic polymers such as PBO and thermoplastic polymers such as polyamide or poly(aromatic ether ketone). The block copolymer compositions are thermoplastic and do not experi

Copolymers containing polybenzoxazole, polybenzothiazole and

Block copolymers can be formed from heterocyclic polymers such as PBO and thermoplastic polymers such as polyamide or poly(aromatic ether ketone). The block copolymer compositions are thermoplastic and do not experience substantial phase separation, even at about their glass transition temperature. The block copolymer compositions can be formed into fibers, films and laminate or compression-molded articles. PBO, PBI and PBT polymers terminated by active aromatic rings or acylating groups are particularly useful for making the block copolymers.

Block copolymers can be formed from heterocyclic polymers such as PBO and thermop

Process of making thermoplastic copolymers containing polybenzoxazole,

The present invention encompasses non-phase-separated thermoplastic block copolymers containing rigid rod PBZ blocks and thermoplastic PBZ blocks; dopes and compositions containing those block copolymers; a process for making shaped articles from thermoplastic block copolymers containing rigid rod PBZ blocks and thermoplastic PBZ blocks; and shaped articles made by that process.

Thermoplastic compositions containing polybenzoxazole, polybenzothiazole

Block copolymers can be formed from heterocyclic polymers such as PBO and thermoplastic polymers such as p

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Midland, MI, United States of America

Wen-Fang Hwang