U.S. patent application number 11/859471 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-28 for process for creating high internal phase polymeric emulsions.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Regents of the University of California Office of Technology Transfer. Invention is credited to Glenn H. Fredrickson, Edward J. Kramer, Raffaele Mezzenga.
Application Number | 20080051504 11/859471 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35376056 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080051504 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mezzenga; Raffaele ; et
al. |
February 28, 2008 |
PROCESS FOR CREATING HIGH INTERNAL PHASE POLYMERIC EMULSIONS
Abstract
A "high internal phase polymeric emulsion" ("HIPPE") composition
is described which comprises an emulsion of a discrete phase
(component A) and a continuous phase (component B), wherein the
volume fraction of the discrete phase is the majority fraction (on
a volume basis) of the total volume of the emulsion. A
compatibilizer, component C, is used to lower the interfacial
tension between the phases containing components A and B. A process
is described for creating such HIPPE composition in which the A
component is a colloidal polymer particle.
Inventors: |
Mezzenga; Raffaele; (St-Prex
(VD), CH) ; Fredrickson; Glenn H.; (Santa Barbara,
CA) ; Kramer; Edward J.; (Santa Barbara, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOWNSEND AND TOWNSEND AND CREW, LLP
TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER
EIGHTH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111-3834
US
|
Assignee: |
The Regents of the University of
California Office of Technology Transfer
Oakland
CA
|
Family ID: |
35376056 |
Appl. No.: |
11/859471 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11084727 |
Mar 18, 2005 |
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11859471 |
Sep 21, 2007 |
|
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60554871 |
Mar 19, 2004 |
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60554974 |
Mar 19, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
524/500 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C08L 25/06 20130101;
C08L 23/02 20130101; C08L 39/06 20130101; C08L 2205/08 20130101;
C08L 39/08 20130101; C08L 51/003 20130101; C08L 53/00 20130101;
C08L 2666/06 20130101; C08L 2666/02 20130101; C08L 2666/02
20130101; C08L 2666/02 20130101; C08L 23/02 20130101; C08L 2666/02
20130101; C08L 39/06 20130101; C08L 21/00 20130101; C08L 53/00
20130101; C08L 51/003 20130101; C08L 25/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
524/500 |
International
Class: |
C08K 3/00 20060101
C08K003/00 |
Claims
1. A process for forming a high internal phase emulsion
composition, the composition comprising: component A, wherein
component A is a polymer, monomer or mixture thereof in the form of
particles or a colloidal dispersion; a continuous phase comprising
component B, wherein component B is a polymer; and component C,
wherein component C is a compatibilizer selected from the group
consisting of surfactants, block copolymers, random copolymers and
graft copolymers; wherein the process comprises: dissolving
component B and component C in a selective solvent for polymer B to
form a solution, wherein the selective solvent comprises an
alcohol; dispersing component A within the solution; and removing
the selective solvent from the solution to form a dried polymeric
high internal phase emulsion composition.
2. A process for creating a polymeric high internal phase emulsion
composition of two plastic materials A and B, comprising:
dissolving a compatibilizer C containing a B part in a selective
solvent for B, to form a solution, wherein the selective solvent
comprises an alcohol; dispersing crosslinked polymeric particles of
polymer A within the solution; and removing the solvent from the
solution to form a dried polymeric high internal phase emulsion
composition.
3. The process of claim 2 wherein said process comprises creating a
high internal phase emulsion composition of two plastic materials A
and B, where material A forms 80% or more of the composition by
volume and material B forms 20% or less of the composition by
volume.
4. The process of claim 2 wherein the compatibilizer C is selected
from a group consisting of an A'B' diblock copolymer, an A'B'A'
triblock copolymer, an A'B' graft copolymer, an A'B' random
copolymer, and combinations thereof, wherein A' refers to polymer
segments that have a preferential affinity for segments of
component A, but may or may not be chemically identical to A, and
wherein B' refers to polymer segments that have a preferential
affinity for segments of component B if such is present, but may or
may not be chemically identical to B.
5. The process of claim 2 wherein the compatibilizer C is a
variable molecular weight copolymer.
6. The process of claim 2 wherein said dispersing crosslinked
polymeric particles of polymer A comprises dispersing polymer A in
the form of particles that are formed by emulsion polymerization or
dispersion polymerization.
7. The process of claim 2 wherein said dispersing crosslinked
polymeric particles of polymer A within the solution comprises
shear agitating polymer A in the solution.
8. The process of claim 2 wherein said dispersing crosslinked
polymeric particles of polymer A within the solution comprises a
sonification of the solution.
9. The process of claim 2 wherein said removing the solvent
comprises slowly evaporating the solvent from the solution.
10. The process of claim 2 wherein said removing the solvent
comprises slowly evaporating the solution at a temperature that is
lower than the boiling point of the solvent.
11. The process of claim 2 wherein said removing the solvent
comprises spray drying the solution.
12. The process of claim 2 wherein said removing the solvent
comprises flashing the solution.
13. The process of claim 2 further comprising dissolving a polymer
B in said solution.
14. The process of claim 2 further comprising annealing the dried
composition at an elevated temperature.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein said annealing at an elevated
temperature comprises annealing the dried composition at a
temperature higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg) and
melting temperature (Tm) of either of the compatibilizer C, the
polymer B, or polymer A.
16. The process of claim 2 further comprising forming a proton
conductive composition by doping the B part of the compatibilizer C
with camphorsulfonic acid by dissolving both the compatibilizer C
and camphorsulfonic acid in the solvent.
17. The process of claim 16 wherein the compatibilizer C is a
polystyrene-polyvinylpyridine block copolymer, and the B block is
polyvinylpyridine, and the solvent is ethanol.
18. A method of producing a semiconducting polymer blend,
comprising: dissolving a chaperone polymer, that is the polymer
hosting the semiconducting polymer, a doped pi-conjugated polymer
and a block copolymer in a selective solvent for the doped
pi-conjugated polymer to form a solution comprising a colloidal
system; and removing the solvent from the solution to form a dried
semiconducting polymer blend, wherein the block copolymer is
synthesized such that one block is compatible with the surface of
the colloidal system and the other is compatible with the doped
pi-conjugated polymer.
19. The process of claim 18 wherein said removing the solvent
comprises slowly evaporating the solvent from the solution.
20. The process of claim 18 wherein said removing the solvent
comprises evaporating the solution at a temperature that is lower
than the boiling point of the solvent.
21. The process of claim 18 further comprising annealing the dried
semiconducting polymer blend at an elevated temperature.
22. The process of claim 21 wherein said annealing at an elevated
temperature comprises annealing the semiconducting polymer blend at
a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg) and
melting temperature (Tm) of either of the chaperone polymer, the
doped pi-conjugated polymer, the colloidal polymer, or the block
copolymer.
23. The process of claim 2 wherein the selective solvent comprises
ethanol.
24. The process of claim 23 wherein the selective solvent further
comprises water.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/084,727, filed Mar. 18, 2005, which claims
priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/554,871,
filed Mar. 19, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/554,974, filed Mar. 19, 2004, the teachings of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all
purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to high internal phase
polymeric emulsion ("HIPPE") compositions and to processes for
their creation.
[0003] Emulsions based on water/oil/surfactant systems have been
extensively investigated during the past few decades. (e.g., see
Lissant, Colloid Interface Sci., 22:462 (1966); Lissant et al., J.
Colloid Interface Sci., 42:201 (1973); Princen, Colloid Interface
Sci., 71:55 (1979); Westesen et al., Colloids Surf A, 78:125
(1993); Groeneweg et al., Colloids Surf. A, 91:207 (1994); Kunieda
et al., C. Langmuir, 12:2136 (1996); Ozawa et al., J. Colloid
Interface Sci., 188:275 (1997); Mork et al., J. Surfactants
Deterg., 4:127 (2001).) High internal phase emulsions (HIPE) can be
achieved in these systems, in which the dispersed phase is present
in a volume fraction exceeding 0.74, i.e., the critical packing
fraction of a face-centered-cubic (fcc) crystal. At these high
volume fractions, it is no longer possible to closely pack
monodisperse spheres, and therefore in order to maintain the high
volume fraction, droplets with a narrow size distribution will
rearrange into polyhedral structures. (e.g., see Lissant et al., J.
Colloid Interface Sci., 42:201 (1973); Kunieda et al., C. Langmuir,
12:2136 (1996); Ozawa et al., J. Colloid Interface Sci., 188:275
(1997).)
[0004] Multiple efforts have been made more recently to synthesize
polymer-based HIPE, generally referred to as poly(HIPE) or HIPPE
(e.g., see Haney et al., Macromolecules, 24:117 (1991);
Sherrington, Makromol. Chem. Symp., 70:303 (1991)), owing to the
potential advantages these structures may have in many practical
applications, such as membranes, foams, barriers, etc. The
emulsification process in such a polymer-based HIPE is analogous to
that of water-in-oil emulsions. An oil, such as petroleum ether or
a low molecular weight compound phase, is generally dispersed
dropwise in a solution of monomer, solvent, and surfactant so that
an emulsion of up to 90% oil in the monomer bath can be obtained.
(e.g., see Haney et al., Macromolecules, 24:117 (1991);
Sherrington, Makromol. Chem. Symp., 70:303 (1991); Cameron et al.,
J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Trans., 92:1543 (1996); Cameron et al.,
Macromolecules, 30:5860 (1997).) Subsequently, the continuous
monomer phase is polymerized and the solvent removed. The most
extensively used monomers are styrene or divinylbenzene (DVB),
which can be polymerized by a free radical polymerization process
(e.g., see Tai et al., Polym. Eng. Sci., 41:1540 (2001); Cameron et
al., Colloid Polym. Sci., 274:592 (1996); Hoisington et al.,
Polymer, 38:3347 (1997); Duke et al., Polymer, 39:4369 (1998);
Cameron et al., J. Mater. Chem., 10:2466 (2000); Tai et al.,
Polymer, 42:4473 (2001); Tai et al., Polym. Eng. Sci., 41:1540
(2001)). Ionic, nonionic, and polymeric surfactants have also been
used. (e.g., see Reynolds et al., J. Phys. Chem. B, 104:7012
(2000); Dickinson et al., J. Colloid Interface Sci., 224:148
(2000); Pena et al., J. Colloid Interface Sci., 244:154 (2001);
Pons et al., Colloid Polym. Sci., 275:769 (1997).) By following
this procedure, a blend is produced in which the dispersed phase is
liquid like, and foams with very low density can be obtained by
extracting this phase. (e.g., see Sherrington, Makromol. Chem.
Symp., 70:303 (1991); Cameron et al., J. Mater. Chem., 10:2466
(2000); Tai et al., Polymer, 42:4473 (2001); Tai et al., Polym.
Eng. Sci., 41:1540 (2001); Bhumgara, Filtr. Separat., 32:245
(1995); Benicewicz et al., J. Radioanal. Nuc. Chem., 235:31 (1998);
Busby et al., Biomacromolecules, 2:154 (2001).)
[0005] Mezzenga et al., (e.g., see Mezzenga et al., Macromolecules,
36:4457 (2003) describes a solvent-based technique allowing the
synthesis of HIPPE structures in which both phases can be polymeric
without the need of polymerization. By following this technique,
which involves appropriate selection of polymers, solvents, and
block copolymer surfactant, HIPPE structures were produced in which
a continuous minority phase is present in a volume fraction as low
as 0.13. This technique was shown to be highly desirable for
producing blends in which unique Theological, electrical, and
barrier properties of the minority, percolating phase can be
exploited. However, a less than desirable control of mean particle
size has yet to be achieved with this technique, a limitation that
represents a drawback if optical, transport, and mechanical
properties of the final blend need to be uniform and
controlled.
[0006] In principle, particle size can be controlled if colloidal
latex particles with a narrow size distribution are used as
discrete phase precursors to form HIPPE compositions. These latex
particles are readily available today, owing to the large number of
applications in which they are used, ranging from coating, rubber
modification, and ion-exchange technologies (e.g., see Keddie,
Mater. Sci. Eng., R., 21:101 (1997)) to photonic or colloidal
crystal applications (e.g., see Egen et al., Chem. Mater., 14:2176
(2002); Ye et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 79:872 (2001); Reese et al.,
J. Colloid Interface Sci., 232:76 (2000)) Indeed, substantial
advances have been made in the production of nearly monodisperse
colloidal spheres as well as on colloidal crystallization. A reason
is that for these applications colloidal particles with a narrow
size distribution are required in order to achieve well-formed
crystals starting from a colloidal dispersion. (e.g., see Park et
al., Langmuir, 15:266 (1999); Yin et al., Adv. Mater., 14:605
(2002).) One route to self-assemble colloidal particles into dense
arrays is to make use of attractive depletion interactions, induced
by dispersing colloidal particles and dissolving polymer chains in
the same solution. (e.g., see Asakura et al., J. Chem. Phys.,
22:1255 (1954); Vrij, A. Pure Appl. Chem., 48:471 (1976)) In this
way, the polymer chains, excluded from a R.sub.g-thick corona
around the colloids, where R.sub.g is the radius of the gyration of
the polymer, gain entropy on the approach of particles, whereas
only a minor entropy loss is suffered by the colloidal particles.
Other strategies to bind colloidal particles together have focused
on surface interactions, by using charged particles (e.g., see
Airenberg et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 84:2997 (2000)) or core-shell
latexes (e.g., see Cardoso et al., Colloids Surf A., 144:207
(1998)). Under the influence of these forces, colloidal systems
have been shown to undergo complex phase transitions, and
intriguing phase diagrams have been demonstrated (e.g., see
Anderson et al., Nature (London), 416:6883 (2002)) However, all
these methods have led, in the best case, to closely packed arrays
of colloidal particles in a body centered cubic (bcc), hexagonal
close packed (hcp), or face centered cubic (fcc) structure. As a
consequence, if HIPPE structures without voids are to be produced
by these methods, the volume fraction cannot exceed 0.74 for the
dispersed phase, and the continuous phase, formed by another
polymer, has to be present at a volume fraction equal to or beyond
0.26.
[0007] As such, methods for the economical production of stable
high internal phase polymeric emulsions, where both discrete and
continuous phases are composed of polymeric fluids or solids, have
been limited.
[0008] Therefore, there exists a need to produce HIPPE
compositions, wherein the morphologies of both the continuous and
dispersed phases can be controlled.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A "high internal phase polymeric emulsion" ("HIPPE")
composition is described which comprises an emulsion of a discrete
phase (component A) and a continuous phase (component B), wherein
the volume fraction of the discrete phase is the majority fraction
(on a volume basis) of the total volume of the emulsion. The
discrete phase is in the form of particles or colloids. In a
preferred embodiment, the composition has substantially no voids. A
compatibilizer, component C, is used to lower the interfacial
tension between the phases containing components A and B.
[0010] In one aspect, the embodiments of the present invention are
directed toward a process for preparing high internal phase
polymeric emulsion compositions from a broad range of polymers. As
used herein, a high internal phase emulsion morphology is
characterized by a discrete phase that occupies 80% or more by
volume of the composition and a continuous phase that occupies the
remaining 20% or less of the composition. The embodiments of the
present invention enable the construction of plastic materials
having novel transport and barrier properties at potentially low
costs, by using low cost materials that form the discrete phase in
combination with materials having the desired properties as the
lower volume fraction continuous phase.
[0011] The embodiments of the present invention provide a procedure
to synthesize poly(HIPE) based on self-assembly and collapse of
colloidal dispersions. The examples show that properly designed
block copolymers added as surfactant to the colloidal dispersion
can be used to pack colloidal systems beyond the volume fraction of
0.74 and maintain the dispersed phase embedded in a continuous
percolating phase whose volume fraction can be as low as 0.10.
Thus, compared to the other procedures available to synthesize
poly(HIPE), the embodiments of the present invention enable a
greater control of the morphology of both the continuous and
dispersed phases.
[0012] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a process
for creating a polymeric high internal phase emulsion composition
of two plastic materials A and B. The process includes dissolving a
compatibilizer C containing a B part in a selective solvent for B,
to form a solution; dispersing crosslinked polymeric particles of
polymer A within the solution; and removing the solvent from the
solution to form a dried polymeric high internal phase emulsion
composition.
[0013] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a
method of producing a semiconducting polymer blend. The method
includes dissolving a chaperone polymer, that is the polymer
hosting the semiconducting polymer, a doped pi-conjugated polymer,
and a block copolymer, along with crosslinked polymer particles, in
a common solvent to form a solution comprising a colloidal system;
and removing the solvent from the solution to form a dried
semiconducting polymer blend, wherein the block copolymer is
synthesized such that one block is compatible with the surface of
the colloidal system and the other hosts the doped pi-conjugated
polymer.
[0014] For a further understanding of the nature and advantages of
the invention, reference should be made to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a graph of specific (proton) conductivity of the
polyHIPE blend measured vs. the volume fraction of the percolating
PVP phase. Conductivity onset is measured at PVP volume fractions
between 0.08 and 0.12, indicating the percolation threshold at a
volume fraction as low as 0.10.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a graph showing conductivity values as a function
of the volume fraction f of PANI-PSA, for a conventional binary
PANI-PSA:PVP system (solid circles) and a ternary PANI-PSA:PVP:PS
blend (open circles).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] A "high internal phase polymeric emulsion" ("HIPPE")
composition is described which comprises an emulsion of two or more
phases, a discrete phase and a continuous phase, wherein the volume
fraction of the discrete phase is the majority fraction (on a
volume basis) of the total volume of the emulsion. In addition, the
composition has substantially no voids. The term "component A" is
used to designate the discrete phase and the term "component B" is
used to designate the continuous phase. The interfacial tension
between the phases containing components A and B is lowered using a
compatibilizer, designated "component C". It is understood that
these are merely terms for explanation purposes and are not meant
to limit the composition to only these three specific
components.
[0018] For further clarification, the term:
[0019] (a) "phase" means a portion of a physical system that is
uniform throughout, has defined boundaries and, in principle, can
be separated physically from other phases.
[0020] (b) "high internal phase polymeric emulsion" ("HIPPE") means
an emulsion of two or more phases wherein the volume fraction of
the discrete phase is the majority fraction (on a volume basis) of
the total volume of the emulsion and, in one embodiment, the
discrete phase represents more than about 80% by volume of the
total volume of the emulsion.
[0021] (c) "emulsion" means a stable or metastable mixture of two
or more immiscible liquids held in suspension by a compatibilizer
(i.e. emulsifier). An "emulsion" includes both a continuous phase
as well as a discrete (i.e. discontinuous) phase that is dispersed
throughout the continuous phase. The term "emulsion" used here
refers to both the liquid precursor and the solid composition in
cases where the emulsion is dried to form a solid composition.
[0022] (d) "polymer" means a macromolecule composed of at least
three of the same type of monomeric moieties. Typically, a polymer
is formed by the chemical union of monomeric units.
[0023] (e) "compatibilizer" means a molecular species that, when
mixed with two immiscible fluids A and B, is preferentially located
at the interface between the two phases and serves to reduce the
interfacial tension between the phases. Compatibilizers include
surfactants, block copolymers, random copolymers, and graft
copolymers.
[0024] (f) "discrete phase" means a phase within a material sample
that is separated into disconnected pieces, such that it is not
possible to find a connected path of material points lying entirely
within that phase and that spans macroscopically ("percolates")
across the material sample.
[0025] (g) "continuous phase" means a phase within a material
sample that contains at least one connected path of material points
lying entirely within that phase and that spans macroscopically
("percolates") across the material sample.
[0026] (h) "graft" copolymer means a macromolecule that has a
central backbone composed of one or more repeated monomeric units
to which is chemically affixed one or more "graft" macromolecules,
each of which is chemically distinct from the backbone and is
itself composed of one or more repeated monomeric units.
[0027] (i) "block" copolymer means a macromolecule with two or more
sections, each chemically distinct from the other sections and each
composed of one or more repeated monomeric units.
[0028] (j) "random" copolymer means a macromolecule that is
composed of a stochastic sequence of two or more distinct monomeric
units.
[0029] (k) "substantially no voids" means that the composition has
a void volume fraction less than about 0.25. In one embodiment, the
void volume fraction may be correlated to the density of the
composition. For example, in an embodiment of the present
invention, the density of the HIPPE is greater than about 100
mg/cc.
[0030] (l) "mixing" is equivalent to blending and/or agitating and
means that the materials are sufficiently dispersed to form an
emulsion. Suitable devices include, but are not limited to,
impellers, propellers, paddles, turbines, motionless mixers,
extruders, and recycle loops.
[0031] (m) "selective solvent for a component" means a solvent in
which that component has greater solubility than all other
components of the composition.
[0032] The examples show that properly designed block copolymers
added as compatibilizer (component C) to a colloidal dispersion
(components A+B) can be used to pack colloidal systems beyond the
volume fraction of 0.74 and maintain the dispersed phase (component
A) embedded in a continuous percolating phase (component B) whose
volume fraction can be as low as 0.10. Thus, compared to the other
procedures available to synthesize polyHIPE, the embodiments enable
a greater control of the morphology of both the continuous and
dispersed phases.
[0033] In one embodiment, a high internal phase polymeric emulsion
composition comprises a discrete phase comprising component A,
wherein component A is a polymer, monomer or a mixture thereof; a
continuous phase comprising component B, wherein component B is a
polymer; component C, wherein component C is a compatibilizer;
wherein the discrete phase represents greater than 0 up to less
than 100%, more typically at least about 80% by volume of the total
components A, B, and C and the continuous phase typically
represents no greater than 20% by volume of the total components A,
B, and C.
[0034] In a preferred embodiment, a process for creating a
polymeric high internal phase emulsion composition may include, for
example, the steps of: (1) dissolving component B and component C
(e.g., a copolymer AB) in a selective solvent for polymer B; (2)
dispersing polymer A in the form of crosslinked polymeric particles
(e.g., microbeads) within the solution; (3) removing the solvent
by, for example, slow evaporation, spray drying or flashing and (4)
annealing the dried composition at elevated temperatures.
Preferably, component A is added to the solution in the form of
crosslinked microbeads or crosslinked polymer particles, such as,
for example those prepared by emulsion, microemulsion, suspension,
or dispersion polymerization techniques, or as an emulsion or
colloidal dispersion. In addition, the dispersion of component A
within the solution is by means of shear agitation and/or
sonification. Furthermore, the annealing may be carried out at
elevated temperatures to help improve the structural order of the
high internal phase polymeric emulsion composition. As used herein,
elevated temperatures include temperature ranges higher than the
glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) of either of the copolymer
AB or component A.
[0035] The process for creating a polymeric high internal phase
emulsion composition of two plastic materials A and B, described
above, may include several alternative embodiments. In a first
alternative process, polymer B may be a variable molecular weight
polymer. In a second process, polymer B may be reduced in
concentration in step 1, or omitted altogether.
[0036] In another alternative embodiment of the process, the AB
block copolymer can be of a variable molecular weight and
composition, or, the copolymer may have different architectures
including, AB diblock, ABA triblock and so on.
[0037] In another alternative embodiment of the process, the
crosslink density within the polymeric particles of polymer A are
varied in order to modify the rheological and solid state
properties of the composition in useful ways, while maintaining the
HIPPE morphology.
[0038] In a fourth alternative embodiment of the process, the
surface of the polymeric particles of polymer A are treated so as
to affect HIPPE composition properties, as well as enabling a
selective control of the process of producing the composition.
Component A
[0039] Component A denotes the high-volume fraction discrete phase
of the HIPPE composition and may be a polymer, copolymer, monomer
or a mixture thereof.
[0040] In one embodiment, component A comprises one or more
monomers. Suitable monomers include styrene, vinyl toluene,
alpha-methyl styrene, divinyl benzene, isoprene, butadiene, methyl
methacrylate, acrylonitrile, vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, maleic
anhydride, and thermoset monomers (e.g. epoxies, propylene
oxide).
[0041] In a further embodiment, the monomer component may also
optionally comprise one or more crosslinking agents, catalysts and
polymerization advancers. Suitable crosslinking agents include
sulfur, selenium, sulfur monochloride, formaldehyde,
di-isocyanates, polyamines, and peroxides. The crosslinking agent
will generally comprise less than 5% by weight of the composition.
Some of these crosslinking agents may be incorporated as a
noncrosslinked monomer.
[0042] In yet another embodiment, component A comprises one or more
polymers. Suitable polymers include: polyethylenes, including HDPE,
LDPE, LLDPE, VLDPE, and ULDPE; polypropylenes; copolymers of
ethylene and propylene, including EPR, EPDM, EVA, EAA and EVOH;
copolymers of ethylene with higher alpha-olefins, including
ethylene-butene, ethylene-hexene, and ethylene-octene copolymers;
polystyrenes; ethylene styrene; copolymers of styrene, including
SBR, SBS, SIS, SEBS, SAN, SMA, and ABS; hydrogenated polystyrene
(polyvinylcyclohexane); hydrogenated copolymers of styrene;
polybutadienes; polyisoprenes; polyvinyl chlorides; vinyl chloride
copolymers; polyamides; polyimides; polycarbonates; polyesters,
including PET, PBT; PETG, and polyarylates; acrylic polymers
including PMMA, PMMA copolymers; polyethers, including
polyetherimides, polyetherketones, polyethersulfones, polyethylene
glycol, and polypropylene glycol; polyphenylene oxides and
sulfones; polyvinylidine chlorides and fluorides; natural rubbers
and chemically modified natural rubbers; partially polymerized
thermosets (e.g. B-stage thermosets) silicone rubbers;
thermoplastic polyolefin rubbers; and polyurethanes, including
TPUs. While any molecular weight polymer may be used, a molecular
weight in the range of 1,000-5,000,000 Daltons is preferred.
[0043] The volume fraction of component A is the majority fraction
(on a volume basis) of the total volume of the emulsion and, in one
embodiment, component A represents between greater than 0 and up to
100% by volume of the total volume of the emulsion. Preferably,
component A is added to the solution in the form of crosslinked
microbeads or crosslinked polymer particles, such as, for example
those prepared by emulsion, microemulsion, suspension, or
dispersion polymerization techniques, or as an emulsion or
colloidal dispersion.
Component B
[0044] Component B denotes the continuous phase of the HIPPE
composition and is a polymer. In one embodiment, component B
comprises one or more polymers. Suitable polymers include:
polyethylenes, including high, low, very low, and ultra low density
polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, VLDPE, and ULDPE); polypropylenes;
copolymers of ethylene and propylene, including EPR, EPDM,
ethylenevinyl acetate (EVA), EAA and ethylenevinylalcohol (EVOH);
copolymers of ethylene with higher alpha-olefins, including
ethylenebutene, ethylene-hexene, and ethylene-octene copolymers;
polystyrenes; ethylene styrene; copolymers of styrene, including
SBR, SBS, SIS, SEBS, SAN, SMA, and ABS; hydrogenated polystyrene
(polyvinylcyclohexane); hydrogenated copolymers of styrene;
polybutadienes; polyisoprenes; polyvinyl chlorides; vinyl chloride
copolymers; polyamides; polyimides; polycarbonates; polyesters,
including PET, PBT; PETG, and polyarylates; acrylic polymers
including PMMA, PMMA copolymers; polyethers, including
polyetherimides, polyetherketones, polyethersulfones, polyethylene
glycol, and polypropylene glycol; polyphenylene oxides and
sulfones; polyvinylidine chlorides and fluorides; natural rubbers
and chemically modified natural rubbers; partially polymerized
thermosets; silicone rubbers; thermoplastic polyolefin rubbers;
polyurethanes, including TPUs; and conjugated polymers including
polythiophenes, polypyrroles, and polyanilines; and other
semiconducting polymers, such as polyfluorenes,
poly(n-vinylcarbazole) ("PVK"),
polyethylenedioxythiophene:polystyrenesulfonate ("PEDOT:PSS"),
etc.
[0045] The polymer may be included in the continuous phase in an
amount in the range of about 0.1 wt. % to about 100 wt. % based the
volume of the total emulsion composition. Polymers having a wide
range of molecular weights, for example, molecular weight in the
range of 1,000 to 5,000,000 Daltons, may be used.
[0046] The polymer of component B may be produced by polymerizing
one or more monomers during the formation of the HIPPE composition.
Suitable monomers that may be used to produce component B include:
vinyl monomers, such as vinyl acetate, styrene, vinyl toluene,
alpha-methyl styrene, vinyl chloride; multifunctional monomers such
as di-vinyl benzene; dienes such as isoprene and butadiene; acrylic
monomers such as methyl methacrylate; esters; epoxies; ethers;
urethanes; silicones; monomers leading to intrinsically conducting
polymers, including thiophenes, pyrroles, and anilines and monomers
that polymerize with styrene (e.g. acrylic nitrate, maleic
anhydride). The monomers may also optionally be comprised of one or
more crosslinking agents. Suitable crosslinking agents include
sulfur, selenium, sulfur monochloride, formaldehyde,
di-isocyanates, polyamines, polyalcohols, and peroxides. For
example, component B may be produced by using about 0.0001% to
about 5% by weight of crosslinking agent, and about 99.9999% to
about 95% by weight of monomer(s).
[0047] The continuous phase of the HIPPE composition may also
contain a polymerization initiator, such as a free radical
initiator component. However, polymerization and cross-linking of
the monomer(s) in the continuous phase may be accomplished without
a polymerization initiator, for example, via exposing the emulsion
to ultraviolet radiation or other polymerization techniques known
to those skilled in the art. Suitable free radical initiators
include acyl peroxides, alkyl peroxides, hydroperoxides, peresters,
AIBN, disulfides, and tetrazenes. In a further embodiment,
components A and/or B may be any thermoplastic material. Examples
of suitable thermoplastics include polyethylenes, including HDPE,
LDPE, LLDPE, VLDPE, and ULDPE; polypropylenes; copolymers of
ethylene and propylene, including EPR, EPDM, EVA, EAA and EVOH;
copolymers of ethylene with higher alpha-olefins, including
ethylene-butene, ethylene-hexene, and ethylene-octene copolymers;
polystyrenes; ethylene styrene; copolymers of styrene, including
SBR, SBS, SIS, SEBS, SAN, SMA, and ABS; polybutadienes;
polyisoprenes; polyvinyl chlorides; vinyl chloride copolymers;
polyamides; polycarbonates; polyesters, including PET, PBT; PETG,
and polyarylates; acrylic polymers including PMMA, PMMA copolymers;
polyethers, including polyetherimides, polyetherketones,
polyethersulfones, polyethylene and polypropylene oxides;
polyphenylene oxides and sulfones; polyvinylidine chlorides and
fluorides; natural rubbers and chemically modified natural rubbers;
partially polymerized thermosets; thermoplastic polyolefin and
silicone rubbers; polyurethanes, including TPUs; and certain
conjugated polymers including polythiophenes, polypyrroles, and
polyanilines. In yet a further embodiment, components A and/or B
may be a thermoset. Examples of suitable thermosets include
phenolic resins, urea-formaldehyde resins, melamine-formaldehyde
resins, polyester resins, vinyl ester resins, styrene esters,
epoxide resins, polyurethancs, polyisocyanurates, furan resins, and
silicone resins.
[0048] Components A and/or B may be any percentage of plastic,
rubber and/or crosslinked resin.
[0049] In one embodiment, polymer A may be selected, for example,
based on price--a lower cost material than component B because
polymer A is the major phase. Examples of lower cost thermoplastic
polymers may include, but are not limited to: polyolefins,
including polyethylenes, polypropylenes, and copolymers with higher
alpha-olefins; polyamides, including nylon 6-6; polyesters,
including PET; PBT; PVCs; polystyrene and copolymers of polystyrene
(e.g. SMA, SAN, ABS); rubbers (e.g. olefin rubbers, polybutadienes,
polyisoprenes, SBS, natural rubbers); acrylics such as PMMA.
Examples of lower cost thermosets include, but not limited to:
phenolics, epoxies, polyurethanes, vinyl ester resins, styrene
esters.
[0050] In yet another embodiment, component A maybe a particle
composed of the polymeric material discussed above. For example,
component A may be a particle composed of polystyrene.
[0051] In another embodiment, polymer B is selected based on, for
example: (a) price--a higher cost material than component A (e.g.
since only minor amounts need be used, but the HIPPE composition
will have some of the superior properties of the more expensive
component B because it is located in the continuous phase); (b)
biodegradable; (c) electrical, ionic and/or thermal conductivity;
(d) barrier properties; and/or (e) environmental and chemical
resistance. Based on one of these criteria, examples of component B
include, but are not limited to: EVOH; fluorinated polymers, (e.g.
TFE, PVDF); epoxies; polyamides, polycarbonates; polyesters,
including PETG, and polyarylates; polyethers, including
polyetherimides, polyetherketones, polyethersulfones, polyethylene
and polypropylene oxides; polyphenylene oxides and sulfones;
polyvinylidine chlorides; silicones; polyurethanes; polylactic
acid; polyhydroxy alkonates and conjugated polymers including
polythiophenes, polypyrroles, and polyanilines.
Component C
[0052] Component C denotes the compatibilizer of the HIPPE
composition. The role of the compatibilizer is to lower the
interfacial tension between the phases containing components A and
B and to otherwise modify the interfacial properties so as to
stabilize the HIPPE morphology. The compatibilizer is selected so
that one part has a greater affinity to component B and the other
part has a greater affinity to component A. In an embodiment, the
compatibilizer is selected so that one part has a greater affinity
to component B than the other part's affinity to component A. Such
a compatibilizer has a higher solubility in component B (or its
precursor) than in component A (or its precursor).
[0053] In one embodiment, block copolymer compatibilizers are
employed to establish the emulsion. Specifically, in one example,
AB diblock copolymer compatibilizers are employed where chains of
the two immiscible components (i.e. A and B) are bonded together to
form a surfactant-like molecule (component C). As such, the
presence of the AB diblock copolymer acts an emulsifier. In another
embodiment, random copolymer compatibilizers are employed to
establish the emulsion. Suitable compatibilizers include: diblock
and triblock copolymers such as styrene-butadiene,
styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprene,
styrene-isoprene-styrene, methylmethacrylate-styrene,
methylmethacrylate-butadiene, styrene-butadiene-methylmethacrylate,
ethylene oxide-propylene oxide, etc; hydrogenated versions of the
above such as SEBS, SEPS, etc; styrenic random copolymers such as
SBR, SMA, SAN, SMMA, and ABS; and polyolefin random copolymers such
as EPR, EVA, EVOH, EVC, etc. In one embodiment, the ratio (on a
volume basis) of component B to compatibilizer C is about 1:1.
Other ratios (on a volume basis) of component B to compatibilizer C
include continuous variations between 10:1 and 1:10. Processing
Conditions for Obtaining HIPPE compositions
[0054] (1) Formation of HIPPE
[0055] In one embodiment, a high internal phase polymeric emulsion
composition may be prepared, for example, by a process comprising
the steps of: (a) forming a continuous phase by dissolving a
compatibilizer in a monomer, or in a mixture of monomers (precursor
to component B); (b) sufficient blending of component A to form a
discrete phase and maintain the continuous phase of compatibilizer
plus monomer(s); (c) polymerizing the monomer(s) in the phases to
form discrete particles within a continuous phase; and (d) final
curing and/or drying to form the resulting HIPPE composition with
component A as the discrete phase and component B as the continuous
phase.
[0056] In another embodiment where the starting components are
polymers, a high internal phase polymeric emulsion composition may
be prepared, for example, by a process comprising the steps of: (a)
adding component B to form a continuous phase; (b) blending in a
compatibilizer; and (c) adding component A to component B plus
compatibilizer at a sufficiently slow rate and at sufficient mixing
conditions to maintain component B in the continuous phase.
[0057] One specific example of the ratio of the components is (by
volume) 2% of component B, 2% of compatibilizer C, and 96% of
component A. Other ratios include (by volume) X % component B, Y %
component C, and (100-X-Y) % component A, where X and Y can be
continuously varied between 0.01 and 20.0.
[0058] In yet another embodiment, the high internal phase polymeric
emulsion is produced by the steps comprising: (a) mixing component
B and component C; (b) feeding component A at a sufficiently slow
rate into the mixture while sufficiently stirring the mixture in
order to maintain phase A in the discrete phase; and (c) sufficient
cooling the composition to "lock in" the high internal phase
polymeric emulsion morphology by initiating a vitrification or
crystallization process.
[0059] A further example of a process for creating a high internal
phase polymeric emulsion of the present invention having monomer A
and a starting monomer for component B comprises the steps of: (a)
mixing a starting monomer for component B and compatibilizer C to
produce a continuous phase; (b) feeding monomer A at a sufficiently
slow rate and a sufficient mixing rate in order to maintain monomer
A in a discrete phase; (c) thermally initiating polymerization of
either or both monomer A and/or the starting monomer for component
B; and, if necessary, or in the alternative, (d) UV polymerization
of either or both monomer A and/or the starting monomer for
component B; and (e) cooling the mixture below the T.sub.g and/or
T.sub.m of one or both of the monomers.
[0060] In another example of a process for the high internal phase
polymeric emulsion having monomer A and a starting monomer for
component B comprises the steps of: (a) mixing the starting monomer
for component B and compatibilizer C; (b) feeding monomer A at a
sufficiently slow rate and a sufficient mixing rate in order to
maintain monomer A in a discrete phase; (c) thermally initiating
polymerization of either or both monomer A and/or the starting
monomer for component B; and, if necessary, or in the alternative,
(d) UV polymerization either or both monomer A and/or the starting
monomer for component B; and (e) crosslinking one or both of the
monomers.
[0061] In yet a further example, the high internal phase polymeric
emulsion may be produced by a melt blend process (e.g. in an
extruder) wherein component A is a particle and is added to
components B and compatibilizer C, which is soluble in B.
[0062] In a further example of a process for the high internal
phase polymeric emulsion of the present invention having monomer A
and a starting monomer for component B to form compatibilizer C in
situ by: (a) feeding monomer A into the starting monomer for
component B; and (b) sufficiently mixing the material of step (a)
so as to react monomer A with the starting monomer for component B
to form compatibilizer C, while maintaining B as a continuous
phase.
[0063] Another example of a process for the high internal phase
polymeric emulsion having monomer A and the starting monomer for
component B as the starting components comprises the steps of: (a)
premixing compatibilizer C with the starting monomer for component
B; (b) feeding monomer A at a sufficiently slow rate and a
sufficient mixing rate in order to maintain monomer A in a discrete
phase; and (c) polymerizing by UV or thermal treatment.
[0064] In yet another example of a process for the high internal
phase polymeric emulsion having monomer A and component B as a
polymer comprises the steps of: (a) mixing the polymer of component
B and compatibilizer C; (b) feeding monomer A at a sufficiently
slow rate and a sufficient mixing rate in order to maintain monomer
A in a discrete phase; (c) thermally initiating polymerization of
the monomer A or UV polymerization of monomer A; and (e)
crosslinking the resulting component A.
[0065] In another variation of the above, component A may be one or
more monomers with optional solvents, blowing agents and/or
initiators. Suitable solvents include water, supercritical
CO.sub.2, fluorinated surfactants, toluene, cyclohexane, acetone,
and THF. In a further embodiment, the HIPPE composition may be
produced in a solventless process. For example, components A and B
may be a thermoplastic with component B being heated above its
T.sub.g and/or T.sub.m with a block copolymer compatibilizer and
with sufficient agitation to maintain the continuous phase.
[0066] In yet another example of a process for creating a high
internal phase polymeric emulsion, component A can consist of one
or more reactive monomers, while component B can be a mixture of a
polymer B and a selective solvent for polymer B. The HIPPE
composition is produced by the steps of: (a) mixing the polymer and
solvent of component B with compatibilizer C; (b) feeding component
A into the mixture at a sufficiently slow rate and a sufficient
mixing rate in order to maintain component A in a discrete phase;
(c) initiating a thermal or UV polymerization of the reactive
monomers in component A; and (d) removing the selective solvent
within component B by a drop in pressure and/or elevation in
temperature. In a further embodiment, steps (c) and (d) are carried
out in reverse order, or simultaneously.
[0067] A further example of a process for the high internal phase
polymeric emulsion of the present invention having component A as a
polymer and component B comprises the steps of: (a) mixing
components B and compatibilizer C; (b) feeding component A at a
sufficiently slow rate and a sufficient mixing rate in order to
maintain component A in a discrete phase; and (c) cooling the
mixture of step b) to lock the morphology.
[0068] In one embodiment, the process starts off with the minor
phase (component B) and the major phase (component A) is added at a
sufficient rate to maintain the minor phase as the continuous
phase.
[0069] In another embodiment of a process for the high internal
phase polymeric emulsion, the steps comprise: 1) forming a stable
high internal phase polymeric emulsion composition; and 2)
polymerizing/curing this stable emulsion under conditions suitable
for forming a solid polymeric structure.
[0070] It is understood that, the HIPPE compositions may be
prepared by low-cost compounding methods, using conventional
polymer processing equipment. Moreover, in yet another embodiment,
the HIPPE compositions have sufficient stability against time and
temperature annealing, as well as subsequent processing.
[0071] In a further embodiment, the HIPPE composition can be formed
by subjecting the combined phases to shear agitation. Shear
agitation is generally applied to an extent and for a time period
necessary to form a stable emulsion. Such a process can be
conducted in either batchwise or continuous fashion and is
generally carried out under conditions suitable for forming an
emulsion where the continuous and discrete phases are dispersed to
such an extent that the resulting polymeric structure will have the
requisite mechanical characteristics. Emulsification of the phase
combination includes, but is not limited to, the use of a mixing or
agitation device such as a pin impeller, extruder, or
compounder.
[0072] (2) Polymerization/Curing of the HIPPE
[0073] In one embodiment, the HIPPE composition formed may be
collected in a suitable reaction vessel. For example, the
temperature at which the HIPPE may enter the vessel may be the same
as the polymerization/curing temperature. Suitable
polymerization/curing conditions will vary depending upon the
monomer and/or polymer and other makeup of the phases of the
emulsion (especially the compatibilizer systems used), and the type
and amounts of polymerization initiators used. Frequently, however,
suitable polymerization/curing conditions will involve maintaining
the HIPPE composition at temperatures above about 160 degrees
Celsius for periods ranging from less than a minute to several
hours.
[0074] Once the HIPPE composition has been polymerized/cured, the
HIPPE composition may be cut or sliced into a sheet-like form, or
machined into desirable shapes.
[0075] The relative amounts of the polymer/monomer A phase to
polymer B phase used to form the HIPPE composition may affect the
structural, mechanical and/or performance properties of the
resulting polymeric composition. For example, the ratio of
polymer/monomer A to monomer/polymer B in the emulsion may
influence the density, modulus, heat resistance, clarity, barrier
properties, toughness, tensile and flexural strength, etc. The
emulsions used to prepare the HIPPE composition may have a ratio of
polymer/monomer A phase to polymer B phase ranging from about 4:1
to about 98:1 on a volume basis.
[0076] (3) Characteristics of HIPPE Composition:
[0077] The HIPPE composition consists of substantially no voids. In
one embodiment, the HIPPE composition has a void volume less than
about 5%. In another embodiment, the void volume may be correlated
to the density of the composition. For example, in an embodiment,
the density of the HIPPE composition is greater than about 100
mg/cc.
[0078] Depending on the formulations, the HIPPE compositions may
exhibit one or more of the following properties:
[0079] (a) Low Cost Barrier--a higher cost barrier polymer may be
diluted down to as little as 1% into a lower cost, commodity
plastic (e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene), and yet
still preserve much of its desirable barrier characteristics
against species such as oxygen, water, and CO.sub.2. In another
example, HIPPE compositions may replace higher cost, fluorinated
polymers that are used in barrier applications.
[0080] (b) Unique Mechanical, Chemical, Physical, and Rheological
Properties--by virtue of the minority phase being continuous and
the majority phase discrete, HIPPE structures can yield unique
property sets. The continuous phase of the HIPPE can be utilized
for specific mechanical, Theological, or transport applications,
for example to conduct electrons or protons. Proton conductivity
proves to be a way to detect the threshold for percolation of the B
(e.g. PVP) phase. In another example, the HIPPE composition could
be further enhanced by the use of thermoset polymers for either the
majority or minority phase. For example, an epoxy or other
thermoset may be cured inside the cells of a HIPPE structure
(discrete phase), while the cell walls (continuous phase) are
thermoplastic. The overall structure may be highly filled and thus
have high modulus, yet might still be processable as a
thermoplastic. In another example, the minority continuous phase
employs a polymer that withstands aggressive chemicals and thus, a
low cost, chemically resistant polymer blend is produced. In a
further example, a HIPPE composition may be produced for an
application such as the automotive industry having the combined
properties of two or more of the following: stiffness; toughness;
resistance to oil; heat resistance; processability; and/or low
price.
[0081] (c) Low Cost, High Heat Plastics--HIPPE structures may allow
higher cost, high-heat thermoplastics, such as polysulfones, to be
used in very small proportions, yet still provide structural
integrity at elevated temperatures.
[0082] (d) Low Cost, Electrical or Ionic Conductors--the continuity
of the minor phase of HIPPE plastic structures may be exploited
with higher cost, yet high performance, polymers that are either
electrical or ionic conductors. The HIPPE structure allows such
polymers to be diluted down to very low levels with lower cost
engineering or commodity plastics to reduce overall cost.
[0083] (e) Bioactive Materials can also be incorporated which are
released by diffusion and/or degradation of the polymers.
Commercial Applications
[0084] The HIPPE compositions may be used in the following
commercial applications:
[0085] (a) Conductivity--For applications requiring both
conductivity and good mechanical properties, doped pi-conjugated
polymers are blended with tougher insulating polymer matrices,
resulting in mechanically resistant and easy-to-process
semiconducting polymer blends. Applications for these types of
compositions include electromagnetic shielding, corrosion resistant
coating (typically of metal), and anti-static coating.
[0086] (b) Architectural Coatings--the compositions may be used if
appropriately formulated for the provision of protective coatings,
polishes, varnishes, lacquers, paints, sealants and adhesives.
[0087] (c) Barriers--the HIPPE compositions may provide exceptional
barriers to water, moisture vapor, grease and oil, among
others.
[0088] (d) Drug Delivery--the compositions can be used to deliver
biologically active drugs to patients.
Semiconducting Polymer Blends
[0089] The examples described above emphasize the use of the
procedure for producing high internal phase ratio polyHIPE
structures in which the continuous phase is exploited for specific
applications. One application of exploiting the continuous phase
for specific applications is directed to a process for producing
semiconducting polymer blends in which a doped pi-conjugated
polymer is forced into a three-dimensionally continuous minor phase
by the self-assembly of colloidal particles and block copolymers.
The resulting cellular morphology is a high-internal phase
polymeric emulsion. Compared with traditional blending procedures,
the process reduces the percolation threshold for electrical
conductivity by a factor of 10, increases the conductivity by
several orders of magnitude, and simultaneously improves thermal
stability. Additional applications for semiconducting polymer
blends require only minimal concentrations of doped pi-conjugated
polymer.
[0090] For applications requiring both conductivity and good
mechanical properties, doped pi-conjugated polymers are blended
with tougher insulating polymer matrices, resulting in mechanically
resistant and easy-to-process semiconducting polymer blends (e.g.,
see Kang et al., Synth. Methods, 101:696 (1999); Oling a et al.,
Macromolecules, 33:2107 (2000); Frayasse et al., Macromolecules,
34:8143 (2001)). In these blends, conductivity is achieved by
percolation of the dispersed doped pi-conjugated polymer phase
hosted in an insulating polymer matrix. The doped pi-conjugated
polymer volume fraction at the percolation threshold, f.sub.p,
plays a role in determining the blend's electrical conductivity,
.sigma., which scales with the doped pi-conjugated polymer volume
fraction just above the threshold (e.g., see D. Stauffer,
Introduction to Percolation Theory (Taylor and Francis,
Philadelphia, 1985)) as .sigma..about.(f-f.sub.p).sup.t Eqn.
(1)
[0091] where f is the volume fraction of doped pi-conjugated
polymer and the exponent t has a theoretical value of 2. Although
for spherical particles f.sub.p is predicted to be 0.16, this value
rapidly decreases when the dispersed phase is present in more
elongated shapes, such as fibrils, which can be produced by
arresting spinodal decomposition processes. For example, in solvent
spin-cast films of poly(methyl methacrylate) and protonated
polyaniline (PANI), f.sub.p has been shown to be as low as 0.01
(e.g., see Yang et al., Synth. Methods, 53:293 (1993); 13M. Reghu
et al., Macromolecules, 26:7245 (1993)). This value can be further
reduced upon faster solvent evaporation (e.g., see Frayasse et al.,
Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst., 354:1099 (2000)). However, only thin films
can be obtained with these procedures, and the conductive
morphologies are unstable when annealed at temperatures above the
glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) of the matrix polymer.
[0092] To overcome these drawbacks, the embodiments of the present
invention provide a different strategy for driving the doped
pi-conjugated polymer into a stable, continuous, percolating phase.
Using these procedures, semiconducting blends are produced that are
processable as both films and bulk samples and that combine
electrical conductivity with thermal stability.
[0093] In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention,
blends are produced using a three-phase system in which one
homopolymer, component A, present as a high-volume fraction
discrete (nonpercolating) phase, confines two other polymers having
component B, a "chaperone" polymer and a doped pi-conjugated
polymer, into a continuous double-percolating structure of low
volume fraction. There is a theoretical advantage in confining the
doped pi-conjugated polymer to a low-volume fraction continuous
phase. For a two-phase composite material of which only one phase
is continuous and conductive, the overall conductivity can be
approximated by .sigma..sub.oV, where V is the volume fraction of
the conductive phase and .sigma..sub.o is its specific
conductivity. If conductivity in the continuous phase is achieved
by percolation of a conductive component, .sigma..sub.o still
scales as in Eq. 1, but because the same amount of doped
pi-conjugated polymer is concentrated in V, f/V should be
substituted for f in Eq. 1. This leads to
.sigma..about.(f-f.sub.pV).sup.tV.sup.(1-t) Eqn. (2) which
highlights the marked decrease of the percolation threshold to
f.sub.pV when V<<1.
EXAMPLE 1
Formation of HIPPE using a Colloidal Dispersion
[0094] The examples described below demonstrate a new procedure to
synthesize HIPPE blends, which enables the control of the
morphologies of both the continuous and dispersed phase to an
extent well beyond that possible with other currently available
techniques. The embodiments make use of narrow size distribution
colloidal particles as precursors of the final dispersed phase and
properly designed block copolymers to build up the continuous
phase. The block copolymer is designed in such a way to have two
immiscible blocks, one of which is short and compatible with the
colloid and the other of which is long and soluble in the solvent
used to disperse the colloid. The examples described below use
polystyrene emulsion particles, polystyrene-poly(2-vinylpyridine)
block copolymer, and ethanol as solvent. The final HIPPE structure
was obtained from the colloidal dispersion in a sequence including
solvent evaporation and annealing. During annealing, driven by the
surface tension associated with trapped voids in the dried
dispersion and the high chemical potential of copolymer chains in
the medium surrounding the particles, the morphology of the system
undergoes a reorganization where the particles deform to
polyhedrons and the solvent-soluble block of the block copolymer
forms a continuous, percolating structure wetting the discrete
phase. The volume fraction threshold of this percolating phase is
detected by proton conductivity, after doping the
poly(2-vinylpyridine) phase with camphorsulfonic acid. The
percolation onset was measured at a volume fraction as low as
0.10.
Materials
[0095] Polystyrene (PS) and poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PVP) were
selected to produce polyHIPEs in which the PVP phase was maintained
as the continuous structure. Carboxyl-functionalized PS emulsion
particles, having an average diameter of 514 nm and narrow size
distribution, were received from the Dow Chemical Co. Swelling
experiments in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and differential scanning
calorimetry (DSC) experiments indicated that the PS particles were
slightly crosslinked. Indeed, the particles, whose glass transition
temperature was measured at 108.degree. C., were observed to be
swollen without dissolving in THF for a period of 30 days. Two
different PS-PVP diblock copolymers were selected for the study.
The first, PS-PVP.sub.1, had an overall M.sub.w=70 000 g/mol with a
PVP volume fraction, f.sub.PVP, of 0.84, determined from the
nitrogen content obtained by elemental analysis. (e.g., see
Yokoyama, H.; Kramer, E. J. Macromolecules, 31, 7871 (1998)). The
second similar diblock copolymer was used as received from Polymer
Source, Inc., and is referred to herein as PS-PVP.sub.2. It had an
overall M.sub.w=60 000 g/mol, with f.sub.PVP=0.78. In addition, PVP
homopolymers of M.sub.w=8000 g/mol and M.sub.w=160 000 g/mol were
synthesized by anionic polymerization, following the procedure
described elsewhere. (e.g., see Yokoyama et al., Macromolecules,
32, 3353 (1999)). For all polymers used, the polydispersity index
was lower than 1.1. Camphorsulfonic acid (CSA) (Fluka) was used as
a doping agent for the PVP phase, when required by conductivity
measurements.
Procedures
[0096] Blend Preparation. Ethanol was chosen as a selective solvent
for PVP and a nonsolvent for PS. Colloidal dispersions of PS
microbeads and PS-PVP block copolymer in ethanol were prepared as
follows: PS-PVP block copolymer was added to 5 g of ethanol in
various concentrations and dissolved by continuous stirring and
gentle heating (e.g., about 60.degree. C.). After cooling the
solution down to room temperature, microbeads were added and finely
dispersed by continuous sonification for about 60 min. To explore
PVP volume ratios between 0.04 and 0.16, the total weight of the
dry colloidal system was fixed at 0.1 g, with the block copolymer
amount varying between 0.005 and 0.02 g. To slowly evaporate the
solvent without inducing boiling of the solution, the temperature
was raised to 70.degree. C. (ethanol boiling point 78.degree. C.)
at atmospheric pressure. Maintaining these conditions for 24 h
allowed all the solvent to be removed. Samples were annealed under
vacuum at 140.degree. C., i.e., above the glass transition
temperature of both PS microbeads and block copolymer (100.degree.
C.) for durations of 3, 7, and 24 h.
[0097] Proton conductive HIPPE were produced by doping the PVP
block of the block copolymer with CSA by dissolving both the PS-PVP
block copolymer and CSA in ethanol. A 1:1 molar ratio of the
sulfonic groups to the nitrogen atoms of the PVP was used when
preparing the solution. After forming the PVP:CSA complex in the
ethanol solution, PS microbeads were added in the required weight
fraction and dispersed by continuous sonification for 60 min.
Similarly, the same conditions described previously were used for
solvent removal and sample annealing.
[0098] Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The 100 nm thick
films of the final blends were microtomed with a Leica Ultra Cut
microtome. The PVP phase was stained for 6 h at room temperature in
saturated I.sub.2 vapor above solid I.sub.2. Micrographs of the
final morphologies were taken using a JEOL 2000FX transmission
electron microscope operated at 200 kV.
[0099] Electrical Conductivity. Electrical conductivity
measurements were performed on polymer films of thickness ranging
between 1 and 60 .mu.m. Films were cast above a glass substrate
with a four-probe gold pattern that was used to measure the
resistance. The final specific conductivity was calculated from the
measured resistance and thickness of the film. Following the
procedure described above, the lowest conductivity, which was
possible to be measured for a film of 60 .mu.m in thickness, was of
the order of 10.sup.-9 S/cm. The thickness of the thinnest films
was measured by scratching the film with a razor blade and
performing atomic force microscopy on the film. The thickness of
the thickest films was determined by peeling the film off the
substrate and measuring it with optical microscopy.
[0100] Dynamic Light Scattering. To measure the size of the block
copolymer micelles in solution in ethanol, dynamic light scattering
experiments (DLS) were performed using a Brookhaven Instruments
system. Solutions of 0.5% PS-PVP by weight in ethanol were prepared
and analyzed. Successively, to form the PS-PVP:CSA complex, CSA was
added to the solution in the needed concentration, and continuous
stirring was maintained for 30 min, after which measurements were
performed at room temperature.
Results
[0101] An electron micrograph of the colloidal system formed by
blending PS latex particles with PS-PVP.sub.1 block copolymer (to a
nominal copolymer volume fraction of 0.15) after solvent removal
and prior to annealing shows a disordered structure, where the
block copolymer forms a discrete phase (the dark stained phase is
the PVP block of the PS-PVP). The clear phase includes both the
unstained PS colloidal particles and voids. Since the solvent is
removed at room temperature, which is below the glass transition
temperature of both PS and PVP, the colloidal spheres will pack
similarly to hard spheres in a box, leaving some empty space in
between. Owing to the low volume fraction of the block copolymer
phase (lower than 0.26), these voids will be only partially filled
by the block copolymer phase. Thus, although an interface between
PVP and PS is generated, the free surface of the PS particles can
only be partially wet by the diblock copolymer. Therefore, both
surface (against air) and interface energy will contribute to the
energetic status of the dry colloidal system.
[0102] TEM micrographs of the structure observed after annealing
shows a similar structure, with annealing times of 3, 7, and 24 h
at 140.degree. C. Although some refinement in the block copolymer
distribution can be observed during the 24 h, the final morphology
is achieved in a relatively short time and the final structure is
stable enough to maintain the same morphology at 140.degree. C. By
comparison with the first micrograph, it is clear that, upon
annealing, the colloidal particles undergo a strong rearrangement,
deforming to polyhedrons wet by a continuous PVP phase. During this
process, the block copolymers redistribute, segregating to the
surface of the particles and coating them more or less uniformly to
decrease the excess free energy associated with the PS-PVP
interfacial area in the micelles and between the PS colloids and
the PVP coronae of the micelles. Concurrently, the PS colloidal
spheres deform into polyhedral shapes to eliminate remaining voids.
The resulting geometric HIPPE obtained had an approximate volume
composition of 0.87 PS and 0.13 PVP. The unique features of this
composition are that (i) the particles are uniform in size and (ii)
the dispersed majority phase is not interpenetrating. This allows
the use of these HIPPEs as barrier materials, where an expensive
polymer having barrier properties could be used in very low volume
fraction and still provide the blend with needed barrier
properties.
[0103] While not being limited to any particular theory, the
driving forces leading to the rearrangement of the morphology of
the colloidal system under annealing may be described as follows.
Keddie et al. have investigated the deformation of colloidal
systems under annealing. (e.g., see Keddie et al., Langmuir, 12,
3793 (1996)) After drying colloidal dispersions with procedures
similar to that used in those of the above examples, and annealing
the system at temperatures above the glass transition temperature
of the latex, they showed that the colloidal particles deform,
leading to a consolidation of the system and closure of the voids
left after solvent evaporation. The driving force for this
rearrangement was shown to be the reduction of surface energy
associated with the free surfaces of the colloidal particles. A
similar explanation can be used to explain the rearrangement in
morphology observed by others upon annealing core/shell hydrophobic
latex films (e.g., see Dos Santos et al., J. Polym. Sci., Part B,
38:2989 (2000)) or by solution casting of dispersions formed by
poly(divinylbenzene) colloidal particles with polystyrene chains
grafted on their surface. (e.g., see Zheng et al., Macromolecules,
35:6828 (2002)). In those cases, the colloidal systems reorganized
into a two-phase morphology, where the core of the particles was
maintained as a dispersed phase embedded in a continuous phase
obtained by the consolidation of the shells of the latex particles.
Therefore, in those cases, the energy gained by reducing the total
free surface of the system leads to the observed change in
morphology. However, in the example compositions formed in
accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the
rearrangement of the morphology is also driven by the reduction of
the interfacial free energy associated with the PS-PVP interface.
Indeed, if the only driving force were the reduction in PS surface
energy, the colloid would close the voids by entrapping the block
copolymer into a dispersed phase, leading to a final morphology
similar to that observed prior to annealing. On the contrary, the
block copolymers segregate rapidly to the free particle surfaces,
evidently because chains transferred from a bulk mesophase to the
surface of a PS particle can relieve both stretching energy and
PS-PVP interfacial energy. Simultaneous with this wetting by
copolymers, the particles deform into polyhedral structures.
[0104] Electron micrographs were made of the structures of HIPPEs
obtained by including PVP homopolymers in the percolating phase.
The blends were obtained with the above procedure, with the
difference that PVP homopolymer was dissolved together with PS-PVP
block copolymer in the ethanol solution. Solvent was then removed
as described previously, and samples were annealed under vacuum for
7 h at 140.degree. C. To have dry and wet brush conditions on the
PVP block side of the interface, both low and high molecular weight
PVP homopolymers were considered. The wet brush condition was
obtained by swelling the PVP block side of the interface with a
8000 g/mol PVP homopolymer. An electron micrograph shows the
morphology obtained for the dry brush condition, realized by adding
160,000 g/mol homopolymer PVP. In both cases the composition of the
dry blends was maintained at 0.85 PS colloid, 0.08 PS-PVP.sub.1
block copolymer, and 0.07 PVP homopolymer by volume. The most
ordered structure was obtained by using low molecular weight PVP.
This result can be attributed to the higher interpenetration of the
low molecular weight homopolymer into the PVP block, characteristic
of wet brush conditions, and is in agreement with results reported
previously for HIPPE obtained by an emulsion process.
EXAMPLE 2
Preparation of Hippe with Proton Conductivity
[0105] The continuous phase of the HIPPE can be utilized for
specific mechanical, Theological, or transport applications, for
example to conduct electrons or protons. Proton conductivity proves
to be a way to detect the threshold for percolation of the PVP
phase. In the present examples, to determine percolation effects,
the continuous phase was doped with CSA and then the ionic
conductivity of the final blend was measured. As set forth above,
the colloidal dispersion was prepared in ethanol, but CSA was added
and dissolved in the solution at a concentration corresponding 1:1
molar ratio of the sulfonic groups to the nitrogen atoms of the
PVP. Thus, if the PVP and CSA form a strong complex already in
solution, the surfactant used to create the percolating structure
will no longer be the block copolymer but the PS-PVP.sub.2:CSA
complex. Owing to the overlapping of sulfonic and aromatic groups
in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light
scattering was preferred to demonstrate the formation of the
PS-PVP.sub.2:CSA complex. The correlation functions obtained by DLS
at room temperature for a 0.5 wt % solution of the PS-PVP.sub.2 in
ethanol and the PS-PVP.sub.2:CSA in ethanol were measured and
compared. In the former case micelles are detected whose average
measured diameter is 65 nm. However, by introducing CSA, the
measured diameter of the micelles increases to 102 nm. This is a
consequence of the fact that the PVP.sub.2 micelle coronae are
swollen by the CSA and thus confirms that the PVP.sub.2:CSA is
formed in solution in ethanol.
[0106] This PVP.sub.2:CSA complex was shown to be conductive by
performing conductivity measurements on dried PS-PVP.sub.2:CSA
films. The specific conductivity had a measured value of
6.times.10.sup.-6 S/cm. To measure the percolation threshold of the
continuous phase, conductivity measurements on the
PS/PSPVP.sub.2:CSA blends were performed using the procedure
described above. FIG. 1 shows the specific (proton) conductivity of
the different polyHIPEs measured as a function of the volume
fraction of the PVP:CSA phase. As it can be noted, conductivity
starts to be measurable at a volume fraction of PVP:CSA between
0.08 and 0.12. This is consistent with the results shown in parts a
and b of FIG. 2, respectively. At a volume fraction of 0.08 PVP:CSA
(FIG. 2a), the PVP:CSA phase is not continuous, and it is not
surprising that no conductivity is measured. However, by increasing
the PVP:CSA volume fraction up to 0.12 (FIG. 2b), a continuous
conductive phase is observed and an overall conductivity of
4.times.10.sup.-7 S/cm was measured, as shown in FIG. 1. The volume
fraction of the continuous phase at the percolation threshold can
be adjusted, for example, by changing the length of the PVP block.
A longer block can be used when greater conductivity is
desired.
EXAMPLE 3
Preparation of a HIPPE Containing PS 0.5 Microns Particles in
PS-PVP Block Copolymer
[0107] Polymer B is omitted, polymer A is polystyrene (PS) and the
AB diblock copolymer is polystyrene-polyvinylpyridine (PS-PVP). In
this example, 0.06 grams of HY48 (PVP-PS block copolymer, Mw=70000,
16% fraction of PVP) are dissolved in 5 grams of ethanol, with
gentle heating. The solution is cooled to room ambient temperature.
Micelles are formed, indicating a high chemical potential of the
block copolymer in the selected solvent. 0.24 grams of crosslinked
PS microbeads (0.5 microns, COOH surface functionality) is
dispersed in the solution by sonificating the solution for 60
minutes. The solution is then evaporated at atmospheric pressure
and 75.degree. C., which is lower than the boiling point of ethanol
at 78.degree. C. The final blend has a minimum PS/PVP volume ratio
of 0.832/0.168, since parts of the block copolymer migrate and
attach to the glass surface of the vessel. The dried blend was
annealed for approximately 7-10 hours at 140.degree. C., which is
higher than the glass transition temperature, (Tg) of the block
copolymer, which is approximately 100.degree. C., or the PS
microbeads, which is 108.degree. C. A T.E.M. micrograph of the
composition of this example shows darker regions corresponding with
the continuous PVP phase, and the lighter regions corresponding
with the discrete PS phase. The cellular PS phase is on the order
of a few hundred nm.
EXAMPLE 4
Preparation of HIPPE Containing PS 0.5 Microns Particles in PVP and
PS-PVP Block Copolymer
[0108] Polymer B is PVP, polymer A is polystyrene (PS) and the AB
diblock copolymer is polystyrene-Polyvinylpyridine (PS-PVP). 0.03
grams of HY48 (PVP-PS block copolymer, Me=70,000, 16% fraction of
PVP) and 0.03 grams of PVP (Mw=10000) were dissolved in 5 grams of
ethanol, with gentle heating. The solution was then cooled to room
temperature. 0.24 grams of crosslinked PS microbeads (0.5 microns,
COOH surface functionality) was dispersed in the solution by
sonicating the solution for approximately 60 minutes. The solution
was evaporated at atmospheric pressure and 75.degree. C., which is
lower than the boiling point of ethanol at 78.degree. C. The final
blend has a minimum PS/PVP volume ratio of 0.832/0.168, since part
of the block copolymer migrated and attached to the glass surface
of the vessel. The dried blend was annealed for approximately 7-10
hours at 140.degree. C., which is higher than the glass transition
temperature, (Tg) of the block copolymer, which is approximately
100.degree. C., or the PS microbeads, which is 108.degree. C. A
T.E.M. micrograph shows that the darker regions correspond with the
continuous PVP phase, and the lighter regions correspond with the
discrete PS phase. The cellular PS phase is on the order of a few
hundred nm, as indicated by the 100 nm scaling legend.
EXAMPLE 5
Preparation of HIPPE containing PS 0.2 microns particles in PS-PVP
Block Copolymer
[0109] Polymer B is omitted, polymer A is polystyrene (PS) and the
AB diblock copolymer is polystyrene-Polyvinylpyridine (PS-PVP).
0.06 grams of HY48 (PVP-PS block copolymer, Mw=70000, 16% fraction
of PVP) are dissolved in 5 grams of ethanol, with gentle heating.
The solution is cooled to room ambient temperature. Micelles are
formed, indicating a high chemical potential of the block copolymer
in the selected solvent. 0.24 grams of crosslinked PS solution by
sonicating the solution for 60 minutes. The solution is then
evaporated at atmospheric pressure and 75.degree. C., which is
lower than the boiling point of ethanol at 78.degree. C. The final
blend has a minimum PS/PVP volume ratio of 0.832/0.168, since part
of the block copolymer migrates and attached to the glass surface
of the vessel. The dried blend was annealed for approximately 7-10
hours at 140.degree. C., which is higher than the glass transition
temperature, (Tg) of the block copolymer, which is approximately
100.degree. C., or the PS microbeads, which is 108.degree. C. A
T.E.M. micrograph shows the darker regions corresponding with the
continuous PVP phase, and the lighter regions corresponding with
the discrete PS phase. The cellular PS phase is on the order of a
few hundred nm, as indicated by the 200 nm scaling legend.
EXAMPLE 6
Preparation of Semiconducting Polymer Blends
[0110] To drive the semiconducting phase into a more efficient
structure without the need for spin-casting, a low-volume fraction,
continuous PVP phase was designed, which was hosted in a
high-volume fraction dispersed polystyrene phase (PS). Within the
PVP phase, a second percolation of the PANI-PSA was induced. The
PVP:PS blend was obtained by self-assembly of cross-linked PS
colloidal particles (500 nm in diameter) with a narrow size
distribution and asymmetric PS-PVP block copolymers (molecular mass
60,000 g/mol, f.sub.PVP=0.78). PS and PS-PVP were dispersed in
formic acid, in proportions so as to maintain a high ratio of PS
(including the PS block of PS-PVP) to PVP, roughly 9:1. Because
formic acid is a nonsolvent for PS and a good solvent for PVP, a
uniform dispersion of PS colloidal particles and PS-PVP micelles
was obtained. However, after complete solvent evaporation, the
system consisted of a lattice of closely packed spheres, voids, and
a block copolymer phase. The maximum volume fraction for packing
monodisperse spheres into a hexagonal close-packed or face-centered
cubic lattice is 0.74 (e.g., see Rutgers et al., Phys. Rev. B. 53,
5043 (1996)). The remaining 0.26 volume fraction could be only
partially filled by the PS-PVP phase, because of the low volume
fraction used in our formulation. Thus, the dry system was left in
a configuration of high energy: the surface energy associated with
voids and the interfacial energy of the PS/PVP interface. When the
system was annealed at temperatures above the T.sub.g of all the
components, it assembled into a configuration of lower free
energy.
[0111] The PS-PVP blends obtained this way constitute an ideal
precursor for semiconducting polymer blends, because the PVP phase
is maintained continuously at a volume fraction as low as 0.10. If
this phase is loaded with PANI-PSA, then according to Eq. 2 a
10-fold reduction in f.sub.p as compared with that of the binary
PANI-PSA:PVP blends is expected. Furthermore, because the colloidal
particles are cross-linked, coalescence would be impeded and the
morphologies would be preserved at high temperatures. To achieve a
directed assembly of PANI-PSA within the continuous PVP phase, PS
colloidal particles and PS-PVP were cast from a formic acid bath to
which PANI-PSA had been previously dissolved in the required
amount. After solvent removal and before annealing, the morphology
of the dry blend was similar to that of the dry system without
PANI-PSA, but with the PANI-PSA phase finely dispersed within the
PVP phase. After the system was annealed, the PANI-PSA was
maintained as a finely dispersed phase within the PVP domain, which
redistributed to form a continuous phase (FIG. 2).
[0112] FIG. 2 shows the conductivity values as a function of the
volume fraction f of the PANI-PSA, for a conventional binary
PANI-PSA:PVP system (solid circles) and a ternary PANI-PSA:PVP:PS
blend (open circles). By fitting Eq. 1 to the measured a values for
the ternary blend, it was determined that f.sub.p=0.011 and t=3.96,
suggesting double percolation. For f values between the percolation
thresholds of the ternary and binary system, i.e.,
0.011<f<0.12, the gain in .sigma. is between three and four
orders of magnitude. The nonnegligible conductivity below the
percolation threshold is the result of the residual solubility of
PANI-PSA in PVP. As a consequence of the decrease in f.sub.p,
blends with doping concentrations in between the percolation
threshold of the ternary blend and that of the binary blend showed
marked gains in electrical conductivity. In the case of a
PANI-PSA:PVP pair, the increase in electrical conductivity at a
given PANI-PSA concentration was in the range of three to four
orders of magnitude (FIG. 9A) and is expected to reach even larger
values in pairs with lower solubility. Below percolation of
PANI-PSA in PVP, the binary system showed low conductivities, which
may be attributed to the residual solubility of the doped
pi-conjugated polymer in the chaperone polymer. This is consistent
with the conspicuous drop in the T.sub.g of the PVP phase
(.DELTA.T.sub.g=-17.degree. C. for 0.3:0.7 PANI-PSA:PVP), as
measured by differential scanning calorimetry in PANI-PSA:PVP
binary blends.
[0113] Compared to the binary PANI-PSA:PVP blends, confining the
doped pi-conjugated polymer within a low-volume fraction chaperone
phase reduced the concentration of the conductive component at
percolation onset by a factor of 10. However, f.sub.p may be
reduced further if block copolymers with shorter blocks of the
chaperone phase are used. In addition, solubility of the doped
pi-conjugated polymer in the chaperone phase may be exploited in
ternary blends to design a single, continuous conducting phase.
Through the use of miscible doped-pi-conjugated/chaperone polymer
pairs and the same procedures in self-assembly of
doped-colloidal/block-copolymer systems, semiconducting
organic-blend systems are obtained in which the percolation
threshold in the continuous phase approaches zero.
[0114] The method described here remains advantageous whether a
double percolating structure or a soluble single phase is desired.
The process in accordance with the embodiments can be applied to
any host/doped-pi-conjugated polymer pair, provided that a block
copolymer can be synthesized in which one block is compatible with
the surface of the colloidal system and the other can host the
doped pi-conjugated macromolecule. Because the solvent options are
greater when cross-linked colloids are used, this route offers an
appealing strategy to improve many of the available semiconducting
binary polymer blends.
[0115] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the
present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the essential characteristics thereof. Those skilled
in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more
than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific
embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are
intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
* * * * *