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ART; The Sun Sets at the Tate Modern
By MICHAEL KIMMELMAN
Published: March 21, 2004
BERLIN— THE Tate Modern in London recently suggested extending the wildly successful six-month run of Olafur Eliasson's installation in the museum's vast Turbine Hall. An instant cult site of mood-altering atmospherics, both gloomy and eye-popping, ''The Weather Project'' consists of a fake sun (yellow lights behind a huge semicircular screen, below a mirrored ceiling) and pumped-in mist.
Mr. Eliasson thought about the offer, then declined. ''The time after a show is just as interesting to me,'' he said the other day, ''because then it becomes an object of memory, and its meanings change.'' Tate officials might not be so philosophical. The project, which ends today, has been a huge boon to the museum. Mobs of winter visitors have lain on the cold floor and gazed up at their pale reflections, basking in the artificial sun and fog. The work became one of those pop-culture events, like ''Survivor'' or the Academy Awards or the Tate's own Turner Prize: spectacle and tabloid news, its popularity almost transcending logic.
It seemed like a good moment for Mr. Eliasson to reflect on the fuss. Thrilled but circumspect about the reaction, he is by temperament a skeptical Scandinavian type. Half Danish, half Icelandic, he is not given to expressions of simple contentment, not with a stranger anyway. ''I am trying to maintain in my mind an open discourse about its qualities of consumerism and spectacle,'' he says. ''I would like to think that the spectator became the center of this piece, that the project twisted the Tate so the people who came to visit were what the art was about.''
At 36, likable, unshakably solemn, bespectacled and compact, with a slightly graying beard, Mr. Eliasson may not immediately seem like the sort of person who would dream up extravagant feats of illusion and theatricality. In Venice, at the recent Biennale, he turned the Danish pavilion into a fun house of jerry-built expressionistic architecture, with crystalline spaces full of mirrors, peepholes and colored lights.
Previously, he has erected a fake sun, about 41 yards in diameter, like a billboard, on the skyline in Utrecht, the Netherlands. He designed a waterfall that flowed upward. He dyed various rivers in Europe and America green (eco-friendly dye, naturally). And in Bregenz, Austria, he transformed a museum into a greenhouse of mossy pools, footbridges, fog, dirt, wood, fungus and duckweed. Fascinated by the effects of disorienting optics and eccentric geometry, he also removed the windows of the ironwork skylight in the gallery of his New York dealer, Tanya Bonakdar, a few years ago and installed mirrors to create a dizzy walk-in outdoor-indoor kaleidoscope.
His work is in fact very much an expression of his background and character. It's serious. Landscape components partly reflect his Nordic roots. Like Ibsen and Strindberg, writers he admires, Mr. Eliasson is, he says, after a kind of fleeting experience that is theatrical but at the same time transparent about its artifice. He is adamant that the Tate display is not about creating a convincing illusion, in that he lets a visitor see the lights behind the screen and the seams between the mirrors -- gives them a peek backstage, as it were.
The mirrors have another purpose, too. ''I put mirrors on the museum ceiling to change the history of the Turbine Hall, which previously had sculptures in it, and to create a different experience, a place that looked even larger than it is, emphasizing the megalomaniacal ambition of the architects and the institution,'' he explains. ''The mirror, not the sun, is what people are really staring at: so the work is not so much the general spectacle of a fake sun, but a person's individual encounter with his own reflection.''
Or put another way, Mr. Eliasson's work is about landscape and theater -- about the fuzzy border between nature and culture. He likes to cite the French philosopher Henri Bergson, for whom vision was a mechanical act by the eye dependent on the aculturated use to which we put sight. (''The visible outlines of bodies are the design of our eventual action on them,'' was Bergson's phrase.)
Mr. Eliasson explains ''The Weather Project'' in Bergsonian language: ''I wanted a subject that implied 'community' and that was open-ended. Predicting weather is one way we collectively try to avoid the unforeseeable, which our lives are always about. The weather is a subject about which a community may also permit a high degree of disagreement: I can say 'I hate the rain,' you say, 'I love it,' and you may still think I am a nice guy.
''I'm not interested in weather as a matter of science,'' he continues. ''I'm not a meteorologist or a botanist. I'm interested in people: how people engage sensually with the qualities of weather -- rain, mist, ice, snow, humidity -- so that through their engagement they may understand how much of our lives are cultural constructions. We have a desire to assume that certain things, like our reactions to the weather, are natural, but they are in fact cultural, and the end result of this can be entrenched ideologies, which we take to be inevitable. This is the path toward totalitarianism.''


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still to fill

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I stayed at the Hyatt for a conference and extended my stay to spend more time enjoying Chicago. This is a perfect location, close to everything. Walked to Art Institute one day. Lots of shopping and dining close by. And, the lobby bar, the Big Bar, the market, the steak restaurant, and the lobby restaurant - locally sourced food- were all very good. I usually try to avoid the hotel restaurants, but these were all good choices. The room was comfortably sized and the beds were great. Staff everywhere were really helpful and friendly. Our minibar was jammed up by the previous occupants and it took a few calls before someone came to fix it, but when they did we were comped some snacks. The only issues I had with the room were lack of drawer space and not any counter space in the bathroom. With two women sharing the room, we were keeping toiletries on a lower shelf (where towels were stored) and on the floor.
- Official Description (provided by the hotel):
- Discover the difference between a hotel and a Hyatt when you stay at our incomparable downtown Chicago, Illinois hotel. Set within the epicenter of the city, our AAA Four Diamond Hyatt Regency Chicago is conveniently connected to the Illinois Center and within minutes of the Magnificent Mile.We are excited to announce the completion of our $168 Million renovation! We are eager to show you our new welcoming lobby, engaging check-in pods and new restaurant concepts and menus. Come see the completely transformed Hyatt Regency Chicago! ... more less
- Reservation Options:
- TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Expedia, Booking.com, Travelocity, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Low Cost Holidays, TripOnline SA, Priceline, Hotels.com, Odigeo, Orbitz, Hotwire and Jetsetter so you can book your Hyatt Regency Chicago reservations with confidence. We help millions of travelers each month to find the perfect hotel for both vacation and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.
- Also Known As:
- Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel Chicago
- Chicago Hyatt Regency
- Hyatt Chicago


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So Bryant jordan 7 retro for sale could play Friday with the King's final pre-season? Lakers head coach Mike Brown is not willing to give out specific comeback time for Bryant. "I do not know exactly how serious, when Kobe Bryant can only be at the sidelines, he is very distressed. So we have to be patient, he'll be fine. Medical group will do a good job. No matter what time, as long as he prepared to return. "Brown suggests that Mick might replace Bryant appearances, and last season, when Bryant's been ruled out alternative battle of yibankesi also has the potential to fill this gap.?
From a technical statistical point of view, Howard in rebounding (14.5:9.9) and Cap (2.2:1.4) are leading to Chandler, but because of the back injury he played only 54 matches. Chandler jordan sc-1 for sale played in 62 games, Nick defensive core, and helped the team become one of the best defensive teams of the League. Howard said after the first show won with 19 points and 12 rebounds, his body were a little sore. He also said, hoping the Lakers continue to win this prize. Michael Cooper is the Lakers ' only player that got the best defensive player Award (season 1986-97).?
According to the men's basketball General Manager of Qingdao Tin Shun introduced, Qingdao jordan 1 retro for sale after McGrady arrived, the men's basketball team was going to held a press conference at the airport, then met and went to the airport to greet fans, but in view of the number of media, fans pick up too many, the plan is likely to "failure". "But so many reporters, fans were shouted at Tracy, I am sure, so he must not be allowed to leave the airport, it is also a lack of respect to everybody. "Tin-Shun also seemed very anxious.In addition, McGrady arrived yesterday after Qingdao place basically has done so far, he is likely to stay away from the Qingdao Guoxin Stadium men's basketball arena of new hotel not far from the sea and Sky Sports Centre.


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Spain Urged to Reconsider Tax Hike on Admissions Tickets
In an open letter to the prime minister, organizations say raising taxes to record levels will damage the cultural sectors, destroy jobs and increase piracy.
MADRID - A broad range of international and Spanish cultural industry organizations, including the Motion Picture Association, banded together Monday to formally request the Spanish government reconsider its recent sales tax hike from 8 percent to 21 percent on admissions tickets, making it one of Europe's only countries to not apply a reduced tax on admissions to cultural activities.
The group lobbied for a recalibrated rate for cultural content and services to 10 percent, as proposed by the recently established Union of Cultural Industry Associations in Spain, saying it has urged the Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to adopt the new rate as part of the Spanish government's General Budget law to be passed this month.
"The VAT rate of 21 percent has already damaged the companies and individuals working in the cultural sectors concerned," the group with members around the globe said in a statement. "This was also predicted in the recent study prepared by Price Waterhouse, on behalf of the cinema sector, which showed that a 10 percent level VAT generated more state income than the newly introduced rate of 21 percent."
The group, representing the film industry, drama, live music, circus and opera, comprises 12 organizations: the MPA; The Federation of European Film Directors; The International Federation of Film Distributors Associations; The International Federation of Film Producers Associations; The International Federation of Musicians; The International Union of Cinemas; Performing Arts Employers Associations League Europe; The International Video Federation; The Independent Film & Television Alliance; The European Coordination of Independent Producers; The International Federation of Actors; and The Global Union for Media, Entertainment and Arts.
The Spanish government raised the tax effective Sept. 1 as part of a broad range of measures designed to attack Spain's ailing economy, weighed down by 25 percent unemployment.
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Columbus Day Open House
The Open House will include: Admissions presentations, a chance to talk with faculty, student-guided campus tours, select tours of academic facilities and an opportunity to meet with representatives from Career Services, International Education (study abroad) and Experience-Based Education (internships). Presentations regarding financial aid and first-year academic and advisement programs are also offered. Please go to www.oswego.edu/visit to register.
Location: Marano Campus Center, Main Concourse
Monday, Oct 12, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Iron pour
Internationally recognized sculptor Coral Penelope Lambert of Alfred University will demonstrate her art, the age-old sculpting and manufacturing technique using molten iron. Free; including parking. 312-2111.
Location: Lot R13, off Iroquois Trail between Oneida Hall and The Village
Thursday, Oct 15, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Women's Soccer vs. Fredonia
Free. 312-2488
Location: Oswego, NY- Laker Soccer Field
Friday, Oct 9, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Women's Soccer vs. Buffalo State
Free. 312-2488
Location: Oswego, NY- Laker Soccer Field
Saturday, Oct 10, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Alumni & Friends Event with President Stanley
Save the date. http://alumni.oswego.edu/events
Location: New York, NY, USA
Thursday, Oct 8, 5:19 p.m. - 5:19 p.m.
GOLD Third Thursdays
Visit http://www.facebook.com/events/453070221388940 for the latest locations or suggest your own!
Location: Various Cities
Thursday, Oct 15, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Why Pursue Studies in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences?
A Welcome from the Dean
Pursuing a degree in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at SUNY Oswego combines the best of an ancient tradition of learning with the knowledge and skills required for success in the 21st century. The liberal arts denote an approach to education that hails from antiquity and prioritizes those areas of learning that are essential to full engagement in civic life. These areas of learning are no less salient today, and our graduates must be prepared to meet the challenges and expectations of a fully globalized civil society and workforce.
To achieve that end, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers strong degree programs in traditional fields of inquiry across the humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields. New and renovated facilities include our Archaeological and Forensic Research labs in Mahar Hall, the Rice Creek Field Station, and the Shineman Center for Science, Engineering, and Innovation. We also pride ourselves on our innovative and constantly expanding interdisciplinary programs of study, supported by the Interdisciplinary Programs and Activities Center (IPAC) and faculty across the College. We encourage student opportunities to partner with peers in innovative ways, building collaborations between the performing arts and the sciences, for example, since it will take harnessing all of our combined efforts to address the big challenges of the future.
The founder of our institution, Edward Austin Sheldon, advocated "learning by doing," and this is still a core value of ours as well. Students in the Liberal Arts and Sciences apply their learning through Challenge Grants, which fund faculty-student research collaborations; Scholarly and Creative Activities Grants available through the Office of Research and Individualized Student Experiences (RISE); the Global Laboratories program, which sends students to study in research laboratories in countries such as Brazil, India, and Korea; and our GetGo! Global Experience Travel Grants from Oswego, which enable our students to travel abroad in non-English speaking countries around the world.
We provide our students with many opportunities to develop the transferable skills in demand from today's most innovative employers, such as strong oral, written and digital communication, adaptive learning, and the ability to collaborate to solve complex and shifting problems in their chosen fields. These combined experiences give them the 21st century skills and literacies they need to succeed in their first jobs, but also in their second or third positions, and, just as crucially, give them the knowledge they need to function as engaged citizens in a diverse and changing world.
- Dr. Adrienne McCormick, Dean of College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
What's new? Building Pathways and Partnerships in STEM for a Global New York (PDF, 455 KB), Oct 1-2 in Albany
Office of the Dean, 601 Culkin Hall
Dr. Adrienne McCormick, Dean
Ms. Sandi Cotter, Secretary
telephone: 315.312.2285
facsimile: 315.312.3577
Dr. Frank J. Byrne, Interim Associate Dean
Ms. Pat Meleski, Secretary
telephone: 315.312.2156
facsimile: 315.312.3577


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Quality Hotel Nova Domus
No prices found through our partners. Please contact the business directly or check some of our recommended alternatives.
How has this hotel rated in the past?
- Continental Breakfast
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Historical Traveler Reviews Quality Hotel Nova Domus Rome
Nice hotel great location
we had a very good holiday at the nova domus hotel. staff very helpful, from our room on the top floor we had a nice view on S. Peter Dome. We even had our breakfast al fresco. Vatican at wolking distance, shopping center as well, and the subway stop at just 5 minutes walking distance allowed us to visit the city at the best condition. We reccomend to all our friends, it was really a very nice stay.
Definitely not 4*
We stayed in the hotel at the end of January 2004. We had a standard double room which was small. The lobby and corridors were nicely decorated, but the rooms were barely 2* standard (if that). The rooms were not finished as there were unpainted walls. I� m not sure whether they were planning on finishing the rooms. The linen and towels were old and threadbare. There was mold in the shower (there was running hot water). The hotel reception staff was not friendly, did not make us feel welcome but was not rude in any way. The breakfast was good and the staff in the breakfast area were nice. There was not much in the way of restaurants in the area, and we did wonder around for some time looking for something other than a � pizzeria� . The rooms in the hotel are not four star standard, but comparable to a low end Quality Inn / Red Roof Inn in the US.
Disappointed. Not 4* in my opinion.
We stayed in a standard double room in January 2004 for 5 nights. Our room was small, and wasn't in the best of condition. We had a small pipe coming out of the ceiling, fixtures and fittings were not up to scratch - some missing or loose and the walls were noticably grubby/dirty. We were also woken every morning at 8.30 by builders working above us - not very good at all for a holiday lie in. The bathroom was grand, and had good shower.
Generally I do not think the hotels staff made us feel welcome enough, no recognitions when we returned or passed them - even a simple hello/ciao makes all the difference.
The hotels location was good, handy for the vatican as another reviewer said, and not too far to the metro station Cipro to go to spanish steps area/other. Area around the hotel was average if slightly run down, we spent most of our time in and around the spanish steps / navona / pantheon areas travelling there by metro only 2/3 stops away.
Breakfast was very good, wide selection of contential type fair and hot bacon & eggs. We also ate in the hotels restaurant which was had both good quality and service.
Overall I can't say I recommend the hotel in its current state, I presume they were renevating at the time, but still to put guests in rooms above/below rooms being renovated is not good - especially for a supposed 4* hotel. I do not think this rating was reflected in our experience at all.
Nice Rooms in Residential Location
My wife and I stayed at this hotel for several nights in early 2004. We had a "junior suite" which was extremely nice with a great bathroom.
The standard rooms appeared to be much smaller.The hotel has the "feel" of a family-owned type establishment.
The hotel is located in excellent proximity to the Vatican, but not so good if you want to spend your time near the Spanish Steps or Trevi Fountain. The closest Metro stop is about 3-4 blocks from the hotel.
Quality Hotel Nova Domus - Recommended
We stayed 4 nights at this hotel in October 2003 and would recommend it. The room was large, clean and comfortable, with good fittings and furnishings. The complimentary breakfast was fine - if a little chaotic some mornings! We found the hotel - which is minutes walk away from two underground stations - an extremely convenient location for visiting almost all of the main tourist attractions. Its proximity to the Vatican was ideal. The local area also contained a good variety of shops etc. In terms of getting to the hotel, get the airport bus that goes to the nearest Metro - its then a straight run on Line A to Cipro; cost was about 3 euros versus about 35 for a taxi.
Friendly & helpful Italians if you try the lingo
If you enjoy the adventure of getting there under your own steam, and you are travelling light, don't get the taxi from Fumicino airport to Rome centre. Go by train. It's half the price and very clean and on time. We travelled for 25minutes to the Termini (main station), jumped on the Metro some 10 minutes later arrived at Cipro station, which was a five minute walk to the hotel.We were greeted in a friendly manner and we were in our room five minutes later. We satyed at the Novo Domus for 4 nights in November 03. It is a ten minute walk to the Vatican City.The food was good and varied at the hotel. Although we struggled to find restraurants that opened in the early evening in Rome it's self.When we took in the sights we picked up a tip, which is don't queue at the Colessium, go to the Plantino just down the road and get your ticket there. It is valid for both venues. That will save you a 40 minute wait.We had a great time in Rome the people hear so much english they become battle weary with it. They appreciated the time taken to speak Italian. Try it it not that hard!!Would we do the same trip again? Yes!!!
Very Nice Hotel
We stayed here for three days in May 2003. Very nice hotel, clean, good water pressure (!), and quite nice by "American" standards. Staff was very helpful and friendly. Room was large and clean - beds not very comfortable though. We had a triple and there was a small "sitting room" with a pull out couch which was nice. The hotel is a 10 minute walk to the Vatican museum, but pretty far from everything else. The Cipro metro stop is only 10 minutes away though and from there you can get close to most tourist attractions. There are a number of nice restaurants in the area that are not "tourist traps." The hotel also has its own restaurant which wasn't bad in price or food quality . The complimentary breakfast is excellent. I would stay here again and recommend it to others.
TripAdvisor Reviews Quality Hotel Nova Domus Rome
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... the walls, both interior and exterior. The floors were tiled in mosaic patterns and some of them have remained surprisingly intact. Sadly, the same cannot be said for the rest of the ruin.
The baths were expensive to operate but the emperor's sponsorship of them really aided his popularity with the citizenry. When the empire started to collapse , money was needed elsewhere. During one assault on Rome the aqueduct supplying ...
All Roads Lead To Rome
... enough to feel very much in the action and it seemed that everything was a fairly short walk from our piazza. Without much of a plan we headed out in search of a small restaurant for dinner and luckily we stumbled upon a little back alley place filled with people speaking (or shouting as is often the case) only Italian. Now this first meal in Rome was very much a tale of two very different stories. Bree (at the recommendation of the waitress) ordered an ...
Land of Pizza and Pasta
... you're lucky. I very quickly learned in England to always make sure I had some loo paper with me at all times.
As soon as we walked outside, the heavens opened. I swear within 10 seconds of the first drop falling there were about 6 hawkers trying to sell us umbrellas and ponchos. We just stood under an awning and waited for 5 mins until the rain cleared and then it was beautiful blue sky again. Rome ...
Italy Venice to Rome
Yesterday was a hot day in Venice and sported a bit of sunburn when I awoke this morning. Coach left at 7.30am and it was a long drive and a hot day when we arrived in Rome. Twenty-eight degrees and humid. Fortunately, Driver keeps bottles of water refrigerated which we are able to purchase for one euro. Unfortunately, what goes in needs to come out. Roads in Rome are busy and sightseers are prolific. Beggars abound in Italy and they stage very dramatic ...
Rome Day 1
Having arrived at Fiumicino airport in Rome we trained in to Trastevere Station, the plan was then to catch the No 8 Tram up to our apartment, you know how you sometimes get off a train and as you are leaving the station you see your Tram waiting, wel that is how it was. We dashed across the street and jumped on the tram, as we bumped our way along, I asked Karen " do you think this Tram is going the right way for us". We couldn't truthfully answer that question. We ...


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|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Jun 18, 2009
|Filing date
|Mar 2, 2004
|Priority date
|Mar 2, 2004
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Xiaorong Wang, James E. Hall, Georg G.A. Bohm, Chenchy Jeffrey Lin
|Original Assignee
|Xiaorong Wang, Hall James E, Bohm Georg G A, Chenchy Jeffrey Lin
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Referenced by (2), Classifications (8), Legal Events (2)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
The present invention relates to polymer nanoparticles, methods for their preparation, and their use as, for example, additives for rubber and tire compositions. The invention advantageously provides mechanisms for surface modifications, functionalization, and general characteristic tailoring to improve performance in various host compositions.
Polymer nanoparticles have attracted increased attention over the past several years in a variety of fields including catalysis, combinatorial chemistry, protein supports, magnets, and photonic crystals. Similarly, vinyl aromatic (e.g. polystyrene) microparticles have been prepared for uses as a reference standard in the calibration of various instruments, in medical research and in medical diagnostic tests. Such polystyrene microparticles have been prepared by anionic dispersion polymerization and emulsion polymerization.
Nanoparticles can be discrete particles uniformly dispersed throughout a host composition. Nanoparticles preferably are monodisperse in size and uniform in shape. However, controlling the size of nanoparticles during polymerization and/or the surface characteristics of such nanoparticles can be difficult. Accordingly, achieving better control over the surface composition of such polymer nanoparticles also is desirable.
Rubbers may be advantageously modified by the addition of various polymer compositions. The physical properties of rubber moldability and tenacity are often improved through such modifications. Of course, however, the simple indiscriminate addition of nanoparticles to rubber is likely to cause degradation of the matrix material, i.e., the rubber, characteristics. Moreover, it is expected that primarily the selection of nanoparticles having suitable size, material composition, and surface chemistry, etc., will improve the matrix characteristics.
In this regard, development of nanoparticles having a outer layer which would be compatible with a wide variety of matrix materials is desirable because discrete particles could likely disperse evenly throughout the host to provide a uniform matrix composition. However, the development of a process capable of reliably producing acceptable nanoparticles has been a challenging endeavor. For example, the solubility of various monomers in traditional alkane solvents has made solution polymerization a difficult process by which to achieve nanoparticles having a variety of outer layers. Moreover, the development of a solution polymerization process producing reliable nanoparticles, particularly nanoparticles advantageously employed in rubber compositions, has been elusive.
Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,050 is directed to polymer nanoparticles and a method of forming nanoparticles with desired surface characteristics and size. Commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/223,393 (filed Aug. 19, 2002) includes a method of controlling the surface characteristics of polymer nanoparticles via surface functionalization. In this application the functional groups remain inside the nanoparticle in the form of an organic reaction residue.
Nano-scale metal composites have also been used advantageously in a variety of fields including, but not limited to, information technology, medicine and health, material and manufacturing, aeronautics and space exploration, environmental, and energy fields. Formation of nano-scale metal composites has often proven difficult due to the expense and difficulty of creating known templates, as well as the often difficult step of separating the composites from the template.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop polymer nanoparticles with desirable surface characteristics and size. It would also be desirable to develop a process for using these nanoparticles as templates to produce nano-scale metal composites.
A polymer nanoparticle is provided. The nanoparticle includes an inner layer having alkenylbenzene monomer units. The nanoparticle further includes an outer layer having monomer units selected from conjugated dienes, alkylenese, alkenylbenzenes, and mixtures thereof. The nanoparticle has at least one functional group associated with the outer layer.
A process for forming functionalized nanoparticles is also provided. The process includes polymerizing alkenylbenzene monomer and conjugated diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent to form a diblock polymer. After formation of the diblock polymer, micelles of the diblock polymer are formed. At least one crosslinking agent is added to the micelles to form crosslinked nanoparticles having a poly(alkenylbenzene) core and an outer poly(conjugated diene) layer from the micelles. The poly(conjugated dienee) layer is optionally hydrogenated to form nanoparticles containing a poly(alkenylbenzene) core and a polycrystalline outer layer. After formation, the nanoparticels are reacted with a compound including at least one functional group to form functionalized nanoparticles. The reaction may be carried out before or after hydrogenation.
According to a further embodiment, a polymer nanoparticle including a poly(alkynylbenzene) core, a copolymer outer layer and at least one functional group attached thereto is also provided. The copolymer outer layer includes at least an alkenylbenzene monomer unit and a conjugated diene monomer unit. The nanoparticle has a mean average diameter less than about 100 nm.
A process for forming a polymer nanoparticle with a copolymer outer layer and at least one functional group attached thereto is also provided. The process includes copolymerizing at least one alkenylbenzene monomer and at least one conjugated diene to form a random copolymer. After the polymerization is substantially completed, an additional charge of alkenylbenzene monomer is made and polymerized onto the copolymer chain ends to form a diblock copolymer. Micelles of the diblock copolymer are formed and at least one crosslinking agent is added to the polymerization mixture to form crosslinked nanoparticles. The nanoparticles have a mean average diameter less than about 100 nm. After formation, the nanoparticles are reacted with a compound including at least one functional group to form functionalized nanoparticles.
One exemplary functionalied polymer nanoparticle of the present invention is formed from diblock polymer chains having at least a poly(conjugated diene) block and a poly(alkenylbenzene) block. The poly(alkenylbenzene) blocks may be crosslinked to form the desired nanoparticles. After nanoparticle formation, the resultant nanoparticles are reacted with an organic compound to form functionalized nanoparticles. The functionalized nanoparticles preferably have at least one functional group associated with an outer layer or on an exterior of the nanoparticle. The funcationlzied nanoparticles have diameters—expressed as a mean average diameter—that are preferably less than about 100 nm, more preferably less than about 75 nm, and most preferably less than about 50 nm. The nanoparticles preferably are substantially monodisperse and uniform in shape. The dispersity is represented by the ratio of Mw to Mn, with a raio of 1 being substantially monodisperse. The polymer nanoparticles of the present invention preferably have a dispersity less than about 1.3, more preferably less than about 1.2, and most preferably less than about 1.1. Moreover, the nanoparticles are preferably spherical, though shape defects are acceptable, provided the nanoparticles generally retain their discrete nature with little or no polymerization between particles.
The nanoparticles are preferably formed via dispersion polymerization, although emulsion polymerization is also contemplated. Hydrocarbons are preferably used as the dispersion solvent. Suitable solvents include aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, decane, and the like, as well as alicyclic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane, methyl cyclopentane, cyclooctane, cyclopentane, cycloheptane, cyclononane, cyclodecane and the like. These hydrocarbons may be used individually or in combination. However, as more fully described herein below, selection of a solvent in which one polymer forming the nanoparticles is more soluble than another polymer forming the nanoparticles is important in micelle formation.
With respect to the monomers and solvents identified herein, nanoparticles are formed by maintaining a temperature that is favorable to polymerization of the selected monomers in the selected solvent(s). Preferred temperatures are in the range of about −40 to 250� C., with a temperature in the range of about 0 to 150� C. being particularly preferred. As described in more detail below, the interaction of monomer selection, temperature, and solvent facilitates the formation of block polymers which form micelles and ultimately the desired nanoparticles.
According to one embodiment of the invention, a diblock polymer is formed of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomers and conjugated diene monomers in the hydrocarbon solvent. The diblock polymer contains at least a first end block that is soluble in the dispersion solvent, preferably a conjugated diene monomer, and at least a second end block which is less soluble in the dispersion solvent, preferably a vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon monomer. Moreover, in one preferred embodiment, a vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon monomer is chosen, the polymer of which is generally insoluble in the dispersion solvent.
As is known in the art, such a diblock copolymer may be formed by living anionic polymerization, in which a vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon monomer is added to a completely polymerized conjugated diene monomer. Another method of forming substantially diblock polymers is the living anionic copolymerization of a mixture of monomers, such as a conjugated diene monomer and a vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent, particularly, in the absence of certain polar additives, such as ethers, tertiary amines, or metal alkoxides which could otherwise effect the polymerization of the separately constituted polymer blocks. Under these conditions, the conjugated diene generally polymerizes first, followed by the polymerization of the vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon. Of course, certain advantages, as described below may be achieved via a random polymerization of at least one block of the polymer.
Nonetheless, it is generally preferred that a vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon polymerize last, positioning the living end of the polymerizing polymer on a vinyl aromatic block to facilitate later cross-linking.
Such copolymers, formed by either method, are believed to aggregate to form micelle-like structures with, for example, vinyl-substituted aromatic blocks directed toward the centers of the micelles and conjugated diene blocks as tails extending therefrom. It is noted that a further hydrocarbon solvent charge or a decrease in polymerization mixture temperature may also be used, and may in fact be required, to obtain formation of the micelles. Moreover, these steps may be used to take advantage of the general insolubility of the vinyl-aromatic blocks. An exemplary temperature range for micelle formation is between about 40 and 100� C., more preferably between about 50 and 80� C.
After the micelles have formed, additional conjugated diene monomer and/or vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon monomer can be added to the polymerization mixture as desired.
After formation of the micelles, a cross-linking agent is added to the polymerization mixture. Preferably, a crosslinking agent is selected which has an affinity to the vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon monomer blocks and migrates to the center of the micelles due to its compatibility with the monomer units and initiator residues present in the center of the micelle and its relative incompatibility with the dispersion solvent and monomer units present in the outer layer of the micelle. The crosslinking agent crosslinks the center core of the micelle (i.e. alkenylbenzene) to form the desired nanoparticle. Consequently, nanoparticles are formed from the micelles with a core including, for example, styrene monomer units and a outer layer including, for example, butadiene monomer units.
The conjugated diene monomers contemplated for the block polymer are those soluble in non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvents. C4-C8 conjugated diene monomers are the most preferred. Exemplary conjugated diene monomers include 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, 1,3-pentadiene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 1,3-hexodiene, 2-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, 3,4-dimethyl-1,3-hexodiene, 4,5-diethyl-1,3-octadiene, phenyl-1,3-butadiene, and mixtures thereof. An especially preferred conjugated diene is 1,3-butadiene.
Vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon monomers include styrene, α-methylstyrene, 1-vinyl naphthalene, 2-vinyl naphthalene, 1-α-methyl vinyl naphthalene, 2-α-methyl vinyl naphthalene, vinyl toluene, methoxystyrene, t-butoxystyrene, and the like, as well as alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, and aralkyl derivatives thereof, in which the total number of carbon atoms in the combined hydrocarbon is not greater than 18, as well as any di- or tri-vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof.
The diblock polymer, preferably has Mw of about 5,000 to 200,000, more preferanbly between about 10,000 and 100,000. A typical diblock polymer will be comprised of 5 to 95% by weight conjugated diene and 5 to 95% by weight vinyl-substited aromatic hydrocarbon, more preferably 20 to 80% by weight, and most preferably 50 to 60% by weight of each contributed monomer type.
The micelle formed by the polymerization of vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons and conjugated diene monomers is preferably crosslinked to enhance the uniformity and permanence of shape and size of the resultant nanoparticle. Preferred crosslinking agents are di- or tri-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons. However, crosslinking agents which are at least bifunctional, wherein the two functional groups are capable of reacting with vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon monomers are acceptable. A preferred crosslinking agent is divinylbenzene (DVB).
A 1,2-microstructure controlling agent or randomizing modifier is optionally used to control the 1,2-microstructure in the conjugated diene contributed monomer units, such as 1,3-butadiene, of the nanoparticle. Suitable modifiers include hexamethylphosphoric acid triamide, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylene diamine, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, triethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-diazabicyclo [2.2.2] octane, diethyl ether, triethylamine, tri-n-butylamine, tri-n-butylphosphine, p-dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxy ethane, dimethyl ether, methyl ethyl ether, ethyl propyl ether, di-n-propyl ether, di-n-octyl ether, anisole, dibenzyl ether, diphenyl ether, dimethylethylamine, bis-oxalanyl propane, tri-n-propyl amine, trimethyl amine, triethyl amine, N,N-dimethyl aniline, N-ethylpiperidine, N-methyl-N-ethyl aniline, N-methylmorpholine, tetramethylenediamine, oligomeric oxolanyl propanes (OOPs), 2,2-bis-(4-methyl dioxane), and bistetrahydrofuryl propane. A mixture of one or more randomizing modifiers also can be used. The ratio of the modifier to the monomers can vary from a minimum as low as 0 to a maximum as great as about 4000 millimoles, preferably about 0.01 to 3000 millimoles, of modifier per hundred grams of monomer currently being charged into the reactor. As the modifier charge increases, the percentage of 1,2-microstructure (vinyl content) increases in the conjugated diene contributed monomer units in the outer layer of the polymer nanoparticle. The 1,2-microstructure content of the conjugated diene units is preferably between about 5 and 95%, more preferably between about 1 and 99%.
Without being bound by theory, it is believed that an exemplary micelle will be comprised of ten to five hundred diblock polymers yielding, after crosslinking, a nanoparticle having a Mw of between about 5,000 and 10,000,000, preferably between about 5,000 and 4,500,000.
After micelle formation, or alternatively after crosslinking, the polydiene blocks may be functionalized to forma an outer layer funcationalized polymer nanoparticle. The functional group is preferably selected from the group consisting of maleimide, hydroxyl, carboxy, formyl, azocarboxy, epoxide, amino, and mixtures thereof.
Without being bound by theory, it is believed that a funcational group is added to the nanoparticle by reacting a compound including the desired functional group with the polydiene blocks of the nanoparticles.
The reaction is preferably carried out in a hydrocarbon solvent in an inert atmosphere at a temperature between about 100 and 250� C. Suitable solvents includes aliphatic hydrocarbvons, such as pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, decane, and the like, as well as alicyclic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane, methyl cyclopentane, cyclooctane, cycloheptane, cyclononane, cyclodecane, and the like. These hydrocarbons may be used individually or in combination. Of course, other known methods for conducitng such reactions are contemplated.
The functional group reacts with double bonds present in the outer layer of the nanoparticles. Preferably the reaction will reach greater than 1%, more preferably greater than 10% completion.
In an alternative embodiment, an outer layer of the funcationalized polymer nanoparticle is a copolymer including at least one alkenylbenzene monomer unit and at least one conjugated diene monomer unit. The copolymer may be random or ordered. Accordingly, the outer layer may include an SBR rubber. Herein throughout, references to a poly (conjugated diene) outer layer are understood to include copolymers of the type described here.
Similarly, the density of the nanoparticle may be controlled by including diblock and monoblock polymer chains in the micelles. One method for forming such polymer chains includes forming a first polymer of conjugated diene monomers in the hydrocarbon solvent. After formation of the first polymer, a second monomer is added to the polymerization, along with additional initiator. The second monomer polymerizes onto the first polymer to form a diblock polymer as well as forming a separate second polymer which is a mono-block polymer. The diblock polymer contains at least a first end block that is soluble in the dispersion solvent, preferably a conjugated diene monomer, and a second end block which is less soluble in the dispersion solvent, preferably a vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon monomer. In a preferred embodiment, a vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon is chosen which as a polymer is generally insoluble in the dispersion solvent.
The multi-block polymer preferably has Mw of about 5,000 to 10,000,000 more preferably between about 10,000 and 200,000. A typical diblock polymer will be comprised of 5 to 95% by weight conjugated diene and 5 to 95% by weight vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon, more preferably 20 to 80% by weight, and most preferably 30 to 70% by weight of each contributed monomer type. Each block preferably has Mw between about 1,000 and 10,000,000, more preferably between about 2,000 and 5,000,000.
The density of the poly (conjugated diene) outer layer of the nanoparticles may be controlled by manipulating the ratio of diblock to mono-block polymer chains. This ratio may be manipulated by altering the amount of initiator added during each step of the polymerization process. For example, a greater amount of initiator added during the polymerization of the conjugated diene monomer than added during the polymerization of the alkenylbenzene monomer would favor diblock formation over mono-block formation resulting in a high density outer layer. Conversely, a greater amount of initiator added during the polymerization of the alkenylbenzene monomer than added during the polymerization of the conjugated diene monomer would favor mono-block formation over diblock formation, resulting in a low density outer layer. The ratio of mono-blocks to diblocks can be from 1 to 99, preferably 10 to 90, more preferably 20 to 80.
After micelle formation, or alternatively, after crosslinking, the polydiene blocks may be hydrogenated to form a modified outer layer. A hydrogenation step may also be carried out after functionalization of the nanoparticles. A hydrogenation step may be carried out by methods known in the art for hydrogenating polymers, particularly polydienes. A preferred hydrogenation method includes placing the crosslinked nanoparticles in a hydrogenation reactor in the presence of a catalyst. After the catalyst has been added to the reactor, hydrogen gas (H2) is charged to the reactor to begin the hydrogenation reaction. The pressure is adjusted to a desired range, preferably between about 10 and 3000 kPa, more preferably between about 50 and 2600 kPa. H2 may be charged continuously or in individual charges until the desired conversion is achieved. Preferably, the hydrogenation reaction will reach at least about 20% conversion, more preferably greater than about 85% conversion. The conversion reaction may be monitored by 1H NMR.
Preferred catalysts include known hydrogenation catalysts such as Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ni, and mixtures thereof. The catalysts may be finely dispersed solids or absorbed on inert supports such as carbon, silica, or alumina. Especially preferred catalysts are prepared from nickel octanoate, nickel ethylhexanoate, and mixtures thereof.
The outer layer formed by an optional hydrogenation step will vary depending on the identity of the monomer units utilized in the formation of the nanoparticle outer layer, particularly the poly (conjugated diene) blocks. For example, if the poly(conjugated diene) block contains 1,3-butadiene monomer units, the resultant nanoparticle layer after hydrogenation will be a crystalline poly(ethylene) layer. In another embodiment, a layer may include both ethylene and propylene units after hydrogenation if the non-hydrogenated poly (conjugated diene) block contains isoprene monomer units. It should be noted that the non-hydrogenated poly (conjugated diene) block may contain a mixture of conjugated diene monomer units, or even alkenylbenzene units, resulting in a mixture of monomer units after hydrogenation.
The present inventive process is preferably initiated via addition of anionic initiators that are known in the art as useful in the copolymerization of diene monomers and vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons. Exemplary organo-lithium catalysts include lithium compounds having the formula R(Li)x, wherein R represents a C1-C20 hydrocarbyl radical, preferably a C2-C8 hydrocarbyl radical, and x is an integer from 1 to 4. Typical R groups include aliphatic radicals and cycloaliphatic radicals. Specific examples of R groups include primary, secondary, and tertiary groups, such as n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, etc.
Specific examples of exemplary initiators include ethyllithium, propyllithium, n-butyllithium, sec-butyllithium, tert-butyllithium, and the like; aryllithiums, such as phenyllithium, tolyllithium, and the like; alkenyllithiums such as vinyllithium, propenyllithium, and the like; alkylene lithium such as tetramethylene lithium, pentamethylene lithium, and the like. Among these, n-butyllithium, sec-butyllithium, tert-butyllithium, tetramethylene lithium, and mixtures thereof are preferred. Other suitable lithium inititators include one or more of: p-tolyllithium, 4-phenylbutyl lithium, 4-butylcyclohexyl lithium, 4-cyclohexylbutyl lithium, lithium dialkyl amines, lithium dialkyl phosphines, lithium alkyl aryl phosphine, and lithium diaryl phosphines.
Anionic initiators generally are useful in amounts ranging from about 0.01 to 60 millimoles per hundred grams of monomer charge.
A variety of applications are contemplated for use in conjunction with the nanoparticles of the present invention. Furthermore, the several mechanisms described herein for modifying the nanoparticles render them suitable for different applications. All forms of the present inventive nanoparticles are, of course, contemplated for use in each of the exemplary applications and all other applications envisioned by the skilled artisan.
After the functionalized polymer nanoparticles have been formed, they may be blended with a rubber to improve the physical characteristics of the rubber composition. Functionalized nanoparticles are useful modifying agents for rubbers because they are discrete particles which are capable of dispersing uniformly throughout the rubber composition, resulting in uniformity of physical characteristics. Furthermore, certain of the present functionalized nanoparticles are advantageous because the outer layer of poly(conjugated diene), especially vinyl-modified poly(conjugated diene), is capable of bonding with the rubber matrix due to the accessibility of the double bonds in the poly(conjugated diene).
The present polymer nanoparticles are suitable for modifying a variety of rubbers including, but not limited to, random styrene/butadiene copolymers, butadiene rubber, poly(isoprene), nitrile rubber, polyurethane, butyl rubber, EPDM, and the like. Advantageously, the inclusion of the present nanoparticles have demonstrated rubbers having improved tensile and tear strength of at least about 30% over a rubber modified with non-spherical copolymers.
Furthermore, nanoparticles with hydrogenated outer layers may demonstrate improved compatibility with specific rubbers. For example, nanoparticles including a hydrogenated polyisoprene outer layer may demonstrate superior bonding with and improved dispersion in an EPDM rubber matrix due to the compatibility of hydrogenated isoprene with EPDM rubber.
Additionally, nanoparticles with copolymer surfaces may demonstrate improved compatibility with rubbers. The copolymer tails with the outer layer of the nanoparticles may form a brush-like surface. The host composition is then able to diffuse between the tails allowing improved interaction between the host and the nanoparticles.
Functionalized nanoparticles produced in accordance with the present invention may be advantageously utilized in the formation of metal nanocomposites which can be advantageously added to rubber compositions. The formation of metal nanocomposites is preferably carried out by exposing functionalized nanoparticles to metals, preferably metals in solution. The metal is then capable of complexing with functional groups located throughout an outer layer of the funcationalized nanoparticle. The poly(conjugated diene) and/or polyalkylene layer may restrict the growth of the metal nanocomposites, thus providing size control of the metal nanocomposites. Metals contemplated for use in the present invention include those known in the art as useful in the form of nanocomposites, including but not limited to Cu, Ti, Fe, Cd, Ni, Pd, and mixtures thereof. The formation of the metal nanocomposites is preferably carried out at temperature of between about 0 and 100� C., more preferably between about 0 and 5� C. Preferred solvents useful in the formation include toluene, THF, water, alcohol, and mixtures thereof.
Hydrogenated functionalized nanoparticles prepared in accordance with the present invention may also find application in hard disk technology.
Disk drive assemblies for computers traditionally include a magnetic storage disk coaxially mounted about a spindle apparatus that rotates at speeds in excess of several thousand revolutions per minute (RPM). The disk drive assemblies also include a magnetic head that writes and reads information to and from the magnetic storage disk while the magnetic disk is rotating. The magnetic head is usually disposed at the end of an actuator arm and is positioned in a space above the magnetic disk. The actuator arm can move relative to the magnetic disk. The disk drive assembly is mounted on a disk base (support) plate and sealed with a cover plate to form a housing that protects the disk drive assembly from the environmental contaminant outside of the housing.
Serious damage to the magnetic disks, including loss of valuable information, can result by introducing gaseous and particulate contaminates into the disk drive assembly housing. To substantially prevent or reduce the introduction of gaseous and particulate contaminants into the disk drive housing, a flexible sealing gasket is disposed between the disk drive mounting base (support) plate and the disk drive assembly housing or cover plate. A sealing gasket is usually prepared by punching out a ring-shaped gasket from a sheet of cured elastomer. The elastomeric gasket obtained is usually attached to the base plate of the disk drive assembly mechanically, such as affixing the gasket with screws, or adhesives. The hydrogenated nanoparticles, when compounded with a polyalkylene and a rubber, demonstrate a tensile strength comparable to that necessary in hard disk drive compositions.
Funcationalized nanoparticles prepared in accordance with the present invention, whether hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated may also be blended with a variety of thermoplastic elastomers, such as SEPS, SEBS, EEBS, EEPE, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene. For example, nanoparticles with hydrogenated isoprene outer layers may be blended with a SEPS thermoplastic to improve tensile strength and thermostability. These blends of thermoplastic elastomer and maleated nanoparticles would typically be extended as known in the art. For example, suitable extenders include extender oils and low molecular weight compounds or components. Suitable extender oils include those well known in the art such as naphthenic, aromatic and paraffinic petroleum oils and silicone oils.
Examples of low molecular weight organic compounds or components useful as extenders in compositions of the present invention are low molecular weight organic materials having a number-average molecular weight of less than 20,000, preferable less than 10,000, and most preferably limitation to the material which may be employed, the following is a list of examples of appropriate materials:
(1) Softening agents, namely aromatic naphthenic and parraffinic softening agents for rubbers or resins;
(2) Plasticizers, namely plasticizers composed of esters including phthalic, mixed pthalic, aliphatic dibasic acid, glycol, fatty acid, phosphoric and stearic esters, epoxy plasticizers, other plasticizers for plastics, and phthalatc, adipatc, scbacatc, phosphatc, polycthcr and polyester plasticizers for NBR;
(3) Tackifiers, namely coumarone resins, coumaroneindene resins, terpene phenol resins, petroleum hydrocarbons and rosin derivative;
(4) Oligomers, namely crown ether, fluorine-containing oligomers, polybutenes, xylene resins, chlorinated rubber, polyethylene wax, petroleum resins, rosin ester rubber, polyalkylene glycol diacrylate, liquid rubber (polybutadiene, styrene/butadiene rubber, butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber, polychloroprene, etc.), silicone oligomers, and poly-a-olcfins;
(5) Lubricants, namely hydrocarbon lubricants such as paraffin and wax, fatty acid lubricants such as higher fatty acid and hydroxy-fatty acid, fatty acid amide lubricants such as fatty acid amide and alkylene-bisfatty acid amide, ester lubricants such as fatty acid-lower alcohol ester, fatty acid-polyhydric alcohol ester and fatty acid-polyglycol ester, alcoholic lubricants such as fatty alcohol, polyhydric alcohol, polyglycol and polyglycerol, metallic soaps, and mixed lubricants; and,
(6) Petroleum hydrocarbons, namely synthetic terpene resins, aromatic hydrocarbon resins, aliphatic hydrocarbon resins, aliphatic or alicyclic petroleum resins, polymers of unsaturated hydrocarbons, and hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins.
Other appropriate low-molecular weight organic materials include latexes, emulsions, liquid crystals, bituminous compositions, and phosphazenes. One or more of these materials may be used in as extenders.
One application for functionalized nanoparticle containing rubber compounds is in tire rubber formulations.
Vulcanizable elastomeric compositions of the invention may be prepared by mixing a rubber, a functionalized nanoparticle composition, with a reinforcing filler comprising silica, or a carbon black, or a mixture of the two, a processing aid and/or a coupling agent, a cure agent, and an effective amount of sulfur to achieve a satisfactory cure of the composition.
Preferred rubbers are conjugated diene polymers, copolymers, or terpolymers of conjugated diene monomers and monovinyl aromatic monomers, can be utilized as 100 parts of the rubber in the tread stock compound, or they can be blended with any conventionally employed treadstock rubber which includes natural rubber, synthetic rubber and blends thereof. Such rubbers are well known to those skilled in the art and include synthetic polyisoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), styrene-isoprene rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, butadiene-isoprene rubber, polybutadiene, butyl rubber, neoprene, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), silicone rubber, the fluoroelastomers, ethylene acrylic rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene terpolymer (EPDM), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, epichrolohydrin rubber, chlorinated polyethylene-propylene rubbers, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, terafluoroethylene-propylene rubber and mixtures thereof.
Examples of reinforcing silica fillers which can be used in the vulcanizable elastomeric composition include wet silica (hydrated silicic acid), dry silica (anhydrous silicic acid), calcium silicate, and the like. Other suitable fillers include aluminum silicate, magnesium silicate, and the like. Among these, precipitated amorphous wet-process, hydrated silicas are preferred. Silica can be employed in the amount of about one to about 100 parts per hundred parts of the elastomer, preferably in an amount of about 5 to 80 phr and , more preferably, in an amount of about 30 to about 80 phrs. The useful upper range is limited by the high viscosity imparted by fillers of this type. Some of the commercially available silica which can be used include, but are not limited to, HiSil� 190, HiSil� 210, HiSil� 215, HiSil�233, HiSil� 243, and the like, produced by PPG Industries (Pittsburgh, Pa.). A number of useful commercial grades of different silicas are also available from DeGussa Corporation (e.g., VN2, VN3), Rhone Poulenc (e.g., Zeosil� 1165MP), and J.M. Huber Corporation.
Including surface functionalized nanoparticles in silica containing rubber compositions has been shown to decrease the shrinkage rates of such silica containing rubber compositions. Maleated nanoparticles may be compounded in silica compositions in concentrations up to about 30 wt % of the total composition, more preferably up to about 40 wt %, most preferably up to about 50 wt %.
The rubber can be compounded with all forms of carbon black, optionally additionally with silica. The carbon black can be present in amounts ranging from about one to about 100 phr. The carbon blacks can include any of the commonly available, commercially-produced carbon blacks, but hose have a surface are of at least 20 m2/g and, or preferable, at least 35 m2/g up to 200 m2/g or higher are preferred. Among useful carbon blacks are furnace black, channel blacks, and lamp blacks. A mixture of two or more of the above blacks can be used in preparing the carbon black products of the invention. Typical suitable carbon black are N-110, N-220, N-339, N-330, N-352, N-550, N-660, as designated by ASTM D-1765-82a.
Certain additional fillers can be utilized including mineral fillers, such as clay, talc, aluminum hydrate, aluminum hydroxide and mica. The foregoing additional fillers are optional and can be utilized in the amount of about 0.5 phr to about 40 phr.
Numerous coupling agents and compatibilizing agents are known for use in combining silica and rubber. Among the silica-based coupling and compatibilizing agents include silane coupuling agents containing polysulfide components, or structures such as, for example, trialkoxyorganosilane polysulfides, containing from about 2 to about 8 sulfur atoms in a polysulfide bridge such as, for example, bis-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide (Si69), bis-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) disulfide (Si75), and those alkyl alkoxysilanes of the such as octyltriethoxy silane, hexyltrimethoxy silane.
It is readily understood by those having skill in the art that the rubber composition would be compounded by methods generally known in the rubber compounding art, such as mixing the various vulcanizable polymer(s) with various commonly used additive materials such as, for example, curing agents, activators, retarders and accelerators, processing additives, such as oils, resins, including tackifying resins, plasticizers, pigments, additional fillers, fatty acid, zinc oxide, waxes, antioxidants, anti-ozonants, and peptizing agents. As known to those skilled in the art, depending on the intended use of the sulfur vulcanizable and sulfur vulcanized material (rubbers), the additives mentioned above are selected and commonly used in the conventional amounts.
Specifically, the above-described functionalized nanoparticle containing rubber compounds are contemplated for use in rubber compounds used to make tire treads and side walls due to the enhanced reinforcement capabilities of the present nanoparticles. The higher dynamic modulus (G′) and its lower temperature dependence along with the lower hysteresis values ag high temperature leads to the improved cornering, handling, dry, snow, and wet traction, rolling resistance, dispersion, and aging properties of the resultant tire compositions. Improved aging properties, thermal aging (high temperature) or mechanical aging (static or dynamic deformation cycles), include retention of the G′ modulus, hysteresis, mechanical strengths, etc. Tin-functionalized nanoparticles are especially suited for use in tire compositions. Nanoparticles including a copolymer outer layer are also suitable for use in such tire compositions, because the longer copolymer chains in the outer layer leads to greater diffusion of the host rubber composition into the outer layer of the nanoparticle.
Similarly, the functionalized nanoparticles can be added into typical plastic materials, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, nylon, polyimides, etc. to for example, enhance impact strength, tensile strength and damping properties.
Of course, the present inventive functionalized nanoparticles are also suited to other presently existing applications for nanoparticles, including the medical field, e.g. drug delivery and blood applications, information technology, e.g. quantum computers and dots, aeronautical and space research, energy, e.g., oil refining, and lubricants.
Another application for such rubbers is in situations requiring superior damping properties, such as engine mounts and hoses (e.g. air conditioning hoses). Rubber compounds of high mechanical strength, super damping properties, strong resistance to creep are demanded in engine mount manufacturers. In engine mount, a rubber, because it sits most of its life in a packed and hot position require rubbers of very good characteristics. Utilizing the functionalized nanoparticles within selected rubber formulations can improve the characteristics of the rubber compounds.
The following examples are provided to help illustrate the present invention. The examples are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
All of the polymers were prepared by anionic polymerization in hexane through three stages. In the first stage, butadiene (BD) and styrene (ST) were charged into the reactor which the polymerization was initiated with butyl lithium (BuLi) and the microstructure was controlled by adding oligomeric oxolanyl propane polar randomizer (OOPS). The polymer molecular weight (MW) was controlled by adjusting the ratio of the monomers and the level of imitator used. After nearly all of the monomers were consumed in the first stage, additional styrene was charged for polymerization for certain period of time to form the micelle PS core in the second stage. The 50 mL of the divinyl benzene (DVB) was charged into the reactor in the third stage to crosslink the micelle PS domain. The stoichimetry of the initiator, modifier, monomers, and DVB used to prepare these micelle polymers are detailed in Table 1. The polymerization temperature was maintained at 57� C. in all of the stages. All of these polymers were isolated by the addition of a mixture of acetone and isopropanol in a volume ratio of 95% to 5%. Tet-butyl-2 hydroxy toluene (BHT) was then added into the polymer as an antioxidant.
Stiochimetry of the initiator, modifier, monomers,
and DVB employed for polymerization Process.
Polymerization Stage
1st Stage
2nd Stage
22 wt %
33 wt %
butadiene in
styrene in
3rd Stage
Example 1
5.0 mL
2.5 mL
1.02 kg
0.68 kg
50 mL
Sixty grams of maleic anhydride in 300 ml of DTDP oil under the continuous purge of nitrogen gas were heated to 170� C. 500 mL of the hexane solution that contained 10% of the product from Example 1, PBD-PS, was slowly added into the maleic anhydride solution in two hours. After the completion of the addition of PBD-PS, it was heated to 180� C. for 30 minutes before dropping into toluene solvent and isolated with isopropanol. 2.8 wt % of maleic anhydride was found covalently bonded to the PBD layer of the M-PBD-PS nanoparticles, as confirmed by 13C NMR analysis. The maleated nanoparticles are not soluble in hexane.
The characterization of these polymers include Mw, molecular weight distribution (MWD), polymer microstructure, and Tg are displayed in Table 2.
Characterization data of nanoparticles from Examples 1 and 2
SBR-Duradiene 715
Example 1
Example 2
Mw of the polymer
Mw of single PS in
micelle core
Cis BR %
Trans BR %
Three stocks of rubber compounds were prepared using the formulation and mixing conditions shown in Tables 3 and 4. Seventy phr of SBR Duradiene 715 and thirty parts of polybutadiene were used to prepare example 3, the control. An addition 10 phr of PBD-PS or M-PBD-PS was added to example 3 to form examples 4 and 5. The composition of the polymers used for each of the examples is listed in Table 5. The final stock was sheeted and then was subsequently molded at 171� C. for 15 minutes.
Formulation used to prepare rubber compounds of Examples 3-5
Concentration (phr)
SBR (Duradiene 715)
Silica (HiSil 190)
Disulfide silane
Antioxidant [N-(1,3-dimethlybutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-
Aromatic Process Oil
Steric acid
Accelerator [N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiasole-
Diphenyl guanidine
Zinc oxide
The mixing conditions used to prepare
the rubber compounds of Examples 3-5
310 g Brabender
Agitation Speed
60 rpm
Master Batch Stage
Initial Temperature
0 seconds
Charging polymers and nanoparticles
(where included)
30 seconds
Charging silica and all pigments
5 minutes
Drop Temperature
Remill 1 Batch Stage
Initial Temperature
0 seconds
Charging remilled stock and silane
Drop Temperature
Final Batch Stage
Initial Temperature
0 seconds
Charging remilled stock
30 seconds
Charging curing agent and accelerators
Drop Temperature
SBR, BR, PBD-PS and M-PBD-PS used to prepare examples 3-5
PBD-PS phr
M-PBD-PS phr
3 (control)
The processing of the rubber compound was evaluated by examining the compound Mooney and scorch data along with the curing characteristic data. The Mooney viscosity and the curing characteristics of the uncured stocks are shown in Table 6. Mooney viscosity measurements were conducted at 130� C. using a large rotor. The Mooney viscosity data was recorded as the torque when rotor has rotated for 4 minutes. The sample was preheated at 130� C. for 1 minute before the rotor starts. T5 is the time required to increase 5 Mooney units during the Mooney-scorch measurement. It is used as an index to predict how fast the compound viscosity will rise during processing such as extrusion processing. TS2 and T90 are the time when torque rises to 2% and 90% of the total increase during curing characterization experiment at 171�C. They are used to predict the speed of the viscosity build-up (TS2) and the curing rate during the curing process.
Mooney scorch and curing characteristics
T5 scorch @
3 (control)
The Scorch T5, TS2, and curing characteristics of examples 4-5 were found to be comparable to the control (example 3). With the exception of the higher compound Mooney found for example 3, it is apparent that addition of ABR-PS polymer in rubber compounds will not affect the processing. The higher Mooney in silica compound can be adjusted by use of processing aids or shielding agents. Therefore, it is not expected to encounter apparent processing problems with these stocks containing nanoparticles.
Tensile mechanical properties:
The tensile mechanical properties of Examples 3-5 are listed in Table 7. The tensile mechanical properties were measured using the standard procedure described in ASTM-D 412 at 25� C. The tensile test specimens are round rings with a dimension of 0.05 inches in width and 0.075 inches in thickness. A specific gauge length of 2.54 cm is used for the tensile test.
Tensile mechanical properties at 25� C.
Strength, Tb
Elongation at
break, Eb, %
3 (control)
Improvements in the tensile mechanical properties, including elongation at break (10%) and tensile toughness (15%), by addition of nanoparticles are evident. However, at an elevated temperature of 100� C., the improved mechanical properties found in PBD-PS examples at room temperature are not reproducible (as seen in Table 8, below). By replacing the PBD-PS nanoparticles with M-PBD-PS, better mechanical properties were obtained, as shown in Table 8.
Tensile mechanical properties at 100� C.
Strength, Tb
Elongation at
break, Eb, %
3 (control)
The superior elevated temperature mechanical properties were also confirmed by the tensile mechanical properties obtained from dumbbell shape samples (Table 9).
Tensile mechanical properties at 100� C. obtained
from tensile test on dumbbell-shaped samples
Strength, Tb
Elongation at
break, Eb, %
3 (control)
The dynamic viscoelastic storage modulus (G′) of the cured stocks in shown in
Improvements of G′ at over a range of measured temperatures and applied strain levels of examples with M-PBD-PS over the PBD-PS and control examples are seen in
The wear resistance of the test samples was evaluated by weighing the amount of wear using the Lambourn test. The wearing index was obtained from the ratio of the weighty loss of the control to that of the tested sample. Samples with higher wear indices have better wear resistance properties. Samples used for Lambourn test are circular donuts with the following approximate dimensions: 0.9 and 1.9 inches in inside and outside diameter, and 0.195 inches in thickness. Test specimens are placed on an axle and run at a slip ratio of 65% against a driven abrasive surface.
The degraded abrasion resistance found in the PBD-PS added example can be improved by to the control level by replacing it with the M-PBD-PS. This can clearly be seen in the abrasion resistance data shown in Table 10.
Abrasion Resistance Data
Abrasion resistance index
3 (control)
A 7.5 L polymerization reactor was used for the preparation. The reactor was first charged with 517 g of hexane, followed by 1.0 kg butadiene/hexane blend (22.0 wt % of butadiene). The reactor was then heated to 57� C. After the temperature stabilized, the reactor was first charged with 2.5 mL of 1.6 M OOPS. The polymerization was initiated with 5.0 mL of a 1.68 M solution of butyl lithium in hexane. The batch temperature was maintained at 57� C. for the duration of the polymerization. After 2 hours (when the reaction was finished), the reactor was charged with 680 g of styrene/hexane blend (33 wt % of styrene). After additional two-hour reaction, the reactor was charged with 1.8 kg of Hexane. After another additional 20 minutes, the reactor was charged with 50 mL of divinyl benzene. The temperature was maintained at 57� C. for two-hours, and a small amount of the product was taken for GPC analysis. The GPC analysis of the product showed that the micelle polymer had a number average molecular weight of 1,027,000. The polydispersity of the molecular weight was 1.11. The conversion of the reaction is about 100%. The NMR analysis showed that the product contains 50% of butadiene and 50% of styrene. The polybutadiene contains 22% cis, 18% trans and 60% vinyl structures. The product was dropped into isopropanol, precipated, and drum dried. TEM analysis (
A 2000 mL three-neck round-bottom flask was used for the preparation. The middle neck was connected with a mechanical string motor. The left neck was used to charge various materials. The right neck was open for N2 purging and thermometer placing. To the flask, 300 mL of DTDP oil (C. P. Hall) and 60 g of maleic anhydride (Aldrich) were charged. The flask was placed into a silicon oil bath and heated to 170� C. After temperature was stabilized, 500 mL of the hexane solution containing 10% of the product from Example 6 was added in droplet fashion into the flask. The charging speed was very slow and the process took about 2 hrs. After charging, the flask was maintained at 180� C. for half hour. The product was dropped into toluene and precipitated via addition of isopropenol. The product was washed five times with isopropenol. TEM analysis (
Three 40 mL bottles were charged according to the following descriptions. Those bottles were then identified as bottle A, B, and C, respectively. The material inside those bottles was named accordingly as material A, B, and C.
A) 0.5 g of the products from example 7 was added into 15 g THF solvent. After vigorous stirring for half hour, the maleated particles were dissolved. The solution was completely transparent.
B) 0.5 g of the products from example 7 was added into 15 g toluene solvent. After vigorous stirring for half hour, the maleated particles were dissolved. The solution was completely transparent.
C) 0.5 g of CuAc2 was added into a 15 g of THF solvent. After vigorous stirring for half hour, the CuAc2 was dissolved. The solution was transparent to light.
The bottle B was then charged with 1.5 mL of solution from bottle C. The resulting solution was placed in a vacuum oven at 50� C. Further drying of the product under vacuum yielded a polymer micelle-Cu complex film. The film is dark blue, but transparent to light. In addition, the resulting film is insoluble in toluene, indicating that a new polymer complex was formed.
A bottle was charged with 1.5 mL of solution from bottle C. The resulting solution was dark blue color. H2S gas was bubbled through the solution to fully convert the Cu ions to CuS. The solution was purged with N2 to remove excess H2S. The resulting solution was dark colored, with no evidence of macroscopic precipitation of CuS from the solution. This indicated the CuS particles formed are nano-scaled. The resulting solution was placed in a vacuum oven at 50� C. Further drying of the product under vacuum yielded a polymer micelle-CuS nanocomposite film. The materials was black, but transparent to light.
A 2000 mL three-neck round-bottom flask was used for the preparation. The middle neck was connected with a mechanical string motor. The left neck was used to charge various materials. The right neck was opened to N2 purging and the thermometer placing. 200 mL of DTDP oil (from C. P. Hall) and 70 g of diisoproppyl azocarboxylate (from Aldrich) were charged to the flask. The flask was placed into a silicon oil bath and heated to 90� C. After the temperature stabilized, 660 g of the toluene solution containing 10% of the product from Example 6 was added in droplet fashion into the flask. The charging speed was slow, over about 2 hrs. After charging, the flask was heated to 100� C. and held at that temperature for two hours. The flask was then heated to 110� C. and held at that temperature for another two hours. Finally, the flask was heated to between 120� C. and 125� C. and held at that temperature for three hours.
The product was dropped into hexane, and a light-yellow product precipitated from the hexane solution. The product was washed five times with hexane. GPC analysis of the product, using polystyrene/THF as the standard, showed that the polymer had a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 857,900. The polydispersity of the molecular weight was 1.09. 13C NMR analysis C═O and styrene showed that the product contained about 86.7 parts of chemically bonded diisopropyl azocarboxylate over one hundred parts (by weight) of the polymer of example 6. The product was soluble in methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, THF, chloroform, and toluene, but not soluble in hexane and cyclohexane.
Three 40 mL bottles were charged according to the following descriptions. The bottles were then named as bottle D, E, and F respectfully. The material inside those bottles was named accordingly as material D, E, and F.
D) 0.5 g of the products from example 10 was added into 15 g toluene solvent. After vigorous stirring for half hour, the azocarboxylated particles were dissolved resulting in a transparent solution.
E) 0.5 g of CuAc2 (from Aldrich) was added into a 15 g of THF solvent. After vigorous stirring for half hour, the CuAc2 was dissolved resulting in a transparent to light solution.
F) 15 g pure toluene.
Bottle D was charged with 1.5 mL of solution from bottle E. The resulting solution was dark blue color. H2S gas (Aldrich) was bubbled through the solution to fully convert the Cu ions to CuS. The solution was purged with N2 to remove excess H2S. The resulting solution is dark colored, with no macroscopic precipitation of CuS from the solution for a period of one month, indicating formation of nanoscale CuS particles complexed to the nanoparticles of Example 10. The resulting solution was placed in a vacuum oven at 50� C. Further drying of the product under vacuum yielded a polymer micelle-CuS nanocomposite film. The film was black, but transparent to light.
Bottle F was then charged with 1.5 mL of solution from bottle E. The resulting solution was dark blue color. H2S gas was then bubbled through the solution to fully convert the Cu ions to CuS. The solution was purged with N2 to remove excess H2S. The resulting solution showed macroscopic precipitation of CuS from the solution immediately during the process.
The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis was taken on the solution in bottle D after the H2S treatment. The solution was further diluted with the toluene solvent to about 10−5 wt %. A drop of the diluted solution was then coated on a graphed copper micro-grid. After the solvent was evaporized, the screen was examined by TEM. The results showed that the polymer synthesized is a particle-like material and the average particle size was about 40 nm (
A 2000 mL three-neck round-bottom flask was used for the preparation. 740 g of the toluene solution containing 10% of the product from Example 6 and 100 g of diisopropyl azocarboxylate (from Aldrich) were added to the flask together. The flask was purged with N2 for 0.5 hours. The flask was then heated to 115� C. and held at that temperature for seven hours. The product was dropped into hexane, and a light-yellow product was precipitated. The product was washed five times with hexane. GPC analysis of the product, using polystyrene/THF as the standard, showed that the polymer had a Mn of 858,200. The polydispersity of the nanoparticles was 1.10 13C NMR analysis showed the product contained about 121 parts of covalently bonded diisopropyl azocarboxylate over one hundred parts (by weight) of the polymers of Example 6. The product was soluble in methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, THF, chloroform, and toluene, but was insoluble in hexane and cyclohexane.
Three 40 mL bottles were charged according to the following description. The bottles were then named as bottle G, H, and 1, respectively. The material inside those bottles was named accordingly as material G, H, and 1.
G) 0.5 g of the products from example 14 was added to 15 g toluene solvent. After vigorous stirring for half hour, the azocarboxylated particles were dissolved, and the solution was completely transparent.
H) 0.5 g of CdAc (Aldrich) was added to 15 g of MeOH solvent. After vigorous stirring for half hour, the CdAc was dissolved resulting in a transparent and colorless solution.
I) 15 g pure toluene.
Bottle G was charged with 1.5 mL of solution from bottle H. H2S gas was bubbled through the solution to fully convert the Cd ions to CdS. The solution was purged with N2 to remove excess of H2S. The resulting solution was yellow, with no macroscopic precipitation of CdS from the solution for a period of one month, indicating formation of nano-scaled CdS particles complexed to the nanoparticles of Example H. The resulting solution was placed in a vacuum oven at 50� C. Further drying of the product under vacuum yielded to a polymer nanocomposite film. The film was yellow colored, but transparent to light.
Bottle I was charged with 1.5 mL of solution from bottle H. H2S gas was bubbled through the solution to fully convert the Cd ions to CdS. The solution was purged with N2 to remove excess H2S. The resulting solution showed macroscopic precipitation of the yellow CdS from the solution immediately during the process.
The invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the specification. The invention is intended to include such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the disclosure and claims.
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Aug 21, 2007
|Apr 5, 2011
|Mohapatra Satish C
|Hybrid nanoparticles
|Jun 13, 2007
|Jul 3, 2008
|Bridgestone Corporation
|Amphiphilic polymer micelles and use thereof
|U.S. Classification
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Mar 2, 2004
Owner name: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION,JAPAN
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:WANG, XIAORONG;BOHM, GEORG G. A.;HALL, JAMES E.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:015042/0158
Effective date: 20040114
|Oct 11, 2013
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4


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text:
From Wikivoyage
Europe > Nordic countries > Sweden > Svealand > Uppsala County > Uppsala countryside
The Uppsala countryside is the part of Uppsala municipality not part of metropolitan Uppsala itself, belonging to Uppland Plains.
North and west[edit]
- Bälinge
- Björklinge
- Storvreta
- Vattholma
- Örbyhus
- Skyttorp
- Vänge
- Gunsta
- Sunnersta
- Sävja
- Almunge
- Knutby
- Skoby
Get in[edit]
Get around[edit]
- Lennakatten is a heritage railway.
- Canoe up Fyrisån 7 km to Ulva Kvarn where you find a café and some small handicraft shops. Canoes can be rented at the Fyrishov camping.
- Linnaeus's Hammarby. Is a botanical garden, once run by Carl von Linné, founder of taxonomic biology. Today it is used as a museum for 18th century biology and farming.
- Bennebol.
- Thun's. A discount store.


text:
Massachusetts General Hospital Cardiology Grand Rounds take place on Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 9:00 am in the O'Keeffe Auditorium of the Blake Building.
Cardiology Grand RoundsDate: 04/29/2015 - 04/29/2015
This week's Grand Rounds Speaker is Albert J. Sinusas, MD, FACC, FAHA and the topic is Multimodality Imaging of Cardiac Remodeling
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