Solubilization of polyaniline in water by interpolymer complexation

Water solubility of electro-active polymers in their doped state may provide a possibility for environmentally feasible manufacturing processes. Because previous results in this direction require expensive modifications or impractical template polymerization methods, we created a simple method of mixing components with a large molecular weight difference. The polymer which acts as an acidic dopant and provides water solubility, has to have the higher molecular weight. The formed complex resembles a block copolymer but in this case the polyaniline block is attached to the sulfonated polystyrene chain by strong physical interactions instead of chemical end-to-end linkage.     

Reactivation of a Poisoned Metallocene Catalyst by Irradiation with Visible Light

Both oxygen and carbon dioxide are efficient catalyst poisons, remarkably reducing the ethylene polymerisation rate, increasing the molecular weight of the resulting polyethylene, and broadening its molecular weight distribution (MWD). By introducing visible light into the contaminated polymerisation system, the catalyst activity was totally recovered. The molecular weight and MWD became similar to those of a non‐poisoned system, supporting the formation of new active sites during poisoning that are responsible for the lower activity and broader MWD.     

Effect of Ground Rubber Powder on Properties of Natural Rubber

Ground rubber powder (GRP) with three different sizes was incorporated into nature rubber matrix with different loading. Cure characteristics, swelling behaviour, crosslink density, tensile fractured surface, and mechanical properties have been studied. Based on the cure characteristics, it is evident that the processability of the rubber compounds has not changed obviously with the different GRP loading. The introduction of GRP in virgin rubber leads to the increase in swelling degree and the decrease in crosslink density. Tensile strength, hardness and abrasion resistant deteriorate with the increase of GRP loading, but the tear resistance gets better. If the ground rubber particles are smaller, the properties are more similar to the virgin rubber. Because of the phase separation of the GRP and matrix, the properties get worse with the bigger ground rubber powder.