Multiphase block and graft copolymers comprising a hydrophilic continuous phase and hydrophobic domains
First Claim
1. A water swollen gel composition which consists of:
- (a) a thermoplastic block copolymer having an average molecular weight of at least 10,000, said block copolymer having the general formula XB--[AB]n --yA wherein n is an integer ≧
1, X and y are 0 or 1, and y is 1 when n is 1, A is a thermoplastic hydrophobic polymer block having a softening point of at least about 35°
C. and a molecular weight of at least about 2,000, and B is a thermoplastic hydrophilic polymer block having a molecular weight of at least 6,000 which comprises from about 30-97 wt. % of said copolymer; and
(b) about 30 to about 98 wt. % of water based on the water swollen gel.
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Abstract
This invention relates to thermoplastic, multiphase copolymers selected from the group consisting of copolymers represented by graft copolymers having the general formula ##STR1## AND BLOCK COPOLYMERS HAVING THE GENERAL FORMULA XB--[AB]n --yA wherein n is an integer ≧1, m is >1, and y are 0 or 1, and y is 1 when n is 1, A is a thermoplastic, hydrophobic polymer block having a softening point (i.e., a glass transition or crystalline melting point) of at least 35° C and a molecular weight of at least 2,000, and B is a thermoplastic, hydrophilic polymer block having a softening point of at least about 35° C and a molecular weight of at least about 6,000, which comprises from about 30-97 wt % of said copolymer. The novel polymers of this invention are useful for making water containing gels. Preferably, the thermoplastic multiphase copolymer is a styrene-ethylene oxide copolymer. The novel polymers are made by a process which allows one to prepare a copolymer which is substantially free of homopolymeric impurities. The compositions of the instant invention are melt processable by conventional thermoplastic techniques.
36 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A water swollen gel composition which consists of:
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(a) a thermoplastic block copolymer having an average molecular weight of at least 10,000, said block copolymer having the general formula XB--[AB]n --yA wherein n is an integer ≧
1, X and y are 0 or 1, and y is 1 when n is 1, A is a thermoplastic hydrophobic polymer block having a softening point of at least about 35°
C. and a molecular weight of at least about 2,000, and B is a thermoplastic hydrophilic polymer block having a molecular weight of at least 6,000 which comprises from about 30-97 wt. % of said copolymer; and(b) about 30 to about 98 wt. % of water based on the water swollen gel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification