System and method of preparing a reinforced polymer by supercritical fluid treatment

• US 6,753,360 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2000
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company), Wayne State University
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company), Wayne State University
• Inventors: Mielewski, Deborah Frances, Lee, Ellen Cheng-chi, Gulari, Esin, Manke, Charles W
• Primary Examiner(s): Seidleck, James J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, THAO T
• Application Number:
  US09/748,669
• Publication Number:
  US 20020082331A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: 523/216, 524/445, 524/449, 524/451, 524/452, 524/480, 528/483, 252/378.R
• US Class Current: 523/216
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 9/02 Ingredients treated with inorganic substances
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/54 using solvents, e.g. supercritical solvents or ionic liquids

Abstract

The present invention involves a method of preparing a reinforced polymer providing improved mechanical properties. The method includes providing particles of the layered silicate and a supercritical fluid. The method further includes mixing the layered silicate with a polymer to form a treatable silicate-polymer mixture and contacting the treatable mixture with the supercritical fluid to exfoliate the silicate particles so that the particles disperse within the polymer. The method further includes depressurizing the contacted mixture to exfoliate the layered silicate so that the layers are substantially dispersed within the polymer to define a reinforced polymer.

Claims

1. A method of generating a reinforced polymer, the method comprising:

providing particles of layered silicate and a supercritical fluid;

mixing the layered silicate particles with a polymer to form a treatable silicate-polymer mixture;

contacting the treatable mixture with the supercritical fluid to exfoliate the silicate so that the silicate particles disperse within the polymer; and

depressurizing the contacted mixture to further exfoliate the silicate particles so that the particles are substantially dispersed within the polymer to define a reinforced polymer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the supercritical fluid is carbon dioxide.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein contacting the mixture includes pressurizing the mixture with the supercritical fluid to above the critical pressure of the supercritical fluid.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein contacting the mixture includes heating the mixture with the supercritical fluid to above the critical temperature of the supercritical fluid.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein contacting the mixture includes maintaining contact for between 0.5 minute and 10 hours.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the silicate particles are substantially singly dispersed upon depressurization.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the reinforced polymer includes between about 0.1 and 4.0 percent weight of the silicate particles.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein mixing includes shearing the silicate-polymer mixture.