Process for preparing star shaped microgels from macromonomers with terminal ethylenic unsaturation

US6653407B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY · US
• COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION · AU
• University of Melburne · AU

Inventors

• Charles T. Berge · Wilmington, US
• Michael Fryd · Morristown, US
• Jeffrey W. Johnson · Rochester Hills, US
• Graeme Moad · Sassafras, AU
• Ezio Rizzardo · Melbourne, AU
• Christopher Scopazzi · Wilmington, US
• San Hoa Thang · Clayton, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 3, 2001
• Grant date: Nov 25, 2003
• Expiry date: Oct 3, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08F293/005
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a process for forming star shaped microgels which include a core of crosslinked polymer and multiplicity of substantially linear polymeric arms of macromonomers attached to the core. The process includes polymerizing monoethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of a chain transfer agent to form macromonomers each having a terminal polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated group and then polymerizing, in presence of the macromonomers, the monoethylenically unsaturated monomers and multi-olefinic crosslinking monomers. The microgels of the present invention can be used as rheology control agents in waterborne and solvent-borne coatings and in adhesives and cosmetics.