Moisture-induced poly(ethylene oxide) gel, method of making same and articles using same
US6790519B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 14, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/249953
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for making modified poly(ethylene oxide) by graft polymerizing thereto organic monomers containing a trialkoxy silane functional group or a moiety that reacts with water to form a silanol group, such as methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane, onto the poly(ethylene oxide) is disclosed. The graft polymerization is accomplished by mixing the poly(ethylene oxide), the silane-containing monomer(s) and an initiator and applying heat. Preferably, the method is a reactive-extrusion process. After graft polymerization, the modified poly(ethylene oxide) may be exposed or subjected to relatively high moisture conditions, thereby causing crosslinking and formation of a structure that is capable of absorbing relatively large amounts of saline. The resulting modified poly(ethylene oxide) has improved properties over articles similarly processed from unmodified poly(ethylene oxide).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.