# US 7,173,091 B2 · Polymer blend > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,173,091 B2 - Document ID: US7173091B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/479,211 - Filed: 2002-06-25 - Published: 2004-09-02 - Granted: 2007-02-06 - Earliest claimed: 2001-06-26 - Assignees: Ionphase Oy - Inventors: Jyri Nieminen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7173091B2 ## CPC - H01B 1/12: organic substances {(organic macromolecular compounds or compositions C08)} - C08L 23/08: Copolymers of ethene (C08L23/16 takes precedence) - C08L 71/02: Polyalkylene oxides - C08L 71/12: Polyphenylene oxides - C08L 23/0876: Salts thereof, i.e. ionomers - C08L 77/12: Polyester-amides - C08L 2203/20: use in electrical or conductive gadgets - C08L 2205/05: containing polymer components which can react with one another - H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K}) - C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06) ## Abstract The invention relates to a polymer blend and a process for its preparation. The polymer blend contains A) a polymer of an olefin and an unsaturated carboxylic acid, wherein the amount of acid groups is 0.5–15 molar %, and B) a polyether block polymer made up of a polyether block and a polyamide or polyester block, the acid groups in polymer A and the polyether blocks in polymer B having at least partly coordinated alkali ions, and an alkali metal being present in an amount of approx. 0.02–3 millimols/gram of the polymer blend. The blend according to the invention has a good electrical conductivity and excellent mechanical properties. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrically conductive polymer blend, comprising A. a polymer of an olefin and an alpha-or beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3–8 carbon atoms, wherein the quantity of acid groups is 0.5–15 molar %, and B. a block polyether polymer made up of a polyether block of polyethylene oxide, potassium present in an amount of approx. 0.02–3 millimols/one gram of the polymer blend, the acid groups of polymer A having at least partly coordinated ions of said potassium, and the block polymer B having at least partly coordinated or complexed ions said of potassium. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The polymer blend according to claim 1, wherein the potassium content is within the range 0.1–1.7 millimols/gram of the polymer blend. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The polymer blend according to claim 1, wherein the olefin in polymer A is ethylene or propylene. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The polymer blend according to claim 1, wherein the potassium is present at maximum in an amount of approx. 2.5 millimols/gram of the polymer blend. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The polymer blend according to claim 1, wherein polymers A and B are present in the blend in parts by weight A/B 90/10–10/90. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The polymer blend according to claim 5, wherein polymers A and B are present in the blend in parts by weight A/B 85/15–20/80. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The polymer blend according to claim 1, wherein in polymer B the polyether block is polyethylene oxide having a molecular weight within the range 300–20,000. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The polymer blend according to claim 1, wherein in polymer B the proportion of polyether is 90–30% of the entire weight of polymer B. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The polymer blend according to claim 1, wherein polymer A is at least partly neutralized by a bivalent metal ion, which is Mg, Ca, Zn, Cu, Fe, Ba, Mn, or a mixture thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The polymer blend according to claim 9, wherein the molar ratio of a monovalent to the bivalent metal ions is 0.9–0.05. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The polymer blend according to claim 1, wherein the melt index, measured at a temperature of 190° C. and with a weight of 2160 g, is 0.01–500 g/10 mm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The polymer blend according to claim 1, wherein the surface resistance (ASTM D-257) of the polymer blend is less than 108 ohm. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The polymer blend according to claim 1, wherein the water absorption of the polymer blend is less than 10% by mass/24-h immersion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The polymer blend according to claim 1, wherein the polymer blend passes the cytotoxicity test. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The polymer blend according to claim 1, wherein potassium ions are added as hydroxides, oxides, formiates, acetates, or mixtures thereof. ### Claim 16 A process for preparing an electrically conductive polymer composition, wherein there are mixed together at an elevated temperature 90–10 parts by weight of a copolymer made up of an olefin and an unsaturated carboxylic acid, 10–90 parts by weight of a block polyether of polyethylene oxide, and potassium, the amount of which corresponds to 0.02–3 millimols of the potassium ion/1 gram of the polymer blend. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The process according to claim 16, wherein a blend is formed that contains a copolymer made up of ethylene and an unsaturated carboxylic acid, a block polyether polymer made up of a polyamide or polyester block, and potassium, the blend is mixed at an elevated temperature in order to cause the potassium to react with the polymer components of the blend, and mixing is continued until the alkali metal compound has substantially completely reacted with the polymer components of the blend. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The process according to claim 16, wherein the blend is mixed at a temperature of 120–280° C. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The process according to any of claim 16, wherein the mixing is carried out in an extruder, and after the reaction the blend is processed by melt processing to a polymer product. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The process according to claim 19, wherein what is produced is polymer fibers or films.