# US 7,612,143 B2 · Metallized nanostructured chemicals alloyed into polymers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,612,143 B2 - Document ID: US7612143B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/466,053 - Filed: 2006-08-21 - Published: 2008-10-23 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 1999-08-04 - Assignees: Hybrid Plastics, Inc. - Inventors: Joseph D. Lichtenhan; Xuan Fu; Joseph J. Schwab; Paul Wheeler; Hendrikus C. L. Abbenhuis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7612143B2 ## CPC - C08K 5/549: containing silicon in a ring - C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09) ## Abstract Metallized nanostructured chemicals are incorporated at the molecular level as alloying agents for the reinforcement of polymer microstructures, including polymer coils, domains, chains, and segments. Direct blending processes are effective because of the tailorable compatibility of the metallized nanostructured chemicals with polymers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of compounding a metallized nanostructured chemical selected from the group consisting of polyhedral oligomeric metallosesquioxanes and polyhedral oligomeric metallosilicates into a polymer selected from the group consisting of acrylics, carbonates, epoxies, esters, silicones, polyolefins, polyethers, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyeurethanes, polyimides, styrenics, amides, nitriles, olefins, aromatic oxides, aromatic sulfides, esters, and ionomers or rubbery polymers derived from hydrocarbons and silicones, comprising the step of compounding the metallized nanostructured chemical into the polymer by reactive or non-reactive blending. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising compounding a nonmetallized nanostructured chemical selected from the group consisting of POSS and POS into the polymer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of metallized nanostructured chemicals is compounded into the polymer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein a plurality of metallized nanostructured chemicals is compounded into the polymer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein a plurality of nonmetallized nanostructured chemicals is compounded into the polymer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer is in a physical state selected from the group consisting of amorphous, semicrystalline, crystalline, elastomeric and rubber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer contains a chemical sequence and related polymer microstructure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of a polymer coil, a polymer domain, a polymer chain, and a polymer segment. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the metallized nanostructured chemical reinforces the polymer at a molecular level. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the compounding is nonreactive. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the compounding is reactive. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a physical property of the polymer is improved as a result of incorporating the metallized nanostructured chemical into the polymer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the physical property is selected from the group consisting of adhesion to a polymeric surface, adhesion to a composite surface, adhesion to a metal surface, water repellency, density, low dielectric constant, thermal conductivity, glass transition, viscosity, melt transition, storage modulus, relaxation, stress transfer, abrasion resistance, fire resistance, biological compatibility, gas permeability, porosity, optical quality, and radiation shielding. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the compounding is accomplished by blending the metallized nanostructured chemical into the polymer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the compounding is accomplished by a blending process selected from the group consisting of melt blending, dry blending, and solution blending. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the metallized nanostructured chemical performs at least one function selected from the group consisting of plasticizer, filler, compatabilizer, antioxidant, and stablizer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the metallized and nonmetallized nanostructured chemicals function as compatibilizers. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the metallized nanostructured chemical is selectively compounded into the polymer such that the metallized nanostructured chemical is incorporated into a predetermined region of the polymer. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein a physical property is enhanced as a result of compounding the metallized nanostructured chemical into the polymer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A method according to claim 19, wherein the property is selected from the group consisting of Tg, HDT, modulus, creep, set, and permeability.