Amphiphilic block copolymers
AssigneeArkema Inc.
InventorsScott Schmidt, Peter Callais, Noah Macy, Michael Mendolia
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to an amphiphilic multiblock copolymer capable of forming non-covalent crosslinks. The non-water soluble copolymer, having a hydrophilic middle block and hydrophobic end blocks, has a high water transmission or permeation. The copolymer can be used in applications requiring absorption and/or transmission of fluids, the preferred fluids being water or hydrophilic liquids such as glycerin, glycols, and alcohols. One specific use of the amphiphilic multiblock copolymer is as a hydrogel material.
Claims18
An amphiphilic multiblock copolymer consisting of:
- a) a hydrophilic middle block;
- and
- b) hydrophobic end blocks
- wherein said multiblock copolymer is water insoluble, water indispersible, and not soluble or dispersible in C1-3 alcohols, and wherein at least one block is a profiled block,
- wherein said hydrophilic block comprises one or more monomeric units selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and the salts, esters, anhydrides and amides of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid;
- dicarboxylic acid anhydrides;
- carboxyethyl acrylate;
- and acrylamides.
A method for tailoring the mechanical and/or physical properties of an insoluble triblock copolymer comprising, forming a triblock copolymer by means of a controlled radical polymerization process, and adjusting the compositions of each block to obtain the specified mechanical and/or physical properties, wherein said insoluble triblock copolymer is water insoluble, water indispersible, and not soluble or dispersible in C1-3 alcohols.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.