Continuous process for the production of combinatorial libraries of modified materials

Abstract

A system is provided wherein a devolatilizing reactor is used to make combinatorial libraries of materials. Examples of suitable reactors include continuous high viscosity devolatilizers and continuous devolatilizing kneaders.

1 . A continuous method of making a combinatorial library of materials comprising: 
 providing a plug flow mixing apparatus having a high shear environment and devolatilization capabilities;    continuously introducing into the mixing apparatus a composition containing at least one polymer that can be modified by a thermally-induced reaction into the reactor;    exposing the composition to a high shear environment; and    introducing or changing over time at least one variable affecting the properties of the at least one polymer that can be modified to produce a combinatorial library of materials;    wherein the thermally-induced reaction comprises the elimination of isobutylene and water from methacrylic and acrylic esters to produce one or both of acid and anhydride functionalities.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is exposed to a temperature of about 100° C. to about 180° C. while it is exposed to a high shear environment.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising evaluating the materials of the library.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition when introduced into the apparatus comprises 90 weight % solids or less.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition when introduced into the apparatus comprises 80 weight % solids or less.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the exposed functional group is capable of undergoing a grafting reaction.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction is catalyzed.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the reaction is acid-catalyzed.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the reaction is base-catalyzed.  
   
   
       10 . A continuous method of making a combinatorial library of materials comprising: 
 providing a plug flow mixing apparatus having a high shear environment and devolatilization capabilities;    continuously introducing into the mixing apparatus a composition containing at least one polymer that can be modified by a thermally-induced reaction into the reactor;    exposing the composition to a high shear environment; and    introducing or changing over time at least one variable affecting the properties of the at least one polymer that can be modified to produce a combinatorial library of materials;    wherein the thermally-induced reaction comprises the elimination of trialkylsilanes from trialkylsiloxy end or side group containing polymers to produce a library of hydroxyl end or side group functional polymers.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the composition is exposed to a temperature of about 100° C. to about 180° C. while it is exposed to a high shear environment.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising evaluating the materials of the library.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the composition when introduced into the apparatus comprises 90 weight % solids or less.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the exposed functional group is capable of undergoing a grafting reaction.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising an in situ chemical reaction at the functional group.  
   
   
       16 . A continuous method of making a combinatorial library of materials comprising: 
 providing a plug flow mixing apparatus having a high shear environment and devolatilization capabilities;    continuously introducing into the mixing apparatus a composition containing at least one polymer that can be modified by a thermally-induced reaction into the reactor;    exposing the composition to a high shear environment; and    introducing or changing over time at least one variable affecting the properties of the at least one polymer that can be modified to produce a combinatorial library of materials;    wherein the thermally-induced reaction comprises the elimination of trialkylsilanes from polymer end or side groups to produce a library of amino end or sidegroup functional polymers.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition is exposed to a temperature of about 100° C. to about 180° C. while it is exposed to a high shear environment.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising evaluating the materials of the library.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition when introduced into the apparatus comprises 90 weight % solids or less.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the exposed functional group is capable of undergoing a grafting reaction.