Self-assembling behavior in decane solution of potential wax crystal nucleators based on poly(co-olefins)

Schwahn, D.; Symon, C.; Fetters, L. J.; Wright, P. J.; Richter, D.; Lin, M.

doi:10.1021/ma0111818

Journal Article

PreJuSER-1865

Self-assembling behavior in decane solution of potential wax crystal nucleators based on poly(co-olefins)

Schwahn, D.FZJ* ; Richter, D.FZJ* ; Wright, P. J. ; Symon, C. ; Fetters, L. J. ; Lin, M.

2002
Soc. Washington, DC

Macromolecules 35, 861 - 870 (2002) [10.1021/ma0111818]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/1255 doi:10.1021/ma0111818

Abstract: The control of the precipitation and gelation of long chain paraffins from oil remains an enduring technological challenge regarding the processing and recovery of refined fuels and waxy crudes. Wax crystal modifiers based on polyethylene -poly(ethylene-propylene) (PE-PEP) diblock copolymers function as efficient nucleators for wax crystals in middle distillate fuels. These diblock polymers self-assemble in oil to form expansive platelike aggregates consisting of a PE core cloaked behind the amorphous PEP brush layer. The PE core thus promotes nucleation of solubilized long chain alkanes. Additional candidate structures for wax crystal nucleators include linear and star copolyolefins where the composition variation signals the alteration between crystalline and amorphous segments. This study focuses upon the self-assembling behavior in solution of these materials. The characteristics of the single chains and the aggregates formed at lower temperatures were determined via small-angle neutron scattering. Both plates and needlelike structures were found. The placement of the amorphous and crystalline blocks in the arms of the star shaped polymers was found to influence the architecture of the self-assembled micelles. As a point of comparison a commercial copolymer of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) was also investigated. The EVA material was found to be relatively "undisciplined" in comparison to the structurally more uniform anionically prepared counterparts.

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