A method for synthesizing polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer with a narrow molecular weight distribution is disclosed. The preferred PAN polymer has a PDI (Mw/Mn) of about 2 or less. Such PAN polymer is synthesized by controlled/living radical polymerization using a special RAFT (Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer) agent. Also disclosed is a method for producing carbon fibers from PAN polymer with low PDI.

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Fine polymer particles made by a method include producing an emulsion in a liquid prepared by dissolving and mixing a polymer A and a polymer B in organic solvents in which a solution phase composed primarily of the polymer A and a solution phase composed primarily of the polymer B are formed as separate phases, wherein the solvents in the two phases resulting from the phase separation are substantially identical to each other, and contacting the emulsion with a poor solvent for the polymer A to precipitate the polymer A, wherein the particles have a glass transition point of 150 C. or more and 400 C. or less, an average particle diameter of 1 m or more to 100 m or less, and a particle diameter distribution index of the particles is 2 or less, wherein the polymer A is nonvinyl type polymer.

Fine polymer particles made by a method include producing an emulsion in a liquid prepared by dissolving and mixing a polymer A and a polymer B in organic solvents in which a solution phase composed primarily of the polymer A and a solution phase composed primarily of the polymer B are formed as separate phases, wherein the solvents in the two phases resulting from the phase separation are substantially identical to each other, and contacting the emulsion with a poor solvent for the polymer A to precipitate the polymer A, wherein the particles have a glass transition point of 150 C. or more and 400 C. or less, an average particle diameter of 1 m or more to 100 m or less, and a particle diameter distribution index of the particles is 2 or less, wherein the polymer A is nonvinyl type polymer.

A method of making carbon fiber material according to various embodiments of the present disclosure includes forming a polymer resin to have a polydispersity index (PDI) that is less than approximately 2.5. The method further includes spinning the polymer resin to create an acrylic fiber having an acrylic fiber length. The method further includes oxidizing the acrylic fiber while stretching the acrylic fiber to create an oxidized fiber that has an oxidized fiber length that is at least one of greater than or equal to approximately 100 percent (100%) of the acrylic fiber length. The method further includes carbonizing the oxidized fiber to create a carbon fiber.

A method of making carbon fiber material according to various embodiments of the present disclosure includes forming a polymer resin to have a polydispersity index (PDI) that is less than approximately 2.5. The method further includes spinning the polymer resin to create an acrylic fiber having an acrylic fiber length. The method further includes oxidizing the acrylic fiber while stretching the acrylic fiber to create an oxidized fiber that has an oxidized fiber length that is at least one of greater than or equal to approximately 100 percent (100%) of the acrylic fiber length. The method further includes carbonizing the oxidized fiber to create a carbon fiber.

Catalyst and initiator compounds for precision polymerization of Michael-type monomers, precatalytic bridged complexes, such as those having formula R.sub.1R.sub.2M.sub.Z1P.sub.Z2 or R.sub.1R.sub.2M.sub.z1S.sub.z, a system for precision polymerization, as well as processes for precision polymerization of Michael-type monomers, a process for preparing a bridged initiator and catalyst, a process for preparing a luminescent component, and polymers and components obtainable with the processes of the present invention are described.

The invention relates to process for preparing a flame resistant and/or flame retardant polymer, comprising reacting an acrylonitrile polymer with an organic diamine.

The invention relates to process for preparing a flame resistant and/or flame retardant polymer, comprising reacting an acrylonitrile polymer with an organic diamine.

Bio-based materials, e.g., epoxide starting material, a beta-lactone starting material and/or a beta-hydroxy amide starting material, may be used as feedstocks in processes for making and using acrylonitrile and acrylonitrile derivatives to produce, among other products, carbon fibers and carbon black.

Bio-based materials, e.g., epoxide starting material, a beta-lactone starting material and/or a beta-hydroxy amide starting material, may be used as feedstocks in processes for making and using acrylonitrile and acrylonitrile derivatives to produce, among other products, carbon fibers and carbon black.