A polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene) is taught. The polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene) is synthesized by first providing a polystyrene backbone. Once the polystyrene backbone is provided, the polystyrene backbone is acetylated to provide acetyl groups on the polystyrene backbone. Next, the acetyl groups are converted to C(CH.sub.3).sub.2OH groups. Finally, the living polymerization of isobutylene is initiated, which is then followed by the living block polymerization of styrene. A polymer network of polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene)s is also provided.

A polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene) is taught. The polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene) is synthesized by first providing a polystyrene backbone. Once the polystyrene backbone is provided, the polystyrene backbone is acetylated to provide acetyl groups on the polystyrene backbone. Next, the acetyl groups are converted to C(CH.sub.3).sub.2OH groups. Finally, the living polymerization of isobutylene is initiated, which is then followed by the living block polymerization of styrene. A polymer network of polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene)s is also provided.

A star block copolymer and a thermoplastic elastomer including plurality of the star block copolymers and a method of making both is taught. The star block copolymers of the present invention include a core component having an -methylstyrene oligomer wherein arms emanate from the core component and the arms are poly(isobutylene-block-styrene) diblock copolymers.

A star block copolymer and a thermoplastic elastomer including plurality of the star block copolymers and a method of making both is taught. The star block copolymers of the present invention include a core component having an -methylstyrene oligomer wherein arms emanate from the core component and the arms are poly(isobutylene-block-styrene) diblock copolymers.

Disclosed herein are hydrophobic vinylamine-containing polymers useful as papermaking performance additives for enhancing paper softness with little or no negative effect on paper dry strength properties. The hydrophobic vinylamine-containing polymers are produced by incorporating hydrophobic functional property into primary amine moiety of the vinylamine-containing polymers via reactions with reactive hydrophobes. The hydrophobically modified vinylamine-containing polymers can be further used as base polymers for polymerization with a vinyl monomer by free radical initiated polymerization. The compositions of those hydrophobic vinylamine-containing polymers have shown improved softness, reduced coefficient friction to paper products while maintained or improved dry strength properties of the paper products.

Disclosed herein are hydrophobic vinylamine-containing polymers useful as papermaking performance additives for enhancing paper softness with little or no negative effect on paper dry strength properties. The hydrophobic vinylamine-containing polymers are produced by incorporating hydrophobic functional property into primary amine moiety of the vinylamine-containing polymers via reactions with reactive hydrophobes. The hydrophobically modified vinylamine-containing polymers can be further used as base polymers for polymerization with a vinyl monomer by free radical initiated polymerization. The compositions of those hydrophobic vinylamine-containing polymers have shown improved softness, reduced coefficient friction to paper products while maintained or improved dry strength properties of the paper products.

Polar silane linkers are provided that attach to resins to form silane-functionalized resins. The functionalized resins can be bound to hydroxyl groups on the surface of silica particles to improve the dispersibility of the silica particles in rubber mixtures. Further disclosed are synthetic routes to provide the silane-functionalized resins, as well as various uses and end products that benefit from the unexpected properties of the silane-functionalized resins. Silane-functionalized resins impart remarkable properties on various rubber compositions, such as tires, belts, hoses, brakes, and the like. Automobile tires incorporating the silane-functionalized resins are shown to possess excellent results in balancing the properties of rolling resistance, tire wear, and wet braking performance.

Polar silane linkers are provided that attach to resins to form silane-functionalized resins. The functionalized resins can be bound to hydroxyl groups on the surface of silica particles to improve the dispersibility of the silica particles in rubber mixtures. Further disclosed are synthetic routes to provide the silane-functionalized resins, as well as various uses and end products that benefit from the unexpected properties of the silane-functionalized resins. Silane-functionalized resins impart remarkable properties on various rubber compositions, such as tires, belts, hoses, brakes, and the like. Automobile tires incorporating the silane-functionalized resins are shown to possess excellent results in balancing the properties of rolling resistance, tire wear, and wet braking performance.

Release paper base paper includes a substrate; and a coating agent containing a modified polyvinyl alcohol (A) and sodium acetate, the substrate coated with the coating agent, wherein the modified polyvinyl alcohol (A) has 0.005 mol % or more and less than 10 mol % of double bonds derived from unsaturated carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof (B) in side chains, has 1.4 mol % or more and 2.0 mol % or less of 1,2-glycol bond, units, and is water soluble, and a content of the sodium acetate relative to the modified polyvinyl alcohol (A) is 0.01 mass % or more and 10 mass % or less. The release paper base paper of the present invention is excellent in sealing properties for silicone. Use of the release paper base paper allows acceleration of curing of silicone in a release layer and improvement in adhesion between the substrate and the release layer.

Release paper base paper includes a substrate; and a coating agent containing a modified polyvinyl alcohol (A) and sodium acetate, the substrate coated with the coating agent, wherein the modified polyvinyl alcohol (A) has 0.005 mol % or more and less than 10 mol % of double bonds derived from unsaturated carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof (B) in side chains, has 1.4 mol % or more and 2.0 mol % or less of 1,2-glycol bond, units, and is water soluble, and a content of the sodium acetate relative to the modified polyvinyl alcohol (A) is 0.01 mass % or more and 10 mass % or less. The release paper base paper of the present invention is excellent in sealing properties for silicone. Use of the release paper base paper allows acceleration of curing of silicone in a release layer and improvement in adhesion between the substrate and the release layer.