A process for producing a crosslinked polymer involves contacting an epoxidized unsaturated isoolefin copolymer with a catalytic amount of an acid in an absence of a solvent. A process for producing a hydroxylated unsaturated isoolefin copolymer involves contacting an epoxidized unsaturated isoolefin copolymer with a catalytic amount of an acid in an absence of a solvent. A hydroxylated unsaturated isoolefin copolymer having hydroxyl groups in endo configurations may be produced thereby.

An anion exchange membrane is provided by converting carbon-carbon double bonds in the backbone of polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene (SBS) into epoxide groups. Unmodified SBS is first partially hydrogenated to remove about 65% to about 90% of carbon-carbon double bonds. The remaining double bonds are then converted to epoxide groups to form an epoxidized SBS. UV-initiated ring opening reactions between the epoxidized SBS and haloalkyloxiranes are then employed to simultaneously functionalize and crosslink the epoxidized SBS. The halide groups in the crosslinked polymer network can be replaced via nucleophilic substitution to offer anion conductivity, e.g., via reaction with trimethylamine. Further ion exchange reactions can then be performed to make the membrane hydroxide conductive. The crosslinked membranes described herein exhibit a mechanical strength improvement of 200% compared to unmodified SBS, while maintaining high hydroxide conductivity. This synthetic platform is advantageous to provide mechanically robust anion exchange membranes for fuel cell applications.

An anion exchange membrane is provided by converting carbon-carbon double bonds in the backbone of polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene (SBS) into epoxide groups. Unmodified SBS is first partially hydrogenated to remove about 65% to about 90% of carbon-carbon double bonds. The remaining double bonds are then converted to epoxide groups to form an epoxidized SBS. UV-initiated ring opening reactions between the epoxidized SBS and haloalkyloxiranes are then employed to simultaneously functionalize and crosslink the epoxidized SBS. The halide groups in the crosslinked polymer network can be replaced via nucleophilic substitution to offer anion conductivity, e.g., via reaction with trimethylamine. Further ion exchange reactions can then be performed to make the membrane hydroxide conductive. The crosslinked membranes described herein exhibit a mechanical strength improvement of 200% compared to unmodified SBS, while maintaining high hydroxide conductivity. This synthetic platform is advantageous to provide mechanically robust anion exchange membranes for fuel cell applications.

A tire having improved mechanical properties comprises a rubber composition based on at least one epoxidized polyisoprene having a molar degree of epoxidation ranging from 5% to 85%, at least one thermoplastic polyurethane, and a crosslinking system.

A tire having improved mechanical properties comprises a rubber composition based on at least one epoxidized polyisoprene having a molar degree of epoxidation ranging from 5% to 85%, at least one thermoplastic polyurethane, and a crosslinking system.

A process for producing a crosslinked polymer involves contacting an epoxidized unsaturated isoolefin copolymer with a catalytic amount of an acid in an absence of a solvent. A process for producing a hydroxylated unsaturated isoolefin copolymer involves contacting an epoxidized unsaturated isoolefin copolymer with a catalytic amount of an acid in an absence of a solvent. A hydroxylated unsaturated isoolefin copolymer having hydroxyl groups in endo configurations may be produced thereby.

A process for producing a crosslinked polymer involves contacting an epoxidized unsaturated isoolefin copolymer with a catalytic amount of an acid in an absence of a solvent. A process for producing a hydroxylated unsaturated isoolefin copolymer involves contacting an epoxidized unsaturated isoolefin copolymer with a catalytic amount of an acid in an absence of a solvent. A hydroxylated unsaturated isoolefin copolymer having hydroxyl groups in endo configurations may be produced thereby.

A process for producing a crosslinked polymer involves contacting an epoxidized unsaturated isoolefin copolymer with a catalytic amount of an acid in an absence of a solvent. A process for producing a hydroxylated unsaturated isoolefin copolymer involves contacting an epoxidized unsaturated isoolefin copolymer with a catalytic amount of an acid in an absence of a solvent. A hydroxylated unsaturated isoolefin copolymer having hydroxyl groups in endo configurations may be produced thereby.

Methods of preparing titanated silica catalysts, and titanated silica catalysts. The titanated silica catalysts may include a silica support, which may include spherical beads. Methods of olefin epoxidation, which may include contacting an olefin with a titanated silica catalyst in the presence of an oxidant.

Methods of preparing titanated silica catalysts, and titanated silica catalysts. The titanated silica catalysts may include a silica support, which may include spherical beads. Methods of olefin epoxidation, which may include contacting an olefin with a titanated silica catalyst in the presence of an oxidant.