Described is a triblock copolymer of the formula ABC wherein B is a hydrogenated vinyl aromatic block having a T.sub.g of 110 C. and comprising 30-90 wt. % of the copolymer; C is a rubbery block having a T.sub.g25 C. and comprising 10-70 wt. % of the copolymer; and A is an block derived from ring-opening polymerization, substantially incompatible with both B and C blocks.

Described is a triblock copolymer of the formula ABC wherein B is a hydrogenated vinyl aromatic block having a T.sub.g of 110 C. and comprising 30-90 wt. % of the copolymer; C is a rubbery block having a T.sub.g25 C. and comprising 10-70 wt. % of the copolymer; and A is an block derived from ring-opening polymerization, substantially incompatible with both B and C blocks.

The invention involves functionalizing polymeric beads, such as DVB beads, to add an epoxide or aldehyde group. The resulting beads are useful in various applications.

The invention involves functionalizing polymeric beads, such as DVB beads, to add an epoxide or aldehyde group. The resulting beads are useful in various applications.

The invention involves functionalizing polymeric beads, such as DVB beads, to add an epoxide or aldehyde group. The resulting beads are useful in various 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.

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.

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a centrally-functionalizable living cationic polymer or copolymer having a centrally-substituted tetraene group having the formula

##STR00001##

wherein each R is selected from the group consisting of a polymer or a copolymer, such as a polyisobutylene polymer or a poly(isobutylene-b-styrene) copolymer.

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a centrally-functionalizable living cationic polymer or copolymer having a centrally-substituted tetraene group having the formula

##STR00001##

wherein each R is selected from the group consisting of a polymer or a copolymer, such as a polyisobutylene polymer or a poly(isobutylene-b-styrene) copolymer.

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a centrally-functionalizable living cationic polymer or copolymer having a centrally-substituted tetraene group having the formula

##STR00001##

wherein each R is selected from the group consisting of a polymer or a copolymer, such as a polyisobutylene polymer or a poly(isobutylene-b-styrene) copolymer.