Pre-polymer according to structure (I) X(R.sup.2O).sub.nCH.sub.2O(R.sup.1O).sub.mCH.sub.2(OR.sup.2).sub.pX (I) wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 can be the same or different and are selected from alkane chains containing 2-10 carbon atoms, X is a halogen atom, and n, m, and p are integers that can be the same of different and have a value in the range 1-6. The use of this pre-polymer in the preparation of a liquid polysulfide polymer allows better control over the sulfur and oxygen content and the polarity of the resulting polymer.

Pre-polymer according to structure (I) X(R.sup.2O).sub.nCH.sub.2O(R.sup.1O).sub.mCH.sub.2(OR.sup.2).sub.pX (I) wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 can be the same or different and are selected from alkane chains containing 2-10 carbon atoms, X is a halogen atom, and n, m, and p are integers that can be the same of different and have a value in the range 1-6. The use of this pre-polymer in the preparation of a liquid polysulfide polymer allows better control over the sulfur and oxygen content and the polarity of the resulting polymer.

Process for the preparation of a mercapto-terminated liquid polymer comprising the steps of: a) reacting (para)formaldehyde with a halo-alcohol to form a reaction mixture comprising bis(2-dihaloalkyl)formal and b) reacting the reaction mixture of step a) with either (i) sodium polysulfide or (ii) a combination of sodium hydrosulfide and sulfur, wherein the process is performed in the presence of a branching agent selected from the group consisting of di-aldehydes and their corresponding actetals and hemi-acetals.

Process for the preparation of a mercapto-terminated liquid polymer comprising the steps of: a) reacting (para)formaldehyde with a halo-alcohol to form a reaction mixture comprising bis(2-dihaloalkyl)formal and b) reacting the reaction mixture of step a) with either (i) sodium polysulfide or (ii) a combination of sodium hydrosulfide and sulfur, wherein the process is performed in the presence of a branching agent selected from the group consisting of di-aldehydes and their corresponding actetals and hemi-acetals.

The present invention discloses a fiber-grade polyphenylene sulfide resin synthesis method, taking sodium bisulfide and p-dichlorobenzene as raw materials, N-methyl pyrrolidone as the solvent and C5-C6 fatty acid salt formed through dehydration to C5-C6 fatty acid and sodium hydroxide as the polymerization additive for synthesis through polymerization. White polyphenylene sulfide resin is obtained through acidification and washing of reaction slurry. In view of the fact that MFR is below 125 g/10 min, weight-average molecular weight as measured by GPC is over 4.210.sup.4, and whiteness is over 90, it can satisfy requirements for fiber polyphenylene sulfide resin. C5-C6 fatty acid salt according to the method of the present invention has a higher solubility in NMP, which can better promote polymerization. It is to be fully diverted into the filtrate after filter prior to conversion into free fatty acid again through acidification with hydrochloric acid. C5-C6 fatty acid is available for azeotropy with water, which has a limited solubility in water. Therefore, it is applicable to recycle C5-C6 fatty acid from the filtrate through azeotropy with water, and thereby solve the problem with separation of additive and sodium chloride that are soluble in water.

The present invention discloses a fiber-grade polyphenylene sulfide resin synthesis method, taking sodium bisulfide and p-dichlorobenzene as raw materials, N-methyl pyrrolidone as the solvent and C5-C6 fatty acid salt formed through dehydration to C5-C6 fatty acid and sodium hydroxide as the polymerization additive for synthesis through polymerization. White polyphenylene sulfide resin is obtained through acidification and washing of reaction slurry. In view of the fact that MFR is below 125 g/10 min, weight-average molecular weight as measured by GPC is over 4.210.sup.4, and whiteness is over 90, it can satisfy requirements for fiber polyphenylene sulfide resin. C5-C6 fatty acid salt according to the method of the present invention has a higher solubility in NMP, which can better promote polymerization. It is to be fully diverted into the filtrate after filter prior to conversion into free fatty acid again through acidification with hydrochloric acid. C5-C6 fatty acid is available for azeotropy with water, which has a limited solubility in water. Therefore, it is applicable to recycle C5-C6 fatty acid from the filtrate through azeotropy with water, and thereby solve the problem with separation of additive and sodium chloride that are soluble in water.

Sulfur composites and polymeric materials having a high sulfur content and prepared from elemental sulfur as the primary chemical feedstock. The sulfur copolymers are prepared by the polymerization of elemental sulfur with one or more monomers of amines, thiols, sulfides, alkynylly unsaturated monomers, nitrones, aldehydes, ketones, thiiranes, ethylenically unsaturated monomers, or epoxides. The sulfur copolymers may be further dispersed with metal or ceramic composites or copolymerized with elemental carbon, photoactive organic chromophores, or reactive and solubilizing/biocompatible moieties. The sulfur composites and polymeric materials feature the ability self-healing through thermal reformation. Applications utilizing the sulfur composites and polymeric materials may include electrochemical cells, optics, H.sub.2S donors and antimicrobial materials.

Sulfur composites and polymeric materials having a high sulfur content and prepared from elemental sulfur as the primary chemical feedstock. The sulfur copolymers are prepared by the polymerization of elemental sulfur with one or more monomers of amines, thiols, sulfides, alkynylly unsaturated monomers, nitrones, aldehydes, ketones, thiiranes, ethylenically unsaturated monomers, or epoxides. The sulfur copolymers may be further dispersed with metal or ceramic composites or copolymerized with elemental carbon, photoactive organic chromophores, or reactive and solubilizing/biocompatible moieties. The sulfur composites and polymeric materials feature the ability self-healing through thermal reformation. Applications utilizing the sulfur composites and polymeric materials may include electrochemical cells, optics, H.sub.2S donors and antimicrobial materials.

Methods of forming a polyarylene sulfide and systems as may be utilized in carrying out the methods are described. Included in the formation method is a filtration process for treatment of a mixture, the mixture including a polyarylene sulfide, a salt byproduct of the polyarylene sulfide formation reaction, and a solvent. The filtration process includes maintaining the downstream side of the filter medium at an increased pressure. The downstream pressure can such that the boiling temperature of the mixture at the downstream pressure can be higher than the temperature at which the polyarylene sulfide is insoluble in the solvent.

The present invention relates to a system for the production of a sealant composite made of a primary sealing material and a curable secondary sealing material, the use of the system for the production of insulating glass or solar modules, an edge seal for the production of double-pane or multi-pane insulating glass or solar modules comprising the sealant composite and an insulating glass unit comprising at least two glass panes and the edge seal.