Methods of enhancing dyeability of polymers

Abstract

The invention relates to new methods of dyeing polymers. The methods include dispersing nanomaterials into the polymers to form polymer nanocomposites, and dyeing the polymer nanocomposites with a dye. The invention also relates to dyed polymers thus obtained and articles made from these dyed polymers.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of dyeing a polymer, the method comprising dispersing a nanomaterial into the polymer to form a polymer nanocomposite, and dyeing the polymer nanocomposite with a dye.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a polyvinyl, epoxy resin, polyolefin, polyamide, aromatic polyamide, polyimide, polyanhydride, acrylic polymer, polyester, polyimine, polysaccharide, polypeptide, polylactone, or a random or block copolymer thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a polyolefin.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the polyolefin is polypropylene.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanomaterial is nanoclay, nanosilica, metal oxide, zeolite, or nanoparticles of a polymer.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a nanomaterial is pretreated with a surfactant for improved compatibility with the polymer.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a weight ratio of the nanomaterial to the polymer is in the range of 0.01-20%.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of the nanomaterial to the polymer is in the range of 0.5-5%.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanomaterial is intercalated or exfoliated in the polymer.  
     
     
         10 . A dyed polymer comprising a dye, a polymer, and a nanomaterial, wherein the nanomaterial is dispersed in the polymer to form a polymer nanocomposite, and the dye is linked to the nanomaterial.  
     
     
         11 . The dyed polymer of  claim 10 , wherein the polymer is a polyvinyl, epoxy resin, polyolefin, polyamide, aromatic polyamide, polyimide, polyanhydride, acrylic polymer, polyester, polyimine, polysaccharide, polypeptide, polylactone, or a random or block copolymer thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The dyed polymer of  claim 10 , wherein the polymer is a polyolefin.  
     
     
         13 . The dyed polymer of  claim 12 , wherein the polymer is polypropylene.  
     
     
         14 . The dyed polymer of  claim 10 , wherein the nanomaterial is nanoclay, nanosilica, metal oxide, zeolite, or nanoparticles of a polymer.  
     
     
         15 . The dyed polymer of  claim 14 , wherein the nanomaterial is pretreated with a surfactant for improved compatibility with the polymer.  
     
     
         16 . The dyed polymer of  claim 10 , wherein the weight ratio of the nanomaterial to the polymer is in the range of 0.01-20%.  
     
     
         17 . The dyed polymer of  claim 10 , wherein the weight ratio of the nanomaterial to the polymer is in the range of 0.5-5%.  
     
     
         18 . The dyed polymer of  claim 10 , wherein the nanomaterial is intercalated or exfoliated in the polymer.  
     
     
         19 . An article made of the dyed polymer of  claim 10.