Polymer materials with electrostatic dissipative properties

Abstract

A method for modifying the electrostatic discharge (ESD) characteristics of a polymeric material by integrating metallocene moieties as constituents of the polymer structure. In a preferred embodiment, the metallocene is part of the polymer backbone structure. In another preferred embodiment, the metallocene moieties are in sufficiently close proximity to one another such that electrostatic charge propagation is promoted. In another preferred embodiment, the metallocene is ferrocene. In another embodiment, an article is formulated from, or coated with, a polymeric composition containing metallocene as a polymer constituent. The subject invention includes novel polymeric compositions. Polymeric compositions of the subject invention, and articles made therefrom, exhibit electrostatic dissipative properties which are useful in preventing destructive electrostatic discharge.

1 . A method for modifying the electrostatic dissipative characteristics of a substrate comprising applying a polymer to the substrate, wherein the polymer has metallocene moieties as constituents of the polymer structure, wherein the metallocene moieties are of sufficient proximity to one another within the polymer structure so as to interact and promote charge propagation, wherein the content of metallocene within the polymer structure is from about 1% to about 10% by molecular weight, and wherein the charge buildup of the substrate is decreased and the charge dissipation of the substrate is increased by said applying of the polymer.  
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the metallocene moieties are constituents of the polymer backbone.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the metallocene moieties contains a metal atom selected from the group consisting of iron, molybdenum, ruthenium, osmium, nickel, vanadium, rhenium, and technetium.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the metallocene moieties is a ferrocene moiety.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the metallocene moieties is linked to another constituent of the polymer structure by two functionalities.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of a polyolefin, polyurea, polyurethane, polyester, and polyamide.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a copolymer of a type selected from the group consisting of random, alternating, graft, and block.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is applied to the substrate as a polymeric composition comprising the polymer and an additive.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of a heat stabilizer, filler, pigment, colorant, lubricant, fire retardant, antioxidant, ultraviolet inhibitor, and processing aid.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is constructed of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of metal, wood, fabric, concrete, particle board, and a polymer material.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is an article selected from the group consisting of a floor surface, textile fabric, floor covering, pillow, stretcher pad, seat covering, adhesive tape, garment, wipe, swab, pen, furniture, conveyor means, delivery truck, delivery cart, tool, packaging, container, machine casing, machine cover, electronic component carrier, wafer boat, wafer jar, battery, antenna, transistor, printer component, fuel pump, fuel pump handle, hose, hose covering, fuel pump wand, fuel pump nozzle, fuel piping component, vehicle seat upholstery, exterior vehicle paneling, interior vehicle paneling, vehicle console component, gasket, seal, o-ring, diaphragm, gear, valve, bushing, bumper, grommet, stopper, bellows, plug, vibration mount, veering, weather stripping, roller, and tubing connector.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is a computer component selected from the group consisting of a computer casing, circuit board, through-hole plating of a circuit board, microprocessor, random access memory component, read only memory component, disc drive, electrode, and lithographic resist.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the metallocene moieties are separated from one another within the polymer structure by six to twelve intervening atoms.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is applied to the substrate as a coating.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is an article of manufacture or a polymer.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the charge buildup decreases by a factor of at least 1.5.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the charge dissipation increases by a factor of at least 6.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising first identifying a substrate in need of improvement of electrostatic dissipative characteristics.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is an inorganic polymer selected from the group consisting of a polysiloxane, polysilane, polygermane, polystannane, and polyphosphazene.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a star polymer, wherein said star polymer comprises a central core and a plurality of polymer arms extending radially from said central core, wherein said polymer arms contain metallocene moieties as constituents of the polymer structure.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein each of said metallocene moieties is linked to one or more constituents of said polymer arms by one or more functionalities selected from the group consisting of an amine, a carboxylic acid, and a hydroxyl group.  
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the metallocene moieties is a ferrocene moiety.