Polyolefin Gel Processing Composition Containing An Inorganic Acid Scavenger and Method Using Same

Abstract

A polymer composition for producing gel extruded articles is described. The polymer composition contains polyethylene particles combined with a plasticizer and an acid scavenger. In accordance with the present disclosure, the acid scavenger is an inorganic compound that is insoluble in the plasticizer and/or any extractions solvents used during the process. In one embodiment, the acid scavenger is a magnesium aluminum hydroxide carbonate.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A polymer membrane or fiber comprising:
 a high density polyethylene combined with an acid scavenger, the acid scavenger comprising an inorganic compound, the inorganic compound comprising an oxide, a carbonate, a silicate, or mixtures thereof, and wherein the acid scavenger is present in the polymer membrane or fiber in an amount less than about 500 ppm on a weight basis.   
     
     
         22 . A polymer membrane or fiber as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the acid scavenger comprises a carbonate. 
     
     
         23 . A polymer membrane or fiber as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the acid scavenger comprises a hydrotalcite. 
     
     
         24 . A polymer membrane or fiber as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the acid scavenger is present in the membrane or fiber in an amount less than about 250 ppm on a weight basis. 
     
     
         25 . A polymer membrane or fiber as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the acid scavenger is present in the membrane or fiber in an amount less than about 150 ppm on a weight basis. 
     
     
         26 . A polymer membrane or fiber as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the acid scavenger is present in the membrane or fiber in an amount less than about 100 ppm on a weight basis. 
     
     
         27 . A polymer membrane or fiber as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the high density polyethylene is present in the composition in an amount greater than about 85% by weight. 
     
     
         28 . A polymer membrane or fiber as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the high density polyethylene is present in the composition in an amount greater than about 95% by weight. 
     
     
         29 . A polymer membrane or fiber as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the high density polyethylene has a molecular weight of greater than about 500,000 g/mol and less than about 10,000,000 g/mol. 
     
     
         30 . A polymer membrane or fiber as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the high density polyethylene has a molecular weight of greater than about 1,000,000 g/mol and less than about 10,000,000 g/mol. 
     
     
         31 . A polymer membrane or fiber as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the high density polyethylene has a molecular weight of greater than about 2,000,000 g/mol and less than about 10,000,000 g/mol. 
     
     
         32 . A polymer membrane or fiber as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the high density polyethylene is a Ziegler-Natta catalyzed ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. 
     
     
         33 . A polymer membrane or fiber as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the membrane or fiber further comprises a plasticizer. 
     
     
         34 . A polymer membrane or fiber as defined in  claim 33 , wherein the plasticizer comprises mineral oil, a paraffinic oil, a hydrocarbon, an alcohol, an ether, an ester, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         35 . A polymer membrane or fiber as defined in  claim 33 , wherein the plasticizer comprises decaline, xylene, dioctyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, decyl alcohol, nonyl alcohol, diphenyl ether, n-decane, n-dodecane, octane, nonane, kerosene, toluene, naphthalene, tetraline, monochlorobenzene, camphene, methane, dipentene, methylcyclopentandiene, tricyclodecane, 1,2,4,5-tetramethyl-1,4-cyclohexadiene, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         36 . A polymer membrane or fiber as defined in  claim 21  comprising a membrane. 
     
     
         37 . A battery separator comprising the membrane of  claim 36 . 
     
     
         38 . A battery comprising the battery separator of  claim 37 .