The polystyrene modified organophilic montmorillonite clays (PS-OMMT) were preparation through intercalating styrene monomer into the layer of OMMT by in-situ polymerization. Composite modified asphalts with PS-OMMT and SBS were prepared by melt blending. Results showed the interlayer spacing of OMMT was increased by the intercalated polymerization reaction of styrene. The modified OMMT and SBS homogeneously disperse in the base asphalt, which lead to an improvement in terms of toughness, strength, and thermal stability. Impact of the PS-OMMT on the properties of SBS modified asphalt appears as a decreasing penetration, an increasing softening point, and a decreasing ductility. Compared with that of SBS modified asphalt, the anti-aging property of PS-OMMT /SBS modified asphalt was greatly improved.

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) has been employed for the synthesis of a novel amphiphilic fluorinated triblock copolymer PEG-b-PS-b-PFHEM for anti-fouling coatings. The macroinitiator based on poly(ethylene oxide) monomethyl ether was used to prepare an amphiphilic diblock copolymer PEG-b-PSt-Br, which was then utilized to initiate the ATRP of fluorinated monomer perfluorohexylethyl acrylate (FHEA), resulting in an amphiphilic triblock copolymer. These copolymers were characterized by means of 1H NMR and GPC. The amphiphilic triblock copolymer surface composes of fluorinated and PEGylated blocks, and the fluorinated surface has critical surface energy, while the PEGylated surface is expected to have a relatively low interfacial energy when in contact with water. Microphase-separation of both blocks could take place and result in the reduction of protein adsorption and cell adhesion. The amphiphilic fluoropolymer has the potential application as excellent antifouling coatings and antifouling membranes.

Composite modified asphalts with nano calcium carbonate (nano CaCO3)/ SBS and nano montmorillonite (nano MMT)/SBS were prepared respectively by melt blending. Rolling thin film oven test (RTFOT) was carried out to study the aging properties. The results demonstrate that CaCO3/SBS and MMT/SBS homogeneously disperse in the base asphalt, which lead to an improvement in terms of toughness, strength, and thermal stability. Effects of the nano CaCO3 and nano MMT on the properties of SBS modified asphalt appear as a decreasing penetration, an increasing softening point, and a decreasing ductility. The anti-aging property of the nano MMT/SBS modified asphalt was better than that of the CaCO3/SBS modified asphalt and SBS modified asphalt.

An azobenzene derivative substituted with a 2-bromoisobutyryl group was used as an initiator for the atom transfer radical polymerization of 2-[4-(4-ethoxyphenylazo)phenoxy]ethyl methacrylate) (MAZO). The resulting homopolymers (AZO-PMAZO) possess azobenzene moieties both in the main chain and in the side chain. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM) preliminarily revealed the liquid crystalline property of these polymers. The novel liquid crystalline polymers are expected to act as the candidates in some promising areas including optical data storage, optical switch, and molecular devices.

Composite modified asphalts with micron fly ash/SBS and nanocalcium carbonate (nanoCaCO3)/ SBS were prepared respectively by melt blending. The ageing properties and physical properties of micron fly ash/SBS and CaCO3/SBS modified bitumen were investigated. The results demonstrate that micron fly ash/SBS modified bitumen exhibited an increasing softening point, a decreasing penetration and a decreasing ductility. Compared with that of SBS modified bitumen, the anti-aging property of the micron fly ash/SBS modified bitumen becomes worse. Effects of the nanoCaCO3 on the properties of SBS modified asphalt appear as a decreasing penetration, an increasing softening point, and a decreasing ductility. The anti-aging property of the CaCO3/SBS modified asphalt was better than that of the SBS modified asphalt.