JP5978713B2 - Terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a polymer obtained by modifying the molecular chain terminal of a vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride, and more specifically, a polymer obtained by modifying the molecular chain terminal of a vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride. It relates to nanostructures. The present invention also relates to an optical material comprising the nanostructure.

  The hydrogenated vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer is produced, for example, by hydrogenating the aromatic ring of a vinyl aromatic polymer such as polystyrene. Vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydrides are excellent in heat resistance, transparency, low water absorption, low birefringence, and the like, and are therefore used in various fields as optical materials. In recent years, the demand for optical materials has become increasingly high, and not only the above performance but also a higher refractive index has been demanded.

  A method for achieving a high refractive index includes dispersing inorganic fine particles in a polymer matrix. For example, Patent Document 1 describes the preparation of an organic optical material having a high refractive index by dispersing inorganic fine particles in a resin serving as a base material based on Maxwell-Garnet theory.

International Publication No. WO2007 / 032217

  A hydride of a vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer is advantageous from the viewpoint of low water absorption because it does not have a polar group. An object of the present invention is to provide a nanostructure having a higher refractive index by dispersing inorganic fine particles in a hydride of a vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer.

  The inventors of the present invention have intensively studied to obtain a molded article having a high refractive index using a vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride. As a result, in the case of a vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride, the polar group is Therefore, it was difficult to disperse many inorganic compound fine particles, and it was difficult to obtain a molded article having a high refractive index. Thus, it has been found that modifying the molecular chain end of a vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride with a functional group makes it possible to disperse a large amount of fine particles of an inorganic compound and give a nanostructure having a high refractive index. The present invention has been completed. Since the functional group introduced into the hydride of the vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer is only the terminal, the ratio of the functional group can be kept low, so it is considered that there is no substantial change to low water absorption. .

  Thus, according to the present invention, the content of the repeating unit (a) having an alicyclic structure represented by the following general formula (1) is 90% by weight or more, and the following general formula (2) and / or the following general formula A terminal-modified olefin polymer hydrogen characterized in that the content of the repeating unit (b) of the chain structure represented by the formula (3) is 10% by weight or less and contains a functional group at the end of the molecular chain A chemical is provided.

[Wherein, R ₁ is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and R _{2 to} R ₁₂ are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or It is a halogen atom. ]

[Wherein, R ₁₃ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. ]

[Wherein, R ₁₄ and R ₁₅ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. ]
The functional group is preferably a functional group containing an oxygen atom, and particularly preferably a carboxyl group or a hydroxyl group.

  The terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride in which the terminal functional group is a carboxyl group is a monomer containing 90% by weight or more of an aromatic vinyl monomer and 10% by weight or less of a copolymerizable monomer. After anionic polymerization of the polymer, it is obtained by reacting the active terminal of the polymer with carbon dioxide gas to introduce a carboxyl group at the molecular chain terminal, and then hydrogenating the carbon-carbon double bond in the main chain and aromatic ring. be able to.

  The terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride whose terminal functional group is a hydroxyl group is a monomer containing 90% by weight or more of an aromatic vinyl monomer and 10% by weight or less of a copolymerizable monomer. After anionic polymerization of the polymer, it is obtained by reacting the active end of the polymer with an epoxy compound to introduce a hydroxyl group at the end of the molecular chain, and then hydrogenating the carbon-carbon double bond in the main chain and aromatic ring. Can do.

  The terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride preferably has a functional group modification rate of 70% or more.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a nanostructure characterized in that particles of an inorganic compound having an average particle size of 100 nm or less are dispersed in a matrix of the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride. Provided.
The nanostructure preferably has a light transmittance of 80% or more at a thickness of 3 mm.
Moreover, according to this invention, the optical material which consists of said nanostructure is provided.

  Provided are polymers and nanostructures that can achieve higher refractive index while maintaining the heat resistance, transparency, low water absorption, and low birefringence characteristics of the hydrogenated vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer. The

  The terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride of the present invention is a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond of a terminal-modified vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer obtained by modifying a molecular end of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer with a functional group. Is hydrogenated.

<Vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer>
The repeating unit (a) having an alicyclic structure represented by the general formula (1) is a structural unit derived from an aromatic hydrocarbon compound having a vinyl group, and represented by the general formulas (2) and (3). The chain-structured repeating unit (b) is a structural unit derived from a monomer copolymerizable with an aromatic hydrocarbon compound having a vinyl group.
The vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer according to the present invention is an aromatic hydrocarbon compound having a vinyl group (hereinafter abbreviated as “vinyl aromatic compound”), or a vinyl aromatic compound and a copolymer with the vinyl aromatic compound. It can be produced by vinyl addition polymerization of a monomer mixture containing possible monomers.

  Specific examples of the vinyl aromatic compound that can be used in the present invention include styrene, α-methylstyrene, α-ethylstyrene, α-propylstyrene, α-isopropylstyrene, α-t-butylstyrene, and 2-methylstyrene. 3-methylstyrene, 4-methylstyrene, 2,4-diisopropylstyrene, 2,4-dimethylstyrene, 4-t-butylstyrene, 5-t-butyl-2-methylstyrene, monochlorostyrene, dichlorostyrene, mono Examples thereof include styrenes such as fluorostyrene and 4-phenylstyrene.

  Specific examples of the copolymerizable monomer that can be used in the present invention include ethylene, propylene, isobutene, 2-methyl-1-butene, 2-methyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, and the like. Α-olefin monomers of cyclopentadiene, 1-methylcyclopentadiene, 2-methylcyclopentadiene, 2-ethylcyclopentadiene, 5-methylcyclopentadiene, 5,5-dimethylcyclopentadiene, dicyclopentadiene and the like Pentadiene monomers; monocyclic olefin monomers such as cyclobutene, cyclopentene, and cyclohexene; conjugated diene monomers such as butadiene, isoprene, 1,3-pentadiene, furan, thiophene, and 1,3-cyclohexadiene; Etc. Among these, a conjugated diene monomer is preferable because of high polymerization activity and low water absorption of the polymer.

  From the viewpoint of heat resistance, low birefringence, mechanical strength, etc., the monomer mixture used for the polymerization preferably contains 90% by weight or more, preferably 95% by weight or more of a vinyl aromatic compound.

  The vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer according to the present invention is obtained by a known polymerization method such as radical polymerization, anionic polymerization, or cationic polymerization. In the case of anionic polymerization or cationic polymerization, anionic living polymerization or cationic living polymerization is adopted. However, anionic living polymerization is preferred because of the ease of terminal modification reaction.

  The polymer may be either random or block.

  The form of polymerization may be any of bulk polymerization, emulsion polymerization, suspension polymerization, solution polymerization, etc., but since the hydrogenation reaction can be carried out continuously when the hydrogenation reaction is performed thereafter, the solution Polymerization is preferred.

  Anionic polymerization is carried out in an inert solvent in the presence of a polymerization initiator in a temperature range of usually 0 to 200 ° C., preferably 20 to 100 ° C., particularly preferably 20 to 80 ° C. Examples of the initiator include monoorganolithium such as n-butyllithium, sec-butyllithium, t-butyllithium, hexyllithium, and phenyllithium; dilithiomethane, 1,4-diobtan, 1,4-dilithio-2-ethyl A polyfunctional organolithium compound such as cyclohexane can be used.

  Examples of the inert solvent used include aliphatic hydrocarbons such as n-butane, n-pentane, iso-pentane, n-hexane, n-heptane and iso-octane; cyclopentane, cyclohexane, methylcyclopentane, And alicyclic hydrocarbons such as methylcyclohexane and decalin; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene; Among these, when aliphatic hydrocarbons or alicyclic hydrocarbons are used as the solvent, the solvent is inactive to the hydrogenation reaction, so that the reaction mixture can be directly used for the next hydrogenation reaction. These solvents can be used alone or in combination of two or more. A solvent is normally used in the ratio of 200-10,000 weight part with respect to 100 weight part of all the monomers.

<Terminal modified vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer>
The terminal-modified vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer according to the present invention is obtained by modifying the molecular chain terminal of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer with a functional group.

The functional group at the molecular end includes a carboxyl group (—COOH), a hydroxyl group (—OH), a sulfo group (—SO ₃ H), a primary amino group (—NH ₂ ), and a secondary amino group (—NHR). Where R is an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon chains), a tertiary amino group (—N (R) ₂ , where R is an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon chains) or a thiol group (—SH). A group having an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom or a sulfur atom. Among these, a carboxyl group and a hydroxyl group, which are groups having an oxygen atom, are preferable because they can be easily introduced into the molecular terminals.

  Although there is no particular limitation on the method for introducing the carboxyl group, a simple method is a method of introducing carbon dioxide gas into the reaction liquid of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer after anionic living polymerization.

  As a method for introducing carbon dioxide gas, it is preferable to introduce carbon dioxide gas into a reactor containing a reaction liquid of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer and stir under pressure. The pressure at that time is usually 10 kPa (G). As described above, preferably 100 kPa (G) to 1 MPa (G). If the pressure is too low, the carboxyl group introduction rate may be low.

  The temperature of the reaction liquid at the time of introducing carbon dioxide is usually −100 ° C. to 50 ° C., preferably −80 to 20 ° C. If the temperature of the reaction solution is too low, the carboxyl group introduction rate may be low, and if the temperature of the reaction solution is too high, a high molecular weight product may be generated due to a side reaction.

  As a method for introducing a hydroxyl group, it can be produced by adding an epoxy compound, an aldehyde compound, or a ketone compound to a reaction liquid of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer after anion living polymerization. Among these, an epoxy compound and an aldehyde compound are preferable in terms of reactivity, and an epoxy compound is more preferable.

  Specific examples of the epoxy compound that can be used in the present invention include ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, pentane oxide, styrene oxide, cyclohexane oxide, norbornene oxide, and the like.

  Specific examples of the aldehyde compound that can be used in the present invention include formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, and benzaldehyde.

  Specific examples of the ketone compound that can be used in the present invention include acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, 3-pentanone, acetophenone, and the like.

  The temperature of the reaction solution at the time of introducing a hydroxyl group is usually −100 ° C. to 100 ° C., preferably −50 to 50 ° C. If the temperature of the reaction solution is too low, the introduction rate of hydroxyl groups may be lowered, and if the temperature of the reaction solution is too high, a high molecular weight product may be generated due to a side reaction.

  The modification rate (introduction rate) of the terminal-modified vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer is calculated from the acid value of the terminal carboxylated product, the hydroxyl value of the terminal hydroxylated product, and the number of molecular ends determined from the weight average molecular weight (Mw). Can be obtained. The modification rate is preferably 70 to 100%, more preferably 80 to 100%.

<Terminal modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride>
The terminal-modified vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer hydride of the present invention is obtained by hydrogenating the carbon-carbon unsaturated bond of the terminal-modified vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer.

  The hydrogenation method is not particularly limited and can be performed according to a conventional method. Specifically, for example, a hydrogenation reaction is performed in an organic solvent using a hydrogenation catalyst containing at least one metal selected from nickel, cobalt, iron, titanium, rhodium, palladium, platinum, ruthenium and rhenium. In addition, the hydrogenation rate can be increased, and the polymer chain breakage associated with the hydrogenation reaction can be suppressed. Among these hydrogenation catalysts, it is preferable to use a nickel catalyst because the molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn) can be reduced. The hydrogenation catalyst may be a heterogeneous catalyst or a homogeneous catalyst.

  In the hydrogenation reaction, the reaction temperature is usually 10 to 250 ° C., preferably 50 to 200 ° C., more preferably 80 to 180 ° C., and the hydrogen pressure is usually 0.01 to 30 MPa, preferably 0.05 to 20 MPa. More preferably, it implements as the range of 0.1-10 MPa. The hydrogenation rate of the polymer hydride obtained by the above method is usually 80% or more, preferably 90% or more, more preferably 95% or more.

The hydrogenation rate of the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride is determined by the carbon-carbon unsaturated bond of the main chain and the side chain, the carbon-carbon unsaturation of the aromatic ring and the cycloalkene ring, as measured by ¹ H-NMR. Any of the saturated bonds is usually 90% or more, preferably 95% or more, more preferably 97% or more. When the hydrogenation rate is low, the low birefringence and thermal stability of the resulting block copolymer tend to be reduced.

  The molecular weight of the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride is a polystyrene-reduced weight average molecular weight (Mw) measured by GPC and is usually 12,000 or more, preferably 12,000 to 400,000. More preferably, it is 19,000-350,000, Most preferably, it is the range of 25,000-300,000. If the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is excessively small, the mechanical strength decreases, and if it is excessively large, it is difficult to sufficiently increase the hydrogenation rate.

  The molecular weight distribution of the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride can be appropriately selected according to the purpose of use, but the weight average molecular weight (Mw) and number average molecular weight in terms of polystyrene (or polyisoprene) measured by GPC. The molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn) represented by the ratio to (Mn) is preferably 5 or less, more preferably 4 or less, and particularly preferably 3 or less. If the molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn) is excessively large, the mechanical strength decreases.

  The weight average molecular weight (Mw) and molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn) of the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride are the weight average molecular weight (Mw) and molecular weight distribution of the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer. It can adjust suitably by (Mw / Mn).

  The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride is appropriately selected according to the purpose of use, but is a measured value on the high temperature side by DSC, preferably 70 to 150 ° C., more preferably. Is 80 to 140 ° C, particularly preferably 90 to 130 ° C. The glass transition temperature of the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride is the kind of vinyl aromatic compound and copolymerizable monomer used in the production of the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer. It can adjust suitably with a ratio.

The terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride of the present invention thus synthesized has a content of the repeating unit (a) having an alicyclic structure represented by the following general formula (1) of 90% by weight or more. The content of the repeating unit (b) having a chain structure represented by the following general formula (2) and / or the following general formula (3) is 10% by weight or less,
It contains a functional group at the end of the molecular chain.

[Wherein, R ₁ is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and R _{2 to} R ₁₂ are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or It is a halogen atom. ]

[Wherein, R ₁₃ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. ]

[Wherein, R ₁₄ and R ₁₅ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. ]

  After the hydrogenation reaction, the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride is, for example, a method of removing the hydrogenation catalyst from the reaction solution by a method such as filtration or centrifugation, and then removing the solvent directly by drying. The reaction solution is recovered by pouring it into a poor solvent for the block copolymer and coagulating it.

  The modification rate (introduction rate) of the terminal-modified vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer hydride is as follows. The terminal carboxylated product has an acid value, the terminal hydroxylated product has a hydroxyl value, and the number of molecular ends determined from the weight average molecular weight (Mw). From this, it can be calculated. The modification rate is preferably 70 to 100%, more preferably 80 to 100%. The acid value and hydroxyl value are measured in accordance with JIS K 0070 (1992).

<Various additives>
Additives to be blended as necessary in the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride of the present invention can be used without particular limitation as long as they are generally used in the application field to which they are applied. it can. Such additives include, for example, stabilizers, lubricants, ultraviolet absorbers, crystal nucleating agents, hydrochloric acid absorbers, antistatic agents, dyes, pigments, organic or inorganic fillers, slip agents, antifogging agents, natural Examples thereof include oils, synthetic oils, waxes, flame retardants, flame retardant aids, compatibilizers, crosslinking agents, crosslinking aids, plasticizers, and the like.

(A) Stabilizer Examples of the stabilizer include fatty acid metal salts such as zinc stearate, calcium stearate, and 1,2-hydroxycalcium stearate; glycerin monostearate, glycerin distearate, pentaerythritol distearate, pentaerythritol. Polyalcohol fatty acid esters such as tristearate; phenolic antioxidants, phosphorus antioxidants, sulfur antioxidants, etc. Among them, phenolic antioxidants are preferred, alkyl-substituted phenolic oxidations Inhibitors are particularly preferred.
These stabilizers can be used alone or in combination of two or more. The blending ratio of the stabilizer is usually in the range of 0.001 to 5 parts by weight, preferably 0.01 to 1 part by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride.

(B) Lubricant As the lubricant, an organic compound such as an ester of an aliphatic alcohol, an ester of a polyhydric alcohol, or a partial ester can be used.
Examples of the organic compound include glycerin monostearate, glycerin monolaurate, glycerin distearate, pentaerythritol monostearate, pentaerythritol distearate, pentaerythritol tristearate and the like.
These lubricants can be used alone or in combination of two or more. The blending ratio of the lubricant is appropriately selected according to the purpose of use, but is usually 0.001 to 5 parts by weight, preferably 0. 0 to 100 parts by weight of the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride. 005 to 3 parts by weight.

<Nanostructure>
In the nanostructure of the present invention, fine particles of an inorganic compound (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “inorganic fine particles”) are dispersed in a matrix of a terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride. .

Examples of the inorganic fine particle component include SiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , ZrO _2, etc. Among them, TiO ₂ and ZrO ₂ are preferable in terms of a high refractive index, and terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride. ZrO ₂ is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of preventing photodegradation.

The average particle size of the inorganic fine particles is 100 nm or less, preferably 50 nm or less, preferably 1 nm or more, more preferably 5 nm or more. If the particle diameter is too large, the transparency of the nanostructure is lowered, and if the particle system is too small, the effect of increasing the refractive index may be reduced.
The blending ratio of the inorganic fine particles is preferably 5 to 50% by weight, more preferably 10 to 40% by weight, and particularly preferably 10 to 35% by weight.

  The inorganic fine particles are preferably surface-modified. As a method for surface modification, a known method such as a method of treating inorganic fine particles with a silane coupling agent or a method of supporting carboxylic acid or amine on inorganic fine particles can be used.

  The inorganic fine particles used in the present invention are preferably uniformly dispersed in toluene, and the total light transmittance of a 1 cm optical path length of a 10% by weight inorganic fine particle toluene solution is particularly preferably 80% or more.

  As a method of mixing the inorganic fine particles and the terminal-modified alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride, known methods such as melt kneading and solution mixing can be used. Among these, the solution mixing method is preferable in terms of the transparency of the nanostructure. The solution mixing method is usually a method of removing the solvent after mixing the dispersion of inorganic fine particles and the solution of the terminal-modified alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride. The temperature at that time is usually 50 to 300 ° C., preferably 100 to 250 ° C., and the pressure is usually −101.33 kPa (G) to 100 kPa, preferably −101,33 kPa to 10 kPa.

  The nanostructure of the present invention can be molded by a known method such as injection molding, extrusion molding, hot press molding, solvent cast molding, inflation, etc., by a general molding method of a thermoplastic resin. The total light transmittance at a thickness of 3 mm of the molded product is preferably 80% or more, more preferably 85% or more.

The nanostructure of the present invention is optical because it has excellent high refractive index while maintaining the transparency, low water absorption, heat resistance, and low birefringence of the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride. Suitable for lenses. Specific examples include an objective lens, a collimator, a beam expander, a beam shaver, a diffraction grating, a mirror, a reflector for a vehicle lamp (mirror), a lens, and a light guide plate for a vehicle display, which are used in an optical pickup device using a blue laser. , Diffusion plate, LR film (low reflection film) and the like.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples and comparative examples. The present invention is not limited only to these examples. In the following examples and comparative examples, parts and% are based on weight unless otherwise specified.

The measurement methods for various physical properties are shown below.
(1) Average particle diameter of inorganic fine particles The average particle diameter is measured using a particle diameter measurement system (product name “ELSZ-100” manufactured by Otsuka Electronics Co., Ltd.), and the volume average particle diameter (D ₅₀ ) is determined as the average particle diameter. It was.
(2) Glass transition temperature The glass transition temperature was measured in accordance with JIS K 6911 using a differential scanning calorimeter (manufactured by SII Nanotechnology, product name “DSC6220”).
(3) Molecular weight The number average molecular weight (Mn), the weight average molecular weight (Mw) and the molecular weight distribution (MWD) were measured as standard polystyrene conversion values by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using tetrahydrofuran as a solvent. As the standard polystyrene, eight standard polystyrenes manufactured by Tosoh Corporation, Mw = 500, 2630, 10200, 37900, 96400, 427000, 1090000, and 5780000 were used.
For measurement, HLC8120GPC manufactured by Tosoh Corporation was used, and TSKgel SuperH5000, TSKgel SuperH4000 and TSKgel SuperH2000 manufactured by Tosoh Corporation were connected in series. Performed under conditions.
(4) Total light transmittance The total light transmittance was measured using a spectrophotometer (product name "V-570", manufactured by JASCO Corporation).
(5) The terminal modification rate was obtained by calculation from the number of molecular terminals obtained from the acid value of the terminal carboxylated product, the hydroxyl value of the terminal hydroxylated product, and the weight average molecular weight (Mw).

[Production Example 1] surface-modified zirconia nanocrystal particle dispersion A manufacturing oxide zirconium chloride octahydrate (ZrOCl ₂ · _{8H 2} O, manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Inc.) 1.29 g (4 mmol) and p- toluenesulfonic acid water 190 mg (1 mmol) of a Japanese product (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd.) was dissolved in a mixed solvent of 20 ml of ethanol (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) and 5 ml of triethyl orthoformate (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd.). This solution was filled in a pressurized container (made of stainless steel with a 50 ml Teflon (registered trademark) inner cylinder), heated in an oven at 170 ° C. for 40 hours, allowed to cool to room temperature, and then the pressurized container was released. At this time, the reaction solution was colorless and transparent, and no precipitation was observed. After removing the solvent from the reaction solution with an evaporator under reduced pressure, 650 g of white powdery zirconia nanocrystals were obtained. This was re-dispersed in 13 ml of a mixed solvent of methanol and methylene chloride in a volume ratio of 10: 3 to prepare a uniform dispersion solution, and 284 mg (1 mmol) of stearic acid (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was dissolved, and sodium carbonate was further added. A white turbid solution having a white precipitate was obtained by adding 58 mg (0.55 mmol) (manufactured by High-Purity Chemical Co., Ltd.) and stirring overnight at room temperature. After removing the solvent using an evaporator, methanol was added in excess (25 ml), and the mixture was centrifuged to collect the precipitate. When toluene (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Inc.) was added to the precipitate, a colorless and transparent dispersion solution was obtained, and a toluene dispersion A (concentration of 10% by weight) of surface-modified zirconia particles could be prepared. The average particle diameter of the surface-modified zirconia particles was 6 nm. The total light transmittance of 1 cm optical path length of toluene dispersion was 85%.

[Production Example 2] Production of surface-modified zirconia nanocrystal particle dispersion liquid B A toluene dispersion of surface-modified zirconia particles in the same manner as in Production Example 1 except that 4-tert-butylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid was used instead of stearic acid. B (concentration 10% by weight) could be prepared. The average particle diameter of the surface-modified zirconia particles was 7 nm. The total light transmittance of 1 cm optical path length of toluene dispersion was 85%.

[Production Example 3] Production of nanoclay dispersion C Toluene was added to nanoclay (product name “Esven (registered trademark) NX” manufactured by Hojun Co., Ltd.) to prepare a nanoclay toluene dispersion C (concentration: 10% by weight). The total light transmittance of 1 cm optical path length of toluene dispersion was 81%.

[Example 1] Production of terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride A (terminal carboxylation)
A stainless steel reactor equipped with a stirrer was sufficiently dried and replaced with nitrogen, and then 960 parts of dehydrated cyclohexane, 240 parts of styrene monomer, and 3.81 parts of dibutyl ether were charged. While stirring the contents of the reactor at 40 ° C., 1.35 parts of a 15% hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added thereto to initiate polymerization. After polymerization at 40 ° C. for 3 hours, the mixture was cooled to −30 ° C., pressurized with carbon dioxide gas to 200 kPa, and reacted for 1 hour. The terminal-modified vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer (terminal carboxylated polystyrene) Mw thus obtained was 180,000 and Mw / Mn was 1.04.
Subsequently, 1200 parts of the solution containing the above-mentioned terminal-modified vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer was transferred to a pressure-resistant reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer, and a nickel-diatomite catalyst (product name “N113” manufactured by JGC Chemical Industries, Ltd., nickel) 24 parts) was added and mixed. Next, the inside of the reaction vessel was replaced with hydrogen gas, hydrogen was supplied at 150 ° C. while stirring, and the hydrogenation reaction was performed for 6 hours while maintaining the pressure at 70 kg / cm ² . After completion of the hydrogenation reaction, the reaction solution was filtered to remove the hydrogenation catalyst. After removing the catalyst, it was diluted by adding 1200 parts of cyclohexane. In an environment of cleanliness class 1000, the diluted liquid was further filtered through a filter having a pore diameter of 1 μm to remove foreign matters. The filtrate was poured into 9000 parts of isopropanol filtered through a filter having an average pore size of 1 μm in an environment of cleanliness class 1000 to precipitate a terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride. After separation by filtration, the residue was dried at 100 ° C. for 48 hours in a vacuum dryer to recover terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride A. The physical properties of the obtained terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer A were Tg = 143 ° C., Mw = 153,000, Mw / Mn = 1.30, and the terminal modification rate was 85%.
The obtained terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride A was dissolved in toluene so as to be 10% by weight, and the inorganic fine particle dispersion shown in Table 1 was added thereto in the amount shown in Table 1. After that, it was heated to 200 ° C. in a nitrogen atmosphere to remove toluene and obtain various nanostructures. A molded body having a thickness of 3 mm was prepared by hot pressing, and the total light transmittance was measured. The results are shown in Table 1.

[Example 2] Production of terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride B (terminal hydroxylation)
A stainless steel reactor equipped with a stirrer was sufficiently dried and replaced with nitrogen, and then 960 parts of dehydrated cyclohexane, 240 parts of styrene monomer, and 3.81 parts of dibutyl ether were charged. While stirring the contents of the reactor at 40 ° C., 0.65 part of a 15% hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added thereto to initiate polymerization. After polymerization at 40 ° C. for 3 hours, 1.26 parts of propylene oxide was added and reacted for 1 hour. The terminal-modified vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer (terminal hydroxylated polystyrene) thus obtained had Mw of 180,000 and Mw / Mn of 1.04.
Subsequently, 1200 parts of the solution containing the above-mentioned terminal-modified vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer was transferred to a pressure-resistant reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer, and a nickel-diatomite catalyst (product name “N113” manufactured by JGC Chemical Industries, Ltd., nickel) 24 parts) was added and mixed. Next, the inside of the reaction vessel was replaced with hydrogen gas, hydrogen was supplied at 150 ° C. while stirring, and the hydrogenation reaction was performed for 6 hours while maintaining the pressure at 70 kg / cm ² . After completion of the hydrogenation reaction, the reaction solution was filtered to remove the hydrogenation catalyst. After removing the catalyst, it was diluted by adding 1200 parts of cyclohexane. In an environment of cleanliness class 1000, the diluted liquid was further filtered through a filter having a pore diameter of 1 μm to remove foreign matters. The filtrate was poured into 9000 parts of isopropanol filtered through a filter having an average pore size of 1 μm in an environment of cleanliness class 1000 to precipitate a terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride. After separation by filtration, the product was dried at 100 ° C. for 48 hours with a vacuum dryer to recover terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride B. The physical properties of the obtained terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer B were Tg = 143 ° C., Mw = 153,000, Mw / Mn = 1.09, and the terminal modification rate was 95%.
Using this terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer B, a molded product having a thickness of 3 mm was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the inorganic fine particle dispersion was as shown in Table 1. Was measured. The results are shown in Table 1.

[Example 3] Production of terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride C (terminal hydroxylation)
The terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride C was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2 except that 240 parts of styrene monomer / isoprene (95: 5 weight ratio) was used instead of 240 parts of styrene monomer. The physical properties were Tg = 129 ° C., Mw = 143,000, Mw / Mn = 1.11, and the terminal modification rate was 96%.
Using this terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride C and making the inorganic fine particle dispersion liquid as shown in Table 1, a molded product having a thickness of 3 mm was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 to produce a total light beam. The transmittance was measured. The results are shown in Table 1.

[Comparative Example] Production of hydride of vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer D. Obtained hydride of vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer in the same manner as in Example 2 except that isopropanol was used instead of propylene oxide. The physical properties of D were Tg = 144 ° C., Mw = 148,000, Mw / Mn = 1.08, and the terminal modification rate was 0%.
Using this vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride D and making the inorganic fine particle dispersion liquid as shown in Table 1, a 3 mm-thick molded product was prepared and transmitted through all light in the same manner as in Example 1. The rate was measured. The results are shown in Table 1.

  From this result, the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride whose molecular terminal is modified with a functional group has little decrease in light transmittance and increased refractive index even when the amount of inorganic fine particles is increased (Examples). 1-3) On the other hand, it can be seen that the hydride of a vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer whose molecular terminal is not modified with a functional group has a large decrease in transparency when the amount of inorganic fine particles is increased (Comparative Example). .

Claims (3)

The content of the repeating unit (a) having an alicyclic structure represented by the following general formula (1) is 90% by weight or more, and is represented by the following general formula (2) and / or the following general formula (3). In the matrix of the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride having a chain structure repeating unit (b) content of 10% by weight or less and containing a carboxyl group or a hydroxyl group at the end of the molecular chain In addition, a nanostructure in which particles of an inorganic compound having an average particle size of 100 nm or less are dispersed,
A nanostructure having a light transmittance of 80% or more at a thickness of 3 mm.

[Wherein, R ₁ is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and R _{2 to} R ₁₂ are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or It is a halogen atom. ]

[Wherein, R ₁₃ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. ]

[Wherein, R ₁₄ and R ₁₅ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. ]   The nanostructure according to claim 1, wherein the terminal-modified vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer hydride has a modification rate of 70% or more.   An optical material comprising the nanostructure according to claim 1.