Abstract: A composition for forming a silica-based coating film includes a siloxane polymer and an alkali metal compound. The siloxane polymer is preferably a hydrolysis-condensation product of a silane compound having a hydrolyzable group. Sodium, lithium, potassium, rubidium, or cesium, or the like is used as the alkali metal of the alkali metal compound. Furthermore, the alkali metal compound is preferably a nitrate, sulfate, carbonate, oxide, chloride, bromide, fluoride, iodide, or hydroxide of the above alkali metal. This composition for forming a silica-based coating film may also include a pore-forming material. At least one material selected from amongst polyalkylene glycols and alkyl-terminated derivatives thereof is used as the pore-forming material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing polystyrene. The method includes the steps: using at least one scrapped surface heat exchanger (160) to heat a solution of polystyrene dissolved in an organic solvent to provide a heated solution of polystyrene dissolved in the organic solvent, and separating the dissolved polystyrene from the organic solvent. The apparatus includes: a holding tank at least partly filled with a solution of polystyrene dissolved in an organic solvent, at least one scrapped surface heat exchanger (160), and a separator.

Abstract: Compositions of matter including articles derived from (a) from 5 to 99.99 wt % of a modified polybutylene terephthalate random copolymer that (1) is derived from polyethylene terephthalate and (2) contains a at least one residue derived from polyethylene terephthalate selected from the group consisting of antimony, germanium, diethylene glycol groups, isophthalic acid groups, cis isomer of cyclohexane dimethanol, trans isomer of cyclohexane dimethanol, sodium benzoate, alkali salts, napthalane dicarboxylic acids, 1,3-propane diols, cobalt, cobalt-containing compounds, and combinations thereof, and (b) from 0.01 to 95 wt. % of a member selected from the group consisting of (1) fillers, (2) a carboxy reactive component, (3) polyethyelene terephthalate, (4) a component including a polycarbonate and an impact modifier. The articles may be derived from various conversion processes, e.g., injection molding processes, extrusion processes, thermoforming processes, melt-blown process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recycling polyesters or polyester mixtures from polyester-containing waste, in which the polyester or the polyester mixture is dissolved in a solvent and subsequently free-flowing particles are precipitated herefrom with a precipitant. The precipitant is thereby chosen such that subsequent separation of precipitant and solvent is made possible in a simple manner.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermally foamable microsphere having a structure with a foaming agent encapsulated in a shell formed of a polymer, wherein the shell contains an organosilicon compound, and a process for producing a thermally foamable microsphere having a structure with a foaming agent encapsulated in a shell formed of a polymer by suspension polymerization of a polymerizable mixture containing at least a foaming agent and a polymerizable monomer in an aqueous dispersion medium, wherein the polymerizable mixture is suspension polymerized in the presence of the organosilicon compound.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of making a polymer-organoclay composite composition comprising (a) contacting under condensation polymerization conditions a first monomer, a second monomer, a solvent, and an organoclay composition, said organoclay composition comprising alternating inorganic silicate layers and organic layers, to provide a first polymerization reaction mixture, wherein one of said first monomer and second monomers is a diamine and the other is an dianhydride; (b) carrying out a stoichiometry verification step on the first polymerization reaction mixture; (c) optionally adding additional reactant (monomer 1, monomer 2, or chainstopper) to the first polymerization reaction mixture to provide a second polymerization reaction mixture; and (d) removing solvent from the first polymerization reaction mixture or the second polymerization reaction mixture to provide a first polymer-organoclay composite composition comprising a polymer component and an organoclay component w

Abstract: Disclosed are new conjugated compounds (e.g., monomers and polymers) that include ladder-type moieties which can be used for preparing semiconducting materials. Such conjugated compounds can exhibit high n-type carrier mobility and/or good current modulation characteristics. Compounds of the present teachings also can exhibit ambipolar semiconducting activity. In addition, the compounds of the present teachings can possess certain processing advantages such as solution-processability and/or good stability in ambient conditions.

Abstract: Described are adhesive compositions containing a mixture of a pressure sensitive adhesive, a high Tg polymer, and a crosslinker to form a compatibilized blend that is optically clear. Methods of using the adhesive compositions, and multilayer assemblies such as optical elements prepared using the adhesives, are also provided.

Abstract: A sulfopolyester comprising repeat residue units from the reaction product dimethyl-5-sodiosulfoisophthalate, isophthalic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and diethylene glycol, has at least one property selected from: a) an acidity of greater than 0.030 measured as milliequivalents H+/gram of sulfopolyester; b) a titanium concentration, measured as metal, of less than about 27 ppm, based on the amount of sulfopolyester; or c) an acidity of greater than 0.010 measured as milliequivalents H+/gram of sulfopolyester, a pH of less than 6.0 and a concentration of a base compound of less than 0.0335 moles/kg of sulfopolyester. A method for making the water-dispersible or water-dissipative sulfopolyester of the present invention is disclosed. Aqueous dispersion having from 0.001 to about 35 weight % of the sulfopolyester of the present invention is also disclosed. The sulfopolyester is useful in making hair spray formulations suitable for pump or aerosol spray applicators.

Abstract: A two-step method for introducing acrylic functions into high molecular weight natural resins, under mild conditions, without the risk of gellation, wherein an acrylated natural resin ester is prepared by esterifying one or more of the sterically hindered hydroxy groups of the natural resin ester in an inert solvent with a 3-halopropionic acid, to form a 3-haloproprionate ester of the natural resin ester and dehydrohalogenated the 3-halopropionate ester by reacting it with an organic base.

Abstract: The methods of the invention employ electrostatic atomization to form a compound droplet of at least two miscible fluids. The compound droplet comprises a core of a first fluid and a layer of a second fluid completely surrounding the core. The first fluid contains the agent to be encapsulated and the second fluid contains an encapsulating agent. The first and second liquids are miscible. The encapsulated droplets can contain a variety of materials including, but not limited to, polynucleotides such as DNA and RNA, proteins, bioactive agents or drugs, food, pesticides, herbicides, fragrances, antifoulants, dyes, oils, inks, cosmetics, catalysts, detergents, curing agents, flavors, fuels, metals, paints, photographic agents, biocides, pigments, plasticizers, propellants and the like and components thereof. The droplets can be encapsulated by a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, lipid bilayers and polymer shells.

Abstract: This invention provides a coating composition for use on a food-contact surface of a container (e.g., a food or beverage can) that includes a polymer having one or more segments of Formula I: —O—Ar—Rn—C(O)—O—R1—O—C(O)—Rn—Ar—O— wherein each Ar is independently a divalent aryl group (i.e., an arylene group) or heteroarylene group; R1 is a divalent organic group; each R is independently a divalent organic group; and n is 0 or 1. Containers comprising the polymer and methods of making such containers are also provided.

Abstract: A process for forming a composition comprising organosilsesquioxanes, comprises the following steps: 1. partially hydrolysing hydrolysable inorganic monomer precursors comprising at least 50 mole % of first hydrolysable inorganic monomer precursors having the formula RSiY3, in which R is an organic group, the R—Si bond is a non-hydrolysable bond, each Y group is the same as or different to one another and is selected from chemically-reactive groups such that each Si—Y bond is hydrolysable to form a Si—OH bond, to form inorganic monomers and allowing partial condensation of the inorganic monomers to form a liquid composition comprising inorganic oligomers; 2.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods for manufacturing complex, anisotropic materials with desirable properties for information storage, processing, and display. Certain of these methods involve employing a magnetic field during manufacture to induce desired orientations of precursors, subunits, and/or molecular subassemblies. The applied magnetic field steers the precursors, subunits, and/or molecular subassemblies into desirable orientations while the precursors, subunits, and/or molecular subassemblies are assembled or self-assemble into a complex, anisotropic material. One embodiment of the present invention is a class of new, complex, well-ordered, network-like materials that include a ferromagnetic-material-based framework in which organic and/or organometallic compounds are organized.

Abstract: A process is described for recycling superabsorbent polymer fines into a process that includes treating the superabsorbent polymer fines with caustic and a polymerization step for making the superabsorbent polymer gel. The process requires treating the superabsorbent polymer fines with a caustic, followed by mixture with polymerizable monomer solution, and polymerizing the mixture of the superabsorbent polymer fines and monomer to form the aqueous fluid absorbent polymer. In the process, the fines are incorporated into the new polymer gel and become indistinguishable there from. The gel may then be comminuted into a particulate dried and then separated into a portion having a desired minimum particle size in a fines portion having less than the desired size. The particulate may then be coated with a surface crosslinking agent and surface additives and heated for surface conversion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparation of polymer blends comprising at least one polyoxymethylene and at least one thermoplastic elastomer, where the thermoplastic elastomer is micropelletized by a pelletizing process and the pellets obtained in a) are dispersed in the polyoxymethylene matrix via melting of the components and mixing of these at low shear forces, and also to the use of micropelletized thermoplastic elastomers for preparation of polyoxymethylenes with low formaldehyde emission.

Abstract: A microcapsule which is able to stably retain a benefit agent such as a volatile substance for an extended period, and which is also suitable for encapsulating fragrances and the like. Such capsule encapsulates a mixture comprising a volatile substance, and an additive that has a higher melting point than the volatile substance and is able to undergo mutual dissolution with the volatile substance, wherein the mixture exhibits a melting point range, and a portion of, or all of, that melting point range falls within a range from ?20 to 60° C. The present invention also relates to consumer products including cleaning and/or treatment compositions comprising such microcapsules, and processes of making and using same.

Abstract: An abrasion resistant poly(vinyl chloride) plastisol is disclosed. The plastisol includes an effective amount of polydimethylsiloxane to increase abrasion resistance while not adversely decreasing coefficient of friction. Articles subject to friction, such as industrial power transfer belts, benefit from the abrasion resistant plastisol.

Abstract: A composition comprising a polytrimethylene terephthalate random copolymer that (1) is derived from polyethylene terephthalate component selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate copolymers and (2) contains at least one residue derived from the polyethylene terephthalate component. Methods for making such copolymers and articles made from such copolymers.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions including heterocyclic organic compounds such as fused thiophene compounds, methods for making them, and uses thereof.