Abstract: A method of defoaming a system subject to foaming by using a defoamer composition is disclosed. The defoamer composition contains (a) 80 to 100 wt. % of a decarboxylated rosin acid (DCR) having a density of 0.9 to 1.0 g/cm3, a flash point of 135 to 175° C., an acid value of <50 mg KOH/g, measured according to ASTM D465, and a viscosity of 15 to 60 cSt at 40° C., measured according to ASTM D-445; and (b) 0 to 20 wt. % based on total weight of the defoamer composition of at least one component selected from the group consisting of nanoparticles, surfactants, hydrophobic compounds, and mixtures thereof. The defoamer composition is very effective in controlling unwanted foam formation or reduce already formed foam in the system.

Abstract: A method to purify a polymer is disclosed. The method is part of a manufacturing process wherein a virgin polymer is produced from a polymerization process employing at least a monomer or a comonomer as a feedstock. The monomer or the comonomer is selected from the group consisting of organic polar monomers, inorganic monomers, vinyl aromatic monomers, conjugated dienes, and mixtures thereof. In the method, the polymer in solid, liquid or molten state is brought into contact with a fluid solvent or an extraction fluid in a supercritical state or near supercritical state. The contact is at controlled temperature and pressure, allowing the fluid solvent to diffuse into the polymer and extract the impurities intended to remove. The method can be used to remove at least 10%, or at least 20%, or at least 50% of the target impurity from the polymer.

Abstract: A polyelectrolyte composition is disclosed comprising (a) a polyionic multiblock polymer (PILSBC) comprising a styrenic block copolymer (SBC) precursor having at least a quaternary ammonium salt; (b) a cross-linking agent comprising a compound having at least two amino groups; (c) a lithium salt; and (d) an ionic liquid. The SBC precursor comprises at least a block D derived from a substituted vinyl aromatic monomer; a block A derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer; and optionally a block B derived from a conjugated diene monomer. The polyelectrolyte composition has a mol ratio of the ionic liquid to the quaternary ammonium salt of 0.1:1-1:1. The polyelectrolyte composition provides improved ionic conductivity and electrochemical properties, and can be used in batteries, e.g., a Li-ion battery.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing a residue from a surface. The method includes steps of applying a cleaning medium to the surface containing the residue. The cleaning medium comprises up to 100 wt. % of at least a solvent. Allowing the cleaning medium to be in contact with the residue for at least 5 seconds to swell/dissolve the residue for removing the residue from the surface. At least 50 wt. % of the residue and the cleaning medium are removed from the surface by wiping the surface with a shear force. The residue contains a sulfonated polymer having an ion exchange capacity (IEC) of greater than 0.5 meq/g. The sulfonated polymer can kill >90% of microbes coming in contact with the sulfonated polymer in less than 30 min.

Abstract: An antimicrobial wipe is disclosed comprising a substrate and an antimicrobial composition. The antimicrobial composition contains a sulfonated block copolymer having an ion exchange capacity (IEC) of >0.5 meq/g, and (ii) a solvent system. The solvent system contains a mixture of two or more solvents selected from the group consisting of organic solvents, inorganic solvents, terpene-based compounds, and decarboxylated rosin acids. The antimicrobial wipe is in the form of a fabric, a sponge, a toilette, and the like. The sulfonated block copolymer is partially or fully dissolved in the solvent system, such that when the wipe is in contact with a target surface, the sulfonated block copolymer is imparted from the wipe onto the surface forming a coating layer. The coating layer causes a reduction in a microbe concentration by at least 1 log10 CFU (colony forming units) within 120 minutes upon contact.

Abstract: An antimicrobial spray composition is disclosed, forming a protective film on surfaces when dried. The protective film provides antimicrobial protection by killing at least 95% of microorganisms in <30 minutes of exposure. The spray composition comprises a sulfonated polymer selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A face mask is disclosed. The face mask includes a mask pad adapted to cover a nose and a mouth of a wearer and allows a passage of air therethrough to the wearer and restricts a passage of microbes. The mask pad has at least a surface protected by a sulfonated polymeric layer for killing at least 90% microbes within 120 minutes of contact with at least a surface of the face mask. The sulfonated polymeric layer consists essentially of a sulfonated polymer, the sulfonated polymer being selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A frequently-touched surface for use by multiple users includes a surface protected by a laminate structure. The laminate structure includes a self-sterilizing sulfonated polymeric outer layer, sulfonated to a certain % to kill at least 95% microbes within 30 minutes of contact. The self-sterilizing sulfonated polymer layer can be applied to the frequently touched surface by any of coating, lamination, and spraying. The sulfonated polymer in embodiment is selected from perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof. The sulfonated polymer has a degree of sulfonation of at least 10%.

Abstract: An antimicrobial paint is disclosed. The antimicrobial paint comprises a carrier fluid, a binder, a sulfonated polymer and optionally at least an additive. The sulfonated polymer is selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones such as polyether sulfone, sulfonated polyketones such as polyether ketone, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof. The sulfonated polymer is sufficiently or selectively sulfonated to contain from 10-100 mol % sulfonic acid or sulfonate salt functional groups based on the number of monomer units, for killing at least 99% of microbes in less than 30 minutes, or in less than 5 minutes of coming into contact with a substrate coated in the antimicrobial paint composition.

Abstract: An article with self-disinfecting and anti-fog properties. In embodiments, the article is a face shield having a transparent substrate configured to extend facing at least a portion of a face of a wearer, and has a first surface adapted to be disposed facing the face of the wearer and second surface disposed opposite to the first surface. The face panel is protected by a sulfonated polymeric layer on the second surface, for killing at least 95% microbes within 30 minutes of contact. The sulfonated polymeric is sufficiently or selectively sulfonated to contain from 10-100 mol % sulfonic acid or sulfonate salt functional groups based on the number of monomer units, for killing at least 99% of microbes within 5 minutes of coming into contact with the face panel. The sulfonated polymeric layer has a Tfog of >15 minutes.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to bio-secure equipment for protecting surfaces prone to exposure to microbes. The bio-secure equipment is for the protection of surfaces, with a coating layer comprising a sulfonated polymer, having a sufficient degree of sulfonation to kill in less than 120 minutes at least 90% of microbes in contact with the surfaces, and for extended protection of the surfaces for at least a month. The coating material is particularly suitable to provide bio-secure protection for applications including but not limited to protective facemasks, surgical instruments and supplies, garments, surfaces frequently used by members of the public that may have contagious diseases, etc., to decrease the transmission of microbes.

Abstract: A method to purify a polymer is disclosed. The method is part of a manufacturing process wherein a virgin polymer is produced from a polymerization process employing at least a monomer or a comonomer as a feedstock. The monomer or the comonomer is selected from the group consisting of organic polar monomers, inorganic monomers, vinyl aromatic monomers, conjugated dienes, and mixtures thereof. In the method, the polymer in solid, liquid or molten state is brought into contact with a fluid solvent or an extraction fluid in a supercritical state or near supercritical state. The contact is at controlled temperature and pressure, allowing the fluid solvent to diffuse into the polymer and extract the impurities intended to remove. The method can be used to remove at least 10%, or at least 20%, or at least 50% of the target impurity from the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous emulsion and a process for preparing an aqueous emulsion of a midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer comprising at least two non-sulfonated polymer end-blocks A and at least one 5 sulfonated block B comprising the steps of providing a cement of a midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer in a non-polar solvent wherein the non-polar solvent is a hydrocarbon compound comprising from 5 to 12 carbon atoms with a boiling point of less than 100 degree Celsius or mixture of such compounds, mixing the cement with a co-solvent to form a mixture, emulsifying the mixture optionally in the 10 presence of an emulsifier with water to produce an emulsion, and removing the hydrocarbon solvent and optionally the co-solvent from the emulsion to produce the aqueous emulsion. The resulting emulsion of the midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer has relatively small particle diameters.

Abstract: The present invention concerns aqueous emulsions and a process for preparing aqueous emulsions of a midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer comprising at least two non-sulfonated polymer end-blocks A and at least one sulfonated block B, comprising the steps of providing a cement of a midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer in the apolar solvent, mixing the cement with a co-solvent to form a mixture, emulsifying the mixture in the absence of a surfactant with water to produce an emulsion, and removing the hydrocarbon solvent and any optional co-solvent from the emulsion to produce the aqueous emulsion. The resulting emulsion of the midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer has relatively small particle diameters.

Abstract: The present invention concerns aqueous emulsions and a process for preparing aqueous emulsions of a midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer comprising at least two non-sulfonated polymer end-blocks A and at least one sulfonated block B, comprising the steps of providing a cement of a midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer in the apolar solvent, mixing the cement with a co-solvent to form a mixture, emulsifying the mixture in the absence of a surfactant with water to produce an emulsion, and removing the hydrocarbon solvent and any optional co-solvent from the emulsion to produce the aqueous emulsion. The resulting emulsion of the midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer has relatively small particle diameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous emulsion and a process for preparing an aqueous emulsion of a midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer comprising at least two non-sulfonated polymer end-blocks A and at least one 5 sulfonated block B comprising the steps of providing a cement of a midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer in a non-polar solvent wherein the non-polar solvent is a hydrocarbon compound comprising from 5 to 12 carbon atoms with a boiling point of less than 100 degree Celsius or mixture of such compounds, mixing the cement with a co-solvent to form a mixture, emulsifying the mixture optionally in the 10 presence of an emulsifier with water to produce an emulsion, and removing the hydrocarbon solvent and optionally the co-solvent from the emulsion to produce the aqueous emulsion. The resulting emulsion of the midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer has relatively small particle diameters.

Abstract: An article made up of a substrate which has a polymer coating applied to at least one of its surfaces, wherein the polymer coating forms an interrupted pattern such that at least 10% to 80% of the substrate surface remains uncoated, and wherein the polymer coating comprises a moisture permeable polymer.