Abstract: A photonic device including a first waveguide and a second waveguide is provided. The device includes an interconnect coupled with the first waveguide and the second waveguide. The interconnect includes a substrate. The interconnect includes a film including a refractive index contrast (RIC) polymer and a core. The core includes a first domain having a first refractive index. The core includes a second domain adjacent to the first domain and having a second refractive index. The second refractive index is less than the first refractive index. The core includes a third domain adjacent to the second domain and having a third refractive index. The third refractive index is less than the second refractive index. The second domain is disposed between the first domain and the third domain. The refractive index of the substrate is less than the first refractive index, the second refractive index, and the third refractive index.

Abstract: Catalyst systems employing inexpensive and readily-available protic co-catalysts to increase a proton reduction rate in a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are described herein. The protic co-catalysts function to increase the rate without being consumed in the process of water splitting to hydrogen and oxygen. They may simultaneously serve to stabilize the pH of the water and be the electrolyte to carry the current for the electrolytic splitting of water. The protic co-catalysts also decrease the overpotential energy requirement for the process of water splitting. These protic co-catalysts can be used with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts, as well as assist photocatalysis and other processes for the reduction of protons.

Abstract: Metallopolymers composed of polymers and catalytically active diiron-disulfide ([2Fe-2S]) complexes. [FeFe]-hydrogenase mimics have been synthesized and used to initiate polymerization of various monomers to generate metallopolymers containing active [2Fe-2S] sites which serve as catalysts for a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Vinylic monomers with polar groups provided water solubility relevant for large scale hydrogen production, leveraging the supramolecular architecture to improve catalysis. Metallopolymeric electrocatalysts displayed high turnover frequency and low overpotential in aqueous media as well as aerobic stability. Metallopolymeric photocatalysts incorporated P3HT ligands to serve as a photosensitizer to promote photoinduced electron transfer to the active complex.

Abstract: Sulfur copolymers and methods of synthesizing said sulfur copolymers are described herein. Sulfur monomers copolymerize with epoxide or vinylic moieties the epoxy-functionalized styrenic comonomers to form a crosslinked network of the sulfur copolymer. Sulfur copolymers having high sulfur content are used as raw materials in 3D printing. Chalcogenide-based copolymers can utilize selenium to provide for the optical properties. Using an inverse vulcanization method, chalcogenic sulfur copolymers are used to prepare chemically stable polymer plastic materials with tunable optical and thermochemical properties. Optical substrates, such as films, waveguides, and molded (nano-, micro-) objects and lenses, are constructed from sulfur copolymers via 3D printing and are substantially transparent in the visible and infrared spectrum.

Abstract: Methods of vulcanization using a high content sulfur polymer, instead of elemental sulfur, have been developed. These high sulfur content polymers are referred to as Chalcogenide Hybrid Inorganic/Organic Polymers (CHIP) materials and have good polymer compatibility in that they are soluble in a number of polymers. Furthermore, CHIP materials may have weaker bonds than the S—S bonds of elemental sulfur and thus provide for a higher crosslinking efficiency vulcanization.

Abstract: The present invention provides certain polymeric materials, precursors thereof as well as the preparation and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides certain polymeric materials, precursors thereof as well as the preparation and uses thereof.

Abstract: Methods of vulcanization using a high content sulfur polymer, instead of elemental sulfur, have been developed. These high sulfur content polymers are referred to as Chalcogenide Hybrid Inorganic/Organic Polymers (CHIP) materials and have good polymer compatibility in that they are soluble in a number of polymers. Furthermore, CHIP materials may have weaker bonds than the S—S bonds of elemental sulfur and thus provide for a higher crosslinking efficiency vulcanization.

Abstract: Metallopolymers composed of polymers and catalytically active diiron-disulfide ([2Fe-2S]) complexes are described herein. [FeFe]-hydrogenase mimics have been synthesized and used to initiate polymerization of various monomers to generate metallopolymers containing active [2Fe-2S] sites which serve as catalysts for a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Vinylic monomers with polar groups provided water solubility relevant for large scale hydrogen production, leveraging the supramolecular architecture to improve catalysis. Metallopolymeric electrocatalysts displayed high turnover frequency and low overpotential in aqueous media as well as aerobic stability. Metallopolymeric photocatalysts incorporated P3HT ligands to serve as a photosensitizer to promote photoinduced electron transfer to the active complex.

Abstract: An iterative approach to dynamic covalent polymerizations of elemental sulfur with functional comonomers to prepare sulfur prepolymers that can further react with other conventional, commercially available comonomers to prepare a wider class of functional sulfur polymers. This iterative method improves handling, miscibility and solubility of the elemental sulfur, and further enables tuning of the sulfur polymer composition. The sulfur polymers may be a thermoplastic or a thermoset for use in elastomers, resins, lubricants, coatings, antioxidants, cathode materials for electrochemical cells, and polymeric articles such as polymeric films and free-standing substrates.

Abstract: The present invention provides certain CHIP films and coatings, as well as the preparation and uses thereof. Chalcogenide hybrid organic/inorganic polymers or CHIPs may be suitable for use in antireflection coatings for use with infrared optics, for example as applied to lenses for infrared cameras. The coatings may be applied with spin coating and have a thickness related to the quarter wavelength of the desired infrared wavelengths.

Abstract: Sulfur copolymers and methods of synthesizing said sulfur copolymers are described herein. Sulfur monomers copolymerize with epoxide or vinylic moieties the epoxy-functionalized styrenic comonomers to form a crosslinked network of the sulfur copolymer. Sulfur copolymers having high sulfur content are used as raw materials in 3D printing. Chalcogenide-based copolymers can utilize selenium to provide for the optical properties. Using an inverse vulcanization method, chalcogenic sulfur copolymers are used to prepare chemically stable polymer plastic materials with tunable optical and thermochemical properties. Optical substrates, such as films, waveguides, and molded (nano-, micro-) objects and lenses, are constructed from sulfur copolymers via 3D printing and are substantially transparent in the visible and infrared spectrum.

Abstract: Copolymerization of elemental sulfur with functional comonomers afford sulfur copolymers having a high molecular weight and high sulfur content. Nucleophilic activators initiate sulfur polymerizations at relative lower temperatures and in solutions, which enable the use of a wider range of comonomers, such as vinylics, styrenics, and non-homopolymerizing comonomers. Nucleophilic activators promote ring-opening reactions to generate linear polysulfide intermediates that copolymerize with comonomers. Dynamic sulfur-sulfur bonds enable re-processing or melt processing of the sulfur polymer. Chalcogenide-based copolymers have a refractive index of about 1.7-2.6 at a wavelength in a range of about 5000 nm-8????. The sulfur copolymer can be a thermoplastic or a thermoset for use in elastomers, resins, lubricants, coatings, antioxidants, cathode materials for electrochemical cells, dental adhesives/restorations, and polymeric articles such as polymeric films and free-standing substrates.

Abstract: Compositions of flame retardants and methods of enhancing char formation in a flame retardant-treated substrate. A base material is combined with a flame retardant to form the flame retardant-treated substrate. The flame retardant contains a sulfur copolymer prepared by the polymerization of sulfur monomers with organic monomers. The flame retardant can be deposited on a surface of the base material, coated on the base material, or mixed into the base material. When the flame resistant substrate is on fire, the flame retardant forms a charring layer on the flame retardant-treated substrate. The charring layer can extinguish and prevent the fire from spreading.

Abstract: The present invention provides certain polymeric materials, precursors thereof as well as the preparation and uses thereof.

Abstract: An iterative approach to dynamic covalent polymerizations of elemental sulfur with functional comonomers to prepare sulfur prepolymers that can further reacted with other conventional, commercially available comonomers to prepare a wider class of functional sulfur polymers. This iterative method improves handling, miscibility and solubility of the elemental sulfur, and further enables tuning of the sulfur polymer composition. The sulfur polymers may be a thermoplastic or a thermoset for use in elastomers, resins, lubricants, coatings, antioxidants, cathode materials for electrochemical cells, and polymeric articles such as polymeric films and free-standing substrates.

Abstract: Sulfur copolymers having high sulfur content for use as raw materials in 3D printing. The sulfur copolymers are prepared by melting and copolymerizing one or more comonomers with cyclic selenium sulfide, elemental sulfur, elemental selenium, or a combination thereof. Optical substrates, such as films and lenses, are constructed from the sulfur copolymer via 3D printing and are substantially transparent in the visible and infrared spectrum. The optical substrates can have refractive indices of about 1.75-2.6 at a wavelength in a range of about 500 nm to about 8 ?m.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of producing composite materials for use as a cathode in electrochemical cells. Elemental sulfur is mixed with tungsten sulfide (WS2) to form a composite mixture. Organic comonomers may be added to the composite mixture. The composite mixture is reacted to form the composite material. Electrochemical cells with cathodes containing the composite material demonstrated improved battery performance.

Abstract: Sulfur composites and polymeric materials having a high sulfur content and prepared from elemental sulfur as the primary chemical feedstock. The sulfur copolymers are prepared by the polymerization of elemental sulfur with one or more monomers of amines, thiols, sulfides, alkynylly unsaturated monomers, nitrones, aldehydes, ketones, thiiranes, ethylenically unsaturated monomers, or epoxides. The sulfur copolymers may be further dispersed with metal or ceramic composites or copolymerized with elemental carbon, photoactive organic chromophores, or reactive and solubilising/biocompatible moieties. The sulfur composites and polymeric materials feature the ability self-healing through thermal reformation. Applications utilizing the sulfur composites and polymeric materials may include electrochemical cells, optics, H2S donors and antimicrobial materials.

Abstract: Catalyst systems employing inexpensive and readily-available protic co-catalysts to increase a proton reduction rate in a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are described herein. The protic co-catalysts function to increase the rate without being consumed in the process of water splitting to hydrogen and oxygen. They may simultaneously serve to stabilize the pH of the water and be the electrolyte to carry the current for the electrolytic splitting of water. The protic co-catalysts also decrease the overpotential energy requirement for the process of water splitting. These protic co-catalysts can be used with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts, as well as assist photocatalysis and other processes for the reduction of protons.