Abstract: An ion conductive spacer for use in an electrodialysis reversal stack is disclosed, which includes a plastic netting and a polymeric coating coated on the plastic netting and containing charged groups. The morphology of the polymeric coating has interconnected ionic clusters which allow continuous and macroscopic ion transportation throughout a surface of the plastic netting. An electrodialysis reversal stack using the above ion conductive spacer and a process for preparing the above ion conductive spacer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for removing nitrate ions from a solution is presented. The method includes providing a polymer comprising a protonated amine moiety and an anion derived from an acid having a pKa value greater than about 1. The method further includes contacting the polymer with the solution to bind at least a portion of the nitrate ions in the solution with the polymer, and form a polymer-nitrate complex. The method furthermore includes separating at least a portion of the polymer-nitrate complex from the solution.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of reducing fouling and increasing the efficiency of microfiltration and ultrafiltration systems by adding an effective amount of a tannin-based polymer to wastewater containing high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), such as produced water, prior to filtration. Additional pretreatment to separate out and remove coagulated solids before filtration is not required. Typically, the tannin polymer used in treating the process water is a modified tannin comprised of a Mannich reaction product of an amine, an aldehyde, and a tannin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer derived from: reaction of glycidyl (meth)acrylate, allyl glycidyl ether or [(vinyloxy)methyl]oxirane with ammonia or primary amine to obtain a mixture of monomer compounds; reaction of the mixture of monomer compounds with at least one of acrylic acid, vinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate, acrylamide, methylacrylic acid, and methylacrylamide to obtain an intermediate polymer; and reaction of the intermediate polymer with a dithiocarbamic acid salt. Methods for using the polymer are also described herein.

Abstract: A method for making lignin-amines is provided. The method comprises providing a lignin; then modifying the lignin with modifier to create a modified lignin; and then reacting the modified lignin with an amine to form a lignin-amine. Suitable modifiers comprise acrylates. A method for coagulating suspended materials in a water stream is also disclosed. The method comprises providing a water stream and contacting the suspended materials in the water stream with at least one lignin-amine.

Abstract: Methods for treating water containing dissolved solids, suspended solids, organic material, or combinations include contacting the water with a coated membrane comprising a coating material disposed on a membrane substrate, the coating material comprising structural units derived from a compound of formula I, a compound of formula II and a compound of formula III; wherein R1, R2, and R3 are, independently at each occurrence, C1-C12 alkyl; R4 is alkylsilyl; L1 is alkylurethanyl; L2 and L3 are, independently at each occurrence, alkyl; X is hydroxy, alkoxy, or alkylamino; and m, n, and p, independently at each occurrence, range between 4 and 9. The coated membrane is joined to a backing in membrane filtration apparatuses for use in the methods.

Abstract: A method for removing nitrate ions from a solution is presented. The method includes providing a polymer comprising a protonated amine moiety and an anion derived from an acid having a pKa value greater than about 1. The method further includes contacting the polymer with the solution to bind at least a portion of the nitrate ions in the solution with the polymer, and form a polymer-nitrate complex. The method furthermore includes separating at least a portion of the polymer-nitrate complex from the solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer derived from: reaction of glycidyl (meth)acrylate, allyl glycidyl ether or [(vinyloxy)methyl]oxirane with ammonia or primary amine to obtain a mixture of monomer compounds; reaction of the mixture of monomer compounds with at least one of acrylic acid, vinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate, acrylamide, methylacrylic acid, and methylacrylamide to obtain an intermediate polymer; and reaction of the intermediate polymer with a dithiocarbamic acid salt. Methods for using the polymer are also described herein.

Abstract: A method for making lignin-amines is provided. The method comprises providing a lignin; then modifying the lignin with modifier to create a modified lignin; and then reacting the modified lignin with an amine to form a lignin-amine. Suitable modifiers comprise acrylates. A method for coagulating suspended materials in a water stream is also disclosed. The method comprises providing a water stream and contacting the suspended materials in the water stream with at least one lignin-amine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process of preparing branched polymers by cyclotrimerization and branched organic materials containing triaroylbenzene moieties as base structural unit. The polymerization is a simple one-pot reaction, strictly regioselective and highly functionality-tolerant giving oligomeric and polymeric polymers with high degree of branching (up to 100%) in high yields (up to 99%). The polymers are processible, easily film-forming, transformable (curable) into thermosets by heat or irradiation, and readily crosslinkable by UV irradiation to give patterns with nanometer resolution. The polymers of the present invention can be blend with a variety of macromolecules for general use. The polymers can be metallified utilizing organometallic acetylene as building blocks and ceramization of the patterns of the obtained polymers afford ferromagnetic ceramic patterns with high resolution.

Abstract: A modified inorganic substrate having a plurality of grafts of a polyalkyl acrylate or methacrylate of mean alkyl pendant chain length of 6 to about 40 carbons extending therefrom. The modified inorganic substrate is preferably a modified silica substrate and more preferably modified silica nanoparticles. There is also a process for graft polymerizing a silica substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process of preparing branched polymers by cyclotrimerization and branched organic materials containing triaroylbenzene moieties as base structural unit. The polymerization is a simple one-pot reaction, strictly regioselective and highly functionality-tolerant giving oligomeric and polymeric polymers with high degree of branching (up to 100%) in high yields (up to 99%). The polymers are processible, easily film-forming, transformable (curable) into thermosets by heat or irradiation, and readily crosslinkable by UV irradiation to give patterns with nanometer resolution. The polymers of the present invention can be blend with a variety of macromolecules for general use. The polymers can be metallified utilizing organometallic acetylene as building blocks and ceramization of the patterns of the obtained polymers afford ferromagnetic ceramic patterns with high resolution.