Abstract: The invention relates to a modified polybenzimidazole (PBI), membranes that are fabricated from these polymers, and their use in electrochemical applications. These membranes have high ionic conductivity and are suitable for solid polymer electrolytes in electrochemical applications, especially for high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modified polybenzimidazole (PBI), membranes that are fabricated from these polymers, and their use in electrochemical applications. These membranes have high ionic conductivity and are suitable for solid polymer electrolytes in electrochemical applications, especially for high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells.

Abstract: It is MPPE based polymeric carbon materials with high electric and gas conductivity, large surface area with narrow pore size distribution, good mechanical strength, versatile applications and ease of manufacturing. The carbon material can be in the form of carbon powder, carbon fiber reinforced sheets or other types of carbon/carbon composites. This carbon material can be readily utilized in/as base materials for catalysts, adsorbent, water treatment materials, electrodes for double layer capacitors, fuel gas storage materials and fuel cell gas diffusion electrodes. The carbon is produced by oxidation of poly(phenylene ether) (PPE) in air or other oxygen containing atmospheres at temperatures near the glass transition temperature of PPE, followed by carbonization of the oxidized material in an inert atmosphere at elevated temperatures (400-3000° C.) and activating the carbon materials with steam, carbon dioxide, oxygen containing gases, organic or inorganic bases and organic or inorganic acids.

Abstract: Solid polymer membranes comprised of a high charge density sulfonated poly (phenylene oxide) blended with poly(vinylidene fluoride) in varied ratios have improved membrane characteristics. These membranes are inexpensive and possess very high ionic conductivity, and thus are suitable for solid polymer electrolytes in electrochemical applications, especially for the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell, the electrolyte double-layer capacitor, and the rechargeable zinc-halide cell. These membranes enhance the performance of these devices.

Abstract: Solid polymer membranes comprised of a high charge density sulfonated poly (phenylene oxide) blended with poly(vinylidene fluoride) in varied ratios have improved membrane characteristics. These membranes possess very high ionic conductivity, are inexpensive and suitable for solid polymer electrolytes in electrochemical applications, especially for the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. PEM fuel cell assemblies with this membrane have enhanced performance.

Abstract: All electrocatalytic gas diffusion electrode for fuel cells and a process for its preparation is disclosed. The electrode comprises an anistropic gas diffusion layer and a catalytic layer. The gas diffusion layer is made of a porous carbon matrix through which carbon particles and poly(vinylidene) fluoride are distributed so that the matrix is homogeneously porous in a direction lateral to gas flow and asymmetrically porous to gases in the direction of the gas flow. The porosity of the gas diffusion layer decreases in the direction of gas flow. The catalytic layer is made of a coagulated ink suspension containing catalytic carbon particles and a thermoplastic polymer selected from polyethersulfone, poly(vinylidene fluoride) and sulfonated polysulfone and covers the small pore surface of the gas diffusion layer. The gas diffusion layer has a thickness between 50 .mu.m and 300 .mu.m. The catalytic layer has thickness between 7 .mu.m and 50 .mu.m and a metal catalyst loading between 0.2 mg/cm.sup.2 and 0.

Abstract: A method for forming blends of polydiorganosiloxanes and solid, sulfonated polyolefins and novel blends prepared by the method. In the present method the solid, sulfonated polyolefin is swollen with a diorganosiloxane oligomer whose rearrangement to high molecular weight polydiorganosiloxanes is catalyzed in situ by the sulfonic acid substituents of the polyolefin.

Abstract: A process for the rearrangement of polyorganosiloxanes using solid sulfonated polyethylene as a rearrangement catalyst. The process comprises contacting polyorganosiloxanes at a temperature within a range of about 20.degree. C. to 110.degree. C. with a rearrangement catalyst consisting essentially of a solid sulfonated polyethylene. In a preferred process, the solid sulfonated polyethylene is in the form of hollow fibers through which the polyorganosiloxanes are passed to effect rearrangement.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel family of phosphorylated polysiloxanes which are non-ionic and water soluble. When these polysiloxanes are dissolved in water, the resulting solutions exhibit low surface tensions. The invention also relates to phosphorylated polysiloxanes which are gels or hydrogels. The invention further contemplates methods of synthesizing the phosphorylated polysiloxanes.

Abstract: Novel radiopaque materials and a method for their preparation are described. The radiopaque materials comprise composites of polymers and heavy metal-containing organic compounds, which heavy metal containing compounds have the following formula: ##STR1## wherein X is a heavy metThis invention was made with Government support under research Grant No. NIH-1-RO1-DEO6179001A1 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The Government has certain rights in this invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method for the separation of gaseous paramagnetic species from diamagnetic or weakly paramagnetic gaseous species by contacting the mixture of such species with a high Tc superconductive material in permeable form, so that one of the species is enriched respective of the other one by permeation through such porous barrier.

Abstract: Novel radiopaqaue materials comprise heavy metal salts, such as bismuth and uraniuim salts complexed with a polymer. The metallic complexes which are permanent, nonleachable and have radiopacities at least equivalent to that of aluminum do not adversely affect the mechanical and physical properties of compositions. They are useful as medical and dental resins, in fabricating medical and dental appliances, prosthetic devices, radiation shielding devices and radiopaque polyester fabrics for clothing.

Abstract: A rechargeable zinc halide electrochemical cell comprises a laminate of the sequence:a. an electrically conducting chemically inert material;b. a matrix supporting a zinc halide; andc. an electrically conducting layer adapted to absorb and adsorb halogen. Inert and ion specific separation layers can be added to the laminate.Because of the laminate construction of the cell, the cell of the present invention can be made in an extremely thin configuration.

Abstract: A membrane of defined pore structure and controlled pore diameter and a method of preparing the membrane which comprises dispersing in a water soluble polymer solution (A) an organic polymer solution (B), the water-soluble polymer solution (A) being a non-solvent for the polymer solution (B), to form micro-spherical droplets of the polymer solution (A) which are enveloped by a solid phase consisting of a coagulated or cross-linked polymer solution (B); evenly casting the dispersion on a flat surface; and evaporating the solvent for the polymer solution (B) to form a microporous membrane comprised of the polymer (B), the porosity, pore size, and void volume of the microporous membrane being a function of the polymer (A) concentration, the microsphere dimensions and the temperature and evaporation rate.

Abstract: Novel radiopaque materials comprise heavy metal salts, such as bismuth and uranium salts complexed with a polymer. The metallic complexes which are permanent, nonleachable and have radiopacities at least equivalent to that of aluminum do not adversely affect the mechanical and physical properties of compositions. They are useful as medical and dental resins, in fabricating medical and dental appliances, prosthetic devices, radiation shielding devices and radiopaque polyester fabrics for clothing.

Abstract: Radiopaque polymeric materials comprising halogenated barium salts, homogeneously distributed at the molecular level, provide permanent, nonleachable radiopacities at least equivalent to pure aluminum without adversely affecting mechanical or physical properties of compositions in which they are employed.

Abstract: A membrane permeation process for dehydrating a mixture of organic liquids, such as alcohols or close boiling, heat sensitive mixtures. The process comprises causing a component of the mixture to selectively sorb into one side of sulfonated ion-exchange polyalkene (e.g., polyethylene) membranes and selectively diffuse or flow therethrough, and then desorbing the component into a gas or liquid phase on the other side of the membranes.

Abstract: Composite membranes suitable for separating gas mixtures are made by in situ crosslinking of aminoorganofunctional polysiloxane, 1 to 9 mol percent aminosiloxane units, with diisocyanate on the surface of a highly porous polymer substrate, such as polysulfone. Using the crosslinked polysiloxane as a gutter layer, a gas separating entity can be coated on the gutter layer to make a double layer composite membrane which has a higher separation factor than the crosslinked polysiloxane and can be used effectively for flat sheet membranes, as well as, hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: Polymer alloys of a phosphorus-containing polymer component having the formula: ##STR1## WHEREIN X is hydrogen or halo; Z and Z' are each hydrogen or a phosphonate group PO(OR)(OR.sub.1) in which R and R.sub.1 are each alkyl or aryl, but are not both hydrogen, Y is a bivalent radical from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer copolymerized with styrene, and m, m', n, n' and p are zero or integers as specified; and a second polymer component compatible with and alloyed with the phosphorus-containing polymer component, the second component being a cellulose ester, or a polystyrene or unsaturated polyester resin. Polymer alloys thus constituted are particularly useful as fire-retardant and flame-resistant materials, and as membranes useful in the separation of solvents exhibiting differential permeabilities therethrough.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved polymeric materials and to a process for preparing same, which comprises blending suitable polymers into novel polymeric alloys. The disclosure further relates to novel fire-retarding and flame-resistant materials comprising such polymeric alloys and to novel membrane materials and membranes, adapted to provide novel processes of separation based on membrane technology. The novel polymeric alloys comprise commercially available polymers, blended with novel polymeric phosphonates of the general formula: ##STR1## WHEREIN: M, M', N, N' ARE ZERO OR ANY INTEGER, P IS AN INTEGER HIGHER THAN 10X designates a hydrogen atom halogen atom or a phosphorusContaining groupY designates a CH.sub.2 CHCl or CH.sub.2 CCl.sub.2 groupZ and Z' designates H or a phosphonate group - PO(OR') (OR") (at least one being a phosphonate group), wherein R and R' are alkyl or aryl groups.