Abstract: A coating composition is disclosed comprising a film-forming resin and a catalyst component. The catalyst component comprises a catalyst contained within or encapsulated by a carrier; at least some of the catalyst is capable of being released from the carrier via diffusion through the carrier and into the coating composition. Methods of controlling the rate of cure of a curable film-forming composition and increasing the pot life of the composition by adding such catalyst components are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing metal oxides, comprising electrodepositing a metal oxide from an electrolyte solution onto a substrate to coat at least a portion of the substrate, whereby metal oxide seed particles are released into the solution, and precipitating metal oxide particles from the solution. The precipitated metal oxide particles have a maximum particle size of less than 1 micron.

Abstract: A coating composition is disclosed comprising a film-forming resin and a catalyst component. The catalyst component comprises a catalyst contained within or encapsulated by a carrier; at least some of the catalyst is capable of being released from the carrier via diffusion through the carrier and into the coating composition. Methods of controlling the rate of cure of a curable film-forming composition and increasing the pot life of the composition by adding such catalyst components are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering inorganic pigment such as TiO2 from a coating composition that includes liquid, an organic component, and an inorganic component. The coating composition is thermally treated to remove at least a portion of the organic component and yield an inorganic pigment composition having a higher concentration of the inorganic pigment (TiO2) than in the original coating composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing metal oxides, comprising electrodepositing a metal oxide from an electrolyte solution onto a substrate to coat at least a portion of the substrate, whereby metal oxide seed particles are released into the solution, and precipitating metal oxide particles from the solution. The precipitated metal oxide particles have a maximum particle size of less than 1 micron.

Abstract: A coating composition is provided comprising (a) a polymer containing reactive functional groups; (b) a curing agent having reactive functional groups that are reactive with the functional groups in the polymer in (a); and (c) a polymeric material different from (a) and (b) having functional groups. The functional groups in components (a) and (b) are more reactive with each other than with the functional groups in component (c) such that upon curing, at least a portion of the functional groups on component (c) remain unreacted. A coating layer formed from the composition upon application to a substrate has surface regions and a bulk region, and the concentration of component (c) at one or more surface regions is greater than the concentration of component (c) in the bulk region of the coating layer. The composition can be used in multi-layer composites containing two or more coating layers.

Abstract: Methods of preparing an organic sol of particles are provided. Steps include providing a suspension of particles in an aqueous medium; adding a first organic liquid compatible with the aqueous medium to form an admixture; reacting the particles with a first and a second modifying compound; adding a second organic liquid compatible with the liquid portion of the admixture wherein the second organic liquid is different from the first organic liquid; and maintaining the admixture at a temperature and pressure and for a time sufficient to substantially remove the water and the first organic liquid. Also provided are curable film-forming compositions containing sols of particles prepared by the methods of the present invention.