Abstract: Polyamines are water-soluble polyelectrolytes with the amino groups that can be used to attach the polymers onto functional surfaces of fibrous materials. In addition, polyamines can be readily modified by (super)nucleophilic groups such as (alkyl)aminopyridines that enhance the polymer's ability to promote hydrolysis of organophosphorous chemical warfare agents. Furthermore, attachment of hydantoin moieties augments the number of the imide, amide, or amine groups on the polyamine's chain, which provides oxidizing properties to the resulting modified polyamine after halogenation. In one aspect, disclosed herein are polyamines with side chains modified to contain both (4-aminopyridine, APy) and 5-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)hydantoin (HBH) functionalities with enhanced content of the active bromine. Viricidal activity of the APy- and HBH-modified polyallylamine against human coronavirus (type 229E) was tested both in solution and on nylon-cotton fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed are curable coating compositions, and methods of cathodic corrosion protection using the compositions. For example, a curable coating composition comprising a mixed salt of magnesium thiodialkanoate, and a method for applying the coating composition, which when applied onto a steel or other ferrous substrate provides an anticorrosive coating, effective for improving resistance to cathodic disbondment.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to electrochemical reduction of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). According to certain methods described herein, a tobacco composition containing one or more TSNAs and nicotine is contacted with a solvent to form a tobacco mixture. In some embodiments, the tobacco mixture is introduced into an electrochemical device comprising an anode and a cathode. The tobacco mixture may, in some cases, form at least part of an initial electrolyte mixture that is in physical contact with at least a portion of the anode and at least a portion of the cathode. In some instances, an electrical potential is applied between the anode and the cathode, thereby reducing one or more TSNAs in the initial electrolyte mixture and producing a reduced electrolyte mixture. In certain cases, application of the electrical potential between the anode and the cathode does not cause non-TSNA components of the tobacco mixture (e.g.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for capturing carbonylic or phenolic toxicants, or converting these toxicants into less volatile compounds. The toxicants, which may be a component of cigarette smoke, may be captured by physical or chemical adsorption, absorption, or entrapment.

Abstract: Disclosed are curable coating compositions, and methods of cathodic corrosion protection using the compositions. For example, a curable coating composition comprising a mixed salt of magnesium thiodialkanoate, and a method for applying the coating composition, which when applied onto a steel or other ferrous substrate provides an anticorrosive coating, effective for improving resistance to cathodic disbondment.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to electrochemical reduction of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). According to certain methods described herein, a tobacco composition containing one or more TSNAs and nicotine is contacted with a solvent to form a tobacco mixture. In some embodiments, the tobacco mixture is introduced into an electrochemical device comprising an anode and a cathode. The tobacco mixture may, in some cases, form at least part of an initial electrolyte mixture that is in physical contact with at least a portion of the anode and at least a portion of the cathode. In some instances, an electrical potential is applied between the anode and the cathode, thereby reducing one or more TSNAs in the initial electrolyte mixture and producing a reduced electrolyte mixture. In certain cases, application of the electrical potential between the anode and the cathode does not cause non-TSNA components of the tobacco mixture (e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising composite nanoparticles and a reporter molecule for use in detecting the presence of an analyte in a substrate. The composite nanoparticles comprise a solid core and a polyampholyte covalently bonded to the solid core. Reporter molecules are releasable from the composite nanoparticles upon exposure to the analyte. Analytes may include petroleum or other hydrophobic media.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for capturing carbonylic or phenolic toxicants, or converting these toxicants into less volatile compounds. The toxicants, which may be a component of cigarette smoke, may be captured by physical or chemical adsorption, absorption, or entrapment.

Abstract: The invention provides core-shell magnetic particles comprising a magnetic core and a functional shell, methods for making same, methods of separation using same, methods for using same, and devices comprising same. The particles and methods of the invention are useful for targeting and removing substances of interest that may be found in complex mixtures.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for capturing carbonylic or phenolic toxicants, or converting these toxicants into less volatile compounds. The toxicants, which may be a component of cigarette smoke, may be captured by physical or chemical adsorption, absorption, or entrapment.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to reactive compositions and methods of use thereof, wherein a metal oxide cluster is used to connect a reactive group (or groups) to the surface of a substrate. In certain embodiments, the reactive group in the compositions decomposes organophosphate agents through nucleophilic hydrolysis. In certain embodiments, the reactive group in the compositions is bactericidal. Remarkably, the use of metal oxide clusters in the disclosed compositions and methods permits incorporation of higher quantities of nucleophilic and bactericidal groups without the difficulties associated with having to pretreat the substrate prior to its association with the reactive groups.

Abstract: Described is the application of layer-by-layer (LbL) electrostatic assembly techniques to electrospun nanofibers in order to fabricate novel, breathable electrospun fiber-based chemical and biological detoxifying protective fabrics and filters. The combination of layer-by-layer electrostatic assembly and electrospinning technique allows one to take advantage of high specific surface area, light weight and breathability of electrospun fiber mats while simultaneously providing the versatility to incorporate different functional polyelectrolytes to achieve multifunctional coatings for both chemical and biological protection together. The functionalized fiber mats can be incorporated into breathable chemical and biological protective fabrics, filters and masks. In addition, LbL electrostatic coating of porous non-woven materials provides the versatility to generate multifunctional polymer-based membrane materials for other applications.

Abstract: Extraction method for recovering metals. Phosphoric acid is contacted with an extractant suspension of solid particulate material comprising a para- or ferromagnetic material core surrounded by an outer shell of a chelating polymer whereby a metal is the solution is adsorbed on the chelating polymer, thereby removing it from the phosphoric acid solution. The metal-containing solid particulate material is magnetically separated from the solution and the metal is stripped from the solid particulate material for reuse.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to polymers containing redox-responsive moieties (such as, ferrocene). In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to in-situ continuous separation systems which use such redox-responsive polymers for low-molecular weight alcohol removal from an aqueous mixture; such systems enhance the production of low-molecular weight alcohols by reducing the product inhibition effects that plague their production from bio-mass by fermentation.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for capturing carbonylic or phenolic toxicants, or converting these toxicants into less volatile compounds. The toxicants, which may be a component of cigarette smoke, may be captured by physical or chemical adsorption, absorption, or entrapment.

Abstract: The invention provides core-shell magnetic particles comprising a magnetic core and a functional shell, methods for making same, methods of separation using same, methods for using same, and devices comprising same. The particles and methods of the invention are useful for targeting and removing substances of interest that may be found in complex mixtures.

Abstract: Described is the application of layer-by-layer (LbL) electrostatic assembly techniques to electrospun nanofibers in order to fabricate novel, breathable electrospun fiber-based chemical and biological detoxifying protective fabrics and filters. The combination of layer-by-layer electrostatic assembly and electrospinning technique allows one to take advantage of high specific surface area, light weight and breathability of electrospun fiber mats while simultaneously providing the versatility to incorporate different functional polyelectrolytes to achieve multifunctional coatings for both chemical and biological protection together. The functionalized fiber mats can be incorporated into breathable chemical and biological protective fabrics, filters and masks. In addition, LbL electrostatic coating of porous non-woven materials provides the versatility to generate multifunctional polymer-based membrane materials for other applications.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to reactive compositions and methods of use thereof, wherein a metal oxide cluster is used to connect a reactive group (or groups) to the surface of a substrate. In certain embodiments, the reactive group in the compositions decomposes organophosphate agents through nucleophilic hydrolysis. In certain embodiments, the reactive group in the compositions is bactericidal. Remarkably, the use of metal oxide clusters in the disclosed compositions and methods permits incorporation of higher quantities of nucleophilic and bactericidal groups without the difficulties associated with having to pretreat the substrate prior to its association with the reactive groups.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to an antimicrobial fiber formed from an electroprocessed blend of at least one polymer, at least one antimicrobial agent, and at least one crosslinker. Another aspect of the invention relates to an antimicrobial fiber formed from an electroprocessed blend of at least one polymer and at least one crosslinker, which is then coated with an antimicrobial compound or antimicrobial polymer.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to polymers containing redox-responsive moieties (such as, ferrocene). In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to in-situ continuous separation systems which use such redox-responsive polymers for low-molecular weight alcohol removal from an aqueous mixture; such systems enhance the production of low-molecular weight alcohols by reducing the product inhibition effects that plague their production from bio-mass by fermentation.