Abstract: Copolymers, their use as thickeners, and methods for their preparation The present invention relates to copolymers comprising as comonomers in copolymerized form (A) at least one ethylenically unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid, (B) at least one ethylenically unsaturated compound which has at least one structural unit of the general formula (I) per molecule: where the variables are defined as follows: R1 is different or identical and selected from hydrogen, C1-C30-alkyl, C6-C30-aryl and C7-C30-aralkyl, A1 is different or identical and selected from C2-C10-alkylene, C6-C10-arylene and C7-C10-aralkylene, n is different or identical and selected from zero to 200, m is different or identical and selected from 1 to 6, (C) at least one further comonomer.

Abstract: Water-soluble, hydrophobically associating copolymers which comprise new types of hydrophobically associating monomers. The monomers comprise an ethylenically unsaturated group and a polyether group with block structure comprising a hydrophilic polyalkylene oxide block which consists essentially of ethylene oxide groups, and a terminal, hydrophobic polyalkylene oxide block which consists of alkylene oxides with at least 4, preferably at least 5 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method is described for producing an aqueous thickener dispersion from a monomer composition made of at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomer, (i) an at least partially polymerized pre-emulsion being produced from 10 to 80 wt.-% of said monomer composition, and (ii) the residual quantity of said monomer composition being added completely to the at least partially polymerized pre-emulsion and initiating a radical polymerization. The monomer composition preferably also comprises an associative monomer. The method avoids disadvantages of batch polymerization, such as inadequate batch-to-batch reproducibility and safety problems.

Abstract: Process for improving the brilliance of color and the stability of a colored polymer system, which is composed of a matrix and of discrete polymer particles distributed in accordance with a defined spatial lattice structure in the matrix, and which is obtained by filming of an emulsion polymer with core/shell structure, which comprises using an emulsion polymer obtainable by polymerizing monomers in at least one first stage (core monomers), then polymerizing monomers in at least one further, second stage (transition stage), and finally polymerizing monomers in a third stage (shell monomers), where, based on the percentage constitution of the monomer mixtures of the three stages, at most 30% by weight of the monomers of the first stage are identical with those of the third stage, and 5% of the monomers of the second stage are identical with, respectively, those of the first and those of the third stage, and not more than 60% by weight of the monomers of the 2nd stage here are monomers absent in the 1st sta

Abstract: Aqueous polymer dispersions which are obtainable by emulsion polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers in an aqueous medium in the presence of free radical polymerization initiators and stabilizers, amphiphilic polymers which comprise one or more hydrophobic units (A) and one or more hydrophilic units (B) being used as the stabilizer before, during or after the polymerization, and the hydrophobic units (A) being formed from a polyisobutene block, at least 50 mol % of whose polyisobutene macromolecules have terminally arranged doubled bonds, processes for the preparation of the aqueous polymer dispersions by polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of free radical initiators and said amphiphilic polymers, which are used before, during or after the polymerization, and the use of the resulting aqueous polymer dispersions as associative thickeners in paper coating slips, in textile production, as thickeners for textile print pastes, in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sector, for

Abstract: The use of polymer particles for producing photonic crystals, wherein the polymer particles have a weight-average particle size of greater than 600 nm and a content of ionic groups of less than 0.001 mol, preferably less than 0.0001 mol/1 g of polymer particles and the polymer particles form the lattice structure of the photonic crystal without being embedded into a liquid or solid matrix.

Abstract: Aqueous alkenylsuccinic anhydride-containing polymer dispersions which are obtainable by miniemulsion polymerization of hydrophobic monoethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of alkenylsuccinic anhydrides, processes for the preparation of such polymer dispersions by polymerizing hydrophobic monomers by a miniemulsion polymerization method in the presence of at least one alkenylsuccinic anhydride and, if appropriate, an alkyldiketene, and use of the resulting aqueous alkenylsuccinic anhydride-containing polymer dispersions as engine and surface sizes for paper and for imparting water repellency to leather, natural and/or synthetic fibers and textiles.

Abstract: A substrate coated with a polymer system, wherein the polymer system reflects electromagnetic radiation (Bragg reflection), the wavelength of the reflection in the case of a strain produced by a mechanical stress is variable and the coated substrate as a whole has such little elasticity that, on elimination of the mechanical stress, the wavelength of the Bragg reflection is changed compared with the starting state.

Abstract: Use of colored polymer systems having a color which is changeable in the case of a strain for indicating the stress state of hygiene or medical articles adjacent to the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser gain medium comprising at least one active species adapted to be stimulated to emit laser light within a predetermined wavelength range and optical feedback means defining a resonator for said laser light. The feedback means comprise at least one substantially solid cholesteric layer having a substantially planar texture exhibiting selective reflection of light defined by a reflection band tuned to said predetermined wavelength range.

Abstract: The invention relates to aqueous polymer dispersions, obtained by the emulsion polymerisation of ethylenically unsaturated monomers in an aqueous medium in the presence of polymerisation initiators and stabilisers that form radicals. According to the invention, amphiphilic polymers are used as stabilisers prior to, during or after polymerisation, said polymers containing one or more hydrophobic units (A) and one or more hydrophilic units (B), the hydrophobic units (A) being formed from a polyisobutene block, wherein at least 50 mol % of the polyisobutene macro-molecules have terminal double bonds. The invention also relates to a method for producing the aqueous polymer dispersions by the polymerisation of ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of initiators that form radicals and the aforementioned amphiphilic polymers, which are used prior to, during or after polymerisation.

Abstract: A process for improving the color brilliance of a color polymer system which is composed of a matrix and discrete polymer particles which are distributed in the matrix in accordance with a defined spatial lattice structure and are obtained by filming an emulsion polymer with core/shell structure, the emulsion polymer being obtainable by polymerization of monomers in at least one first stage (monomers of the core) and subsequent polymerization of monomers in at least one further, second stage (monomers of the shell), which comprises polymerizing the monomers of the core in the presence of an absorber for electromagnetic waves especially a UV absorber.

Abstract: Process for improvement of the elasticity of a colored polymer system, which is composed of a matrix and of discrete polymer particles distributed in accordance with a defined spatial lattice structure in the matrix, and which is obtained by filming of an emulsion polymer with core/shell structure, where the emulsion polymer is obtainable via polymerization of monomers in at least one first stage (monomers of the core) and subsequent polymerization of monomers in at least one further, second stage (monomers of the shell), which comprises using monomers whose glass transition temperature is below 0° C. as at least 5% by weight of the monomers of the core.

Abstract: A storage-stable aqueous miniemulsion whose disperse phase comprises a cholesteric mixture is prepared and is used for coating and printing on suitable substrates.

Abstract: Optical display elements comprising a layer made from a deformable material (matrix) and from discrete polymer particles whose distribution in the matrix follows a defined spatial lattice structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amplifying medium for solid-state dye lasers and to a solid-state dye laser provided with an amplifying medium of this type. The amplifying medium according to the invention comprises an essentially solid active medium which contains at least one type of activatable particle which can be excited to emit laser light in a certain wavelength range, and optical feedback means which define a resonator for the laser light, where the feedback means comprise an essentially solid feedback medium which has a periodic structure. The feedback medium in the amplifying medium is a polymeric dispersion film having a crystalline structure which comprises, in particular, core/shell particles which can be formed into a film.

Abstract: A paper coating slip contains a polymer dispersed with polyvinyl alcohol as protective colloid in water (abbreviated to PVA-dispersed polymer).

Abstract: Use of cationically modified, particulate, hydrophobic polymers, the surface of which has been cationically modified by coating with polyvalent metal ions and/or cationic surfactants, the particle size of which is 10 nm to 100 ?m, as additive to rinse compositions, care compositions, detergents and cleaners, and also rinse compositions, care compositions, detergents and cleaners which comprise the cationically modified, particulate, hydrophobic polymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of cationically-modified, particle-shaped, hydrophobic polymers as addition agents in rinsing, care, detergent, and cleaning products. The surface of said polymers is cationically modified by means of a coating of cationic polymers and the particle size of said polymers ranges from 10 nm to 100 ?m.

Abstract: A paper coating slip contains a polymer dispersed with polyvinyl alcohol as protective colloid in water (abbreviated to PVA-dispersed polymer).