Abstract: A method of quantitatively measuring the concentration of a chemical species in a sample solution with a sensor film. A hydrogel sensor film is prepared having a chemical composition comprising an indicator that changes its optical property in the ultra-violet, visible or near-infrared spectral range upon being exposed to the chemical species in the sample solution. The film is exposed to a fixed amount of the sample solution. The concentration of the chemical species in the sample solution is quantified using the average absorbance measured from the sensor film.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively measuring the concentration of a chemical species in a sample solution with a sensor film. A hydrogel sensor film is prepared having a chemical composition comprising an indicator that changes its optical property in the ultra-violet, visible or near-infrared spectral range upon being exposed to the chemical species in the sample solution. The film is exposed to a fixed amount of the sample solution. The concentration of the chemical species in the sample solution is quantified using the average absorbance measured from the sensor film.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively measuring the concentration of a chemical species in a sample solution with a sensor film. A hydrogel sensor film is prepared having a chemical composition comprising an indicator that changes its optical property in the ultra-violet, visible or near-infrared spectral range upon being exposed to the chemical species in the sample solution. The film is exposed to a fixed amount of the sample solution. The concentration of the chemical species in the sample solution is quantified using the average absorbance measured from the sensor film.

Abstract: A method comprises conducting a permeable-reactive barrier (PRB) treatment of a contaminated aqueous medium and in-well monitoring effectiveness of the permeable-barrier treatment. A system comprises a PRB zone to treat a contaminated groundwater and an in-well sensor located within a gradient of the contaminated groundwater or within the PRB zone to sense a characteristic of the groundwater.

Abstract: A method for separating volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as trichloroethylene, from air by sorption followed by desorption of the VOCs. The VOCs from the contaminated ground water are air stripped and then sorbed on a sorbent, such as a polyester elastomer or carbon filled rubber. The VOCs are then desorbed by, for example, heating the sorbent, to recover the VOCs. The recovered VOCs may be incinerated or reused.

Abstract: Iron and ferrous sulfide in specific amounts are combined under aerobic or anaerobic conditions to reduce halogenated hydrocarbons in aqueous compositions to non-toxic by-products at near neutral pH and Eh values below -325 mV. The combination of iron metal and ferrous sulfide in relative amounts gives the unexpected result of a faster reduction rate using iron or ferrous sulfide alone and a controlled pH.

Abstract: A method for the remediation of aqueous solution contaminated with chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons. The chlorinated hydrocarbons are reduced to ethane, ethene, and chloride ion. In-situ reactions can take place in a ditch or screened well. Ex-situ reactions can take place in columns packed with ferrous sulfide.

Abstract: This invention relates to the removal of polychlorinated biphenyl compounds from a mass of particulate material such as soil, sand, or gravel by washing with an aqueous nonionic surfactant solution which is subsequently extracted with a water-immiscible organic solvent in which the nonionic surfactant is not soluble.

Abstract: Polychlorinated biphenyl compounds are sorbed from aqueous solutions and mixtures by a variety of organic polymeric materials. The contaminant can be desorbed for further processing and destruction.

Abstract: Polyarylene ether-polyalkenamer copolymers are provided by effecting a ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of a cycloalkene such as, cyclooctene in the presence of a polyarylene ether having an ester link cycloalkenyl group. An effective amount of a metallic catalyst, such as an osmium or a ruthenium halide, can be used to catalyze the metathesis.

Abstract: Polyphenylene ethers are capped by reaction in the melt, with application of vacuum, with at least one trimellitamide, preferably phenyl 4-aminosalicylate trimellitamide. The preferred melt processing method is extrusion with vacuum venting. By this method, the polyphenylene ether is capped with reactive anhydride groups improving its thermo-oxidative stability. The capped polyphenylene ether is capable of forming copolymers with polyamides, and said copolymers are useful as compatibilizers for polyphenylene ether-polyamide blends.

Abstract: Carbonyl-capped polyphenylene ether is reacted with a cycloalkene, such as cyclooctene using an organometallic catalyst, such as tungsten (VI) chloride/ethyl aluminum dichloride, to produce polyarylene ether/polyoctenamer block copolymers.

Abstract: Polyphenylene ethers are capped by reaction in the melt, with application of vacuum, with at least one trimellitamide, preferably phenyl 4-aminosalicylate trimellitamide. The preferred melt processing method is extrusion with vacuum venting. By this method, the polyphenylene ether is capped with reactive anhydride groups improving it therm-oxidative stability. The capped polyphenylene ether is capable of forming copolymers with polyamides and said copolymers are useful as compatibilizers for polyphenylene ether-polyamide blends.

Abstract: Polyarylene ether-polyalkenamer copolymers are provided by effecting a ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of a cycloalkene such as, cyclooctene in the presence of a polyarylene ether having an ester link cycloalkenyl group. An effective amount of a metallic catalyst, such as an osmium or a ruthenium halide, can be used to catalyze the metathesis.

Abstract: Polyphenylene ethers are capped by reaction in the melt, with application of vacuum, with at least one trimellitic anhydride salicylate, ester, preferably the 4-(phenyl salicylate) ester. The preferred melt processing method is extrusion with vacuum venting. By this method, the polyphenylene ether is capped with reactive dicarboxylate groups and also with salicylate groups, improving its thermal stability. The capped polyphenylene ether is capable of forming copolymers with polyamides, and said copolymers are useful as compatibilizers for polyphenylene ether-polyamide blends.

Abstract: Polyphenylene ethers are capped by reaction in the melt, with application of vacuum, with at least one trimellitic anhydride salicylate ester, preferably the 4-(phenyl salicylate) ester. The preferred melt processing method is extrusion with vacuum venting. By this method, the polyphenylene ether is capped with reactive dicarboxylate groups and also with salicylate groups, improving its thermal stability. The capped polyphenylene ether is capable of forming copolymers with polyamides, and said copolymers are useful as compatibilizers for polyphenylene ether-polyamide blends.

Abstract: Polyphenylene ethers are capped by reaction in the melt with at least one derivative of 3-hydroxytrimellitic acid, preferably the 5-hydroxy or 5-acetoxy derivative of trimellitic anhydride or of a monoester thereof. The capped polyphenylene ether is capable of forming copolymers with polyamides.

Abstract: 4-Hydroxy-3-phenylbenzoic acid is prepared by carbonation of a 2-phenylphenol alkali metal salt in the presence of a liquid N,N-dialkylcarboxamide such as dimethylformamide. Carbonation may be effected at atmospheric pressure or at superatmospheric pressures.

Abstract: Carboxylated polyphenylene ethers are prepared by reaction of the polyphenylene ether with an ester such as a 4-alkyl or 4-aryl ester of trimellitic anhydride. The methyl, ethyl and o-carbophenoxyphenyl esters are preferred; the latter caps the polyphenylene ether in addition to carboxylating it. The reaction takes place in the presence of a triaryl phosphite, at a temperature in the range of about 225.degree.-350.degree. C.