Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polyelectrolyte having the step of sulfonating polystyrene resin in a state where the polystyrene resin has been dissolved or dispersed in solvent composed of alicyclic compounds.

Abstract: An appliance comprising a housing-case, a main unit of such appliance and an optional structural member, wherein at least portions of the housing-case and the structural member are made of biodegradable material containing polylactic acid as a major component is provided. Such appliance can achieve durability sufficient for the practical use without causing environmental impact if the housing-case and structural member thereof are disposed as they are.

Abstract: An appliance includes a housing-case, a main unit of such appliance and an optional structural member, wherein at least portions of the housing-case and the structural member are made of biodegradable material containing polylactic acid as a major component is provided. Such appliance can achieve durability sufficient for the practical use without causing environmental impact if the housing-case and structural member thereof are disposed as they are.

Abstract: A high-molecular flocculant rendered water-soluble by conversion of cyano groups contained in a high-molecular material, a method for producing the flocculant, and a method for efficiently processing water using the flocculant. A high-molecular material containing acrylonitrile as a monomer is processed safely to impart hydrophilicity to the material and the resulting product is used for water processing to contribute to environmental conservation. An amino compound is added to a cyano group containing high-molecular material to convert at least a portion of the cyano group (—C≡N) into a molecular structure portion having an imidamino structure and, if necessary, to convert at, least the portion into one of an acid salt, a quaternary ammonium salt or a hydrolyzate structure portion to give a high-molecular flocculant.

Abstract: By molding a biodegradable plastic material which is treated with a compound reactive to the active hydrogen in the biodegradable plastic material, a biodegradable plastic material and molding having long-term reliability are obtained.

Abstract: A recycling method which enables recycling of a high-quality regenerated styrene resin. A waste styrene resin material is dissolved in an organic solvent boiling at a temperature lower than 200° C. and having solubility not less than 15 wt % at room temperature to prepare a solution of the waste styrene resin material. The resulting solution is freed of volatile components on heating in vacuum to remove the organic solvent to set the amount of the residual solvent in the styrene resin to 0.4 wt % or less to recycle the resulting styrene resin as a regenerated styrene resin.

Abstract: Mica is incorporated into a biodegradable resin material comprised mainly of polylactic acid, for example, into polylactic acid which is an aliphatic polyester resin. It is desired to incorporate into polylactic acid mica and a carbodiimide compound as an additive for suppressing hydrolysis of polylactic acid. Further, the biodegradable resin composition is subjected to aging by heating and desirably further using an electromagnetic wave or the like to suppress rapid lowering of the storage elastic modulus, and the biodegradable resin composition is used as a material for household electric appliances and housing materials.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polyelectrolyte having the step of sulfonating polystyrene resin in a state where the polystyrene resin has been dissolved or dispersed in solvent composed of alicyclic compounds.

Abstract: A water absorber for absorbing and removing water remaining on floors resulting from leakage or flooding, and comprising a water-permeable bag-shaped casing made of cotton cloth filled with an antibacterial water-absorbing agent comprised of a modified polymer compound. The water absorber absorbs water to swell. The water absorber is filled with the antibacterial water-absorbing agent, and therefore, even after absorbing water, the water absorber is not under unsanitary conditions such that bacteria propagate. When the water absorber is dried, it regains water-absorbing property and can be reused as a water absorber. The antibacterial water-absorbing agent (modified polymer compound) is produced by subjecting to acid treatment and metal-salt forming treatment a scrap material of typical organic resins, such as an ABS resin, and has a nitrile group, a hydrolysis product of the nitrile group, and an acid group introduced as a substituent in the form of a metal salt.

Abstract: A method for improving elastic modulus of a biodegradable resin composition in a simple and rapid manner was disclosed. According to such method, a molded product made of poly-lactic acid is subjected to an aging at a temperature higher by 15° C. or more than the glass transition point of such poly-lactic acid and under a humidified atmosphere with a relative humidity (RH) of 60% or above. This successfully raises the elastic modulus from 107 Pa to 109 Pa within a short time. Such improvement in the elastic modulus allows production of a molded product not causative of deformation in an aging test typically conducted at 80° C. and 80% RH for 100 hours.

Abstract: A water-absorbing resin having superior water absorption properties, and a method for manufacturing the water-absorbing resin having superior water absorption properties in a short time, in which used waste materials are used for effective utilization of resources. To this end, a high-molecular material containing acrylonitrile, styrene and conjugated dienes as constituent units are processed with acid and/or alkali.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polyelectrolyte having the step of sulfonating polystyrene resin in a state where the polystyrene resin has been dissolved or dispersed in solvent composed of alicyclic compounds.

Abstract: A high-molecular flocculant rendered water-soluble by conversion of cyano groups contained in a high-molecular material, a method for producing the flocculant, and a method for efficiently processing water using the flocculant. A high-molecular material containing acrylonitrile as a monomer is processed safely to impart hydrophilicity to the material and the resulting product is used for water processing to contribute to environmental conservation. An amino compound is added to a cyano group containing high-molecular material to convert at least a portion of the cyano group (—C≡N) into a molecular structure portion having an imidamino structure and, if necessary, to convert at least the portion into one of an acid salt, a quaternary ammonium salt or a hydrolyzate structure portion to give a high-molecular flocculant.

Abstract: An appliance comprising a housing-case, a main unit of such appliance and an optional structural member, wherein at least portions of the housing-case and the structural member are made of biodegradable material containing polylactic acid as a major component is provided. Such appliance can achieve durability sufficient for the practical use without causing environmental impact if the housing-case and structural member thereof are disposed as they are.

Abstract: An antimicrobial agent utilizes a resin having acrylonitrile and styrene and/or a conjugated diene as units. The antimicrobial agent includes a metal-salt-containing copolymer, and the metal-salt-containing copolymer is obtained by treating a copolymer containing acrylonitrile and at least one of styrene and a conjugated diene as units with an acid to thereby introduce acid radicals into the copolymer, and converting at least part of the acid radicals into a salt of at least one metal selected from among Ag, Cu, and Zn.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polyelectrolyte having the step of sulfonating polystyrene resin in a state where the polystyrene resin has been dissolved or dispersed in solvent composed of alicyclic compounds.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte which contains an inorganic pigment, having a sulfonated polystyrene resin as a principal ingredient, and is soluble to water.

Abstract: A water-absorbing resin having superior water absorption properties, and a method for manufacturing the water-absorbing resin having superior water absorption properties in a short time, in which used waste materials are used for effective utilization of resources. To this end, a high-molecular material containing acrylonitrile, styrene and conjugated dienes as constituent units are processed with acid and/or alkali.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polyelectrolyte having the step of sulfonating polystyrene resin in a state where the polystyrene resin has been dissolved or dispersed in solvent composed of alicyclic compounds.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte which contains an inorganic pigment, having a sulfonated polystyrene resin as a principal ingredient, and is soluble to water.