Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure include an electrochemical device. The electrochemical device includes a first substrate layer. The electrochemical device also includes an anode disposed upon the first substrate layer. The electrochemical device also includes a second substrate layer. The electrochemical device also includes a cathode disposed upon the second substrate layer. The electrochemical device also includes an electrolyte composition disposed between and in contact with the anode and the cathode. The electrochemical device also includes a sintered sealing layer composition disposed between the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer. A sintered sealing layer composition and methods for producing are also disclosed.

Abstract: Optical absorber-containing thermoplastic polymer particles (OACTP particles) may be produced by methods that comprise: mixing a mixture comprising a thermoplastic polymer, a carrier fluid that is immiscible with the thermoplastic polymer, and optionally an emulsion stabilizer at a temperature greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer and at a shear rate sufficiently high to disperse the thermoplastic polymer in the carrier fluid; cooling the mixture to below the melting point or softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer to form solidified particles comprising the thermoplastic polymer; separating the solidified particles from the carrier fluid; and exposing the solidified particles to an optical absorber to produce the OACTP particles.

Abstract: Methods for producing a polyamide having an optical absorber pendent from the polyamide's backbone (OAMB-polyamide) may comprise: esterifying a hydroxyl-pendent optical absorber with a halogen-terminal aliphatic acid to yield a halogen-terminal alkyl-optical absorber; and N-alkylating a polyamide with the halogen-terminal alkyl-optical absorber to yield the OAMB-polyamide. Other methods for producing an OAMB-polyamide may comprise: esterifying a carboxyl-pendent optical absorber with a halogen-terminal aliphatic alcohol to yield a halogen-terminal alkyl-optical absorber; and N-alkylating a polyamide with the modified optical absorber to yield a polyamide having the OAMB-polyamide.

Abstract: A method of producing thermoplastic particles may comprise: mixing a melt emulsion comprising (a) a continuous phase that comprises a carrier fluid having a polarity Hansen solubility parameter (dP) of about 7 MPa0.5 or less, (b) a dispersed phase that comprises a dispersing fluid having a dP of about 8 MPa0.5 or more, and (c) an inner phase that comprises a thermoplastic polyester at a temperature greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the thermoplastic polyester and at a shear rate sufficiently high to disperse the thermoplastic polyester in the dispersed phase; and cooling the melt emulsion to below the melting point or softening temperature of the thermoplastic polyester to form solidified particles comprising the thermoplastic polyester.

Abstract: A nonlimiting example method of forming polyamide polymer particles having pigments therein may comprising: mixing a mixture comprising a polyamide having a pigment pendent from a backbone of the polyamide (PP-polyamide), a carrier fluid that is immiscible with the PP-polyamide, and optionally an emulsion stabilizer at a temperature greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the PP-polyamide and at a shear rate sufficiently high to disperse the PP-polyamide in the carrier fluid; and cooling the mixture to below the melting point or softening temperature of the PP-polyamide to form solidified particles comprising the PP-polyamide and, when present, the emulsion stabilizer associated with an outer surface of the solidified particles. Said solidified particles may be used in additive manufacturing to make a variety of objects like containers, toys, furniture parts and decorative home goods, plastic gears, automotive parts, medical items, and the like.

Abstract: Methods for producing highly spherical particles that comprise: mixing a mixture comprising: (a) nanoclay-filled-polymer composite comprising a nanoclay dispersed in a thermoplastic polymer, (b) a carrier fluid that is immiscible with the thermoplastic polymer of the nanoclay-filled-polymer composite, optionally (c) a thermoplastic polymer not filled with a nanoclay, and optionally (d) an emulsion stabilizer at a temperature at or greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer of the nanoclay-filled-polymer and the thermoplastic polymer, when included, to disperse the nanoclay-filled-polymer composite in the carrier fluid; cooling the mixture to below the melting point or softening temperature to form nanoclay-filled-polymer particles; and separating the nanoclay-filled-polymer particles from the carrier fluid.

Abstract: Optical absorber-containing thermoplastic polymer particles (OACTP particles) may be produced by methods that comprise: mixing a mixture comprising a thermoplastic polymer, a carrier fluid that is immiscible with the thermoplastic polymer, and optionally an emulsion stabilizer at a temperature greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer and at a shear rate sufficiently high to disperse the thermoplastic polymer in the carrier fluid; cooling the mixture to below the melting point or softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer to form solidified particles comprising the thermoplastic polymer; separating the solidified particles from the carrier fluid; and exposing the solidified particles to an optical absorber to produce the OACTP particles.

Abstract: A nonlimiting example method of forming polyamide polymer particles having pigments therein may comprising: mixing a mixture comprising a polyamide having a pigment pendent from a backbone of the polyamide (PP-polyamide), a carrier fluid that is immiscible with the PP-polyamide, and optionally an emulsion stabilizer at a temperature greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the PP-polyamide and at a shear rate sufficiently high to disperse the PP-polyamide in the carrier fluid; and cooling the mixture to below the melting point or softening temperature of the PP-polyamide to form solidified particles comprising the PP-polyamide and, when present, the emulsion stabilizer associated with an outer surface of the solidified particles. Said solidified particles may be used in additive manufacturing to make a variety of objects like containers, toys, furniture parts and decorative home goods, plastic gears, automotive parts, medical items, and the like.

Abstract: Polymer coated particulates may be produced by melt emulsification methods, for example, by mixing a mixture comprising: a carrier fluid, particulates, a thermoplastic polymer, and optionally an emulsion stabilizer at a temperature at or greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer, wherein a mass ratio of the particulates to the thermoplastic polymer is about 1:0.1 to about 1:5; cooling the mixture to below the melting point or softening temperature to form polymer coated particulates; and separating the polymer coated particulates from the carrier fluid.

Abstract: A method for producing highly spherical polymer particles comprising a polyamide having an optical absorber pendent from a backbone of the polyamide (OAMB-polyamide) may comprise: mixing a mixture comprising the OAMB-polyamide, a carrier fluid that is immiscible with the OAMB-polyamide, and optionally an emulsion stabilizer at a temperature greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the OAMB-polyamide and at a shear rate sufficiently high to disperse the OAMB-polyamide in the carrier fluid; and cooling the mixture to below the melting point or softening temperature of the OAMB-polyamide to form particles comprising the OAMB-polyamide and the emulsion stabilizer, when present, associated with an outer surface of the particles.

Abstract: Pigmented polymer particles may comprise a thermoplastic polymer and a pigment, wherein at least some of the pigmented polymer particles have a morphology according to (a), (b), (c), or any combination thereof: (a) the pigment having a coating comprising the thermoplastic polymer and the coated pigment adhered to a thermoplastic polymer particle, (b) the pigment being embedded in an outer surface of the thermoplastic polymer particle, and (c) the pigment being encapsulated by the thermoplastic polymer particle. The pigmented polymer particles, especially the highly spherical pigmented polymer particles, may be useful, among other things, as starting material for additive manufacturing. For example, a method may comprise: depositing, upon a surface, the foregoing pigmented polymer particles optionally in combination with other thermoplastic polymer particles; and once deposited, heating at least a portion of the particles to promote consolidation thereof and form a consolidated body.

Abstract: Methods for producing a polyamide having an optical absorber pendent from the polyamide's backbone (OAMB-polyamide) may comprise: esterifying a hydroxyl-pendent optical absorber with a halogen-terminal aliphatic acid to yield a halogen-terminal alkyl-optical absorber; and N-alkylating a polyamide with the halogen-terminal alkyl-optical absorber to yield the OAMB-polyamide. Other methods for producing an OAMB-polyamide may comprise: esterifying a carboxyl-pendent optical absorber with a halogen-terminal aliphatic alcohol to yield a halogen-terminal alkyl-optical absorber; and N-alkylating a polyamide with the modified optical absorber to yield a polyamide having the OAMB-polyamide.

Abstract: Methods for producing highly spherical particles that comprise: mixing a mixture comprising: (a) nanoclay-filled-polymer composite comprising a nanoclay dispersed in a thermoplastic polymer, (b) a carrier fluid that is immiscible with the thermoplastic polymer of the nanoclay-filled-polymer composite, optionally (c) a thermoplastic polymer not filled with a nanoclay, and optionally (d) an emulsion stabilizer at a temperature at or greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer of the nanoclay-filled-polymer and the thermoplastic polymer, when included, to disperse the nanoclay-filled-polymer composite in the carrier fluid; cooling the mixture to below the melting point or softening temperature to form nanoclay-filled-polymer particles; and separating the nanoclay-filled-polymer particles from the carrier fluid.

Abstract: A sulfonated polymer fiber screen and a method for fabricating the same is disclosed. For example, a composition may include a plurality of sulfonated polymer fibers. The sulfonated polymer fibers may include polyether ether ketone (PEEK) fibers or polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK) fibers that are contacted with an acid bath that includes a sulfur containing group.

Abstract: A material for three-dimensional printing including at least one of a functionalized silicone polymer, a functionalized silica particle, or a combination thereof; wherein the functionalized silicone polymer is functionalized with a member of the group consisting of a carboxylic acid, an amine, and combinations thereof; and wherein the functionalized silica particle is functionalized with a member of the group consisting of a carboxylic acid, an amine, and combinations thereof. A process for preparing the three-dimensional printing material. A process for three-dimensional printing use of the material.

Abstract: Melt emulsification may be employed to form elastomeric particulates in a narrow size range when nanoparticles and a sulfonate surfactant are included as emulsion stabilizers. Such processes may comprise combining a polyurethane polymer, a sulfonate surfactant, and nanoparticles with a carrier fluid at a heating temperature at or above a melting point or softening temperature of the polyurethane polymer, applying sufficient shear to disperse the polyurethane polymer as liquefied droplets in the presence of the nanoparticles in the carrier fluid at the heating temperature, cooling the carrier fluid at least until elastomeric particulates in a solidified state form, and separating the elastomeric particulates from the carrier fluid. The polyurethane polymer defines a core and an outer surface of the elastomeric particulates, and the nanoparticles are associated with the outer surface. The elastomeric particulates may have a span of about 0.9 or less.

Abstract: A nonlimiting example method for synthesizing a pigment-pendent polyamide (PP-polyamide) may comprise: functionalizing metal oxide particles bound to a pigment particle with a compound having an epoxy to produce a surface treated pigment having a pendent epoxy; and reacting the pendent epoxy with a polyamide to yield the PP-polyamide. Another nonlimiting example method for synthesizing a PP-polyamide may comprise: functionalizing metal oxide particles bound to a pigment particle with a silica particle having a carboxylic acid surface treatment to produce a surface treated pigment having a pendent carboxylic acid; converting the pendent carboxylic acid to a pendent acid chloride; and reacting the pendent acid chloride with a polyamide to yield the PP-polyamide.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polymer particles suitable for use in additive manufacturing and related methods may comprise lignin. For example, said polymer particles may comprise a thermoplastic polymer, a lignin, optionally an emulsion stabilizer, and optionally a compatibilizer. Said polymer particles may be produced by melt emulsification methods and be highly spherical and, consequently, suited for selective laser sintering methods of additive manufacturing.

Abstract: Polymer particles that comprise a thermoplastic polymer and a nucleating agent may be useful in additive manufacturing methods where warping may be mitigated. For example, a method of producing sais polymer particles may comprise: a thermoplastic polymer, a nucleating agent, a carrier fluid, and optionally an emulsion stabilizer at a temperature at or greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer to emulsify a thermoplastic polymer melt in the carrier fluid; cooling the mixture to form polymer particles; and separating the polymer particles from the carrier fluid, wherein the polymer particles comprise the thermoplastic polymer, the nucleating agent, the emulsion stabilizer, if included, and wherein the polymer particles have a crystallization temperature that is substantially the same as a crystallization temperature of the thermoplastic polymer prior to mixing.

Abstract: A method for producing polysulfone micro-particles for 3D printing disclosed. For example, the method includes creating a mixture of polysulfone by dissolving polysulfone in an organic solvent, creating an aqueous solution of a polymeric stabilizer or a surfactant, adding the mixture of polysulfone to the aqueous solution to create a polysulfone solution, and processing the polysulfone solution to obtain polysulfone micro-particles having a desired particle size, a desired particle size distribution, and a desired shape.