Abstract: Polymer-encapsulated ion-exchange resins are disclosed. The resins are useful in adsorption, catalysis, and other applications. Catalysts comprising a polymer-encapsulated combination of an ion-exchange resin and a transition metal are also disclosed. The catalysts are useful in hydrogenation, oxidation, hydroformylation, polymerization, and other valuable processes. Certain of the polymer-encapsulated catalysts enhance the productivity in the process for producing hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A proton-exchange composite includes a polymer matrix formed from a proton-exchange polymer and ionomer particles distributed therein. The polymer has side chains with ionic groups. The particles have an average particle size of less than 20 nm and include an oligomeric ionomer that interacts with the polymer and attracts the ionic groups on its side chains. The composite may be formed by a method in which an initiator is bonded to silica particulates. The initiator is used to initiate polymerization of a precursor monomer to form a salt form of the oligomeric ionomer bonded to the silica particulates, which is then reacted with an acid to produce the oligomeric ionomer, thus forming the ionomer particles. The ionomer particles are dispersed in a solution containing a solvent and the polymer dissolved therein. The solvent is removed. The residue is cured to form the composite.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for stabilizing a semi-crystalline fluoropolymer comprising ion exchange groups, said process comprising: suspending at least one semi-crystalline fluoropolymer having ion exchange groups [polymer (I)] in at least one fluorinated organic dispersing medium [medium (M)] so as to obtain a dispersion (D) of polymer (I) in a dispersing medium (M), contacting said dispersion (D) with fluorine under irradiation with U.V. radiation so as to obtain a stabilized polymer. Still objects of the invention arc a stable semi-crystalline fluoropolymer as above defined having a low amount of unstable ends groups of —COF type, the use of the stabilized fluoropolymer obtained by the process or of the stable fluoropolymer in fuel cells devices, a membrane and a membrane-electrode assembly comprising said fluoropolymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resin which is a copolymer of a polystyrene and a non-styrenic polymer, wherein the non-styrenic polymer includes the following subunit: Formula (I) wherein Rb is a divalent linking group, preferably alkylene, and most preferably (—CH2—CH2—; and Rd is NH, NR, O or absent. Preferably the resin has an acrylic backbone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymeric material comprising crosslinked spherical particles that are obtained by photoinitiated precipitation polymerization of crosslinking monomer and optionally a further monomer in the presence of an initiator and a solvent. It also relates to a method for producing the material and a chromatography column containing the material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a capturing material including a substrate containing a porous body having continuous pores, wherein the substrate has a bilayer structure including: a surface region to which a graft polymer chain to which a capturing functional group for capturing an object to be captured is incorporated is bonded; and an inner region to which the graft polymer chain is not bonded.

Abstract: A porous article which is formed from a polymeric material, in which characteristics of the surface of the article provided by the polymeric material are modified by having grafted to it chains of polymerized vinyl monomer units, in which the chains each comprise a number of units of a first vinyl monomer and include a unit of a second vinyl monomer which is different from the first vinyl monomer. Preferably, the ratio of the number of units of the first vinyl monomer in each chain to the number of units of the second vinyl monomer is not more than about 60. When the number of second vinyl monomer units in each chain is one, the mean number of first vinyl monomer units in each chain will be not more than 60.

Abstract: Provided is a novel ion-pair charge-transfer complex polymer suitable for use as a photo-functional material which shows extremely fast photoresponses in the wide wavelength range from visible to near infrared regions, and thermally stable. An ion-pair charge-transfer complex polymer wherein the acceptor is a substituted bipyridinium cation expressed by the formula (I) below. In the formula, X represents a group bonded at the 4- or 2-position relative to the nitrogen atoms of the bipyridinium group and selected from the group consisting of phenyl, biphenyl, thienyl, bithienyl, terthienyl, furyl, fluorenyl, pyrenyl, perylenyl, and vinyl groups, or X may not be present so that the pyridinium groups are directly connected; and Z represents a polymer preferably from the ring-opening polymerization of an oxazolinee derivative (e.g. one substituted with phenyl group). The anion as the donor is selected, for example, from chloride, bromide, iodide, tetraphenylborate or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A method for preparing monodisperse crosslinked bead polymers by introducing droplets having a harmonic mean size from 50 to 1500 microns and comprising at least one monomer, at least one crosslinker and a free-radical polymerization initiator into an aqueous medium through orifices to produce an aqueous suspension of droplets having a volume fraction of droplets from 35 to 64%; wherein the droplets are not encapsulated; causing the aqueous suspension of droplets to flow in a downward direction in a pipe in which the temperature is maintained at least 20° C. below the temperature at which the polymerization initiator has a half-life of 1 hour; and polymerizing the droplets in a reactor.

Abstract: The invention discloses an adsorptive ion-exchange material, including a polymer of formulas land II. The material has adsorption ability as well as ion-exchange ability for absorbing metal ions, and can be directly spun into fibers of varying diameters. The invention also discloses a method for treating wastewater containing metal ions using the disclosed adsorptive ion-exchange material.

Abstract: Ion conducting polymers containing polyarylene ion conducting segments and elastomeric segments covalently linked to each other are used to make polymer electrolyte membranes that can be used in fuel cells such as direct methanol fuel cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing spheroid polymer particles having a narrow size distribution by dispersion polymerization. This method comprises the steps of: providing a two-phase system in the form of a dispersion comprising an organic phase of droplets dispersed in an aqueous medium, mixing said organic phase in said aqueous medium under agitation without using a dispersion stabilizing agent to stabilize the dispersion, wherein the organic phase comprises at least a crosslinkable monomer, a polymerization initiator and an organic solvent for said monomer, and allowing the crosslinkable monomers to polymerize, while the two-phase system is agitated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a porous resin bead containing an aromatic vinyl compound-hydroxystyrene-di(meth)acrylate copolymer, the method including: dissolving a monomer mixture containing an aromatic vinyl compound, an acyloxystyrene and a di(meth)acrylate compound, and a polymerization initiator in an organic solvent to obtain a solution containing the monomer mixture and the polymerization initiator; suspending the solution in water in the presence of a dispersion stabilizer; performing a suspension copolymerization to thereby obtain an aromatic vinyl compound-acyloxystyrene-di(meth)acrylate compound copolymer; and hydrolyzing an acyloxy group of the acyloxystyrene monomer component in the copolymer. The porous resin bead produced by the method of the present invention can be suitably used, for example, as a support for solid phase synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with novel ion-exchange membranes, their method of preparation and their uses. The membranes are made of a polymer obtained from a monomer or a mixture of bifunctional monomers of general formula [T-SO2—Y—SO2-T?]?M+. The polymers are useful in an alkali-chloride electrolysis process, as a separator in an electrochemical preparation of inorganic and organic compounds, as a separator between an aqueous and an organic phase, or as a catalyst for Diels-Alder additions, Friedel-Craft reactions, aldol condensations, cationic polymerizations, esterifications, and acetal formations.

Abstract: An agent for increasing the rejection with a permeable membrane which comprises an ionic macromolecule having a weight-average molecular weight of 100,000 or greater; a process for increasing the rejection with a permeable membrane which comprises treating a permeable membrane with the agent; a permeable membrane which is treated in accordance with the process; and a process for water treatment which comprises using the permeable membrane are disclosed. By using the above agent, an increased rejection of inorganic electrolytes and organic compounds soluble in water can be maintained for a long time easily and safely at the location of the use of the membrane without extreme decrease in the flux of permeation in the membrane separation using a selective permeable membrane such as a nano filtration membrane and a reverse osmosis membrane.

Abstract: To provide an electrolyte material having high electrical conductivity (ion exchange capacity) and a high softening temperature. An electrolyte material comprising a copolymer containing repeating units represented by the following formula (1) and repeating units represented by the following formula (2): wherein RF is a fluorine atom or the like, each of X1 and X2 is a fluorine atom or a trifluoromethyl group, m is from 2 to 4, and Y is a hydroxyl group or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of monodisperse acrylic-containing bead polymers, preferably having a particle size of 5 to 500 ?m, and also to their functionalization to give ion exchangers.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a crosslinked polymer electrolyte, typically in the form of a membrane for use as a polymer electrolyte membrane in an electrolytic cell such as a fuel cell, by trimerization of nitrile groups contained on groups pendant from the polymer. The resulting polymer electrolyte membrane comprises a highly fluorinated polymer comprising: a perfluorinated backbone, first pendent groups which comprise sulfonic acid groups, and crosslinks comprising trivalent groups according to the formula: The first pendent groups are typically according to the formula: —R1—SO3H, where R1 is a branched or unbranched perfluoroalkyl or perfluoroether group comprising 1-15 carbon atoms and 0-4 oxygen atoms, most typically —O—CF2—CF2—CF2—CF2—SO3H or —O—CF2—CF(CF3)—O—CF2—CF2—SO3H.

Abstract: A polymeric film or sheet comprising an ionomeric composition comprising ionomeric copolymer of an alpha olefin and about 1 to about 30 wt % of alpha,beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbons, based on the total weight of the ionomeric copolymer, wherein the carboxylic acid is neutralized to a level of 1 to 100 mol %, with one or more metal ions, based on the total number of moles of carboxylate groups in the ionomeric copolymer, and wherein the ionomeric copolymer has a Melt Index of about 20 to about 300 g/10 min. The ionomeric composition preferably comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of silane coupling agent, organic peroxide, and combinations thereof. In addition, an article comprising an interlayer formed of the polymeric film or sheet and an additional layer selected from the group consisting of glass, other polymeric interlayer sheets, polymeric film layers, and metal films or sheets. Examples of articles include safety windows and solar cells.

Abstract: An ion gel including an ionic liquid and a block copolymer. The block copolymer includes at least three blocks, and the block copolymer forms a self-assembled ion gel in the ionic liquid. Also, thin film transistors including an ion gel insulator layer, capacitors including an ion gel insulator layer, integrated circuits including transistors including an ion gel insulator layer, and methods for forming each of these devices are described.

Abstract: A heterogenous hybrid thermally regenerable salt sorbent resin is formed from a hybrid precursor resin. The hybrid precursor resin is formed by intimately mixing a dry, solid crosslinked macroporous copolymer with a solution containing a polyunsaturated monomer, a monoethylenically unsaturated monomer containing a haloalkyl group and a polymerization initiator, followed by heating to cause polymerization. The hybrid precursor resin is then treated with a weak base, then subjected to hydrolysis conditions to form, respectively, weak base groups and weak acid groups to produce the hybrid thermally regenerable salt sorbent resin.

Abstract: Polymeric micro- and nano-capsules formed of a spherical single hydrophobic polymer, chemically functionalised at their surface so as to comprise hydrophilic moieties thereon are disclosed. The capsules are susceptible of absorbing a perfume and of being optionally coated with an amphiphilic copolymer. They allow the preparation of perfume delivery systems, which provide a slow release of perfuming materials while improving the substantivity of the perfume on a substrate.

Abstract: Process for preparing monodisperse weakly basic or optionally strongly basic anion exchangers of the poly(meth)acrylamide type, the ion exchangers themselves and their use.

Abstract: A method for making a weak cation-exchange (carboxylic acid) medium comprising contacting a solution of a functional organic polymer having carbon to carbon double bond unsaturation and having weak cationic exchange functional moieties or precursors thereof in a solvent with a substrate having an organic polymer surface, evaporating said solvent and breaking said double bond under conditions to cause the functional organic polymer to covalently bond to the substrate surface and to cross-link to form a cross-linked functional polymer layer covalently bound to the substrate surface. The medium produced by the method.

Abstract: A porous or non-porous polymeric substrate having its surface modified with an immobilized fluorocarbon such as perfluorocarbon, polymeric composition is provided. The immobilized fluorocarbon is formed from a monomer having formula: [T—SO2Y—SO2T?]?M+ in which —T and T? are identical or different and comprise an organic radical bearing at least one active polymerization function such as an unsaturation or a ring that can be opened; —M+ comprises an inorganic cation.

Abstract: The invention provides ion exchange and electrochemical methods and devices employing anion exchange polymers produced by substantially simultaneous quaternization and polymerization reactions. Anion selective polymers are produced in accordance with the invention by combining, an ethylenic tertiary amine monomer, an alkylating agent having a boiling point temperature of at least about 100° C., and a cross-linking agent in the presence of a polymerizing agent for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form the polymer. The alkylating agent and the cross-linking agent may be the same compound, a cross-linking alkylating agent. The polymers may be produced in the presence of solvents and/or in the presence of diluting monomers which are incorporated into the polymers.

Abstract: A method for preparing synthetic polymerized resins for ion exchange, namely, carboxylic cationites, which are suitable as sorbents for preparative separation and purification of biologically active compounds by low pressure liquid chromatography (LPLC). The directional polymerization conditions enable such cationites to be prepared with polymeric structures which can be used for the separation of macromolecules, such as proteins, with high molecular mass from various microbiological raw materials and physiological liquids. Depending upon the embodiment of the method of manufacture according to the present invention, the resultant carboxylic cationites are obtained in one of three forms: a swollen block, if no pre-polymerization or dispersion stages are performed; and, if such stages are performed, depending upon the dispersion conditions, the resultant structures can be either irregular particles or spherical granules.

Abstract: A composition useful for separating lipoproteins, such as high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and modified lipoproteins with a high degree of accuracy by ion-exchange based procedures. The composition comprises an organic particle having a hydrophilic surface onto which ion-exchange groups are introduced and which is formulated so as to provide a high enough degree of hydrophilicity to prevent irreversible absorption of lipoproteins, but which is not so high as to block the pores of the ion exchange particles and prevent adequate retention and separation of lipoproteins. A method for making a composition for separating lipoproteins comprising seed polymerization of organic particles, hydrophilic treatment of the organic particles by introducing 0.

Abstract: The invention provides novel solid supports comprising dihydroxyalkyl aminoalkyl and dihydroxyalkylaminobenzyl groups, and methods for making and using them. The supports are particularly useful for immobilizing and derivatizing functionalized boronic acids for use in solid phase synthesis, such as those used in combinatorial chemistries. The compositions and methods of the invention are also useful as scavenger solid supports, e.g., in solution-phase parallel synthesis of small molecule libraries, and for use in resin-to-resin transfer reactions via phase transfer of solid supported boronic acids under both aqueous and anhydrous conditions. The methods of the invention provide convergent solid-phase synthesis of symmetrically or unsymmetrically functionalized compounds, such as biphenyl compounds. Also provided are synthesizer devices, e.g., semiautomated parallel synthesizers.

Abstract: The invention concerns alkali-stable hydrophilic sorbents for ion-exchange chromatography. The invention is characterized in that it consists in using as base material a crosslinked vinyl polymerconsisting of vinyl monomers containing diol groups e and crosslinking monomers whereof the polymerizable groups are bound by carbonamide-containing chains. Monomers containing ionic groups are grafted on said base material using cerium (IV) salts.

Abstract: A process is provided for modifying a porous polystyrene monolith to render its internal pore surfaces grafted with alkyl groups, preferably of at least four carbon atoms, which includes the step of alkylating the monolith with a uniform liquid solution containing a Friedel-Crafts catalyst and an alkyl halide. A surface-modified monolith produced thereby is an efficient separation medium in reversed-phase liquid chromatography for both small and large biomolecules.

Abstract: A colloidally and sedimentation stable coating composition containing ion exchange resins is disclosed. A method of using a colloidally and sedimentation stable coating composition containing ion exchange resins is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing anion exchange resins based on the use of a non-agitated plug-flow quench procedure followed by recycle of a portion of the recovered chloromethylation reaction fluids into subsequent chloromethylation reactions is disclosed. The combination of plug-flow hydration, providing highly concentrated recovered sulfuric acid, together with the recycle or reuse of the recovered concentrated sulfuric acid, allows for reduced raw material requirements during anion exchange resin manufacture and reduces the environmental impact of waste sulfuric acid processing.

Abstract: A polymer blend is described which contains at least one acrylic resin or vinyl resin having at least one ionic or ionizable group and at least one thermoplastic fluoropolymer. Preferably, the polymer blend is an intimate blend of the two polymers which are useful in a variety of applications including in the formation of a membrane which is useful in batteries and fuel cells and the like. Methods of making the polymer blends are also described.

Abstract: This invention discloses a rubbery polymer which is comprised of repeat units that are derived from (1) at least one conjugated diolefin monomer, and (2) at least one functionalized monomer having the structural formula: wherein R represents an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom, and wherein R1 and R2 can be the same or different and represent hydrogen atoms or a moiety of the structural formula: wherein the R3 groups in repeat units and in different repeat units can be the same or different and represent hydrogen atoms or alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, wherein n and x represents integers from 1 to about 10, with the proviso that R1 and R2 can not both be hydrogen atoms.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for recovering materials from a rubber molded article containing carbon black and rubber comprising the steps of

Abstract: A polymer blend is described which contains at least one acrylic resin or vinyl resin having at least one ionic or ionizable group and at least one thermoplastic fluoropolymer. Preferably, the polymer blend is an intimate blend of the two polymers which are useful in a variety of applications including in the formation of a membrane which is useful in batteries and fuel cells and the like. Methods of making the polymer blends are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of fabricating composite membranes wherein at least one of the components is initially provided in the form of a precursor. The composite material comprising the precursor is processed to transform the precursor and obtain a membrane having a desired property. Including a thermoplastic precursor to a desired component, which itself is less thermoplastic, permits separate pieces of the membrane to be joined by welding or other thermal processes relying on the meltability of the components to achieve a bond. The invention also encompasses fabricating a reinforced ion conducting membrane by melting and mixing a non ion-conducting precursor to an ion-conducting polymer with an essentially inert polymer. The composite material is then processed to transform the non ion-conducting polymer into the ion-conducting form.

Abstract: A cation exchanger comprised of a fine particle having bound to the surface thereof a polymer having a cation exchanging property, wherein said polymer is selected from (i) polymers prepared by polymerization of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and partially crosslinked with a polymer having a functional group capable of reacting with a carboxylic acid, and (ii) an acrylic acid-maleic acid copolymer. The cation exchanger is produced by the steps of: dispersing fine particles in a solution containing (i) a combination of a polymer prepared by polymerization of an unsaturated carboxylic acid, with a polymer having a functional group capable of reacting with a carboxylic acid, or (ii) an acrylic acid-maleic acid copolymer, to prepare a dispersion of fine particles; removing a liquid medium from the particle dispersion to separate a solid content; and then, heating the solid content in a dried state. The cation exchanger is useful as a packing for chromatography.

Abstract: Described are non-swelling, crosslinked, bead forms of ampholytic base polymers that can be utilized in the chromatographic-type separation of acids from other compounds. Preferred polymers are prepared by modifying a poly-2 or poly-4-vinylpyridine resin crosslinked with divinylbenzene.

Abstract: The invention provides ion exchange and electrochemical methods and devices employing anion exchange polymers produced by substantially simultaneous quaternization and polymerization reactions. Anion selective polymers are produced in accordance with the invention by combining, an ethylenic tertiary amine monomer, an alkylating agent having a boiling point temperature of at least about 100° C., and a cross-linking agent in the presence of a polymerizing agent for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form the polymer. The alkylating agent and the cross-linking agent may be the same compound, a cross-linking alkylating agent. The polymers may be produced in the presence of solvents and/or in the presence of diluting monomers which are incorporated into the polymers.

Abstract: A crosslinked polymer with high ionic conductivity, an electrolyte using the crosslinked polymer and a process for producing the electrolyte, and a nonaqueous secondary battery using the electrolyte.

Abstract: Crosslinked macroporous resins and ion-exchange resins produced therefrom which have a significantly high crush strength to be useful in the removal of colloidal silica, iron, aluminum and other metal hydroxides and a process for producing macroporous resins with this high crush strength yet having extremely large pores by achieving a narrow distribution of pore sizes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for polymerizing ethylene, acyclic olefins, and/or selected cyclic olefins, and optionally selected olefinic esters or carboxylic acids, and other monomers. The polymerizations are catalyzed by selected transition metal compounds, and sometimes other co-catalysts. Since some of the polymerizations exhibit some characteristics of living polymerizations, block copolymers can be readily made. Many of the polymers produced are often novel, particularly in regard to their microstructure which gives some of them unusual properties. Numerous novel catalysts are disclosed, as well as some novel processes for making them. The polymers made are useful as elastomers, molding resins, in adhesives, etc.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising a membrane-form polymer electrolyte, a cathode disposed on one side of the polymer electrolyte, and an anode disposed on the other side of the polymer electrolyte, wherein the cathode comprises a catalyst and an ion exchange resin, and the ion exchange resin is made of a polymer comprising the following segments A and segments B:

Abstract: A process for the preparation of high surface area, low-swelling macroporous polymeric adsorbents is disclosed. The use of organic sulfonic acids to provide postcrosslinking of macroporous copolymers eliminates the need for traditional organic swelling solvents and Lewis-acid catalysts used to provide conventional macronetted polymers. In particular, methanesulfonic acid provides macroporous polymeric adsorbents having high surface area and porosity, low levels of residual vinyl groups, and free of residual contaminants from conventional Lewis-acid/Friedel-Crafts reactions.

Abstract: A cross-linked water-insoluble ion exchange resin comprised of polymerized monomers having a phenyl ring is disclosed. A contemplated resin contains (i) polymerized phenyl ring-containing monomers having a phosphonic acid ligand linked to the phenyl ring, (ii) about 2 to about 5 millimoles per gram (mmol/g) of phosphorus as phosphonic acid ligands, and (iii) a sufficient amount of a sulfonic acid ligand such that the ratio of mmol/g of phosphonic acid to mmol/g sulfonic acid is up to 3:1. A process for removing polyvalent metal cations from aqueous solution, and a process for removing iron(III) cations from acidic copper(II) cation-containing solutions that utilize the contemplated resin or other resins are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of high surface area, low-swelling macroporous polymeric adsorbents is disclosed. The use of organic sulfonic acids to provide postcrosslinking of macroporous copolymers eliminates the need for traditional organic swelling solvents and Lewis-acid catalysts used to provide conventional macronetted polymers. In particular, methanesulfonic acid provides macroporous polymeric adsorbents having high surface area and porosity, low levels of residual vinyl groups, and free of residual contaminants from conventional Lewis-acid/Friedel-Crafts reactions.

Abstract: Novel organic ion-exchange polymers and membranes formed from these polymers provide improved performance in electrolytic cells. The membranes exhibit an expanded micro-structure as the result of the removal of organic groups previously reacted with the ion-exchange groups of the polymer. The polymers are also useful in finely divided form as catalysts or deposited on a catalyst support. When formed into sheets, the polymers are useful as membranes in the separation of miscible liquids and in the separation of gases.

Abstract: Phosphonic acid polymers are prepared from di- or polyphosphonic acids having one or more unsaturated C.dbd.C bonds (e.g. vinylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid), either as homopolymers or as higher polymers with at least one further compound having unsaturated C.dbd.C bonds (e.g. acrylic acid). The polymers can be used as, or in connection with, flame-retardants, corrosion inhibitors, coatings, cements and ion exchange resins.