Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method of reclaiming crosslinked rubber, which can reclaim various kinds of crosslinked rubbers whose reclamation is difficult. The method of reclaiming crosslinked rubber 10 of the present invention includes a step of reclaiming crosslinked rubber by applying shear stress to the crosslinked rubber 10, wherein the maximum pressure in the reclaiming step is 1.5 MPa or more.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polycarbonate having a low particle content, a process for producing high-purity polycarbonate and polycarbonate of maximum purity and molded products made from such polycarbonate.

Abstract: Acrylate hot melt-based self-adhesive composition, characterized by K value of at least 60, in particular 65-80, and obtainable by concentrating or devolatilizing a solution of such a composition in a devolatilizing extruder to give a system which can be processed as a hot melt.

Abstract: The present invention produces an unsaturated compound (Formula 2) useful as a fluororesin starting material and the like by using a compound of the Formula 1 as a starting material.

Abstract: A method of producing a sintered article of polybenzimidazole by using a polybenzimidazole resin is disclosed. This method comprises the steps of: filling a mold with a polybenzimidazole resin; after closing the mold so that the polybenzimidazole resin can be densely packed in the mold, heating the mold to a predetermined temperature ranging from 500° C. to 600° C. without applying pressure to the mold from the outside; after increasing the pressure on the mold from 0 kg/cm2 to 50-750 kg/cm2, sintering the polybenzimidazole resin while maintaining the temperature and the pressure for 15 to 200 minutes; cooling the mold; and removing the sintered article of the polybenzimidazole resin from the mold. By this method, sintered articles of polybenzimidazole resins having no weak parts can be obtained in high yields.

Abstract: An absorbent composition comprising an uncrosslinked, high molecular weight polymer, wherein the uncrosslinked, high molecular weight polymer is treated by a means to effectively insolubilize the uncrosslinked, relatively high molecular weight polymer such that the absorbent composition exhibits desirable absorbent properties. In particular, the absorbent composition has the ability to absorb a large quantity of liquid. The absorbent composition is useful in disposable absorbent products, such as those disposable absorbent products that are used to absorb bodily liquids. Suitable polymers include polyethylene oxide, poly(acrylic acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight that is greater than about 1,000,000.

Abstract: A process for producing a degraded derivative tetrafluoroethylene product. A batch of solid tetrafluoroethylene material is placed in a structure having a cavity with the structure formed from a metal such as aluminum. The batch is heated in the structure with a temperature of between 1000 degrees Fahrenheit to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. At least portion of the batch is removed from the upper end of the structure as the portion passes from a solid to a liquid phase. The portion is allowed to cool and re-solidify into a degraded derivative tetrafluoroethylene product.

Abstract: A method of treating reaction injection molded polyurethane, polyurethane/urea and polyurea polymers comprising exposing a reaction injection molded polyurethane, polyurethane/urea or polyurea polymer to an amount of infrared energy sufficient to increase the temperature of the polymer to at least 175° C., and then maintaining the temperature of the polymer at or above that temperature, for a time sufficient to increase the Gardner impact property, as measured using ASTMD-3029, when compared to the same polymer which has been heated to the same temperature and maintained thereat for the same time in a convection oven. The invention produces marked improvements in impact, heat sag and heat distortion temperature properties, and thus is particularly suited to rapid preparation of parts using a mass production conveyor and is particularly well-suited to preparation of parts which are to be subjected to later high temperature processes, such as the “E-coat” process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single- or multilayer films and one or more layers comprising at least one polyolefin molding composition containing at least one polyolefin derived from at least one olefin having at least 2 carbon atoms, of the formula Ra—CH═CH—Rb, in which Ra and Rb are identical or different and are a hydrogen atom or a straight-chain or branched C1-C15-alkyl radical, or Ra and Rb, together with the atoms connecting them, form a ring or ring system, and the polyolefin has been prepared by means of metallocene catalysts. The present invention furthermore relates to a process for the production of films and layers in which a polyolefin molding composition having a particle size of from 20 &mgr;m to 5000 &mgr;m is used or prepared. The shaped polyolefin molding composition is melt-mixed with at least one additive and shaped. The melt-mixed and shaped material is melted at a temperature of from 150° C. to 300° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multistep process for evaporating polymer solutions of thermoplastic polymers and for removing volatile constituents from thermoplastic polymers by indirect heat exchange. The invention relates in particular to a process for evaporating volatile constituents out of polymer solutions using shell-and-tube heat exchangers having a special geometry, coiled-tube evaporators and extrusion evaporators.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing an aliphatic polyester excellent in stability which includes subjecting an aliphatic polyester containing at least 50% of an aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acid unit, obtainable by solid-phase polymerization under a flowing gas in the presence of a volatile catalyst so as to have a desired weight average molecular weight within the range of 50,000 to 1,000,000, to a heat treatment at a temperature equal to or higher than the reaction temperature of the solid-phase polymerization under a flowing gas with maintaining the aliphatic polyester in a solid state. According to the process of the invention, an aliphatic polyester excellent in stability at molding and storage stability is obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of polyamide-6 by polymerization of &egr;-caprolactam with full re-use of extracted caprolactam and oligomers. The extract is not subjected to a pretreatment for reduction of the cyclic dimer content. By carrying out the polymerization in two steps, the first at an elevated pressure, but lower than the vapor pressure of the reaction mixture supplied, and the second at approximately atmospheric or reduced pressure, the cyclic dimer content of the polymerizate leaving the second polymerization step is kept at a constant level. The process offers a high degree of flexibility in terms of production capacity and composition and proportion of recycled lactam in the lactam feed for the polymerization.

Abstract: A method of cleaning the aromatic polycarbonate production unit with a carbonic acid diaryl ester at a temperature of 200 to 350° C. in an inert gas atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing water-soluble or water-swellable polymer products with low levels of residual monomers using acrylic acid and/or acrylic acid derivatives, which process is characterized by adding a nitrogen compound to the monomer solution to be polymerized and subsequent heating of the polymer product at temperatures of from 120 to 240° C. The polymers produced accordingly are suitable for use as flocculants, dispersants and absorbents.

Abstract: A novel polycyanoaryl ether exhibiting excellent heat-resistance, hydrolysis-resistance and weatherability, as well as industrially high general-purpose properties, and the method for the production thereof is to be provided. The polycyanoaryl ether of this invention is represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 stands for a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylamino group of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio group of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group of 6 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group of 6 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted arylamino group of 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted arylthio group of 6 to 20 carbon atoms; R2 stands for a divalent organic group; and n stands for a degree of polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of recovering a polyamine compound and/or a polyol compound useful for starting materials of polyurethane resin in an industrially advantageous manner by first dissolving the polyurethane resin such as polyurethane foams discharged in a large amount as industrial wastes in a solubilizing agent containing a polyamine compound, a low molecular glycol or an amino alcohol, hydrolyzing the resulting solution with liquid water at 200 to 320° C., then recovering the polyamino compound and/or polyol compound thus formed.

Abstract: A method of crystallizing particles of amorphous thermoplastic polymer particles in a mechanically fluidizing horizontal cylindrical crystallizer so that each particle is crystallized to substantially the same degree without particle agglomeration or stickiness in the crystallizer or the product. The method comprises mechanically fluidizing the particles with fluidizing blades providing mechanical friction, heat, and deformation stress until the stress orients the polymer molecules to form polymer crystals. The method is particularly useful with polyesters, polyester copolymers and low melting blends thereof. A new crystallized polymer composition prepared by the mechanical stress method is disclosed.

Abstract: Process for increasing the molecular weight of nylon 6 while reducing its content of caprolactam and other volatiles by a two-staged heating process.

Abstract: The invention provides: a water-absorbent resin granule-containing composition with resolution of various problems, as caused by water-absorbent resin fine powders, and with high granulation strength, and with no physical property deterioration due to granulation, and, if anything, with improvement of the absorption capacity under a load by granulation; and a process for producing the above granule. A water-absorbent resin primary particle and a water-absorbent resin granule are separately surface-crosslinked and then mixed, or mixed and then surface-crosslinked. The granulation is carried out by mixing a preheated aqueous liquid and a water-absorbent resin powder at a high speed or by supplying a water-absorbent resin powder downstream of an aqueous liquid with a continuous extrusion mixer.

Abstract: In a process for producing PCCD polyester of the formula by reacting a starting CHDM and a starting DMCD in the presence of a catalyst to produce an aliphatic alcohol and an acid interchange oligomer and forming a low viscosity PCCD, and reacting the intermediate PCCD by solid state polymerization for increasing the molecular weight of to form a PCCD having melting temperature of about 225 to about 234 degrees Centigrade and a viscosity from about 2,000 to about 20,000 poise.

Abstract: A process for increasing the rate of polymerization of low molecular weight polyester particles under solid state processing conditions whereby the progress of polymerization is preferred over the progress of crystallization for a given mass of particles.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) at an increased solid state polymerization rate, wherein 1,3-propane diol and an aromatic acid or a dialkyl ester thereof are esterified or transesterified, the esterification or transesterification product is polycondensed, and the polycondensation product is pelletized and then subjected to continuous solid state polymerization at a temperature of 200 to 225° C., preferably 210 to 225° C. In one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature range is 200 to 220° C., and the pellet size of the polymer to be solid state polymerized is from 1.0 to 1.5 g/100. In another embodiment of the present invention, the solid state polymerization is carried out at 210 to 225° C. for from 1 to 20 hours and then the temperature is increased to above the initial melting point of the polymer to produce a PTT polymer with an intrinsic viscosity of 1.3 dl/g or greater.

Abstract: A process is provided for curing poly(arylene sulfide) polymers by achieving and maintaining curing conditions in a cure vessel, then intermittently adding uncured polymer to said cure vessel and intermittently removing polymer from the cure vessel wherein the removal of polymer from the cure vessel is performed at intervals such that the presence of uncured polymer is minimized or avoided.

Abstract: There is described a process for producing ethylene homopolymers and/or interpolymers and functionalized ethylene homopolymers and/or interpolymers, having reduced melt index ratio (MIR) and reduced weight average molecular weight (Mw). Also disclosed are novel ethylene homopolymers and interpolymers and functionalized ethylene homopolymers and/or interpolymers, having melt index ratio (MIR) less than 22 and molecular weight distribution greater than 2.4. Further described are novel ethylene interpolymers and functionalized ethylene interpolymers, having a melt index ratio less than 26, a molecular weight distribution value of greater than 2.4 and a density of less than 0.95 g/cc.

Abstract: For efficiently recycling a flame retardant resin composition constituted of a flame retardant and a resin, the present invention provides a method for treating a flame retardant resin composition comprising a step of bringing at least part of a flame retardant resin composition containing a resin and a flame retardant into contact with a pressurized fluid constituted of a solvent to reduce the flame retardancy.

Abstract: A melt-processable fluorine-containing polymer is melt kneaded with a kneader which has a residence time of at least 10 minutes, a usable volume ratio (usable space in a container/space in a container) of larger than 0.3, and a power factor K of less than 8000, the power factor K being represented by the formula: K=Pv/&mgr;/n2 in which Pv is a power requirement per unit volume (W/m3), &mgr; is a melt viscosity (Pa.s), and n is a rotation speed (rps), to effectively remove terminal groups and bonds in the backbones, which are unstable during melt kneading, from the melt-processable fluorine-containing polymer, and obtain a colorless fluorine-containing polymer.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a conjugated poly(arylene vinylene) copolymer for use in a luminescent device, which comprises: (1) providing a precursor polymer comprising units of general formula in which Ar is substituted or unsubstituted arylene, L is a leaving group, R1 and R2 are each independently H, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl or an electron-withdrawing group, and n is an integer; (2) reacting the precursor polymer with a reactant comprising a carboxylate, an aldehyde, a ketone, a sulphonate, a thioate, a disulphide, a xanthate, an amine, a pyridine, a hydrazide, a phenoxide, an alcohol with a boiling point above 100° C.

Abstract: The polymer recovery capacity of solution polymerization units is increased by flashing a polymer solution exiting olefin polymerization reactors to produce a concentrated polymer solution having a reduced temperate and a solids content from 10 percent to 40 percent by weight. Flashing of the polymer solution preferably occurs at a temperature at least 20° C. higher than the crystallization temperature of the concentrated polymer solution The concentrated polymer solution can be prepared adiabatically and can be subsequently finished in conventional polymer recovery units without increasing the risk of gel formation.

Abstract: Polyurethane moulding compositions which can be melt processed in the form of sintering powders suitable for the preparation of grained sintered films and which are prepared exclusively from linear aliphatic components are described. The polyol component is composed of 30 to 80 parts by weight of an aliphatic polycarbonate diol with an average molecular weight {overscore (M)}n of 1000 to 2200 and 70 to 20 parts by weight of a polybutane diol adipate and/or a polycaprolactone diol with an average molecular weight {overscore (M)}n of 1000 to 2400. Moreover, the mixture contains 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate in an equivalence ratio of 2.3:1.0 to 6.2:1.0, based on the polyol mixture and butane-1,4-diol as chain extender, the equivalence ratio of the butane-1,4-diol based on the poly mixture being 1.3:1.0 to 5.2:1.0.

Abstract: A process for producing aliphatic polyester wherein a crystallized aliphatic polyester prepolymer formed from an aliphatic dihydric alcohol and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and having a weight-average molecular weight of 2,000 to 100,000 is caused to undergo solid-phase polymerization in the presence of a volatile catalyst to make an aliphatic polyester having a weight-average molecular weight of 50,000 to 1,000,000. This process is more efficient than any prior process calling for a complicated step for catalyst removal, since it enables the removal of the catalyst from the reaction system during and/or after solid-phase polymerization. The polyester is comparable in stability to any aliphatic polyester having any catalyst removed therefrom.

Abstract: A homogeneous powder mainly consisting of an elastic material, such as vulcanised rubber, is produced by first forming a composite body of larger particles of the elastic material, bound together by a thermoplastic material. The composite body is then subjected to mechanical treatment, e.g. grinding, producing a homogeneous powder having a particle size of less than 1.5 mm and consisting of up to about 80% by weigh of vulcanised rubber.

Abstract: A method of efficiently removing a low molecular weight substance from a polyimide precursor or polyimide in which the low molecular weight substance is dispersed as micro-domains, without using a large amount of an organic solvent. The method of removing a low molecular weight substance comprises subjecting either a polymer composition having a micro-domain structure made up of a continuous phase comprising a polyimide precursor and, dispersed therein, a discontinuous phase comprising a low molecular weight substance or a polyimide composition obtained from the polymer composition by converting the polyimide precursor into a polyimide to extraction with a combination of supercritical carbon dioxide and a co-solvent to thereby remove the low molecular weight substance. The co-solvent is preferably an aprotic polar solvent, more preferably a nitrogen compound solvent or a sulfur compound solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for decreasing the cyclic oligomer content in polyester which effectively restrains the production of the cyclic oligomer in ester chips and further decreases the amount of regenerated cyclic oligomer at the melting process stage by adding the additive, during the process of manufacturing polyethylene terephthalate, with the following structure:

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of recovering a polyamine compound and/or a polyol compound useful for starting materials of polyurethane resin in an industrially advantageous manner by first dissolving the polyurethane resin such as polyurethane foams discharged in a large amount as industrial wastes in a solubilizing agent containing a polyamine compound, a low molecular glycol or an amino alcohol, hydrolyzing the resulting solution with liquid water at 200 to 320° C., then recovering the polyamino compound and/or polyol compound thus formed.

Abstract: Process for producing fluorine-containing polymer powder which comprises densifying fluorine-containing polymer raw powder with rolls under conditions for permitting its specific gravity to achieve at least 90% of the true specific gravity, then comminuting the densified material, removing fine particles in the range of 3 to 40% by weight of the whole particle size distribution of the comminuted material by air classification, and further removing by classification coarse particles in the range of 1 to 20% by weight of the whole particle size distribution of the comminuted material. Powder can be used as a powder paint which is excellent in productivity, in powder fluidity, and which does not generate pollution upon heat-fusion.

Abstract: A method for producing a saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, which comprises washing chips of a saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. In this method, the chips containing impurities and methanol are introduced into a washing column through an upper portion thereof; water is introduced into the washing column through a lower portion thereof; while the methanol concentration in the solution in the upper portion of the column is maintained in the range of 25 to 45 wt % and the chips are allowed to fall (i.e. sink) from the upper portion of the column, methanol and water with at least a part of the impurities are discharged from the column through an upper portion thereof; and the chips are taken out of the column through a lower portion thereof with water that contains methanol in a lower concentration than the methanol concentration in the solution in the upper portion of the column.

Abstract: An absorbent composition comprising an uncrosslinked, high molecular weight polymer, wherein the uncrosslinked, high molecular weight polymer is treated by a means to effectively insolubilize the uncrosslinked, relatively high molecular weight polymer such that the absorbent composition exhibits desirable absorbent properties. In particular, the absorbent composition has the ability to absorb a large quantity of liquid. The absorbent composition is useful in disposable absorbent products, such as those disposable absorbent products that are used to absorb bodily liquids. Suitable polymers include polyethylene oxide, poly(acrylic acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight that is greater than about 1,000,000.

Abstract: A method for removing volatile components from wet, solid polymeric materials on a vacuum vented extruder is described. Polymeric materials containing substantial amounts of water, 1-20 % by weight, are rapidly converted to polymer compositions containing less than about 0.5% by weight water at high throughput rates while avoiding complications resulting from excessive steam backflow through the extruder feed throat. The method utilizes a screw design comprising only forward flighted screw elements in an initial polymer melting and kneading zone. Steam generated as the polymer is heated and sheared flows downstream to a first vacuum vent for removal. The partially devolatilized polymer melt is then subjected to additional kneading and vacuum venting. The claimed method converts wet polycarbonate powder containing residual methylene chloride to essentially dry polycarbonate powder containing less than about 1 ppm methylene chloride.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for removing unreacted monomers and other volatile matters from a polymer solution composition produced from a mixture containing an aromatic vinyl monomer, utilizes two or more flash devolatilizing vessels, and effects the removal by adjusting the solid content of the polymer solution composition at the outlet of the devolitilizer before the last-stage devolitilizer to a level in excess of 97%, adding 0.5-4 parts by weight of a foaming agent to the total polymer solution composition, passing the polymer solution composition through the last-stage devolitilizer while maintaining the pressure of the polymer solution at 10 kg/cm2 or more by means of a pressure controller and the temperature in the range 190-260° C., introducing the polymer solution composition to a vapor-liquid separation vessel maintained at a vacuum of 20 Torr or less, and allowing the composition to foam.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for stripping polymer reaction compositions. The process reduces gel in the polymer reaction composition by adjusting the pH of the polymer to from 7 to 11 prior to stripping and maintaining the adjusted pH during stripping, maintaining the temperature of the polymer at from 30° C. to 70° C. during stripping, utilizing a continuous stripping operation, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for crystallizing polyester granules having a bi-component structure consisting of a thin crystalline skin and an essentially amorphous interior. The crystalline skin prevents the granules from sticking together in hot post-crystallization processes such as solid state polymerization or melt extrusion. The amorphous interior of the polyester granules facilitates a melt extrusion process by allowing lower melt temperatures and extruded products of improved uniformity.

Abstract: Size-enlarged sludge particles 12 having nuclei of objective particles and having a particle size in a range of from 1 &mgr;m inclusive to 2000 &mgr;m exclusive are mixed with slurry containing fine alumina powder so that a mixture is prepared. Then, the mixture is dried by removal of the water content in the mixture. Then, the mixture is baked at a temperature in a range of from 1200° C. to 1500° C. so that alumina on surfaces of the size-enlarged sludge particles 12 are sintered. By the aforementioned method, light-weight alumina particles can be produced with the particle size controlled well to a uniform value.

Abstract: PET with low gas permeability and good mechanical properties is produced utilizing strain-induced crystallization. This strain-induced crystallization process is utilized to produce PET films and sheets, among other products.

Abstract: Proposed is a process for the production of activated carbon, in which the characteristics of the activated carbon are specifically controllable by way of adjustment of the parameters of the process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production process for a water-absorbent resin powder which is excellent in particle diameter distribution and properties, wherein the production process not only inhibits adhesion and aggregation in the production steps, but also is excellent in energy efficiency, drying efficiency, and productivity.

Abstract: Aromatic polyamide fibers which have a crystalline structure having (1) crystal size (A) in a (110) plane of 7.5 nm, (2) crystal size (B) in a (200) plane of 8.2 nm and (3) a product A×B of 61.50 to 630.00, and exhibit a thermal linear expansion coefficient of −1.0×10−6/° C. to −7.5×10−6/° C. and thus a high dimensional stability even upon moisture-absorbing and desorbing, are useful for forming a resin-reinforcing fiber sheet, a pre-preg containing the fiber sheet, and a laminate for, for example, an electric insulating material or electric circuit board, having an excellent cutting, shaving, perforating or laser processability and capable of forming a smooth cut, shaved or perforated face.

Abstract: A monomer is selected to produce a polymeric film having desirable characteristics for a particular application. The monomer is polymerized under controlled conditions to produce a solid oligomer having those characteristics at a molecular weight suitable for evaporation under vacuum at a temperature lower than its thermal decomposition temperature. The process of polymerization to produce the oligomer is carried out under conditions that yield a finite molecular-chain length with no residual reactive groups. The solid oligomer so produced is liquefied and extruded as a film onto a revolving drum in the evaporation section of a conventional vapor deposition chamber, and it is then cryocondensed on a cold substrate to form a solid thin film having the same desirable characteristic selected in the solid oligomer constituting the starting material.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a process for treating a particulate water-absorbent resin, which enables to carry out pulverization stably in a process for producing a particulate water-absorbent resin, and transportation or storage of the particulate water-absorbent resin stably during or after producing the particulate water-absorbent resin, and to prevent contamination of cohered matters of the particulate water-absorbent resin; and involves no or little deterioration of properties. The process for treating a particulate water-absorbent resin is characterized by carrying out at least one selected from the group consisting of: (1) heating at least one portion of a surface getting contact with the particulate water-absorbent resin from the outside, (2) maintaining the temperature of at least one portion of a surface getting contact with the particulate water-absorbent resin at 30 to 150° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to homogeneously colored polyester particles having a mean particle size <50 &mgr;m and a monomodal particle size distribution with a span (=d90−d10/d50)≦2.5, which can be melted at temperatures <200° C. to form a continuous coating, to a process for their preparation and to their use for powder coatings. In a preferred embodiment the particles comprise units of formulae (1) and (2) —CO—X—CO  (1) —O—D—O—  (2) where X is a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C14 aromatic radical or an alkylene, polymethylene, cycloalkane or dimethylene-cycloalkane group or a straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkanediyl group and D is an alkylene, polymethylene, cycloalkane or dimethylene-cycloalkane group or a straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkanediyl group.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming germanium-containing silicones in which germanium is incorporated into the siloxane backbone with Ge—O—Si bond or onto a carboxylated siloxane in a form such as the germanium ester form, which has a COOGe bond. The germanium mole content ranges from 1 mol % to 50 mol %. The groups attached to silicon and/or germanium include alkyl, alkenyl, and carboxyalkyl and their derivatives. In the materials with pendant carboxylic acid groups, the protons can be replaced by metal ions such as an alkali, alkaline earth, transition metal, or rare earth metal ions. The materials can be crossinked, with the crosslinking being initiated by ultraviolet light or other means with or without a photoinitiator.