Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electrode active layer or sheet containing from about 60 to about 85 wt. % active carbon in intimate admixture with 15 to 40 wt. % fibrillated PTFE. This electrode has improved strength and is capable of operation at high current density with resistance to mechanical failure due to blistering of the electrode, and to a process for producing same. The process is characterized by combining a dilute dispersion of smaller polytetrafluoroethylene particles with a suspension of catalyzed or uncatalyzed larger active carbon particles to discontinuously coat active carbon with PTFE; fibrillating same; comminuting said fibrillated PTFE/active carbon mix; and then rolling same into a self-sustaining, coherent sheet form. Alternatively, the sheet form can be provided by deposition of the heat treated polytetrafluoroethylenated active carbon on a filter paper or like medium.

Abstract: Chain extended random alkoxylated polyols having branched configurations are useful as internal antistatic additives for polymeric structures. A polyol having a branched configuration is alkoxylated with a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide and then chain extended to produce a high viscosity fluid additive which is compatible as a dispersed phase with polymer melts and does not agglomerate or separate from the melt during spinning. From about 0.1% to about 15% by weight of the additive is incorporated in polymeric structures as an antistatic agent. A useful additive composition is obtained using pentaerythritol tetrapropoxylate as the polyol and Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether as the difunctional reactant.

Abstract: A hydrophilic polymer shaped article adapted for use as a soft contact lens is treated to provide at least on the surfaces thereof a modified, less hydrophilic polymeric structure inhibiting penetration by proteins and other substances in the eye environment, whereby development of clouding and discoloration of the lens material during use is significantly retarded.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an oxygen (air) cathode start-up procedure capable of reducing operating voltage for such cathode without reducing useful electrode life by subjecting it to less (gauge) pressure than it will encounter during operation in conjunction with hot alkali, e.g., about 60.degree. to about 85.degree. C. for about 1 to about 24 hours. Preferably zero gauge pressure is used in conjunction with alkali at 60.degree. to 80.degree. C. for from 1 to 8 hours and a low current density of from about 30 to about 90 milliamperes/cm.sup.2 is employed. Even more preferably, air or oxygen is supplied to such cathode at a flow rate from about 3 to about 10 times the stoichiometric rate required to conduct oxygen reduction. When air is used, preferably it is CO.sub.2 -free air.

Abstract: An improved process for making an oxygen cathode having a carbon supported hydroxide forming catalyst, wherein, prior to placement of catalyst on the carbon, active carbon particles are contacted with an alkali and then contacted with an acid. The alkali contacting step is conducted at temperatures ranging from 90.degree.-140.degree. C. for a time period of at least 0.5 hours.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a gas diffusion electrode, e.g., an oxygen (air) electrode, having a conductive, porous, sintered, plaque metal substrate containing generally spherically-shaped anchor site depressions on its active layer-contacting surface; an active layer containing catalyzed or uncatalyzed carbon particles and whose plaque-contacting surface includes anchor portions which interlock with the anchor site depressions and assist in securing the active layer to the plaque substrate, and a hydrophobic backing (wetproofing) layer in contact with the other surface of the active layer. The plaque is made by forming, e.g., by rolling or pressing, the metal powder, preferably silver, containing particulate extractable material on one face or surface thereof into a thin plaque; sintering the plaque containing the extractable material at temperatures of from about 1000.degree. to about 1300.degree. F.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a non-bleeding gas electrode for operation under the rigors of high current density and to the active layer thereof. This active layer is comprised of 60 to 90 weight percent high surface area, electroconductive carbon (with or without catalyst thereon), 10 to 40 weight percent particulate polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and has pores sufficiently large to relieve internal hydrodynamic pressures thus preventing liquid being forced through the electrode wetproofing layer to the air side thereof. In addition such electrodes include a PTFE-containing wetproofing or backing layer secured on one side to said active layer and on the other side to a current distributor.

Abstract: Method for converting pendant functional groups, particularly upon perfluorocarbon copolymeric cationic exchange materials, to sulfonyl fluoride pendant functional groups. The method comprises a catalyzed reaction between the perfluorocarbon functional group and SF.sub.4 under pressure at relatively mild reaction temperatures.

Abstract: Mixtures of an imidazoline quaternary salt and a nitrogen base having from zero to nine carbon atoms are added to oil slurries of solid particulate carbonaceous material such as a coal oil mixture (COM) or a coke oil mixture to stabilize the slurry during storage and dispensing at various temperatures. The stabilizer mixtures of imidazoline quaternary salt and nitrogen base are added to either the oil or slurry (or during the grinding of the carbonaceous material) and are effective with or without the addition of water. Coal/coke oil slurries may contain from about 40 to about 90 parts by weight of oil, about 10 to about 60 parts by weight of powdered coal or coke, about 0.01 to about 6.0 parts by weight of the stabilizer mixture and about 0 to about 10 parts by weight of water.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a shutdown procedure for use in gas electrodes, e.g., oxygen (air) cathodes, which comprises imposing a nitrogen purge on the cell containing said electrode upon power shutdown and maintaining this nitrogen atmosphere (blanket) during the period of the shutdown. It has been discovered that the use of this procedure enables maintaining of the low voltage operation achieved prior to power shutdown upon restart of the cell when the power has been restored.

Abstract: Metals, particularly ferrous metals, coated for corrosion resistance with coatings containing particulate metal and hexavalent chromium-providing substance can now be made further corrosion resistant, as well as heat resistant, with a topcoat of silica substance. In addition, mar resistance plus improved outdoor weathering is also achieved, without sacrifice to other characteristics, e.g., coating adhesion.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to operating gas electrodes, e.g., oxygen (air) cathodes at "blow-through" pressures of oxygen-containing gas, viz., oxygen or air pressures exceeding the pressure(s) at which bubble-through of such gas occurs, which pressures result in savings due to reduced cathode potential (voltage) during operation. Depending upon the specific oxygen (air) cathode employed, the pressures required to obtain blow-through can vary widely. Usually, however, oxygen (air) pressures of 2 to 15 psig are satisfactory to accomplish blow-through.

Abstract: Imidazoline quaternary salts are added to oil slurries of solid particulate carbonaceous material such as a coal oil mixture (COM) or a coke oil mixture to stabilize the slurry during storage and dispensing at various temperatures. The imidazoline quaternary salts are added to either the oil or slurry (or during the grinding of the carbonaceous material) and are effective with or without the addition of water. Coal/coke oil slurries may contain from about 40 to about 90 parts by weight of oil, about 10 to about 60 parts by weight of powdered coal or coke, about 0.01 to about 6.0 parts by weight of imidazoline quaternary salt and about 0 to about 10 parts by weight of water.

Abstract: Mixtures of an alkoxylated quaternary salt and a nitrogen base having from zero to nine carbon atoms are added to carbonaceous materials in oil slurries such as a coal oil mixture (COM) or a coke oil mixture in an amount sufficient to stabilize the slurries during storage and dispersing at various temperatures. Useful stabilizer mixtures include a mixture of from about 99% to about 75% by weight of an alkoxylated quaternary salt which is a reaction product of a cocoamine ethoxylate and diethyl sulfate and from about 1% to about 25% by weight of a nitrogen base such as urea. The stabilizer mixtures may be added to either the oil or slurry (or during grinding of the carbonaceous material) and are effective with or without addition of water. Coal/coke oil slurries may contain from about 40 to about 90 parts by weight of oil, about 10 to about 60 parts by weight of powdered coal or coke, about 0.01 to about 6.0 parts by weight of the stabilizer mixture and about 0 to about 10 parts by weight of water.

Abstract: An amphoteric water-in-oil self-inverting polymer emulsion is prepared which contains a copolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer and (2) an amphoteric vinyl monomer or a terpolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer, (2) an anionic vinyl monomer and (3) a cationic vinyl monomer in the aqueous phase, a hydrocarbon oil for the oil phase, a water-in-oil emulsifying agent and an inverting surfactant. An example of a copolymer is a copolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer such as acrylamide or methacrylamide and (2) an amphoteric vinyl monomer such as a reaction product of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and monochloroacetic acid. An example of a terpolymer is a terpolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer such as acrylamide or methacrylamide, (2) an anionic vinyl monomer such as sodium acrylate and (3) a cationic vinyl monomer such as a triethyl ammonium ethyl methacrylate methosulfate salt.

Abstract: A catalyst together with a catalytic method for making chlorine dioxide from an acid and a metal chlorate solution. The catalyst generally comprises at least one of a valve metal oxide, ruthenium oxide, iridium oxide, palladium oxide, platinum oxide and rhodium oxide.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a process for treating gas electrodes containing a wetproofing (backing) layer which contains a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in conjunction with a water-soluble pore-forming agent and a PTFE-containing active layer to preserve and enhance their structural integrity which comprises contacting the electrode first with an alkylene polyol, or other water-soluble organic material having a plurality of hydroxyl groups, at temperatures ranging from about 50.degree. to about 100.degree. C. for a sufficient period of time to thoroughly wet the PTFE-containing active layer thereof, and thereafter contacting the thus-treated electrode with water in one or more washing steps to substantially remove the pore-forming agent. Between the hot soak with the alkylene polyol, or equivalent material, and the water wash(es), the electrode can optionally be dried.

Abstract: A liquid alkali metal silicate composition comprises water, an alkali metal, e.g., sodium silicate, and as curing agent for said alkali metal silicate, a derivative of glyoxal which is 2,3-dihydroxy-1,4-dioxane or glyoxal trimer. The composition optionally contains a Group I-III metal salt, e.g., calcium chloride and hydrogen peroxide. It is easily pumpable and injectable at a temperature of 100.degree. F. or higher.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an asymmetric woven wire mesh current distributor for an electrode containing more conductive elements (portions) in one direction than in the other direction when installed in use in an electrode so that the greater number of wires is perpendicular to the major current feeder bars and span the narrow part (conductive path) of a rectangular air cathode. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention, the current distributor is a woven wire mesh wherein the numerical ratio between the number of said perpendicular wires to said parallel wires ranges from about 1.5 to about 3:1.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an improved fibrillated matrix-type active layer for an electrode of improved strength and durability and capable of operation at high current density with enhanced resistance to mechanical failure, and to a process for producing such improved active layers. The process is characterized by alternately or simultaneously producing two components; combining the components; shear blending (fibrillating) the mixture; drying; chopping to a fine powder form, and rolling into a self-sustaining, coherent shear form. Alternatively, the active layer can be formed by wet deposition of the powder on a filter paper or like medium.The term "matrix" as used herein means that the active carbon particles are present within an unsintered network of carbon black/PTFE (fibrillated) material.