Abstract: A continuous wire drive system for a needleless electrospinning apparatus, the electrospinning apparatus including an electrospinning enclosure and within which a nanoscale or submicron scale polymer fiber web is formed onto a substrate from a liquid polymer layer coated onto a plurality of continuous electrode wires passing through the electrospinning enclosure. The continuous wire drive system includes a master wire drive drum and a slave wire drive drum, each of the master wire drive drum and slave wire drive drum including a plurality of wire guides, each of the wire guides including a channel or groove for receiving one of the plurality of continuous electrode wires. The continuous wire drive system is external to the electrospinning apparatus, and the continuous wire drive system drives the plurality of continuous electrode wires through the electrospinning enclosure.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a polyetherimide composition includes contacting a substituted phthalic anhydride and an organic diamine in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents at a temperature of greater than 130° C. to provide a bis(phthalimide) composition comprising diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents and a bis(phthalimide); and polymerizing the bis(phthalimide) and an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing to form a polyetherimide. The method does not require any catalyst either for the imidization or the polymerization.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a composition comprises a poly(ester-carbonate-siloxane) copolymer; a nanosilica; a plurality of polysiloxane particles; and a fluoropolymer. The nanosilica can be present in an amount of 1 to 5 wt % based on a total weight of the composition. The nanosilica can have a D50 particle size by volume of 5 to 50 nanometers. The nanosilica can have a hydrophobic coating. The plurality of polysiloxane particles can be present in an amount of 1 to 10 wt % based on a total weight of the composition. The plurality of polysiloxane particles can have a D50 particle size by volume of 0.1 to 10 micrometers. The fluoropolymer can be present in an amount of 0.005 to 5 wt % based on a total weight of the composition.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions include: (a) a thermoplastic polymer including a polycarbonate component; (b) a poly(carbonate-siloxane) copolymer; and (c) from 4 wt % to 25 wt % carbon black. The composition has a total siloxane content of from 2 wt % to 14 wt %. The thermoplastic compositions exhibit improved physical properties as compared to compositions that do not include the poly(carbonate-siloxane) copolymer, including volume resistivity, melt viscosity, impact strength, puncture impact energy and surface resistivity.

Abstract: A poly(phenylene ether) copolymer of 2-methyl-6-phenylphenol and a dihydric phenol having an absolute number average molecular weight of 1,000 to 10,000 grams/mole is made by polymerization of 2-methyl-6-phenylphenol and a dihydric phenol in the presence of molecular oxygen, a polymerization catalyst comprising a metal ion and at least one amine ligand, and a solvent composed of at least 95 weight percent of a C1-C3 alcohol selected from methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, and 2-propanol. The poly(phenylene ether) copolymer can be, for example, a copolymer of 2-methyl-6-phenylphenol, 2,2-bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenol)propane, and optionally 2,6-dimethylphenol. The poly(phenylene ether) copolymer finds utility in curable compositions, cured compositions, and articles.

Abstract: A polycarbonate composition contains, based on the total weight of the polycarbonate composition: one or more polycarbonate homopolymers; a poly(carbonate-siloxane) copolymer comprising siloxane units with an average block length of 5 to 120, preferably 10 to 100, the poly(carbonate-siloxane) copolymer being present in an amount effective to provide 2.5 to 10 wt % of siloxane units based on the total weight of the polycarbonate composition; 1 to 8 wt % of an elastomer-modified graft copolymer; 0.01 to 5 wt % of a silicone oil; and 0.1 to 8 wt % of an additive; and wherein the composition has a melt mass flow rate higher than 16 g/10 min, determined in accordance with ASTM D1238 under a load of 1.2 kg at 300° C. with a dwelling time of 300 seconds; and an Izod notched impact energy of at least 700 J/m measured at 23° C. on a sample of 3.2 mm thickness according to ASTM D256-10.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous needleless electrospinning of a nanoscale or submicron scale polymer fiber web onto a substrate includes an electrospinning enclosure that includes at least one liquid polymer coating device and an electro spinning zone and a wire drive system located external to the electro spinning enclosure. The wire drive system drives a plurality of continuous electrode wires through the electrospinning enclosure. A liquid polymer recycle and feed system is located external to the electrospinning enclosure and includes a recycle and feed tank that supplies liquid polymer to and receives overflow liquid polymer from the at least one liquid polymer coating device. A vapor collection and solvent recovery system includes at least one exhaust stream, collects and processes vapors generated in the electrospinning enclosure, and maintains a pressure in the electrospinning enclosure that is lower than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A functional phenylene ether oligomer of the structure wherein Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, x, y, and R are as defined herein. A curable composition includes the functional phenylene ether oligomer, and a thermoset composition includes a cured product derived from the curable composition.

Abstract: A purified 2-hydrocarbyl-3-(dihydroxyfluoresceinyl)phthalimidine compound of formula (I): wherein R is a C1-25 hydrocarbyl; each occurrence of R2 and R3 is independently a halogen or a C1-25 hydrocarbyl; p is 0 to 4; and each q is independently 0 to 3; and wherein the purified 2-hydrocarbyl-3-(dihydroxyfluoresceinyl)phthalimidine compound of formula (I) has a purity of greater than 99.4%, as determined by high performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract: A barrier film laminate for a touch-sensing display includes a barrier layer, an optically clear adhesive layer, an optically clear polymer film, and a touch-sensing layer. The optically clear adhesive is disposed on a first surface of the barrier layer, and the optically clear polymer film is disposed on the adhesive layer on a side opposite the glass layer. The touch-sensing layer is disposed on the polymer film on a side opposite the adhesive layer. A method for the manufacture of the barrier film laminates is also described. The barrier film laminates can be particularly useful as a component in a touch-sensing display.

Abstract: A method for making spherical polymer particles, the method including: providing a polymer solution including a polymer in an amount of less than 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer solution, and an organic solvent; combining the polymer solution, deionized water, and a first surfactant to provide an emulsification composition having an organic solvent fraction of 0.60 or higher by volume; forming an emulsion from the emulsification composition; and adding the emulsion into receiving water maintained at a temperature above the boiling point of the organic solvent for a period sufficient to evaporate the organic solvent, wherein the adding and the evaporating are at a rate effective to form an aqueous slurry comprising spherical polymer particles having a Dv100 (volume-based diameter) of 10 micrometers or less, as measured by laser diffraction.

Abstract: A method of making a poly(phenylene ether) comprises: in an exotherm period, continuous addition of oxygen and a monohydric phenol to a non-polar solvent and a polymerization catalyst comprising a metal salt, an amine, and a quaternary ammonium salt in a vessel, to form a polymerization mixture, wherein the oxygen and monohydric phenol are added in a mole ratio of 0.5:1 to 1.2:1; and cessation of the continuous addition of the monohydric phenol; and in a build period, continuation of oxygen addition until there is no further increase in viscosity of the polymerization mixture. A poly(phenylene ether) having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.5 to 2.0 deciliters per gram, measured in chloroform using an Ubbelohde capillary glass viscometer at 25° C., a polydispersity of 1 to 10, and a unimodal molecular weight distribution, is made by the method.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns thermally conductive polymer compositions comprising: (a) from about 20 wt % to about 80 wt % of at least one polymer component; (b) from greater than about 0 wt % to about 70 wt % of a thermally conductive filler; and (c) from about 0.1 wt % to about 40 wt % of a laser activatable additive having a core-shell structure; wherein the core comprises an inorganic filler and the shell comprises a laser activatable component; wherein the combined weight percent value of all components does not exceed about 100 wt %; wherein all weight percent values are based on the total weight of the composition; and wherein a molded sample of the blended thermoplastic composition has a through plane thermal conductivity of at least about 0.40 W/m·K when determined in accordance with ASTM E1461.

Abstract: A polyimide-forming composition includes a particulate polyimide precursor composition having an average particle size of 0.1 to 100 micrometers wherein the polyimide precursor composition comprises a substituted or unsubstituted C4-40 bisanhydride, and a substituted or unsubstituted divalent C1-20 diamine; an aqueous carrier; and a surfactant. A method of manufacturing an article including a polyimide includes the steps of forming a preform comprising the polyimide-forming composition; and heating the preform at a temperature and for a period of time effective to imidize the polyimide precursor composition and form the polyimide. An article prepared by the method, and a layer or coating including a polyimide and a surfactant are also described.

Abstract: Described herein are cold-sintered ceramic polymer composites and processes for making them from ceramic precursor materials and monomers and/or oligomers. The cold sintering process and wide variety of monomers permit the incorporation of diverse polymeric materials into the ceramic.

Abstract: A phenol alkylation catalyst exhibiting a desirable combination of activity, selectivity, and regenerability is prepared from a catalyst precursor that includes specific amounts of magnesium oxide, copper oxide or a copper oxide precursor, a hydrous magnesium aluminosilicate-containing binder, a pore-former, a lubricant, and water. Methods of forming and regenerating the catalyst, as well as a phenol alkylation method, are described.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition includes a poly(phthalamide), a poly(etherimide-siloxane), and optionally, an additive composition. The respective amounts of each component are further described herein. A method for the manufacture of the composition includes melt-mixing the components of the composition, and optionally, extruding the composition. Articles including the thermoplastic composition are also described.

Abstract: A polycarbonate copolymer contains aromatic carbonate units; optionally siloxane units; and resorcinol arylate ester units. The resorcinol arylate ester units of the polycarbonate copolymer are derived from a resorcinol composition having a hydroquinone content of 50 to 1200 parts per million, a catechol content of 5 to 29 parts per million, and a phenol content of 0 to 2400, each as determined by high performance liquid chromatography, and further comprising an acid stabilizer.

Abstract: A polyetherimide composition includes a polyetherimide and two or more of a residual metal content, a sulfate anion, a phosphate anion, a nitrite anion, a nitrate anion, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing, a residual solvent content, a phosphorus-containing stabilizer, and alkali metal halide, alkaline earth metal halide, alkali metal carbonate, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing, wherein each of the aforementioned components, when present, is included in the composition in a particular amount. The resulting polyetherimide composition exhibits two or more useful properties. The polyetherimide composition can optionally further be combined with a polymer different from the polyetherimide to provide a thermoplastic composition. Methods of making the polyetherimide composition and articles including the polyetherimide composition are also described.

Abstract: A phenylene ether oligomer has repeating units of the structure and less than 30 weight percent of repeating units derived from a monohydric phenol having identical substituents in the 2- and 6-positions, wherein the phenylene ether oligomer includes a vinyl benzene ether end group, an amine end group, maleimide end group, a norbornene end group, an anhydride end group, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. The phenylene ether oligomer can be used to provide a curable composition. The curable composition can be cured to provide a thermoset composition. Articles comprising the thermoset composition are also described.