Abstract: A chemical blowing agent for foaming a thermoplastic polymer, for example PVC plastisol or a polymer resin in an extrusion process, said chemical blowing agent comprising a functionalized particulate bicarbonate containing at least one additive, preferably excluding an exothermic blowing agent. The additive may be selected from the group consisting of polymers; inorganic salts; oils; fats; resin acids, any derivative thereof, and salts thereof; amino acids; fatty acids; carboxylic or polycarboxylic acids, soaps; waxes; in derivatives thereof (such as esters); salts thereof; or any combinations thereof. The particulate bicarbonate may be functionalized by spray-drying, coating, extrusion or co-grinding with at least one additive. The functionalized particulate bicarbonate may comprise 50 wt % to less than 100 wt % of the bicarbonate component, and 0.02-50 wt % of the additive. A foamable polymer composition comprising such chemical blowing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of halogenated carboxylic anhydrides, e.g. for the preparation of trifluoroacetic anhydride. The preparation is achieved by reacting a halogenated carboxylic acid, e.g. trifluoroacetic acid, with sulfuric acid, oleum and/or disulfuric acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a formulation comprising an alkali metal salt selected from the group consisting of alkali metal bicarbonate salts, alkali metal carbonate salts, alkali metal sesquicarbonate salts and combinations thereof, wherein said process comprises the step of extruding a paste-like composition comprising a functionalizing agent and the metal salt. The invention furthermore relates to a formulation obtainable from said process and to the use of this formulation in various applications such as in plastic foaming or in food and feed leavening compositions.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods for dielectrically insulating electrical active parts using certain fluorinated nitroalkanes, as well as compositions and apparatus comprising such compounds.

Abstract: Electrolyte compositions containing a solvent, a co-solvent, certain cyclic carboxylic acid anhydride additives, certain phosphorus-containing additives, and an electrolyte salt are described. The electrolyte compositions are useful in electrochemical cells, such as lithium ion batteries where they provide significantly improved cycle life with no loss of discharge capacity.

Abstract: A chemical blowing agent for foaming a thermoplastic polymer, for example PVC plastisol or a polymer resin in an extrusion process, said chemical blowing agent comprising a functionalized particulate bicarbonate containing at least one polyoxyalkylene additive, preferably excluding an exothermic blowing agent. The polyoxyalkylene additive may be selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylenes, any derivative thereof, salts thereof, and any combinations thereof. The particulate bicarbonate may be preferably functionalized by spray-coating, extrusion or co-grinding with at least one polyoxyalkylene additive. The functionalized particulate bicarbonate may comprise 50 wt % to less than 100 wt % of the bicarbonate component, and 0.02-50 wt % of the additive. The functionalized particulate bicarbonate may further comprise 0.1-5 wt % silica. A foamable polymer composition comprising such chemical blowing agent.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery that has a 5 V stabilized manganese cathode and a nonaqueous electrolyte comprising a phosphate additive is described. The lithium ion battery operates with a high voltage cathode (i.e. up to about 5 V) and has improved cycling performance at high temperature.

Abstract: Described herein are: An electrolyte composition comprising a) a fluorinated solvent for an electrolyte salt; b) an oxalate salt represented by the Formula LiPF(6-2q)(Ox)q, wherein Ox is an oxalate moiety and q is 1, 2 or 3; and c) optionally, at least one electrolyte salt. In some embodiments, the electrolyte composition comprises a mole ratio of Ox/P in the range of from 0.001 to 5. The electrolyte compositions are useful in electrochemical cells, such as lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur compounds from a liquid composition immiscible with water, comprising at least partially oxidizing the sulfur compounds by contacting a liquid composition comprising at least one sulfur compound with an aqueous oxidizing solution comprising at least one oxidant in the presence of at least one polyoxometalate and amphiphilic solid particles.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite electrode for a metal-air electrochemical cell with a liquid electrolyte of basic pH. A liquid solution comprising a fluoropolymer suspended in a solvent is synthesized, then deposited on the outer surface of a porous structure forming an air electrode. The fluoropolymer comprises SO2N groups suitable for conducting hydroxyl ions and is capable of forming a membrane impermeable to at least the liquid electrolyte of basic pH. When the liquid solution is applied to the porous structure, the solvent flows through the porous structure and the fluoropolymer is deposited by aggregating into a layer on the outer surface of the porous structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for cleaning chambers of apparatus used for semiconductor manufacturing with a gas mixture comprising or consisting of fluorine, nitrogen and argon as well as said gas mixtures.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a membrane for an electrochemical device, to a process for manufacturing said membrane and to use of said membrane in a process for manufacturing an electrochemical device.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an improved PVDC composition including certain dienophiles qualified for food contact, which possess an optimized balance of effectiveness in preventing discoloration upon exposure to radiation, with no negative impact on the barrier properties, in particular sorbate esters of formula (I), wherein R1 is a C1-C12 hydrocarbon group, preferably a C1-C6 alkyl group, to layers made therefrom, to multi-layer assemblies comprising the same, and to the use of said assemblies for packaging, in particular for packaging foodstuffs.

Abstract: Powder compositions comprising alkali metal bicarbonate particles and an additive. A process for preparing alkali metal bicarbonate particles by spray-drying of an aqueous solution or suspension comprising 1-10% by weight of alkali metal bicarbonate and a resin acid or a fatty acid as additive. A process for preparing alkali metal bicarbonate particles by co-grinding the alkali metal bicarbonate in the presence of a resin acid as additive. A process for preparing alkali metal bicarbonate particles by fluidized bed coating of the alkali metal bicarbonate in the presence of a resin acid, fatty acid or a wax as additive.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the reduction of content of carboxylic acids and derivatives thereof in oleum, disulfuric acid or concentrated sulfuric acid. The invention further concerns a process for the manufacture of carboxylic acid anhydrides comprising the process for the reduction of content of carboxylic acids and derivatives thereof from oleum, disulfuric acid or concentrated sulfuric acid.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electrode-forming composition, to use of said electrode-forming composition in a process for the manufacture of an electrode, to said electrode and to an electrochemical device comprising said electrode. The electrode-forming composition comprises at least one partially fluorinated fluoropolymer comprising recurring units derived from at least one fluorinated monomer and at least one functional hydrogenated monomer comprising at least one carboxylic acid end group, at least one electro-active compound, at least one liquid medium comprising at least one organic carbonate or at least one ionic liquid, and at least one metal salt.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a membrane for an electrochemical device, to a process for manufacturing said membrane and to use of said membrane in a process for manufacturing an electrochemical device.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electrode-forming composition, to use of said electrode-forming composition in a process for the manufacture of a composite electrode, to said composite electrode and to a secondary battery comprising said composite electrode.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery may include a housing, an anode and a cathode that are disposed in the housing and are in ionically conductive contact with one another, an electrolyte composition that is disposed in the housing and providing an ionically conductive pathway between the anode and the cathode, and a porous separator between the anode and the cathode. The cathode may include a cathode active material which is charged to a potential greater than or equal to 4.35 V versus a Li/Li+ reference electrode. The electrolyte composition may include a) a non-fluorinated carbonate, b) a fluorinated acyclic carboxylic acid ester, c) one or more lithium glycolatoborate compounds, d) a fluorinated carbonate, and e) an electrolyte salt.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrolyte compositions comprising at least one electrolyte component comprising a cyclic carbonate, such as a fluoroethylene carbonate, and at least one additive comprising a 6-member ring heterocyclic sulfate, such as a 1,3 propylene sulfate. The disclosed electrolyte compositions can comprise additional electrolyte components, such as fluorinated acyclic carboxylic acid esters, and additional additives, such as lithium boron compounds, and cyclic carboxylic acid anhydrides, such as maleic anhydride. The improved battery performances, which include high temperature cycling conditions and/or room temperature stability, make these electrolyte compositions useful in electrochemical cells, such as lithium ion batteries.