Abstract: In a method for producing hydrophilic polymer particles, a dispersion in which an aqueous-phase component including hydrophilic monomers and a polymerization initiator is dispersed in an oil-phase component including a hydrophobic solvent is prepared. Thereafter, the hydrophilic monomers are polymerized in the aqueous phase by supplying oxygen to a reaction vessel and, while oxygen is being supplied, heating the dispersion having a reduced dissolved oxygen concentration in the reaction vessel so that the temperature of the dispersion is increases. The time from the start of reduction of the dissolved oxygen concentration of the dispersion to the start of the heating is 0.1 hour or more and 3.5 hours or less. The amount of oxygen supplied to the reaction vessel is greater than or equal to 0.02 volume %/h and less than or equal to 0.9 volume %/h with respect to the volume of the dispersion under standard conditions.

Abstract: An electrophotographic member is provided in which conductivity barely reduces and sufficient conductivity is obtained even under a low temperature and low humidity environment, a reduction in resistance beyond necessity is readily suppressed even under a high temperature and high humidity environment, and the bleeding of the quaternary ammonium salt can be suppressed.

Abstract: This invention relates to colored particles comprising core particles and a polymeric shell, a process for their preparation, electrophoretic fluids comprising such particles, and electrophoretic display devices comprising such fluids.

Abstract: This invention relates to particles comprising a pigment core particle encapsulated by a polymer, a process for their preparation, electrophoretic fluids comprising such particles, and electrophoretic display devices comprising such fluids.

Abstract: Conventional toughening agents are typically rubbery materials or small molecular weight molecules, which mostly sacrifice the intrinsic properties of a matrix such as modulus, strength, and thermal stability as side effects. On the other hand, high modulus inclusions tend to reinforce elastic modulus very efficiently, but not the strength very well. For example, mechanical reinforcement with inorganic inclusions often degrades the composite toughness, encountering a frequent catastrophic brittle failure triggered by minute chips and cracks. Thus, toughening generally conflicts with mechanical reinforcement. Carbon nanotubes have been used as efficient reinforcing agents in various applications due to their combination of extraordinary mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties.

Abstract: A fluorinated ether compound which has a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain (??) having a structure of block (?)-block (?) or a structure of block (?)-block (?)-block (?), formed by linking a block (?) comprising at least three C1-3 oxyperfluoroalkylene units of at least one type and a block (?) having C4-15 oxyperfluoroalkylene units of at least one type, wherein the proportion of the C4-15 oxyperfluoroalkylene units is at least 30 mol % among all oxyperfluoroalkylene units constituting the block (?), and which has a hydrolysable silyl group on at least one terminal of the poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain (??) via a linking group. Also, a fluorinated ether composition and a coating liquid, whereby it is possible to form a surface-treated layer which has high initial water/oil repellency and which is excellent in abrasion resistance and finger print stain removability, and a substrate having a surface-treated layer and a method for its production.

Abstract: Provided is a polymer from which an encapsulant excellent in weather resistance and processability can be obtained when being used for an encapsulant for a solar cell. The polymer that has a main chain comprising repeating units represented by formula (1) and repeating units represented by formula (2) and satisfies requirements (a1), (a2), and (a3), (a1): the ratio of the number of the repeating units represented by formula (2) to the total number of the carbon atoms that constitute the main chain of the polymer is from 3.8% to 7.5%; (a2): the ratio X represented by formula (3) is from 82% to 100%; X=100×A/B??(3) (a3): the polymer has a melting point of 42° C. to 90° C. as measured with a differential scanning calorimeter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a propylene-1-hexene copolymer having: i) a content of 1-hexene derived units ranging from 0.6 wt % to 3.0 wt %; ii) a melt flow rate (MFR) measured according to the method ISO 1133 (230° C., 5 kg) ranging from 0.5 g/10 min to 5.0 g/10 min; iii) a polydispersity (PI) ranges from 4.5 to 10 and the distribution of molecular weight is of multimodal type; iv) a melting point ranging from 160° C. to 145° C.; and v) a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve (temperature/heat of fusion) that shows at least two peaks.

Abstract: Presently described are methods of making coating comprising aqueous fluoropolymer latex dispersions, aqueous fluoropolymer coating compositions, coated substrates, and (e.g. backside) films of photovoltaic cells. In one embodiment, the film comprises at least one fluoropolymer comprising repeat units derived from VF, VDF, or a combination thereof; inorganic oxide nanoparticles; and a compound that reacts with the repeat units derived from VF and VDF to crosslink the fluoropolymer and/or couple the fluoropolymer to the inorganic oxide nanoparticles. In another embodiment, the backside film comprises at least one fluoropolymer comprising repeat units derived from VF, VDF, or a combination thereof; and an amino-substituted organosilane ester or ester equivalent crosslinking compound.

Abstract: There is provided a catalyst composition for polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer containing a rare earth complex having a specific structure and a specific compound.

Abstract: A process for the distillation of a mixture which consists to at least 90% by weight of a cyclic N-vinylamide and which comprises a stabilizer, wherein a polyether is added to the mixture before or during distillation and a product is obtained which consists to at least 99.5% by weight of the cyclic N-vinylamide.

Abstract: A method for producing devulcanized rubber and an apparatus (100) therefor. The method for producing devulcanized rubber comprises the steps of (1) providing vulcanized rubber particles with a pre-determined particle size and (2) devulcanizing the vulcanized rubber particles. The vulcanized rubber particles are devulcanized mechanically by impact forces and devulcanized chemically by a chemical composition. The impact forces break sulphur-sulphur and sulphur-carbon bonds of the vulcanized rubber particles causing surfaces of the rubber to become receptive in reacting with the chemical composition and the chemical composition renders the sulphur passive to prevent reattachment of the bonds, of which the chemical composition comprises at least one accelerator, at least one inorganic activator and at least one organic activator.

Abstract: Epoxy resin compositions prepared using amino terminated fluoro alkyl ethers. The epoxy resin compositions exhibit low surface adhesion properties making them useful as coatings, paints, moldings, adhesives, and fiber reinforced composites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers, especially polymers useful as hydrogels, and to use of hydrogels for repair or restoration of tissue. In particular, the polymers and hydrogels of the present invention can be used for the repair or restoration of cartilage, especially articular cartilage. The polymers comprise at least a monomer for binding water, a monomer for imparting mechanical properties and a monomer for binding to an extracellular protein. The hydrogels comprise a polymer comprising at least a monomer for binding water and a monomer for binding to an extracellular protein. Crosslinking polymers by binding of said extra-cellular matrix protein forms hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to curing of polymers, particularly to self curing of polymers. The present invention provides a process for curing of copolymers of isoolefins and olefinic monomers. The process includes the step of reacting the copolymer with an azidation reagent to form an azidated copolymer and then heating the azidated copolymer at a suitable temperature to cure the polymer.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a molding with suppressed coloring which has good weather resistance and in which the advantageous effect does not decrease with time. The present invention provides a molding material comprising a polymer (A) obtained by polymerizing 0.01 to 35 mol % of monomer (a1) represented by a specified formula (1) and 65 to 99.99 mol % of monomer (a2) whose main component is methylmethacrylate.

Abstract: Disclosed are a photosensitive resin composition including (A) an acrylic-based binder resin; (B) a photopolymerizable monomer; (C) a photopolymerization initiator; (D) a colorant including a dye represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, wherein in Chemical Formula 1, each substituent is the same as defined in the detailed description; and (E) a solvent, and a color filter using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of water-absorbing polymer structures, comprising the following process steps: i) providing an untreated, water-absorbing polymer structure; and ii) bringing the untreated, water-absorbing polymer structure into contact with a salt comprising a divalent or higher-valent cation of a metal and at least one organic base as anion. The invention relates also to the water-absorbing polymer structures obtainable by that process, to water-absorbing polymer structures, to a composite comprising a water-absorbing polymer structure and a substrate, to a process for the preparation of a composite, to the composite obtainable by that process, to chemical products, such as foams, molded articles and fibers comprising water-absorbing polymer structures or a composite, to the use of water-absorbing polymer structures or of a composite in chemical products and to the use of a salt in the treatment of the surface of water-absorbing polymer structures.

Abstract: Polymeric particles having a size of about 0.1 to about 100 microns comprising at least two different phase separated polymers, at least one pigment, and at least one additive, where the pigment and additive are distributed within the phase separated polymers. Also disclosed are methods for preparing polymeric particles comprising phase separated polymers that comprise additives and pigments, wherein the methods involve molding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent suitable for use in a thin sanitary material/absorbent article having a high absorbent content and not prone to gel blocking, the absorbent having excellent liquid diffusibility (e.g. SFC) and minimal decrease in absorption ratio under pressure (e.g., AAP or PUP) even when a liquid permeation enhancer is added, and to a method for manufacturing the high-performance absorbent stably during actual production. The method is a method for manufacturing a polyacrylic acid (salt)-based absorbent, having a surface-crosslinking agent addition step for adding a solution of a surface-crosslinking agent, and a liquid permeation enhancer addition step for adding a liquid permeation enhancer, the liquid permeation enhancer addition step being performed after and/or at the same time as the surface-crosslinking agent addition step, the method characterized in that a surface crosslinking step for performing heat treatment in an atmosphere having a dew point of 45° C. to 100° C.