Abstract: Iodine transfer radical polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising (meth)acrylic acid, salt thereof, or combination thereof, in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator, an organoiodide, and a solvent, is a useful method for making (meth)acrylic acid polymers. The amounts of components utilized can be 2 to 100 equivalents of acrylic acid and 2 to 100 equivalents of sodium acrylate, both dissolved in water to form a 15 to 50 weight percent solution, based on the total weight of the acrylic acid, sodium acrylate, and water; 0.05 to 1 equivalent of an azo polymerization initiator, 1 equivalent of an organoiodide; and 0 to 3 equivalents of an iodide salt. (Meth)acrylic acid polymer solutions are made by these methods. The (meth)acrylic polymers are useful as dispersants.

Abstract: Reverse iodine transfer polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising (meth)acrylic acid, salt thereof, or combination thereof, in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator, an oxidant, an iodide salt, and a solvent, is a useful method for making (meth)acrylic acid polymers. The amounts of components utilized can be 5 to 500 equivalents of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising (meth)acrylic acid, salt thereof, or combination thereof, in the presence of 1 to 3 equivalents of the radical polymerization initiator, 0.2 to 1 equivalent of the oxidant, and 1 equivalent of the iodide salt. (Meth)acrylic acid polymer solutions are made by these methods. The (meth)acrylic polymers are useful as dispersants.

Abstract: Reverse iodine transfer polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising (meth)acrylic acid, salt thereof, or combination thereof, in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator, an oxidant, an iodide salt, and a solvent, is a useful method for making (meth)acrylic acid polymers. The amounts of components utilized can be 5 to 500 equivalents of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising (meth)acrylic acid, salt thereof, or combination thereof, in the presence of 1 to 3 equivalents of the radical polymerization initiator, 0.2 to 1 equivalent of the oxidant, and 1 equivalent of the iodide salt. (Meth)acrylic acid polymer solutions are made by these methods. The (meth)acrylic polymers are useful as dispersants.

Abstract: Iodine transfer radical polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising (meth)acrylic acid, salt thereof, or combination thereof, in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator, an organoiodide, and a solvent, is a useful method for making (meth)acrylic acid polymers. The amounts of components utilized can be 2 to 100 equivalents of acrylic acid and 2 to 100 equivalents of sodium acrylate, both dissolved in water to form a 15 to 50 weight percent solution, based on the total weight of the acrylic acid, sodium acrylate, and water; 0.05 to 1 equivalent of an azo polymerization initiator, 1 equivalent of an organoiodide; and 0 to 3 equivalents of an iodide salt. (Meth)acrylic acid polymer solutions are made by these methods. The (meth)acrylic polymers are useful as dispersants.

Abstract: A branched polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof, wherein the average number of branches is (2) to (100) and the average degree of polymerization of the branches is (2) to (50), is an effective polymeric dispersant. More specifically, the polymeric dispersant is a branched polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof, in which the branched polycarboxylic acid is derived from polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid; the average degree of polymerization is (10) to (150); the average number of branches is (2) to (20); and the average degree of polymerization of the branches is (2) to (30). The branched polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof can be combined with a pigment to form an aqueous dispersion. An aqueous coating composition includes the aqueous dispersion; a polymeric binder; and a rheology modifier.

Abstract: A branched polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof, wherein the average number of branches is (2) to (100) and the average degree of polymerization of the branches is (2) to (50), is an effective polymeric dispersant. More specifically, the polymeric dispersant is a branched polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof, in which the branched polycarboxylic acid is derived from polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid; the average degree of polymerization is (10) to (150); the average number of branches is (2) to (20); and the average degree of polymerization of the branches is (2) to (30). The branched polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof can be combined with a pigment to form an aqueous dispersion. An aqueous coating composition includes the aqueous dispersion; a polymeric binder; and a rheology modifier.

Abstract: Colorant, dispersants, dispersions, and inks are provided which include PNPs having a mean diameter in the range of from 1 to 20 nanometers, and a second polymeric component comprising certain hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups. Also provided are methods for preparing colorants, dispersants, dispersions, and inks which include PNPs and a second polymeric component comprising certain hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups.

Abstract: An aqueous polymeric composition containing select polymeric nanoparticles is provided. The select polymeric nanoparticles contain as polymerized units at least one multiethylenically unsaturated monomer and at least one water soluble monomer; and have a mean diameter in the range of from 1 to 50 nanometers. Also provided are aqueous polymeric compositions that further contain second particles such as pigment particles or second polymer particles. The aqueous polymeric composition is useful for preparing coatings having at least one improved property compared to a coating absent the select polymeric nanoparticles. Further, the aqueous polymeric composition is useful for treating wood. A coating prepared from the aqueous polymeric composition is also provided.