Abstract: Nanoparticles having a plurality of PVP chains covalently bonded to a surface of the nanoparticle are provided, along with their methods of formation and the RAFT agents for the polymerization of the PVP chains. RAFT agents are generally provided, along with their methods of formation and use. Methods are also generally provided for grafting a PVP polymer onto a nanoparticle. In one embodiment, the method includes polymerizing a plurality of monomers in the presence of a RAFT agent to form a polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle.

Abstract: A method is generally provided for attaching a polymer chain onto a surface of a nanoparticle, where the polymer chain comprises a cyclic arrangement of saccharides. The resulting grafted nanoparticle is also generally provided, along with its methods of use by exposing to a bacteria colony.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazole polymers which, owing to their outstanding chemical and thermal properties, can be used widely and are suitable in particular as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for producing membrane electrode assemblies or so-called PEM fuel cells.

Abstract: Nanoparticles having a plurality of PVP chains covalently bonded to a surface of the nanoparticle are provided, along with their methods of formation and the RAFT agents for the polymerization of the PVP chains. RAFT agents are generally provided, along with their methods of formation and use. Methods are also generally provided for grafting a PVP polymer onto a nanoparticle. In one embodiment, the method includes polymerizing a plurality of monomers in the presence of a RAFT agent to form a polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle.

Abstract: A method of forming a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) foam is provided. A nitroxide-containing monomer can be used in combination with other monomers that can then be used to make a high internal phase emulsion foam upon curing. The nitroxide group can subsequently be used to control the radical polymerization of many monomers, which can be grafted from the surface of the high internal phase emulsion foam. The resulting foam can be useful in performing separations of radioactive species, metals, metal ions, multi-element ions, metal complexes, halides, and organic chemical species in chemical process streams, clean-up operations, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazole polymers which, owing to their outstanding chemical and thermal properties, can be used widely and are suitable in particular as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for producing membrane electrode assemblies or so-called PEM fuel cells.

Abstract: Methods for of synthesizing a polymer functionalized nanoparticle are provided. The method can comprise: attaching an anchoring compound to a nanoparticle; attaching a RAFT agent to the anchoring compound; and polymerizing a plurality of butadiene-derived monomers on the anchoring compound to form a polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle via the anchoring compound. Polymer functionalized nanoparticles are also provided that include a nanoparticle defining a surface; a butadiene-derived polymeric chain covalently bonded to the surface of the nanoparticle. Nanocomposites are also provided that include a plurality of such polymer functionalized nanoparticles dispersed within a polymeric matrix.

Abstract: A membrane obtainable by A) mixing: (vii) aromatic tetraamino compounds and (viii) aromatic carboxylic acids or esters thereof which contain at least two acid groups per carboxylic acid monomer, or (ix) aromatic and/or heteroaromatic diaminocarboxylic acids, in polyphosphoric acid to form a solution and/or dispersion B) heating the mixture from step A), and polymerizing until an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.8 dl/g, is obtained for the polymer being formed, C) adding polyazole polymers, D) heating the mixture from step C), E) applying a membrane layer using the mixture according to step D) on a carrier or an electrode, F) treating the membrane formed in the presence of water and/or moisture, G) removing the membrane from the carrier; wherein the content of all polyazole polymers in the membrane is between 5% to 25% by weight and wherein the membrane has a Young Modulus is at least 2.0 MPa.

Abstract: Methods for purifying a hydrogen gas stream are provided that can include: introducing the hydrogen gas stream into the hydrogen pumping cell, and collecting a purified hydrogen gas from the hydrogen pumping cell. The hydrogen gas stream can include hydrogen sulfide in an amount of about 10 ppm to about 1,000 ppm, and can have a relative humidity of about 0.1% or more at the operational temperature and pressure of the hydrogen pumping cell.

Abstract: A RAFT agent is provided that includes a thiocarbonylthio-containing organic compound having a phosphonic end group. The RAFT agent can have the formula: wherein Z is an organic linkage; R1 is H or an alkyl group; R2 is H or an alkyl group; A is O, S, or NH; and R? is an organic end group. A method is also provided for forming a polymer chain on a surface of a nanoparticle. The method can include: attaching a RAFT agent to the surface of the nanoparticle such that the phosphonic group of the RAFT agent is covalently bonded to the surface of the nanoparticle; and attaching a polymer to the RAFT agent.

Abstract: Methods for forming core-shell magnetic nanoparticles are provided. The method can include: forming an oxide shell around a metal oxide core to form a core-shell magnetic nanoparticle; attaching an anchoring agent to the magnetic nanoparticle; reacting a RAFT agent with the functional group of the anchoring agent such that the RAFT agent is bonded to the magnetic nanoparticle through the anchoring agent; and attaching a polymeric chain to the RAFT agent.

Abstract: An intermediate compound for forming a RAFT agent is provided that can have the formula: where n is an integer from 1 to 20; m is an integer from 0 to 20; R1 is H, an alkyl group, or a cyano group; R2 is H, an alkyl group, or a cyano group; Y is OH, COOH, or NH2; and X is OH, COOH, NH2, a nitrobenzyl, benzyl, or para-methyl benzyl group. A RAFT agent is also provided that comprises a thiocarbonylthio-containing organic compound having a phosphonic end group. A method is also provided for forming a polymer chain on a surface of a nanoparticle utilizing the RAFT agent, along with nanoparticles and nanocomposites formed therefrom.

Abstract: Methods for of synthesizing a polymer functionalized nanoparticle are provided. The method can comprise: attaching an anchoring compound to a nanoparticle; attaching a RAFT agent to the anchoring compound; and polymerizing a plurality of butadiene-derived monomers on the anchoring compound to form a polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle via the anchoring compound. Polymer functionalized nanoparticles are also provided that include a nanoparticle defining a surface; a butadiene-derived polymeric chain covalently bonded to the surface of the nanoparticle. Nanocomposites are also provided that include a plurality of such polymer functionalized nanoparticles dispersed within a polymeric matrix.

Abstract: An intermediate compound for forming a RAFT agent is provided that can have the formula: where n is an integer from 1 to 20; m is an integer from 0 to 20; R1 is H, an alkyl group, or a cyano group; R2 is H, an alkyl group, or a cyano group; Y is OH, COOH, or NH2; and X is OH, COOH, NH2, a nitrobenzyl, benzyl, or para-methyl benzyl group. A RAFT agent is also provided that comprises a thiocarbonylthio-containing organic compound having a phosphonic end group. A method is also provided for forming a polymer chain on a surface of a nanoparticle utilizing the RAFT agent, along with nanoparticles and nanocomposites formed therefrom.

Abstract: Methods for of synthesizing a polymer functionalized nanoparticle are provided. The method can comprise: attaching an anchoring compound to a nanoparticle; attaching a RAFT agent to the anchoring compound; and polymerizing a plurality of butadiene-derived monomers on the anchoring compound to form a polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle via the anchoring compound. Polymer functionalized nanoparticles are also provided that include a nanoparticle defining a surface; a butadiene-derived polymeric chain covalently bonded to the surface of the nanoparticle. Nanocomposites are also provided that include a plurality of such polymer functionalized nanoparticles dispersed within a polymeric matrix.

Abstract: A method is generally provided for attaching a polymer chain onto a surface of a nanoparticle, where the polymer chain comprises a cyclic arrangement of saccharides. The resulting grafted nanoparticle is also generally provided, along with its methods of use by exposing to a bacteria colony.

Abstract: Methods for purifying a hydrogen gas stream are provided that can include: introducing the hydrogen gas stream into the hydrogen pumping cell, and collecting a purified hydrogen gas from the hydrogen pumping cell. The hydrogen gas stream can include hydrogen sulfide in an amount of about 10 ppm to about 1,000 ppm, and can have a relative humidity of about 0.1% or more at the operational temperature and pressure of the hydrogen pumping cell.

Abstract: Methods for of synthesizing a polymer functionalized nanoparticle are provided. The method can comprise: attaching an anchoring compound to a nanoparticle; attaching a RAFT agent to the anchoring compound; and polymerizing a plurality of butadiene-derived monomers on the anchoring compound to form a polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle via the anchoring compound. Polymer functionalized nanoparticles are also provided that include a nanoparticle defining a surface; a butadiene-derived polymeric chain covalently bonded to the surface of the nanoparticle. Nanocomposites are also provided that include a plurality of such polymer functionalized nanoparticles dispersed within a polymeric matrix.

Abstract: Methods for forming core-shell magnetic nanoparticles are provided. The method can include: forming an oxide shell around a metal oxide core to form a core-shell magnetic nanoparticle; attaching an anchoring agent to the magnetic nanoparticle; reacting a RAFT agent with the functional group of the anchoring agent such that the RAFT agent is bonded to the magnetic nanoparticle through the anchoring agent; and attaching a polymeric chain to the RAFT agent.

Abstract: An intermediate compound for forming a RAFT agent is provided that can have the formula: where n is an integer from 1 to 20; m is an integer from 0 to 20; R1 is H, an alkyl group, or a cyano group; R2 is H, an alkyl group, or a cyano group; Y is OH, COOH, or NH2; and X is OH, COOH, NH2, a nitrobenzyl, benzyl, or para-methyl benzyl group. A RAFT agent is also provided that comprises a thiocarbonylthio-containing organic compound having a phosphonic end group. A method is also provided for forming a polymer chain on a surface of a nanoparticle utilizing the RAFT agent, along with nanoparticles and nanocomposites formed therefrom.