Abstract: High molecular weight ethylene (meth)acrylic acid (EAA) dispersions and methods for producing the same are provided. An exemplary method for producing a high molecular weight ethylene (meth)acrylic acid (EAA) dispersion includes mixing an ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid (EAA) copolymer, having a mass flow index (MFI) of no greater than about 300 g/10 min at 190° C. and 2.16 kg, and a base at a temperature of at least about 100° C. to form a molten phase in which the EAA copolymer is relaxed by the base. The exemplary method further includes mixing water with the molten phase at least until the molten phase disperses into the water to form the high molecular weight EAA dispersion.

Abstract: A size press composition for improving properties of lignocellulosic material is provided herein. The size press composition includes an aluminum salt and an anionic styrene acrylate emulsion sizing agent. The aluminum salt and the anionic styrene acrylate emulsion sizing agent are substantially homogeneously dispersed within the size press composition based on visual observation utilizing a microscope at 10× magnification. A size press composition formed by a process is also provided herein. The process includes combining a dye and a starch to form a dye mixture. The process further includes combining the dye mixture, a styrene acrylate emulsion sizing agent, and an aluminum salt to form the size press composition. The dye, the starch, the aluminum salt, and the styrene acrylate emulsion sizing agent are substantially homogeneously dispersed within the size press composition based on visual observation utilizing a microscope at 10× magnification.

Abstract: A size press composition for improving properties of lignocellulosic material is provided herein. The size press composition includes an aluminum salt and an anionic styrene acrylate emulsion sizing agent. The aluminum salt and the anionic styrene acrylate emulsion sizing agent are substantially homogeneously dispersed within the size press composition based on visual observation utilizing a microscope at 10× magnification. A size press composition formed by a process is also provided herein. The process includes combining a dye and a starch to form a dye mixture. The process further includes combining the dye mixture, a styrene acrylate emulsion sizing agent, and an aluminum salt to form the size press composition. The dye, the starch, the aluminum salt, and the styrene acrylate emulsion sizing agent are substantially homogeneously dispersed within the size press composition based on visual observation utilizing a microscope at 10× magnification.

Abstract: A method for forming a solution of ammonium carbamate is provided herein. The method includes, but is not limited to, providing a reactor comprising a solution of ammonia. The method further includes, but is not limited to, feeding carbon dioxide through the solution of ammonia to form a mixture. The method further includes, but is not limited to, combining a solution of sodium hydroxide and the mixture to form the ammonium carbamate.

Abstract: Organic-inorganic composites were prepared as colloidal particles of a cross-linked, thermally responsive polymer. Hybrid PNIPAM-polysiloxane particles and composite polymeric particles with embedded nanoparticles of an inorganic metal-oxide (MOx) such as CeO2 and TiO2 were formed. To promote the incorporation of unaggregated nanoparticles, temperature responsive microspherical gels (microgels) of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) with interpenetrating (IP) linear chains of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were used. The organic-inorganic composition of the hybrid polymer network was controlled by changing the time for condensation and hydrolysis of the siloxane monomer during synthesis.

Abstract: Microcomposites comprising titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles embedded within cross-linked, thermally responsive microgels of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) are disclosed. Interpenetrating linear chains of poly(acrylic acid) functionalize the nanoparticles for dispersal within the microgel framework. The microcomposites show rapid sedimentation, which is useful for gravity separation applications such as environmental remediation via photocatalytic degradation. The extent of loading of the TiO2 within the colloidal particles can be easily manipulated from 10% (weight) to a value as high as 75%. The microgel-titania composites showed rapid sedimentation, which is useful for gravity separation of these particles in photocatalytic applications. The settling of the microgel-titania composites occurred over minutes and was much faster than solid, impermeable spheres.

Abstract: Organic-inorganic composites were prepared as colloidal particles of a cross-linked, thermally responsive polymer. Hybrid PNIPAM-polysiloxane particles and composite polymeric particles with embedded nanoparticles of an inorganic metal-oxide (MOx) such as CeO2 and TiO2 were formed. To promote the incorporation of unaggregated nanoparticles, temperature responsive microspherical gels (microgels) of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) with interpenetrating (IP) linear chains of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were used. The organic-inorganic composition of the hybrid polymer network was controlled by changing the time for condensation and hydrolysis of the siloxane monomer during synthesis.