Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating electrochromic devices that mitigate formation of short circuits under a top bus bar without predetermining where top bus bars will be applied on the device. Devices fabricated using such methods may be deactivated under the top bus bar, or may include active material under the top bus bar. Methods of fabricating devices with active material under a top bus bar include depositing a modified top bus bar, fabricating self-healing layers in the electrochromic device, and modifying a top transparent conductive layer of the device prior to applying bus bars.

Abstract: The diimide hydrogenation of unsaturated elastomers in latex utilizing hydrazine and hydrogen peroxide or oxygen, is a metal-catalyzed process. Copper ion has been found to be the most superior catalyst for this reaction, requiring an extremely low concentration for optimal results. Generated diimide efficiently hydrogenates the polymer olefinic unsaturation while generating water and nitrogen as byproducts. With a falling hydrazine concentration during the hydrogenation process however, a competing copper-catalyzed process capable of generating hydroxyl, superoxide and/or copper-oxyl radicals becomes increasingly competitive. The ability of these radical species to abstract hydrogen from the polymer backbone to generate polymeric radicals, ultimately results in crosslinking that occurs concurrently with hydrogenation. The concept of an OH radical inactivating ligand (OIL) complexed with copper is demonstrated to ameliorate the crosslinking reaction.

Abstract: The diimide hydrogenation of unsaturated elastomers in latex utilizing hydrazine and hydrogen peroxide or oxygen, is a metal-catalyzed process. Copper ion has been found to be the most superior catalyst for this reaction, requiring an extremely low concentration for optimal results. Generated diimide efficiently hydrogenates the polymer olefinic unsaturation while generating water and nitrogen as byproducts. With a falling hydrazine concentration during the hydrogenation process however, a competing copper-catalyzed process capable of generating hydroxyl, superoxide and/or copper-oxyl radicals becomes increasingly competitive. The ability of these radical species to abstract hydrogen from the polymer backbone to generate polymeric radicals, ultimately results in crosslinking that occurs concurrently with hydrogenation. The concept of an OH radical inactivating ligand (OIL) complexed with copper is demonstrated to ameliorate the crosslinking reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of organosilicon compounds of the formulaZ-Alk-S.sub.n -Alk-Z (I)in which Z is selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl or phenyl;R.sup.2 is alkoxy of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or cycloalkoxy of 5 to 8 carbon atoms;Alk is a divalent hydrocarbon of 1 to 18 carbon atoms and n is an integer of 2 to 8; comprising reacting (A) a compound of the formula:Z-Alk-X (II)when X is Cl or Br; with (B) an ammonium hydrosulfide or alkali metal hydrosulfide and (C) sulfur;wherein the reaction is conducted in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst and an aqueous phase.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a process for preparing a compatibilized blend of a first polymer which is a rubber containing free nitrile groups, hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups, amide groups, amine groups or mercapto groups and a second dissimilar polymer which is a thermoplastic polymer containing nitrile groups, hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups, amide groups, amine groups or mercapto groups, which comprises reacting a rubber having pendant blocked isocyanate groups bound thereto with the first polymer and the second dissimilar polymer, wherein the compatibilized blend contains from about 55 weight percent to about 75 weight percent of the rubber containing nitrile groups, hydroxyl groups, amide groups, amine groups or mercapto groups.

Abstract: By utilizing the process of this invention, the adhesion between polymeric reinforcements and rubber compositions can be greatly improved. This invention more specifically discloses a process for preparing a rubber article containing a polymeric reinforcement which comprises: (1) plasma treating the polymeric reinforcement in a manner whereby reactive groups containing Zerewitinoff active hydrogen atoms are bonded to the surface thereof; (2) incorporating the polymeric reinforcement having Zerewitinoff active hydrogen atoms bonded to the surface thereof into an uncured rubber composition, wherein said rubber composition has pendant blocked isocyanate groups bound thereto; and (3) curing the uncured rubber into the desired shape for the rubber article at an elevated temperature sufficient to deblock the isocyanate groups bonded to the uncured rubber allowing for the isocyanate groups to react with the Zerewitinoff active hydrogen atoms bonded to the surface of the polymeric reinforcement.

Abstract: A method for reducing residual unsaturated monomer content of an aqueous dispersion of a saturated polymer. The method involves contacting the aqueous dispersion with ozone resulting in ozonolysis of unsaturated monomers. The method is simple, economical and can be used with existing production facilities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of organosilicon compounds of the formulaZ--Alk--S.sub.n --Alk--Z (I)in which Z is selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl or phenyl;R.sub.2 is alkoxy of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or cycloalkoxy of 5 to 8 carbon atoms;Alk is a divalent hydrocarbon of 1 to 18 carbon atoms and n is an integer of 2 to 8; comprising reacting (A) a compound of the formula:Z--Alk--X (II)when X is Cl, Br or I; with (B) a compound of the formulaMe.sub.2 S.sub.n (III)where Me is ammonium, or an alkali metal;wherein the reaction is conducted in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst an aqueous phase and a salt of the formulaXY (IV)orX.sub.2 SO.sub.4 (V)where X is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs; and where Y is selected from the group consisting of Fl, Cl and Br.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a latex of hydrogenated elastomeric polymer comprising:(1) combining an unsaturated polymer in latex form with(a) an oxidant selected from the group consisting of oxygen, air and hydroperoxide;(b) a reducing agent selected from hydrazine and hydrates thereof; and(c) a metal ion activator;(2) heating the mixture to a temperature from 0.degree. C. to the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture;(3) treating the mixture with ozone in an amount and under conditions which are sufficient for the ozone to react with residual polymer unsaturation to form an ozonated latex of elastomeric polymer having at least one terminal aldehyde end group;(4) treating the ozonated latex with hydroxylamine in an amount and under conditions which are sufficient to convert aldehyde end groups of the elastomeric polymer to oxime end groups to form a oximated polymer latex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a latex of hydrogenated elastomeric polymer comprising:(1) combining an unsaturated polymer in latex form with(a) an oxidant selected from the group consisting of oxygen, air and hydroperoxide;(b) a reducing agent selected from hydrazine and hydrates thereof; and(c) a metal ion activator;(2) heating the mixture to a temperature from 0.degree. C. to the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture;(3) treating the mixture with ozone in an amount and under conditions which are sufficient for the ozone to react with residual polymer unsaturation to form an ozonated latex of elastomeric polymer having at least one terminal aldehyde end group;(4) treating the ozonated latex with hydroxylamine in an amount and under conditions which are sufficient to convert aldehyde end groups of the elastomeric polymer to oxime end groups to form a oximated polymer latex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a latex of hydrogenated elastomeric polymer comprising:(1) combining an unsaturated polymer in latex form with(a) an oxidant selected from the group consisting of oxygen, air and hydroperoxide;(b) a reducing agent selected from hydrazine and hydrates thereof; and(c) a metal ion activator;(2) heating the mixture to a temperature from 0.degree. C. to the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture;(3) treating the mixture with ozone in an amount and under conditions which are sufficient for the ozone to react with residual polymer unsaturation to form an ozonated latex of elastomeric polymer having at least one terminal aldehyde end group;(4) treating the ozonated latex with hydroxylamine in an amount and under conditions which are sufficient to convert aldehyde end groups of the elastomeric polymer to oxime end groups to form a oximated polymer latex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of organosilicon compounds of the formulaZ-Alk-S.sub.n -Alk-Z (I)in which Z is selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl or phenyl;R.sub.2 is alkoxy of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or cycloalkoxy of 5 to 8 carbon atoms;Alk is a divalent hydrocarbon of 1 to 18 carbon atoms and n is an integer of 2 to 8; comprising reacting (A) a compound of the formula:Z-Alk-X (II)when X is Cl, Br or I; with (B) a compound of the formulaMe.sub.2 S.sub.n (III)where Me is ammonium, or an alkali metal;wherein the reaction is conducted in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst and an aqueous phase.

Abstract: Gasketing paper is commonly made by the beater addition process. In the beater addition process a furnish composition is prepared by mixing latex into a fiber slurry which also typically contains one or more fillers. The beater addition process is currently being scrutinized because of environmental concerns. More specifically, conventional lattices used in the beater addition process contain curatives, such as amines, sulfur, and zinc compounds, which are discharged into the environment via the affluent from the process. By practicing the process of this invention gasketing paper can be manufactured by an environmentally sound technique. In one embodiment of this invention gasketing paper is made by beater addition with the latex utilized in the process being comprised of (a) at least one rubber having both pendant blocked isocyanate groups and groups containing at least one active Zerewitinoff hydrogen, (b) at least one emulsifier, and (c) water.

Abstract: A polymeric article which is subject to attack by oxygen ozone and/or ultraviolet light is coated with a thin coating of a polymer which is resistant to oxygen, ozone and UV light. It protects the article from cracking or degradation due to any of these causes. The uncoated article serves as a substrate. The substrate may be any polymer which is subject to attach by oxygen, ozone and/or ultraviolet light. A preferred coating is cured from a highly saturated polymer having only a small amount of unsaturation, as for example, hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR, or hydrogenated nitrile/butadiene copolymer), highly saturated styrene/butadiene copolymer, hydrogenated polybutadiene, or hydrogenated styrene/vinylpyridine/butadiene terpolymer. The hydrogenated or highly saturated polymer of the coating is obtained by hydrogenating an unsaturated polymer which is a polymer of 1,3-butadiene (5-100% by weight) and optionally one or more monoethylenically unsaturated polymers (0-95% by weight).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a rubber containing polymer bound functionalities. The process comprises the emulsion polymerization at a temperature ranging from about 0.degree. C. to about 25.degree. C. of (a) at least one functionalized monomer that contains a polymerizable vinyl group; with (b) at least one copolymerizable conjugated diene monomer selected from the group consisting of butadiene 1,3, 2-chlorobutadiene-1,3, isoprene, piperylene and conjugated hexadienes; wherein the polymerization is conducted in the presence of from (1) from 2 to 30 parts by weight of an ionic surfactant per 100 parts by weight of organic components and (2) about 1 to about 70 parts by weight of a plasticizer based on 100 parts by weight of total monomers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a masterbatch rubber containing polymer bound functionalized moieties. The process comprises the emulsion polymerization at a temperature from 40.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. of (a) at least one functionalized monomer that contains a polymerizable vinyl group; with (b) at least one copolymerizable conjugated diene monomer selected from the group consisting of butadiene-1,3,2 chlorobutadiene-1,3, isoprene, piperylene and conjugated hexadienes, wherein the polymerization is conducted in the presence of from (1) from 2 to 30 parts by weight of an ionic surfactant per 100 parts by weight of organic components and (2) about 10 to about 70 parts by weight of a plasticizer based on 100 parts by weight of total monomers.

Abstract: Very low molecular weight polymers are sometimes used in toners which are designed for high speed printers and copiers. It is extremely difficult to prepare polymers having the ultra-low molecular weights required in such applications by standard emulsion polymerization techniques. By utilizing the techniques of this invention, the molecular weight of polymers made by conventional emulsion polymerization can be reduced to a very low level.

Abstract: A reducible unsaturated organic compound is reduced with diimide in an aqueous emulsion comprised of water, an organic phase which contains the compound to be reduced, and an effective stabilizing amount of an anionic surfactant. The organic compound is preferably an unsaturated organic compound containing a carbon-to-carbon multiple bond, which is preferably a carbon-to-carbon double bond. Diimide is formed by reaction of hydrazine with an oxidant in the aqueous emulsion described above. The preferred oxidant is hydrogen peroxide. A product is obtained in high yield and purity in most cases. This process is especially useful for the selective reduction of a compound having two or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds of different reactivities or a carbon-to-carbon double bond and a functionality (e.g., an O--O or S--S linkage) which is reducible by catalytic hydrogenation but not diimide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blend of rubber latices comprising, based on dry weight,(A) from about 80 to about 50 phr of a latex selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene latex, natural rubber or polyisoprene latex, styrene-butadiene copolymer latex, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer latex, butadiene-isoprene copolymer latex, isoprene-isobutylene copolymer latex, styrene-isoprene-butadiene copolymer latex and mixtures thereof: and(B) from about 20 to about 50 phr of a hydrogenated rubber latex that is prepared in accordance with a process comprising:(1) combining an unsaturated polymer in latex form, which is derived from 5 to 100 percent by weight of a conjugated diene monomer and 95 to 0 percent by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, with(a) an oxidant selected from the group consisting of oxygen, air and hydroperoxides;(b) a reducing agent selected from hydrazine and hydrates thereof: and(c) a metal ion activator;(2) heating the mixture to a temperature from 0.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antidegradant system comprised of (A) an antidegradant selected from the group consisting of phenolic antidegradants, amine antidegradants and mixtures thereof; and (B) a unique polymerizable synergist. In addition, there is disclosed a stabilized polymer comprising (A) a polymer selected from the group consisting of (1) homopolymers and copolymers of monoolefins; (2) natural rubber; and (3) synthetic rubber derived from a diene monomer; (B) from about 0.05 to about 10 parts by weight based upon 100 parts of polymer of an antidegradant selected from the group consisting of phenolic antidegradants, amine antidegradants and mixtures thereof; and (C) from about 0.05 to about 20 parts by weight based upon 100 parts of polymer of a unique polymerizable aromatic sulfide synergist.