Abstract: Compositions and methods of producing composite materials for use as a cathode in electrochemical cells. Elemental sulfur is mixed with tungsten sulfide (WS2) to form a composite mixture. Organic comonomers may be added to the composite mixture. The composite mixture is reacted to form the composite material. Electrochemical cells with cathodes containing the composite material demonstrated improved battery performance.

Abstract: Sulfur composites and polymeric materials having a high sulfur content and prepared from elemental sulfur as the primary chemical feedstock. The sulfur copolymers are prepared by the polymerization of elemental sulfur with one or more monomers of amines, thiols, sulfides, alkynylly unsaturated monomers, nitrones, aldehydes, ketones, thiiranes, ethylenically unsaturated monomers, or epoxides. The sulfur copolymers may be further dispersed with metal or ceramic composites or copolymerized with elemental carbon, photoactive organic chromophores, or reactive and solubilising/biocompatible moieties. The sulfur composites and polymeric materials feature the ability self-healing through thermal reformation. Applications utilizing the sulfur composites and polymeric materials may include electrochemical cells, optics, H2S donors and antimicrobial materials.

Abstract: Catalyst systems employing inexpensive and readily-available protic co-catalysts to increase a proton reduction rate in a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are described herein. The protic co-catalysts function to increase the rate without being consumed in the process of water splitting to hydrogen and oxygen. They may simultaneously serve to stabilize the pH of the water and be the electrolyte to carry the current for the electrolytic splitting of water. The protic co-catalysts also decrease the overpotential energy requirement for the process of water splitting. These protic co-catalysts can be used with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts, as well as assist photocatalysis and other processes for the reduction of protons.

Abstract: Methods of vulcanization using a high content sulfur polymer, instead of elemental sulfur, have been developed. These high sulfur content polymers are referred to as Chalcogenide Hybrid Inorganic/Organic Polymers (CHIP) materials and have good polymer compatibility in that they are soluble in a number of polymers. Furthermore, CHIP materials may have weaker bonds than the S—S bonds of elemental sulfur and thus provide for a higher crosslinking efficiency vulcanization.

Abstract: Metallopolymers composed of polymers and catalytically active diiron-disulfide ([2Fe-2S]) complexes are described herein. [FeFe]-hydrogenase mimics have been synthesized and used to initiate polymerization of various monomers to generate metallopolymers containing active [2Fe-2S] sites which serve as catalysts for a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Vinylic monomers with polar groups provided water solubility relevant for large scale hydrogen production, leveraging the supramolecular architecture to improve catalysis. Metallopolymeric electrocatalysts displayed high turnover frequency and low overpotential in aqueous media as well as aerobic stability. Metallopolymeric photocatalysts incorporated P3HT ligands to serve as a photosensitizer to promote photoinduced electron transfer to the active complex.

Abstract: Compositions of flame retardants and methods of enhancing char formation in a flame retardant-treated substrate. A base material is combined with a flame retardant to form the flame retardant-treated substrate. The flame retardant contains a sulfur copolymer prepared by the polymerization of sulfur monomers with organic monomers. The flame retardant can be deposited on a surface of the base material, coated on the base material, or mixed into the base material. When the flame resistant substrate is on fire, the flame retardant forms a charring layer on the flame retardant-treated substrate. The charring layer can extinguish and prevent the fire from spreading.

Abstract: Copolymerization of elemental sulfur with functional comonomers afford sulfur copolymers having a high molecular weight and high sulfur content. Nucleophilic activators initiate sulfur polymerizations at relative lower temperatures and in solutions, which enable the use of a wider range of comonomers, such as vinylics, styrenics, and non-homopolymerizing comonomers. Nucleophilic activators promote ring-opening reactions to generate linear polysulfide intermediates that copolymerize with comonomers. Dynamic sulfur-sulfur bonds enable re-processing or melt processing of the sulfur polymer. Chalcogenide-based copolymers have a refractive index of about 1.7-2.6 at a wavelength in a range of about 5000 nm-8????. The sulfur copolymer can be a thermoplastic or a thermoset for use in elastomers, resins, lubricants, coatings, antioxidants, cathode materials for electrochemical cells, dental adhesives/restorations, and polymeric articles such as polymeric films and free-standing substrates.

Abstract: Methods and compositions using a combination of adenosine monophosphate protein kinase (AMPK) activators for treating pain such as post-surgical pain or development of chronic pain. The two or more AMPK activators work synergistically and may be administered in individually sub-efficacious doses. The AMPK activators may have different mechanisms of AMPK activation. The AMPK activators may be administered systemically and/or topically in, for example, as a gel, ointment, cream, lotion, suspension, liquid, or transdermal patch.

Abstract: Compositions of flame retardants and methods of enhancing char formation in a flame retardant-treated substrate. A base material is combined with a flame retardant to form the flame retardant-treated substrate. The flame retardant contains a sulfur copolymer prepared by the polymerization of sulfur monomers with organic monomers. The flame retardant can be deposited on a surface of the base material, coated on the base material, or mixed into the base material. When the flame resistant substrate is on fire, the flame retardant forms a charring layer on the flame retardant-treated substrate. The charring layer can extinguish and prevent the fire from spreading.

Abstract: Sulfur copolymers having high sulfur content for use as raw materials in 3D printing. The sulfur copolymers are prepared by melting and copolymerizing one or more comonomers with cyclic selenium sulfide, elemental sulfur, elemental selenium, or a combination thereof. Optical substrates, such as films and lenses, are constructed from the sulfur copolymer via 3D printing and are substantially transparent in the visible and infrared spectrum. The optical substrates can have refractive indices of about 1.75-2.6 at a wavelength in a range of about 500 nm to about 8 ?m.

Abstract: Sulfur copolymers and methods of synthesizing said sulfur copolymers are described herein. Elemental sulfur is melted to form liquid sulfur monomers having reactive sulfur groups. Epoxy-functionalized styrenic comonomers having an epoxide moiety and a vinylic moiety are added to the liquid sulfur monomers. The reactive sulfur groups of the liquid sulfur monomers copolymerize with the epoxide or vinylic moiety of the epoxy-functionalized styrenic comonomers to form a crosslinked network of the sulfur copolymer.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of producing composite materials for use as a cathode in electrochemical cells. Elemental sulfur is mixed with tungsten sulfide (WS2) to form a composite mixture. Organic comonomers may be added to the composite mixture. The composite mixture is reacted to form the composite material. Electrochemical cells with cathodes containing the composite material demonstrated improved battery performance.

Abstract: Sulfur composites and polymeric materials having a high sulfur content and prepared from elemental sulfur as the primary chemical feedstock. The sulfur copolymers are prepared by the polymerization of elemental sulfur with one or more monomers of amines, thiols, sulfides, alkynylly unsaturated monomers, nitrones, aldehydes, ketones, thiiranes, ethylenically unsaturated monomers, or epoxides. The sulfur copolymers may be further dispersed with metal or ceramic composites or copolymerized with elemental carbon, photoactive organic chromophores, or reactive and solubilizing/biocompatible moieties. The sulfur composites and polymeric materials feature the ability self-healing through thermal reformation. Applications utilizing the sulfur composites and polymeric materials may include electrochemical cells, optics, H2S donors and antimicrobial materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to high sulfur content polymeric materials and composites, methods for making them, and devices using them such as electrochemical cells and optical elements. In one aspect, a polymeric composition comprising a copolymer of sulfur, at a level in the range of at least about 50 wt % of the copolymer, and one or more monomers each selected from the group consisting of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, epoxide monomers, and thiirane monomers, at a level in the range of about 0.1 wt % to about 50 wt % of the copolymer.

Abstract: A metallic magnetic powder where a primary particle of each metallic magnetic particle is a powder without forming an aggregate, and a method of making the same that includes manufacturing a metallic magnetic powder constituted of metallic magnetic particles, containing a metallic magnetic phase, with Fe, or Fe and Co as main components, rare earth elements, or yttrium and one or more non-magnetic components removing the non-magnetic component from the metallic magnetic with a reducing agent, while making a complexing agent exist for forming a complex with the non-magnetic component in water; oxidizing the metallic magnetic particle with the non-magnetic component removed; substituting water adhered to the oxidized metallic magnetic particle with an organic solvent; and coating the surface of the metallic magnetic particle with an organic matter different from the organic solvent, while maintaining a wet condition of the metallic magnetic particle with the organic solvent adhered thereto.

Abstract: A metallic magnetic powder where a primary particle of each metallic magnetic particle is a powder without forming an aggregate, and a method of making the same that includes manufacturing a metallic magnetic powder constituted of metallic magnetic particles, containing a metallic magnetic phase, with Fe, or Fe and Co as main components, rare earth elements or yttrium and one or more non-magnetic components removing the non-magnetic component from the metallic magnetic with a reducing agent, while making a complexing agent exist for forming a complex with the non-magnetic component in water; oxidizing the metallic magnetic particle with the non-magnetic component removed; substituting water adhered to the oxidized metallic magnetic particle with an organic solvent; and coating the surface of the metallic magnetic particle with an organic matter different from the organic solvent, while maintaining a wet condition of the metallic magnetic particle with the organic solvent adhered thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to high sulfur content polymeric materials and composites, methods for making them, and devices using them such as electrochemical cells and optical elements. In one aspect, a polymeric composition comprising a copolymer of sulfur, at a level in the range of at least about 50 wt % of the copolymer, and one or more monomers each selected from the group consisting of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, epoxide monomers, and thiirane monomers, at a level in the range of about 0.1 wt % to about 50 wt % of the copolymer.

Abstract: Encapsulated particles and methods for manufacturing encapsulated particles and structures are described. Such particles may have a length no greater than 40 nm, and include at least one material selected from the group consisting of ferromagnetic materials and ferrimagnetic materials. A polymeric encapsulant surrounds the particle, the polymeric encapsulant including a phase-separated block copolymer including a glassy first phase and a rubbery second phase, the glassy first phase positioned between the particle and the second rubbery phase. The glassy first phase includes a hydrophobic copolymer having a glass transition temperature of at least 50° C. The rubbery second phase includes a polymer having at least one of (i) a glass transition temperature of no greater than 30° C., and (ii) a tan delta peak maximum of no greater than 30° C. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Encapsulated particles and methods for manufacturing encapsulated particles and structures are described. Such particles may have a length no greater than 40 nm, and include at least one material selected from the group consisting of ferromagnetic materials and ferrimagnetic materials. A polymeric encapsulant surrounds the particle, the polymeric encapsulant including a phase-separated block copolymer including a glassy first phase and a rubbery second phase, the glassy first phase positioned between the particle and the second rubbery phase. The glassy first phase includes a hydrophobic copolymer having a glass transition temperature of at least 50° C. The rubbery second phase includes a polymer having at least one of (i) a glass transition temperature of no greater than 30° C., and (ii) a tan delta peak maximum of no greater than 30° C. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A metallic magnetic powder where a primary particle of each metallic magnetic particle is a powder without forming an aggregate, and a method of making the same that includes manufacturing a metallic magnetic powder constituted of metallic magnetic particles, containing a metallic magnetic phase, with Fe, or Fe and Co as main components, rare earth elements , or yttrium and one or more non-magnetic components removing the non-magnetic component from the metallic magnetic with a reducing agent, while making a complexing agent exist for forming a complex with the non-magnetic component in water; oxidizing the metallic magnetic particle with the non-magnetic component removed; substituting water adhered to the oxidized metallic magnetic particle with an organic solvent; and coating the surface of the metallic magnetic particle with an organic matter different from the organic solvent, while maintaining a wet condition of the metallic magnetic particle with the organic solvent adhered thereto.