Abstract: A composition is disclosed, comprising a polycarbonate resin, an inorganic infrared shielding additive, and carbon black, wherein an article prepared from the composition has the inorganic infrared shielding additive present at about 0.01 to about 1.0 grams per square meter, and carbon black present at about 0.001 to about 2.0 grams per square meter. The article prepared from the composition meets at least one scale requirement for European Norm EN 169 and/or EN 171, and is useful for preparing infrared shielding protective eyewear with low haze.

Abstract: An isosorbide-containing polycarbonate composition is provided. The composition contains a polycarbonate having repeat units derived from isosorbide, a polycarbonate-property-modifying additive, and a pH stabilizer. When a solution containing 10 wt. % of the composition dissolved in dichloromethane is prepared the solution has a non-aqueous pH in a range of equal to or between 0.8 below and 0.5 above the pH of the dichloromethane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor system for producing polycarbonate. The reactor system has one or more reactant vessels, an oligomerization reactor, a first pressure control device, a preheater, a second pressure control device, a distributor, and a flash tank. The one or more reactant vessels contain reactants contain a melt transesterification catalyst, a dihydroxy compound, and an activated diaryl carbonate. The reactor system is connected in the following configuration: (i) the one or more reactant vessels connected to the oligomerization reactor, (ii) the first pressure control device disposed between and connecting the outlet of the oligomerization reactor and the inlet of the preheater; (iii) the second pressure control device disposed between and connecting the outlet of the preheater and the distributor; and (iv) the distributor disposed at the inlet to the flash tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor system for producing polycarbonate. The reactor system has one or more reactant vessels, an oligomerization reactor, a first pressure control device, a preheater, a second pressure control device, a distributor, and a flash tank. The one or more reactant vessels contain reactants contain a melt transesterification catalyst, a dihydroxy compound, and an activated diaryl carbonate. The reactor system is connected in the following configuration: (i) the one or more reactant vessels connected to the oligomerization reactor, (ii) the first pressure control device disposed between and connecting the outlet of the oligomerization reactor and the inlet of the preheater; (iii) the second pressure control device disposed between and connecting the outlet of the preheater and the distributor; and (iv) the distributor disposed at the inlet to the flash tank.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition is provided comprising a thermoplastic polymer, a fluorescent dye or quantum dot, and a diffuser. When molded into an article, the composition has a haze level less than 55 at an article thickness, according to ASTM D1003-00. The composition has increased energy efficiency and enhances the emission of light at the edges of the article. The composition is particularly suited for use as a component of a luminescent solar collector.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multilayered sheet comprising a core layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an IR absorbing additive; a first cap layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an electromagnetic radiation absorbing additive; wherein a surface of the first cap layer is disposed upon and in intimate contact with a surface of the core layer. Disclosed herein too is a method for manufacturing a multilayered sheet comprising melt blending a composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an IR absorbing additive to produce a core layer; melt blending a composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an ultraviolet radiation absorber to produce a first cap layer; combining the core layer with the first cap layer in such a manner that the cap layer is disposed upon and in intimate contact with a surface of the core layer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprising a matrix of a polycarbonate polymer in which are embedded polysiloxane domains with an average domain size between 20 and 45 nanometers. Said compositions can be obtained by combining a first polycarbonate/poly(diorganosiloxane) copolymer; with a second polycarbonate/poly(diorganosiloxane) copolymer. A range of translucencies are obtainable by varying the relative amounts of the two copolymers without substantial loss in impact properties.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed, comprising a polycarbonate resin, an inorganic infrared shielding additive, and carbon black, wherein an article prepared from the composition has the inorganic infrared shielding additive present at about 0.01 to about 1.0 grams per square meter, and carbon black present at about 0.001 to about 2.0 grams per square meter. The article prepared from the composition meets at least one scale requirement for European Norm EN 169 and/or EN 171, and is useful for preparing infrared shielding protective eyewear with low haze.

Abstract: An upflow reactor for the production of bisphenol A from acetone and phenol includes a vessel, a catalyst bed disposed within the vessel, and a reactant distribution/product collection system disposed within the vessel. The reactant distribution/product collection system includes a perforated distributor disposed at a lower end of the reactor. The reactant distribution/product collection system further includes a perforated collector disposed at an upper end of the reactor. A method for producing bisphenol A from acetone and phenol Includes Introducing the reacting mixture containing acetone and phenol to the distributor, directing it upward through the catalyst bed, and recovering the reacted acetone and phenol as bisphenol A together with other isomers and non reacted species. A method for avoiding catalyst bead carryover from the bed in an upflow reactor Includes receiving a product of the upflow reactor into the collector disposed at an upper end of the reactor through a screen with proper slit size.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprising a matrix of a polycarbonate polymer in which are embedded polysiloxane domains with an average domain size between 20 and 45 nanometers. Said compositions can be obtained by combining a first polycarbonate/poly(diorganosiloxane) copolymer; with a second polycarbonate/poly(diorganosiloxane) copolymer. A range of translucencies are obtainable by varying the relative amounts of the two copolymers without substantial loss in impact properties.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprising a matrix of a polycarbonate polymer in which are embedded polysiloxane domains with an average domain size between 20 and 45 nanometers. Said compositions can be obtained by combining a first polycarbonate/poly(diorganosiloxane) copolymer; with a second polycarbonate/poly(diorganosiloxane) copolymer. A range of translucencies are obtainable by varying the relative amounts of the two copolymers without substantial loss in impact properties.

Abstract: An upflow reactor for the production of bisphenol A from acetone and phenol includes a vessel, a catalyst bed disposed within the vessel, and a reactant distribution/product collection system disposed within the vessel. The reactant distribution/product collection system includes a perforated distributor disposed at a lower end of the reactor. The reactant distribution/product collection system further includes a perforated collector disposed at an upper end of the reactor. A method for producing bisphenol A from acetone and phenol includes introducing the reacting mixture containing acetone and phenol to the distributor, directing it upward through the catalyst bed, and recovering the reacted acetone and phenol as bisphenol A together with other isomers and non reacted species. A method for avoiding catalyst bead carryover from the bed in an upflow reactor includes receiving a product of the upflow reactor into the collector disposed at an upper end of the reactor through a screen with proper slit size.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a novel process for the hydrolysis of the by-products produced during the manufacture of methyldichlorosilanes comprising combining the by-products with an aqueous medium, optionally comprising a surfactant, at a pH range of at least about 7 and at a temperature of above about 0.degree. C. to produce a solid material in which copper and other metals are retained in a solid phase thereby resulting in a product with a high copper content.