Abstract: A photoactive cluster particle for durable latex paint compositions and said durable paint compositions, the photoactive cluster particle including a binder that coalesces cluster components into a cluster particle. The cluster components of the cluster particle include a photoactive component, one or more silicon-containing particles (may act as the binder), optional discrete polymeric particles each defining a closed void volume therein, optional non-photocatalytic inorganic pigment particles, optional organic latex polymer, and optional extender pigment particles. The photoactive cluster particle further includes an interstitial void network of the cluster particle forming a porosity thereof.

Abstract: An opacifying cluster which may be added to a coating composition to provide a coating composition with low gloss and a high level of opacity. The opacifying cluster can include a polymeric latex binder coalescing cluster components into a generally homogeneous particle. The cluster components may include discrete polymeric particles each defining a closed void volume therein, a plurality of inorganic pigment particles, and a plurality of extender pigment particles. The clusters may also include a porosity of the polymeric latex binder thereof defining a binder void volume. Also provided is a paint product including such a pigment cluster.

Abstract: An opacifying cluster which may be added to a coating composition to provide a coating composition with low gloss and a high level of opacity. The opacifying cluster can include a polymeric latex binder coalescing cluster components into a generally homogeneous particle. The cluster components may include discrete polymeric particles each defining a closed void volume therein, a plurality of inorganic pigment particles, and a plurality of extender pigment particles. The clusters may also include a porosity of the polymeric latex binder thereof defining a binder void volume. Also provided is a paint product including such a pigment cluster.

Abstract: An opacifying cluster which may be added to a coating composition to provide a coating composition with low gloss and a high level of opacity. The opacifying cluster can include a polymeric latex binder coalescing cluster components into a generally homogeneous particle. The cluster components may include discrete polymeric particles each defining a closed void volume therein, a plurality of inorganic pigment particles, and a plurality of extender pigment particles. The clusters may also include a porosity of the polymeric latex binder thereof defining a binder void volume. Also provided is a paint product including such a pigment cluster.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of desirably purified refractory metal borides. The method can be used to purify even commercially available material. Careful attention is directed to the oxygen impurity level of the refractory metal boride and such will usually be maximized at a very low level. Critical attention is directed to the oxygen to carbon molar ratio. Heating of impure materials, typically presented in consolidated form and having constituent adjustments in accordance with invention principles, can lead to the preparation of products of highly desirable density, on the one hand, and prepare products of extremely low contamination levels, on the other hand.

Abstract: An electrode having a lead base and a catalyst is manufactured by (a) compressing titanium sponge particles so as to consolidate them to a coherent porous layer, (b) applying the catalyst to the titanium sponge particles, and (c) fixing the layer of consolidated sponge particles to the lead base. The catalyst is formed on the titanium sponge particles before or after their consolidation to a coherent layer. This layer may be produced and fixed to the base in a single compressing and fixing step combining (a) and (c). Oxygen is anodically evolved at a reduced, stable potential by means of this electrode, so that it can be usefully applied as an anode in processes for electrowinning metals from acid electrolytes.