Abstract: Described herein are antimicrobial copolymers comprising (i) a polymer backbone and a plurality of thiouronium groups covalently bonded to the polymer backbone and (ii) a plurality of quaternary ammonium groups covalently bonded to the polymer backbone. Also described herein are methods for making the copolymers described herein and their use in disinfecting compositions.

Abstract: Described herein stabilized polysiloxane particles and methods for making and using the same. In one aspect, the composite includes (a) a polysiloxane comprising one or more positively charged groups and a negatively charged polyelectrolyte polymer or (b) a polysiloxane comprising one or more negatively charged groups and a positively charged polyelectrolyte polymer. Additionally, components such as, for example, inorganic drying agent, a filler, a reinforcing agent, magnetic particles, a wet/dry indicator, a pharmaceutical agent, a catalyst, or any combination thereof. The composites are effective in encapsulating hydrophobic materials that can subsequently be dispersed in aqueous medium.

Abstract: Described herein are articles comprising an anhydrous polyelectrolyte complex comprising an interpenetrating network of at least one positively charged polyelectrolyte polymer and at least one negatively charged polyelectrolyte polymer. The articles described herein are effective drying agents with respect to removing water from solvents and gasses. Also described herein are methods for making and using the articles described herein.

Abstract: Described herein are antimicrobial copolymers comprising (i) a polymer backbone and a plurality of thiouronium groups covalently bonded to the polymer backbone and (ii) a plurality of quaternary ammonium groups covalently bonded to the polymer backbone. Also described herein are methods for making the copolymers described herein and their use in disinfecting compositions.

Abstract: Compositions that include an ion exchange resin and a polyelectrolyte. The polyelectrolyte may be adsorbed to at least a portion of a surface of the ion exchange resin. Methods of treating a liquid with a composition, and methods of forming a composition that includes an ion exchange resin and a polyelectrolyte.

Abstract: Compositions that include an ion exchange resin and a polyelectrolyte. The polyelectrolyte may be adsorbed to at least a portion of a surface of the ion exchange resin. Methods of treating a liquid with a composition, and methods of forming a composition that includes an ion exchange resin and a polyelectrolyte.

Abstract: Polyelectrolyte complex microcapsules are prepared by a novel template- and surfactant-free method. The microcapsules are produced spontaneously by ultrasonically spraying a solution of complex into a hot water reservoir which enhances diffusion and relaxation of polymer. The size and wall thickness of microcapsules are precisely controlled. Encapsulation of polymers and nanoparticles by mixing them with polyelectrolyte solutions is demonstrated.

Abstract: Polyelectrolyte complex microcapsules are prepared by a novel template- and surfactant-free method. The microcapsules are produced spontaneously by ultrasonically spraying a solution of complex into a hot water reservoir which enhances diffusion and relaxation of polymer. The size and wall thickness of microcapsules are precisely controlled. Encapsulation of polymers and nanoparticles by mixing them with polyelectrolyte solutions is demonstrated.

Abstract: Herein disclosed are an electrode and a method for making an electrode having an enhanced electrically effective surface providing an increased signal to noise ratio. The electrode having a metal surface selected from gold, tungsten, stainless steel, platinum, platinum-tungsten, platinum-iridium, and combinations thereof; and an electrically conductive coating on said metal surface, said coating consisting essentially of polymerized pyrrole.

Abstract: Herein disclosed are an electrode and a method for making an electrode having an enhanced electrically effective surface providing an increased signal to noise ratio. The electrode having a metal surface selected from gold, tungsten, stainless steel, platinum, platinum-tungsten, platinum-iridium, and combinations thereof; and an electrically conductive coating on said metal surface, said coating consisting essentially of polymerized pyrrole.

Abstract: A polyelectrolyte film is provided, the polyelectrolyte film comprises an interpenetrating network of a net positively charged polymer and a net negatively charged polymer, wherein the net positively charged polymer, the net negatively charged polymer, or both contain polymer repeat units with at least two fluorine atoms.

Abstract: A method for causing a membrane to become permeable to a first chemical species, in which the membrane is contacted with a solution comprising a second chemical species. The membrane comprises a polyelectrolyte complex film comprising a positively-charged polyelectrolyte and a negatively-charged polyelectrolyte. The second chemical species selectively interacts with the membrane, and selective interaction of the second chemical species with the membrane causes the membrane to become permeable to the first chemical species, thereby causing the first chemical species to permeate the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to enantioselective polyelectrolyte complex films. Further, said films may be free or isolated membranes, or coatings on substrates such a porous substrates, capillary tubes, chromatographic packing material, and monolithic stationary phases and used to separate chiral compounds. The present invention is also directed to a method for forming such enantioselective polyelectrolyte complex films.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for carrying a liquid, the device comprising a microfluidic channel having an interior wall and a polyelectrolyte film on the interior wall whereby liquid carried by the channel contacts the polyelectrolyte film, the polyelectrolyte film having a thickness of about 1 to about 1000 nanometers and comprising an interpenetrating network of a predominantly positively charged polymer and a predominantly negatively charged polymer, the predominantly positively charged polymer, the predominantly negatively charged polymer or both containing (i) a pH insensitive positively or negatively charged repeat unit having a pKa greater than 9 or less than 3, and (ii) a pH sensitive repeat unit, the pH sensitive repeat unit having a pKa of 3 to 9, whereby the pH of liquid in the microfluidic channel may be used to control the velocity or direction of electroosmotic flow of the liquid within said microfluidic channel.

Abstract: An article for controlling the attachment and growth of cells on a surface of the article, and a method for the use of the article is provided. The article comprises a substratum having a surface and a film on the surface, the film comprising a network of a net positively charged composition and a net negatively charged composition, wherein the net positively charged composition comprises a net positively charged polyelectrolyte or the net negatively charged composition comprises a net negatively charged polyelectrolyte, and the net positively charged polyelectrolyte or the net negatively charged polyelectrolyte contain (i) a polymer repeat unit having at least two fluorine atoms, or (ii) a polymer repeat unit having a zwitterion group. The method comprises contacting the article with living tissue, living organisms, or with water in an aqueous system comprising living organisms.

Abstract: A medium for isolating or releasing an electrostatically charged component from or into an aqueous composition. The medium has a polyelectrolyte film on at least one surface of an article wherein the polyelectrolyte film is characterized by an interpenetrating network of a predominantly positively charged polymer and a predominantly negatively charged polymer. The predominantly positively charged polymer, the predominantly negatively charged polymer or both contain (i) a pH sensitive imidazole repeat unit having a pKa between 3 and 9, or (ii) a redox sensitive repeat unit selected from the group consisting of quaternized bipyridine repeat units, coordinated metal repeat units, pyrrole repeat units, aniline repeat units, thiophene repeat units and combinations thereof having a redox potential between +1.2 volts and ?1.2 volts versus a standard hydrogen electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for capillary zone electrophoresis includes a polyelectrolyte multilayer positioned in a capillary tube for analytical separations of macromolecules. The capillary comprises a passage defined by passage walls comprising fused silica. The polyelectrolyte multilayer is positioned within the passage adjacent the walls, and comprises an organic polyelectrolyte. The passage may further comprise nonporous silica particles coated with a multilayer including a plurality of polyelectrolyte layers. An apparatus includes a power supply having a positive electrode and a negative electrode for generating an electric field therebetween. The apparatus includes a capillary having a passage formed by passage walls and comprising therein a polyelectrolyte multilayer positioned substantially within the passage.