Abstract: The invention relates to a poly(aryl ether sulfone) (PAES) copolymer (P2) with ionically and/or covalently attached bioactive compound(s), articles comprising (P2), methods of making (P2), and methods for making articles such as membranes comprising (P2). Functionalized side-chain PAES copolymers (P1) permit the immobilization of a bioactive compound on copolymer's functionalized side chains for preparing bioactive articles. In particular, an antithrombotic agent such as heparin may be immobilized to form a bioactive membrane structure suitable for hemodialysis to avoid or eliminate the injection of such antithrombotic agent to a patient undergoing hemodialysis. Preferred embodiments include heparinized PAES copolymers and membranes comprising them.

Abstract: A polymer composition that contains a polyaryletherketone and a liquid crystalline polymer that includes repeating units derived from naphthenic hydroxycarboxylic acids, naphthenic dicarboxylic acids, or a combination thereof in an amount of about 15 mol. % or less of the polymer is provided. The composition optionally contains reinforcing fibers in an amount of no more than about 10 wt. %.

Abstract: A method for forming a polyaryletherketone is described. More particularly, a reaction mixture is initially supplied to the reactor vessel that contains one or more precursor monomers. A heteroaryl compound is also added to the reaction mixture. The reaction can be carried out according to, e.g., an electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction or a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction. The heteroaryl compound can serve as a dispersant to the polymer as it is formed. This minimizes the likelihood of gelling of the product polymer within the reactor vessel and limits the impact of process disruptions on the production of the polyaryletherketone.

Abstract: A polymer composition that contains a polyaryletherketone and a liquid crystalline polymer that includes repeating units derived from naphthenic hydroxycarboxylic acids, naphthenic dicarboxylic acids, or a combination thereof in an amount of about 15 mol. % or less of the polymer is provided. The composition optionally contains reinforcing fibers (e.g., glass fibers) in an amount of no more than about 10 wt. %.

Abstract: A melt-polymerized liquid crystalline polymer is provided that comprises repeating units (1) to (5):

Abstract: A polymer composition that contains a polyaryletherketone and a liquid crystalline polymer that includes repeating units derived from naphthenic hydroxycarboxylic acids, naphthenic dicarboxylic acids, or a combination thereof in an amount of more than about 15 mol. % of the polymer is provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a polyaryletherketone is described. More particularly, a reaction mixture is initially supplied to the reactor vessel that contains one or more precursor monomers. A heteroaryl compound is also added to the reaction mixture. The reaction can be carried out according to, e.g., an electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction or a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction. The heteroaryl compound can serve as a dispersant to the polymer as it is formed. This minimizes the likelihood of gelling of the product polymer within the reactor vessel and limits the impact of process disruptions on the production of the polyaryletherketone.

Abstract: A polymer composition that comprises from about 1 to about 60 parts of at least one liquid crystalline polymer and 100 parts of at least one polyetherimide is provided. The liquid crystalline polymer includes repeating units derived from naphthenic hydroxycarboxylic acids, naphthenic dicarboxylic acids, or a combination thereof in an amount of about 15 mol. % or less of the polymer.

Abstract: A polymer composition that contains a polyetherimide and a liquid crystalline polymer that includes repeating units derived from naphthenic hydroxycarboxylic acids, naphthenic dicarboxylic acids, or a combination thereof in an amount of more than about 15 mol. % of the polymer is provided.

Abstract: A polymer composition that contains a polyaryletherketone and a liquid crystalline polymer that includes repeating units derived from naphthenic hydroxycarboxylic acids, naphthenic dicarboxylic acids, or a combination thereof in an amount of more than about 15 mol. % of the polymer is provided.

Abstract: A polymer composition that contains a polyaryletherketone and a liquid crystalline polymer that includes repeating units derived from naphthenic hydroxycarboxylic acids, naphthenic dicarboxylic acids, or a combination thereof in an amount of about 15 mol. % or less of the polymer is provided. The composition optionally contains reinforcing fibers (e.g., glass fibers) in an amount of no more than about 10 wt. %.

Abstract: A crosslinkable aromatic polyester that contains a combination of biphenyl repeating units and aromatic ester repeating units is provided. The aromatic polyester can be generally soluble or dispersible in certain solvents, which allows for the polyester to be formed into a solution and thereafter formed into a film. The crosslinkable aromatic polyester also contains one or more alkynyl functional groups (e.g., end groups, side-chain groups, pendant groups, etc.), which can function as a crosslinking agent. Because it is generally soluble in certain solvent systems, the aromatic polyester can be readily formed into a film using solution-based techniques (e.g., casting) and then crosslinked to impart a higher degree of heat resistance to the polymer.

Abstract: A laminate that contains a film on which one or more conductive elements are disposed is provided. The film is formed from a polymer composition that contains an aromatic polyester and an additive that is “laser-activatable” in the sense that it can be activated by a laser direct structuring (“LDS”) process. By selectively controlling the nature of the polymer composition and its respective components, the present inventors have discovered that a film can be readily formed that has good heat resistance, yet is also capable of exhibiting good adhesion to the conductive elements due to the fact that such elements can be integrally formed on the film using an LDS process.

Abstract: A film containing an aromatic polyester with aromatic biphenyl repeating units having the following general Formula I: is provided. The film is annealed and exhibits a relatively isotropic tensile property.

Abstract: A polymer solution that contains a solvent system and an aromatic polyester is provided. By selectively controlling the nature and relative concentrations of the aromatic polyester and the solvent system, the present inventors have discovered that the resulting polymer solution can remain relatively stable over time, thereby enabling the use of simpler and less complex techniques (e.g., solvent casting) for coating substrates. Moreover, the solution can be tailored to achieve coatings that not only adhere well to the substrate, but also possess good thermal and mechanical properties for use in a wide variety of potential applications.

Abstract: An aromatic polyester that contains a combination of biphenyl repeating units, fluoro-substituted aromatic repeating units, and aromatic ester repeating units is provided. Through selective control over the nature and concentration of the biphenyl and fluoro-substituted aromatic repeating units, the resulting polymer can have a low dielectric constant and still remain generally soluble or dispersible in a solvent system.

Abstract: An aromatic polyester that contains one or more aromatic ester repeating units and one or more biphenyl repeating units is provided. While a wide variety of aromatic ester repeating units may be employed, the polymer is nevertheless “low naphthenic” to the extent that it contains a minimal content of repeating units derived from naphthenic hydroxycarboxylic acids and naphthenic dicarboxylic acids. Despite the absence of a high level of conventional naphthenic acid repeating units, the present inventors have discovered that selective control over the type and relative concentration of the biphenyl repeating units can lead to “low naphthenic” polymers that are not only soluble in certain solvents, but also capable of exhibiting good mechanical properties. Thus, the ability of the resulting polymer to be dissolved or dispersed in various solvents can be enhanced without sacrificing performance.

Abstract: A crosslinkable aromatic polyester that is formed by polymerizing certain precursor monomers in the presence of a biaromatic crosslinking agent is provided. The crosslinkable aromatic polyester can have a relatively high melting temperature. For example, the melting temperature of the crosslinkable polyester may be from about 200° C. to about 370° C. While having a relatively high melting temperature, the crosslinkable polyester can maintain a relatively low melt viscosity so that it can be readily removed from the polymerization reactor without solidifying therein.

Abstract: A polymer composition that contains at least one high performance polymer and at least one aromatic amide oligomer is provided. The oligomer can serve as a flow aid that lowers the overall viscosity of the polymer matrix under shear.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline polymer composition that contains a liquid crystalline polymer and an aromatic amide oligomer is provided. The oligomer can serve as a flow aid by altering intermolecular polymer chain interactions, thereby lowering the overall viscosity of the polymer matrix under shear. The oligomer is also not easily volatized or decomposed during compounding, molding, and/or use, which minimizes off-gassing and the formation of blisters that would otherwise impact the final mechanical properties of a part made from the polymer composition. While providing the benefits noted, the aromatic amide oligomer does not generally react with the polymer backbone of the liquid crystalline polymer to any appreciable extent so that the mechanical properties of the polymer are not adversely impacted.