Abstract: Silicone-polyether block copolymers are disclosed, having the average formula: R4R12Si(OR52Si)m{[R2O(CqH2qO)pR2R12Si(OR52Si)k]nR2O(CqH2qO)pR2R12Si)m}hOSiR12R4 wherein R1 is C1-C10 hydrocarbyl; R2 is C1-C10 hydrocarbylene; R3 is R1 or H; R4 is —R2—NR32 or —R2—NR3—R2—NR32; R5 is R1 or R4; h is 1 to 100; k is 2 to 500; m is 2 to 500; n is 0 to 30; p is 2 to 120; and q is 2 to 4. The silicone-polyether block copolymers comprise two terminal amine functionalities and may comprise varying degrees of pendent amine functionality. In a method for synthesizing linear silicone-polyether block copolymers of the above formula, a reaction mixture is formed by combining a polyether, an organosilicon component, an endblocking agent, and a catalyst. Thereupon, the reaction mixture is heated to produce a silicone-polyether block copolymer having at least one pendent amine functionality and a number-average molecular weight from 2000 to 500,000.

Abstract: A method for rendering a substrate hydrophobic includes treating the substrate with an acyloxysilane. The treatment includes impregnating the substrate with an acyloxysilane and thereafter curing (hydrolyzing and condensing the acyloxysilane) to form a silicone resin. The method is particularly useful for rendering paper hydrophobic.

Abstract: A method for rendering a substrate hydrophobic while maintaining its biodegradability includes treating the substrate with a halosilane such that the halosilane forms a silicone resin in the interstitial spaces of the substrate. The method parameters can be controlled such that the resulting hydrophobic cellulosic substrate is compostable.

Abstract: A method for rendering a substrate hydrophobic while maintaining its biodegradability includes treating the substrate with a reactive silane such that the reactive silane forms a resin in the interstitial spaces of the substrate. The method parameters are controlled such that the resulting hydrophobic cellulosic substrate is compostable.

Abstract: Methods for rendering a cellulosic substrate hydrophobic include providing a plurality of halosilane compounds comprising at least a first halosilane compound and a second halosilane compound different from the first halosilane compound, wherein the plurality of halosilane compounds comprises a total halosilane concentration comprising 20 mole percent or less of monohalosilanes, 70 mole percent or less of monohalosilanes and dihalosilanes and at least 30 percent of trihalosilanes and tetrahalosilanes, and, treating the cellulosic substrate with the plurality of halosilane compounds, wherein the plurality of halosilane compounds are applied as one or more liquids.

Abstract: Silicone-polyether block copolymers are disclosed, having the average formula: R4R12Si(OR52Si)m{[R2O(CqH2qO)pR2R12Si(OR52Si)k]nR2O(CqH2qO)pR2R12Si)m}hOSiR12R4 wherein R1 is C1-C10 hydrocarbyl; R2 is C1-C10 hydrocarbylene; R3 is R1 or H; R4 is —R2—NR32 or —R2—NR3—R2—NR32; R5 is R1 or R4; h is 1 to 100; k is 2 to 500; m is 2 to 500; n is 0 to 30; p is 2 to 120; and q is 2 to 4. The silicone-polyether block copolymers comprise two terminal amine functionalities and may comprise varying degrees of pendent amine functionality. In a method for synthesizing linear silicone-polyether block copolymers of the above formula, a reaction mixture is formed by combining a polyether, an organosilicon component, an endblocking agent, and a catalyst. Thereupon, the reaction mixture is heated to produce a silicone-polyether block copolymer having at least one pendent amine functionality and a number-average molecular weight from 2000 to 500,000.