Abstract: Polymerized salts of polymerizable anionic monomers with cationic germicides are chemically grafted onto activated carbon in a manner to form a permanent, covalent bond thereon. The grafting of such germicides onto the activated carbon imparts permanent bacteriostatic properties thereto and the resulting bacteriostatic activated carbon can be used for the purification of drinking water over prolonged periods of time. The passage of contaminated water across this activated carbon chemically grafted with the polymerized salt of the cationic germicide results in purification of the water which remains free of elevated bacteria counts often associated with "first flush" effluents. Mere absorption of such or any germicide into the pores of the activated carbon results in desorption and leaching out of the germicide into the effluent.

Abstract: Polymerized salts of polymerizable anionic monomers with cationic germicides are chemically grafted onto activated carbon in a manner to form a permanent, covalent bond thereon. The grafting of such germicides onto the activated carbon imparts permanent bacteriostatic properties thereto and the resulting bacteriostatic activated carbon can be used for the purification of drinking water over prolonged periods of time. The passage of contaminated water across this activated carbon chemically grafted with the polymerized salt of the cationic germicide results in purification of the water which remains free of elevated bacteria counts often associated with "first flush" effluents. Mere absorption of such or any germicide into the pores of the activated carbon results in desorption and leaching out of the germicide into the effluent.

Abstract: Polymeric coatings are provided on steel pipes to protect the same against corrosion. Monomers and prepolymers are permanently adhered to the surface of steel pipes by graft polymerization to form a barrier which keeps out moisture, oxygen and other corrosive gases from the steel substrate. The monomers and prepolymers are chosen to provide a low moisture vapor transmission rate and oxygen permeability.

Abstract: Pyritic sulfur, organic sulfur and elemental sulfur are removed from coal by subjecting an aqueous slurry of coal to flotation for removal of most of the pyritic sulfur after which the coal obtained from the flotation is treated with dilute nitric acid which oxidizes any remaining pyritic sulfur and most of the organic sulfur, thus solubilizing the sulfur and reducing the sulfur content thereof. This coal can be filtered, washed and dried, if desired. Further reduction of organic sulfur is obtained by chemical treatment with unsaturated hydrocarbons which bind the organic sulfur thus lowering the sulfur content of the coal sufficiently so that the final product meets all requirements for use for power plants as well as for the metallurgical industry.

Abstract: Novel paint compositions which may be universally applied to a variety of substrates such as metals or plastics without the use of an intermediate primer layer are formed from a mixture of a polymerizable vinyl monomer, an epoxy pre-polymer, a urethane resin, a peroxide polymerization initiator and a silver graft initiator in a suitable solvent. Conventional paint additives are also included in the composition. A one-coat application of the paint followed by conventional oven curing results in a painted object in which the paint is chemically bonded to the object and exhibits superior chemical and mechanical properties.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for protecting aluminum and aluminum alloys by the chemical bonding of a polymerized coating to the aluminum oxide on the aluminum surface. The protective coating is graft polymerized from a solution onto the aluminum in the presence of a small amount of silver ion as an initiator. A peroxide is present during the graft polymerization to regenerate silver ions and to catalyze polymerization of monomers and prepolymers which attach to the aluminum surface. The monomers are vinyl monomers containing one or more hydroxy, carboxy, glycidyl and aziridinyl groups. The prepolymers are polyurethane resins and aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and aromatic epoxy resins. The vinyl monomers and prepolymers are cross-linked to provide a transparent, impervious protective coating on the aluminum. The coated aluminum article made by the above method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The evolution of hydrogen in rechargeable silver-zinc batteries is reduced by the incorporation into the zinc electrode of a minor proportion of a lead oxide, e.g. either lead oxide (PbO) or lead dioxide (PbO.sub.2). The invention further relates in general to electrodes for batteries, said electrodes consisting mainly of zinc oxide and having a small amount of lead oxide or lead dioxide distributed therethrough.

Abstract: For securing together elastomeric substrates in surface-to-surface contact an adhesive for interposing between the substrates includes elastomer, a prepolymer or a polymerizable monomer, and a graft initiator. Molecular grafting occurs between the elastomer of the adhesive and the elastomer of both of the substrates, and after curing the layer of adhesive forms an integral assembly with the substrates, to result in a bonding strength which is much higher than is obtainable with known surface adhesives. The adhesive is of particular utility in bonding new tread bands to tire casings in the re-capping of used automobile tires.

Abstract: Novel modified coal products, which are more easily liquified as compared to natural coal, are produced by a process comprising activating coal with free radical or ionic catalyst systems and thereafter, reacting the activated coal with vinyl monomers to attach polymeric side chains to the coal.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for so treating tobacco, for use in cigars or cigarettes, as to activate the surface of the tobacco to remove the undesirable components of the smoke as the smoke passes along the cigar or cigarette, before reaching the smoker. The process provides for grafting onto the cellulosic constituents of the tobacco a graft polymer or copolymer having free functional groups reactive with the undesirable component of the tobacco smoke. The cellulosic constituents can be activated by an ionic or free radical process to yield a reactive site on the cellulosic chain which can subsequently be reacted with monomers containing active double bonds, e.g., olefins, vinyl monomers or acrylic monomers as well as polymerizable ring compounds each having the desired active substituents. Preferably, this invention is applicable to treating tobacco so as to provide a graft polymer or copolymer containing acidic groups which can react with the basic, or alkaline, components of tobacco smoke.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the metallizing of non-metallic substrates, i.e. polymeric substrates, by the coating of the substrate with polymerizable monomers in the presence of a small amount of silver ion. The substrate is cleaned, acid etched and then contacted with a monomer solution containing a soluble silver salt. The monomers are preferably polyfunctional and form a polymerized layer grafted onto the polymer substrate. A peroxide is also disclosed in the monomer solution for regeneration of the silver ion concentration and to combine with monomers to produce homopolymers which also attach to the active sites on the substrate and to side chains of the graft polymer. The grafted layer contains silver atoms closely bound to it and the silver atoms form nucleating agents for the deposition of copper from an electroless plating bath. The metallized substrate may then be further electroplated.

Abstract: Treatment of teeth by sorbing onto the tooth surfaces a combination of a cationic germicide and an anionic polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the activation of polymers and more particularly to certain classes of high polymeric material which are not susceptible to dyeing or the like whereby the polymeric material is given a functional group which can react with dyes, monomeric materials, etc. Polymeric materials such as polyolefins, e.g. polypropylene, polyesters and polyvinylchloride are sulfonated by reaction with a sulfonating agent in the presence of a hydrocarbon and/or a chlorinated hydrocarbon. The resulting sulfonated polymer can then be easily dyed or can be reacted with monomers to obtain dyeable polymers.