Abstract: A process is provided for converting discarded rubber, e.g., rubber crumb, into absorbent material. The process comprises extruding a mixture of discarded rubber and oxidizer(s) under progressively increasing temperature to reach a temperature above 250° C. The extrudate may undergo a secondary oxidation. The partially devulcanized granular rubber formed is useful as absorbent material for hydrocarbons, e.g., in remediation of contaminated soil and oil spills.

Abstract: A method of making a sorbent from waste rubber and a method of sorbing oil using such sorbent. Approximately two pounds of modifier is added to 100 pounds of vulcanized rubber waste, the modifier comprising a mixture by weight of (i) a slightly water-soluble organic acid having a melting point of 70° C. or higher representing 80%, (ii) quinine group bases representing 19% and (iii) 1% of an anti sliding ingredient such as colophony, running the mixture of rubber waste and modifier in a roll mill approximately six times to crush it and placing the crushed modified rubber particles in an extruder for 2-10 minutes at 120-150° C. The sorbent can then be applied to oil to sorb six times its own weight in oil. The sorbent can be re-used two more times after extracting the oil. The sorbent is also effective at filtering oil from water.

Abstract: A method of making a sorbent from waste rubber and a method of sorbing oil using such sorbent. Approximately two pounds of modifier is added to 100 pounds of vulcanized rubber waste, the modifier comprising a mixture by weight of (i) a slightly water-soluble organic acid having a melting point of 70° C. or higher representing 80%, (ii) quinine group bases representing 19% and (iii) 1% of an anti sliding ingredient such as colophony, running the mixture of rubber waste and modifier in a roll mill approximately six times to crush it and placing the crushed modified rubber particles in an extruder for 2-10 minutes at 120-150° C. The sorbent can then be applied to oil to sorb six times its own weight in oil. The sorbent can be re-used two more times after extracting the oil. The sorbent is also effective at filtering oil from water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrophilic inclusion complex consisting essentially of nanosized particles of a non-crystalline active compound wrapped by an amphiphilic polymer consisting of a homopolymer of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or a copolymer of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, or both, with one or more comonomers. The invention further provides hydrophilic dispersions comprising nanoparticles of said inclusion complexes and stable compositions comprising them.

Abstract: Hydrophilic dispersions of stable nano-sized particles are provided comprising: (a) a water-insoluble or water-soluble active compound, wherein said active compound is selected from the group consisting of a macrolide antibiotic, donepezil hydrochloride, an azole compound and a taxane; and (b) an amphiphilic polymer which wraps said active compound in a non-crystalline manner to form a nano-sized molecular entity in which no valent bonds are formed.

Abstract: The invention provides a modifier for devulcanization of cured elastomers, and especially vulcanized rubber, said modifier containing a first chemical substance, which is disposed towards on and the formation of an organic cation and amine, and further containing a second chemical substance as promotor of dissociation of the first chemical substance, said promotor containing a functional group constituting an acceptor of said amine.

Abstract: Mechanical/chemical method and composition for de-vulcanization of rubber maintains the macromolecules, renders sulfur passive for later re-vulcanization, is cost effective, environmentally friendly and produces high quality de-vulcanized rubber to replace virgin rubber. Waste rubber is shredded, crushed and metal-removed. Modifying composition is added as the particles of shredded waste rubber are poured between two rollers that further crush the particles. The modifying composition is a mixture of (1) a proton donor that selectively breaks the sulfur bonds and renders the sulfur passive, (2) a metal oxide and (3) an organic acid that build new bonds between macromolecules for later re-vulcanization, (4) an inhibitor that prevents re-attachment of sulfur radicals with each other before the proton donor attaches itself to the sulfur and (5) a friction agent that prevents sliding of the waste rubber between the rollers. The particles are subjected to at least ten sets of rollers.

Abstract: Mechanical/chemical method and composition for de-vulcanization of rubber maintains the macromolecules, renders sulfur passive for later re-vulcanization, is cost effective, environmentally friendly and produces high quality de-vulcanized rubber to replace virgin rubber. Waste rubber is shredded, crushed and metal-removed. Modifying composition is added as the particles of shredded waste rubber are poured between two rollers that further crush the particles. The modifying composition is a mixture of (1) a proton donor that selectively breaks the sulfur bonds and renders the sulfur passive, (2) a metal oxide and (3) an organic acid that build new bonds between macromolecules for later re-vulcanization, (4) an inhibitor that prevents re-attachment of sulfur radicals with each other before the proton donor attaches itself to the sulfur and (5) a friction agent that prevents sliding of the waste rubber between the rollers. The particles are subjected to at least ten sets of rollers.