Abstract: The instant invention generally provides polymer pi-bond-philic filler composite comprising a molecularly self-assembling material and a pi-bond-philic filler, and a process of making and an article comprising the polymer pi-bond-philic filler composite. The instant invention also generally provides a process of separating a pi-bond-philic gas from a separable gas mixture comprising the pi-bond-philic gas.

Abstract: The instant invention generally provides polymer carbon composite comprising a molecularly self-assembling material and a carbon filler, and a process of making and an article comprising the polymer carbon composite.

Abstract: A two step method for preparing a filler composition, the filler composition useful to prepare a nanocomposite polymer. The first step is to disperse a water dispersible filler material in a liquid comprising water to form a dispersion. The second step is to replace at least a portion of the water of the liquid with an organic solvent to form the filler composition, the water concentration of the liquid of the filler composition being less than six percent by weight, the average size of at least one dimension of the filler material being less than two hundred nanometers upon examination by transmission electron microscopy of a representative freeze dried sample of the dispersion of the first step.

Abstract: An improved coating composition including a polymeric component and synthetic clay. The coating composition is particularly useful for coating a polymeric substrate, such as a styrenic polymeric substrate. One particular preferred application involves coating a closed cell foam extruded styrenic polymeric insulation panel with the coating composition, thereby realizing attractive barrier properties and optical characteristics from the coating.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymers derived from macrocyclic oligomers containing organo clay fillers comprising a) a polymer derived from a macrocyclic oligomer; b) clay platelets; and c) the residue of one or more onium compounds having at least one ligand with a C5 or greater carbon chain and at least one ligand containing one or more functional groups having one or more active hydrogen atoms wherein the functional group is reactive with the macrocyclic oligomer and/or functional groups formed when the macrocyclic oligomer decyclizes wherein a portion of one or more of the onium compounds is ironically bound to the clay platelet and covalently bonded to the polymers derived from macrocyclic oligomers. The invention also relates to processes for preparing such compositions. Furthermore, the invention relates to articles prepared from organoclay filled polymer compositions.

Abstract: A cation exchanging layered material having a cation exchange capacity satisfied by ion-exchangeable organic and inorganic cations, the ion-exchangeable organic cation content of the betastructured cation exchanging layered material being in the range of from ten to ninety-five percent of the cation exchange capacity of the cation exchanging layered material. The structure of the material is unique and is defined as a “betastructure”. A nanocomposite polymer incorporating such a “betastructured” cation exchanging layered material with a polymer.

Abstract: A cation exchanging layered material having a cation exchange capacity satisfied by ion-exchangeable organic and inorganic cations, the ion-exchangeable organic cation content of the betastructured cation exchanging layered material being in the range of from ten to ninety-five percent of the cation exchange capacity of the cation exchanging layered material. The structure of the material is unique and is defined as a “betastructure”. A nanocomposite polymer incorporating such a “betastructured” cation exchanging layered material with a polymer.

Abstract: A sensor and a method for using the sensor to determine the concentration or partial pressure of oxygen in a fluid media is provided. The sensor includes a light modifying medium containing a luminescent dye which is accessible to oxygen. The luminescent dye contains a hexanuclear core of molybdenum, tungsten or mixtures thereof having 14 coordination sites, wherein each site is occupied by a ligand. The sensor also includes an apparatus capable of transmitting and collecting light to and from the light modifying medium.

Abstract: A reactor for carbothermal reduction is disclosed. By supplying gaseous nitrogen throughout a discrete aliquot of a preferably pelletized mixture of aluminum oxide, carbon and, optionally, calcium oxide during the carbothermal reduction thereof to aluminum nitride and continuously removing gaseous reaction products therefrom, a high quality aluminum nitride is produced. One means of supplying gaseous nitrogen to the mixture of solid reactants is a perforated tray having a hollowed-out bottom. Gaseous nitrogen supplied to the hollowed-out portion flows through the perforations and throughout solid reactants contained in the tray. The carbon may be alternatively supplied, in whole or in part, as a gaseous reactant.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for purifying aluminum nitride produced by carbothermal reaction of aluminum oxide, carbon and nitrogen. Precursor pellets including aluminum oxide and carbon are exposed to nitrogen under conditions sufficient to carbothermally produce aluminum oxide, thereby producing aluminum nitride pellets having surface portions relatively rich in thermal conductivity-lowering and color-causing impurities compared to core portions of the aluminum nitride pellets. Significant amounts of the surface portions are thereafter removed to thereby significantly increase the purity of the aluminum nitride pellets.

Abstract: An article and method for its perparation is disclosed wherein the article comprises a substrate having at least one planar surface on which is disposed a thermally decomposable metallo-organic compound in active association with a photosensitive dye. The article can be easily processed with, for example, a source of energy such as a laser beam to encode information or produce electroconductive lines.

Abstract: A sensor and a method for determining the concentration or the partial pressure of oxygen comprising:(a) means for transmitting and collecting light to and from a light modifying medium; and(b) a light modifying medium containing a luminescent dye dispersed in or upon a matrix and the dye is accessible to oxygen, wherein said luminescent dye contains a hexanuclear core of molybdenum, tungsten or mixtures thereof having 14 coordination sites, wherein each coordination site is occupied by a ligand.

Abstract: By supplying gaseous nitrogen throughout a discrete aliquot of a preferably pelletized mixture of aluminum oxide, carbon and, optionally, calcium oxide during the carbothermal reduction thereof to aluminum nitride and continuously removing gaseous reaction products therefrom, a high quality aluminum nitride is produced. One means of supplying gaseous nitrogen to the mixture of solid reactants is a perforated tray having a hollowed-out bottom. Gaseous nitrogen supplied to the hollowed-out portion flows through the perforations and throughout solid reactants contained in the tray. The carbon may be alternatively supplied, in whole or in part, as a gaseous reactant.