Abstract: The disclosure relates to polyester-based multilayer plastic (MLP) articles having improved heat sealability, improved gas barrier properties, and/or improved mechanical properties. The MLP article includes first, second, and third polyester layers in a laminate or composite structure. The first polyester layer is a heat-scalable layer, the second polyester layer is a gas-barrier layer, and the third polyester layer is a functional layer providing improved mechanical or printability properties. The MLP article provides desired structural and functional properties for a wide variety of packaging applications, and the use of polyester components for each layer in the MLP article facilitates multiple effective end-of-life recycling options, including mechanical and chemical recycling routes.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for sealing a cellulosic article in which a sealing solution is applied to one or more cellulosic substrates to form a seal between surfaces thereof. The sealing solution generally includes water, starch, a solid polyol plasticizer, and optionally a liquid polyol plasticizer. Coated surfaces of the cellulosic substrate(s) are then contacted under sufficient conditions to form the seal therebetween, for example after drying and/or with sufficient contact time, contact pressure, contact temperature, etc. The disclosure further relates to a corresponding sealed cellulosic article, for example as formed by the sealing method. The disclosure further relates to a method for recycling in which the sealed cellulosic article is re-pulped, with or without recovery of sealing composition components, then formed into a recycled cellulosic substrate.

Abstract: A method for preparing the antimicrobial plastic includes contacting a non-leachable antimicrobial agent to a surface of a plastic article to form the antimicrobial plastic. In certain variations, the contacting includes applying a precursor antimicrobial layer including non-leachable antimicrobial agents to a surface of a plastic article to form a precursor assembly and hot pressing the precursor assembly to embed the non-leachable antimicrobial agents within the surface of the plastic article to form the antimicrobial plastic. In other variations, the contacting includes preparing an antimicrobial layer including a non-leachable antimicrobial agent on a foil and transferring the antimicrobial layer from the foil to the surface of the plastic article to form the antimicrobial plastic, where the transferring includes contacting the antimicrobial layer and the surface of the plastic article and applying a transfer temperature that is greater than a softening temperature of the plastic article.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the functionalization of a carbon-carbon backbone (CCB) polymer using a (cyclic) grafting agent, an initiator, and optionally a reversible radical trapping agent. The grafting agent and/or initiator can be particularly selected in terms of their surface energy and/or half-life, respectively, to limit or control undesirable effects associated with reactive melt-processing, such as excessive crosslinking, chain scission, or grafting agent homopolymerization, as well as to improve or control desirable effects associated with reactive melt-processing, such as improved relative graft uniformity or homogeneity on the CCB polymer. In some cases, the grafting agent can further include a functional group to impart some additional or new chemical or physical property to the CCB polymer. In some cases, the reactively melt-processed mixture includes two or more different polymers that are compatibilized via the grafting agent.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to thermally reversibly crosslinked polyolefins (TRC-PO) and methods for making the same. A TRC-PO can be formed by reactive melt-processing a mixture including (i) a polyolefin, (ii) an initiator, and (iii) a reversible crosslinker. The reversible crosslinker includes (A) a grafting agent moiety selected from unsaturated cyclic anhydrides, unsaturated cyclic imides, cyclic nitroxides, and ring-opened analogs thereof, and (B) a crosslinking moiety bound to the cyclic grafting agent moiety. This reactive melt-processing, for example including reactive extrusion, forms a thermally reversibly crosslinked (TRC) polyolefin with polyolefin chains reversibly crosslinked via the reversible crosslinkers, which provide dynamic covalent bonds, such as siloxanes and esters, that are amenable to melt re-processing to re-from or otherwise re-use the TRC-PO while still retaining the reversible crosslinks after re-processing.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for chemically recycling a condensation polymer, which includes melt-processing a mixture including a condensation polymer and an internal catalyst to increase the amorphous content of the polymer, followed by depolymerizing polymer in a reaction medium with a reactive solvent. Melt-processing and quenching of a condensation polymer generally reduces the crystalline content of the polymer and correspondingly increases the amorphous content of the polymer, which makes the polymer more amenable to subsequent depolymerization. Inclusion of the internal catalyst, for example a volatile organic catalyst, during melt-processing not only improves the relative degree of amorphization during melt-processing, but it also enhances the rate and conversion of the depolymerization stage that would otherwise be rate-limited by mass transport of an external catalyst from the bulk reaction medium to the polymer surface for depolymerization.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the functionalization of a carbon-carbon backbone (CCB) polymer using a (cyclic) grafting agent, an initiator, and optionally a reversible radical trapping agent. The grafting agent and/or initiator can be particularly selected in terms of their surface energy and/or half-life, respectively, to limit or control undesirable effects associated with reactive melt-processing, such as excessive crosslinking, chain scission, or grafting agent homopolymerization, as well as to improve or control desirable effects associated with reactive melt-processing, such as improved relative graft uniformity or homogeneity on the CCB polymer. In some cases, the grafting agent can further include a functional group to impart some additional or new chemical or physical property to the CCB polymer. In some cases, the reactively melt-processed mixture includes two or more different polymers that are compatibilized via the grafting agent.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an omniphobic composition concentrate including 2 wt. % to 60 wt. % of at least one of a polyisocyanate and monomer units thereof in polymerized form, 30 wt. % to 85 wt. % of at least one of a polyol and monomer units thereof in polymerized form, 10 wt. % to 50 wt. % of at least one of a functionalized omniphobic polymer and monomer units thereof in polymerized form, and up to 60 wt. % of at least one diluent. The omniphobic composition further includes a polymer with monomer units of the polyisocyanate, monomer units of the polyol, and monomer units of the functionalized omniphobic polymer. The omniphobic composition is in the form of a gel-free liquid, and it can be cured with a polyol/polyisocyanate polyurethane base formulation to form a thermoset omniphobic composition.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to omniphobic coatings, related articles including such coatings, and related method for forming such coatings or articles, for example biobased and/or biodegradable omniphobic coatings with high barrier properties. The omniphobic coating includes an oleophobic and hydrophilic first layer, and a hydrophobic and optionally oleophilic second layer adjacent to the first layer. A corresponding omniphobic coated article can include the omniphobic coating on a substrate such as a porous cellulosic or paper substrate, for example to provide a water- and oil/fat/grease-resistant coating for a paper-based product. The first layer of the omniphobic coating is adjacent to the substrate and the second layer is adjacent to the first layer at a position further from the substrate than the first layer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a thermoset omniphobic composition, which includes a thermoset polymer with first, second, and third backbone segments, urethane groups linking the first and third backbone segments, and urea groups linking the first and second backbone segments. The first, second, and third backbone segments generally correspond to urethane or urea reaction products of polyisocyanate(s), amine-functional hydrophobic polymer(s), and polyol(s), respectively. The thermoset omniphobic composition has favorable omniphobic properties, for example as characterized by water and/or oil contact and/or sliding angles. The thermoset omniphobic composition can be used as a coating on any of a variety of substrates to provide omniphobic properties to a surface of the substrate. Such omniphobic coatings can be scratch resistant, ink/paint resistant, dirt-repellent, and optically clear.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a thermoset omniphobic composition (such as an omniphobic polyurethane or epoxy composition) which includes a thermoset polymer with first, second, and third backbone segments. The first, second, and third backbone segments can correspond to urethane or urea reaction products of polyisocyanate(s), amine-functional omniphobic polymer(s), and polyol(s), respectively, for omniphobic polyurethanes. Similarly, the first, second, and third backbone segments can correspond to urea or beta-hydroxy amine reaction products of polyamine(s), isocyanate-functional omniphobic polymer(s), and polyepoxide(s), respectively, for omniphobic epoxies. The thermoset omniphobic composition has favorable omniphobic properties, for example as characterized by water and/or oil contact and/or sliding angles. The thermoset omniphobic composition further has favorable barrier properties, for example with respect to water vapor and oxygen transmission as well as water absorption.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to multilayer laminate compositions including opposing first and second polymeric layers, typically with an intervening gas and/or moisture barrier layer. The first polymeric layer incudes a first polymer, which can be selected based on desired mechanical and/or chemical properties. The second polymeric layer is a heat-sealable analog of the first polymeric layer, and it can include a blend of the first polymer along with a second polymer having a lower melting temperature, or a second polymer that includes monomer units of the first polymer copolymerized with a second monomer to provide a lower melting temperature for the second polymer relative to the first polymer. The improved heat-sealing properties of the second polymeric layer permits convenient packaging of items, and the common polymeric components between the first and second polymeric layers facilitates recycling and reuse of the multilayer laminate composition because of its substantially unimaterial nature.

Abstract: A medication bottle includes an outer container wall, an inner container wall and a fluid, such as an aversive liquid, located between the walls. In another aspect, the fluid is located within separate compartments or channels located between the walls where the walls contact or are secured to each other. A further aspect provides a removeable cap including multiple sensors, at least one of which is a biometric sensor.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to omniphobic compatibilizers, which include a polymerization reaction product between a first vinyl monomer, optionally a second vinyl crosslinking monomer, and a functionalized omniphobic polymer. The functionalized omniphobic polymer can include two or more vinyl functional groups or at least one free radical initiator functional group such that the reaction product forming the omniphobic compatibilizer can be a vinyl or free-radical polymerization product. The omniphobic compatibilizer can be incorporated into a UV-curable or a non-UV-curable thermoset omniphobic composition. The UV-curable composition can be a crosslinked polymerization reaction product between the omniphobic compatibilizer, a third vinyl monomer, and a fourth polyvinyl crosslinking monomer. The non-UV-curable composition can be a crosslinked polymerization reaction product between the omniphobic compatibilizer, a first thermosetting component, and a second thermosetting component.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a recyclable polyester composition including a polyester, an epoxide compound, and optionally a capping agent. The epoxide compound can be a sterically hindered epoxide and/or a polyfunctional epoxide. The capping agent can be selected and included based on its ability to react with in situ-generated hydroxy groups resulting from reaction with the polyester and the epoxide compound. The capping agent is included when the epoxide compound is a polyfunctional epoxide in order to control or limit branching during chain extension. The inclusion of the epoxide compound provides a controlled chain extension of the polyester subjected to thermal processing in a way that controls, limits, or prevents branching and crosslinking, but which also increases polymer molecular weight in a manner that offsets the molecular weight reduction associated with thermal processing in the absence of the disclosed epoxide compounds.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a thermoset omniphobic composition with favorable dirt repellency and water resistance properties. The composition can be used as a protective coating on a substrate. Such coatings, when contacted with soil, dirt, dust, etc., remain clean and transparent. The omniphobic composition generally includes a thermoset polymer, an omniphobic polymer, and a filler or nanofiller. The thermoset polymer can be a crosslinked acrylate or other vinyl polymer. The omniphobic polymer can include fluorocarbon and/or siloxane groups for improving water resistance. The nanofiller can include nanosilica and/or nanoclay. The thermoset polymer and the omniphobic polymer together form a matrix for the filler as a dispersed phase throughout the matrix. A coated substrate with the thermoset omniphobic composition thereon exhibits favorable water contact and sliding angles as well as favorable transparency values in dirt accumulation tests.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a self-healing laminate composition. The composition includes a first, self-healing layer with a self-healing polymer and a second, mechanical layer adjacent to the first layer. The second layer includes any desired polymer, for example a crosslinked polymer, a thermoplastic polymer, or a functional thermoset polymer. Self-healing polymers with dynamic covalent bonds are suitable, for example those with dynamic urea bonds and/or dynamic urethane bonds. A self-healing polymer that is damaged can undergo autonomous repair when separated surfaces re-contact each other due to the soft nature of the self-healing polymer, whereupon reversible bonds can reform to rejoin and repair the damaged self-healing polymer. When the self-healing laminate according to the disclosure is damaged, the self-healing mechanism of the first layer can cause the repair of both layers.

Abstract: Polyurethane-based and epoxy-based coating compositions are described that provide coatings and adhesives that are clear, amphiphobic and durable. Both water and hexadecane readily slide off these surfaces without leaving a residue. Coatings with thicknesses ranging from about 10 nm to about 10 ?m exhibited excellent transmittance properties. Such films exhibited durability against abrasion, ink-resistance, anti-graffiti, anti-fingerprint, and strong adhesion to glass surfaces. The coatings are applicable to electronic devices, fabrics, glass, etc. to prepare optically clear, stain-resistant, and smudge-resistant surfaces.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a reversible adhesive composition including a copolymer between a vinyl spacer monomer unit and a vinyl reversible binder monomer unit. Each monomer unit can be based on acrylate monomer, a vinyl ester monomer, or a vinyl ether monomer, with the spacer monomer unit generally having a shorter pendant chain (such as 1-3 carbon atoms) and the reversible binder monomer unit having a longer pendant chain (such as 3-20 carbon atoms). A corresponding article includes first and second surfaces (or substrates) that are in contact with and bonded to the reversible adhesive composition at an interface therebetween. The reversible adhesive composition generally involves non-covalent and/or non-ionic bonding forces, for example H-bonding, permanent dipole, electron donor-acceptor moieties, and/or van der Waals forces, between the copolymer chains.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to omniphobic compatibilizers, which include a polymerization reaction product between a first vinyl monomer, optionally a second vinyl crosslinking monomer, and a functionalized omniphobic polymer. The functionalized omniphobic polymer can include two or more vinyl functional groups or at least one free radical initiator functional group such that the reaction product forming the omniphobic compatibilizer can be a vinyl or free-radical polymerization product. The omniphobic compatibilizer can be incorporated into a UV-curable or a non-UV-curable thermoset omniphobic composition. The UV-curable composition can be a crosslinked polymerization reaction product between the omniphobic compatibilizer, a third vinyl monomer, and a fourth polyvinyl crosslinking monomer. The non-UV-curable composition can be a crosslinked polymerization reaction product between the omniphobic compatibilizer, a first thermosetting component, and a second thermosetting component.