Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining crosslinked polymers having pendent sulfonic acid groups by crosslinking through the sulfonic acid groups or their precursors with aromatic crosslinkers or aromatic pendent crosslinking groups to form aromatic sulfones. Such crosslinked polymers may be used to make polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM's) that may be used in electrolytic cells such as fuel cells.

Abstract: Fluorocarbon- and urethane-(meth)acryl-containing additives and hardcoats. The hardcoats are particularly useful as a surface layer on an optical device.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive tapes having flame retarding properties include a backing and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer includes a (meth)acrylate-based block copolymer, and may also include at least 10% by weight of a halogen-free flame retarding agent. The adhesive layer may contain additional optional additives such as tackifying resins, plasticizers, and the like. The tapes are prepared by coating the flame retarding pressure sensitive adhesive onto the backing, either in solvent or by a solventless process.

Abstract: Fluorocarbon- and urethane-(meth)acryl-containing additives and hardcoats. The hardcoats are particularly useful as a surface layer on an optical device.

Abstract: Articles having a hydrophobic coating are provided. More specifically, the articles include a substrate, a primer layer of acid-sintered silica nanoparticles, and a hydrophobic hydrocarbon layer attached to the primer layer. The hydrophobic hydrocarbon layer is formed by reaction of the primer layer with a silane compound having a reactive silyl group and a hydrophobic hydrocarbon group. Due to the presence of the primer layer, the silane compounds can be attached to variety of substrates. The articles typically have surface that is easy to clean, smudge resistant, and fingerprint resistant.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesives having flame retarding properties include a (meth)acrylate-based block copolymer, and at least 10% by weight of a halogen-free flame retarding agent. The adhesives may contain additional optional additives such as tackifying resins, plasticizers, and the like. The adhesives are prepared by blending the (meth)acrylate-based block copolymer, and the halogen-free flame retarding agent either in solvent or by a solventless process.

Abstract: A method of removing an unwanted constituent from a siliceous surface in which the method includes contacting the siliceous surface and the unwanted constituent with a multi-functional composition that includes water, a hydrophilic silane, and a surfactant, and drying the surface.

Abstract: Highly water repellent coated articles may be made by applying to a substrate a coating having dispersed therein or sprinkled thereon partially or fully fluorinated polymer microparticles. The coating includes a partially fluorinated hexafluoropropylene copolymer binder in a nonfluorinated solvent that dissolves the binder and does not dissolve the microparticles. The coating is heated sufficiently to bond the microparticles to the binder but not so much as to cause the receding water contact angle for the coating to fall below 80°.

Abstract: Compositions include an aqueous continuous liquid phase and core-shell particles dispersed in the aqueous continuous liquid phase. Each core-shell particle includes a polymer core surrounded by a shell consisting essentially of nonporous spherical silica particles disposed on the polymer core, wherein the nonporous spherical silica particles have a volume average particle diameter of 60 nanometers or less. Methods of making and using the compositions to coat a substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a method of providing a coating to a surface of an optical element of a solar energy conversion system. The method comprises contacting the surface of the optical element with an aqueous coating composition comprising water and silica nanoparticles dispersed in the water and drying the coating composition to form a nanoparticle coating. The coating composition comprises an aqueous dispersion with a pH of less than 5 and an acid having a pKa of <3.5.

Abstract: Functionalized solid support material with biomolecule-binding groups and uses thereof, wherein the biomolecule-binding groups include a plurality of aromatic groups, an amine group which bonds to a biomolecule through an aldehyde group, a hydrazine group which bonds to a biomolecule through an aldehyde group, or an alpha,beta-ethylenically or acetylenically unsaturated group with an electron withdrawing group.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of coagulating a fluoropolymer latex comprising: providing an amorphous fluoropolymer latex; providing unmodified inorganic nanoparticles; contacting the amorphous fluoropolymer latex with a sufficient amount of unmodified inorganic nanoparticles to coagulate the amorphous fluoropolymer.

Abstract: Methods and devices for evaluating the quality of oils are disclosed. The methods and devices can provide an indication of the oil quality based on the Total Polar Content of the oil. The methods rely on a reusable capacitive sensing element that comprises a fluorinated barrier coating, as disclosed herein.

Abstract: A transparent anti-reflective structured film comprising a structured film substrate having a structured face, with anti-reflective structures defining a structured surface. The structured face is anti-reflective to light, with at least a substantial portion of the structured surface comprising a glass-like surface. At least the anti-reflective structures comprise a cross-linked silicone elastomeric material, and the glass-like surface comprises an SiO2 stoichiometry. The glass-like surface is coated with a coating of at least one layer of agglomerates of silica nanoparticles, with the agglomerates comprising a three-dimensional porous network of silica nanoparticles, and the silica nanoparticles being bonded to adjacent silica nanoparticles. A light energy absorbing device comprising the transparent anti-reflective structured film disposed so as to be between a source of light energy and a light energy receiving face of a light absorber, when light energy is being absorbed by the light absorber.

Abstract: Fluorocarbon- and urethane-(meth)acryl-containing additives and hardcoats. The hardcoats are particularly useful as a surface layer on an optical device.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a method of making an article. The method comprises coating a composition to a surface of a substrate. The coating composition comprises an aqueous continuous liquid phase, a silica nano-particle dispersed in the aqueous continuous liquid phase, and a polymer latex dispersion. The coated substrate is then heated to at least 300° C.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a method of providing a coating to a surface of an optical element of a solar energy conversion system. The method comprises coating the surface of the optical element with an aqueous coating composition comprising water and silica nanoparticles dispersed in the water; and drying the coating composition to form a nanoparticle coating. The silica nanoparticles comprise a polymer core surrounded by a shell comprising nonporous silica particles disposed on the polymer core.

Abstract: Articles having hydrophobic fluorinated coatings are provided. More specifically, the articles include a substrate, a primer layer of acid-sintered silica nanoparticles, and a hydrophobic fluorinated layer. The hydrophobic fluorinated coatings can be used on a large variety of substrate and tend to be quite durable even when subjected to repeated rubbing and/or cleaning.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a method of providing a coating to a surface of an optical element of a solar energy conversion system. The method comprises contacting the surface of the optical element with an aqueous coating composition comprising water and silica nanoparticles dispersed in the water, and drying the coating composition to form a nanoparticle coating. The coating composition has a pH of the composition of 5 or higher. The coating composition comprises an aqueous continuous liquid phase; silica nanoparticles having a volume average particle diameter of 150 nanometers or less dispersed in the aqueous continuous liquid phase; and an organic polymer binder.

Abstract: Article comprising a transparent substrate having an anti-reflective, structured surface and a coating comprising a porous network of silica nanoparticles thereon, wherein the silica nanoparticles are bonded to adjacent silica nanoparticles.