Abstract: A method of making a coatable composition includes: providing a first composition comprising silica nanoparticles dispersed in an aqueous liquid vehicle, wherein the first composition has a pH greater than 6; acidifying the first composition to a pH of less than or equal to 4 using inorganic acid to provide a second composition; and dissolving at least one metal compound in the second composition to form the coatable composition. The silica nanoparticles have a polymodal particle size distribution, wherein the polymodal particle size distribution comprises a first mode having a first particle size in the range of from 8 to 35 nanometers, wherein the polymodal particle size distribution comprises a second mode having a second particle size in the range of from 2 to 20 nanometers, wherein the first particle size is greater than the second particle size. Coatable compositions, antistatic compositions, preparable by the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Presently described are components of a spray application system. At least one component comprises a liquid repellent surface layer. The liquid repellent surface (e.g. layer) may comprise a porous layer and a lubricant impregnated into pores of the porous layer; a fluoropolymer; a fluorochemical material and an organic polymeric binder; or a fluorochemical material melt additive and a thermoplastic polymeric material component. The component is typically a liquid reservoir, a liquid reservoir liner, a lid for a liquid reservoir or liner, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the component comprises a thermoplastic polymeric material. In some favored embodiments, the component is a removable liquid reservoir or liner. In some favored embodiments, the component is a collapsible liquid reservoir or liner. The spray application system typically further comprises a gravity-fed spray gun.

Abstract: Articles are described including a first microfiltration membrane layer having a first major surface and a second major surface disposed opposite the first major surface, and a first silica layer directly attached to the first major surface of the first microfiltration membrane layer. The first silica layer includes a polymeric binder and acid-sintered interconnected silica nanoparticles arranged to form a continuous three-dimensional porous network. A method of making an article is also described, including providing a first microfiltration membrane layer having a first major surface and a second major surface disposed opposite the first major surface, and forming a first silica layer on the first major surface.

Abstract: A coating composition which imparts antifog properties to substrates coated therewith. The coating compositions are removable and utilize nanoparticles functionalized with epoxy groups. The removable coating compositions are particularly useful on personal protection equipment such as face masks, shields, and protective glasses.

Abstract: A peracetic acid decontamination chemical indicator including a substrate and an indicator composition disposed thereon, where the indicator composition comprises a colorant that changes color when exposed to a peracetic acid solution but does not change color when exposed to a hydrogen peroxide solution, an acidified hydrogen peroxide solution, or an acetic acid solution, and where the indicator composition does not include a transition metal salt or a halogen source, and methods of using the chemical indicator.

Abstract: There is provided a coating composition comprising nonspherical nanoparticles; spherical nanoparticles; optionally hydrophilic groups and optional an surfactant; and a liquid medium comprising water and no greater than 30 wt % organic solvent, if present, based on the total weight of liquid medium, where at least a portion of the nonspherical nanoparticles or at least a portion of the spherical nanoparticles comprises functional groups attached to their surface through chemical bonds, wherein the functional groups comprise at least one group selected from the group consisting of epoxy group, amine group, hydroxyl, olefin, alkyne, (meth) acrylato, mercapto group, or combinations thereof. There is also provided a method for modifying a substrate surface using the coating composition and articles made therefrom.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multilayer article. The multilayer article includes a) a microfiltration membrane substrate; b) a first layer directly attached to the first major surface of the microfiltration membrane substrate; and c) a second layer directly attached to the first layer. The first layer includes a first polymeric binder and acid-sintered interconnected first silica nanoparticles arranged to form a continuous three-dimensional porous network. The second layer includes acid-sintered interconnected second silica nanoparticles arranged to form a continuous three-dimensional porous network. The present disclosure also provides a method for forming a multilayer article.

Abstract: Compositions include a compound preparable by reaction of components comprising an optionally crosslinked polyethylenimine and at least one an amine-reactive hydrolyzable organosilane represented by the formula R—Z—SiY3. R represents an amine-reactive group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms; Z represents a divalent organic group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and each Y independently represents a hydrolyzable group. Methods of using the compositions to make articles, and articles produces thereby are also disclosed. A composition comprising an intimate mixture of a crosslinked polyethylenimine and a polymeric binder material, and a method of making it is also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions include a water-soluble polymer, silica nanoparticles, and a combination of a nonionic and anionic dispersed in an aqueous liquid phase. The polymer is a water-soluble copolymer of acrylic acid and an acrylamide, or a salt of the same. Methods of using the compositions to clean and coat a substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting a medical device comprises three steps. First, a disinfectant is contacted with a process indicator and the medical device. The disinfectant comprises at least one aldehyde. The process indicator contains a synthetic amine-containing compound disposed on a substrate. The synthetic amine-containing compound comprises at least one of primary amino groups or secondary amino groups, and is reactive with the disinfectant to form at least one adduct. The synthetic amine-containing compound and the medical device are in fluid communication through the disinfectant. A predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion exists for contacting the disinfectant with the medical device. Second, the process indicator is spectrally observed and at least one parameter is obtained therefrom that is predictive of the predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion. The third step is determining that the predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion has been achieved.

Abstract: An anti-fog coating composition is described comprising an aqueous polymeric dispersion; a crosslinker, and a surfactant. The dried and cured coating composition does not exhibit fogging within 8 seconds after being soaked in 25° C. water for 1 hour. In favored embodiments, the dried and cured coating composition does not exhibit fogging within 60 seconds after being soaked in 50° C. water for 24 hours. Also described are articles comprising the dried and cured coating composition disposed on a substrate as well as a method a providing an anti-fog coating on a substrate.

Abstract: A coated article having a substrate coated with a layer of a sulfonate-functional coating, and methods of making and using.

Abstract: A coating composition which imparts antifog, antireflective, easy-cleaning, and/or antistatic properties to substrates coated therewith. The coating compositions utilize nanoparticles functionalized with amine groups and/or protected amine groups, and amine-reactive groups.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer coating composition is described comprising an aqueous liquid medium, fluoropolymer particles dispersed in the aqueous liquid medium, and at least one aziridine compound. The aziridine compound comprises at least two aziridine groups (i.e. polyaziridine) or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. In another embodiment, an article is described comprising a substrate wherein a surface of the substrate comprises a coating comprising fluoropolymer particles; and a reaction product of at least one aziridine compound comprising at least two aziridine groups or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. The coating can be utilized as a primer for bonding a non-fluorinated substrate to a fluoropolymer film and/or the coating can be used as an (e.g. outer exposed) surface layer. In some embodiments, the article may be the (e.g. backside) film of a photovoltaic module.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an amphiphilic copolymer comprising: a) repeating monomeric units comprising a pendant zwitterionic moiety; b) repeating monomeric units comprising a pendant group comprising a fluorine-containing group and at least one heteroatom; and c) optionally, secondary repeating monomeric units comprising a pendant group comprising a functional group selected from the group consisting of phosphate groups, phosphonate groups, sulfonate groups, alkoxysilane groups, carboxylate groups, and any combinations thereof; and wherein the repeating monomeric units of the amphiphilic copolymer independently comprise an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group selected from the group of (meth)acrylate ester containing groups. In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a protective coating composition comprising: a) an amphiphilic co polymer as described above, and b) a solvent comprising water.

Abstract: A composition having pH of 6 or less comprises composite particles dispersed in an aqueous continuous liquid phase. Each composite particle comprises a non-cationic polymer core surrounded by a silica shell consisting essentially of silica particles having a mean particle diameter of 3.2 nanometers or less. The weight ratio of the total amount of the silica in the composition to the total polymer is in a range of 0.2 to 2.2. The composition is useful for making various articles. A method for making the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition having pH of 5 or less comprises composite particles dispersed in an aqueous continuous liquid phase. Each composite particle comprises a polymer core surrounded by a silicaceous shell. From 3 to 50 percent of silicon atoms in the silicaceous shells are bonded to respective organic groups via a silicon-carbon covalent bond. The weight ratio of the total amount of the silica in the composition to the total amount of the at least one polymer is from 0.1 to 19. The composition is useful for making various articles. A method for making the composition is also disclosed. Silicaceous particles dispersed in an aqueous phase, wherein from 3 to 50 percent of silicon atoms in the silicaceous particles are bonded to organic groups via a silicon-carbon covalent bond are also disclosed.

Abstract: Coating compositions are described including silica nanoparticles functionalized with an alkenyl silane, a dispersing agent, and a compound including a polyethylene oxide segment containing at least one hydroxyl group, at least one silane, and optionally a hydrophobic group. The coating compositions further include at least two multifunctional (meth) acrylate monomers. Also described are articles including the dried and cured coating composition disposed on a substrate. The articles exhibit anti-fog characteristics and often also mechanical durability.

Abstract: A coating composition is described comprising: (i) a zwitterionic compound comprising sulfonate-functional groups and alkoxysilane groups and/or silanol-functional groups; (ii) alcohol and/or water; and (iii) a tetraalkoxysilane, oligomers thereof, lithium silicate, sodium silicate, potassium silicate, silica, or combinations thereof, along with coated articles and methods of using.

Abstract: Provided is a coated article comprising a substrate and a dried coating which comprises a first set of spherical silica nanoparticles having an average diameter of less than 20 nm and a second set of spherical silica nanoparticles having an average diameter of 20 nm to 120 nm. The alkoxy silane compound comprises an epoxy functional group or a carboxylic acid functional group. Also provided is a coating composition comprising an acidic aqueous dispersion which comprises the described first and second set of spherical silica nanoparticles and silane compound.