Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrophilic film that causes a liquid to diffuse rapidly in a single direction. The hydrophilic film comprises a substrate having a texture of parallel sunken and raised patterns, and a hydrophilic coat comprising a coat of silicon dioxide particles. The present invention also provides a method for preparing the hydrophilic film. The method comprises: preparing an aqueous dispersion of silicon dioxide particles, wherein the average size of the silicon dioxide particles is 1 to 60 nm, and the concentration of the silicon dioxide particles is 0.05% to 15% by weight; coating the aqueous dispersion of silicon dioxide particles on a substrate, wherein the substrate has a texture of parallel sunken and raised patterns; and drying the substrate coated with the aqueous dispersion of silicon dioxide particles.

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: Spore carriers suitable for use in biological indicators are described. The spore carriers include a substrate such as polymeric film or non-woven web with a hydrophilic nanostructured layer bonded to it. Spores are bonded to the nanostructured layer. Nanostructured layers including nanoparticles, such as acid-sintered silica nanoparticles are described. Biological indicators including such spore carriers are also described.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the removal of bitumen-containing mud from a substrate includes coating the substrate with a composition comprising nanoparticles and water, such that the bitumen-containing mud that adheres to the coated substrate may be more easily removed from the substrate than from an uncoated substrate. In one embodiment, the composition assists an aqueous terpene-based detergent to more effectively clean bitumen-containing mud from the painted steel undercarriages of trucks used in oil sands operations.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to durable solar mirror films, methods of making durable solar mirror films, and constructions including durable solar mirror films. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a solar mirror film comprising: a multilayer optical film layer including having a coefficient of hygroscopic expansion of less than about 30 ppm per percent relative humidity; and a reflective layer having a coefficient of hygroscopic expansion.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to durable solar mirror films, methods of making durable solar mirror films, and constructions including durable solar mirror films. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a solar mirror film comprising: a multilayer optical film layer including having a coefficient of hygroscopic expansion of less than about 30 ppm per percent relative humidity; and a reflective layer having a coefficient of hygroscopic expansion.

Abstract: Presently described are methods of making coating comprising aqueous fluoropolymer latex dispersions, aqueous fluoropolymer coating compositions, coated substrates, and (e.g. backside) films of photovoltaic cells. In one embodiment, the film comprises at least one fluoropolymer comprising repeat units derived from VF, VDF, or a combination thereof; inorganic oxide nanoparticles; and a compound that reacts with the repeat units derived from VF and VDF to crosslink the fluoropolymer and/or couple the fluoropolymer to the inorganic oxide nanoparticles. In another embodiment, the backside film comprises at least one fluoropolymer comprising repeat units derived from VF, VDF, or a combination thereof; and an amino-substituted organosilane ester or ester equivalent crosslinking compound.

Abstract: A method of coating with an aqueous coating composition having a pH <5 of silica nanoparticles having a, average particle diameter of ?40 nm, silica nanoparticles having an average particle diameter of ?50 nm, and a tetraalkoxysilane. The resulting coatings are substantially uniform in thickness, durably adheres to the substrate, and provides antireflection and or hydrophilic surface properties to the substrate.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer coating composition comprises: fluorinated homopolymer particles dispersed in water, fluorinated copolymer particles dispersed in water, non-fluorinated polymer particles dispersed in water; and at least one aziridine compound comprising at least two aziridine groups. The composition is especially useful in low friction coating for telecommunication cables.

Abstract: Cleanable articles having overcoats with hydrophilic front surfaces and which are siloxane-bonded to an underlying body member. Also, methods of making and using such articles.

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: 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 making a coated article is described comprising providing an inorganic substrate and coating the substrate with a coating composition. The coating composition comprises a plurality of siloxane nanoparticles dispersed in an organic solvent. A portion of the nanoparticles comprise the reaction product of a first alkoxy silane compound having a first organofunctional group and a second organofunctional group of a second compound and the reaction between the first and second organofunctional groups form an organic linking group. The method further comprises drying the coating composition and heating the coated substrate to volatilize the organic linking groups thereby forming a porous surface layer on the inorganic substrate. In another embodiment an article is described comprising an inorganic substrate, such as glass, and a porous inorganic (e.g. silica) surface layer having an average pore size of less than 30 nm.

Abstract: Protective coatings are formed on a reflective surface of a substrate by depositing an aqueous coating composition including dispersed silica-containing nanoparticles, and removing at least a portion of the aqueous phase. In some embodiments, the aqueous coating composition includes an acid having a pKa of <3.5 in an amount effective to produce a pH of less than 5. In other embodiments, the aqueous coating composition includes at least one dispersed (co)polymer, which in some embodiments, forms core-shell particle having a dispersed (co)polymer core surrounded by a shell consisting essentially of silica nanoparticles. In some of these embodiments, the pH is at least 5. Also described are methods of making and using the coating compositions to impart soil and stain accumulation resistance and easy cleaning characteristics to light reflective substrates such as construction articles (e.g., roofing materials), light reflective surfaces (e.g. reflective films) and light transmissive surfaces (e.g.

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: 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: 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: 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: The invention features a coating composition that comprises a non-urethane acrylate or methacrylate compound in combination with a fluorochemical. Typically, the non-urethane (meth)acrylate is an aliphatic or aromatic (meth)acrylate compound and the fluorochemical typically comprises a monofunctional (per)fluoropolyether (meth)acrylate compound. The coating compositions can provide a protective topcoat layer to a variety of substrates, including wood and vinyl.

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