Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-corrosion solution comprising reaction products of the following reaction components: 1-30 wt % of a tetraalkyl orthosilicate, with the total weight of said anti-corrosion solution being 100 wt %; 0.2-6.0 wt % of a metal salt, with the total weight of said anti-corrosion solution being 100 wt %, said metal salt comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of: an aluminum salt, a strontium salt, a chromium salt, a zirconium salt and a cerium salt; an acid; 3-90 wt % of water, with the total weight of said anti-corrosion solution being 100 wt %; 4-95 wt % of an alcohol, with the total weight of said anti-corrosion solution being 100 wt %; said anti-corrosion solution having a pH value less than or equal to 4. The anti-corrosion solution provided by the present invention can form a dense transparent anti-corrosion coating layer on a substrate surface, the anti-corrosion coating layer having a good corrosion resistance performance.

Abstract: Hydrophilic articles and methods of using such articles are described. The hydrophilic articles include a hydrophilic layer comprising sintered, acidified silica nanoparticles attached to a substrate. A spacer layer attached to a first portion of the hydrophilic layer defines at least one fluid transport channel bounded on one side by a second portion of the hydrophilic layer. The nanoparticles may include one or both of spherical and elongated nanoparticles.

Abstract: Articles having poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and silica nanoparticle multilayer coatings are provided. More specifically, the articles include a substrate and a multilayer coating attached to the substrate. The multilayer coating includes a silica layer that is the outermost layer, the silica layer containing acid-sintered interconnected silica nanoparticles arranged to form a continuous three-dimensional porous network. The multilayer coating also includes a PVA layer disposed between a surface of the substrate and the outermost silica layer. The PVA and silica nanoparticle coatings can be used on a large variety of substrates and tend to be resistant to impacts, scratches, wet abrasions, soil and fog.

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 making and using.

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: Articles having crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and silica nanoparticle multilayer coatings are provided. More specifically, articles including a substrate, and a multilayer coating attached to the substrate are provided. The multilayer coating includes a first crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) layer and a first silica layer. The first crosslinked PVA layer is an outermost layer of the multilayer coating. The first silica layer comprises a plurality of acid-sintered interconnected silica nanoparticles arranged to form a continuous three-dimensional porous network. The PVA and silica nanoparticle multilayer coatings can be used on a large variety of substrates and tend to be resistant to wet and dry abrasions, scratches, and impacts.

Abstract: Articles having poly(vinyl alcohol)-containing (PVA-containing) and silica nanoparticle multilayer coatings are provided. More specifically, articles include a substrate and a multilayer coating attached to the substrate. The multilayer coating includes a first silica layer and a first PVA-containing layer. The first silica layer is a primer layer of the multilayer coating, and the silica layer comprises a plurality of acid-sintered interconnected silica nanoparticles arranged to form a continuous three-dimensional porous network. The PVA-containing and silica nanoparticle multilayer coatings can be used on a large variety of substrates and tend to be resistant to wet and dry abrasions, scratches, and impacts.

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 coating composition comprising an aqueous media comprising silica nanoparticles dispersed in the aqueous media, and clay particles dispersed in the aqueous media, wherein a weight ratio of the clay particles to the silica nanoparticles is in a range from 0.01 to 0.25, and wherein the coating composition has a pH of less than or equal to 4. Articles having an outermost layer having an amorphous silica network of silica nanoparticles and clay particles dispersed in the amorphous silica network.

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: Static dissipative coatings that include a multilayer antistatic coating on a substrate, the multilayer antistatic coating including a buried clay/nanosilica layer and an overcoat layer, wherein the overcoat layer comprises a fluoropolymer, a silicone, or a hydrocarbon polymer, and methods for providing a multilayer antistatic coating on the surface of a substrate.

Abstract: The disclosure provides microstructured articles and methods useful for detecting an analyte in a sample. The articles include microwell arrays. The articles can be used with an optical system component in methods to detect or characterize an analyte.

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 coating composition is provided comprising a) an aqueous dispersion, having a pH of less than 7.5, of silica nanoparticles having average particle diameters of 40 nanometers or less, b) an alkoxysilane oligomer; c) a silane coupling agent, and d) optionally a metal ?-diketone complexing agent. The compositions may be used to prepare coated articles wherein the coating is substantially uniform in thickness, durably adheres to the substrate, and provides hydrophilic and/or antireflection surface properties to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention features an article comprising a reactive substrate that forms a covalent or hydrogen bond with a surface layer. The surface layer of the article comprises the reaction product of at least one monoterminated (per)fluoropolyether (meth)acryl compound and at least one monomer or oligomer having at least two (meth)acryl groups.

Abstract: A method of making a coatable composition includes: a) providing a initial composition comprising silica nanoparticles dispersed in an aqueous liquid medium, wherein the silica nanoparticles have a particle size distribution with an average particle size of less than or equal to 20 nanometers, and wherein the silica sol has a pH greater than 6; b) acidifying the initial composition to a pH of less than or equal to 4 using inorganic acid to provide an acidified composition; and c) dissolving at least one metal compound in the acidified composition to provide a coatable composition. Coatable compositions, wear-resistant compositions, preparable by the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a coatable composition includes: providing a first composition comprising silica nanoparticles dispersed in an aqueous liquid vehicle, wherein the silica nanoparticles have an average particle size of less than or equal to 100 nanometers, 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, wherein said at least one metal compound comprises a titanium compound. Coatable compositions and photocatalytic compositions, preparable by the method, are also disclosed. Photocatalytic articles including the photocatalytic compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a coatable composition includes: a) providing a initial composition comprising silica nanoparticles dispersed in an aqueous liquid medium, wherein the silica nanoparticles have a particle size distribution with an average particle size of less than or equal to 100 nanometers, and wherein the silica sol has a pH greater than 6; b) acidifying the initial composition to a pH of less than or equal to 4 using inorganic acid to provide an acidified composition; and c) dissolving at least one metal compound in the acidified composition to provide a coatable composition. The at least one metal compound includes at least one of a silver compound, a zinc compound, and a copper compound. Coatable compositions, antimicrobial compositions, preparable by the method are also disclosed. Antimicrobial articles including the antimicrobial compositions are also disclosed.

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: 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.