Abstract: Inclusion of a needle structured sepiolite clay in a chitosan film in an amount of about 0.5 weight percent to about 8 weight percent was found to reduce shrinkage of the film. The clay is processed into a substantially dispersed form. Laminates fabricated from this chitosan film including dispersed sepiolite clay can be used in making a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: Inclusion of a needle structured clay or the plate structured clay sodium montmorillonite in a chitosan film was found to reduce shrinkage of the film. The needle structured clay is purified and processed into a substantially dispersed form by subjecting an aqueous slurry of the clay with water-soluble phosphate dispersant to a high pressure, high shear mixing process or to sonication. Laminates fabricated from chitosan film including dispersed clay can be used in make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: A method for making polyester nanocomposite materials by polymerization in the presence of exfoliated fibrous clay nanoparticles includes dispersing the nanoparticles in a mixture of diol, water, and sodium salt before polymerization, thereby improving the dispersion of the nanoparticles in the final nanocomposite. This results in enhanced mechanical properties, such as modulus, in articles made from the nanocomposite.

Abstract: A method for making polyester nanocomposite materials by polymerization in the presence of exfoliated fibrous clay nanoparticles includes dispersing the nanoparticles in a mixture of diol, water, and sodium salt before polymerization, thereby improving the dispersion of the nanoparticles in the final nanocomposite. This results in enhanced mechanical properties, such as modulus, in articles made from the nanocomposite.

Abstract: Inclusion of a needle structured clay or the plate structured clay sodium montmorillonite in a chitosan film was found to reduce shrinkage of the film. The clay is processed into a substantially dispersed form. Laminates fabricated from this chitosan film including dispersed clay can be used in make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing polymer-coated particles is useful for chemical mechanical polishing magnetic, optical, semiconductor or silicon substrates. First it provides a dispersion of particle cores in a non-aqueous solvent. Then introducing a polymeric precursor into the dispersion to react the polymeric precursor forms a polymer. The polymer coats at least a portion of the surface of the particle cores with the polymer and forms the polymer-coated particles having a solid outer polymeric shell. Substituting the non-aqueous solvent with water forms an aqueous mixture containing the polymer-coated particles. And it forms an aqueous chemical mechanical polishing formulation with the polymer-coated particles without drying the polymer-coated particles.

Abstract: The polishing composition is suitable for chemical mechanical polishing magnetic, optical, semiconductor or silicon substrates. The polishing composition includes abrasive particles in a liquid media. The abrasive particles have a particle core, the particle core having a hardness and a polymeric shell physisorbed to and encapsulating the particle core. The polymeric shell has a solid structure and a hardness lower than the hardness of the particle core. The abrasive particles have an average particle size of less than or equal to about 2 micrometers dispersed in the liquid media.

Abstract: The polishing composition is suitable for chemical mechanical polishing magnetic, optical, semiconductor or silicon substrates. The polishing composition includes abrasive particles in a liquid media. The abrasive particles have a particle core, the particle core having a hardness and a polymeric shell physisorbed to and encapsulating the particle core. The polymeric shell has a solid structure and a hardness lower than the hardness of the particle core. The abrasive particles have an average particle size of less than or equal to about 2 micrometers dispersed in the liquid media.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing polymer-coated particles is useful for chemical mechanical polishing magnetic, optical, semiconductor or silicon substrates. First it provides a dispersion of particle cores in a non-aqueous solvent. Then introducing a polymeric precursor into the dispersion to react the polymeric precursor forms a polymer. The polymer coats at least a portion of the surface of the particle cores with the polymer and forms the polymer-coated particles having a solid outer polymeric shell. Substituting the non-aqueous solvent with water forms an aqueous mixture containing the polymer-coated particles. And it forms an aqueous chemical mechanical polishing formulation with the polymer-coated particles without drying the polymer-coated particles.