Abstract: Pre-exfoliated natural or synthetic, modified or unmodified layered materials are prepared by mixing layered materials with one or more plastics additives selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet light absorbers, hindered amine light stabilizers, antioxidants, colorants, flame retardants, antimicrobials and fatty acid additives and melt extruding the mixture. The layered materials are for example modified or unmodified layered silicate clays. The galleries of the layered materials in the mixtures are expanded to a level of less than full exfoliation. The melt extruded mixtures of layered materials and additives are highly useful to prepare polymer nanocomposites.

Abstract: The present disclosure is aimed at flame retardant thermoplastic polymer compositions. The flame retardant compositions are advantageously antimony free. The compositions contain an effective flame retarding amount of a combination of one or more bismuth compounds selected from the group consisting of bismuth oxychloride, bismuth oxyfluoride, bismuth oxybromide, bismuth oxyiodide and bismuth oxynitrate and one or more organobromine flame retardants, for instance decabromodiphenyl ether (decabromodiphenyl oxide) or tris[3-bromo-2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propyl]phosphate. The thermoplastic polymer is for instance polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene/polyethylene copolymer or thermoplastic olefin. The present formulations advantageously contain no antimony trioxide and achieve V0 according to the UL 94 flammability test.

Abstract: Pre-exfoliated natural or synthetic, modified or unmodified layered materials are prepared by mixing layered materials with one or more plastics additives selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet light absorbers, hindered amine light stabilizers, antioxidants, colorants, flame retardants, antimicrobials and fatty acid additives and melt extruding the mixture. The layered materials are for example modified or unmodified layered silicate clays. The galleries of the layered materials in the mixtures are expanded to a level of less than full exfoliation. The melt extruded mixtures of layered materials and additives are highly useful to prepare polymer nanocomposites.

Abstract: The present disclosure is aimed at flame retardant thermoplastic polymer compositions. The flame retardant compositions are advantageously antimony free. The compositions contain an effective flame retarding amount of a combination of one or more bismuth compounds selected from the group consisting of bismuth oxychloride, bismuth oxyfluoride, bismuth oxybromide, bismuth oxyiodide and bismuth oxynitrate and one or more organobromine flame retardants, for instance decabromodiphenyl ether (decabromodiphenyl oxide) or tris[3-bromo-2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propyl]phosphate. The thermoplastic polymer is for instance polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene/polyethylene copolymer or thermoplastic olefin. The present formulations advantageously contain no antimony trioxide and achieve V0 according to the UL 94 flammability test.

Abstract: Bioanodes, biocathodes, and biofuel cells comprising an electron conductor, at least one anode organelle or cathode organelle, and an organelle immobilization material. The anode organelle is capable of reacting with a fuel fluid to produce an oxidized form of the fuel fluid, and capable of releasing electrons to the electron conductor. The cathode organelle is capable of reacting with an oxidant to produce water, and capable of gaining electrons from the electron conductor. The organelle immobilization material for both the anode organelle and the cathode organelle is capable of immobilizing the organelle, and is permeable to the fuel fluid and/or the oxidant. In various embodiments, the organelle immobilization material is further capable of stabilizing the organelle.