Abstract: The present invention relates to composites comprising rigid-rod polymers and graphene nanoparticles, processes for the preparation thereof, nanocomposite films and fibers comprising such composites and articles containing such nanocomposite films and fibers.

Abstract: Process for the fabrication and manufacture of highly porous open-cell structures using templates that are formed by mechanical pressing, injection molding, sintering, or any combination thereof. The processing scheme includes coating, filling or depositing a material on, or inside the porous template. The highly porous structure results after the selective removal of the template and can be used for various applications such as electrochemical energy storage devices including high power and high-energy lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composites comprising rigid-rod polymers and graphene nanoparticles, processes for the preparation thereof, nanocomposite films and fibers comprising such composites and articles containing such nanocomposite films and fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composites comprising rigid-rod polymers and graphene nanoparticles, processes for the preparation thereof, nanocomposite films and fibers comprising such composites and articles containing such nanocomposite films and fibers.

Abstract: Process for the fabrication of an electrode structure comprising an electrochemically active material suitable for use in an energy storage device. The method includes electrodepositing the electrochemically active material onto an electrode in electrodeposition bath containing a non-aqueous electrolyte. The electrode structure can be used for various applications such as electrochemical energy storage devices including high power and high-energy lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: Process for the fabrication and manufacture of highly porous open-cell structures using templates that are formed by mechanical pressing, injection molding, sintering, or any combination thereof. The processing scheme includes coating, filling or depositing a material on, or inside the porous template. The highly porous structure results after the selective removal of the template and can be used for various applications such as electrochemical energy storage devices including high power and high-energy lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composites comprising rigid-rod polymers and graphene nanoparticles, processes for the preparation thereof, nanocomposite films and fibers comprising such composites and articles containing such nanocomposite films and fibers.

Abstract: Rigid-rod copolymer compositions incorporating PBO (poly(p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole)), DiOH-PBO (poly(2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-phenylenebenzobisoxazole), DiOH-PBI (poly(2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-phenylenebenzobisimidazole)), DiOH-PyBI (poly(2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-phenylenepyridobisimidazole), PBZT (poly(p-phenylenebenzobisthiazole)) and its corresponding dihydroxy analogues attached to a flexibilizing hexafluoroisopropylidene linkage are described. Also described are their fabrication into fibers by a dry jet wet spinning technique and the measured fiber mechanical properties. The copolymer compositions are highly flame-resistant and have potential utility for fire-protective clothing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a polymer dielectric composition incorporating diamondoids or diamond-like hydrocarbon units. The method includes forming a polymer solution from the cardo-diol 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene and a diacid chloride, casting a freestanding thin polyester film from the polymer solution, and metallizing the polyester film with an evaporated Al layer to form the dielectric composition. The diacid chloride may be derived from trans-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid; 1,3-adamantanedicarboxylic acid; or 4,9-diamantanedicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Rigid-rod copolymer compositions incorporating PBO (poly(p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole)), DiOH-PBO (poly(2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-phenylenebenzobisoxazole), DiOH-PBI (poly(2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-phenylenebenzobisimidazole)), DiOH-PyBI (poly(2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-phenylenepyridobisimidazole), PBZT (poly(p-phenylenebenzobisthiazole)) and its corresponding dihydroxy analogues attached to a flexibilizing hexafluoroisopropylidene linkage are described. Also described are their fabrication into fibers by a dry jet wet spinning technique and the measured fiber mechanical properties. The copolymer compositions are highly flame-resistant and have potential utility for fire-protective clothing.

Abstract: A sulfonated polyarylenethioethersulfone polymer and copolymer. The sulfonated polyarylenethioethersulfone polymer and copolymer comprises the reaction product of an aromatic dihalo functionality sulfonated monomer, an aromatic dithiol monomer, and optionally an aromatic dihalo functionality monomer. The invention also relates to methods of making the sulfonated polyarylenethioethersulfone polymer and copolymer, and to membranes made from the sulfonated polyarylenethioethersulfone polymer and copolymer.

Abstract: Polyaryleneetherketone triphenylphosphine oxide compositions incorporating cycloaliphatic units are provided which may be used as a polymeric binders in thermal control coatings for use in space environments. A method is also provided for synthesizing the polyaryleneetherketone triphenylphosphine oxide compositions. A method is also provided for synthesizing the monomeric compositions used to make the polyaryleneetherketone triphenylphosphine oxide compositions.

Abstract: A benzobisazole polymer having repeating units of the formula: wherein Q is and wherein Z is —O—, —S— or —NH—. A new method for preparing 1,5-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid from 1,5-diaminonaphthalene under relatively mild conditions in good yields is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising rigid-rod polymers and carbon nanotubes. The compositions comprise dispersed carbon nanotubes aligned with rigid-rod polymers. The alignment of the nanotubes and polymers can be liquid crystalline. The rigid-rod polymers of this invention include, but are not limited to, polymers and copolymers comprising benzobisazole, pyridobisimidazole and benzamidazobenzo-phenanthroline repeat units. Dispersion of carbon nanotubes is achieved by in-situ polymerization in the presence of the carbon nanotubes, which may be either single-wall or multi-wall or a combination of both. The polymer compositions comprising carbon nanotubes may be spun into fibers or formed into films. The strength of the resulting fibers of the present invention is significantly greater than that of fibers without carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising rigid-rod polymers and carbon nanotubes. The compositions comprise dispersed carbon nanotubes aligned with rigid-rod polymers. The alignment of the nanotubes and polymers can be liquid crystalline. The rigid-rod polymers of this invention include, but are not limited to, polymers and copolymers comprising benzobisazole, pyridobisimidazole and benzamidazobenzo-phenanthroline repeat units. Dispersion of carbon nanotubes is achieved by in-situ polymerization in the presence of the carbon nanotubes, which may be either single-wall or multi-wall or a combination of both. The polymer compositions comprising carbon nanotubes may be spun into fibers or formed into films. The strength of the resulting fibers of the present invention is significantly greater than that of fibers without carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Oxyallyl pendent polymer system having repeating units of the formulae hereinafter referred to as structure A, wherein x has a value of about 0.1 to 1.0 and y has a value of 1.0-x, and hereinafter referred to as structure B, wherein the sum of p+q has a value of about 0.1 to 1.0, r has a value of 1.0-(p+q) and the molar ratio of p:q is about 9:1 to 1:9, wherein Bz is a benzazole unit selected from the group consisting of wherein X is —O—, —S— or —NH—, and R is selected from the group consisting of and wherein Ar is an aromatic group.

Abstract: Benzobisazole polymers having repeating units of the formula wherein Z is wherein X is —S—, —O— or —NH—.

Abstract: Allyl pendent benzazole polymer system having repeating units of the formula: wherein Bz is a benzazole unit selected from the group consisting of wherein X is —O—, —S— or —NH—, and R is selected from the group consisting of wherein Ar is an aromatic group; and wherein x has a value of about 1.0 to 0.1 and y has a value of 1.0−x.

Abstract: A polymer system having repeating units of the formula: ##STR1## wherein A is --H or --OH, x has a value of 0.5 to 1.0 and y has a value of 1.0-x, exhibits a high glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) and a low dielectric constant. The polymer system is useful in the area of microelectronic packaging.

Abstract: Molecular dispersions of rigid-rod polybenzobisazole polymer/copolymer in thermoplastic matrices in a weight ratio of about 1:99 to 50:50 are prepared by dissolving the rigid-rod polymer in an alcoholic or aprotic solvent, dissolving the thermoplastic polymer in an alcoholic or aprotic solvent, combining the two solutions and recovering the resulting molecular composite from the combined solution. These molecular dispersions consist essentially of rigid-rod polybenzobisazole polymer/copolymer having sulfonic acid groups pendant to the polymer/copolymer backbone and thermoplastic polymers selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyridines, poly(arylene ether ketone)s with a pyridyl functionality, aromatic poly(pyridine ether)s and poly(pyridine ether sulfone) copolymers, and polyimides with a pyridyl functionality.