Abstract: A method of synthesizing urethane-free polyfunctional acrylate compounds. The method includes reaction of a polyol with acrylic acid in the presence of an inhibitor. A catalyst may also be present. The catalyst may be an acid and the inhibitor may be a substituted phenol compound. Excess acid may be removed by adding a salt and excess water may be removed by adding a drying agent. The reaction converts alcohol groups of the polyol to acrylate groups to provide a radiation-curable polyfunctional acrylate compound. The reaction is applicable to polyols generally and provides a scalable high yield process for forming urethane-free polyfunctional acrylates over a wide range of molecular weights. Coatings made from the acrylate products exhibit modulus and tensile strength characteristics favorable for primary fiber coatings.

Abstract: A coating composition including a reinforcing agent. The coating composition may include one or more radiation-curable monofunctional monomers, one or more radiation-curable multifunctional monomers or oligomers, a photoinitiator, and a reinforcing agent. The monofunctional monomers, multifunctional monomers, and multifunctional oligomers may include acrylate groups. The reinforcing agent may be an acrylic co-polymer that includes two or more repeat units. At least one of the repeat units includes chemical groups that enable self-association of the acrylic co-polymer. Self-association of the acrylic co-polymer may improve the tensile strength of coatings formed from the coating compositions.

Abstract: An optical fiber is disclosed that includes a primary coating formed from a radiation curable composition that includes a curable cross-linker essentially free of urethane and urea functional groups, a curable diluent, and a non-radiation curable component comprising (thio)urethane and/or (thio)urea groups. The primary coating features low Young's modulus, low Tg, and high tensile strength. The optical fiber exhibits low microbend losses in wire mesh drum and basketweave tests.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are thiophene compounds of formulae (I), (I?), (II), (II?), (II?), and (II??), methods for making such compounds, and methods for making ?-R-substituted fused thiophene compounds by coupling such compounds.

Abstract: Articles utilizing polymeric dielectric materials for gate dielectrics and insulator materials are provided along with methods for making the articles. The articles are useful in electronics-based devices that utilize organic thin film transistors.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions including hereocyclic fused thiophene based compounds, polymers based on fused thiophene compounds, and methods for making the monomer and polymer along with uses in thin film-based and other devices.

Abstract: An optical fiber coating composition is provided. The optical fiber coating composition includes a radiation-curable component, a photoinitiator, and an acrylic polymer having at least one benzophenone group.

Abstract: Coating compositions that include acrylic polymers as reinforcing agents. The coating compositions are radiation-curable and include a multifunctional acrylate component, an acrylic monomer diluent, an acrylic polymer, and a photoinitiator. The acrylic polymer is not radiation-curable and lacks hydrogen-donor groups, urea groups, and urethane groups. The acrylic polymer is non-reactive and does not chemically bond to the crosslinked network formed by curing the acrylate components. Instead, the acrylic polymer reinforces the cured network through physical interactions. Representative acrylic polymers include (meth)acrylates that lack substituents with hydrogen-donor, urea, and urethane groups.

Abstract: An improved process for synthesizing acrylic polymers, which is highly controllable to achieve high molecular weight, high conversion rate, and low polydispersity involves continuously introducing initiator(s), acrylic monomer(s), and optionally other monomers capable of polymerizing with the acrylic monomer(s), into a microchannel of a microreactor having an integral micromixer and an integral heat exchanger.

Abstract: An optical fiber coating composition that includes an acrylic copolymer. The acrylic copolymer is a block copolymer that includes two or more acrylic blocks. The two or more acrylic blocks differ in glass transition temperature (Tg). The acrylic copolymer may include an acrylic block with a Tg above 50° C. and an acrylic block with a Tg below 0° C. Representative monomers from which the repeat units of the acrylic blocks are derived include alkyl(meth)acrylates. In one embodiment, the acrylic copolymer includes an acrylic block with repeat units derived from methylmethacrylate and an acrylic block derived from butylacrylate. The acrylic copolymer lacks urethane groups, lacks urea groups, lacks radiation-curable groups, and is otherwise unreactive with other components in the coating composition. The acrylic copolymer features high solubility in common acrylate-based radiation-curable coating compositions and can be provided at high concentrations in acrylate-based coating compositions.

Abstract: An optical fiber is disclosed that includes a primary coating formed from a radiation curable composition that includes a curable cross-linker essentially free of urethane and urea functional groups, a curable diluent, and a non-radiation curable component comprising (thio)urethane and/or (thio)urea groups. The primary coating features low Young's modulus, low Tg, and high tensile strength. The optical fiber exhibits low microbend losses in wire mesh drum and basketweave tests.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I), formula (II), or a combination thereof, and salts thereof is described. Each A may be independently an optionally substituted conjugated species or an optionally substituted aromatic species. Each R may be independently an optionally substituted C1-C40 linear alkyl chain, an optionally substituted branched alkyl chain, an optionally substituted alkyl chain containing heteroatoms, substituted alkyl chains, or H. Each R2 may be independently an optionally substituted C1-C40 linear alkyl chain, an optionally substituted branched alkyl chain, an optionally substituted alkyl chain containing heteroatoms, substituted alkyl chains, H, or part of a cyclic boronate ester with an other R2. Each n may be independently less than or equal to 3 and greater than or equal to 1. Each x may be independently less than or equal to 3.

Abstract: A low cost composition that cures rapidly and which is suitable for coating an optical fiber comprises at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer; at least one photoinitiator; and at least one non-radiation-curable polar polymer having pendent groups that facilitate low energy chemical bonding, hydrogen bonding, dipolar interactions or other interactions with radical compounds formed during polymerization of the monomer. The non-radiation-curable polar polymer(s) are inexpensive and reduce and/or eliminate the need for expensive urethane acrylate oligomers, without sacrificing properties, and while achieving rapid cure speeds.

Abstract: Coating compositions that include acrylic polymers as reinforcing agents. The coating compositions are radiation-curable and include a multifunctional acrylate component, an acrylic monomer diluent, an acrylic polymer, and a photoinitiator. The acrylic polymer is not radiation-curable and lacks hydrogen-donor groups, urea groups, and urethane groups. The acrylic polymer is non-reactive and does not chemically bond to the crosslinked network formed by curing the acrylate components. Instead, the acrylic polymer reinforces the cured network through physical interactions. Representative acrylic polymers include (meth)acrylates that lack substituents with hydrogen-donor, urea, and urethane groups.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I), formula (II), or a combination thereof, and salts thereof is described. Each A may be independently an optionally substituted conjugated species or an optionally substituted aromatic species. Each R may be independently an optionally substituted C1-C40 linear alkyl chain, an optionally substituted branched alkyl chain, an optionally substituted alkyl chain containing heteroatoms, substituted alkyl chains, or H. Each R2 may be independently an optionally substituted C1-C40 linear alkyl chain, an optionally substituted branched alkyl chain, an optionally substituted alkyl chain containing heteroatoms, substituted alkyl chains, H, or part of a cyclic boronate ester with an other R2. Each n may be independently less than or equal to 3 and greater than or equal to 1. Each x may be independently less than or equal to 3.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to thiophene-based ditin compounds and methods of making and using such compounds. The disclosed compounds are novel structures having organotin groups on a conjugated aryl group spaced from and adjacent to a fused thiophene moiety. The formation of trialkyl tin groups spaced away from the fused thiophene moieties is advantageous in that it allows for novel polymerization via Stille coupling.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I), formula (II), or a combination thereof, and salts thereof is described. Each A may be independently an optionally substituted conjugated species or an optionally substituted aromatic species. Each R may be independently an optionally substituted C1-C40 linear alkyl chain, an optionally substituted branched alkyl chain, an optionally substituted alkyl chain containing heteroatoms, substituted alkyl chains, or H. Each R2 may be independently an optionally substituted C1-C40 linear alkyl chain, an optionally substituted branched alkyl chain, an optionally substituted alkyl chain containing heteroatoms, substituted alkyl chains, H, or part of a cyclic boronate ester with an other R2. Each n may be independently less than or equal to 3 and greater than or equal to 1. Each x may be independently less than or equal to 3.

Abstract: Described herein are heterocyclic organic compounds of following formulae: More specifically, described herein are fused heterocyclic naphthalene compounds, polymers based on fused heterocyclic naphthalene compounds, methods for making these compounds, and uses thereof. The compounds described have improved polymerization and stability properties that allow for improved material processibility for use as organic semiconductors (OSCs).

Abstract: A formulation including: an organic semiconducting material; and a carrier liquid including at least one of: a first liquid of the formulas (III) or (II): or mixtures of formulas (III) and (II); and a second liquid of a saturated or unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbylene compound of the formula (I): where the respective R1-8, x, and n are as defined herein, and optionally a tertiary liquid carrier, as defined herein. Also disclosed are semiconducting articles prepared with the formulations as defined herein.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing urethane-free polyfunctional acrylate compounds. The method includes reaction of a polyol with acrylic acid in the presence of an inhibitor. A catalyst may also be present. The catalyst may be an acid and the inhibitor may be a substituted phenol compound. Excess acid may be removed by adding a salt and excess water may be removed by adding a drying agent. The reaction converts alcohol groups of the polyol to acrylate groups to provide a radiation-curable polyfunctional acrylate compound. The reaction is applicable to polyols generally and provides a scalable high yield process for forming urethane-free polyfunctional acrylates over a wide range of molecular weights. Coatings made from the acrylate products exhibit modulus and tensile strength characteristics favorable for primary fiber coatings.