Abstract: A solidifying material for a cell electrolyte solution is a block copolymer, which comprises, as segments A, a polymer non-compatible with the cell electrolyte solution and, as segments B, a polymer compatible with the cell electrolyte solution. The solidifying material absorbs and solidifies the cell electrolyte solution. A smallest unit of the block copolymer is A-B-A. To each of the segments B, at least one group selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group, an ester group, a hydroxyl group, a sulfonic group, an amino group, a cyclic carbonate group and a polyoxyalkylene group is bonded via a —S— bond or a —C— bond.

Abstract: A high-molecular gelling agent precursor for an electrolyte comprises a copolymer formed of (A) a hydrophobic monomer having a hydrophobic group, which forms a carboxyl group upon saponification, and (B) a hydrophobic polyfunctional monomer. The saponification product of the copolymer has property to gel the electrolyte. A high-molecular gelling agent for the electrolyte is produced by saponifying the precursor with a saponifying agent selected from the group consisting of acids and alkalis while using a reaction medium selected from the group consisting of water and hydrophobic organic solvents.

Abstract: A desalting method for raw water with at least a water-soluble salt contained therein comprises the following first and second steps: (1) removing water from said raw water to concentrate said raw water; and (2) removing at least a part of said water-soluble salt from the resulting concentrated rawwater. This method can conduct the desalting of raw water, which contains at least a water-soluble salt, industrially and economically.

Abstract: A solidifying material for a cell electrolyte solution is a block copolymer, which comprises, as segments A, a polymer non-compatible with the cell electrolyte solution and, as segments B, a polymer compatible with the cell electrolyte solution. The solidifying material absorbs and solidifies the cell electrolyte solution. A smallest unit of the block copolymer is A-B-A. To each of the segments B, at least one group selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group, an ester group, a hydroxyl group, a sulfonic group, an amino group, a cyclic carbonate group and a polyoxyalkylene group is bonded via a −S— bond or a —C— bond.

Abstract: A solidifying material for a cell electrolyte solution is a block copolymer, which comprises, as segments A, a polymer non-compatible with the cell electrolyte solution and, as segments B, a polymer compatible with the cell electrolyte solution. The solidifying material absorbs and solidifies the cell electrolyte solution. A smallest unit of the block copolymer is A-B-A. To each of the segments B, at least one group selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group, an ester group, a hydroxyl group, a sulfonic group, an amino group, a cyclic carbonate group and a polyoxyalkylene group is bonded via a —S— bond or a —C— bond.

Abstract: A charge mosaic membrane having excellent selective permeability comprises a cationic polymer component, an anionic polymer component and a matrix component. Both of the cationic polymer component and the anionic polymer component are crosslinked particulate polymers. The matrix component is at least one polymer selected from a polysulfone resin, a polyarylate resin, a polyamide resin, a polyimide resin, a polyamideimide resin, a polyurethane resin, a fluorinated resin or a silicone resin. The charge mosaic membrane can be easily produced by conducting formation of the membrane by using a composition in which the cationic polymer component and the anionic polymer component are both dispersed in a solution of the matrix component in an organic solvent.

Abstract: A charge mosaic membrane having excellent selective permeability comprises a cationic polymer component, an anionic polymer component and a matrix component. Both of the cationic polymer component and the anionic polymer component are crosslinked particulate polymers. The matrix component is at least one polymer selected from a polysulfone resin, a polyarylate resin, a polyamide resin, a polyimide resin, a polyamideimide resin, a polyurethane resin, a fluorinated resin or a silicone resin. The charge mosaic membrane can be easily produced by conducting formation of the membrane by using a composition in which the cationic polymer component and the anionic polymer component are both dispersed in a solution of the matrix component in an organic solvent.

Abstract: A pigment dispersion is composed of a pigment, a polymer and a solvent. The polymer has, on side chains thereof, carboxyl groups derived from a dibasic acid. The pigment dispersion is useful for writing instruments and printers.

Abstract: A high-molecular gelling agent precursor for an electrolyte comprises a copolymer formed of (A) a hydrophobic monomer having a hydrophobic group, which forms a carboxyl group upon saponification, and (B) a hydrophobic polyfunctional monomer. The saponification product of the copolymer has property to gel the electrolyte. A high-molecular gelling agent for the electrolyte is produced by saponifying the precursor with a saponifying agent selected from the group consisting of acids and alkalis while using a reaction medium selected from the group consisting of water and hydrophobic organic solvents.

Abstract: A pigment dispersion is composed of a pigment, a polymer and a solvent. The polymer has, on side chains thereof, carboxyl groups derived from a dibasic acid. The pigment dispersion is useful for writing instruments and printers.

Abstract: An ion-selective membrane is formed integrally of an ion-selective membrane forming component and a woven-fabric-shaped backing. The ion-selective membrane forming component comprises a cationic polymer component and/or an anionic polymer component and a matrix component. Each of the ionic polymer components is a particulate polymer having an average particle size in a range of from 0.01 to 10 &mgr;m. The woven-fabric-shaped backing has a meshed structure. The ion-selective membrane can be produced by forming it while maintaining a layer of a coating formulation, in which the ionic polymer component is dispersed in a solution or dispersion of the matrix component in an organic solvent, in close contact with the woven-fabric-shaped backing. The ion-selective membrane is useful for the permeation of an electrolyte. An apparatus provided with the ion-selective membrane is also provided.

Abstract: A solidifying material for a cell electrolyte solution is a block copolymer, which comprises, as segments A, a polymer non-compatible with the cell electrolyte solution and, as segments B, a polymer compatible with the cell electrolyte solution. The solidifying material absorbs and solidifies the cell electrolyte solution. A smallest unit of the block copolymer is A-B-A. To each of the segments B, at least one group selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group, an ester group, a hydroxyl group, a sulfonic group, an amino group, a cyclic carbonate group and a polyoxyalkylene group is bonded via a —S— bond or a —C— bond.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of connected microgel particles. According to the process, starting microgel particles having particle sizes of 100-0.01 .mu.m and a particle size distribution whose standard deviation is not greater than 100% of a mean particle size of the starting microgel particles are dispersed in a matrix component. The starting microgel particles are soaked with a monomer. The monomer is then polymerized, whereby the starting microgels are connected together. Also disclosed is an article comprising a base material and a layer of such connected microgel particles formed on a surface of the base material.

Abstract: An anti-corrosive organic pigment is prepared by mixing a lignin type compound with urea, a urea derivative, melamine, a melamine derivative, ammonia or an ammonium salt, condensing the components of the mixture by heating the mixture in a molten form, and then pulverizing or dispersing the reaction mixture to form a pigment.