Abstract: A zirconia sol having zirconia crystals with an average primary particle size less than 20 nm is provided, wherein more than 90% of thezirconia crystals exist in the form of tetragonal and cubic crystal lattice structures. The zirconia sol has a transmittance more than 70% when the amount of the zirconia crystals in the zirconia sol is about 20 wt %.

Abstract: A fuel composition for fuel cells includes a polar solvent such as water, a first portion of a first fuel dissolved in the solvent at a saturated concentration, and a second portion of the first fuel suspended in the solvent to serve as a reservoir of fuel as the dissolved portion is consumed. Preferably, the first fuel is a hydride such as NaBH4. Optionally, the fuel composition also includes a second fuel such as an alcohol that also controls the solubility of the first fuel in the solvent, inhibits decomposition of the first fuel and stabilizes the suspension. Preferably, the fuel composition also includes an additive such as an alkali for stabilizing the first fuel.

Abstract: A metal nanoparticle colloid solution, metal-polymer nanocomposites, and methods for preparing the same are provided. The metal nanoparticle colloid solution and the metal-polymer nanocomposites can be prepared with a variety of polymeric stabilizers and have uniform particle diameter and shape. The metal nanoparticle colloid solution and the metal-polymer nanocomposites have wide applications, for example, as an antibacterial agent, a sterilizer, a conductive adhesiv, conductive ink or an electromagnetic wave shielder for an image display.

Abstract: A dispersant composition comprising (A) 20-80% by weight of an acetylene glycol or ethoxylated acetylene glycol and (B) 20-80% by weight of a graft product of an allyl alcohol-maleic anhydride-styrene copolymer with a polyoxyalkylene monoalkyl ether, comprising (a) polyoxyalkylene monoalkyl ether units, (b) maleic anhydride units, and (c) styrene units, in a compositional ratio a:b:c of 25-40:25-40:25-40 in mole percent, and having a {overscore (Mw)} of 1,000-50,000 exerts improved dispersing, anti-foaming and viscosity-reducing effects, when used in small amounts in dispersing of inorganic particulates.

Abstract: A process of producing an organically modified metal oxide wherein an aqueous slurry of a metal oxide which can be peptized in the presence of an acid is admixed with an aqueous slurry of an organo silane having the formula RySiX4-y, the mixture of the aqueous slurry and the organo silane being thermally aged to produce a colloidial metal oxide sol which can be dried to produce a powder which is readily dispersible in polar compounds such as alcohols, water and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a hexagonal boron nitride slurry and the resulting slurry. The method involves mixing from about 0.5 wt. % to about 5 wt. % surfactant with about 30 wt. % to about 50 wt. % hexagonal boron nitride powder in a medium under conditions effective to produce a hexagonal boron nitride slurry. The present invention also relates to a method for making a spherical boron nitride powder and a method for making a hexagonal boron nitride paste using a hexagonal boron nitride slurry. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a hexagonal boron nitride paste including from about 60 wt. % to about 80 wt. % solid hexagonal boron nitride. Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a spherical boron nitride powder, a polymer blend including a polymer and the spherical hexagonal boron nitride powder, and a system including such a polymer blend.

Abstract: The present invention provides an easy-to-handle biopolymer composite ion-exchanger with high cesium selectivity, and method for manufacturing this ion-exchanger with ease and good reproducibility, and relates to a cesium separation/recovery agent comprising a composite ion-exchanger with high cesium selectivity by employing a calcium alginate gel as a matrix and loading this matrix with an inorganic ion-exchanger; and to a manufacturing method therefor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making a binder, especially for mineral wool products comprising the steps of dissolving a particulate mineral material having a glassy amnorphous structure in an aqueous solution, nucleating and stabilizing the so obtained solution to form a sol having the desired particle size, and optionally adjusting the dry matter content of the sol. The invention also concerns a method for the production of a mineral wool product using the said binder for binding the fibers.

Abstract: A dispersant composition comprising (A) 20-80% by weight of an acetylene glycol or ethoxylated acetylene glycol and (B) 20-80% by weight of a graft product of an allyl alcohol-maleic anhydride-styrene copolymer with a polyoxyalkylene monoalkyl ether, comprising (a) polyoxyalkylene monoalkyl ether units, (b) maleic anhydride units, and (c) styrene units, in a compositional ratio a:b:c of 25-40:25-40:25-40 in mole percent, and having a {overscore (Mw)} of 1,000-50,000 exerts improved dispersing, anti-foaming and viscosity-reducing effects, when used in small amounts in dispersing of inorganic particulates.

Abstract: Aqueous pigment dispersions include branched alcohol alkoxylates of formula (I) as set forth in the specification and claims. The total dispersant used may include at least 40% by weight of the branched alcohol alkoxylate. The pigment dispersion is effective for a wide variety of pigments, including, inorganic pigments, organic pigments and carbon black. The pigment dispersions are useful, for example, in paints and other surface coatings.

Abstract: In TFT (10), the channel region (15) towering over the gate electrode (14) through the gate insulation film (12), the source region (16) connecting to the channel (15) and the drain region (17) connecting to the channel region (15) on the opposite side of the source region (16) are formed on the polycrystal semiconductor film (100) on which island-like patterning is performed. An indented section (155) is formed on the surface of the channel region (15), and the section corresponding to the indented section (155) becomes the recombination center (150) which captures the small-number carrier (holes) because the degree of the crystallization is low in the section corresponding to the indented section (155) due to shift from the optimum conditions at the time of laser annealing of the semiconductor (100). Thus the invention provides a TFT and its production method which enable the stabilizing of saturation current and improving reliability by improving the film quality of the channel region.

Abstract: The invention relates to block-copolymeric polyalkylene oxides containing styrene oxide, obtained by alkoxylation, and their use as low-foam pigment wetting agents in aqueous pigment pastes with or without cosolvent and in aqueous and low-solvent coating materials and printing inks.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a non-dusting copper pyrithione dispersion, comprising an admixture of: from about 20 to about 99 wt % of copper pyrithione; from about 0.05 to about 30 wt % of a dust-inhibiting agent selected from the group consisting of surfactants, polymer resins, binders, and combinations thereof; and from about 0.05 wt. % to about 80 wt % of a dispersant; wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the dispersion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for modifying the dispersing properties of organometallic-prestabilized or organometallic-pretreated nanometal colloids by reacting reactive metal-carbon bonds in the protective shell to prepare nanometal colloids having a wide range of solubilities in hydrophilic and hydrophobic media including water, to the colloids thus prepared and their use.

Abstract: Process for preparing mineral particles in the form of colloids in aqueous dispersion of controlled size from a precursor, comprising: a) the step of putting the said precursor, which is a mineral salt of a metal cation, into aqueous solution; b) the complexation of the product obtained in a) with at least one water-soluble block copolymer having at least one complexing anionic hydrophilic block and at least one stabilizing nonionic hydrophilic block; and c) the partial or complete hydrolysis of the said precursor in order to obtain controlled growth of the mineral particles in the form of an aqueous dispersion. Use of said colloids, especially as reinforcing fillers for a polymer.

Abstract: A process for the production of an aqueous sol containing silica-based particles which comprises (a) acidifying an aqueous silicate solution to a pH of from 1 to 4 to form an acid sol; (b) alkalizing the acid sol at an SiO2 content within the range of from 4.5 to 8% by weight; (c) allowing particle growth of the alkalized sol for at least 10 minutes; or heat-treating the alkalized sol at a temperature of a least 30° C.; (d) alkalizing the obtained sol to a pH of at least 10.0; and (e) optionally concentrating the sol obtained according to (b), (c) or (d) to provide an aqueous sol containing silica-based particles and having a specific surface area of at least 90 m2/g aqueous sol; as well as an aqueous sol containing silica-based particles obtainable by the process.

Abstract: A process produces a substantially stable aqueous dispersion of metal or metal oxide particles suitable for use in forming a transparent conductive coating. The process comprises the steps of (a) adding a nanocrystalline material to water, the nanocrystalline material comprising primary particles of metal or metal oxide having a substantially spherical shape and (b) mixing the nanocrystalline material and water to form an aqueous dispersion. The process identified above, prepares a substantially stable aqueous dispersion of nanocrystalline particles, which may be used in forming a transparent conductive coating.

Abstract: A pourable aqueous composition for use as, or for dilution to form, a drilling mud comprises a least 2% by weight of a water soluble polyvalent metal salt of an alkyl polyoxyalkylene sulphuric or carboxylic acid, and at least 1% by weight of a corresponding salt of an alkyl benzene sulphuric acid, preferably in the presence of a water soluble inorganic salt or base of said polyvalent metal.

Abstract: A method of producing a dispersed aqueous suspension of an inorganic particulate material which includes the steps of (a) preparing an aqueous suspension of calcium carbonate particles having a particle size distribution such that at least 35% by weight have an esd less than 24 .mu.m, the solids concentration of the suspension being no more than 40% by dry weight; (b) concentrating the suspension by dewatering to increase the solids content to at least 60% by dry weight; and (c) adding a dispersing agent to the concentrated suspension to disperse the calcium carbonate particles and characterized in that the suspension produced by step (c) is pumpable and flowable, the dispersing agent comprising a water soluble copolymer of acrylic acid and maleic acid or a salt thereof having a molar ratio of acrylic acid units to maleic acid units of from 0.5:1 to 10:1 and a mass average molecular mass of from 1,000 to 100,000.

Abstract: A grinding composition is disclosed for the grinding particulate metal containing minerals containing as a grinding aid at least one hydroxy-carboxylic acid of five to six carbon atoms, containing at least three hydroxyl groups and from one to two carboxyl groups, or its soluble salts.

Abstract: A method for shape controlled synthesis of colloidal metal nanoparticles includes providing a solution of 8.times.10.sup.-5 M K.sub.2 PtCl.sub.4 and water in a reaction vessel and maintaining the vessel at a constant temperature of approximately 25.degree. C. 0.1 M sodium polyacrylate is then added to the solution. Thereafter, argon gas is bubbled through the solution for approximately 20 minutes, and then hydrogen gas is bubbled through the solution for approximately 5 minutes to saturate the solution and so that platinum ions in the solution are reduced. The reaction vessel is sealed and the solution is allowed to stand for approximately 12 hours, whereby platinum colloidal nanoparticles possessing a particular shape distribution and size distribution are formed. The shape and size distributions of produced nanoparticles can be manipulated by changing the ratio of the concentration of sodium polyacrylate to platinum ions in a subsequently formed solution while maintaining all other variables constant.

Abstract: The preparation of finely-divided, homodisperse dispersions from a liquid medium having sparingly soluble particles contained therein, the particles being produced in a tubular reactor by the reaction of reactants dissolved in the medium, is carried out by introducing the solutions of the reactants, at least at the reaction temperature, into the tubular reactor separately from one another, as coaxial, laminar, parallel flows, and by shielding them from the reactor wall.

Abstract: Aqueous structured surfactants, e.g., lamellar, or preferably spherulitic systems optionally containing suspended solids are used as functional fluids, such as drilling fluids, cutting fluids, hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids, construction muds and lubricants. A composition consisting essentially of: water; a surfactant or mixture of surfactants present in a concentration sufficient to form a mobile spherulitic or dispersed lamellar phase in the absence of an electrolyte; and a substantially water insoluble functional material, suspended in the composition, the composition being substantially free from electrolyte.

Abstract: A water based gel guide coat composition and a method of using is provided. The composition comprises:aqueous dispersion(s) comprising a binder(s), aqueous emulsion(s) comprising a binder(s), and/or combinations thereof, having a minimum film forming temperature of 22.degree. C. or less;thickening agent of a type and in a sufficient amount to provide the composition with Bingham plastic properties upon shear;optionally additional water;water dispersible inorganic pigment(s); andoptional pH adjusting agent;the composition pH being about 6 to about 9.