Abstract: Methods for improving the dispersion of optical brighteners in polymeric compositions are provided. Polymeric compositions obtained by these methods are also provided. Premixes for use in the methods are also provided. In particular, methods for incorporating an optical brightener in a polymeric composition comprising dissolving the optical brightener in a solvent prior to adding the optical brightener to the polymeric compositions are provided.

Abstract: An expandable thermoplastic resin particle including a polymer obtained by a process including polymerizing monomers including 60 to 80 parts by weight of ?-methylstyrene and 40 to 20 parts by weight of acrylonitrile. A content of residual monomeric components in the expandable thermoplastic resin particle is not more than 0.5% by weight. When an expanded mold article is produced from the expandable thermoplastic resin particle at an expansion ratio of 10 times, foam cells in a cross section of the expanded mold article have an average chord length of from 20 ?m to 60 ?m.

Abstract: A method of making a foamable polystyrene composition includes combining a styrenic monomer and a co-monomer containing a polar functional group to obtain a mixture, subjecting the mixture to polymerization to obtain a styrenic co-polymer, and combining the styrenic co-polymer with a blowing agent in a foaming process to obtain foamed articles.

Abstract: Foams for filling cavities and crevasses and for forming foamed products are provided. The latex foam may include an A-side containing a functionalized latex and a B-side that contains a crosslinking agent and optionally a non-functionalized latex. The A- and/or B-side contain a blowing agent package or components forming the blowing agent package. The blowing agent package may be the combination of two or more chemicals that when mixed together form a gas or a chemical compound that, when activated by heat or light, forms a gas. In an alternate embodiment, the latex foam includes a functionalized latex, an acid, and an encapsulated crosslinking agent and base. Alternatively, the spray latex foam may include a functionalized latex, a crosslinking agent, and an encapsulated dry acid and dry base. The encapsulating agent may be a protective, non-reactive shell that can be broken or melted at the time of application.

Abstract: A method for forming a porous tissue material.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of expandable polystyrene including the following steps: i°) heating an aqueous suspension including styrene monomer and at least one organic peroxide initiator of formula (I) 1-alkoxy-1-t-alkylperoxycyclohexane in which the alkoxy group contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the t-alkyl group contains 4 to 12 carbon atoms, and the cyclohexane ring may optionally be substituted with 1 to 3 alkyl groups each, independently having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, at a temperature ranging from 100° C. to 120° C., ii°) adding a blowing agent selected from the group of alkanes having from 4 to 6 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof. Also, an expandable polystyrene obtainable according to such a process and to insulation parts and packaging including such an expandable polystyrene.

Abstract: This invention relates to no-salt and mixed salt suspension polymerization processes for water-soluble monomers and resins and relates to catalysts produced from the same.

Abstract: A method of making a foamable polystyrene composition includes combining a styrenic monomer and a co-monomer containing a polar functional group to obtain a mixture, subjecting the mixture to polymerization to obtain a styrenic co-polymer, and combining the styrenic co-polymer with a blowing agent in a foaming process to obtain foamed articles.

Abstract: A method of making a foamable polystyrene composition includes combining a styrenic monomer and a co-monomer containing a polar functional group to obtain a mixture, subjecting the mixture to polymerization to obtain a styrenic co-polymer, and combining the styrenic co-polymer with a blowing agent in a foaming process to obtain foamed articles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a branched aromatic ionomer, and a process of making it, by co-polymerizing a first monomer comprising an aromatic moiety and an unsaturated alkyl moiety and a second monomer represented by the general formula: [R-AZ]y-MX wherein R is a hydrocarbon chain having from 2 to 40 carbons and at least one polymerizable unsaturation; A is an anionic group; M is a cationic group; Z is ?1 or ?2; X is +1, +2, +3, +4, or +5; and y is an integer having a value of from 1 to 4. The branched aromatic ionomer has a melt flow index ranging from 1.0 g/10 min. to 13 g/10 min. Optionally the melt flow index ranges from 1.3 g/10 min. to 1.9 g/10 min.

Abstract: A method for preparing a conjugated microporous polymer comprises the coupling of an alkynyl aryl monomer having a plurality of terminal alkyne groups with an iodo- or bromo-aryl monomer having a plurality of halogen atoms in the presence of a palladium (0) catalyst. The conjugated microporous polymer comprises nodes comprising at least one aryl unit and struts comprising at least one alkyne unit and at least one aryl unit, wherein a node is bonded from its aryl unit or units to at least two struts via alkyne units. Such polymers are useful in numerous areas such as separations, controlled release, gas storage and supports for catalysts.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of particles at least partially encapsulated by a polymer, the method comprising dispersing inorganic particles in an aqueous phase; functionalizing at least a portion of the surfaces of the inorganic particles with a coupling agent, the coupling agent having pendent reactive groups; polymerizing the reactive groups on the functionalized particles with a first polymerizable component to produce inner polymer shells surrounding the inorganic particles; polymerizing a second polymerizable component to form outer polymer shells at least partially encapsulating the inner polymer shells; and producing voids within the outer polymer shells, such that the inorganic particles are received within the voids.

Abstract: Modified lignin having covalently attached phosphorous containing groups and methods for preparing such compounds are described herein. The modified lignin described herein provides a renewable source of flame retardant material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous resin bead containing a first aromatic monovinyl compound-divinyl compound-(meth)acrylonitrile-second aromatic monovinyl compound copolymer, in which the second aromatic monovinyl compound contains a group capable of binding with a carboxyl group by dehydration condensation reaction, and in which the porous resin bead has a swelling volume in acetonitrile of from 3 to 6 ml/g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the emulsifier-free preparation of water expandable polymer beads. The process comprises the steps of: a) providing an emulsifier-free monomer composition comprising styrene and a polar comonomer comprising a carbon-to-carbon double bond, b) prepolymerizing the monomer composition to obtain a prepolymer composition comprising styrene, the polar comonomer and their copolymer, c) adding an aqueous dispersion of nanoclay to the prepolymer composition to obtain an inverse emulsion, d) suspending the inverse emulsion obtained by step c) in an aqueous medium to yield an aqueous suspension of suspended droplets and e) polymerizing the monomers in the droplets of the suspension obtained by step d).

Abstract: Prepare a closed-cell alkenyl aromatic polymer foam by an extrusion process using a blowing agent composition that contains at least 30 weight-percent of the chlorine-free hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent such that the foam has a density of 48 kilograms per cubic meter or less, contains more than 50 weight-percent styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer based on total polymer weight and at least eight weight-percent of a chlorine-free hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent that has a lower solubility in polystyrene than 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a branched aromatic ionomer, and a process of making it, by co-polymerizing a first monomer comprising an aromatic moiety and an unsaturated alkyl moiety and a second monomer represented by the general formula: [R-AZ]y-MX wherein R is a hydrocarbon chain having from 2 to 40 carbons and at least one polymerizable unsaturation; A is an anionic group; M is a cationic group; Z is ?1 or ?2; X is +1, +2, +3, +4, or +5; and y is an integer having a value of from 1 to 4. The branched aromatic ionomer has a melt flow index ranging from 1.0 g/10 min. to 13 g/10 min. Optionally the melt flow index ranges from 1.3 g/10 min. to 1.9 g/10 min.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous resin bead containing a first aromatic monovinyl compound-divinyl compound-(meth)acrylonitrile-second aromatic monovinyl compound copolymer, in which the second aromatic monovinyl compound contains a group capable of binding with a carboxyl group by dehydration condensation reaction, and in which the porous resin bead has a dry volume of from 2 to 3 ml/g.

Abstract: A method comprising contacting at least one metal salt of an organic acid with at least one aromatic compound in a reaction zone under conditions suitable for the formation of a polymer, wherein the metal salt of an organic acid comprises a metal and at least one unsaturated organic acid moiety. A composition comprising polystyrene and a metal salt of cinnamic acid. An article made from a composition comprising polystyrene and a metal salt of cinnamic acid. A composition comprising polystyrene and a salt of a fatty acid. An article made from a composition comprising polystyrene and a salt of a fatty acid.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a branched aromatic ionomer, and a process of making it, by co-polymerizing a first monomer comprising an aromatic moiety and an unsaturated alkyl moiety and a second monomer represented by the general formula: [R-AZ]y-MX wherein R is a hydrocarbon chain having from 2 to 40 carbons and at least one polymerizable unsaturation; A is an anionic group; M is a cationic group; Z is ?1 or ?2; X is +1, +2, +3, +4, or +5; and y is an integer having a value of from 1 to 4. The branched aromatic ionomer has a melt flow index ranging from 1.0 g/10 min. to 13 g/10 min. Optionally the melt flow index ranges from 1.3 g/min. to 1.9 g/10 min.

Abstract: Methylated polystyrene having pendant N-halamine and N-halamine precursor groups. Biocidal particles have been prepared by reacting highly crosslinked methylated polystyrene beads as starting materials with various N-halamine precursor compounds. The resulting polymer beads are halogenated with chlorine or bromine. The porous beads will be useful in disinfection applications as well as for sanitization and controlling noxious odor when mixed with absorbent materials in items such as disposable diapers, infant swimwear, incontinence pads, bandages, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, mattress covers, shoe inserts, sponges, animal litter, carpets, and fabrics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid-phase support for oligonucleotide synthesis for synthesizing long chain oligonucleotide, RNA oligonucleotide and modified oligonucleotide at high synthetic quantity and high purity with a low loading amount of a linker. Provided is a solid-phase support for oligonucleotide synthesis comprising a porous resin bead having a monovinyl monomer unit, a crosslinkable vinyl monomer unit and a polyethylene glycol unit and a cleavable linker loaded on its surface, the porous resin bead having a group capable of binding to a carboxy group by a dehydration condensation reaction on its surface, the cleavable linker having a carboxy group, wherein the carboxy group of the cleavable linker is bound to the group capable of binding to a carboxy group, by a dehydration condensation reaction, and a loading amount of the cleavable linker is 1 to 80 ?mol/g relative to the weight of the porous resin bead.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer supported reagent comprising a novel crosslinked mesoporous polymer, enabling a simple and easy production of an azoxy compound or an azo compound from an aromatic nitro compound, and a method of selectively reducing an aromatic nitro compound by using the same. The polymer supported reagent comprises a certain acrylamide mesoporous crosslinked polymer.

Abstract: A cryogel contains a polyol and a co-polymer of Formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a porous resin particle containing an aromatic vinyl compound-aromatic divinyl compound copolymer having a hydroxyl group, the method including: dissolving a monomer mixture containing an aromatic vinyl compound, an aromatic divinyl compound and a (meth)acrylic acid ester having one hydroxyl group within the molecule thereof, and a polymerization initiator in an organic solvent to obtain a solution containing the monomer mixture and the polymerization initiator; suspending the solution in water in the presence of a dispersion stabilizer; and performing a suspension copolymerization. The method of the invention is capable of easily producing a porous resin particle containing an aromatic vinyl compound-aromatic divinyl compound copolymer having a hydroxyl group, that is used as a support for solid phase synthesis and enables efficient nucleic acid synthesis.

Abstract: Compositions containing polymers and one or more heat labile and/or incompatible components adsorbed on carrier materials are provided. The heat labile components include materials that are inactivated, that volatilize, decompose, or undergo a chemical reaction or transformation at the polymer's processing temperatures (heat labile biocides). Incompatible components are materials that generally react or form gels or precipitates upon mixing. The carrier materials generally include inorganic or organic porous materials capable of remaining solid during processing temperatures. Methods for preparing the polymer compositions are provided.

Abstract: A process for forming polymer particles with aligned pores and controlled narrow particle size distribution, including: a) forming an oil phase by dissolving a polymeric binder in a solvent; b) dispersing the oil phase into a water phase containing a controlled amount of particulate stabilizer and forming an oil-in-water emulsion of controlled narrow dispersed oil phase droplet size distribution; c) freezing the emulsion to freeze solvent in the oil droplets to form frozen solvent domains within the polymeric binder, and also the water in the continuous water phase; and d) removing the frozen solvent from the polymeric binder and the frozen water in the continuous water phase, thereby forming porous polymer particles of controlled narrow particle size distribution and containing directional aligned non-spherical pore structures. Optionally, the porous particles may contain encapsulated functional ingredients.

Abstract: A composition for manufacturing an organic aerogel including at least one monomer having at least two substituted or unsubstituted acrylamide groups and a solvent is provided, along with an organic aerogel including a polymeric reaction product of the monomer or monomers.

Abstract: A process for producing polymer foams by precise control of their morphology through use of microfluidic processes, foams produced in this way and use thereof.

Abstract: Prepare polymeric foam articles having low yellowing using a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer that contains less than 145 weight-parts acrylonitrile dimer and less than 8,500 weight-parts acrylonitrile trimer per million weight parts acrylonitrile copolymer.

Abstract: An aerogel including a polymeric reaction product of (a) a first monomer including an aromatic compound having at least two unsaturated functional groups, and (b) a second monomer represented by the following Chemical Formula 1 and including at least two groups independently chosen from (meth)acrylate groups and NR?R? (where R? and R? are the same or different and are (meth)acryloyl groups) is provided. Each substituent is as defined in the specification.

Abstract: Disclosed is a curable composition comprising a linear hydrolyzable silyl group-containing polymer and a branched hydrolyzable silyl group-containing polymer in the weight ratio of 1:9 to 9:1 and having a specific weight of less than 1.15.

Abstract: Interpolymer resin particles that include from about 20% to about 60% by weight based on the weight of the particles of uncross-linked polyolefin resin particles having a VICAT softening temperature greater than 85° C. and from about 40% to about 80% by weight based on the weight of the interpolymer particles of polymerized vinyl aromatic monomer composition particles that have been polymerized in the uncross-linked polyolefin resin particles to form an interpenetrating network of polyolefin resin particles and polystyrene particles. The interpolymer resin particles have a gel content ranging from about 0 to about 1.5% by weight based on the weight of the interpolymer resin particles, a VICAT softening temperature ranging from about 90° C. to about 115° C., and a melt index value ranging from about 0.2 to about 35.0 g/10 minutes (Condition G).

Abstract: Prepare a polymeric foam from a foamable polymer composition containing a thermoplastic polymer composition and a blowing agent wherein 75 percent or more by weight of all non-halogenated polymers in the foamable polymer composition is a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer composition having a polymerized acrylonitrile content distribution with a positive skew in a copolymerized AN content distribution and a positive percent difference between the mean and the median copolymerized AN content distribution.

Abstract: A fiber, film or foam includes a plasticizer and a charged claylinked gel (A). The charged claylinked gel (A) includes clay nanoparticles (C) which are crosslinked by a charged polymer (A?) such that any particular clay nanoparticle is linked to at least one other clay nanoparticle by the charged polymer (A?). Methods for producing the fibers, film and foam are also provided.

Abstract: Prepare an extruded polymeric foam using a thermoplastic polymer composition of styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer having a copolymerized acrylonitrile comonomer content of 20 weight-percent or less, a mean acrylonitrile comonomer content that exceeds its median acrylonitrile comonomer content and an average copolymerized acrylonitrile comonomer distribution having a breadth at half-height that is greater than 2.5 weight-percent as measured at half peak height of a copolymerized acrylonitrile comonomer distribution curve for the styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for preparing copolymers A) with a reduced soil particle content, comprising 49.2 to 93.2% by weight of structural units which derive from one or more vinylaromatic monomers (component A1)), 6 to 50% by weight of structural units which derive from one or more vinyl cyanides (component A2)), 0.

Abstract: Foamable polystyrene compositions with enhanced blowing agent solubility and methods of making such polystyrene compositions by incorporating a polar additive in styrenic polymer or copolymers.

Abstract: A method of making a foamable polystyrene composition includes combining a styrenic monomer and a co-monomer containing a polar functional group to obtain a mixture, subjecting the mixture to polymerization to obtain a styrenic co-polymer, and combining the styrenic co-polymer with a blowing agent in a foaming process to obtain foamed articles.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing single-hole hollow polymer particles which have an extremely uniform outside diameter and inside diameter, and thus do not require a classifying operation. Further provided are single-hole hollow polymer particles produced by such a method for producing single-hole hollow polymer particles. The invention relates to a method for producing single-hole hollow polymer particles, which includes: preparing a dispersion of swollen particle droplets by mixing a seed particle dispersion obtained by dispersing uncrosslinked polymer-containing seed particles in a water-containing dispersion medium, with a radical polymerizable monomer, an oil-soluble solvent and an oil-soluble polymerization initiator, and causing the radical polymerizable monomer, the oil-soluble solvent and the oil-soluble polymerization initiator to be absorbed in the seed particles; and polymerizing the radical polymerizable monomer in the swollen particle droplets.

Abstract: Closed-cell extruded foam extruded foam with density in the range from 20 to 150 g/l and with a cell number in the range from 1 to 30 cells per mm is obtainable via (a) heating of a polymer component P, formed from P1) from 80 to 100% by weight (based on P) of one or more styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN), comprising a1) from 18 to 40% by weight (based on SAN) of copolymerized acrylonitrile, a2) from 60 to 82% by weight (based on SAN) of copolymerized styrene, and a3) from 0 to 22% by weight (based on SAN) of at least one copolymerized monomer from the group consisting of alkyl(meth)acrylates, (meth)acrylic acid, maleic anhydride and maleimides, P2) from 0 to 20% by weight (based on P) of one or more thermoplastic polymers from the group consisting of styrene copolymers, polyolefins, polyacrylates, polycarbonates (PC), polyesters, polyamides, polyether sulfones (PES), polyether ketones (PEK), and polyether sulfides, to form a polymer melt, (b) introduction of from 1 to 12% by weight (based on P) of

Abstract: A process for the preparation of expandable polystyrene including the following steps: i°) heating an aqueous suspension including styrene monomer and at least one organic peroxide initiator of formula (I) 1-alkoxy-1-t-alkylperoxycyclohexane in which the alkoxy group contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the t-alkyl group contains 4 to 12 carbon atoms, and the cyclohexane ring may optionally be substituted with 1 to 3 alkyl groups each, independently having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, at a temperature ranging from 100° C. to 120° C.), ii°) adding a blowing agent selected from the group of alkanes having from 4 to 6 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof. Also, an expandable polystyrene obtainable according to such a process and to insulation parts and packaging including such an expandable polystyrene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mesoporous polymeric separation material comprising one or more functional groups bound to metal ions from Cu, Zn, Ag, or Pd. Methods of producing the material, as well as methods for its preparation, and use of said material in separation of pesticides from food or feed products is disclosed.

Abstract: Extruded polymer foams are prepared using brominated fatty acids, an ester, amide or ester-amide of a brominated fatty acid, a glyceride of one or more brominated fatty acids, or a polymerized brominated fatty acid as an FR additive. The brominated FR additives unexpectedly are stable at the extrusion temperatures, and provide excellent flame retardancy to the foams.

Abstract: A pipette tip or tube containing chromatographic media contained and held in place in said tube by using low melting point porous polymer particles. Such pipette tips or tubes can be used for sample preparation, filtration and synthesis of small molecules and biomolecules.

Abstract: Process for improving the insulating capacity of expanded vinyl aromatic which includes: 1) preparing beads of expandable vinyl aromatic polymers containing 1-10% by weight, calculated with respect to the polymer, of an expanding agent englobed in the polymeric matrix, and 0.01-25% by weight, calculated with respect to the polymer, of an athermanous additive comprising carbon black homogeneously distributed in the polymeric matrix; 2) treating the surface of the beads, before deposition of the coating, with a liquid lubricating agent; and 3) thermally treating the beads with hot air at a temperature ranging from 30 to 60° C.

Abstract: A plant growth support medium is described to enhance soil characteristics and provide where required, improved water, or nutrient contents. La addition the medium can be inoculated with microorganisms to aid soil characteristics and provide interactions within micron-scale environment between plant roots, water, nutrients and where applicable, bacteria and root exudates. This micro-environment provides direct delivery of active ingredients to the plant roots. The medium comprises a polymeric material having a primary pore size of greater than 30 micron. The walls of the pores are elastic, enabling the pore to swell in size to retain water, solutes or other biologically useful components and allow root penetration through them. Sulphonation of the walls renders the walls more hydrophilic so attracting water into the pores and also increasing the wall elasticity. Capillaries can be provided to interconnect pores and allow root penetration into the medium.

Abstract: Extruded polymer foams are prepared using brominated fatty acids, an ester, amide or ester-amide of a brominated fatty acid, a glyceride of one or more brominated fatty acids, or a polymerized brominated fatty acid as an FR additive. The brominated FR additives unexpectedly are stable at the extrusion temperatures, and provide excellent flame retardancy to the foams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a porous resin particle having a functional group X, the method including: dissolving a radical polymerizable aromatic monovinyl monomer and a radical polymerizable aromatic divinyl monomer together with a polymerization initiator in an organic solvent to prepare a monomer solution, dispersing the monomer solution in water in the presence of a dispersion stabilizer to obtain a suspension polymerization reaction mixture, and performing a suspension copolymerization while adding, when 0 to 80% of the entire polymerization time of the suspension copolymerization is passed, a mercapto compound represented by the formula (I): HS—R—X??(I) in which R represents an alkylene group having a carbon number of 2 to 12, and the functional group X represents a functional group selected from a hydroxy group and a primary amino group, to the suspension polymerization reaction mixture; and the porous resin particle obtained by the method.

Abstract: An organic aerogel includes a polymer prepared from a substituted or unsubstituted maleimide compound and a compound having at least two vinyl groups. A composition for the organic aerogel includes a substituted or unsubstituted maleimide compound and a compound having at least two vinyl groups.