Abstract: A silica monolith nested in a polymer sponge may be formed by applying a hydrolyzed mixture of siloxanes to a melamine-formaldehyde sponge, and may be used in methods of solid phase extraction.

Abstract: A polyurethane, in particular a thermoplastic polyurethane, is obtainable or obtained by reacting at least a polyisocyanate composition and a polyol composition. The polyol composition contains at least one polyester diol or polyether diol, having a number-average molecular weight in the range from 500 to 3000 g/mol, and at least one polysiloxane having two terminal isocyanate-reactive functionalities selected from a thio group, a hydroxyl group, and an amino group. A process can be used for preparing this polyurethane, and a molded body containing the polyurethane is useful. Foam beads based on polyurethane can be obtained or obtainable from the polyurethane, and a process can be used for producing foam beads. Corresponding bead foams are useful.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyurethane polymer comprises the steps of: (a) providing a polyol composition, the polyol composition comprising (i) a polyol, (ii) a polyethylenimine compound; and (iii) a bisulfite compound, (b) providing an isocyanate compound; (c) providing a catalyst; (d) combining and reacting the polyol composition, the isocyanate compound, and the catalyst to produce a polyurethane polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous organic polymer-based hydrogen ion conductive material and a method for preparing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a porous organic polymer (POP)-based material with high proton conductivity that is applicable to a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The porous organic polymer-based proton conductive material of the present invention can be prepared in an easy and simple manner by microwave treatment and acid treatment requiring short processing time and low processing cost. In addition, the porous organic polymer-based proton conductive material of the present invention can be developed into a highly proton conductive material having the potential to replace Nafion through a simple post-synthesis modification. Therefore, the porous organic polymer-based proton conductive material of the present invention is suitable for use in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods for preparation of carbon materials. The carbon materials comprise enhanced electrochemical properties and find utility in any number of electrical devices, for example, as electrode material in ultracapacitors or batteries.

Abstract: In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to novel, improved, coated, or treated separator membranes, separators or membrane based separators for lithium batteries. The membranes or separators may include non-woven layers, improved surfactant treatments, or combinations thereof. The separators or membranes are useful for solvent electrolyte lithium batteries, especially rechargeable lithium ion batteries, and provide improved performance, wettability, cycling ability, and/or recharging efficiency.

Abstract: Internally reinforced aerogels, articles of manufacture and uses thereof are described. An internally reinforced aerogel includes an aerogel having a support at least partially penetrating the aerogel and having the aerogel penetrating the porous structure of the support.

Abstract: Phenolic closed-cell foam comprises a hydrocarbon blowing agent and includes an alkali metal silicate in an amount of at least 1% by weight. The foam has an aged thermal conductivity as determined by the procedures of EN13166:2008 of less than 0.025 W/m·K. The foam is formed from a phenolic resole resin mixture having a water content of greater than 15% by weight but less than 24% by weight.

Abstract: Porous polymeric networks and composite materials comprising metal nanoparticles distributed in the polymeric networks are provided. Also provided are methods for using the polymeric networks and the composite materials in liquid- and vapor-phase waste remediation applications. The porous polymeric networks, are highly porous, three-dimensional structures characterized by high surface areas. The polymeric networks comprise polymers polymerized from aldehydes and phenolic molecules.

Abstract: A substantially non-elastic incompressible composition, which substantially does not quickly self-level under standard operating conditions, includes: a suspending agent which reacts substantially as a solid when subjected to forces below a critical force, and which becomes substantially flowable when subjected to forces above said critical force. Aspects include compositions comprising one or more of ceramic microparticulates, flexible-walled microparticulates, celled macroparticulates, and fibers dispersed within the suspending agent, and energy absorbing applications thereof. Another aspect comprises thin-walled macrospheres containing a substantially non-elastic incompressible composition.

Abstract: The present application is generally directed to activated carbon materials and methods for making the same. The disclosed methods comprise rapidly freezing synthetically prepared polymer gel particles. The methods further comprise drying, pyrolyzing, and activating steps to obtain an activated carbon material of high porosity. The disclosed methods represent viable manufacturing processes for the preparation of activated carbon materials.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the electrochemical polymerization process for preparation of cross-linked gel. The process includes mixing a hydroxylated benzene and aldehyde in an aqueous media in an inert container to form a hydroxylated benzene and aldehyde mixture. Furthermore, the process includes introducing electrodes into the inert container. Further, the electrochemical polymerization process includes supplying electric current to the hydroxylated benzene and aldehyde mixtures in the inert container through the electrodes. The resultant products of electrochemical polymerization process either gels or activated carbon gels have unique characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a bio-based thermosetting foam material with improved properties, in particular improved flame retardant properties, which method includes the steps of a) producing a prepolymer by condensation of at least one phenolic compound and formaldehyde in a ratio of 1:1.0 to 3.0 using 0.15 to 5 wt % of an alkaline catalyst in the temperature range of 50 to 100° C. until the refractive index of the reaction mixture is 1.4990 to 1.5020, b) adding 2 to 40 wt % of at least one natural polyphenol at a temperature of 50 to 100° C., c) adding 2 to 10 wt % of one or more emulsifiers and mixtures thereof, d) adding 2 to 10 wt % of one or more foaming agents and mixtures thereof and e) adding 10 to 20 wt % of a curing agent and f) curing. All wt % being related to the amount of the raw materials used.

Abstract: Use of at least one procyanidin- and/or prodelphinidin-type tannin, devoid of prorobinetidin- and/or profisetinidin-type tannin, in a mixture with furfuryl alcohol for the implementation of a polymerization reaction for the preparation of rigid foams, said procyanidin- and/or prodelphinidin-type tannin being in particular pine bark tannin.

Abstract: A phenolic foam is made by foaming and curing a foamable phenolic resin composition that comprises a phenolic resin, a blowing agent, an acid catalyst and an inorganic filler. The blowing agent comprises a blend of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms and an aliphatic hydrocarbon containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms mixed in a ratio of 60/40 to 5/5 parts by weight. The inorganic filler is at least one selected from a metal hydroxide, a metal oxide, a metal carbonate and a metal powder. The phenolic foam has a pH of 5 or more and a water uptake less than 1 kg/m2. A phenolic foam with a higher pH value compared with conventional phenolic foam reduces corrosion risk when in contact with metallic materials. The phenolic foam maintains excellent long-term stable thermal insulation performance, low water uptake and fire resistance performance and by using the said blowing agent, does not harm the environment as an ozone or global warming depleting material.

Abstract: A phenolic foam is made by foaming and curing a foamable phenolic resin composition that comprises a phenolic resin, a blowing agent, an acid catalyst and an inorganic filler. The blowing agent comprises an aliphatic hydrocarbon containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and the inorganic filler is at least one selected from a metal hydroxide, a metal oxide, a metal carbonate and a metal powder. The phenolic foam has a pH of 5 or more. The phenolic foam has a higher pH value compared with conventional phenolic foam and reduces corrosion risk when in contact with metallic materials. The phenolic foam maintains excellent long-term stable thermal insulation performance, low water uptake and fire resistance performance and by using a hydrocarbon blowing agent, does not harm the environment as an ozone depleting or global warming material.

Abstract: Disclosed are foam compositions and processes to form closed-cell tannin-based foams. The foams comprises a continuous polymeric phase defining a plurality of cells, wherein the continuous polymeric phase comprises a tannin-based resin derived from a tannin and a monomer, wherein the monomer comprises furfural, glyoxal, acetaldehyde, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, acrolein, levulinate esters, sugars, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, 2,5-furandicarboxylic aldehyde, urea, difurfural (DFF), furfuryl alcohol, glycerol, sorbitol, lignin, or mixtures thereof, and wherein the plurality of cells comprises a plurality of open-cells and a plurality of closed-cells with an open-cell content measured according to ASTM D6226-5, of less than 50%. The foam composition also comprises a discontinuous phase disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of closed-cells, the discontinuous phase comprising one or more blowing agents.

Abstract: Disclosed are foam compositions and processes to form mixed tannin-phenolic foams. The foams comprises a continuous polymeric phase defining a plurality of cells, wherein the continuous polymeric phase comprises a mixed-resin derived from a phenol, a tannin, and a first monomer, and wherein the plurality of cells comprises a plurality of open-cells and a plurality of closed-cells with an open-cell content measured according to ASTM D6226-5, of less than 50%. The foam composition also comprises a discontinuous phase disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of closed-cells, the discontinuous phase comprising one or more blowing agents.

Abstract: Disclosed are foam compositions and processes to form closed-cell tannin-based foams. The foams comprises a continuous polymeric phase defining a plurality of cells, wherein the continuous polymeric phase comprises a tannin-based resin derived from a tannin, a first monomer, and a second monomer, wherein the first monomer comprises formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, furfural, glyoxal, acetaldehyde, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, acrolein, levulinate esters, sugars, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, 2,5-furandicarboxylic aldehyde, urea, difurfural (DFF), or mixtures thereof, and the second monomer comprises furfuryl alcohol, glycerol, sorbitol, lignin, or mixtures thereof, and wherein the plurality of cells comprises a plurality of open-cells and a plurality of closed-cells with an open-cell content measured according to ASTM D6226-5, of less than 50%.

Abstract: Disclosed are foam compositions and processes to form closed-cell phenolic foams. The foams comprises a continuous polymeric phase defining a plurality of cells, wherein the continuous polymeric phase comprises a phenol-formaldehyde resole derived from a phenol and formaldehyde, and wherein the plurality of cells comprises a plurality of open-cells and a plurality of closed-cells with an open-cell content measured according to ASTM D6226-5, of less than 50%. The foam composition also comprises a discontinuous phase disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of closed-cells, the discontinuous phase comprising 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning implement based on melamine-formaldehyde foam comprising hollow microspheres, wherein said hollow microspheres have a median particle diameter (D50, volume averaged, Malvern, Fraunhofer diffraction) in the range from 260 ?m to 490 ?m, and wherein the hollow microsphere are at least partly filled with a benefit agent. Additionally the present invention encompasses a method for cleaning a hard surface with a cleaning implement according to the present invention.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a gypsum containing aqueous slurry containing a phosphate based polycondensate as sole agent with dispersing properties. With a phosphated polycondensate according to the invention as sole dispersing component an improved efficiency was found in comparison with the polycondensates known in the prior art. As additional favorable effect a significantly decreased retardation of the setting and hardening of the various construction compositions and especially of gypsum based slurries compared to other dispersants is to be observed, independently from the dosage of the dispersing component. This effect of the polycondensate component as well as an expedient influence on the pore structure surprisingly can be observed.

Abstract: Porous carbon is provided which is a carbonization and optionally an activation product of a precursor resin, which has a pore structure that, as estimated by nitrogen adsorption porosimetry, comprises micropores and mesopores/macropores, said micropores and mesopores/macropores being in a bimodal distribution with few pores of size 2-10 nm, and the mesopores/macropores providing escape routes for volatile products during carbonization of the precursor resin. The porous carbon can be made by a method which comprises (a) forming a precursor resin by reacting a nucleophilic component which comprises a phenolic compound or a phenol condensation prepolymer optionally with one or more modifying reagents with an electrophilic cross-linking agent selected from formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, furfural and hexamethylene tetramine in solution in a pore former e.g.

Abstract: An aerogel including a polymerization product of a first monomer selected from an aryl polyol compound including at least two aryl groups linked to each other by a linker, an aryl polyol compound including at least two aryl groups fused to each other, or a combination thereof, and a second monomer including a benzene substituted with at least two hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: Porous polymeric networks and composite materials comprising metal nanoparticles distributed in the polymeric networks are provided. Also provided are methods for using the polymeric networks and the composite materials in liquid- and vapor-phase waste remediation applications. The porous polymeric networks, are highly porous, three-dimensional structures characterized by high surface areas. The polymeric networks comprise polymers polymerized from aldehydes and phenolic molecules.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods for preparation of carbon materials. The carbon materials comprise enhanced electrochemical properties and find utility in any number of electrical devices, for example, as electrode material in ultracapacitors or batteries.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochemical polymerization process for preparation of crosslinked gel. The process includes mixing a hydroxylated benzene and aldehyde in an aqueous media in an inert container to form a hydroxylated benzene and aldehyde mixture. Furthermore, the process includes introducing electrodes into the inert container. Further, the electrochemical polymerization process includes supplying electric current to the hydroxylated benzene and aldehyde mixtures in the inert container through the electrodes. The resultant products of electrochemical polymerization process either gels or activated carbon gels have unique characteristics.

Abstract: Porous materials are fabricated using interpenetrating inorganic-organic composite gels. A mixture or precursor solution including an inorganic gel precursor, an organic polymer gel precursor, and a solvent is treated to form an inorganic wet gel including the organic polymer gel precursor and the solvent. The inorganic wet gel is then treated to form a composite wet gel including an organic polymer network in the body of the inorganic wet gel, producing an interpenetrating inorganic-organic composite gel. The composite wet gel is dried to form a composite material including the organic polymer network and an inorganic network component. The composite material can be treated further to form a porous composite material, a porous polymer or polymer composite, a porous metal oxide, and other porous materials.

Abstract: An aerogel including a benzoxazine moiety-containing polybenzoxazine polymer is provided, wherein the aerogel comprises a reaction product of an aryl alcohol compound having at least two hydroxyl groups and an amine compound having at least two amine groups.

Abstract: Organic, small pore area materials (“SPMs”) are provided comprising open cell foams in unlimited sizes and shapes. These SPMs exhibit minimal shrinkage and cracking. Processes for preparing SPMs are also provided that do not require supercritical extraction. These processes comprise sol-gel polymerization of a hydroxylated aromatic in the presence of at least one suitable electrophilic linking agent and at least one suitable solvent capable of strengthening the sol-gel. Also disclosed are the carbonized derivatives of the organic SPMs.

Abstract: A method of sealing a semiconductor element which involves applying an epoxy resin composition including an epoxy resin and a phenolic resin obtained by reacting phenol, a biphenyl compound represented by the general formula (3) and benzaldehyde to a semiconductor element and curing the composition to seal the semiconductor element: wherein X in the formula (3) is a halogen, an OH group or an OCH3 group. The molar ratio of the total of the biphenyl compound and benzaldehyde relative to the phenol is from 0.27 to 0.40, and the molar ratio of benzaldehyde/biphenyl compound is from 5/95 to 40/60.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of high strength air-dried organic aerogels. The method involves the sol-gel polymerization of organic gel precursors, such as resorcinol with formaldehyde (RF) in aqueous solvents with R/C ratios greater than about 1000 and R/F ratios less than about 1:2.1. Using a procedure analogous to the preparation of resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) aerogels, this approach generates wet gels that can be air dried at ambient temperatures and pressures. The method significantly reduces the time and/or energy required to produce a dried aerogel compared to conventional methods using either supercritical solvent extraction. The air dried gel exhibits typically less than 5% shrinkage.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an expandable or foamable resol-type phenolic resin forming material that gives a phenolic resin foamed material or article which is excellent in strength and improved in brittleness and which has a high pH as compared with conventional materials or articles and has an excellent anti-corrosion property against a contact member, and a phenolic resin foamed material or article having the above properties, obtained by foaming the same, which are a foamable resol type phenolic resin forming material comprising a liquid resol type phenolic resin, a blowing agent, a foam stabilizer, an additive and an acid curing agent, said blowing agent comprising an organic non-reactive blowing agent and said additive comprising a nitrogen-containing bridged cyclic compound, and a phenolic resin foamed material or article obtained by foaming this forming material.

Abstract: The invention relates to foam comprising hollow microbeads and intended for sound absorption, comprising from 40 to 85% by weight of open-cell polymer foam and from 15 to 60% by weight of hollow microbeads with flexible external layer, where the D50 value of the hollow microbeads is at least 70 ?m and at most 250 ?m, based on the total weight of polymer foam and hollow microbeads, and also to a process for producing the same, comprising the following steps: I) impregnation of an open-cell polymer foam with a liquid dispersion comprising expandable hollow microbeads, II) if appropriate, pressing/compression and/or drying of the polymer foam, and Ill) heat-treatment of the impregnated polymer foam at a temperature above the expansion temperature and below the decomposition temperature of the expandable hollow microbeads, for the expansion of the hollow microbeads.

Abstract: A cured porous phenolic resin is provided that can be made by cross-linking a phenol-formaldehyde pre-polymer in the presence of a pore former, preferably ethylene glycol. The resin may be formed in situ by condensing a phenol with or without modifying agents and with cross-linking agent by pouring partially cross-linked resin into hot oil, in which case mesoporous resin beads are obtained. The resulting resin has mesopores observable in carbon derived from said resin by a pore structure of said derived carbon that comprises mesopores of diameter of 20-500 ?, as estimated by nitrogen adsorption porosimentry, the value for the differential of pore volume V with respect to the logarithm of pore radius R (dV/d log R) for the mesopores being greater than 0.2 for at least some values of pore size in the range 20-500 ?. Microporous beads of the resin may be carbonized into mesoporous carbon beads.

Abstract: An epoxy resin mixture with at least one epoxy resin of between approximately 50 wt % and 100 wt %, an anhydride cure agent of between approximately 0 wt % and approximately 50 wt %, a tert-butoxycarbonyl anhydride foaming agent of between proximately 0.1-20 wt %, a surfactant and an imidazole or similar catalyst of less than approximately 2 wt %, where the resin mixture is formed from at least one epoxy resin with a 1-10 wt % tert-butoxycarbonyl anhydride compound and an imidazole catalyst at a temperature sufficient to keep the resin in a suitable viscosity range, the resin mixture reacting to form a foaming resin which in the presence of an epoxy curative can then be cured at a temperature greater than 50° C. to form an epoxy foam.

Abstract: An adhesive composition for use in the manufacture of wood-based boards, wherein the adhesive composition is foamable and comprises a resin, a filler and a foaming agent without any cationic acrylamide copolymer. According to the invention, the adhesive composition contains 40-80 wt % resin, 5-30 wt % filler, 0-40 wt % solvent, and 0.1-10 wt % foaming agent, which has been selected from organic and/or inorganic surface-active sulfate, sulfonate, phosphate or phosphonate compounds or their derivatives or mixtures.

Abstract: The invention relates to the surprising and unexpected discovery that a sub-group of phenolic resins (i.e., those which are substantially completely free of ether moieties) is particularly advantageous to confer load building properties to an isocyanate-based foam (e.g., a polyurethane foam). Indeed, its possible to utilize the sub-group of phenolic resins to partially or fully displace copolymer polyols conventionally used to confer load building characteristics to isocyanate-based polymer foams. Further, the invention relates to the surprising and unexpected discovery that a sub-group of phenolic resins (i.e., those which are substantially completely free of ether moieties) is particularly advantageous to confer energy absorption properties in an isocyanate-based foam.

Abstract: Disclosed is an organic aerogel including a polymer obtained from reaction an aryl alcohol compound, an aldehyde compound, and a polyol compound, a composition for forming the same, and a method of preparing the same.

Abstract: Organic, small pore area materials (“SPMs”) are provided comprising open cell foams in unlimited sizes and shapes. These SPMs exhibit minimal shrinkage and cracking. Processes for preparing SPMs are also provided that do not require supercritical extraction. These processes comprise sol-gel polymerization of a hydroxylated aromatic in the presence of at least one suitable electrophilic linking agent and at least one suitable solvent capable of strengthening the sol-gel. Also disclosed are the carbonized derivatives of the organic SPMs.

Abstract: An aerogel including a polymerization product of a first monomer selected from an aryl polyol compound including at least two aryl groups linked to each other by a linker, an aryl polyol compound including at least two aryl groups fused to each other, or a combination thereof, and a second monomer including a benzene substituted with at least two hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: A nanoporous polymer foam having an average pore diameter in the range of from 10 nm to 1000 nm, obtainable by means of a process comprising the following stages: a) providing a solution of a polycondensation reactive resin in an organic solvent, b) mixing the solution with a curing catalyst for the polycondensation reactive resin and curing the reactive components to form a gel, and c) removing the organic solvent, and the use thereof for thermal insulation purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a phenolic resin having flame retardance, fast curing property and low melt viscosity, which is useful for a curing agent for epoxy resin-based semiconductor sealing materials. Also disclosed are a method for producing such a phenolic resin and use of such a phenolic resin. Specifically disclosed is a phenolic resin obtained by reacting a phenol, a bismethylbiphenyl compound and an aromatic aldehyde at such a ratio that the molar ratio of the total of the bismethylbiphenyl compound and the aromatic aldehyde relative to the phenol is 0.10-0.60, and the aromatic aldehyde/the bismethylbiphenyl compound (molar ratio) is from 5/95 to 50/50. Also specifically disclosed is an epoxy resin composition composed of such a phenolic resin and an epoxy resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition based on trans-1,2-dichloroethylene. A subject-matter of the invention is more particularly a nonflammable composition comprising trans-1,2-dichloroethylene and at least two hydrofluorocarbons and its uses.

Abstract: A method is provided for making mesoporous resin. It comprises: (a) providing a nucleophilic component which comprises a phenolic compound or a phenol condensation prepolymer optionally with one or more modifying reagents selected from hydroquinone, resorcinol, urea, aromatic amines and heteroaromatic amines; (b) dissolving the nucleophilic component in a pore former selected from the group consisting of a diol, a diol ether, a cyclic ester, a substituted cyclic ester, a substituted linear amide, a substituted cyclic amide, an amino alcohol and a mixture of any of the above with water, together with at least one electrophilic cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, furfural and hexamethylene tetramine; and (c) condensing the nucleophilic component and the electrophilic cross-linking agent in the presence of the pore former to form a porous resin. The resin may be formed in situ by pouring the partially cross-linked resin into hot oil.

Abstract: It has been found that basalt particles, when combined with a resin binder and a reinforcing material, such as fiberglass, provide unexpected strength, fire-resistance, radiation impermeability, and projectile shielding for ballistic armor/shields, fire-resistant building panels, construction blocks and protective coatings on substrates. The armor panels can be worn, as in a bullet-proof vest, or can be used as a shield to protect a vehicle, aircraft or other structures as projectile penetration-resistant and fire and radiation resistant materials.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to foamed binders for wood strand products and methods and systems for producing wood strand products using foamed binders. In some embodiments, the disclosure includes a method for producing a wood strand product from cellulosic particles, the method comprising the steps of foaming a phenol formaldehyde binder to produce a foam, tumbling the cellulosic particles in a rotary blender, applying the foam to the cellulosic particles in the rotary blender, blending the cellulosic particles and the foam so that the foam covers the cellulosic particles, and consolidating the cellulosic particles under heat and pressure.

Abstract: A foamable novolac phenolic resin composition suitable for preparing phenolic foams that are free of corrosive acid catalysts and excess aldehydes. The composition comprises a novolac resin, an oxazolidine hardener, and a blowing agent.

Abstract: A reinforced carbon foam material is formed from carbon fibers incorporated within a carbon foam's structure. First, carbon fiber bundles are combined with a liquid resol resin. The carbon fiber bundles separate into individual carbon fiber filaments and disperse throughout the liquid resol resin. Second, the carbon fiber resin mixture is foamed thus fixing the carbon fibers in a permanent spatial arrangement within the phenolic foam. The foam is then carbonized to create a carbon fiber reinforced foam with improved graphitic characteristics as well as increased strength. Optionally, various additives can be introduced simultaneously with the addition of the carbon fiber bundles into the liquid resol, which can improve the graphitic nature of the final carbon foam material and/or increase the foam's resistance to oxidation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a pre-mix for a syntactic phenolic foam composition; a syntactic phenolic foam composition; and a process for preparing the syntactic phenolic foam composition. The pre-mix comprises thermally expandable and/or expanded thermoplastic microspheres, the microspheres comprising a thermoplastic polymer shell made of a homopolymer or copolymer of 100 to 25, for example 93 to 40, parts by weight of a nitrile-containing, ethylenically unsaturated monomer, or a mixture thereof; and 0 to 75, for example 7 to 60, parts by weight of a non-nitrile-containing, ethylenically unsaturated monomer, or a mixture thereof; and a propellant, or a mixture thereof, trapped within the thermoplastic polymer shell; and one of either a highly reactive phenolic resole resin capable of fully crosslinking at temperatures between 15° C. and 60° C.