Abstract: A porous article which is formed from a polymeric material, in which characteristics of the surface of the article provided by the polymeric material are modified by having grafted to it chains of polymerized vinyl monomer units, in which the chains each comprise a number of units of a first vinyl monomer and include a unit of a second vinyl monomer which is different from the first vinyl monomer. Preferably, the ratio of the number of units of the first vinyl monomer in each chain to the number of units of the second vinyl monomer is not more than about 60. When the number of second vinyl monomer units in each chain is one, the mean number of first vinyl monomer units in each chain will be not more than 60.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising an acrylate block copolymer having at least two chemically distinguishable, covalently interlinked acrylate polymer blocks P in microphase-separated regions and each having a softening temperature of between ?125 and +20° C.

Abstract: Dispersion concentrates are claimed which consist of: I) 10-80% by weight of a crosslinked copolymer obtained by polymerization of 1 to 50% by weight of a cyclic N-vinylcarboxamide and 49.99 to 98.99 by weight of acryloyldimethyltauric acid, II) 20-90% by weight of a phase selected from the group consisting of an emulsifier, an oil phase, and mixtures thereof, and III) up to 30% weight water based on the total weight of the stable dispersion concentrate. The stable dispersion concentrate is useful in preparing cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and dermatological compositions.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a grafted diene elastomer having functional groups along the chain, a rubber composition containing this grafted elastomer and having in particular improved hysteresis properties in the cross-linked state, a preparation process for this composition, a tire tread made from this composition and a tire of reduced rolling resistance which incorporates this tread. A process for obtaining this grafted elastomer includes a radical grafting reaction carried out in solution or without a solvent by means of a reagent of the mercaptan type to graft functional groups on to the chain of a starting elastomer. The starting elastomer is treated with an antioxidant having at least one aromatic amine function before the grafting reaction, so that the grafted elastomer has a macrostructure which is practically identical to that of the starting elastomer.

Abstract: The invention relates to uses of comb polymers of acryloyldimethyltaurine and/or acryloyldimethyltaurates in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and dermatological applications as thickeners, dispersing agents, suspending agents, emulsifiers, stabilizers, solubilizers, conditioning agents, consistency-giving agents, lubricants, bonding agents and/or conditioners. The comb polymers of the present invention comprise at least one copolymer.

Abstract: There is provided a fluorine-containing resin composition which is used for nonlinear optical material and comprises (I) a fluorine-containing prepolymer and (II) an organic compound exhibiting a second- or higher-order nonlinear optical effect, in which the fluorine-containing prepolymer (I): (1) is a non-crystalline polymer having a fluorine content of not less than 25% and (2) has a carbon-carbon double bond in a polymer side chain or at an end of a polymer trunk chain and also there is provided a nonlinear optical waveguide device produced from the fluorine-containing resin composition. A suitable nonlinear optical material having a stable structure with a nonlinear substance is produced, and an excellent nonlinear optical waveguide device is produced by relatively simple steps while maintaining transparency in a near infrared region.

Abstract: Polyelectrolyte membranes suitable for use in a fuel cell are provided as a solid state sulfonation product of particular fluorinated polymers, or alternatively as a fluorination product of particular sulfonated polymers. A sulfonated polymer is provided that contains repeating units represented by structure, wherein the groups Ar3 and Ar4 are independently selected from the group consisting of aryl rings, aryl ring systems, and thiophene rings, and where at least one of Ar3 and Ar4 is substituted with a sulfonate group. Films suitable for use as a polyelectrolyte membrane are prepared from the sulfonated polymers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aromatic sulfonic acid ester derivative represented by the formula (1); in the formula, X is an atom or a group selected from a halogen atom excluding fluorine, —OSO3CH3 and —OSO3CF3, A is a divalent electron attractive group, B is a divalent electron donating group or a direct bonding, Ra is a hydrocarbon group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, Ar is an aromatic group having a substituent of —SO3Rb (wherein Rb is a hydrocarbon group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms), m is an integer of 0 to 10, n is an integer of 0 to 10 and k is an integer of 1 to 4. Also disclosed is a process for producing a polyarylene having a sulfonic acid group, which process comprises the steps of coupling polymerization of an aromatic compound containing the derivative of the formula (1), to prepare a polyarylene and hydrolysis of the polyarylene, and which process has high safety and is easily capable of controlling the amount of sulfonoc acid group introduced into a polymer and the introducing position thereof.

Abstract: Provided are a sulfonated polymer capable of high hot water resistance even if it has an increased amount of the sulfonic groups introduced therein, and a solid polymer electrolyte containing the sulfonated polymer that has high proton conductivity and excellent generating performance. The sulfonated polymer has repeating units represented by the formula (1?): wherein B's are each independently an oxygen or a sulfur atom, R1 to R3 may be the same or different and are selected from a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a nitrile group and an alkyl group, n is an integer of 2 or greater, and Q is a structure represented by the formula (q): wherein A is independently a divalent atom or organic group or a direct bond, and R4 to R11 may be the same or different and are selected from a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, an alkyl group and an aromatic group.

Abstract: The invention relates to cosmetic, dermatological, and pharmaceutical products containing an electrolyte. The products are obtained by free-radical copolymerization of A) acryloyldimethyltaurine and/or acryloyldimethyltaurates, and B) optionally, one or more further olefinically unsaturated, noncationic comonomers, C) optionally, one or more olefinically unsaturated, cationic comonomers, D) optionally, one or more silicon-containing component(s), E) optionally, one or more fluorine-containing component(s), F) optionally, one or more macromonomers, G) optionally, the copolymerization taking place in the presence of at least one polymeric additive, H) with the proviso that component A) is copolymerized with at least one component selected from one of the groups D) to G).

Abstract: Objects of the present invention are to provide a process for easily producing an alkenyl-terminated vinyl polymer without using a metal compound requiring a complicated purification step, and to provide a curable composition containing the vinyl polymer. An alkenyl group is incorporated into an end of a vinyl polymer having a thiocarbonylthio structure at the end to produce an alkenyl-terminated vinyl polymer. Mixing this vinyl polymer with a compound having a hydrogen-silicon bond and a hydrosilylation catalyst gives the curable composition.

Abstract: The invention provides water-soluble or water-swellable copolymers obtained by free-radical copolymerization of A) acryloyldimethyltaurine and/or acryloyldimethyltaurates, B) optionally, one or more other olefinically unsaturated, noncationic, optionally crosslinking comonomers containing at least one oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or phosphorus atom and possessing a molecular weight of less than 500 g/mol, C) one or more mono- or polyolefinically unsaturated, optically crosslinking macromonomers each possessing at least one oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or phosphorus atom and having a number-average molecular weight of greater than or equal to 200 g/mol, and D) taking place in the presence of at least one polymeric additive having number-average molecular weight of from 200 g/mol to 109 g/mol. The water-soluble or water-swellable copolymers of the present invention are useful in formulating cosmetics.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel photosensitive composition for photoresist and a system comprising a substrate and a photoresist obtained from said novel composition. The photosensitive composition for photoresist comprises a copolymer with hydrophobic blocks whereof at least one block is an hydrophobic block capable of generating a hydrophilic block and comprising at its end a group selected among dithioesters, thioesters-thiones, dithiocarbamates and xanthates, and a photoactive compound capable of generating under the effect of a radiation an active species reacting with the hydrophobic block to generate the hydrophilic block.

Abstract: A composition comprising by weight: 70 to 96% of at least one polyamide chosen from PA-11, PA-12, aliphatic polyamides resulting from the condensation of an aliphatic diamine having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms and an aliphatic diacid having from 9 to 12 carbon atoms, and 11/12 copolyamides having either more than 90% of nylon-11 units or more than 90% of nylon-12 units; 4 to 10% of a plasticizer; 0 to 25% of an NBR or H-NBR elastomer; and the sum of the amount of plasticizer and the amount of elastomer is between 4 and 30%; can be manufactured by melt-blending the various constituents using standard techniques for thermoplastics. The composition is particularly useful for pipes used in the operation of offshore oil and gas fields. They exhibit very good ageing resistance. They are also useful for simpler pipes in motor vehicles, these compositions withstanding the ageing caused by the temperature under the bonnet of motor vehicles and the nature of the fluids transported.

Abstract: This invention provides a production method of a vinyl polymer having a functional group at a molecular chain terminus which comprises adding a compound (I) having a functional group and an internal alkenyl group or conjugated polyene compound (II) in the living radical polymerization of a radical-polymerizable vinyl monomer. The present invention relates to a vinyl polymer having a functional group at a molecular terminus, a production method of the same and a curable composition containing said polymer.

Abstract: Chain end functionalized block copolymers having low polydispersity index are produced via controlled free radial polymerization of dithiocarbamates.

Abstract: A polyarylene copolymer which comprises (A) aromatic compound units having a main chain containing one or more electron-withdrawing groups therein and (B) aromatic compound units having a main chain containing no electron-withdrawing groups therein, and a proton-conductive membrane comprising the polyarylene copolymer having sulfonic acid groups.

Abstract: An (meth)acryloyl group-modified ethylene-&agr;-olefin copolymer (A) which has (meth)acryloyl group as a the side-chain thereof, wherein the intrinsic viscosity [&eegr;] was 0.01 to 10 dl/g measured in decalin at a temperature of 135° C.; and a rubber composition which comprises said (meth)acryloyl group-modified ethylene-&agr;-olefin copolymer, a vulcanizing agent, and/or a crosslinking agent; in addition, a liquid curable rubber composition which comprises, component (A), reactive diluent (D), and if necessary, photopolymerization initiator (E).

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing a modified polymer rubber having modified both ends, which comprises the steps of: (1) reacting a compound represented by the following formula (1) with an organic alkali metal compound to produce a chemical species, (2) polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer or a combination of a conjugated diene monomer with an aromatic vinyl monomer in the presence of the chemical species to produce an active polymer having an alkali metal at an end thereof, and (3) reacting the active polymer with a functional group-carrying modifying agent in a hydrocarbon solvent to produce the modified polymer rubber having modified both ends.

Abstract: A novel star block copolymer which can be made to have a high molecular weight and gives a solution having a lower viscosity than solutions of linear polymers having the same molecular weight as the copolymer and which is expected to be used as a resist material; and a process for producing the copolymer. The star block copolymer having alkenylphenol skeletons is obtained by homopolymerizing by living anion polymerization an alkenylphenol compound in which the hydroxyl group of the phenol moiety has been protected by a saturated aliphatic protective group or copolymerizing the alkenylphenol compound with a vinylaromatic compound by living anion polymerization, subsequently copolymerizing the resultant polymer using a polyfunctional coupling agent such as divinylbenzene to obtain a star block copolymer, and eliminating the saturated aliphatic protective groups with an acid reagent.

Abstract: A polymeric film and method for making the film. Mixing a structural material with a secondary material to form a unitary mixture prior to processing forms the film. For a printable film, the secondary material is a printable material. The unitary mixture is extruded and heated so as to cause the printable material to bloom to the surface of the mixture. The result is a film that is stiffer and that lays flatter than prior multi-layered films that were prone to curling. The rollers used to stretch the film during this heat-setting stage are preferably very smooth so as to enhance the transverse-direction strength and stiffness of the film. In another embodiment of the invention, the secondary material is a clarity-enhancing material that may be styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer. The blend combination is a suitable replacement for polyvinyl chloride films in that it is soft, conformable, flexible and clear.

Abstract: Hetero-telechelic polymers having the formula: FG—(Q)d—Z—J—[A(R1R2R3)]x  (I) wherein FG is a protected or non-protected functional group; Q is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group derived by incorporation of a compound selected from the group consisting of conjugated diene hydrocarbons, alkenylsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof; d is an integer from 10 to 200; Z is a branched or straight chain hydrocarbon group which contains 3-25 carbon atoms, optionally containing aryl or substituted aryl groups; J is oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen; [A(R1R2R3)]x is a protecting group, wherein A is an element selected from Group IVa of the Periodic Table of Elements; R1, R2, and R3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl groups containing lower alkyl, lower alkylthio, and lower dialkylamino groups, aryl or substituted aryl groups containing lower alkyl, lower alkylthio, and lower dialkylam

Abstract: Hetero-telechelic polymers having the formula: FG—(Q)d—Z—J—[A(R1R2R3)]x  (I) wherein FG is a protected or non-protected functional group; Q is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group derived by incorporation of a compound selected from the group consisting of conjugated diene hydrocarbons, alkenylsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof; d is an integer from 10 to 200; Z is a branched or straight chain hydrocarbon group which contains 3-25 carbon atoms, optionally containing aryl or substituted aryl groups; J is oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen; [A(R1R2R3)]x is a protecting group, wherein A is an element selected from Group IVa of the Periodic Table of Elements; R1, R2, and R3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl groups containing lower alkyl, lower alkylthio, and lower dialkylamino groups, aryl or substituted aryl groups containing lower alkyl, lower alkylthio, and lower dialkylam

Abstract: Disclosed is a water-dispersible acrylic-modified polyester resin containing sulfonate groups prepared by addition copolymerization of ethylenically unsaturated vinyl monomers and a polyester. The polyester is prepared from a polycondensation reaction with dicarboxylic acids, glycols, ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and a minor amount of a sulfomonomer. The acrylic-modified polyester is prepared by first producing the polyester under polycondensation conditions followed by the addition polymerization of the ethylenically unsaturated vinyl monomers. The acrylic-modified polyesters can be formed into a coating composition that has zero or very little organic solvent and is very useful to produce crosslinked cured enamels having excellent gloss, hardness, impact resistance, and water resistance such as those used in automotive finishes, appliance, and coil coatings.

Abstract: A method of modifying a polymeric material which comprises the steps of activation-treatment and a hydrophilic polymer-treatment, or comprises the steps of activation-treatment, a hydrophilic polymer-treatment, and monomer grafting in this order, or comprises the step of a solvent-treatment followed by these steps. Thus, the polymeric material, e.g., polyolefin, is improved in hydrophilicity, adhesion, etc. without lowering the practical strength thereof The polymeric material thus improved in adhesion and other properties can be used in many applications where water absorption and adhesion are required, such as an absorption material, e.g., a wiping/cleansing material, a water retention material, a material for microorganism culture media, a separator for batteries (or cells), a synthetic paper, a filter medium, a textile product for clothing, a medical/sanitary/cosmetic supply, and reinforcing fibers for composite materials.

Abstract: A polyarylene copolymer which comprises (A) from 60 to 3 mol % aromatic compound units having a main chain containing one or more electron-withdrawing groups therein and (B) from 40 to 97 mol % aromatic compound units having a main chain containing no electron-withdrawing groups therein (provided that (A)+(B)=100 mol %), and a proton-conductive membrane comprising the polyarylene copolymer having sulfonic acid groups.

Abstract: Hetero-telechelic polymers having the formula:

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the etherification of olefins. According to the process, an olefin or a mixture of olefins is reacted with an alcohol or a mixture of alcohols in the presence of a catalyst. According to the invention, a catalyst is used which comprises a grafted polymer fiber, there being functional groups attached to the grafted polymer fiber. By means of the invention it is possible to speed up the etherification process of, in particular, heavier ethers.

Abstract: A vinyl polymer having, at a molecular chain terminus, a structure represented by the general formula 1: (wherein R3 is a hydroxy, amino, epoxy, carboxylic acid, ester, ether, amide or silyl group, an alkenyl group having low polymerizability, an organic compound having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, X is a halogen atom, a nitroxide or sulfide group or a cobalt porphyrin complex).

Abstract: Aqueous coating composition, for example for use as a clear or pigmented top coat or a primer, comprising: a) a polyol or a mixture of polyols having at least two hydroxy groups per molecule and: i a content C of carboxylate- and/or carboxylic acid-functional groups and ii a content S of sulfonate- and/or sulfonic acid-functional groups, and b) one or more cross-linkers capable of reacting with hydroxy groups. A Polyol having a content C of carboxylate- and/or carboxylic acid-functional groups and a content S of sulfonate- and/or sulfonic acid-functional groups, the total content C+S being between 0.09 and 0.6 mmol/gram polyol, and the ratio C/S having a value between 0.5 to 20 and a process for preparing the polyol resin.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with water soluble high-molecular weight quaternary ammonium graft polymer, wherein ammonium salt side chains are grafted onto a polyamine backbone under free radical conditions, and wherein the initiator system comprises a free radical-producing oxidizing agent and the polyamine backbone polymer.

Abstract: An esterified macromonomer within the scope of the general formula: wherein Z is an organic moiety, R1 is hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, oxyalkyl having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, alkenyl having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl having from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, aryl having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms or aralkyl having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, each E independently is a hydroxyl group, an organic ester moiety or an inorganic ester containing moiety and at least one E is an ester containing moiety, n and m each independently is an integer from 2 to 12.

Abstract: Electron donor compounds, suitable for use as adhesives or as components in adhesives, contain a carbon to carbon double bond attached to an aromatic ring and conjugated with the unsaturation in the aromatic ring.

Abstract: A polyarylene copolymer which comprises (A) from 60 to 3 mol % aromatic compound units having a main chain containing one or more electron-withdrawing groups therein and (B) from 40 to 97 mol % aromatic compound units having a main chain containing no electron-withdrawing groups therein (provided that (A)+(B)=100 mol %), and a proton-conductive membrane comprising the polyarylene copolymer having sulfonic acid groups.

Abstract: Novel water-soluble or water-dispersible grafted copolymers comprising polyvinyl alcohol, vinylpyrrolidone or oxyalkylene oligomer or polymer units and hydrophilic copolymer units derived from ethylenically unsaturated anionic and amphoteric water-soluble monomers.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of hydrocarbon solutions of monofunctional ether initiators of the following general structure: M—Qn—Z—O—[A(R1R2R3)] wherein M is an alkali metal selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium and potassium; Q is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group derived by incorporation of a compound selected from the group consisting of conjugated diene hydrocarbons, alkenylsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof into the M—Z linkage; Z is a branched or straight chain hydrocarbon group which contains 3-25 carbon atoms, optionally containing aryl or substituted aryl groups; A is an element selected from carbon and silicon; R1, R2, and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl groups containing lower alkyl, lower alkylthio, and lower dialkylamino groups, aryl or substituted aryl groups containing lower alkyl, lower alkylthio, and lower dialkylamino groups, and n is an integer from 1 to 5, monof

Abstract: This invention relates to the separation of molecules on polymer gels, in particular to novel cross-linked polymer gels comprising the cross-linking moiety of for formula (1) and their preparation, the separation of molecules by techniques such as electrophoresis using these gels, novel cross-linking agents useful in the preparation of the gels, and novel intermediates useful in the synthesis of the cross-linking agents. The invention is especially suitable for electrophoretic applications.

Abstract: Hetero-telechelic polymers having the formula:FG--(Q).sub.d --Z--J--[A(R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3)].sub.x (I)wherein FG is a protected or non-protected functional group; Q is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group derived by incorporation of a compound selected from the group consisting of conjugated diene hydrocarbons, alkenylsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof; d is an integer from 10 to 200; Z is a branched or straight chain hydrocarbon group which contains 3-25 carbon atoms, optionally containing aryl or substituted aryl groups; J is oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen; [A(R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3)].sub.x is a protecting group, wherein A is an element selected from Group IVa of the Periodic Table of Elements; R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.

Abstract: The invention relates to separating materials based on supports containing hydroxyl groups, whose surface [sic] are coated with covalently bound polymers, and to processes for their preparation. The separating materials are characterized in that the polymers consist of identical recurring units of the formula I.brket open-st.CH.sub.2 --CHX.brket close-st..sub.n (I)in whichX is CO--NH--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --SO.sub.3 H andn is 2-100.

Abstract: Separation functional fibers are produced by exposing fibers with a core/sheath structure to an ionizing radiation and then grafting a polymerizable monomer to the fibers. Ion-exchange fibers are produced by introducing, through radiation-initiated graft polymerization, ion-exchange groups into the sheath of each of composite fibers the core and the sheath of which are composed of different kinds of high-polymer components. The separation functional fibers and the ion-exchange fibers are useful in various applications such as the production of pure water in electric power, nuclear, electronic and pharmaceutical industries and the demineralization of high-salt content solutions in the production of foods and chemicals. The fibers are also useful in removing harmful components from gases, as well as odorous components such as ammonia.

Abstract: High-surface-area polyolefins grafted with certain fluoroalkylvinylether sulfonate or carboxylate monomers, and their method of preparation, are disclosed. Such materials are usefuli as catalysts and as membranes in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid golf ball wherein rebound characteristics and shot feel at the time of hitting are improved without adversely affecting satisfactory flight distance and durability as a feature of the solid golf ball.Disclosed is a solid golf ball comprising a core and a cover formed on the core, the core being composed of a rubber composition containing (i) a base rubber, (ii) a metal salt of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid, (iii) a co-crosslinking initiator, and (iv) a specific organosulfur compound.

Abstract: A conductive graft copolymer is provided comprised of a polymerized acrylic or methacrylic acid ester backbone having grafted thereon pendant polymeric sulfur, nitrogen or oxygen-containing heterocyclic moieties. The conductive graft copolymer is particularly useful as a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: Relatively low molecular weight Olefin/CO copolymers are graft copolymerized with vinyl monomers by the exposure of a mixture of a dispersion of the two to high energy radiation such as .gamma. ray radiation. Styrene is an example of a monomer useful in forming the graft copolymer. The graft copolymers are useful as waterborne glues particularly in the preparation of wood composites.

Abstract: Polyalkenylaromatic-polyethylene copolymers are prepared using protected functional organolithium initiators. Polymerization of an alkenylsubstituted aromatic monomer followed by ethylene, results in a protected functional block polystyrene-co-polyethylenyllithium. Termination with a functionalizing agent followed by deprotection produces polymeric products with high functionalization at the initiating chain-end and at least partial functionalization at the terminal chain-end.

Abstract: A functionalized elastomer is provided which is of the type containing a substrate elastomer, having a weight-average molecular mass (Mw).sub.0 of between 10,000 and 600,000 daltons and a polydispersity index of less than 5, onto which are grafted, in an amount representing 0.1 to 10% by weight of the substrate, sequences carrying carboxyl or ester functional groups, wherein its weight-average molecular Mw is such that the ratio ##EQU1## is less than 20% and the sequences grafted onto the substrate correspond to the formula ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 denotes an (x+z+1)-valent C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 hydrocarbon radical, X represents H or a monovalent C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 hydrocarbon radical R, z is equal to zero or 1 and x is an integer having a value ranging from 1 to 3 with x+z .ltoreq.3. Bitumen/EF compositions useful for making surfacings may be produced by incorporating the EF into a bituminous component.

Abstract: High-surface-area polyolefins grafted with certain fluoroalkylvinylether sulfonate or carboxylate monomers, and their method of preparation, are disclosed. Such materials are useful as catalysts and as membranes in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: Separation functional fibers are produced by exposing fibers with a core/sheath structure to an ionizing radiation and then grafting a polymerizable monomer to the fibers. Ion-exchange fibers are produced by introducing, through radiation-initiated graft polymerization, ion-exchange groups into the sheath of each of composite fibers the core and the sheath of which are composed of different kinds of high-polymer components. The separation functional fibers and the ion-exchange fibers are useful in various applications such as the production of pure water in electric power, nuclear, electronic and pharmaceutical industries and the demineralization of high-salt content solutions in the production of foods and chemicals. The fibers are also useful in removing harmful components from gases, as well as odorous components such as ammonia.

Abstract: The present invention provides amphipathic graft copolymers which comprises a hydrophobic polymer portion to which is grafted at least one amphipathic polymer portion containing pH independent ionic groups. The amphipathic graft copolymers can be prepared employing a procedure which comprises polymerizing at least two hydrophobic monomers, wherein at least one of the monomers is a graftable monomer, and at least one hydrophilic monomer, including at least one anionic and/or cationic pH independent ionic monomer, or a post reactive non-ionic monomer that can be converted to a pH independent ionic derivative, in a reaction medium and recovering the thus prepared amphipathic graft copolymer. Stable, substantially non-aqueous solution compositions of said amphipathic graft copolymer containing less than 15 percent by weight water are also provided.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there are provided a process for producing a vinyl alcohol polymer comprising reaction of a vinyl ester polymer (A) having an epoxy group with a compound (B) having a thiol or thioester group and hydrolysis thereof, said hydrolysis being conducted during or after said reaction; and a process for producing a vinyl alcohol polymer comprising reaction of a vinyl ester polymer (C) having a thiol or thioester group with a compound (D) having an epoxy group and hydrolysis thereof, said hydrolysis being conducted during or after said reaction. According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently introduce into PVA various functional groups having excellent reactivity, crosslinkability, ionic interactivity, water-solubility, interfacial physical properties, low-temperature flexibility, etc., under relatively mild reaction conditions.