Abstract: The invention provides an aqueous dispersion which includes i) an aqueous dispersion (I) resulting from dispersion of a block copolymer (I) composed of at least one polymer block (A) containing olefin monomer units and at least one polymer block (B) containing 2 to 100 mole percent of units derived from at least one vinyl monomer having a carboxyl or carboxylic anhydride group and 98 to 0 (zero) mole percent of units derived from another vinyl monomer or monomers copolymerizable with the carboxyl group- or carboxylic anhydride group-containing vinyl monomer, in an aqueous solution of not less than 0.05 equivalent, relative to the carboxyl or carboxylic anhydride group, of a basic substance, and ii) a polyurethane (II), iii) vinyl polymer (III) or iv) tackifier (IV) incorporated in the aqueous dispersion (I).

Abstract: The invention provides an amphiphilic compound suitable for oil-in-water systems. The amphiphilic compound contains: (a) a lipophilic component that is hydrocarbon group containing about 20 or more carbon atoms; (b) a hydrophilic component selected from (i) a monomer or an oligomer of an oxyalkylene group containing 2 or more carbon atoms; (ii) a monomer or an oligomer of an oxyalkylene group containing 3 or more carbon atoms; (iii) an oligiomer containing: (1) an oxyalkylene group containing 3 or more carbon atoms; (2) an oxyalkylene group containing 2 or more carbon atoms, provided component (2) is different from component (1); (iv) a hydrocarbyl substituted hydroxyamino group; (v) a polyhydric alcohol group; and (vi) a polyamino group; and (c) a linker covalently bonding the hydrophilic component and the lipophilic component, wherein the hydrophilic component is present in an amount sufficient to at least partially disperse the amphiphilic compound in water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to highly branched and coupled polymers based on conjugated dienes or on conjugated dienes and vinylaromatic compounds and on polyfunctional, organic compounds with at least four groups which are capable of coupling. Vulcanization products and shaped rubber articles of all types, in particular tires having an improved rolling resistance, can be produced from the highly branched diene polymers according to the present invention.

Abstract: A syndiotactic styrenic polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution which is a (co)polymer comprising at least one structural unit represented by the following Formula (1): wherein C1 of a phenyl group thereof has a tacticity of 30% or more in terms of a racemic pentad determined by 13C-NMR, and Ra and m are as defined in the specification. The disclosure is also directed to a block copolymer comprising the above polymer as one segment, to a block graft polymer prepared by modifying one block of the above polymer with a nitrogen-containing aromatic polymer, and to a process for preparing a syndiotactic styrenic polymer in which a styrenic monomer is polymerized in the presence of a catalyst comprising a reaction product of a transition metal compound and at least one co-catalyst selected from organic aluminunoxy compounds.

Abstract: A branched olefin copolymer demonstrating excellent performance in various uses, comprising a building block (A) represented by formula (1) below and a building block (B) represented by formula (2) below, obtained by e.g.

Abstract: A novel resin is provided, which is renewable with less energy. A process for renewing the resin is also provided. The present invention includes a polymer having the repeating unit represented by Structural Formula (1) [—P1—R—]n (1). In the formula, P1 indicates an addition polymer moiety having a continuous hydrocarbon chain as the skeleton containing no condensation system, and is a polymer or oligomer prepared by addition polymerization of one or more monomers having a double bond; R indicates a linking group constituted of a condensation system for linking the polymer moieties P; and n is a number of repeating units and is an integer of 2 or more.

Abstract: A method for forming a conjugated polymer which is doped by a dopant includes the steps of (a) adding a doping agent comprising a dopant moiety to a solution containing the conjugated polymer or a precursor thereof and, optionally, a second polymer, the dopant moiety being capable of bonding to the conjugated polymer, precursor thereof or the second polymer; (b) allowing the dopant moiety to bond to the conjugated polymer, precursor thereof or the second polymer to perform doping of the conjugated polymer, wherein the amount of doping agent added in step (a) is less than the amount required to form a fully doped conjugated polymer.

Abstract: Polymeric brush substrates and methods for their preparation are provided. Methods are also provided for preparing macromolecular arrays on such polymeric brush substrates. Using polymeric brush substrates allows control over functional site density as well as wettability and porosity of the substrate. These polymeric brushes are useful in solid-phase synthesis of arrays of peptides, polynucleotides or small organic molecules.

Abstract: A process for brominating a styrenic polymer in an organic solvent in the presence of an antimony trihalide catalyst such that a reaction mass containing brominated styrenic polymer in an organic phase is formed is improved by mixing hydrochloric acid or hydrobromic acid, or both, with said reaction mass at least once to extract antimony catalyst residues from said reaction mass as an acidic aqueous phase. Preferably, catalyst residues are recovered from the acidic aqueous phase and still more preferably, recovered antimony trihalide catalyst residues are recycled to constitute at least a portion of the antimony trihalide catalyst used in preparing the brominated styrenic polymer.

Abstract: A dihydroxyphenyl cross-linked macromolecular network is provided that is useful in artificial tissue and tissue engineering applications, such as artificial or synthetic cartilage. The network is made by first providing a polyamine or polycarboxylate macromolecule (having a plurality of amine or carboxylic acid groups respectively attached along the length of the molecule), reacting this macromolecule with a hydroxyphenyl compound having a free carboxylic acid group in the case of a polyamine or a free primary amine group in the case of a polycarboxylate, and substituting the hydroxyphenyl compound onto the macromolecule via a carbodiimide-mediated reaction pathway to provide a hydroxyphenyl-substituted macromolecule. This macromolecule is then linked to other such macromolecules via an enzyme catalyzed dimerization reaction between two hydroxyphenyl groups attached respectively to different macromolecules under metabolic conditions of temperature and pH.

Abstract: A covalent crosslinking of ion-conducting materials via sulfonic acid groups can be applied to various low cost electrolyte membrane base materials for improved fuel cell performance metrics relative to such base material. This proposed approach is due, in part, to the observation that many aromatic and aliphatic polymer materials have significant potential as proton exchange membranes if a modification can increase their physical and chemical stabilities without sacrificing electrochemical performance or significantly increasing the material and production costs.

Abstract: Processes for producing polyester amides, by reacting a polyisobutylene with a first reagent selected from the group consisting of at least monounsaturated acids having from 3 to 21 carbon atoms and derivatives thereof; and a second reagent selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine and alkylamines of the general formula R—NH2, wherein R represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; are described. The polyester amides thus produced and their uses in stabilizing asphaltenes in crude oil and crude oil derivatives are also described.

Abstract: There is provided a dispersion composition which has excellent dispersion stability and hardly sediments even after a long-term storage. This dispersion composition is a composition comprising a particulate material dispersed in an organic solvent, wherein a graft copolymer which has a particle diameter of 0.01-1 ?m and self-disperses in said organic solvent is adsorbed to at least a part of the outer surface of said particulate material and a graft chain of said graft copolymer comprises a polysiloxane and an alkylene group of 1-18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A rubber roller formed by molding an elastomer composition not less than 250 ?s nor more than 400 ?s in a T2 relaxation time (spin-spin relaxation) of a bound rubber formed between a rubber and/or a thermoplastic elastomer and a reinforcing filler. EPDM can be used as the rubber and/or the thermoplastic elastomer, carbon black as the reinforcing filler, and an organic peroxide as a crosslinking agent. The T2 relaxation time (spin-spin relaxation) of the bound rubber formed between the rubber and/or thermoplastic elastomer and the reinforcing filler is more than a T2 relaxation time of a bound rubber of the rubber and/or thermoplastic elastomer to which the reinforcing filler is not added by not less than 150% nor more than 300%.

Abstract: A composition of matter is disclosed wherein the composition comprises an N-aromatic substituted acid amide compound selected from the group consisting of compounds of formula (I) wherein A and B are independently selected alkylene groups; R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylether, or ester; R2 is hydrogen if R1 is hydrogen; R2 is an alkyl primary amine if R1 is alkyl, alkylether, or ester; R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl; R5 is a sterically hindered phenolic group of formula (II) or formula (III) wherein X is CH2, S, NH, or O; and m, n, and p are independently selected integers equal to 0 or 1. These compositions may be used as such or they may be bound to a polymer backbone via a linking moiety.

Abstract: A resin composition to be used as a material for a various part of an automotive vehicle. The resin composition comprises a copolymer (A) formed by copolymerization of a first unsaturated monomer (a) and a second mononer (b). The first unsaturated monomer has a functional group which is bondable by hydrogen bond to a hydroxyl group. The second monomer is copolymerizable with the first unsaturated monomer. A metal oxide (B) is dispersed in the copolymer and having hydroxyl groups and hydrophobic groups at surface of the metal oxide.

Abstract: The syndiotactic polystirene resin composition according to the present invention is superior in compatibility between a syndiotactic polystyrene and a rubber component and mechanical properties such as impact strength, in which a syndiotactic polystyrene-maleic anhydride (sPS-MA) and a hydrogenated styrene/butadiene/styrene-maleic anhydride (SEBS-MA) are employed as compatibilizers and a diamine compound is added as a coupling agent. The compatibilizers and coupling agents improve polarity of both the syndiotactic polystyrene and the rubber component and impact strength of the syndiotactic polystyrene composition.

Abstract: A crosslinkable second-order nonlinear optical polymer having one or more polarizable chromophore moieties, one or more diene moieties, and one or more dienophile or dienophile precursor moieties, wherein the diene and dienophile moieties are reactive to form 4+2 cycloaddition products; a crosslinked second-order nonlinear optical polymer having aligned, polarizable chromophore moieties and one or more 4+2 cycloaddition moieties, wherein the 4+2 cycloaddition moieties are reversibly, thermally reactive to provide diene moieties and dienophile moieties; lattices and devices that include the crosslinkable second-order nonlinear optical polymer; lattices and devices that include the crosslinked second-order nonlinear optical polymer; and methods for making the crosslinked second-order nonlinear optical polymer.

Abstract: A propylene polymer composition having a melt flow rate (MFR) value from 3 to 30 g/10 min, comprising (percent by weight): A) 50-90% of one or more propylene copolymer(s) having a content of xylene-insoluble mojety at room temperature of not less than 85%, selected from the group consisting of propylene-ethylene random copolymers containing from 1 to 7%, of ethylene; propylene-C4-C8 &agr;-olefin copolymers containing 2-10% of the C4-C8 alpha-olefins; and propylene-ethylene-C4-C8 a-olefin copolymers containing 0.5-5% of ethylene and 2-6% Of C4-C8 &agr;-olefins; and B) 10-50% of a copolymer of propylene containing from 8 to 40% of ethylene and optionally 1-10% of a C4-C8 alpha-olefin; the said MFR value (MFR (2)) being obtained by subjecting to degradation a precursor composition comprising the same components A) and B) in the above said proportions, but having the MFR value (MER (1)) from 0.1 to 5 g/10 min with a ratio MFR (2) to MFR (1) of from 1.5 to 20.

Abstract: A method of free radical polymerization and for cleaving a thio group from the resulting polymer is provided. The method comprises forming a mixture of one or more monomers, at least one free radical source and a chain transfer agent, wherein the chain transfer agent comprises a thio moiety. The mixture is polymerized, and the resulting polymer is mixed with a free radical source, and a monomer having little or no homopolymerizability under cleavage conditions. The thio moiety on the polymer is replaced with a group of interest.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers, the resulting polymers, and in vivo implants made from such polymers. One aspect of this invention presents a method whereby a polymer is irradiated, preferably with gamma radiation, then thermally treated, such as by remelting of annealing. The resulting polymeric composition preferably has its most oxidized surface layer removed. Another aspect of the invention presents a general method for optimizing the wear resistance and desirable physical and/or chemical properties of a polymer by crosslinking and thermally treating it. The resulting polymeric compositions is wear-resistant and may be fabricated into an in vivo implant.

Abstract: A polymer comprising recurring units of formula (2) is prepared by effecting deblocking reaction on a polymer comprising recurring units of formula (1) in the presence of an acid catalyst. In the formulae, R1 and R4 are H or methyl, R2 and R3 are C1-C10 alkyl, or R2 and R3 may form a ring, R5 is H, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy or halogen, R6 and R7 are H, methyl, alkoxycarbonyl, cyano or halogen, R8 is C4-C20 tertiary alkyl, n is an integer of 0 to 4, p is a positive number, q and r each are 0 or a positive number, exclusive of q=r=0, p1 is a positive number, p2 is 0 or a positive number, and p1+p2=p. The polymer thus produced has a narrower molecular weight distribution than polymers produced by the prior art methods. A resist composition comprising the polymer as a base resin has advantages including a dissolution contrast of resist film, high resolution, exposure latitude, process flexibility, good pattern profile after exposure, and minimized line edge roughness.

Abstract: The invention comprises a linear or branched polymer derivative comprising a water soluble and non-peptidic polymer backbone that incorporates an optionally protected vicinal diol, which is either embedded in the polymer backbone or is attached as a pendant group, wherein each linking group (linker) between the polymer backbone and the vicinal diol is a chain comprising at least two saturated carbon atoms. The invention further comprises a method of using said polymer derivative to form an aldehyde and either a second aldehyde or a ketone by way of oxidative cleavage.

Abstract: The invention comprises a linear or branched polymer derivative comprising a water soluble and non-peptidic polymer backbone that incorporates an optionally protected vicinal diol, which is either embedded in the polymer backbone or is attached as a pendant group, wherein each linking group (linker) between the polymer backbone and the vicinal diol is a chain comprising at least two adjacent saturated carbon atoms. The invention further comprises a method of using said polymer derivative to form an aldehyde and either a second aldehyde or a ketone by way of oxidative cleavage.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to an improved process for making elastomeric polyisoprene articles. In particular, the process of the invention is a system which produces synthetic polyisoprene articles exhibiting tensile strength properties similar to that of solvent-based processes using natural rubber latex. The process comprises an accelerator composition at the pre-cure stage comprising a dithiocarbamate, a thiazole and a guanidine compound. In a preferred embodiment, the accelerator composition comprises zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC), zinc 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (ZMBT) and diphenyl guanidine (DPG), in conjunction with a stabilizer, such as sodium caseinate. The invention also includes an elastomeric polyisoprene product made by the process, such as a surgeon's glove.

Abstract: A novel graft polymer useful in various uses that has a polyolefin backbone having polyolefin segments excellent in moldability can be obtained by homopolymerizing a novel polyolefin macromonomer or polymerizing the novel polyolefin macromonomer in the coexistence of other olefins depending on need, wherein the macromonomer has at the terminal of its polyolefin chain a vinyl group whose &agr;-position may be substituted, and the macromonomer can be efficiently obtained by a method, for example, successively carrying out i) a step of producing a polyolefin having a hydroxyl group at the terminal of the polyolefin chain and ii) a step of converting the terminal hydroxyl group of the polyolefin in chain into an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group or a styryl group.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an intrinsically conductive polymer crosslinking at least a portion of an intrinsically conductive polymer precursor in the solid state, the swollen state, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing states, wherein the swollen state is characterized as being one wherein the intrinsically conductive polymer precursor increases in volume upon exposure to a solvent without completely dissolving in the solvent. In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a pattern comprises casting a film of an intrinsically conductive polymer precursor on a substrate; and crosslinking at least a portion of the film by oxidation, wherein the crosslinking occurs in the solid state, the swollen state or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing states.

Abstract: The present invention provides protected functionalized polymerization initiators having less than one molar equivalent chain extension agent introduced therein to provide hydrocarbon solubility.

Abstract: Atactic copolymers derived from an alpha-olefin, optionally ethylene and a non-conjugated diene are provided. The units derived front the diene provide pendant groups having internal or terminal double bonds. Suitable dienes for preparing such copolymers include: CH2═C(R1)—R2—C(R3)═CH2, CH2═C(R1)R4—C(R3)═CH—CH3, wherein R1 and R3 are indenpendently selected from hydrogen or an alkly group, R2 and R4 are alkylene moieties having a chain length of at least 3 carbon atoms and at least 1 carbon atom respectively, or a diene having a cyclic ring with one strained ring double bond and a substituent on the ring of the Formulae: ═CR5R6, —CR7═CH2, wherein R5 and R6 and R7 are independently selected from hydrogen or a C1-C3 alkyl. Also provided are processes for the functionalisation of the atactic copolymers and their use as lubricating oil additives.

Abstract: A method for forming a conjugated polymer which is doped by a dopant includes the steps of (a) adding a doping agent comprising a dopant moiety to a solution containing the conjugated polymer or a precursor thereof and, optionally, a second polymer, the dopant moiety being capable of bonding to the conjugated polymer, precursor thereof or the second polymer; (b) allowing the dopant moiety to bond to the conjugated polymer, precursor thereof or the second polymer to perform doping of the conjugated polymer, wherein the amount of doping agent added in step (a) is less than the amount required to form a fully doped conjugated polymer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns polymers obtained by anionic initiation and bearing functions that can be activated by cationic initiations that are not reactive in the presence of anionic polymerization initiators. The presence of such cationic initiation functions allow an efficient cross-linking of the polymer after moulding, particularly in the form of a thin film. It is thus possible to obtain polymers with well-defined properties in terms of molecular weight and cross-linking density. The polymers of the present invention are capable of dissolving ionic compounds inducing a conductivity for the preparation of solid electrolytes.

Abstract: The thermal stability of a polymer is improved by blending, before melt processing, (1) a polymer selected from (a) olefin polymers, (b) polymers of vinyl-substituted aromatic compounds, (c) polymers of substituted acrylic esters, and (d) graft copolymers comprising a backbone of a propylene polymer material having a substituted acrylic ester graft polymerized thereto, and (2) about 0.1% to about 5% of at least one unsaturated aliphatic compound having a molecular weight of at least 200 and an iodine number of at least 10, e.g., soybean oil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to hydrolytically stabilized maleimide-functionalized water soluble polymers and to methods for making and utilizing such polymers and their precursors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for crosslinking copolymers of ethylene and acrylic esters by converting some of the ester groups to ester or amide groups which contain unsaturation, and then sulfur or peroxide curing the resulting polymers. The resulting crosslinked polymers often have excellent vulcanizate properties, and are useful especially in elastomeric form as seals and gasket.

Abstract: A surface crosslinking treatment method of a water-absorbing resin powder is disclosed that can overcome various problems in production encountered in the production of surface crosslinked water-absorbing resin powders on an industrial scale and can produce a water-absorbing resin powder having excellent physical properties without causing deterioration in physical properties of resin.

Abstract: The present invention includes a molecular melt composition comprising an antioxidant and a coupling agent. The molecular melt is partially amorphous in nature. The invention also includes a method for making the molecular melt composition and a method for using the molecular melt to produce coupled polymers. The invention further includes a method for using an antioxidant to phlagmatize a coupling agent.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to copolymers of fluorene. It further relates to devices that are made with the copolymers.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to copolymers of fluorene. It further relates to devices that are made with the copolymers.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to copolymers of fluorene. It further relates to devices that are made with the copolymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a curable composition comprising a crosslinking silyl-containing vinyl polymer. The curable composition of the invention can be utilized, for example, as sealants such as elastic sealants for building and construction, electric or electronic part materials such as solar battery backside sealants, electric insulating materials such as insulating sheath of wire or cable, pressure sensitive adhesives, adhesives, and paints. A curable composition which comprises the following two components: (A) a vinyl polymer (I) having at least one crosslinking functional group and (B) heavy or ground calcium carbonate (II) having a specific surface area of not smaller than 1.5 m2/g but not larger than 50 m2/g.

Abstract: A second-order modified block copolymer which can be obtained by reacting a first-order modified block copolymer with a second-order modifier, wherein the first-order modified block copolymer comprises a base block copolymer and a functional group-containing first-order modifier group bonded to the base block copolymer, wherein the base block copolymer comprises at least one polymer block comprised mainly of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer units and at least one polymer block comprised mainly of conjugated diene monomer units, and wherein the second-order modifier has a specific functional group which is reactive to the functional group of the first-order modifier group of the first-order modified block copolymer. A second-order modified block copolymer-containing polymer composition comprising the second-order modified block copolymer as well as a thermoplastic resin and/or a rubbery polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coating composition for polyolefin resins, comprising a resin obtained by graft-copolymerizing at least one member selected from the group consisting of an &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid and an acid anhydride thereof with at least one member selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and a propylene-&agr;-olefin copolymer, chlorinating the graft copolymer to give an acid-modified chlorinated polyolefin, linking a (meth)acrylic ester having one hydroxyl group to the polyolefin via an ester linkage, and then graft-copolymerizing (meth)acrylic acid monomers with the polyolefin; and a process for producing the composition.

Abstract: A dihydroxyphenyl cross-linked macromolecular network is provided that is useful in artificial tissue and tissue engineering applications, such as artificial or synthetic cartilage. The network is made by first providing a polyamine or polycarboxylate macromolecule (having a plurality of amine or carboxylic acid groups respectively attached along the length of the molecule), reacting this macromolecule with a hydroxyphenyl compound having a free carboxylic acid group in the case of a polyamine or a free primary amine group in the case of a polycarboxylate, and substituting the hydroxyphenyl compound onto the macromolecule via a carbodiimide-mediated reaction pathway to provide a hydroxyphenyl-substituted macromolecule. This macromolecule is then linked to other such macromolecules via an enzyme catalyzed dimerization reaction between two hydroxyphenyl groups attached respectively to different macromolecules under metabolic conditions of temperature and pH.

Abstract: A composition that includes a non-gelled copolymer that contains residues having structural units (I): 1

Abstract: A polymer nano-string composition is provided. The polymer nano-strings can include a poly(alkenylbenzene) core, and a surface layer comprising poly(conjugated diene). The nano-strings have a mean average diameter of less than about 100 nm and a length of greater than about 1 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Hetero phase polymer compositions are described. The compositions may have polypropylene component, a modifier component and a compatibilizer component. The modifier component may in some embodiments be an ethylene &agr;-olefin copolymer with a density≧0.905 g/cm3. In other embodiments the modifier component may be a blend of a copolymer with a density of ≧0.905 g/cm3, and an ethylene &agr;-olefin copolymer of lower, more traditional density.

Abstract: An organic peroxide vulcanized elastomer having a tack free or low tack surface is prepared under open surface conditions by curing a composition comprising a solid elastomer, an organic peroxide initiator, and a metal carboxylate. The metal carboxylate may be dissolved in a cross-linking coagent and then blended with the elastomer prior to open surface curing. Examples of the open surface molding methods include hot air, steam, salt bath, and sand bath.

Abstract: A vulcanizable rubber composition having improved metal adhesion and metal adhesion retention properties with bright steel, the improvement wherein from about 0.1 to about 10 parts by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of aminosilanes and mercaptosilanes and mixtures thereof, per 100 parts of the rubber component in the rubber composition is incorporated into the rubber composition prior to curing. Structural components for a pneumatic tire contain a cured rubber composition, having from about 0.1 to about 10 parts by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of aminosilanes and mercaptosilanes and mixtures thereof per 100 parts of the rubber component in the rubber composition, incorporated into the rubber compounds prior to curing. A method for improving metal adhesion and metal adhesion retention properties between a vulcanizable rubber composition and bright steel comprises the step of incorporating from about 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vulcanization accelerators constituted by compounds, derived from secondary amines, belonging to the class of enamines and to a process for their preparation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for continuous production of a water-absorbent resin product by which the water-absorbent resin product having high properties can continuously be produced easily and inexpensively with stable constant quality. In addition, there is disclosed a water-absorbent resin product having high properties and being stable in quality.