Abstract: This invention provides methods to form modified hydrogel materials using reactive compounding. The method includes mixing a hydrogel material with a plasticizer in a compounding apparatus. During mixing, a reactive chemical compound is added to the mixture that reacts with the hydrogel material to form a modified hydrogel material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards novel sulfonic acid esters as catalysts for crosslinking of polymers having hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amide functional groups with a crosslinking agent and resin compositions containing the same. The present invention provides polymeric film coatings which have superior hardness, impact resistance, adhesion, improved blister resistance, salt spray characteristics and flexibility. These catalysts are especially effective in coil primer formulations containing calcium ion exchange anticorrosive pigments, where traditional blocked acid catalysts are ineffective.

Abstract: A crosslinkable silane containing polyethylene composition, an insulated electric cable, and a process for the preparation of the composition are described. The crosslinkable silane containing polyethylene composition has a silane content of about 0.1 to 10% by weight, and at least one silanol condensation catalyst, and is characterised in that the composition has a branching parameter (g?) value of at least 0.65. The insulation of the electrical cable comprise the composition as a polymer. The process is characterised in that it is a high pressure polymerisation process at a peak temperature of at most 260° C.

Abstract: A process for forming a multilayer film includes coating a polymeric substrate film with a liquid fluoropolymer coating. The liquid fluoropolymer coating includes a fluoropolymer, solvent, a compatible cross-linkable adhesive polymer, and a cross-linking agent. The process further includes cross-linking the compatible cross-linkable adhesive polymer to form a cross-linked polymer network in the fluoropolymer coating, removing the solvent from the fluoropolymer coating, and adhering the fluoropolymer coating to the polymeric substrate film. A liquid fluoropolymer coating composition includes a fluoropolymer selected from homopolymers and copolymers of vinyl fluoride and homopolymers and copolymers of vinylidene fluoride, solvent, a compatible cross-linkable adhesive polymer, and a cross-linking agent. A fluoropolymer coated film includes a polymeric substrate film and a fluoropolymer coating on the polymeric substrate film.

Abstract: A hyperbranch polymer is bonded to a pore surface existing on a SiO2 glass porous body, such that the hyperbranch polymer is bonded to the pore surface only at the base end moiety. The hyperbranch polymer has a first generation branched moiety branched from the base end moiety, a second generation branched moiety further branched from the first generation branched moiety, and a third generation branched moiety further branched from the second generation branched moiety. A functional group, such as sulfonic acid group, from which a proton is capable of being dissociated, is bonded by substitution to the terminal end of the third generation branched moiety.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of making graft copolymers, and articles having such graft copolymers. The methods may provide better control than in radicalization or photoinitiated polymerization techniques. For example, a graft copolymer can be prepared by reacting an alkoxide ion with a polymer. The alkoxide, in turn, can be provided by any suitable technique, for example, by reacting an alcohol with a base. In some embodiments of the invention, the graft copolymers may be a normally hydrophobic polymer, such as a polysulfone, that has been made more hydrophilic due to the attachment of hydrophilic side groups such as polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol. The copolymers of the invention have many uses, for example, in films or porous membranes.

Abstract: Silane crosslinkable polymer compositions comprise (i) at least one silane crosslinkable polymer, e.g., ethylene-silane copolymer, and (ii) a catalytic amount of at least one polysubstituted aromatic sulfonic acid (PASA). The PASA catalysts are of the formula: HSO3Ar—R1(Rx)m Where: m is 0 to 3; R1 is (CH2)nCH3, and n is 0 to 3 or greater than 20; Each Rx is the same or different than R1; and Ar is an aromatic moiety.

Abstract: The invention encompasses novel amphiphilic block copolymers comprising a hydrophobic block and a hydrophilic block wherein the hydrophilic block is formed from diallyldialkylammonium salt and the hydrophobic block comprises a polyolefin. Furthermore, convenient methods of preparing the amphiphilic block copolymers are disclosed. The amphiphilic block copolymer may be used to increase the wettability and printability of a plastic surface. The amphiphilic block copolymer may also be melt blended with a thermoplastic to form an anti-statically finished polymeric.

Abstract: A block copolymer composition AB is provided that has pendent groups —RZ extending from the A copolymer on at least 70 mol % of the A monomers, where R and Z are each an ionic species. The composition is included in a semipermeable membrane for use in a direct methanol fuel cell. Also described are articles of protective apparel comprising the composition which advantageously has barrier properties as well as superior water vapor transport properties.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel block copolymer containing a controlled distribution copolymer block of a conjugated diene and a mono alkenyl arene, where the controlled distribution copolymer block has terminal regions that are rich in conjugated diene units and a center region that is rich in mono alkenyl arene units. Also disclosed is a method for manufacture of the block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thermally curable polymer composition, and a photolithographic substrate coated therewith, the composition comprising a hydroxyl-containing polymer, an amino cross-linking agent and a thermal acid generator. The thermally curable polymer composition may be dissolved in a solvent and used as an undercoat layer in deep UV lithography.

Abstract: A cleansing processing agent that is able to remove harmful substances contained in a variety of waste materials and a cleansing method are disclosed. Specifically, there is disclosed a cleansing processing agent containing a polymer having at least one of styrene or conjugate diene and acrylonitrile as constituent unit and into which are introduced ionic groups. This cleansing processing agent is contacted with a material for processing containing harmful substances contained in the material for processing for removing the harmful substances. The waste plastics can be used effectively, while a modified product obtained on chemical modification of the plastics is useful for suppressing environmental destruction caused by leakage of the harmful substances contained in the waste materials.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel block copolymer containing a controlled distribution copolymer block of a conjugated diene and a mono alkenyl arene, where the controlled distribution copolymer block has terminal regions that are rich in conjugated diene units and a center region that is rich in mono alkenyl arene units. Also disclosed is a method for manufacture of the block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer particles comprising a polymer bead stabilized by vinylsulfonyl-functionalized polymers grafted to the surface of the bead, as well as a particle composition comprising monodisperse polymer beads stabilized by vinylsulfonyl-functionalized polymers, wherein the vinylsulfonyl-functionalized polymers are grafted to the surfaces of the beads. The invention also includes a method of preparing monodisperse polymer particles comprising preparing a homogeneous solution of an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomer, an initiator, and a polymeric stabilizer, wherein the polymeric stabilizer consists of repetitive units, wherein the repetitive units comprise latent vinylsulfonyl moiety, polymerizing the homogeneous solution, and converting the latent vinylsulfonyl moiety to vinylsulfonyl moieties.

Abstract: Polymers grafted with a compound of formula I, formula (I) wherein the general symbols are as defined in claim 1, have outstanding stability against oxidative, thermal, dynamic, light-induced and/or ozone-induced degradation [R1—SOmnR—SOp—R2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a block copolymer comprising at least one segment having an acid group and at least one segment substantially free from an acid group, wherein the segment having an acid group comprises a repeating unit which is a substituted repeating unit represented in the formula (1) with an acid group, —(Ar1—X1—Ar2—X2)—, ??(1) and in the formula(1), X1 and X2 being each independently —O— or —S—, Ar1 and Ar2 being each independently an aromatic group selected from the groups represented by the following formulae (2) to (4)

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cross-linking a polymer article which comprises a cross-linkable polymer with hydrolyzable silane groups and a crystallinity level of at least 30%. The cross-linking is performed in the presence of a silanol condensation catalyst comprising a compound of formula (I): ArSO3H or a precursor thereof, Ar being a hydrocarbyl substituted aromatic group comprising at least 14 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A reactive liquid is coated on an ion exchange resin precursor membrane for the hydrolysis treatment. Preferably, a reactive liquid having a viscosity of not lower than 50 mPa·s or a small surface tension is used. Said precursor membrane is also subjected to the hydrolysis treatment under constraint, while the precursor membrane is maintained in a widened or a stretched state.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with cross-linked sulfonated polymers, eventually perfluorinated, and their preparation process. When molded in the form of membranes, the polymers are useful in electrochemical cells, in a chlorine-sodium electrolysis process, as separator in an electrochemical preparation or organic and inorganic compounds, as separators between an aqueous phase and an organic phase, or as catalyst for Diels-Alder additions, Friedel-Craft reactions, aldol concentrations, cationic polymerisation, esterification, and acetal formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid acid catalyst that is excellent from the point of toxicity, environment and others, wherein reaction can be progressed effectively with Bronsted acid or Lewis acid catalyst. For example, the benzoylation reaction of alcohol can also be progressed easily, and further, the catalyst can be recovered and recycled easily. The para position of arylbis(perfluoroalkylsulfonyl)methane represented by the general formula [1] (wherein R1 shows a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, Rf1 and Rf2 are independent to each other and show a perfluoroalkyl group), a pentafluorophenylbis(perfluoroalkylsulfonyl)methane, for example, is supported on a polystyrene resin, and a polystyrene-supported arylbis(perfluoroalkylsulfonyl)methane represented by the general formula [3] (wherein R3 shows a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group, Rf1 and Rf2 are the same as described above) is obtained.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a fluoropolymer having interpolymerized units derived from a nitrogen-containing cure site monomer and a catalyst composition are provided. The catalyst composition includes a compound having the general formula: {RA}(?){QR?k}(+) or the precursors thereof, wherein R is a nonfluorinated, partially fluorinated, or perfluorinated alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl or aralkyl, A is an acid- or acid-derivative anion, Q is phosphorous, sulfur, nitrogen, arsenic, or antimony, and each R? is hydrogen or an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or alkenyl group, k is the valence of Q; and optionally (c) an alcohol of the formula R2—OH, wherein R2 is an alkyl group which can be fluorinated. Also provided are a method of making a fluoropolymer, a method of increasing induction time, and fluoropolymer articles containing curable or cured fluoropolymer compositions.

Abstract: A process for making poly(hydroxystyrene)s whose phenolic hydroxyl groups are partially protected by acid-decomposable or -eliminable groups, by which the degree of deblocking of the phenolic hydroxyl groups is controlled. Namely, the production of a polymer containing, in the molecule, repeating units of the general formula (IA) and those of the general formula (IB), comprising adding an acid to polymer (B) containing in the molecule repeating units of general formula (II) in an organic solvent with the molar ratio of the acid to the OR3 group being 0.0001 equivalent or above but below 0.05 equivalent, and reacting the polymer with the acid. In the general formulae, R1 is hydrogen or methyl; R2 is C1-6 alkyl; R3 is an acid-decomposable or -eliminable group; R4 is hydrogen or a group derived from R3 by decomposition with acid; and p is 0, 1, or 2, with the proviso that the IB/IA molar ratio ranges 98/2 to 30/70.

Abstract: Methods of producing macromolecular compositions and using same are provided. The method includes preparing a resin material; forming an acetyl group on the resin material; and oxidizing the acetyl group via a one-step reaction including reacting a sulfoxide and an acid with the acetyl group to form a ketoaldehyde group. The macromolecular compositions are capable of removing an effective amount of one or more constituents from a physiological solution, such as urea during dialysis therapy.

Abstract: A method for sulfonating compounds having one or more free hydroxyl functional groups and/or one or more optionally substituted primary or secondary functional groups, including treating the compounds with a complex of SO3-DMF in the presence of an acid capture agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides functionalized electrophiles, their analogous initiators, and processes for preparing these compounds. The present invention also relates to homotelechelic, heteroelechelic, and radial functional polydiene polymers, polyarylene polymers and polydiene/polyarylene copolymers, their optionally hydrogenated analogues, their optionally deprotected analogs, and process for preparing these functionalized polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production process for a transparent heat-resistant resin, and further, a transparent heat-resistant resin and uses therefor, wherein the production process involves high dealcoholation conversion and a low content of residual volatiles in the resultant resin, and therefore can prevent foam or silver streak from occurring in the molded product, and further, facilitates melt-molding such as injection molding, and is fit for industrial production, and involves good efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides functionalized electrophiles, their analogous initiators, and processes for preparing these compounds. The present invention also relates to homotelechelic, heterotelechelic, and radial functional polydiene polymers, polyarylene polymers and polydiene/polyarylene copolymers, their optionally hydrogenated analogues, their optionally deprotected analogues, and processes for preparing these functionalized polymers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thermally curable polymer composition, and a photolithographic substrate coated therewith, the composition comprising a hydroxyl-containing polymer, an amino cross-linking agent and a thermal acid generator. The thermally curable polymer composition may be dissolved in a solvent and used as an undercoat layer in deep UV lithography.

Abstract: A process for reducing odor emission in aqueous polymer dispersions and in polymer powders comprises admixing an aqueous dispersion of a polymer obtained by free-radical polymerization of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers, after conclusion of the polymerization, with an odor-reducing composition containing a) one or more water-soluble compounds selected from metal salts of copper(II), silver, aluminum, zinc and iron(III), potassium permanganate, imidazoline, and imidazoline derivatives, optionally in combination with b) one or more water-soluble reducing agents selected from ascorbic acid, isoascorbic acid, iron(II) salts, zinc formaldehydesulfoxylate and alkali metal formaldehydesulfoxylate, and optionally drying the thus treated aqueous polymer dispersion to form a polymer powder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions which comprise one or more polymer conjugates having the formula: wherein T is a heterocyclic unit which is capable of inhibiting one or more proteolytic enzymes; L is a linking group; [Poly] is a polymeric unit, i indicates the number of said heterocyclic units which comprise said conjugate and has the value of from 1 to 100; z is 0 or 1, said polymer conjugates suitable for use in preventing skin irritation resulting from exposure of the skin to body fluids, inter alia, feces, menstrual fluid. The conjugates of the present invention are useful in diapers, dressings, sanitary napkins, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides functionalized electrophiles, their analogous initiators, and processes for preparing these compounds. The present invention also relates to homotelechelic, heterotelechelic, and radial functional polydiene polymers, polyarylene polymers and polydiene/polyarylene copolymers, their optionally hydrogenated analogues, their optionally deprotected analogues, and processes for preparing these functionalized polymers.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with cross-linked sulfonated polymers, eventually perfluorinated, and their preparation process. When molded in the form of membranes, the polymers are useful in electrochemical cells, in a chlorine-sodium electrolysis process, as separator in an electrochemical preparation or organic and inorganic compounds, as separators between an aqueous phase and an organic phase, or as catalyst for Diels-Alder additions, Friedel-Craft reactions, aldol concentrations, cationic polymerization, esterification, and acetal formation.

Abstract: Thermally cured undercoat for use in lithography of a thermally cured composition comprising a hydroxyl-containing polymer, an amino cross-linking agent and a thermal acid generator, wherein the hydroxyl containing polymer is a polymer comprising units m, n and o of the following formula: 1

Abstract: A fluorine-containing elastomer composition comprising a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoro(lower alkyl vinyl ether) and perfluoro(&ohgr;-cyanoalkyl vinyl ether) and a bisaminophenyl compound represented by the following general formula as a curing agent: wherein A is an alkylidene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a perfluoroalkylidene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a SO2 group, an O group, a CO group, or a carbon-carbon bond capable of directly coupling two benzene rings; and X and Y each are a hydroxyl group or an amino group can give a rubbery vulcanization product with a good processability and good physical properties by a commercially available cross-linking agent free from any safety problem.

Abstract: A polyimide having a repeating unit of the general formula (I) and a polyamic acid having a repeating unit of the formula (IV): (wherein, R1 and R2 represent H or a C1 to C20 alkyl group, and Z represents a condensed polycyclic aromatic group or an group of the following formulae: Herein, X represents —CO— or —C(═N2)—, Y represents a direct bond, —CH2—, —O—, —SO2—, —S—, —CO— or —C(═N2)—, and W represents a direct bond, —CH2—, —C(CH3)2—, —C(CF3)2—, —S—, —SO—, —SO2— or —O—, b, m and n are 0 or 1; r is a C1 to 4 alkyl group, halogen group or phenyl group; a is 0 or 1 to 3).

Abstract: A process for reclaiming sulfur-cured, vulcanized rubber by combining finely ground scrap vulcanized rubber within a specialized, twin-screw extruder capable of providing strong shearing and just-on-time mixing; adding a reclaiming agent to the extruder; and masticating the rubber scrap and reclaiming agent within the extruder until the rubber scrap is devulcanized. The present invention also discloses a unique composition of reclaiming agent, which preferably includes the following compounds: accelerators TBBS, ZMBT, MBT, and TMTM; activators zinc oxide and stearic acid; and zinc salts of fatty acids and sulfur. The reclaimed rubber is suitable for use in producing high-grade, rubber products without adding a binder, or for combining with fresh rubber compounds to produce high-specification rubber products.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for esterifying and/or transesterifying a polymer having a polyethylenic backbone and pendant acid and/or ester moieties comprising contacting a melt of the polymer with a transesterifying compound so that the polymer undergoes esterification and/or transesterification but not alcoholysis. The esterified or transesterified polymer also has pendant ester moieties which differ in kind and/or number from the unreacted polymer. In one embodiment, the process also comprises adding an amount of a transition metal salt that is effective to promote oxygen scavenging. Also in a further embodiment, the process comprises irradiating the transesterified polymer with actinic radiation to reduce the induction period before oxygen scavenging commences.

Abstract: Sulfonated styrene polymer and/or its salt, a waste water treatment material and sludge dehydrating agent each containing the sulfonated styrene polymer and/or its salt as an effective component thereof are disclosed. The waste water treatment material is used such that the sulfonated styrene polymer and/or its salt, which has a viscosity of 10 mPa·S to 20,000 mPa·S at 25° C. after 0.01 N to 5 N of a neutral salt has been added to the 1 wt % water solution of the sulfonated styrene polymer and/or its salt, is added to each waste water so that waste water is purified. When a sludge dehydrating agent is required, the sulfonated styrene polymer and/or its salt having a weight average molecular weight of 1,100,000 or greater is combined with a cation polymer flocculating agent or an inorganic flocculating agent.

Abstract: A sulfonated, oxidized rubber composition and a neutralized, sulfonated, oxidized rubber composition are provided. The sulfonated, oxidized rubber composition, preferably a composition containing such sulfonated, oxidized rubber composition, can be used as an additive in or for asphalt. The neutralized, sulfonated, oxidized rubber composition, preferably a composition comprising such neutralized, sulfonated, oxidized rubber composition, can be used for oil field applications such as preventing the loss of fluids used during such oil field applications. A process of preparing such compositions includes contacting a rubber composition, such as butyl rubber in the form of waste tire particles, with an oxidizing agent to provide an oxidized rubber composition. The oxidized rubber composition is then contacted with a sulfur-containing acid to provide a sulfonated, oxidized rubber composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-step method of making soft, high refractive index, acrylic ophthalmic device materials. In the first step, a copolymer containing pendant oxirane groups is formed by copolymerizing one or more aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomers with one or more compounds of the formula wherein X is H or CH3; and n is 1-4. In the second step, the copolymer containing pendant oxirane groups formed in the first step is reacted with a compound of the formula W—T—H wherein W is H, CH3(CH2)a, or Z(OCH2CH2)b; a is 0-3; b is 1-5; Z is H, or CH3(CH2)p; p is 0-3; and T is O, NH, S; provided that if T≠O, then W≠H.

Abstract: Thermally cured undercoat for use in lithography of a thermally cured composition comprising a hydroxyl-containing polymer, an amino cross-linking agent and a thermal acid generator, wherein the hydroxyl containing polymer is a polymer comprising units m, n and o of the following formula: 1

Abstract: A functional polymer having active and stable functional groups, for separation or reactive processes in chemical manufacture or analysis, bears nonmetal oxyacid derivatives on dimethylene spacers; a method of preparation is from pre-existing polymers comprising polymeric 1-(vinylphenyl)ethylene repeat units, including radial copolymers of divinylbenzene, by treating with HX(O)mR1nR2 in presence of free radicals; another method of preparation is by treating a polymer comprising repeat units of the form —CH[Ph—CH2CH2—X(O)mR1nR2]—CH2— where X is of lower oxidation state, with oxidizing agent so as to oxidize X to a higher oxidation state; another method of preparation is to exchange one or both of R1 and R2 substituents in —CH[Ph—CH2CH2—X(O)mR1nR2]—CH2— with other substituents; other functional groups may be present; the functional polymer comprises repeat units of the form —CH[Ph—CH2CH2—X(O)mR1nR2]&mdash

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a crosslinkable polymer composition comprising an alkoxysilane functional polyolefin and a silanol crosslinking catalyst selected from the group consisting of: (i) an alkylated naphthalene monosulfonic acid substituted with 1-4 alkyl groups wherein each alkyl group is a linear or branched alkyl with 5-20 carbons with each alkyl group being the same or different, wherein the total number of carbons in the alkyl groups is in the range of 20 to 80 carbons; (ii) an arylalkyl sulfonic acid wherein the aryl is phenyl or naphthyl and is substituted with 1-4 alkyl groups wherein each alkyl group is a linear or branched alkyl with 5-20 carbons with each alkyl group being the same or different, and wherein the total number of carbons in the alkyl groups is in the range of 12-80; (iii) a derivative of (i) or (ii) selected from the group consisting of an anhydride, an ester, an acetylate, an epoxy blocked ester and an amine salt thereof which is hydrolyzable to the corresponding al

Abstract: Described are non-swelling, crosslinked, bead forms of ampholytic base polymers that can be utilized in the chromatographic-type separation of acids from other compounds. Preferred polymers are prepared by modifying a poly-2 or poly-4-vinylpyridine resin crosslinked with divinylbenzene.

Abstract: A monomer represented by the following general formula (m-1): wherein R is a group having an alicyclic skeleton, R2s may be the same or different and are individually hydrogen atom, halogen atom or monovalent organic group, X1 is a bivalent organic group containing a heteroatom, j is an integer of 0 to 3, and R1 is a group selected from the following groups, a monovalent organic group having Si (R1-1), and —(X2)k—R4—(X3)m—C(R6)3  (R1-2), wherein X2 and X3 are a bivalent organic group containing a heteroatom, k and m are an integer of 0 to 3, R4 is a bivalent alkyl group, R6s may be the same or different and are individually hydrogen atom, halogen atom or monovalent organic group.

Abstract: A cation exchanger or a chelating agent having at least structural units represented by the following formula (I), the structural units being derived from a crosslinkable monomer containing an unsaturated hydrocarbon group: wherein A represents a C3-C8 alkylene group or a C4-C9 alkoxymethylene group; L represents SO3−X+, where X+ is a counter ion coordinated with the SO3− group, or a chelate-forming functional group; and the benzene ring may be substituted with an alkyl group or a halogen atom.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a highly active condensation catalyst suitable for the crosslinking of alkoxysilanyl polyolefins, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to golf equipment, such as golf shoes, golf clubs, golf gloves, or portions thereof, formed from compositions comprising a sulfonated, carboxylated, or phosphonated acid moieties, or a mixture thereof. The preferred ionomer composition comprises sulfonated thermoplastic elastomers, sulfonated thermoplastic polymers, sulfonated thermoset polymers, and mixtures thereof. The compositions include a blend of about 1 weight % to about 99 weight % of at least one sulfonated, carboxylated, or phosphonated ionomer and about 99 weight % to about 1 weight % of at least co-component polymer. The co-component polymer may be a conventional ionomer, a thermoplastic, a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoset polymer, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A solid nucleophilic reagent for the conversion of benzylic halogen functionality on polymers to other functionalities, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a crosslinkable polymer composition comprising an alkoxysilane functional polyolefin and a silanol crosslinking catalyst selected from the group consisting of: