Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods of preparing an alkoxysilane functionalized polymer, the method comprising: introducing an anionic polymerization initiator to a reactor comprising a reactive mixture including conjugated diolefin monomer and solvent to form a living polymer via anionic polymerization; introducing alkoxysilane to the reactor to mix with the living polymer to form an alkoxysilane functionalized polymer; adding at least one aliphatic carboxylic acid having at least 10 carbons to the alkoxysilane functionalized polymer; and removing solvent from the alkoxysilane functionalized polymer.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-component copolymer capable of improving the rollability of a rubber composition while having excellent low heat generating property. The multi-component copolymer comprises conjugated diene units, non-conjugated olefin units and aromatic vinyl units, wherein: a ratio among all of the aromatic vinyl units of at least one aromatic vinyl unit existing in amorphous parts inclusive of the conjugated diene units is less than 50%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing high-reactivity isobutene homo- or copolymers with a content of terminal vinylidene double bonds per polyisobutene chain end of at least 70 mol %, which comprises polymerizing isobutene or an isobutene-comprising monomer mixture in the presence of an aluminum trihalide-donor complex effective as a polymerization catalyst or an alkylaluminum halide-donor complex effective as a polymerization catalyst, wherein the aluminum trihalide or alkylaluminum halide is treated with at least one inorganic hydrate.

Abstract: This disclosure describes polymerization processes and processes for quenching polymerization reactions using high molecular weight polyhydric quenching agents.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of making, comprising: applying a hydrodynamic cavitation process to a raw material comprising particles comprising a metal-containing material or a carbon containing material of a first size to produce a slurry having particles comprising the metal-containing material or the carbon-containing material of a second size, smaller than the first size; and tape casting the slurry to form a green tape. Apparatuses employed to apply the method and the exemplary compositions made in accordance with the method are also provided.

Abstract: A CO2 conversion system includes at least a first reactor including a gas mixing tube, a spark ignition system for generating sparks in the gas mixing tube coupled to a catalyst chamber having a catalyst therein coupled to a reaction chamber. Inlet tubes each with gas flow control valves are for injecting process gases including O2, H2 and CO2 into the gas mixing tube, wherein the process gases react in the reaction chamber in at least one chemical reaction to form reaction products including output gases including CH4 and reaction heat. A process controller utilizes at a process temperature setpoint or a criteria for an output gas to control a temperature in the catalyst chamber to maintain the process temperature setpoint or output gas criteria by adjusting gas flow control valves for changing the mass flow of at least one process gas to reduce a heat from the chemical reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a random copolymer that is used for manufacturing a rubber having high fracture strength and excellent low loss properties (low heat generation properties) and that includes randomly arranged monomer units of a conjugated diene compound and of a non-conjugated olefin, a rubber composition containing the random copolymer, a cross-linked rubber composition obtained by crosslinking the rubber composition, and a tire manufactured by using the rubber composition or the cross-linked rubber composition. A copolymer of a conjugated diene compound and a non-conjugated olefin includes a random copolymer having randomly arranged monomer units of the conjugated diene compound and of the non-conjugated olefin, which random copolymer contains, by at least 5 mol %, alternate bonding units of the conjugated diene compound and the non-conjugated olefin in a unit derived from the non-conjugated olefin.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the continuous polymerization of a polymer comprising monomeric units derived from styrene and 1,3-butadiene, said process comprising: polymerizing the monomers in the presence of an initiator, and at least one polar agent selected from Formula 1; wherein R1 and R2 are each independently an alkyl, and preferably a C1-C4 alkyl; R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently selected from hydrogen or an alkyl, and preferably hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl; and wherein a 1,2-diene is added to the polymerization, and the 1,2-diene to active initiator (active for polymerization) molar ratio is from 0.1 to 1.0, preferably from 0.1 to 0.9, and more preferably from 0.1 to 0.85; and wherein the polar agent to the active initiator molar ratio is from 0.05 to 0.6, preferably from 0.1 to 0.5, more preferably from 0.15 to 0.3.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an extruder (10), particularly for extruding a synthetic rubber product, which comprises a barrel (24), one or several extruder elements (12, 14), particularly one or several extruder screws and/or a kneader elements (14), arranged inside the barrel (24) for conveying the product, optionally an inlet port for feeding a stripping agent into the barrel (24) and an outlet port for removing volatile compounds from the product and, where applicable, the stripping agent. According to the invention a perforated die plate (26) is fixed to the barrel (24) in flow direction before the outlet port. Since the die plate (26) is not fixed to the extruder elements (12, 14) but to the barrel (24) a circumferential clearance between the die plate (26) and the barrel (24) is prevented so that no extruded material is passing the die plate (26) radially outside.

Abstract: Nonconjugated conductive polymers absorb radioactive iodine, therefore are useful for protection against nuclear radiation. These polymers have at least one double bond per repeat unit. The ratio of the number of double bonds to the total number of bonds along the polymer chain is less than half. Examples of nonconjugated conductive polymers include: cis-1,4-polyisoprene (natural rubber), trans-1,4-polyisoprene (gutta percha), polybutadiene, polydimethyl butadiene, poly(b-pinene), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), polyalloocimene, polynorbornene and many others. Through interaction with iodine atoms the double bonds in the nonconjugated polymers transform into radical cations leading to a dark color. The iodine atoms remain (immobile) bound to the polymer chain through the charge-transfer interaction, these polymers are very inexpensive and can be easily processed into any shape, structure and size. Therefore, these are useful for protection against nuclear radiation including radioactive iodine.

Abstract: The invention concerns an olefinically unsaturated radial styrenic block copolymer having the general formula A-B—Y—(B-A)n wherein each A is independently a polymer block composed of at least 90 mol. % of an alkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon, each B is independently a polymer block composed of at least 90 mol. % of one or more conjugated dienes, Y is the remnant of a coupling agent, and n is an integer from 2 to 5. The invention is also an improved vulcanizer-free latex comprising water and the olefinically unsaturated radial styrenic block copolymer. Moreover, the invention concerns a process for preparing articles by coagulation dipping from the improved latex and dipped goods made from such latex.

Abstract: A process for polymerization of a polymer containing monomeric units derived from a styrene monomer and a 1,3-butadiene monomer includes polymerizing the monomeric units in the presence of an initiator, a first polar agent, and a second polar agent. The first polar agent includes a structure (I): R1?R2?N-Q-NR3?R4?; and the second polar agent comprises a structure (II): R1?, R2?, R3?, and R4? are each independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group and hydrogen; Q contains an alkylene group; R1 and R2 are each independently an alkyl group; and R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group and hydrogen. Polymers prepared by the above process are described, as are compositions containing such a polymer, and articles containing at least one component formed from such a composition.

Abstract: A polymer has at least the following characteristics: (a) a block styrene content containing 4 to 6 styrene units from about 27 to about 50 weight percent based on total styrene content in the polymer; (b) a vinyl content from about 30 to about 80 weight percent based on total amount of polymerized 1,3-butadiene; and (c) a styrene content from about 40 to about 70 weight percent based on total weight of polymer. Processes for the polymerization of such a polymer, compositions containing such a polymer, and articles containing at least one component formed from such a composition are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a latex resin composition for rubber gloves without sulfur and a vulcanization accelerator and a method of manufacturing dip-formed article using the composition. The composition comprises a conjugated diene monomer; an ethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer; an ethylenically unsaturated acid monomer; an ethylenically unsaturated monomer copolymerizable with the ethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer and the ethylenically unsaturated acid monomer; and a reactive compound including two or more reactive groups. According to the manufacturing method, productivity is improved by omitting a long maturation process included in a traditional glove manufacturing process; not only an adverse effect caused by traditional sulfur and vulcanization accelerator is reduced but also rubber gloves with excellent physical properties can be provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer, the method comprising: metalating an organophosphine compound in the substantial absence of monomer to form a metalated organophosphine; and introducing the metalated organophosphine to monomer including conjugated diene monomer to form a reactive polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a random copolymer including a monomer unit (a) derived from an aromatic vinyl compound and a monomer unit (b) derived from farnesene; a process for producing the copolymer including at least the step of copolymerizing an aromatic vinyl compound with farnesene; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component and (C) carbon black; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component and (D) silica; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component, (C) carbon black and (D) silica; and a tire using the rubber composition at least as a part thereof.

Abstract: A styrenic monomer-diolefin copolymer comprises polystyrenic monomer micro-blocks and polydiolefin micro-blocks, in which the content of styrenic monomer units is 10-80 wt %, the ratio of diolefin units of 1,2-structure is less than 30% in the total diolefin units, and the number-average molecular weight (Mn) of the copolymer is 25,000-500,000. The preparation methods and uses in foam products thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: It has been found that certain cells in culture can convert more than about 0.002 percent of the carbon available in the cell culture medium into isoprene. These cells have a heterologous nucleic acid that (i) encodes an isoprene synthase polypeptide and (ii) is operably linked to a promoter. The isoprene produced in such a cultured medium can then be recovered and polymerized into synthetic rubbers and other useful polymeric materials. The synthetic isoprene containing polymers of this invention offer the benefit of being verifiable as to being derived from non-petrochemical based resources. They can also be analytically distinguished from rubbers that come from natural sources. The present invention more specifically discloses a polyisoprene polymer which is comprised of repeat units that are derived from isoprene monomer, wherein the polyisoprene polymer has ?13C value of greater than ?22‰.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a branched conjugated diene copolymer which is useful for preparing a rubber composition, having high uniformity of a temperature dependence curve of a viscoelasticity tan ?, for a tire, a rubber composition comprising the copolymer, and a pneumatic tire produced using the rubber composition for a tire. The branched conjugated diene copolymer is composed of monomer components comprising a branched conjugated diene compound represented by a general formula (1): wherein R1 represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 11 carbon atoms, and an aromatic vinyl compound represented by a general formula (2): wherein R2 represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and R5 represents a hydrogen atom or the like, and a copolymerization ratio (m) of the aromatic vinyl compound (2) is 45% by mass or more.

Abstract: A polymer having at least the following characteristics: (a) a block styrene content with more than 6 consecutive styrene units from about 15 to about 35 weight percent based on total styrene content in the polymer; (b) a vinyl content from about 25 to about 80 weight percent based on total amount of polymerized 1,3-diene; and (c) a styrene content from about 35 to about 75 weight percent based on total weight of polymer; and (d) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.5 or less.

Abstract: A polymer having at least the following characteristics: (a) a block styrene content with more than 4 consecutive styrene units from about 40 to about 70 weight percent based on total styrene content in the polymer; (b) a vinyl content from about 25 to about 80 weight percent based on total amount of polymerized 1,3-diene; (c) a styrene content from about 20 to about 75 weight percent based on total weight of polymer; and (d) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.5 or less.

Abstract: The invention provides a first composition comprising at least the following: i) a modified polymer comprising at least one branched modified polymer macromolecule (b1) and at least one linear modified polymer macromolecule (a1), and wherein the at least one branched modified polymer macromolecule and the at least one linear modified polymer macromolecule each, independently, comprises at least one amine group selected from the group consisting of formulas (1A-1F), each as described above: and combinations thereof; and wherein the at least one branched modified polymer macromolecule further comprises one of the structures (ib1-ib4) as described above, and the at least one linear modified polymer macromolecule further comprises one of the structures (iib1) as described above (see Formula 3A).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a branched conjugated diene copolymer which is useful for preparing a rubber composition, having high uniformity of a temperature dependence curve of a viscoelasticity tan ?, for a tire, a rubber composition comprising the copolymer, and a pneumatic tire produced using the rubber composition for a tire. The branched conjugated diene copolymer is composed of monomer components comprising a branched conjugated diene compound represented by a general formula (1): wherein R1 represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 11 carbon atoms, and an aromatic vinyl compound represented by a general formula (2): wherein R2 represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and R5 represents a hydrogen atom or the like, and a copolymerization ratio (m) of the aromatic vinyl compound (2) is 45% by mass or more.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polysiloxane compound having a structure represented by formula 1: wherein each of F1, F2, F3 and F4 is individually selected from one of a first group, a second group, a third group and a fourth group, the first group is selected from a C2˜C10 hydrocarbon group having amino group(s), a C2˜C10 hydrocarbon group having epoxy group(s), a C2˜C10 hydrocarbon group having carbonyl group(s) or a C2˜C10 hydrocarbon group having alkoxy group(s), the second group is a C2˜C10 hydrocarbon group having amino group(s), the third group is selected from a C2˜C10 hydrocarbon group having epoxy group(s), a C2˜C10 hydrocarbon group having carbonyl group(s), a C2˜C10 hydrocarbon group having SiCl group(s) or a C2˜C10 hydrocarbon group having alkoxy group(s), the fourth group is selected from a C2˜C10 hydrocarbon group having aryl group(s) or a C2˜C10 hydrocarbon group having alkoxy group(s).

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for producing polymers of isoprene derived from renewable resources, such as isoprene produced from cultured cells that use renewable carbon sources. A starting isoprene composition, such as a bioisoprene composition, is distinguished from petroleum based isoprene by its purity profile (such as lower levels of certain C5 hydrocarbons other than isoprene, presence of certain compounds associated with the biological process for production) and the relative content of the carbon isotopes. Polymers obtained by polymerization of such starting isoprene composition according to this invention, such as a polyisoprene homopolymer or a copolymer having repeat units that are derived from isoprene, are distinguishable from isoprene containing polymers from petrochemical resources.

Abstract: Conjugated diene polymer comprising at least a conjugated diene monomer unit, the conjugated diene polymer has a number-average molecular weight (Mn) in terms of polystyrene of 1,000 to 1,000,000, a ratio (Mw/Mn) of a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) to the number-average molecular weight (Mn) of lower than 2.0 and the polymer bears a halogen atom at a terminal of the polymer chain. Method for producing the conjugated diene polymer comprises subjecting a monomer containing at least a conjugated diene to living radical polymerization using a polymerization initiator comprising a halogenocyclopentadienyl triorganophosphine ?2-olefin ruthenium complex represented by formula (6) (and an organic halide.

Abstract: The invention provides a first composition comprising at least the following: i) a modified polymer comprising at least one branched modified polymer macromolecule (b1) and at least one linear modified polymer macromolecule (a1), and wherein the at least one branched modified polymer macromolecule and the at least one linear modified polymer macromolecule each, independently, comprises at least one amine group selected from the group consisting of formulas (1A-1F), each as described above Formula 1A, Formula 1B, Formula 1C, Formula 1D, Formula 1E, Formula 1F, and combinations thereof; and wherein the at least one branched modified polymer macromolecule further comprises one of the structures (ib1-ib4) as described above, and the at least one linear modified polymer macromolecule further comprises one of the structures (iib1-iib2) as described above.

Abstract: A process for the removal of the solvent from a polymeric solution including at least one elastomeric polymer, which comprises subjecting said polymeric solution to a stripping step by means of water vapour, in the presence of a dispersant system comprising: —from 0.005% by weight to 1% by weight, preferably from 0.008% by weight to 0.8% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the dry elastomeric polymer, of at least one lamellar material; —from 0.0005% by weight to 1% by weight, preferably from 0.0008% by weight to 0.8% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the dry elastomeric polymer, of at least one cationic surfactant.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and optional terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric latexes that can be used in adhesive compositions, which provide improved bonding of rubber articles to rubber reinforcing articles. The adhesive composition includes a single or a blend of polymeric latexes comprising a conjugated aliphatic monomer, a vinylaromatic monomer, a vinylpyridine monomer, and a nitrogen-containing monomer comprising a reactive N-methylol- or N-alkoxy-functionality. Use of the monomer comprising a nitrogen-containing monomer comprising a reactive N-methylol- or N-alkoxy-functionality allows for reduced amounts of the vinylpyridine monomer in the latex, and enhances the bonding properties of the adhesive composition. Use of the adhesive composition provides economic and chemical advantages for the preparation of reinforced rubberized articles.

Abstract: An adhesive resin composition for a secondary battery for bonding a separator for a secondary battery and an electrode for a secondary battery, wherein the composition comprises an adhesive resin having a unit derived from an aromatic vinyl monomer and having a glass transition temperature of 25° C. or lower.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an acrylic copolymer having high heat resistance and high strength, and an optical film comprising the same, and more particularly, to an acrylic copolymer for optical films in which alkyl (meth)acrylate monomers; (meth)acrylate monomers comprising aromatic rings and/or aliphatic rings; and (meth)acrylamide monomers are included and polymerized. An acrylic copolymer according to the present invention is excellent in heat resistance while maintaining transparency. Further, an optical film comprising a compound resin including the acrylic copolymer has superior transparency and heat resistance and is excellent in formability, adhesion, retardation properties, and durability.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for producing polymerization initiators comprising at least two protected primary amine groups. Polymers prepared using such polymerization initiators can comprise a residue of the polymerization initiator and can initially comprise the at least two protected primary amine groups. Such polymers can undergo a deprotection process thereby yielding a polymer having one or more unprotected primary amine groups. Polymers having primary amine groups can be employed in rubber compositions, which have a variety of potential applications, such as, for example, in tire manufacturing.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide white colored fine particles with high white reflectance and not easily precipitating in a dispersion medium compared to inorganic white pigments, a method of producing the fine particles, an image display medium and an image display apparatus having a high whiteness like a paper and an excellent display memorability using the fine particles. Therefore, the fine particles contain a polymer of a compound expressed by the following formula (1): wherein, R represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group or an alkenyl group, “m” represents an integer of 1 to 10, and at least one of R represents the alkenyl group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a branched conjugated diene copolymer which is useful for preparing a rubber composition, having high uniformity of a temperature dependence curve of a viscoelasticity tan?, for a tire, a rubber composition comprising the copolymer, and a pneumatic tire produced using the rubber composition for a tire. The branched conjugated diene copolymer is composed of monomer components comprising a branched conjugated diene compound represented by a general formula (1): wherein R1 represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 11 carbon atoms, and an aromatic vinyl compound represented by a general formula (2): wherein R2 represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and R5 represents a hydrogen atom or the like, and a copolymerization ratio (m) of the aromatic vinyl compound (2) is 45% by mass or more.

Abstract: A protective cover for an electronic device that has an interactive control panel includes a protective shell having a first member and a second member. The second member is configured to join with the first case. An aperture defined by the protective shell aligns with the interactive control panel. A protective membrane for an electronic device includes a sheet of engineered thermoplastic having dimensions corresponding to features of a surface of the electronic device, and has a combination of sufficient thinness and a dielectric constant that together permit capacitive inputs on a front side of the protective membrane to be transmitted to the capacitance sensing interactive control panel. The protective cover and/or the protective membrane include a metalized coating or metallic additive.

Abstract: A macromolecule includes at least one polymer chain and terminal functionality. The terminal functionality includes a ring-opened radical of a cyclosilazane or cyclic hydrosiloxane. The polymer can include unsaturated mer units and can be provided via anionic polymerization techniques. The macromolecule can be used as a component of a composition that also includes particulate fillers, with the composition being useful for the production of vulcanizates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber composition having better workability and fracture resistance than the prior art, and more specifically, to a rubber composition containing a polymer (B) obtained from an emulsion-polymerized polymer latex (A) having a number average molecular weight in the range of 1,000-130,000.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an extruder (10), particularly for extruding a synthetic rubber product, which comprises a barrel (24), one or several extruder elements (12, 14), particularly one or several extruder screws and/or a kneader elements (14), arranged inside the barrel (24) for conveying the product, optionally an inlet port for feeding a stripping agent into the barrel (24) and an outlet port for removing volatile compounds from the product and, where applicable, the stripping agent. According to the invention a perforated die plate (26) is fixed to the barrel (24) in flow direction before the outlet port. Since the die plate (26) is not fixed to the extruder elements (12, 14) but to the barrel (24) a circumferential clearance between the die plate (26) and the barrel (24) is prevented so that no extruded material is passing the die plate (26) radially outside.

Abstract: A macromolecule includes a functional group including imine functionality bonded to a polymer chain. Where desired, the functional group also can contain additional (e.g., amine and/or silane) functionality. The material can be provided by reacting a polymer including carbonyl functionality with a compound including a primary amino group. The functional group can interact with particulate filler such as, e.g., carbon black and silica.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer terminated by using an isocyanato alkoxysilane terminating agent. A method of preparing a functionalized polymer comprising the step of contacting a living polymer with an isocyanato alkoxysilane terminating agent.

Abstract: A polymer has at least the following characteristics: (a) a block styrene content containing 4 to 6 styrene units from about 27 to about 50 weight percent based on total styrene content in the polymer; (b) a vinyl content from about 30 to about 80 weight percent based on total amount of polymerized 1,3-butadiene; and (c) a styrene content from about 40 to about 70 weight percent based on total weight of polymer. Processes for the polymerization of such a polymer, compositions containing such a pofymer, and articles containing at least one component formed from such a composition are described.

Abstract: A method for continuously producing a thermoplastic resin from a conjugated diene includes: primarily polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer with an aromatic vinyl monomer in a first solvent in a first reactor, and feeding a hydroxyl group-containing polymerization inhibitor and a polar hydrocarbon to the first reactor to prepare a rubber solution; and adding an aromatic vinyl monomer and a monomer copolymerizable with the aromatic vinyl monomer to the rubber solution, and subjecting the mixture to secondary polymerization in a second solvent of the same kind as the first solvent in a second reactor. The method can provide a thermoplastic resin that can have excellent color and low gloss characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel catalyst composition comprising a metallocene complex, and a novel producing method for various polymer compounds. Preferably, the invention provides a novel polymer compound, and a producing method thereof. Specifically, the invention provides a polymerization catalyst composition, comprising: (1) a metallocene complex represented by the general formula (I), including: a central metal M which is a group III metal atom or a lanthanoid metal atom; a ligand Cp* bound to the central metal and including a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl derivative; monoanionic ligands Q1 and Q2; and w neutral Lewis base L; and (2) an ionic compound composed of a non-ligand anion and a cation: where w represents an integer of 0 to 3.

Abstract: A method for determining the styrene microblock content of a copolymer sample, the method comprising: (i) pyrolyzing the copolymer sample to form polymer fragments of the polymer sample; (ii) analyzing the fragments to determine the relative amounts of styrene monomer fragments, styrene dimer fragments, and styrene trimer fragments, where the relative amounts of the fragments include the amount of any given fragment relative to the total of the monomer fragments, dimer fragments, and trimer fragments; and (iii) using the relative amounts of the styrene monomer fragments, styrene dimer fragments, and styrene trimer fragments to predict the polystyrene microblock content from a mathematical model that is based upon the relative styrene monomer fragments, relative styrene dimer fragments, relative styrene trimer fragments, and microblock content of a copolymer having known microblock content.

Abstract: A process for polymerization of a polymer containing monomeric units derived from a styrene monomer and a 1,3-butadiene monomer includes polymerizing the monomeric units in the presence of an initiator, a first polar agent, and a second polar agent. The first polar agent includes a structure (I): R1?R2?N-Q-NR3?R4?; and the second polar agent comprises a structure (II): R1?, R2?, R3?, and R4? are each independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group and hydrogen; Q contains an alkylene group; R1 and R2 are each independently an alkyl group; and R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group and hydrogen. Polymers prepared by the above process are described, as are compositions containing such a polymer, and articles containing at least one component formed from such a composition.

Abstract: A paper coating or binding formulation comprises an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising a copolymer obtained by polymerization of an unsaturated monomer and a carbohydrate derived compound and a tetrasulfonate-based fluorescent whitening agent. The carbohydrate derived compound can be selected from the group consisting of dextrins, maltodextrins, and mixtures thereof. Methods of preparing a paper coating or binding formulation and improving the whitening properties of paper are also provided. Furthermore, paper including a copolymer obtained by polymerization of an unsaturated monomer and a carbohydrate derived compound and a tetrasulfonate-based fluorescent whitening agent is also disclosed.

Abstract: Gypsum wallboard can be made lighter and less dense, without sacrificing strength, by adding to the gypsum slurry used in making the board a styrene butadiene polymer latex substantially stable against divalent ions in which the styrene butadiene polymer includes at least 0.25 wt. % of an ionic monomer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monolithic organic copolymer prepared by copolymerization of at least one monomer of the group consisting of styrene, (C1-C3)alkylstyrene, (meth)acrylic acid and esters thereof with a crosslinker in the presence of a macroporogen and a microporogen, wherein a) the sum of said at least one monomer of the group and the crosslinker is 10-20%, preferably 10-15%, by volume of the reaction mixture, with the rest being essentially macroporogen and microporogen, and the degree of said copolymerization is at least 70%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 99%, or b) the sum of said at least one monomer of the group and the crosslinker is 30-50%, preferably 35-45%, by volume of the reaction mixture, with the rest being essentially macroporogen and microporogen, and the degree of said copolymerization is in the range of 25-60%, preferably 35-50%.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for producing polymers of isoprene derived from renewable resources such as isoprene produced from cultured cells that use renewable carbon sources. A starting isoprene composition, such as a bioisoprene composition, is distinguished from petroleum based isoprene by the purity profile (such as lower levels of certain C5 hydrocarbons other than isoprene, presence of certain compounds associated with the biological process for production) and the relative content of the carbon isotopes. Polymers obtained by polymerization of such starting isoprene composition according to this invention, such as a polyisoprene homopolymer or a copolymer having repeat units that are derived from isoprene, are distinguishable from isoprene containing polymers from petrochemical resources.