Abstract: An image forming apparatus member includes a surface layer containing a Si-atom containing polymer as a major component. The dispersive component of the surface free energy of the surface layer is 25 mN/m or less, the dipole component of the surface free energy of the surface layer is 5 mN/m or less, and the hydrogen bonding component of the surface free energy of the surface layer is 5 mN/m or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-rehydratable solid composition for the production of an aqueous composition comprising a silane/(titanate and/or zirconate) binder, a method for producing such a composition, and a method for producing an aqueous composition comprising a silane/titanate and/or zirconate) binder by hydrating such it solid composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a silane, to a rubber mixture containing the silane and to a vehicle tire comprising the rubber mixture in at least one component.

Abstract: A process for producing a barrier composition includes subjecting a siloxane compound having 1 to 3 amino groups and an aqueous solution including water and an alcohol to hydrolysis and first-stage condensation under required conditions, subjecting a first colloidal mixture obtained and an additional alcohol to second-stage condensation, subjecting a second colloidal mixture obtained, which has a particular solid content, to heating under required conditions, and subjecting a cured product obtained to aging under required conditions. A barrier composition produced by the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polymer compounds and methods and processes for polymerizing and synthesizing the new polymers by post-modifying conjugated polymers bearing unsaturated functionalities. The post-modifications are facilitated by light-mediated initiators, thermal initiators, redox-based initiators, small molecule-based initiators, or a combination thereof. Syntheses and post-modifications are carried out to high conversion via thiol-ene “click” chemistry-based mechanisms. The products comprise monomeric, oligomeric, and polymeric materials with easily-accessible pendant functionalities which impart new, distinct, and/or improved properties.

Abstract: A curable composition including a perfluoro(poly)ether group-containing silane compound having two or more Si atoms each bonding to at least one selected from a hydroxyl and hydrolyzable group, and a group represented by: —(OC6F12)a—(OC5F10)b—(OC4F8)c—(OC3X106)d—(OC2F4)e—(OCF2)f—, wherein a, b, c and d are each independently an integer of 0 to 30, e and f are each independently an integer of 1 to 200, the sum of a, b, c, d, e and f is 5 or more, the occurrence order of the respective repeating units with the subscript a, b, c, d, e or f is not limited, a ratio of e to f is 1.0 or more, and each X10 is independently a hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine atom; an organosilicon compound having at least two —O—Rg3(s) each bonding to a Si atom, wherein each Rg3, at each occurrence, is independently a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group; and a catalyst.

Abstract: A composition containing the following components: (a) a polysiloxane having at least one alkenyl functional group and at least one alkoxy functional group; (b) a mercapto-functional polysiloxane with at least one mercapto functionality; (c) a silane crosslinker with at least two alkoxy groups per molecule; (d) a photoinitiator; (e) a combination of zirconium tetraalkoxylate and alkylacetoacetate at a mole ratio in a range of 1:1 to 1:4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powder coating formulation, comprising at least one partially crystalline thermoplastic unsaturated polyester (A), at least one thermoplastic allyl prepolymer (B) which is copolymerizable with said polyester, and a thermal initiation system (C), including at least one thermal initiator, wherein the allyl prepolymer (B) has a weight average molar mass greater than 5000 g/mol, preferably greater than 10000 g/mol, and particularly preferably greater than 20000 g/mol, and/or has a viscosity of 30 mPas to 200 mPas, preferably of between 40 mPas and 170 mPas, particularly preferably of between 50 mPas and 150 mPas, and wherein the unsaturated polyester (A) has a melting point of between 90 and 120° C., preferably of 90-110° C., particularly preferably of 90-105° C., and still more preferably of 90-100° C.

Abstract: Rubber compositions and articles made from such rubber compositions that are based upon a cross-linkable elastomer composition, the cross-linkable elastomer composition comprising, per 100 parts by weight of rubber (phr) between 70 phr and 100 phr of an epoxidized rubber component selected from an epoxidized polybutadiene rubber (eBR), an epoxidized styrene-butadiene rubber (eSBR), or combinations thereof, wherein the epoxidized rubber component has a Tg of between ?80° C. and ?110° C. and an epoxy-function content of between 1 mol % and 25 mol %. Such rubber compositions may further include between 30 phr and 150 phr of a plasticizing resin, silica and a coupling agent that is a monohydroxysilane polysulfide having a form (Formula I) wherein radicals R, identical or different, are hydrocarbon groups, radicals R?, identical or different, are divalent linking groups and x is equal to or greater than 2.

Abstract: A high refractive index molecule and high refractive index polymers comprising such monomers. The high refractive index monomer comprises a carrier atom having a high refractive index group attached thereto, the high refractive index group comprising a heterocyclic compound comprising at least one sulfur atom.

Abstract: Catalytic materials, particularly membranes, exhibiting high activity, high stability and low metal leaching in a variety of chemical reactions, particularly selective hydrogenations of unsaturated organic compounds, are described. These membranes are inorganic/polymeric hybrid materials in which metal complex molecular catalysts are immobilized or metal nano-particle catalysts are embedded. More specifically, the catalytic materials of the present invention exhibit higher activity and selectivity, and can be used in more extensive kinds of organic solvents than the conventional hybrid catalytic materials due to improvement in the affinity to organic solvents by containing the specific polymeric additives.

Abstract: What is specified is an optoelectronic component comprising a layer sequence having an active layer, which emits primary electromagnetic radiation, and at least one transparent coupling-out element arranged in the beam path of the primary electromagnetic radiation. The at least one transparent coupling-out element comprises a hybrid material or is produced from a hybrid material.

Abstract: Preparation and use of organopolysiloxanes having carbinol groups that are bonded to the silicon atom through carbamate-containing groups. These hydrophilic polysiloxanes can be made to completely dissolve in water or behave as amphoteric surfactants by controlling the concentration of the carbinol radicals and the molecular weight of the polysiloxane.

Abstract: A composition for forming a resist underlayer film includes (A) a compound. The compound (A) includes a group represented by formula (1). R represents a monovalent organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms. The monovalent organic group represented by R does not include an oxygen atom at an end of the side adjacent the sulfur atom. * represents a bonding hand. The compound (A) preferably includes a ring which is an aromatic ring, a heteroaromatic ring, or a combination thereof. The bonding hand denoted by * in the group represented by the formula (1) is preferably linked directly or via an oxygen atom to the ring.

Abstract: Alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane compounds are described. The alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane compounds contain an alkoxysilane group that participates in an alkoxysilane-silica reaction as a silica dispersing agent in rubber, with the release of zero to about 0.1% by weight of the rubber of volatile organic compounds (VOC), especially alcohol, during compounding and further processing. Further described are methods for making alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes, methods for making vulcanizable rubber compounds containing alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes, vulcanizable rubber compounds containing alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes, and pneumatic tires comprising a component that contains alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compound, comprising at least three functionalities, that is (a) a sulfonate or sulfate group of the formula —(O)d—SO3M with d=0 or 1 and M=hydrogen or a monovalent metal cation or the corresponding fraction of a polyvalent metal cation, (b) a (meth)acryl group, and (c) either (c1) at least one further (meth)acryl group or an inorganically condensable group, and/or (c2) a further carboxylic acid function, and/or (c3) a function which increases the refractive index of a material produced from the compounds, that is a thioether group, with the proviso that a sulfonate or sulfate group and a (meth)acrylate group are separated from one another in a silicon-free compound via a hydrocarbon-containing group, the carbon chain of which is either interrupted by O, S or NH or contains a linking group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing urea-containing silanes of the general formula I wherein a diamine of the general formula II H2N—R—S—S—R—NH2??(II) is reacted with isocyanatosilane of the general formula III (R1)3Si—R—NCO??(III) in water.

Abstract: The invention relates both to processes for the production of functionalised materials containing alkyl sulfonic acids groups and their use as heterogeneous catalysts. The invention also relates to precursors of these new products and new organopolysiloxane sulfonic acids.

Abstract: A method of treating a preceramic material includes providing a preceramic polycarbosilane or polycarbosiloxane material that includes a moiety Si—O-M, where Si is silicon, O is oxygen and M is at least one metal, and thermally converting the preceramic polycarbosilane or polycarbosiloxane that includes the moiety Si—O-M material into a ceramic material.

Abstract: A composite membrane that can be used as an electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell is produced from a resin material that contains at least polybenzimidazole and from a composite material that is produced from of hydrogen sulfate and heteropoly acid. The composite membrane has a basic structure of an aromatic hydrocarbon that does not contain fluorine and has good efficiency, even at a low doping level, so it can be used for the electrolyte membrane of a medium temperature dry fuel cell. Phosphoric acid is doped into the composite membrane. Characteristics of the relationship between output current density and output voltage for an electrolyte membrane that is made from the created composite membrane (a specimen 4) are better than for a specimen 8, in which the amount of phosphoric acid doping is equivalent.

Abstract: A method for producing a polysilane includes a step of reacting (i) at least two silane monomers and (ii) at least one alkali metal. The silane monomers contain the following structural units: at least one aryl group, at least one alkyl group, at least one alkenyl group, and at least three halogen atoms. At least three of the halogen atoms are bonded to a silicon atom of one of the silane monomers.

Abstract: A rubber composition for tire treads is obtained by blending, per 100 parts by mass of a diene rubber, 5 to 150 parts by mass of silica and 0.5 to 20 parts by mass of a silicone oligomer represented by the following siloxane average formula (1): (X)a(Y)b(R1)c(R2)dSiO(4-a-b-c-d)/2 (wherein X is a mercapto group-containing organic group; Y is a hydrolyzable group, R1 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, R2 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, 0<a<1, 0<b<3, 0<c<2, 0?d<2, and 0<a+b+c+d<4). The diene rubber contains an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene copolymer in an amount of at least 50 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the diene rubber, the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene copolymer having an aromatic vinyl content of 20 to 45 mass % and a vinyl bond content in the conjugated diene of 10 to 50%.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a silicon-sulfur polymer, a solid electrolyte comprising the silicon-sulfur polymer, and a corresponding solid-state lithium-ion battery. The silicon-sulfur polymer of the present disclosure is a polymer compound comprising both an inorganic backbone-chain structure and an organic side-chain structure, and has the characteristics of both the organic polymer and the inorganic polymer as well as many unique properties. Therefore, the solid electrolyte formed by the silicon-sulfur polymer and the solid-state lithium-ion battery thereof have many good characteristics including a good lithium-ion-conduction capability, better thermal endurance, a wider range of operating temperatures, and better thermostability.

Abstract: There is provided herein a functionalized ionic silicone composition comprising a silicone of the formula (I): M1aM2bM3cD1dD2eD3fT1gT2hT3iQj??(I) which contains a monovalent radical bearing ion-pairs and having the formula (II): -A-Ix?Mny+; where A is a spacing group having at least 2 spacing atoms selected from a divalent hydrocarbon or hydrocarbonoxy group, where I is an ionic group such as sulfonate —SO3?, carboxylate —COO?, phosphonate —PO32? group and phosphate —OPO32?, where M is hydrogen or a cation independently selected from alkali metals, alkali earth metals, transition metals, metals, quaternary ammonium and phosphonium groups; or, zwitterions having the formula (III): —R?—NR?2+—R??—I??(III) where I is defined as above, and where the subscript a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j are zero or positive subject to the following limitations: 2?a+b+c+d+e+f+g+h+i+j?6000, b+e+h>0 and c+f+i>0.

Abstract: An alignment film includes a first pre-tilt functional group, a second pre-tilt functional group and a first vertical alignment functional group, which are linked to polysiloxane on a substrate. The first vertical alignment functional group includes a cyclic compound and is aligned substantially perpendicularly to the substrate. The first pre-tilt functional group is cross-linked to the second pre-tilt functional group and tilted with respect to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an oligomer or polymer substituted by one or more bisacylphosphine oxide moieties, characterized in that said bisacylphosphine oxide moiety is linked via the phosphorous atom, optionally via a spacer group, to the oligomer or polymer backbone; as well as to specifically functionalized bisacylphosphine oxides, suitable to prepare said polymers or oligomers.

Abstract: A phosphosiloxane resin comprises a plurality of covalently bonded monomer units selected from phosphosiloxane units SiR23—O—P(?O)(R1)—(OR3)q(O1/2—)p and organosiloxane units R2m(OR3)nSiO(4-m-n)/2. R1 and each R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1 to C10 hydrocarbyl, and C1 to C10 hydrocarbylene; each R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1 to C10 hydrocarbyl; p is 0 or 1; q=1?p; m is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; n is 0, 1, or 2; and m+n is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. Curable silicone compositions comprise a phosphosiloxane resin having greater than one silicon-bonded alkenyl group, an organosilicon compound having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms, and a hydrosilylation catalyst. Fiber-reinforced free-standing films may comprise fibers dispersed in a cured product of the silicone composition. Laminated substrates comprise at least one fiber-reinforced free-standing film.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member containing a layer of a siloxyfluorocarbon networked polymer. A method of preparing an intermediate transfer member including mixing a coating solution containing siloxyfluorocarbon precursor materials; applying the coating solution as a sol on a substrate; curing the coating solution on the substrate to form an intermediate transfer member containing a layer of a siloxyfluorocarbon networked polymer. The surface free energy of the intermediate transfer member may be from about 10 mN/m to about 40 mN/m. A method of printing an image to a substrate includes applying an inkjet ink to an intermediate transfer member containing a layer of a siloxyflurocarbon networked polymer; spreading the ink onto the intermediate transfer member; inducing a property change of the ink; and transferring the ink to a substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods of using boron-containing additives for crosslinking polysilazane green fibers, which are precursors to silicon carbide fibers. These methods provide a controllable process for crosslinking silicon carbide fibers while providing a simple way for the introduction of boron as a sintering aid into the polymer structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to silicone resins. It also relates to the preparation of organopolysiloxanes and to their use in a thermoplastic or thermosetting organic polymer or thermoplastic blends or thermosetting organic polymer blends or rubbers or thermoplastic/rubbers blends composition to reduce the flammability or enhance scratch and/or abrasion resistance of the organic polymer composition. It further relates to coatings made of such silicone resins for scratch resistance enhancement or flame retardant properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to silicone resins comprising metallosiloxane which contains Si—O-Metal bonds or borosiloxane containing Si—O—B bonds and potentially Si—O—Si and/or B—O—B bonds. It also relates to the preparation of such silicone resins and to their use in thermoplastic or thermosetting organic polymer or rubber or thermoplastic/rubber blends compositions to reduce the flammability or enhanced scratch and/or abrasion resistance of the organic polymer compositions. It further relates to coatings made of such silicone resins for scratch resistance enhancement or flame retardant properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions based on silane-functional polymers that are suitable for the adhesive bonding, sealing and coating of porous substrates, more particularly of porous mineral substrates, and that even after water storage ensure effective adhesion of the composition to the substrate.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a silicone-based copolymer which has excellent long-term antifouling property even in a dry-wet alternate portion of a ship and the like or a portion thereof near the surface of water, is excellent also in mechanical strength and recoatability and exhibits high antifouling performance even if an antifouling agent is not added, and an antifouling coating composition containing the copolymer.

Abstract: A composition including an actinic radiation or thermally curable polyorganosiloxane ionomer having one or more reactive groups, for example, vinyl, acrylate, epoxy groups.

Abstract: The invention relates to silicone resins comprising metallosiloxane which contains Si—O-Metal bonds or borosiloxane containing Si—O—B bonds and potentially Si—O—Si and/or B—O—B bonds and containing sulfur. It also relates to the preparation of such silicone resins and to their use in thermoplastic or thermosetting organic polymer or rubber or thermoplastic/rubber blends compositions to reduce the flammability or enhanced scratch and/or abrasion resistance of the organic polymer compositions. It further relates to coatings made of such silicone resins for scratch resistance enhancement or flame retardant properties.

Abstract: Photoactive polymers comprising first and second co-monomer repeat units, the first co-monomer repeat unit comprising a moiety selected from the group consisting of an alkylthieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione moiety and a 1,3-dithiophene-5-alkylthieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione moiety, and the second co-monomer repeat unit comprising a moiety selected from the group consisting of a 4,4?-dialkyl-dithieno[3,2-b:2?3?-d]silole moiety, an ethylene moiety, a thiophene moiety, an N-alkylcarbazole moiety, an N-(1-alkyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2?3?-d]pyrrole moiety and a 4,8-dialkyloxylbenzo[1,2-b:3,4-b]dithiophene moiety are described herein. These polymers are suitable for use in photovoltaic cells and field effect transistors.

Abstract: A moisture-curable resin composition comprising (a) a moisture-curable polymer having at least one hydrolysable silyl group; (b) a reactive modifier; (c) a catalyst for catalyzing the reaction between the moisture-curable polymer (a) and reactive modifier (b) under curing conditions; and optionally, the composition can contain one or more conventional components, including pigments, fillers, curing catalysts, dyes, plasticizers, thickeners, coupling agents, extenders, volatile organic solvents, wetting a agents, tackifiers, crosslinking agents, thermoplastic polymers, ultraviolet stabilizers, and combination thereof. The moisture-curable resin composition is useful in the production of adhesives including hot melt adhesives, primers, sealants and coatings.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermoplastic elastomers comprising at least one silicone ionomer. These thermoplastic elastomers may be reprocessed and/or recycled.

Abstract: The polyimide precursor composition of the present invention is characterized in comprising a polyimide precursor having a structure formed by reacting a diamine component (A) containing a fluorine-containing aromatic diamine (a1) represented by the following chemical formula (I) (in the formula (I), R1 and R2 are each independently selected from —H, —(CF2)n—CF3, and —O(CF2)n—CF3 (n is an integer of 0 or more and 7 or less), and at least one of R1 and R2 is a fluorine-containing group) and trans-1,4-cyclohexyldiamine (a2) with an acid dianhydride component (B) containing an aliphatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride (b1) and an aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride (b2). Use of the composition of the present invention provides a polyimide film and a transparent flexible film having high transparency, low thermal expansion properties, low birefringent properties, and high heat resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition for a winter tire which improves in performance on ice and snow, wet grip performance, and abrasion resistance in a balanced manner, and also has favorable proccessability; and a winter tire including a tread produced using the rubber composition. The present invention relates to a rubber composition for a winter tire which contains predetermined amounts of natural rubber, butadiene rubber, aromatic oil, silica, and carbon black, and also contains a specific silane coupling agent that includes a linking unit A represented by the following formula (1) and a linking unit B represented by the following formula (2) and has a predetermined content of the linking unit B.

Abstract: Low density silicone-containing polyurethane foams with excellent surface characteristics are prepared by reacting a foamable composition containing a siloxane of the formula and an isocyanate, in the presence of at least one blowing agent.

Abstract: A polymer composite composition wherein at least one of the constituents is a silicone ionomer and the other constituent is polymer.

Abstract: A series of ladder-type multifused arenes (hexacyclic, heptacyclic and nonacyclic units) and the synthesizing methods thereof are provided. The ladder-type multifused arenes are copolymerized with various electron-deficient acceptor units to afford various p-type low-band gap conjugated copolymers.

Abstract: This invention relates to medical, health care and non-medical devices comprising a rubbery or elastomeric polymer material taking up more than 5% by weight of water and at most 500% by weight of water after immersion in demineralized water at room temperature for a sufficient time to reach saturation. The material may be in the form of a foam, or in the form of a coating adapted for adhesion to a substrate, or in the form of a sheet, or in the form of a fiber, and may comprise: —repeating units from one or more hydrophobic organic monomers, and —repeating units from one or more monomers (a) being modified with one or more hydrophilic side groups.

Abstract: A curable composition of ionic silicones includes a silicone having the formula M1aM2bM3cD1dD2eD3fT1gT2hT3iQj having ionic groups and crosslinking functional groups. The composition can further include polyorganosiloxane having the average compositional formula R26nR27o(OH)pSiO(4-n-o-p)/2, organohydrogenoligosiloxane or organohydrogenpolysiloxane that has the average compositional formula HqR28rSiO(4-q-r)/2 a transition metal catalyst and other components such as UV stabilizer, cure accelerator, pigment, dye, antimicrobial agent, biocide, surfactant, functional or non-functional filler, conductive filler, finely divided surface treated/untreated metal oxides, clay, plasticizers, tackifiers, mold release agents, adhesion promoters, compatibilizers, pharmaceutical excipients, surfactants or antistatic agents.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of polyorganosiloxanes having ionic groups and reactive functional groups includes (a) conversion of a low molecular weight aralkylene modified polysiloxane to a corresponding sulfonic acid functional material by treating the low molecular weight aralkylene modified polysiloxane with a sulfonating agent; (b) subjecting the reaction product obtained in step (a) to an equilibration reaction with an acid catalyzed ring opening polymerization-effective polyorganosiloxane; and (c) subjecting the reaction product obtained in step (b) to a hydrosilylation reaction with an unsaturated hydrocarbon containing at least one epoxy group, an unsaturated hydrocarbon containing at least two unsaturation moieties, an unsaturated hydrocarbon containing at least one sulfur heteroatom, an unsaturated hydrocarbon containing a monovalent organosilane group, an unsaturated hydrocarbon containing one hydroxyl containing group, an unsaturated hydrocarbon containing one or more of a halogen, carboxylate,

Abstract: The invention relates to silicic acid (hetero) polycondensates consisting of at least one silane that has a group bonded to silicon by a carbon atom and that carries an organically polymerisable C?C double bond, and at least one silane that has a group bonded to silicon by a carbon atom and that carries a sulphonate group or a sulphate group of the formula —(O)d-SO3M wherein d=0 or 1 and M=hydrogen, or a monovalent metal cation, or the corresponding quantity of a polyvalent metal cation, yet not including polycondensates in which the C?C double bonds are formed exclusively by methacrylic esters that are bound, in the form of a methylene acryl ester group, to the groups bonded to silicon by carbon. The invention also relates to composites that consist of such silicic acid (hetero) polycondensates in combination with fillers, and to polymers produced by organically polymerising the C?C double bonds in the polycondensates or composites.

Abstract: The curable composition for encapsulating an optical semiconductor includes, a linear polyfluoro compound, a cyclic organosiloxane having a SiH group and a fluorine-containing organic group, and/or an organo hydrogen siloxane having a SiH group and a fluorine-containing organic group, a platinum group metal catalyst, a cyclic organosiloxane having a SiH group, a fluorine-containing organic group and an epoxy group, and a cyclic organopolysiloxane having a monovalent unsaturated hydrocarbon group and a fluorine-containing organic group, and a hardness of the cured product obtained by curing is 30 to 80 by Type A durometer regulated by HS K6253-3.

Abstract: Compositions containing a nanostructure, preferably a nanocrystal, are provided. The nanostructures have ligands bound to the surface. Such ligands are preferably siloxane containing ligands having at least one —COON group, although ligands having various ?P?O groups are also contemplated. The nanostructures can be embedded into a polymer such as a silicone polymer.

Abstract: Substituted 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene monomers may be prepared by reacting 3-allyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxepine or 3,3-diallyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxepine with a thiol having a hydrocarbyl moiety optionally containing one or more heteroatom-containing functional groups under radical addition conditions under radical addition conditions. Such monomers may be used in homo- or copolymerization processes to obtain thiophene-type polymers containing substituents (which may bear functional groups such as silane, thiol, hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, amine, sugar groups, polyoxyalkylene, and the like). Crosslinkers useful for introducing crosslinking into thiophene-type polymers may be prepared by reacting 3-allyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxepine with a compound having two or more thiol groups under radical addition conditions.