Abstract: A web of superabsorbent polymer and fiber made by an in situ neutralization, wet-laid process, wherein the degree of neutralization of the superabsorbent polymer is partial, preferably less than about 80 mol %. The web exhibits an excellent centrifuge retention capacity property, as compared to prior webs of superabsorbent polymer and cellulosic fiber made by in situ neutralization, wherein the degree of neutralization is total, such as 100 mol % or more.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a grafting process comprising the formation of a grafted polymeric structure having a substrate polymer in hybrid formation with one or more of the same or other polymers or monomeric subunits thereof. More particularly, the present invention contemplates a method of generating a homogenous or heterogenous grafted polymer by inducing or otherwise facilitating free radical formation to initiate polymerization of monomer units corresponding to the same or different polymers to a substrate polymer previously subjected to physical stress means. The resulting hybrid polymer may comprise a substrate polymer and a population of a second or further polymers in homogenous or heterogenous hybrid formation with the substrate polymer. A homogenous population includes a grafted population of the same polymer whereas a heterogenous population comprises a grafted population of two or more different polymers.

Abstract: A method of treating waste product containing flexible polyurethane resin includes adding a decomposing agent to the waste product to start a decomposition reaction; and terminating the decomposition reaction at a stage in which a diamine concentration derived from an isocyanate raw material of the flexible polyurethane resin is 2 wt % or lower to obtain a pasty intermediate product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of purifying a vinyl polymer to be used as a component of a composition capable of undergoing hydrosilylation. The present invention provides a vinyl polymers obtainable by atom transfer radical polymerization can be purified economically and efficiently by adsorption treatment using an acidic adsorbent and a basic adsorbent combinedly, with the result that the reactivity in hydrosilylation thereof is improved. Thus, the polymers can be used as components in hydrosilylation reaction-susceptible compositions.

Abstract: A molding material consisting of a fluorine-containing copolymer, which has a metal elution index ? of at most 10 as the total amount in ng of metals of Na, Mg, Cu, Cr, Ni, K, Ca and Fe per 1 g of the molding material, as obtained by elution analysis of the molding material with nitric acid.

Abstract: A continuous process for mixing polymer melts with additives, in particular polycarbonate melts with additives in liquid form, in solution or in dispersion is described. The additives are added to a main stream of polymer melt and are then mixed, preferably directly, with the main stream in a static mixer.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed which utilize polycarbonate to form solid optical lenses. The polycarbonates may be selected from high molecular weight linear or branched species. Viscosity and melt flow are specified for improved mechanical properties. The method provides lenses with greater resistance to cracking and crazing, for example, in instances where flaws are subject to strain and require containment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards water-thinnable phosphorous-containing polymers precursors, their preparation and use. The precursors of the invention are useful in compositions for preparing coatings which impart and/or exhibit resistance to attack, for example which are useful as flame-retardant coatings.

Abstract: A process for removing residual polymer from polymerization equipment by combining a degelling agent, residual polymer, and solvent.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing a polymer alloy, a polymer alloy as well as a molded article, a transparent molded article and an optical film, which is obtainable by using the polymer alloy. The invention is a method for producing a polymer alloy, which comprises at least: a step 1 of mixing two or more resins incompatible with each other at ambient temperature and pressure with a solvent being in a liquid or gas state at ambient temperature and pressure; a step 2 of heating and applying pressure to said solvent into a high-temperature and high-pressure fluid or a supercritical fluid and mixing the solvent in this state; and, a step 3 of cooling the mixture obtained in said step 2 rapidly to the glass transition temperature or less without releasing the pressure of the mixture.

Abstract: A method of preparing an ion-conducting polymeric material, for example, for a fuel cell, in a desired form (hereinafter “said formed polymeric material”), comprises: (i) selecting a first ion-conducting polymeric material; (ii) selecting a solvent formulation which can dissolve said first ion-conducting polymeric material, wherein said formulation includes a first solvent part which is water; (iii) preparing a composite formulation in a process which includes dissolving first ion-conducting polymeric material in said solvent formulation; (iv) forming said composite formulation into a desired form; (v) providing conditions for removal of said solvent formulation from said form described in (iv) thereby to prepare said formed polymeric material. The first ion-conducting polymeric material preferably includes polyaryletherketone units. Said solvent formulation preferably includes a second solvent part selected from acetone, tetrahydrofuran and acetone.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of an ?-caprolactone polymer characterized by including heating an ?-caprolactone under reduced pressure or in an inert gas stream to volatilize the unreacted ?-caprolactone from the polymer and cooling the vapor phase part containing the matter volatilized to thereby recover the unreacted ?-caprolactone, wherein the amount of the ?-caprolactone to be recovered is regulated to larger than 5 times by weight the amount of caprolactone dimer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and a device for the continuous manufacture of a polymer of an aromatic alkylene monomer e.g. styrene comprising a bulk polymerisation of the monomer and a devolatilization of the resulting polymer in at least two successive steps so as to separate the polymer from the unreacted monomer and the oligomers formed during the polymerisation. The process comprises conveying a first gas stream resulting from the first step of the devolatilization into a first zone Z1 for direct condensation and fractionation, removing a gas stream G1 comprising essentially the monomer from the top of Z1, and removing a liquid stream L1 rich in oligomers from the bottom of Z1, a portion of L1 being taken, cooled and then returned into Z1.

Abstract: This invention relates to solvents which may be used to extract polymers that are made of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for recycling polycarbonate using melt polycondensation apparatus. A polycarbonate polycondensation component is introduced into transesterification polymerization equipment and subjected to one or both of a transesterification reaction and a polycondensation reaction. The polycarbonate polycondensation component has an OH group concentration and comprises one or both of polycarbonate waste resin and polycarbonate oligomer. The OH group concentration of the polycarbonate polycondensation component is adjusted either before or during the transesterification and/or polycondensation reactions.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of alkylated N- or amino, ammonium or spirobicyclic ammonium group-containing, crosslinked polymer gels, which is characterized in that a) in the crosslinkage step an aqueous solution of a polymer obtained by polymerization of the corresponding monomer is adjusted to a pH of 7.5–14 at a temperature of 0 to 90° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for conveniently obtaining a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate by a solvent extraction method. A method for producing a polyhydroxyalkanoate crystal comprises precipitating a polyhydroxyalkanoate crystal using a monohydric alcohol having 4 to 10 carbon atoms as a extraction solvent, keeping a polyhydroxyalkanoate solution containing 0.1 to 10% by weight of water relative to the total amount of the solution warm at 70° C. or higher, and cooling the solution to below 70° C.

Abstract: This invention provides a new electroluminescent conjugated polymers grafted with highly efficient phosphorescent organometallic complexes (such as iridium, platinum, osmium, rubidium, etc.) and charge transport moieties (such as oxadiazole, thiadiazole, triazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, substituted or non-substituted tertiary arylamines, substituted or non-substituted quarternary arylammonium salts, substituted or non-substituted tertiary heterocyclic aromatic amines, substituted or non-substituted quarternary heterocyclic aromatic ammonium, etc.). The emissive polymers (fully conjugated or limited conjugating length) covering the full visible range can be prepared. The polymeric light emitting diodes with these materials can be used as indicators, light source and display for cellular phones, digital camera, pager, portable computer, personal data acquisition (PDA), watch, hand-held videogame, billboard, etc.

Abstract: A polymerizate slurry obtained through a reaction of an alkali sulfide source and an aromatic dihalide compound in an organic polar solvent and comprising polyarylene sulfide particles, a by-produced alkali metal salt and the polar organic solvent, is continuously contacted countercurrently with a washing liquid, thereby continuously and efficiently recovering washed polyarylene sulfide particles. Furthermore, the by-produced alkali metal salt is removed, and the polar organic solvent is recovered, efficiently.

Abstract: A thiophene compound represented by formula (I): in which: A represents a C2–C5 alkylene bridge; R represents a stereoselectively substituted, linear or branched C2–C24 alkyl, C3–C18 cycloalkyl, C1–C18 alkoxy or polyethyleneoxide group, optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of an alcohol, amide, ether, ester or sulfonate group; or an optionally substituted aryl group having at least one chiral center substituted at said C2–C5 alkylene bridge; polymers derived therefrom; a process for polymerizing a thiophene according to formula (I), optionally chemically or electrochemically; and dispersions, pastes and layers containing polymers derived therefrom.

Abstract: A cyanate ester system is disclosed. An aryl ether oligomer may be made from a dihydroxyaromatic compound and a dihaloaromatic compound in the presence of a base. The oligomer is then reacted with a cyanide compound in the presence of a base to form the cyanate ester shown below. The cyanate ester may then be cross-linked to a thermoset having triazine ring cross-links.

Abstract: A process for treating a composition containing a polyamine-epihalohydrin resin that has a low level of CPD-producing species and good gelation stability is disclosed. A polyamine-epihalohydrin resin is prepared with a ratio of epihalohydrin:amine of less than about 1.1:1.0; The resin is then subjected to a base treatment followed by an acid treatment resulting in a resin that has good gelation storage stability and produces low levels of CPD.

Abstract: Low-k organosilicate dielectric material can be exposed to a series of reagents, including a halogenation reagent, an alkylation reagent, and a termination reagent, in order to reverse degradation of dielectric properties caused by previous processing steps.

Abstract: In the recycling of Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 polyamides from post-consumer or post-industrial waste, a process is disclosed to separate Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 polyamides from commingled polyolefin waste components, particularly polypropylene, by admixing the waste with an ester solvent composition and heating the admixture to a temperature above the melting temperature of the contained polyolefins to form an ester solvent composition further containing dissolved polyamide polymer and a separate immiscible liquid polyolefin phase. The ester solvent composition preferably contains ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process comprising contacting a liquid polyester stream with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst comprising a metal supported on the surface of silicon carbide at a metal dispersion of at least 0.5% or graphite at a metal dispersion of at least 10% to produce a treated liquid polyester stream. The treated stream may be polycondensed in the presence of a polycondensation catalyst to produce a polyester polymer having an It.V. of at least 0.55 dL/g. The liquid polyester stream desirably has a composition comprising: a) terephthalic acid residues, isophthalic acid residues, and/or naphthalenedicarboxylic acid residues and b) an average degree of polymerization of 0.5 to 20 and c) an acid number ranging from 5 to 600.

Abstract: A method for drying a material such as a polymer hydrogel which passes through a cohesive phase as it dries is disclosed. The method comprises agitating a composition while removing liquid until the solids content of the composition reaches a level at which the composition enters a cohesive phase, halting agitation, removing liquid from the composition in the absence of agitation, and resuming agitation. Practice of the present invention can eliminate the problems associated with adhesion of a material to itself and to process equipment during the cohesive phase.

Abstract: A process for purifying grafted polyolefins by extraction is disclosed. The purified grafted polyolefins have improved color and adhesion properties. The extraction is performed with an azeotropic solvent that is strong enough to extract impurities but does not cause sticking of the grafted polyolefin. The azeotropic solvent can be easily recycled.

Abstract: Process for the drying of polymers containing N or amino, ammonium or spirobicyclic ammonium groups, comprising cationic N-containing groups, and suitable counterions, in which the gelled and washed polymers obtained by polymerization, crosslinkage and optionally alkylation are dried continuously using a gaseous medium under normal pressure or overpressure in a fluidized bed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous resin recovery method for recovering resin from which foreign matters and volatile components are sufficiently removed and which is highly purified and suitable for optical use. The continuous resin recovery method comprises heating a resin solution in a heating pipe at a temperature at least the boiling point of the solvent, introducing the resin solution heated at a temperature at least the boiling point of the solvent into a rough drying chamber maintained at a reduced pressure, separating the resin from the solvent vapor in the rough drying chamber, melting the separated resin, introducing the molten resin in a precise drying chamber kept at a reduced pressure, and passing the molten resin through a perforated plate in the precise drying chamber.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polyimide includes introducing a mixture of an oligomer and a solvent to an extruder, removing solvent via at least one extruder vent, and melt kneading the oligomer to form a polyimide. The polyimide has a low residual solvent content. The method is faster than solution polymerization of polyimides, and it avoids the stoichiometric inaccuracies associated with reactive extrusion processes that use monomers as starting materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the caprolactam content of polyamide 6 obtained especially by hydrolytic polymerization of epsilon-caprolactam. The method is characterized by the use of an additive that forms isocyanuric acid under the influence of heat. The additive or the isocyanuric acid produced externally under the influence of heat is added (a) to the polymerization or (b) to a melt of polyamide 6. This enables the caprolactam content of the polyamide 6 to be reduced considerably compared to that of usual commercial polyamide 6. In particular, the resulting polyamide 6 shows good characteristics for reprocessing e.g. into fiber and molding masses by melt extension.

Abstract: Novel carbonated vegetable oils (such as carbonated soybean oil) are made by reacting carbon dioxide with an epoxidized vegetable oil. The carbonated vegetable oils advantageously may be used for producing nonisocyanate polyurethane materials.

Abstract: By utilizing specially processed waste carpeting as a filler in the production of carpet backcoating, roofing materials, or other similar products, the amount of waste carpeting that is landfilled or otherwise disposed of is significantly reduced as is the need for mining the mineral fillers. Waste carpeting (post-consumer and/or waste from new carpet manufacture) containing calcium carbonate and a thermoplastic resin is collected and size-reduced to a size corresponding to the size of calcium carbonate typically used as a filler. The size-reduced waste carpeting is added as filler to at least one other material, such as polymers in standard latex, EVA, or PVC carpet backcoatings, to provide a composite used in the manufacture of a useful product (like carpet backcoating), and then the composite material is used to make the useful product (such as carpet backcoating, which is used as a primary or secondary backcoating in the manufacture of new carpeting).

Abstract: Polyimide sulfone resins are provided with a glass transition temperature of from 200–350° C., residual volatile species concentration of less than 500 ppm and a total reactive end group concentration of less than about 120 milliequivalents/kilogram resin. The resins have high heat capability and good melt stability. Methods to prepare the said resins and articles made from the resins are also provided.

Abstract: A process for producing a lactic acid polymer of 15,000 to 50,000 in weight-average molecular weight, the content of polymeric materials having not more than about 5,000 in weight-average molecular weight therein being not more than about 5% by weight, characterized by hydrolyzing a high molecular weight lactic acid polymer, placing the resultant solution comprising the hydrolyzed product under a condition capable of precipitating the objective lactic acid polymer, separating the precipitated lactic acid polymer and collecting them. The lactic acid polymer is useful as a matrix for sustained-release preparations. The sustained-release microcapsule preparation encapsulating a physiologically active substance can fully prevent the initial excessive release of the physiologically active substance from the microcapsules and keep a stable release rate over a long period of time.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation-curable prepolymer. The radiation-curable prepolymer of the invention is prepared by reacting an isocyanate-capped polyurethane with an ethylenically unsaturated amine or an ethylenically unsaturated monohydroxy compound or a mixture thereof, wherein the isocyanate-capped polyurethane is a copolymerization production of: (a) at least one polyalkylene glycol; (b) at least one branching agent having at least three hydroxy groups; and (c) at least one di- or polyisocyanate. The radiation-curable prepolymer of the invention can find use in economically producing contact lenses which have durable, highly elastic soft contact lenses with desired physical properties. In addition, the present invention provides method for making a radiation-curable prepolymer of the invention and for making a medical device, preferably an ophthalmic device, more preferably a contact lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for manufacturing polyamides. The polyamides are of the type obtained from diacids and diamines. The process comprises an operation of continuous mixing of a compound which is rich in amine end groups and a compound which is rich in acid end groups and a polycondensation operation using the mixture. The invention relates to the starting phase of such a process, during which an aqueous solution comprising a mixture of monomers in substantially stoichiometric proportions is used.

Abstract: The invention provides secondary sulfonamide polymers, wherein some, most, or all of the sulfonamido protons have been replaced with a substituent other than hydrogen. The invention also provides methods for preparing such polymers as well as devices (e.g. composite membranes) incorporating such membranes.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process of fractionating ferroelectric, preferably vinylidene fluoride polymers using a solvent having at least one polarizable functional group, and a precipitant. The composition of the fractionated ferroelectric polymers is selected so as to adjust the properties of a ferroelectric film made from the polymers. Films formed using the fractionated vinylidene fluoride polymers have improved properties, particularly with respect to roughness and crystal domain size, and suitability for use in data processing devices.

Abstract: The subject invention provides polyurethane foam and a method of purifying polyether polyols of non-volatile impurities for use in forming the polyurethane foam. The method includes the step of providing a crude polyether polyol having a non-volatile impurity present therein. The crude polyether polyol is contacted with an adsorbent selected from at least one of activated carbon, diatomaceous earth, charcoal, attapulgite, and clay to remove the impurity and filtered to form a purified polyether polyol. The filtering of the crude polyether polyol is carried out through a filter media that is used both in a pre-filtering step prior to adding the adsorbent and the filtering step to remove the adsorbent to reduce losses of the purified polyether polyol because of its high viscosity. The purified polyether polyol is then used to form a polyurethane foam having improved stability.

Abstract: Ion imprinted polymer materials are synthesized containing metal ion recognition sites. These particles are synthesized by copolymerizing with functional and cross linking monomers in presence of at least one imprint metal ion in the form of ternary complex. The polymerization was carried out by ?-irradiation (in the absence of initiator) or photochemical and thermal polymerization (in presence of initiator, AIBN). These materials were ground and sieved after drying to obtain erbium ion imprinted polymer particles. The erbium ion was removed from the polymer particles by leaching with mineral acid which leaves cavities/binding sites in the polymer particles. The resultant polymer particles can be used as solid phase extractants for selective enrichment of erbium ions from dilute aqueous solutions.

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

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for treating a by-product salt of a polyarylene sulfide which comprises subjecting solid matter containing an aprotic organic solvent and the by-product salt that is formed in the case of producing a polyarylene sulfide by polymerization condensation reaction of an alkali metal sulfide and a dihalogenated aromatic compound in the aprotic organic solvent to a drying treatment followed by a firing treatment of the resultant dryingly treated matter at a temperature in the range of 500 to 1000° C. The above process is capable of enhancing the solubility in water, of the by-product salt comprising sodium chloride as the principal component in the production of polyarylene sulfide, and affording waste water which is lowered in SS and COD in the case where the by-product salt is dissolved in water and is discharged as waste water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of polyamide 6 by the hydrolytic polymerization of ?-caprolactam, in which, in the first step, caprolactam ring opening occurs under the action of water and, in the following steps, polycondensation is performed at low temperatures under anhydrous conditions.

Abstract: A method to decrease an aldehyde content of a polyester. The method comprises incorporating an effective amount of an additive that is capable of catalyzing a hydride-transfer reaction between an organic donor molecule and an aldehyde in the polyester.

Abstract: Methods of reducing the amount of undesirable by-products in the production of polymers are disclosed. The resulting polyetherimides have lower polydispersivity and enhanced thermomechanical properties. In some embodiments, cyclic and low molecular weight linear oligomers are also obtained.

Abstract: A dehalogenation treatment method of a halogen-containing flame-retardant resin composition has a step of bringing the halogen-containing flame-retardant resin composition into contact with a material mixture containing a dehalogenation material and a dehalogenation promoting material at a temperature lower than a thermal decomposition temperature of the resin composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel 3,4-alkylenedioxythiophene dimers and trimers, to their preparation and to their use as precursors for conductive polymers.

Abstract: A non-dye containing flexographic ink containing a polymer or copolymer of a 3,4-dialkoxythiophene in which the two alkoxy groups may be the same or different or together represent an optionally substituted oxy-alkylene-oxy bridge, a polyanion and a latex binder in a solvent or aqueous medium, characterized in that the polymer or copolymer of a 3,4-dialkoxythiophene is present in a concentration of at least 0.1% by weight in the ink and that the ink is capable of producing a colorimetrically additive transparent print; a method of preparing the flexographic ink; and a flexographic printing process therewith.