Abstract: This invention generally relates to a method for modulating interfacial wettability of a noncovalent nanoscopic monolayer or thin film. Particularly, this invention relates to a method for modulating interfacial wettability of a two-dimensional (2D) material using a molecular layer prepared from a polymerizable amphiphilic monomer having a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail, wherein enhanced or decreased wettability of said 2D material is achieved by proper allocating the position of polymerizable group relative to the hydrophilic head and the hydrophobic tail.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a nanodot, including: providing a hydrolysable silane, wherein the hydrolysable silane has one or more hydrolysable groups and one or more substituted or non-substituted hydrocarbon groups; and performing a one-step heat treatment to hydrolyze and condensate the hydrolysable silane to form a nanodot. The nanodot includes: a core, the core is selected from the group consisting of a semiconductor core or a metal core; and a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) including the substituted or non-substituted hydrocarbon groups, wherein the self-assembled monolayer is connected to the core by covalent bonds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of polymer composite material, and a nano particle/polyamide composite material, a preparation method therefor and a use thereof are disclosed. The nano particle/polyamide composite material comprises 0.01-99 parts by weight of inorganic nano particles and 1-99.99 parts by weight of a polyamide matrix. The preparation method for the nano particle/polyamide composite material of the present invention comprises hydrolysis polymerization or anionic polymerization. The nano particle/polyamide composite material of the present invention has the particular functions of nano materials, while having the advantages of the polymer matrix such as good mechanical performance and being easy for processing and molding.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal/polymer complex includes a liquid crystal material, a polymer, and a chiral agent. The liquid crystal material exhibits blue phase and contains liquid crystal molecules that are spirally arranged to form liquid crystal molecular cylinders having a spiral arrangement. The polymer maintains the arrangement and has a dendrimer-type structure including a dendrimer unit and a polymerizable unit bonded to an end of the dendrimer unit. The dendrimer unit contains a central atom and at least two branched structures bonded to the central atom and has a generation of two or more. The polymerizable unit contains a polymerizable group which can bond to a polymerizable group.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods of making nanoparticles having about 0.2 to about 35 weight percent of a therapeutic agent; and about 10 to about 99 weight percent of biocompatible polymer such as a diblock poly(lactic) acid-poly(ethylene)glycol.

Abstract: This invention relates to colored polymer particles preferably with surface functionality for charge retention, a process for their preparation, the use of these particles for the preparation of an electrophoretic device, color electrophoretic displays comprising such particle, and new water-soluble dyes.

Abstract: A method is used to make a nanometer enhanced thermo-durable thermosetting polyester material. The method includes the steps of providing prepolymeric viscous liquid and curing the prepolymeric viscous liquid. The prepolymeric viscous liquid includes: a polyester prepolymer that includes an unsaturated vinyl group of low molecular weight, a functional polyester oligomer that includes an unsaturated vinyl group, a polyester prepolymer that includes an unsaturated vinyl group associated with layered silicates, and a polymerizable monomer that includes a vinyl group. To cure the prepolymeric viscous liquid, a catalyst and an accelerator are used. Thus, there is provided a highly cross-linked three-dimensional thermosetting polyester/layered silicate nanometer material.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns and sheets having enhanced mechanical strength using infused and bonded nano-resins. A CNT yarn or sheet is surface-activated to produce open bonds in the CNT walls prior to resin infusion. The CNT yarn or sheet is infused with a low viscosity nano-resin that penetrates spaces between individual CNTs and is cured to cross-link and chemically bond to the CNT walls, either directly or through a functional molecule, to bond the individual CNTs or ropes to each other. The nano-resin can comprise dicyclopentadiene having an uncured viscosity near that of water. The cross-linking process involves ring-opening metathesis polymerization and catalysis of the nano-resin in combination with a functionalizing material such as norbornene, to enhance bonding between the carbon and nano-resin. The process increases load capability, tensile strength, and elastic modulus of the yarns and sheets, for use as a structural component in composite materials.

Abstract: A method for preparing polymeric nanoparticles having entrapped active ingredients or drugs, the method includes the step of preparing a reaction by mixturing water, a surfactant, and a water-soluble radical initiator; polymerizing a polymerizable monomer in the reaction to obtain a dispersion of polymeric nanoparticles having a controlled size with average diameters smaller than 50 nm; dissolving one or more active ingredients in a suitable solvent; adding the solution of active ingredients to the dispersion of polymeric nanoparticles and allowing that the active ingredients to become entrapped within polymeric nanoparticles; and evaporating the dispersion of polymeric nanoparticles having entrapped active ingredients to evaporate the residual monomer and the solvent used as a vehicle for loading the active ingredient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a polystyrene based nanocomposite by combining a monomer with a nanoparticle to form a mixture and subjecting the mixture to polymerization conditions to produce a polymeric composite. In an embodiment the nanoparticle has been treated with an additive prior to combining with the monomer and the additive contains a silane moiety.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to aqueous dispersions comprising polyurethane and nanoparticles, and processes for preparing the aqueous dispersions. The dispersions comprise aqueous polyurethane dispersions having nanoparticles covalently incorporated into the polymer matrix. The dispersions are prepared by reacting isocyanate groups present on the polyurethane chain ends with free amine groups on a hydroxy- or amino-functionalized nanoparticle to covalently attach the polyurethane and the nanoparticle through urethane or urea linkages, respectively.

Abstract: A method of preparing a monodisperse particle may include mixing at least two types of monomers in a solvent, placing an initiator in the solvent, and forming a particle having a copolymer shape by polymerizing the at least two types of monomers. The particle may have a size controlled by a content of the at least two types of monomers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preparing organic nano-particles comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a solution comprising an unsaturated polyester and/or a vinyl ester resin and a hydrophobic monomer; (b) dispersing the solution obtained in step (a) in an aqueous phase to form a stable emulsion where the aqueous phase is the continuous phase; and (c) using an initiator to cure the emulsion obtained in step (b) in the presence of a water soluble inhibitor to form a dispersion of nano-particles. The invention further provides organic nano-particles obtainable by the process according to the invention; various uses of said nano-particles; such as in paper, dye, toner and personal care compositions and topical medicaments comprising said nano-particles.

Abstract: A composition comprising a block copolymer that includes at least one polyester block and at least one linear polyolefin block, wherein the composition is in the form of a nano-structured, bicontinuous composite that includes a continuous matrix phase and a second continuous phase. The continuous matrix phase comprises the linear polyolefin block of the block copolymer, and the second continuous phase comprises the polyester block of the block copolymer. The composite may be treated to remove the polyester block, thereby forming a plurality of nano-pores.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porous hollow silica micro- or nanoparticle with a polymer grafted thereon, wherein the polymer is selected from poly(methacrylic acid) and copolymers thereof. The polymer may be covalently linked to the silica particle via a bridging group. Provided is also a method of covalently coupling a poly(methacrylic acid) to a silica surface of a hollow silica particle. The method comprises contacting a silica surface of a hollow silica particle that carries amino functional or halogen functional groups with a poly(methacrylic acid) or a copolymer or a respective monomer thereof. The method further comprises allowing the carboxyl group of the monomer or the poly(methacrylic acid) and an amino functional group or a halogen functional group on the silica surface to undergo a coupling reaction, thereby covalently coupling the polymer to the silica surface.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube sheet of the present invention includes carbon nanotubes and a polymeric material, wherein the carbon nanotubes are present in an isolated state, the axis directions of the carbon nanotubes are aligned m a thickness direction of the carbon nanotube sheet, and the space between the carbon nanotubes is filled with the polymeric material.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal/polymer complex includes a liquid crystal material, a polymer, and a chiral agent. The liquid crystal material exhibits blue phase and contains liquid crystal molecules that are spirally arranged to form liquid crystal molecular cylinders having a spiral arrangement. The polymer maintains the arrangement and has a dendrimer-type structure including a dendrimer unit and a polymerizable unit bonded to an end of the dendrimer unit. The dendrimer unit contains a central atom and at least two branched structures bonded to the central atom and has a generation of two or more. The polymerizable unit contains a polymerizable group which can bond to a polymerizable group.

Abstract: Nanofibers are fabricated by introducing a mixture of a polymer solution and inorganic precursor into a dispersion medium and shearing the mixture. Liquid strands, streaks or droplets of the mixture are spun into elongated fibers that include inorganic fibrils. The resulting composite inorganic/polymer fibers may be provided as an end product. Alternatively, the polymer may be removed to liberate the inorganic fibrils, which may be of the same or smaller cross-section as the polymer fibers and may be provided as an end product.

Abstract: A crystalline nanowire and method of making a crystalline nanowire are disclosed. The method includes dissolving a first nitrate salt and a second nitrate salt in an acrylic acid aqueous solution. An initiator is added to the solution, which is then heated to form polyacrylatyes. The polyacrylates are dried and calcined. The nanowires show high reversible capacity, enhanced cycleability, and promising rate capability for a battery or capacitor.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions of DOTA derivative compounds, lanthanoid-DOTA derivative molecular complex, and lanthanoid-complex encapsulated solid lipid particles or capsules, and methods of making and using the compositions. The solid lipid particles or capsules contain micelle cores stabilized by a hyperbranched polymer shell based from a crosslinked DOTA derivative compound or crosslinked lanthanoid-DOTA derivative complex. These solid lipid particles or capsules can be used in various applications, such as contrast agents or drug delivery vehicles.

Abstract: Novel methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures (e.g., carbon nanospheres) that are highly dispersed include forming a precursor composition, polymerizing the precursor composition, extracting water from the polymerized carbon material using an organic solvent, and carbonizing the polymerized material (e.g., through pyrolysis) to form the carbon nanostructures. The extraction-treated polymerized carbon material forms carbon nanostructures that are less agglomerated than carbon nanostructures manufactured using a similar technique without solvent extraction of water.

Abstract: Novel methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures (e.g., carbon nanospheres) that are highly dispersed include forming a precursor composition, polymerizing the precursor composition, applying a long chain hydrocarbon surfactant to the polymerized carbon material, and carbonizing the polymerized material (e.g., through pyrolysis) to form the carbon nanostructures. The long chain hydrocarbon surfactant facilitates the formation of dispersed carbon nanostructures during the carbonization step.

Abstract: The invention provides core-shell hybrid latexes wherein the core comprises poly(acrylate)polymers and the shell comprises vegetable oil-based waterborne polyurethanes, and the latexes lack surfactants. Surfactant-free core-shell hybrid latexes with waterborne vegetable oil-based polyurethanes as the shell and poly(acrylate) as the core have been successfully prepared by seeded emulsion polymerization. The crosslink densities of the polymers obtained can be controlled by using modified vegetable oil polyols with various hydroxyl numbers or by adding a multifunctional vinyl crosslinker to the poly(acrylate) core.

Abstract: A composition comprises a surface modified nanoparticle comprising a core comprising a material selected from the group consisting of organic materials, organometallic materials, inorganic materials, metals, metal oxides, and combinations thereof; and a surface branch covalently linked to the core having the general formula (3):

Abstract: Nanocomposites comprising a sulfonated telechelic polycarbonate and an organically modified clay are disclosed. The polycarbonate nanocomposites have improved physical and mechanical properties.

Abstract: Thermometer comprising an organic-inorganic matrix which comprises tris complex (?-diketonate) of two different cations of lanthanide elements. In addition, the invention also relates to the matrix, methods for preparing it and methods of using a thermometer to measure absolute temperatures.

Abstract: Layered nanostructures are constructed by imprinting material with a mold, while selectively modifying and removing a portion of the mold. The mold, which includes a pattern of features, is modified so that the portion of the mold that includes the features is made chemically and/or physically distinct from the rest of the mold. That portion of the mold that includes the features is retained while the rest of the mold is removed. The retained portion of the mold provides mechanical support for any adjoining layer or layers.

Abstract: A polymer capsule manufactured by polymerizing a compound represented by Formula 1, or polymerizing the compound of Formula 1 and a compound of Formula 2, wherein a detailed structure of the compounds of Formulae 1 and 2 is presented in the detailed description.

Abstract: Porous three-dimensional networks of polyimide and porous three-dimensional networks of carbon and methods of their manufacture are described. For example, polyimide aerogels are prepared by mixing a dianhydride and a diisocyanate in a solvent comprising a pyrrolidone and acetonitrile at room temperature to form a sol-gel material and supercritically drying the sol-gel material to form the polyimide aerogel. Porous three-dimensional polyimide networks, such as polyimide aerogels, may also exhibit a fibrous morphology. Having a porous three-dimensional polyimide network undergo an additional step of pyrolysis may result in the three dimensional network being converted to a purely carbon skeleton, yielding a porous three-dimensional carbon network. The carbon network, having been derived from a fibrous polyimide network, may also exhibit a fibrous morphology.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence of a target molecule is disclosed which includes a conductive nanostructure, a non-conductive polymer coating on at least a portion of the nanostructure, and a cavity formed in the polymer coating having a shape corresponding to the shape of the target molecule. A property of the nanostructure depends on the presence of the target molecule at the cavity.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a polymer nanoparticle by a photoinduced emulsion polymerization includes preparing an emulsion comprising at least one surfactant, a dispersed phase and a continuous phase. The dispersed phase comprises at least one polymerizable monomer and the continuous phase comprises water and at least one photoinitiator. The at least one polymerizable monomer is polymerized by exposing the emulsion to an electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength so as to induce a generation of radicals from the at least one photoinitiator.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing organic nanoparticles comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a solution comprising an unsaturated polyester and/or a vinyl ester resin, an initiator and a hydrophobic monomer; (b) emulsifying the solution obtained in step (a) in an aqueous phase; and thereafter (c) curing the emulsified solution. The invention further provides organic nanoparticles obtainable by the process according to the invention; various uses of said nanoparticles; and paper, dye compositions and toner compositions comprising said nanoparticles.

Abstract: A toner comprising toner particles containing a binder resin comprising a crystalline polyester resin, a non-crystalline polyester resin and an acryl resin having a cross-link structure, and the acryl resin having a cross-link structure has a cross-link site derived from a crosslinking agent represented by the following formula (1): CH2?CR1—C(?O)O—Z—OC(?O)—CR2?CH2??Formula (1) wherein R1 and R2 are each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and Z is a hydrocarbon group of 2 to 90 carbon atoms, provided that the hydrocarbon group may include an ether linkage, an ester linkage, a heterocyclic ring or a substituent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition including a polymer nanoparticle and at least one agricultural active compound incorporated with the nanoparticle, wherein the nanoparticle are less than 100 nm in diameter, and the polymer includes a polyelectrolyte.

Abstract: Composites comprising at least one graphite-carbon nanofiber (GCNF) and a polymer phase covalently linked to a surface thereof.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for synthesizing nanocomposite materials including ferromagnetic nanoparticles with polymer shells formed by controlled surface polymerization. The polymer shells prevent the nanoparticles from forming agglomerates and preserve the size dispersion of the nanoparticles. The nanocomposite particles can be further networked in suitable polymer hosts to tune mechanical, optical, and thermal properties of the final composite polymer system. An exemplary method includes forming a polymer shell on a nanoparticle surface by adding molecules of at least one monomer and optionally of at least one tethering agent to the nanoparticles, and then exposing to electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength selected to induce bonding between the nanoparticle and the molecules, to form a polymer shell bonded to the particle and optionally to a polymer host matrix. The nanocomposite materials can be used in various magneto-optic applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to coloured polymer particles preferably with surface functionality for charge retention, a process for their preparation, the use of these particles for the preparation of an electrophoretic device, colour electrophoretic displays comprising such particle, and new water-soluble dyes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to functionalize and solubilize WCNT with a phenolic polymer such as a lignin or a PF resin followed by in-situ integration of this functionalized CNT in the presence of formaldehyde and phenol and/or lignin to generate either CNT-reinforced phenol-formaldehyde polymer or CNT-reinforced lignin-phenol-formaldehyde polymer in either liquid or powder form suitable as an adhesive in the manufacture of a lignocellulosic composite material such as OSB and plywood.

Abstract: A method for removing vinyl monomers from a gas stream comprises steps of: irradiating a photoactive-inorganic medium by a light emitting unit to activate the photoactive-inorganic medium; and pumping a gas stream including vinyl monomers to contact with the activated photoactive-inorganic medium to make the vinyl monomers in the gas stream to polymerize on the photoactive-inorganic medium to jointly form a polymeric nano-composite.

Abstract: A process for preparing stable aqueous dispersions of composite particles.

Abstract: A nanoparticle including a polysiloxane base having an exterior surface and having a photosensitizer at least partly exposed at its exterior surface, said photosensitizer being secured to the exterior surface by loading the photosensitizer onto the surface after formation of the polysiloxane base of the nanoparticle. The nanoparticle may have tumor targeting moieties and may be post loaded with cyanine dye. The nanoparticle preferably includes post loaded moieties providing at least two of tumor specificity, photodynamic properties and imaging capabilities and the photosensitizer is tagged with a radioisotope. A method for preparation of the nanoparticle is also provided.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticles and methods of making the aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticles having an interpenetrating polymer network (“IPN”) are described. The uniformed sized mono-disperse IPN nanoparticles have inverse thermo gelation properties that allow therapeutic medications to be uniformly distributed in a liquid form of the aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticles. Such medications can then be released from a solid form of the aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticles in time dependant manor.

Abstract: A process for forming a nanoparticle composition is provided. The process includes polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent to form a first reaction mixture, and charging excess alkenylbenzense monomer and anionic catalyst to form mono-block and diblock polymers. Micelles of said mono-block and diblock polymers are formed, and at least one crosslinking agent is added to cross-link the micelles and form nanoparticles. The nanoparticles preferably have a poly(alkenylbenzene) core and an outer layer including monomer units selected from the group consisting of conjugated dienes, alkenylbenzenes, alkylenes, and mixtures thereof, and a size distribution of between about 1 and 1000 nm.

Abstract: A method is provided for making nanoparticles, including the steps of: combining a hydrocarbon solvent and an aprotic, polar co-solvent, a mono-vinyl aromatic monomer, polymerization initiator, a solution stabilizer, and a first charge of a cross-linking agent. Subsequently, a second charge of cross-linking agent is added. The nanoparticles have an average diameter of 5 nanometers to about 10,000 nanometers. Spherical nanoparticles are also provided that include a cross-linking agent comprising 30% to 60% by weight of the combined weight of a mono-vinyl aromatic species and the cross-linking agent. The spherical nanoparticles also meet the following equation: 0.90?(D1/D2)?1.1 wherein D1 is a first diameter of a nanoparticle and D2 is a second diameter of the nanoparticle, and D1 and D2 intersect at right angles.

Abstract: A new approach is conceived for the development of sustainable biomaterials comprising nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and polylactic acid (PLA) nanocomposites. The invention deals with advancing a method based on in situ ring opening polymerization of L-lactide in the presence of NCC particles to form NCC-PLA supramolecular nanocomposite materials. This material is hydrophobic and compatible with a wide range of synthetic and natural polymers. NCC-PLA nanocomposites have enhanced functionality (e.g. gas barrier), rheological and mechanical performance, as well as dimensional stability (i.e. less hygroexpansivity) relative to PLA. They are made from entirely renewable resources, and are potentially biocompatible as well as recyclable. NCC-PLA supramolecular nanocomposites can be suspended in most organic solvents or dried to form a solid substance. They can be processed using conventional polymer processing techniques to develop 3-dimensional structures, or spun into fibres, yarns or filaments.

Abstract: A composite comprising at least one diamond/polymer brush and a method of making the composite comprising covalently bonding at least one polymer to said diamond surface.

Abstract: A method of producing a polymer latex drag reducer. The method begins by forming an aqueous solution comprising a surfactant, a buffer and water. The method then forms an organic solution comprising a monomer and a co-stabilizer. The aqueous solution and the organic solution are mixed to form an emulsion. The emulsion is then subjecting to a high shear device to produce a miniemulsion, wherein the monomers are broken into small droplets followed by polymerizing the miniemulsion with the addition of an initiator, wherein a nucleation occurs in the small monomer droplets.

Abstract: A poly(ether-ketone) composite of the formula: wherein CNF is carbon nanofibers and MWNT is multi-walled carbon nanotubes; wherein Ar represents ether-ketone repeating groups of the formula wherein Q is —O— or —O—(CH2)n—O—, wherein n has a value of 2-12; wherein R is —H, —CH3, or —C2H5, m has a value of 1 or 2; wherein R? is —H or —CH3; and wherein — denoted the presence of a direct C—C bond between Ar and CNF or MWNTg Also provided is a process for preparing the composite.

Abstract: Native Group IV semiconductor thin films formed from coating substrates using formulations of Group IV nanoparticles are described. Such native Group IV semiconductor thin films leverage the vast historical knowledge of Group IV semiconductor materials and at the same time exploit the advantages of Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles for producing novel thin films which may be readily integrated into a number of devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a separating material having improved binding capacity, and to materials prepared and to the use thereof for the separation of charged or uncharged biopolymers from liquids.