Methods of protecting a substrate from light-induced degradation are described. The methods comprise providing a substrate and disposing onto the substrate a plurality of layers deposited by layer-by-layer self-assembly. At least a portion of the layers comprise an organic light absorbing compound, an organic light stabilizing compound, or a combination thereof dispersed within a polyelectrolyte. Also described are articles comprising a substrate and a plurality of layers deposited by layer-by-layer self-assembly wherein at least a portion of the layers comprise an organic light absorbing compound, an organic light stabilizing compound, or a combination thereof dispersed within a polyelectrolyte. Random copolymers suitable for use in the method and articles are also described.

Methods of protecting a substrate from light-induced degradation are described. The methods comprise providing a substrate and disposing onto the substrate a plurality of layers deposited by layer-by-layer self-assembly. At least a portion of the layers comprise an organic light absorbing compound, an organic light stabilizing compound, or a combination thereof dispersed within a polyelectrolyte. Also described are articles comprising a substrate and a plurality of layers deposited by layer-by-layer self-assembly wherein at least a portion of the layers comprise an organic light absorbing compound, an organic light stabilizing compound, or a combination thereof dispersed within a polyelectrolyte. Random copolymers suitable for use in the method and articles are also described.

Provided is a polymer-based antimicrobial composition that is non-toxic, water soluble, and that mitigates the transmission of infectious diseases from surfaces. The composition comprises a cationic polymer, at least one adhesion promoter, optionally organic and/or inorganic particles that are photocatalytically active in visible light, and a carrier, in which the components of the composition are not covalently bound to one another. Also provided is an antimicrobial composition that comprises at least (i) a polyethylenimine-based polymer and a carrier or (ii) an organic and/or inorganic particle that is photocatalytically active in visible light, an adhesion promoter, and a carrier. The antimicrobial compositions can be applied to disinfect a surface and to form residual self-sanitizing films on the surface that are removable.

Provided is a polymer-based antimicrobial composition that is non-toxic, water soluble, and that mitigates the transmission of infectious diseases from surfaces. The composition comprises a cationic polymer, at least one adhesion promoter, optionally organic and/or inorganic particles that are photocatalytically active in visible light, and a carrier, in which the components of the composition are not covalently bound to one another. Also provided is an antimicrobial composition that comprises at least (i) a polyethylenimine-based polymer and a carrier or (ii) an organic and/or inorganic particle that is photocatalytically active in visible light, an adhesion promoter, and a carrier. The antimicrobial compositions can be applied to disinfect a surface and to form residual self-sanitizing films on the surface that are removable.

Special effect films are disclosed that comprise a polymeric substrate and a composite coating. The composite coating is provided with a first layer comprising a polyionic binder and a second layer comprising interference particles having at least one highly refractive layer and at least one lower refractive layer, and a difference in refractive index between the highly refractive layer and the at least one lower refractive layer is at least 0.1 units.

Special effect films are disclosed that comprise a polymeric substrate and a composite coating. The composite coating is provided with a first layer comprising a polyionic binder and a second layer comprising interference particles having at least one highly refractive layer and at least one lower refractive layer, and a difference in refractive index between the highly refractive layer and the at least one lower refractive layer is at least 0.1 units.

The invention relates to compositions and methods of treatment employing compositions comprising polyelectrolyte complexes. The compositions include a water-soluble first polyelectrolyte bearing a net cationic charge or capable of developing a net cationic charge and a water-soluble second polyelectrolyte bearing a net anionic charge or capable of developing a net anionic charge. The total polyelectrolyte concentration of the first solution is at least 110 millimolar. The composition is free of coacervates, precipitates, latex particles, synthetic block copolymers, silicone copolymers, cross-linked poly(acrylic) and cross-linked water-soluble polyelectrolyte. The composition may be a concentrate, to be diluted prior to use to treat a surface.

The invention relates to compositions and methods of treatment employing compositions comprising polyelectrolyte complexes. The compositions include a water-soluble first polyelectrolyte bearing a net cationic charge or capable of developing a net cationic charge and a water-soluble second polyelectrolyte bearing a net anionic charge or capable of developing a net anionic charge. The total polyelectrolyte concentration of the first solution is at least 110 millimolar. The composition is free of coacervates, precipitates, latex particles, synthetic block copolymers, silicone copolymers, cross-linked poly(acrylic) and cross-linked water-soluble polyelectrolyte. The composition may be a concentrate, to be diluted prior to use to treat a surface.

A single coating composition providing both anti-bacterial and anti-fouling functions when applied to a product and a method of preparing same. The composition includes a fluorine-based substituent according to the following Formula 1 and at least one ammonium-based substituent according to the following Formula 2:
CF.sub.2OCF.sub.2CF.sub.2O.sub.pCF.sub.2O.sub.q[Formula 1] wherein p and q each independently is an integer of 1 to 100,
CH.sub.2C(CH.sub.3)(COOCH.sub.2CH.sub.2.sup.+N(CH.sub.3).sub.2(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.xCH.sub.3)[Formula 2] wherein x is an integer of 1 to 20.

The invention relates to compositions and methods of treatment employing compositions comprising polyelectrolyte complexes. The compositions include a water-soluble first polyelectrolyte bearing a net cationic charge or capable of developing a net cationic charge and a water-soluble second polyelectrolyte bearing a net anionic charge or capable of developing a net anionic charge. The total polyelectrolyte concentration of the first solution is at least 110 millimolar. The composition is free of coacervates, precipitates, latex particles, synthetic block copolymers, silicone copolymers, cross-linked poly(acrylic) and cross-linked water-soluble polyelectrolyte. The composition may be a concentrate, to be diluted prior to use to treat a surface.