An aqueous dispersion of a hydrophobically-modified alkali-soluble multistage polymer useful as a thickener affording high thickening efficiency and an aqueous coating composition comprising such aqueous dispersion showing good stability after heat aging without compromising stability upon addition of colorants.

An aqueous dispersion of a hydrophobically-modified alkali-soluble multistage polymer useful as a thickener affording high thickening efficiency and an aqueous coating composition comprising such aqueous dispersion showing good stability after heat aging without compromising stability upon addition of colorants.

A surface modifying composition for modifying a surface of a formed product made of high-density polyethylene or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, the composition comprising: a copolymer having a unit of a first monomer having an aliphatic group having 10 or more carbon atoms and a unit of a second monomer having any of an amino group, an epoxy group, and an ether group, and a solvent having a boiling point of 100° C. or more and being at least one selected from the group consisting of a halogen-based solvent, an alkane solvent, a cycloalkane solvent, a dicycloalkane solvent, an aromatic solvent, and a nitro-based solvent.

Methods of spatially directing the orientation and placement of multiple block copolymer (BCP) domains on isolated regions of a substrate are described. The methods involve epitaxially directing the assembly of BCP domains using spatial boundaries between regions with different surface composition, formed at the edges of isolated chemical regions on a background chemistry. Multiple vertical domains of BCP order on the isolated region, self-aligned in a direction parallel to edges of the isolated region. In some embodiments, vertical domains order on multiple isolated regions of a first chemistry of a chemical contrast pattern with horizontal domains on the regions of a second (background) chemistry of the chemical contrast pattern. Also provided herein are compositions resulting from the methods.

Methods of spatially directing the orientation and placement of multiple block copolymer (BCP) domains on isolated regions of a substrate are described. The methods involve epitaxially directing the assembly of BCP domains using spatial boundaries between regions with different surface composition, formed at the edges of isolated chemical regions on a background chemistry. Multiple vertical domains of BCP order on the isolated region, self-aligned in a direction parallel to edges of the isolated region. In some embodiments, vertical domains order on multiple isolated regions of a first chemistry of a chemical contrast pattern with horizontal domains on the regions of a second (background) chemistry of the chemical contrast pattern. Also provided herein are compositions resulting from the methods.

Disclosed herein is a primerless paint composition comprising a carboxylated chlorinated polyolefin elastomer; one or more of a polyacrylic binder, a polyvinylchloride binder and a vinyl aromatic block copolymer binder; a pigment; and a liquid carrier. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising blending a primerless paint composition comprising a carboxylated chlorinated polyolefin elastomer; one or more of a polyacrylic binder, polyvinylchloride binder and a vinyl aromatic block copolymer binder; a pigment; and a liquid carrier; and disposing the primerless paint composition on a polyolefin elastomer substrate that does not have a primer disposed on it prior to the disposing of the primerless paint composition.

Disclosed herein is a primerless paint composition comprising a carboxylated chlorinated polyolefin elastomer; one or more of a polyacrylic binder, a polyvinylchloride binder and a vinyl aromatic block copolymer binder; a pigment; and a liquid carrier. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising blending a primerless paint composition comprising a carboxylated chlorinated polyolefin elastomer; one or more of a polyacrylic binder, polyvinylchloride binder and a vinyl aromatic block copolymer binder; a pigment; and a liquid carrier; and disposing the primerless paint composition on a polyolefin elastomer substrate that does not have a primer disposed on it prior to the disposing of the primerless paint composition.

Provided is a polymer functioning as a leveling agent that imparts high smoothness to a coating film. Specifically, a polymer containing a polymer block (A1) of a polymerizable monomer (a1) having a functional group represented by —Si[OSi(R).sub.3].sub.n[R′].sub.3-n (n is an integer of 1 to 3, each R independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and each R′ independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms). Also provided are a coating composition, a resist composition, and an article containing the polymer.

A composition includes a polymer and a solvent. The polymer (A) satisfies at least one of the conditions (i) and (ii): (i) having in one terminal part of a main chain a block of a first structural unit that includes an amino group; and (ii) having a sulfur atom bonding to one end of the main chain, wherein a monovalent group that includes an amino group bonds to the sulfur atom.

Provided are fluorinated block copolymers comprising alternating hard blocks and soft blocks, wherein both said hard and soft blocks comprise vinylidenfluoride (VDF). Also provided is the use of said block copolymers in applications for lithium batteries including an electrochemical cell and a separator for an electrochemical cell which is coated with a composition comprising the fluorinated block copolymers. Further provided is a process for the manufacture of the separator.