Disclosed herein are polymers, copolymers and polymer systems based on polypropiolactones which can be biodegradable and can enhance the recyclability of polymer systems, which can be functionalized to introduce desired functionality into the polymers and/or which may optionally be prepared from renewable raw materials. Disclosed are novel functionalized beta propiolactones. Some of the novel functionalized beta propiolactones have functional groups bound to the ring structure of the lactone that provide improved polymer systems. Disclosed are novel homopolymers of the functionalized beta propiolactones. Disclosed are novel copolymers based on the functionalized beta propiolactones with beta propiolactone or other monomers which copolymerize with the functionalized beta propiolactones.

Acid-functionalized copolymers of methyl methacrylate having relatively high glass transition temperatures and molecular weights may be employed to manufacture articles having high light transmission values, low haze, high heat resistance, and high environmental stability, which are useful as optical protection films, zero-zero optical retardation films, and compensation films as well as lighting pipes and optical imaging lenses.

Acid-functionalized copolymers of methyl methacrylate having relatively high glass transition temperatures and molecular weights may be employed to manufacture articles having high light transmission values, low haze, high heat resistance, and high environmental stability, which are useful as optical protection films, zero-zero optical retardation films, and compensation films as well as lighting pipes and optical imaging lenses.

The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising a copolymer derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer, a (meth)acrylate monomer, an acid monomer, and a copolymerizable surfactant and compositions comprising the same. The (meth)acrylate monomer can be selected from a monomer having a theoretical glass transition temperature (Tg) for its corresponding homopolymer of 0° C. or less or a hydrophobic (meth)acrylate monomer. In some embodiments, the copolymer is further derived from an organosilane. The copolymers can have a theoretical glass transition temperature (Tg) from −60° C. to 80° C. and a number average particle size of 250 nm or less. The compositions can be used to prepare compositions such as coatings that have improved water resistance, blush resistance, and/or resistance to hydrostatic pressures. Methods of making the copolymers are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising a copolymer derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer, a (meth)acrylate monomer, an acid monomer, and a copolymerizable surfactant and compositions comprising the same. The (meth)acrylate monomer can be selected from a monomer having a theoretical glass transition temperature (Tg) for its corresponding homopolymer of 0° C. or less or a hydrophobic (meth)acrylate monomer. In some embodiments, the copolymer is further derived from an organosilane. The copolymers can have a theoretical glass transition temperature (Tg) from −60° C. to 80° C. and a number average particle size of 250 nm or less. The compositions can be used to prepare compositions such as coatings that have improved water resistance, blush resistance, and/or resistance to hydrostatic pressures. Methods of making the copolymers are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising a copolymer derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer, a (meth)acrylate monomer, an acid monomer, and a copolymerizable surfactant and compositions comprising the same. The (meth)acrylate monomer can be selected from a monomer having a theoretical glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) for its corresponding homopolymer of 0° C. or less or a hydrophobic (meth)acrylate monomer. In some embodiments, the copolymer is further derived from an organosilane. The copolymers can have a theoretical glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) from −60° C. to 80° C. and a number average particle size of 250 nm or less. The compositions can be used to prepare compositions such as coatings that have improved water resistance, blush resistance, and/or resistance to hydrostatic pressures. Methods of making the copolymers are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising a copolymer derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer, a (meth)acrylate monomer, an acid monomer, and a copolymerizable surfactant and compositions comprising the same. The (meth)acrylate monomer can be selected from a monomer having a theoretical glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) for its corresponding homopolymer of 0° C. or less or a hydrophobic (meth)acrylate monomer. In some embodiments, the copolymer is further derived from an organosilane. The copolymers can have a theoretical glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) from −60° C. to 80° C. and a number average particle size of 250 nm or less. The compositions can be used to prepare compositions such as coatings that have improved water resistance, blush resistance, and/or resistance to hydrostatic pressures. Methods of making the copolymers are also provided.

A resin for an energy device electrode contains a structural unit derived from a nitrile group-containing monomer; and a structural unit derived from a monomer represented by the following Formula (I), wherein the resin does not contain a structural unit that is derived from a carboxy group-containing monomer and that contains a carboxy group, or the resin has a ratio of a structural unit that is derived from a carboxy group-containing monomer and that contains a carboxy group of 0.01 moles or less with respect to 1 mole of the structural unit derived from a nitrile group-containing monomer, and a ratio of the structural unit derived from a nitrile group-containing monomer to a total of structural units derived from each monomer is from 90% by mole to less than 100%. ##STR00001##

A resin for an energy device electrode contains a structural unit derived from a nitrile group-containing monomer; and a structural unit derived from a monomer represented by the following Formula (I), wherein the resin does not contain a structural unit that is derived from a carboxy group-containing monomer and that contains a carboxy group, or the resin has a ratio of a structural unit that is derived from a carboxy group-containing monomer and that contains a carboxy group of 0.01 moles or less with respect to 1 mole of the structural unit derived from a nitrile group-containing monomer, and a ratio of the structural unit derived from a nitrile group-containing monomer to a total of structural units derived from each monomer is from 90% by mole to less than 100%. ##STR00001##

An adhesive composition which is excellent in adhesion to various hardly adhesive materials such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, modified polyphenylene ether, polyphenylene sulfide, and a cycloolefin polymer. Further, an adhesive composition containing the following components (A) to (C) may be described Component (A): (Meth) acrylic triblock elastomer having a weight average molecular weight of 80,000 or more, Component (B): (Meth) acrylate monomer having no hydroxyl group and having a phenoxy group, and Component (C): Radical initiator.