Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a method of synthesizing a glycidyl azide homopolymer comprising contacting a glycidyl azide monomer, an initiator, and a Lewis acid sufficient to form the glycidyl azide homopolymer; wherein the glycidyl azide homopolymer is directly polymerized from the glycidyl azide monomer. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe a method of making a glycidyl azide polymer comprising contacting one or more of a glycidyl azide monomer, an epoxide monomer, carbon dioxide, an initiator, and a Lewis acid in a reaction medium to form a glycidyl azide polymer.

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a method of synthesizing a glycidyl azide homopolymer comprising contacting a glycidyl azide monomer, an initiator, and a Lewis acid sufficient to form the glycidyl azide homopolymer; wherein the glycidyl azide homopolymer is directly polymerized from the glycidyl azide monomer. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe a method of making a glycidyl azide polymer comprising contacting one or more of a glycidyl azide monomer, an epoxide monomer, carbon dioxide, an initiator, and a Lewis acid in a reaction medium to form a glycidyl azide polymer.

The present invention relates to a bio-based polyol comprising a thiol-epoxy reaction product of an epoxidized nut or seed oil derivative, and a thiol-containing reactant. The bio-based polyol of the present invention can then be combined with a diisocyanate or a polymeric isocyanate to create a polyurethane material.

The invention relates to block copolymer comprising i) A first block wherein at least 65 mol-% of the repeating units of the first block are repeating units of the formula (I)—[CH.sub.2—CH.sub.2—O]—, ii) A second block wherein at least 90 mol-% of the repeating units of the second block are repeating units of at least one of formulae (II) or (III), wherein the groups R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 independent of each occurrence are selected from hydrocarbyl groups having 1 to 40 carbon atoms, which are optionally substituted by ether or hydroxyl groups, and wherein the groups R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are optionally linked to each other such that a nitrogen heterocyclic structure is present, iii) A third block which is different from the first block and the second block and which is more hydrophobic than the first block.

##STR00001##

There is provided a fluorine-containing ether compound represented by the following formula. R.sup.1—R.sup.2—CH.sub.2—R.sup.3—CH.sub.2—OCH.sub.2CH(OH)CH.sub.2O—CH.sub.2—R.sup.3—CH.sub.2—R.sup.4—R.sup.5 (in the formula. R.sup.3 represents a perfluoropolyether chain; R.sup.2 and R.sup.4 represent a divalent linking group having a polar group; R.sup.1 and R.sup.5 represent a terminal group bonded to an oxygen atom of R.sup.2 or R.sup.4; and at least one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.5 is any one selected from the group consisting of an alkenyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkynyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, an aromatic hydrocarbon-containing group, and an aromatic heterocycle-containing group).

A curable composition including a first compound having a group represented by general formula (x) and an epoxy group and having a molecular weight of 1000 or less. In the general formula (x), Rf.sub.1 and Rf.sub.2 each independently represent a fluorine-containing alkyl group.

—C(Rf.sub.1)(Rf.sub.2)—OH  (x)

A curable composition including a first compound having a group represented by general formula (x) and an epoxy group and having a molecular weight of 1000 or less. In the general formula (x), Rf.sub.1 and Rf.sub.2 each independently represent a fluorine-containing alkyl group.

—C(Rf.sub.1)(Rf.sub.2)—OH  (x)

Some variations provide a sensing system configured to measure the concentration of an antimicrobial agent in a polymer, comprising: a polymer containing (i) a discrete solid structural phase comprising a solid structural polymer and (ii) a continuous transport phase comprising a solid transport polymer and capable of containing the antimicrobial agent; and an antimicrobial-agent sensor that chemically senses the antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial-agent sensor is disposed on a surface of, and in mass transport with, the polymer. The antimicrobial-agent sensor contains a responsive material disposed on or within a carrier material. The responsive material is chemically reactive with the antimicrobial agent and exhibits an observable and quantifiable property change upon chemically reacting with the antimicrobial agent. The observable and quantifiable property change may involve chromaticity, optical transparency, ionic conductivity, or electronic conductivity, for example. Some variations provide methods of making and/or using the sensing system.

An antifouling coating composition including a copolymer including two or more moieties represented by Chemical Formula 1, and a linking group between the two or more moieties, a method of preparing the copolymer, and an antifouling film produced from the antifouling coating composition. ##STR00001## In Chemical Formula 1, the definitions of Ar, A, B, C, D, and m are as described in the specification.

Disclosed herein is a shelf-stable, two-part formula for making an antimicrobial biphasic polymer. Some variations provide a two-part formula for fabricating a biphasic polymer, wherein the two-part formula consists essentially of (A) a first liquid volume, wherein the first liquid volume comprises: a structural phase containing a solid structural polymer; a transport phase containing a solid transport polymer; a chain extender; a curing catalyst; a first solvent; and (B) a second liquid volume that is volumetrically isolated from the first liquid volume, wherein the second liquid volume comprises: a crosslinker that is capable of crosslinking the solid structural polymer with the solid transport polymer; and a second solvent. An antimicrobial agent (e.g., quaternary ammoniums salts) may be contained in the first liquid volume or in the second liquid volume. Methods of making and using the antimicrobial biphasic polymer are described.