The invention relates to a thermoplastic resin composition comprising an additive formulation, the use of said formulation as a liquid additive concentrate in a thermoplastic resin composition, methods for improving specific properties of additives in a thermoplastic resin composition, the use of specific carriers for improving said properties, and a kit of parts for preparing a thermoplastic resin composition. In particular, specific carrier substances enhance the technical efficiency of additives, if these are introduced into polymers derived from ethylenically unsaturated monomers, such as polyolefins.

A liquid colorant for use in molding or extruding plastic products comprises pigment dispersed in cottonseed oil.

Disclosed are embodiments of polymer compositions and systems that contain antimicrobial and wavelength-shifting metal nanoparticles. The polymer compositions containing metal nanoparticles protect exposed materials from UV radiation. The polymer compositions containing metal nanoparticles down convert incoming UV light to light that may have a longer wavelength. Unexpectedly, by selecting at least two differently configured nanoparticle components (e.g., different in size, shape, or both), each with specific particle size distribution, it is possible to effectively protect an area from damage resulting from exposure to UV radiation. In addition, spherical silver nanoparticles do not cause bacteria to become resistant as do convention silver nanoparticles made by chemical synthesis.

A method for continuously preparing graphene powder directly dispersed in an organic system, including: mixing an aqueous graphene oxide dispersion, an emulsifier and an oil-soluble monomer followed by pH adjustment and dispersing to obtain a pre-emulsified dispersion; subjecting the pre-emulsified dispersion to an emulsion polymerization reaction in the presence of an initiator; introducing a reducing agent to reduce graphene oxide; and subjecting the reaction mixture after emulsion polymerization to spray drying to obtain the graphene powder. Equipment used in the preparation method is also provided herein.

Provided is a method for dyeing a polymer material with an aqueous pigment composition containing at least one pigment dispersed therein, wherein the polymer material is a blend including a first polymer composition and a second polymer composition which is compatible with the first polymer composition, which second polymer composition includes a binding agent for the at least one pigment. The method includes the steps of heating the polymer material to an activation temperature below the softening temperature of the polymer material, contacting the polymer material with the aqueous pigment composition at a contact temperature for a period of time sufficient to form a pigmented polymer material, subjecting the pigmented polymer material to a fixation step to fixate the at least one pigment therein by cooling the pigmented polymer material to a fixation temperature which is lower than the temperature at which contacting of the polymer material with the aqueous pigment composition is carried out.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods for preparing high optical density solutions of nanoparticle, such as nanoplates, silver nanoplates or silver platelet nanoparticles, and to the solutions and substrates prepared by the methods. The process can include the addition of stabilizing agents (e.g., chemical or biological agents bound or otherwise linked to the nanoparticle surface) that stabilize the nanoparticle before, during, and/or after concentration, thereby allowing for the production of a stable, high optical density solution of silver nanoplates. The process can also include increasing the concentration of silver nanoplates within the solution, and thus increasing the solution optical density.

A process can be used for manufacturing a coloured moulding composition with an improved optical appearance and a particularly high thermal stability. The process involves providing a thermoplastic polymer and adding a colouring preparation, or a liquid composition or a master batch containing the colouring preparation. Injection moulded parts and extruded parts can be composed of the coloured moulding composition.

According to one embodiment, a method of dispersing nanoparticles into a destination material includes providing a plurality of nanoparticles suspended in a carrier, adding a solvent to the plurality of nanoparticles suspended in a carrier, removing at least some of the carrier to yield the plurality of nanoparticles suspended in the solvent, mixing the nanoparticles suspended in the solvent with a destination material, and removing at least some of the solvent from the mixture of nanoparticles suspended in the solvent and the destination material.

A composition includes a calcium carbonate-comprising material and from 0.1 to 8 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the calcium carbonate-comprising material, of at least one grafted polymer comprising at least one succinic anhydride group obtained by grafting maleic anhydride onto a homo- or copolymer including butadiene units and optionally styrene units and/or salty reaction products thereof a polyester mixture including the composition, a polyester product prepared from the polyester mixture, a process for preparing the polyester product as well as the use of the at least one grafted polymer to decrease the melt flow rate of such a polyester product and an article formed from the polyester product.

Provided herein is technology relating to polymer-graphene nanocomposites and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods for producing polymer-graphene nanocomposites using master batches comprising graphene and a polymer or polymer precursor. The resulting polymer-graphene nanocomposites comprise a high degree of exfoliation and dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets within the polymer matrix.