A method for preparing a polymer nanocomposite is provided with steps of (1) dissolving polyvinyl chloride; (2) dissolving polyethylene; (3) dissolving a polyvinyl chloride-polyethylene block copolymer; (4) adding a surfactant into a mixed solution obtained from the above-mentioned steps; (5) adding a light permeable material into the mixed solution; (6) adding an enforcement material into the mixed solution; (7) performing an ultrasonic mixing to the mixed solution; and (8) performing a rotary evaporation to the mixed solution.

The invention relates to composite polymer modifiers for thermoplastic resins, and especially for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The composite modifier is an intimate blend of mineral filler and polymeric process aid, which is formed by the co-powderization of aqueous emulsions, suspensions or slurries of one or more mineral filler(s) and process aid(s). The resulting composite modifier provides more effective modification of the thermoplastic resin than by the use of the dried components formed separately. The composite modifier may also contain other co-powderized components such as impact modifiers, for additional benefits.

The invention relates to composite polymer modifiers for thermoplastic resins, and especially for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The composite modifier is an intimate blend of mineral filler and polymeric process aid, which is formed by the co-powderization of aqueous emulsions, suspensions or slurries of one or more mineral filler(s) and process aid(s). The resulting composite modifier provides more effective modification of the thermoplastic resin than by the use of the dried components formed separately. The composite modifier may also contain other co-powderized components such as impact modifiers, for additional benefits.

A method for preparing an intelligent antibacterial and antioxidative film involves preparing a PVA solution; adding nano-TiO.sub.2 to the PVA solution to obtain a PVA-TiO.sub.2 solution; determining the optimal amount of nano-TiO.sub.2; preparing a PSPC solution; preparing a PSPC-TiO.sub.2-PVA solution; and producing a PSPC/TiO.sub.2/PVA film. The film has better mechanical performance than saccharide and protein films. Shelf life of food is prolonged as the film possesses antibacterial and antioxidative properties. Furthermore, the film shows different colors in various pH environments. The film has a wide range of applications in food packaging owing to the integration of color development and antibacterial and antioxidative properties.

A radiation shielding material is fabricated by providing a mixture of a polyester polymer and lead oxide. The material can be formed by the open mold cast technique. A nanocomposite material comprising at least 10% lead oxide is used to provide shielding for diagnostic or medium x-rays. A formulation comprising 40% of lead oxide nanofiller embedded in a polyester matrix performed best at attenuation of diagnostic and medium x-ray levels.

Pigmented polymer particles may comprise a thermoplastic polymer and a pigment, wherein at least some of the pigmented polymer particles have a morphology according to (a), (b), (c), or any combination thereof: (a) the pigment having a coating comprising the thermoplastic polymer and the coated pigment adhered to a thermoplastic polymer particle, (b) the pigment being embedded in an outer surface of the thermoplastic polymer particle, and (c) the pigment being encapsulated by the thermoplastic polymer particle. The pigmented polymer particles, especially the highly spherical pigmented polymer particles, may be useful, among other things, as starting material for additive manufacturing. For example, a method may comprise: depositing, upon a surface, the foregoing pigmented polymer particles optionally in combination with other thermoplastic polymer particles; and once deposited, heating at least a portion of the particles to promote consolidation thereof and form a consolidated body.

The present invention relates to a process comprising the step of contacting an aqueous dispersion of swelled polymer particles with a rheology modifier and a binder to form a coatings composition with a VOC of less than 50 g/L. The swelled polymer particles arise from neutralization of alkali swellable polymer particles having a high acid core content and a low T.sub.g shell. The composition arising from the process of the present invention is useful for improving open time, especially for low VOC coatings applications.

The present invention relates to a process comprising the step of contacting an aqueous dispersion of swelled polymer particles with a rheology modifier and a binder to form a coatings composition with a VOC of less than 50 g/L. The swelled polymer particles arise from neutralization of alkali swellable polymer particles having a high acid core content and a low T.sub.g shell. The composition arising from the process of the present invention is useful for improving open time, especially for low VOC coatings applications.

A method of forming an asphalt binder includes the steps of: providing a liquid binder base housed in a feeding tank; providing a plurality of unprocessed granules of a waste plastic material housed in a hopper; pumping the liquid binder base into a wetting tank; augering the plurality of unprocessed granules of the waste plastic material into the wetting tank; mixing the liquid binder base and the plurality of unprocessed granules of the waste plastic material to form a blended binder that includes 5 percent to 40 percent by volume of the waste plastic material and 60 percent to 95 percent by volume of the liquid binder base; pumping the blended binder into a storage tank; and mixing the blended binder at a temperature of 325° F. to 350° F. for a duration of 10 minutes to 30 minutes to form the asphalt binder.

A piezoelectric composite material is formed from a cellulosic material and an inorganic piezoelectric material dispersed in a piezoelectric polymer. The piezoelectric polymer of the composite material has a dielectric constant of from 10 or more. A method of making a piezoelectric is also disclosed wherein a matrix of a cellulosic material, an inorganic piezoelectric material, and a piezoelectric polymer material is formed. The matrix is formed into a piezoelectric composite body.