A method for forming a blend including graphene nanoparticles and a poly(styrene-co-methylmethacrylate), where the method includes melt mixing the poly(styrene-co-methylmethacrylate) and the graphene nanoparticles to obtain a nanocomposite and exposing the nanocomposite to microwave irradiation to bond the methyl methacrylate copolymer to the graphene nanoparticles, in which a content of the graphene nanoparticles is from 0.05 to 2 wt % based on the nanocomposites. A blend composition, including graphene nanoparticles and a poly(styrene-co-methylmethacrylate), where the graphene nanoparticles are dispersed in the poly(styrene-co-methylmethacrylate), the graphene nanoparticles are modified with microwave induced defects, and the free radicals of poly(styrene-co-methylmethacrylate) is bonded to the graphene nanoparticles at the defects.

Subject matter are aqueous, low-VOC/SVOC universal pigment preparations comprising a pigment component, a water-soluble, anionic, surface-active additive from the group of the homo- and copolymers of ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic or dicarboxylic acids, which may further comprise, in copolymerized form, vinyl monomers containing no acid function, and of the salts of these homo- and copolymers, the homo- and copolymers being at least partly esterified with a polyether alcohol or a derivative thereof, and comprising a phosphoric or phosphonic ester, and optionally customary additives. The aqueous pigment preparations are suitable for the coloring of inks, paints, and renders, especially in metering systems at the point of sale or in in-plant tinting systems.

Subject matter are aqueous, low-VOC/SVOC universal pigment preparations comprising a pigment component, a water-soluble, anionic, surface-active additive from the group of the homo- and copolymers of ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic or dicarboxylic acids, which may further comprise, in copolymerized form, vinyl monomers containing no acid function, and of the salts of these homo- and copolymers, the homo- and copolymers being at least partly esterified with a polyether alcohol or a derivative thereof, and comprising a phosphoric or phosphonic ester, and optionally customary additives. The aqueous pigment preparations are suitable for the coloring of inks, paints, and renders, especially in metering systems at the point of sale or in in-plant tinting systems.

An apparatus for manufacturing a lithium-ion secondary cell negative-electrode carbon material by heat-treating carbon particles while causing the carbon particles to flow within a heat-treatment furnace, the apparatus having a heat-treatment furnace provided with a carbon-particle supply opening for supplying the carbon particles into the interior, and a negative-electrode carbon material recovery opening for taking out the negative-electrode carbon material from the interior and a cooling tank connected in an airtight manner to the negative-electrode carbon material recovery opening of the heat-treatment furnace, and provided with a cooling means.

An apparatus for manufacturing a lithium-ion secondary cell negative-electrode carbon material by heat-treating carbon particles while causing the carbon particles to flow within a heat-treatment furnace, the apparatus having a heat-treatment furnace provided with a carbon-particle supply opening for supplying the carbon particles into the interior, and a negative-electrode carbon material recovery opening for taking out the negative-electrode carbon material from the interior and a cooling tank connected in an airtight manner to the negative-electrode carbon material recovery opening of the heat-treatment furnace, and provided with a cooling means.

A method of producing a surface modified low hysteresis carbon black (SMLHCB). The method includes treating a surface of a low hysteresis carbon black with from about 0.1 to about 50 wt % of a surface modifier to form the SMLHCB. The surface modifier includes an amino acid and at least one amine group.

A method of producing a surface modified low hysteresis carbon black (SMLHCB). The method includes treating a surface of a low hysteresis carbon black with from about 0.1 to about 50 wt % of a surface modifier to form the SMLHCB. The surface modifier includes an amino acid and at least one amine group.

Provided herein are fullerene compositions, and methods of preparing fullerene compositions. More particularly, the fullerene compositions include a fullerene-polymer complex having a fullerene and a non-conjugated hydrophilic or amphiphilic polymer. The non-conjugated polymer is substituted with a substituent having a functional group capable of forming intermolecular interactions with the fullerene via pi-stacking.

Provided herein are fullerene compositions, and methods of preparing fullerene compositions. More particularly, the fullerene compositions include a fullerene-polymer complex having a fullerene and a non-conjugated hydrophilic or amphiphilic polymer. The non-conjugated polymer is substituted with a substituent having a functional group capable of forming intermolecular interactions with the fullerene via pi-stacking.

Disclosed herein are oxidized carbon blacks, which can be incorporated into electrode compositions for lead acid batteries. In some embodiments, the oxidized carbon blacks have a BET surface area ranging from 650 to 2100 m.sup.2/g; an oil absorption number (OAN) ranging from 35 to 500 mL/100 g; and a volatile content of at least 5.5 wt. % relative to the total weight of the oxidized carbon black, as determined by weight loss at 950 C.