The present invention provides a solid composition comprising (a) a quaternary ammonium compound and (b) between 9 wt % and 77 wt % of a polysaccharide based on the total weight of the solid composition. The solid composition showed excellent stability. The present invention also provides a process for preparing the solid composition and a liquid composition comprising said solid composition, and methods for conditioning a fabric by using the solid composition and the liquid composition as well.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to coated substrates having, e.g., anti-viral properties, to articles including the coated substrates, and to processes for making such coated substrates and articles. In an embodiment, a mask for preventing infection by a virus is provided. The mask includes a coated substrate having a breathing resistance (95 L/min, EN 149:2001) of about 6 mbar or less and a water droplet absorption time of less than about 5 seconds. The coated substrate includes a non-woven fabric having a weight of about 120 g/m.sup.2 or less according to ASTM D3776, and mineral oxide particles, iron oxide particles, or both, coupled to at least a portion of the non-woven fabric.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to coated substrates having, e.g., anti-viral properties, to articles including the coated substrates, and to processes for making such coated substrates and articles. In an embodiment, a mask for preventing infection by a virus is provided. The mask includes a coated substrate having a breathing resistance (95 L/min, EN 149:2001) of about 6 mbar or less and a water droplet absorption time of less than about 5 seconds. The coated substrate includes a non-woven fabric having a weight of about 120 g/m.sup.2 or less according to ASTM D3776, and mineral oxide particles, iron oxide particles, or both, coupled to at least a portion of the non-woven fabric.

An electrode, process for preparing the electrode and devices thereof. An electrode comprising at least one metal deposited on a substrate; and at least one electrically conducting polymer. The devices comprising the electrode for energy storage and molecular separation.

The present invention provides a solid composition comprising a polysaccharide and a hydrophobic compound having a melting point of between 30° C. and 90° C. The solid composition may further comprise a quaternary ammonium compound, wherein the weight ratio of the polysaccharide and the hydrophobic compound is between 1:50 and 50:1. Preferably, the solid composition is substantially free or completely free of water. The solid composition shows excellent stability at a temperature up to 45° C. The present invention also provides a process for preparing the solid composition and a liquid composition comprising said solid composition, and a method for conditioning a fabric by using said solid composition or said liquid composition as well.

The present invention provides a solid composition comprising a polysaccharide and a hydrophobic compound having a melting point of between 30° C. and 90° C. The solid composition may further comprise a quaternary ammonium compound, wherein the weight ratio of the polysaccharide and the hydrophobic compound is between 1:50 and 50:1. Preferably, the solid composition is substantially free or completely free of water. The solid composition shows excellent stability at a temperature up to 45° C. The present invention also provides a process for preparing the solid composition and a liquid composition comprising said solid composition, and a method for conditioning a fabric by using said solid composition or said liquid composition as well.

A fiber is provided as a substrate for a functional nanostructure (coated fiber), composed of (a) a fiber substrate; (b) a reactive dye conjugating moiety covalently bound to the fiber substrate; (c) a bonding agent covalently bound to the reactive dye conjugating moiety; and (d) the functional nanostructure bound to the bonding agent. A method of making the coated fiber is also provided, involving the following steps in any order: covalently binding the reactive dye conjugating moiety to the fiber; covalently binding a bonding agent to the reactive dye conjugating moiety; and binding the functional nanostructure to the bonding agent. The nanostructures are tenaciously attached to the fibers, resisting very rough treatments, and can be made using inexpensive and widely available reactive dyes under non-stringent synthesis conditions.

A fiber is provided as a substrate for a functional nanostructure (coated fiber), composed of (a) a fiber substrate; (b) a reactive dye conjugating moiety covalently bound to the fiber substrate; (c) a bonding agent covalently bound to the reactive dye conjugating moiety; and (d) the functional nanostructure bound to the bonding agent. A method of making the coated fiber is also provided, involving the following steps in any order: covalently binding the reactive dye conjugating moiety to the fiber; covalently binding a bonding agent to the reactive dye conjugating moiety; and binding the functional nanostructure to the bonding agent. The nanostructures are tenaciously attached to the fibers, resisting very rough treatments, and can be made using inexpensive and widely available reactive dyes under non-stringent synthesis conditions.

Articles are provided that include a fibrous substrate and porous polymeric particles. At least 50% of the porous polymeric particles are bound to the fibrous substrate. Methods of making the articles are provided that include providing porous polymeric particles, providing a fibrous substrate, and binding the porous polymeric particles to the fibrous substrate. The articles can be used for fluid management.

There is provided an impregnated natural fiber including a cuticle and an interior lumen, the cuticle circumscribing the interior lumen; and insoluble particulates possessing a preselected property embedded in the fiber. The particulates comprise at least 0.1-30 wt. % of the impregnated fiber and the particulates are embedded on the cuticle and within the lumen of the fiber. The fiber has an increased strength, micronaire value and rate of water absorption. Also provided is a system for surface treating cellulose sliver fibers. The system includes a vessel containing a moist paste which comprises at least one particulate material possessing one or more preselected desired properties, a thickening agent and water. The paste from the vessel is dispensed directly onto sliver fiber ribbon(s). A bore sonotrode generates ultrasonic waves which embed the particulate material(s) in the sliver fibers.