Hollow fiber membranes having improved toughness and durability are prepared using a vinylidene fluoride polymer-containing component, such as Kynaro resins, having relatively low crystallinity. One aspect of the invention provides a membrane in the form of a fiber, wherein i) the fiber has a porous wall of a polymeric component enclosing a central hollow space extending the length of the fiber, ii) the polymeric component has a crystallinity as determined by wide angle x-ray diffraction of less than about 35%, iii) the polymeric component is comprised of at least one homopolymer or copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and iv) the membrane has an energy to break of at least about 0.5 J per square mm of membrane cross section.

A method of producing a functionalized material that extracts metal ions from solution, the method comprising: (i) providing a precursor material having nitrile groups appended to its surface; and (ii) reacting said nitrile groups with hydroxylamine or a derivative thereof in the presence of a polar aprotic solvent at a temperature of 60-80° C. for at least 1 hour, to convert at least a portion of said nitrile groups to amidoxime and imide dioxime groups, followed by reaction with a base capable of hydrolyzing any remaining nitrile groups to carboxylic acid groups; wherein said functionalized material has a higher uranium absorption capacity than a functionalized material produced under same conditions except that the nitrile groups are reacted with hydroxylamine in only a protic solvent. The invention is also directed to functionalized materials produced by the above-described method, and methods for using the functionalized material for extracting metal ions from metal-containing solutions.

A method of producing a functionalized material that extracts metal ions from solution, the method comprising: (i) providing a precursor material having nitrile groups appended to its surface; and (ii) reacting said nitrile groups with hydroxylamine or a derivative thereof in the presence of a polar aprotic solvent at a temperature of 60-80° C. for at least 1 hour, to convert at least a portion of said nitrile groups to amidoxime and imide dioxime groups, followed by reaction with a base capable of hydrolyzing any remaining nitrile groups to carboxylic acid groups; wherein said functionalized material has a higher uranium absorption capacity than a functionalized material produced under same conditions except that the nitrile groups are reacted with hydroxylamine in only a protic solvent. The invention is also directed to functionalized materials produced by the above-described method, and methods for using the functionalized material for extracting metal ions from metal-containing solutions.

The invention relates to a method of producing a carbon-ceramic shaped body comprising a carbon fibre-reinforced carbon matrix and a content of silicon carbide and silicon, characterised in that a carbonisable shaped body having an organic matrix based on cellulose and reinforced with carbonisable textile structures has been carbonised to form a porous shaped body and the porous carbonised shaped body is then subjected to a liquid silicisation to give the carbon-ceramic shaped body, This method is performable in an economically advantageously manner without losing the beneficial properties achievable according to the prior art.

The present invention discloses a method for preparing a fiber with spatial structure, and the fiber prepared thereby and its use as well. In this method, the fiber is prepared through a wet spinning process, wherein a spinning solution prepared from low molecular weight polysaccharide based polyelectrolyte optionally with inert conductive material distributed therein, is injected through a syringe into a coagulation bath, which is formed by adding high molecular weight polysaccharide based polyelectrolyte into a coagulation tank. This method has the advantages such as simple equipment, low cost, good spinnability, and is applicable for large-scale production. The prepared fiber with spatial structure, especially the hollow multilayered fiber, has the controllable layers, cavities, and diameter, a high tensile strength, and an ultra-high specific surface area.

The disclosed technology relates to hollow fiber membranes prepared from a dope solution containing a polymer of vinyl chloride, such as chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, and a thermoplastic polyurethane.

Embodiments discloses herein relate to methods of processing coal. A method to process coal includes subjecting raw coal to a liquefaction process effective to form a pitch resin, subjecting the pitch resin to a variable crystallinity spinning process effective to form raw fiber, and subjecting the raw fiber to a carbonization process effective to form a low thermal conductivity carbon fiber.

There is disclosed a fibre filter (10) for filtering a flow of gas therethrough, wherein the fibre filter (10) includes a fibre felt (30) including at least one fibre (20) that is matted together, wherein the at least one fibre (20) is manufactured from a plastics material that includes integrally therein a disinfecting agent that inhibits activity of microbes that are deposited on the at least one fibre (20) when the flow of gas occurs through the fibre filter (10). The fibre filter (10) is susceptible to being used in face masks (50) and air filters (150) of air-conditioning units, although many other uses are feasible.

The present invention relates to a fibre for purification of liquids comprising a matrix of polymer with organosilane impregnated therein and a method for preparing the same. The fibre of the present invention is capable of providing at least 2 log reduction of viruses, bacteria and cysts and flux of 10 to 1000 litre per square meter per hour at 2 psig.

A polymeric material that includes a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer and a siloxane component is provided. The siloxane component contains an ultrahigh molecular weight siloxane polymer that is dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. A porous network is defined within the thermoplastic composition that includes a plurality of nanopores.