A conductive material dispersion containing a conductive material containing carbon fibers, a dispersant, and an amide-based organic solvent, in which the dispersant contains a copolymer A containing a nitrile group-containing structural unit and satisfies following conditions. (I) A pH of the conductive material dispersion is 9.0 or greater. (II) A phase angle of the conductive material dispersion at a frequency of 1 Hz obtained by dynamic viscoelasticity measurement is 19° or greater, and a complex elastic modulus of the conductive material dispersion obtained by dynamic viscoelasticity measurement is less than 20 Pa.

The present invention is related to water-borne polymers polymerized by radical polymerization with azo initiators, a process for making the polymers and the application thereof. The polymers polymerized with azo initiators show superior water-whitening resistance and scrub resistance, which are desired properties for coatings applications.

A method for producing a vinyl ether polymer containing an oxyethylene chain is provided, including a the step of polymerizing vinyl ether represented by formula (1) in the presence of water as a polymerization solvent, a basic compound as an additive, and an organic azo-based compound as a radical polymerization initiator, and in pH of 5 or more, and the amount of the basic compound used is 0.01 to 0.5 mol % based on an amount of the vinyl ether. Formula (1) is ##STR00001##
wherein R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbons, and n represents an integer from 1 to 10.

A method for producing a vinyl ether polymer containing an oxyethylene chain is provided, including a the step of polymerizing vinyl ether represented by formula (1) in the presence of water as a polymerization solvent, a basic compound as an additive, and an organic azo-based compound as a radical polymerization initiator, and in pH of 5 or more, and the amount of the basic compound used is 0.01 to 0.5 mol % based on an amount of the vinyl ether. Formula (1) is ##STR00001##
wherein R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbons, and n represents an integer from 1 to 10.

The present invention relates to automotive products, as well as uses thereof, which can facilitate warming of engine oil in an energy efficient and, therefore, more environmentally friendly manner. More specifically, a fluid reservoir is disclosed that includes a double walled vessel that defines a fluid containing compartment and has a self-contained region that shares a wall with the fluid containing compartment. A composition in the self-contained region at least partially covers the shared wall surface, and one or more light sources are positioned in the self-contained region to induce a phase change in the composition. The composition includes a phase-change material (PCM) and a molecular switch material. This fluid reservoir can be used to heat oil in an engine or oil pan.

Iodine transfer radical polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising (meth)acrylic acid, salt thereof, or combination thereof, in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator, an organoiodide, and a solvent, is a useful method for making (meth)acrylic acid polymers. The amounts of components utilized can be 2 to 100 equivalents of acrylic acid and 2 to 100 equivalents of sodium acrylate, both dissolved in water to form a 15 to 50 weight percent solution, based on the total weight of the acrylic acid, sodium acrylate, and water; 0.05 to 1 equivalent of an azo polymerization initiator, 1 equivalent of an organoiodide; and 0 to 3 equivalents of an iodide salt. (Meth)acrylic acid polymer solutions are made by these methods. The (meth)acrylic polymers are useful as dispersants.

A procedure for improved temperature control in controlled radical polymerization processes is disclosed. The procedure is directed at controlling the concentration of the persistent radical in ATRP and NMP polymerizations procedures and the concentration of radicals in a RAFT polymerization process by feeding a reducing agent or radical precursor continuously or intermittently to the reaction medium through one of more ports.

A procedure for improved temperature control in controlled radical polymerization processes is disclosed. The procedure is directed at controlling the concentration of the persistent radical in ATRP and NMP polymerizations procedures and the concentration of radicals in a RAFT polymerization process by feeding a reducing agent or radical precursor continuously or intermittently to the reaction medium through one of more ports.

Disclosed is a coating composition which includes: polyurethane; and amphiphilic nanoparticles having an amine functional group and a fluorine functional group in their structure. Further provided are a polyurethane-silica composite film including e coating composition and a method of preparing the same.

Disclosed is a coating composition which includes: polyurethane; and amphiphilic nanoparticles having an amine functional group and a fluorine functional group in their structure. Further provided are a polyurethane-silica composite film including e coating composition and a method of preparing the same.