The present invention provides amphiphilic comb polymer compositions of phosphorus acid group containing backbone polymers of methacrylic anhydride having hydrophobic alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl or polyolefin ester or amide side chain groups formed on the backbone polymers and comprising from 75 to 100 wt. %, based on the total weight of monomers used to make the backbone polymer, of methacrylic acid polymerized units, wherein in the backbone polymer from 20 to less than 70 wt. %, preferably from 50 to 67 wt. % of the methacrylic acid polymerized units comprise methacrylic anhydride groups as determined by titration of the backbone polymer. As polymeric additives, the polymers can compatibilize polyolefins and polar polymers like polyesters.

A vinyl alcohol-based polymer according to one embodiment of the present invention has an integral value (e) of 0.8 to 20 in the case when a sum of the following integral value (a) to (e) is 100 in a .sup.1H-NMR spectrum.

(a) integral value of peak confirmed at 5.70 to 5.96 ppm
(b) integral value of peak confirmed at 5.97 to 6.63 ppm
(c) integral value of peak confirmed at 6.64 to 7.55 ppm
(d) integral value of peak confirmed at 7.56 to 7.81 ppm
(e) integral value of peak confirmed at 7.82 to 8.04 ppm

A method for making a sulfur based cathode composite material is disclosed. Polyacrylonitrile and elemental sulfur are dissolved together in a first solvent to form a first solution. An additive is added to the first solution to mix with the polyacrylonitrile and the elemental sulfur. The additive is at least one of metal and metal sulfide. An environment in which the polyacrylonitrile and the elemental sulfur are located in is changed to reduce a solubility of the polyacrylonitrile and the elemental sulfur in a changed environment to simultaneously precipitate the polyacrylonitrile and the elemental sulfur, thereby forming a precipitate having the additive. The precipitate is heated to chemically react the polyacrylonitrile with the elemental sulfur.

A method for making a sulfur based cathode composite material is disclosed. Polyacrylonitrile and elemental sulfur are dissolved together in a first solvent to form a first solution. An additive is added to the first solution to mix with the polyacrylonitrile and the elemental sulfur. The additive is at least one of metal and metal sulfide. An environment in which the polyacrylonitrile and the elemental sulfur are located in is changed to reduce a solubility of the polyacrylonitrile and the elemental sulfur in a changed environment to simultaneously precipitate the polyacrylonitrile and the elemental sulfur, thereby forming a precipitate having the additive. The precipitate is heated to chemically react the polyacrylonitrile with the elemental sulfur.

A process for enhancing the melt strength of polypropylene by extruding said polypropylene in a twin-screw extruder, under inert atmosphere, at a temperature between about 150° C. and about 300° C., and in the presence of about 0.1 to about 3.0 wt %, based on the weight of the polypropylene, of a para-substituted dibenzoyl peroxide.

A process for enhancing the melt strength of polypropylene by extruding said polypropylene in a twin-screw extruder, under inert atmosphere, at a temperature between about 150° C. and about 300° C., and in the presence of about 0.1 to about 3.0 wt %, based on the weight of the polypropylene, of a para-substituted dibenzoyl peroxide.

A polymer compound for use as a binder for a negative electrode of an electrical storage device is formed by condensing polyacrylic acid and a multifunctional amine represented by the following formula (1), in which Y represents a straight chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a phenylene group, or an oxygen atom, and R1 and R2 each independently represent one or more hydrogen atoms, methyl groups, ethyl groups, trifluoromethyl groups, or methoxy groups.

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A flame resistant polymer is obtained by reacting polyacrylonitrile with amine and nitro compounds, the polyacrylonitrile being polymerized by aqueous suspension polymerization using a redox initiator and containing an S component at an amount of 3,000 μg/g or less. A PAN-based polymer in which both yarn producing properties and flame resistance are improved can be realized.

A flame resistant polymer is obtained by reacting polyacrylonitrile with amine and nitro compounds, the polyacrylonitrile being polymerized by aqueous suspension polymerization using a redox initiator and containing an S component at an amount of 3,000 μg/g or less. A PAN-based polymer in which both yarn producing properties and flame resistance are improved can be realized.

A flame resistant polymer is obtained by reacting polyacrylonitrile with amine and nitro compounds, the polyacrylonitrile being polymerized by aqueous suspension polymerization using a redox initiator and containing an S component at an amount of 3,000 μg/g or less. A PAN-based polymer in which both yarn producing properties and flame resistance are improved can be realized.