A Polymer having an acid number greater than 100. The Polymer has a valent metal ion which is bonded to at least one reactive group. The characteristics of the Polymer include, conductivities of 4 S/cm to 200 S/cm or more, depending upon the concentration and nature of the metal bound. The conductivity proportional to the amount of metal bound, the ability of the Polymer to bind metals having a +1, +2, +3, +4, or +5 valence charge to the Polymer, and the ability to bind two or more different metals to separate binding sites on the Polymer.

A polymer having an acid number greater than 100. The polymer has a valent metal ion which is bonded to at least one reactive group. The characteristics of the polymer include, conductivities of 4 S/cm to 200 S/cm or more, depending upon the concentration and nature of the metal bound. The conductivity proportional to the amount of metal bound, the ability of the Polymer to bind metals having a +1, +2, +3, +4, or +5 valence charge to the polymer, and the ability to bind two or more different metals to separate binding sites on the polymer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrode capable of maintaining superior capacity retention without destruction of an electrode structure, even in the case of using an active material including silicon. The present invention relates to a binder for a lithium cell, the binder comprising polyacrylic acid cross-linked by a cross-linking agent selected from the compounds described in the general formulae [1] to [13] and the polymer described in the general formula [14] (provided that the one which includes a functional group-containing vinylidene fluoride-based polymer is excluded); a composition for producing an electrode of a lithium cell, the composition comprising 1) an active material containing silicon, 2) a conductive assistant and 3) a cross-linked-type polyacrylic acid (provided that the one containing a functional group-containing vinylidene fluoride-based polymer is excluded); and an electrode for a lithium cell, the electrode comprising 1) an active material containing silicon, 2) a conductive assistant, 3) a cross-linked-type polyacrylic acid, and 4) a current collector (provided that the one containing a functional group-containing vinylidene fluoride-based polymer is excluded).

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrode capable of maintaining superior capacity retention without destruction of an electrode structure, even in the case of using an active material including silicon. The present invention relates to a binder for a lithium cell, the binder comprising polyacrylic acid cross-linked by a cross-linking agent selected from the compounds described in the general formulae [1] to [13] and the polymer described in the general formula [14] (provided that the one which includes a functional group-containing vinylidene fluoride-based polymer is excluded); a composition for producing an electrode of a lithium cell, the composition comprising 1) an active material containing silicon, 2) a conductive assistant and 3) a cross-linked-type polyacrylic acid (provided that the one containing a functional group-containing vinylidene fluoride-based polymer is excluded); and an electrode for a lithium cell, the electrode comprising 1) an active material containing silicon, 2) a conductive assistant, 3) a cross-linked-type polyacrylic acid, and 4) a current collector (provided that the one containing a functional group-containing vinylidene fluoride-based polymer is excluded).

An itaconate molecule can have the formula: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently selected from H, Ag, or Cu; wherein the ratio of Ag and/or Cu to itaconate is at least about 1:1; and wherein n ranges from 1 to 14. The itaconates are useful, for example, as antimicrobial agents.

An itaconate molecule can have the formula: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently selected from H, Ag, or Cu; wherein the ratio of Ag and/or Cu to itaconate is at least about 1:1; and wherein n ranges from 1 to 14. The itaconates are useful, for example, as antimicrobial agents.

The invention relates to a method for producing particles of mineral material comprising grinding of at least one mineral material in the presence of water. The grinding according to the invention is carried out in the presence of at least one polymer obtained by a radical polymerization reaction of a partial sodium salt of itaconic acid and partial decarboxylation of the polymer obtained followed by partial or total neutralization of the decarboxylated polymer. The invention also relates to an aqueous composition comprising particles of ground mineral material and such a polymer, in particular a mass-loading composition for the production of paper or a paper-coating-colour composition.

The invention relates to a method for producing particles of mineral material comprising grinding of at least one mineral material in the presence of water. The grinding according to the invention is carried out in the presence of at least one polymer obtained by a radical polymerization reaction of a partial sodium salt of itaconic acid and partial decarboxylation of the polymer obtained followed by partial or total neutralization of the decarboxylated polymer. The invention also relates to an aqueous composition comprising particles of ground mineral material and such a polymer, in particular a mass-loading composition for the production of paper or a paper-coating-colour composition.

The present invention is directed at the decarboxylation and amidation of polyitaconic acid polymers. The polymers formed have useful dispersion properties and are suitable for use in the prevention of scaling.

The present invention is directed at the decarboxylation and amidation of polyitaconic acid polymers. The polymers formed have useful dispersion properties and are suitable for use in the prevention of scaling.