The present invention discloses a copolymer for a polymer electrolyte, and a gel polymer electrolyte and a lithium secondary battery which include the same. Specifically, the present invention discloses a copolymer for a polymer electrolyte, which includes a fluorine-based polymer main chain and a unit derived from an acrylate-based monomer or an acrylate-based polymer containing an ion conductive functional group grafted to the fluorine-based polymer main chain, and a gel polymer electrolyte in which lithium ion transfer capability is improved by including the same. Also, the present invention may prepare a lithium secondary battery with enhanced high-temperature safety by including the gel polymer electrolyte.

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.

Nanocomposite compositions and methods for preparing nanocomposite compositions films are provided. The nanocomposite compositions include dendritic fibrous nanoparticles that have a diameter ranging from 50 to 500 nm, and a polymer matrix comprising poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), where dendritic fibrous nanoparticles are dispersed within the polymer matrix, and where the PMMA is bound to the surface of the dendritic fibrous nanoparticles. Methods of preparing nanocomposite compositions and nanocomposite films including the nanocomposite compositions may include introducing dendritic fibrous nanoparticles into a mixture with a poly(methyl methacrylate) in a solution to form a composite solution.

Methods of recording a volume Bragg grating are provided. A recording medium is formed from a matrix polymer precursor, an inimer comprising a polymerizable functional group and a controlled radical reactive group, a first photoinitiator system that is more reactive with the polymerizable functional group than the controlled radical reactive group in the presence of an excitation source, and a photoredox catalyst. The medium is cured thereby forming a support matrix. The medium is exposed to light causing the first photoinitiator system to react with the polymerizable functional group and to polymerize the inimer within the support matrix thus forming a latent grating image of the volume Bragg grating within the medium. The latent grating image comprises a plurality of bright fringes and a plurality of dark fringes. A concentration of polymerized inimer is higher in the plurality of bright fringes than in the plurality of dark fringes.

Methods of recording volume Bragg gratings are provided. A recording medium includes matrix polymer precursor, inimer comprising a polymerizable functional group and a controlled radical reactive group, photoinitiator more reactive with the polymerizable functional group than the controlled radical reactive group in the presence of an excitation source, and a photoredux catalyst. The medium is cured to form a support matrix. The medium is exposed to the excitation source, forming a latent grating having bright fringes and dark fringes. Polymerized inimer is more concentrated in the bright fringes than in the dark fringes. A high refractive index monomer reactive with the controlled radical reactive group is diffused into the medium and exposed to light to cause controlled radical polymerization between the high refractive index monomer and the controlled radical reactive group of the polymerized inimer, driving up a refractive index of the bright fringes relative to the dark fringes.

Disclosed are novel polymers that contain monomer units derived from 4-vinylpyridine and monomer units derived from a co-monomer. The polymers may be complexed with a metal, and linear or crosslinked. Also disclosed are methods for preparing these polymers by radical polymerization, as well as to their use for metal capture in aqueous media, particularly uranium capture in seawater or in final nuclear waste from nuclear power plants.

The present invention relates to multi-arm star macromolecules which are used as thickening agents or rheology modifiers, including use in hydraulic fracturing fluid compositions. In one aspect of the invention, a star macromolecule is capable of thickening via a dual mechanism comprising (1) self-assembly of the hydrophobic polymerized segments of the star macromolecules via hydrophobic interactions or associations, and (2) association, reaction, or combination of the hydroxyl-containing polymerized segments of one or more of the star macromolecules.

Aqueous silicone polymer emulsion The presently claimed invention relates to a composition in form of an emulsion of water incompatible silicone oil comprising droplets of silicone oil dispersed in a continuous aqueous phase. The composition provides better slip and mar resistance, anti-blocking properties and optical properties to the coating formulations, printing ink, personal care product compositions, textiles, leather and indirect food contact applications.

The present invention provides a “living” radical polymerization method for a vinyl monomer by near-infrared photothermal conversion. The method comprises irradiating a reactor with near-infrared light of 750-850 nm, wherein the reactor has a first chamber and a second chamber that are isolated from each other, the first chamber contains an organic solution of a near-infrared light responsive croconaine dye, and the second chamber is provided with a closed reaction flask containing a reaction solution, the reaction solution comprises a vinyl monomer, two or more of an ATRP initiator, an ATRP ligand, an ATRP catalyst, an RAFT reagent, a thermal initiator, and an additive, and an organic solvent; and the near-infrared light responsive dye converts the near-infrared light into heat energy, by which the reactor is heated to 50-100° C. to polymerize the monomer in the reaction solution, to obtain polymers with controlled molecular weights and molecular weight distributions.

A branched polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof, wherein the average number of branches is (2) to (100) and the average degree of polymerization of the branches is (2) to (50), is an effective polymeric dispersant. More specifically, the polymeric dispersant is a branched polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof, in which the branched polycarboxylic acid is derived from polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid; the average degree of polymerization is (10) to (150); the average number of branches is (2) to (20); and the average degree of polymerization of the branches is (2) to (30). The branched polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof can be combined with a pigment to form an aqueous dispersion. An aqueous coating composition includes the aqueous dispersion; a polymeric binder; and a rheology modifier.