The present disclosure relates, in general terms, to nanoparticles which are characterised by having a photoluminescent amorphous core and a surface is functionalised with at least a carbohydrate. The present disclosure also relates to methods of forming and functionalising the nanoparticles and a photoluminescence assay comprising the nanoparticles for quantifying a sample comprising bacterial cells.

The present disclosure relates, in general terms, to nanoparticles which are characterised by having a photoluminescent amorphous core and a surface is functionalised with at least a carbohydrate. The present disclosure also relates to methods of forming and functionalising the nanoparticles and a photoluminescence assay comprising the nanoparticles for quantifying a sample comprising bacterial cells.

The invention is directed to utilization of a series of cross-linked 1,4-benzenediamine-co-alkyldiamine polymers and the use of the polymers to remove mercury from a hydrocarbon in fluid form.

A compound of the formula: (I) wherein: R.sup.1 is selected from H, an alkyl group, an aryl group, and combinations thereof; R.sup.2 is R.sup.f—Y—(CH.sub.2)X—; R.sup.3 is a reactive group; R.sup.f is a perfluorinated alkyl group; Y is selected from a bond, S(O).sub.2—N(CH.sub.3)—, —S(O).sub.2—N(CH.sub.2CH.sub.3)—, —S(O).sub.2—O— —S(O).sub.2— —C(O)—, —C(O)—S— —C(O)—O— —C(O)—NH—, —C(O)—N(CH.sub.3)—, —C(O)—N(CH.sub.2CH.sub.3)—, —(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O)y-, —O—, and —O—C(O)—CH═CH—C(O)—O—; n is greater than 10; x is 2 to 20; and y is at least 1. ##STR00001##

The methods disclosed herein are directed to methods of enhancing formation of a polymer from a monomer on a metal-based nanoparticle under X-ray irradiation and compositions produced by such methods. The method comprises irradiating a monomer solution with X-rays to form the polymer; wherein the monomer solution comprises the monomer, the metal-based nanoparticle, and a solvent capable of generating a hydroxyl radical; and wherein the metal-based nanoparticle is a particle having a greatest dimension between 5 and 100 nanometers. The methods also include the dissolution metal ions from these same metal-based nanoparticles wherein the solution comprises the metal-based nanoparticle and a solvent capable of generating a hydroxyl radical; and wherein the metal-based nanoparticle is a particle having a greatest dimension between 5 and 100 nanometers.

The present invention provides a process for preparing di- and polyamines from the diphenylmethane series by converting aniline and formaldehyde in the absence of an acid catalyst to give aminal and water, removing the aqueous phase and further processing the organic aminal phase to give the di- and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series, in which use of a coalescence aid in the phase separation of the process product obtained in aminal reaction reduces the proportion of water and hence also of water-soluble impurities in the organic phase containing the aminal. The di- and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series obtained by acid-catalyzed rearrangement and workup after further processing of the aminal phase are outstanding suitably for preparation of the corresponding isocyanates.

A resin is provided for selectively binding to perchloride and related anions (e.g., TcO.sub.4.sup.−, ReO.sub.4.sup.− and I.sup.−) in aqueous solution. The resin may take the form of microparticles or beads. The beads are prepared by cross-linking macromolecules such as hyperbranched PEI, and quaternizing the amines with hydrocarbon substituents.

Disclosed is a magnetic dendrimer compound and a method for preparing the magnetic dendrimer compound, the molecular formula of which is shown in formula (I): Γ(CH.sub.2).sub.3N.sub.(2.sup.n+1.sub.−1)R.sup.1.sub.(2.sup.n+2.sub.−2)R.sup.2.sub.(2.sup.n+1.sub.)(I). In this formula, Γ indicates magnetic particles coated with SiO.sub.2 on a surface thereof, the magnetic particles having been modified by a silane coupling agent; (CH.sub.2).sub.3N.sub.(2.sup.n+1.sub.−1)R.sup.1.sub.(2.sup.n+2.sub.−2) is a dendritic group, and R.sup.2.sub.(2.sup.n+1.sub.) is a lipophilic group, with 0≤n≤100. Further disclosed is a lubricant comprising the magnetic dendrimer compound.

A biocompatible, covalently cross-linked, polymer that is obtained by reacting an electrophilically activated polyoxazoline (EL-PDX) with a nucleophilic cross-linking agent is disclosed. The EL-PDX comprises m electrophilic groups; and the nucleophilic cross-linking agent comprises n nucleophilic groups, wherein the m electrophilic groups are capable of reacting with the n nucleophilic groups to form covalent bonds; wherein m≧2, n≧2 and m+n≧5; wherein at least one of the m electrophilic groups is a pendant electrophilic group and/or wherein m≧3; and wherein the EL-PDX comprises an excess amount of electrophilic groups relative to the amount of nucleophilic groups contained in the nucleophilic cross-linking agent. Biocompatible medical products and kits comprising the cross-linked PDX-polymers are also disclosed.

A mineral-compatible cationic emulsion composition with polymer stabilizers, and methods for utilizing same in paving and other applications is disclosed. In one aspect, a bitumen-in-water emulsion composition includes at least one bitumen material, at least one polymer stabilizer, at least one emulsifier, and water, where the emulsifier is a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, or a mixture of both, and the polymer stabilizer is a natural or synthetic cationic polymer consisting of alkylene polyamines, alkyl polyamines, polyquaternary polymers, polyvinylamine, polyvinylimidazoline, polyester polyquaternary polymers, polyether polyquaternary polymers, or mixtures thereof. The inclusion of polymer stabilizer in the cationic emulsion increases the stability of the emulsion and increases the compatibility of the cationic emulsion with negatively charged minerals.