Aniline copolymers and the synthesis thereof for use as antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal or antiviral material) material of for the manufacture of antimicrobial objects, suitable for use in the health, food, packaging, water, paint, wood, textile, poultry, glass, paper, rubber, ceramic, seafood, sports, plastic and agricultural industries. The copolymer may be for example (A): where for example R.sup.3H.sub.5CO.sub.2H, CO.sub.2Me, or CO.sub.2Et. R is typically H or a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, x is an integer between 1 and 0 and m indicates the degree of polymerization. Preferred copolymers are copolymers of aniline with 3-aminobenzoic acid, 2-aminobenzoic acid and ethyl 3-aminobenzoate. ##STR00001##

The present invention aims to provide a hydrocarbon-based polymer electrolyte which is excellent in processability and proton conductivity, especially proton conductivity at low water content, and a membrane thereof. The polymer electrolyte contains, in its main chain, a repeating unit represented by the following formula (1): ##STR00001##
wherein Ar represents a benzene or naphthalene ring, or a derivative thereof in which one or more of the ring-forming carbon atoms is replaced by a hetero atom; X represents a proton or a cation; a and b are each an integer of 0 to 4, and the sum of a's and b's is 1 or greater; m represents an integer of 1 or greater; and n represents an integer of 0 or greater.

The present invention aims to provide a hydrocarbon-based polymer electrolyte which is excellent in processability and proton conductivity, especially proton conductivity at low water content, and a membrane thereof. The polymer electrolyte contains, in its main chain, a repeating unit represented by the following formula (1): ##STR00001##
wherein Ar represents a benzene or naphthalene ring, or a derivative thereof in which one or more of the ring-forming carbon atoms is replaced by a hetero atom; X represents a proton or a cation; a and b are each an integer of 0 to 4, and the sum of a's and b's is 1 or greater; m represents an integer of 1 or greater; and n represents an integer of 0 or greater.

A non-leaching mediator may include a polymer having a polymeric backbone, and a plurality of phenothiazine groups bonded to the polymeric backbone. The plurality of phenothiazine groups may include at least one of a phenothiazine group having the general formula (IV): ##STR00001##
and salts thereof, where n is about 9 and R represents the polymeric backbone to which the phenothiazine group is bonded, and a phenothiazine group having the general formula (V): ##STR00002##
and salts thereof, where n is about 9 and R represents the polymeric backbone to which the phenothiazine group is bonded.

A non-leaching mediator may include a polymer having a polymeric backbone, and a plurality of phenothiazine groups bonded to the polymeric backbone. The plurality of phenothiazine groups may include at least one of a phenothiazine group having the general formula (IV): ##STR00001##
and salts thereof, where n is about 9 and R represents the polymeric backbone to which the phenothiazine group is bonded, and a phenothiazine group having the general formula (V): ##STR00002##
and salts thereof, where n is about 9 and R represents the polymeric backbone to which the phenothiazine group is bonded.

Condensation of fluoro-substituted and silyl-substituted monomers provides polymers suitable for use, e.g., as engineering polymers. A monomer composition is condensed in the presence of a basic catalyst. The monomer composition contains a compound of formula FXF and a compound of formula (R.sup.1).sub.3SiZSi(R.sup.1).sub.3, and forms an alternating XZ polymer chain and a silyl fluoride byproduct. X has the formula -A(R.sup.2-A)n-; each A is SO.sub.2, C(O), or Het; R.sup.2 is an organic moiety; n is 0 or 1; Het is an aromatic nitrogen heterocycle; Z has the formula -L-R.sup.3-L; each L is O, S, or N(R.sup.4); and each R.sup.3 is an organic moiety, and R.sup.4 comprises H or an organic moiety.

The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising a copolymer derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer, a (meth)acrylate monomer, an acid monomer, and a copolymerizable surfactant and compositions comprising the same. The (meth)acrylate monomer can be selected from a monomer having a theoretical glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) for its corresponding homopolymer of 0 C. or less or a hydrophobic (meth)acrylate monomer. In some embodiments, the copolymer is further derived from an organosilane. The copolymers can have a theoretical glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) from 60 C. to 80 C. and a number average particle size of 250 nm or less. The compositions can be used to prepare compositions such as coatings that have improved water resistance, blush resistance, and/or resistance to hydrostatic pressures. Methods of making the copolymers are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising a copolymer derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer, a (meth)acrylate monomer, an acid monomer, and a copolymerizable surfactant and compositions comprising the same. The (meth)acrylate monomer can be selected from a monomer having a theoretical glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) for its corresponding homopolymer of 0 C. or less or a hydrophobic (meth)acrylate monomer. In some embodiments, the copolymer is further derived from an organosilane. The copolymers can have a theoretical glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) from 60 C. to 80 C. and a number average particle size of 250 nm or less. The compositions can be used to prepare compositions such as coatings that have improved water resistance, blush resistance, and/or resistance to hydrostatic pressures. Methods of making the copolymers are also provided.

A non-leaching mediator may include a polymer having a polymeric backbone, and a plurality of phenothiazine groups bonded to the polymeric backbone. The plurality of phenothiazine groups may include at least one of a phenothiazine group having the general formula (IV):

##STR00001##

and salts thereof, where n is about 9 and R represents the polymeric backbone to which the phenothiazine group is bonded, and a phenothiazine group having the general formula (V):

##STR00002##

and salts thereof, where n is about 9 and R represents the polymeric backbone to which the phenothiazine group is bonded.

Provided are an aromatic sulfonic acid derivative and a sulfonic acid group-containing polymer, each of which has excellent proton conductivity even under low humidification conditions, while having excellent mechanical strength and chemical stability, and enables a solid polymer fuel cell to achieve high output and excellent physical durability when used therein. This aromatic sulfonic acid derivative has a specific structure and is characterized in that a sulfonic acid group is introduced into more than 50% of all the phenyl groups. This sulfonic acid group-containing polymer is characterized by being obtained by polymerization using the aromatic sulfonic acid derivative, and is also characterized by having a specific structure.