Systems and methods relate to applying a coating to a substrate. Coatings can be generated using layer-by-layer application techniques. Typically, application of a first aqueous solution is alternated with application of a second aqueous solution. Example first aqueous solutions include polyethyleneimine (PEI) and hydroxy-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS-OH). Example second aqueous solutions include silicate and PDMS-OH. In some instances, first aqueous solutions and/or second aqueous solutions additionally include methyl-terminated PDMS (PDMS-CH.sub.3).

A thermal insulating additive, product formed therefrom, and method of making the same, wherein the thermal insulating additive comprises a plurality of hollow polymeric particles having an average particle size up to about 0.3 micrometers. The hollow polymeric particles exhibit a mechanical strength in a compression test up to about 420 psi and a thermal conductivity that is less than 0.150 W/m-k. The hollow polymeric particles are individually formed as an alkaline swellable core that is at least partially encapsulated with two or more shell layers; the alkaline swellable core prior to swelling exhibits an average particle size that is less than about 50 nanometers.

This invention relates to a superabsorbent polymer composition and a method for preparing the superabsorbent polymer composition. According to the present disclosure, there are provided a superabsorbent polymer composition that can exhibit a rapid absorption time without using a blowing agent, and a method for preparing the superabsorbent polymer composition.

A composition including a collapsed, polymer nanoparticle and at least one organic, neutral compound associated with the nanoparticle, wherein the nanoparticle is less than 100 nm in diameter, and the polymer comprises a water-soluble polyelectrolyte, has a molecular weight of at least about 100,000 Dalton and is cross-linked. The organic, neutral compound is selected from the group consisting of dyes, pigments, colorants, oils, UV-light absorbing molecules, fragrances, flavoring molecules, preservatives, electro-conductive compounds, thermoplastic compounds, adhesion promoters, penetration enhancers, anti-corrosive agents, and combinations thereof.

This invention relates to a polymer membrane comprising a hydrogen bond donor polymer and a hydrogen bond acceptor polymer and to the use of such membrane as the shell of a capsule. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a polymer membrane comprising a step of contacting an aqueous phase comprising a first polymer, and an oil phase comprising a second different polymer; wherein one polymer is a hydrogen bond donor polymer and the other polymer is a hydrogen bond acceptor polymer. The invention also relates to a method of encapsulation comprising a step of manufacturing a polymer membrane.

A method for making water-absorbing polymer particles is provided and includes providing crosslinkers, polymerizable monomers and inorganic solid particles. The average closest distance between two neighboring crosslinkers (R.sub.XL) in a water-absorbing polymer particle for a specific X-load of the water-absorbing polymer particle is calculated via the formula below: $\begin{array}{cc}\mathrm{Rxl}={\left(\frac{\left(\frac{1}{\mathrm{rho\_dry}}+\frac{\mathrm{x\_L}}{\mathrm{rho\_liq}}\right)}{N_A.Math.\underset{i}{.Math.}\frac{{\mathrm{w\_xl}}_i}{{\mathrm{Mr\_CXL}}_i}}\right)}^{\frac{1}{3}}& \left(I\right)\end{array}$ with x_L being the amount of liquid absorbed in the water-absorbing polymer particle in g liq/g water-absorbing polymer particle, rho_liq being the density at room temperature of the fluid that swells the water-absorbing polymer particle (generally saline of 0.9% w NaCl) in g/cm.sup.3, rho_dry being the true density of the dry water-absorbing polymer particle in g/cm.sup.3, Mr_CXL being the molar mass of the crosslinkers in g/mol, w_xl being the weight ratio of crosslinkers in dry water-absorbing polymer particle, N.sub.A being the Avogadro's number in mol.sup.−1.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing spherical cured polymer particles from a curable composition. The method comprises the steps of: dropping a curable composition onto a substrate having a water contact angle of 150° to 170° at 25° C. to form droplets of the curable composition; and curing the droplets to form the polymer particles.

A super absorbent polymer according to the present invention has an excellent discoloration resistance property even under high temperature/high humidity conditions, while maintaining excellent absorption performance, and is preferably used for hygienic materials such as diapers, and thus can exhibit excellent performance.

A method is provided for preparing a super absorbent polymer capable of exhibiting an excellent absorption rate by including a uniform porous structure through a simple and economical process. The method includes: performing a crosslinking polymerization of a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer to form a hydrogel polymer; drying and pulverizing the hydrogel polymer; classifying the pulverized polymer into polymer particles having a particle size of at least 10 to 150 μm, polymer particles having a particle size of 150 to 200 μm, and polymer particles having a particle size of 200 to 850 μm to form a base polymer powder having a particle size of 150 to 850 μm; and surface-crosslinking the base polymer powder, wherein in the crosslinking polymerization step, the foaming polymerization proceeds in the presence of polymer particles having an average particle size of 10 to 200 μm obtained in the classifying step and an anionic surfactant.

Water-absorbent resin particles having a gel brightness L* of 8 to 60 measured by a method including the following steps (A), (B), and (C) in this order are disclosed. (A) 0.1 g of water-absorbent resin particles are uniformly scattered in a colorless and transparent round cell for a color-difference meter having an inner diameter of 30 mm. (B) 5.0 g of ion-exchanged water is added to the round cell to cause the water-absorbent resin particles to absorb water. (C) a brightness L* of an obtained gel is measured on a black background after five minutes from the addition of the ion-exchanged water.