An improved process for forming polyamide dispersions in water utilizing carbon dioxide to facilitate dispersion of the polyamide is disclosed. The polyamides are generally below 30,000 or 40,000 g/mole molecular weight when dispersed, but can be chain extended with polyfunctional species such as polyisocyanates after dispersion. The dispersions are useful in coatings, adhesives, and inks. Composites and hybrids of these other polyamides with vinyl polymers are also disclosed and claimed.

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a thixotropic composition comprising polyurea particles, said process comprising contacting and reacting in a liquid medium reactants to form a polyurea and precipitating the polyurea to form polyurea particles, wherein acoustic vibration is applied during contacting of the reactants or as a post-treatment on the formed polyurea particles or both. The invention further relates to a thixotropic composition obtainable by the process, in particular thixotropic composition comprising high amounts of polyurea particles and optionally a polymer resin having high thixotropic efficiency. The compositions can be used, in particular as a masterbatch, in preparation of i.a. coating compositions.

The present invention discloses novel porous polymeric compositions comprising random copolymers of amides, imides, ureas, and carbamic-anhydrides, useful for the synthesis of monolithic bimodal microporous/macroporous carbon aerogels. It also discloses methods for producing said microporous/macroporous carbon aerogels by the reaction of a polyisocyanate compound and a polycarboxylic acid compound, followed by pyrolytic carbonization, and by reactive etching with CO.sub.2 at elevated temperatures. Also disclosed are methods for using the microporous/macroporous carbon aerogels in the selective capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide.

Some variations provide a reworkable ionomer composition comprising: a polymer containing a plurality of ionic monomers disposed in a chain backbone of the polymer, wherein the ionic monomers have a monomer charge polarity that is either positive or negative; and a plurality of ionic species disposed within the chain backbone of the polymer, wherein the ionic species have opposite charge polarity compared to the monomer charge polarity, wherein the ionic species and the ionic monomers are ionically bonded, and wherein the ionic species are capable of undergoing a reversible oxidation-state transition of at least +1 or −1 when in the presence of a redox reagent. The polymer may be selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyamides, polyesters, polyureas, polyurethane-ureas, polysiloxanes, polycarbonates, and combinations thereof. Many options for ionic monomers and ionic species are disclosed. These reworkable ionomers are useful for many commercial applications, including coatings and polymer parts.

An open cell spray polyurea foam for use in an insulation layer in a wall structure may include a polyurea. The polyurea may be a reaction product of an isocyanate compound and water. The open spray polyurea foam may also include a filler. The majority of the filler may exist in the spray foam formulation as an unreacted first fire retardant. The spray foam formulation may further comprise a second fire retardant, and the insulation layer may exhibit a fire retardancy sufficient to pass Appendix X and/or ASTM E-84.

Provided herein is a composite material that includes at least one thermoresponsive polymer and at least one organic foam material. Further provided herein is a method for producing the composite material and also to the use of the composite material for cooling and for regulating temperature.

Methods and materials to fabricate electrochromic including electrochemical devices are disclosed. In particular, emphasis is placed on the composition, fabrication and incorporation of electrolytic sheets in these devices. Composition, fabrication and incorporation of redox materials and sealants suitable for these devices are also disclosed. Incorporation of EC devices in insulated glass system (IGU) windows is also disclosed.

High-temperature polymer aerogel composites, associated materials, associated methods of manufacture, and applications of polymer aerogel composites including engine covers comprising aerogel materials are generally described.

Porous three-dimensional networks of polyurea and porous three-dimensional networks of carbon and methods of their manufacture are described. In an example, polyurea aerogels are prepared by mixing an triisocyanate with water and a triethylamine to form a sol-gel material and supercritically drying the sol-gel material to form the polyurea aerogel. Subjecting the polyurea aerogel to a step of pyrolysis may result in a three dimensional network having a carbon skeleton, yielding a carbon aerogel. The density and morphology of polyurea aerogels can be controlled by varying the amount of isocyanate monomer in the initial reaction mixture. A lower density in the aerogel gives rise to a fibrous morphology, whereas a greater density in the aerogel results in a particulate morphology. Polyurea aerogels described herein may also exhibit a reduced flammability.

The present disclosure can provide aerogel compositions which have a thermal storage capacity, and which are durable and easy to handle. The present disclosure can provide aerogel compositions which include PCM coatings, particle mixtures, or PCM materials confined within the porous network of an aerogel composition. The present disclosure can provide methods for producing aerogel compositions by coating an aerogel composition with PCM materials, by forming particle mixtures with PCM materials, or by confining PCM materials within the porous network of an aerogel composition.