A composite and method for producing the composite by incorporating wood or wood pulp fibres with a suitable thermoplastic polymer and coupling agent are described. Homogeneous, void-free transparent/translucent thermoplastic materials in the form of pellets, films or three-dimensional moldable products are produced. The wood pulp fibres can be discrete natural fibres, and flexible assemblies of nano to micro elements, e.g., assemblies of aggregated carbon nanotubes. It is also possible to use our vacuum-assisted co-extrusion process to produce hybrid composites comprising the wood pulp fibre and a further rigid fibre, like glass or carbon fibres, and a flexible fibre or fibrillar network, like cellulose fibres or cellulose filaments. The thermoplastic resin can be, but not limited to, polyolefins, like polypropylene or polyethylene, or polyesters, like polylactic acid, or co-polymers, like acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer.

This invention concerns a novel method to produce thermosets such as epoxies and polyurethanes comprising nano-cellulose. The method comprises contacting primarily water-bourne dispersed nano-cellulose with liquid thermoset precursors, specifically epoxy or amine in the case of epoxies, or glycols or similar in the case of polyurethanes. Nano-cellulose transfers to the organic phase, and water is removed at temperatures below 100° C. Thereafter the organic phase comprising nano-cellulose can be mixed with the reactive counterpart to yield nano-composites with improved properties. The products can be used for composite articles, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and other end-uses. Preferred embodiments are described in detail.

This invention concerns a novel method to produce thermosets such as epoxies and polyurethanes comprising nano-cellulose. The method comprises contacting primarily water-bourne dispersed nano-cellulose with liquid thermoset precursors, specifically epoxy or amine in the case of epoxies, or glycols or similar in the case of polyurethanes. Nano-cellulose transfers to the organic phase, and water is removed at temperatures below 100° C. Thereafter the organic phase comprising nano-cellulose can be mixed with the reactive counterpart to yield nano-composites with improved properties. The products can be used for composite articles, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and other end-uses. Preferred embodiments are described in detail.

A method for producing nano-composites comprising graphitic carbon nitride reduced to nano size, having high electrical conductivity is provided. The method includes the steps of: producing graphitic carbon nitride (g-C.sub.3N.sub.4) having a chemical formula (C.sub.3N.sub.4).sub.m, applying an obtained g-C.sub.3N.sub.4 powder via an ultrasonic homogenization method on concentrations, obtaining a nano g-C.sub.3N.sub.4 suspension, wherein a size of the nano g-C.sub.3N.sub.4 suspension changes between 10-100 nm as a result of applying the ultrasonic homogenization method, obtaining polyaniline with a chemical formula (C.sub.6H.sub.7N).sub.n in an emeraldine salt form, obtaining a nano-composite, mixing in aniline or aniline-HCl water at concentrations of 0.1-1 mol/L, adding a nano graphitic carbon (nano g-C.sub.3N.sub.4) into a mixture and mixing between 10-60 minutes, carrying out a polymerization process by adding an oxidant to the mixture and obtaining the nano composite having the high electrical conductivity.

The invention relates to a thermoplastic composition used for forming articles having both high gloss and excellent resistance to mar, scratch and/or abrasion. The composition contains very high levels of nano-sized inorganic additives, such as alumina, silica and titanium dioxide. Acrylic polymer compositions, such as Arkema's PLEXIGLAS® resins, with 5 to 25 weight percent of sized fumed silica are a preferred embodiment of the invention, especially when combined with a dye or pigment.

A method for forming the polymer composite material onto the capacitor element is provided. The method includes a preparing step, a resting step, an immersing step, and a polymerization step. The preparing step includes forming a homogeneous reaction solution containing 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene, an emulsifier, polystyrene sulfonic acid or salts thereof, an oxidant, and a solvent. The resting step includes resting the homogeneous reaction solution to generate microparticles so that a nonhomogeneous reaction solution containing the microparticles is formed. The immersing step includes immersing the capacitor element into the nonhomogeneous reaction solution so that the nonhomogeneous reaction solution is coated onto the capacitor element and a reaction layer is formed on the capacitor element. The polymerization step includes heating the reaction layer to form a polymer composite layer containing the polymer composite material, and the polymer composite material is polymerized from 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene and polystyrene sulfonic acid and salts thereof.

A method for forming the polymer composite material onto the capacitor element is provided. The method includes a preparing step, a resting step, an immersing step, and a polymerization step. The preparing step includes forming a homogeneous reaction solution containing 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene, an emulsifier, polystyrene sulfonic acid or salts thereof, an oxidant, and a solvent. The resting step includes resting the homogeneous reaction solution to generate microparticles so that a nonhomogeneous reaction solution containing the microparticles is formed. The immersing step includes immersing the capacitor element into the nonhomogeneous reaction solution so that the nonhomogeneous reaction solution is coated onto the capacitor element and a reaction layer is formed on the capacitor element. The polymerization step includes heating the reaction layer to form a polymer composite layer containing the polymer composite material, and the polymer composite material is polymerized from 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene and polystyrene sulfonic acid and salts thereof.

Method for manufacturing a composite material, comprising the following steps: a) plasticizing a binder in an extruder, wherein the binder comprises a polymer; b) providing a mixture of a cellulosic material and a hydrophobic agent dissolved and/or dispersed in a liquid carrier; c) mechanically shearing and drying the mixture in an extruder whereby liquid is at least partly extracted from the mixture or is not present in liquid form anymore; and d) blending the dried mixture with the plasticized binder.

The present invention relates to a process comprising the step of contacting an aqueous dispersion of swelled polymer particles with a rheology modifier and a binder to form a coatings composition with a VOC of less than 50 g/L. The swelled polymer particles arise from neutralization of alkali swellable polymer particles having a high acid core content and a low T.sub.g shell. The composition arising from the process of the present invention is useful for improving open time, especially for low VOC coatings applications.

Methods for recycling thermoset polymers, particularly by changing them into dynamic networks with the use of an appropriate catalyst solution which transforms the thermoset polymer into a vitrimer-like composition. The methods include the step of swelling a crosslinked thermoset polymer in a solution including a catalyst, whereby the catalyst diffuses into the thermoset polymer, in particular into the thermoset network. Upon removal of the liquid portion of the solution, such as solvent, the catalyst facilitates the occurrence of exchange reactions at elevated temperatures, rendering the system a dynamic network. The vitrimerized composition having the thermoset polymer and catalyst is recyclable and processable and thus suitable for many end uses.