The present invention relates to a composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of first polymer particles functionalized with structural units of t-butyl methacrylate or t-butyl acrylate, and imbibed with a catalyst of Structure (I), where R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as defined herein, and a process for making the composition. The present invention also relates to an aqueous dispersion of core-shell polymer particles, wherein the first polymer particles are encapsulated in a shell having a high T.sub.g. The imbibed first polymer particles and the core-shell polymer particles can be expanded in the dry state at significantly lower temperatures than reported in the prior art. ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of first polymer particles functionalized with structural units of t-butyl methacrylate or t-butyl acrylate, and imbibed with a catalyst of Structure (I), where R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as defined herein, and a process for making the composition. The present invention also relates to an aqueous dispersion of core-shell polymer particles, wherein the first polymer particles are encapsulated in a shell having a high T.sub.g. The imbibed first polymer particles and the core-shell polymer particles can be expanded in the dry state at significantly lower temperatures than reported in the prior art. ##STR00001##

Provided are poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) foam particles, which can give a foam molded article having good surface aspects and a low shrinkage ratio of a molding, and the foam molded article. The poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) foam particles have at least two melting peaks on a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry and in which a melting calorie (X) on a high temperature side is 0.1 to 20 J/g, a gel fraction (Y) is 20 to 75% by weight, and the melting calorie (X) and the gel fraction (Y) satisfy Formula: X+Y≥30.

Provided are poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) foam particles, which can give a foam molded article having good surface aspects and a low shrinkage ratio of a molding, and the foam molded article. The poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) foam particles have at least two melting peaks on a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry and in which a melting calorie (X) on a high temperature side is 0.1 to 20 J/g, a gel fraction (Y) is 20 to 75% by weight, and the melting calorie (X) and the gel fraction (Y) satisfy Formula: X+Y≥30.

The present invention relates to thermally expandable microspheres at least partially prepared from bio-based monomers and to a process of their manufacture. The microspheres comprise a thermoplastic polymer shell encapsulating a blowing agent, wherein the thermoplastic polymer shell comprises a polymer being a homo- or copolymer of a lactone according to formula (1):

##STR00001##

wherein each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, separately from one another, is selected from the group consisting of H and an alkyl group preferably with 1-4 carbon atoms. The invention further provides expanded microspheres, which can be used in a variety of applications.

The present invention relates to thermally expandable microspheres at least partially prepared from bio-based monomers and to a process of their manufacture. The microspheres comprise a thermoplastic polymer shell encapsulating a blowing agent, wherein the thermoplastic polymer shell comprises a polymer being a homo- or copolymer of a lactone according to formula (1):

##STR00001##

wherein each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, separately from one another, is selected from the group consisting of H and an alkyl group preferably with 1-4 carbon atoms. The invention further provides expanded microspheres, which can be used in a variety of applications.

Disclosed herein are modified diene-containing (co)polymers, in particular, modified styrene-butadiene copolymer, which can be used as flame retardants for expandable polystyrene polymer compositions. In particular, disclosed is a modified diene-containing (co)polymer, a method for preparing it, and use as a flame retardant for expandable polystyrene. The modified diene-containing (co)polymer claimed in the invention is characterized by high thermostability, namely, a 5% weight loss temperature of at least 180° C., a molecular weight of at least 1500 g/mol and a halogen content of at least 35 wt. %; the content of tertiary and/or allyl halogenides is in the range from 0 to less than 1.5 wt. %, and also does not affect the polymerization process and the formation of polystyrene granules either, and allows to obtain polystyrene granules with a yellowness index of 2 to 6 units, comparable to the yellowness index of polystyrene granules containing HBCD (from 0 to 3 units).

Disclosed herein are modified diene-containing (co)polymers, in particular, modified styrene-butadiene copolymer, which can be used as flame retardants for expandable polystyrene polymer compositions. In particular, disclosed is a modified diene-containing (co)polymer, a method for preparing it, and use as a flame retardant for expandable polystyrene. The modified diene-containing (co)polymer claimed in the invention is characterized by high thermostability, namely, a 5% weight loss temperature of at least 180° C., a molecular weight of at least 1500 g/mol and a halogen content of at least 35 wt. %; the content of tertiary and/or allyl halogenides is in the range from 0 to less than 1.5 wt. %, and also does not affect the polymerization process and the formation of polystyrene granules either, and allows to obtain polystyrene granules with a yellowness index of 2 to 6 units, comparable to the yellowness index of polystyrene granules containing HBCD (from 0 to 3 units).

A process for the production of a geopolymer composite. The disclosure further relates to a geopolymer composite, and the use of a geopolymer, a geopolymer in combination with an athermanous additive, or the geopolymer composite in expanded vinyl polymer, preferably vinyl aromatic polymer. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a process for the production of expandable vinyl aromatic polymer granulate, and expandable vinyl aromatic polymer granulate. Finally, the disclosure relates to expanded vinyl foam, preferably vinyl aromatic polymer, and to a masterbatch comprising vinyl polymer and a), b), or c).

A process for the production of a geopolymer composite. The disclosure further relates to a geopolymer composite, and the use of a geopolymer, a geopolymer in combination with an athermanous additive, or the geopolymer composite in expanded vinyl polymer, preferably vinyl aromatic polymer. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a process for the production of expandable vinyl aromatic polymer granulate, and expandable vinyl aromatic polymer granulate. Finally, the disclosure relates to expanded vinyl foam, preferably vinyl aromatic polymer, and to a masterbatch comprising vinyl polymer and a), b), or c).