The invention is an optical film at least containing cellulose acylate and a compound having a structure denoted by General Formula (I) described below, and a polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display device employing the optical film. ##STR00001##
R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a cycloalkenyl group, or an aryl group, and R.sup.5a and R.sup.5b represent an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a cycloalkenyl group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic group. R.sup.1, R.sup.3, R.sup.5a, and R.sup.5b may have a substituent group.

A process is disclosed herein comprising the steps: a) contacting an esterifying agent and a polysaccharide in the presence of a first solvent and suitable reaction conditions for a reaction time sufficient to form a product comprising a polysaccharide ester composition, the polysaccharide ester composition comprising a polysaccharide ester having a degree of substitution of about 0.001 to about 3; wherein the esterifying agent comprises an acyl halide, a phosphoryl halide, a carboxylic acid anhydride, a haloformic acid ester, a carbonic acid ester, or a vinyl ester; and the ratio of esterifying agent to polysaccharide is in the range of about 0.001:1 to about 3:1 on a molar equivalent basis; b) combining the product obtained in step a) with polyacrylonitrile; and c) spinning fibers.

An organic peroxide formulation includes at least one organic peroxide and at least one cellulose compound. Embodiments of the organic peroxide formulations significant improvements in surface tackiness (often including but not limited to tack-free surfaces) when curing elastomers in the presence of oxygen. Embodiments of the present invention relate to organic peroxide formulations that can cure solid elastomers in the full or partial presence of oxygen using, for example, a hot air oven or tunnel, molten salt bath, or steam autoclave. Embodiments of the invention also relate to crosslinkable elastomer compositions, processes for curing the elastomers, and products made by such processes.

An organic peroxide formulation includes at least one organic peroxide and at least one cellulose compound. Embodiments of the organic peroxide formulations significant improvements in surface tackiness (often including but not limited to tack-free surfaces) when curing elastomers in the presence of oxygen. Embodiments of the present invention relate to organic peroxide formulations that can cure solid elastomers in the full or partial presence of oxygen using, for example, a hot air oven or tunnel, molten salt bath, or steam autoclave. Embodiments of the invention also relate to crosslinkable elastomer compositions, processes for curing the elastomers, and products made by such processes.

A cellulosic ester resin modifier for producing a cellulosic ester film, which facilitates obtaining a film that remains transparent even when exposed to high-humidity and high-temperature environments, and with which it is possible to obtain a film having excellent water vapor permeability resistance, and dimensional stability against heat. The present invention also provides a cellulosic ester resin composition using the modifier, a method for producing a polarizing-plate protective film, and a liquid crystal display device, and provides a cellulosic ester resin modifier including a polyester polyol (A) having a phthalic acid residue and an aliphatic glycol residue having 2 to 3 carbon atoms in a main chain skeleton and a diester (B) having an aliphatic glycol having 2 to 3 carbon atoms and an aromatic monocarboxylic acid, in which a mass ratio of [(A)/(B)] is in a range of 90/10 to 60/40.

A cellulosic ester resin modifier for producing a cellulosic ester film, which facilitates obtaining a film that remains transparent even when exposed to high-humidity and high-temperature environments, and with which it is possible to obtain a film having excellent water vapor permeability resistance, and dimensional stability against heat. The present invention also provides a cellulosic ester resin composition using the modifier, a method for producing a polarizing-plate protective film, and a liquid crystal display device, and provides a cellulosic ester resin modifier including a polyester polyol (A) having a phthalic acid residue and an aliphatic glycol residue having 2 to 3 carbon atoms in a main chain skeleton and a diester (B) having an aliphatic glycol having 2 to 3 carbon atoms and an aromatic monocarboxylic acid, in which a mass ratio of [(A)/(B)] is in a range of 90/10 to 60/40.

A cellulosic ester resin modifier for producing a cellulosic ester film, which facilitates obtaining a film that remains transparent even when exposed to high-humidity and high-temperature environments, and with which it is possible to obtain a film having excellent water vapor permeability resistance, and dimensional stability against heat. The present invention also provides a cellulosic ester resin composition using the modifier, a method for producing a polarizing-plate protective film, and a liquid crystal display device, and provides a cellulosic ester resin modifier including a polyester polyol (A) having a phthalic acid residue and an aliphatic glycol residue having 2 to 3 carbon atoms in a main chain skeleton and a diester (B) having an aliphatic glycol having 2 to 3 carbon atoms and an aromatic monocarboxylic acid, in which a mass ratio of [(A)/(B)] is in a range of 90/10 to 60/40.

A bioplastic composition may contain certain biodegradable and renewable components. In some examples, the bioplastic composition includes at least one kind of aquatic macrophyte biomass, which may contain a native composition of protein and carbohydrates, in a blend with one or more types of biodegradable or durable thermoplastic polymers. The aquatic macrophyte composition may provide a balance of both polymeric and reinforcing properties to the blended bioplastic not typically exhibited by terrestrial feedstock such as soy meal or corn starch. Such a bioplastic composition may be formed into molded articles using extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, or the like.

A bioplastic composition may contain certain biodegradable and renewable components. In some examples, the bioplastic composition includes at least one kind of aquatic macrophyte biomass, which may contain a native composition of protein and carbohydrates, in a blend with one or more types of biodegradable or durable thermoplastic polymers. The aquatic macrophyte composition may provide a balance of both polymeric and reinforcing properties to the blended bioplastic not typically exhibited by terrestrial feedstock such as soy meal or corn starch. Such a bioplastic composition may be formed into molded articles using extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, or the like.

Regioselectively substituted cellulose esters having a plurality of pivaloyl substituents and a plurality of aryl-acyl substituents are disclosed along with methods for making the same. Such cellulose esters may be suitable for use in films, such as +A optical films, and/or +C optical films. Optical films prepared employing such cellulose esters have a variety of commercial applications, such as, for example, as compensation films in liquid crystal displays and/or waveplates in creating circular polarized light used in 3-D technology.