The present invention provides one with an iron electrode employing a binder comprised of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) binder. In one embodiment, the invention comprises an iron based electrode comprising a single layer of a conductive substrate coated on at least one side with a coating comprising an iron active material and a binder, wherein the binder is PVA. This iron based electrode is useful in alkaline rechargeable batteries, particularly as a negative electrode in a Ni—Fe battery.

The present invention provides one with an iron electrode employing a binder comprised of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) binder. In one embodiment, the invention comprises an iron based electrode comprising a single layer of a conductive substrate coated on at least one side with a coating comprising an iron active material and a binder, wherein the binder is PVA. This iron based electrode is useful in alkaline rechargeable batteries, particularly as a negative electrode in a Ni—Fe battery.

An object of the present invention is to provide a barrier film whose gas barrier properties hardly deteriorate even after a retort treatment and after a Gelboflex test. The barrier film of the present invention includes a barrier coat layer, an inorganic oxide deposition layer, and a substrate layer, in this order, wherein the barrier coat layer has a hardness of 1.10 GPa or more and 1.55 GPa or less, and a plastic deformation rate of 21.0% or more.

An object of the present invention is to provide a barrier film whose gas barrier properties hardly deteriorate even after a retort treatment and after a Gelboflex test. The barrier film of the present invention includes a barrier coat layer, an inorganic oxide deposition layer, and a substrate layer, in this order, wherein the barrier coat layer has a hardness of 1.10 GPa or more and 1.55 GPa or less, and a plastic deformation rate of 21.0% or more.

A sulfonic acid modified polyvinyl alcohol resin comprising up to 15 mol % of a first comonomer comprising sulfonic acid groups. The modified polyvinyl alcohol resin has a hydroxyl unit content of at least 65 mol % and a gel fraction of 3.2 or less. Further, the modified polyvinyl alcohol resin has a disintegration time of 85 seconds or less, as measured in a mixture of 50 vol % water and 50 vol % isopropyl alcohol at 23° C. Additionally, the modified polyvinyl alcohol resin has a hard component present in a component ratio of 10% or greater and 55% or less and having a relaxation time of 0.0091 milliseconds or greater and 0.0104 milliseconds or less, as measured by the pulsed NMR Solid Echo method at 80° C. Also disclosed are methods for producing the sulfonic acid modified polyvinyl alcohol resins, which may advantageously be used in inks, paints, paper coatings, emulsions, or films.

A sulfonic acid modified polyvinyl alcohol resin comprising up to 15 mol % of a first comonomer comprising sulfonic acid groups. The modified polyvinyl alcohol resin has a hydroxyl unit content of at least 65 mol % and a gel fraction of 3.2 or less. Further, the modified polyvinyl alcohol resin has a disintegration time of 85 seconds or less, as measured in a mixture of 50 vol % water and 50 vol % isopropyl alcohol at 23° C. Additionally, the modified polyvinyl alcohol resin has a hard component present in a component ratio of 10% or greater and 55% or less and having a relaxation time of 0.0091 milliseconds or greater and 0.0104 milliseconds or less, as measured by the pulsed NMR Solid Echo method at 80° C. Also disclosed are methods for producing the sulfonic acid modified polyvinyl alcohol resins, which may advantageously be used in inks, paints, paper coatings, emulsions, or films.

A binder for a secondary battery includes a copolymer having a first repeating unit, a second repeating unit, and a third repeating unit. A ratio of a number of the first repeating unit (A) and a sum of a number of the second repeating unit and a number of the third repeating unit (B) is 90:10 to 52:48. A ratio of the number of the second repeating unit and the number of the third repeating unit is 67:33 to 1:99. A weight average molecular weight of the copolymer is 225,000 to 2,000,000.

A binder for a secondary battery includes a copolymer having a first repeating unit, a second repeating unit, and a third repeating unit. A ratio of a number of the first repeating unit (A) and a sum of a number of the second repeating unit and a number of the third repeating unit (B) is 90:10 to 52:48. A ratio of the number of the second repeating unit and the number of the third repeating unit is 67:33 to 1:99. A weight average molecular weight of the copolymer is 225,000 to 2,000,000.

A resin composition comprises: a modified vinyl alcohol-based polymer (A) containing from 1 to 20 mol % of a structural unit represented by a formula (1) below; and a layered inorganic compound (B). Such a resin composition is excellent in water vapor barrier properties, recyclability, and productivity during coating.

##STR00001##

A resin composition comprises: a modified vinyl alcohol-based polymer (A) containing from 1 to 20 mol % of a structural unit represented by a formula (1) below; and a layered inorganic compound (B). Such a resin composition is excellent in water vapor barrier properties, recyclability, and productivity during coating.

##STR00001##