A silicon-polymer composite anode having two or more different molecular weight (MW) versions of the same polymer, method of making the anode and electrochemical energy storage device containing the anode are disclosed.

The present invention aims to provide a masterbatch for foam molding which can be suitably used in molding involving high shear force or molding requiring low molding temperature and which can provide a foam molded article having a high expansion ratio and good appearance quality. The present invention also aims to provide a foam molded article formed from the masterbatch for foam molding. Provided is a masterbatch for foam molding, containing: a base resin; and a thermally expandable microcapsule, the masterbatch having a true specific gravity of 0.80 g/cm.sup.3 or more and a Mooney viscosity ML 1+4 (100° C.) of 20 to 90, the base resin containing an EPDM resin, the masterbatch containing the thermally expandable microcapsule in an amount of 40 to 300 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the base resin.

A separator for a rechargeable battery includes a porous substrate and a heat resistance layer on at least one surface of the porous substrate. The heat resistance layer includes an acryl-based copolymer, an alkali metal, and a filler. The acryl-based copolymer includes a unit derived from (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylic acid, a cyano group-containing unit, and a sulfonate group-containing unit.

A polymer composite exhibiting piezoelectric properties can be formed for flexible and/or thin film applications, in which the polymer composite includes a polymer matrix and a piezoelectric ceramic filler embedded in the polymer matrix. The polymer matrix may include at least two polymers: a first polymer and a second polymer. The first polymer may be a fluorinated polymer, and the second polymer may be compatible with the first polymer and have a dielectric constant of less than approximately 20. The piezoelectric ceramic filler can be lithium doped potassium sodium niobite (KNLN), and be approximately 40-70% by volume of the polymer composite. The remaining 30-60% by volume may be the polymer matrix, which may itself be approximately 5-20% by weight second polymer and 80-95% fluorinated polymer.

A prepreg contains a base material containing a reinforcing fiber and a semi-cured product of a resin composition impregnated into the base material containing a reinforcing fiber. The prepreg after cured has a glass transition temperature (Tg) which is higher than or equal to 150° C. and lower than or equal to 220° C. The resin composition contains (A) a thermosetting resin and (B) at least one compound selected from a group consisting of core shell rubber and a polymer component having a weight average molecular weight of 100000 or more. An amount of the (B) component is higher than or equal to 30 parts by mass and lower than or equal to 100 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the (A) component.

A separator for a rechargeable battery includes a porous substrate and a heat resistance layer on at least one surface of the porous substrate. The heat resistance layer includes an acryl-based copolymer, an alkali metal, and a filler. The acryl-based copolymer includes a unit derived from (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylic acid, a cyano group-containing unit, and a sulfonate group-containing unit.

The invention provides a laminated film. The laminated film includes a polyester substrate film, and a coating layer on/over at least one surface of the substrate film. The coating layer includes a resin composition including a resin having an oxazoline group. The laminated film has an inorganic thin-film layer on/over the coating layer, and a protective layer that has a urethane resin and has an adhesion amount of 0.15 to 0.60 g/m.sup.2 on/over the inorganic thin-film layer. The laminated film shows a total reflection infrared absorption spectrum having a ratio P1/P2 ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 wherein P1 is the intensity of a peak having an absorption maximum in a range of 1530±10 cm.sup.−1, and P2 is that in a range of 1410±10 cm.sup.−1. The laminated film further has an oxygen permeability of 5 ml/m.sup.2.Math.d.Math.MPa or less under conditions of 23° C.×65% RH.

Methods of making self-expended lignofoams are provided. In embodiments, such a method comprises exposing a self-expanding lignofoam composition comprising raw lignin and a thermoplastic polymer to an elevated temperature for a period of time to soften the composition, desorb water from the raw lignin or induce at least some hydroxyl groups of the raw lignin to undergo dehydration reactions to generate water or both, vaporize the water, and generate pores throughout the softened composition. The method further comprises cooling the porous, softened composition to room temperature to provide the self-expanded lignofoam. The self-expanding lignofoam composition is free of an added plasticizer, an added lubricant, an added foaming agent, and an added blowing agent, and the thermoplastic polymer is not a starch, not a polyurethane, and not a polysiloxane. The resulting self-expanded lignofoams are also provided.

A composition including at least one moisture-curable, semi-crystalline (meth)acrylic oligomer represented by the formula:

##STR00001##

wherein R.sub.1 is independently a C.sub.16 to C.sub.40 alkyl group; R.sub.2 is independently a C.sub.16 to C.sub.40 alkyl group; each R.sub.3 is independently a methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl group; X is a chain transfer agent as defined further below; Y is independently selected to be a methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl group; a, b and c are each independently selected to be an integer of at least 10, and a+b+c≦1500; n≧1; and p is 0, 1, 2, or 3. The oligomer may be used advantageously as a coating, primer or adhesion promoter in construction articles, for example, adhesives, caulks, grouts, pavement markings, paving materials, ceramic tiles, or roofing granules.

A conductive particle and a method of preparing the same, and a display panel are disclosed. The conductive particle includes a core and a conductive layer covering the core. The material of the core is polystyrene, and the material of the conductive layer is polyaniline.