A method for preparation of mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbon includes forming a composition by solubilizing a nitrogen-containing polymer in an aqueous solution of ZnCl.sub.2 and drying the aqueous solution, the method further includes heating the composition after drying to a temperature sufficiently high to carbonize the nitrogen-containing polymer to form the mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbon.

A method for preparation of mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbon includes forming a composition by solubilizing a nitrogen-containing polymer in an aqueous solution of ZnCl.sub.2 and drying the aqueous solution, the method further includes heating the composition after drying to a temperature sufficiently high to carbonize the nitrogen-containing polymer to form the mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbon.

An embodiment provides a binder for a non-aqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery including a copolymer (A) and a copolymer (B), wherein the copolymer (A) includes a unit (a-1) derived from a (meth)acrylic acid-based monomer, and a unit (a-2) derived from a (meth)acrylonitrile monomer, and the copolymer (B) includes a unit (b-1) derived from an aromatic vinyl-based monomer; and a unit (b-2) derived from an ethylenic unsaturated monomer which is at least one of an unsaturated carboxylic acid alkylester monomer, a (meth)acrylic acid-based monomer, a unsaturated carboxylic acid amide monomer, or combinations thereof.

An embodiment provides a binder for a non-aqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery including a copolymer (A) and a copolymer (B), wherein the copolymer (A) includes a unit (a-1) derived from a (meth)acrylic acid-based monomer, and a unit (a-2) derived from a (meth)acrylonitrile monomer, and the copolymer (B) includes a unit (b-1) derived from an aromatic vinyl-based monomer; and a unit (b-2) derived from an ethylenic unsaturated monomer which is at least one of an unsaturated carboxylic acid alkylester monomer, a (meth)acrylic acid-based monomer, a unsaturated carboxylic acid amide monomer, or combinations thereof.

The present invention is directed to plant fiber-reinforced thermoplastic compositions and a method for reinforcing thermoplastic resins. The present invention provides a use for the cellulose portion of a plant material, which is the portion left over after processing the selected plant materials to separate the hemi-cellulose and lignin from the cellulose.

The present invention is directed to plant fiber-reinforced thermoplastic compositions and a method for reinforcing thermoplastic resins. The present invention provides a use for the cellulose portion of a plant material, which is the portion left over after processing the selected plant materials to separate the hemi-cellulose and lignin from the cellulose.

A method and system for the production of fibers for use in biocomposites is provided that includes the ability to use both retted and unretted straw, that keeps the molecular structure of the fibers intact by subjecting the fibers to minimal stress, that maximizes the fiber's aspect ratio, that maximizes the strength of the fibers, and that minimizes time and energy inputs, along with maintaining the fibers in good condition for bonding to the polymer(s) used with the fibers to form the biocomposite material. This consequently increases the functionality of the biocomposites produced (i.e. reinforcement, sound absorption, light weight, heat capacity, etc.), increasing their marketability. Additionally, as the disclosed method does not damage the fibers, oilseed flax straw, as well as all types of fibrous materials (i.e. fiber flax, banana, jute, industrial hemp, sisal, coir) etc., can be processed in bio composite materials.

A method and system for the production of fibers for use in biocomposites is provided that includes the ability to use both retted and unretted straw, that keeps the molecular structure of the fibers intact by subjecting the fibers to minimal stress, that maximizes the fiber's aspect ratio, that maximizes the strength of the fibers, and that minimizes time and energy inputs, along with maintaining the fibers in good condition for bonding to the polymer(s) used with the fibers to form the biocomposite material. This consequently increases the functionality of the biocomposites produced (i.e. reinforcement, sound absorption, light weight, heat capacity, etc.), increasing their marketability. Additionally, as the disclosed method does not damage the fibers, oilseed flax straw, as well as all types of fibrous materials (i.e. fiber flax, banana, jute, industrial hemp, sisal, coir) etc., can be processed in bio composite materials.

The present invention relates to a thermoplastic resin composition and a molded article including the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a thermoplastic resin composition including 100 parts by weight of a base resin that includes an acrylic graft copolymer and an acrylic non-graft copolymer; and greater than 0.3 parts by weight and less than 1.2 parts by weight of a zinc-based antimicrobial agent, and a molded article including the same, wherein the zinc-based antimicrobial agent has an average particle diameter of greater than 3 μm to 30 μm. In accordance with the present invention, a thermoplastic resin composition providing superior transparency and excellent initial antimicrobial activity and persistent antimicrobial activity while providing the same mechanical properties as existing resin compositions, and a molded article including the same are provided.

The present invention relates to a thermoplastic resin composition and a molded article including the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a thermoplastic resin composition including 100 parts by weight of a base resin that includes an acrylic graft copolymer and an acrylic non-graft copolymer; and greater than 0.3 parts by weight and less than 1.2 parts by weight of a zinc-based antimicrobial agent, and a molded article including the same, wherein the zinc-based antimicrobial agent has an average particle diameter of greater than 3 μm to 30 μm. In accordance with the present invention, a thermoplastic resin composition providing superior transparency and excellent initial antimicrobial activity and persistent antimicrobial activity while providing the same mechanical properties as existing resin compositions, and a molded article including the same are provided.