The invention relates to novel organic/inorganic hybrid membranes which have the following composition: a polymer acid containing --SO.sub.3H, --PO.sub.3H.sub.2, --COOH or B(OH).sub.2 groups, a polymeric ease (optional), which contains primary, secondary or tertiary amino groups, pyridine groups, imidazole, benzimidazole, triazole, benzotriazole, pyrazole or benzopyrazole groups, either in the side chain or in the main chain; an additional polymeric base (optional) containing the aforementioned ...

A polymer having .alpha.,.beta. unsaturated groups and a group that generates a free radical when exposed to actinic radiation. The polymer may be self-cross-linking.

The invention provides a process for the preparation of a moulded polymer item, said process comprising obtaining a polymer moulding powder having a mean particle size of 1 to 2000 .mu.m comprising an admixture of UV-stabilizer-loaded polymer particles and non-UV-stabilizer-loaded polyolefin polymer particles, loading said powder into a mould, heating and rotating said mould to melt said powder, cooling said mould, and releasing said moulded polymer item from said mould.

An antimicrobial polymer, characterised in that it carries a covalently bound chromophoric marker. The antimicrobial polymer is preferably a cationic antimicrobial polymer, especially a poly(hexamethylenebiguanide). Also claimed are compositions containing the antimicrobial polymer, a method for treating a medium using the antimicrobial polymer and a method for detecting the antimicrobial polymer in a medium.

A method of preparing a (meth)acrylate functionalised polymer comprising the steps of mixing together a monofunctional vinylic monomer with from 0.3-100% w/w (based on monofunctional monomer) of a polyfunctional vinylic monomer and from 0.0001-50% w/w of a chain transfer agent, reacting said mixture to form a polymer and terminating the polymerisation reaction before 99% conversion. The resulting polymers are useful as components of surface coatings and inks, as moulding resins or in curable com...

Branched polymers are prepared by mixing together monofunctional vinylic monomer with from 0.3 to 100% w/w of polyfunctional vinylic monomer and from 0.0001 to 50% w/w of chain transfer agent and thereafter reacting the mixture to form a polymer. The resulting branched polymers are soluble and may be used as component of surface coatings and inks as well as molding resins.

The invention relates to polymer beads comprising an anisotropic polymer material with helically twisted structure, to their use in reflective films, spraying or printing inks or as pigments, for optical or electrooptical, decorative or security applications, to a reflective film comprising one or more polymer beads in a transmissive binder, and to a security marking or security device comprising one or more polymer beads or comprising a reflective film.

A photosensitive polymer which maintains transparency even when exposed to a short-wavelength light source of 193 nm or below, exhibits improved adhesiveness to a substrate, improved contrast and improved resistance to dry etching. The photosensitive polymer includes a first monomer which is alicyclic hydrocarbon carboxylate having an acid-labile C.sub.6 to C.sub.20 tertiary alicyclic hydrocarbon group as a substituent, and a second monomer which is capable of free radical polymerization.

A biodegradable polymer includes a) 20 to 60% of a mixture of starch and/or a modified starch, b) 8 to 22% of starch plasticisers and processing agents c) 30 to 70% of one or more biodegradable aliphatic polyesters d) 1 to 10% of a layered silicate clay mineral. The silicate mineral is an organoclay which has been formed by reacting clay with an intercalating chemical to compatibilise it with the polymers so that the clay is exfoliated and makes the blend amorphous. The polymers may also include...

A photoactive side-chain polymer from the class of polyimides, polyamide acids and esters thereof, comprising as a side-chain a dendritic block incorporating photoactive groups at its surface. The dendritic block preferably represents a unit of formulae Ia, Ib or a combination of them, for example formulae Ic, wherein the broken line symbolizes the linkage to the polyimide main chain. ##STR00001## The polymer may be used as an orientation layer for liquid crystals and in the construction of unst...