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This invention provides novel, deoxybenzoin-based anti-flammable polymers and cured epoxy resins for a variety of end-use applications.

New compositions of matter have been invented, specifically organic buffer layer materials that can greatly enhance power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices and can effectively functionalize metal electrodes. Conventional-architecture OPV devices made using the new buffer layer have average PCEs greater than 8%, with the highest PCE value exceeding 9.5%. This new buffer layer can be used with Ag, Cu, and Au cathodes, opening routes to all-solution-based device fabrication and roll-to-roll processing. In addition, the new buffer layer materials can be applied at a layer thickness of up to 55 nm, avoiding processing challenges that occur with ultrathin buffer layers and enabling a simplified and reproducible process for device fabrication.

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This invention provides new chemical compositions and methods for the preparation of adhesive materials with low flammability. The low flammability is due to newly invented organic/polymeric components used in the adhesive formulation, rather than through the addition of a conventional anti-flammable additives such as halogenated organic molecules or phosphorous-containing structures.

When commercially available polymer membranes are exposed to aqueous solutions of salt, emulsified oil droplets, and other particulate matter, their lifetime can decrease catastrophically due to reduction in flux as a result of membrane fouling. This technology provides a new class of graft copolymers capable of extending the lifespan and functionality of water purification membranes. As a membrane coating material, the graft copolymers have excellent hydrophilicity and anti-fouling properties. In addition, they contain UV-activatable functional groups to enable UV-crosslinking of the copolymers, both within the coating itself to impart structural stability and into the underlying membrane to promote strong adhesion. These graft copolymer coatings are highly effective in preventing fouling of water-filtration membranes, and in maintaining the flux levels necessary for efficient filtration. Unlike other coating materials, the anti-fouling graft copolymers do not delaminate from the membrane substrate.

This invention provides a new class of zwitterionic polymers that exhibit hydrophobic properties and are soluble in polar organic solvents, allowing for their use as novel polymeric surfactants, and as functional materials in other applications.

This invention provides novel hydrophilic conjugated polymers that can be used as hole extraction layers in solar cells to enhance power conversion efficiency and solar cell stability. The polymers can be synthesized in water at room temperatures without using toxic transition metals or flammable organic solvents.

This invention provides flame retardant monomers and polymers. The monomers are unsaturated deoxybenzoin compounds that are inherently fire resistant and can decrease the flammability of unsaturated polymers by crosslinking the polymers.

Pressure sensitive adhesives bond two materials when physical pressure is applied to marry the adhesive with the adherent. They are widely applied in self-adhesive tapes, labels and marking films, medical plasters and pads, dermal pharmaceutical dosage forms, medical drapes and biomedical electrodes. Curing current adhesives often involves UV irradiation or heat, capital and energy intensive steps which may produce to toxic byproducts.

 

The invention concerns novel compositions and crosslinking strategies that greatly simplify fabrication of pressure sensitive adhesives.  A soluble and flowable polymer containing latent crosslinking sites is applied to a substrate as a low-viscosity solution or melt.  After application, spontaneous crosslinking occurs at ambient conditions, eliminating the need for post-crosslinking equipment, capital and expense. It also eliminates formation of undesired or toxic residues; allows the formation of crosslinked adhesive layers on temperature-sensitive substrates; enables the use of opaque crosslinkable adhesive formulations; and facilitates the incorporation of adhesives into porous or complex substrates. These strategies may be generalized to broader classes of solvent borne and hot melt pressure adhesives.

 

This invention provides new flame retardant monomers and polymers made using such and other monomers. The new flame retardant monomers can reduce polymer flammability due to char formation. Upon the incorporation of such monomers into the polymer structure, their additional functional groups or handles impart reactivity to the polymer, enabling the formation of new functional polymeric and composite materials.