Effect of ion content in ionomer on the ion conductivity of polymer electrolytes based on the P(MMA-co-LiMA)/PEG/LiCF3SO3 blend

We have prepared polymer electrolytes composed of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-lithium methacrylate) ionomer (P(MMA-co-LiMA)), low molecular weight PEG, and LiCF₃SO₃ salt. The ion groups in P(MMA-co-LiMA) could enhance the miscibility between the MMA units and PEG in the polymer electrolytes. This miscibility enhancement made the pathway of ion transport less tortuous, and consequently led to the increase in ion conductivity. The maximum ambient ion conductivities in these systems were measured to be in the range of 10⁻⁴–10⁻⁵ S/cm. The polymer electrolytes became transparent at the higher ion content owing to the enhanced miscibility. The mechanical stability of the polymer electrolytes was also improved through the introduction of ion groups into the PMMA. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 991–997, 1998     

A novel aromatic–aliphatic copolyester consisting of poly(1,4‐dioxan‐2‐one) and poly(ethylene‐co‐1,6‐hexene terephthalate): Preparation,thermal, and mechanical properties

A novel multiblock aromatic–aliphatic copolyester poly(ethylene‐co‐1,6‐hexene terephthalate)‐copoly(1,4‐dioxan‐2‐one) (PEHT‐PPDO) was successfully synthesized via the chain‐extension reaction of dihydroxyl teminated poly(ethylene‐co‐hexane terephthalate) (PEHT‐OH) with dihydroxyl teminated poly(1,4‐dioxan‐2‐one) (PPDO‐OH) prepolymers, using toluene‐2,4‐diisocyanate as a chain extender. To produce PEHT‐OH prepolymer with an appropriate melting point which can match the reaction temperature of PEHT‐OH prepolymer with PPDO‐OH prepolymer, 1,6‐hexanediol was used to disturb the regularity of poly(ethylene terephthalate) segments. The chemical structures and molecular weights of PEHT‐PPDO copolymers were characterized by ¹H NMR, FTIR, and GPC. The DSC data showed that PPDO‐OH segments were miscible well with PEHT‐OH segments in amorphous state and that the crystallization of copolyester was predominantly contributed by PPDO segments. The TGA results indicated that the thermal stability of PEHT‐PPDO was improved comparing with PPDO homopolymer. The novel aromatic–aliphatic copolyesters have good mechanical properties and could find applications in the field of biodegradable polymer materials. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2828–2837, 2010     

Preparation and ion conductivities of the plasticized polymer electrolytes based on the poly(acrylonitrile‐ co‐lithium methacrylate)

The polymer electrolytes composed of poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐lithium methacrylate) [P(AN‐co‐LiMA)], ethylene carbonate (EC), and LiClO₄ salts have been prepared. The ion groups in the P(AN‐co‐LiMA) were found to prevent EC from crystallization through their ion–dipole interactions with the polar groups in the EC. This suppression of the EC crystallization could lead to the enhancement of the ion conductivity at subambient temperature. The polymer electrolytes based on the PAN ionomer with 4 mol % ion content exhibited ion conductivities of 2.4 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm at −10°C and 1.9 × 10⁻³ S/cm at 25°C by simply using EC as a plasticizer. In the polymer electrolytes based on the PAN ionomer, ion motions seemed to be coupled with the segmental motions of the polymer chain due to the presence of the ion–dipole interaction between the ion groups in the ionomer and the polar groups in the EC, while the ion transport in the PAN‐based polymer electrolytes was similar to that of the liquid electrolytes. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 247–252, 1999     

Overcoming the Oxygen Dilemma in Photoredox Catalysis: Near-Infrared (NIR) Light-Triggered Peroxynitrite Generation for Antibacterial Applications

The peroxynitrite anion (ONOO⁻) is closely associated with many diseases and the creation of ONOO⁻ donors is an essential means of understanding its pathophysiological functions. However, it is challenging to develop ONOO⁻ donors due to the difficulties in simultaneously producing highly reactive and short-lived nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion (O₂⋅⁻). Here, we report a novel strategy for constructing ONOO⁻ donors by combining near-infrared (NIR)-mediated type I photosensitization and photoredox catalysis. The key design using a Nile blue analogue that can serve as both a type I photosensitizer and a metal-free photocatalyst. Intriguingly, the formation of O₂⋅⁻ via type I photosensitization avoids oxygen interference and instead activates nitrobenzofurazan-based NO donors via oxygen-tolerant NIR photoredox catalysis. The simultaneous release of O₂⋅⁻ and NO leads to ONOO⁻ release, showing both antibacterial and antibiofilm activities.     

Ultraviolet B Light-induced Nitric Oxide/Peroxynitrite Imbalance in Keratinocytes—Implications for Apoptosis and Necrosis

Elevation of nitric oxide (NO˙) can either promote or inhibit ultraviolet B light (UVB)-induced apoptosis. In this study, we determined real-time concentration of NO˙ and peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻) and their role in regulation of membrane integrity and apoptosis. Nanosensors (diameter 300–500 nm) were used for direct in situ simultaneous measurements of NO˙ and ONOO⁻ generated by UVB in cultured keratinocytes and mice epidermis. An exposure of keratinocytes to UVB immediately generated ONOO⁻ at maximal concentration of 190 nm followed by NO^˙ release with a maximal concentration of 91 nm . The kinetics of UVB-induced NO˙/ONOO⁻ was in contrast to cNOS agonist stimulated NO˙/ONOO⁻ from keratinocytes. After stimulating cNOS by calcium ionophore (CaI), NO˙ release from keratinocytes was followed by ONOO⁻ production. The [NO˙] to [ONOO⁻] ratio generated by UVB decreased below 0.5 indicating a serious imbalance between cytoprotective NO˙ and cytotoxic ONOO⁻—a main component of nitroxidative stress. The NO˙/ONOO⁻ imbalance increased membrane damage and cell apoptosis was partially reversed in the presence of free radical scavenger. The results suggest that UVB-induced and cNOS-produced NO˙ is rapidly scavenged by photolytically and enzymatically generated superoxide (O₂˙⁻) to produce high levels of ONOO⁻, which enhances oxidative injury and apoptosis of the irradiated cells.     

High-speed on-demand 3D printed bioresorbable vascular scaffolds

Recent development of the high-resolution Micro-Continuous Liquid Interface Production (μCLIP) process has enabled 3D printing of biomedical devices with micron-scale precision. Despite our recent success in demonstrating fabrication of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) via μCLIP, key technical obstacles remain. Specifically, achieving comparable radial stiffness to nitinol stents required strut thickness of 400 μm. Such large struts would negatively affect blood flow through smaller coronary vessels. Low printing speed also made the process impractical for potential on-demand fabrication of patient-specific BVSs. Lack of a systematic optimization strategy capturing the sophisticated process-materials-performance dependencies impedes development of on-demand fabrication of BVSs and other biomedical devices. Herein, we developed a systematic method to optimize the entangled process parameters, such as materials strength/stiffness, exposure dosage, and fabrication speed. A dedicated speed working curve method was developed to calibrate the μCLIP process, which allowed experimental determination of dimensionally-accurate fabrication parameters. Composition of the citric acid-based bioresorbable ink (B-Ink?) was optimized to maximize BVS radial stiffness, allowing scaffold struts at clinically-relevant sizes. Through the described dual optimization, we have successfully fabricated BVSs with radial stiffness comparable to nitinol stents and strut thickness of 150 μm, which is comparable to the ABSORB GT1BVS. Fabrication of 2-cm long BVS with 5 μm, 10 μm, and 15 μm layer slicing can now be accomplished within 26.5, 15.3, and 11.3 min, respectively. The reported process optimization methods and high-speed, high-resolution 3D printing capability demonstrate a promising solution for on-demand fabrication of patient-specific biomedical devices.     

Heteroatomic Conjugated Polymers and the Spectral Tuning of Electroluminescence via a Supramolecular Coordination Strategy

The unique electronic structures of heteroatomic conjugated polymers (HCPs) offer an attractive platform to tune optoelectronic properties via a supramolecular coordination strategy. This study reports on an sp² nitrogen heteroatom containing fluorene‐based copolymer namely poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐co‐9,9‐dioctyldiazafluoren‐2,7‐yl) (PF8‐co‐DAF8), with ≈20% DAF8 units. Tuning the optoelectronic properties of PF8‐co‐DAF8 via supramolecular coordination with a Lewis acid (B(C₆F₅)₃ or AlCl₃) is explored. Formation of either the PF8‐co‐DAF8‐B(C₆F₅)₃ or PF8‐co‐DAF8‐AlCl₃ adducts reduces the optical gap and causes an attendant redshift of the photoluminescence spectra. Controlling the degree and strength of the coordination allows the emission color to be tuned from blue through to green and yellow. This strategy is successfully implemented for polymer light‐emitting diodes, confirming the large degree of spectral tuning whilst maintaining good device performance. Maximum luminous efficiencies, η ≈ 1.55 cd A⁻¹@ 2120 cd m⁻², 1.32 cd A⁻¹@ 1424 cd m⁻², and 2.56 cd A⁻¹@ 910 cd m⁻² are, respectively, recorded for the blue‐emitting diodes with Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) (x, y) coordinates = (0.16, 0.16), the white‐emitting diodes with CIE (x, y) = (0.28, 0.38) and the green‐emitting diodes with CIE (x, y) = (0.33, 0.52). The results highlight the versatility of the supramolecular coordination strategy in modifying the electronic structure of HCPs.

     

Preparation and characterization of PVDF‐based blend membranes as polymer electrolyte membranes in fuel cells: Study of factor affecting the proton conductivity behavior

There is a huge demand especially for polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its copolymers to provide high performance solid polymer electrolytes for use as an electrolyte in energy supply systems. In this regard, the blending approach was used to prepare PVDF‐based proton exchange membranes and focused on the study of factor affecting the ir proton conductivity behavior. Thus, a series of copolymers consisting of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐l‐propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS) as sulfonated segments were synthesized and blended with PVDF matrix in order to create proton transport sites in PVDF matrix. It was found that addition of PMMA‐co‐PAMPS and PAN‐co‐PAMPS copolymers resulted in a significant increase in porosity, which favored the water uptake and proton transport at ambient temperature. Furthermore, crystallinity degree of the PVDF‐based blend membranes was increased by addition of the related copolymers, which is mainly attributed to formation of hydrogen bonding interaction between PVDF matrix and the synthesized copolymers, and led to a slight decrease in proton conductivity behavior of blend membranes. From impedance data, the proton conductivity of the PVDF/PMMA‐co‐PAMPS and PVDF/PAN‐co‐PAMPS blend membranes increases to 10 and 8.4 mS cm⁻¹ by adding only 50% of the related copolymer (at 25°C), respectively. Also, the blend membranes containing 30% sulfonated copolymers showed a power density as high as 34.30 and 30.10 mW cm⁻² at peak current density of 140 and 79.45 mA cm⁻² for the PVDF/PMMA‐co‐PAMPS and PVDF/PAN‐co‐PAMPS blend membranes, respectively. A reduction in the tensile strength was observed by the addition of amphiphilic copolymer, whereas the elongation at break of all blend membranes was raised.     

Morphologies and enzymatic degradability of melt-crystallized poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-Co-6-hydroxyhexanoic acid)

The films of poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-10mol% 6-hydroxy-hexanoic acid] (P[(R)-3HB-co-6HH]) were prepared by melt-crystallized method at various crystallization temperatures. The morphologies and properties of melt-crystallized films were characterized by means of x-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. All of the melt-crystallized films showed the banded spherulite morphology. The enzymatic degradation of melt-crystallized films was carried out at 37 °C in an aqueous solution (pH 7.4) of PHB depolymerase from Alcaligenes faecalis. The rate of enzymatic erosion was strongly dependent on the crystallinity of films, and the highest rate was as large as 2.15 mg·h⁻¹·cm⁻². After enzymatic degradation, the banded morphology of P[(R)-3HB-co-6HH] spherulites was visible, suggesting that PHB depolymerase predominantly hydrolyzes polymer chains on the edges of crystalline lamellar stacks.     

Ab initio MO and TST calculations for the rate constant of the HNO+NO2→HONO+NO reaction

Potential-energy surfaces for various channels of the HNO+NO₂ reaction have been studied at the G2M(RCC,MP2) level. The calculations show that direct hydrogen abstraction leading to the NO+cis-HONO products should be the most significant reaction mechanism. Based on TST calculations of the rate constant, this channel is predicted to have an activation energy of 6–7 kcal/mol and an A factor of ca. 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ at ambient temperature. Direct H-abstraction giving NO+trans-HONO has a high barrier on PES and the formation of trans-HONO would rather occur by the addition/1,3-H shift mechanism via the HN(O)NO₂ intermediate or by the secondary isomerization of cis-HONO. The formation of NO+HNO₂ can take place by direct hydrogen transfer with the barrier of ca. 3 kcal/mol higher than that for the NO+cis-HONO channel. The formation of HNO₂ by oxygen abstraction is predicted to be the least significant reaction channel. The rate constant calculated in the temperature range 300–5000 K for the lowest energy path producing NO+cis-HONO gave rise to © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 30: 729–736, 1998     

A kinked unit‐containing thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester with low glass transition temperature and broad phase transition temperature

A novel phosphorus‐containing thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester with kinked unit named as poly(hydroxybenzate‐co‐DOPO‐benzenediol dihydrodipheyl ether terephthalate) (PHDDT) was synthesized successfully by melting transesterification from terephthalic acid (TPA), p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (p‐ABH), 2‐(6‐oxid‐6H‐dibenz(c, e) (1,2) oxaphosphorin 6‐yl)1,4‐benzenediol (DOPO‐HQ), and 4,4′‐dihydroxydiphenyl ether (DOP). The chemical structure, the mesophase behavior, and the thermal properties of the copolyesters were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, polarizing light microscopy (PLM), differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Results suggested that PHDDTs exhibited the typical nematic mesophase that occurred at low temperatures and maintained in a broad temperature range from 230 °C to higher than 400 °C, and had low glass transition temperature ranging from 154.5 to 166.9 °C. The novel phosphorus‐containing thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester will have a potential application in preparing various in situ reinforced polymer materials with excellent mechanical properties and flame retardancy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4703–4709, 2009     

Polyurea microcapsules from isocyanatoethyl methacrylate copolymers

The synthesis of two types of isocyanate side chain containing copolymers, poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐isocyanatoethyl methacrylate) (P(MMA‐co‐IEM)) and poly(benzyl methacrylate‐co‐isocyanatoethyl methacrylate) (P(BnMA‐co‐IEM)), which were synthesized by Cu(0)‐mediated radical polymerization, is reported. Polymerization proceeded to high conversion giving polymers of relatively narrow molar mass distributions. The incorporation of the bulky aromatic groups in the latter copolymer rendered it sufficiently stable toward hydrolysis and enabled the isolation of the product and its characterization by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy and SEC. Both P(MMA‐co‐IEM) and P(BnMA‐co‐IEM) were functionalized with dibutylamine, octylamine, and (R)‐(+)‐α‐methylbenzyl‐amine, which further proved the successful incorporation of the isocyanate groups. Furthermore, P(BnMA‐co‐IEM) was used for the fabrication of liquid core microcapsules via oil‐in‐water interfacial polymerization with diethylenetriamine as crosslinker. The particles obtained were in the size range of 10–90 µm in diameter independent of the composition of copolymer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2698–2705     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(1-benzoylsemicarbazide) and poly(1,3,4-oxadiazole amine) from 2-(p-aminophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadizolin-5-one via ring-opening

A novel thermally stable and semiconducting polyheterocycle, poly(1,3,4-oxadiazole amine), was synthesized from 2-(p-aminophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-one via ring-opening. The polymer is a new class of ordered alternating copoly(aniline) containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole heterocyclic units. The polymer is highly thermally stable and exhibits no weight loss up to 370°C in air. Its electric conductivity is less than 10⁻¹⁰ S · cm⁻¹ at ambient temperature, but markedly increases to 6,5 · 10⁻⁷ S · cm⁻¹ upon doping with iodine.     

Synthesis and characterization of pH‐sensitive and thermosensitive double hydrophilic graft copolymers

A series of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐co‐poly(N^ε‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐lysine) graft copolymers (PNIPAm‐co‐PZLLys) with different side chains (degree of polymerization, DP = 5～40) and unit ratios (from 30 to 70 mol %) were prepared via free radical polymerization, followed by cleaving benzyloxycarbonyl groups (Z groups) to obtain the double hydrophilic graft copolymer, poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐co‐poly(L ‐lysine) (PNIPAm‐co‐PLLys). The pH‐ and temperature‐response properties of the graft copolymers in aqueous solution were studied. The experimental results indicate L15‐N30 and L15N‐70, that is, the PNIPAm‐co‐PLLys having the poly(L ‐lysine) of DP = 15 as side chains as well as 30 and 70 mol %, respectively, of PNIPAm as backbone, have coil‐to‐helix transitions from pH 6 to pH 12 at room temperature and form uniform nanoscale micelle‐like dispersions in aqueous solution at pH 12. The graft copolymers also could form uniform and nanoscale micelle‐like structures at 50 °C in pH 6 buffer solution due to slightly polymer aggregation. With temperature and pH increased, both the deprotonated PLLys side chains and PNIPAm backbone become hydrophobic, leading to polymer precipitation. These results illustrate that a double tunable hydrophilic graft copolymer had been successfully synthesized via a simple radical polymerization, and could form micelles without serious polymer aggregation at a lower pH and a higher temperature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Investigation of drug release and 1H‐NMR analysis of the in situ forming systems based on poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide)

In situ forming biodegradable polymeric systems loaded with betamethasone (BTM) and betamethasone acetate (BTMA) were prepared using poly(DL ‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA), ethyl heptanoate (EH), and N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) as the biodegradable polymer, additive, and solvent, respectively. The drug release studies were carried out in buffer (pH = 7.4, 37°C) using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). ¹H‐NMR was used to determine the polymer degradation behavior, release mechanism, and interactions between the polymer and drug. The ¹H‐NMR spectra showed that all interactions between the polymer and drug were hydrogen bonding. Hydroxyl groups and fluorine in drugs were involved in hydrogen bonding with PLGA polymer. In ¹H‐NMR studies, we found that the degradation rate in the systems loaded with BTMA was higher than the systems loaded with BTM because BTMA is only slightly soluble and accelerates the hydrolysis of PLGA chains. The formulations loaded with BTM had obviously lower burst release compared with BTMA loaded samples. With respect to ¹H‐NMR spectra, the mechanism of BTM release is controlled by two effective factors: solvent removal and polymer degradation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel silver‐loaded semi‐interpenetrating polymer network gel films with antibacterial activity

Novel semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (SIPNs) based on segmented polyurethane‐urea and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid‐co‐butylmethacrylate) (poly(NIPAM‐co‐AA‐BMA)) were synthesized for the fabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the SIPN system that could be useful for wound dressing applications. The obtained SIPN films, after neutralization, showed high swelling in aqueous environments and good mechanical properties in both dry and hydrated states. Analysis of the dried SIPN films by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic viscoelastic measurements revealed the presence of crosslinked copolymers as well as homopolymers in the SIPN system. The neutralized swollen SIPN film coordinated with the silver ions (Ag⁺) that were incorporated into it. AgNPs were subsequently formed by the reduction of Ag⁺. The formation of AgNPs was characterized by UV‐visible spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Bactericidal activity tests revealed a distinct zone of microbial inhibition within and around the silver‐doped SIPN films. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4950–4962, 2009     

One-Pot,Open-Air Synthesis of Flexible and Degradable Multifunctional Polymer Composites with Adhesion,Water Resistance,Self-Healing,Facile Drug Loading,and Sustained Release Properties

Developing proper wound management via wound dressings represents a global challenge. Ideal wound dressings shall encompass multiple integrated functionalities for variable, complex scenarios; however, this is challenging due to the complex molecular design and synthesis process. Herein, polymer composites, cross-linked poly(styrene oxide-co-hexaphenylcyclotrisiloxane)/crosslinked poly(hexaphenylcyclotrisiloxane) (cP(SO-co-HPCTS)/cPHPCTS) with multiple functionalities are prepared by a one-step, open-air method using catalytic ring-opening polymerization. The introduction of a mobile polymer cP(SO-co-HPCTS) endows the composite with good flexibility and self-healing properties at human body temperature. The hydrophobic groups in the main chain provide hydrophobicity and good water resistance, while the hydroxyl groups contained in the end groups enable good adhesion properties. Drugs can be efficiently loaded by blending and then sustainably release from the polymer composite. The material can rapidly degrade in a tetrahydrofuran solution of tetrabutylammonium fluoride due to its Si O Si bonds. The facile, one-step, open-air synthesis procedure and multiple functional properties integrated into the composites provide good prospects for their extensive application and batch production as wound dressing materials.     

A one-pot method for the preparation of latices of telechelic oligomers,by ozonolysis of latices of polymers containing main-chain unsaturation

Poly(methyl methacrylate-co-butadiene), Poly(butyl methacrylate-co-butadiene) and Poly(methyl methacrylate-co-2,3-dimethyl butadiene) latices (a.k.a. latexes) were prepared by monomer-starved emulsion polymerization. The polymerizations were followed by GPC. It was found that the molecular-weight distribution did not alter significantly with conversion if the polymerizations were carried out at a feed rate of 0.03 cm³ s⁻¹ per 1000 cm³ of reaction medium and a temperature of 70°C. Slower rates of monomer addition led to broadening of the molecular-weight distribution. The resultant latices were swollen with varying amounts of toluene. Ozonolysis of the swollen and nonswollen latices yielded latices of polymer ozonides. Oxidation, with selenium oxide/hydrogen peroxide reagent, converted the ozonides to latices of carboxylic acid or methyl ketone ended telechelic oligomers. It was found that the molecular weights of the oligomers were a function of toluene concentration. Colloidal stability was found to be a function of end-group structure. Thus, carboxylic acid end groups impart extra stability to the colloid while methyl ketone end groups do not. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 3255–3262, 1997     

A High-Performance n-Type Thermoelectric Polymer from C−H/C−H Oxidative Direct Arylation Polycondensation

n-Type conjugated polymers (CPs) are crucial in the applications of organic electronics. Direct coupling of electron-deficient C−H monomer via selective C−H activation, namely C−H/C−H oxidative direct arylation polycondensation (Oxi-DArP), is an ideal approach toward such CPs. Herein, Oxi-DArP is firstly adopted to synthesize a high-performance n-type CP using a newly developed monomer, i.e., 3,6-di(thiazol-5-yl)-diketopyrrolopyrrole (Tz-5-DPP). Tz-5-DPP based homopolymer PTz - 5 - DPP with a molecular weight of 22 kDa has been synthesized via Oxi-DArP. After n-doping, PTz - 5 - DPP films exhibited electric conductivity values up to 8 S cm⁻¹ and power factors (PFs) up to 106 μW m⁻¹ K⁻². Notably, this PF value is the highest for n-type polymer thermoelectric materials to date. The Oxi-DArP synthesis and the excellent n-type performance of the polymer make this work an important step toward the straightforward and sustainable preparation of high-performance n-type polymer semiconductors.     

K+‐Responsive Block Copolymer Micelles for Targeted Intracellular Drug Delivery

In this work, a novel type of block copolymer micelles with K⁺‐responsive characteristics for targeted intracellular drug delivery is developed. The proposed smart micelles are prepared by self‐assembly of poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(N‐isopropylacry‐lamide‐co‐benzo‐18‐crown‐6‐acrylamide) (PEG‐b‐P(NIPAM‐co‐B18C6Am)) block copolymers. Prednisolone acetate (PA) is successfully loaded into the micelles as the model drug, with loading content of 4.7 wt%. The PA‐loaded micelles display a significantly boosted drug release in simulated intracellular fluid with a high K⁺ concentration of 150 × 10⁻³m , as compared with that in simulated extracellular fluid. Moreover, the in vitro cell experiments indicate that the fluorescent molecules encapsulated in the micelles can be delivered and specifically released inside the HSC‐T6 and HepG2 cells responding to the increase of K⁺ concentration in intracellular compartments, which confirms the successful endocytosis and efficient K⁺‐induced intracellular release. Such K⁺‐responsive block copolymer micelles are highly potential as new‐generation of smart nanocarriers for targeted intracellular delivery of drugs.