Formation of high-stress phase and extrusion of polyethylene due to nanoconfinements during Ziegler-Natta polymerization inside nanochannels

Polyethylene nanofibers were synthesized by heterogeneous Ziegler-Natta polymerization inside nanochannels of robust anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes. The polymerization catalysts were chemisorbed at the inner wall of the nanochannels and monomers were provided through diffusion from the outside. Polyethylene is produced inside the nanochannels in the 10-20 mum region from the channel entrance. Polyethylene fibers were extruded from the nanochannels up to 3-5 mum during the polymerization. X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared analyses indicated formation of a highly stressed crystalline structure although the polymerization was carried out without any external pressure or mechanical work. The highly stressed phase formation inside nanochannels and some degree of polyethylene nanofiber extrusion from nanochannels were attributed to catalytic production of excess amounts of polyethylene inside nanoconfined templates.     

沉淀聚合法制备右旋邻氯扁桃酸分子印迹聚合物微球

以右旋邻氯扁桃酸为模板,丙烯酰胺、乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯分别为功能单体和交联剂,采用沉淀聚合法制备了分子印迹聚合物微球,讨论了反应介质用量、聚合温度、引发剂的种类和用量对印迹微球的影响。实验表明：分子印迹微球与传统本体聚合法制备的聚合物相比具有更高的特异识别能力,通过Scatchard分析研究了聚合物的选择结合性能,结果表明分子印迹聚合物微球在识别右旋邻氯扁桃酸分子的过程中存枉两类结合位点,而空白聚合物微球只存在一类结合位点。     

Preparation and application of hollow molecularly imprinted polymers with a super‐high selectivity to the template protein

Protein‐imprinted polymers with hollow cores that have a super‐high imprinting factor were prepared by etching the core of the surface‐imprinted polymers that used silica particles as the support. Lysozyme as template was modified onto the surface of silica particles by a covalent method, and after polymerization and the removal of template molecules, channels through the polymer layer were formed, which allowed a single‐protein molecule to come into the hollow core and attach to the binding sites inside the polymer layer. The adsorption experiments demonstrated that the hollow imprinted polymers had an extremely high binding capacity and selectivity, and thus a super‐high imprinting factor was obtained. The as‐prepared imprinted polymers were used to separate the template lysozyme from egg white successfully, indicating its high selectivity and potential application in the field of separation of protein from real samples.     

模板法制备枝状Pt纳米线

一维纳米材料的制备是近年来纳米材料的研究热点. 利用具有纳米尺度的孔洞阵列模板沉积各种材料构筑纳米线的方法具有制备简便和成本较低等优点[1,2]. 常用的模板有多孔阳极氧化铝(AAO)、多孔硅和聚合物等, 其中AAO模板具有耐高温, 绝缘性好, 孔洞分布均匀, 孔径、孔深大小可控等特点, 是模板法研究的热点. 通过模板法电化学沉积制备各种金属纳米线已有很多报道[3～8], 本研究小组也曾报道了模板法电化学沉积Au等纳米线的制备及性质[9～12], 但用该方法制备的金属纳米线都为单一的线状结构. 组成当代大规模集成电路的基本器件一般具有3个或3个以上的电极. 单一的线状结构纳米线, 不能满足纳米电子学对纳米材料和纳米器件性能研究的需要. 在纳米器件的特性研究和探索中, 枝状或Y形纳米结的制备有重要的意义, 它是纳米器件从理论到实用化的必备条件. Sui等[13]用模板法成功制备了枝状碳纳米管, 但用AAO模板制备枝状金属纳米线的研究至今还未见报道. 本文通过控制铝片的阳极氧化条件, 先制备出具有分枝状孔洞结构的AAO模板, 再用电化学法沉积金属Pt, 实现了枝状Pt纳米线的可控生长. 这对其它金属枝状纳米线的制备以及进一步掺杂、构筑纳米原型器件等具有显著的实用价值.     

Direct-write multiphoton photolithography: a systematic study of the etching behaviors in various commercial polymers

The nonlinear optical processes involved in etching thin polymer films by direct-write multiphoton photolithographic methods (Higgins et al. Appl. Phys. Lett. 2006, 88, 184101) are systematically explored. Power-dependent etching data are obtained for thin films of several commercial polymers, including poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA), and poly[2-(3-thienyl)ethyloxy-4-butylsulfonate] (PTEBS). Femtosecond pulses of light from a Ti:sapphire laser are focused to a diffraction limited spot of approximately 570 nm 1/e2 diameter in the films to induce etching. The power dependence of etching in each polymer is used to determine the order of the nonlinear optical process involved. The results for PMMA and PBMA, both of which absorb to the blue of 240 nm, demonstrate that etching involves absorption of several (i.e., 4-6) photons by the polymer, whereas PS, which absorbs wavelengths shorter than 280 nm, is etched by a lower-order process involving fewer (i.e., 3-4) photons. PTEBS, a conducting polymer that absorbs in the visible, is etched by a two-photon process. The results are consistent with an etching mechanism that involves multiphoton-induced depolymerization of the polymer, followed by vaporization of the resulting fragments. The etching resolution is found to be highest for polymers having high glass transition temperatures, low molecular weights, and no visible absorption. Among the polymers examined, low molecular weight PMMA is concluded to be the best polymer for use with this lithographic method. Finally, soft lithography is used to transfer patterns produced in a PMMA film onto poly(dimethylsiloxane), demonstrating a simple means for fabricating submicrometer-scale structures for use in micro- and nanofluidic devices.     

Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Particles by Suspension Polymerization in Silicon Oil

Molecular imprinting is a method to prepare polymers with recognition site of desired and predetermined selectivity1. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) are prepared by copolymerizing functional and cross-linking monomers in the presence of a molecular …     

Study of Photochemical Reactions of Coniferyl Alcohol. II. Comparative Structural Study of a Photochemical and Enzymatic Polymer of Coniferyl Alcohol

The structure of the polymer synthesized by UV irradiation of coniferyl alcohol was studied, using UV-visible, Raman, IR, H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. The photochemical polymer was compared with the structure of the polymer obtained by peroxidase-catalyzed polymerization of coniferyl alcohol. General similarity of the spectra of the two polymers was shown. However, differences in the fine structure of particular regions of the NMR spectra, as well as in certain bands in the Raman and IR spectra, could be explained through the various bond types and organization within the polymers. These results are consistent with molecular mass distribution of the polymers. Two fractions of enzymatic polymer correspond to the main two fractions of photochemical polymer. The later polymer has additional fractions that are probably the main reason for the observed spectral differences.     

Wafer-scale thin encapsulated two-dimensional nanochannels and its application toward visualization of single molecules

We present a new and simple approach to fabricate wafer-scale, thin encapsulated, two-dimensional nanochannels by using conventional surface-micromachining technology and thin-film evaporation. The key steps to the realization of two-dimensional nanochannels are a fine etching of a sacrificial layer to create underetching spaces at the nanometer regime, and an accurate thin-film evaporation for encapsulation. Well-defined cross-sectional, encapsulated nanochannel arrays with dimensions as small as 20 nm in both width and height have been realized at the wafer-scale. The fabricated nanochannels with a channel length of 10mm have been used as a suitable fluidic platform for confining a solution containing nanomolar concentrations of Alexa fluorescent molecules. Initial results toward visualization of single Alexa molecules in the confined solution are reported.     

Universal cyclic polymer templates

Two unique molecular templates for generating polymeric materials with a cyclic molecular architecture were developed by combining ring-expansion metathesis polymerization and click chemistry. These two universal cyclic polymers were used in three examples to demonstrate the wide range of potential materials enabled. They include functional cyclic polymers, cyclic polymer brushes, and cyclic gels.     

1-D nanochannels fabricated in polyimide

A simple method using spin-deposition and sacrificial layer etching is used to fabricate all-polyimide nanochannels (100 and 500 nm channel height). Channels are characterized using spontaneous capillary filling with water, ethanol and isopropanol, and with electroosmotic flow. The channels can be produced with simple cleanroom equipment, namely spinning and metal deposition facilities. Polyimide is an excellent material for micro- and nanofluidic channels due to its favourable electrical and mechanical properties and its biocompatibility.     

Use of high-molecular-mass polyacrylamides as matrices for microchip electrophoresis of DNA fragments

DNA fragment analysis requires the use of polymer solutions as sieving matrices. Generally, such matrices are constituted of high-molar-weight polymers employed at a concentration higher than their entanglement threshold concentration. These polymer solutions are highly viscous and difficult to use in the narrow channels of a microchip. Ultralarge polyacrylamides synthesized via a nonconventional method, being the low-temperature plasma-induced polymerization (PIP), were used as DNA sieving matrices for microchip electrophoresis. The distinctive features of these polymers (ultralarge molecular mass and linearity) allow their use at a dilute concentration. Dilute PIP polyacrylamides revealed a constant value of resolution in a broad range of DNA fragment sizes (123 bp-1353 bp), thus proving to be effective in common genotyping applications. Moreover, the low viscosity of the dilute solutions enable it to be easier and faster in filling the channel between runs, thus enhancing the throughput of the microchip devices.     

Liquid carbon dioxide as a solvent for the radiation polymerization of ethylene

The usefulness of liquid carbon dioxide as a solvent for polymerization of ethylene was studied. The effect of liquid carbon dioxide on the polymerization was investigated under conditions of the pressure of 400 kg./cm.² over the temperature range 20–45°C. by using γ-radiation and AIBN as initiators. The infrared spectrum of the polymers showed that carbon dioxide had little effect on the polymer structure. The polymers contained no combined carbon dioxide and only small amounts of vinylidene unsaturation. The methyl content of the polymers was 0.5–4.0 CH₃/1000C. The polymer yield and molecular weight were found to be decreased by the addition of carbon dioxide in both polymerization by γ-radiation and AIBN. The number of polymer molecules formed per unit time increased with the content of carbon dioxide in the γ-ray polymerization, and was constant in the case of AIBN. The advantages of the use of liquid carbon dioxide as a solvent in this polymerization were also considered from the viewpoints of the continuous process, the separation of polymer, the stability of carbon dioxide to radiation, and commercial applications.     

Unique behaviors of polymers having metalloporphyrin as their side chains

Several kinds of polymers having tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) or some metallotetraphenylporphyrin (AgTPP, CuTPP, VOTPP or ZnTPP) moieties as their side chains have been prepared by the radical polymerization of the corresponding vinyl monomers. Visible spectra of these polymers show the clear hypochromism in the Soret bands of the tetraphenylporphyrin moieties as compared with those of the corresponding monomers. Polymer effects were clearly observed in the magnetic behaviors and the oxygen adsorption of paramagnetic metalloporphyrin moieties. In addition, polymer effects on photophysical and photochemical behaviors of ZnTPP were found in the amphiphilic polymers covalently tethered with small amounts of ZnTPP and hydrophobic substituents above a critical content, which form hydrophobic domains due to aggregation of the hydrophobic groups in aqueous solution.     

Simple fabrication of hydrophilic nanochannels using the chemical bonding between activated ultrathin PDMS layer and cover glass by oxygen plasma

This study describes a simple and low cost method for fabricating enclosed transparent hydrophilic nanochannels by coating low-viscosity PDMS (monoglycidyl ether-terminated polydimethylsiloxane) as an adhesion layer onto the surface of the nanotrenches that are molded with a urethane-based UV-curable polymer, Norland Optical Adhesive (NOA 63). In detail, the nanotrenches made of NOA 63 were replicated from a Si master mold and coated with 6 nm thick layer of PDMS. These nanotrenches underwent an oxygen plasma treatment and finally were bound to a cover glass by chemical bonding between silanol and hydroxyl groups. Hydrophobic recovery that is observed in the bulk PDMS was not observed in the thin film of PDMS on the mold and the PDMS-coated nanochannel maintained its surface hydrophilicity for at least one month. The potentials of the nanochannels for bioapplications were demonstrated by stretching λ-DNA (48,502 bp) in the channels. Therefore, this fabrication approach provides a practical solution for the simple fabrication of the nanochannels for bioapplications.     

Clean up of phenylurea herbicides in plant sample extracts using molecularly imprinted polymers

Two different molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were prepared by precipitation polymerization using linuron or isoproturon (phenylurea herbicides) as templates and trifluormethacrylic acid as functional monomer. These materials were used as selective sorbents in the development of molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) procedures for the determination of several phenylurea herbicides (fenuron, metoxuron, chlortoluron, isoproturon, metobromuron, and linuron) in plant samples extracts. The MISPE procedures were fully optimized and applied to the clean up of selected phenylurea herbicides in carrot, potato, corn, and pea sample extracts and finally determined by HPLC-UV at 244 nm. Although a high degree of clean up was obtained, a decrease of the MIP recognition capabilities was observed in subsequent runs. Thus, a previous clean up protocol based on the use of a non-imprinted polymer was used to prevent the loss of MIP performance and to ease the removal of interferences. Following this procedure, namely two-step MISPE, matrix compounds were almost completely removed by the non-imprinted polymer retaining the ability of MIPs to selectively rebind target analytes unaltered. The developed MISPE procedures allowed the screening of phenylurea herbicides in plant samples at concentration levels required by established European maximum residue limits.     

Electric field control and analyte transport in Si/SiO2 fluidic nanochannels

This article presents an analysis of the electric field distribution and current transport in fluidic nanochannels fabricated by etching of a silicon chip. The channels were overcoated by a SiO2 layer. The analysis accounts for the current leaks across the SiO2 layer into the channel walls. Suitable voltage biasing of the Si substrate allows eliminating of the leaks or using them to modify the potential distribution of the fluid. Shaping the potential in the fluid can be utilized for solute focusing and separations in fluidic nanochannels.     

MOLECULAR DESIGN OF FUNCTIONAL POLYMERS BASED ON UNIQUE PROPERTIES OF POLYMER CHAINS

The inclusion complex formation of α-CD, β-CD, and γ-CD with various water-soluble polymers has beeninvestigated, and the relationship between the chain cross-sectional areas of the polymers and the diameters of the cavities ofcyclodextrins (molecular recognition) was found. Polyrotaxanes and tubular polymers were prepared on the basis ofmolecular recognition. Several kinds of polymers having tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) and paramagnetic metallotetraphenyl-porphyrin (AgTPP, CuTPP, VOTPP or ZnTPP) have been prepared by radical polymerization of the correspondingmonomers. Visible spectra of these polymers show hypochromism in the Sorer bands of TPP moieties as compared withthose of monomers. Polymer effects were observed in the magnetic behavior and oxygen adsorption of paramagneticmetallotetraphenylporphyrin moieties. Moreover, polymer effects on photophysical and photochemical behavior were foundin the amphiphilic polymers covalently tethered with small amounts of zinc(Ⅱ)-tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP).     

Small molecule self‐assembly in polymer matrices

Using small molecules in polymer matrices is common in applications such as (i) plasticizing polymers to modify the glass transition and mechanical properties and (ii) dispersion of photoactive or electroactive small molecules in polymer matrices in organic‐electronic devices Aggregation of these small molecules and phase separation leading to crystallization often cannot be morphologically controlled. If these are designed with self‐assembling codes such as hydrogen bonding or aromatic interactions, their phase separation behavior would be distinctly different. This review summarizes the studies on morphologies in such situations, such as (i) sub‐surface assembly in polymer matrices, (ii) controlled polymerization‐induced phase separation to create polymer blends, (iii) using the polymer to direct the assembly of small molecules in liquid crystalline devices, (iv) functionalizing a polymer with self‐assembling small molecules to cause organo‐gelation which the polymer itself would not by itself, and (v) using such systems as templates to create porous polymer structures. Organic–inorganic hybrids using polymers as templates for nanostructures and imprinted porous membranes is an emerging area. Since self‐assembly is one of the dominating area of research with respect to both small molecules, polymers as well as the combination of the two, this review summarizes the studies on the aforementioned topics. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018 , 56, 451–478     

Nanofluidic channels by anodic bonding of amorphous silicon to glass to study ion-accumulation and ion-depletion effect

A unique phenomenon, ion-enrichment and ion-depletion effect, exists in nanofluidic channels and is observed in amorphous silicon (α-Si) nanochannels as shallow as 50 nm. As a voltage is applied across a nanochannel, ions are rapidly enriched at one end and depleted at the other end of the nanochannel. α-Si is deposited on glass by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition and is selectively etched to form nanochannels. The depth of nanochannels is defined by the thickness of the α-Si layer. Low temperature anodic bonding of α-Si to glass was used to seal the channel with a second glass wafer. The strength of the anodic bond was optimized by the introduction of a silicon nitride adhesion promoting layer and double-sided bonding resulting from the electric field reversal. Completed channels, 50 nm in depth, 5 micron wide, and 1 mm long were completely and reliably sealed. Structures based on nanochannels 50-300 nm deep were successfully incorporated into nanofluidic devices to investigate ionic accumulation and depletion effect due to overlapping of electric double layer.     

聚苯乙烯-b-聚丙烯酸模板剂成核段长度对聚苯胺尺寸及性能的影响

以两亲性嵌段共聚物为模板是构筑导电聚合物纳米结构并对其形貌尺寸进行调控的有效方法之一。 嵌段共聚物成核段长度的变化对其胶束化行为有显著影响,进而也会改变受限于其胶束形貌的导电聚合物的形貌尺寸。 形貌尺寸的变化必然导致导电聚合物电化学性能变化。 本文欲通过嵌段共聚物模板诱导实现对聚苯胺(PANI)形貌尺寸的调控并使其电化学性能得到优化,采用可逆加成-断裂链转移自由基聚合(RAFT)法成功合成了嵌段共聚物聚苯乙烯-b-聚丙烯酸PS_x-b-PAA₇₀(x=38、64、101)并以其胶束为“模板”制备了窄相对分子质量分布的PANI。 在成核段(PS)长度较短时,模板诱导形成的棒状PANI颗粒,直径为100~200 nm。当 x=101时PANI呈现空间网状结构,其放电比容量高于其它样品,在电流密度为1 A/g时,其放电比容量可达386.71 F/g。