OPTIMIZATION OF THE SYNTHESIS OF ACRYLAMIDE HYDROGEL BY γ-RAY IRRADIATION

Hydrogels have been synthesized from 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% aqueous solutions of acrylamide monomer by gamma radiation employing doses in the range of 0.2-30 kGy from a Co-60 source. The effect of solution concentration, y-ray dose, pH and time was studied in order to observe the optimizing conditions in the characterization of hydrogels. Gel fraction increases with dose for all concentrations indicating hundred-percentage conversion of gel at doses ≥5 kGy for homogenous solutions in the range of 20%-50% concentration. On the other hand, 10% solution provides conversion less than 86% even at 30 kGy, whereas 60% monomer makes an inhomogeneous solution which stile gives about 100% gel fraction. Swelling of hydrogels under water with respect to time varies with both the doses and concentrations due to the change of crosslinking density in the gels. The maximum volume change of hydrogels during swelling and water desorption mainly occurs within 24 h. Swelling is also enhanced with the rise of pH due to change of ionic content of the solvent. Considering the amount of gel fraction and the properties of hydrogel, the samples prepared from 20% solution at 5 kGy show better results. Moreover, the effect of bacteria on hydrogel was found to be nil, suggesting a prohibition of growth of microorganism in it.     

OPTIMIZATION OF THE SYNTHESIS OF ACRYLAMIDE HYDROGEL BY γ-RAY IRRADIATION

Hydrogels have been synthesized from 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% aqueous solutions of acrylamide monomer by gamma radiation employing doses in the range of 0.2-30 kGy from a Co-60 source. The effect of solution concentration, γ-ray dose, pH and time was studied in order to observe the optimizing conditions in the characterization of hydrogels. Gel fraction increases with dose for all concentrations indicating hundred-percentage conversion of gel at doses ≥5 kGy for homogenous solutions in the range of 20%-50% concentration. On the other hand, 10% solution provides conversion less than 86% even at 30 kGy, whereas 60% monomer makes an inhomogeneous solution which stile gives about 100% gel fraction. Swelling of hydrogels under water with respect to time varies with both the doses and concentrations due to the change of crosslinking density in the gels. The maximum volume change of hydrogels during swelling and water desorption mainly occurs within 24 h. Swelling is also enhanced with the rise of pH due to change of ionic content of the solvent. Considering the amount of gel fraction and the properties of hydrogel, the samples prepared from 20% solution at 5kGy show better results. Moreover, the effect of bacteria on hydrogel was found to be nil, suggesting a prohibition of growth of microorganism in it.     

Radiation chemical synthesis of polyethylene oxide hydrogel containing DCH18C6 crown ether: A new approach

Polyethylene oxide hydrogels containing physically immobilized dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 were prepared by radiation chemical synthesis. Doses of gel formation were found to depend on the molecular weight of the polyethylene oxide and were about 20 and 4 kGy for M_w of 10⁵ and 3·10⁶, respectively. An increase in the crown ether concentration resulted in the decrease of the efficiency of hydrogel formation, whereas the effect of polymer concentration was less pronounced. It was found that dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 immobilized in the PEO hydrogel showed relatively high resistance toward washout in aqueous media.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Influence of electron beam irradiation on physicochemical properties of poly(trimethylene carbonate)

Electron beam (EB) irradiation of poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC), an amorphous, biodegradable polymer used in the field of biomaterials, results in predominant cross-linking and finally in the formation of gel fraction, thus enabling modification of physicochemical properties of this material without significant changes in its chemical structure. PTMC films (M_w: 167-553 kg mol⁻¹) were irradiated with different doses using an electron accelerator. Irradiation with a standard sterilization dose of 25 kGy caused neither significant changes in the chemical composition of the polymer nor significant deterioration of its mechanical properties. Changes in viscosity-, number-, weight-, and z-average molecular weights of PTMC for doses lower than the gelation dose (D_g) as well as gel-sol analysis and swelling tests for doses above D_g indicate domination of cross-linking over degradation. EB irradiation can be considered as an effective tool for increasing the average molecular weight of PTMC and sterilization of PTMC-based biomaterials.     

Polymer degradation during radiation-induced emulsion polymerization of styrene

Styrene was polymerized in emulsion with initiation by γ-rays at a dose rate of 0.6 Mrad/hr. Polymerization rates were as expected from previous reports by others. No branching or crosslinking was detectable, and the M _w/M _n ratio of the polystyrene did not change significantly during the course of the polymerization reaction. The molecular weight of the product polymer decreased with increasing conversion, in contrast to the behavior of chemically initiated emulsion polymerizations. Monomer-free polystyrene does not degrade under the same radiation conditions, and the progressive decrease of polymer molecular weight with conversion is shown to result from the presence of monomer.     

RAFT Polymerization of Styrene in the Presence of 2‐Nonyl‐benzoimidazole‐1‐carbodithioic Acid Benzyl Ester

A novel dithiocarbamate, 2‐nonyl‐benzoimidazole‐1‐carbodithioic acid benzyl ester ( 1a ), was synthesized and successfully used in RAFT polymerization of styrene in bulk with thermal initiation. The effect of molar ratio of styrene to RAFT agent on the polymerization was investigated. The linear relationship between ln([M]₀/[M]) and polymerization time indicated that the polymerization was first‐order with respect to monomer concentration. The molecular weights increased linearly with monomer conversion and were close to corresponding theoretical values. The molecular weight distributions (M _w /M _n ) kept very narrow (M _w /M _n <1.1) at a wide range of conversions of 14.2% to 73.3%. The obtained polymer had a strong ultraviolet absorption at 329 nm, which indicated that the 1a moiety remained at the end of polymer chain.     

CHEMOENZYMATIC SYNTHESIS OF BIODEGRADABLE POLY(1’-O-VINYLADIPOYL-SUCROSE)

t A novel polymer containing the sucrose group was synthesized by radical polymerization from an enzymaticallyprepared monomer, l'-O-vinyledipoyl-sucrose (VAS). Transesterification reaction of sucrose with divinyl adipate inanhydrous pyridine catalyzed by an alkaline protease from Bacillus subtilis at 60℃ for 7 days gave VAS (yield 55%) withoutany blocking/deblocking steps. The vinyl sucrose ester could be polymerized with potassium persulfate and H_2O_2 as initiatorto give poly(l'-O-vinyladipoyl-sucrose) with M_n = 33,000 and M_w = 53,200, M_w/M_n = 1.61. The polymer was biodegradable.After 6 days in aqueous buffer (pH 7), this alkaline protease could degrade poly(l'-O-vinyladipoyl-sucrose) to M_n of ca.1080, M_w/M_n = 3.30 (37℃), and M_n of ca. 5200, M_w/M_n = 2.44 (4℃). The polymer containing the sucrose branch would be afunctional material in various application fields.     

Kinetics of high-intensity electron-beam copolymerization of a divinyl urethane and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate

The kinetics of the electron-beam-induced copolymerization of di(2′-methacryloxyethyl)-4-methyl-m-phenylenediurethane (DVU) with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were studied. Monomer mixtures containing 1.96–82.8% DVU have been described at dose rates of 1.7–17 Mrad/sec with the use of 270-kV electrons. Based on rates of conversion, gel formation, and intensity-rate data, a kinetic scheme is proposed in accord with a model which undergoes unimolecular termination and for which the copolymerization and gel formation take place in a crosslinked network swollen with monomers. The rate of gel formation is: In[(1 + g)/(1 ? M₂g)] = A (1 + M₂)t, where g is the gel fraction, M₂ is the mole fraction of DVU in the monomer charge, and A is k_pk_i/k_t. Up to 55% conversion, the rate of disappearance of unsaturation for concentrated DVU solutions (M₂ > 0.03) is: In[M_o/M(1 ? M₂g)] = A (1 + M₂t), where M is the total unsaturation. For dilute solutions of DVU, the rate expression for pregel copolymerization simplifies to: In(M_o/M) = A (1 + M₂)t. These results show that at a certain optimum concentration of monovinyl monomer—70% in the present system—both rapid reaction rates and complete copolymerization occur. Because of the inability of gel bonds to undergo polymerization, a limiting conversion is reached for copolymerizing mixtures containing insufficient monovinyl monomer.     

“LIVING”/CONTROLLED RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF ETHYL METHYLACRYLATE WITH 2,2’-AZOBISISOBUTYRONITRILE/FERRIC CHLORIDE/TRIPHENYLPHOSPHINE INITIATION SYSTEM

"Living"/controlled radical polymerization of ethyl methacrylate (EMA) was carried out with a 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)/ferric chloride (FeCl_3)/triphenylphosphine (PPh_3) initiation system at 85℃. Thc numberaverage molecular weight (M_n) increases linearly with monomer conversion and the rate of polymerization is first order withrespect to monomer concentration. The M_w of PEMA ranges from 3900 to 17600 and the polydispersity indices are quitenarrow (1.09～1.22). The conversion can reach up to～100% and M_w of the polymers obtained is close to that designed. Thepolymerization mechanism belongs to the reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The polymer was end-functionalized by chlorine atom, which acts as a macroinitiator to proceed extension polymerization in the presence ofCuBr/bipy catalyst system via an ATRP process. The presence of ω-chlorine in the PEMA obtained was identified by ~1H-NMR spectrum.     

Cationic ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐thionocaprolactone: Selective formation of polythioester

Cationic ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐thionocaprolactone was examined. The corresponding polythioester with the number‐average molecular weight (M_n ) of 57,000 was obtained in the polymerization with 1 mol % of BF₃ · OEt₂ as an initiator in CH₂Cl₂ at 28 °C for 5 h with quantitative monomer conversion. The M_n of the polymer increased with the solvent polarity and monomer‐to‐initiator ratio. No polymerization took place below −30 °C, and the monomer conversion and M_n of the polymer increased with the temperature in the range of −15 to 28 °C. The increase of initial monomer concentration was effective to improve the monomer conversion and the M_n of the obtained polymer. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4057–4061, 2000     

A Study of the Molecular Weight Distribution of Poly(Amino Acid)s Synthesized by Diphenyl Phosphoryl Azide

Abstract

Direct polycondensations of β-benzyl-l-aspartate (Asp.Bz) and β-benzyl-l-glutamate (Glu.Bz) were carried out in the presence of diphenyl phosphoryl azide (DPPA) as a condensation agent and triethyl amine (TEA). Poly(amino acid)s were obtained by this convenient approach whose structure was confirmed by IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The effects of the monomer concentration, the polymerization time and temperature, the ratios [DPPA]/[monomer] and [TEA]/[monomer], and the solvent used on the molecular weight distribution of the polymer were studied. When the monomer concentrations were higher than 0.2 g/mL, poly(Asp.Bz) with a bimodal molecular weight distribution was obtained (M_w of 37,000 and M_w/M_n of 1.68). The polycondensations carried out in THF or in bulk provided the highest molecular weight (M_w ? 40,000). Several other amino acids were also polymerized by DPPA.     

Intramolecular cyclization in the polymerization of ABx monomers: Approaches to the control of molecular weight and polydispersity in hyperbranched poly(siloxysilane)

Different approaches to control the molecular weight of hyperbranched poly(siloxysilane) have been explored. Because the intramolecular hydrosilylation competitively consumes the vinyl groups of the monomer and other oligomeric intermediates, the conventional single-batch bulk process generally affords polymer with a relatively low molecular weight (M_w = 5000) in ca. 60% yield. We have developed a progressive slow addition process that effectively increases the molecular weight of the final polymers and improves preparation yield by reducing the occurrence of cyclization. Using this gradual growth method, polymers with molecular weights in the range of 6–86,000 (M_w) and polydispersities in the range 2–15 were easily obtained in yields of ca. 70–80%. More importantly, both the molecular weight and the polydispersity could be controlled by changing the rate of addition or the amount of monomer fed. The slower the addition, or the larger the amount of monomer added, the higher the molecular weight and polydispersity of the resulting polymer. In seeded polymerizations, a similar trend was observed with a maximum M_w near 84,000 and a yield of 80%, values that are very significantly higher than those obtained by the single batch process described earlier. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3193–3201, 1999     

Manipulation of chain transfer agent and cross-linker concentration to modify latex micro-structure for pressure-sensitive adhesives

N-Dodecyl mercaptan (NDM) chain transfer agent and allyl methacrylate (AMA) cross-linker were used to manipulate latex properties in a starved seeded semi-batch emulsion polymerization of butyl acrylate (BA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) or with a third monomer, acrylic acid (AA). Latexes with higher gel content and lower sol polymer molecular weight (M_w) were produced by adding only AMA. On the other hand, latexes with lower gel content and M_w were produced by adding only NDM. In addition, at a constant AMA concentration (0.2 phm), the addition of NDM (0.2 phm) decreased gel content, increased molecular weight between cross-linking points (M_c), and decreased M_w. Adding more NDM (to a total of 0.4 phm) further decreased the gel content, while decreasing the tested M_c and increasing M_w. It was also found that using higher concentrations of both AMA and NDM could produce latex with similar gel content, but smaller M_c and M_w, compared to the latex produced at lower concentrations of both NDM and AMA. Regarding the influence of AA, gel content was increased and M_w was significantly decreased with an increase in AA concentration and a decrease in MMA concentration. The performance of the latexes was evaluated for application as a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA).     

STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF TWO BPO/AMINE INITIATION SYSTEMS ON THE FREE-RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF MMA USED IN DENTAL RESINS AND BONE CEMENTS

ABSTRACT

The kinetics of the free radical bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was studied by DSC, using the benzoyl peroxide (BPO)/amine initiation system. N,N dimethyl-4-aminophenethyl alcohol (DMPOH), which is a newly synthesized and used amine in the preparation of acrylic dental resins and bone cements was examined, and the results compared to the most commonly used in these applications amine, the N,N dimethyl-p-toluidine (DMT). For both amines, the effect of the molar ratio of BPO/amine and of the reaction temperature, on the polymerization kinetics was investigated. The prepared polymers were characterized by determination of the average molecular weights (M¯ _n and M¯ _w ) and molecular weights distribution (M¯ _w /M¯ _n ) using Gel Permeation Chromatography. DMPOH was found to lead in slightly higher polymerization rates, lower gel times and lower molecular weights than DMT. The values of these parameters for both amines were influenced by the molar ratio of BPO to amine, when the product of the concentrations of these was kept constant. The highest polymerization rate occurred in the lowest gel time, resulting in polymers with the lowest molecular weight, and was observed when a molar ratio of about 1.5 BPO/amine was used. However, the final monomer conversion was found to be independent of the molar ratio and amine used. The activation energy of polymerization was found to be 51.8 kJ/mol K for BPO/DMPOH and 47.1 kJ/mol K for BPO/DMT.     

The electrochemical preparation of soluble electrically conducting polymers of 3-methoxythiophene with narrow distributions of molecular weight

Solutions of 3-methoxythiophene (MeOT) in dimethylformamide (DMF) were electrolyzed at controlled electrode potentials. The polymerizations were studied under homogeneous conditions in solutions in which the polymer was soluble in the medium, and no coating of the electrodes occurred. The reaction proceeded at high coulombic efficiency and a first order dependence on monomer concentration was observed. The molecular weights of the polymers were determined by gel permeation chromatography. All samples showed a narrow distribution of molecular weights, with M_w/M_n ranging from 1.01 to 1.07. The molecular weight was low (about 3000 Daltons) and did not change in magnitude during the course of the reaction from 10 to 86% conversion, or with change in electrode potential from 1.55 to 1.65 V vs. SCE. The data are interpreted on a model based upon the competitive formation of chemically unreactive bipolarons.     

Precision synthesis of (1→6)-α-D-glucopyranan by cationic ring-opening polymerization of 1,6-anhydro-2,3,4-tri-O-allyl-β-D-glucopyranose

The ring-opening polymerization of 1,6-anhydro-2,3,4-tri-O-allyl-β-D-glucopyranose ( 2 ) has been carried out using various cationic initiators. For the condition of [ 2 ]/[BF₃·OEt₂] = 20 at −15°C for 90 h, the polymer yield, M_w and M_w/M_n of the polymer obtained were 79%, 215,600 and 3.45, respectively. In order to study the living characteristic of the polymerization of 2 , the cationic ring-opening bulk polymerization initiated by trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) was carried out under the condition of [ 2 ]/[TMSOTf] = 1000 at −15 °C. The M_w value increased in proportion to conversion until c.a. 30% and below. The M_w/M_ns of resulting polymers were very narrow, e.g., the M_w/M_n value was 1.2 and below, which was smaller than that for the solution polymerization using BF₃·OEt₂. These results indicated that the ring-opening bulk polymerization of 2 using TMSOTf was living-like.     

Preparation of monodisperse hydrophilic polyamide by anionic polymerization of bicyclic oxalactam

The preparation of a monodisperse hydrophilic polyamide was achieved in the anionic polymerization of a bicyclic oxalactam, 8-oxa-6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-7-one (abbreviated BOL) with the use of N-benzoyl BOL and potassium pyrrolidonate (2 and 0.5 mol % to BOL, respectively) in dimethyl sulfoxide at 25°C. The number-average molecular weight of the polyamide increased in direct proportion to the monomer conversion, and was consistent with the value calculated from the amounts of the consumed monomer and activator. The molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the polyamide obtained until the middle stage of polymerization (polymerization time, < 10 min; monomer conversion, < 60%) was found to be narrow (M_w/M_n = 1.1). The MWD was gradually broadened in the later stage of the polymerization, which may result from the redistribution of molecular weight of the resulting polyamide not only by the polymerization–depolymerization equilibrium, but also by transamidation between polymer chains.     

Randomly branched bisphenol A polycarbonates. I. Molecular weight distribution modeling,interfacial synthesis,and characterization

Randomly branched bisphenol A polycarbonates (PCs) were prepared by interfacial polymerization methods to explore the limits of gel‐free compositions available by the adjustment of various composition and process variables. A molecular weight distribution (MWD) model was devised to predict the MWD, G, and weight‐average molecular weight per arm (M_w /arm) values based on the composition variables. The amounts of the monomer, branching agent, and chain terminator must be adjusted such that the weight‐average functionality of the phenolic monomers (F_OH ) was less than 2 to preclude gel formation in both the long‐ and short‐chain branched (SCB) PCs. Several series of SCB and long‐chain branched PCs were prepared, and those lacking gels showed molecular weights measured by gel permeation chromatography–UV and gel permeation chromatography–LS consistent with model calculations. In SCB PCs, the minimum M_w /arm that could be realized without gel formation depended on both composition (molecular weight, terminator type) and process (terminator addition point, coupling catalyst) variables. The minimum M_w /arm achieved in the low molecular weight series studied ranged from ∼3300 to ∼1000. The use of long chain alkyl phenol terminators gave branched PCs with lower glass‐transition temperatures but a higher gel‐free minimum M_w /arm. SCB PCs where M_w /arm was less than ∼M_c spontaneously cracked after compression molding, a result attributed to their lack of polymer chain entanglements. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 560–570, 2000     

Titanium complexes of dialkanolamine ligands as initiators for living ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone

The titanium complexes with one ( 1a , 1b , 1c ) and two ( 2a , 2b ) dialkanolamine ligands were used as initiators in the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone. Titanocanes 1a and 1b initiated living ROP of ε‐caprolactone affording polymers whose number‐average molecular weights (M_n) increased in direct proportion to monomer conversion (M_n ≤ 30,000 g mol^?1) in agreement with calculated values, and were inversely proportional to initiator concentration, while the molecular weight distribution stayed narrow throughout the polymerization (M_w/M_n ≤ 1.2 up to 80% monomer conversion). ¹H‐NMR and MALDI‐TOF‐MS studies of the obtained poly(ε‐caprolactone)s revealed the presence of an isopropoxy group originated from the initiator at the polymer termini, indicating that the polymerization takes place exclusively at the Ti–OⁱPr bond of the catalyst. The higher molecular weight polymers (M_n ≤ 70,000 g mol^?1) with reasonable MWD (M_w/M_n ≤ 1.6) were synthesized by living ROP of ε‐caprolactone using spirobititanocanes ( 2a , 2b ) and titanocane 1c as initiators. The latter catalysts, according MALDI‐TOF‐MS data, afford poly(ε‐caprolactone)s with almost equal content of α,ω‐dihydroxyl‐ and α‐hydroxyl‐ω(carboxylic acid)‐terminated chains arising due to monomer insertion into “Ti–O” bond of dialkanolamine ligand and from initiation via traces of water, respectively. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1230–1240, 2010     

Kinetics and Mechanism Comparison between Cr/Ti‐Based Bimetallic and Ti‐Based Monometallic Catalysts for Ethylene Polymerization

Two (SiO₂/MgR₂/MgCl₂)·TiCl_x model catalysts are made by refluxing TiCl₄ with 0.35 wt% Cr modified silica gel/alkyl Mg adducts or silica gel/alkyl Mg adducts, which are named as Cr/Ti‐based bimetallic Cat‐1 and Ti‐based monometallic Cat‐2, respectively. The kinetics, active center counting, morphology, and polymer characterizations are studied to disclose the effect of low loading Cr active sites on the Cr/Ti‐based bimetallic Cat‐1 polymerization under mild conditions. The activity of Cat‐1 is 120.4% higher than that of Cat‐2, with a 114.1% higher [C*]/[M] value. Morphology results show the Cat‐1 fragmentation in the first 3 min is highly accelerated, which helps to release buried clustered Ti sites. Differential scanning calorimetry results show that low‐temperature heat absorbing shoulder of polyethylene (PE) from Cat‐2 demonstrates the signal of low crystallinity polymer made by Cat‐2 during the first 60 s, verifying the fluffy polymer in morphology results. GPC results show PE from Cat‐1 has a higher M_w in the first 3 min while a lower M_w in the end. The Cat‐1, which release active sites faster, has a high M_w in the early time. Lower M_w in the 900 s attributes to the effect of relative lower M_w polymer made by Cr sites, compared with Cat‐2.