Behavior of a polymer chain immersed in a binary mixture of solvents

The behavior of a polymer chain immersed in a binary solvent mixture is investigated via a single-polymer simulation using an effective Hamiltonian, where the solvent effects are taken into account through a density-functional theory for polymer-solvent admixtures. The liquid-liquid phase separation of the binary solvent mixture is modeled as that of a Lennard-Jones binary fluid mixture with weakly attractive interactions between the different components. Two types of energetic preferences of the polymer chain for the better solvent-(A) no preferential solvophilicity and (B) strong preferential solvophilicity-are employed as polymer-solvent interaction models. The radius of gyration and the polymer-solvent radial distribution functions are determined from the simulations of various molar fractions along an isotherm slightly above the critical temperature of the liquid-liquid phase separation. These quantities near the critical point conspicuously depend on the strength of the preferential solvophilicity. In the case where the polymer exhibits a strong preferential solvophilicity, a remarkable expansion of the polymer chain is observed near the critical point. On the other hand, in the case where the polymer has no preferential solvophilicity, no characteristic variation of the polymer conformation is observed even near the critical point. These results indicate that the expansion of a polymer chain enhances the local phase separation around it, acting as a nucleus of demixing in the vicinity of the critical point. This phenomenon in binary solvents near the liquid-liquid critical point is similar to the expansion of the polymer chain in one-component supercritical solvents near the liquid-vapor critical point, which we have reported [T. Sumi and H. Sekino J. Chem. Phys. 122, 194910 (2005)].     

Complex macromolecular dynamics:: I. Estimation technique for time-resolved emission anisotropy ratio of chromophores incorporated into polymer chains

Time-resolved fluorescence emission anisotropy ratios of carbazolyl groups incorporated into polystyrene chains in polyethyleneoxide(PEO)/1,2-dichloroethane mixtures have been measured by the single photon counting method. The fluorescence depolarization method is very excellent to clarify various dynamical modes of polymer chains, and many theoretical and experimental researches have so far been reported in the field of polymer chain dynamics. However there are few reports about the dynamics on the polymer side chain, because the dynamical mechanism of the polymer side chain is very complicated. In this report we tried to analyze the dynamical modes of the polymer side chains by the fluorescence depolarization method. Five dynamical modes of a polymer chain based on the Wöessner model were estimated by our original analytical technique `χ²-map method'. The value of each mode of a polymer side chain was discussed above the overlap concentration (C^*) of PEO and the micro-environments were clarified in the vicinity of the chromophore attached to the polymer side chain.     

Critical polymer-polymer phase separation in ternary solutions

We study polymer-polymer phase separation in a common good solvent by means of Monte Carlo simulations of the bond-fluctuation model. Below a critical, chain-length-dependent concentration, no phase separation occurs. For higher concentrations, the critical demixing temperature scales nonlinearly with the total monomer concentration, with a power law relatively close to a renormalization-group prediction based on "blob" scaling arguments. We point out that earlier simulations and experiments have tested this power-law dependence at concentrations outside the validity regime of the scaling arguments. The critical amplitudes of the order parameter and the zero-angle scattering intensity also exhibit chain-length dependences that differ from the conventional predictions but are in excellent agreement with the renormalization-group results. In addition, we characterize the variation of the average coil shape upon phase separation.     

Photoconductivity of poly(N-acryloylcarbazole)

The photoconductivity of poly(N-acryloylcarbazole) (PACz), with the pendant carbazolyl group only a short distance from the skeletal chain of the polymer but separated from it by a carbonyl group, is investigated and compared with that of poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVCz). There is no significant difference between PACz and PVCz in the temperature, light intensity, and spectral dependences of the photocurrent. The photoconductivity of PACz, however, is much inferior to that of PVCz and even to that of poly(N-carbazolylethylvinylether), a representative vinyl polymer with pendant carbazolyl groups far from the skeletal chain. The poor photoconductivity of PACz is discussed in relation to the intensity of the electronic interaction between neighboring carbazolyl groups in the polymer chain and to singlet exciton migration. It is attributed mainly to an extremely low efficiency of extrinsic carrier generation via a singlet exciton, which is due to the poor electron-donating character and the extremely short lifetime of a singlet exciton in the presence of the carbonyl group.     

具有温度敏感和荧光特性的侧链查尔酮共聚物的研究

采用2,2′-偶氮二异丁腈作为引发剂,将N-异丙基丙烯酰胺和4-甲基丙烯酰氧基-4′-二甲氨基查尔酮单体,在四氢呋喃溶剂中通过自由基共聚制备了一系列具有溶剂和温度双重敏感荧光特性的侧链查尔酮共聚物,并通过红外光谱、核磁共振氢谱和紫外-可见光谱对其结构进行表征,通过吸光度法测定了共聚物中查尔酮单元的含量.研究了侧链查尔酮共聚物的温敏性以及溶剂极性和温度双重敏感的荧光特性.结果表明,侧链查尔酮共聚物是一类具有最低临界溶解温度(LCST)的温敏性聚合物,其LCST温度随着共聚物中查尔酮含量的增加而降低;随着溶剂极性的增加,侧链查尔酮共聚物的紫外-可见最大吸收波长红移,其荧光发光波长红移并且发光强度先增强后降低,具有溶剂极性敏感的荧光特性;同时对比侧链查尔酮共聚物水溶液低温和高温下的荧光,发现低温下几乎无荧光,高温下其荧光得到明显增强,其荧光具有可逆的温度"开/关"特性。     

Lattice cluster theory of associating polymers. IV. Phase behavior of telechelic polymer solutions

The newly developed lattice cluster theory (in Paper I) for the thermodynamics of solutions of telechelic polymers is used to examine the phase behavior of these complex fluids when effective polymer-solvent interactions are unfavorable. The telechelics are modeled as linear, fully flexible, polymer chains with mono-functional stickers at the two chain ends, and these chains are assumed to self-assemble upon cooling. Phase separation is generated through the interplay of self-assembly and polymer/solvent interactions that leads to an upper critical solution temperature phase separation. The variations of the boundaries for phase stability and the critical temperature and composition are analyzed in detail as functions of the number M of united atom groups in a telechelic chain and the microscopic nearest neighbor interaction energy ε(s) driving the self-assembly. The coupling between self-assembly and unfavorable polymer/solvent interactions produces a wide variety of nontrivial patterns of phase behavior, including an enhancement of miscibility accompanying the increase of the molar mass of the telechelics under certain circumstances. Special attention is devoted to understanding this unusual trend in miscibility.     

A novel solvent dipole-induced rotational isomerism of 1-hxdroxy-2-pyridone in the excited singlet state

The title compound shows dual fluorescence depending on polarity of the solvent used. The fluorescence in the nonpolar solvent, cyclohexane, has a maximuni at 370 nm, while the fluorescence in the polar solvent, methanol, has a maximum at 400nm. The short and long wavelength fluorescences were assigned to the syn and anti conformers, respectively. From these observations one is allowed to conclude that a novel solvent dipole-induced rotational isomerism takes place in the excited singlet state.     

On the nature of phase separation of polymer solutions at high extension rates

Experiments with stretching moderately concentrated polymer solutions have been carried out. Model experiments were carried out for poly(acrylonitrile) solutions in dimethyl siloxane. Just the choice of concentrated solutions allowed for a clear demonstration of a demixing effect with the formation of two separate phases—an oriented polymer fiber and solvent drops sitting on its surface. An original experimental device for following all subsequent stages in the demixing process was built. It combined two light beams, one transverse to the fiber and a second directed along (inside) the fiber, the latter played the role of an optical line. This gives a unique opportunity to observe processes occurring inside a fiber. The process of demixing starts from the volume phase separation across the whole cross section of a fiber at some critical deformation and the propagation of the front of demixing along the fiber. Then a solvent cylindrical skin appears which transforms into a system of separate droplets. New experimental data are discussed based on a comparison of the current different points of view on the phenomenon of deformation‐induced phase separation: thermodynamic shift of the equilibrium phase transition temperature, growth of stress‐induced concentration fluctuations in two‐component fluids, and mechanically pressing a solvent out from a polymer network. The general belief is that a rather specific (so‐called “beads‐on‐a‐string”) structure of a filament is realized in stretching dilute solutions: beads of a polymer solution connected by oriented polymer bridges forming a single object. The situation in stretching moderately concentrated solutions appears quite different: real phase separation was observed. So, the alternative phenomenon to the formation of the “beads‐on‐a‐string” structure has been experimentally proven. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 559–565     

Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy for illuminating complex systems

Over the years, the emissive characteristics (spectral, temporal, and polarization) of fluorophores have been widely used to probe a wide variety of systems. Fluorescence lifetime and rotational reorientation time measurements, in particular, offer a means to elucidate key details about complex systems. Further, because fluorescence occurs on the nanosecond (10⁻⁹ s) timescale, competing or perturbing kinetic processes like collisional quenching, solvent relaxation, energy transfer, and rotational reorientation can affect the fluorescence and hence be quantified. Thus, a carefully chosen and “placed” fluorophore can serve as an reporter on a wide range of nanosecond or faster events. This contribution is divided into three sections. The Theory section discusses time-resolved anisotropy and intensity decay kinetics (time and frequency domains), pump–probe spectroscopy, and up-conversion. The second section describes time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) and multifrequency phase-modulation fluorescence instruments. The final section is divided into subsections on the use of time-resolved fluorescence: (1) to study solvation dynamics, biochemical systems, polymer photophysics, and organized media; (2) as a tool in the separation sciences, microscopy, and sensing; and (3) coupled with multiphoton excitation strategies.     

具有不同长度间隔基的含联苯基团的侧链液晶聚炔的荧光行为(英文)

对一系列具有不同长度间隔基的含联苯基团的侧链液晶聚炔的稳态荧光和荧光衰减行为进行了研究.为便于比较,选取其中一个单体作为模型化合物.稳态荧光光谱结果表明,聚合物和单体均显示一个荧光发射,该荧光发射来源于聚合物侧链的联苯基团.随着间隔基长度的减小,聚合物的荧光强度降低.荧光衰减结果表明单体的荧光衰减可以拟合为一个单指数衰减,而聚合物的荧光衰减拟合为三指数衰减.这种三指数衰减可能由溶液局部高浓度引起的猝灭和侧链联苯基团的旋转受阻所引起.溶剂效应表明,溶剂与联苯基团之间的相互作用随溶剂极性增加而增大.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(ether-block-amide) Membranes

Poly(ether-block-amide) membranes were made via casting a solution on a nonsolvent (water) surface. In this research, effects of different parameters such as ratio of solvent mixture (n-butanol/isopropanol), temperature, composition of coagulation bath (water) and polymer concentration, on quality of the thin film membranes were studied. The mechanism of membrane formation involves solution spreading, solvent–nonsolvent exchange, and partial evaporation of the solvent steps. Solvent- nonsolvent exchange is the main step in membrane formation and determines membrane morphology. However, at higher temperature of polymeric solution greater portion of solvent evaporates. The results showed that type of demixing process (mutual affinity between solvent and nonsolvent) has important role in film formation. Also, addition of solvent to the nonsolvent bath is effective on membrane morphology. The film quality enhances with increasing isopropanol ratio in the solvent mixture. This behavior can be related to increasing of solution surface tension, reduction of interfacial tension between solution and nonsolvent and delayed solvent-nonsolvent demixing. Uniform films were made at a temperature rang of 60–80 °C and a polymer concentration of 4–7 wt%. Morphology of the membranes was investigated with scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Pervaporation of ethyl butyrate/water mixtures was studied using these membranes and high separation performance was achieved. For ethyl butyrate/water mixtures, It was observed that both permeation flux and separation factor increase with increasing ethyl butyrate content in the feed. Increasing temperature in limited range studied resulted in decreasing separation factor and increasing permeation flux.     

End‐group modified poly(methyl vinyl ether): Characterization and LCST demixing behavior in water

A range of hydrophilic poly(methyl vinyl ether) (PMVE) polymers was synthesized by living cationic polymerization of methyl vinyl ether (MVE), having different hydrophilic or hydrophobic chain‐end functionalities. The dissimilar end‐groups were either introduced by end‐capping of the growing polymer chain with LiBH₄, methanol, and water or by functional initiation with 2‐bromo‐(3,3‐diethoxy‐propyl)‐2‐methylpropanoate. The synthesized PMVEs were characterized by ¹H NMR, size exclusion chromatography, and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight, displaying a narrow polydispersity. Modulated temperature DSC was applied to study the influence of the nature of the end‐groups on the solubility behavior of PMVE in water. Terminal‐modification with a hydroxyl function improves the solubility, whereas a Br‐containing end‐group causes the polymer to be insoluble in water at room temperature; however, the special type III lower critical solution temperature demixing behavior being maintained. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 461–469, 2006     

Self-diffusion study of poly (ethylene oxide)-poly (propylene oxide)-poly (ethylene oxide) block copolymers in aqueous solution

The self-diffusion of poly (ethylene oxide)-poly (propylene oxide)-poly (ethylene oxide) block copolymers dissolved in deuterated water was investigated by means of pulsed field gradient NMR (PFG-NMR). The polymer forms micelles in the solution and, with increasing temperature, clouding and phase demixing occurs. The self-diffusion coefficient indicates the association of the polymer molecules in the vicinity of the cloud point because of its maximum with increasing temperature. Above the cloud point, two kinds of diffusing species are observed due to phase separation. The faster diffusing species is attributed to the polymer-poor phase. The self-diffusion coefficient of the polymer-rich phase species decreases with increasing temperature above the cloud point due to further association and dehydration. The correlation length of the diffusing associates, calculated from the self-diffusion coefficient and the viscosity by means of the Stokes-Einstein equation is nearly independent of temperature and concentration up to 30 wt-% polymer concentration. The correlation length is about 1.4 nm. It shows a slight maximum at the cloud point.     

Probing the dielectric environment surrounding poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in aqueous solution with covalently attached spirobenzopyran

The dielectric environment surrounding poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in aqueous solution was investigated by probing with spirobenzopyran covalently attached as a side chain to the polymer main chain. Inherent characteristics of the spirobenzopyran chromophore were analyzed, and the chromophore was confirmed to be suitable to probe the local polar condition around the polymer. Measurements for an aqueous polymer solution at various temperatures elucidated that the dielectric environment surrounding the polymer changed continuously even in the temperature range far below the lower critical solution temperature. This result suggested that the local and weak orientation of water molecules around the polymer diminished continuously in a preliminary stage of shifting to thermally induced phase separation. The dielectric environment surrounding thermoresponsive polymer in aqueous solution was investigated by probing with spirobenzopyran covalently attached as a side chain to the polymer main chain.     

Many body effects on the phase separation and structure of dense polymer-particle melts

Liquid state theory is employed to study phase transitions and structure of dense mixtures of hard nanoparticles and flexible chains (polymer nanocomposites). Calculations are performed for the first time over the entire compositional range from the polymer melt to the hard sphere fluid. The focus is on polymers that adsorb on nanoparticles. Many body correlation effects are fully accounted for in the determination of the spinodal phase separation instabilities. The nanoparticle volume fraction at demixing is determined as a function of interfacial cohesion strength (or inverse temperature) for several interaction ranges and nanoparticle sizes. Both upper and lower critical temperature demixing transitions are predicted, separated by a miscibility window. The phase diagrams are highly asymmetric, with the entropic depletion-like lower critical temperature occurring at a nanoparticle volume fraction of approximately 10%, and a bridging-induced upper critical temperature at approximately 95% filler loading. The phase boundaries are sensitive to both the spatial range of interfacial cohesion and nanoparticle size. Nonmonotonic variations of the bridging (polymer-particle complex formation) demixing boundary on attraction range are predicted. Moreover, phase separation due to many body bridging effects occurs for systems that are fully stable at a second order virial level. Real and Fourier space pair correlations are examined over the entire volume fraction regime with an emphasis on identifying strong correlation effects. Special attention is paid to the structure near phase separation and the minimum in the potential of mean force as the demixing boundaries are approached. The possibility that nonequilibrium kinetic gelation or nanoparticle cluster formation preempts equilibrium phase separation is discussed.     

Application of Ultrasonic Attenuation Measurements in the Studies on Macromolecular Conformational Behaviors

——Phase Behavior of the Aqueous Solution of Poly(vinyl methyl ether) Sensitive to Temperature and the Modification of the Behavior by Using Poly(acrylic acid) The phase behavior of the aqueous solution of poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) sensitive to temperature and the modification of the behavior by using poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) have been studied by ultrasonic attenuation measurements and fluorescence probe techniques. It has been observed that PVME solution is transparent at room temperature and becomes turbid upon heating. The solution turns clear again as soon as the temperature is decreased to room temperature. The heating and cooling process can be repeated for many times. The phase behavior of the solution sensitive to temperature is attributed to the conformational changes of the polymer. PVME may adopt an open coil conformation at room temperature. With this conformation, the polymer is well miscible with the solvent, water, and thereby the system is a real solution. The polymer may adopt a compact coil conformation when the temperature is higher than a specific value, which is called the LCST (the lower critical solution temperature) of PVME. In this case, the polymer tangles to each other and forms various aggregates, which can scatter incident light and ultrasonic waves greatly, resulting in the phase separation. Introduction of PAA decreases the temperature sensitivity of the phase behavior of the polymer. The nature of the inhibition is attributed to the complexation of PAA with PVME and the strong hydrophilicity of PAA. Results from fluorescence probe studies are in accordance with those from ultrasonic attenuation measurements, indicating again that the ultrasonic attenuation method can be successfully used for the qualitative studies of polymer conformations and complexation between polymers.     

Application of Ultrasonic Attenuation Measurements in the Studies on Macromolecular Conformational Behaviors——Phase Behavior of the Aqueous Solution of Poly(vinyl methyl ether) Sensitive to Temperature and the Modification of the Behavior by Using Pol

Introduction Studies on the conformational and aggregation be-haviors of macromolecules in aqueous solution and at solid/liquid interfaces have been highlighted in colloid and interface science since the early 1990s.1-3 It was mentioned in the first part of this series of studies that development of new methods, which are characterized by being in time and non-destructive and can be used for monitoring the conformational and aggregation be-havior of macromolecules, is of critical importance fo…     

Phototriggered fluorescence color changes in azobenzene-functionalized conjugated polymers

We report fluorescence studies of phototriggered changes in spectral position and shape for two azobenzene-functionalized poly(p-phenylenevinylene) derivatives, poly(2-methoxy-5-(4-phenylazophenyl-4'-(1,10-dioxydecyl))-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (MPA-10-PPV) and poly(2-hexyloxy-5-(4-phenylazophenyl-4'-(1,10-dioxydecyl))-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (HPA-10-PPV). Upon trans --> cis azobenzene photoisomerization, small (ca. 1 nm) blue shifts in spectral position are observed for MPA-10-PPV in 100% toluene, a good solvent for this polymer. These shifts are reversed upon visible irradiation and can be cycled many times. To probe the dependence of these shifts on initial polymer conformation, a dichloromethane-methanol cosolvent study was performed in which the solvent quality was decreased incrementally to induce a reduction in polymer coil dimensions. Unirradiated dichloromethane solutions of both MPA-10-PPV and HPA-10-PPV showed a red shift and reduction in quantum yield with increasing methanol concentration as expected based on literature results for other poly(p-phenylenevinylene) derivatives. These changes have been attributed to a dramatic conformational collapse by others and occur for these azo polymers over the 30-60% (v/v) methanol range. While little or no light-induced spectral shifting was observed at low (or=70%) methanol concentrations, significant spectral shifts were observed for both polymers upon azobenzene photoisomerization in solutions with 30-60% methanol, the same range over which the polymer undergoes collapse to a highly coiled state. The largest shifts are visible to the eye, with a 65:35 (v/v) dichloromethane-methanol solution of HPA-10-PPV showing yellow-orange fluorescence when the azobenzenes are trans, green fluorescence when they are cis, and yellow-orange again after the azobenzenes are returned to the trans state. We attribute these color changes to a reversible UV-phototriggered expansion of polymer coil dimensions that occurs as a result of trans --> cis azobenzene side chain isomerization and provide temperature data to support this conclusion.     

由蚕砂制备的碳量子点在不同激发、pH、金属离子、温度及极性环境下的荧光性质研究

碳量子点作为一种新兴的荧光纳米材料,具有粒径分布均匀、光稳定性好、激发-发射波长可调控、表面可修饰等优良的性质,兼具低毒性、生物相容性好等优点,在分析检测和生物成像等领域展现出广阔的应用前景。而蚕砂是家蚕的干燥粪便,简单易得。利用蚕砂作为碳量子点制备原料,采用微波合成的方法制备得到了一种平均水合粒径为4.86 nm,含氮、硫修饰的碳量子点材料,可作为针对激发波长、pH、金属离子浓度、温度及溶剂极性的变化有着显著响应特性的碳量子点型荧光探针。该探针的荧光最大发射波长随激发波长或pH的增加而红移;荧光强度随温度或pH的降低而增加;随着金属离子,特别是铜离子的加入而逐渐降低,并随着EDTA络离子的加入而逐渐回复。在多种溶剂中该探针均具有较好的溶解度,当换用不同极性的溶剂时,随着溶剂极性的增加荧光发射波长逐渐红移。荧光性质随多重环境参数变化为该碳量子点在未来的生物检测和成像领域提供了广阔的应用前景。     

Pressure dependence of the demixing of polymer solutions determined by viscometry

Summary From the break-down in the viscosity of a polymer solution, associated with the entrance into the two phase region, the pressure dependence of the demixing temperatures of solutions of polystyrene (M = 600.000) in cyclohexane, cyclopentane, diethylmalonate and 1-phenyldecane was measured up to 1000 bar. The application of pressure increases the solubility of polystyrene in cyclopentane and diethylmalonate, but decreases that in 1-phenyldecane; in the case of cyclohexane, a pressure of optimum miscibility is observed at ca. 120 bar.The discussion of these findings, together with further information from the literature, demonstrates that current theories cannot even predict the pressure influences qualitatively. For an easy forecast of the effects, the distance of the (upper) critical solution temperature,T _c from the melting point of the solvent,T _MP, can, however, serve as a guideline: From the present material it can be concluded thatT _c is increased by pressure if (T —T _MP)/T _MP (K/K) is less than 0,20 but decreased it if it exceeds 0,25.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. K. Ueberreiter in honor of his 70th birthday.