Synthesis and Characterization of Water-Soluble Starch-Acrylamide Graft Copolymers

A series of water-soluble starch-polyacrylamide graft copolymers (ST-g-PAM) were prepared by Ce⁴⁺-initiated graft copolym-erizations of acrylamide (AM) onto starch (ST) dissolved in water at 30°C. The copolymers were found to contain 3-33% (wt) of ST. The structure of the copolymers, including the average number of grafts per chain and the efficiency of the initiator, was determined by acid-catalyzed degradation of the ST followed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) analysis of the PAM chains and was found to be consistent with the presence or absence of free ST in the polymerization product prior to hydrolysis. The average number of grafts per starch molecule was found to be three or less, depending on conditions. The initiator efficiency (6–43%) was shown to decrease with increasing [Ce⁴⁺] and decreasing [AM], and this was found to be qualitatively in accord with the proposed mechanism of initiation and polymerization. The low efficiency was shown to be due, in part, to the low rate of reaction of Ce⁴⁺ compared to the polymerization rate. The copolymers were characterized by ultra-centrifugation, SEC, and viscometry.     

Highly branched acrylamide graft copolymer

Acrylamide graft copolymerization onto poly(3-O-methacryloyl D -glucose) (PMG) as a backbone was performed by the ceric ion method. The number of polyacrylamide (PAM) chains grafted was dependent upon the concentration ratio of the redox catalyst system at constant acid concentration and increased in proportion to the ceric ion concentration. A maximum number of grafts obtained, for example, was 29 onto PMG (DP = 244) under the conditions [Ce⁴⁺]/[PMG] = 1/5, [H⁺] = 1.0 × 10^?2 mole/l. In other words, the graft frequency was 12 per 100 monomer units of PMG. Such a high frequency of the grafts was, however, greatly decreased when the acid concentration was increased. Characteristics of the highly branched structure were revealed by the relationship between intrinsic viscosity and graft frequency, which showed a downward curvature with the increasing graft frequency. Influences of acid and ceric ion concentrations on the copolymerization were kinetically evaluated. The rate of polymerization was found to be first-order with respect to ceric ion and proportional to the square of the reciprocal acid concentration. The result suggests that the graft frequency is dependent upon the rate of polymerization.     

Effect of Ce4+ pretreatment on swelling properties of cellulosic superabsorbents

Cellulosic superabsorbents are prepared by pretreating the wood pulp (WP) with Ce⁴⁺ initiator, followed by the graft copolymerization of acrylamide (AM) monomer onto Ce⁴⁺‐pretreated WP (Ce⁴⁺ · WP) in acidic medium and in the presence of N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBAM) cross‐linker. The rate of AM copolymerization of Ce⁴⁺ · WP is significantly faster than that of the untreated WP. The obtained polyAM (PAM)‐grafted cellulosic copolymers (PAM‐g‐Ce⁴⁺ · WP copolymers) are alkaline‐hydrolyzed to produce the water‐absorbents. As PAM grafting yield increases, the absorbency increases rapidly and reaches the maximum value at a yield of 210–240%. The maximum water and saline absorbencies are around 2500 and 50 g g^?1, respectively. The optimum feed concentration of Ce⁴⁺ pretreatment on the maximum water and saline absorbencies is 5.0 × 10^?3 mol L^?1. The water and saline absorbencies of the PAM‐g‐Ce⁴⁺ · WP water‐absorbents are remarkably higher in comparison with that of the untreated WP (with a similar grafting yield) due to uniform PAM‐grafting onto Ce⁴⁺ · WP specimen. In addition, as the amount of cross‐linker increases, the grafting yield is not changed whereas the water and saline absorbencies are remarkably decreased. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Graft copolymerization to cellulose by the metallic ion–hydrogen peroxide initiator system

The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and the graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate has been investigated by use of cellulose samples adsorbing various metallicions. Metallic ions generally accelerate the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, increase the number of grafts, and lower the average molecular weight. However their effects are much influenced by the range of pH values. It is clear that the amount of grafts formed is not necessarily proportional to the amount of decomposed hydrogen peroxide and is dependent upon a function peculiar to each metallic ion. The effective metallic ions in the neutral system were Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Zn²⁺. The effects of Ce³⁺, Mg²⁺, Hg³⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Mn²⁺ were either negligible or negative. Comparative studies on various conditions confirmed that Fe²⁺ in the neutral system gives graft copolymer having a minimum average molecular weight and the greatest number of grafts.     

Ce4＋－Ce3＋循环体系引发淀粉与丙烯酰胺接枝共聚合反应动力学研究

The cyclic initiating system of Ce⁴⁺ - Ce³⁺ - Ce⁴⁺, in which the product of reduced ion Ce³⁺ forming from Ce⁴⁺ after initation being oxidized again to the original oxidizing ion Ce⁴⁺ is examined. The characters of process of the graft copolymerisation using the cyclic initiating system is compared with the ones using ceric and persulphate individually. When using the cyclic systerm as initator, it was more effective to graft polymerise acylamide onto starch and a rather high proportion of graft copolymer was made as opposed to using persulphate individually.     

Graft copolymers composed of high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) backbone and poly(N-isopropylacrlylamide) side chains and their thermoassociating properties

Novel, water-soluble thermoassociative graft copolymers based on high molecular weight (HMW) poly(ethylene oxide-co-glycidol) backbone and relatively short grafts of poly-N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAm) were prepared. The copolymer precursors with two architectures (block and graft) were synthesized using Ca-amide-alkoxide initiators. The OH groups in the copolymer precursors have been utilized for grafting NIPAAm using ceric ion (Ce⁴⁺) redox initiation. The idea was to imprint the “smart” properties of PNIPAAm grafts into common HMW poly(ethylene oxide). The sensitive moieties undergo reversible association transitions by changing the temperature of dilute and semidilute aqueous solutions of the copolymers. Associative properties were studied by viscosity and rheology measurements. Two types of interactions, induced by heating, depending on the copolymer concentration namely intra- and intermolecular association were observed.     

Synthesis and Characterization of 2, 3-Dihydroxypropylcellulose

Water-soluble 2,3-dihydroxypropylcellulose (DHPC) was successfully synthesized by the reaction of 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol with alkali cellulose in dioxane, or with glycidol in acetone. DHPC from the glycidol reaction was shown to have better solubility and yield. DHPC made from cotton wool and glycidol possesses the highest intrinsic visocisty (up to 4.05 dL/g). Quantitative ¹³ C-NMR analysis was utilized to estimate the molar substitution and degree of substitution of the resulting DHPC. Since the ratios of molar substitution to degree of substitution were found to be 2 or less, the substituents on the cellulose probably consist of monomer, dimer, or trimer of the alkylation agents used. Above the critical concentration of DHPC, the solution viscosity was found to be increased tremendously upon treating with boric acid under basic conditions.     

Peroxide initiated maleic anhydride grafting: Structural studies on an ester‐containing copolymer and related substrates

Maleic anhydride (MAn) was grafted onto the low molecular weight esters methyl decanoate (MD) and methyl 2‐ethylhexanoate (MEH) using the free‐radical initiators Lupersol‐101 and ‐130; the esters were used as model compounds for the copolymer poly(ethylene‐co‐methyl acrylate). The grafted products in both cases were isolated from the unreacted ester and were subjected to extensive analysis using spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. Analysis of the grafted material indicated the presence of one or more succinic anhydride (SAn) residues grafted to the ester. In the case of the multiply grafted material it has been established conclusively by ¹³C‐NMR using 2,3‐¹³C₂ labeled MAn that the multiple grafts exist as single units. A limited number of grafting experiments was performed on the copolymer in the melt and the graft‐modified copolymer was characterized spectroscopically. Single graft units were observed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1609–1618, 1999     

Controlled grafting of MMA onto cellulose and cellulose acetate

Homogeneous graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto cellulose and cellulose acetate was carried out in various solvents and solvent systems taking ceric ammonium nitrate, tin (II) 2-ethyl hexanoate [Sn(Oct)₂] and benzoyl peroxide as initiators. The effect of solvents, initiators, initiator and monomer concentration, on graft yield, grafting efficiency and total conversion of monomer to polymer were studied. Formation of Ce³⁺ ion during grafting in presence of CAN enhances the grafting efficiency. Methylene blue was used as a homopolymer inhibitor and controlled the molecular weight of the grafted polymer and its effect on grafting was also studied. In presence of MB, amount of PMMA homopolymer formation reduced and consequently grafting efficiency increased. The number average molecular weights and polydispersity indices of the grafted PMMA were found out by gel permeation chromatography. The products were characterized by FTIR and ¹H-NMR analyses and possible reaction mechanisms were deduced. Finally, thermal degradation of the grafted products was also studied by thermo-gravimetric and differential thermo-gravimetric analyses.     

Vinyl polymerization initiated by ceric ion reducing agent systems in sulfuric acid medium

Polymerization of the monomers, methyl acrylate (MA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in sulfuric acid medium at 15°C. With the redox initiator system, ceric ammonium sulfate–malonic acid. There was no induction period, and a steady state was attained in a short time. There was found to be no polymerization even after 1 hr. in the absence of the reducing agent R. The initiation was by the radical produced from the Ce⁴⁺–malonic acid reaction. The rate of monomer disappearance was proportional to [M]^1.5, [R]^0.5, and [Ce⁴⁺]^0.3–0.5, and the rate of ceric disappearance was directly proportional to [R] and [Ce⁴⁺]. Chain lengths of the polymers were directly proportional to [M] and inversely to [R]^1/2 and [Ce⁴⁺]^1/2. The experimental results were explained by a kinetic scheme involving the following steps: (a) oxidation of the substrate to give the primary radical which reacts with Ce⁴⁺ to give the products, (b) initiation by the primary radical, (c) propagation, and (d) termination of the growing polymer radicals by the mutual type. For the polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) by the redox system, ceric ammonium sulfate–cyclohexanone (CH), in sulfuric acid at 15°C., the scheme was modified to include linear type of termination by Ce⁴⁺, along with the mutual termination to explain the results especially under conditions with [Ce⁴⁺] ≥ [CH].     

Electronic structure,magnetic properties,and mixed valence character of Ce2Ni3Si5 from first principles calculations

Cerium intermetallic compounds exhibit anomalous physical properties such as heavy fermion and Kondo behaviors. Here, an ab initio study of the electronic structure, magnetic properties, and mixed valence character of Ce₂Ni₃Si₅ using density functional theory (DFT) is presented. Two theoretical methods, including pure Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) and PBE + U , are used. In this study, Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺ are considered as two different constituents in the unit cell. The formation energy calculations on the DFT level propose that Ce is in a stable mixed valence of 3.379 at 0 K. The calculated electronic structure shows that Ce₂Ni₃Si₅ is a metallic compound with a contribution at the Fermi level from Ce 4f and Ni 3d states. With the inclusion of the effective Hubbard parameter (U _eff), the five valence electrons of 5 Ce³⁺ ions are distributed only on Ce³⁺ 4f orbitals. Therefore, the occupied Ce³⁺ 4f band is located in the valence band (VB) while Ce⁴⁺ 4f orbitals are empty and Located at the Fermi level. The calculated magnetic moment in Ce₂Ni₃Si₅ is only due to cerium (Ce³⁺) in good agreement with the experimental results. The U _eff value of 5.4 eV provides a reasonable magnetic moment of 0.981 for the unpaired electron per Ce³⁺ ion. These results may serve as a guide for studying present mixed valence cerium‐based compounds. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A High‐Valent Manganese(IV)–Oxo–Cerium(IV) Complex and Its Enhanced Oxidizing Reactivity

A mononuclear nonheme manganese(IV)–oxo complex binding the Ce⁴⁺ ion, [(dpaq)Mn^IV(O)]⁺–Ce⁴⁺ ( 1 ‐Ce⁴⁺), was synthesized by reacting [(dpaq)Mn^III(OH)]⁺ ( 2 ) with cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN). 1 ‐Ce⁴⁺ was characterized using various spectroscopic techniques, such as UV/Vis, EPR, CSI‐MS, resonance Raman, XANES, and EXAFS, showing an Mn?O bond distance of 1.69 Å with a resonance Raman band at 675 cm^?1. Electron‐transfer and oxygen atom transfer reactivities of 1 ‐Ce⁴⁺ were found to be greater than those of Mn^IV(O) intermediates binding redox‐inactive metal ions ( 1 ‐Mⁿ⁺). This study reports the first example of a redox‐active Ce⁴⁺ ion‐bound Mn^IV‐oxo complex and its spectroscopic characterization and chemical properties.     

A new langbeinite‐type phosphate K2GdHf(PO4)3: synthesis,crystal structure,band structure and luminescence properties

Langbeinite‐type compounds are a large family that include phosphates, sulfates and arsenates, and which are accompanied by interesting physical properties. This work reports a new disordered langbeinite‐type compound, K₂GdHf(PO₄)₃ [dipotassium gadolinium hafnium tris(phosphate)], and its structure as determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Theoretical studies reveal that K₂GdHf(PO₄)₃ is an insulator with a direct band gap of 4.600 eV and that the optical transition originates from the O‐2p→Hf‐5d transition. A Ce³⁺‐doped phosphor, K₂Gd_0.99Ce_0.01Hf(PO₄)₃, was prepared and its luminescence properties studied. With 324 nm light excitation, a blue emission band was observed due to the 5d¹→4f¹ transition of Ce³⁺. The average luminescence lifetime was calculated to be 5.437 µs and the CIE chromaticity coordinates were (0.162, 0.035). One may expect that K₂Gd_0.99Ce_0.01Hf(PO₄)₃ can be used as a good blue phosphor for three‐colour white‐light‐emitting diodes (WLEDs).     

Graft Copolymerization of 2‐Acrylamido‐2‐methyl Propane Sulfonic Acid on Dimethyl Sulfoxide Pretreated Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Films Using Cerium Ammonium Nitrate as Initiator

Abstract

In this study, graft polymerization of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films using cerium ammonium nitrate (CeAN) as an initiator was investigated. Before the polymerization reaction was carried out, films were swelled in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at 140°C for 1 h. The effect of polymerization temperature, time, initiator, and monomer concentrations on the graft yield were investigated. It was observed that the graft yield was initially increased with increasing temperature, monomer, and initiator concentrations; and then decreased. Graft yield was found to increase with increasing polymerization time up to 5 h, then remain constant. The effects of monomer and initiator inclusions on the grafting yield were also examined. Optimum conditions for grafting were found to be [AMPS] = 1.0 M, [Ce⁴⁺] = 1.5 × 10^?2 M, T = 85°C and t = 5 h. The rate of grafting was found to be proportional to the 0.1 and 0.4 powers of monomer and initiator concentrations, respectively. The overall activation energy for the grafting was calculated to be 11.4 kcal mol^?1. The effect of grafting on PET film properties such as intrinsic viscosity and water absorption capacity were determined. The grafted PET films were characterized with FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Graft Copolymerization of Acrylamide on Swollen poly (Ethylene Terephthalate) Fibers Using Cerium Ammonium Nitrate Initiator

Abstract

In this study the graft copolymerization of acrylamide (AAm) on swollen poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers using cerium ammonium nitrate (CeAN) initiator was investigated. Five organic solvents, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), morpholine, acetic acid (HAc), n-butanol, and 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE), were used as swelling agents. DMSO was found to be the most suitable swelling agent. Solvent diffusion into the fibers was observed to increase with treatment time and temperature. The optimum graft yield was obtained when fibers were grafted after having been swollen in DMSO for a period of 1 hour at 140°C. Variation of graft yield with polymerization time and temperature, and monomer, initiator, and acid concentrations were investigated. Graft yields were observed to increase initially with polymerization time, then to level off, and were found to increase up to a certain monomer and Ce⁴⁺ concentration, then to decrease slightly. The effect of grafting on such fiber properties as diameter, viscosity, and moisture gain were also investigated.     

Combination of cellulosic materials and metallic ions

Cellulosic materials (DP, SCP) and PVA fibers were treated with four kinds of metallic ions (Ca²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ce⁴⁺), and the adsorption behavior was studied to elucidate the manner in which the celluloses and the metallic ions were combined. The effects of treatment temperature, time, and concentration upon the amount of the metallic ions adsorbed were examined. With Ca²⁺ and Fe²⁺, the effects of such factors on the adsorption were slight, while with Fe³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺ the effects of time, temperature, and ion concentration were pronounced. Also, it was evident that the amount (molar) of equilibrium adsorption of Ca²⁺ or Fe²⁺ was approximately the same as the content of carboxyl groups in the cellulose sample, and the amount of equilibrium adsorption of Fe³⁺ or Ce⁴⁺ was approximately the same as that of total carbonyl group content. When the samples which had adsorbed these metallic ions were treated with 0.1N hydrochloric acid, the Ca²⁺ and Fe²⁺ were completely desorbed while about 80% of the adsorbed Fe³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺ remained. These results indicate that there are two types of combinations of cellulosic materials and metallic ions involved: one is thought to be an ionic bond, while the other is considered to be a chelate bond.     

Oxidation‐State Analysis of Ceria by X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Three different methods to determine the oxide‐phase concentration in mixed cerium oxide by hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy are applied and quantitatively compared. Synchrotron‐based characterization of the O 1s region was used as a benchmark to introduce a method based on the weighted superposition of the Ce 3d spectra of the pure Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺ phases, which was shown to lead to reliable and highly accurate determination of the mean oxidation state in mixed cerium oxides. The results obtained reveal a linear relation between the third distinct final state (u′′′) satellite peak intensity of the Ce⁴⁺ phase and the Ce⁴⁺ concentration by proper inclusion of Ce³⁺‐related plasmon satellite peaks, which contradicts previous claims of nonlinear behavior. In contrast, quantitative conventional peak‐fitting procedures were shown to be well suited for the Ce 2p region due to its relatively simple structure. Additional satellite features observed in the Ce 3d spectrum of CeO₂ were proposed to originate from plasmon contributions.     

Chemoselective Phototransformation of CH Bonds on a Polymer Surface through a Photoinduced Cerium Recycling Redox Reaction

It is generally accepted that Ce⁴⁺ is unable to directly oxidize unreactive alkyl C?H bonds without the assistance of adjacent polar groups. Herein, we demonstrate in our newly developed confined photochemical reaction system that this recognized issue may be challenged. As we found, when a thin layer of a CeCl₃/HCl aqueous solution was applied to a polymeric substrate and the substrate subjected to UV irradiation, Ce³⁺ was first photooxidized to form Ce⁴⁺ in the presence of H⁺, and the in situ formed Ce⁴⁺ then performs an oxidation reaction on the C?H bonds of the polymer surface to form surface‐carbon radicals for radical graft polymerization reactions and functional‐group transformations, while reducing to Ce³⁺ and releasing H⁺ in the process. This photoinduced cerium recycling redox (PCRR) reaction behaved as a biomimetic system in an artificial recycling reaction, leading to a sustainable chemical modification strategy for directly transforming alkyl C?H bonds on polymer surfaces into small‐molecule groups and polymer brushes. This method is expected to provide a green and economical tool for industrial applications of polymer‐surface modification.     

Peroxide-initiated grafting of maleimides onto hydrocarbon substrates

The grafting of N-phenethyl-maleimide (1) onto squalane and eicosane was investigated. As reference substances for spectroscopical investigations homopolymer, N-phenethyl-succinimide (2), t-butyl-(4) and cyclohexyl-N-phenethyl-succinimide (6) were synthesized. The grafting reactions were carried out at 150 °C in 1,2-dichlorobenzene with Luperox 130 as initiator (molar ratio hydrocarbon substrate:1:initiator = 10:1:0.2). Two fractions of graft products were isolated and analysed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FTIR and UV spectroscopy, SEC and MALDI-TOF MS to determine the average number of grafted residues per substrate molecule and to elucidate the structure of the grafts and the grafting sites. Overall grafting yields were found to be >90%. Only a small percentage of the total amount of substrate was grafted (2-3%). First fraction of both oligomers (approx. 25 wt%) showed to be a mixture of homopolymers (average degree of polymerization 6) and graft products (approx. 1:3), the latter containing mainly long-chain grafts with an average chain length of 7. The major fraction of graft products contained predominantly single units. As an average number of units per substrate molecule very similar results were obtained for eicosane and squalane (n = ∼ 3). In the case of squalane single units were found to be linked mainly to tertiary carbon atoms, long chain grafts mainly to secondary C-atoms. Apart from the homopolymers resulting from radical transfer, homopolymers terminated with methyl groups resulting from secondary radicals formed by the decomposition of Luperox were also observed. Homopolymers as well as graft products were found to contain small amounts of maleimide groups. The results suggest that as in the mechanism proposed for maleic anhydride, both inter- and intramolecular hydrogen abstraction occurs as part of the chain process. Termination proceeds mainly by hydrogen transfer and also by disproportionation, to a lesser extent. The formation of long chain grafts on tertiary carbons seems to be sterically hindered.     

Strong Single‐Band Blue Emission from Colloidal Ce3+/Tm3+‐Doped NaYF4 Nanocrystals for Light‐Emitting Applications

An intense single‐band blue emission at λ=450 nm is observed from Tm³⁺ ions through Ce³⁺ sensitization, for the first time, in colloidal Ce³⁺/Tm³⁺‐doped NaYF₄ nanocrystals. The intense Tm³⁺ emission through broad‐band excitation is advantageous for developing luminescent nanocomposites because they can be easily incorporated into polymers. The composites can easily be coated over UV light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) to develop phosphor‐based blue LEDs.