High pressure phase behavior and modeling of CO2–propyl acrylate and CO2–propyl methacrylate systems

High pressure phase behavior are obtained for CO₂–propyl acrylate system at 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 °C and pressure up to 161 bar and for CO₂–propyl methacrylate systems at 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 °C and pressure up to 166 bar. The solubility of propyl acrylate and propyl methacrylate for the CO₂–propyl acrylate and CO₂–propyl methacrylate systems increases as the temperature increases at constant pressure. The CO₂–propyl acrylate and CO₂–propyl methacrylate systems have continuous critical mixture curves that exhibit maximums in pressure at temperatures between the critical temperatures of CO₂ and propyl acrylate or propyl methacrylate. The CO₂–propyl acrylate and CO₂–propyl methacrylate systems exhibit type-I phase behavior with a continuous mixture critical curve.The experimental results for CO₂–propyl acrylate and CO₂–propyl methacrylate systems are modeled using both the statistical associating fluid theory (SAFT) and Peng–Robinson equations of state. A good fit of the data are obtained with SAFT using two adjustable parameters for CO₂–propyl acrylate and CO₂–propyl methacrylate systems and Peng–Robinson equation using one and two adjustable parameter for CO₂–propyl acrylate and CO₂–propyl methacrylate system.     

Radiothermoluminescence and thermomechanical spectrometry study of gamma-irradiated vinylidene fluoride–chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer

Five topological units: low- and high-temperature amorphous blocks and three crystalline modifications that act as branching points in the networks of both amorphous blocks, have been detected for the first time in the pseudo-network structure of the unirradiated fluoroelastomer SKF-32 by means of thermomechanical spectrometry (TMS). When the rubber is γ-irradiated to a dose of 10 kGy, the structures of the intermediate and high-melting crystalline fractions degrade and their amorphized chains along with interjunction chains of both amorphous blocks assimilate into one amorphous block, and the latter is the block of the chemically crosslinked rubber already with a topologically diblock semicrystalline structure. A radiothermoluminescence (RTL) curve of the irradiated rubber shows four relaxation transitions (emissions peaks), with only the transition at–25°C almost coinciding with the glass transition temperature observed in thermomechanical analysis curve of the crosslinked rubber.     

Micellar behavior of acrylamide– octylphenylpoly(oxyethylene) acrylate copolymer in aqueous solution

The copolymer of acrylamide and octylphenylpoly(oxyethylene) acrylate macromonomer (AM-C₈PhEO₇Ac) was synthesized and characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy. The molecular weight of the copolymer was determined to be 1.21 × 10⁵ by static light scattering. The weight contents of AM and macromonomer were determined to be 67.8 and 32.2%, respectively, by elemental analysis. The micellar behavior of the copolymer in aqueous solution was studied by UV spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The molecules of AM-C₈PhEO₇Ac copolymer form monomolecular micelles in the concentration range 4 × 10⁻⁶ – 3 × 10⁻⁵ g/ml and polymolecular micelles at concentrations above 3 × 10⁻⁵ g/ml according to the UV analysis. The AFM images indicate that the monomolecular micelles are globular with diameters of 70 nm and have a narrow size distribution. The polymolecular micelles can be globular or cylindrical depending on the concentration, and have a wide size distribution. Received: 10 February 1999 Accepted in revised form: 28 June 1999     

Preparation and properties of a novel waterborne fluorinated polyurethane–acrylate hybrid emulsion

The waterborne fluorinated polyurethane–acrylate hybrid emulsion (WFPUA) was prepared by two steps, including the preparation of the fluorinated alcohol blocked polyurethanes (FBPU) in the mixtures of vinyl monomers and fluorinated monomers and then the free radical polymerization after the pre-emulsification of the said system. The effects of hydrophilic monomer (MDEA) on the surfactivity and the emulsifiability of the FBPU were firstly reported. Then, the particle size (d), zeta potential (ζ), and viscosity (η) of the WFPUA hybrid emulsion were characterized, respectively. At the same time, the surface properties and the mechanical properties of the films were investigated. The results show that the increase of MDEA is good for the emulsifiability and the lower surface tension of the FBPU. This increase improves the stability, the ζ and η, yet decreases the d of the WFPUA emulsion. However, it has disadvantages to the hydrophobic performance of the WFPUA films. When the content of the MDEA in the WFPUA is increased from 4.67 to 14.89 %, the surface free energies are increased from 22.22 to 27.28 mJ m^?2 and the attenuation rate of the contact angle–time curve is increased from 0.3051° to 0.6290°/min. Also, with the increase of MDEA, the tensile strength and the shore hardness of the film are increased, but its elongation at break is decreased. The storage moduli of the film are enhanced remarkably. Meanwhile, the glass transition temperature of the soft segment [T_g(s)] is reduced and that of the hard segment [T_g(h)] is raised.     

Theoretical Investigations on the Structure,Density, Thermodynamic and Performance Properties of Bis（2,2-dinitropropyl） formal

Density functional method was used to investigate the IR spectrum,heat of formation and thermal stability of a new energetic material bis(2,2-dinitropropyl) formal(BDNPF).The detonation velocity and pressure were evaluated by using the Kamlet-Jacobs equations based on the theoretical density and heat of formation.The bond dissociation energies for the weakest bonds were analyzed to investigate the thermal stability of the title compound.The results show that the C(1)-N(1) bond is predicted to be the trigger bond during pyrolysis.The crystal structure obtained by molecular mechanics belongs to the P21 space group,with the lattice parameters to be Z = 2,a = 11.5254,b = 6.2168,c = 9.5000  and ρ= 1.66 g/cm3.     

Synthesis and properties of fibers prepared from lactic acid–glycolic acid copolymer

A method for preparing laboratory samples of fibers from glycolide-co-D,L-lactide to produce bioresorbing suture filaments with a controlled complex of properties is developed. The morphology of fibers obtained through melt spinning is studied. The peculiarities of the mechanical properties of fibers are investigated.     

Preparation and properties of copolymer resins based on phenolphthalein benzoxazine–benzoic acid and bisoxazoline

The novel phenolphthalein benzoxazine–benzoic acid (PBB) was synthesized. The structure of the monomer was supported by FTIR, ¹H-NMR, and elemental analysis. The curing behavior of PBB–bisoxazoline (1,3-PBO) resin was monitored by FTIR and differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that PBB–bisoxazoline resin exhibited two-stage polymerization mechanism. The thermogravimetry showed that PBB–bisoxazoline resin had good heat resistance due to the rigidity of PBB polymer chains and the high cross-linking density of copolymer. Furthermore, it seemed that the reaction between PBB and 1,3-PBO also led to an additional cross-linking, which increased the cross-linking density and delayed the decomposition. The cured resin had low water absorption.     

Fabrication of organic–inorganic nano-complexes using ABC type triblock copolymer and polyoxotungstates

New organic–inorganic nano-complexes were produced from a micelle of tri-block polymers; poly(styrene)-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine)- b-poly (ethylene oxide) (PS-PVP-PEO) and tungsten compounds such as tungstate (W₁²⁻), undecatungstophospate (PW₁₁⁷⁻) and undecatungstosilicate (SiW₁₁⁸⁻) in acidic aqueous solutions. The size and morphology of the complexes were characterized by measurements of dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. This complex is assembled mainly by the charge interaction between the inorganic polyanions and the positively charged PVP block in the PS-PVP-PEO molecule, which was confirmed by zeta-potential and fluorescence spectroscopic studies. In the absence of the inorganic anions, the zeta-potential of the micelle was +11 mV at pH 3 due to the positive charge of the PVP block. When the inorganic anion was mixed with the PS-PVP-PEO micelle, decrease in the zeta-potential due to charge neutralization occurred with incorporation of inorganic anions into the PS-PVP-PEO micelle. The minimum zeta-potential was 0, −33, and −35 mV for W₁²⁻ /PS-PVP-PEO, PW₁₁⁷⁻ /PS-PVP-PEO, and SiW₁₁⁸⁻ /PS-PVP-PEO complexes, respectively. Excess negative charge which occurred in the latter two complexes indicates that PS-PVP-PEO molecules bound PW₁₁⁷⁻ and SiW₁₁⁸⁻ by forces other than charge interaction. In addition, the incorporation of an inorganic polyanion into the micelle gave a new morphology to the micelle. In the absence of the polyanion, the PS-PVP-PEO micelles showed an extended conformation due to repulsive forces working among the positively charged PVP blocks. Addition of the polyanion caused the formation of shrunken forms of the micelles, since the charge repulsion was cancelled by the polyanion. This feature may be useful in developing a new type of functioning micelle.     

Mechanical properties and heat shrinkability of electron beam crosslinked polyethylene–octene copolymer

The mechanical properties and heat shrinkability of electron beam crosslinked polyethylene–octene copolymer were studied. It was found that gel content increases with increased radiation dose. The analysis of results by the Charlesby–Pinner equation revealed that crosslinking was dominant over chain scission upon irradiation. Formation of a crosslinked structure in the electron beam irradiated sample was confirmed by the presence of a plateau of dynamic storage modulus above the melting point of the polymer. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction revealed that there was little change in crystallinity for the irradiated samples, indicating that radiation crosslinking occurs in the amorphous region of the polymer. The tensile modulus increases, whereas the elongation at break decreases with increased radiation dose. The heat shrinkability of the material increased with an increased radiation dose because the radiation-induced crosslinks serve as memory points during the shrinking process.     

Chlorosulfonyl styrene–divinylbenzene copolymer characteristics as a function of chlorosulfonation and chlorination reaction parameters

Chlorosulfonyl substituted styrene–divinylbenzene copolymer is a highly reactive intermediate used in organic synthesis. It is obtained in three steps: (1) the polymeric support in the form of spherical beads is prepared by free radical polymerization of styrene; (2) the divinylbenzene mixture and the aromatic styrene groups of the obtained copolymer are sulfonated with chlorosulfonic acid in dichloroethane and (3) this is followed by chlorination of the sulfonyl groups with PCl₅/POCl₃ mixture. Chemical analysis shows that chlorosulfonation leads to both sulfonyl and chlorosulfonyl products in which content and ratio vary as a function of reaction parameters: maximum total group content of 5.1 meq/g is reached after 3 hr reaction, at 40°C with styrene to a chlorosulfonic acid molar ratio of 12.4:1. In the chlorination reaction, sulfonyl to chlorosulfonyl conversion is also observed to vary as a function of time and chlorinating mixture composition: 99.6 mol% conversion degree is attained after 2 hr reaction with styrene/PCl₅/POCl₃ in a molar ratio of 1:4:23. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sustained release drug delivery using supramolecular hydrogels of the triblock copolymer PCL–PEG–PCL and α-cyclodextrin

Supramolecular hydrogels (SMGel) have attracted much attention as a drug and gene delivery system in recent years. In this study, SMGels based on the tri-block copolymer of poly-ε-caprolactone–polyethylene glycol–poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL–PEG–PCL) and α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) were prepared and evaluated for the delivery of two model drugs, naltrexone hydrochloride and vitamin B₁₂. Tri-block copolymers were synthesized easily in 15 min by ring-opening polymerization using the microwave irradiation technique, and their structures were determined by gel permeation chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance methods. SMGels composed of various concentrations of the copolymer and α-CD were prepared and characterized for their rheological behaviour, their gel formation time and in vitro drug release profile. The results indicated that copolymers with a PCL to PEG ratio of 1:4 are suitable for SMGel preparation. The most viscose system with good syringeability was prepared by mixing 12 % wt α-CD and 10 % wt of copolymer. The gelation was found to occur within a minute after mixing. The viscosity of the hydrogel systems was determined as a function of shear rate. Finally, in vitro B₁₂ release through the hydrogel systems was studied. Up to 80 % of Vitamin B₁₂ was released through this system during a period of 20 days. Rheological evaluation revealed that the hydrogel has shear thinning properties, and the system regained its ground rheological state in a time dependent manner. Polymer concentration did not affect the drug release profiles. Finally, it was concluded that such systems are appropriate drug delivery systems due to their ability to provide a controlled drug release profile and their shear thinning thixotropic behaviour, which makes them syringeable and injectable.     

Thermodynamics of alternating copolymer of propylene and CO in the 0–550 K region

The temperature dependences of the heat capacity and the temperatures and enthalpies of physical transitions of the alternating copolymer of propylene and CO were studied in the 5–550 K region by adiabatic vacuum and dynamic calorimetry techniques. The heat of combustion of the copolymer was measured at 298.15 K in a calorimeter with a static bomb and an isothermal shield. The thermodynamic parameters of glass transition and fusing were estimated. The thermodynamic functions in the 0–450 K region and the thermodynamic characteristics of the formation of the copolymer from simple substances atT=298.15 K andp=101.325 kPa were calculated. The thermodynamic parameters of the alternating copolymerization of bulk propylene and CO were calculated in the 0–450 K region at standard pressure.     

Preparation and application of sol–gel acrylate and methacrylate solid-phase microextraction fibres for gas chromatographic analysis of organoarsenic compounds

Novel solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibres containing methyl, ethyl, butyl acrylate and methacrylate were first prepared by a sol–gel technique and investigated for determination of selected organoarsenic compounds (lewisite, methyldichloroarsine, phenyldichloroarsine, diphenylchloroarsine and triphenylarsine) from water samples. The influence of sorption and desorption temperature and time for extraction efficiency were examined. The best new fibre coatings (methyl acrylate (MA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and combination of methyl acrylate and methacrylate (MA/MMA)) for analysis of organoarsenic compounds were selected and compared with commercial fibres. The distribution coefficients K_fs were determined for the best novel fibres and for absorption commercial fibres. The highest K_fs value were obtained for MA/MMA and MMA fibres and were respectively 9458 and 6561 for lewisite and 6458 and 5884 for triphenylarsine. The limit of detection and quantification were determined for the three laboratory obtained fibres (MA, MMA and MA/MMA). LODs for tested fibres, at a signal-to-noise of 3, were 0.03–0.3 ng mL⁻¹. LOQs for selected coatings, at signal-to-noise of 10, were 0.1–0.8 ng mL⁻¹. The relative standard deviations (RSD) for all measurements were 4.3–6.5% (n = 9) and relative errors were 2.5–5%. The laboratory obtained fibres were used for environmental analysis of pore water samples from the Baltic Sea.     

Crystallization kinetics of polypropylene/ethylene–octene copolymer blends

Blends of polypropylene and ethylene–octene copolymers (EOC) were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The main focus was on phase morphology and crystallization for blends containing EOC with different octene content (28, 37 and 52 wt.%). Also, for a given octene content (37 wt.%), the effect of molecular weight (115, 180, 229k) of EOC on morphology was observed. The largest particles were found in the blend with EOC-28 and the smallest with EOC-52. This blend with the smallest particles exhibits the fastest crystallization kinetics by two independent methods, optical microscopy and DSC. This behavior was explained by a model. Crystallizing polypropylene lamellae have to travel a longer distance going around large particles, which slows down overall crystallization growth rate. In the case of smaller particles, the obstacles are smaller and the crystallization is faster.     

Direct two-step synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butyl acrylate–acrylic acid block copolymer by RAFT polymerization

A series of narrow-MMD polymers with the molecular mass from 33 × 10³ to 123 × 10³ (polydispersity coefficient 1.08–1.16) were synthesized by bulk polymerization of n-butyl acrylate [2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile), 60°C] in the presence of a low-molecular-mass RAFT agent, dibenzyl trithiocarbonate. Then, polymerization of acrylic acid was performed in aqueous-alcoholic solution (ammonium persulfate, 70°C) in the presence of the obtained polymers, and a series of n-butyl acrylate–acrylic acid block copolymers with the molecular masses from 22 × 10³ to 81 × 10³ (polydispersity coefficient 1.07–1.13) were prepared. In aqueous-alcoholic solutions of the synthesized copolymers, there are nanoparticles whose size varies from 5 tо 65 nm and increases with an increase in the molecular mass of the copolymer and in the concentration of water in the solvent.     

Novel pentablock copolymer (PLA–PCL–PEG–PCL–PLA)-based nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery: effect of copolymer compositions on the crystallinity of copolymers and in vitro drug release profile from nanoparticles

The purpose of this investigation was to design novel pentablock copolymers (polylactide–polycaprolactone–polyethylene glycol–polycaprolactone–polylactide) (PLA–PCL–PEG–PCL–PLA) to prepare nanoparticle formulations which provide continuous delivery of steroids over a longer duration with minimal burst effect. Another purpose was to evaluate the effect of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(d,l-lactide) (PDLLA) incorporation on crystallinity of pentablock copolymers and in vitro release profile of triamcinolone acetonide (selected as model drug) from nanoparticles. PLA–PCL–PEG–PCL–PLA copolymers with different block ratio of PCL/PLA segment were synthesized. Release of triamcinolone acetonide from nanoparticles was significantly affected by crystallinity of the copolymers. Burst release of triamcinolone acetonide from nanoparticles was significantly minimized with incorporation of proper ratio of PDLLA in the existing triblock (PCL–PEG–PCL) copolymer. Moreover, pentablock copolymer-based nanoparticles exhibited continuous release of triamcinolone acetonide. Pentablock copolymer-based nanoparticles can be utilized to achieve continuous near–zero-order delivery of corticosteroids from nanoparticles without any burst effect.     

Synthesis,identification and study of electrical conductivity of the doped copolymer carbazole–phenol formaldehyde

The copolymer carbazole–phenol formaldehyde doped with 4 (4-hydroxy-phenyl azo)-benzene sulfonic acid (PABS), 2,5-dimethyl benzene sulfonic acid (PXSA) and 4-hydroxy-m-benzene disulfonic acid (PDSA) were prepared. These compounds are identified by FT-IR spectroscopy.The conductivity of copolymer carbazole–phenol formaldehyde doped with 4 (4-hydroxy-phenyl azo)-benzene sulfonic acid (PABS), 2,5-dimethyl benzene sulfonic acid (PXSA) and 4-hydroxy-m-benzene disulfonic acid (PDSA) was studied as a function of weight of the dopant compounds; an increase of conductance of the copolymer by doping with PABS is noted; the conductance became equal to 0.000595 ohm⁻¹ for 0.1 g higher conductance for the copolymer when it is doping with PABS.     

Superparamagnetic magnetite–divinylbenzene–maleic anhydride copolymer nanocomposites obtained by dispersion polymerization

Magnetite alternating copolymers divinylbenzene–maleic anhydride (DVB–MA) composites were prepared by dispersion polymerization. Because magnetite is used as a complex with oleic acid (Fe₃O₄OLA), the final hybrids show good dispersion of inorganic nanofillers in the polymer matrix. The obtained composites were analyzed by infrared absorption spectrometry, diffuse reflectance in visible light, thermogravimetry, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. The obtained results indicate the successful preparation of magnetite nanoparticles with an average size of about 23 nm dispersed in micrometer size copolymer spherical particles, which relative content can be controlled via the processing parameters. A relationship between the relative content of magnetite nanoparticles and the size of the polymer particles, with direct influence on the diffuse reflectance in the visible domain, was observed. A superparamagnetic behavior was evidenced at room temperature with a blocking temperature lower than as expected from the bulk anisotropy constant and the average size of the magnetite nanoparticles. Both the unexpected low blocking temperature and the observed low specific magnetizations were explained by a defected and poor crystalline structure of the magnetite nanoparticles, giving rise to spin disorder and diminished crystalline anisotropy constant.     

Overcoming acid–base copolymer neutralization using mesoporous carbon and its catalytic activity in the tandem deacetalization–Knoevenagel condensation reaction

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Acid–base copolymer materials are of considerable interest because of their fundamental implications for acid–base bifunctional catalysis...     

Effect of water-soluble cross-linker on the growth and properties of ethyl acrylate–methacrylic acid emulsion opolymer particles

Model ethyl acrylate–methacrylic acid copolymer latices and latices of particles cross-linked by copolymerizing small amounts of water-soluble N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide were prepared by nonseeded semicontinuous emulsion copolymerization. Dynamic and static light scattering measurements indicated a slightly higher degree of polydispersity in the case of cross-linked particles, especially in the initial stages of polymerization. The hydrodynamic volume of the alkalinized particles controlling the viscosity properties of the dispersions decreased with the time of polymerization and in the case of cross-linked copolymer almost reached a constant value at about 1 h. The different character of the particle structure was confirmed by differences in particle disintegration after alkali addition or in the presence of methanol. Received: 2 February 1999/Accepted: 28 June 2000