Bacterial polyesters grafted with poly(ethylene glycol): Behaviour in aqueous media

An easy method for grafting of poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate-co-3-hydroxyundecenoate) (PHOU) was developed. Oxidation of the pendant double bonds of PHOU into carboxyl groups to yield poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate-co-3-hydroxy-9-carboxydecanoate) (PHOD) and the esterification of the carboxyl side groups with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were carried out in a single reaction solution. The grafting yield is dependent on the molar mass of the PEG graft. The maximum carboxyl group conversion (52%) was obtained with PEG M_n = 350 and decreased with increasing molar mass of PEG (19% for PEG M_n = 2000). Yields were determined by ¹H and ¹³C NMR. Short PEG grafts lowered the glass transition temperature (PHOD-g-PEG 350 −57 °C) compared to PHOD (−19 °C) and PHOU (−39 °C). This effect depends on the COOH conversion and PEG chain length. Grafting enhanced the hydrophilic character of the modified polymers making them soluble in polar solvents, such as alcohols and water/acetone mixtures. PHOD-g-PEG films were more stable towards hydrolytic degradation as PHOD films. No obvious modification of films was observed after more than 200 days at pH 7.2 and 37 °C. The molar mass of the grafted polymers decreased only slightly during this period, while PHOD films were hydrolyzed into soluble fragments.     

Determination of low level methyl tert-butyl ether, ethyl tert-butyl ether and methyl tert-amyl ether in human urine by HS-SPME gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) and tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) are oxygenated compounds added to gasoline to enhance octane rating and to improve combustion. They may be found as pollutants of living and working environments. In this work a robotized method for the quantification of low level MTBE, ETBE and TAME in human urine was developed and validated. The analytes were sampled in the headspace of urine by SPME in the presence of MTBE-d12 as internal standard. Different fibers were compared for their linearity and extraction efficiency: carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene, and polydimethylsiloxane. The first, although highly efficient, was discarded due to deviation of linearity for competitive displacement, and the polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene fiber was chosen instead. The analysis was performed by GC/MS operating in the electron impact mode. The method is very specific, with range of linearity 30-4600 ng L⁻¹, within- and between-run precision, as coefficient of variation, <22 and <16%, accuracy within 20% the theoretical level, and limit of detection of 6 ng L⁻¹ for all the analytes. The influence of the matrix on the quantification of these ethers was evaluated analysing the specimens of seven traffic policemen exposed to autovehicular emissions: using the calibration curve and the method of standard additions comparable levels of MTBE (68-528 ng L⁻¹), ETBE (<6 ng L⁻¹), and TAME (<6 ng L⁻¹) were obtained.     

pH-labile sheddable block copolymers by RAFT polymerization: Synthesis and potential use as siRNA conjugates

Well-defined amphiphilic block copolymers composed of hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks linked through an acid-labile acetal bond were synthesized directly by RAFT polymerization using a new poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) macroRAFT agent modified with an acid-labile group at its R-terminal. The new macroRAFT agent was used for polymerization of poly(t-butyl methacrylate) (PtBMA) or poly(cholesterol-methacrylate) (PCMA) to synthesize well-defined block copolymers with a PEG block sheddable under acidic conditions. The chain extension polymerization kinetics showed known traits of RAFT polymerization. The molecular weight distributions of the copolymers prepared using the new macroRAFT agent remained below 1.2 during the polymerizations and the molecular weight of the copolymers was linearly proportional to monomer conversions. The acid-catalyzed hydrolysis behavior of the PEG-macroRAFT agent and the PEG-b-PtBMA (Mn = 13,600 by GPC, PDI = 1.10) was studied by GPC, ¹H NMR and UV–vis spectroscopy. The half-life of acid-hydrolysis was 70 min at pH 2.2 and 92 h at pH 4.0. The potential use of the pH-labile shedding behavior of the copolymers was demonstrated by conjugating a thiol-modified siRNA to ω-pyridyldisulfide modified PEG-b-PCMA. The resultant PEG-b-PCMA-b-siRNA triblock modular polymer released PCMA-b-siRNA segment in acidic and siRNA segment in reductive conditions, as confirmed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.     

Partial molar volume of paracetamol in water, 0.1 M HCl and 0.154 M NaCl at T = (298.15, 303.15, 308.15 and 310.65) K and at 101.325 kPa

The apparent molar volume of paracetamol (4-acetamidophenol) in water, 0.1 M HCl and 0.154 M NaCl as solvents at (298.15, 303.15, 308.15 and 310.65) K temperatures and at a pressure of 101.325 kPa were determined from the density data obtained with the help of a vibrating-tube Anton Paar DMA-48 densimeter. The partial molar volume, V_m, of paracetamol in these solvents at different temperatures was evaluated by extrapolating the apparent molar volume versus molality plots to m = 0. In addition, the partial molar expansivity, E^°, the isobaric coefficient of thermal expansion, α_p, and the interaction coefficient, S_v, have also been computed. The expansivity data show dependence of E^° values on the structure of the solute molecules.     

Excess molar enthalpies of binary mixtures containing poly(ethylene glycol) 200+four cyclic ethers at (288.15, 298.15 and 313.15) K and at atmospheric pressure

Excess molar enthalpies, H_m^E, of binary mixtures containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) 200+1,3-dioxolane, PEG 200+1,4-dioxane, PEG 200+oxolane and PEG 200+oxane were determined using a flow microcalorimeter at (288.15, 298.15 and 313.15) K and at atmospheric pressure. The H_m^E curves are always positive, with maxima varying from 393 J mol⁻¹ (1,3-dioxolane) to 658 J mol⁻¹ (oxolane), showing asymmetrical trends. The effect of the temperature is well marked on the calorimetric data that increase as the temperature is increased. The Redlich-Kister polynomial was used to estimate the binary fitting parameters. Root-mean-square deviations from the regression lines are reported.     

High conductive copolymers of polypyrrole-α,ω-diamine polydimethylsiloxane

Block copolymers of α,ω-diamine polydimethylsiloxane (DA · PDMS) and polypyrrole have been produced by the polymerization of pyrrole with the redox system of ceric salt/DA · PDMS. The properties of the copolymers may be regulated by the ratio of DA · PDMS/Pyrrole/Ce₄(NH₄)₂(NO₃)₆. The copolymers with lower conductivities are soluble in solvents such as DMF and acetone but higher conductive copolymers are insoluble. A block copolymer with unusually high conductivity (4000 S/cm) was produced under one specific polymerization condition. The chemical structure and the surface morphology of the copolymer particles seem to be important for high conductivity.     

Oriented UHMW-PE/CNT composite tapes by a solution casting-drawing process using mixed-solvents

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene/multi-wall carbon nanotube (UHMW-PE/MWNT) composites have been prepared by a novel approach which involves the use of a mixture of solvents during the gelation process. By combining one of the best known organic solvents for nanotubes, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) with xylene and use this mixed-solvent in the gelation/crystallisation process for UHMW-PE/MWNT composite fabrication, an attempt is made to improve the dispersion of carbon nanotubes in UHMW-PE. The obtained films were drawn to obtain highly oriented tapes, which were characterized in terms of electrical and mechanical properties. The conductivity of the drawn tapes is maintained at 10⁻⁴ S/m at draw ratio 30, two orders of magnitude higher than the minimum level required to provide electrostatic discharge. Although the mechanical properties are compromised by use of DMF and MWNTs, the Young’s modulus still remains at 25 GPa, in comparison with 35 GPa for pure UHMW-PE tape at draw ratio 30.     

Excess molar volumes of N,N-dimethylformamide + 2-pentanone + alkan-1-ols mixed solvent systems at 303.15 K

Accurate excess molar volumes (V^E), at ambient pressure and 303.15 K, have been determined in the ternary liquid mixtures of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) + 2-pentanone (PE) + 1-alkan-1-ols (C₃-C₆) and in the binary mixtures of PE + alkan-1-ols (C₃-C₆) as a function of composition. The alkanols include 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol and 1-hexanol. The intermolecular interactions and structural effects were analyzed on the basis of the measured and derived properties. Excess molar volumes increase in magnitude with increase in chain length of alcohol. Valuable information on the behavior and governing factors of the liquid structure of the strongly associated solvents studied were inferred from the parameters deduced. The V^E results were correlated and fitted by the Redlich-Kister equation for binary mixtures and by the Cibulka equation for ternary mixtures, as a function of mole fraction. Several predictive empirical relations were applied to predict the excess volumes of ternary mixtures from the binary mixing data. An analysis of the data indicates a good agreement between experimental results and predicted values in all ternary systems. A discussion is presented and deviations are interpreted in terms of size, shape, the position of ketone group, the chain length of alkanol and hydrogen bond effects in the liquid mixtures studied to explain chemical and thermophysical behavior.     

Characterization of cyclic and non-cyclic poly-(ether-urethane)s bio-based sugar diols by a combination of MALDI-TOF and NMR

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy have been applied for characterization of novel poly-(ether-urethane)s (PolyEU) based on various diols derived from starch and two diisocyanates. First, numerous polyurethanes soft and hard blocks were prepared by polyaddition of isosorbide (3), isomannide (4) or isoidide (5) with 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) (7) or hexane-1,6-diisocyanate (HDI) (8). The polyaddition of isoidide and MDI yields 85% of polyurethane hard block with high inherent viscosity (η_inh = 0.35 dL/g) with linear chains as the main products. In the case of polyurethane based on isosorbide and MDI a large amount of cyclic compounds was formed with relatively high viscosity (η_inh = 0.29 dL/g) and good yield (77%). This polyurethane hard block presents a high glass transition temperature (T_g = 183 °C) and an excellent thermal stability until 250 °C (T_g = 77 °C of the polyurethane soft block based on isosorbide and HDI). Second, polyaddition of an aliphatic diol (6a) based on isosorbide and MDI yielded new poly-(ether-urethane) soft-hard blocks with quantitative yield (>95%). This polymer is soluble in common organic solvents and has a number-average molecular weight of 7950 Da with a polydispersity index of 1.43. The MALDI-TOF spectrum of this poly-(ether-urethane) indicated the formation of high molar fraction of cycles (Ca and Cb). The pure cyclic poly-(ether-urethane) soft-hard block presents a T_g of 141 °C.     

Phase behavior of biodegradable amphiphilic poly(l,l-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(l,l-lactide)

This study describes the miscibility phase behavior in two series of biodegradable triblock copolymers, poly(l-lactide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(l-lactide) (PLLA-PEG-PLLA), prepared from two di-hydroxy-terminated PEG prepolymers (M_n = 4000 or 600 g mol⁻¹) with different lengths of poly(l-lactide) segments (polymerization degree, DP = 1.2-145.6). The prepared block copolymers presented wide range of molecular weights (800-25,000 g mol⁻¹) and compositions (16-80 wt.% of PEG). The copolymer multiphases coexistance and interaction were evaluated by DSC and TGA. The copolymers presented a dual stage thermal degradation and decreased thermal stability compared to PEG homopolymers. In addition, DSC analyses allowed the observation of multiphase separation; the melting temperature, T_m, of PLLA and PEG phases depended on the relative segment lengths and the only observed glass transition temperature (T_g) in copolymers indicated miscibility in the amorphous phase.     

Synthesis and characterization of hydrophilic thermotropic block copolyetheresters

The block copolyetheresters with a hard segment of poly (hexamethylene p,p′-bibenzoate) and a soft segment of poly (ethylene oxide) were prepared by melt polycondensation of dimethyl-p,p′-bibenzoate, 1,6-hexanediol, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) with molecular weights of 400, 1000, 2000, or 4000. These block copolyetheresters were characterized by intrinsic viscosity, GPC, FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, and water absorption. The thermotropic liquid crystalline properties were investigated by DSC, polarized microscope, and x-ray diffraction. The block copolyetheresters exhibit smectic liquid crystallinity due to the polyester segment. The transitions are dependent on the molar content and the molecular weight of PEG used. The block copolyetheresters show high water absorption due to the hydrophilic nature of the poly (ethylene oxide) segment. The water absorption increases with increasing PEG content. As the molecular weight of PEG increases, the water absorption increases significantly. The results indicate that the water absorption of the poly (ethylene oxide) segment in the block copolymers is affected by the presence of polyester segments. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Aggregation and solubilization of organic solvents and petrol/gasoline in water mediated by block copolymers

A series of AB and ABA block copolymers of pDEGMEMA-b-pCHMA and pCHMA-b-pDEGMEMA-b-pCHMA cyclohexyl methacrylate (CHMA) and di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (DEGMEMA) with M_n ranging between 18,000 and 50,000 g mol⁻¹ and PDI = 1.09-1.32 were prepared via copper(I) mediated living radical polymerization with pyridylmethanimine ligands. Aggregation properties were investigated using a combination of ¹H NMR, dynamic and static light scattering. For comparative purposes poly(CHMA) and poly(DEGMEMA) homopolymers were prepared. The CAC values estimated for the di- and triblock copolymers soluble in cyclohexane are lower than 0.005 g L⁻¹ whereas the values found for block copolymers in methanol solutions are less than 0.070 g L⁻¹. DLS analysis showed the presence of micellar aggregates with diameters ranging from 25 to 40 nm with particle polydispersity indexes between 0.003 and 0.183. The pCHMA-b-pDEGMEMA-b-pCHMA micelles solubilized the aqueous phase in petrol/gasoline. The block copolymer-based micelles incorporate water within their hydrophilic domains, potentially overcoming a number of practical problems such as the formation of biphasic mixtures in solvent blends due to undesired water accumulation.     

Stepwise dansyl grafting on the kaolinite interlayer surface

A block copolymer (PS-b-poly(l-Glu)) composed of polystyrene and poly(l-glutamic acid) was used as a stabilizer for dispersion polymerization of styrene. When dispersion polymerization of styrene was conducted at 70 °C in 80% dimethylformamide-water with 0.5 wt% PS-b-poly(l-Glu), spherical polystyrene particles with D_n = 0.72 μm and narrow size distribution were obtained. Whereas AIBN concentration did not have any effects on particle size, molecular weight of the polystyrene particles was strongly dependent on the initiator concentration. As concentration of the PS-b-poly(l-Glu) increased from 0.2 to 1.0 wt%, particle size decreased from D_n = 0.91 to 0.69 μm with keeping surface area occupied by one poly(l-glutamic acid) chain about S = 50 nm². On the other hand, an increase in initial concentration of styrene from 2 to 20 wt% caused an increase in particle size from D_n = 0.48 to 1.36 μm and a decrease in surface area per poly(l-glutamic acid) block from S = 91 to 45 nm². Colloidal stability of the polystyrene particles in aqueous solution was responsive to pH due to the surface-grafted poly(l-glutamic acid). For dispersion polymerization of styrene, the PS-b-poly(l-Glu) functions as both a stabilizer and a surface modifier.     

Local environment influence on the optical properties of block copolymers containing an epoxy-based azo-prepolymer

The aim of this contribution was the study of the influence of polymer matrix on the photo-induced orientation of azobenzene groups. Notably, an azo-prepolymer bearing hydroxyl groups was selectively confined in self-assembled phases of different block copolymers, randomly-epoxidized polystyrene-b-polybutadiene-b-polystyrene (SBSep) and polystyrene-b-poly-4-vinylpyridine (S4VP). The formation of hydrogen bonds between the azo-prepolymer and poly-4-vinylpyridine block, as well as the effect of the local environment surrounding the azo-prepolymer were investigated by Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopies. In addition, the reversible optical storage properties of the developed materials were also studied. Birefringent properties of the systems based on S4VP were strongly enhanced by intermolecular interactions with the azo-prepolymer. Specifically, the maximum birefringence level attained by a system containing 13 wt% of azobenzene was around 2.3 × 10⁻² and its remaining birefringence was nearly three times higher than that of the neat azo-prepolymer. Furthermore, a morphological analysis of the designed materials was carried out by atomic force microscopy. Taking into account that the control of the microdomains ordering in block copolymer films is of current interest, special attention was focused on the influence of different variables on the arrangement of the block copolymer microdomains.     

Response surface methodology for the modelling of copper removal from aqueous solutions using micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to study the cumulative effect of the various parameters, namely surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), anionic) concentration, pH, and surfactant/metal molar ratio and to optimise the process conditions for the maximum removal of copper from aqueous solutions via micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF). For obtaining the mutual interaction between the variables and optimising these variables, a central composite design (CCD) by use of response surface methodology was employed. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the quadratic model demonstrated that the model was highly significant. The model was statistically tested and verified by experimentation. Values of pH at the range of ca. 7.5 were very successful for the separation. The maximum rejection coefficient of 98.4% was obtained for the following optimal conditions: SDS/Cu²⁺ molar ratio *r = 7.85, *pH 7.36, *C_surf = 6.82 g/l SDS. A modification of micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration for the removal of copper from aqueous solutions was studied by the implementation of sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyethylene glycol (PEG) aggregates. A full factorial design (FFD) was employed for studying the effect of molar ratio of surfactant/metal, pH and mass ratio of surfactant/polymer at a constant concentration of surfactant equal to 5 g/l. The comparison of the two systems in the region of their common factors showed that the addition of polyethylene glycol caused a slight increase in rejection coefficient of copper but also could function as ‘scavenger’ for surfactant species.     

Microwave-assisted clean synthesis of aromatic photoactive polyamides derived from 5-(3-acetoxynaphthoylamino)-isophthalic acid and aromatic diamines in ionic liquid

Dicarboxylic acid, 5-(3-acetoxynaphthoylamino)isophthalic acid was prepared in three steps. The direct polycondensation of this novel diacid with several aromatic diamines was studied in 1,3-diisopropylimidazolium bromide as an ionic liquid (IL) under microwave irradiation and conventional heating. The polymerization reaction was effectively preceded in IL, and triphenyl phosphite as an activating agent, and the resulting novel photoactive polyamides were obtained in high yields and moderate inherent viscosities in the range of 0.44-0.69 dL/g. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that polymers are thermally stable, 10% weight loss temperatures in excess of 390 and 470 °C, and char yields at 600 °C in nitrogen higher than 60%. These macromolecules exhibited maximum UV-vis absorption at 265 and 300 nm in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution. Their photoluminescence in DMF solution demonstrated fluorescence emission maxima around 361 and 427 nm for all of the polyamides. It is very important to note that, because of, high polarizability of ILs, they are very good solvents for absorbing microwaves.     

Crystallization behavior and micelle formation of star-shaped amphiphilic block copolymer based on dendritic poly(ether-amide)

The star-shaped amphiphilic block copolymer (DPEA-PCL-PEG) was prepared through ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL) initiated by hydroxyl end-capped dendritic poly(ether-amide) (DPEA-OH), then coupling with monomethoxy-terminated poly(ethylene-glycol) (PEG) via an esterification process. The molecular structure was verified by FT-IR, ¹H NMR and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The number average molecular weight of the PCL arm was calculated to be about 1910 g mol⁻¹ by ¹H NMR analysis. The number average molecular weight of the copolymer was determined to be 74,020 with the molecular weight distribution of 1.15 by GPC. The DSC and X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the copolymer possesses double melting and crystallization peaks, attributed to PCL and PEG segments in DPEA-PCL-PEG. The corresponding melting and crystallization temperature, and value of crystallinity are much lower than that of their individual homopolymers. The copolymer easily formed the core-shell structural nanoparticles as micelles in water with a lower critical micelle concentration of 5.524 mg l⁻¹.     

Synthesis and properties of thermally stable and optically active novel wholly aromatic polyesters containing a chiral pendent group

5-(2-Phthalimidyl-3-methyl butanoylamino)isophthalic acid (5), as a novel diacid monomer containing phthalimide and flexible chiral groups, was prepared by the reaction of 2-phthalimidyl-3-methyl butyric acid chloride (4) with 5-aminoisophthalic acid (5AIPA) in dry N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc). A series of novel polyesters (PE)s containing phthalimide group was prepared by the reaction of diacid monomer 5 with several aromatic diols via direct polyesterification with the tosyl chloride/pyridine/dimethylformamide (DMF) system as a condensing agent. The resulting new polymers were obtained in good yields with inherent viscosities ranging between 0.37 and 0.61 dL g⁻¹ and were characterized with FT-IR, ¹H NMR, elemental and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. These polymers are readily soluble in amide type solvents such as DMAc, DMF, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, hexamethyl triaminophosphine, dimethyl sulfoxide and protic solvents such as sulfuric acid. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the 10% weight loss temperature in a nitrogen atmosphere was more than 345 °C, which indicates that the resulting PEs have a good thermal stability as well as excellent solubility.     

A facile sulfonylation method enabling direct syntheses of per(2-O-sulfonyl)-β-cyclodextrins

Cs₂CO₃ was found to efficiently catalyze the reaction of β-cyclodextrin and N-tosylimidazole. Stirring β-cyclodextrin and N-tosylimidazole in 1/1.2 molar ratio in DMF in the presence of catalytic amount of Cs₂CO₃ at rt for 1.5 h afforded 2^A-mono(O-tosyl)-β-cyclodextrin in 32% yield. The 2^A,2^B-, 2^A,2^C- and 2^A,2^D-ditosylates were isolated in ca. 6-7% yields, respectively, when β-cyclodextrin and N-tosylimidazole were used in 1/2.5 molar ratio. The charge of excess (10 equiv) of N-tosylimidazole ensured a one-step direct (protection-free) synthesis of the per(2-O-tosyl)-β-cyclodextrin in 5% isolated yield. N-(m-Nitrobenzenesulfonyl)imidazole even allowed a much faster access to the corresponding persulfonate in only 1 h reaction.     

Controlled biosynthesis and characterization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) from mixtures of palm kernel oil and 3HV-precursors

This study investigates the biosynthesis and characterization of P(3HB-co-3HV-co-3HHx) terpolymer from mixtures of palm kernel oil and 3HV-precursors by using recombinant Cupriavidus necator PHB⁻4/pBBREE32d13. Sodium valerate and propionate have been evaluated for the generation of 3HV monomers. The feeding time of these precursors was a crucial factor that significantly affected the 3HV molar fractions, which ranged from 2 to 60 mol%. Sodium valerate was generally the better precursor in initiating the accumulation of 3HV monomers while maintaining high cell dry weight (7.9 g/L) and good PHA accumulation (79 wt%). However, the 3HHx molar fractions in the terpolymers at 72 h were consistent at about 2-7 mol%. P(3HB-co-3HV) copolymers have been known to exhibit approximately the same degree of crystallinity throughout a wide range of 3HV composition. Interestingly, in this study, terpolymers containing 58 mol% 3HB, 39 mol% 3HV and 3 mol% 3HHx showed elastomeric behavior. This study demonstrates the suitability of palm kernel oil as the main carbon source and both sodium propionate and sodium valerate as 3HV-precursors for the synthesis of novel compositions of P(3HB-co-3HV-co-3HHx) terpolymers with interesting properties.