水蒸气诱导聚电解质刷的构象转变

我们把Flory-Huggins模型(association models)推广应用到暴露于水蒸气中的聚电解质刷体系,考虑聚电解质-水氢键(P-W氢键)与水-水氢键(W-W氢键)、形成氢键与聚电解质链构象的耦合特性,研究水蒸气诱导的聚电解质刷构象转变的机理.研究发现,当P-W氢键效应起主导作用时,随着水蒸气浓度的增加,聚电解质刷会单调溶胀;P-W和W-W两种氢键效应,则会导致随着水蒸气浓度的增加,聚电解质刷的构象首先塌缩,然后开始溶胀的反常转变行为.基于本文的分析,可以预言,由于P-W氢键效应,聚电解质刷可以吸附水蒸气,吸附能力随聚电解质链长的增加而增强;当聚电解质链接枝密度足够高时,由于P-W和W-W两种氢键效应,增加体系中的水蒸气,会在聚电解质刷体系中形成由P-W氢键和W-W氢键交错链接的三维网络状凝胶结构.     

水蒸气诱导两性离子聚合物刷的构象转变

我们把Flory Huggins模型(association models)推广应用到暴露于水蒸气中的两性离子聚合物刷体系,考虑两性离子聚合物-水氢键(P-W氢键)与两性离子聚合物链间两亲离子单体-单体键合(zwitterions complex)、形成氢键与两性离子聚合物链构象的耦合特性,研究水蒸气诱导的两性离子聚合物刷构象转变的机理和相行为.研究发现,随着水蒸气浓度的增加,P-W氢键效应会使得两性离子聚合物刷溶胀;两亲离子单体-单体键合效应会导致水分子将会被排出刷外,并会导致两性离子聚合物刷塌缩.通过分析两性离子聚合物刷的相图发现,P-W氢键效应在决定两性离子聚合物刷的相行为中起到主导作用,在水蒸气增加过程中两性离子聚合物刷将会单调溶胀.基于本文的分析,可以预言,由于P-W氢键效应,两性离子聚合物刷可以吸附水蒸气,当两性离子聚合物链接枝密度足够高时,两性离子聚合物刷内的水分子将会被排出,并会形成两亲离子单体-单体键合连接的凝胶状结构.     

亲水性两性离子聚合物刷的构象与结构

本文应用分子场理论,研究暴露于水蒸气中的亲水性两性离子聚合物(HP)刷的构象与结构.理论模型考虑HP-水(P-W)氢键和水-水(W-W)氢键效应,以及HP单体之间的偶极-偶极相互作用.研究发现,P-W与W-W氢键决定着HP的水合性,P-W氢键形成,会诱导HP刷溶胀.我们通过考察HP单体间的偶极-偶极相互作用发现,随着偶极-偶极相互作用增强,HP链在垂直培基表面沿着链方向,形成了结节状结构.这是由于HP单体之间的偶极-偶极静电吸引作用导致单体间汇聚结节,这种结节在刷内产生了较强的排斥体积作用,因此,这种HP刷具有抗污性能.在较高的接枝密度环境下,由于HP链间单体之间的偶极-偶极静电吸引作用,会形成链间单体-单体的结节,在刷内形成结节网络状凝胶结构,这种结构的出现,会使得HP刷呈现极强的抗污性.另外,当体系中水蒸气浓度增加、水合相互作用增强时,增加的P-W氢键将平衡HP单体之间的偶极-偶极相互作用,使得结节解开,聚合物链伸展.我们的理论结果符合实验观测,由此表明,P-W氢键效应,以及HP单体之间的偶极-偶极相互作用决定着HP刷的构象转变和结构特性,刷内出现的两性离子聚合物链内单体间的结节和链间单体结节状凝胶结构,是两性离子聚合物刷呈现较强抗污性的本质特性.     

水合作用与pH调控聚电解质刷的构象转变

我们基于Flory-Huggins理论,建立理论模型研究水合作用与pH调控聚电解质刷的构象转变.理论模型考虑聚电解质链与水分子间的作用(聚电解质链的水合作用)、体系中的静电作用.研究发现,随着水合作用的改变,聚电解质刷出现由溶胀到塌缩的构象转变.由此表明了水合作用可在很大程度调节聚电解质刷的相变.通过分析pH的调控效应我们还发现,在碱性环境中(pH=8),聚电解质链单体的解离度增大,静电排斥会使得聚电解质刷溶胀.由此表明,聚电解质刷内水合作用与静电效应的耦合,将会共同决定聚电解质刷的构象转变特性.理论结果深刻揭示了水合作用的改变,会使得聚电解质刷体系发生相变,pH可在很大程度上改变其相变特性.     

中性/聚电解质高分子混合刷对蛋白质的吸附/解吸附

本文应用分子理论,研究中性(A)/聚电解质(B)高分子混合刷对蛋白质的吸附/解吸附特性.理论模型考虑蛋白质与中性高分子A的排斥、以及与聚电解质高分子B的静电吸引.研究发现,在pH=4～6、中性高分子A处于弱水合状态时,混合刷中A高分子链塌缩,B聚电解质链溶胀.由于蛋白质和B聚电解质链间的静电吸引,导致高分子混合刷对蛋白质的吸附.当A高分子水合性增强时,A高分子链溶胀,B聚电解质链塌缩.由于蛋白质与A高分子链间的排斥作用增强,与B聚电解质链间的静电吸引减弱,混合刷对蛋白质解吸附.     

中性/聚电解质高分子混合刷对蛋白质的吸附/解吸附

本文应用分子理论,研究中性(A)/聚电解质(B)高分子混合刷对蛋白质的吸附/解吸附特性.理论模型考虑蛋白质与中性高分子A的排斥、以及与聚电解质高分子B的静电吸引.研究发现,在pH=4～6、中性高分子A处于弱水合状态时,混合刷中A高分子链塌缩,B聚电解质链溶胀.由于蛋白质和B聚电解质链间的静电吸引,导致高分子混合刷对蛋白质的吸附.当A高分子水合性增强时,A高分子链溶胀,B聚电解质链塌缩.由于蛋白质与A高分子链间的排斥作用增强,与B聚电解质链间的静电吸引减弱,混合刷对蛋白质解吸附.     

水合作用与 pH 调控两性离子聚合物刷的相变行为

本文基于Flory-Huggins理论,建立理论模型研究水合作用与pH调控两性离子聚合物(ZP)刷的相变行为.理论模型考虑ZP的水合作用,以及ZP刷体系中的静电作用.研究发现,在不同pH条件下,ZP刷的体积分数随着水合作的减弱而的增加.随着pH的变化,ZP刷构象随着水合性转变行为明显改变,这是由于pH调控ZP链单体带有过多的净电荷(正电荷或负电荷),致使ZP链内出现静电排斥导致ZP刷溶胀.另外,当ZP链单体呈现过多的净电荷,会在很大程度上决定ZP刷体系静电势,影响ZP刷的相变行为.通过考察体系自由能,我们还发现,ZP刷体系自由能呈现了极大值,随着pH值的变化,自由能呈现的极大值随之改变,由此表明了体系的不稳定性,进而导致ZP刷体系发生相变.     

多价抗衡离子诱导聚甲基丙烯酸N,N-二甲基氨基乙酯(PDMAEMA)刷构象转变的UCST行为

本文应用分子场理论,研究pH、[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)诱导聚甲基丙烯酸N,N-二甲基氨基乙酯(PDMAEMA)刷的上临界溶解温度(UCST)构象转变与结构特性.理论模型考虑p H和[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)对PDMAEMA刷体系的静电调控作用.研究发现,在不同[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)浓度、不同p H条件下,PDMAEMA刷呈现了UCST构象转变行为.由于p H调节PDMAEMA单体质子化,[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)通过与PDMAEMA带正电荷的单体结合,形成了在PDMAEMA链内以[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)为中介的带电单体间的静电吸引结合.随着温度升高,[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)与PDMAEMA带正电荷的单体结合被破坏,[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)在链内凝聚导致的静电屏蔽效应减弱,PDMAEMA链内带电单体间的静电排斥增强,PDMAEMA刷的构象呈现了从塌缩到溶胀的UCST转变行为,并且在较高[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)浓度条件下,PDMAEMA刷构象转变的UCST增高.在较低p H值条件下,较多的PDMAEMA单体被质子化,[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)与PDMAEMA带正电单体的结合增强,PDMAEMA刷构象转变的UCST增大.基于pH和[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)对PDMAEMA刷体系中的静电调控效应,可以预言,在较小p H和较大[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)浓度条件下,PDMAEMA链在垂直培基表面沿着链方向形成结节状结构.这是由于以[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)为中介的链内带电单体间的静电吸引作用增强,导致临近单体间汇聚结节.我们的理论结果符合实验观测,由此表明,pH调节PDMAEMA单体的带电状态,以及[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)在PDMAEMA链内凝聚导致的静电屏蔽效应,决定着PDMAEMA刷的UCST构象转变和结构特性.     

浸没于带电纳米粒子溶液中的聚电解质刷:强拉伸理论

纳米粒子是调控聚电解质刷行为的一种新手段,聚电解质刷是调控纳米粒子与表面相互作用的一种重要媒介,本文应用强拉伸理论研究了聚电解质刷浸没于带同种电荷的纳米粒子溶液中的行为.给出了聚电解质刷、纳米粒子、反离子的密度分布和刷厚度的解析表达式,基于解析表达式,得到了体系的特征标度关系.当纳米粒子浓度Φ较高,电量Z较低时,纳米粒子可以渗入聚电解质刷内部.当纳米粒子浓度Φ相对较低,电量Z较高时,纳米粒子几乎不能渗入刷内部,但依然可以影响刷的厚度.在前一种情形下,刷行为由反离子、纳米粒子的渗透压与链的熵弹性之间的竞争决定,刷厚度满足的标度关系为H≈(ZΦ)~(-1/3);在后一种情形下,刷行为由反离子的渗透压与链的熵弹性之间的竞争决定,刷厚度满足的标度关系为H≈(ZΦ)~(-1).本文还探究了纳米粒子多分散性的效应.     

丝素蛋白在甲醇-水混合溶剂中构象变化的光谱学研究

应用圆二色谱、内源荧光和外源荧光探针研究了丝素蛋白在甲醇-水混合溶剂中的构象变化及机理。结果显示,在浓度低于30%(V/V)的甲醇-水混合溶剂中,处于无规卷曲状态的丝素蛋白可以通过疏水相互作用形成小的疏水区域,随着甲醇浓度的增加,丝素蛋白发生由无规卷曲向β-折叠的构象转变,削弱了疏水侧链的相互作用。分析表明,丝素蛋白的构象变化与溶剂体系的微观结构密切相关,其稳定性主要由肽键单元与混合溶剂中的分子簇之间的相互作用决定。低浓度的甲醇-水混合溶剂保持水固有的氢键结构,对丝素蛋白肽键单元的溶剂化和丝素蛋白构象的影响较小,而随着甲醇浓度的增加,溶剂结构出现由四面体结构的水分子簇向链状结构的甲醇分子簇的转变,丝素蛋白通过形成分子内氢键减少肽键单元与溶剂分子的接触,从而引发丝素蛋白的构象转变。     

Effects of counterion fluctuations in a polyelectrolyte brush

We investigate the effect of counterion fluctuations in a single polyelectrolyte brush in the absence of added salt by systematically expanding the counterion free energy about Poisson-Boltzmann mean-field theory. We find that for strongly charged brushes, there is a collapse regime in which the brush height decreases with increasing charge on the polyelectrolyte chains. The transition to this collapsed regime is similar to the liquid-gas transition, which has a first-order line terminating at a critical point. We find that, for monovalent counterions, the transition is discontinuous in theta solvent, while for multivalent counterions, the transition is generally continuous. For collapsed brushes, the brush height is not independent of grafting density as it is for osmotic brushes, but scales linear with it.Received: 26 November 2003, Published online: 11 May 2004PACS: 61.25.Hq Macromolecular and polymer solutions; polymer melts; swelling - 61.20.Qg Structure of associated liquids: electrolytes, molten salts, etc.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of end-grafted centipede-like polymers with stiff charged side chains

We use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate centipede-like polymers with stiff charged side chains, end-grafted to a planar wall. The effect of the grafting density and the Bjerrum length on the conformational behaviour of the brush is examined in detail. In addition, we make a comparison of centipede-like polyelectrolyte (CPE) brushes with neutral centipede-like polymer (NCP) and linear polyelectrolyte (LPE) brushes. At weak electrostatic interaction, the main chains of the CPE chains adopt a strongly stretched conformation, and the monomer density profiles of side chains exhibit a clear oscillatory behaviour. With increasing Bjerrum length, the CPE brush undergoes a collapse transition. Compared to the CPE brushes, the counterion condensation effect is stronger for the LPE brushes, regardless of whether the electrostatic interaction is weak or strong and of whether the grafting density is low or high. Additionally, it is shown that the architecture of the grafted chains makes a weak contribution to the counterion condensation at strong electrostatic interaction. We also find that the electrostatic repulsion between charged side chains can enhance the stiffness of the main chains and thus limit the range of movement of the free-end monomers.     

Scaling Theory of Strongly Charged Cylindrical Polyelectrolyte Brushes

Scaling theory of charged cylindrical polyelectrolyte brushes is developed. The dependence of brush thickness on the grafting density, charge fraction, and chain length is analyzed. A full phase diagram is established. Characteristics and boundaries between different regimes of cylindrical polyelectrolyte brushes are summarized. Special attentions are paid to electrostatic interaction induced stiffening and counterion condensation effects. If the Bjerrum length of the solution is larger than the Kuhn length of the polyelectrolyte chains, counterion condensation occurs in the strongly charged polyelectrolyte brushes. On the contrary, the electrostatic interaction stretches the strongly charged grafted polyelectrolyte chains to their contour length.     

Oppositely charged polyelectrolytes grafted onto planar surface: Mean-field lattice theory

Equilibrium structures of planar polyelectrolyte brushes formed by grafted chains carrying charges of opposite sign are examined by employing mean-field lattice theory. Two brushes of different architecture are considered: one formed by grafted diblock copolymers with oppositely charged blocks and the other being a mixed brush composed of oppositely charged homopolymers. The systems display nontrivial intrinsically inhomogeneous brush structures originating from the chain connectivity and the electrostatic interaction among the segments. In addition, a coexistence of stretched and coiled chains inside the brush is observed. The influence of the charges of the blocks, the relative length of the oppositely charged blocks, and the ionic strength of the solution on the brush inhomogeneity and structural differences between the two types of brushes are discussed. Received 14 March 2001 and Received in final form 18 June 2001     

Non-linear osmotic brush regime: Simulations and mean-field theory

We investigate polyelectrolyte brushes in the osmotic regime using both theoretical analysis and molecular dynamics simulation techniques. In the simulations at moderate Bjerrum length, we observe that the brush height varies weakly with grafting density, in contrast to the accepted scaling law, which predicts a brush thickness independent of the grafting density. We show that such behavior can be explained by considering lateral electrostatic effects (within the non-linear Poisson-Boltzmann theory) combined with the coupling between lateral and longitudinal degrees of freedom due to the conserved polymer volume (which are neglected in scaling arguments). We also take the non-linear elasticity of polyelectrolyte chains into consideration, which makes significant effects as chains are almost fully stretched in the osmotic regime. It is shown that all these factors lead to a non-monotonic behavior for the brush height as a function of the grafting density. At large grafting densities, the brush height increases with increasing the grafting density due to the volume constraint. At small grafting densities, we obtain a re-stretching of the chains for decreasing grafting density, which is caused by lateral electrostatic contributions and is controlled by the counterion-condensation process around polyelectrolyte chains. These results are obtained assuming all counterions to be trapped within the brush, which is valid for sufficiently long chains of large charge fraction.Received: 14 May 2003, Published online: 11 November 2003PACS: 61.25.Hq Macromolecular and polymer solutions; polymer melts; swelling - 36.20.-r Macromolecules and polymer molecules - 61.20.Qg Structure of associated liquids: electrolytes, molten salts, etc.