Differences between tethered polyelectrolyte chains on bare mica and hydrophobically modified mica

This study investigates the structures of layers of amphiphilic diblock copolymers of poly(t-butyl styrene)-poly(styrene sulfonate) (PtBS-PSS) adsorbed on both the bare mica surface (hydrophilic) and an octadecyltriethoxysilane (OTE)-modified mica surface (hydrophobic). When the surface is rendered hydrophobic, the nonsoluble block exhibits stronger interaction with the surface and higher adsorbed masses are achieved. Interaction forces between two such adsorbed layers on both substrates were measured using the surface forces apparatus. The effect of salt concentration (Cs) and molecular weight (N) on the height of the self-assembled layers (L0) was examined in each case. The resulting scaling relationship is in good agreement with predictions of the brush model, L0 proportional to N(1.0) in the low-salt limit and L0N(-1) proportional to (Cs/sigma)(-0.32) in the salted regime, when adsorption takes place onto the hydrophobized mica surface. For adsorption on the bare mica surface, L0N(-0.7) proportional, variant Cs(-0.17) agrees with the scaling prediction of the sparse tethering model. The results suggest that, on the hydrophilic bare mica surface, the adsorbed amount is not high enough to form a brush structure and only very little intermolecular stretching of the tethered chains occurs; in contrast, the presence of the hydrophobic OTE layer increases the tethering density such that the polyelectrolyte chains adopt a brush conformation.     

Laser reflectometry to investigate adsorption–desorption of poly(styrene sulfonate) onto polyamide 6.6

The adsorption of poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) on polyamide 6-6 was investigated using fixed angle laser reflectometry. The appropriate polyamide film thickness for an accurate analysis was first determined theoretically. Polyamide films were further prepared at controlled thickness using dip-coating processes and characterized. The adsorption of PSS was measured at pH 3 on dip-coated films as a function of time and polymer concentration. The adsorption rate at very low polymer coverage revealed diffusion limited adsorption. At and above pH 10, the PSS adsorption/desorption was difficult to evaluate. At and above pH 11.5, the hydrolysis of polyamide produced artifacts that prevent any meaningful measurements. This work showed that reflectometry is an interesting analytical tool in the in situ study of the functionalization of organic materials and to investigate the stability of the films produced.     

Adsorption of poly(styrene sulfonate) of different molecular weights on alpha-alumina: effect of added sodium dodecyl sulfate

The adsorption of poly(styrene sulfonate), PSS, of different molecular weights (70,000, 500,000, and 1,000,000 mol/kg), from aqueous solutions on alpha-alumina has been investigated. PSS of the lower molecular weight adsorbs less than the others whose adsorption isotherms overlap. The adsorption is found to increase with increasing ionic strength of the solutions indicating that both electrostatic and non-electrostatic contributions are involved in the adsorption process. Upon addition of the anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS, PSS is found to adsorb less the more SDS added. SDS is found to be preferentially adsorbed as shown both from the simultaneous adsorption of the components and also from the sequential adsorption process where SDS in all cases displaces preadsorbed PSS from the solid surface. The displacement of preadsorbed polyelectrolyte by surfactant is a very slow process and the displacement is less pronounced as the molecular mass of the polyelectrolyte increases indicating the fewer number of contact points to the surface. This is further underlined by the effect on the displacement of PSS by SDS upon increasing the ionic strength of the solutions.     

Synthesis of poly(vinylidene fluoride)‐b‐poly(styrene sulfonate) block copolymers by controlled radical polymerizations

Block copolymers based on poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, and a series of poly(aromatic sulfonate) sequences were synthesized from controlled radical polymerizations (CRPs). According to the aromatic monomers, appropriate techniques of CRP were chosen: either iodine transfer polymerization (ITP) or atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from PVDF‐I macromolecular chain transfer agents (CTAs) or PVDF‐CCl₃ macroinitiator, respectively. These precursors were produced either by ITP of VDF with C₆F₁₃I or by radical telomerization of VDF with chloroform, respectively. Poly(vinylidene fluoride)‐b‐poly(sodium styrene sulfonate), PVDF‐b‐PSSS, block copolymers were produced from both techniques via a direct polymerization of sodium styrene sulfonate (SSS) monomer or an indirect way with the use of styrene sulfonate ethyl ester (SSE) as a protected monomer. Although the reaction led to block copolymers, the kinetics of ITP of SSS showed that PVDF‐I macromolecular CTAs were not totally efficient because a limitation of the CTA consumption (56%) was observed. This was probably explained by both the low activity of the CTA (that contained inefficient PVDF‐CF₂CH₂? I) and a fast propagation rate of the monomer. That behavior was also noted in the ITP of SSE. On the other hand, ATRP of SSS initiated by PVDF‐CCl₃ was more controlled up to 50% of conversion leading to PVDF‐b‐PSSS block copolymer with an average number molar mass of 6000 g·mol^?1. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Thermal properties of some hydrogenated poly(α-methyl styrenes)

The Synthesis of poly(isopropenyl cyclohexane) via the hydrogenation of poly(α-methyl styrene) is described. Depending on the reaction time and catalyst system a homopolymer or a copolymer is obtained. Under the conditions of synthesis both materials are highly syndiotactic. For the pure hydrogenated homopolymer (>99.9%) the glass transition temperature was found to be 185.4°C, about 20°C above T_g of poly(α-ethyl styrene). Contrary to expectations, the glass transitions of the 92/8, 33/67 poly(isopropenyl cyclohexane-co-methyl styrene) and poly(α-methyl styrene) are almost identical, as are the decomposition temperature ranges. Thermal data indicate that the decomposition mechanism of the copolymers and hydrogenated homopolymer is random scission. The thermogravimetric curves also indicate that the copolymers are random. Thus, chain stiffness appears not to increase rapidly with hydrogenation of this highly syndiotactic polymer.     

STUDIES ON RELATION BETWEEN INTRINSIC VISCOSITY OF POLYELECTROLYTES IN SOLUTIONS USED FOR LAYER-BY-LAYER SELF-ASSEMBLY AND THEIR CORRESPONDING ADSORPTION AMOUNTS IN THE RESULTANT MULTILAYER MEMBRANES

The adsorption amount of poly(styrene sulfonate)and poly(dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride)(PSS/PDDA) self-assembled multilayer membranes in designed dipping solvents were measured by UV-Vis-spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance(QCM).Intrinsic viscosities of PSS and PDDA in corresponding dipping solvents were determined by an Ubbelohde viscometer.It is found that the adsorption amount of PSS/PDDA self-assembled multilayer membranes built up in different dipping solutions,added salt concentration,p...     

Poly(sodium styrene sulfonate)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) diblock copolymers through direct atom transfer radical polymerization: Influence of hydrophilic–hydrophobic balance on self-organization in aqueous solution

A series of poly(sodium styrene sulfonate)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate), PSSNa-b-PMMA, amphiphilic diblock copolymers have been synthesized through atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in N,N-dimethylformamide/water mixtures, starting from a PSSNa macroinitiator. The kinetics of the polymerization was followed by ¹H NMR, while the chemical composition of the copolymers was verified by a variety of techniques, such as ¹H NMR, FTIR and TGA. The MMA content of the copolymers ranges from 0 up to 60 mol%, while the number–average molecular weight of the PSSNa macroinitiator was 9000 g/mol. The self-association of the diblock copolymers in aqueous solution was compared to the respective behavior of similar random P(SSNa-co-MMA) copolymers through optical density measurements, pyrene fluorescence probing, dynamic light scattering and surface tension measurements. It is shown that the diblock copolymers form micellar structures in water, characterized by an increasing hydrophobic character and a decreasing size as the length of the PMMA block increases. These micelle-like structures turn from surface inactive to surface active as the length of the PMMA block increases. Moreover, contrary to the MMA-rich random copolymers, the respective diblock copolymers form water insoluble polymer/surfactant complexes with cationic surfactants such as hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (HTAB), leading to materials with antimicrobial activity.     

Conductivity enhancement of PEDOT:PSS film via sulfonic acid modification: application as transparent electrode for ITO-free polymer solar cells

3-Hydroxy-1-propanesulfonic acid(HPSA)was applied as a modification layer on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate)(PEDOT:PSS)film via spin-coating,resulting in a massive boost of the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS film,and thus the as-formed PEDOT:PSS/HPSA bilayer film was successfully used as a transparent electrode for ITO-free polymer solar cells(PSCs).Under the optimized concentration of HPSA(0.2 mol L~(-1)),the PEDOT:PSS/HPSA bilayer film has a conductivity of 1020 S cm~(-1),which is improved by about 1400 times of the pristine PEDOT:PSS film(0.7 S cm~(-1)).The sheet resistance of the PEDOT:PSS/HPSA bilayer film was 98Ωsq~(-1),and its transparency in the visible range was over 80%.Both parameters are comparable to those of ITO,enabling its suitability as the transparent electrode.According to atomic force microscopy(AFM),UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopic measurements,the conductivity enhancement was resulted from the removal of PSS moiety by methanol solvent and HPSA-induced segregation of insulating PSS chains along with the conformation transition of the conductive PEDOT chains within PEDOT:PSS.Upon applying PEDOT:PSS/HPSA bilayer film as the transparent electrode substituting ITO,the ITO-free polymer solar cells(PSCs)based on poly[N-9″-hepta-decanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4′,7′-di-2-thienyl-2′,1′,3′-benzothiadiazole)]:[6,6]-phenyl C71-butyric acid methyl ester(PC_(71)BM)(PCDTBT:PC_(71)BM)active layer exhibited a power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 5.52%,which is comparable to that of the traditional ITO-based devices.     

Structure of adsorbed polyelectrolyte monolayers investigated by combining optical reflectometry and piezoelectric techniques

Polyelectrolyte monolayers on solid substrates are studied with optical reflectivity and the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). In particular, we investigate the adsorption of anionic poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) on amino-functionalized silica as well as cationic poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly-L-lysine (PLL) on bare silica. By comparing the dry and wet masses measured on identical substrates with these two techniques, we obtain information on the layer thickness and water content of these layers. Monolayers typically feature an adsorbed dry mass of about 0.1-2 mg/m(2), a layer thickness of 0.5-2 nm, and a water content of 20-50%. One finds that the layer thickness increases with increasing concentrations of monovalent salts and polyelectrolytes.     

Laser reflectometry: Examination of the influence of some assumptions and approximations to calculate the adsorption from the reflectometric signal

The adsorption density of a polymer was calculated from the output of a reflectometric instrument, using the model described by Dijt et al. taking into account a step layer profile of the adsorbed film, in order to weight the influence of several experimental parameters (refractive index and thickness of the substrate, concentration of the polymer solution) and hypothesis (thickness of the adsorbed layer, linear dependence of the output on the surface excess). Calculated data were backed with measurements in an impinging jet cell, using two adsorption systems: the cationic poly(allyl amine, HCl) on SiO₂ and the anionic poly(styrene sulfonate) on a polyamide 6-6 covered silicon substrate. We established the limit of a linear response of the reflectometric signal versus adsorption density, which depends on the refractive index of the substrate and on the concentration of the polymer solution. Calculations showed that an increase in the assumed adsorbed film thickness between 5 and 20 nm caused a decrease of about 13% in the calculated surface excess at the plateau of the isotherm for PSS. At concentrations of the polymer solution above 1 or 2 g L⁻¹, we found experimental circumstances where the reflectometric output was negative or null, although adsorption was taking place. This was an effect of the high refractive index of the solution.     

Polyelectrolyte blend multilayer films: surface morphology, wettability, and protein adsorption characteristics

We report the influence of polyelectrolyte (PE) multilayer films prepared from poly(styrene sulfonate)-poly(acrylic acid) (PSS-PAA) blends, deposited in alternation with poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), on film wettability and the adsorption behavior of the protein immunoglobulin G (IgG). Variations in the chemical composition of the PAH/(PSS-PAA) multilayer films, controlled by the PSS/PAA blend ratio in the dipping solutions, were used to systematically control film thickness, surface morphology, surface wettability, and IgG adsorption. Spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements indicate that increasing the PSS content in the blend solutions results in a systematic decrease in film thickness. Increasing the PSS content in the blend solutions also leads to a reduction in film surface roughness (as measured by atomic force microscopy), with a corresponding increase in surface hydrophobicity. Advancing contact angles (theta) range from 7 degrees for PAH/PAA films through to 53 degrees for PAH/PSS films. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements indicate that the increase in film hydrophobicity is due to an increase in PSS concentration at the film surface. In addition, the influence of added electrolyte in the PE solutions was investigated. Adsorption from PE solutions containing added salt favors PSS adsorption and results in more hydrophobic films. The amount of IgG adsorbed on the multilayer films systematically increased on films assembled from blends with increasing PSS content, suggesting strong interactions between PSS in the multilayer films and IgG. Hence, multilayer films prepared from blended PE solutions can be used to tune film thickness and composition, as well as wetting and protein adsorption characteristics.     

Simultaneous determination of the styrene unit content and assessment of molecular weight of triblock copolymers in adhesives by a size exclusion chromatography method

The content of styrene units in nonhydrogenated and hydrogenated styrene‐butadiene‐styrene and styrene‐isoprene‐styrene triblock copolymers significantly influences product performance. A size exclusion chromatography method was developed to determine the average styrene content of triblock copolymers blended with tackifier in adhesives. A complete separation of the triblock copolymer from the other additives was realized with size exclusion chromatography. The peak area ratio of the UV and refraction index signals of the copolymers at the same effective elution volume was correlated to the average styrene unit content using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy with commercial copolymers as standards. The obtained calibration curves showed good linearity for both the hydrogenated and nonhydrogenated styrene‐butadiene‐styrene and styrene‐isoprene‐styrene triblock copolymers (r  = 0.974 for styrene contents of 19.3–46.3% for nonhydrogenated ones and r  = 0.970 for the styrene contents of 23–58.2% for hydrogenated ones). For copolymer blends, the developed method provided more accurate average styrene unit contents than nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy provided. These results were validated using two known copolymer blends consisting of either styrene‐isoprene‐styrene or hydrogenated styrene‐butadiene‐styrene and a hydrocarbon tackifying resin as well as an unknown adhesive with styrene‐butadiene‐styrene and an aromatic tackifying resin. The methodology can be readily applied to styrene‐containing polymers in blends such as poly(acrylonitrile‐butadiene styrene).     

Polyelectrolyte mediated formation of hydroxyapatite microspheres of controlled size and hierarchical structure

The understanding of the role of polyelectrolytes in the synthesis of inorganic materials could provide effective routes towards design of advanced materials. In this study, negatively charged poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) is employed as a modifier in hydrothermal synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HA). The results indicate that both the morphology and particle size could be well controlled by adjusting the PSS concentration. The presence of PSS (within the range of 0–9.6 wt%) modified the growth pattern of HA crystallites and results in particles from the ribbons to microspheres. The building units of various microspheres change from nanofibers to nanorods or nanoplates. Along with that, the microspheres become smaller and more compact at higher PSS concentrations. The adsorption of PSS onto certain crystal faces as well as the complexing effect of PSS with Ca²⁺ can be considered as the controlling factors which determine the influence of PSS on the growth mode. The drug release study indicates that the flower-like HA microspheres can be possibly used as effective carriers for biomedical applications. The present synthesis method is simple and controllable, and can provide a convenient route to synthesize uniform HA microspheres with different sizes and hierarchical structures.     

Modelling the 3D Structure of PEDOT:PSS Supramolecular Assembly in Aqueous Dispersion Based on SAXS with Synchrotron Light

In this work, we study the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate)(PEDOT:PSS) structure in aqueous dispersion with small-angle X-ray scattering(SAXS). In-depth structure analysis is achieved based on a set of complementary and sophisticated algorithms, which provide not only shape and packing of chains but also 3D structure of the colloids. The structure information of the PEDOT chain was extracted from the well-known Guinier, Porod and pair distance distribution function(PDDF) ...     

Why does the electrical conductivity in PEDOT:PSS decrease with PSS content? A study combining thermoelectric measurements with impedance spectroscopy

We have investigated the electrical transport properties of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophen)/poly(4‐styrene‐sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) with PEDOT‐to‐PSS ratios from 1:1 to 1:30. By combining impedance spectroscopy with thermoelectric measurements, we are able to independently determine the variation of electrical conductivity and charge carrier density with PSS content. We find the charge carrier density to be independent of the PSS content. Using a generalized effective media theory, we show that the electrical conductivity in PEDOT:PSS can be understood as percolation between sites of highly conducting PEDOT:PSS complexes with a conductivity of 2.3 (Ωcm)^?1 in a matrix of excess PSS with a low conductivity of 10^?3 (Ω cm)^?1. In addition to the transport properties, the thermoelectric power factors and Seebeck coefficients have been determined. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

Electrophoretic mobility of human erythrocytes in the presence of poly(styrene sulfonate)

The adsorption and depletion of the anionic polymer poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) on fresh human red blood cells (RBC) were investigated by measuring RBC electrophoretic mobility as a function of polymer molecular mass (48-2610 kDa), ionic strength (15 and 150 mM NaCl) and polymer concentration (相似文献   

Preparation of Polyelectrolyte Nanotubes by a Pressure filter-template Technique Using Microporous Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) as the Template

Polyelectrolyte nanotubes of poly(sodium 4‐styrene‐sulfonate) (PSS) with cationic poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) (PDDA) (PSS/PDDA) were fabricated by a pressure‐filter‐template technique using microporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) as the template. UV‐Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) were applied to characterize the obtained PSS/PDDA nanotubes. The results have shown that the PSS/PDDA nanotubes exhibit an amorphous structure and have the outer diameter of 200 nm and length of 25 µm respectively, which are in good agreement with the dimensions of the AAO template pores. The wall thickness of the nanotubes may be controlled by the number of the self‐assembled layers. Formation of the nanotubes follows a layer‐by‐layer (LbL) mechanism due to the electrostatic interactions, where the SO^?₃ groups of PSS are first adsorbed on the Lewis acid sites of AAO template pores.     

A new green-to-transmissive polymer with electroactive poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) as an interface layer for achieving high-performance electrochromic device

A new neutral green electrochromic (EC) polymer, namely poly(5,8-bis(2,3-dihydro[3,4-B][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-2,3-dual(4-(hexadecyloxy) phenyl) quinoxaline) (PBOPEQ) was designed and synthesized. PBOPEQ-poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) film was further prepared by electrochemical polymerization on the PEDOT:PSS modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. Scanning electron microscopy images and ultrasonic experiment indicate that PBOPEQ-PEDOT:PSS film shows better film-forming ability and stronger interface adhesive with ITO electrode compared to that of PBOPEQ film. It is worth mentioning that PBOPEQ-PEDOT:PSS film presents more reversible redox characteristic, better optical contrast (~40%) and coloration efficiency (~230 cm² C⁻¹) at 678 nm, excellent EC stability and memory property (36 hr), which should be ascribed to that the electroactive PEDOT:PSS layer facilitates the charge transfer process and enhances the ion doping/dedoping properties. EC device based on PBOPEQ-PEDOT:PSS film exhibits superior integrated performance such as reversible color change from green to transmissive, optical contrast of 41.0% and switching time less than 1 s. Accordingly, PBOPEQ-PEDOT:PSS is an excellent EC material when combined with electroactive PEDOT:PSS interface layer for achieving high performance device, which shows potential applications in displays, electronic papers, and tags.     

四(4-重氮基苯基)卟啉的合成及其与聚苯乙烯磺酸钠自组装的研究

卟啉是一类重要的功能性小分子染料,近年来,在光化学治疗^[1,2]、光电转换^[3,4]、传感元件^[5]、烯烃环氧化催化剂^[6]和光敏化剂^[7]等方面的研究与应用引起了人们的广泛注意.通过两亲卟啉分子衍生物,或带有负电荷的卟啉衍生物,特别是带磺酸基的卟啉分子与正离子聚电解质自组装,制备带有卟啉结构单元的LB膜和自组装膜已有很多报道^[8～14].     

Adsorptive Voltammetry of Polyelectrolyte Complex Between 11‐Ferrocenyltrimethylundecylammonium and Polyanions at Carbon Paste Electrode

For polyelectrolyte complex between cationic surfactant and polyanion, the adsorptive voltammetry at carbon paste electrode using an electroactive cationic surfactant was examined. The adsorption state of the cationic surfactant in the complexes at CPE was estimated from the half‐height width of the oxidation waves. The half‐height width for poly(styrene sulfonate) was independent of the molecular weight, and was same as that for poly(vinyl sulfate). The half‐height width for heparin was broad and different from that of the vinyl polyanions. According to the analysis by Frumkin isotherm, the interaction between cationic surfactants was attractive in heparin complex at CPE, however, in the vinyl polyanion complexes at CPE the interaction was non‐cooperative as that predicted with the Langmuir isotherm. In spite of the same adsorption state, the concentration dependency of the peak current for poly(styrene sulfonate) was quite different from that for poly(vinyl sulfate). The concentration dependence indicated the reactive property of each polyanion on the association with the cationic surfactant in aqueous solution.