Thermodynamics of interfacial interactions in composites based on nanodispersed NiO and methacrylic acid derivatives

Interfacial interactions in composites based on nanodispersed nickel oxide and methacrylate polymer matrices are studied via isothermal microcalorimetry. The thermochemical cycle is used to estimate the concentration dependences of the enthalpies of mixing of nickel oxide with, respectively, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(butyl methacrylate), poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), and the butyl methacrylate copolymers containing 1 and 5 mol % methacrylic acid units. On the basis of these data, the maximum enthalpies of adhesion and the parameters of the glassy structure of the polymers are calculated. It is shown that the increase in the absolute values of the maximum enthalpy of adhesion is related to a gain in the fraction of carboxyl groups in the macromolecular chain. Strengthening of interfacial interactions for glassy polymers correlates with an increase in the fraction of metastable vacancies and in the thickness of the adhesion glassy layer.     

Adhesion of methyl methacrylate copolymers to silicate glass

Adhesion of methyl methacrylate copolymers with acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and methacrylamide to silicate glass was studied. The copolymers of methyl methacrylate with acrylic and methacrylic acids, compared to poly(methyl methacrylate), are characterized by higher adhesion strength of polymer fi lm-silicate glass joints.     

Probing the dielectric environment surrounding poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in aqueous solution with covalently attached spirobenzopyran

The dielectric environment surrounding poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in aqueous solution was investigated by probing with spirobenzopyran covalently attached as a side chain to the polymer main chain. Inherent characteristics of the spirobenzopyran chromophore were analyzed, and the chromophore was confirmed to be suitable to probe the local polar condition around the polymer. Measurements for an aqueous polymer solution at various temperatures elucidated that the dielectric environment surrounding the polymer changed continuously even in the temperature range far below the lower critical solution temperature. This result suggested that the local and weak orientation of water molecules around the polymer diminished continuously in a preliminary stage of shifting to thermally induced phase separation. The dielectric environment surrounding thermoresponsive polymer in aqueous solution was investigated by probing with spirobenzopyran covalently attached as a side chain to the polymer main chain.     

Synthesis of Vinyl Polymer—Poly (α-Amino Acid) Block Copolymers by End-Reactive Oligomers

In order to synthesize block copolymers consisting of segments having dissimilar properties, vinyl polymer - poly (α-amino acid) block copolymers were synthesized by two different methods. In the first method, the terminal amino groups of polysarcosine, poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate), and poly(γ-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine) were haloacetylated. The mixture of the terminally haloacetylated poly (α-amino acid) and styrene or methyl methacrylate was photoirradiated in the presence of Mo (CO)₆ or heated with Mo(CO)₆, yielding A-B-A-type block copolymers consisting of poly(α-amino cid) (the A component) and vinyl polymer(the B component). The characterization of block copolymers revealed that the thermally initiated polymerization of vinyl compounds by the trichloroacetyl poly(α-amino acid)/Mo(CO)₆ system was most suitable for the synthesis of vinyl polymer - poly-(α-amino acid) block copolymers. In the second method, poly (methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene having a terminal amino group were synthesized by the radical polymerization in the presence of 2-mercaptoethylammonium chloride. Using these polymers having a terminal amino group as an initiator, the block polymerizations of γ-benzyl L-glutamate NCA and e-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine NCA were carried out, yielding A-B-type block copolymer. By eliminating the protecting groups of the side chains of poly(α-amino acid) segment, block copolymers such as poly(methyl methacrylate) with poly(L-glutamic acid) or poly(L-lysine) and polystyrene with poly(L-glutamic acid) and poly(L-lysine) were successfully synthesized.     

Controlled Sol–Gel Transitions of a Thermoresponsive Polymer in a Photoswitchable Azobenzene Ionic Liquid as a Molecular Trigger

Producing ionic liquids (ILs) that function as molecular trigger for macroscopic change is a challenging issue. Photoisomerization of an azobenzene IL at the molecular level evokes a macroscopic response (light‐controlled mechanical sol–gel transitions) for ABA triblock copolymer solutions. The A endblocks, poly(2‐phenylethyl methacrylate), show a lower critical solution temperature in the IL mixture containing azobenzene, while the B midblock, poly(methyl methacrylate), is compatible with the mixture. In a concentrated polymer solution, different gelation temperatures were observed in it under dark and UV conditions. Light‐controlled sol–gel transitions were achieved by a photoresponsive solubility change of the A endblocks upon photoisomerization of the azobenzene IL. Therefore, an azobenzene IL as a molecular switch can tune the self‐assembly of a thermoresponsive polymer, leading to macroscopic light‐controlled sol–gel transitions.     

Diphilic Macromolecular Brushes with a Polyimide Backbone and Poly(methacrylic acid) Blocks in Side Chains

Novel macromolecular brushes with a polyimide backbone and diphilic diblock copolymer side chains consisting of a hydrophilic block of poly(methacrylic acid) adjacent to the backbone and the outer hydrophobic block of poly(methyl methacrylate) are synthesized. The synthesis includes the grafting of poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) to the polyimide chain followed by the polymerization of methyl methacrylate on the graft copolyimide as a branched multicenter macroinitiator. Brushes with diphilic side chains are obtained via the acidic hydrolysis of ester groups in the first block of side chains. The grafting polymerization of methacrylates is performed according to the “grafting from” approach by the method of pseudoliving atom transfer radical polymerization using two methodologies of polymerization activated by either copper- or iron-containing complexes. Conditions providing the controlled regime of the polymerization processes under study are found, and pathways for the targeted regulation of the degree of polymerization of methacrylate blocks and their grafting density are determined. As is shown by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, the macromolecules of brushes with diphilic side chains form in ethanol homotypic, obviously spherical, supramolecular micellar structures with hydrodynamic radii in the range from 40 to 120 nm depending on the length and grafting density of the two blocks in diphilic side chains.     

Silica nanoparticle covered with mixed polymer brushes as Janus particles at water/oil interface

Silica nanoparticles (NSiO₂) are modified with mixed polymer brushes derived from a block copolymer precursor, poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-b-poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) with short middle segment of PGMA, through one step ??grafting-onto?? approach. The block polymer precursors are prepared via reversible addition?Cfragmentation chain transfer-based polymerization of methyl methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, and tert-butyl methacrylate. The grafting is achieved by the reaction of epoxy group in short PGMA segment with silanol functionality of silica. After hydrolysis of poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) segment, amphiphilic NSiO₂ with ??V-shaped?? polymer brushes possessing exact 1:1 molar ratio of different arms were prepared. The functionalized particles self-assemble at oil/water interfaces to form stable large droplets with average diameter ranging from 0.15?±?0.06 to 2.6?±?0.75?mm. The amphiphilicity of the particles can be finely tuned by changing the relative lengths of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(methacrylic acid) segments, resulting in different assembly behavior. The method may serve as a general way to control the surface property of the particles.     

Degradation of poly(acrylates) under SF5+ primary ion bombardment studied using time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. 1. Effect of main chain and pendant methyl groups

Polyatomic primary ions have been applied recently to the depth profiling of organic materials by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Polyatomic primary ions offer low penetration depth and high damage removal rates in some polymers, but the relationship between polymer chemistry and degradation under polyatomic primary ion bombardment has not been studied systematically. In this study, positive and negative ion time‐of‐flight SIMS (ToF‐SIMS) was used to measure the damage of ～100 nm thick spin‐cast poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), films under extended (～2 × 10¹⁴ ions cm^?2) 5 keV SF₅⁺ bombardment. These polymers were compared to determine the effect of the main chain and pendant methyl groups on their degradation under SF₅⁺ bombardment. The sputter rate of PMMA was approximately twice that of PMA or PMAA and the rate of damage accumulation was higher for PMA and PMAA than PMMA, suggesting that the main chain and pendant methyl groups played an important role in the degradation of these polymers under SF₅⁺ bombardment. These results are consistent with the literature on the thermal and radiation‐induced degradation of these polymers, which show that removal of the main chain or pendant methyl groups reduces the rate of depolymerization and increases the rate of intra‐ or intermolecular cross‐linking. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Local molecular dynamics of poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate synthesized in the presence of branched poly(methyl methacrylate): a photochromic probe study

The local molecular dynamics and morphology of poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate networks synthesized in the presence of 0–40% branched poly(methyl methacrylate) were studied using a photochromic probe (6-nitrospiropyran). The change in the free volume of the polymer in the vicinity of the photochromic probe was monitored by the rate of dark bleaching of merocyanine (colored form of 6-nitrospiropyran). The local free volume and the mobility of the polymer chain fragments decrease as the conversion of C=C bonds and the content of branched poly(methyl methacrylate) in the polymer increase.     

Inhibition by red phosphorus of unimolecular thermal chain-scission in poly(methyl methacrylate): Investigation by NMR,FT-IR and laser desorption/fourier transform mass spectroscopy

The reaction of red phosphorus with poly(methyl methacrylate) under pyrolysis conditions was investigated with a number of physical techniques. A random methyl methacrylate/cyclic anhydride copolymer is formed from atatic PMMA, whereas a random methyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid copolymer is obtained with isotactic PMMA. The backbones of both these copolymers are more stable toward depolymerization than that of PMMA. The flame-retardant activity of red phosphorus with PMMA may arise in part from stabilization of the polymer toward depolymerization via modification of the sidechains.     

聚氨酯/聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯离子聚合体型互穿聚合物网络生成动力学研究

本文采用在聚氨酯中引入丁基二乙醇胺,形成带有叔氮原子的聚氨酯(NPU)和聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯中引入甲基丙烯酸的方法,合成了带有离子键的离子聚合体型互穿聚合物网络(IPN),动力学研究表明,离子聚合体型IPN形成速率明显低于非离子聚合体型IPN,两网络的聚合速率相互抑制,并随离子键浓度增加而显著,两网络的聚合机理互不干扰。     

Viscoelastic study of the conformational transition of poly(methacrylic acid) in dilute aqueous solution

The dynamic viscosity of dilute aqueous solution of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA) was measured over the frequency range 2–500 kHz for various degrees of ionization. The relaxation spectrum calculated from the viscosity exhibits a conformational relaxation spectrum in the short-time region and a rotational one in the long-time region. The former is fitted by the Zimm theory over the entire range of ionization, including the transition from a compact structure to an open one. The conformational relaxation time begins to increase at the midpoint of the transition region, but the rotational relaxation time increases very markedly in the initial stage of the transition. The present and previously reported experimental findings are interpreted in terms of the assumption that the compact structure is stabilized by short-range methyl–methyl bonding as well as “long-range” methyl–methyl bonding (bonding between methyl groups spatially close but remotely connected along the chain contour). In the initial stage of the transition, the latter primarily break up, resulting in expansion of overall chain dimensions, and subsequently the former are destroyed, resulting in the change in local chain conformation.     

Liquid crystalline homopolyesters having main chain calamitic mesogens and one or two side chain azobenzene moieties in the repeat units

Combined semi-rigid homopolyesters, containing both main chain calamitic mesogens and one or two side chain azobenzene units separated by aliphatic (hexamethylene, octamethylene and decamethylene) chains in the polymer repeat units, were prepared and their liquid crystalline properties characterized. Polyesters having two side chain azobenzene units and a main chain biphenyl moiety showed a higher ordered smectic B or smectic F phase, whereas the other polymers containing a main chain 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole unit and one or two side chain methoxyazobenzene units formed a smectic C phase despite the presence of different mesogens in the main and side chains. This is probably due to the compact molecular chain-packing and intra- and intermolecular interactions between the polymer backbones and the two azobenzene units.     

ESR spectra of poly(methacrylic acid) and poly(methyl methacrylate): Reinterpretation of the 9-line spectrum

The temperature dependence of the ESR spectra of poly(methacrylic acid) and poly-(methyl methacrylate) γ-irradiated at room temperature was studied between ?196°C and +25°C. The conventional 9-line spectrum was observed throughout this range with no significant spectral change, in contrast to the propagating radical ··· CH₂? °C(CH₃)COOR found in methacrylic acid monomer or barium methacrylate dihydrate irradiated at ?196°C. In addition, the irradiation of methacrylic acid monomer with a low dose at 0°C gave the same 13-line spectrum as that of the propagating radical obtained by the irradiation at ?196°C, while prolonged irradiation at 0°C gave the same conventional 9-line spectrum as that of poly(methacrylic acid) or poly(methyl methacrylate). The conventional 9-line spectrum has a much weaker 4-line component than that of the propagating radical. The difference comes from the surrounding matrix, and the conventional 9-line spectrum is well interpreted by introducing the concept of the distribution of the conformational angle in the irregular polymer matrix. From simulation of the ESR spectrum, it was found that the intensity of the 4-line component is very sensitive to the distribution, and that the observed 9-line spectrum is well reproduced assuming a Gaussian distribution (half-height width of 5–6°) around the most probable conformation which is nearly the same as that of the propagating radical, where the conformational angles of the two C? H_β bonds to the half-filled p-orbital are 55° and 65°.     

An enzyme-immobilization method for integration of biofunctions on a microchip using a water-soluble amphiphilic phospholipid polymer having a reacting group

A water-soluble phospholipid polymer having an active ester group in the side chain, poly[2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-co-n-butyl methacrylate (BMA)-co-p-nitrophenyloxycarbonyl polyethyleneglycol methacrylate (MEONP)(PMBN), was used for the immobilization of an enzyme on a plastic microchip. The MPC polymers with BMA units were adsorbed onto the poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) microchip, and the active ester group in the MEONP unit reacted with the amino groups of the proteolytic enzyme, trypsin. Trypsin was immobilized on the sample reservoir, and catalyzed the hydrolysis of the fluorescently labeled ArgOEt to Arg. The consequent separation of product from the substrate, and their detection, were integrated on the microchip and this meant that all procedures from the enzymatic activity to product detection were completed in less than three minutes.     

Synthesis and thermal self-crosslinking reaction of polymer containing spiro ortho ester and carboxylic acid

Polymers with both pendant spiro ortho ester and carboxylic acid moieties were synthesized by partial esterification of poly(methacrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate), or poly(methacrylic acid-co-styrene) with halomethylated spiro ortho esters in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undecene-7 in dimethyl sulfoxide. The extent of esterification increased with increasing reaction temperature. The reaction of polymeric carboxylic acids with chloromethylated spiro ortho esters proceeded to 80% of conversion at 100°C for 120 h. In contrast, the degree of esterification with bromomethylated spiro ortho ester reached 80% at 60°C within 24 h. Thermo-crosslinking of polymers having pendant spiro ortho ester moiety and carboxylic acid could be effected in films. The rate of spiro ortho ester ring-opening increased with increasing reaction temperature and with increasing content of carboxylic acid groups in the polymer. Further, the rates of gel production were also measured. The polymer containing an equimolar mixture of spiro ortho ester moieties and carboxylic acids exhibited the highest reactivity. In addition, it was found that thermal crosslinking reaction of the polymer occurred with minimum volume shrinkage.     

Synthesis of double hydrophilic graft copolymer containing poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(methacrylic acid) side chains via successive ATRP

A well‐defined double hydrophilic graft copolymer, with polyacrylate as backbone, hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(methacrylic acid) as side chains, was synthesized via successive atom transfer radical polymerization followed by the selective hydrolysis of poly(methoxymethyl methacrylate) side chains. The grafting‐through strategy was first used to prepare poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate] comb copolymer. The obtained comb copolymer was transformed into macroinitiator by reacting with lithium diisopropylamine and 2‐bromopropionyl chloride. Afterwards, grafting‐from route was employed for the synthesis of poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate]‐g‐poly(methoxymethyl methacrylate) amphiphilic graft copolymer. The molecular weight distribution of this amphiphilic graft copolymer was narrow. Poly(methoxymethyl methacrylate) side chains were connected to polyacrylate backbone through stable C? C bonds instead of ester connections. The final product, poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate]‐g‐poly(methacrylate acid), was obtained by selective hydrolysis of poly(methoxymethyl methacrylate) side chains under mild conditions without affecting the polyacrylate backbone. This double hydrophilic graft copolymer was found be stimuli‐responsive to pH and ionic strength. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4056–4069, 2008     

Time-resolved EPR studies of main chain radicals from acrylic polymers. Effects of tacticity, solvent, and side group structure on chain stiffness

Main chain polymeric radicals from several acrylic polymers, produced by laser flash photolysis at 248 nm in liquid solution, have been studied using direct detection time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectroscopy at 9.5 GHz. Highly isotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (i-PMMA) shows a sharp, well-resolved spectrum at about 95 degrees C. Using synthetic methodology to disrupt the tacticity of i-PMMA, we observed different fast-motion hyperfine coupling constants for the main chain radicals. By raising the temperature of observation, we returned the coupling constants to the same value as those in the highly isotactic sample. This result is related qualitatively to the degree of stiffness of the polymer chains as a function of tacticity. The concept is tested further by comparison to two other acrylic polymers with bulky side chains: poly(fluorooctyl methacrylate) (PFOMA) and poly(adamantyl methacrylate) (PAMA), whose main chain radicals show significant line broadening even at 110 degrees C. Solvent effects on both spectral appearance (the alternating line-width effect) and kinetic decays (attributed to T1 relaxation) are also presented and discussed in terms of main chain conformational motion.     

Time-resolved fluorescence study on the photomerocyanine form of spiropyran and its derivative with azobenzene

The excited state dynamics of the photomerocyanine (PMC) form originating from spirobenzopyran and the bi-functional photochromic compound spirobenzopyran–azobenzene (SpAz), containing typical photochromic molecules of spirobenzopyran (Sp) and azobenzene (Az), were investigated using picosecond time-resolved fluorescence measurements in solution at 200 and 285 K and in a PMMA polymer film at 298 K. While the fluorescence lifetimes of PMC were about twice as long as those of SpAz under all experimental conditions, both lifetimes showed similar strong dependence on viscosity rather than temperature. These results suggest that non-radiative decay to an intermediate state could be accompanied by a significant conformational change. The effect of the Az moiety in this relaxation process is also discussed. It is unlikely that an energy transfer from the PMC moiety to the Az moiety occurs. It was concluded that the PMC moiety in the bi-functional SpAz is independent from the Az moiety.     

Identification of a stereoblock poly(methyl methacrylate) sample with a stereocomplex

Acid hydrolysis of a stereoblock poly(methyl methacrylate) sample leads to a mixture of isotactic and syndiotactic poly(methacrylic acid) which can be separated by electrophoresis. The experiment confirms the stereochemical identity between the so-called “stereoblock” poly(methyl methacrylate) and the stereocomplex which syndiotactic and isotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) form in the ratio 2:1. A possible mechanism of replica polymerization is suggested to account for this effect.