Macroporous Poly(Acrylamide) Hydrogels: Swelling and Shrinking Behaviors

Macroporous poly(acrylamide) hydrogels have been synthesized by using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with three different molecular weights as the pore‐forming agent. Scanning electron microscope graphs reveal that the macroporous network structure of the hydrogels can be adjusted by applying different molecular weights of PEG during the polymerization reaction. The swelling ratios of the PEG‐modified hydrogels were much higher than those for the same type of hydrogel prepared via conventional method. However, the swelling/deswelling ratios of the PEG‐modified hydrogels were affected slightly by the change in the amount of the PEG. Scanning electron microscopy experiments, together with swelling ratio studies, reveal that the PEG‐modified hydrogels are characterized by an open structure with more pores and higher swelling ratio, but lower mechanical strength, compared the conventional hydrogel. PAAm has potential applications in controlled release of macromolecular active agents.     

Poly(acrylamide-co-2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic Acid) Nanogels made by Inverse Microemulsion Polymerization

Poly(acrylamide-co-2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) poly(AM-co-AMPSA) nanogels were prepared through inverse microemulsion polymerization with low AMPSA/AM weight ratio in the feed (up to 0.3357) to control particle size and pH sensitivity. An aqueous solution of AM and AMPSA was used as the dispersed phase for microemulsion with sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT)/Toluene solution as the dispersion medium. The polymerization was carried out at 50°C in the presence of 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (NMBA) as an initiator and a crosslinker, respectively. Fourier transform infra red spectrophotometer (FTIR) and ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-NMR) studies confirm the occurrence of copolymerization between the two monomers. The hydrodynamic diameter of synthesized poly(AM-co-AMPSA) nanogels is found to be in the range of 63–125nm as measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The equilibrium swelling and the effect of pH on particle size of copolymer nanogel are found to depend on the copolymer composition. The polymer chain composition, thermal properties and morphology of nanogels were measured by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively.     

Phase Transition of Acrylamide‐Based Polyampholyte Gels in Water

The swelling behavior of acrylamide (AAm)–based polyampholyte hydrogels in water and in aqueous salt (NaCl) solutions was investigated. [(Methacrylamido)propyl]trimethyl‐ammonium chloride (MAPTAC) and acrylic acid (AAc) were used as the ionic comonomer in the hydrogel preparation. Three sets of hydrogels containing 70 mol% AAm and 30 mol% ionic comonomers of varying mole ratios were prepared. The variations of the hydrogel volume in response to changes in pH, and salt concentration were measured. As pH increases from 1, the hydrogel volume V _eq in water first increases and reaches a maximum value at a certain pH. Then, it decreases again with a further increase in pH and attains a minimum value around the isoelectric point (IEP). After passing the collapsed plateau region, the gel reswells again up to pH=7.1. The reswelling of the collapsed gels containing 10 and 4% MAPTAC occurs as a first‐order phase transition at pH=5.85 and 4.35, respectively, while the hydrogel with 1% MAPTAC reswells continuously beyond its IEP. Depending on pH of the solution, the hydrogels immersed in salt solutions exhibit typical polyelectrolyte or antipolyelectrolye behavior. The experimental swelling data were compared with the predictions of the Flory‐Rehner theory of swelling equilibrium including the ideal Donnan equilibria. It was shown that the equilibrium swelling theory qualitatively predicts the experimental behavior of polyampholyte hydrogels.     

Crystal structure of acrylamide

The crystal structure of acrylamide is re-determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (133(1) K, BRUKER SMART 1000 CCD, a = 8.228(1) Å, b = 5.759(1) Å, c = 9.760(1) Å, β = 120.04(1)°, V = 400.3(1) Å,³, space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, R = 0.0543 for 867 reflections). In the structure strong hydrogen bonds N-H...O join the molecules of C₃H₅NO into bi-molecular layers that make C...C molecular contacts. It is demonstrated that the process of solid phase polymerization of acrylamide should proceed through the cleavage of double bonds C(1)=C(2) in the monomers and formation of bonds C(1)-C(1) and C(2)-C(2) between the closest carbon atoms of different layers.     

Efficient optimization and development of two methods for the determination of acrylamide in deep-frying oil by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry: Application of multifactor analysis assessment strategy

A new multifactor analysis assessment strategy was developed for evaluating, optimizing, and comparing analytical techniques for acrylamide in frying oils. Based on five indices (absolute recovery, absolute matrix effect, the intensity of the full ion scan, and the precursor ion scan to m/z 184 and m/z 241), the proposed strategy was performed with radar analysis, relative contribution analysis, and the entropy-weighted technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution analysis. Two novel methods based on quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction methodology and gel permeation chromatography–liquid–liquid extraction followed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry have been developed for the analysis of acrylamide in frying oils. Two methods were suitable for rapid and sensitive analysis of acrylamide in oils in different laboratories, with a limit of quantitation at 2 μg/kg, and the average recovery ranging from 92.5% to 107.8%, with relative standard deviations below 10%. When considering automation efficiency and matrix effects, gel permeation chromatography is the most efficient method, whereas the other method has an advantage when analyzing large samples. The developed methods were used in a pilot study to analyze frying oils with acrylamide content below 9.82 μg/kg, showing that the repeated frying process did not produce significant content of acrylamide in oils.     

NIPAAm系互穿网络凝胶的合成及载药释药性能研究

合成了三种亲疏水性不同的温度及pH敏感的PAAc／P（NIPAAm-co-BMA）、PAAc／PNIPAAm和PAAc／P（NIPAAm-co-AAm）互穿网络（IPN）水凝胶,以水杨酸钠和水杨酸为模型药物,研究了温度、pH值及药物和凝胶的亲疏水性相互作用对模型药物释药性能的影响。研究结果表明,随着凝胶亲水性的增强,水杨酸钠的载药率提高,释药率也越大;相反疏水性增强也有利于提高水杨酸的载药率;IPN凝胶在水中的释药过程属于溶胀支配型释放,药物释放率随凝胶的亲水性增强而增强,同时,载药凝胶在45℃水中的释药率大于25℃时的释药率。在25℃时,水杨酸在pH=2．2的缓冲溶液中几乎不释放,而在pH=7．4的缓冲溶液中能以较快的速率释放。     

Synthesis of styrene–acrylamide copolymer by surfactant‐free sonicated dynamic interfacial polymerization

This paper summarizes a study on emulsifier‐free ultrasonically assisted in situ dynamic interfacial emulsion copolymerization process of acrylamide and styrene. The resulting emulsions are stable and uniform for several months. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves and reaction conversion measurements have provided an important knowledge regarding the emulsifier‐free polymerization method. Solvent extractions (water, methanol, and xylene) have shown that the polymerization product is essentially a styrene–acrylamide copolymer. The copolymer produced is a block copolymer, PS‐b‐PAM, where each block contains small amounts of the other comonomer. The produced emulsions are film forming at room temperature in spite of the very high block T_gs, owing to a unique water plasticization effect of the polyacrylamide blocks. Some films prepared from the PS‐b‐PAM have resulted in clear and transparent films. The presented interfacial dynamic polymerization process is fast, reaching 81% conversion within 2 hr of sonication at 4°C (low temperature owing to molecular weight and kinetic considerations), and produces very stable PS‐b‐PAM emulsions. TGA was extensively used as an analytical tool for determination of the reaction parameters and composition of the acrylamide–styrene copolymers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An Improved Urea Specific Enzyme Electrode

Abstract

The enzyme urease was immobilized in a layer of acrylamide polymer on the surface of a Beckman cationic electrode sensitive to ammonium ion. The substrate urea diffuses to the enzyme electrode and reacts with the immobilized enzyme to produce ammonium ion at the surface of the glass electrode. By placing a thin film of cellophane around the enzyme gel layer to prevent leaching of urease into the surrounding solution, an electrode could be used continuously for over 21 days at 25[ddot]C with no loss of activity.     

Thermosensitive polylactide‐glycolide delivery systems for treatment of narcotic addictions

Environmental switches may be fabricated for the controlled release of pharmaceutical drug using a thermally responsive polymer with the intrinsic chemical and physical nature of stimuli‐sensitive smart materials. Particularly, much attention has been paid to the biomedical applications of poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAAm) because of its unique reversible transition at a specific lower critical solution temperature (LCST).Thermally sensitive block copolymers, poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide‐b‐poly(L ‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PNIPAAm‐b‐PLGA), and polyethylene glycol‐poly (lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PEG‐PLGA) triblock copolymers with different compositions and length of PLGA block were synthesized via ring‐opening polymerization of lactide and glycolide in the presence of OH‐terminated PNIPAAm or PEG. The composition and structure of the polymer were determined by NMR and FTIR. The effect of important factors, such as ionic strength, pH, and polymer concentration on the phase transition behavior of temperature‐sensitive polymers, were investigated by cloud point measurements. The resulting thermosensitive polymers were used for the entrapment of a narcotic antagonist drug, naltrexone, as the model drug. The loading efficiency and drug release behavior of naltrexone‐loaded hydrogels were investigated. The naltrexone loaded thermosensitive polymers were able to sustain the release of naltrexone for different periods of time, depending on the polymer composition, and concentration. In vitro release studies showed that these thermosensitive polymers are able to deliver naltrexone in biologically active forms at a controlled rate for 3–8 weeks. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

游离细胞法制备丙烯酰胺

采用新工艺游离细胞法半连续操作制备丙烯酰胺,探讨了反应的最佳条件。结果表明,在温度高于20℃时酶易失活,底物丙烯腈体积分数高于4％和产物丙烯酰胺质量浓度高于300g／L时,将对酶活性产生强烈的抑制作用;在较低温度下,采用底物流加及酶流加方法能保持较高的酶活性。当菌悬液体积分数为10％、反应温度为20℃、流动加入时,最终生成丙烯酰胺的质量浓度为366g/L,与菌悬液一次性加入相比,丙烯酰胺质量浓度提高23％。