Investigating How Organic Solvents Affect Tissue Culture Polystyrene Surfaces through Responses of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Polymer coating of tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) surfaces promotes their biofunctionality, which can aid manipulation of cellular functions. However, the effect of the solvent used for polymer coating is yet to be elucidated. In this study, solvent‐treated TCPS surfaces using water, methanol, ethanol, 2‐propanol, and dimethyl sulfoxide are fabricated. Solvent treatment of TCPS surfaces is performed by spreading solvents onto the surfaces and allowing them to dry. Solvent treatment changes the surface roughness and wettability, depending on the kind of solvents. In addition, these surface property changes affected the extension, proliferation, and differentiation of human bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells. These results suggest that solvent selection for polymer coating is crucial in the regulation of cell responses. Further, treatment with an appropriate solvent can result in a more suitable culture environment for modulating cellular functions.     

Novel hyperbranched polymers synthesized via A3 + B(B′) approach by radical addition‐coupling polymerization

In this study, a novel application of radical addition‐coupling polymerization (RACP) for synthesis of hyperbranched polymers is reported. By Cu/PMDETA‐mediated RACP of 2‐methyl‐2‐nitrosopropane with trimethylolpropane tris(2‐bromopropionate) or a bromo‐ended 3‐arm PS macromonomer, two types of hyperbranched polymers with high degree of polymerization are synthesized under mild conditions, respectively. The chemical structures of the hyperbranched polymers are carefully characterized. By selective degradations of the ester groups and weak bonds of NO? C in the polymers, high degree of alternative connection of the two monomers in the synthesized polymers have been identified. Based on the experimental results, mechanism of formation of the hyperbranched polymer is proposed, which includes formation of carbon radicals from the tribromo monomer through single electron transfer, its capture by 2‐methyl‐2‐nitrosopropane that results in nitroxide radical, and cross‐coupling reaction of the nitroxide radical with other carbon radicals. Hyperbranched polymer can be formed in a step‐growth mode after multiple steps of such reactions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 904–913     

Above,below, and in‐between the two glass transitions of ultrathin free‐standing polystyrene films: Thermal expansion coefficient and physical aging

In previous work we observed two simultaneous transitions in high molecular weight (MW) free‐standing polystyrene films that were interpreted as two thickness‐dependent reduced glass transition temperatures (T_gs). The weaker lower transition agreed well with the MW‐dependent T_g(h) previously reported, while the much stronger upper transition matched the MW‐independent T_g(h) previously observed in low‐MW free‐standing films. Here, we investigate the nature of these two transitions by inspecting the temperature dependence of the films' thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) and present physical aging measurements using ellipsometry both below and in‐between the two transitions. TCE values indicate approximately 80 to 90% of the film solidifies at the upper transition, while only 10 to 20% remains mobile to lower temperatures, freezing out at the lower transition. Physical aging is observed at a temperature below the upper transition, but above the lower transition, indicative of the upper transition being an actual glass transition associated with the α‐relaxation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 64–75     

Synthesis and hydrodynamic and conformation properties of star-shaped polystyrene with calix[8]arene core

Properties of individual molecules of star-like polystyrene with calix[8]arene core in dilute chloroform solutions were studied using methods of static light scattering, translation diffusion, and viscometry. The solution behavior of the polymer investigated significantly differs from the properties of linear polymers. Star-like polystyrene macromolecules in solutions are characterized by compact structure—the hydrodynamic radius is not higher than 5.5?nm at M?=?125,000?g?mol^?1. The shape of star-like polystyrene macromolecules differs slightly from spherical.     

Measurement of the surface excitation parameter of Kapton,polyethylene (PE), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Reflection electron energy loss spectra (REELS) were measured for five insulating organic compounds: Kapton, polyethylene (PE), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polystyrene (PS) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), as well as for Ni and Si, in the energy range between 200 and 1600 eV. The average number of surface excitations for a single surface crossing were determined from the experimental data and were found to be considerably smaller than for earlier studied materials, which mainly consisted of elemental metals [Surf. Sci. 486(2001)L461]. The surface excitation parameter, a material parameter used to quantify the relative intensity of surface losses in (photo)electron spectroscopy, was extracted from the data and compared with values found in the literature. The results indicate that surface excitations only have a minor influence on quantification of XPS spectra of polymers. On the other hand, a correction for surface excitations turns out to be essential for measurements of the electron inelastic mean free path of polymers when a metal is used as reference material.     

N‐bromo‐hydantoin grafted polystyrene beads: Synthesis and nano‐micro beads characteristics for achieving controlled release of active oxidative bromine and extended microbial inactivation efficiency

N‐bromo‐hydantoin and N‐bromo‐5,5′‐dimethylhydantoin conjugated polystyrene beads were synthesized from chloromethyl polystyrene beads which differ in their particles size, crosslinking, nano‐micro porosity, and tunnels size on the surface, in order to study the effect of these parameters on oxidative halogen release and resultant activity, for water purification applications. The synthesized beads were characterized using elemental analysis, FT‐IR, solid state ¹³C‐NMR, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The conjugation yield and kinetics in different solvents and bromine loading capacity were studied. The N‐bromoamine polystyrene beads were tested for water decontamination according to NSF 231 protocol. The release of active bromine was analyzed by spectrophotometer using a DPD‐1 kit and also studied the antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and MS2 phages. Bead's nano‐micro characteristics were found critical for oxidative halogen release control: rate stabilization and modulation, extension and also influences antimicrobial activity. The synthesized beads exhibited extended and stable release of bromine, 6 and 4 log reduction for E. coli and MS2, respectively for 250 L of passing contaminated water. Thus, N‐halamine hydantoins conjugated polystyrenes, chemically or kinetically release modified should have applications as disinfectants in water purification systems as well as medical field. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 596–610     

Synthesis and characterization of iPP‐sPP stereoblock produced by a binary metallocene system

Stereoblock polypropylenes comprising of iPP and sPP segments are synthesized by polymerization of the following binary system of metallocenes: the C_s‐symmetric [2,7‐t‐Bu₂(Flu)₂Ph₂C(Cp)ZrCl₂] and the C₂‐symmetric rac‐Me₂Si(2‐Me‐4‐Ph‐Ind)₂ZrCl₂. Blends of samples made either by each catalyst individually (solution blend) with materials obtained with the mixed catalyst system (reactor blend) are compared. The simultaneous presence of MAO and DEZ, enhancing fast and reversible transfer of the growing chains between the two active centers, leads to the formation of a stereoblock microstructure. In this case, low molecular weight polymers are obtained. The junction between the blocks is qualitatively observed in ¹³C NMR. When made in toluene, the stereoblock material consists of a majority of syndiotactic sequences, whereas the ratio is more equilibrated when the polymerization was conducted in the more polar chlorobenzene. This is confirmed by the results obtained with ¹³C NMR, CRYSTAF, HT HPLC, DSC, SSA, WAXD, and optical microscopy. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1422–1434     

Electrolytes for quasi solid‐state dye‐sensitized solar cells based on block copolymers

The first use of PS_n‐b‐PEO_m‐b‐PS_n block copolymers (PS = polystyrene, PEO = poly(ethylene oxide)) as solid hosts for iodine/iodide electrolytes in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is described. Using the benchmark photosensitizer N719, DSSC based on the quasi solid‐state electrolytes afforded efficiencies up to 6.7%, to be compared with an efficiency of 7.3% obtained in similar conditions with a conventional iodine/iodide liquid electrolyte. By varying the PS:PEO relative volume ratio in the block copolymers different properties and morphologies were obtained. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 719–727     

Simply Applicable Method for Microplastics Determination in Environmental Samples

Microplastics (MPs) have gained significant attention in the last two decades and have been widely researched in the marine environment. There are, however, less studies on their presence, routes of entry, and impacts on the biota in the soil environment. One of the main issues in the study of MPs is a lack of standardized methods for their identification in environmental samples. Currently the most commonly used techniques are thermal desorption gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) methods and pyrolysis followed by GC–MS. In this study, headspace-solid phase microextraction followed by GC–MS is proposed as a simple and widely applicable method for the determination of commonly present polymer MPs (polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polypropylene) in environmental samples, for analytical laboratories with basic equipment worldwide. The proposed method is based on the identification of compounds, which are formed during the well-controlled melting process of specific coarse (1–5 mm) and fine fraction (1 mm–100 μm) MPs. The method was upgraded for the identification of individual polymer type in blends and in complex environmental matrices (soil and algae biomass). The successful application of the method in complex matrices makes it especially suitable for widescale use.