Molecular dynamics of a biodegradable biomimetic ionomer studied by broadband dielectric spectroscopy

Broadband dielectric spectroscopy was used to investigate the bulk molecular dynamics of a recently developed biodegradable biomimetic ionomer potentially useful for biomedical applications. Isothermal dielectric spectra were gathered for a phosphoryl choline (PC)-functionalized poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) ionomer and unfunctionalized PTMC at temperatures ranging from 2 to 60 degrees C over a broad frequency range of 10(-3) to 10(6) Hz. Four relaxations were clearly identified, two of which were shown to stem from the PTMC polymer backbone. A detailed analysis showed that the formation of zwitterionic aggregates was responsible for the material's bulk functionality and that bulk conduction processes may provide useful information for assessing the PC ionomer as a candidate for drug delivery applications. Finally, it was concluded that absorbed water concentrates around the aggregates, resulting in an increased mobility of the PC end-groups.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy studies of the functionalization of a silicon surface with a phosphorylcholine-terminated polymer grafted onto (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane

The structure of a biomimetic phosphorylcholine (PC)-functionalized poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PC-PTMC-PC), linked to a silicon substrate through an aminolysis reaction at 120 degrees C with (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS), was studied using photoelectron spectroscopy. Two chemical states were found for the unreacted APTMS amine, a neutral state and a protonated state, where the protonated amine on average was situated closer to the silicon substrate than the neutral amine. The experiments also indicated the presence of a third chemical state, where amines interact with unreacted silanol groups. The PTMC chains of the grafted films were found to consist of only 2-3 repeat units, with the grafted chains enriched in the zwitterionic end group, suggesting that these groups are attracted to the surface. This was further supported by the experiments showing that the PC groups were situated deeper within the film.     

Tuned polymer electrolyte membranes based on aromatic polyethers for fuel cell applications

Poly(arylene ether sulfone)-based ionomers containing sulfofluorenyl groups have been synthesized for applications to polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In order to achieve high proton conductivity and chemical, mechanical, and dimensional stability, the molecular structure of the ionomers has been optimized. Tough, flexible, and transparent membranes were obtained from a series of modified ionomers containing methyl groups with the ion-exchange capacity (IEC) ranging from 1.32 to 3.26 meq/g. Isopropylidene tetramethylbiphenylene moieties were more effective than the methyl-substituted fluorenyl groups in giving a high-IEC ionomer membrane with substantial stability to hydrolysis and oxidation. Dimensional stability was significantly improved for the methyl-substituted ionomer membranes compared to that of the non-methylated ones. This new ionomer membrane showed comparable proton conductivity to that of the perfluorinated ionomer membrane (Nafion 112) under a wide range of conditions (80-120 degrees C and 20-93% relative humidity (RH)). The highest proton conductivity of 0.3 S/cm was obtained at 80 degrees C and 93% RH. Although there is a decline of proton conductivity with time, after 10 000 h the proton conductivities were still at acceptable levels for fuel cell operation. The membranes retained their strength, flexibility, and high molecular weight after 10 000 h. Microscopic analyses revealed well-connected ionic clusters for the high-IEC membrane. A fuel cell operated using the polyether ionomer membrane showed better performance than that of Nafion at a low humidity of 20% RH and high temperature of 90 degrees C. Unlike the other hydrocarbon ionomers, the present membrane showed a lower resistance than expected from its conductivity, indicating superior water-holding capability at high temperature and low humidity.     

含铵根离子等规聚丙烯离聚体的合成及性能研究

合成了一系列高分子量、窄分子量分布且高等规度,含有不同―NR_3~+X~-离子基团含量的聚丙烯离聚体(iPP-NR_3~+X~-).以PP/IUD共聚物作为反应中间体,与三乙胺或N-甲基咪唑氨化得到聚丙烯离聚体.通过离子交换反应制备不同反离子的N-甲基咪唑聚丙烯离聚体,包括双三氟甲基磺酰亚胺根离子(Tf_2N~-)、四氟硼酸根离子(BF_4~-)和六氟磷酸根离子(PF_6~-).热重分析结果发现N-甲基咪唑聚丙烯离聚体的热稳定性明显优于三乙胺聚丙烯离聚体,表明不含β-H的N-甲基咪唑聚丙烯离聚体具有较高的热稳定性.同时,聚丙烯离聚体的表面亲水性得到明显改善.并且,聚丙烯离聚体的断裂伸长率也得到显著提高,最高达到900%.比较不同反离子聚丙烯离聚体的屈服强度和断裂强度发现I~-聚丙烯离聚体具有最优的力学性能.     

Dynamic mechanical properties of polystyrene ionomers containing both carboxylate and sulfonate anionic groups

Polystyrene‐based ionomers possessing sodium methacrylate (MA) and sodium styrenesulfonate (SS) units in each polymer chain [poly(styrene‐co‐methacrylate‐co‐styrenesulfonate) (PSMA‐SS)] were synthesized. The dynamic mechanical properties of PSMA‐SS ionomers were studied and compared with those of styrene ionomers containing only MA (PSMA ionomer) or SS (PSS ionomer) units. It was observed that the ionic moduli of PSMA‐SS ionomers depended directly on the total ion content and that the ionic modulus was highest for the PSMA ionomer and lowest for the PSMA‐SS ionomer. The matrix T_gs of the three ionomer systems were found to be similar to each other; the cluster T_g of PSMA‐SS ionomer was higher than that of PSS ionomer at low SS contents but became closer to each other at high SS contents. In addition, the small‐angle X‐ray scattering study revealed that the multiplet size might be in the following order: PSMA‐SS > PSS > PSMA. This implied that at the same ion content, the fractions of cluster regions were smallest for PSMA‐SS ionomer in comparison with those of PSS or PSMA ionomers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

Effect of ionomers on mechanical properties, morphology, and rheology of polyoxymethylene and its blends with methyl methacrylate-styrene-butadiene copolymer

Two ionomers, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer ionized with sodium cation (EMA-Na) and zinc cation (EMA-Zn), were employed as impact modifiers to prepare blends with polyoxymethylene (POM) via a melt extrusion. A copolymer of methyl methacrylate-styrene-butadiene (MBS) used as a co-impact modifier was also incorporated into the blends. The mechanical properties, thermal properties, morphology, and rheology were studied. A moderate toughening was observed for POM/ionomer binary blends, which was attributable to the rubbery natural and good adhesion of the ionomers. EMA-Zn exhibited a much better toughening effect than EMA-Na because of its higher elasticity and stronger interaction with POM. The incorporation of the ionomers into POM/MBS blends resulted in an improvement of mechanical properties, which was attributable to the compatibilizing effect of ionomer on POM/MBS blending system. The observation of scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the finer phase domains were caused by incorporation of ionomers, which, acting as a compatibilizer as well as an impact modifier, reduced the interfacial tension and improved the interfacial adhesion between the phases. Differential scanning calorimetry investigation indicated that the presence of ionomer in the blends disturbed the crystallization of POM and resulted in a decrease in the crystallinity of POM. The evaluation of melt flow index revealed an increase in viscosity of the blends by incorporation of the ionomers, which was caused the ionic interaction between POM and the ionomers.     

Aqueous dispersion of polyurethane ionomers from hexamethylene diisocyanate and trimellitic anhydride

Polyurethane (PU) ionomers were prepared from trimellitic anhydride (TMA), poly(tetramethylene adipate) glycol (PTAd), and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) in acetone. Upon neutralizing the carboxylic groups with a tertiary amine (TEA), and adding water to PU ionomer solution, followed by removing the acetone, stable aqueous PU dispersions were obtained.Effects of interionic molecular weight and nonionic hydrophilic segment, viz. monofunctional ethylene-propylene oxide ether on particle, size, emulsion viscosity, mechanical, and viscoelastic properties of the emulsion cast films were examined.     

磺化丁基橡胶离聚体及其共混物的动态力学性质

<正> 含10％摩尔以下的离子且主链为柔性的离聚体是一种热塑性弹性体。在动态力学性质方面呈现特殊的行为,表现在贮能模量(1gE′)与温度的关系中有橡胶态平台出现。最早Otocka等指出,(丁二烯-甲基丙烯酸)共聚物无橡胶态平台,经金属离子中和后产生橡胶态平台,且E′增加。Agarwal,Makowski等则报道磺化乙丙胶离聚体的橡胶态平台随离子含量提高而加宽,随硬脂酸锌的加入而缩短。Fitzgerald及Weisst结合X-射线小角散射研究了甘油及邻苯二甲酸二辛酯对磺化聚苯乙烯离聚体的动态力学性质的影响。     

Blends of polycarbonate and ethylene-1-octylene copolymer

The mechanical properties and morphology of polycarbonate/ethylene-1-octylene copolymer (PC/POE) binary blends and PC/POE/ionomer ternary blends were investigated. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the PC/POE blends decreased with increasing the POE content. The impact strength of the PC/POE blends showed less dependence on thickness than that of PC. And the low-temperature impact strength of PC was modified effectively by addition of POE. The morphology of the PC/POE blends was observed by scanning electron microscope. The PC/POE weight ratio had a great effect on the morphology of the PC/POE blends. For the PC/POE (80/20)/ionomer ternary blends, low content (0.25 and 0.5 phr) of ionomer could increase the tensile properties of PC/POE (80/20) blend and had little effect on the impact strength. And 0.5 phr ionomer made the dispersed domain distribute more uniformly and finely than the blend without it. But with high content of ionomer, the degradation of PC made the mechanical properties of the blends deteriorate. Blending PC and ionomer proved the degradation of PC, and the molecular weight decreased with increasing the ionomer content.     

Synthesis by Emulsion Polymerization of Poly(butyl acrylate-co-silver acrylate) Ionomers and Evaluation of their Possible Applications

The synthesis by emulsion polymerization and the characterization by a battery of techniques of poly(butyl acrylate-co-silver acrylate) [poly(BuAc-co-AgAc)] ionomers are reported here. Reaction rates were fast and conversions around 90% were obtained in less than one hour, regardless of the initial ratio of butyl acrylate and silver acrylate employed (BuAc/AgAc = 90/10, 80/20, 70/30). Particle size was in the range of 176 to 200 nm, depending on the BuAc/AgAc ratio. Ionomers’ formation was corroborated by infrared spectroscopy and inferred by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). DSC disclosed that the poly(BuAc-co-AgAc) has two glass transition temperatures: one at ca. ?49°C due to relaxation of the ionomer backbone domains rich in BuAc and another ca. 35°C due to the relaxation of the backbone domains where the AgAc-units content was higher. Young moduli increased as the copolymers became richer in AgAc. Antibacterial tests against Escherichia coli with the 90/10 (BuAc/AgAc) ionomer revealed that the bacteria population diminishes from 5 log CFU/mL to less than 0.3 MPN/mL after one hour of contact with the ionomers. Also, we demonstrated that the ionomers are excellent compatibilizers for making semiconductive films of n-dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid-doped polyaniline (PANIDBSA)-poly(BuAc-co-AgAc) and poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) blends. The electrical conductivity of the blend films, which were homogeneous, rose as the AgAc content in the films increased.     

Synthesis of Maleated Ionomers via Ring‐Opening Reaction of Epoxidized (Styrene‐Butadiene‐Styrene) Triblock Copolymer with Potassium Hydrogen Maleate and Study of their Properties

A novel method for synthesizing maleated ionomer of (styrene‐butadiene‐styrene) triblock copolymer (SBS) from epoxidized SBS was developed. The epoxidized SBS was prepared via epoxidation of SBS with performic acid formed in situ by 30% H₂O₂ and formic acid in cyclohexane in the presence of polyethylene glycol 600 as a phase transfer catalyst. The maleated ionomer was obtained by a ring‐opening reaction of the epoxidized SBS solution with an aqueous solution of potassium hydrogen maleate. The optimum conditions for the ring‐opening reaction and some properties of the ionomers were studied. It is necessary to use phase transfer catalyst, ring‐opening catalyst and a pH regulator (dipotassium maleate) for obtaining the epoxy group conversion over 90%. The product was characterized by FTIR spectrophotometry and transmission electron microcroscopy (TEM) to be an ionomer with domains of maleate ionic groups. With increasing ionic groups, the water absorbency and the dilute solution viscosity of the ionomer increase, whereas the oil absorbency decreases. The tensile strength and ultimate elongation of ionomers increase with ionic group content and are higher than those of the original SBS without using any ionic plasticizer, which is usually used with the sulfonated ionomer. The ionomers with 1.2–1.7 mmol ionic groups/g exhibit optimum mechanical properties and behave as thermoplastic elastomers. The ionomer can be used as a compatibilizer for the blends of SBS with oil resistant chlorohydrin rubber (CHR). Addition of 3 wt% ionomer to the blend can increase the tensile strength and ultimate elongation of the blend optimally. The compatibility of the blends enhanced by adding the ionomer was shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The blend of equal weight of SBS and CHR compatibilized by the ionomer behaves as a toluene resistant thermoplastic elastomer.     

Dynamic mechanical properties of plasticized polystyrene-based ionomers. I. Glassy to rubbery zones

The plasticizing effect of a nonpolar and a polar diluent in ionomers was studied by dynamic mechanical methods in the glassy to rubbery regions. Specifically, a carboxylate and a sulfonate polystyrene-based ionomer were investigated with variation of diethylbenzene content and of glycerol content. It was found that the nonpolar diluent plasticizes the transition by formation of ionic aggregates as well as lowering the glass transition temperature. However, the ionic regions of the carboxylate ionomer are plasticized more than those of the sulfonate ionomer. This corroborates the results of other studies which had found that the sulfonate groups in ionomers interact more strongly than the carboxylate groups. The polar diluent causes the ionic transition to disappear; this is probably due to solvation of the ions by the diluent.     

Positron annihilation study of free volume holes in polymers and polymer blends

Positron lifetime spectra were measured as a function of the time for metallocene polyethylene (mPE), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyamide (PA), and polycarbonate (PC). A decrease in o-Ps intensity with the elapsed time was observed in mPE and PC measured at room temperature and in PMMA measured at 225 K. Formation of free radicals has been supposed to be one of the causes of this effect. The effect of maleic-anhydride (maH) grafted copolymers and its ionomers in mPE/PA blends was also studied. The change in the positron lifetime distribution with increasing maH and the ionomer content revealed an enhanced interaction between mPE and PA phase and the decrease of dispersed mPE particles, which reflected good compatibility of the blend.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Properties of Novel Amphiphilic Phosphated Ionomers by Ring‐Opening Reaction of Epoxidized Styrene‐Butadiene‐Styrene Triblock Polymer

A method for synthesis of novel phosphated ionomer of (styrene‐butadiene‐styrene) triblock polymer (SBS) from epoxidized SBS was developed. The optimum conditions for the ring‐opening reaction of the epoxidized SBS with aqueous solution of disodium hydrogen phosphate were studied. It was found that during the ring‐opening reaction phase transfer catalyst, ring‐opening catalyst and pH regulator were necessary to enhance the conversion of epoxy groups to ionic groups. The products were characterized with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Some properties of the phosphated ionomer were studied. With increasing ionic groups or the ionic potential of the cation of the ionomer, the water absorbency emulsifying volume and the intrinsic viscosity of the ionomer increase, whereas the oil absorbency decreases. The ionomer possesses excellent emulsifying property, as compared with the sulfonated ionomer. The disodium phosphated ionomers in the presence of 10% zinc stearate showed better mechanical properties than the original epoxy SBS. Optimum mechanical properties occurred at the ionic group content of 0.95 mmol/g ionomer. When the ionomer was blended with crystalline polypropylene, a synergistic effect occurs with respect to the tensile strength. The ionomer behaves as a compatibilizer for blending equal amount of SBS and oil‐resistant chlorohydrin rubber (CHR) to form an oil resistant thermoplastic elastomer. SEM microphotographs indicated enhanced compatibility between the two components of the blend in the presence of the ionomer.     

Layer‐by‐layer ionomer films made from poly(styrene‐co‐styrenesulfonic acid) and poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐4‐vinylpyridine) in tetrahydrofuran

Thin films were fabricated layer‐by‐layer (LbL) via ionic bonds formed between a cationic ionomer and an anionic ionomer, which were produced via proton transfer from poly(styrene‐co‐styrenesulfonic acid) to poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐4‐vinylpyridine) in an organic solvent, tetrahydrofuran. Ionic contents of the ionomers were very low down to 5.6 mol %, much lower than usual polyelectrolytes. The build up of the LbL films was demonstrated by UV/vis spectroscopy: the absorbance of the phenyl rings in styrene residues increased with the number of depositions (thus the number of layers). Transmission electron microscopy observation of strained thin films showed unique deformation mode, involving many bands that developed both in the parallel and perpendicular directions to the stress axis. This is quite different from the deformation modes seen for ionomer blend films and for coextruded polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) multilayer tapes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 50: 101–105, 2012     

Biodegradable aliphatic polyester ionomers

A series of polyester-based ionomers containing dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate sodium salt (DMSI) with up to 5 mol-% diacid units was synthesized by two-step polycondensation. Furthermore a polylactic acid (PLA) was modified by introducing poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) ionomers with different ion groups, such as Na, Li, and Zn, using the melt blending method. This review examines the effect of the ionic group on the dynamic mechanical properties, melt rheology, crystallization behavior, degradation behavior, and biocompatibility with human dermal cells, as well as the nucleating effect of poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) ionomer in PLA.     

Deformation and fracture behavior of polystyrene ionomer and ionomer blends

The deformation and fracture behavior of sulphonated polystyrene ionomers, and of blends of these with polystyrene have been investigated. The microstructure of the ionomer, which varies with ion content, appears to have a significant effect on mechanical properties. Both tensile strength and toughness increase appreciably at ion contents near 5 mol%, where clusters become dominant over ion pairs and multiplets. In blends of the ionomers and polystyrene, phase separation occurs and the ionomer component appears in the form of fine particles dispersed in the polystyrene matrix. These particles possess a greater effective entanglement density than the matrix, as a result of ionic crosslinking, and they provide reinforcement against early craze breakdown and fracture. Tensile strength and fracture energy increase rapidly as the ionomer concentration in the blend is increased and they become essentially independent of blend ratio above about 10 wt% of the ionomer. Tests carried out on thin film specimens of the blends show that the dispersed ionomer particles adhere well to the matrix and contribute to the fracture energy both by inducing matrix crazing and by internal fibrillation within the particles.Dedicated to Professor Hans-Henning Kausch on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

Wetting behavior of lightly sulfonated polystyrene ionomers on silica surfaces

The wetting/dewetting behavior of thin films of lightly sulfonated low molecular weight polystyrene (SPS) ionomers spin-coated onto silica surfaces were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle measurements, and electron microscopy. The effects of the sulfonation level, the choice of the cation, the solvent used to spin-coat the films, and the molecular weight of the ionomer were investigated. Small angle X-ray scattering was used to determine the bulk microstructure of the films. The addition of the sulfonate groups suppressed the dewetting behavior of the PS above its glass transition temperature, e.g. no dewetting occurred even after 240 h of annealing at 120 degrees C. Increasing the sulfonation level led to more homogeneous and smoother surfaces. The choice of the cation used affected the wetting properties, but not in a predictable manner. When tetrahydrofuran (THF) or a THF/methanol mixed solvent was used for spin-casting, a submicron-textured surface morphology was produced, which may be a consequence of spinodal decomposition of the film surface during casting. Upon annealing for long times, the particles coalesced into a coherent, nonwetted film.     

分散溶剂对PEMFC催化层中超薄Nafion离聚物质子传导的影响

质子交换膜燃料电池(PEMFC)商业化应用的瓶颈仍然是贵金属催化剂导致的成本问题。然而,目前对于催化层中纳米尺度全氟磺酸离聚物(以Nafion为代表)薄膜中质子传导的问题研究不足,无法完善三相界面的成型规律,进而指导催化层设计。在催化层浆料制备过程中,分散溶剂对Nafion的分散形态有直接影响,可能对催化层成型后附着在催化剂颗粒表面Nafion薄膜的微观结构有潜在影响,进而影响Nafion薄膜的质子传导能力。因此,在本文中利用分子自组装技术模拟催化层离聚物薄膜的聚集过程,于模型基底上制备厚度精确可控的纳米尺度Nafion薄膜,并通过微观测试表征技术探索并建立纳米尺度Nafion离聚物的微观结构模型,阐明分散溶剂对Nafion薄膜微观结构及质子传导的影响。研究发现Nafion薄膜在纳米尺度下的质子电导率比体相膜的质子电导率低一个数量级,使用介电常数较小的醇类溶剂可以使Nafion薄膜形成更有利于质子传导的微观结构,使Nafion薄膜的质子电导率得到提高。相关研究结果为优化PEMFC催化层结构,改善PEMFC催化层中质子传导问题提供给了依据。     

Ionic aggregate structure in ionomer melts: effect of molecular architecture on aggregates and the ionomer peak

We perform a comprehensive set of coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of ionomer melts with varying polymer architectures and compare the results to experiments in order to understand ionic aggregation on a molecular level. The model ionomers contain periodically or randomly spaced charged beads, placed either within or pendant to the polymer backbone, with the counterions treated explicitly. The ionic aggregate structure was determined as a function of the spacing of charged beads and also depends on whether the charged beads are in the polymer backbone or pendant to the backbone. The low wavevector ionomer peak in the counterion scattering is observed for all systems, and it is sharpest for ionomers with periodically spaced pendant charged beads with a large spacing between charged beads. Changing to a random or a shorter spacing moves the peak to lower wavevector. We present new experimental X-ray scattering data on Na(+)-neutralized poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) ionomers that show the same two trends in the ionomer peak, for similarly structured ionomers. The order within and between aggregates, and how this relates to various models used to fit the ionomer peak, is quantified and discussed.