Amphiphilic Patchy Composite Colloids

A new approach to fabricate patchy silica/polymeric gel composite colloids with amphiphilic performance is reported. The amphiphilic performance is rendered by selectively modifying the silica framework with a silane that contains an oleophilic alkyl chain. The patchy composite colloids are dispersible in both water and oil, and may be used as a solid particle surfactant. The modified silica framework can also assist other functional materials to disperse in a desired media. The corresponding silica/carbon composite colloids become amphiphilic after a sequential activation of carbon and modification of silica, and meanwhile possess as good electron conductivity as the as‐prepared silica/carbon composite colloids.

     

Simultaneous Detection and Removal of Mercury Ions in Aqueous Solution with Fluorescent Conjugated Polymer‐Based Sensor Ensemble

A water‐soluble, sulfur‐containing fluorescent conjugated polymer exhibits a visible fluorescence color change for detection of mercury in the presence of thymine. A new concept provides the design of a sensor ensemble using a simple combination method. This strategy avoids the need for complicated design and synthesis of a recognition group, eliminating the tedious synthetic efforts for the preparation of a sensor material.

     

A New Strategy to Exfoliate Silicone Rubber/Clay Nanocomposites

Summary: A new strategy was developed to prepare disorderly exfoliated nanocomposites, in which a soft siloxane surfactant with a weight‐average molecular weight ( ) of 1 900 was adopted to modify the clay. The modified clay slurry was then mixed with silicone rubber by hand, and exfoliation was achieved. The proposed mechanism thereof was verified by TEM and XRD. The physical entanglement of the soft siloxane surfactant plays a vital role in the diffusion and intercalation of the matrix molecules during the compounding of the slurry‐polymer mixture. This simple method is applicable to other silicone‐based materials reinforced by clay.

TEM micrograph of silicone rubber/clay‐sil nanocomposite.     

Insertion of Copper(II)/Schiff‐Base Complexes with NLO Properties into Commercial Polycarbonates by Thermal Processes

The preparation of a bisphenol‐A carbonate copolymer, containing Cu‐diimine units with nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, and its MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometric characterization are reported. Contrary to the usual synthetic method, NLO groups were inserted directly into a commercial polycarbonate by prolonged heating at 250 °C. This innovative procedure allows to obtain a Cu/diimine‐containing polymer of high molecular weight.

     

Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Crosslinked Poly(vinyl alcohol) Nanocomposites Comprising Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes,Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes,and Buckminsterfullerene

We report a facile method to accomplish the crosslinking reaction of PVA with SWNTs, MWNTs, and C‐60 using MW irradiation. Nanocomposites of PVA crosslinked with SWNT, MWNT and C‐60 were prepared expeditiously by reacting the respective carbon nanotubes with 3 wt.‐% PVA under MW irradiation, maintaining a temperature of 100 °C, representing a radical improvement over literature methods to prepare such crosslinked PVA composites. This general preparative procedure is versatile and provides a simple route to manufacture useful SWNT, MWNT and C‐60 nanocomposites.

     

Ultra Rapid Approaches to Mild Macromolecular Conjugation

In light of the increasing demand for ultra rapid and mild conjugation chemistries for use in macromolecular chemistry, the present Feature Article provides a critical overview of the very latest developments in this field. The principal aim, therefore, is the provision of a quick selection guide to aid in the formulation of a design strategy for novel functional materials and to provide recommendations for future developments in the chemistries discussed.

     

L,L‐Lactide and ε‐Caprolactone Block Copolymers by a ‘Poly(L,L‐lactide) Block First’ Route

L,L ‐lactide (LA) and ε‐caprolactone (CL) block copolymers have been prepared by initiating the poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) block growth with living poly(L,L ‐lactide) (PLA*). In the previous attempts to prepare block copolymers this way only random copolyesters were obtained because the PLA* + CL cross‐propagation rate was lower than that of the PLA–CL* + PLA transesterification. The present paper shows that application of Al‐alkoxide active centers that bear bulky diphenolate ligands results in efficient suppression of the transesterification. Thus, the corresponding well‐defined di‐ and triblock copolymers could be prepared.

     

Nitroxide‐Mediated Polymerization of Styrene in a Continuous Tubular Reactor

Summary: Nitroxide‐mediated polymerization of styrene in a continuous tubular reactor has been demonstrated for the first time. The polymerization kinetics in the tubular reactor are similar to those in a batch reactor. The number average molecular weight increases linearly with conversion, and chain extension experiments were successful, indicating that the living nature of the polymerization is maintained in the tubular reactor.

Evolution of molecular weight as measured by GPC for chain‐extended latex in continuous tubular reactor.     

Unusual Crystallization Behavior in Nylon‐6 and Nylon‐6/Montmorillonite Nanocomposite Films

Summary: The crystallization behavior of nylon‐6 and nylon‐6/montmorillonite nanocomposite films with different heat histories was investigated by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). For nylon‐6 films isothermally crystallized above 170 °C or annealed at 200 °C and then quenched in ice water, a crystalline peak appeared at 2θ = 28.5°. This crystalline peak was strong in intensity for the former and weak for the latter. However, for nylon‐6 films cooled in air after isothermal crystallization or annealing, no crystalline peak at 2θ = 28.5° was observed in the WAXD patterns. For nylon‐6/montmorillonite nanocomposite films annealed above 140 °C, a crystalline double peak was observed between the α1 and α2 peaks. The possible origins of the peak at 2θ = 28.5° and the crystalline double peak are discussed.

WAXD patterns of isothermally crystallized nylon‐6/montmorillonite nanocomposite films.     

Ordering Cylindrical Microdomains for Binary Blends of Block Copolymers with Graphoepitaxy

The morphology of a thin film was studied for a binary mixture of asymmetric PS‐b‐PMMA block copolymers on a flat silicon wafer coated with 50 nm thick silicon oxide. AFM and TEM reveal that the PMMA cylinders orient perpendicular to the substrate by tuning the film thickness. Furthermore, grating substrates with different width and depth are used to guide the alignment of the perpendicular cylinders. As a result, an array of highly ordered, hexagonally packed PMMA cylinders in the PS matrix with a domain spacing of less than 25 nm has been produced.

     

Sugar-containing polyanions as a self-assembled coating of plasmid/polycation complexes for receptor-mediated gene delivery

Novel poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivatives having both carboxylic acid, and sugar side chains were synthesized. These polymers were used to coat DNA/poly(ethyleneimine) complexes, and effectively protected them against albumin-induced aggregation. They presented carbohydrate moieties on the DNA complex surfaces as a cell-binding ligand, and the galactose-bearing polymer remarkably enhanced the poly(ethyleneimine)-mediated gene transfection on HepG2 cells.

Synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives having both carboxylic acid and sugar pendant groups.     

Practical Microwave Synthesis for Organic Chemists.Strategies,Instruments, and Protocols. Herausgegeben von C. Oliver Kappe,Doris Dallinger und Shaun Murphree.

Wiley‐VCH, Weinheim 2008. 300 S., geb., 59.00 €.—ISBN 978‐3527320974

     

Shaping Polymer Particles by Carbon Nanotubes

We report the formation of poly(propylene) spherical and ellipsoidal particles templated by carbon nanotubes via solution crystallization. With an increase in nanotube loading, the particle shape changes from sphere to ellipsoid. In the intermediate concentration range, both spherical and ellipsoidal shapes coexist. The particle size decreases with an increase in nanotube loading.

     

Potentials and Limitations of Automated Parallel Emulsion Polymerization

The application of automated parallel synthesizer robots for the investigation of polymerization processes is of major interest at present. In this contribution we describe the application of the emulsion polymerization of styrene and vinyl acetate. The preparations of emulsions and latexes were investigated in detail and compared to “conventional” stirred tank reactors. In particular the influence of the vortex mixing as well as the limitations regarding solid content and reactor fouling are addressed.

     

Pressure,the Critical Factor Governing Final Microstructures of Cured Rubber/Clay Nanocomposites

Summary: The changes in both local intercalated structures and spatial distribution states of organoclays (OC) in rubber/clay nanocomposites (RCNs) caused by vulcanization were monitored by using WAXD and TEM, and the corresponding mechanism was studied. It was first discovered that the pressure was the critical factor determining the final microstructures of cured RCNs. The cured RCNs with fine dispersion could be obtained through vulcanization under atmospheric pressure.

TEM images of SBR/clay nanocomposites cured at 15 MPa pressure (left) and atmospheric pressure (right).     

Shape of Micelles Formed From Strongly Adsorbed Grafted Polymers in Poor Solvents

Summary: We consider the shape of strongly adsorbed polymer chains in poor solvents. Using both SCF theory and Monte Carlo simulations, we find these chains undergo an instability which is driven, surprisingly, by polymer entropy. This instability occurs above some critical grafting separation and the intermediate segregation regime. An analytical calculation also suggests that this instability occurs for strongly adsorbed polymer chains. We proceed to study multi‐chain systems and observe a number of novel morphological structures including circular polymer droplets, lamellae and a polymer layer with a solvent‐filled hole.

Shape of strongly adsorbed multi‐chain polymer globules.