Electrostatic interactions between amphoteric latex particles and proteins

The electrostatic interactions between amphoteric polymethyl methacrylate latex particles and proteins with different pI values were investigated. These latex particles possess a net positive charge at low pH, but they become negatively charged at high pH. The nature and degree of interactions between these polymer particles and proteins are primarily controlled by the electrostatic characteristics of the particles and proteins under the experimental conditions. The self-promoting adsorption process from the charge neutralization of latex particles by the proteins, which have the opposite net charge to that of the particles, leads to a rapid reduction in the zeta potential of the particles (in other words colloidal stability), and so strong flocculation occurs. On the other hand, the electrostatic repulsion forces between similarly charged latex particles and the proteins retard the adsorption of protein molecules onto the surfaces of the particles. Therefore, latex particles exhibit excellent colloidal stability over a wide range of protein concentrations. A transition from net negative charge to net positive charge, and vice versa (charge reversal), was observed when the particle surface charge density was not high enough to be predominant in the protein adsorption process.     

Interaction of pigments with polystyrene latex prepared using a zwitterionic emulsifier

An emulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of a zwitterionic emulsifier,N,N-dimethyl-n-laurylbetaine (LNB), was carried out at pH 7.0. The stability of mixed dispersions composed of latex particles prepared with the emulsifier (LNB) and titanium dioxide particles was studied as a function of pH. The zeta potential of the synthesized latex particles was significantly dependent on the pH and showed the existence of an isoelectric point. In the pH range of 3.0–8.3, where the latices are positively charged while titanium dioxide pigment particles are negatively charged, the mixed suspensions of the latices and titanium dioxide particles were dispersed but exhibited heterocoagulation with increasing particle number of the latices. Furthermore, titanium dioxide particles were restabilized with further addition of the latices. The mechanisms of these processes are discussed. A similar experiment was conducted with silica particles.     

Emulsifier-free emulsion copolymerization of styrene and acrylamide using an amphoteric initiator

Emulsifier-free emulsion copolymerization of styrene (St) and acrylamide (AAm) has been investigated in the presence of an amphoteric water-soluble initiator, 2,2′-azobis[N-(2-carboxyethyl)-2-2-methylpropionamidine]hydrate (VA057). The kinetics of polymerization and the colloidal properties of the resulting latices were studied and compared with the cases using ionic initiators. When adopting the amphoteric initiator at pHs lower than 10, stable amphoteric poly (St/AAm) latices, evidenced by the electrophoretic mobility, were prepared directly. Meanwhile, almost the same conversion versus time curves appeared and there were no apparent differences in the final particle sizes for those polymerizations, whereas in the polymerization at pH 10, a much lower rate of copolymerization and a larger size of particles were observed. The surface charge density and the growth rate of latex particles produced with VA057 at pH<10 were comparable to those of the particles with a cationic initiator, 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride, but were apparently lower than those with an anionic initiator, potassium persulfate, when the polymerizations were carried out under corresponding conditions. The number of initiator fragments incorporated onto the particle surfaces was independent of polymerization pH, except for pH 10. The abnormal performance of VA057 at pH 10 was attributed to its degradation due to hydrolysis. Received: 14 December 1999 Accepted: 22 February 2000     

The adsorption of polyampholytes on negatively and positively charged polystyrene latex

The adsorption of two polyampholytes (a random copolymer of -glutamic acid and -lysine, and a well-defined tetramer of -lysyl- -glutamyl-glycine) onto positively and negatively charged latex was studied as a function of the pH and the ionic strength. The adsorbed amount proved to be almost independent of the salt concentration. The pH dependence was found to follow the same trends on negatively charged and positively charged latex. At low pH, where the polyampholytes are positively charged, a high adsorbed amount was found irrespective of the sign of the surface charge. At high pH, where the macromolecules are negatively charged, no adsorption was measured, not even with the positive latex. This is probably due to the very good solubility of the polyampholytes at this pH. Electrophoretic mobility measurements revealed that already at very low concentrations of polyampholyte charge reversal of the particles occurred.     

Synthesis of polystyrene latex with amphoteric surfactant and its characterization

An emulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of an amphoteric surfactant; N,N-dimethyl-n-laurylbetaine (LNB) was carried out at pH 7.0. The polymerization rate and the concentration of the latex particle were proportional to the LNB concentration of 0.6 power. The latex particle sizes became smaller with increasing concentrations of LNB. The molecular weights of polystyrene latices increased with the concentration of LNB. The zeta-potentials of latex particles were significantly dependent on the pH, and showed the existence of an isoelectric point.     

Altering surface charge nonuniformity on individual colloidal particles

Charge nonuniformity (sigmazeta) was altered on individual polystyrene latex particles and measured using the novel experimental technique of rotational electrophoresis. It has recently been shown that unaltered sulfated latices often have significant charge nonuniformity (sigmazeta = 100 mV) on individual particles. Here it is shown that anionic polyelectrolytes and surfactants reduce the native charge nonuniformity on negatively charged particles by 80% (sigmazeta = 20 mV), even while leaving the average surface charge density almost unchanged. Reduction of charge uniformity occurs as large domains of nonuniformity are minimized, giving a more random distribution of charge on individual particle surfaces. Targeted reduction of charge nonuniformity opens new opportunities for the dispersion of nanoparticles and the oriented assembly of particles.     

Amphoteric initiators suitable for emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization and the properties of the resulting latices

The soap-free emulsion polymerizations of styrene (St) and acrylamide (AAm) or methyl methacrylate (MMA) were carried out in the presence of three kinds of amphoteric initiators, and the polymerization kinetics and the colloidal properties of the latices produced were emphatically investigated. It was found that the number of carbon atoms between the amidino and carboxyl groups in each initiator exhibited an appreciable effect on the dissociation as well as on the solubility of the initiator in water, and therefore, that the properties of the colloidal particles depended on the structure of the initiators used. All the copolymerization runs, except for the polymerization using 2,2′-azobis(N-(2-caboxyethyl)-2-methylpropionamidine) under a strongly alkali condition, gave amphoteric latices, which indicated higher critical flocculation concentrations at lower or higher pHs than at a medium pH. The surface charge density measured by titration for poly(St/MMA) particles was about 3–10 times as high as that for the poly(St/AAm) ones, though these were prepared under the same conditions other than the monomer composition. The influence of the polymerization pH on both the polymerization rate and the surface charge density of the resulting latices was negligible even if the constants of the decomposition rate and the dissociation of the amphoteric initiators strongly depended on the pH of the medium. Received: 28 July 2000 Accepted: 1 November 2000     

Colloidal stability of chitosan-modified poly(methyl methacrylate) latex particles

Experiments of coagulation kinetics were used to study the influence of the electrolyte concentration on the colloidal stability of cationic poly(methyl methacrylate) latex particles with various degrees of chitosan modification. For the chitosan-free latex products prepared by various levels of 2,2′ azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (V-50) at constant pH, the critical coagulation concentration (ccc) increases with increasing V-50 concentration, due to the enhanced particle surface charge density. On the other hand, the chitosan-modified latex products at constant pH do not exhibit very different values of ccc. This result is attributed to the counterbalance between two opposite effects related to the grafted chitosan, that is, the increased particle surface charge density and the enhanced shift of the particle's shear plane toward the aqueous phase with the chitosan content. The ccc of the latex products with various degrees of chitosan modification decreases significantly when the pH increases from 3 to 7. This is because the degree of ionization of the surface amino groups (the particle surface charge density) decreases with increasing pH. As a result, the stability of the colloidal system decreases significantly with increasing pH. The apparent Hamaker constant and diffuse potential were obtained from the coagulation kinetics data. These two parameters along with the zeta potential and particle size data for the latex samples taken immediately after the end of the coagulation experiments were also used to study the effect of ionic strength on the colloidal stability of the latex particles. Received: 10 October 1998 Accepted in revised form: 16 December 1998     

Chemical heterogeneity in emulsion copolymers of carboxylic monomers

Copolymer latices of butylacrylate (BA) with acrylic and methacrylic acid (AA and MAA) were prepared by batch type emulsion polymerization, and, for comparison, copolymers with identical monomer composition were prepared by batch type solution polymerization.The distribution of the carboxylic monomers in the latex particles and the serum was studied by density gradient and sedimentation experiments with the analytical ultracentrifuge. Dynamic mechanical measurements of films of these copolymers were used to determine the storage and loss moduli as a function of temperature. From these measurements the position and extension of the glass transition range on the temperature scale is obtained. For heterogeneous emulsion copolymers with two glass transition temperatures the distribution of the carboxylic monomer units in the different copolymer phases can be determined. Electron microscopy of ultra thin cross-sections of stained films gave further insight into the film morphology.The combination of the results obtained with the different methods gives rise to the following clues: In the BA/AA latices about 40% (by weight) of the total AA used in the recipe are found in the serum as a water soluble polymer, about 50% are found to increase the glass transition temperatureT _g of the bulk of the BA copolymer and, therefore, are thought to be incorporated into the interior of the latex particles, and the remaining 10% are, conclusively, located on the particle surface.In the BA/MAA latices no water soluble copolymer could be detected in the serum, about 90% of the MAA used is found in the bulk of the copolymer, and about 10% form a second hard phase on the surface of the latex particles.Dynamic mechanical measurements on the copolymer latex films show at least two phases with different glass transition temperatures: the bulk of the copolymer with a relatively low content of (M)AA units and a glass transition range at low temperatures, and a second (M)AA rich phase with a highT _g.The latter phase forms a honeycomb-like structure surrounding the packed latex particles. That results in a three-dimensional network of polymer with a highT _g extending throughout the latex film. In spite of the fact that this phase is built from a small fraction of the total copolymer only, it has a very pronounced influence on the performance behaviour of latex films.Dedicated to Professor Dr. R. Manecke on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

SANS and SAXS analysis of charged nanoparticle adsorption at oil-water interfaces

A systematic study of the adsorption of charged nanoparticles at dispersed oil-in-water emulsion interfaces is presented. The interaction potentials for negatively charged hexadecane droplets with anionic polystyrene latex particles or cationic gold particles are calculated using DLVO theory. Calculations demonstrate that increased ionic strength decreases the decay length of the electrostatic repulsion leading to enhanced particle adsorption. For the case of anionic PS latex particles, the energy barrier for particle adsorption is also reduced when the surface charge is neutralized through changes in pH. Complementary small-angle scattering experiments show that the highest particle adsorption for PS latex occurs at moderate ionic strength and low pH. For cationic gold particles, simple DLVO calculations also explain scattering results showing that the highest particle adsorption occurs at neutral pH due to the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged surfaces. This work demonstrates that surface charges of particles and oil droplets are critical parameters to consider when engineering particle-stabilized emulsions.     

Preparation and clinical application of immunomagnetic latex

Magnetic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐methacrylic acid) [P(MMA–MAA)] composite polymer latices were synthesized by two‐stage soapless emulsion polymerization in the presence of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) ferrofluids. Different types and concentrations of fatty acids were reacted with the Fe₃O₄ particles, which were prepared by the coprecipitation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) salts to obtain stable Fe₃O₄ ferrofluids. The Fe₃O₄/polymer particles were monodisperse, and the composite polymer particle size was approximately 100 nm. The morphology of the magnetic composite polymer latex particles was a core–shell structure. The core was PMMA encapsulating Fe₃O₄ particles, and the shell was the P(MMA–MAA) copolymer. The carboxylic acid functional groups (COOH) of methacrylic acid (MAA) were mostly distributed on the surface of the composite polymer latex particles. Antibodies (anti‐human immunoglobulin G) were then chemically bound with COOH groups onto the surface of the magnetic core–shell composite latices through the medium of carbodiimide to form the antibody‐coated magnetic latices (magnetic immunolatices). The MAA shell composition of the composite latex could be adjusted to control the number of COOH groups and thus the number of antibody molecules on the magnetic composite latex particles. With a magnetic sorting device, the magnetic immunolatices derived from the magnetic PMMA/P(MMA–MAA) core–shell composite polymer latex performed well in cell‐separation experiments based on the antigen–antibody reaction. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1342–1356, 2005     

Synthesis and characterization of sulphonated core-shell latices in the size range between 30 and 80 nm

The objective of the current work was the synthesis of sulphonated core-shell nanolatices and to investigate to which extend it is possible to control the final surface charge of such latices. For this purpose differently sized polystyrene seed latices with average diameters in the size range between 30 and 80 nm were synthesized by emulsion polymerization. To obtain the final latices, a sulphonated comonomer was incorporated in the outer surface shell of the particles by further reaction of the seed latices with styrene and sodium styrene sulphonate (NaSS). In a first test series the seed latex surface was modified with four different amounts of NaSS. In a second test series four different seed latices were reacted with the same amount of NaSS. In the last set of reactions the seed latices were reacted with different amounts of NaSS and in these reactions the ratio of added NaSS to the specific surface area of the seed latex was kept constant to obtain differently sized latices of the same surface charge density. The yield of sulphonic acid groups in the particle shell was found between 57 and 74% after an intensive cleaning step by ion exchange. The results show possibilities for a reproducible synthesis of small sulphonated latex particles with a desired surface charge density.     

Charges of soluble amphiphiles and particles: random and diblock copolymerizations of MAA/AAm,MAA/St,and MAA/4VP in ethanol

Random and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) copolymerizations of methacrylic acid (MAA)/acrylamide (AAm), MAA/styrene (St), and MAA/4-vinyl pyridine (4VP) were carried out in ethanol. (CPDB)-terminated PMAA (PMAA-CPDB) and 2,2′-azobis(2,4-diemthylvaleronitrile) (V-65) was used as the macromolecular chain transfer agent (CTA) and initiator, respectively. Electric conductivity of copolymerization systems was traced throughout the polymerizations, and charges of soluble copolymer and particles were detected. As a result, a considerable increase of conductivity was observed in all of the RAFT polymerization systems, whereas the variation of conductivity in the random copolymerization systems was insignificant. The high conductivity of RAFT polymerization was dominantly contributed by the soluble diblock copolymers in the serum, rather than their particles, except for P(MAA-b-4VP) where only the particles was obtained due to the zwitterionic interactions of PMAA segments and 4VP. In the direct current (DC) field, the behavior of these soluble diblock copolymers, P(MAA-b-AAM) and P(MAA-b-St), indicated that they were positively charged, whereas the particles of (PMAA-b-AAm) and P(MAA-b-4VP) were surprisingly negatively charged, though the composition of MAA was dominant. Soluble random copolymers of P(MAA-co-St) and P(MAA-co-4VP) represented the charge neutrality. These results indicated that the positive charges were contributed by the solvophobic block in the soluble diblock copolymers. Therefore, the diblock copolymers were the macrodipoles boosting the conductivity of solution. Meanwhile, it indicated that the electrostatic interactions of dipoles were possibly the main driving force of their self-assembly. Generally, compared with RAFT polymerization, the particles were hard to be prepared in the random copolymerization. It implies that the electrostatic interactions of diblock copolymers also played an important role in the particle formation.

Light-regulated electrostatic interactions in colloidal suspensions

The net charge of a colloidal particle was controlled using light and a new photocleavable self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The SAM contained a terminal ammonium group and a centrally located carboxylic acid group that was masked with an ortho-nitrobenzyl functionality. Once exposed to UV light, the 2-nitrobenzyl group was cleaved, therefore transforming the colloidal particle from a net positive (silica-SAM-NH3+) to a net negative (silica-SAM-COO-) charge. By varying the UV exposure time, their zeta potential could be tailored between +26 and -60 mV at neutral pH. To demonstrate a photoinduced gel-to-fluid phase transition, a binary colloidal suspension composed of silica-SAM-NH3+ and negatively charged, rhodamine-labeled silica particles was mixed to form a gel. Exposure to UV light rendered all of the particles negative and therefore converted the system into a colloidal fluid that settles to form a dense sediment.     

Synthesis and characterization of saccharide‐based latex particles

The synthesis of new polymer colloids based on renewable resources, such as sugar‐derived monomers, is nowadays a matter of interest. These new polymeric particles should be useful in biomedical applications, such as drug delivery, because of their assumed biodegradability. In this work, two new families of polymer latex particles, based on a sugar‐derived monomer, 3‐O‐methacryloyl‐1,2:5,6‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐D ‐glucofuranose (3‐MDG), were produced and characterized. The syntheses of poly(3‐MDG) crosslinked particles and those obtained by copolymerization with methacrylic acid (MAA), poly(3‐MDG‐co‐MAA) crosslinked particles, were prepared by surfactant‐free emulsion polymerization in a batch reactor. The average particle diameter evolutions, the effect of pH of the dispersion medium on the final average diameters, together with the microscopic and morphological analysis of the particle's surface and inner dominium, were analyzed. Poly(3‐MDG‐co‐EGDMA) stable particles were obtained by adding low amounts of initiator. The surface‐charge density of these particles corresponded to the sulfate groups coming from the initiator. In the second family of latices, poly(3‐MDG‐co‐MAA‐co‐EGDMA) particles, DCP measurements and SEM and TEM observations showed that the sizes and surface characteristics depended on the amounts of MAA and crosslinker used in the reaction mixture. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 443–457, 2006     

两性喹诺酮抗菌药生理环境下独特的分子荷电性质

本文采用脂质体/水分配系统来考察pH、磷脂的种类和荷电性对药物与有序磷脂膜结合的影响.     

Use of surfactants to remove water-based inks from plastic film: effect of calcium ion concentration and length of surfactant hydrophobe

Effective plastic film deinking could permit the reuse of recycled polymer to produce clear film, reduce solid waste for landfills, reduce raw material demand for polymer production, and aid process economics. In this study, the deinking of a commercial polyethylene film printed with water-based ink was studied using surfactants in the presence of hardness ions (calcium ions) at various pH levels. The electrostatic properties of ink particles in a washing bath were also investigated. Synthetic anionic surfactant or fatty acid soap in the presence of calcium ions at alkaline pH levels was found to be nearly as effective at deinking as cationic, nonionic, or amphoteric surfactants alone. However, adding calcium ions decreases the deinking effectiveness of cationic, nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants. Increasing the length of the ionic surfactant hydrophobe enhances deinking. Zeta potential measurements showed that water-based ink particles in water reach the point of zero charge (PZC) at a pH of about 3.6, above which ink particles are negatively charged, so cationic surfactant tends to adsorb better on the ink than anionic surfactant above the PZC in the absence of calcium. As the cationic surfactant concentration is varied between 0.005 and 25 mM, the zeta potential of the ink particles reverses from negative to positive owing to adsorption of cationic surfactant. For anionic surfactants, added calcium probably forms a bridge between the negatively charged ink and the negatively charged surfactant head groups, which synergizes adsorption of the surfactant and aids deinking. In contrast, calcium competes for adsorption sites with cationic and nonionic surfactants, which inhibits deinking. All the surfactants studied here disperse ink particles effectively in the washing bath above pH 3 except for the ethoxylated amine surfactant.     

Charging and stability of anionic latex particles in the presence of linear poly(ethylene imine)

Charging properties and colloidal stability of negatively charged polystyrene latex particles were investigated in the presence of linear poly(ethylene imine) (LPEI) of different molecular masses by electrophoresis and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Electrophoretic mobility measurements illustrate that LPEI strongly adsorbs on these particles leading to charge neutralization at isoelectric point (IEP) and charge reversal. Time-resolved DLS experiments indicate that the aggregation of the latex particles is rapid near the IEP and slows down away from this point. Surprisingly, the colloidal stability does not depend on the molecular mass, which indicates that the adsorbed LPEI layer is rather homogeneous.     

Surface study on the rubber particles in pretreated Hevea latex system

Summary From centrifuged high-ammonia latex concentrate, a fraction which contains rubber particles of a narrow particle size distribution in a serum phase freed from any water-soluble non-rubber constituents was obtained. The electrophoretic mobility of the dialysed latex particles has been studied as a function of dry rubber content, surface pH and concentration of sodium chloride. The rubber particles were shown to have an amphoteric nature with an isoelectric point at pH 3.8. The electrokinetic study showed that the net negative charge on the rubber particle surface is derived from the carboxyl groups of the adsorbed proteins and the adsorbed long-chain fatty acids. This is in agreement with the infrared data of the rubber film. The surface charge density of the rubber particle at pH > 6 was found to be 1.43 ,µC cm^–2. The stability of the latex is briefly discussed in terms of its surface charge and compared with that of synthetic latices.

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Zusammenfassung Durch Zentrifugieren von stark ammoniakhaltigen Latex-Konzentraten wurde eine Fraktion erhalten, welche Gummiteilchen mit einer engen Teilchengrößenverteilung in einem Serum enthielt, welches frei von wasserlöslichen Nichtgummibestandteilen war. Die elektrophoretische Beweglichkeit der dialysierten Latexteilchen wurde als Funktion des Gummigehaltes, des Oberflächen-pH-Wertes und der Natriumchloridkonzentration gemessen. Die Gummiteilchen verhalten sich amphoter mit einem isoelektrischen Punkt bei pH 3,8. Die Oberflächenladung rührt von Carboxylgruppen adsorbierter Proteine und adsorbierter langkettiger Fettsäuren her. Die Oberflächenladungsdichte bei pH > 6 wurde zu 1,43 ,µC cm^–2 bestimmt. Die Stabilität wird im Zusammenhang mit der Ladungsdichte diskutiert und mit der von synthetischen Latices verglichen.

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With 7 figures and 1 table     

蛋白质在离子交换色谱上选择性和非吸附特性

对蛋白质在离子交换柱上选择民性和非吸附特性进行了研究。蛋白质在有机磷酸锆阳离子色谱柱上,其保留作用随流动相ｐＨ值在离子强度的增加而减小;蛋白质在强阳离子和强阴离子色谱柱上的保留作用,即是流动相中的ｐＨ值等于蛋白质的等当点,其净电荷为零。不册蛋白质仍有不同程度的保留,这主要是由于蛋白质的三维结构使电荷 密度的大小和分布的不均匀以及离子交换填料表面性质的影响。