A Cationic Water‐Soluble Poly(p‐phenylenevinylene) Derivative: Highly Sensitive Biosensor for Iron‐Sulfur Protein Detection

Summary: A new water‐soluble cationic ammonium‐functionalized poly(p‐phenylenevinylene) (PPV‐NEtMe) was successfully synthesized and exhibited high sensitivity (K_sv = 6.9 × 10⁷ M ⁻¹) on rubredoxin, a type of anionic iron‐sulfur (Fe‐S) proteins. Further investigation showed that the biosensitivity of the cationic conjugated polymer is strongly dependent on the nature of the buffer solution and the concentration of the conjugated polymer used in the analyses.

The schematic diagram of anionic rubredoxin detected by PPV‐NEtMe.     

Highly Defined ABC Triblock Cooligomers and Copolymers Prepared by ROMP Using an N‐Heterocyclic‐Carbene‐Substituted Ruthenium Benzylidene Initiator

The “3^rd generation Grubbs” initiator (H₂IMes)(3‐bromopyridine)₂(Cl)₂RuCHPh ( 1 ) accomplishes the synthesis of ABC triblock copolymers via living ring‐opening metathesis polymerisation (ROMP) of norbornene derivatives. Complete initiation and an outstanding tolerance of functional groups are provided, which is proven by a combined study by means of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry, gel permeation chromatography and NMR spectroscopy on an ABC triblock cooligomer.

Gel permeation chromatograms of oligo A , oligo AB , and oligo ABC .     

The Nucleating Effect of Carbon Nanotubes on Crystallinity in R‐BAPB‐Type Thermoplastic Polyimide

Summary: The relatively high degree of crystallinity of a new thermoplastic polyimide (PI) makes it a favorable matrix candidate for fiber reinforced composites. This advantage is the result of the ability of the matrix to recrystallize during the composite manufacturing process. In this study we examine the potential nucleating effect of carbon nanotubes on a thermoplastic PI. In addition to their inherent mechanical contribution, the carbon nanotubes help recover a significant proportion of the original crystallinity.

Scanning electron micrograph of the spherulitic structure of a recrystallized carbon nanotube/polyimide film.     

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide‐Treated Electrospun Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Nanofibrous Membranes: Morphology,Structures and Properties as an Ionic‐Liquid Host

A reverse‐barrier technique is used to enable the treatment of electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanofibrous membranes with supercritical carbon dioxide. The treatment induces the formation of nanopores and extended‐chain β crystallites of small lateral dimensions in the nanofibers. It also creates interfiber junctions, resulting in a remarkable improvement in mechanical properties of the membranes. The treated membranes are able to retain their shape very well after loading with an ionic liquid (IL). The ionic conductivity of the IL‐loaded membrane is very close to that of the neat IL.

     

A New Route for the Preparation of Brain‐Like Nanostructured Polyaniline

A novel approach has been explored to prepare brain‐like polyaniline (PANI) nanostructures with many convolutions (140–170 nm in average diameter) using aniline/citric acid (CA) salt as the template and chlorine gas as the oxidant by a gas/solid reaction for the first time. The method provided here differs significantly from the traditional one in which the polymerization of PANI is usually carried out in acidic solution.

     

Supramolecular Dynamics as Origin for Thermally Induced Insoluble‐to‐Soluble‐to‐Insoluble Transitions of Copolymers in Water

The synthesis of cationic mono‐(6‐O‐(1‐vinylimidazolium))‐ß‐cyclodextrin with toluenesulfonate as the corresponding anion is described. Free‐radical copolymerization of the resulting host–guest complex with N‐isopropylacrylamide or N,N‐diethylacrylamide yielded copolymers showing a temperature‐controlled solubility window in water. The impact of different anionic guests and salt concentrations on solubility behavior was investigated via turbidity measurements.

     

Fabrication of Microropes via Bi‐electrospinning with a Rotating Needle Collector

Double helical microropes of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with diameters of less than 10 µm and lengths of up to 5 cm were fabricated using a new electrospinning technique. In contrast to the typical electrospinning set‐up, a negatively charged rotating collector tip was used in this work, so that the two jets from two positively charged spinnerets were induced to two bundles that met at the rotating collector tip, leading to the formation of microropes. The pitch of microropes could be monitored by simply adjusting the distance between the two spinnerets.

     

Emulsion‐Induced Ordered Microporous Films Based on Micelles of Amphiphilic Poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐Poly(methyl methacrylate) Diblock Copolymers

Well‐defined PEO‐b‐PMMA was prepared, initiated by macroinitiator PEO‐Br, by means of ATRP, where esterification of the terminal hydroxyl group of PEO with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide yielded a macroinitiator PEO‐Br. Highly ordered microporous films (hexagonal pattern) were constructed by emulsion micelles of such amphiphilic diblock copolymer formed from a solution with CHCl₃/H₂O/THF = 100:5:10 (v/v). We also constructed the microporous films using diblock copolymer by the current water‐assisted method.

     

Preparation of Nanostructured Polyaniline and its Super‐Amphiphilic Behavior

PANI nanofibers are prepared electrochemically by template‐free method on a stainless steel electrode. Both the hydrophilicity and the lipophilicity of the modified SS surface are enhanced by the nanostructured PANI, and a super‐amphiphilic surface is obtained in this way. The influence of polymerization conditions, such as polymerization potentials, polymerization time, the acidity, and the dopants on the super‐amphiphilic property, has been systematically investigated. In addition, the mechanisms of obtaining a super‐amphiphilic surface are briefly discussed.

     

Low‐Rate Propylene Slurry Polymerization: Morphology and Kinetics

Summary: “True” initial polymerization rates can be calculated from the adiabatic temperature rise under isoperibolic conditions. They are much higher than initial polymerization rates measured by standard mass flow meter methods under quasi‐steady‐state conditions. These high initial rates are followed by a fast apparent deactivation (“attenuation”) until a constant (“plateau”) activity is reached at low polymerization yields of 2–3 g PP · (g catalyst)⁻¹ caused by an “increasing degree of encapsulation” of active sites. Mass transfer limitations are not observed. Cross sectional SEM images of the polymer samples support these kinetic findings.

Rate of polymerization (g of PP · (g catalyst)⁻¹ · h⁻¹) and yield of polymerization (g of PP · (g catalyst)⁻¹) as function of time.     

Cross‐Linked Conjugated Polymers for Achieving Patterned Three‐Color and Blue Polymer Light‐Emitting Diodes with Multi‐Layer Structures

Reactions between the ethylene groups in the backbone of conjugated polymers under UV illumination and heat treatment result in the cross‐linking of the main polymer chains. The cross‐linking leads to two simultaneous results in the polymer: excellent solvent resistance and increased bandgap. Using this reaction, three‐color polymer light‐emitting diodes (PLEDs) with a multi‐layer structure can be easily realized by a dry photo‐pattern in an active‐gas‐free environment. Multi‐layer blue devices with dramatically enhanced efficiency can also be achieved conveniently.