Infrared and Raman spectra of poly(α-methyl styrene)

Assignments are proposed for the i.r. and Raman spectra of poly(α-methyl styrene) and the D₅-chain-deuterated analogue.     

Synthesis and characterization of trimethoxysilyl-functionalized poly(phthalazinone ether ketone)

A novel alkoxysilyl-functionalized poly(phthalazinone ether ketone)(PPEK)was prepared for the boundary lubricant application in micro-electro-mechanical system(MEMS).The synthesis of functionalized PPEK was started from the hydro- xylation of PPEK,then following with the corresponding ring-opening reaction of 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane(GPTMS). The structures of the functional PPEK were confirmed by FTIR,~1H NMR,~(29)Si NMR,and UV-vis spectrum.     

Synthesis and characterization of silver—poly(methylmethacrylate) nanocomposites

The optical properties of silver nanoparticles embedded in poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) was investigated as well as the influence of silver nanoparticles on the thermal properties of polymer matrix. The average size and particle size distribution of silver nanoparticles was determined using transmission electron microscopy. The obtained transparent nanocomposite films were optically characterized using UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy. Thermal stability of polymer matrix was improved upon incorporation of small amount of silver nanoparticles. Also, silver nanoparticles have pronounced effect on thermo-oxidative stability of PMMA matrix. The glass transition temperatures of nanocomposites are lower compared to the pure polymer.     

Preparation and optical properties of novel bioactive photonic crystals obtained from core-shell poly(styrene/α-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butoxy-ω-vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol) microspheres

Optical properties of polymer microspheres with polystyrene cores and polyglycidol-enriched shells poly(styrene/α-tert-butoxy-ω-vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol) (P(S/PGL) particles with number average diameters D _n determined by scanning electron microscopy equal 237 and 271 nm), were studied before and after immobilization of ovalbumin. The particles were synthesized by emulsifier-free emulsion copolymerization of styrene and polyglycidol macromonomer (poly(styrene/α-tert-butoxy-ω-vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol)) initiated with potassium persulfate. Molar fraction of polyglycidol units in the interfacial layer of the microspheres determined by XPS was equal 42.6 and 34.0%, for the particles with D _n equal 137 and 271 nm, respectively. Colloidal crystals from the aforementioned particles were prepared by deposition of particle suspensions on the glass slides and subsequent evaporation of water. It was found that optical properties of colloidal crystals from the P(S/PGL) microspheres strongly depend on modification of their interfacial layer by covalent immobilization of ovalbumin. The coating of particles with ovalbumin resulted in decreasing their refractive index from 1.58 to 1.52.     

Synthesis and characterization of allyl functionalized poly(α-hydroxy)acids and their further dihydroxylation and epoxidation

In this study, the synthesis of an allyl functionalized aliphatic polyester and the subsequent oxidation of the double bonds was investigated. Allylglycolide (3-allyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione) was synthesized and its homopolymer and copolymers with l-lactide were prepared by ring opening polymerization in the melt using benzyl alcohol and SnOct₂ as initiator and catalyst, respectively. The polymerizations proceeded with high yields and conversions and good control over molecular weights and copolymer composition. The obtained polymers were amorphous materials and their T_g increased with increasing lactide content. Dihydroxylation of the double bonds in poly(allylglycolide) and copolymers with lactide was attempted with osmiumtetroxide/4-methylmorpholine-4-oxide (OsO₄/NMO). However, particularly the polymers rich in allylglycolide could not be isolated after dihydroxylation because they likely underwent degradation during workup. Optimizing the reaction conditions gave partially dihydroxylated copolymers only for copolymers with high lactide content (50 and 75 mol%) with a conversion of the double bonds of only ∼60%. GPC analysis showed that chain scission had occurred during the dihydroxylation reaction and/or workup.The allyl groups of poly(allylglycolide) homopolymers and copolymers with lactide were oxidized using m-chloroperoxy benzoic acid (mCPBA) to yield the corresponding epoxidated polymers in high yield. NMR analysis showed that conversion of the double bonds to epoxides was quantitative, whereas GPC analysis showed that the epoxidation was not associated with chain scission. All epoxidated polymers were amorphous materials with a T_g depending on the composition.     

Preparation and characterization of microspheres based on blend of poly(lactic acid) and poly(ɛ-caprolactone) with poly(vinyl alcohol) as emulsifier

In this paper, microspheres were prepared by oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion solvent evaporation method. Biodegradable polymer such as blend of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL) with certain compositions and characteristics was used to prepare the microspheres with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as an emulsifier. This study observed the microspheres particle’s size distribution at various concentrations of PVA (1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5% PVA). The PVA volume variations effects during the process (50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mL) were also observed. The blend of PLA and PCL is formed only by physical interaction between them. This can be seen from the FTIR spectrum which shows both PLA and PCL component. The microspheres physical size and appearance were observed by optical microscope (MO). The overall results of this study showed that the formula which used 50–150 mL of 2.5% polyvinyl alcohol produced the microspheres with the most uniform size distribution.     

Synthesis and characterization of α,ω-dichloro-polymethylphenylsilane

The synthesis of a functional polysilane, α,ω-dichloro-polymethylphenylsilane (α,ω-dichloro-PMPS), based on the Wurtz-type reductive coupling, has been considered. A study of some reaction parameters shows that both yield and molecular weight distribution of α,ω-dichloro-PMPS can be greatly influenced by the work-up conditions, reaction time, monomer concentration and temperature during the initiation of the polymerization. By varying the synthesis conditions, different ratios of high and low molecular weight fractions were obtained. Samples of different molecular weight were isolated by fractional precipitation of the crude polymers. The chlorine-end functionalization was confirmed by ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy and the concentration of end-groups was quantitatively determined by elemental analysis of chlorine.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol) based β-cyclodextrin polymers

A series of novel water soluble β-cyclodextrin (βCD) polymers has been synthesized from functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The chemical composition of the polymers has been characterized by ¹H NMR and the βCD content is found to be between 48 and 33% (w/w). The molecular weight has been determined by Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) and depends on the ratio between βCD and PEG, varying from 2.1 × 10⁴ to 8.6 × 10⁴ g mol^?1. The physico chemical properties have been characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), viscometry and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). ITC shows that the polymers have association constants comparable to βCD with different guest molecules, indicating a good accessibility of the CDs.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of sol–gel derived titania/poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) nanocomposites

Non hydrolytic sol–gel method was employed to synthesize pure anatase TiO₂ nanocrystals using tetra isopropyl orthotitanate and poly vinylpyrrolidone as precursors. The structural analyses of the prepared samples were carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermo gravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The capping of PVP around TiO₂ nanoparticles was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy, the interaction being via bridging oxygens of the carbonyl (C=O) and the nanoparticle surface. The XRD, Raman and TEM results indicate that the prepared samples had a pure anatase nano-TiO₂ structure. The particle size analysed by TEM ranged between 7 and 12 nm. The size of the nanocrystals evaluated from the XRD spectra and TEM micrograph is well in agreement. The spacing for the crystal planes was also determined using the ImageJ program applied to the TEM micrographs.     

Synthesis and characterization of dendronized poly(methylsiloxane) with appendent Fréchet-type dendrons

A new kind of dendronized poly(methylsiloxane) (3a and 3b) with appendent Fre-chet-type poly(aryl ether) dendrons has been synthesized and characterized by GPC, DSC, TGA, fluorescence and UV-Vis spectra.     

Controlled-release and antibacterial studies of doxycycline-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) microspheres

The objective of the present study is to achieve doxycycline’s maximum therapeutic efficacy. Doxycycline-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) microspheres were prepared by water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) double emulsion solvent evaporation technique with different formulation variables such as concentrations of drug and polymer. The effects of these variables on surface morphology, particle size distribution, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release behavior were examined. To observe the nature of microspheres, X-ray diffraction studies were carried out. The release data obtained were determined using various kinetic models and Korsmeyer–Peppas model showed an acceptable regression value for all compositions. Antibacterial efficiency of doxycycline-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) microspheres were assessed by determining Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) by standard tube dilution method against four standard pathogenic strains. The in vitro drug release studies were carried out in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.2). The results showed marked retardation of doxycycline release and higher percentage of polymer gave longer drug release profile. This may definitely provide a useful controlled-release drug therapy and also prove to be effective over a long period of time (76 h).     

Synthesis and characterization of calixarene-based poly(ε-caprolactone) stars catalyzed by yttrium complex

Two calixarene derivatives (2a, 2b) have been synthesized and used as macro-initiators to prepare star-shaped poly(ε-caprolactone)s (SPCLs) via controlled ringopening polymerization of ε-caprolactone in the presence of yttrium tris(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate) [Y(DBMP)₃]. The molecular weight of SPCLs was characterized by end group ¹H-NMR analyses and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). The results indicate that SPCLs based on a calix[4]arene derivative (2a) are well-defined four-arm star polymers with reasonably narrow molecular weight distributions in the given molecular weight range, while SPCLs based on a calix[6]arene derivative (2b) are star polymers with not so defined structures. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses suggest that the maximal melting point, the crystallization temperature and the degree of crystallinity of SPCLs increases with the increasing molecular weight and are lower than those of the liner poly(ε-caprolactone) (LPCL) counterpart. Furthermore, polarized optical microscopy (POM) indicates that SPCL exhibits irregular spherulites with poor morphology and slower crystallization rate, whereas LPCL shows fast crystallization rate and good spherulitic morphology. __________ Translated from Acta Polymerica Sinica, 2007, 10: 967–973 [译自:高分子学报]     

Surface grafting of microfibrillated cellulose with poly(ε-caprolactone) - Synthesis and characterization

In cellulose nanocomposites, the surface of the nanocellulosic phase is critical with respect to nanocellulose dispersion, network formation and nanocomposite properties. Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) has been grafted with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), via ring-opening polymerization (ROP). This changes the surface characteristics of MFC and makes it possible to obtain a stable dispersion of MFC in a nonpolar solvent; it also improves MFC’s compatibility with PCL. The thermal behavior of MFC grafted with different amount of PCL has been investigated using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). From TGA measurements, the fraction of PCL in MFC-PCL samples was estimated to 16%, 19%, and 21%. The crystallization and melting behavior of free PCL and MFC-PCL were studied with DSC, and a significant difference was observed regarding melting points, crystallization temperature, degree of crystallinity, as well as the time required for crystallization.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel amphiphilic biodegradable β-cyclodextrin/poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate) copolymer

β-Cyclodextrin/poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate) (β-CD-PBLG) copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of N-carboxy-γ-benzyl L-glutamate anhydride (BLG-NCA) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) initiated by mono-amino-β-cyclodex-trin(H2N-β-CD). The structures of the copolymers were confirmed by IR, 1H NMR and GPC. The fluorescence technique was used to determine the critical micelle concentrations (CMC) of copolymer miceU solution, the diameter and the distribution of micelles were characterized by DLS. The results showed that BLG-NCA could be initiated by H2N-β-CD to produce copolymer. The nano-micells were formed by these copolymers in water.     

Synthesis and characterization of α-N,N-dihydroxyethylaminopropyl-ω-butylpolydimethylsiloxanes

A series of α-N,N-dihydroxyethylaminopropyl-ω-butylpolydimethylsiloxanes with different molecular weight were synthesized. The preparation included five steps which were hydroxyl protection, alkylation, anionic ring-opening polymerization, hydrosilylation and deprotection. The structure of reaction products was characterized by FT-IR, GC, 1H NMR. 2007 Qing Si Zhang. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.     

Synthesis and micellar characterization of thermosensitive amphiphilic poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) block copolymers

Poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PCL-b-PVCL) block copolymers were synthesized as new biocompatible, thermosensitive, amphiphilic block polymers by a combination of ring-opening polymerization and reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and their thermosensitive micellar behavior was examined. The PCL macro-chain-transfer agent was first synthesized by converting the end group of PCL-OH to O-ethyl xanthate, which was subsequently used for the RAFT polymerization of N-vinylcaprolactam. The critical micelle concentration of PCL-b-PVCL (M _n,NMR?=?56,300?g/mol, polydispersity index?=?1.18) was 0.026?mg/mL. The mean diameter of the PCL-b-PVCL micelles determined by transmission electron microscopy was 55?±?25?nm. The PCL-b-PVCL micelles exhibited repetitive aggregation and dispersion during reversible cooling and heating cycles between 20 and 40?°C due to the thermosensitive behavior of the PVCL shell. Overall, the PCL-b-PVCL block copolymers have potential applications in thermosensitive drug delivery applications.     

Synthesis and characterization of inclusion complexes of aliphatic-aromatic poly(Schiff base)s with β-cyclodextrin (highlight)

This paper describes the formation of polymer inclusion complexes(polymer-CD-ICs) between β-cyclodextrin(β-CD) and aliphatic-aromatic poly(Schiff base)s. Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(¹H-NMR), thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) have been used to observe the formation of polymer-CD-ICs. In FTIR spectra, the characteristic peaks of β-CD at 3391 cm⁻¹ shifted to 3418 cm⁻¹ and the intense peak at 1602 cm⁻¹ due to the –C = N– stretching vibration diminished after formation of inclusion complexes. Compared the ¹H-NMR of polymer-CD-ICs with β-CD, the chemical shift of the protons H-3, H-5 have shifted to higher field after the formation of inclusion complexes, which is perhaps due to the interaction of these protons with polymers. The TGA analysis revealed that the polymer-CD-ICs had better thermal stability than β-CD, suggesting that the polymer increased the stability of β-CD. The X-ray diffraction patterns displayed that the strong peak for both polymer-CD-ICs at approximately 20.0° (2θ) may confirm their IC formation.     

Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable pH-sensitive hydrogels based on poly(?-caprolactone), methacrylic acid, and poly(ethylene glycol)

In this work, a novel biodegradable pH-sensitive hydrogel based on poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL), methoxpoly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG) and methacrylic acid (MAA) was prepared by UV-initiated free radical polymerization. The resulting macromonomers and hydrogels were characterized by FTIR and/or ¹H NMR. Swelling behaviour and pH sensitivity of the hydrogels were studied in detail. With increase in pH of aqueous medium from 1.2 to 7.2, swelling ratio of the hydrogels increased accordingly. The hydrolytic degradation behaviour was also investigated. The prepared biodegradable pH-sensitive hydrogel based on PCL, MPEG, and MAA might have great potential application in smart drug delivery system.     

Synthesis and characterization ofα-butyl-ω-{3-[(2,2-dihydroxymethyl)-propionyloxy]}propylpolydimethylsiloxanes

A series of polydimethylsiloxanes containing two primary hydroxyl groups at one single chain end were synthesized by five-step reactions which included esterification, hydroxyl protection, anionic ring-opening polymerization, hydrosilylation and deprotection. The prepared compounds in each step were characterized. The results showed that each step synthesis was successfully carried out and objective products could be achieved.