Facile synthesis of N‐vinylimidazole‐based hydrogels via frontal polymerization and investigation of their performance on adsorption of copper ions

We report a new facile strategy for quickly synthesizing pH sensitive poly(VI‐co‐HEA) hydrogels (VI = N‐vinylimidazole; HEA = 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate) by frontal polymerization. The appropriate amounts of VI, HEA, and ammonium persulfate (APS)/N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) couple redox initiator were mixed together at ambient temperature in the presence of glycerol as the solvent medium. Frontal polymerization (FP) was initiated by heating the upper side of the mixture with a soldering iron. Once initiated, no further energy was required for the polymerization to occur. The dependence of the front velocity and front temperature on the VI/HEA weight ratios were investigated. The pH sensitive behavior, morphology, and heavy metal removal study of poly(VI‐co‐HEA) hydrogels prepared via FP were comparatively investigated on the basis of swelling measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and inductively coupling plasma spectrometer. Results show that the poly(VI‐co‐HEA) hydrogels prepared via FP exhibit good pH sensitivity and adsorption capacity. The FP can be exploited as an alternative means for synthesis of pH sensitive hydrogels in a fast and efficient way. The as‐prepared hydrogels can be applied to remove heavy metals. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 4005–4012, 2010     

Facile synthesis of poly(DMC‐co‐HPA) hydrogels via infrared laser ignited frontal polymerization and their adsorption–desorption switching performance

In this work, we report a versatile infrared laser ignited frontal polymerization technique for the fabrication of a series of poly(DMC‐co‐HPA) hydrogels (DMC = methacryloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, HPA = hydroxypropyl acrylate). Because the method is based on the exothermic reaction, no further energy is required in the reaction once it is initiated. Moreover, we have found the polymerization process is a pure frontal polymerization model without involving any other reaction process. The dependence of frontal velocity and temperature on the reaction time is thoroughly discussed. The as‐prepared hydrogels are pH‐responsive and their maximum equilibrium swelling ratio could reach ～3,890%. Also, the as‐prepared poly(DMC‐co‐HPA) hydrogels capable of adsorption/desorption switching performance can be utilized for heavy metal ion removal in wastewater treatments. Interestingly, the hydrogels can float on the water surface after intaking heavy metal ions by the combination of kerosene and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20) in hydrogel components, greatly enhancing treatment efficiency. We believe the method described herein to rapidly construct functional hydrogels with the ability to remove heavy metal ions may find unique applications in emergency processing of water pollution. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2085–2093     

Facile synthesis of fluorescent quantum dot‐polymer nanocomposites via frontal polymerization

We report an available approach for quickly fabricating CdS QD‐polymer nanocomposites via frontal polymerization (FP). First, we synthesized (3‐mercaptopropyl)‐1‐trimethoxysilane (MPS)‐capped CdS quantum dots (QDs). With these MPS‐capped CdS QDs containing mercapto groups, MPS‐capped CdS QDs can be easily incorporated into a poly(N‐methylolacrylamide) (PNMA) matrix via FP. A variety of features for preparing QD‐polymer nanocomposites, such as initiator concentration and CdS concentration, were thoroughly investigated. The fluorescence properties of QD‐polymer nanocomposites prepared via FP are comparatively investigated on the basis of ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectra and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. Results show that the PL intensity of QD‐polymer nanocomposites prepared via the FP method is superior to that obtained by the traditional batch polymerization (BP) method. In addition, by measuring the changes of PL intensity of the samples immersed in different concentrations of copper acetate solution, we found the QD‐polymer nanocomposites can be ultrasensitive to copper ions. This FP process can be exploited as a facile and rapid way for synthesis QD‐polymer nanocomposites on a large scale, avoiding the fluorescence quenching of nanocrystals during incorporation nanocrystals into polymer matrices. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2170–2177, 2010     

Facile synthesis of self‐healing gel via magnetocaloric bottom‐ignited frontal polymerization

A series of the self‐healing gels facilely fabricated by VI (N‐vinyl imidazole) and MAH‐β‐CD (β‐cyclodextrin grafted vinyl carboxylic acid groups) via bottom‐ignited frontal polymerization (BIFP) initiated by magnetocaloric effect. Once ignited the bottom phase, the heat upward propagates to generate the “front” in the upper phase. Then, no further energy is added to maintain the reaction and the whole polymerization process experiences within minutes. In this system, the dependence of frontal velocity and temperature, along with morphology, swelling capacity, mechanical property, and self‐healing efficiency, on the preparation parameters is investigated. Interestingly, the gels show good swelling capacity in the organic solvent, comparatively almost no absorption in water. Moreover, the as‐prepared gels exhibit excellent auto‐healing properties without any external stimuli at ambient temperature. The healed sample possesses 97% recovery of its tensile strength after 8 h healing time, which relies largely on the host–guest interaction between VI and MAH‐β‐CD. The results demonstrate that FP can be utilized as an efficient and energy‐saving method to synthesize self‐healing supramolecular gels. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2585–2593     

High performance of interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels induced by frontal polymerization

We report the rapid synthesis of hydrogels with interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) by frontal polymerization (FP). Appropriate amounts of diacetone acrylamide (DAAM), N-methylolacrylamide (NMA), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA), and ammonium persulfate (APS)/N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) were mixed together at ambient temperature. FP was initiated by transitorily heating the upper side of the reactants, and poly(DAAM-co-NMA)/TPU IPN hydrogels were obtained within minutes. The preparation parameters were thoroughly investigated. Moreover, we investigated the morphology, swelling capacity, chemical structure and the mechanical properties of poly(DAAM-co-NMA)/TPU IPN hydrogels, along with those of poly(DAAM-co-NMA) hydrogels without IPN structure for comparison. Interestingly, the mechanical strength of poly(DAAM-co-NMA)/TPU IPN hydrogels is notably improved in comparison with that of poly(DAAM-co-NMA) hydrogels. The results indicate that the IPN structure endows hydrogels with high mechanical strength, and FP can be applied as an alternative means for synthesis of IPN hydrogels with additional advantages of speed and efficiency.     

A facile pathway for the fast synthesis of colloidal crystal‐loaded hydrogels via frontal polymerization

In this work, a dually sensitive colloidal crystal (CC)‐loaded hydrogel has been synthesized via frontal polymerization (FP) in a facile and rapid way. First, a polystyrene CC film was fabricated by vertical deposition on the inner wall of a test tube. Then, a mixture of acrylic acid (AAc), 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and glycerol along with the initiator and crosslinker was added to this test tube to carry out FP, resulting in the formation of CC‐loaded hydrogel. The influence of the mass ratios of HEMA/AAc on front velocity and temperatures were studied. The swelling behavior, the morphology, and the stimuli‐responsive behavior of the CC‐loaded hydrogels prepared via FP were thoroughly investigated on the basis of swelling measurement, scanning electron microscopy, and reflection spectra. Results show that the as‐prepared CC‐loaded hydrogels exhibit excellent dual sensitivity to both methanol concentrations and pH values with very short response time, which can be observed visually without the aid of instruments. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Facile synthesis of amphiphilic gels by frontal free‐radical polymerization

We report a new facile strategy for quickly synthesizing poly(2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate‐co‐vinyl versatate) amphiphilic gels with excellent physicochemical properties by frontal free‐radical polymerization. The appropriate amounts of 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate, vinyl versatate (VeoVa 9) and ammonium persulfate initiator were mixed together at ambient temperature in the presence of N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone as the solvent medium. Frontal polymerization (FP) was initiated by heating the wall of the tube with a soldering iron. Once initiated, no further energy was required for the polymerization to occur. The dependence of the front velocity and front temperature on the initiator concentration was investigated. The front temperatures were between 132 and 157 °C, depending on the initiator concentration. The morphology, swelling rate, and swelling behavior of amphiphilic gels prepared via FP were comparatively investigated on the basis of scanning electron microscopy, water contact angle, and swelling measurements. Results show that the amphiphilic gels prepared via FP behave with good swelling capacity both in water and organic solvents. The FP can be exploited as an alternative means for synthesis of amphiphilic gels with additional advantages of fast and efficient way. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 823–831, 2010     

Fast fabrication of superabsorbent polyampholytic nanocomposite hydrogels via plasma‐ignited frontal polymerization

We report the facile synthesis of poly(VI‐co‐MAA) superabsorbent polyampholytic hydrogels (VI = N‐vinylimidazole, MAA = methacrylic acid) via plasma‐ignited frontal polymerization (PIFP). On igniting the top surface of the reactants with air plasma, frontal polymerization occurred and poly(VI‐co‐MAA) hydrogels were obtained within minutes. The preparation parameters were investigated, along with swelling capacity, morphology, and chemical structures of poly(VI‐co‐MAA) hydrogels. Interestingly, the hydrogels are superabsorbent in water and show ampholytic characteristic toward pH. Moreover, the hydrogels are able to capture cationic dyes through electrostatic interaction, offering the potential for further development as dye adsorbents for water purification. In addition, nanocomposite hydrogels were obtained by embedding quantum dots (carbon dots or CdS nanocrystals) into the polymer matrix, which endows the nanocomposite hydrogels with favorable fluorescence and potential applications in bioimaging and biosensing. The results indicate that FP can be applied as an alternative means for facile synthesis of multifunctional hydrogels with additional efficiency and energy‐saving. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 912–920     

Facile and quick synthesis of poly(N‐methylolacrylamide)/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane graft copolymer hybrids via frontal polymerization

We report on a new strategy for fabricating well‐defined POSS‐based polymeric materials with and without solvent by frontal polymerization (FP) at ambient pressure. First, we functionalize polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI). With these functionalized POSS‐containing isocyanate groups, POSS can be easily incorporated into a poly(N‐methylolacrylamide) (PNMA) matrix via FP in situ. Constant velocity FP is observed without significant bulk polymerization. The morphology and thermal properties of POSS‐based hybrid polymers prepared via FP are comparatively investigated on the basis of scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results show that the as‐prepared POSS‐based polymeric materials exhibit a higher glass transition temperature than that of pure PNMA, ascribing to modified POSS well‐dispersed in these hybrid polymers. Also, the products with different microstructures display different thermal properties. The pure PNMA exhibits a featureless morphology, whereas a hierarchical morphology is obtained for the POSS‐based polymeric materials. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1136–1147, 2009     

辐射状钯纳米花的可控合成及其电催化性能的研究

水体系中,以十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)和L-精氨酸为表面活性剂,抗坏血酸还原PdCl42-,制得了直径范围在50~80 nm之间的辐射状钯纳米花.实验表明,CTAB和L-精氨酸对辐射状钯纳米花的形成起着协同作用.此外,还研究了辐射状钯纳米花对甲酸氧化的电催化活性.在0.5 mol/L H2SO4+0.5 mol/L HCOOH溶液中的循环伏安结果表明,辐射状钯纳米花修饰电极在酸性溶液中电催化氧化甲酸的峰电流密度约为101 mA/mg,明显优于实心钯纳米粒子修饰的电极(峰电流密度为50 mA/mg),且表现出较高的稳定性.     

Facile synthesis of hypercrosslinked resin via photochlorination of p-xylene and succedent alkylation polymerization

A combination of photochlorination of p-xylene and succedent Friedel-Crafts alkylation polymerization was firstly used in the preparation of the hypercrosslinked adsorptive resin.The data of GC-MS and GC showed that a series of chlorizates were produced when p-xylene was photochlorinated.Hypercrosslinked resins could be synthesized by copolymerization,self-polymerization of chlorizates or post crosslinking reaction.The chemical structure and micromorphology of the porous resins were characterized by BET,FT-IR,SEM and elementary analysis(EA).The results showed that the novel adsorptive resins possess high BET surface near to 1038 m~2/g and large pore volumes range from 0.5 to 1.2 cm~3/g.     

Facile synthesis of poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) by frontal free‐radical polymerization

We report the first synthesis of poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) without solvent by free‐radical frontal polymerization (FP) at ambient pressure. In a typical run, the appropriate amounts of reactant (hydroxyethyl acrylate) and initiator (1,1‐di(tert‐butylperoxy)‐3,3,5‐trimethylcyclohexane) (Luperox 231) were mixed together at ambient pressure. FP was initiated by heating the wall of the tube with a soldering iron, and the resultant hot fronts were allowed to self‐propagate throughout the reaction vessel. Once initiated, no further energy was required for polymerization to occur. To study the macrokinetics, we also produced PHEA frontally with ammonium persulfate as initiator and dimethyl sulfoxide as the solvent. The dependences of the front velocity and front temperature on the initiator concentration and reactant dilution were investigated. The front temperatures were between 124 and 157 °C, depending on the ammonium persulfate concentration. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that PHEA prepared by FP with ammonium persulfate as initiator had higher thermal stability than solvent‐free frontally prepared PHEA with Luperox 231 as initiator. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 873–881, 2007     

Facile synthesis of hollow polymeric microparticles possessing various morphologies via seeded polymerization

In this paper, hollow poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene-co-methacrylic acid) microparticles possessing various morphologies were synthesized by a combination of seeded polymerization and SPG membrane emulsification. Three families of polystyrene (PS) microspheres with various molecular weights but similar diameters were fabricated by SPG membrane emulsification. These PS microspheres were used as seeds to investigate the effect of their molecular weight on the phase separation between the PS seeds and microgel-like networks formed during seeded polymerization and on the morphologies of the resultant particles. Our study revealed that three resultant microparticles possessed diameters of ca. 10?μm and hollow cavities. The shell thickness of the particles became thinner as M _w increased from 3.5?×?10⁴ to 28.0?×?10⁴. The morphological evolution of the microparticles during seeded polymerization was monitored, and these results verified the influence of the molecular weight of the PS seeds on the phase separation behavior and hence the morphologies of the resultant particles.     

Facile synthesis of fluorescent dye labeled biocompatible polymers via immortal ring-opening polymerization

A highly efficient strategy for synthesizing "clean" fluorescent dye-labeled biocompatible polymers was established by employing a rare-earth metal catalyst via immortal ROP.     

Facile synthesis of N-substituted-4-cyano-4-phenylpiperidines via phase-transfer catalysis

Phenylacetonitrile can be condensed with N-substituted-bis(2-chloroethyl)amines in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution to produce N-substituted-4-cyano-4-phenylpiperidines. Hexadecyltributylphosphonium bromide is an effective catalyst for this phase-transfer reaction.     

Facile RAFT precipitation polymerization for the microwave-assisted synthesis of well-defined, double hydrophilic block copolymers and nanostructured hydrogels

Water-soluble macromolecular chain transfer agents (Macro-CTAs) were developed for the microwave-assisted precipitation polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide. Two types of Macro-CTAs, amphiphilic (Macro-CTA1) and hydrophilic (Macro-CTA2), were investigated regarding their activity for the facile formation of nanoparticles and double hydrophilic block copolymers by RAFT processes. While both Macro-CTAs functioned as steric stabilization agents, the variation in their surface activity afforded different levels of control over the resulting nanoparticles in the presence of cross-linkers. The cross-linked nanoparticles produced using the amphiphilic Macro-CTA1 were less uniform than those produced using the fully hydrophilic Macro-CTA2. The nanoparticles spontaneously formed core-shell structures with surface functionalities derived from those of the Macro-CTAs. In the absence of cross-linkers, both types of Macro-CTAs showed excellent control over the RAFT precipitation polymerization process with well-defined, double hydrophilic block copolymers being obtained. The power of combining microwave irradiation with RAFT procedures was evident in the high efficiency and high solids content of the polymerization systems. In addition, the "living" nature of the nanoparticles allowed for further copolymerization leading to multiresponsive nanostructured hydrogels containing surface functional groups, which were used for surface bioconjugation.     

Facile fabrication of conducting polymer hydrogels via supramolecular self-assembly

We describe a simple and versatile method to fabricate conducting polymer hydrogels via supramolecular self-assembly between polymers and multivalent cations; the as-prepared hydrogels are potentially applicable in the fields of electrosensors, chemical release and artificial muscles.     

Facile preparation of pH-sensitive poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)/SiO2 hybrid hydrogels with high strength by in situ frontal polymerization

A series of poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) (PAA)/SiO₂ hybrid hydrogels were prepared by in situ frontal polymerization. It was found that the increase in the concentration of SiO₂ nanoparticles could lead to the increase in front velocity (V _f) and the highest front temperature (T _max). This may be attributed to the fact that SiO₂ nanoparticles could increase the liquid viscosity of reaction mixture. The obtained PAA/SiO₂ hybrid hydrogels were characterized by SEM and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectrum and swelling measurements. The pH-sensitive swelling behaviors showed that the prepared PAA/SiO₂ hybrid hydrogel had high pH sensitivity in different pH buffer solutions. Mechanical property test indicated that the PAA/SiO₂ hybrid hydrogels exhibited a high compressive strength while remaining a high swelling radio (SR). The maximum of compressive strength and SR of the hybrid hydrogel may reach 42.6 kPa and 17.8, respectively, which was much higher than that of pure PAA hydrogel.     

Facile synthesis of star‐shaped copolymers via combination of RAFT and ring opening polymerization

Reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and bifunctional sparteine/thiourea organocatalyst‐mediated ring opening polymerization (ROP) were combined to produce poly(L ‐lactide) star polymers and poly(L ‐lactide‐co‐styrene) miktoarm star copolymers architecture following a facile experimental procedure, and without the need for specialist equipment. RAFT was used to copolymerize ethyl acrylate (EA) and hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) into poly(EA‐co‐HEA) co‐oligomers of degree of polymerization 10 with 2, 3, and 4 units of HEA, which were in turn used as multifunctional initiators for the ROP of L ‐lactide, using a bifunctional thiourea organocatalytic system. Furthermore, taking advantage of the living nature of RAFT polymerization, the multifunctional initiators were chain extended with styrene (poly((EA‐co‐HEA)‐b‐styrene) copolymers), and used as initiators for the ROP of L ‐lactide, to yield miktoarm star copolymers. The ROP reactions were allowed to proceed to high conversions (>95%) with good control over molecular weights (ca. 28,000‐230,000 g/mol) and polymer structures being observed, although the molecular weight distributions are generally broader (1.3–1.9) than those normally observed for ROP reactions. The orthogonality of both polymerization techniques, coupled with the ubiquity of HEA, which is used as a monomer for RAFT polymerization and as an initiator for ROP, offer a versatile approach to star‐shaped copolymers. Furthermore, this approach offers a practical approach to the synthesis of polylactide star polymers without a glove box or stringent reaction conditions. The phase separation properties of the miktoarm star copolymers were demonstrated via thermal analyses. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6396–6408, 2009