Synthesis and characterization of well-defined poly(tert-butyl acrylate) star polymers

Star polymers with different numbers and lengths of poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PTBA) arms were obtained via atom transfer radical polymerization. Aliphatic alcohols with different number of hydroxyl groups varying from 3 to 6 and calix[4]arenes based on pyrogallol with 12 and 16 phenol groups were transformed to bromoester derivatives to prepare multifunctional ATRP initiators used as the cores of the stars. The star polymers were characterized by GPC with refractive index, multiangle laser light scattering and viscosimetric detectors. The molar masses of the stars reached 70,000 g/mol and the molar mass dispersities did not exceed 1.2. To elucidate the compact structure of the stars, their true molar masses were determined by GPC with triple detection (RI-MALLS-Visco) and compared with the apparent molar masses obtained from the calibration with linear poly(tert-butyl acrylate) standards. The intrinsic viscosities of the PTBA stars of the same molar mass decreased with the number of star arms but were always lower than the intrinsic viscosities of the analogue linear PTBA polymers. The values of the branching ratio g′ decreased with increasing number of arms indicating more compact structure of stars. The branching ratio g′ was correlated to the empirical predictions.     

Molar mass distributions and viscosity behavior of perfluorinated sulfonic acid polyelectrolyte aqueous dispersions

Perfluorinated sulfonic acid polyelectrolyte aqueous dispersions originating from similar polymer feed stocks and having similar compositions can have order‐of‐magnitude viscosity differences that are dependent on the manufacturing process. To better understand this phenomenon at the molecular level, a size exclusion chromatography method incorporating static light scattering detection was developed. The initial apparent mass distributions were broad and bimodal for all dispersions. A high‐molar‐mass shoulder was consistent with a previously postulated aggregate structure, and the evidence suggested that molecular aggregation accounted for viscosity variability. The apparent weight‐average molar masses ranged from 1.3 × 10⁶ to 3.9 × 10⁶ g mol^?1. Upon the heating of the dispersions at or above 230 °C, the aggregate structure was broken down, and this resulted in similar low‐viscosity dispersions that had monomodal mass distributions. The weight‐average molar masses were reduced to approximately 2.5 × 10⁵ g mol^?1, and the polydispersities were approximately 1.7–1.8. Shear thinning with higher viscosities and apparent molar masses was rationalized with intrinsic viscosity and other measurements, which supported an anisotropic aggregate structure, with particles that could be significantly overlapped at nominal 11% concentrations. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 421–428, 2005     

Determining the absolute, chemical-heterogeneity-corrected molar mass averages, distribution, and solution conformation of random copolymers

We present a method by which to obtain the absolute, chemical-heterogeneity-corrected molar mass (M) averages and distributions of copolymers and apply the method to a gradient random copolymer of styrene and methyl methacrylate in which the styrene percentage decreases from approximately 30% to 19% as a function of increasing molar mass. The method consists of separation by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with detection using multi-angle static light scattering (MALS), differential viscometry (VISC), differential refractometry (DRI), and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy (UV) and relies on the preferential absorption of styrene over methyl methacrylate at 260 nm. Using this quadruple-detector SEC/MALS/UV/VISC/DRI approach, the percentage of styrene (%St) in each elution slice is determined. This %St is then used to determine the specific refractive index increment, corrected for chemical composition, at each elution slice, which is then used to obtain the molar mass at each slice, corrected for chemical composition. From this corrected molar mass and from the chemical-composition-corrected refractometer response, the absolute, chemical-heterogeneity-corrected molar mass averages and distribution of the copolymer are calculated. The corrected molar mass and intrinsic viscosity at each SEC elution slice are used to construct a chemical-heterogeneity-corrected Mark–Houwink plot. The slice-wise-corrected M data are used, in conjunction with the MALS-determined R _G,z of each slice, to construct a conformation plot corrected for chemical heterogeneity. The corrected molar mass distribution (MMD) of the gradient copolymer extends over an approximately 30,000 g/mol wider range than the uncorrected MMD. Additionally, correction of the Mark–Houwink and conformation plots for the effects of chemical heterogeneity shows that the copolymer adopts a more compact conformation in solution than originally concluded.     

Solution properties of polymers of pyridinium and ammonium methacrylates

Solution properties of poly[1(2-hydroxyethyl)pyridiniumbenzene sulfonate methacrylate] and poly[1(2-hydroxyethyl)trimethylammoniumbenzene sulfonate methacrylate] were studied. Within a certain concentration range of some added low molecular weight electrolytes, phase separation occurs. The dependence of intrinsic viscosity on molecular weight was determined and the steric factor estimated for both polymers. For nonaqueous solvents, an extrapolation of the dependence of the refractive index increment of the polymer on the refractive index increment of the polymer on the refractive index of the solvent leads to an apparent refractive index of the polymer, different from the refractive index determined directly by the immersion method. Some peculiarities of light scattering in solutions with no electrolyte added are mentioned.     

Dilute Solution Properties of Poly(Vinyl Chloride)

Light scattering and viscosity studies were made on dilute solutions of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in three solvents: cyclo-hexanone, cyclopentanone, and tetrahydrofuran. Eight samples of PVC (M_w = 25,400 to 145,000) were used to determine the intrinsic viscosities, molecular weights, and the polymer-solvent interaction parameters over a range of temperatures. The solutions were found to behave normally and to exhibit no evidence of aggregate formation. The molecular weights obtained in all three solvents were independent of temperature and agreed well within the experimental errors. The interaction parameters observed were independent of concentration and molecular weight, and functions only of temperature. The intrinsic viscosities were related to molecular weight by the Mark-Houwink equation between 20 and 50°C. The temperature coefficient of the interaction parameter obtained by light scattering agrees well with that found by viscometry. Cyclohexanone, cyclopentanone, and tetrahydrofuran are all good solvents for PVC, and the order of solvent quality is cyclohexanone > cyclopentanone > tetrahydrofuran.     

Solution properties of polymers of pyridinium and ammonium methacrylates.

Solution properties of poly[1(2-hydroxyethyl)pyridiniumbenzene sulfonate methacrylate] and poly[1(2-hydroxyethyl)trimethylammoniumbenzene sulfonate methacrylate] were studied. Within a certain concentration range of some added low molecular weight electrolytes, phase separation occurs. The dependence of intrinsic viscosity on molecular weight was determined and the steric factor estimated for both polymers. For nonaqueous solvents, an extrapolation of the dependence of the refractive index increment of the polymer on the refractive index of the solvent leads to an apparent refractive index of the polymer, different from the refractive index determined directly by the immersion method. Some peculiarities of light scattering in solutions with no electrolyte added are mentioned.     

Effect of molecular dimensions of components on phase transitions in solutions of oligomeric polyethers

The molecular masses and intrinsic viscosities of a series of oligomeric poly(propylene glycols) have been studied by light scattering, analysis of chain ends, viscometry, and the cloud-point method. Phase diagrams are plotted and the Flory-Huggins thermodynamic interaction parameters and the second virial coefficients are calculated for oligomeric poly(propylene glycol)-n-alkane systems. The effects of the molecular dimensions of components on their mutual solubility and positions of boundary curves are determined. UCST decreases with an increase in the size of poly(propylene glycol) macromolecules and increases with an increase in the size of n-alkane molecules.     

Specific Refractive Index Increment (∂<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>/∂<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>) of Polymers at 660 nm and 690 nm

The specific refractive index increment (?n/?c) is an essential datum for the accurate quantitation of molar mass averages and distributions (inter alia) of macromolecules when refractometry, static light scattering, and/or viscometry detection are coupled on-line to size-based separation techniques. The latter include methods such as size-exclusion and hydrodynamic chromatography, and asymmetric and hollow-fiber flow field-flow fractionation. The ?n/?c is also needed for accurate determination of the weight-average molar mass of polymers by off-line, batch-mode multi-angle static light scattering. However, not only does ?n/?c differ among chemical species, it also depends on experimental conditions such as solvent, temperature, and wavelength. For the last 17 years, the author’s laboratories have measured the ?n/?c of a variety of natural and synthetic polymers, at both 690 nm and, more recently, 660 nm, under a variety of solvent and temperature conditions. In all cases, this has been done by off-line, batch-mode differential refractometry, not by assuming 100% analyte column recovery and 100% accurate peak integration. Results of these determinations are presented here, along with the relevant experimental data.     

Electroptical and dynamic properties of sulfonated polystyrene molecules and their associates in chloroform

The behavior of sulfonated PS containing 0.5, 1.35, 2.6, and 5.8 mol % of sodium sulfonate groups in chloroform solutions has been studied by static and dynamic light scattering, viscometry, and electric birefringence. The molecular mass of ionomers is measured, and their translational diffusion coefficient, intrinsic viscosity, and free relaxation times are estimated. It has been shown that association in solutions of ionomers containing more than 1.35 mol % of sodium sulfonate groups proceeds according to the open association model. Analysis of autocorrelation functions of scattered light intensity and electric birefringence decay makes it possible to determine translational diffusion coefficients and relaxation times for individual ionomer molecules, their pair associates, and higher multiplicity associates. With an increase in the fraction of sodium sulfonate groups, the hydrodynamic radius of individual ionomer molecules decreases from 8 to 5.8 nm, while the ratio between the hydrodynamic radius of pair associates and individual sulfonated PS molecules increases.     

Comparative evaluation of size-exclusion chromatography and viscometry for the characterisation of cellulose

The analysis using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with multi-angle light scattering (MALS) and differential refractive index (DRI) detection of cellulose dissolved in lithium chloride/N,N-dimethylacetamide (LiCI/DMAc) is evaluated and compared to two other methods currently used for cellulose analysis. These are SEC with low-angle light scattering (LALS) and ultra-violet detection of cellulose derivatised to tricarbanilates (CTC), and viscometry in cadmium triethylene diamine dihydroxide (cadoxen). The cellulose source is Whatman No. 1 paper, unaged or artificially aged with a combination of heat and humidity. The values of the molar mass (Mr) averages of cellulose obtained with the different methods resulted quite different for both aged and unaged paper. SEC of cellulose in LiCl/DMAc provided the highest Mr averages values, followed by SEC of CTC, while viscometry yielded the lowest values. These differences were more or less pronounced depending on the initial degradation state of the paper. Several hypotheses are presented in order to explain these discrepancies and each method is discussed on the basis of its suitability to characterise the aging-induced degradation.     

Dilute solution characterization of a POLA polyester

Samples of poly(4,4′-isopropylidenediphenylene 1,1,3-trimethyl-3-phenylindan-4′,5- dicarboxylate) were fractionated by the column-elution, temperature-gradient technique. Selected fractions, covering a 10-fold range of molecular weight, were shown to have narrow molecular weight distributions by gel-permeation chromatography (GPC), i.e., M?_w/M?_n = 1.15 ± 0.10. The fractions were further characterized by viscometry, light scattering, and membrane osmometry. Characterization of the small samples (ca. 0.3 g) was facilitated by use of a low-volume light scattering cell. This allows measurements of refractive increment, light scattering, and viscosity to be performed on as little as 50 mg of sample. Molecular weights estimated by the GPC-viscometry technique were in good agreement with the values obtained by light scattering. Estimates of the perturbed coil dimensions (150–200 Å) were in satisfactory agreement with those observed experimentally. The polydispersities of the fractions, determined by osmometry and light scattering, were in fair agreement with GPC data; the latter are considered subject to less experimental uncertainty.     

Molecular size and mass distributions of native starches using complementary separation methods: Asymmetrical Flow Field Flow Fractionation (A4F) and Hydrodynamic and Size Exclusion Chromatography (HDC-SEC)

Starch consists of a mixture of two α-glucans built mainly upon α-(1,4) linkages: amylose, an essentially linear polymer, and amylopectin, a branched polymer containing 5-6% of α-(1,6) linkages. The aim of the present work was to analyze the structural properties of native starches displaying different amylose-to-amylopectin ratios and arising from different botanical sources, using asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation (A4F) and a combination of hydrodynamic and size-exclusion chromatography (HDC-SEC) coupled with multiangle laser light scattering, online quasi-elastic light scattering, and differential refractive index techniques. The procedure, based upon dimethyl sulfoxide pretreatment and then solubilization in water, generates a representative injected sample without altering the initial degree of polymerization. The amylopectin weight-average molar masses and radii of gyration were around 1.0 × 10(8)-4.8 × 10(8) g mol(-1) and 110-267 nm, respectively. For each starch sample, the hydrodynamic radius (R(H)) distributions and the molar mass distributions obtained from the two fractionation systems coupled with light scattering techniques were analyzed. The size determination scales were extended by means of R(H) calibration curves. HDC-SEC and A4F data could be matched. However, A4F enabled a better separation of amylopectins and therefore an enhanced structural characterization of the starches. The two advantages of this experimental approach are (1) it can directly obtain distributions as a function of both molar mass and size, while taking account of sample heterogeneity, and (2) it is possible to compare the results obtained using the different techniques through the direct application of R(H) distributions.     

Data Treatment in Aqueous GPC with On-Line Viscometer and Light Scattering Detectors

Abstract

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) is becoming a very powerful tool for polymer characterization with the coupling of mass detectors using viscometry and light scattering techniques. The triple coupling seems to be the best way since the light scattering detector gives absolute molecular weights and viscometric detection provides intrinsic viscosity, leading to absolute molecular weights through universal calibration and information on long-chain branching. However, instrumentation becomes more sophisticated, expensive and, simultaneously, very sensitive to several parameters which are not critical in classical GPC. Moreover, an on-line computer is required for data acquisition and appropriate software for reliable interpretation of chromatograms.

Our experiments were performed with a Waters Associates room temperature instrument in which a home-made continuous viscometer, using pressure transducers, and a light scattering detector (LALLS Chromatix-CMX 100) were inserted on-line between the column set and the refractometer. Data were interpreted through personal software written on HP9836 and PC-AT computers.

We describe, here, the behavior of some polymers in aqueous solutions, mainly those that are commonly used as calibration standards (polyethylene oxides, pullulans). Experiments were run using two different sets of columns (‘Ultrahydrogel’ from Waters Associates and ‘Shodex OH-Pak’ from Showa Denko K.K.) in several aqueous solvents, pure water or water with various salts (LiNO₃, NaNO₃, LiCl, NaCl, Na₂SO₄) at different concentrations. Intrinsic viscosities were determined through viscometric detection and weight average molecular weights through the LALLS detector, leading to a plot of universal calibration curves Log([ηl.M) versus elution volumes.     

Molecular and conformational properties of comb-like polymers with ionically bound side chains studied in organic solvent

Conformational and dynamo-optical properties of a homologous series of poly(cetyltrimethylammonium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonates) with molecular masses ranging from 80 to 700?kDa were studied in chloroform solutions by viscometry, dynamic light scattering, sedimentation, and flow birefringence. The Mark–Kuhn–Houwink Equations for this polymer in chloroform were obtained; the values of hydrodynamic diameter and the Kuhn segment length as well as the value of intrinsic anisotropy of polarizability of the monomer unit were defined.     

Light scattering from coloured systems: an example of polyaniline dispersions

Static light scattering of highly diluted dispersions in 0.005 M H₂SO₄ was used to determine particle parameters of polyaniline dispersions stabilized with colloidal silica. The refractive index of polyaniline n = 1.8 and the refractive index increment (dn/dc) = 0.22 cm³g⁻¹ at λ = 532 nm were determined. The light scattering data are affected by the absorption of the green polyaniline and by a small amount of aggregates. The absorption has a negligible effect on the results. The influence of the aggregates was corrected by using the intensity‐weighed size distributions determined by dynamic light scattering at different angles and by the two‐component separation in static light scattering. Both procedures yield the same result.     

A correlation of the limiting viscosity number, molecular mass and composition of statistical linear styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymers

Statistical copolymers of styrene and methyl methacrylate of different compositions were synthesized by the radical solution copolymerization in a batch isothermal reactor. Copolymers were characterized by the size exclusion chromatography (SEC), elemental analysis and dilute solution viscometry. Experimental limiting viscosity numbers were described by the Mark-Houwink-Kuhn-Sakurada correlation as the function of the molar mass and by the Mendelson correlation as the function of both the molar mass and copolymer composition. A new correlation of the intrinsic viscosity number, molar mass and composition was developed, based on semiempirical considerations. The correlation takes into consideration all the effects which affect the dimensions of random linear copolymer coils in solvents. The new equation was found to be superior to the Mendelson’s one in correlating the experimentally obtained intrinsic viscosities.     

Dilute solution properties of poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) in aqueous sodium chloride solutions

MW fractions of poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) (PDMDAAC) were prepared by preparative size-exclusion chromatography and characterized by static and dynamic light scattering, viscometry, size-exclusion chromatography, and electrophoretic light scattering, in 0.50M NaCl solution. The behavior of fractions with MW < 2 × 10⁵ was as expected for a strong polyelectrolyte in a good solvent, with a Mark-Houwink exponent of ca. 0.8, and MW-dependencies of the hydrodynamic radius and the radius of gyration of corresponding magnitude. At higher MW, curvature appears in the MW-dependencies, which can be best explained by the presence of branching. While this notably lowers the intrinsic viscosity at high MW, the electrophoretic mobility is unchanged regardless of molar mass. Thus, the branched polymers display the electrophoretic free-draining behavior characteristic of linear polyelectrolytes. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The kinetics of chitosan depolymerisation at different temperatures

The stability (in terms of molar mass) of chitosan potentially plays an important role in its behaviour and functional properties in a wide range of applications and therefore any changes over time must be understood.The weight-average molar masses and intrinsic viscosities of chitosan solutions at different temperatures (4, 25 and 40 °C) have been investigated using size exclusion chromatography coupled to multi-angle laser light scattering (SEC-MALLS) and a “rolling ball” viscometer respectively. The weight-average molar mass (M_w) and the intrinsic viscosity ([η]) both decrease with increased storage time, although this phenomenon is more pronounced at elevated temperatures.Good correlation was found between the changes in molar mass and intrinsic viscosity with time and these parameters were used to determine the depolymerisation constant (k) and the activation energy (E_a).Knowledge of the effect of storage conditions (e.g. temperature) is important in the understanding the stability of chitosan solutions, but whether or not chitosan depolymerisation will be detrimental to its intended application will depend on the functional significance of the changes that occur.