Simple interface of high-performance liquid chromatography-atomic fluorescence spectrometry hyphenated system for speciation of mercury based on photo-induced chemical vapour generation with formic acid in mobile phase as reaction reagent

In this study, we introduce an attractive stationary phase, poly(4-vinylpyridine)-grafted silica (VP(n)) for normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The retention behavior of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was investigated with VP(n) column under n-hexane/2-propanol mixture as mobile phase. Conventional octadecylated silica, aminopropyl-bonded silica, bare silica and poly(styrene)-grafted silica columns were used as reference columns. Extremely high retention factors were observed for PAHs but not for alkylbenzenes and distinct higher selectivity towards PAHs was observed for the detailed molecular shape such as planarity and aspect ratio. The reason for these results seems to be a multiple interaction effect including an inductive interaction between the pyridyl and aromatic rings.     

Poly(2-N-carbazolylethyl acrylate)-modified silica as a new polymeric stationary phase for reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Poly(2-N-carbazolylethyl acrylate) having terminal trimethoxysilyl groups was newly synthesized by radical polymerization and immobilized onto the silica surface (Sil-CEA). The chromatographic property of Sil-CEA was examined by applying polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as solutes. Poly(4-vinylpyridine)-modified silica (Sil-VP) and monomeric octadecylated silica (ODS) columns were used as the reference columns. Less sensitivity to molecular hydrophobicity and enhanced molecular planarity selectivity were obtained with Sil-CEA compared to ODS. On the other hand, high retention factors for the analyzed solutes and an opposite elution order for linear and disc-shaped solutes were obtained with Sil-CEA compared with Sil-VP. In this paper, the application for separation of tocopherols was also described.     

Thermodynamic investigations on shape selective separation behaviors of poly(4-vinylpyridine)-grafted silica for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in both normal-phase and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

With the successful implementation of poly(4-vinylpyridine)-grafted silica prepared by grafting-from approach (GF-VP(n)) as a stationary phase for the separation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in normal-phase HPLC, this paper describes the chromatographic retention behaviors of PAHs with GF-VP(n) in reversed-phase HPLC. Significantly higher retention factor along with enhanced shape selectivity were observed with GF-VP(n). Thermodynamic study on the retention behaviors of PAHs with GF-VP(n) in normal-phase and reversed-phase HPLC revealed that retention of PAHs was exothermic in both phases. Furthermore, higher entropic contribution was observed in reversed-phase HPLC compared to normal-phase HPLC.     

A versatile method for grafting polymers on nanoparticles

We report a simple and versatile method for grafting polymers on nanoparticles. A procedure was developed for the synthesis and subsequent functionalization of silica nanoparticles with a perfluorophenylazide. Polymers were then grafted by the photochemically induced insertion reactions of the perfluorophenylnitrene. Polystyrene, poly(4-vinylpyridine), and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) were successfully grafted on silica nanoparticles. Grafting density was studied with regard to polymer concentration and molecular weight.     

几种聚合物改性硅胶对苯胺的吸附性能研究

研究了聚乙烯基吡啶改性硅胶(PVP/SiO2)、聚苯乙烯改性硅胶(PS/SiO2)、胺化聚苯乙烯改性硅胶(PS-NH2/SiO2)等3种有机-无机复合材料吸附剂对苯胺的吸附行为。吸附动力学研究表明,3种吸附剂对苯胺的吸附均符合准二级动力学方程。对其粒内扩散模型模拟的结果表明,在3种吸附过程中液膜扩散为主要速率控制步骤。用Langmuir等温吸附方程式和Freundlich等温吸附方程式对其吸附等温线进行了拟合,结果表明,PVP/SiO2、PS/SiO2对苯胺的吸附符合Freundlich等温吸附方程式。     

Preparation and catalytic activity of P4VP–Cu(II) complex supported on silica gel

Micron-sized silica gel particles were chemically modified on their surfaces with the coupling agent, γ-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MPS), double bond was introduced onto the surfaces of silica gel particles, and the modified particles MPS–SiO₂ were obtained. Then, poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) was grafted from the silica gel surfaces, and grafting particles P4VP/SiO₂ was prepared. Finally, the coordination between grafted P4VP and cupric ions Cu²⁺ was performed, and the supported complex Cu(II)–P4VP/SiO₂ was obtained. The grafting particles P4VP/SiO₂ and the supported complex Cu(II)–P4VP/SiO₂ were characterized with infrared spectra (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cu(II)–P4VP/SiO₂ was used as a catalyst for the oxidation of ethyl benzene into acetophenone with molecular oxygen under ordinary pressure. The experimental results show that the supported complex Cu(II)–P4VP/SiO₂ can be successfully prepared via grafting polymerization of 4VP and coordination between the grafted P4VP and cupric ions Cu²⁺. In oxidation of ethyl benzene into acetophenone by molecular oxygen under ordinary pressure, the supported complex Cu(II)–P4VP/SiO₂ displayed high catalytic activity and excellent catalytic selectivity up to more than 98% for the transformation of ethyl benzene to acetophenone.     

Chromatographic study of the conformational behavior of graft copolymers with a broad distribution of grafting densities in dilute solutions in selective solvents for grafts

A graft copolymer of poly(4-methylstyrene-graft-2-vinylpyridine) was prepared by the living “grafting onto” method. Its molecular weight and composition was analyzed by size-exclusion chromatography, liquid chromatography under limiting conditions of desorption, ¹H NMR, and light scattering. The results indicated a non-negligibly broad distribution of grafting density. Its conformational behavior was studied by reversed phase liquid chromatography with gradient elution. Targeted studies provided two discrete base-line separated fractions. Their compositions were estimated by pyrolysis gas chromatography. The results suggest that distinct chain conformations (differing in grafting density and interacting differently with stationary phase) exist in studied solutions and can be separated by well-tuned chromatographic techniques. Experimental data were analyzed and interpreted on the basis of theoretical and computer studies of the conformational behavior of graft copolymers in selective solvents.     

Study of a monolithic silica capillary column coated with poly(octadecyl methacrylate) for the reversed-phase liquid chromatographic separation of some polar and non-polar compounds

The performance of a monolithic silica capillary column coated with poly(octadecyl methacrylate) (ODM column) for the reversed-phase liquid chromatographic separation of some polar and non-polar compounds was studied, and the results were compared to those obtained by using a monolithic silica capillary column modified with octadecylsilyl-(N,N-diethylamino)silane (ODS column). Benzene and naphthalene derivatives, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), steroids, alkyl phthalates, and tocopherol homologues were used as test samples. In general, compounds with aromatic character, rigid and planar structures, and lower length-to-breadth ratios (more compacted structures) seem to have more preference for the polymer coated stationary phase (ODM). Compounds with acidic character have also a higher retention on ODM columns because of the presence of ester groups in the stationary phase. The polymer coated column allowed the separation of some PAHs, alkyl phthalates, steroids, and of beta- and gamma-tocopherol isomers which cannot be separated under the same conditions on ODS columns, while keeping similar column efficiency. These results allowed to suggest ODM columns as a good alternative to conventional ODS columns for reversed-phase liquid chromatography.     

Fabrication and luminescent properties of Eu(BMPPA)3BPy complex and its functionalized silica nanocomposites

Luminescent silica nanocomposites functionalized with a Eu-complex have been prepared and characterized.The europium complex is composed of 2,2'-bipyridyl(BPy) and 2-(4-bromomethyI)-phenylpropionic acid(BMPPA),which contains highly active benzyl bromide substituents and can covalently bind with poly(4-vinylpyridine)(P4VP)-modified silica nanoparticles(nanoSiO_2P4VP) to form nanoSiO_2P4VPEuBPy composites.Microscopic images revealed that the nanoSiO_2P4VPEuBPy composites easily formed aggregates,due to an inter-particle binding caused by the benzyl bromide among the composites.The as-prepared nanocomposites showed the typical emissions of Eu(III) ions at the wavelengths from 580 nm to 750 nm designated to the ~5D_0→~7F_n transitions.Time-resolved fluorescence decay measurements revealed that the emission lifetime was approximately 0.204 ms and 0.576 ms for the nanoSiO_2EuBPy composites,a little shorter than that in the Eu(BMPPA)_3BPy complex.     

Determination of pepsin by capillary electrophoresis using mixed polymer coated capillary with switchable properties toward protein adsorption/desorption

In this work, a simple online preconcentration method for quantitative detection of pepsin was realized by using the binary mixed polymer brushes coated capillary with switchable properties toward protein adsorption. Firstly, the binary mixed polymer brushes were prepared by grafting poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) and poly(4-vinylpyridine) onto the inner wall of the capillary through a polydopamine anchor. Then the coatings were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectrometer and electroosmotic flow measurement. The results indicated that the composition of coating could be controlled by varying the feed ratio of poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) to poly(4-vinylpyridine) and the inner surface charge could be tuned toward the change of pH and ionic strength. The results showed that when the poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline)/poly(4-vinylpyridine) mass ratio was 80/20, the highest online preconcentration effect was obtained and the sensitivity enhancement factor was 6.3. Moreover, satisfactory sensitivity (limit of detection: 7.5 ng/mL) and good repeatability were obtained with the online preconcentration method. The polymer-coated capillary was still stable for online preconcentration and detection of pepsin after 50 consecutive runs. Last, the proposed method was used successfully to online preconcentrate pepsin in the saliva matrix.     

Responsive colloidal systems: reversible aggregation and fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces

We report on a method of fabricating stimuli-responsive core-shell nanoparticles using block copolymers covalently bound to a silica nanoparticle surface. We used the "grafting to" approach to graft amphiphilic block copolymer brushes of poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine-b-ethylene oxide) and poly(styrene-b-4-vinylpyridine) onto silica nanoparticles with two different diameters: colloidal silica 200 nm in diameter and fumed silica 15 nm in diameter. We used the pH-responsive properties of the grafted brush to regulate the interactions between the particles, and between the particles and their environment. We show that this behavior can be applied for a reversible formation of particle aggregates, and can be used to tune and stabilize the secondary aggregates of particles of the appropriate size and morphology in an aqueous environment. The suspensions of the particles form a textured hydrophilic coating on various substrates upon casting and the evaporation of water. Heating above the polymer's glass transition temperature or treatment in acidic water result in back and forth switching between superhydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces, respectively.     

Efficient synthesis of poly(2-vinylpyridine)-silica colloidal nanocomposite particles using a cationic azo initiator

Colloidal poly(2-vinylpyridine)-silica nanocomposite particles can be efficiently prepared by emulsion polymerization at 60 degrees C using a commercial 20 nm aqueous silica sol as the sole stabilizing agent. Unlike previously reported colloidal nanocomposite syntheses, transmission electron microscopy studies indicate very high silica aggregation efficiencies (88-99%). The key to success is simply the selection of a suitable cationic azo initiator. In contrast, the use of an anionic persulfate initiator leads to substantial contamination of the nanocomposite particles with excess silica sol. The cationic azo initiator is electrostatically adsorbed onto the anionic silica sol at submonolayer coverage, which suggests that surface polymerization may be important for successful nanocomposite formation. Moreover, the 2-vinylpyridine can be partially replaced with either styrene or methacrylic comonomers to produce a range of copolymer-silica nanocomposite particles. The poly(2-vinylpyridine)-silica nanocomposite particles have a well-defined core-shell morphology, with poly(2-vinylpyridine) cores and silica shells; mean diameters typically vary from 180 to 220 nm, and mean silica contents range from 27 to 35% by mass.     

Amino-functionalized monolithic spin-type columns for high-throughput lectin affinity chromatography of glycoproteins

Hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol)-based monoliths were synthesized in the spin-tip format for high-throughput applications via pulsed electron beam irradiation. Monoliths with a homogeneous porous structure and a total porosity of 69% were obtained. The cross-linked polymeric structure was further mechanically stabilized via the incorporation of silica nanoparticles. Amino-functionalization of the monoliths was accomplished by a straightforward, water-based, one-step approach that entailed the electron-beam irradiation-induced grafting of poly(allylamine). The amine functionalized spin columns showed very low unspecific protein adsorption and were successfully applied as adsorbents in lectin affinity chromatography for the purification of ovalbumin. The novel columns also outperformed a commercially available system.     

Alkylated poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) monolithic columns for mu-HPLC and CEC separation of phenolic acids

Macroporous poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) monolithic columns were prepared in fused silica capillaries of 100 microm id by in-situ copolymerization of styrene with divinylbenzene in the presence of propan-1-ol and formamide as the porogen system. The monoliths were subsequently alkylated with linear alkyl C-18 groups via Friedel-Crafts reaction to improve the retention and chromatographic resolution of strongly polar phenolic acids. A new thermally initiated grafting procedure was developed in order to shorten the time of the alkylation process. The grafting procedure was optimized with respect to the reaction temperature, time, the grafting reactant concentration, and the solvent used. The type of solvent and the grafting temperature are the most significant factors affecting the hydrodynamic properties, porosity, and efficiency of the columns. While the equivalent particle diameter of the grafted column increased, the capillary-like flow-through pore diameter decreased in comparison to non-alkylated monoliths. The hydrodynamic permeability of the monolith decreased, but the monolithic column still permitted fast micro-HPLC separations.     

New hybrid polymeric liquid chromatography chiral stationary phase prepared by surface-initiated polymerization

A new hybrid organic/inorganic HPLC chiral stationary phase (CSP1) has been synthesized by the grafting from (g-from) radical polymerization of an enantiopure diacryloyl derivative of trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane in the presence of mesoporous, azo-activated silica particles. The new chiral stationary phase has been fully characterized by elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, inverse size exclusion chromatography and Van Deemter analysis. CSP1 shows improved chromatographic performances compared to its analog CSP2 synthesized by the alternative grafting to (g-to) approach in which the azo initiator is kept in solution. CSP1 can successfully resolve several chemically diverse chiral compounds, using both organic and water-based eluents (normal phase, polar organic, etc.).     

Nanopattern formation on polymer substrate using star-hyperbranched nanospheres

Hyperbranched polystyrenes (PS) were prepared by living radical photopolymerization of 4-vinylbenzyl N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate as an inimer under UV irradiation. These hyperbranched PS exhibited large amounts of photofunctional dithiocarbamate groups on their outside surfaces. Subsequently, we derived the star-hyperbranched copolymers by grafting from hyperbranched macroinitiator with t-butyl methacrylate. We obtained poly(methacrylic acid) star-hyperbranched PS nanospheres by hydrolysis of poly(t-butyl methacrylate) grafted chains. We studied in detail two-dimensional nanopattern formation on poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) or partially quaternized P4VP substrate using such nanospheres by electrostatic interaction.     

(4-Vinylpyridine-Styrene) Copolymer as Host Polymer for Chromophoric Complexes with Potential Second Order Nonlinear Optical Properties

A series of new metal containing polymers for second order nonlinear optics have been prepared by grafting Cu (II) and Pd (II) chromophoric complexes on a preformed (4-vinylpyridine-styrene) copolymeric backbone. The metallated polymers have been chemically and physically characterized. They show high glass transition temperatures, high thermal stability and good solubility. Their properties have been compared with analogous metallated poly(4-vinylpyridine) samples: variations in the polymeric backbone, as well as in ligands, metal, and metallation ratio, allow to tune their properties.     

An approach for the surface functionalized gold nanoparticles with pH-responsive polymer by combination of RAFT and click chemistry

In this report, we demonstrated a novel efficient post-modification route for preparation of smart hybrid gold nanoparticles with poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) based on RAFT and click chemistry. A new azide terminated ligand was first synthesized to modify gold nanoparticles by ligand exchange reaction, and then click reaction was used to graft alkyne terminated P4VP which was prepared by RAFT onto the surface of gold nanoparticles. The functionalized hybrid gold nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, FTIR, and XPS etc. The results indicated that the P4VP was successfully grafted onto the surface of gold nanoparticles by click reaction. The surface grafting density was calculated to be about 6 chains/nm²_. In addition, the hybrid gold nanoparticles showed a pH responsive phenomenon as the pH value changed around 5.     

Water-soluble surface-anchored gold and palladium nanoparticles stabilized by exchange of low molecular weight ligands with biamphiphilic triblock copolymers

A study is presented of the stabilization of gold and palladium nanoparticles (NPs) via a place-exchange reaction. Au and Pd NPs of approximately 3.5 nm were prepared by a conventional method using tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB) as the stabilizing agent. The resulting nanoparticles, referred to as Au-TOAB or Pd-TOAB, were later used as templates for the replacement of TOAB ligand with poly(ethylene oxide)- b-polystyrene- b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PEO- b-PS- b-P4VP) triblock copolymer. This biamphiphilic triblock copolymer was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with control over the molecular weight and polydispersity. The place-exchange reaction was mediated through strong coordination forces between the 4-vinylpyridine copolymer and the metal species located on the surface of the nanoparticles. In addition, the displacement of the outgoing low molecular weight TOAB ligands by high molecular weight polymers is an entropy-assisted process and is believed to contribute to stabilization. The prepared complex, polymer-NP, exhibits greatly improved stability over the metal-NP complex in common organic solvents for the triblock copolymer. Self-assembly in water after ligand exchange resulted in micellar structures of about approximately 20 nm (electron microscopy) with the metal NP found located on the surface of the micelles. The stability of the nanoparticles in water was shown to depend greatly on the grafting density of the copolymer, with high stability (more than 6 months) at high grafting density and low stability, accompanied with irreversible agglomeration, at relatively low grafting densities. The surprising location of the metal NP (for both Au and Pd) on the surface of the micelles in water is explained by the fact that, upon self-assembly in THF/water system, the most hydrophobic chains (i.e., PS) undergo self-assembly first at low water content forming the core, followed by the P4VP (whether or not associated with the metal) forming a shell, and finally the PEO forming the corona. In lower metal content assemblies, the P4VP chains located in the shell undergo swelling in an acidic medium causing a substantial increase in micellar corona size, as confirmed by dynamic light scattering measurements. The present study offers a simple approach for the stabilization of various metal nanoparticles of catalytic interest, using a unique polymeric support that can be dispersed in organic solvents as well as aqueous solutions.     

Properties of polymer track membranes modified by grafting with poly(2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)

The properties of track membranes (TM) based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PETP) and polypropylene (PP) and modified by radiation-induced graft polymerization of 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine (MVP) andN-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAA) were studied. The rate of grafting and the limiting degree of grafting increase linearly as the pore diameter of TM increases. The gasdynamic and hydrodynamic pore diameters of modified TM were determined. The dependence of water permeability of TM modified by grafting with poly(2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine) (PMVP) on the degree of grafting passes through a maximum, which, according to the data of wetting angle measurements, corresponds to the maximum hydrophilicity. The negative χ-potential of TM changes sign after modification by grafting with PMVP. Thermosensitive TM based on PETP and PP were prepared by radiation-induced graft polymerization of NIPAA. The structure of modified TM was studied by electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 858–864, May, 2000.