Lamellar structure of poly(ethylene oxide) molecular complexes

The phase diagrams of some binary systems such as poly(ethy lene oxide)-p-dihalogenobenzene, poly(ethylene oxide)-resorcinol and poly(ethylene oxide)-p-nitrophenol show the existence of molecular complexes with a well definite stoichiometry. The crystal structure of these molecular complexes has been determined by wide-angle X-ray diffraction. The morphology of these molecular complexes crystallized from the melt is investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and small angle X-ray scattering. PEO-p-dichlorobenzene and PEO-resorcinol complexes crystallize from the melt as extended chains (EC) or integral folded chain (IFC) lamellar crystals. As observed for PEO oligomers, the fraction of EC crystals of PEO-resorcinol increases with the crystallization temperature. However EC crystals are present in a larger range of crystallization temperatures than for pure PEO. On the other hand, the PEO-p-nitrophenol complex crystallizes over all the studied crystallization temperature range as stable non integral folded chain (NIFC) crystals. Explanations related to the crystal structure of these complexes and to their mode of growth are invoked to explain these two deeply different lamellar morphologies.     

A new green-to-transmissive polymer with electroactive poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) as an interface layer for achieving high-performance electrochromic device

A new neutral green electrochromic (EC) polymer, namely poly(5,8-bis(2,3-dihydro[3,4-B][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-2,3-dual(4-(hexadecyloxy) phenyl) quinoxaline) (PBOPEQ) was designed and synthesized. PBOPEQ-poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) film was further prepared by electrochemical polymerization on the PEDOT:PSS modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. Scanning electron microscopy images and ultrasonic experiment indicate that PBOPEQ-PEDOT:PSS film shows better film-forming ability and stronger interface adhesive with ITO electrode compared to that of PBOPEQ film. It is worth mentioning that PBOPEQ-PEDOT:PSS film presents more reversible redox characteristic, better optical contrast (~40%) and coloration efficiency (~230 cm² C⁻¹) at 678 nm, excellent EC stability and memory property (36 hr), which should be ascribed to that the electroactive PEDOT:PSS layer facilitates the charge transfer process and enhances the ion doping/dedoping properties. EC device based on PBOPEQ-PEDOT:PSS film exhibits superior integrated performance such as reversible color change from green to transmissive, optical contrast of 41.0% and switching time less than 1 s. Accordingly, PBOPEQ-PEDOT:PSS is an excellent EC material when combined with electroactive PEDOT:PSS interface layer for achieving high performance device, which shows potential applications in displays, electronic papers, and tags.     

Immobilisation of lactate dehydrogenase on poly(aniline)-poly(acrylate) and poly(aniline)-poly(vinyl sulphonate) films for use in a lactate biosensor

The immobilisation of enzymes on an electrode surface, in such a manner that they retain both substrate specificity and high levels of catalytic activity, is of great importance in bioelectrochemistry. This includes areas such as the development of enzyme-catalysed fuel cell electrodes, biosensors and other biotechnological applications. We have investigated the catalytic activity of hexahistidine tagged variants of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) from the thermophile Bacillus stearothermophilus both in solution and when immobilised on poly(aniline)-poly(acrylate) (PANi-PAA) or poly(aniline)-poly(vinyl sulphonate) (PANi-PVS) composite films. Both the C- and N-terminally tagged enzymes are readily immobilised on the modified electrode and catalyse the conversion of lactate and NAD⁺ to pyruvate and NADH. The NADH that is generated can be readily oxidised at the PANi-modified electrode surface.In solution, the activity of the C-tagged enzyme (LDH-CHis) was some 30% less that of the wild-type under comparable conditions, whereas the N-tagged enzyme was found to possess essentially the same activity as the wild-type. However, when the enzymes were immobilised on PANi-PAA and PANi-PVS the C-tagged enzyme films showed a higher NADH-dependent current than the wild-type LDH whilst the N-tagged enzyme had the highest of the three. In addition, the C-tagged enzyme film appeared more stable than the wild-type LDH-PANi film. A novel immobilisation chemistry of the enzyme is proposed to account for these observations.     

Preparation and ion conductivities of the plasticized polymer electrolytes based on the poly(acrylonitrile‐ co‐lithium methacrylate)

The polymer electrolytes composed of poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐lithium methacrylate) [P(AN‐co‐LiMA)], ethylene carbonate (EC), and LiClO₄ salts have been prepared. The ion groups in the P(AN‐co‐LiMA) were found to prevent EC from crystallization through their ion–dipole interactions with the polar groups in the EC. This suppression of the EC crystallization could lead to the enhancement of the ion conductivity at subambient temperature. The polymer electrolytes based on the PAN ionomer with 4 mol % ion content exhibited ion conductivities of 2.4 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm at −10°C and 1.9 × 10⁻³ S/cm at 25°C by simply using EC as a plasticizer. In the polymer electrolytes based on the PAN ionomer, ion motions seemed to be coupled with the segmental motions of the polymer chain due to the presence of the ion–dipole interaction between the ion groups in the ionomer and the polar groups in the EC, while the ion transport in the PAN‐based polymer electrolytes was similar to that of the liquid electrolytes. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 247–252, 1999     

Advanced electrochromic/electrofluorochromic poly(amic acid) toward the colorimetric/fluorometric dual-determination of glycosuria

The electrochromic/electrofluorochromic (EC/EFC) dual-functional polymers have gained intense attention owing to the unique electrochemically induced absorption and emission change simultaneously. Most of the efforts have recently been devoted to improving their EC/EFC performance. However, the practical application studies of the EC/EFC polymers are still in their infancy. Herein, we present a poly(amic acid) based material bearing high solid fluorescence-efficiency AIEgens and electroactive oligoaniline groups, featuring a good electrochromic performance with desirable optical contrast, high coloration efficiency, and outstanding durability. This occurs in tandem with electrofluorochromic behavior with ideal fluorescence contrast and moderate switching speed. By virtue of the versatile electrospinning technique, we manufactured a nanofibrous test strip base on the resultant polymer for glucose determination. The colorimetric/fluorometric dual-determination of glucose is carried out with an obvious color change from gray to dark green, along with a drastic fluorescence change from light to dark, which exhibits numerous advantages of easy operation, rapid detection, favorable selectivity, and unique repeated use feature. Furthermore, the nanofibrous test strips also provide reliable results in the glycosuria test. This strategy shows distinct promise for future sensing applications.     

Characterization of poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) electrolytes complexed with different lithium salts

Poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) gel electrolytes comprising a combination of plasticizers, ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC) and lithium salt LiX have been prepared using the solution casting technique in an argon atmosphere. The prepared electrolytes were subjected to ionic conductivity, compatibility with lithium metal anode and thermogravimetric (TG)/differential thermal analysis (DTA). The membranes, which possess lithium salt, LiBF₄ exhibited maximum conductivity and on contrary it undergoes severe passivation with lithium metal. All these membranes are found to be stable thermally about 70 °C.     

Sulfonated poly(pyromellitimides) and poly(naphthylimides)

A comparative synthesis of poly(imides) based on benzidine-2,2′-disulfonic acid and dianhydrides of pyromellitic and naphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylic acids via the high-temperature polycyclocondensation in m-cresol in the presence of triethylamine has been performed for the purpose of designing proton-exchange membranes for fuel cells. The polymers are shown to be water-soluble with poly(naphthylimide) showing by a much higher hydrolytic stability than poly(pyromellitimide). To render poly(naphthylimide) insoluble in water, copoly(naphthylimide) has been synthesized using 4,4′-bis(4-aminophenoxy)diphehyl sulfone as a comonomer. Copoly(naphthylimides) combine solubility in organic solvents with insolubility in water. These polymers demonstrate high viscosity characteristics and excellent film-forming behavior. They combine excellent thermal stability and hydrolytic resistance with proton conductivity, which is higher than the proton conductivity of Nafion commercial membranes in wide temperature and relative conductivity ranges.     

Lithium ion conduction and ion-polymer interaction in poly（vinyl pyrrolidone） based electrolytes blended with different plasticizers

Poly（ethylene oxide）, poly（vinyl pyrrolidone）（PEO/PVP）, lithium perchlorate salt（Li Cl O4） and different plasticizer based, gel polymer electrolytes were prepared by the solvent casting technique. XRD results show that the crystallinity decreases with the addition of different plasticizers. Consequently, there is an enhancement in the amorphousity of the samples responsible for the process of ion transport. FTIR spectroscopy is used to characterize the structure of the polymer and confirms the complexation of plasticizer with host polymer matrix. The ionic conductivity has been calculated using the bulk impedance obtained through impedance spectroscopy. Among the various plasticizers, the ethylene carbonate（EC） based complex exhibits a maximum ionic conductivity value of the order of2.7279 10 4S cm 1. Thermal stability of the prepared electrolyte films shows that they can be used in batteries at elevated temperatures. PEO（72%）/PVP（8%）/Li Cl O4（8%）/EC（12%） has the maximum ionic conductivity value which is supported by the lowest optical band gap and lowest intensity in photoluminescence spectroscopy near 400–450 nm. Two and three dimensional topographic images of the sample having a maximum ionic conductivity show the presence of micropores.     

Synthesis of poly(phenylgermanosilanes) and poly(phenylgermanocarbosilanes)

Phenyl-substituted poly(germanosilanes) and poly(germanocarbosilanes) have been synthesized through the Wurtz-Kipping reaction via dechlorination of mixtures of dichlorophenylsilanes (PhSi(R)Cl₂, where R = H, Ph, or vinyl) with diphenyldichlorogermane in the presence of an ultradisperse sodium suspension. The polymers thus synthesized have been investigated by X-ray fluorescence analysis; FTIR and UV spectroscopy; and ¹H, ¹³C, and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. The peak maxima in the UV spectra of the polymers dissolved in THF are in the wavelength range of 300–375 nm. Under the effect of UV irradiation with a wavelength of 320–380 nm, photoluminescence emission peaking in the range of 380–470 nm is observed. Size exclusion chromatography indicates that all the (co)polymers under examination are characterized by a narrow GPC curve and their polydispersity indexes are no larger than 1.5. According to dynamic TGA data, the weight loss of the polymers reaches 80% even at 500°C. Owing to formation of branched structures in vinyl-substituted copolymers, the GPC curves widen (the polydispersity index is ～6), while the yield of an inorganic residue at 900°C amounts to 40%.     

Degradation of poly(methylphenylsilylene) and poly(di-n-hexylsilylene)

Degradation of poly(methylphenylsiylene) and poly(di-n-hexylsilylene) was studied by chemical and mechanical methods at ambient and higher temperatures. Purely thermal degradation in solid state starts as a slow process at 150°C and provides soluble and insoluble products which include cyclosilanes as well as various siloxanes. Sonication at ambient temperatures leads to the mechanical degradation of high molecular weight polymers by homolytic cleavage induced by shear forces. No cyclics are formed under these conditions. Polysilanes in the presence of strong nucleophiles degrade exclusively to cyclic oligomers. Rate of this back-biting chain reaction depends on substituents at silicon atom, alkali metal, solvents, and temperature. Electrophiles degrade polysilanes to various α,ω-difunctional oligosilanes. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

FTIR studies of plasticized poly(vinyl alcohol)-chitosan blend doped with NH4NO3 polymer electrolyte membrane

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy studies of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and chitosan polymer blend doped with ammonium nitrate (NH(4)NO(3)) salt and plasticized with ethylene carbonate (EC) have been performed with emphasis on the shift of the carboxamide, amine and hydroxyl bands. 1% acetic acid solution was used as the solvent. It is observed from the chitosan film spectrum that evidence of polymer-solvent interaction can be observed from the shifting of the carboxamide band at 1660 cm(-1) and the amine band at 1591 cm(-1) to 1650 and 1557 cm(-1) respectively and the shift of the hydroxyl band from 3377 to 3354 cm(-1). The hydroxyl band in the spectrum of PVA powder is observed at 3354 cm(-1) and is observed at 3343 cm(-1) in the spectrum of the PVA film. On addition of NH(4)NO(3) up to 30 wt.%, the carboxamide, amine and hydroxyl bands shifted from 1650, 1557 and 3354 cm(-1) to 1642, 1541 and 3348 cm(-1) indicating that the chitosan has complexed with the salt. In the PVA-NH(4)NO(3) spectrum, the hydroxyl band has shifted from 3343 to 3272 cm(-1) on addition of salt from 10 to 30 wt.%. EC acts as a plasticizing agent since there is no shift in the bands as observed in the spectrum of PVA-chitosan-EC films. The mechanism of ion migration is proposed for the plasticized and unplasticized PVA-chitosan-NH(4)NO(3) systems. In the spectrum of PVA-chitosan-NH(4)NO(3)-EC complex, the doublet CO stretching in EC is observed in the vicinity 1800 and 1700. This indicates that there is some interaction between the salt and EC.     

Preparation of poly(fumaric acid) from poly(di-t-butyl fumarate) and poly(di-trimethylsilyl fumarate)

Polymerization conditions of di-t-butyl fumarate and di-trimethylsilyl fumarate were studied in detail. They cannot be polymerized by either anionic or coordination initiators, but radical and radiation polymerizations are successful. Characterization of poly(di-t-butyl fumarate), obtained thereby, with ¹H-NMR spectrum suggests that the backbone of the chain is stiff. From analysis of thermal properties of poly(di-t-butyl fumarate), it is found to be completely converted to poly(fumaric acid) by pyrolysis around 200°C. Poly(di-trimethylsilyl fumarate), on the other hand, can be quantitatively hydrolyzed with acid to the same polyacid, too. The preliminary measurement of the dissociation behaviors of poly(fumaric acid) was done by potentiometric titration, which shows that the titration curves of poly(fumaric acid) are different from those of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(maleic acid).     

Novel thermooxidatively stable poly(ether-imide-benzoxazole) and poly(ester-imide-benzoxazole)

4-Hydroxy-5-nitrophthalimides were produced via nucleophilic aromatic substitution (NAS) of 4,5-dichloro phthalimide substituents by potassium nitrite. The use of a N-phenyl-phthalimide having a protected 4′-hydroxyl group allows concurrent deprotection and nitro reduction to amine to give the 4-hydroxy-5-amino-N-(4′-hydroxyphenyl) phthalimide. This key intermediate is the precursor to a poly (ether-imide-benzoxazole), and is the condensable monomer for a poly (ester-imide-benzoxazole). Benzoxazole monomer formation via condensation with p-fluorobenzoyl chloride afforded 2-(4′-fluorophenyl)-5,6,-N-[4′(-hydroxyphenyl) imide]-benzoxazole, which was polymerized under NAS conditions to produce a poly(ether-imide-benzoxazole) having an endothermic transition at 454°C with weight retention of 90% at 500°C in both air and nitrogen. Solution polycondensation of the 4-hydroxy-5-amino-N-(4′-hydroxyphenyl) phthalimide monomer with isophthaloyl chloride afforded a poly(ester-amide-imide) which was isolated and thermally cyclodehydrated in the solid state under vacuum to give a poly(ester-imide-benzoxazole) having 95% weight retention at 500°C in both air and nitrogen, with no detectable DSC transitions up to 500°C. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A green-nanocomposite film based on poly(vinyl alcohol)/ Eleusine coracana: structural,thermal, and morphological properties

Recently, polymer nanocomposites can offer to enhance the tremendous development of reinforcements and broaden their use in feasible applications. The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer based bio-nanocomposite film reinforced with different amount of Eleusine Coracana (EC) particles from 5 to 25?wt% were prepared by the solution cast. The bio-nanocomposite (PVA/EC) film was characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) is used to estimate the thermal degradation of polymer bio-nanocomposites. From the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis, the surface roughness of the (PVA/EC) film was analyzed.     

Electrochemically controlled detection of adrenaline on poly(2‐aminobenzylamine) thin films by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance

In this study, we present an electrochemically controlled surface plasmon resonance (EC‐SPR) biosensor to detect adrenaline on poly(2‐aminobenzylamine) (P2ABA) thin films. The P2ABA thin films are stable and display electroactivity in a neutral PBS solution. Specific detection of adrenaline was performed on P2ABA thin films because the benzylamine groups in the P2ABA structure could specifically react with adrenalines. Adrenaline was detected in real time by EC‐SPR spectroscopy, which provides an EC‐SPR reflectivity change on the P2ABA thin film upon adrenaline injection. The measured responses were quite different from those for uric acid and ascorbic acid, which are major interferences in adrenaline detection. The electrochemically applied potential facilitates the specific detection of adrenaline. In addition, the detection of adrenaline on the P2ABA thin films was investigated by a quartz crystal microbalance technique. The detection limit for adrenaline at open circuit potential was 10 pM. The present study provides a useful information on the detection of adrenaline on the P2ABA thin films. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochromic device based on carbon nanotubes functionalized poly (methyl pyrrole) synthesized in hydrophobic ionic liquid medium

A facile approach of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) functionalized poly(methylpyrrole) [pMPy] electrosynthesized in hydrophobic ionic liquid for fabrication of electrochromic (EC) devices is discussed. Clear change from brown (oxidized) to pale yellow (neutral) color is demonstrated with robust cycle life. This synthesis route can be exploited to fabricate polymers from other organic conjugated systems and provide an avenue for applications requiring stable redox polymers in electrochromic devices.     

Development of a solid-phase extraction method for simultaneous extraction of adipic acid, succinic acid and 1,4-butanediol formed during hydrolysis of poly(butylene adipate) and poly(butylene succinate)

A solid-phase extraction (SPE) method was developed for the simultaneous extraction of dicarboxylic acids and diols formed during hydrolysis of poly(butylene succinate), PBS, and poly(butylene adipate), PBA. Four commercial non-polar SPE columns, three silica based: C8, C18, C18 (EC), and one resin based: ENV+, were tested for the extraction of succinic acid, adipic acid and 1,4-butanediol, the expected final hydrolysis products of PBS and PBA. ENV+ resin was chosen as a solid-phase, because it displayed the best extraction efficiency for 1,4-butanediol and succinic acid. Linear range for the extracted analytes was 1-500 ng/microl for adipic acid and 2-500 ng/microl for 1,4-butanediol and succinic acid. Detection and quantification limits for the analytes were between 1-2 and 2-7 ng/microl, respectively, and relative standard deviations were between 3 and 7%. Good repeatability and low detection limits made the developed SPE method and subsequent gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis a sensitive tool for identification and quantification of hydrolysis products at early stages of degradation.     

Photochemical behavior of poly(ethylacryloylacetate) and poly(acryloylacetone) films

Films of poly(ethylacryloylacetate) (PEAA) and poly(acryloylacetone) (PAA) were subjected to UV irradiation (λ = 254 nm) at room temperature. The photoinduced structure transfer from cis-enol onto a diketo forms has been investigated. The structure transfer caused by UV light was found to be slower than for the corresponding process in solution. The spectral investigations (UV, IR) showed reversible process of photoketonization. The results were analyzed in terms of the model for the participation of the trans-enol form in the process of the ketonization. Based on the results obtained, some general conclusions were made about the organization of the units in the polymer chain. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 3683–3688, 1997