Synthesis and characterization of nanomagnetite particles and their polymer coated forms

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation of ferrous (Fe(2+)) and ferric (Fe(3+)) aqueous solution by a base. Nanomagnetite particles were coated with poly(St/PEG-EEM/DMAPM) and poly(St/PEG-MA/DMAPM) layer by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization. Chemical structure of nanoparticles was characterized by both FTIR and (1)H NMR. Particle morphologies were determined by Zeta Sizer, DLS, XRD and SAXS. Structural analysis showed that after polymer coating nanomagnetite particles kept their superparamagnetic property. Besides the synthesized magnetites, polymer coated forms of these particles are more biocompatible, well dispersable and uniform. These properties make them a very strong candidate for bioengineering applications, such as bioseparation, gene transfer.     

1H NMR studies on intermolecular association of amphiphilic cationic polyelectrolyte micelles induced by hydrophobic counteranions in water

Interactions of a series of amphiphilic cationic polyelectrolytes with various kinds of organic counteranions have been investigated in water by one- and two-dimensional ¹H NMR spectroscopy at 20 °C. The cationic polyelectrolytes were prepared by micellar homopolymerization of tail-type cationic surface-active monomers with a cationic charge with -end, (ST–C_m–AB, m=5, 7, and 9, where ST is a styrenic group, C_m, an alkylene chain at the 4-position of styrene, and AB, alkyltrimethylammonium bromide). Aliphatic monosodium salt of maleic acid (MAS) and its stereoisomer, fumaric acid (FAS), sodium benzoate (NaB), potassium hydrogen phthalate (PHK), and sodium salicylate (NaSal) were added to a salt-free aqueous solution of the polyelectrolytes and ¹H NMR measurements were carried out. Amphiphilic P(ST–C_m–AB) polyelectrolytes act as efficient hosts to strongly capture the hydrophobic counteranions B^–, PH^–, and Sal^–, but not MA^– and FA^–. The ¹H NMR signals of these hydrophobic counteranions remarkably shift upfield and broaden in water in the presence of the amphiphilic polyelectrolytes. The nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) signals between the cationic group of the polymer and aromatic benzoate counteranion protons are clearly observed to imply cation– interaction. The capturing of hydrophobic counterions by the polyelectrolytes is likely due to electrostatic, hydrophobic, and cation– interactions between them. The reduced viscosity, _sp/C_p, for the solution at [PHK]/[P(ST–C₇–AB)]=1.0 steeply increases with increasing polymer concentration (C_p) above ca. 0.9 g/dL to show pronounced viscoelasticity.     

Quantitative determination of cationic modified polysaccharides on hair using LC–MS and LC–MS–MS

Cationic polysaccharides containing N-hydroxypropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium substituents are widely used as conditioning agents for hair-care products. A sensitive method has been developed for the quantitation of these polymers. After acidic extraction from hair the polysaccharides are hydrolyzed using trifluoroacetic acid. The cationic monoglycosides are determined using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS–MS). The developed method is independent of hair treatment. Even hair cut from test persons after customary hair wash can be analyzed. After treatment of natural and bleached hair tresses using a real-life treatment procedure 180 g and 300 g of polymer per gram hair were quantified, respectively. Additionally the fragmentation mechanism of the cationic N-hydroxypropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium group during electrospray ionization was investigated. A mass loss of 60 Da in combination with loss of a single charge is observed and associated with cleavage of trimethylamine and a proton. It is assumed that this process is promoted by the anionic counter-ion which might be hydroxide in an aqueous environment.     

The effect of the amphiprotic nature of human hair keratin on the adsorption of high charge density cationic polyelectrolytes

Adsorption of the cationic polymers poly(methacrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride) (PMAPTAC) and poly(1,1-dimethylpiperidinium-3,5-diallylmethylene chloride) (PDMPDAMC) on human hair was studied by measurements of the amount of polymer adsorbed and by the streaming potential method. Results reflect the amphoteric nature of the keratin surface and show that the excess of anionic sites at pH values above 4 is the main driving force for the adsorption of cationic polyelectrolytes. Lowering the pH below 4 or addition of neutral salt (KCl) reduces the amount of adsorbed polymer. It was shown that the adsorption of cationic polymer in the concentration range 0.01 to 0.1 % and at neutral pH reverses the overall character of the surface from anionic to cationic. Keratin fibers modified in this manner do not exhibit amphoteric character and bear excess positive charge in the pH range 2–9.5. The value of the amount of the polymer adsorbed at saturation concentration (2 mg/g) as well as the lack of molecular weight effect in the range (5 · 10⁴ – 10⁶) on the amount of polymer adsorbed suggest that polymer chains adopt a rather extended conformation on the fiber surface. Some data concerning the formation of a complex between adsorbed cationic polymer and anionic detergents or polyelectrolytes are also presented.     

Synthesis of core-shell silver colloidal particles by surface immobilization of an azo-initiator

Silver nanoparticles, with the diameter of approximately 100 nm, were coated with a 5–10 nm layer of poly(styrene-co-4-styrenesulfonic acid sodium salt). Polymerization was initiated on the particles by a surface adsorbed 4,4-azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid) initiator. FTIR, electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and optical spectroscopy were employed to differentiate between the original and coated particles.     

Colloidal crystals of cationic spheres

Colloidal single crystals of cationic polymer spheres (198–250 nm in diameter) in deionized aqueous dispersions were formed for the first time. The spheres used were poly(styrene-co-methacryloyloxyphenyldimethylsulfonium) cations. These cations are unstable in deionized suspensions with mixed beds of cation-exchange and anion-exchange resins. This was clarified by reflection spectroscopy, pH, conductance and -potential measurements for 250 days after suspension preparation. Colloidal crystals formed over a period of 24 h for the deionized suspensions at sphere concentrations higher than 0.09 in volume fraction. The nearest-neighbor intersphere distances coincide satisfactorily with the calculated values using the diameter and the concentration of the spheres. Alloy crystals formed from binary mixtures of the cationic polymer spheres and the anionic silica spheres when the ratio of the volume fraction of cationic spheres against the sum of the both cationic and anionic spheres was smaller than 0.3.     

Kinetics and Isotherms of Cationic Polyelectrolyte Adsorption on Quartz

The kinetics of the formation of quartz surface charge in the solutions of a cationic polyelectrolyte, poly(styrene-co-dimethyl aminopropylmaleimide) with the molecular mass M = 20000 is studied in the concentration range from 10^–5 to 0.5 g/l in 10^–4 M KCl background solution at pH 6.5. Quartz capillaries with the radius from 5 to 10 m and molecularly smooth surface are used as model systems. Characteristic times of the formation of the surface charge at equilibrium with the solution are calculated from the data on the kinetics of adsorption; these times are equal to 40–50 min for the region of electrostatic adsorption (before the surface charge reversal) and 20–25 min, for the region of hydrophobic adsorption upon the formation of the second adlayer. Based on the steady values of the surface charge, the isotherms and potentials of adsorption of cationic polyelectrolyte are calculated. Electrostatic adsorption isotherm is described by the Langmuir equation with the energy of molecular adsorption of 25.4kT. It is shown that, at polymer concentration above 10^–2 g/l, the conformation of adsorbed molecules ceases to be planar. However, even in this case, we succeed in calculating the surface charge using the Helmholtz and Gouy equations and applying the pressure drops at the capillary ends higher than 10 atm, when under the loading of increasing shear stress in the surface layer the conformation of adsorbed molecules approaches the planar shape. Based on the two-layer model of the formation of surface charge developed earlier, it is shown that the energy of hydrophobic adsorption is smaller than that of electrostatic adsorption and is equal to 17.7kT. Possible physical mechanisms of electrostatic and hydrophobic adsorption of cationic polyelectrolyte molecules on quartz are discussed.     

PEDOT films: multifunctional membranes for electrochemical ion sensing

Properties of electropolymerized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) films were studied from the point of view of direct use as ion-sensing membranes in potentiometric or amperometric sensors. Stable and reproducible potentiometric characteristics were obtained for PEDOT doped by poly(4-styrenesulfonate) ions, PEDOT(PSS) (cationic characteristics), and PEDOT doped by hexacyanoferrate(II) anions, PEDOT(HCF) (anionic characteristics). As shown by voltammetric and EDAX results, the anion exchange properties of the latter polymer result from gradual replacement of HCF ions by Cl^– anions from solution. The zero-current potentiometric detection limit of PEDOT(PSS), equal to 3×10^–6 M, can be shifted to 7×10^–7 M by polarization using a cathodic current density of 3×10^–7 A cm^–2. PEDOT films doped by Cl^– or PSS^– ions can be used as membranes for sensing anions or cations, respectively, under pulse amperometric conditions, within the range from 10^–4 to 1 M, comparable with that accessible by zero-current potentiometry. Dissolved oxygen (redox interferent of low charge transfer rate) exerts a minor influence on the slope of the potentiometric and amperometric characteristics of PEDOT films. Although the presence of redox reactants characterized by a high rate of charge transfer [Fe(CN)₆ ^3–/4–] results in the disappearance of the potential dependence on KCl concentration, this disadvantageous effect is much less significant under pulse amperometric conditions.Contribution to the 3rd Baltic Conference on Electrochemistry, GDASK-SOBIESZEWO, 23–26 April 2003. Dedicated to the memory of Harry B. Mark, Jr. (February 28, 1934–March 3rd, 2003)     

Investigation of cationic soapless P(St-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-DMAEMA) latex and its electrostatic adsorption of laponite

Cationic poly(styrene-co-N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (P(St-co-DMAEMA)) latexes were prepared in the absence of surfactant by using 2,2’ -azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AIBA) as the initiator. The effects of the AIBA concentration, HCl/DMAEMA molar ratio and DMAEMA amount on the emulsion polymerization and the latex properties were investigated. The particle morphology and size, the zeta potential and the amino distribution of the P(St-co-DMAEMA) latexes were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and conductometric titration, respectively. Results showed that the emulsion polymerization performed smoothly with high monomer conversion and narrow particle size distribution under the optimized conditions with AIBA concentration of 1 wt%, HCl/DMAEMA molar ratio of 1.2 and DMAEMA content of 5 wt%. The diameter of the dried latex particles decreased and the density of amino groups on the particle surfaces increased with increasing the DMAEMA content. The zeta potential of the P(St-co-DMAEMA) latexes was pH-dependent and the zero point was around at pH 7.2. A facile method was developed to fabricate P(St-co-DMAEMA)/laponite hybrid nanoparticles via electrostatic adsorption, in which the loading capacity of laponite platelets reached 17.7 wt%, and the resultant hybrid nanoparticles showed good thermal stability.     

Polymer-Surfactant Interactions and the Effect of Tail Size Variation on Micellization Process of Cationic ATAB Surfactants in Aqueous Medium

The interactions between oppositely charged surfactant-polymer systems have been studied using surface tension and conductivity measurements and the dependence of aggregation phenomenon over the polyelectrolyte concentration and chain length of cationic ATAB surfactants, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), tetradecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (TTAB), and dodecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB) have been investigated. It was observed that cationic surfactants induce cooperative binding with anionic polyelectrolyte at critical aggregation concentration (cac). The cac values of ATAB surfactants in the presence of anionic polyelectrolyte, sodium carboxy methyl cellulose (NaCMC), are considerably lower than their critical micelle concentration (cmc). After the complete complexation, free micelles are formed at the apparent critical micelle concentration (acmc), which is slightly higher in polyelectrolyte aqueous solution than in pure water. Among the cationic surfactants (i.e., CTAB, TTAB, and DTAB), DTAB was found to have least interaction with NaCMC. Surfactants with longer tail size strongly favor the interaction, indicating the dependence of aggregation phenomenon on the structure, morphology, and tail length of the surfactant.      

Synthesis of cationic core-shell latex particles

Surfactant-free seeded (core-shell) polymerization of cationic polymer colloids is presented. Polystyrene core particles with sizes between 200 nm and 500 nm were synthesized. The number average diameter of the colloidal core particles increased with increasing monomer concentration. Cationic shells were introduced by co-polymerizing styrene with the cationic monomers (vinylbenzyl)trimethylammonium chloride (VBTMAC), [(2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride (METMAC) and [(2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride (AETMAC) onto the polystyrene cores. The cationic monomer AETMAC, undocumented to our knowledge in colloid synthesis, produced the best cationic shells and could be incorporated at much higher concentrations in the shell compared to the commonly used VBTMAC and METMAC, which yielded undesired polyelectrolyte side products already at relatively low cationic monomer concentrations. In shell formation, feed concentrations of AETMAC between 1.3 mol% (2.4 wt%) and 10.7 mol% (20 wt%) in styrene could be employed, allowing us to control colloid surface charge density over a wide range. The influence of various polymerization parameters (initiator concentration, cross-linking agent, and ionic strength) on the co-polymerization process with AETMAC is discussed. Core-shell particles were characterized using HR-SEM, potentiometric titration and zeta potential measurements.     

Effect of Plasticizer on the Performance of the Surfactant-Selective Electrode Based on a Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Membrane with no Added Ion-Exchanger

The effect of different plasticizers in the sensing membrane on the performance of a surfactant ISE based on a PVC membrane with no added ion-exchanger was investigated. o-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE), o-nitrophenyl decyl ether (NPDE), o-nitrophenyl dodecyl ether (NPDOE) and o-nitrophenyl tetradecyl ether (NPTE) were used as plasticizers. Electrodes based on NPDE, NPDOE and NPTE produced better results than NPOE-plasticized PVC membrane electrodes in terms of low detection limits. Electrodes based on NPDE, NPDOE and NPTE displayed a Nernstian slope in the concentration range of 10^–6 to 10^–2M. NPOE-plasticized PVC membrane electrodes displayed a Nernstian slope in the concentration range of 10^–5 to 10^–2M. The three electrodes other than the NPOE-plasticized PVC membrane electrode showed a similar performance to that of the NPOE-plasticized PVC membrane electrode concerning low detection limits and slope sensitivity. The four electrodes examined in this study are excellently selective for the dodecyltrimethylammonium ion over inorganic anions, but interference from other cationic surfactants such as tetradecyltrimethylammonium ions is significant. With respect to slope sensitivity, selectivity, response time and pH effect, the four electrodes showed a similar performance.     

Synthesis and characterization of a double photochromic initiator for cationic polymerization

A novel cationic photoinitiator namely, 2-benzyl-2-(N,N-dimethyl-2-oxo-2-phenylethyl) ammonium hexafluoroantimonate-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)-butane-1-one (BDMPP⁺ ), carrying two photochromophoric groups was synthesized and characterized. Theoretical absorption characteristics of the salt were studied and compared with those obtained experimentally. Photoinitiation activity of this salt was demonstrated by polymerization of various monomers at λ = 350 nm. Upon irradiation by UV light, cationic species formed from homolytic dissociation followed by electron transfer or directly by heterolytic scission initiate cationic polymerization.     

Adsorption of Cationic Polyelectrolyte on Quartz from Aqueous Background Electrolyte Solution at pH 3

Adsorption isotherm of cationic polyelectrolyte, poly(styrene-co-dimethylaminopropylmaleimide), (molecular mass is 2 × 10⁴) on the surface of fused quartz in aqueous 10^–4 M KCl solution at pH 3 was measured by the method of capillary electrokinetics. The limiting coverage of adsorption layer corresponds to surface charge ₀ = 0.82 C/mol that exceeds the value obtained earlier at pH 6.5. However, if one takes into account the higher charge of a macromolecule at pH 3, the values of packing density of copolymer molecules in completely filled adlayers appeared to be close: 7.88 × 10¹⁰ at pH 3 and 7.27 × 10¹⁰ cm^–2 at pH 6.5. The average binding energy of the molecules and the quartz surface calculated by the Langmuir equation is equal approximately to 21kT and lies between the values of the energy of electrostatic (25.4kT) and hydrophobic (17.7kT) adsorption at pH 6.5 calculated earlier. It can be assumed that, at pH 3, charged units of a macromolecule form ion–dipole bonds with silanol groups, while uncharged groups form hydrophobic bonds with siloxane surface sites.     

Synthesis of Well‐Defined Telechelic Aromatic Polyamides by Chain‐Growth Polycondensation: Application to the Synthesis of Block Copolymers of Polyamide and Poly(tetrahydrofuran)

Well‐defined telechelic‐type aromatic polyamides having a secondary amino group and a phenyl ester moiety at each chain end were prepared by the chain‐growth polycondensation of phenyl 4‐(octylamino)benzoate ( 1 ) with initiator 2 (N‐tert‐butoxycarbonylated 1 ), followed by deprotection of the N‐protecting group of the initiator unit. This polycondensation was applied to the synthesis of well‐defined di‐ and triblock copolymers of aromatic polyamides and poly(tetrahydrofuran) (poly(THF)) by the reaction of the terminal secondary amino group of the polyamide with the living cationic propagating group of poly(THF).

Block copolymers of polyamide and poly(tetrahydrofuran).     

Amphoteric polystyrene latex colloids: polymerization pathway and the control of particle size and potential

Amphoteric polystyrene latex colloids were prepared by the emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of styrene. Two co-monomers, methacrylic acid (MA) (anionic) and dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate (DMAM) (cationic) were used to promote the amphoteric nature of the resultant surfaces. Parameters such as particle size and the isoelectric point (IEP) were measured as a function of polymerization recipe. Particle size decreased with increasing initiator concentration according to the equation: log [d _w]=–0.67 log [I] + 0.316 whered _w is the weight average particle diameter andI is the concentration of initiator (potassium persulphate).The particle size also decreased with increasing temperature, increasing pH and addition of surfactant. Particle size was unaffected by the methacrylic acid content. The isoelectric point pH was decreased on decreasing initiator concentration and on increasing methacrylic acid content.The polymerization pathway was deduced to involve the cationic DMAM during the initiation phase and to involve the anionic MA as well as styrene, during the growth stage. A full polymerization pathway involving the formation of oligomeric DMAM micelles was postulated.     

Interaction and photodynamic activity of cationic porphyrin derivatives bearing different patterns of charge distribution with GMP and DNA

The interaction of amphiphilic cationic porphyrins, containing different patterns of meso-substitution by 4-(3-N,N,N-trimethylammoniumpropoxy)phenyl (A) and 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (B) groups, with guanosine 5′-monophosphate (GMP) and calf thymus DNA have been studied by optical methods in phosphate buffer solution. The properties of these synthetic porphyrins were compared with those of representative standard of anionic 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-sulphonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS₄⁴⁻) and cationic 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-N,N,N-trimethylammonium phenyl)porphyrin (TMAP⁴⁺). Stable complexes with GMP were found for cationic porphyrins, except for monocationic AB₃⁺. The binding constant (K_GMP  10⁴ M⁻¹) follows the order: A₃B³⁺  ABAB²⁺ > A₄⁴⁺  TMAP⁴⁺. Also, interaction with DNA was observed for all evaluated cationic porphyrins. For these related cationic porphyrins, the binding constant (K_DNA  10⁵ M⁻¹) increases with the number of cationic charges. On the other hand, the photodynamic activity of porphyrins was analyzed in solution of GMP and DNA. Monocationic AB₃⁺ is a less effective sensitizer to oxidize GMP in comparison with the other cationic porphyrins, in agreement with the lack of detected interaction with this nucleotide. The electrophoretic analysis of DNA indicates that photocleavage takes place when the samples are exposed to photoexcited tricationic and tetracationic porphyrins. In the presence of sodium azide the DNA decomposition was diminished. Also, reduction in the DNA photocleavage was observed under anoxic condition, indicating that oxygen is essential for DNA photocleavage sensitized by these cationic porphyrins. In addition, an increase in DNA degradation was not observed in deuteriated water. Therefore, an important contribution of type I photoreaction processes could be occurring in the DNA photodamage sensitized by these cationic porphyrins. These results provide a better understanding of the characteristics needed for sensitizers to produce efficient DNA photocleavage.     

Evaluation of the Distribution Depth of Charge Injected by Direct-Current Discharge Plasma into Thin Polyimide and Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Films

The dynamic capacitor method was proposed for determining the distribution depth of negative charge induced in the surface layers of thin polymer films under exposure to a dc discharge as a result of trapping plasma-injected electrons, and equations for calculation were obtained. Charge distribution in thin poly(pyromellitimide) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) films with different thickness (1–6 m) was experimentally studied, and the negative charge due to the injection of electrons from plasma was found penetrate to a depth greater than 0.5 m.     

Effect of Surfactants on the Immobilization of 4-(2-Pyridylazo)resorcinol on Silochroms

The effect of cationic surfactants (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, cetylpyridinium bromide, and tetrabutylammonium perchlorate) and a nonionic surfactant (OP-7) on the conditions of the immobilization of 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR) on three types of silica gel (Silochrom S-120 (200–350 m), Silochrom S-120 (315–500 m), and Silochrom S-80 (200–350 m)) was studied. It was found that OP-7 does not affect the adsorption of surfactants. The effect of cationic surfactants increases in the order tetrabutylammonium perchlorate < cetyltrimethylammonium bromide < cetylpyridinium bromide. The adsorption activity of silica gels increases in the order Silochrom S-120 (315–500 m) < Silochrom S-80 (200–350 m) < Silochrom S-120 (200–350 m). Cetylpyridinium bromide provides full immobilization of PAR on silica gel Silochrom S-120 (200–350 m) in the pH range 2–9.     

Silanol group effect in C18 bonded phases in HPLC

Summary If any residual (free) silanol groups remain at the surface of silica gel after bonding treatment, they may affect the retention of solutes since the dissociated groups (SiO^–) will attract cations. The silanol group effect on the retention of cationic solutes will increase with increasing pH of the mobile phase but the effect will decrease with increasing hydrophobic-ion concentration at the C₁₈ surface because such ions can mask the residual silanol groups. A method for the separation of metal complexes with 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-diethylaminephenol (5-Br-PADAP) has been developed. The hydrophobic ion in the MeOH/H₂O mobile phase was tetrabutylammonium (TBA).