Cationic amino-containing N-isopropyl- acrylamide–styrene copolymer latex particles: 1-Particle size and morphology vs. polymerization process

 Cationic hydrophilic copolymer latexes were synthesized at 70 °C either by batch or two-step emulsifier-free emulsion poly-merization of styrene (St), N-iso-propylacrylamide (NIPAM), and aminoethylmethacrylate hydro-chloride (AEM) using 2,2′-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride as initiator. At first, batch polymerization kinetics were followed by gas chromatography (GC), revealing that NIPAM rapidly homopolymerized, before the polymerization of styrene had started. Particle size analysis by quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that monodispersed particles were obtained with the formation of a poly[NIPAM] rich shell. Adding a small amount of the cationic monomer caused a strong decrease of the particle size without affecting the size monodispersity. When a shot process was used, a narrow particle size distribution was maintained, provided that the monomer addition was performed at a relatively high conversion of the first batch step. The poly[NIPAM] rich shell layer was larger with the shot process, but increasing the amino-containing monomer in the recipe resulted in a dramatic decrease of the thickness. Combination of transmission, scanning and atomic force microscopy techniques showed that these hydrophilic particles exhibited odd-shaped structures, the unevenness being dependent upon the performed process. Kinetic data and particle morphology information were inferred for discussion of the polymerization mechanism of this system. Received: 21 August 1997 Accepted: 22 October 1997     

The effect of electrolyte on the colloidal properties of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate) microgel latexes

Monodisperse cationic thermosensitive latex microgels prepared by radical-initiated precipitation copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), methylenebisacrylamide, and dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate (DMAEMA) have been reported (Zha LS, Hu JH, Wang CC, Fu SK, Elaissari A, Zhang Y 2002 Colloid Polym Sci 280:1) and we suggested (Zhang Y, Zha LS, Fu SK J Appl Polym Sci) that the polyelectrolyte chains are rich in their expanded shell layers. The effect of a range of electrolytes on several colloidal properties of these cationic latexes (such as particle size, zeta potential and colloidal stability) has been investigated. The ability of the anions to induce the particle deswelling and flocculation is related to their position in the Hofmeister series. Owing to the DMAEMA-rich layer on the latex particles, the ionic-strength dependence of the particle hydrodynamic size and the zeta potential become more profound with increasing amount of DMAEMA incorporated into the microgel. It is suggested that the effect of electrolytes on the colloidal properties of the copolymer microgel latexes is attributed to the dehydration of the poly(NIPAM) segment and the screening of the electrostatic interaction between the charged DMAEMA units induced by electrolytes.     

Hydrophilic magnetic polymer latexes. 1. Adsorption of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles onto various cationic latexes

With a view to preparing monosized hydrophilic functional magnetic latex particles based on a two-step strategy using anionic iron oxide and cationic polymer latexes, the adsorption step was systematically investigated for a better control of the subsequent encapsulation step. The iron oxide nanoparticles were first obtained according to the classical precipitation method of ferric and ferrous chloride salt using a concentrated sodium hydroxide solution, whereas the polystyrene (PS), P(S/N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM)) core–shell and PNIPAM latexes were produced via emulsion and precipitation polymerizations, respectively. The polymer and inorganic colloids were then characterised. The adsorption of iron oxide nanoparticles onto the three types of polymer latexes via electrostatic interaction was studied as a function of iron oxide particle concentration, charge density and the cross-linking density of the hydrophilic layer. The maximum amounts of magnetic nanoparticles adsorbed onto the various latexes were found to increase in the following order: PS < P(S/NIPAM) < P(NIPAM). This significant difference is discussed by taking into account the charge distribution in the hydrogel layer and diffusion phenomena inside the cross-linked hydrophilic shell. Received: 28 December 1998 Accepted in revised form: 15 April 1999     

Synthesis and characterization of surface-cyanofunctionalized poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) latexes

 A series of P[N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM)] latexes with different contents of cyano groups were successfully prepared by either seeded or shot-growth polymerizations of an aqueous solution containing acrylonitrile (AN) onto a seed P[NIPAM] latex, respectively, and further characterized by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, elemental analysis, as well as by quasielastic light scattering (QELS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All prepared surface-cyanofunctionalized P[NIPAM] latexes exhibited the same range of lower critical solution temperature (LCST) as a pure P[NIPAM] latex. The shot polymerization process proved more efficient at yielding cyano derivatized latexes than the seeded polymerization technique. The amount of incorporated cyano groups onto the particles was determined with a good correlation both by ¹H-NMR and elemental analysis. The higher the amount of initially introduced AN monomer in the reaction mixture, the more cyano groups were incorporated onto the particles. The surface of the particles with high content of cyano groups appeared quite rough by SEM in comparison with that of the pure P[NIPAM] particles. Received: 25 February 1998 Accepted: 23 June 1998     

Cationic and anionic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) based submicron gel particles: electrokinetic properties and colloidal stability

A cationic and an anionic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (poly(NIPAM)) microgel latex were synthesized via batch radical polymerization under emulsifier-free conditions. The hydrodynamic properties, colloidal stability, and electrokinetic characteristics of these two samples were studied. The hydrodynamic particle size variation was discussed by considering the effect of salinity and temperature on the shrinkage of the thermally sensitive polymer domains. The colloidal stability also depended on temperature and electrolyte concentration. A stability diagram with two well-defined domains (stable and unstable) was obtained. The flow from one domain to the other was fully reversible due to the peculiar (de)hydration properties of the polymer. The electrokinetic behavior, which depends on electrical and frictional properties of the particles, was analyzed via electrophoretic mobility measurements. Results were discussed by considering both the particle structure dependence on temperature and salinity, and the electric double layer compression. In addition, the electrophoretic mobility data were analyzed using Ohshima's equations for particles covered by an ion-penetrable surface charged layer, as well as using another simpler equation for charges located on a hydrodynamic equivalent hard sphere. Differences between the properties of both latexes were justified by the presence of a hydrophilic comonomer, aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride (AEMH), in the cationic microgel.     

Synthesis of amino‐functionalized latex particles by a multistep method

Cationic latex particles with surface amino groups were prepared by a multistep batch emulsion polymerization. In the first one or two steps, monodisperse cationic latex particles to be used as the seed were synthesized, and in the third step, two different amino‐functionalized monomers [aminoethylmethacrylate hydrochloride (AEMH) and vinylbenzylamine hydrochloride (VBAH)] were used to synthesize the final functionalized latex particles. 2,2′‐Azobisisobutyramidine dihydrochloride was used as the initiator, and different concentrations of two quaternary ammonium emulsifiers with hydrophobic chains of different lengths were examined. To characterize the final latexes yields were obtained gravimetrically, and particle size distributions and average particle diameters were determined by transmission electron microscopy and photon correlation spectroscopy. The amount of amino groups was determined by fluorimetry. The effect of the amino‐functional monomer used on the final latexes and the colloidal behavior of the system were studied. The influence of the different conditions utilized to synthesize the latexes on the colloidal stability of the particles was evaluated in terms of the Fuchs stability ratio and electrophoretic mobility. High yields of the amino‐functional monomers were obtained. Surface amino, amidine, and quaternary ammonium groups provided the cationic character. The colloidal stability behavior of the products obtained was compatible with their cationic character. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2929–2936, 2001     

Characterization of cross-linked poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) microgel latexes

 This article reports the colloidal and physicochemical characterization of crosslinked poly (N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (poly[NIPMAM]) latexes. The latex particles were first characterized by determining the lowest critical solubility temperature by measuring the optical density variation as a function of temperature. In addition, the electrophoretic mobility behaviors of all latexes were examined as a function of pH and temperature. Finally, the colloidal stability was investigated by determining the critical coagulation concentration and the critical flocculation temperature, and the corresponding results were discussed by taking into account both the effect of salinity and temperature on the solvency of poly[NIPMAM]. Received: 25 March 1999 Accepted: 5 May 1999     

Aqueous particulate foams stabilized solely with polymer latex particles

In this article, a wide range of latexes are evaluated as possible foam stabilizers. These include near-monodisperse, poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone)-stabilized polystyrene [PNVP-PS] latexes with diameters ranging from 170 nm to 1.62 microm, submicrometer-sized poly(ethylene glycol)-stabilized polystyrene [PEGMA-PS] latex particles, a PNVP-stabilized poly(4-bromostyrene) [PNVP-PBrS] latex with a mean diameter of 870 nm, two PNVP-stabilized poly(methyl methacrylate) [PNVP-PMMA] latexes with mean diameters of 730 nm and 1.20 microm, a PNVP-stabilized poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) [PNVP-PHPMA] latex with a mean diameter of 630 nm, and a charge-stabilized anionic PS latex of 220 nm diameter. The effect of varying the particle size, latex concentration, and latex surface composition on foam stability were studied in detail. The larger PNVP-PS latexes, the PNVP-PBrS, and the two PNVP-PMMA latexes gave highly stable foams, whereas PEGMA-PS, PNVP-PHPMA, and the charge-stabilized PS latex produced either no foams or foams with inferior long-term stabilities. Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed hexagonally close-packed latex arrays in the walls of the dried foam, which leads to localized moiré patterns being observed by optical microscopy. Moreover, these dried foams are highly iridescent in bright transmitted light.     

Film-forming microgels for pH-triggered capture and release

The pH-responsive behavior for a series of lightly cross-linked, sterically stabilized poly(tertiary amine methacrylate)-based latexes adsorbed onto mica and silica was investigated using in situ tapping mode AFM at room temperature. The adsorbed layer structure was primarily determined by the glass transition temperature, T(g), of the latex: poly[2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]-based particles coalesced to form relatively featureless uniform thin films, whereas the higher T(g) poly[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate] latexes retained their original particulate character. Adsorption was enhanced by using a cationic poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] steric stabilizer, rather than a nonionic poly(ethylene glycol)-based stabilizer, since the former led to stronger electrostatic binding to the oppositely charged substrate. Both types of adsorbed latexes acquired cationic microgel character and swelled appreciably at low pH, even those that had coalesced to form films. Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to study the capture of a model hydrophobic probe, pyrene, by these adsorbed latex layers followed by its subsequent release by lowering the solution pH. The repeated capture and release of pyrene through several pH cycles was also demonstrated. Since these poly(tertiary amine methacrylate) latexes are readily prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization and adsorption occurs spontaneously from aqueous solution, this may constitute an attractive route for the surface modification of silica, mica and other oxides.     

Surfactant effect on the lower critical solution temperature of poly(organophosphazenes) with methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) and amino acid esters as side groups

 The surfactant effect on the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of thermosensitive poly(organophosphazenes) with methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) and amino acid esters as side groups was examined in terms of molecular interactions between the polyphosphazenes and surfactants including various anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants in aqueous solution. Most of the anionic and cationic surfactants increased the LCST of the polymers: the LCST increased more sharply with increasing length and hydrophobicity of the hydrophobic part of the surfactant molecule. The ΔLCSTs (T _0.03M− T _0M), the change in the LCST by addition of 0 and 0.03 M sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), were found to be 7.0 and 14.5 °C for the polymers bearing ethyl esters of glycine and aspartic acid, respectively. The LCST increase of poly(organophosphazene) having a more hydrophobic aspartic acid ethyl ester was 2 times larger compared with that of the polymer having glycine ethyl ester as a side group. The binding behavior of SDS to the polymer bearing glycine ethyl ester as a hydrophobic group was explained from the results of titration of the polymer solutions containing SDS with tetrapropylammonium bromide. Graphic models for the molecular interactions of polymer/surfactant and polymer/surfactant/salt in aqueous solutions were proposed. Received: 17 February 2000/Accepted: 25 April 2000     

Preparation and characterization of cationic poly(n-isopropylacrylamide) copolymer latexes

Cationic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (NIPAM) copolymer latexes have been prepared at 70°C using methylene-bisacrylamide (MBA) as the crosslinking agent,2-2′-azobis-(2-amidinopropane hydrochloride) (V50) as the initiator and in the presence of 2-aminoethyl-methacrylate hydrochloride (AEM). It was found that the concentration of AEM plays a major role in the polymerization kinetics and particle nucleation. However, too high a concentration (2–5 mol%/NIPAM) caused the latex to be polydispersed together with the production of large amounts of polyelectrolytes. The presence of surface amino groups on the final particles under the protected form was revealed both by an ultraviolet spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance methods. It was indirectly evidenced through the electrophoretic mobility behavior of the latex particles (below and above the lower critical solubility temperature of the poly(NIPAM)) as well as by their stability against a monovalent electrolyte.     

Polymeric and colloidal features of latex particles with surface amino groups obtained by semicontinuous seeded cationic emulsion polymerization*

Monodisperse latex particles with different amounts of surface amino and amidine groups were synthesized by means of a semicontinuous seeded cationic emulsion polymerization of styrene and a cationic monomer. High partial overall conversions for styrene and limited ones for the cationic monomer were achieved. A reliable method for the quantification of surface amidine and amino groups was developed. It was found that the amount of surface amidine groups provided by the cationic initiator was higher when the amount of cationic monomer added increased. The value for the partition coefficient of the cationic monomer indicated that this polymerizes with the same probability in the water phase as in the particle. The colloidal stability, in terms of critical coagulation concentration, shows that the latexes would be useful as polymeric supports in immunoassays. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3878–3886, 2005     

Polystyrene latex particles coated with crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)

Thermoresponsive colloidal particles were prepared by seeded precipitation polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) in the presence of a crosslinking monomer, N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA), using polystyrene latex particles (ca. 50 nm in diameter) as seeds in aqueous dispersion. Phase transitions of the prepared poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), PNIPAM, shells on polystyrene cores were studied in comparison to colloidal PNIPAM microgel particles, in H₂O and/or in D₂O by dynamic light scattering, microcalorimetry and by ¹H NMR spectroscopy including the measurements of spin–lattice (T1) and spin–spin (T2) relaxation times for the protons of PNIPAM. As expected, the seed particles grew in hydrodynamic size during the crosslinking polymerization of NIPAM, and a larger NIPAM to seed mass ratio in the polymerization batch led to a larger increase of particle size indicating a product coated with a thicker PNIPAM shell. Broader microcalorimetric endotherms of dehydration were observed for crosslinked PNIPAM on the solid cores compared to the PNIPAM microgels and also an increase of the transition temperature was observed. The calorimetric results were complemented by the NMR spectroscopy data of the ¹H-signal intensities upon heating in D₂O, showing that the phase transition of crosslinked PNIPAM on polystyrene core shifts towards higher temperatures when compared to the microgels, and also that the temperature range of the transition is broader.     

Elaboration of hydrophilic aminodextran containing submicron magnetic latex particles

Aminodextran containing submicron magnetic latex particles were prepared in two steps: (a) transformation of oil-in-water magnetic emulsion into structured magnetic latex particles via combination of seed and miniemulsion-like polymerization process and (b) immobilization (adsorption and chemical grafting) of prepared aminodextran onto negatively charged seed magnetic latex particles. The elaborated magnetic latex particles were characterized in terms of particle size, size distribution, morphology, surface charge density, chemical composition, magnetic properties, and also colloidal stability. The results showed that the morphology of the prepared seed magnetic latex is core–shell like and the cationic latex particles are hydrophilic and of high colloidal stability, irrespective of the aminodextran immobilization process.     

Dynamic viscoelasticity study of the phase transition of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)

The phase transition of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (poly(NIPAM)) solutions was characterized by a dynamic fluid rheometer. Two critical points were observed below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST; ∼︁31.5°C): (1) a critical point resembling sol‐gel transition occurs at ∼︁28.5°C, not far beyond the onset of elasticity (∼︁28.2°C), and (2) a second critical point appears at ∼︁30.4 °C corresponding to the reported Flory temperature (Θ). These findings suggest that intermolecular association and coil‐globule transition of poly(NIPAM) occur below the LCST. The fractal dimension of association of poly(NIPAM) chains which was calculated based upon the rheological method (∼︁1.49) is close to that determined by static light scattering.     

Highly branched stimuli responsive poly[(N-isopropyl acrylamide)-co-(1,2-propandiol-3-methacrylate)]s with protein binding functionality

Highly branched poly(NIPAM) have been prepared using the technique of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerisation using a chain transfer agent that allows the incorporation of imidazole functionality in the polymer chain-ends. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the polymers can be controlled by the amount of hydrophobe and GMA incorporated during copolymerisation procedures. These thermally responsive "smart" polymers were used to purify a His-tagged BRCA-1 protein fragment by affinity precipitation. [Diagram: see text]     

Surfactant-free emulsion copolymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate for preparation of water-redispersible polymeric powders

Poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, and poly(styrene-co-methyl methacrylate) cationically stabilized latexes with up to 25% solid content were prepared by surfactant-free emulsion polymerization (SFEP) employing 1 mol % 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane]dihydrochloride (VA-044) as an initiator and stabilizer (inisurf) with respect to monomer at 70 °C. The latexes had 200–500 nm z-diameter and a very narrow size distribution (PDI < 0.05). The stabilizing amidinium moieties from VA-044 were covalently bound to the particles. After drying in air, poly(styrene-co-methyl methacrylate), PS-co-PMMA latexes were easily redispersible in water simply by addition of water and a few minutes of gentle stirring. The redispersed latex particles had colloidal characteristics very similar to the original latex particles in terms of polydispersity, size, and zeta potential. In contrast, latexes prepared with a similar formulation but using a conventional cationic surfactant (CTAB) that was not covalently bound to the particles were not redispersible. This is the simplest method reported so far for the preparation of redispersible latexes that do not use high stabilizer concentrations. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 2376–2381     

Protein co-adsorption on different polystyrene latexes: Electrokinetic characterization and colloidal stability

 The latex agglutination immunoassay technique uses polymer colloids as a carrier for the adsorbed proteins to enhance the antigen–antibody reaction. Competitive co-adsorption of IgGaCRP and m-BSA proteins on polystyrene latexes with different functionality (sulfate and sulfonate groups) was carried out looking for the increase in the immunoreactivity and colloid stability of latex–protein complexes. The preferential adsorption of a protein is also studied, comparing both surface types. Regarding the application in the development of a diagnostic test system, it is necessary to study the latex–protein complexes from an electrokinetic and colloid stability point of view. The presence of protein on the surface latex shifts the iso-electric point (i.e.p.) of the latex–protein complexes to pH values near the i.e.p. of the protein which is the majority. Thus by the adsorption of m-BSA we can obtain complexes with the i.e.p. near pH 5 and, therefore, with a significant electrostatic repulsion at neutral pH. Due to the higher surface charge density of the sulfonate latexes there is a higher adsorption of both proteins, which can provide a better colloidal stability (by the adsorption of m-BSA) and a better immunoreactivity (by the adsorption of IgG). Received: 27 March 1996 Accepted: 1 September 1996     

阳离子化热响应微凝胶的合成及在二氧化硅矿化中的应用

采用无皂乳液聚合技术,在亚甲基双丙烯酰胺(MBA)为交联剂的情况下,N-异丙基丙烯酰胺(NIPAM)与甲基丙烯酰氧乙基三甲基氯化铵(DMC)发生共聚,生成具有阳离子功能化的热响应微凝胶poly-(NIPAM-co-DMC).TEM研究表明该微凝胶粒子的粒径约为200 nm左右,具有规则的球形形态.DLS和1H-NMR研究证实了微凝胶粒子的最低临界溶液温度(LCST)在34℃左右.进一步以此微凝胶为模板,在中性条件下,以四甲氧基硅烷(TMOS)为硅源,在此模板上仿生沉积S iO2,生成poly(NIPAM-co-DMC)/S iO2杂化纳米粒子.FTIR、TEM、1H-NMR及TGA等研究表明S iO2在聚合物模板上发生了沉积.能谱分析进一步证明了S iO2主要分布在杂化纳米粒子的壳层区域.另外,当矿化反应温度高于微凝胶的LCST值时,体系生成了具有明显核壳结构的异形杂化粒子.     

Stabilization of emulsions by heterocoagulation of clay minerals and layered double hydroxides

 Paraffin/water emulsions were stabilized by colloidal particles without surface active agents. Mixtures of two types of particles with opposite signs of charge were used: a layered double hydroxide (the hydroxide layers carry positive charges) and the clay mineral montmorillonite (the silicate layers carry negative charges). The emulsions were very stable and did not separate a coherent oil phase. The stability of the emulsion (no oil coalescence after centrifugation) was independent of the mixing ratio of both the compounds when the total solid content was >0.5%. Solid contents up to 2.0% were optimal. In contrast to stability, flow behavior of the emulsion was dependent on the mass fraction χ of the hydroxide. The maxima of viscosity and yield value were observed at χ≈0.2–0.3; the emulsion showed pronounced antithixotropic behavior. Weak thixotropic properties, smaller viscosities and yield values were observed at χ≤0.2 and ≥0.5. In the absence of the clay mineral, the double hydroxide particles stabilize by forming envelopes around the oil droplets. Addition of bentonites creates a three-dimensional network of particles with high elasticity which impedes coalescence of the oil droplets. Received: 9 March 1998 Accepted: 6 April 1998