Rheo-optical FT-IR spectroscopy of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/poly(lactic acid) blend films

The orientation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) segments in PHB/PLA blend films cast from chloroform solutions with compositions PHB < PLA was studied during uniaxial elongation up to 250% strain at 50 °C by in-situ rheo-optical FT-IR spectroscopy. From the orientation functions of the ν(CO) bands of the blend components, it was derived that the PLA chains orient in the direction of elongation while the PHB chains orient perpendicular to the drawing direction. PHB homopolymer and PHB/PLA blend films with PHB > PLA compositions could only be oriented by cold drawing in ice water after quenching from the melt. The IR-dichroic effects of films drawn under these conditions indicate for both blend components a chain alignment parallel to the drawing direction.     

Linear viscoelasticity of poly(acrylonitrile-co-itaconic acid)/1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride extended from dilute to concentrated solutions

The solution rheology of poly(acrylonitrile-co-itaconic acid) (poly(AN-co-IA)) in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl) spanning dilute, semidilute unentangled and entangled regimes were investigated. The exponents in the specific viscosity η_sp ～ overlap parameter c[η] power law were 1, 2 and 4.7 for dilute, semidilute unentangled and entangled regimes, respectively, which were found to be consistent with the scaling prediction for neutral linear polymers in θ-solvent. For dilute solutions (lower than 0.9 wt.%), the linear viscoelastic responses were observed to be in good agreement with the Zimm model (Flory exponent ν = 0.5). While for semidilute unentangled solutions (between 0.9 and 8 wt.%), results obtained had been found to be consistent with Rouse model. Considering Flory exponent ν = 0.5 and the concentration dependences of the specific viscosity and relaxation time, it had been evaluated that poly(AN-co-IA) in [BMIM]Cl behaves as a neutral polymer in θ-solvent. It had also been suggested that according to the unusual deviation of Cox-Merz rule, poly(AN-co-IA)/[BMIM]Cl solutions are typical neutral polymeric liquids for the concentrated solutions but have shown a more complicated behavior at high deformation rates.     

Gas permeation properties of poly(lactic acid)

The need for the development of polymeric materials based on renewable resources has led to the development of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) which is being produced from a feedstock of corn rather than petroleum. The present study examines the permeation of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and methane in amorphous films of PLA cast from solution. The properties of PLA are compared to other commodity plastics and it is shown that PLA permeation closely resembles that of polystyrene. At 30°C, N₂ permeation in PLA is 1.3 (10⁻¹⁰ cm³ (STP) cm/cm² s cmHg) and the activation energy is 11.2 kJ/mol. For oxygen the corresponding values are 3.3 (10⁻¹⁰ cm³(STP) cm/cm² s cm Hg) and 11.1 kJ/mol. The values for carbon dioxide permeation are 1.2 (10⁻¹⁰ cm³ (STP) cm/cm² s cmHg) and 6.1 kJ/mol. For methane values of 1.0 (10⁻¹⁰ cm³ (STP) cm/cm² s cmHg) and an activation energy of 13.0 kJ/mol are found. Studies with pure gases show that polymer chain branching and small changes in l:d stereochemical content have no effect on permeation properties. Crystallinity is found to dominate permeation properties in a biaxially oriented film. The separation factor for a CO₂/CH₄ mixed gas system is measured between 0 and 50°C and does not deviate significantly from the calculated ideal separation factor; at 0°C the separation factor is 16, a value that suggests continued studies of PLA as a separation medium are warranted.     

Cloud-point measurements of the {H2O + poly(ethylene glycol) + NaNO3} system

The cloud-point (CP) temperatures and phase separation of {H₂O + poly(ethylene glycol) + NaNO₃} ternary system is studied by the turbidimetry method using a reaction calorimeter. The phase separation was also observed by visual inspection. Differences between the CP measured using the turbidimetry method and visual inspection, was up ±0.5 K. The Flory–Huggins model with a temperature and concentration-dependent interaction parameter was employed to correlate the phase diagram of the system. As a result of the correlation an average absolute deviation of 0.002 is obtained.     

Phase separation in polystyrene/poly (vinyl methyl ether) blend revealed by two-dimensional correlation resonance light scattering spectroscopy

Two-dimensional (2D) correlation resonance light scattering (RLS) spectroscopy has been successfully applied to investigate phase separation of polystyrene (PS)/poly (vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) film by using a conventional spectrofluorimeter. 2D synchronous correlation RLS spectrum indicates that the RLS peak intensity drastically increases with a rise in temperature due to aggregation of chromophores (i.e. phenyl rings) in PS particles in the course of phase separation. In addition, as concluded by 2D asynchronous correlation RLS spectrum, RLS has higher sensitivity than conventional light scattering. For RLS, the closer to the absorption band, the more sensitive it is to the aggregation during phase separation. By means of moving-window two-dimensional (MW2D) correlation spectrum based on autocorrelation calculations, the cloud point (370 K) was determined, which is in good agreement with the literature. On the other hand, time evolution of RLS intensity at various temperatures distinctly shows that phase separation of PS/PVME film involves two mechanisms, i.e. spinodal decomposition (SD) and nucleation and growth (NG). Accordingly, 2D correlation RLS proves to be a very simple and sensitive method to monitor phase separation in polymer blends and might supplement the existing characterization tools.     

Thermogelling polymers composed of poly(cyclohexylenedimethylene adipate) and poly(ethylene glycol)

Block copolymers composed of hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and hydrophobic biodegradable polyesters have been reported as thermogelling polymers, because they feature temperature-dependent sol-to-gel or gel-to-sol transitions in aqueous solutions. In this study, a series of thermogelling poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether)-block–poly(cyclohexylenedimethylene adipate)-block–poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether) triblock copolymers and PEG-block–poly(cyclohexylenedimethylene adipate) multiblock copolymers was synthesized by reacting hydroxyl-terminated poly(cyclohexylenedimethylene adipate) (PCA) with poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether) and PEG, respectively, using 1,6-diisocyanatohexane as the coupling agent. Two hydroxyl-terminated PCAs, i.e., poly(1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene adipate) and poly(1,3/1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene adipate), were synthesized by the condensation reaction of adipic acid (AA) with 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) and 1,3/1,4-CHDM, respectively, and used as the hydrophobic polyester blocks of these thermogelling copolymers to compare the effect of crystallinity on the sol-to-gel transition behavior.The polymers were characterized using proton nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, solubility testing, and rheological analysis. Experimental results revealed that the structure of the PCA block (crystalline vs. amorphous), the molecular weights of the hydrophobic PCA and hydrophilic PEG blocks, and the type of thermogelling polymer (triblock vs. multiblock) influenced the solubility, polymer micelle packing characteristics, maximum storage modulus, and sol-to-gel temperature of the polymers. Among all the samples at 40 wt.% aqueous solutions, triblock copolymer TB3 showed sol-to-gel temperature at 22 °C, and had the highest maximum storage modulus about 170 Pa.     

Electrorheological properties of poly(linear trans-quinacridone)-based suspensions

Ladder-like polymer poly(linear trans-quinacridine) (polyquin (2,3-b) acridine-7,14(5,12) dione, PTQA) was synthesized and identified. Anhydrous electrorheological fluid (ER fluid, ERF) with PTQA as dispersed particle and bromodiphenylmethane (BDPM) as dispersing medium were prepared; the electrorheological properties were studied. The temperature effect of PTQA suspensions was also discussed. The results showed that PTQA suspensions in BDPM performed excellent ER activity; at room temperature, the yield stress of the suspension with 30 wt.% of particles was up to 6.0 kPa (3.0 kV/mm). The shear stress increased with the rise in temperature, and the temperature effect was enhanced at higher temperature range. The differences of electrorheological properties between PTQA-based ERF and polyquin(2,3-b) acridine-12,14(5,7) dione-based ERF were attributed to the molecular structural regularity of the polymer.     

Conductive poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile)-polyaniline dodecylbenzenesulfonate [NBR-PAni.DBSA] blends prepared in solution

Blends of poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile) elastomer [NBR] and polyaniline dodecylbenzenesulfonate [PAni.DBSA], with electrical conductivities up to 10⁻² S cm⁻¹, have been prepared by solution mixing and casting. Miscibility was maximised for NBR with high acrylonitrile (ACN) content, as predicted on the basis of simple solubility parameter calculations. Blends prepared using NBR with 48 wt% ACN had the lowest electrical conductivity percolation thresholds, and were much more conductive than previous thermally mixed blends. Optical and electron micrographs of blends prepared from NBR 48 wt% ACN also showed the lowest levels of phase separation. The FT-IR spectra of NBR-PAni.DBSA blends resembled a superposition of the spectra of the pure materials, but with significant peak shifts due to changing intermolecular interactions between the polymers. Under DSC analysis, thermal events for blends prepared with NBR 48 wt% ACN also showed the largest temperature shifts relative to those for the pure polymers, supporting the other evidence for interaction between the two polymers.     

Preparation and characterization of porous conducting poly(dl-lactide) composite membranes

Solid conducting biodegradable composite membranes have shown to enhance nerve regeneration. However, few efforts have been directed toward porous conducting biodegradable composite membranes for the same purpose. In this study, we have fabricated some porous conducting poly(dl-lactide) composite membranes which can be used for the biodegradable nerve conduits. The porous poly(dl-lactide) membranes were first prepared through a phase separation method, and then they were incorporated with polypyrrole to produce porous conducting composite membranes by polymerizing pyrrole monomer in gas phase using FeCl₃ as oxidant. The preparation conditions were optimized to obtain membranes with controlled pore size and porosity. The direct current conductivity of composite membrane was investigated using standard four-point technique. The effects of polymerization time and the concentration of oxidant on the conductivity of the composite membrane were examined. Under optimized polymerization conditions, some composite membranes showed a conductivity close to 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ with a lower polypyrrole loading between 2 and 3 wt.%. A consecutive degradation in Ringer's solution at 37 °C indicated that the conductivity of composite membrane did not exhibit significant changes until 9 weeks although a noticeable weight loss of the composite membrane could be seen since the end of the second week.     

Radiation-induced grafting of styrene into poly(vinylidene fluoride) film by simultaneous method with two different solvents

Radiation-induced grafting of styrene into poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films with 0.125 mm thickness at doses of 1 and 2.5 kGy in the presence of a styrene/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution (1:1, v/v) and at doses of 20, 40 and 80 kGy in presence of a styrene/toluene solution (1:1, v/v) at dose rate of 5 kGy h^?1 was carried out by the simultaneous method under nitrogen atmosphere and room temperature, using gamma rays from a Co-60. The films were characterized before and after modification by calculated grafting yield (GY %), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG/DTG). GY results shows that grafting increases with dose, and the grafting of styrene was confirm by FT-IR due to the new characteristic peaks and by the TG and DSC attributed to changes in thermal behavior of the grafted material. Results showed that the system allows the controlled grafting of styrene into PVDF using gamma rays at doses as low as 1 kGy in DMF.     

Proton transport properties of poly(aspartic acid) with different average molecular weights

We synthesized seven partially protonated poly(aspartic acids)/sodium polyaspartates (P-Asp) with different average molecular weights to study their proton transport properties. The number-average degree of polymerization (DP) for each P-Asp was 30 (P-Asp30), 115 (P-Asp115), 140 (P-Asp140), 160 (P-Asp160), 185 (P-Asp185), 205 (P-Asp205), and 250 (P-Asp250). The proton conductivity depended on the number-average DP. The maximum and minimum proton conductivities under a relative humidity of 70% and 298 K were 1.7 · 10^?3 S cm^?1 (P-Asp140) and 4.6 · 10^?4 S cm^?1 (P-Asp250), respectively. Differential thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTA) was carried out for each P-Asp. The results were classified into two categories. One exhibited two endothermic peaks between t = (270 and 300) °C, the other exhibited only one peak. The P-Asp group with two endothermic peaks exhibited high proton conductivity. The high proton conductivity is related to the stability of the polymer. The number-average molecular weight also contributed to the stability of the polymer.     

Dye-sensitized solar cells employing amphiphilic poly(ethylene glycol) electrolytes

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was modified with a long alkyl acid to produce a self-organized amphiphilic polymer (amPEG). FT-IR and NMR spectroscopies confirmed the amPEG synthesis. This polymer was complexed with lithium iodide (LiI) and 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide (MPII) to prepare polymer electrolytes to be applied to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). FT-IR studies showed that upon the addition of litium salt the free ether and ester carbonyl bands shifted towards lower wavenumbers, indicating the complexation of Li ions with oxygens on the amPEG. Alkylation and salt introduction reduced PEG crystallinity, as characterized by wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The ionic conductivities of the polymer electrolytes increased with increasing salt concentrations, and the energy conversion efficiency of DSSC reached 2.6% at 100 mW cm^?2 for amPEG/MPII system which is higher than amPEG/LiI. This may be due to the higher mobility of MPII ion than the lithium ion in the polymer electrolyte. The interfacial properties between electrolytes and electrodes were investigated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).     

Synthesis of an optically active helical poly(1,3-phenyleneethynylene) bearing stable radicals and its chiroptical and magnetic properties

We synthesized an optically active helical poly(1,3-phenyleneethynylene) with pendant galvinoxyl residues and dimethyl(10-(1S)-pinanyl)silyl groups. The hydrogalvinoxyl precursor polymer was given by polymerization of (1,3-diiodophenyl)hydrogalvinoxyl and 1,3-diethynyl-5-[dimethyl(10-(1S)-pinanyl)silyl]benzene using Pd(PPh₃)₄ catalyst (M_w = 1.7 × 10⁵, M_w/M_n = 3.7). In the CD spectrum taken in ethyl acetate solution, clear Cotton effects were observed in the absorption region of the backbone and hydrogalvinoxyl chromophore, indicating an excess of one-handed helical foldamer conformation. The polymer yielded the corresponding polyradical with high spin concentration by treatment of the polymer solution with PbO₂. The Cotton effects appeared in CD spectra of the polymer and polyradical by addition of methanol to the chloroform solution, although the Cotton effects were hardly observed in chloroform. On the other hand, in the MCD spectra of the polymer and polyradical taken in chloroform solution, Faraday effects were observed in the absorption region of the backbone and galvinoxyl chromophore. The static magnetic susceptibility of the chiral polyradical was measured using a SQUID magnetometer, and showed the antiferromagnetic interaction.     

A lotus root-like porous nanocomposite polymer electrolyte

A lotus root-like porous nanocomposite polymer electrolyte (NCPE) based on poly(vinylidene difluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) [P(VDF-HFP)] copolymer and TiO₂ nanoparticles was easily prepared by a non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) process. The formation mechanism of the lotus root-like porous structure is explained by a qualitative ternary phase diagram. The resulting NCPE had a high ionic conductivity up to 1.21 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature, and exhibited a high electrochemical stability potential of 5.52 V (vs. Li/Li⁺), lithium ion transference number of 0.65 and 22.89 kJ mol⁻¹ for the apparent activation energy for transportation of ions. It is of great potential application in polymer lithium ion batteries.     

A porous polymer electrolyte based on P(VDF-HFP) prepared by a simple phase separation process

A polymer electrolyte with interconnected pores based on poly(vinylidene difluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) [P(VDF-HFP)] copolymer was prepared by a simple phase separation process using water as both non-solvent and pore inducer. The prepared porous membrane was characterized by SEM, XRD and DSC. With a narrow pore size distribution and low crystallinity, the resulting polymer electrolyte shows a high ionic conductivity up to 1.76 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature and exhibits low apparent activation energy of 10.35 kJ mol⁻¹ for the transportation of ions. Its low cost and environmentally friendliness provide great promise for the practical application in polymer lithium-ion batteries.     

Synthesis and electropolymerization of 1,2-bis(thiophen-3-ylmethoxy)benzene and its electrochromic properties and electrochromic device application

A new thiophene-based monomer; 1,2-bis(thiophen-3-ylmethoxy)benzene (BTMB) has been synthesized and chemical structure of the monomer was characterized. Polymerization of BTMB and characterization of the resulting polymer P(BTMB) were performed. Spectroelectrochemical analysis of the P(BTMB) reflected electronic transitions at 400 nm, 520 nm and ～720 nm, corresponding to π–π* transition, polaron and bipolaron band formation respectively. Switching ability was evaluated by a kinetic study via measuring the transmittance (%T) at the maximum contrast. Dual type all polymer electrochromic device (ECD) based on P(BTMB) and poly(ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was constructed. Spectroelectrochemistry and switching ability of the devices were investigated by UV–vis spectroscopy.     

Radiolysis of aqueous solutions of poly(vinyl alcohol) at 77 K

Paramagnetic products of low-temperature X-ray radiolysis of aqueous poly(vinyl alcohol) solutions (2.5 and 5% by weight) were studied by ESR spectroscopy. Experimental spectra were ascribed to a superposition of signals from hydroxyl radicals and –CH₂?^?C(OH)–CH₂? macroradicals (C_α-macroradicals), respectively. No ESR signals corresponding to trapped electrons were observed that was attributed to the peculiarities of microheterogenous structure of the frozen aqueous polymer solutions. Annealing at 115 K resulted in partial conversion of OH radicals to C_α-macroradicals. It was suggested that main part of hydroxyl radicals was stabilized in phase of polycrystalline ice while macroradicals were formed in “mixed” water–polymer phase. The radiation–chemical yields of paramagnetic species stabilized in the systems under study were determined.     

Dielectric spectroscopy of biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) films

In this paper, we report a systematic study of the dielectric relaxation spectroscopy of biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) polyester which has potential applications as a “green” dielectric material in electronic devices. The dielectric spectra was measured over a wide frequency range (10⁰ ～ 10⁷ Hz) from ?100 to 60 °C. A glass and a sub-glass transition relaxations were observed in the dielectric spectra of PHBHHx. In addition, a nearly constant loss behavior was found by analyzing the dielectric and conductivity spectra.     

A new composite polymer electrolyte based on poly(ethyleneoxide)/ polysiloxane/BMImTFSI/organomontmorillonite

Composite polymer electrolytes based on poly(ethylene oxide)-polysiloxane/l-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide/organomontmorillonite(PEO-PDMS/1L/OMMT) were prepared and characterized.Addition of both an ionic liquid and OMMT to the polymer base of PEO-PDMS resulted in an increase in ionic conductivity.At room temperature,the ionic conductivity of sample PPB100-OMMT4 was 2.19×10~3 S/cm.The composite polymer electrolyte also exhibited high thermal and electrochemical stability and may potentially be applied in lithium batteries.