Dielectric relaxation studies of poly(propylene glycol) confined in vermiculite clay

The European Physical Journal E - The molecular dynamics of oligomeric poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) liquids ( M w =1200, 2000 and 4000 g/mol) confined in a two-dimensional layer-structured...     

Monte Carlo Simulations of Chain Dimensions and Conformational Properties of Various Poly(n-alkyl methacrylates) in Solution

Rotational Isomeric State (RIS) Metropolis Monte Carlo (RMMC) simulations of the conformational properties and chain dimensions of a series of chemically different poly(n-alkyl methacrylates) including poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(n-butyl methacrylate), poly(n-hexyl methacrylate), and poly(phenyl methacrylate), in the θ state were investigated, and (〈r²〉/M)^1/2, (〈s²〉/M)^1/2 and C _n were calculated and compared in order to obtain fundamental understanding of the influence of the chemical structure. Simulations were conducted for different molecular weights. Results obtained from the simulations are compared with experimentally obtained dimensions in the literature using the Mark-Houwink relationship as well as, in some cases, data available from direct determinations in θ solvents. Good agreement between simulation and experimental data was obtained. The backbone conformation is predominantly trans in these polymers. Increase in bulkiness and rigidity of the substituting acrylate side group results in an increase in trans and a decrease in gauche backbone conformer population. In the case of rotatable bonds in the side-group structure, increase in rigidity of the side group leads to a decrease in the trans population, although this effect is not uniformly observed.     

Surface modification of PVDF membrane via AGET ATRP directly from the membrane surface

This contribution demonstrates a method for PVDF microporous membrane modification via surface-initiated activators generated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP) directly from the membrane surface. Three hydrophilic polymers, poly(2-(N,N-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA), poly(2-oligo (ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether methacrylate) (POEGMA), and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), were grafted from the PVDF membrane surface in aqueous solution at room temperature. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the successful covalent tethering of the polymer chains onto the PVDF membrane surface. The gravimetry results indicated an approximately linear increase of the graft yields, up to about 330 μg/cm² for DMAEMA and 470 μg/cm² for both HEMA and OEGMA, with the polymerization time. Block copolymer brushes were prepared by chain extension. Water contact angle decreased over 50% for high yields, indicating improved surface hydrophilicity. The effects of the graft polymerization on membrane surface morphology, pore structure and permeability were investigated. It was found that the surface roughness was decreased and the pore size distribution was narrowed. The membrane permeability increased at low graft yields due to the enhanced hydrophilicity and decreased at high graft yields due to the overall reduction of the pore diameters.     

Single-ion conductivity enhancement for the composite polymer electrolytes based on Li(PVAOB)/PPEGMA for lithium-ion batteries

In the present work, a series of single-ion conducting composite polymer electrolytes based on lithium polyvinyl alcohol oxalate borate (Li(PVAOB)) and poly(polyethylene glycol methacrylate) (PPEGMA) were produced. PEGMA was polymerized into PPEGMA, and the Li(PVAOB) was prepared from poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), oxalic acid, and boric acid. Li(PVAOB) was blended with PPEGMA at different stoichiometric ratios to obtain a single-ion conducting system. All the electrolytes were characterized by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. These results verified the interaction between host and guest polymers, sufficient thermal stability within the measured conductivity domain, and the homogeneity of the composite electrolytes. The effect of PPEGMA onto the ionic conductivity was investigated using impedance spectroscopy. The Li(PVAOB)-60PPEGMA is the optimum content, and this sample has a maximum ionic conductivity of 3 × 10^?4 S/cm at 100 °C which is approximately five orders of magnitude higher than neat Li(PVAOB). Activation energy (E _a ) of ionic transport decreased from 11.9 to 0.27 kJ/mol, suggesting a much faster ionic mobility for higher PPEGMA-containing samples.     

A new hyperbranched star polyether electrolyte with high ionic conductivity

Hyperbranched poly(glycidol) containing hydroxyl groups was firstly synthesized via anionic polymerization and then reacted with 2-bromoisobutyl bromide to form macroinitiator HPG-Br. Finally, a hyperbranched star polymer (HPG-PPEGMA) was successfully prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate using HPG-Br as macroinitiator. The structures and properties of the obtained polymers were characterized by ¹H NMR, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolytes composed of HPG-PPEGMA and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (LiTFSI) was investigated via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that the room temperature ionic conductivity of the prepared hyperbranched star polymer electrolytes had a higher ionic conductivity. When [EO]/[Li] was 20, the ionic conductivity of the hyperbranched star polymer electrolyte was up to 1?×?10^?4 Scm^?1 at 30 °C. The onset decomposition temperature of the hyperbranched star polyether could reach 374 °C, indicating that the hyperbranched star polymer had a good thermal stability. The XRD results showed that the structure of the hyperbranched star polymer was beneficial to improve the ionic conductivity due to possessing a low degree of crystallinity.     

Electrocaloric effect in ferroelectric polymers

The electrocaloric effect (ECE) of poly (vinyledene fluoride?Ctrifluoroethylene) (P(VDF?CTrFE)) 55/45?mol% copolymers was directly measured, which confirms the results deduced from Maxwell relation. The adiabatic temperature change ??T under a given electric field peaks at the ferroelectric?Cparaelectric (FE?CPE) transition. Away from it, ECE becomes small. ??T versus applied electric field can be described well by a modified Belov?CGoryaga equation. The ECE in ferroelectric polymers, especially near FE?CPE transition where larger ECE is observed, are analyzed under different boundary conditions employing phenomenological theory and constitutive equations. The secondary pyroelectricity is found to play a significant role which enhances ECE in ferroelectric polymers.     

Inherent Microporosity and Photostability of Fluoroacrylic Polymer Films Studied by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance of Nitroxide Spin Probes

Efficient and straightforward methods for characterization of polymers with inherent microporosity are demanded in their targeted design for particular applications. Among critical parameters to be obtained are the size of the pores and polymer stability against photoirradiation. Herewith, we demonstrate the efficiency of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy applied to this task. We use stable nitroxide radicals (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpyperidine-1-oxyl) (TEMPO) as reporter spin probes for EPR and investigate a series of perspective polymers with inherent microporosity developed for pressure sensitive paints (PSP), namely, poly(1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropylmethacrylate-co-2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutylmethacrylate) (FIB), its two modifications poly(1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropylmethacrylate-co-2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutylmethacrylate-co-1-(4-(4-chloro-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-one) (NS4) and poly(1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropylmethacrylate-co-2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutylmethacrylate-co-1-(4-(4-tert-butylphenylsulfonyl)piperazin-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-one) (NS5), as well as poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) and poly(1,1,2,2-perfluorooctylmethacrylate) (PFOMA). Nitroxides were incorporated into the pores of the polymers post-synthetically via a gas-phase sorption, and the mobility of nitroxides tracked by EPR yielded information on the pore sizes and polymer degradation under ultraviolet light. The conclusions obtained by EPR have been supported by a variety of other techniques, thus demonstrating EPR to be a very convenient tool for express analysis of porous polymers.     

The permittivities of PVDF/PMMA blends at hydrostatic pressure

The complex permittivities of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PVDF/PMMA) blends have been measured under variation of temperature T(20°-60°C), frequency v(5 Hz-300 kHz), and hydrostatic pressure p (0-260 MPa). The values can be represented by a master curve with the shift factors △p/△ log (v/Hz) = ?140 MPa at room temperature and △ (1 /T) /△ log (v/Hz) = ?2. 10^?4 K^?1 at atmospheric pressure. The dependence of the activation energy △E _A on pressure p is then given by △E _A=(100 + 0.02 MPa^?1 p) kJ/mol. Furthermore, the results indicate that the β-relaxation of PVDF is due to motions in the crystal-amorphous interphase. The interactions between the two polymers, which are miscible at all compositions, disturb the correlations between the PVDF monomer units at that location as well as the mobility of the PMMA side group.     

Complexation of divalent metal ions with diols in the presence of anion auxiliary ligands: zinc-induced oxidation of ethylene glycol to glycolaldehyde by consecutive hydride ion and proton shifts

Ternary complexes of the type AH???M(2+)???L(-) (AH?=?diol, including diethylene and triethylene glycol, M?=?Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn and auxiliary anion ligand L(-) =?CH(3)COO(-), HCOO(-) and Cl(-)) have been generated in the gas phase by MALDI and ESI, and their dissociation characteristics have been obtained. Use of the auxiliary ligands enables the complexation of AH with the divalent metal ion without AH becoming deprotonated, although A(-)???M(2+) is often also generated in the ion source or after MS/MS. For M?=?Ca, dissociation occurs to AH?+?M(2+)???L(-) and/or to A(-)???M(2+) + LH, the latter being produced from the H-shifted isomer A(-) ???M(2+)???LH. For a given ligand L(-), the intensity ratio of these processes can be interpreted (barring reverse energy barriers) in terms of the quantity PA(A(-)) - Ca(aff) (A(-)), where PA is the proton affinity and Ca(aff) is the calcium ion affinity. Deuterium labeling shows that the complex ion HOCH(2)CH(2) OH???Zn(2+)???(-)OOCCH(3), in addition to losing acetic acid (60 Da), also eliminates glycolaldehyde (HOCH(2)CH=O, also 60 Da); it is proposed that these reactions commence with a hydride ion shift to produce the ion-dipole complex HOCH(2)CHOH(+)??? HZnOOCCH(3), which then undergoes proton transfer and dissociation to HOCH(2)CH=O?+?HZn(+)???O?=?C(OH)CH(3). In this reaction, ethylene glycol is oxidized by consecutive hydride ion and proton shifts. A minor process leads to loss of the isomeric species HOCH=CHOH.     

THE APPLICATIONS OF NUCLEAR SPIN RELAXATION TO POLYMER DYNAMICS AND INTERMOLECULAR INTERACTIONS

The correlation functions of the side - groups and side ?chains of polymers are obtained for nuclear spin relaxation if the segmental motion of the polymers is described by VJGM model, these functions are derived from unequal two ?side and three -site jump internal rotation, diffusion internal rotation, restricted internal rotation and multiple internal rotation. The corresponding spectral density functions are also given, and these functions are used to interpret the nuclear spin relaxation data of the side-groups of some polymers. The average spectral density functions of side-groups are derived under the magic angle spinning, the correlation times and diffusion coefficients of the side-groups of crosslinked poly (methyl methacry-latcs) and solid poly(vinylbutyral) are obtained by using these average spectral density functions. The multiphase structures of nylon 6, poly (ethylenc glycol) and its complexes are investigated with cross ?polarization and magic angle spinning techniques.Three methods using     

Effect of polymer adsorption on the water structure at the quartz/water interface studied by optical sum frequency generation

The effect of polymers weakly adsorbed on a quartz surface on the structure of the interfacial water molecules was investigated by optical sum frequency (SF) spectroscopy. As polymers, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), and two types of tri-block copolymer of Pluronic L64 and 17R-4 were used. SF intensity spectra of OH stretching mode of water molecules at the interface between a quartz substrate and aqueous solutions of the polymers were measured. The total SF intensity of the interfacial water of the L64 aqueous solution was smaller than those of other solutions. This result indicates that the L64 aqueous solution has smaller number of oriented interfacial water molecules. It is suggested that the rapid motion of hydrophilic parts of the adsorbed L64 disturbs the average orientation of the interfacial water molecules. On the other hand, the SF intensity from the interfacial water molecules of aqueous solutions with high ion strength did not depend on the species of the polymers in the solutions. The latter result suggests that the hydration of ions determines the structure of the interfacial water molecules.     

Preparation and Properties of 2, 4-2-Isocyanic Acid Methyl Ester/Poly(ϵ-caprolactone)/Diethylene Glycol Hydrogels

The hydrophilic polyurethane (PU) hydrogels have become attractive in the biomedical field for drug delivery. In this work 2, 4-2-isocyanic acid methyl ester (TDI), poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL), and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were used to prepare a prepolymer and then diethylene glycol (DEG) was used as a chain extender to prepare a novel hydrophilic polyurethane, TDI/PCL-PEG/DEG. The obtained PU hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). By varying the ratio of PCL to PEG in the copolymer, modulations of hydrophilicity and drug release behavior were observed. FT-IR analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of the TDI/PCL-PEG/DEG hydrogels. The introduction of PEG into the PU hydrogels led to a porous structure. The water contact angle and swelling ratio results confirmed that the hydrophilicity increased with increasing amounts of the PEG segments. The introduction of PEG also increased the release rate of chloramphenicol, used as model drug, from the PU hydrogels.     

Effects of temperature gradient induced nanoparticle motion on conduction and convection of fluid

The continuous synthesis of nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs) in a static microchannel T-mixer by the reduction of NiCl₂·6H₂O in the presence of ethylene glycol without a stabilizing/capping agent was investigated. The nanoparticles were formed in accordance with the modified polyol process with hydrazine used as a reducing agent and NaOH as a catalyst for nanoparticle formation. The reaction mechanism for NiNP formation was investigated in batch with the help of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Parameters were found for reducing reaction times from 60 to 1?min. The effects of temperature (60?C120?°C) and NaOH concentration (0.1 and 0.5?M) on batch-processed particle characteristics were also studied using XRD, transmission electron microscope and electron microprobe analysis. Average particle size was reduced from 9.2?±?2.9 to 5.4?±?0.9?nm at higher temperature and NaOH concentration. Adaptation of this chemistry to a static microchannel T-mixer for continuous synthesis resulted in smooth, spherical particles. Increases in the reaction temperature from 120 to 130?°C resulted in a narrow size distribution of 5.3?±?1?nm and also resulted in magnetic properties of 5.1?emu/g (saturation magnetization), 1.1?emu/g (remanent magnetization), and 62?Oe (coercivity).     

Ultrasonic-assisted extraction of polyphenolic compounds from Paederia scandens (Lour.) Merr. Using deep eutectic solvent: optimization,identification, and comparison with traditional methods

Ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) coupled with deep eutectic solvent (DES) is a novel, efficient and green extraction method for phytochemicals. In this study, the effects of 16 DESs coupled with UAE on the extraction rate of polyphenols from Paederia scandens (Lour.) Merr. (P. scandens), an edible and medicinal herb, were investigated. DES synthesised with choline chloride and ethylene glycol at a 1:2 M ratio resulted in the highest extractability. Moreover, the effects of extraction parameters were investigated by using a two-level factorial experiment followed by response surface methodology The optimal parameters (water content in DES of 49.2%, the actual ultrasonic power of 72.4 W, and ultrasonic time of 9.7 min) resulted in the optimal total flavonoid content (TFC) (27.04 mg CE/g DW), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value (373.27 μmol Fe(Ⅱ)E/g DW) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid radical (ABTS⁺) value (48.64 μmol TE/g DW), closely matching the experimental results. Furthermore, a comparison study demonstrated that DES-UAE afforded the higher TFC and FRAP value than traditional extraction methods. 36 individual polyphenolic compounds were identified and quantified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) in P. scandens extracts, and of which 30 were found in the extracts obtained by DES-UAE. Additionally, DES-UAE afforded the highest sum of individual polyphenolic compound content. These results revealed that DES-UAE enhanced the extraction efficiency for polyphenols and provided a scientific basis for further processing and utilization of P. scandens.     

Preparation and characterization of biodegradable magnetic carriers by single emulsion-solvent evaporation

This paper describes a single emulsion-solvent evaporation protocol to prepare PEGylated biodegradable/biocompatible magnetic carriers by utilizing hydrophobic magnetite and a mixture of poly(D,L lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and poly(lactic acid-block-polyethylene glycol) (PLA-PEG) (26:1 by mass) polymers. We characterized the magnetic microspheres in terms of morphology, composite microstructure, size and size distribution, and magnetic properties. Results show that the preparation produces magnetic microspheres with a good spherical morphology, small size (mean diameter of 1.2–1.5 μm) by means of large size distributions, and magnetizations up to 20–30 emu/g of microspheres.     

Fiber Structure,Tensile Behavior and Antibacterial Activity of Polylactide/Poly(butylene terephthalate) Bicomponent Fibers Produced by High-Speed Melt-Spinning

Abstract

Various types of bicomponent fibers composed of polylactide (PLA) and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) with different molecular weights, arranging the polymers separately in the skin or core, were produced by high-speed melt-spinning. The bicomponent spinning, arranging the PLA with high molecular weight (melt flow rate =1.9?g/10?min, L-lactide content = 98.7%) in the skin and the PBT with low molecular weight (IV = 0.835–0.865 dL/g) in the core, resulted in orientation-induced crystallization in the PLA component at the spinning speed of 2?km/min. This crystallization effect was ascribed to a chain-extending treatment applied to the original PLA (MFR = 4.0?g/10?min) to increase its molecular weight. By the treatment the PLA could crystallize when spun even at 1?km/min in its single-component spinning. On the other hand, the bicomponent spinning system interfered with the orientation-induced crystallization of PBT in the core. As a result, the critical spinning speed needed to generate the orientation-induced crystallization in the core PBT was elevated to 4?km/min. The inferior tensile behavior of the bicomponent fibers, as compared to the single-component PLA or PBT fibers, suggested poor compatibility between PLA and PBT. Transesterification reactions rarely occurred at the interface of the two polymers. The bicomponent fibers prepared from high molecular weight PLA and low molecular weight PBT, however, showed sufficient antibacterial activity and physical properties to be suitable for designing medical clothing materials.     

On the thermodynamic driving force for polymer intercalation in smectite clays

The view that the intercalation of a polymer in an unmodified smectite clay is driven by the entropic increase that results from displacement of adsorbed water is re-assessed in the light of experiments that show rapid melt intercalation into a clay that has been heat-treated to remove gallery water. Dehydrated smectite clays with collapsed layers take up poly(ethylene glycol) from the melt in only 1?ks or from aqueous solution in under 18?ks, re-establishing the basal plane spacing to that for intercalation in untreated clay, 1.8?nm. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the intercalation of poly(ethylene glycol) into montmorillonite is exothermic with an enthalpy change of ?153?J?g^?1 based on the intercalated polymer and the heat of wetting for the internal surfaces of montmorillonite by poly(ethylene glycol) is ?0.08?J?m^?2. These results confirm the observation of re-expansion of heat-treated clays and imply that the reduction in free energy on intercalation results from a significant enthalpic change as well as an entropic change for clays with interlayer water, and primarily from an enthalpic change for clay in the absence of water.     

Tandem mass spectrometry of poly(ethylene imine)s by electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)

In this contribution, linear poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) polymers, which are of importance in gene delivery, are investigated in detail by using electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time of flight (ESI-Q-TOF) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). The analyzed PEIs with different end groups were synthesized using the polymerization of substituted 2-oxazoline via a living cationic ring-opening polymerization (CROP) and a subsequent hydrolysis under acidic conditions. The main goal of this study was to identify linear PEI polymers in a detailed way to gain information about their fragmentation pathways. For this purpose, a detailed characterization of three different linear PEIs was performed by using ESI-Q-TOF and MALDI-TOF MS in combination with collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments. In ESI-MS as well as MALDI-MS analysis, the obtained spectra of PEIs resulted in fitting mass distributions for the investigated PEIs. In the tandem MS analysis, a 1,2-hydride shift with a charge-remote rearrangement via a four-membered cyclic transition state, as well as charge-induced fragmentation reactions, was proposed as the main fragmentation mechanisms according to the obtained fragmentation products from the protonated parent peaks. In addition, heterolytic and homolytic cleavages were proposed as alternative fragmentation pathways. Moreover, a 1,4-hydrogen elimination was proposed to explain different fragmentation products obtained from the sodiated parent peaks.     

Preparation and Characterization of a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for Selective Recognition of Trichlorfon and Monocrotophos

In this study, a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) that can selectively recognize both the trichlorfon and the structurally related compound of monocrotophos pesticides was prepared using mixtures of trichlorfon and monocrotophos as template molecules, methacrylic acid (MAA) as a functional monomer, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross-linker. The polymerization conditions had an important influence on the adsorption ability of imprinted polymer. When the ratio of trichlorfon and monocrotophos was 1.5:1 (mol/mol), the MIP had high adsorption capacity. The prepared polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and static and kinetic adsorption experiments. The results indicated that the P = O groups of trichlorfon and monocrotophos reacted with the -OH groups of MAA during the synthesis of MIP. The imprinted polymer exhibited good recognition ability and higher selectivity toward trichlorfon and monocrotophos than the structurally related pesticide compounds of acephate and methamidophos, and offered fast kinetics for solid phase by the MIP adsorption of trichlorfon and monocrotophos from liquid phase.     

Dielectric relaxation studies of poly(propylene glycol) confined in vermiculite clay

The molecular dynamics of oligomeric poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) liquids (M(w)=1200, 2000 and 4000 g/mol) confined in a two-dimensional layer-structured Na-vermiculite clay has been studied by broadband dielectric spectroscopy. In addition to the alpha-relaxation, the normal mode relaxation process was studied for all samples both in bulk and confinement. For the normal mode process the relaxation rate in the clay is drastically shifted to lower frequencies compared to that of the bulk material in contrast to the alpha-process whose relaxation time is only slightly affected by the confinement. Also the temperature dependence of the relaxation time for the normal mode process is strongly affected by the confinement. Moreover, in the clay the intensity of the normal mode is stronger than that of the alpha-process, in contrast to the bulk samples where the opposite is observed.