Chemical treatment of membranes of a polymer blend: Mechanism of the reaction of hypochlorite with poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)

Sodium hypochlorite solutions are used to treat membranes prepared from a polymeric blend containing poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) to increase their water permeability. Sodium hypochlorite affects the membrane material in such a way that PVP is selectively removed from the membrane matrix. The mechanism of the reaction between hypochlorite and PVP is investigated by several chemical analysis techniques of the reaction products. Strong indications are found that the reaction involves chain scission of PVP according to a radical mechanism. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Interaction of collagen and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) in blends

The interaction between collagen and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) in blends has been studied by viscometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It was found that the amide A and amide I bands position in FTIR spectra of collagen were shifted after blending with PVP to higher wavenumbers. DSC measurements showed different melting temperature, glass transition temperature and enthalpy for the blends and for the single components. Viscosity measurements showed interaction between collagen and PVP also in a dilute water solution.The results have shown, that the interactions between collagen and PVP exist due to the strong interactions between the synthetic and biological component, mainly by hydrogen bonds. These interactions caused that collagen and PVP are miscible at molecular level. The blending of collagen with PVP may give the possibility of producing new materials for potential biomedical applications.     

Water sorption and transport in blends of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) and polysulfone

Water sorption and transport properties for a series of miscible blends of hydrophobic bisphenol A polysulfone and hydrophilic poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) are reported. Study was restricted to blends that remained homogeneous after exposure to liquid water. The solubility of water in the blend films increased with increasing hydrophilic polymer content. Equilibrium sorption isotherms show dual-mode behavior at low activities and swelling behavior at high activities. The sorption kinetics are generally Fickian for blends containing 20% poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) or less, but exhibit two-stage behavior in blends containing 40% poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). Diffusion coefficients extrapolated to zero concentration decrease with increasing poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) content, owing to a decrease in the fractional free volume. However, the diffusion coefficient becomes a greater function of activity as the composition of hydrophilic polymer in the blend is increased, due to plasticization of the material by large levels of sorbed water. Permeability coefficients generally decrease with increasing poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) content for blends containing 20% poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) or less because the decrease in the diffusion coefficient is greater than the increase in the solubility coefficient. Blends containing 40% poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) have permeability coefficients greater than those of polysulfone due to high water solubility. The permeability coefficients depend on water concentration in approximately the same way for all blends. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys, 35: 655–674, 1997     

Intrinsic adhesion properties of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) to pharmaceutical materials: humidity effect

Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) is widely used for bioengineering and pharmaceutical applications, and its adhesion characteristics are critical. When used as a binder in pharmaceutical granulation, it covers the resultant granules and governs their surface properties. The intrinsic adhesion forces of PVP toward common hydrophobic (magnesium stearate) and hydrophilic (lactose) pharmaceutical materials have been studied as a function of relative humidity (RH). The effect of RH on adhesion force was more significant for the PVP/hydrophilic material than the PVP/hydrophobic material. Adhesion was lowest between 20 and 40% RH, and it increased at RH above 40% and below 20%. This is likely to be due to the development of capillary and triboelectrification forces, respectively. In a nano-indentation experiment using a silicon tip at room temperature, the PVP surface underwent a glass transition at 70% RH. This result suggests that surface softening contributes to the increased PVP adhesion at RH above 70%. To adjust the adhesion properties of PVP, humidity control should be an essential part of research and development. Effect of humidity on the adhesion forces between PVP and lactose (LT) or magnesium stearate (MS).     

Structural characterization of temperature-sensitive hydrogels by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM)

The submicrometer structure of the temperature-sensitive hydrogels was observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), using synthesized hydrogels of different outer size and shape. The hydrogel structure strongly depends on the homogeneity of the polymer chains during the crosslinking process. A porous structure of the poly(vinyl-methyl-ether) (PVME) bulkgel, synthesized by electron beam irradiation of a concentrated polymer solution, was observed in the swollen state because the phase transitions temperature is acquired through the crosslinking process. Photo-crosslinking reaction of the poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) copolymer in the dry state to form PNIPAAm thin films leads to a rather homogeneous structure. In the shrunk state both gels possess structure being more compact than in the swollen state. We also synthesized PVME and PNIPAAm gels with small outer dimensions in the range of some 100 nm. Heating of the thermo-sensitive polymer in diluted solutions collapses the polymer chains or aggregates. The crosslinking reaction (initiated by electron beam or UV irradiation) of these phase separated structures produces thermo-sensitive microgels. These microgel particles of PVME and PNIPAAm are spherical shape having diameters in the range of 30 - 500 nm.     

Synthesis of ion-free latex particles composed of polybutadiene and poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) as polymer electrolyte materials

The synthesis of polybutadiene (PB) by emulsion polymerization with use of poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) stabilizer was investigated. The goal was to prepare flexible latex films that clearly retain particle morphology in the solid state after heat treatment and contain no ionic, hydroxyl, or (primary, secondary) amino groups. The latex particle core composed of PB was nonpolar and rubbery, while the particle shell composed of PVP was polar and glassy. Average particle diameter was measured by the dynamic light scattering technique, and particles were imaged by scanning and transmission electron microscopic analyses. Dialysis of the latices resulted in successful exchange of the dispersion medium without precipitation. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Miscibility of poly(vinyl methyl ether) and poly(styrene-co-2-vinylnaphthalene) blends by FT-IR spectroscopy and Tg measurements

Miscibility of blends consisting of poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) and poly(styreneco-2-vinylnaphthalene) [P(S-co-2VN)] was investigated by means of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Copolymers containing 21, 51, and 84 wt % of styrene were synthesized by radical polymerization. Based on optical clarity and glass transition temperatures, it was shown that the miscibility in P(S-co-2VN)/PVME blends is largely affected by compositions of the copolymers as well as concentrations of the blend. From the FT-IR results, the relative intensity at 1100 cm^?1 peak of COCH₃ band of PVME and the position of naphthyl ring of 2VN were sensitive to the miscibility of the blends. It was observed that blends of PVME with P(S-co-2VN) of 84 wt % styrene or P(S-co-2VN) of 51 wt % styrene are miscible over the entire concentration ranges of the blends. Blends of PVME with P(S-co-2VN) containing 21 wt % of styrene are immiscible below 65 wt % PVME. In the miscible P(S-co-2VN)/PVME blends, there was observed a large shift in the naphthyl frequency at a characteristic wavelength of 748 cm^?1. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Study of PVB aggregation process by electron microscopy

The structure of aggregates formed from poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We have found that the primary associated particles are nearly spherical and, as the association advances, the particles lengthen. Eventually aggregates branch to form a three-dimensional network. The bulk PVB was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We have found that the bulk PVB grains are aggregates of the particles the shape and dimension of which are similar to those of the primary associated particles formed in PVB solution. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons. Inc.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-capped bismuth nanospheres

Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-capped bismuth nanospheres were synthesized by a simple and convenient wet chemical method. In the process, bismuth nitrate was reduced by ethylene glycol in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) at 185 °C in air. PVP was used as a protecting agent to prevent oxidation of the sperical bismuth particles. PVP molecules were absorbed on the surface of bismuth nanospheres through the interaction of O–Bi bond which was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) measurement. The thermal analysis shows the samples contained about 73 wt.% metallic bismuth. The optical absorption spectrum of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-capped bismuth nanosphere shows a strong absorption band at 275 nm.     

弹性体偶联剂结构对PVC/PPC性能的影响

NBR－PPC弹性体偶联剂能促进PPC（聚丙撑碳酸酯）与PVC（聚氯乙烯）之间的相容性，改善共混物的力学性能，并在共混体系中产生轻度交联。偶联剂组成在NBR／PPC比例为70／30，NBR（丁腈橡胶）含腈量为34％，BPO过氧化苯甲酸用量为2．5份时，共混物的综合力学性能最佳，但偶联剂预先硫化时间不宜过长．     

Rheological behaviour of irradiated wound dressing poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) hydrogels

The use of hydrogels as biomaterials has increased lately. Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) is an example of polymer hydrogels applied for the synthesis of hydrogel to be used in different biomedical applications. This paper describes a study on rheological properties of PVP hydrogels obtained by gamma radiation techniques. PVP hydrogels were obtained by gamma radiation of PVP water solutions with different radiation doses. It was studied the influence of additives such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and glycerol on the rheological behaviour of the gel. The rheological behaviour of hydrogel samples was characterized by measuring the shear storage modulus (G′) under dynamic shear loading. Besides this, sterility and cytotoxicity tests were performed. The study on rheological behaviour of hydrogels showed that G′ of PVP gels change according to the additive used. Glycerol increases the fluidity of the gel. The influence of PEG depends on the amount and on its molecular mass. The increase on PEG amount and molecular mass cause a decrease of G′ and an increase in the crosslinking density of PVP hydrogel network. The use of high molecular weight PEO allows the increase of the elasticity of the PVP gels.     

Interactions between metal chlorides and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) in concentrated solutionsand solid‐state films

The rheological behavior of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP)/N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) solutions containing metal chlorides (LiCl, CaCl₂, and CoCl₂) were investigated, and the results showed that the nature of the metal ions and their concentration had an obvious effect on the steady‐state rheological behavior of PVP–DMF solutions with different molecular weights. The apparent viscosity of the PVP–DMF solutions increased with an increasing metal‐ion concentration, and the viscosity increment was dependent on the metal‐ion variety_. For a CaCl₂‐containing PVP–DMF solution, for example, the critical shear rate at the onset of shear thinning became smaller with increasing CaCl₂ concentration. It was believed that multiple interactions among metal ions, carbonyl groups of PVP, and amide groups in DMF determined the solution properties of these complex fluids; therefore, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy was used to detect the interactions in systems of PVP–CaCl₂–DMF and PVP–LiCl–DMF solutions. NMR data showed that there were obvious interactions between the metal ions and the carbonyl groups of the PVP segments in the DMF solutions. Furthermore, IR spectra of the PVP/metal chloride composites demonstrated that the interaction between the metal ions and carbonyl groups in the PVP unit occurred and that the PVP chain underwent conformational variations with the metal‐ion concentration. DSC results indicated that the glass transition temperatures of the PVP/metal chloride composites increased with the addition of metal ions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1589–1598, 2007     

Thermal characterization and solid‐state 13C‐NMR investigation of blends of poly(N‐phenyl‐2‐hydroxytrimethylene amine) and poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone)

The miscibility and thermal properties of poly(N‐phenyl‐2‐hydroxytrimethylene amine)/poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone) (PHA/PVP) blends were examined by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), high‐resolution solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that PHA is miscible with PVP, as shown by the existence of a single composition‐dependent glass transition temperature (T_g) in the whole composition range. The DSC results, together with the ¹³C crosspolarization (CP)/magic angle spinning (MAS)/high‐power dipolar decoupling (DD) spectra of the blends, revealed that there exist rather strong intermolecular interactions between PHA and PVP. The increase in hydrogen bonding and in T_g of the blends was found to broaden the line width of CH—OH carbon resonance of PHA. The measurement of the relaxation time showed that the PHA/PVP blends are homogeneous at least on the scale of 1–2 nm. The proton spin‐lattice relaxation in both the laboratory frame and the rotating frame were studied as a function of the blend composition, and it was found that blending did not appreciably affect the spectral densities of motion (sub‐T_g relaxation) in the mid‐MHz and mid‐KHz frequency ranges. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that PHA has rather good thermal stability, and the thermal stability of the blend can be further improved with increasing PVP content. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 237–245, 1999     

Investigations of the microscopic structure of poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels by confocal laser scanning microscopy

The fluorescence mode confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is introduced as an alternative method to investigate the bulk structure of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel. Investigations of the bulk structure of hydrogel samples, prepared by freezing and controlled thawing of aqueous PVA solutions followed by fluorochrome conjugation, were possible in the native state because with this technique water does not need to be removed prior to examination. This is of advantage to other methods, such as scanning electron microscopy, requiring dehydration by critical-point drying or freeze-etching, because both may result in a significant alteration of the gel structure. CLSM images of the hydrogel bulk structure were taken at several successive intervals from the surface into the hydrogel (up to 60 μm) without freeze-fracturing or cutting the sample. Detailed morphological characterization is achievable by superimposing series of images taken at successive intervals and by magnifying special regions of interest. Images of hydrogel bulk structures revealed a continuous, three-dimensional network that originates from phase-separation (spinodal decomposition) during the freezing period. The pore or mesh size in the cryogel increased, from about 2–7 μm, with decreasing PVA concentration. The surface layer was only a few microns thick, and the bulk structure underneath showed neither porosity gradients nor structural orientations. Received: 29 April 2000/Accepted: 18 August 2000     

Molecular modeling simulation and experimental measurements to characterize chitosan and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blend interactions

Blends of chitosan and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) have a high potential for use in various biomedical applications and in advanced drug‐delivery systems. Recently, the physical and chemical properties of these blends have been extensively characterized. However, the molecular interaction between these two polymers is not fully understood. In this study, the intermolecular interaction between chitosan and PVP was experimentally investigated using ¹³C cross‐polarization magic angle‐spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C CP/MAS NMR) and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). According to these experimental results, the interaction between the polymers takes place through the carbonyl group of PVP and either the OH? C₆, OH? C₃, or NH? C₂ of chitosan. In an attempt to identify the interacting groups of these polymers, molecular modeling simulation was performed. Molecular simulation was able to clarify that the hydrogen atom of OH? C₆ of chitosan was the most favorable site to form hydrogen bonding with the oxygen atom of C?O of PVP, followed by that of OH? C₃, whereas that of NH? C₂ was the weakest proton donor group. The nitrogen atom of PVP was not involved in the intermolecular interaction between these polymers. Furthermore, the interactions between these polymers are higher when PVP concentrations are lower, and interactions decrease with increasing amounts of PVP. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1258–1264, 2008     

Studies of photooxidative degradation of poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(ethylene oxide) blends

The photooxidative degradation of blends (in a full range of compositions) of amorphous poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with semicrystalline poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in the form of thin films is investigated using absorption spectroscopy (UV–visible and Fourier transform infrared) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The amount of insoluble gel formed as a result of photocrosslinking is estimated gravimetrically. It is found that the PVC/PEO blendsí susceptibility to photooxidative degradation differs from that pure of the components and depends on the blend composition and morphology. Photoreactions such as degradation and oxidation are accelerated whereas dehydrochlorination is retarded in blends. The photocrosslinking efficiency in PVC/PEO blends is higher than in PVC; moreover, PEO is also involved in this process. AFM images showing the lamellar structure of semicrystalline PEO in the blend lead to the conclusion that the presence of PVC does not disturb the crystallization process of PEO. The changes induced by UV irradiation allow the observation of more of the distinct PEO crystallites. This is probably caused by recrystallization of short, more mobile chains in degraded PEO or by partial removal of the less stable amorphous phase from the film surface. These results confirm previous information on the miscibility of PVC with PEO. The mechanism of the interactions between the components and the blend photodegradation are discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 585–602, 2004     

High-performances membranes for pervaporation I. Poly(vinyl alcohol)–poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) blends

Dense membranes were prepared from poly(vinyl alcohol)–poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVA–PVP) blends of different compositions and studied in swelling and dehydration by pervaporation of three organic solvents contaminated by 5 wt% water. The swelling generally increases with the PVP content. No extraction occurs in water–tetrahydrofuran (THF) and water–methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) mixtures. In ethanol containing 10 wt% of water, there is no extraction for blends containing less than 40 wt% PVP and an increasing extraction beyond this PVP content. The pervaporation flux of the water–ethanol mixture increases drastically at the same threshold whereas the water permselectivity falls to a low level. The values of the diffusion and permeability coefficients determined from transient permeation of the test water–ethanol mixture exhibit a similar sudden increase at the same PVP content threshold. This singular behavior of the blend membranes is interpreted by a strong affinity of the PVP component to ethanol, combined with a disappearance of crystallites in the blend at this threshold. Consequently the amorphous membrane can swell freely according to the affinity of the PVP component, leading to the observed behavior.     

Interactions and prediction of phase diagrams in ternary blends comprising poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl p‐phenol), and poly(methyl methacrylate)

This study investigated and discovered a new miscible ternary blend system comprising three amorphous polymers: poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), poly(vinyl p‐phenol) (PVPh), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) using thermal analysis and optical and scanning electron microscopies. The ternary compositions are largely miscible except for a small region of borderline ternary miscibility near the side, where the binary blends of PVAc/PMMA are originally of a borderline miscibility with broad T_g. In addition to the discovering miscibility in a new ternary blend, another objective of this study was to investigate whether the introduction of a third polymer component (PVPh) with hydrogen bonding capacity might disrupt or enhance the metastable miscibility between PVAc and PMMA. The PVPh component does not seem to exert any “bridging effect” to bring the mixture of PVAc and PMMA to a better state of miscibility; neither does the Δχ effect seem to disrupt the borderline miscible PVAc/PMMA blend into a phase‐separated system by introducing PVPh. Apparently, the ternary is able to remain in as a miscible state as the binary systems owing to the fact that PVPh is capable of maintaining roughly equal H‐bonding interactions with either PVAc or PMMA in the ternary mixtures to maintain balanced interactions among the ternary mixtures. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1147–1160, 2006     

Effect of temperature on the intrinsic viscosity of poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blends in aqueous solutions

In this work the intrinsic viscosity of poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blends in aqueous solutions were measured at 283.1–313.1 K. The expansion factor of polymer chain was calculated by use of the intrinsic viscosities data. The thermodynamic parameters of polymer solution (the entropy of dilution parameter, the heat of dilution parameter, theta temperature, polymer–solvent interaction parameter and second osmotic virial coefficient) were evaluated by temperature dependence of polymer chain expansion factor. The obtained thermodynamic parameters indicate that quality of water was decreased for solutions of poly(ethylene oxide), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) and poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blends by increasing temperature. Compatibility of poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blends were explained in terms of difference between experimental and ideal intrinsic viscosity and solvent–polymer interaction parameter. The results indicate that the poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blends were incompatible.     

Interactions between cationic mixed micelles and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)

 The conductances of trimethyltetradecylammonium bromide (TTAB) + trimethylhexa decylammonium bromide (HTAB) and TTAB + trimethyldodecylammonium bromide (DTAB) mixtures over the entire mole fraction range were measured in aqueous poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) containing 1–10 wt% PVP at 30 °C. Each conductivity (κ) curve for the TTAB + HTAB mixtures showed two breaks corresponding to two aggregation processes over the whole mole fraction range, except in the case of pure TTAB, where a single break corresponding to the conventional critical micelle concentration (cmc) was observed. In the case of TTAB + DTAB mixtures, each κ curve at a particular mole fraction of TTAB showed only one break, which was quite close to a similar one in pure water. In TTAB + HTAB mixtures, the first break is called the critical aggregation concentration. It is close to the conventional cmc and is attributed to the polymer-free micelle formation, whereas the second break is due to the polymer-bound micellar aggregates. However, no polymer-bound micellar aggregation process was observed in the case of TTAB + DTAB mixtures. Therefore, the presence of micelle–PVP interactions in the TTAB + HTAB case have been attributed to the stronger hydrophobicity of HTAB or TTAB + HTAB micelles in comparison to that of single or mixed micelles of TTAB + DTAB mixtures. From the conductivity data, various micelle parameters in the presence of PVP have been computed and discussed in terms of micelle–polymer interactions. The mixing behavior of TTAB +  HTAB corresponding to the first break, and that of TTAB + DTAB mixtures in the presence of PVP, is close to ideal and is also identical to that in pure water. Received: 26 August 1999 Accepted: 6 November 1999