Properties of chlorine-doped poly(N-vinylcarbazole) thin films

Thin films of poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) have been obtained by thermal evaporation under vacuum. The chain length of the polymer is shortened by this deposition technique, which induces a strong reactivity between chlorine and the PVK films. After chlorine doping, there is complex salt formation as shown by electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). However, the major part of the chlorine has reacted with PVK. The thermal evaporation induces amorphization of the PVK, while chlorine doping induces polymer degradation with NH₄Cl formation. Because of this degradation the carriers detected by ESR are strongly localized on carbazole radicals, thereby explaining the small increase in the conductivity of PVK films even after chlorine doping.     

Relationship between the volume phase transition and the surface area of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-co-sodium methacrylate) hydrogels

The volume phase transition of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-sodium methacrylate) (P(NIPAAm-co-SMA)) hydrogels was investigated with consideration of the pore characteristics. The volume phase transition temperature of the hydrogel increased by incorporating sodium methacrylate (SMA). Based on the BET equation, the surface area was evaluated by a gas adsorption method. The surface area of PNIPAAm and P(NIPAAm-co-SMA) hydrogels decreased with increasing temperature, resulting from the fact that the depth and the size of pores decreased significantly in the course of the volume phase transition. Hence, it is suggested that the change of surface area has a close relationship with the volume phase transition of PNIPAAm and P(NIPAAm-co-SMA) hydrogels.     

Radiation polymerization of thermo-sensitive poly (N-vinylcaprolactam)

Temperature-sensitive poly (N-vinylcaprolactam) both in water-soluble state and in gel was prepared by γ-radiation polymerization. The effects of radiation dose, radiation dose rate and monomer concentration on polymerization and the low critical solution temperature characteristics of the polymer were studied. The results show that the polymer prepared within certain radiation dose (beyond 2 kGy) and dose rate range (2–14 Gy/min) has good temperature sensitivity and uniformity.     

Molecular motions in low cross-linked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgels

Non-ionic N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) microgel is employed to investigate the molecular motion of polymer chains in the swollen and collapsed states. This study is performed using incoherent elastic (IES) and quasielastic neutron scattering (IQNS). IES measurements show an increase of both, the elastic intensity and the oscillations of the polymer network vibrational amplitude at the transition temperature. IQNS was measured at two different selected temperatures 290 K and 327 K corresponding to the swollen and collapsed states, respectively. The diffusion constant from IQNS experiments decreases nearly two orders of magnitude when the microgel de-swells and finally collapses.     

Properties of nanometric and submicrometric multilayered films of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and poly(N-methylpyrrole)

Multilayered films formed by 3, 5 and 7 alternated layers of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and poly(N-methylpyrrole) have been prepared by chronoamperometry under a constant potential of 1.4 V using a layer-by-layer electrodeposition technique. In order to examine influence of the interface:bulk dimensional ratio, the thickness of the yielded films was reduced from the submicrometric to the nanometric scale by decreasing the polymerization time of each layer from 100 s to 10 s. The electroactivity, electrochemical characteristics and morphologies of the resulting multilayered films have been compared with those obtained for both single-component poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) films prepared using identical experimental conditions and previously reported multilayered films with thickness within the micrometric scale [Estrany F, Aradilla D, Oliver R, Alemán C. Eur Polym J 2007;43:1876].     

Synthesis of thermoresponsive polystyrene-based comb-type grafted poly( N -isopropylacrylamide)

Narrowly distributed polystyrene-g-p(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PSt-g-PNIPAM) was prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of N-isopropylacrylamide using the brominated polystyrene as macroinitiator and CuCl combined with hexamethyltriethylenetetramine as catalyst. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy confirmed the structure of PSt-g-PNIPAM. The gel permeation chromatography (GPC) showed that the graft copolymer had a single distribution peak with molecular weight, M _n (g/mol) of 19815 g/mol (using polystyrene as the standard). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that due to both effects of hydrophobic isopropyl groups and hydrogen bonds in the amide group, the glass transition temperature (T _g) of PSt-g-PNIPAM enhanced 16.0°C compared to the T _g of the polystyrene.     

The role of water in structural changes of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) studied by FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations

Temperature-induced phase transition in water solutions of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (PNIPMAM) have been studied by ATR FTIR and Raman spectroscopy in combination with quantum chemical calculations. The presence or absence of the α-methyl group has a strong effect on the physical structure of water solutions. Although the hydrophobic interactions for PNIPMAM and PNIPAM are very similar, PNIPMAM with additional methyl group exhibits significantly weaker intermolecular interactions between the amide groups. That effect is the cause of the higher transition temperature T_t by about 8 °C for PNIPMAM compared to PNIPAM due to the formation of larger compact structures. The presence of the methyl group is significant for the reversibility of the temperature transition during the backward cooling as the dissolution of more stable compact PNIPMAM requires overcoming of a higher energy barrier and shows a strong hysteresis.     

Quenching of the triplet state of poly(2-vinylnaphthalene) in solution: Effect of molecular weight

The rate of decay of triplet-triplet absorption of excited poly(2-vinylnaphthalene) (P2VN) and 2-ethylnaphthalene (2EN) in room temperature benzene solutions was studied as a function of an added triplet quencher, piperylene. It was found that the efficiency of triplet quenching decreases as the molecular weight of the polymer increases, which is interpreted as arising from the density of the polymer coil in solution. If triplet energy migration occurs along the polymer chain the exciton diffusion constant is not significantly larger than the physical diffusion of the monomer model compound, 2EN. The triplet state was produced in solution by a 4 MeV electron beam, because the S₁ → T₁ process was found to be very inefficient for P2VN under optical excitation conditions.     

The chemistry and the stereochemistry of poly(N-alkyliminoalanes) : VI. A novel synthesis of poly(N-alkyliminoalanes) by reaction of alkali metal alanates with primary amines

A novel synthesis of poly(N-alkyliminoalanes) (PIA) is reported. This involves the reaction in hydrocarbon solvents of LiAlH₄ or NaAlH₄ with primary amines having a nitrogen with α- or β- secondary carbon atoms or with tertbutylamine. Complexes of iminoalanes with alkali metal hydrides are obtained from linear amines. The same reaction carried out in polar solvents always gives complexes of PIA with LiH or NaH and the solvent. This new synthesis is simpler and convenient for producing soluble and well characterized PIA, some of which are not obtainable by other methods.     

Molecular weight dependence of triplet—triplet processes in poly(2-vinylnaphthalene)

Delayed fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra and decay curve measurements at 77 K are reported for samples of poly(2-vinylnaphthalene) with molecular weights determined by viscometry to be in the range 15 600 to 505 000. The intensity of delayed fluorescence relative to phosphorrescence was found to increase with molecular weight up to the highest molecular weight sample of solution polymerized material (MW ≈ 100 000) with a leveling off for the higher molecular weight bulk polymers. It is argued that these results imply a triplet exciton migration distance of up to 700 chromophore units. Decay curves imply that most mobile triplet excitons are trapped within approximately 0.3 s. The excitation dependence of the delayed emissions imply that unimolecular processes dominate the kinetics of triplet state chromophores.     

On the solid state phases of poly(trans-1,4-butadiene)

Summary The method of semiempiric-atomistic calculations is applied to a polydiene. For this purpose a Coulomb term has to be added to a potential set used successfully for polyolefines. All stable 4 *p/q helices of poly(trans-1,4-butadiene) are calculated. This yields a conformation for the low temperature phase which is in agreement with X-ray data in the literature. Chain conformations are proposed for the high temperature phase carefully considering the energies (determined in the single chain approximation) and the packing properties.Experimentelly, the enthalpy and entropy differences between the phases, calculated only intramolecularly, are determined by high pressure dilatometry and calorimetry. A commercial material is investigated in the full pressure range up to 3 kbar; for low pressure dilatometry and calormetry a purely trans polymer, initially in extended chain conformation, is used. Experimental data are compared with calculated values and discrepancies are discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Die Methode der semiempirisch-atomistischen Rechnung wird auf ein Polydien angewendet. Dazu wird ein bei Polyolefinen bewährter Potentialsatz um einen Coulombterm erweitert. Berechnet werden alle stabilen 4 *p/q Helices des Poly-trans-1,4-butadiens, und es ergibt sich eine Konformation für die Tieftemperaturphase, die mit Röntgendaten in der Literatur übereinstimmt. Für die Hochtemperaturphase werden Kettenkonformationen vorgeschlagen, bei denen die in der Einzelkettennäherung bestimmte Energie und die Packung berücksichtigt wird.Die Enthalpie- und Entropieunterschiede zwischen beiden Phasen, die bisher nur intramolekular berechnet sind, werden experimentell mit den Methoden der Hochdruckdilatometrie und der Kalorimetrie bestimmt. Dabei wird im Hochdruckbereich bis 3 kbar ein handelsübliches Material gemessen, im Niederdruckbereich und kalorimetrisch aber ein reines trans-Polymeres, das anfangs gestrecktkettig vorliegt. Die experimentellen Werte werden mit den berechneten verglichen, und ihre Unterschiede werden diskutiert.

     

Solvatochromic studies of interactions between surfactants and poly(N-substituted acrylamide)s

Interactions between poly(N-substituted acrylamide)s and surfactants, such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDoS) and sodium decyl sulfate (SDeS), in aqueous solutions were investigated using a solvatochromic probe. The polymers used were poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA), poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PIPA), poly(N-acryloylpyrrolidine) (PAPR), and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVPy) for comparison. They were labeled with pyridinium dicyanomethylide chromophore as a solvatochromic probe, and the changes in the microenvironment polarity of the polymer upon association with surfactant micelles were investigated by monitoring the λ_max in the absorption spectra of the probe molecule. It was found that the Gibbs free energy of micelle stabilization by polymer complexation for SDoS is 7.6, 4.1, and 2.2 kJ mol⁻¹, and for SDeS 5.1, 2.9, and 0.8 kJ mol⁻¹ with PIPA, PAPR, and PDMA, respectively. These results indicate that the complexation between polymer and surfactant is influenced not only by the alkyl-chain length of the surfactant, but also by the polymer side groups.     

Poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)–poly(ethylene oxide) copolymer membranes for selective separation of CO2

A series of copolymers containing ether oxygen groups and amino groups were prepared based on N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMEMA) and polyethylene glycol methyl ether methyl acrylate (PEGMEMA). The effect of PEGMEMA content in the copolymer on density, free volume, mechanical performance, and H₂, CO₂, N₂ and CH₄ gas transport properties of the copolymer was determined. Free volume was characterized using the polymer density and group contribution theory. The permeability of the copolymer to CO₂ is high, and both the CO₂/N₂ and CO₂/H₂ selectivities are high. For example, the permeability coefficient of PDMAEMA–PEGMEMA-90 (“90” represents the weight percent of PEGMEMA) to CO₂ is 112 Barrer and the CO₂/N₂ and CO₂/H₂ selectivity coefficients are 31 and 7, respectively. The effect of the temperature on gas transport properties was also determined. Finally, the potential application of the copolymer membranes for CO₂/light gases separation was explored.     

A new insight into the understanding of the collapsed form of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) molecules

Possible collapsed forms of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) molecules are reviewed on the basis of first principle calculations. Various configurations and associated conformations are detailed. The calculated optimized structures exhibit different possibilities of creating networks of intra-molecular bonds of the hydrogen type. We show that the most remarkable one is able to form a local, self-saturated and well ordered helix. We also indicate in which direction the synthesis of the molecule should be oriented to improve its global behavior in term of hydrophobic/hydrophilic behavior.     

Influence of charge density on the swelling of colloidal poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) microgels

The volume phase transition of colloidal poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) microgels depends in a complex way on the effective charge density within the polymer network. A series of monodisperse PNIPAM/AAc microgels with different content of acrylic acid were synthesized by surfactant-free emulsion polymerization employing sonication instead of a conventional stirring technique. Subsequently, the colloids were characterized by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. Potentiometric titrations provided the amount of carboxyl groups incorporated into the copolymer. The effective charge density was systematically controlled by the content of acrylic acid monomers, the pH value of the suspension, and the salt concentration. The hydrodynamic dimensions of the microgels have been measured by dynamic light scattering. The swelling/deswelling behavior is determined by the delicate balance between hydrophobic attraction of NIPAM and the repulsive electrostatic interactions of the carboxylate group of the acrylic acid moieties. Compared to their macroscopic counterparts the charged microgel particles show a significantly different swelling/deswelling behavior. This manifests in the occurrence of a two-step volume phase-transition process with increasing acrylic acid content. Hydrogen bonding has to be considered to understand this two step volume phase transition uniquely observed for colloidal microgels. Another interesting phenomenon presented here is the reversible formation of well-defined aggregates at low pH and under high salt conditions.     

Phase state diagrams of the poly(dimethylsiloxane)—poly(diethylsiloxane) system

Phase equilibria in the poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS)—polydiethylsiloxane (PDES) system in the amorphous and liquid-crystal states were studied by optical interferometry. The findings obtained were compared with the data of calorimetric measurements. The experiments were carried out in a wide range of molecular weights and temperatures, and the phase diagrams were constructed. Thermodynamic analysis of the experimental data was performed in the framework of the Flory—Haggins theory for polymeric solutions. The analytical expressions for calculation of the pair interaction parameter using the binodal and liquidus curves were obtained. The pair interaction parameters of polymers and their dependences on the temperature and molecular weight were determined. The pair interaction parameter was shown to decrease with increasing the molecular weight of the oligomer component, approaching asymptotically a limiting value, which characterizes the interaction of the high molecular-weight PDMS and PDES. It was shown that the phase equilibria in the PDMS—PDES systems can be predicted quantitatively and qualitatively.     

Thermal stability of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone-co-methacrylic acid) copolymers in inert atmosphere

The thermal stability of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone-co-methacrylic acid) copolymers was studied by thermogravimetry and infrared spectroscopy in inert atmosphere. The thermogravimetric curves suggested that the effective degradation of both systems occurred in the temperature range 350–500 °C with more than 60% mass loss. At this temperature, the activation energy was in the range 160–200 kJ mol⁻¹ (average values), suggesting that the degradation occurred by a random scission of the chain. The FTIR results indicated that the main volatile products of degradation are CO₂, CO and hydrocarbons (unsaturated structures) with low molecular weight. Pure PVP also showed the formation of NH₃ which was apparently suppressed in the copolymer by the formation of large amounts of CO₂ and CO. The results suggested that the thermal stability of the copolymers was essentially associated with the N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone monomer, losing stability when the percentage of methacrylic acid in the copolymer system was increased.     

Bis(tri-tert-butylsilyl)silylene: triplet ground state silylene

Upon irradiation with lambda = 254 nm light over the temperature range of 9-80 K, methylcyclohexane glass matrixes of 1a and 1b gave a characteristic broad EPR signal at 845 mT (X-band, 9.4 GHz) due to bis(tri-tert-butylsilyl)silylene, (tBu3Si)2Si: (2). The signal intensity as a function of temperature (9-80 K) gave a linear relation, and the spin multiplicity of 2 in the ground state was established to be a triplet. Product analysis, from which disilacyclobutane derivative 3 and dihydrosilane (tBu3Si)2SiH2 (4) were formed, also supports the conclusion about the multiplicity of 2.     

聚（异丙基甲基丙烯酰胺）@聚（N-异丙基丙烯酰胺）中空微凝胶合成过程的形态学表征

研究了聚（异丙基甲基丙烯酰胺）(PNIPMAM)@聚（N-异丙基丙烯酰胺）(PNIPAM)中空双壳微凝胶的合成过程. 结合扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜的形态学表征方法可简捷直观获得核壳结构微凝胶的粒径尺寸、三维立体及内部超微结构,进而揭示PNIPMAM@PNIPAM中空同心双壳结构微凝胶合成过程的形态学特征.     

Porous film fabricated by a thermoresponsive polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-butylmethacrylate) with enhanced hydrophobicity

In this paper, two charge-neutral and poorly water-soluble bactericides (BC), hexaconazole and triadimenol, were first encapsulated in micelles derived from anionic surfactant, calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBS), and then were successfully intercalated into the gallery of Mg–Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) by using ion exchange, coprecipitation and reconstruction methods, respectively, to obtain BC–LDHs nanohybrids. The loading amounts of hexaconazole-LDHs nanohybrids are obviously higher than those of triadimenol-LDHs nanohybrids. The release kinetics of bactericides from the nanohybrids was investigated. It was found that the bactericide release kinetic processes of the nanohybrids can be described with pseudo-second-order model. The initial release rates and equilibrium percent releases of the nanohybrids are obviously dependent of synthesis methods. The nanohybrids can well control the release of bactericides, showing they are a potential pesticide controlled-release formulation.