Glass transition of semi-crystalline PLLA with different morphologies as studied by dynamic mechanical analysis

Poly(l-lactic acid) was crystallized from the glassy state at different temperatures to produce fully transformed semi-crystalline specimens exhibiting different lamellar morphologies. The materials were tested by dynamic mechanical analysis, where a T _g decrease was found with an increasing crystallization temperature. Considering a three-phase model, this tendency was related to the corresponding increase in the thickness of the rigid amorphous phase. It is suggested that this phase could, in some extent, accommodate through local translational/rotational motions the cooperative motions taking place within the mobile amorphous phase. This could be due to the non-compact structure of the cooperatively rearranging regions, which can present a string-like or fractal structure in their edges. The width of the loss factor peak associated to the glass transition increases with increasing crystallization temperature, suggesting an increase in the broadness of the distribution of relaxation times. The drop in the storage modulus across T _g varies systematically with the crystallization temperature in the different materials and could be correlated with the crystalline content. Above T _g, the loss factor exhibits a plateau-like behaviour at significantly high values, which seems to be a rather general behaviour in semi-crystalline systems that could be related to the contribution of pure irreversible flow in the overall viscoelastic behaviour.     

Molecular dynamics simulation study of glass transition in hydrated Nafion

The thermal transition of Nafion is studied using a molecular dynamics simulation through a chemically realistic model. Static and dynamic properties of polymer melts with different water contents are investigated over a wide range of temperatures to obtain viscometric and calorimetric glass transition temperatures. The effect of cooling rate of the simulation on the glass transition of the hydrated polymer is also examined within the well‐known Williams–Landel–Ferry (WLF) equation. Variation of relaxation times versus temperature shows a fragile‐to‐strong transition. The hydration level has a significant impact on the static and dynamic properties of the polymer chains and water molecules confined in nanometric spaces between polymer chains. The results of this study are useful to predict the behavior of Nafion for various applications including fuel cells, sensors, actuators, and shape memory devices at different temperatures. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 907–915     

Unsaturated polyester resins cure: Kinetic,rheologic, and mechanical dynamical analysis. II. The glass transition in the mechanical dynamical spectrum of polyester networks

Unsaturated polyester networks with various structures built from an orthophtalic polyester, with methyl ethyl ketone peroxide as an initiator and cobalt octoate as a promoter, were studied with dynamic mechanical thermal analysis from −50 to 200 °C to characterize changes in the mechanical properties as a function of the temperature. From these measurements, the glass‐transition temperatures of the different networks were determined, their dependence on conversion being fitted to an equation related to the Couchman and DiBenedetto equations. Finally, the different transitions were analyzed as a function of the cure conditions. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 146–152, 2001     

Influence of glass transition temperature of crosslinked unsaturated polyester resin/styrene formulations on the final conversion after an isothermal curing at 100°C

SMC (sheet molding compound) is a composite based on fibers‐reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) resin molded usually at 140°C to 170°C under a pressure of 60 to 100 bars. In order to develop new SMC formulations that can be molded at lower temperature (100°C) for economic and environmental reasons, the formulation of the composite had to be completely modified, both to allow a rapid reaction at 100°C, but also to avoid a vitrification phenomenon due to the fact that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the SMC parts becomes, during the molding process, higher than the mold temperature. In this paper, the relation between the molding temperature, the glass transition temperature, and the final conversion of UP resin/styrene formulations has been underlined. The Tg of the cured resin was decreased by two different ways. The first way involved the reduction of the crosslinking density of the UP resin by using a blend of two resins, a pure maleic and a more flexible one. This blend allows to adjust the Tg over a temperature range from 197°C (Tg of the pure UP resin) to 75°C (Tg of the pure flexible resin). The second way consisted in the addition of butyl methacrylate (BuMA), a reactive plasticizer, to the formulation, allowing a decrease of the final material's Tg from 197°C to 130°C by replacing 35 wt% of styrene by BuMA. These two methods allow to obtain a final conversion of 99% after 8 minutes of molding at 100°C.     

Hierarchically ordered ABA triblock copolymer with large difference in glass transition temperatures of the two blocks

Rod‐coil‐rod triblock copolymers, poly[4′‐(methoxy)‐2‐vinylbiphenyl‐4‐methyl ether] ‐blockpolydimethylsiloxane‐block‐poly[4′‐(methoxy)‐2‐vinylbiphenyl‐4‐methyl ether] (PMVBP‐b‐PDMS‐b‐PMVBP), were synthesized by nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization, and their hierarchically ordered structures were studied. A difunctional TEMPO macroinitiator was first synthesized by the hydrosilylation reaction between hydride‐endcapped PDMS and allylic alkoxyamine. The polymerization of the monomer MVBP was triggered by the macroinitiator, resulting in a series of triblock copolymers. The molecular weights and polydispersity indexes were determined by gel permeation chromatography. Differential scanning calorimetry results demonstrate that the triblock copolymers exhibit two glass transition temperatures (?120 °C and 160 °C) that are markedly different. As revealed by small‐angle X‐ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy experiments, the triblock copolymers self‐assemble into hierarchical structures with the liquid crystalline phase of PMVBP in the lamellar structures. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1737–1744     

Application of free‐volume theory to self diffusion of solvents in polymers below the glass transition temperature: A review

Theories based on free‐volume concepts have been developed to characterize the self and mutual‐diffusion coefficients of low molecular weight penetrants in rubbery and glassy polymer‐solvent systems. These theories are applicable over wide ranges of temperature and concentration. The capability of free‐volume theory to describe solvent diffusion in glassy polymers is reviewed in this article. Two alternative free‐volume based approaches used to evaluate solvent self‐diffusion coefficients in glassy polymer‐solvent systems are compared in terms of their differences and applicability. The models can correlate/predict temperature and concentration dependencies of the solvent diffusion coefficient. With the appropriate accompanying thermodynamic factors they can be used to model concentration profiles in mutual diffusion processes that are Fickian such as drying of coatings. The free‐volume methodology has been found to be consistent with molecular dynamics simulations. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011     

Contributions of side groups to the water diffusion in cured epoxy resins (2) study on physical aging

Novolac epoxy resins cured with novolac resin, novolac acetate resin, novolac butyrate resin, and novolac phenylacetate resin named as EP, EPA, EPB, and EPP, respectively, were prepared. Their physical aging behavior at a T_g‐30 °C (30 °C below glass‐transition temperature) was examined by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The ortho‐positronium annihilation lifetime τ₃ variation extent of EP is less apparent than that of the other three esterified samples during physical aging. The time dependence of ops intensity I₃ agreed with the Kohlrausch‐Williams‐Watts (KWW) equation. The relaxation time (τ₀) and nonexponential parameter were calculated. The free volume and enthalpy relaxation rate characterized by the reciprocal of τ₀ and ?ΔH/?logt, respectively, exhibit the same order—EPP > EPB > EPA > EP. These results suggest that the extend and rate of relaxation are not only related to the frozen free volume produced by quenching but also significantly influenced by segmental mobility of the network that attributed to the side‐group flexibility and their interaction with networks. This work also supports the fact that side‐group flexibility and the free‐volume fraction and distribution act in concert to control the water‐diffusion behavior in epoxy networks. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1135–1142, 2003     

Polystyrene with different topologies: Study of the glass transition temperature in confined geometry of thin films

The glass transition behaviour of polystyrene (PS) with systematically varied topologies (linear, star-like and hyperbranched) confined in nanoscalic films was studied by means of spectroscopic vis-ellipsometry. All applied PS samples showed no or only a marginal depression in glass transition temperature T_g in the order hyperbranched PS (5 K) > star-like PS (3 K) > linear PS (0 K) for the thinnest films analyzed. The T_g behaviour was accompanied by the observation of the film density in dependence of film thickness. A maximum decreased density of about 7% for hyperbranched PS and 5% for star-like PS and again no deviation in density of bulk was found for linear PS. Accordingly, we deduce from these results considering an experimental accuracy of about ± 2 K for T_g and up to ±3% for film density, that the polymer topology only barely influences T_g in the confinement of thin films.     

Using capillary electrophoresis mobility shift assay to study the interaction of CdTe quantum dots with bovine serum albumin

In this work, the capillary electrophoresis mobility shift assay （CEMSA） was first adopted to study the interaction of protein with quantum dots （QDs）. In this study, bovine serum albumin （BSA） and CdTe QDs were used as model samples. We observed that BSA was facilely adsorbed to CdTe QDs surface, and the QD-BSA complex was formed by a 1：1 stoichiometric ratio. A value of 2.17 4-0.27 × 10^6 mol^-1 L^-1 （at 25 ℃） for the association constant was obtained by CEMSA.     

Water-Soluble Polyacids with Capability to Remove Metal Ions in Homogenous Phase by Using the Liquid Phase Polymer-Based Retention Technique

Water-soluble polymers containing carboxylic acid and sulfonic acid groups were investigated as polychelatogens under different experimental conditions in view to study their metal ion binding properties, using the liquid-phase polymer-based retention technique. The divalent metal ions investigated were: Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺. When the pH increased above 3, and especially at pH 5, metal ion retention capability increased as the majority of the functional groups are carboxylate, which can form more stable complexes with the metal ions. The retention capability also depended on the structure of the polyacid and the filtration factor, Z.     

Using Triethylborane to Manipulate Reactivity Ratios in Epoxide-Anhydride Copolymerization: Application to the Synthesis of Polyethers with Degradable Ester Functions

The anionic ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of epoxides, namely of ethylene oxide (EO), with anhydrides (AH) generally produces strictly alternating copolymers. With triethylborane (TEB)-assisted ROCOP of EO with AH, statistical copolymers of high molar mass including ether and ester units could be obtained. In the presence of TEB, the reactivity ratio of EO (r_EO), which is normally equal to 0 in its absence, could be progressively raised to values lower than 1 or higher than 1. Conditions were even found to obtain r_EO equal or close to 1. Samples of P(EO-co-ester) with minimal compositional drift could be synthesized; upon basic degradation of their ester linkages, these samples afforded poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) diol samples of narrow molar mass distribution. In other cases where r_EO were lower or higher than 1, the PEO diol samples eventually isolated after degradation exhibited a broader distribution of molar masses because of the compositional drift of initial P(EO-co-ester) samples.     

Organic–inorganic poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) copolymers with double‐decker silsesquioxane in the main chains: Synthesis,glass transition,and self‐assembly behavior

An organic–inorganic copolymer with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) and xanthate moieties in the main chain was synthesized via the polycondensation between 3,13‐di(2‐bromopropionate)propyl double‐decker silsesquioxane (DDSQ) and 1,4‐di(xanthate potassium)butane. This hybrid copolymer was used as the macromolecular chain transfer agent to obtain the organic–inorganic poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (PVPy) copolymers via a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer/macromolecular design via the interchange of xanthates (RAFT/MADIX) polymerization approach; the polymerization behavior of N‐vinyl pyrrolidone was investigated by means of gel permeation chromatography. It was found that the polymerization was in a living and controlled manner. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the organic–inorganic PVPy copolymers with DDSQ in the main chains were microphase‐separated in bulks. Compared to plain PVPy, the organic–inorganic PVPy copolymers displayed the decreased glass transition temperatures (T_gs); the decreased T_gs are attributable to the effect of the introduced DDSQ cages on the packing of PVPy chains as evidenced by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In water, the organic–inorganic PVPy copolymers can self‐assemble into the spherical nano‐objects with the size of 20–50 nm in diameter. In the self‐assembled nano‐objects, the aggregates of the hydrophobic DDSQ constituted the cores of the polymeric micelles whereas the PVPy chains between the DDSQ behaved as the coronas of the polymeric micelles. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2949–2961     

Wide‐angle X‐ray scattering study of the lamellar/fibrillar transition for a semi‐crystalline polymer deformed in tension in relation with the evolution of volume strain

This work is devoted to the study of the deformation mechanisms of a high‐density polyethylene deformed in tension. Specific treatments were applied to synchrotron wide‐angle X‐ray scattering patterns obtained in situ with the aim of quantifying: (i) the evolution of the apparent crystal sizes during the deformation process, (ii) the reorientation dynamics of the fragmented crystals while aligning their chains along the drawing axis during the establishment of the fibrillar morphology, and (iii) the reorientation dynamics of the amorphous chains. In addition, the volume strain evolution was measured using 3D digital image correlation. The cavitation phenomenon was found to mainly occur during the lamellae fragmentation phase. At the end of the deformation process, when the lamellar structure is destroyed, the fragmented crystals have new degrees of freedom and become free to rotate to align their chains along the drawing axis. Crystal fragmentation is then no longer needed to allow material deformation, and there is no further volume strain increase. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 1470–1480     

An improved high-performance liquid chromatographic method with a solid-phase extraction for the determination of piperacillin and tazobactam: application to pharmacokinetic study of different dosage in Chinese healthy volunteers

An improved HPLC method was developed for the determination of piperacillin and tazobactam in human plasma and pharmacokinetic study in Chinese healthy volunteers. Piperacillin and tazobactam in human plasma were extracted by solid-phase extraction and separated on a C(18) column and detected at 220 nm. The mobile phase for piepracillin consisted of 0.01 mol/L sodium dihydrogen phosphate (pH = 4.65) and acetonitrile (71:29, v/v), and that for tazobactam was 0.05 mol/L sodium dihydrogen phosphate (pH = 4.45) and methanol (90:10, v/v). The method was linear in the range 0.25-320.00 microg/mL for piperacillin (r(2) = 0.995) and 0.25-64.00 microg/mL for tazobactam (r(2) = 0.994). The lower limit of quantification of both compounds was 0.25 microg/mL. The intra- and inter-day precisions of piperacillin and tazobactam at three concentrations were all less than 9.2% and accuracies were within the range 97.0-108.0%. The method was used to investigate the pharmacokinetics of piperacillin and tazobactam in 12 volunteers who were intravenously given a dosage of 1.25, 2.50 and 3.75 g in three periods. The results showed that piperacillin sodium-tazobactom sodium (4:1) for injection in Chinese people fits linear dynamics, and the administred dosage can be adjusted with therapeutic effect.     

A potentiometric titration study on the dissociation of bile acids related to the mode of interaction between different head groups of nonionic surfactants with free bile salts upon mixed micelle formation in water

By constructing an elaborate set of potentiometric titration together with data analysis system, apparent acid dissociation indices (pK _a ^app ) for two bile acids were determined in the mixed surfactant system of bile salts (Sodium Deoxycholate, NaDC, and Sodium Chenodeoxycholate, NaCDC) with nonionic surfactants (Hexaethyleneglycol monon-dodecylether, C₁₂E₆, Decanoyl-N-methylglucamide, MEGA-10) in aqueous solution at ionic strength 1.5 as a function of mole fraction in the surfactant mixture. It was found that with increasing the bile salt concentration, pK _a ^app as well as pH showed an abrupt rise at a certain concentration of the bile salt being regardable as a critical micellization concentration (CMC) and reached a constant value at the range sufficiently higher than CMC for each pure bile salt system, meaning that the dissociation degree of carboxyl group in micelle is smaller than that in bulk. In the mixed systems of free bile salts with nonionic surfactants, the dissociation state of carboxyl groups in mixed micelles depends on the species of hydrophilic group of nonionic surfactants as well as on mole fraction in the surfactant mixture.