Octa(maleimido phenyl) silsesquioxane copolymers

Octa(maleimido phenyl) silsesquioxane (OMPS) was prepared from octa(aminophenyl) silsesquioxane (OAPS) and maleic anhydride. Initially, octaphenyl silsesquioxane was prepared, and it was nitrated to obtain octa(nitrophenyl) silsesquioxane; subsequently, reduction was carried out to obtain OAPS. These compounds were characterized with Fourier transform infrared, NMR, gel permeation chromatography, and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction. Differential scanning calorimetry scans of OMPS showed an exotherm above 100 °C, and it was attributed to the curing. The peak maximum temperature depended on the heating rate. Both Ozawa's and Kissinger's methods were used to determine the activation energy for the curing reaction, which was approximately 29 kcal/mol. OMPS was copolymerized with various molar percentages of (1) N,N′‐p‐phenylenedimaleimide (PPMI) and (2) urethane methacrylate (UMA) by thermal and free‐radical polymerization, respectively. The copolymers were characterized with differential scanning calorimetry, dielectric analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction. In the PPMI and UMA copolymer series, the glass‐transition temperature increased with an increase in the OMPS concentration. The permittivity of the UMA copolymers decreased and tan δ increased with an increase in the OMPS concentration. In air and nitrogen atmospheres, the thermal stability of the PPMI and UMA copolymers increased with an increase in the OMPS concentration. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2483–2494, 2005     

Isotactic poly(pentene-1): Form III

A new crystalline form of isotactic poly(pentene-1) was obtained from dilute solution in amyl acetate. We have designated it as form III. The morphology and structure of isothermally crystallized samples were investigated by electron microscopy and electron and x-ray diffraction. This crystalline modification can be indexed on an orthorhombic unit cell (cell dimensions: a = 21.20 ± 0.05 Å, b = 11.48 ± 0.05 Å, c = 14.39 ± 0.05 Å (fiber axis) and probable space group P2₁2₁2₁).     

Isotactic poly(pentene-1): Polymorphism of form I

The polymorphism of isotactic poly(pentene-1) form I was studied by x-ray diffraction. Upon quenching from the melt at a temperature below 25°C, the films crystallized in a stable monoclinic form, which we have designated as form I (a = 22.4 ± 0.2 Å, b = 6.49 ± 0.05 Å, c = 21.2 ± 0.2 Å, β = 91 ± 1°). For higher quenching temperatures, a metastable form, form I′, appeared, which transforms to the normal modification upon aging (monoclinic, with: a = 24.3 ± 0.2 Å, b = 6.50 ± 0.05 Å, c = 19.3 ± 0.2 Å, β = 96 ± 2°). Both modifications have a 3₁ helical conformation. Limited changes in the packing mode could explain this polymorphism.     

Gas permeability of cardo-poly(ether-ether-ketone) and poly(phenylene sulfide)

The gas permeability and sorption of CO₂ and N₂O was measured on cardo-poly(ether-ether-ketone) (C-PEEK) and poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) at 298 K. The results are discussed on the basis of the dual-mode model. Results obtained from measurements at 308 K are compared with literature data of poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO), poly(sulfone) (PSU) and poly(carbonate) (PC). While C-PEEK shows similar transport properties as PC and PSU, the values of PPS are distinctly lower. The solubility of CO₂ in the various polymers as well as the correlation of the permeability coefficients of the same polymers for He, Ar, CO₂, N₂, and CH₄ with the kinetic molecular diameter of the gases indicate a simple relation of the transport properties with the polymer density.     

A chromophore-labeled poly(N-propargylamide): a new strategy for a stimuli-responsive conjugated polymer

A new stimuli-responsive conjugated polymer was synthesized, where, following the change of secondary conformation from helical to disordered state, the fluorescence property of the side chain chromophore changes upon sensing external stimuli.     

Gas permeability of high-temperature-resistant silicone polymer-vycor glass membrane

A high-temperature-resistant heterogeneous poly (dimethyl siloxane) membrane was prepared in situ by using monomer gas-phase polymerization in microporous media without employing prepolymerization. The permeation rates for various gases were measured at penetrant pressure up to 233 cmHg and at temperatures between 20°C and 200°C. The permeation rates for low-soluble gases, such as He, H₂, N₂, CO, O₂, and Ar, increased with increasing temperature. On the other hand, the permeation rates for highly soluble gases, such as C₂H₄ and CO₂, decreased with increasing temperature. For all gases, the permeation rate increases or decreases linearly with the increase of temperature. The turning points were observed for all gases in the temperature range of 140-160°C. Permeation rates of most gases decreased with the increase of temperature above the turning point, excepting those of helium and hydrogen.     

Isotactic sequence lengths by ozonation of poly(propylene oxide)

Ozonation followed by lithium aluminum hydride reduction cleaved high molecular weight isotactic poly(propylene oxide) to crystalline polyglycols. From the melting point and molecular weight of the latter, the molar freezing point depression produced by end groups is found to be ca. 18°C./mole, as compared to that estimated for poly(ethylene glycols), K_f = 12°C./mole, from earlier data. By assuming syndiotactic placements (or other irregularities) would produce the same molar depression, the melting point of isotactic poly(propylene oxides) produced by various catalysts has been used to estimate the isotactic sequence lengths.     

Gas permeability,diffusivity, and solubility of poly(4-vinylpyridine) film

Although poly(4-vinylpyridine) is believed to have good gas permselectivity, the intrinsic gas permeation property is rarely reported in the literature. The objective of this work is to study the the intrinsic gas permeation property of poly(4-vinylpyridine) using a free-standing film. Because of its brittleness and strong adhesion with most solid surfaces, a free-standing poly(4-vinylpyridine) film was therefore prepared from casting on a liquid mercury surface. The permeation behavior of He, H₂, O₂, N₂, CH₄, and CO₂ through the film was tested over a pressure range of 252 to 800 cm Hg at 35°C. The permeability and solubility decrease slightly with an increase in pressure, whereas the diffusivity increases as pressure increases. The pressure-dependent phenomenon can be explained using the partial immobilization model and the dual sorption model. An effective gas molecule diameter, which is defined as the square root of the product of gas collision and kinetic diameters, was used to correlate the diffusivity and gas molecule size, and an empirical equation was derived. Solubility is also a strong function of gas physical properties such as critical temperature and Lennard–Jones force constant, which are the measures of gas condensability and molecule interaction, respectively. In general, higher solubility in a polymer is obtained for gases with greater condensability and stronger interaction. Typical gas permeabilities of poly(4-vinylpyridine) measured at 619 cm Hg and 35°C are: 12.36 (He), 12.64 (H₂), 3.31 (CO₂), 0.84 (O₂), 0.14 (CH₄), and 0.13 (N₂) barrers. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 2851–2861, 1999     

A new poly(trialkylsilylethynylphenylacetylene)s membrane toward enhanced oxygen permeability

Polyacetylenes with good performance in O₂/N₂ separation were reported. A series of cis-helical poly(trialkylsilylethynylphenylacetylene)s (PSEPAs) with average molecular weight in the range of 10⁵–10⁶ g mol⁻¹ are synthesized under the catalysis of [Rh(nbd)Cl]₂. The free-standing membranes are prepared from the solution of PSEPAs in chloroform. A rigid PSEPA membrane exhibits the tensile strength of 22.2 MPa, while a flexible PSEPA membrane shows an elongation at break of 44.2% at room temperature. Moreover, the rigid PSEPA membrane shows ultra-high oxygen permeability of 3.09 × 10⁵ Barrer. The results show that PSEPAs are potential polymers for the applications in O₂/N₂ separation field.     

A new solvent polymeric membrane electrode incorporating poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) as a polymer

Here, we report on a new solvent polymeric membrane electrode incorporating thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PIPA) as a polymer with the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of ca. 32 °C. The response of the solvent polymeric membrane electrode to the ions changes at 25 and 40 °C. Pulsed NMR analyses demonstrated the novel effects of the LCST behaviour on the potentiometric polymeric membrane.     

Isotactic poly(acrylonitrile) via ultraviolet irradiation of acrylonitrile-urea canal complex

Isotactic poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) has been prepared by means of a conventional ultraviolet (UV) irradiation apparatus without γ-ray sources; an acrylonitrile-urea canal complex was directly formed at the surface of the UV (Hg) emission tube at low temperatures (～ ?78°C). When the complex was UV-irradiated at this temperature, a stereoregular polymer was formed in the canal. The ¹³C-NMR analyses indicate that (1) these PAN are rich in isotactic configuration, (2) the extent of the isotactic triad is in the range of 56?71%, and (3) the penultimate unit effect, 4 (mm) (rr)/(mr)², is linearly correlated with the ultimate unit effect, (mm)/(rr). From the plots of log{4(mm)(rr)/(mr)²} vs log{(mm)/(rr)}, the anomaly in the polymerization of AN is discussed. The molecular characteristics of the UV canal PAN such as molecular weight, etc., were briefly noted. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Crosslinkable fluorinated poly(arylene ethers) bearing phenyl ethynyl moiety for low-loss polymer optical waveguide devices

Crosslinkable fluorinated poly(arylene ethers) (FPAE-Fn-PEP) with high transparency and high thermal stability have been investigated for low-loss optical waveguide materials. FPAE-Fn-PEP bearing phenyl ethynyl moiety at the polymer chain end were synthesized by the reaction of 4,4′-(hexafluoro-isopropylidene)diphenol with an excess decafluorobiphenyl, followed by the reaction of 4-phenyl ethynyl phenol. The M_ns and M_w/M_ns of the polymers determined by GPC with polystyrene standard were in the range of 6200 to 19,400 and 1.4 to 2.04, respectively. The resulting polymers were thermally crosslinked at 320°C for 2 h. The cured polymers show good chemical resistance and high thermal stability up to 510°C under nitrogen. The refractive indices of their films were controlled between 1.495 and 1.530 at 1.55 μm by adjusting molecular weight. A single-mode channel waveguide made of FPAE-F20-PEP was fabricated by conventional photolithography and O₂ reactive ion etching (RIE). The propagation loss of the channel waveguide was measured and found to be less than 0.2 dB/cm at 1.55 μm. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 2881–2887, 1998     

Isotactic and stereoblock poly(methyl methacrylates) produced by butylmagnesium initiators

The use of tert-, sec-, iso- and normal-butylmagnesium bromides and chlorides in toluene, tetrahydrofuran and mixed solvents to prepare Bernoullian, stereoblock and isotactic poly(methyl methacrylate). PMMA, and the factors controlling the stereochemistry are described. By careful control of solvent composition, highly isotactic polymer can be prepared with all the butylmagnesium bromides, but none of the corresponding dibutylmagnesiums. The halide content does not influence stereospecificity when it is in excess of the Grignard stoichiometry but it influences the mol. wt distribution and retards the polymerization. The mol. wt distributions are usually polymodal and dependent on the same factors that control stereospecificity. The effect of THF concentration on stereospecificity operates in a manner quite distinct from its effect on complex concentration and rate. The concentration of residual THF in toluene-rich solution determines the type of initiation and propagating species that prevail. Structures are proposed for those responsible for stereospecific initiation and propagation. It is concluded that tert-butylmagnesium bromide is the most reliable and robust initiator for preparing isotactic PMMA.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel hyperbranched poly(imide silsesquioxane) membranes

A new family of hyperbranched polymers with chemical bonds between the hyperbranched polyimide and polysilsesquioxane network was synthesized by the reaction of an amine‐terminated aromatic hyperbranched polyimide with 3‐glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane, followed by hydrolysis and polycondensation in the presence of an acid catalyst. The hyperbranched poly(imide silsesquioxane) membranes were fabricated by the casting the aforementioned polymer solution onto a NaCl optical flat, which was followed by heating at 80 °C for 24 h. The membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption and desorption, and CO₂ adsorption and desorption. The presence of covalent bonds between the hyperbranched polyimide and polysilsesquioxane segments had a significant effect on the properties of the membranes. N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms for these membranes showed surface areas of 6–16 m²/g, whereas CO₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms showed much higher surface areas in the range of 106–127 m²/g. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3736–3743, 2003     

Controlled synthesis of poly(acetone oxime acrylate) as a new reactive polymer: Stimuli-responsive reactive copolymers

Acetone oxime acrylate has been synthesized as a new active ester monomer. Free radical polymerization yielded a reactive polymer soluble in various organic solvents, such as chloroform, dioxane, DMSO, acetone, methanol, dichloromethane, DMF, and ethanol. Controlled radical polymerization of acetone oxime acrylate was successfully conducted using the RAFT, NMP and Iniferter method. Partly polymer analogous reaction with N-isopropylamine resulted in the reactive copolymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acetone oxime acrylate), which featured a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 61 °C in water. Further, the reactivity of the copolymer was exemplary proven by complete reaction with ammonia yielding poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide), which does not possess a LCST.     

New silicone hydrogels based on interpenetrating polymer networks comprising polysiloxane and poly(vinyl alcohol) networks

A method for the synthesis of a new silicone hydrogel as a biphase material for soft contact lenses is considered. The method is based on the synthesis of sequential interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) and includes the following stages: (1) cross‐linked silicone synthesis by the reaction of vinyl‐ and hydride‐containing oligosiloxanes; (2) silicone network saturation with vinyl acetate and cross‐linking monomer followed by UV‐initiated polymerization to form an IPN comprising the silicone and cross‐linked poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) network; (3) PVAc network alcoholysis with methanol to obtain silicone hydrogels comprising the silicone and cross‐linked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVAl). A study of hydrophilic, optical, mechanical, and structural features of the silicone hydrogels showed that optical transparency is achieved for materials with the highest density of silicone network cross‐linking where the size of IPN structural units does not exceed 100 nm. The water content in hydrophilic networks of silicone hydrogel is found to be below the values typical of cross‐linked PVAl, leading to non‐additivity of IPN mechanical properties. Indeed, the elasticity moduli (E) of the hydrophilic and silicone networks are 0.4–0.7 and 0.7–1.8 MPa, respectively, whereas for some IPN this value reaches 3.0 MPa. The optimal parameters of synthesis providing the reduction of E to 0.8–1.6 MPa without deterioration of the required performance characteristics (optical transparency 90–92%, water content 20–39 wt%) are determined. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels based on silicone and poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine)

In the present work, sequential interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on silicone and poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) were developed with improved protein resistance. The structure and morphology of the IPNs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the IPNs exhibited heterogeneous morphology. The bulk properties such as water content, ion permeability, and mechanical strength of the IPNs were determined by gravimetric method, ionoflux measurement technique, and tensile tester, respectively. The surface characteristics of the IPNs were investigated by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurements. XPS analysis suggested that PMPC was present on the surface as well as in the bulk material. The IPNs possessed more hydrophilic surface than pristine silicone revealed by contact angle measurements. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as a model protein to evaluate protein resistance by a bicinchoninic acid assay method. The result revealed that the protein adsorption on the IPNs was significantly reduced compared to pristine silicone. These results suggest that the IPNs based on silicone and PMPC may be developed as novel ophthalmic biomaterials. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DSC analysis of compatibility of poly(phenyl methacrylate) and some poly(xylenyl methacrylates)

Glass transition temperatures of blends of (1) poly-(phenyl methacrylate) and poly(2,3-xylenyl methacrylate), (2) poly-(phenyl methacrylate) and poly(2,6-xylenyl methacrylates and (3) poly-(2,3-xylenyl-) and poly(2,6-xylenyl methacrylate) were measured. The data obtained suggest the existance of compatibility for blends of poly(xylenyl methacrylates) mentioned and incompatibility for both poly(phenyl methacrylate)/poly(xylenyl methacrylate) systems.