Thermoanalytical studies on specialty polymers in Japan

Thermoanalytical studies on specialty polymers in Japan are reviewed. The basic and applied researches for the developments of new specialty polymers such as high-performance polymers, liquid crystalline polymers, and biodegradable polymers during the 1990's are introduced from the standpoint of thermal analysis. Many studies were performed for the improvements of durability and thermal stability of engineering polymers, biodegradable polymers and so on. A special topic of researches on the thermal behavior of polymers by high-pressure differential thermal analysis is included in this review. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

旋光性聚合物的铁电性能

旋光性高分子在结构上具有一定的空间特异性,因而可以有多种应用。根据铁电材料所必需具备的条件,经过特定的分子结构设计,可以使之具备铁电性能,据此,人们已合成了许多不同类型的铁电聚合物。本文按照铁电聚合物所处的聚集态不同,分别综述了具有铁电特性的晶态和液晶态旋光性聚合物的种类、结构特点及其铁电性能,分析讨论了影响液晶态旋光性聚合物的自发极化率和响应时间的因素。     

医用可生物降解高分子材料

对目前医用可生物降解高分子材料的研究及应用状况分化学合成，天然和生物技术合成三类作了综述。对材料的生物相容性、可生物降解性及物理机械性能进行了分析和比较。并就医用生物降解高分子材料的发展趋势作了预测。     

Thermal studies and chromium removal efficiency of thermoresponsive hyperbranched copolymers based on PEG-methacrylates

This study deals with the removal of chromium species from aqueous dilute solutions using thermoresponsive linear and hyperbranched copolymers based on PEG-methacrylates. The thermal stability of polymers was studied by thermogravimetric analysis and chemiluminescence emission, which evidenced a slightly enhanced stability for hyperbranched polymers respect to linear structures. Their LCST was successfully determined by TOPEM (temperature-modulated DSC), and similar values to those obtained by UV spectroscopy were obtained. The adsorption capacities for chromium hexavalent of the polymers have been investigated as function of LCST. The results showed highest retention capacity of Cr(VI) for all polymers above LCST. Hyperbranched polymers were more efficient than linear polymers, because of the structure of the polymers. Hyperbranched polymers when precipitate form a network with more nanocavities where the chromium can be adsorbed. The efficiency increased with ratio of OEGMA/DEGMA, reaching a maximum retention capacity value of 40 mg Cr(VI)/g polymer.     

Functionalized liquid-crystalline polymers towards NLO-applications and piezo-sensors

A systematic synthesis of functionalized 1c polymers is possible starting from precursor polymers with phenolic groups. The esterification of these precursor polymers with chiral acids proceeds nearly quantitatively and produces polymers with cholesteric and chiral smectic C* phases. A further functionalization of these polymers with “NLO-chromophores” produces polymers, which are suitable for second harmonic generation; a functionalization with crosslinkable groups leads to polymers, which act as piezoelements.     

聚丙烯酸酯型高分子侧链液晶的合成及其对聚乙烯成核结晶行为的影响

基于聚烯烃用成核剂的结构特征设计合成了两种极性基团和非极性基团交替排列的乙烯基单体,并利用自由基引发聚合,制备出相应的侧链型液晶聚合物.采用元素分析、红外光谱和核磁共振氢谱对所合成单体和聚合物的结构进行了确认.并采用热失重(TGA)和差示扫描量热仪(DSC)研究了聚合物的热稳定性和相转变温度.结果表明,所合成聚合物的起始热分解温度均在337℃以上,具有优异的热稳定性;液晶相变温度区间可达186 K,具有较宽的液晶态温度范围.热台偏光显微镜(HS-POM)研究结果表明,聚合物均呈现出纹影织构,证明所合成的聚合物均为热致向列型侧链液晶高分子.采用DSC和HS-POM研究了所合成的侧链液晶聚合物对高密度聚乙烯(HDPE)异相成核结晶行为的影响.结果表明,侧链型液晶聚合物在提高HDPE结晶温度、结晶度以及降低HDPE晶粒的尺寸及分布方面均有优异的效果,是一类HDPE有效的成核剂.     

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATI0N OF POLYMETHACRYLATES BEARING HETEROCYCLIC AZO GROUP AND MESOGENIC GROUP FOR NONLINEAR OPTICS

The methacrylate monomers bearing mesogenic group and heterocyclicazo dye have been synthesized. The monomeric dye was copolymerized with the mesogenicmonomer using a free radical initiator to produce polymers useful for nonlinear optics. Themonomers and polymers were characterized by IR, ~1H-NMR, and UV-Vis spectra. Theaverage molecular weight (M_w and M_n) of the polymers were determined by gel permeationchromatography. The thermal properties of the polymers such as thermal stability andphase transition behavior were studied by thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermalanalysis, polarizing optical microscope and X-ray diffractometer. The results demonstratethat the synthesized polymers are crystalline polymers at room temperature and no liquidcrystalline phases were observed for all of them.     

ARCHITECTURE OF LADDER,TUBULAR AND SIEVE-PLATE POLYMERS PREPARED BY STEPWISE COUPLING POLYMERIZATION

"Stepwise-coupling polymerization" (SCP) is a very useful approach for preparing microstructure-controllableordered network polymers, including soluble one-dimensional ladderlike polymers (LP) and tubular polymers (TP), and two-dimensional sieve-plate polymers. The novel reactive LPs are important precursors of micro-structure controllable polymerssuch as "fishbone-" or "rowboat-"like mesomorphic polymers and their metal complexes as well as tubular polymers (TPs).They are full of great potential for use as advanced materials.     

A review of Fourier-transform Raman spectroscopic studies on polymers

The published work on the FT-Raman spectra of polymers other than elastomers is reviewed and assessed. Experimental techniques, including sampling procedures, measurements at elevated temperatures and microscope accessories are considered first, followed by the scope for quantitative measurements. The survey of published work on polymers is arranged into the subdivisions hydrocarbon polymers, polyamides and polyimides, poly(aryl ether ketone) and poly(aryl ether ether ketone) and the corresponding sulphones, halogenated polymers, highly conjugated polymers, various other polymers, polymerization kinetic studies and thin polymer films.     

New comb-like polymers: Synthesis,structures and reactivity

Comb-like polymers have been widely investigated mainly to correlate their structures with the thermal behaviour. Our interests are directed on the synthesis of new types of comb-like polymers bearing reactive groups in the side chains, main chain or as end groups. One part of the investigations deals with the behaviour of photosensible polymers containing azobenzene, cinnamic acid and mesoionic moieties. The use of enzymes as catalysts for the synthesis of new methacrylic derivatives and for the modification of polymers illustrates a fascinating contribution to polymer chemistry. The classical Diels-Alder addition was also used for the synthesis and modification of polymers. Finally, the construction of polymers containing rotaxanes in the side chains is presented.     

Styrene-PEG (600) DMA Crosslinked Polymers for Absorption of Oil Derivatives

In this work, styrene (St) based crosslinked polymers were prepared for removal of oil derivatives from aqueous solutions. Polyethylene glycol (600) dimethacrylate (PEG (600) DMA) was used as crosslinker in synthesis of styrene based crosslinked polymers, for the first time. The polymers were characterized by FTIR, SEM, elemental analysis and solvent (toluene, chloroform and fuel-oil) absorption capacities. The effects of different reaction parameters like crosslinker type, diluents amount and the presence of pore forming agent on the absorption properties of polymers were investigated. The polymers synthesized by using PEG (600) DMA have higher solvent absorption capacity than that of synthesized by using conventional crosslinker. Furthermore, the polymers synthesized in the presence of good diluents have higher absorption capacities. The addition of pore forming agent into the reaction medium has also improved the absorption rate of polymers. The absorption capacity of polymers in different solvents is in order of chloroform > toluene > fuel-oil. It was seen that oil derivatives can be removed efficiently from water by the St-PEG (600) DMA polymers.     

A comparative study of interaction of ibuprofen with biocompatible polymers

In this paper we are reporting the interaction of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen (IBF) with various biocompatible polymers. Being amphiphilic, the drug interacts with the polymers similar to the interaction of surfactants and polymers. Therefore, we have considered the polymer-amphiphile interaction approach using conductimetry. The polymers of different charges (cationic, anionic, and nonionic) have been taken for the study. It was found that the critical aggregation concentration (cac) decreases on increasing the polymer concentrations of cationic as well as nonionic polymers whereas it increases for anionic polymers. The results imply that anionic IBF interacts with cationic and nonionic polymers more strongly as compared to the anionic polymers. A possible anionic-anionic repulsion is responsible for the weak interaction of IBF with anionic polymers. On the other side, the critical micelle concentration (cmc) increases for all polymers which is a usual indication of the interaction between amphiphiles and polymers. Free energies of aggregation (ΔG_agg) and micellization (ΔG_mic) were also computed with the help of degrees of micelle ionization obtained from the specific conductivity - [IBF] isotherms.     

含酰亚胺环酞菁聚合物性能的研究

双邻苯二甲腈单体在催化剂作用下通过熔融聚合得到酞菁聚合物。以IR、DTA、TG等对单体和酞菁聚合物的结构和热性能进行了表征和研究。此外,还进行了单体和聚合物的溶解性试验。结果表明,含酰亚胺环的酞菁聚合物具有优良的热和热氧稳定性,化学惰性和高的成碳率(64.6～65.6％,N_2,>800℃)。这类聚合物可望作为高性能材料应用于宇航等部门。     

Preparation of bio-based polymers for materials applications

A new technology developed by us for the synthesis of well defined, tailored cellulose-synthetic polymer graft polymers and crosslinked cellulose graft polymers with control over the molecular weight of the synthetic polymer graft, a high degree of graft substitution, and knowledge of the backbone-graft linkage is reviewed. The potential of bio-based polymers using these new tailored cellulosic graft polymers for use in plastics, resins, and composite applications is discussed. The new graft polymers can function as compatibilizers/interfacial agents in the preparation of biopolymer-synthetic polymer composites and blends with the desirable properties of the constitutent polymers incorporated into the new material system.     

Metal-Catalyzed Coupling Reactions In The Synthesis Of New Conducting Polymers

The use of transition metal-catalyzed coupling reactions in the synthesis of conducting polymers is discussed. These reactions are of growing importance in polymer synthesis and are particularly important in the synthesis of highly functionalized conjugated (conducting) polymers. In this report we discuss applications of this methodology for the synthesis of conducting polymer sensory materials and polymers with reactive functional groups. In the sensory polymers we have incorporated crown ether groups which induce perturbations to the polymer's electronic structure when exposed to an alkali metal ion. Our interest in polymers with reactive functional groups is for the development of polymers which can be transformed into novel all-carbon ladder polymers.     

结晶高分子非晶区的结构及其动力学行为研究进展

非晶结构对结晶高分子材料结构和最终使用性能有非常重要的影响,但目前对半晶高分子中非晶结构的认识还不太清晰并且有待进一步完善.随着研究手段的发展,结晶高分子中非晶区结构及其动力学行为的研究受到越来越多的关注.本文简要概述了目前对结晶高分子中非晶相的研究进展,主要从结晶高分子中非晶区的结构﹑结晶高分子中非晶区的松弛行为﹑非晶相对结晶高分子性能的影响以及等温结晶过程中非晶相的结构演化这四个方面进行介绍,并对它们的研究现状进行了概述,同时指出了目前在这方面研究中存在的争议和问题.     

Preparation of analyte-sensitive polymeric supports for biochemical sensors

The preparation and use of multiple polymers attached to a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor for optimization of signal enhancement and minimization of fouling during sensing of biological species has been achieved. These polymers are advantageous compared to the current practice of carboxymethylated-dextran (CM-dextran). The polymers offer a wide range of functionalities and different molecular weights. Using these polymers, the SPR sensors can be fabricated as fast or faster than the CM-dextran sensor. In this study, we investigated the use of nine polymers for SPR biosensors. Polysaccharides, including CM-dextran, CM-hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid, and alginic acid, were investigated. Humic acid, polylactic acid, polyacrylic acid, orthopyridyldisulfide-polyethyleneglycol-N-hydroxysuccinimide (OPSS-PEG-NHS) and a synthesized polymer; polymethacrylic-acid-co-vinyl-acetate (PMAVA), were also used. The polymers were chemically attached to a thiol monolayer on the SPR biosensor using carbodiimide chemistry. The polymers were functionalized for binding of anti-myoglobin (anti-MG). The sensor performance was measured using myoglobin (MG) at 25 ng ml⁻¹, a biologically relevant level for myocardial infarction detection. Most polymers offered similar performance to CM-dextran for MG detection in HEPES buffer saline pH 7.4 (HBS). In preliminary studies in bovine serum, each of the candidate polymers demonstrated better performance than CM-dextran.     

Thermal conductivity behaviour of polymers around glass transition and crystalline melting temperatures

The thermal conductivity of five semi-crystalline and four amorphous polymers was determined within a wide range of temperature, starting at room temperature and going up to temperatures above the polymer melting point (Tm) for semi-crystalline polymers or above the glass transition temperature (Tg) for amorphous polymers. Two transient techniques were employed in the experimental investigation: the hot wire technique for the group of amorphous polymers, and the laser flash technique for the semicrystalline polymers. As expected, the experimental results show that Tg exerts a measureable influence on the thermal conductivity of amorphous polymers. In the case of semi-crystalline polymers, a singular behaviour of the thermal conductivity is observed within the Tm range. In order to explain the anomalous behaviour, the influence of these transition temperatures on the thermal conductivity behaviour with temperature has been analysed in terms of a phonon conduction process and temperature variations of specific heat and modulus of elasticity of the analyzed polymers.     

Insulating Polymers as Additives to Bulk-Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells: The Effect of Miscibility

Adding insulating polymers to conjugated polymers is an efficient strategy to tailor their mechanical properties for flexible organic electronics. In this work, we selected two insulating polymers as additives for high-performance photoactive layers and investigated the mechanical and photovoltaic properties in organic solar cells (OSCs). The insulating polymers were found to reduce the electron mobilities in the photoactive layers, and hence the power conversion efficiencies were significantly decreased. More importantly, we found that the insulating polymers exhibited negative effect on the mechanical properties of the photoactive layers, with reduced Young's modulus and low crack onset strains. Further studies revealed that the insulating polymers had poor miscibility with the photoactive layers, providing large domains and more cavities in blend thin films, which act as negative effect for the tensile test. The studies indicate that rational selection of insulating polymers, especially enhancing the non-covalent interaction with the photoactive layers, will be critically important for the stretchable OSCs.     

Preparation and characterization of molecularly imprinted polymers based on β‐cyclodextrin‐stabilized Pickering emulsion polymerization for selective recognition of erythromycin from river water and milk

Molecularly imprinted polymers were prepared via β‐cyclodextrin‐stabilized oil‐in‐water Pickering emulsion polymerization for selective recognition and adsorption of erythromycin. The synthesized molecularly imprinted polymers were spherical in shape, with diameters ranging from 20 to 40 µm. The molecularly imprinted polymers showed high adsorption capacity (87.08 mg/g) and adsorption isotherm data fitted well with Langmuir model. Adsorption kinetics study demonstrated that the molecularly imprinted polymers acted in a fast adsorption kinetic pattern and the adsorption features of molecularly imprinted polymers followed a pseudo‐first‐order model. Adsorption selectivity analysis revealed that molecularly imprinted polymers had a much better specificity for erythromycin than that for spiramycin or amoxicillin, and the relative selectivity coefficient values on the bases of spiramycin and amoxicillin were 3.97 and 3.86, respectively. The Molecularly imprinted polymers also showed a satisfactory reusability after four times of regeneration. In addition, molecularly imprinted polymers exhibited good adsorption capacities for erythromycin under complicated environment, that is, river water and milk. These results proved that the as‐prepared molecularly imprinted polymers is a potent absorbent for selective recognition of erythromycin, and therefore it may be a promising candidate for practical applications, such as wastewater treatment and detection of erythromycin residues in food.