Laser-initiated polymerization of lauryl methacrylate: Laser repetition rate effect

The photoinitiated polymerization of lauryl methacrylate with a pulsed excimer laser source is highly dependent on the laser repetition rate and the absorbance (optical density) of the photoinitiator. The GPC chromatograms of poly(lauryl methacrylate) generated by the laser-initiated polymerization of lauryl methacrylate decrease in size and shift to lower molecular weight species with increasing repetition rate. In addition, the polymers produced at high laser repetition rates are characterized by a number of distinct narrow molecular weight GPC peaks. The decrease in polymerization efficiency is especially pronounced at laser pulsing frequencies greater than 3 Hz.     

On the mechanism of crystalline polymorph selection by polymer heteronuclei

The phase-selective crystallization of acetaminophen (ACM) using insoluble polymers as heteronuclei was investigated in a combined experimental and computational effort to elucidate the mechanism of polymer-induced heteronucleation (PIHn). ACM heteronucleates from supersaturated aqueous solution in its most thermodynamically stable monoclinic form on poly(n-butyl methacrylate), whereas the metastable orthorhombic form is observed on poly(methyl methacrylate). When ACM crystals were grown through vapor deposition, only the monoclinic polymorph was observed on each polymer. Each crystallization condition leads to a unique powder X-ray diffraction pattern with the major preferred orientation corresponding to the crystallographic faces in which these crystal phases nucleate from surfaces of the polymers. The molecular recognition events leading to these outcomes are elucidated with the aid of computed polymer-crystal binding energies using docking simulations. This investigation illuminates the mechanism by which phase selection occurs during the crystallization of ACM using polymers as heteronuclei, paving the way for the improvement of methods for polymorph selection and discovery based on heterogeneous nucleation promoters.     

Rapid determination of sterols in vegetable oils by CEC using methacrylate ester‐based monolithic columns

A method for the determination of sterols in vegetable oils by CEC with UV–Vis detection, using methacrylate ester‐based monolithic columns, has been developed. To prepare the columns, polymerization mixtures containing monomers of different hydrophobicities were tried. The influence of composition of polymerization mixture was optimized in terms of porogenic solvent, monomers/porogens and monomer/crosslinker ratios. The composition of the mobile phase was also studied. The optimum monolith was obtained with lauryl methacrylate monomer at 60:40% (wt:wt) lauryl methacrylate/ethylene dimethacrylate ratio and 60 wt% porogens with 20 wt% of 1,4‐butanediol (12 wt% 1,4‐butanediol in the polymerization mixture). Excellent resolution between sterols was achieved in less than 7 min with an 85:10:5 v/v/v ACN–2‐propanol–water buffer containing 5 mM Tris at pH 8.0. The limits of detection were lower than 0.04 mM, and inter‐day and column‐to‐column reproducibilities at 0.75 mM were better than 6.2%. The method was applied to the determination of sterols in vegetable oils with different botanical origins and to detect olive oil adulteration with sunflower and soybean oils.     

The crystalline structures of ethylene-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymers as studied by solid-state high-resolution 13C NMR spectroscopy

The crystalline structures of ethylene-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (EDAM) copolymers, which were either melt-quenched (mq) or isothermally crystallized (iso), were studied by solid-state high-resolution ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. It revealed that the crystalline structures of EDAM copolymers are greatly dependent on the comonomer content, crystallization condition and the storage time after treatment. The ratio of monoclinic to orthorhombic crystal (M/O) increases with the increase in the dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate content. Higher crystallinity and lower monoclinic content were observed for iso samples compared to the mq ones. The monoclinic crystal was found to melt at lower temperatures compared to the orthorhombic one during the heating process. The degree of crystallinity as well as the contents of monoclinic and orthorhombic crystals and the M/O value are found to increase after storage at room temperature for a month.     

Semi‐micro reversed‐phase liquid chromatography for the separation of alkyl benzenes and proteins exploiting methacrylate‐ and polystyrene‐based monolithic columns

Monolithic columns were synthesized inside 1.02 mm internal diameter fused‐silica lined stainless‐steel tubing. Styrene and butyl, hexyl, lauryl, and glycidyl methacrylates were the functional monomers. Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and divinylbenzene were the crosslinkers. The glycidyl methacrylate polymer was modified with gold nanoparticles and dodecanethiol (C₁₂). The separation of alkylbenzenes was investigated by isocratic elution in 60:40 v/v acetonitrile/water. The columns based on polystyrene‐co‐divinylbenzene and poly(glycidyl methacrylate)‐co‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate modified with dodecanethiol did not provide any separation of alkyl benzenes. The poly(hexyl methacrylate)‐co‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and poly(lauryl methacrylate)‐co‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate columns separated the alkyl benzenes with plate heights between 30 and 60 μm (50 μL min^?1 and 60°C). Similar efficiency was achieved in the poly(butyl methacrylate)‐co‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate column, but only at 10 μL min^?1 (0.22 mm s^?1). Backpressures varied from 0.38 MPa in the hexyl methacrylate to 13.4 MPa in lauryl methacrylate columns (50 μL min^?1 and 60°C). Separation of proteins was achieved in all columns with different efficiencies. At 100 μL min^?1 and 60°C, the lauryl methacrylate columns provided the best separation, but their low permeability prevented high flow rates. Flow rates up to 500 μL min^?1 were possible in the styrene, butyl and hexyl methacrylate columns.     

Optimization of the porous structure and polarity of polymethacrylate-based monolithic capillary columns for the LC-MS separation of enzymatic digests

The porous structure as well as the polarity of methacrylate ester-based monolithic stationary phases has been optimized to achieve the separation of various peptides originating from enzymatic digestion. The porous structure, determined by the size of both pores and microglobules, was varied through changes in the composition of porogenic solvents in the polymerization mixture, while the polarity was controlled through the incorporation of butyl, lauryl, or octadecyl methacrylate in the polymer backbone. Both the morphology and the chemistry of the monoliths had a significant effect on the retention and efficiency of the capillary columns. The best resolution of peptidic fragments obtained by digestion of Cytochrome c with trypsin in solution was obtained in a gradient LC-MS mode using a monolithic capillary column of poly(lauryl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) featuring small pores and small microglobules. Raising the temperature from 25 to 60 degrees C enabled separations to be carried out at 40% higher flow rates. Separations carried out at 60 degrees C with a steeper gradient proceeded without loss of performance in half the time required for a comparable separation at room temperature. Our preparation technique affords monolithic columns with excellent column-to-column and run-to-run repeatability of retention times and pressure drops.     

Estimation of monomer reactivity ratios in free‐radical solution copolymerization of lauryl methacrylate–isobutyl methacrylate

Copolymers of isobutyl methacrylate (i‐BMA) and lauryl methacrylate (LMA) were prepared by free‐radical solution copolymerizations at 70 °C with azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. The synthesis of these copolymers was investigated over a wide composition range both at low and high conversion levels. Copolymer compositions were determined from the %C, %H, and %O contents of copolymer by elemental analysis. Monomer reactivity ratios were estimated by analyzing composition data with nonlinear least‐squares (NLLS) models based on Marquardt optimization and van Herk methods. The point estimates, 95% individual confidence intervals and 95% joint confidence intervals are obtained from differential and integral approaches. Even though no explicit integral form for penultimate unit model (PUM) is available, a numerical approach is developed for integral estimation of reactivity ratios from PUM. A simulator program was developed which upon coupling of experimental data, NLLS analysis, and D‐optimal criteria calculates the best optimized values of monomer reactivity ratios and monomer feed compositions in a sequential and iterative order for terminal and penultimate unit models. Moreover, the simulator has the capibilities to calculate all features of van Herk method, maximum compositional drift in each monomer feed composition, and data reconciliation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 112–129, 2004     

Studies on Kinetics of Crystallization of PA6／UFAPR Composites

The influence of Ultrafine Full-Vulcanized Acrylate Powdered Rubber(UFAPR) on the isothermal crys-tallization kinetics and nonisothermal crystallization behavior of PA8 has been studied by means of DSC. The results show that with the introduction of a small amount of UFAPR, the crystallization rate of PA8 can be increased obviously, and the crystallization temperature range can be augmented and the crystallite size distri-bution of the crystal can be narrowed down. The change of free energy perpendicular to the crystal nucleus, which has been calculated according to the Hoffman theory, is consistent with the result of Avrami′s equa-tion. The unit surface free energy of the radial-developing crystal spherulite decreases while the crystalliza-tion rate of PA8 increases with the introduction of UFAPR. Meanwhile, it is shown by means of the polariz-ing microscope(PLM) that the crystal size drops down and the number of the crystal grains augments with the addition of UFAPR, which shows that UFAPR can function as a nucleating agent.     

Self-organization in aqueous solutions of thermosensitive statistical copolymers based on N-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate

Thermo- and pH-responsive statistical copolymers of N-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and lauryl methacrylate were synthesized by free radical copolymerization. Obtained samples differed in content of hydrophobic components (3 and 6?mol. %). Their molar masses were close to 30,000?g/mol. Self-organization in buffer solutions of copolymers were studied using light scattering and turbidimetry. It was found that copolymers as well as of poly(N-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) were thermosensitive at pH?>?7. Phase separation temperatures of investigated solutions decreased with dilution and pH increasing. Growth of lauryl methacrylate content in copolymers caused the decrease in phase separation temperatures.     

GMA/苯乙烯多组分单体接枝聚丙烯结晶行为研究

使用差示扫描量热计 (DSC)研究了甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯 苯乙烯 (GMA St)多单体熔融接枝聚丙烯[PP g (GMA co St) ]的等温和非等温结晶行为 ,用偏光显微镜观察了结晶的形态 ,并利用Avrami方程对其结晶动力学进行了分析 .研究发现接枝聚丙烯的结晶模式与PP相似 ,属于异相成核控制的球晶三维生长 ;但接枝聚丙烯的结晶温度 (Tc)显著提高 ,幅度高达 16～ 19℃ ,总结晶速率与纯PP相比明显加快 .接枝聚丙烯上GMA co St支链的存在 ,降低了成核界面自由能 ,促进了聚丙烯结晶的异相成核 .在接枝率不太高的情况下 ,随着接枝率的提高 ,接枝聚丙烯的结晶温度升高 ,总结晶速率加快 .在高接枝率范围内 ,随着接枝率的提高 ,接枝PP的Tc 不再升高 ,且由于接枝链的增长严重阻碍了球晶生长 ,导致接枝PP的总结晶速率反而随接枝率的升高而下降     

An investigation of the hydrophobic property stability of grafted polymeric coatings on a cellulose material surface

Modification of cotton fabric surface by random or block copolymers of glycidyl methacrylate and lauryl methacrylate is studied. It is shown that a cotton fabric surface modified in such a way takes on superhydrophobic properties and differs in stability under long-term contact with aqueous media.     

Synthesis of hydrophobically modified poly(acrylamides) in water-in-oil emulsions

High-molecular-mass hydrophobically modified poly(acrylamides) have been prepared via water-in-oil miniemulsion copolymerization of acrylamide and lauryl methacrylate initiated by 2,2′-azoisobutyronitrile. The incorporation of the hydrophobic comonomer into the polymer backbone is indirectly confirmed by the rheological and associative properties of polymer solutions. The copolymers prepared from the reaction mixtures containing less than 5 mol % lauryl methacry late demonstrate the associative behavior in aqueous solutions, as evidenced by fluorescence spectroscopy (a decrease in the polarity parameter of pyrene), static and dynamic light scattering (overestimated effective molecular masses and appearance of a peak due to aggregates), and rheological measurements (a rise of viscosity relative to that of the acrylamide homopolymer). A further increase in the content of lauryl methacrylate leads to formation of polymers possessing limited solubility in water. At the acrylamide-to-hydrophobic monomer equimolar ratio, homopolymers arise along with the insoluble copolymer.     

A competitive particle nucleation mechanism in the polymerization of homogenized styrene emulsions

The effects of concentrations of surfactant (sodium lauryl sulfate [SLS]) and initiator (sodium persulfate [SPS]) on the polymerization of homogenized styrene emulsions, stabilized by SLS/lauryl methacrylate (LMA) or SLS/stearyl methacrylate (SMA), were studied. The rate of polymerization increases with increasing [SLS] or [SPS]. In addition to monomer droplet nucleation, the formation of particle nuclei in the aqueous phase (homogeneous nucleation) plays a crucial role in the polymerization kinetics. In comparison with the LMA containing polymerization system, monomer droplet nucleation becomes more important when the more hydrophobic SMA was used as the costabilizer. Furthermore, the degree of homogeneous nucleation increases with increasing [SPS].     

十二烷基硫酸钠对原位晶化制备小晶粒NaY的影响

研究了十二烷基硫酸钠对原位晶化制备小晶粒NaY的影响,并以包含小晶粒NaY的原位晶化产物为母体,通过铵交换和稀土离子交换制备出了REUSY催化剂.采用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线荧光(XRF)及N₂物理吸附-脱附等手段对样品进行了表征,采用微反活性评价装置和小型固定流化床(ACE)评价了所制备催化剂在重油催化裂化反应中的催化性能.结果表明:在原位晶化合成NaY的体系中,添加高岭土微球质量5%的十二烷基硫酸钠,可以将分子筛的平均晶粒尺寸由540 nm减小到250 nm.相比于常规的原位晶化型流化催化裂化(FCC)催化剂,以包含小晶粒NaY的原位晶化产物为母体所制备出的催化剂,在反应原料的转化率、裂化产物的选择性以及抗积碳性能等方面均有明显的提高或改善.     

导向剂法合成低硅X型沸石(LSX)

利用导向剂法(CDA)合成低硅[n(SiO₂)/n(Al₂O₃)≈2.0]X型沸石,用XRD,X射线荧光光谱测定样品的晶相及化学组成,并利用电子衍射对导向剂在老化过程中的结构变化进行了研究.结果表明,导向剂法合成速度快、杂晶极少.在晶化过程中的导向作用是一个持续过程,其活性不仅与配方、老化时间和温度有关,而且与其晶面的生长有关.     

Monolithic polymeric sorbents for high-performance chromatography of synthetic polymers

A number of macroporous monolithic materials based on copolymers of butyl methacrylate or lauryl methacrylate with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate is obtained via thermal free-radical polymerization. The effect of polymerization conditions on pore parameters of the synthesized sorbents is studied. Polymer stationary phases obtained for the efficient analysis of synthetic polymers are tested for the separation of a multicomponent mixture containing polystyrene samples of various molecular masses.     

Single crystal growth of Bi1−xSrxMnO3—Thermodynamics and experiment

The primary crystallization field of a perovskite solid solution Bi_1−xSr_xMnO_3−δ was delimited by calculating the respective phase equilibria in the quaternary Bi–Sr–Mn–O system. The calculations are based on the recent assessment involving all three ternary subsystems, a quaternary liquid approximated as a mixture of Mn, MnO, Mn₂O₃, SrO and Bi₂O₃ species with binary Redlich–Kister coefficients and the perovskite phase described in terms of a point defect model allowing Sr²⁺ for Bi³⁺ substitution, oxygen vacancy formation and the related Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ mixing on Mn-sublattice. The crystallization path and the composition of the crystallized solid solution are compared with single crystal growth experiments performed by self-flux method from a Bi-rich melt. The crystallization path obtained for a selected feed composition for which the largest and high quality single crystal have been grown, turns out to end very close to the global eutectic point.     

聚合物熔体冷却阶段结晶行为的多尺度模拟

针对结晶型聚合物熔体冷却过程的结晶行为,建立了偶合宏观温度场与微观结晶形态的多尺度模型.该模型揭示了宏观温度的变化会引起晶核数、晶体生长速率的改变,从而影响微观结晶形态;而微观结晶释放的潜热也将导致宏观温度的改变.为了求解上述多尺度模型,提出了有限体积/像素法偶合的多尺度算法,即在粗网格上采用有限体积法对宏观温度场进行求解,而在细网格上采用像素法对微观结晶形态进行模拟.基于多尺度模型及多尺度算法,文中对二维聚合物熔体模壁等速降温的冷却问题进行了研究,考察了温度、相对结晶度的变化及结晶形态的演化,并比较了不同冷却速率、初始温度对温度、相对结晶度及结晶形态的影响.数值结果表明,冷却速率是影响结晶行为的关键.高冷却速率下,温度平台出现较早,持续较短;结晶过程对应的温度范围较广;且平均晶体直径较小.而初始温度只影响温度平台及结晶行为出现的早晚,与其持续时间几乎无关。     

Poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(ethyl methacrylate) blends: Crystallization,melting behavior,and miscibility

Results of an investigation of isothermal crystallization and thermal behavior of poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEO/PEMA) blends are reported. The blend composition and the crystallization temperature strongly influence the crystallization process from the melt and the melting temperature of PEO. The addition of PEMA to PEO causes a depression in the spherulite growth rate, in the overall kinetic crystallization constant, and in the melting temperature. Experimental data on the radial growth rate G and overall kinetic rate constant K_n are analyzed by means of the latest kinetic theory. From this analysis it emerges that the crystallization of pure PEO and PEO in the blend conforms to the regime I process of surface secondary nucleation. The depression of the melting temperature cannot be explained only in terms of a diluent effect due to the compatibility of the two components in the melt. Annealing and morphological effects, dependent on composition and time, must also be taken into account.     

Preparation of poly(methyl methacrylate) films containing silica particle array structure from colloidal crystals

The incorporation of monodisperse, polymer-modified silica into poly(methyl metharylate) to prepare polymer films containing particle array structure was investigated. The preparation was carried out by a two-step radical polymerization for gelation and solidification. The colloidal crystallization of poly(methyl metharylate)-modified silica, in 78 nm size, in acetonitrile and successive copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and 1,2-dimethacryloylethane by UV light irradiation gave the polymer gel containing the colloidal crystal structure. The exchange of acetonitrile in the gel with methyl methacrylate and further photo-radical polymerization gave the durable polymer film composed of silica particle array.