Fast Optical Healing of Crystalline Polymers Enabled by Gold Nanoparticles

A general method for very fast and efficient optical healing of crystalline polymers is reported. By loading a very small amount of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in either poly(ethylene oxide) (T_m ≈ 63 °C) or low‐density polyethylene (T_m ≈ 103 °C), the heat released upon surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption of 532 nm light by AuNPs can melt crystallites in the interfacial region of two polymer pieces brought into contact; and the subsequent recrystallization of polymer chains on cooling merges the two pieces into one. The fracture strength of such repaired sample can reach the level of the undamaged polymer after 10 s laser exposure. Moreover, in addition to an ability of long‐distance remote and spatially selective healing, the optical method also works for polymer samples immersed in water.

     

Catalytic and Optical Behavior of Polymer Embedded Metal Nanoparticles

Very small metal aggregates (nanoaggregates) embedded in an inert polymer matrix, which simply stabilizes the nanodispersion, show unique catalytic and optical behaviour. Indeed Ru-nanoparticles in vinyl-aromatic polymers or polyphosphazenes display an enhanced reactivity for hydrogenation of different groups, such as aromatic rings, keto and nitro groups, oximes and nitriles which are converted into the corresponding saturated derivatives under mild conditions. The optical properties of terthiophenethiol-coated gold nanoparticles in UHMWPE (concentration lower than 4 wt.%) are characterized by poor dichroism due to their centrosymmetric structure. High dichroism (R = 30 at 400 nm, DR = 30) is on the contrary recorded for the terthiophene band showing the chromophores to be sensitive to mechanical orientation also when complexed with gold. On the other hand, nanocomposites based on polymers containing vinyl alcohol units and dispersed gold nanoparticles with average diameter ranging from 3 to 20 nm have been efficiently prepared by an UV photo-reduction process. Uniaxial drawing of the irradiated Au/polymer nanocomposites favours the anisotropic distribution of packed assemblies of gold particles, providing oriented films with polarization-dependent tunable optical properties.     

Polymer Composites with Plasmonic Metal Nanoparticles

Summary: A two-phase method has been adapted for the preparation of polymer composites consisting of regioregular poly(3-octylthiophene-2,5-diyl) and Au or Ag nanoparticles. This work compares optical and morphological properties of nanocomposites formed by mixing metal organosols and polymer solution (type I composites) with nanocomposites formed by in-situ reduction in polymer solutions (type II composites). Both types contained very small metal nanoparticles (1–10 nm). Interestingly, more than ten-fold enhancement of Raman scattering of the polymer by the electromagnetic (EM) mechanism of SERS (surface-enhanced Raman scattering) resulted from the coupling of the polymer with plasmonic Au nanoparticles into a nanocomposite system.     

高聚物球晶偏光织态研究中的厚度性消光与补偿机理

以两维聚环氧乙烷（ＰＥＯ）球晶为对象，探讨了偏光显微法的消光机理，尤其是其中的厚度性消光机理，并对于补偿片的作用原理作了细致的理论分析，运用上述手段对ＰＥＯ球晶的形态进行了研究。     

Optical Gain in Semiconducting Polymer Nano and Mesoparticles

The presence of excited-states and charge-separated species was identified through UV and visible laser pump and visible/near-infrared probe femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy in spin coated films of poly[N-9″-heptadecanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4,7-di-2-thienyl-2′,1′,3′-benzothiadiazole)] (PCDTBT) nanoparticles and mesoparticles. Optical gain in the mesoparticle films is observed after excitation at both 400 and 610 nm. In the mesoparticle film, charge generation after UV excitation appears after around 50 ps, but little is observed after visible pump excitation. In the nanoparticle film, as for a uniform film of the pure polymer, charge formation was efficiently induced by UV excitation pump, while excitation of the low energetic absorption states (at 610 nm) induces in the nanoparticle film a large optical gain region reducing the charge formation efficiency. It is proposed that the different intermolecular interactions and molecular order within the nanoparticles and mesoparticles are responsible for their markedly different photophysical behavior. These results therefore demonstrate the possibility of a hitherto unexplored route to stimulated emission in a conjugated polymer that has relatively undemanding film preparation requirements.     

侧链液晶高分子的非线性光学特征及其应用

阐述了侧链高分子液晶非线性光学的基本原理,着重讨论了影响非线性光学特征的几个基本因素,说明了双折射与外场强度、双折射与序参数之间的定量关系,展望了侧链高分子液晶非线性光学特征在一些领域中的应用前景。     

Effect of Curing Process on the Dynamic Response of Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films

Summary: The time relaxation of the optical transmission of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal films was investigated after application of an electric rectangular pulse. These films, consisting of liquid crystalline microdomains dispersed in a polymer matrix, were obtained by polymerization induced phase separation using ultraviolet and electron beam curing techniques. The effects of the curing procedure and film thickness on the transmission properties were investigated. The electro-optical response was expressed via a hierarchy of order parameters. A good agreement between the experimental data and calculated transmission values was found.     

Status and dreams of photonics polymer for IT

We have proposed a low-loss, high-bandwidth and large-core graded-index plastic optical fiber (GI POF) in data-corn, area. The GI POF enables us to eliminate the “modal noise” problem which is observed in medium-core silica fibers. Therefore, stable high-speed data transmission can be realized by the GI POF rather than medium-core silica fibers. Furthermore, advent of perfluorinated (PF) polymer based GI POF network can support higher transmission than silica fibers network because of the small material dispersion of PF polymer compared with silica. In addition, we proposed a “highly scattering optical transmission (HSOT) polymer” and applied it to a light guide plate of a liquid crystal display backlight. The HSOT polymer backlight that was designed using the HSOT designing simulator demonstrated twice the brightness of the conventional taransparent backlight with sufficient color uniformity. Furthermore, we proposed the two types of zero-birefringence polymers synthesized by the random copolymerization method and the anisotropic molecule dopant method. Both of the polymers exhibited no orientational birefringence for any orientation of polymer chains.     

Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized by a Dextran‐Based pH‐ and Temperature‐Sensitive Polymer

A dextran‐based dual‐sensitive polymer is employed to endow gold nanoparticles with stability and pH‐ and temperature‐sensitivity. The dual‐sensitive polymer is prepared by RAFT polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide from trithiocarbonate groups linked to dextran and succinoylation of dextran after polymerization. The functionalized nanoparticles show excellent stability under various conditions and can be stored in powder‐form. UV and DLS measurements confirm that the temperature‐induced optical changes and aggregation behaviors of the particles are strongly dependent on pH.

     

Evolution of particle morphology during the synthesis of hybrid acrylic/CeO2 nanocomposites by miniemulsion polymerization

The evolution of the morphology of an acrylic/CeO₂ hybrid latex synthesized by a two step seeded semibatch emulsion polymerization process was investigated. The seed was produced by batch miniemulsion polymerization and in the second step a neat monomer preemulsion was fed to the seed to increase the solids content and encapsulate the inorganic material. The morphology of the hybrid miniemulsion droplets, the seed and the final latex was analyzed by TEM. The morphologies achieved could be explained by theoretical equilibrium morphology maps based on the interfacial tensions of the monomeric, polymeric, inorganic and aqueous phases. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 792–799     

2005年我国内地学者高分子科学基础研究进展概述

简要介绍了2005年度我国内地学者在高分子主要前沿领域基础研究的进展，涉及的领域主要包括特殊构筑高分子的合成、高分子结构表征、光电功能高分子、高分子自组装与超分子聚合物、高分子微纳结构与纳米复合体系、类细胞膜融合分裂的实时观测和生物医用高分子等。     

Synthesis of metal (Fe or Pd)/alloy (Fe–Pd)‐nanoparticles‐embedded multiwall carbon nanotube/sulfonated polyaniline composites by γ irradiation

Composites of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and sulfonated polyaniline (SPAN) were prepared through the oxidative polymerization of a mixture of aniline, 2,5‐diaminobenzene sulfonic acid, and MWCNTs. Fe, Pd, or Fe–Pd alloy nanoparticles were embedded into the MWCNT–SPAN matrix by the reduction of Fe, Pd, or a mixture of Fe and Pd ions with γ radiation. Sulfonic acid groups and the emeraldine form of backbone units in SPAN served as the source for the reduction of the metal ions in the presence of γ radiation. The existence of metallic/alloy particles in the MWCNT–SPAN matrix was further ascertained through characterization by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and conductivity measurements. HRTEM pictures clearly revealed the existence of Fe, Pd, and Fe–Pd nanoparticles of various sizes in the MWCNT–SPAN matrices. There were changes in the electronic properties of the MWCNT–SPAN–M composites due to the interaction between the metal nanoparticles and MWCNT–SPAN. Metal‐nanoparticle‐loaded MWCNT–SPAN composites (MWCNT–SPAN–M; M = Fe, Pd, or Fe–Pd alloy) showed better thermal stability than the pristine polymers. The conductivity of the MWCNT–SPAN–M composites was approximately 1.5 S cm^?1, which was much higher than that of SPAN (2.46 × 10^?4 S cm^?1). Metal/alloy‐nanoparticle‐embedded, MWCNT‐based composite materials are expected to find applications in molecular electronics and other fields. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3355–3364, 2006     

Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence of Pure Polymer Films and Polymer Blends

We recently reported the discovery of soliton‐like electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) waves from pure conjugated polymer films and gold‐nanoparticles‐doped polymer films. In addition to a more detailed study of these polymer systems by changing the film thickness and the distribution of local leaks, we also apply the ECL wave phenomenon to polymer blends of conjugated and nonconjugated polymers. Poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐co‐benzothiadiazole) (F8BT) is used as the active material that is oxidized and produces ECL with the presence of a co‐reactant, tri‐n‐propylamine (TPA). Several factors such as film thickness, artificial leaks, and solubility of doped polymers are examined for their effects on the ECL behavior. When polystyrene (PS), less soluble in the electrolyte, is blended with F8BT, dotted ECL signals are observed and transported as waves. When poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), more soluble in the electrolyte, is blended with F8BT, PMMA serves as local scratches and ECL waves are triggered simultaneously from the whole film.

     

Decorating Polypyrrole Nanotubes with Au Nanoparticles by an In Situ Reduction Process

Au nanoparticle‐decorated polypyrrole nanotubes (defined as PPy/Au nanocomposites) are prepared by an in situ reduction process. Polypyrrole (PPy) nanotubes are prepared by a self‐degraded template method, and Au nanoparticles are deposited in situ by the reduction of HAuCl₄. The size and uniformity of the Au nanoparticles that decorate the PPy nanotubes can be controlled by adjusting the experimental conditions, such as the stabilizers used and the reaction temperature. The morphologies and optical properties of the nanocomposites have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV‐vis, and FT‐IR spectroscopy. Conductivity measurements show that the conductivities of the nanocomposites decrease with a decrease of temperature, and the conductivity–temperature relationship obeys the quasi‐one dimensional variable range hopping model.

     

Control of the Optical Properties of a Star Copolymer with a Hyperbranched Conjugated Polymer Core and Poly(ethylene glycol) Arms by Self‐Assembly

A self‐assembly approach to tuning the optical properties of a star copolymer is reported herein. The star copolymer HCP‐star‐PEG with a hyperbranched conjugated polymer (HCP) core and many linear poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) arms has been prepared successfully. The HCP core was synthesized by Wittig coupling of N‐(n‐hexyl)‐3,6‐diformylcarbazole and 1,3,5‐bis[(triphenylphosphonio)methyl]benzene tribromide. Subsequently, the linear PEG arms were grafted onto the HCP core by acylhydrazone connection. It was found that the optical properties of HCP‐star‐PEG in chloroform solution changed on addition of acid. Both ¹H NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopic investigations confirmed that the variation of the optical properties was related to the complexation of the acid and the imine bond in the acylhydrazone group. HCP‐star‐PEG self‐assembled into core–shell micelles in the mixed solvent of chloroform and acetonitrile, which affected the protonation of the imine bond. Therefore the optical properties of HCP‐star‐PEG can be readily controlled by self‐assembly.     

双折射晶体——重要的光功能材料

介绍双折射晶体作为光隔离器件所应具备的条件,对光隔离器中使用的几种主要材料性能进行比较,指出分子或基团线性极化率与晶体结构参数可作为双折射新晶体材料探索的重要依据。     

Nanocomposites of Size‐Tunable ZnO‐Nanoparticles and Amphiphilic Hyperbranched Polymers

Highly dispersed ZnO nanoparticles with variable particle sizes were successfully prepared within an amphiphilic hyperbranched polyetherpolyol matrix via decomposition of an organometallic precursor in the presence of air leading to stable nanocomposites. The high degree of stabilization during and after the synthesis by the polymer permits control over the nanoparticle size and therefore, due to the quantum‐size‐effect, the particle properties. Furthermore, these polymer‐inorganic nanocomposites can easily be dispersed in apolar solvents to yield highly transparent, stable solutions.

     

Novel Semiconducting Polymer Particles by Supercritical Fluid Process

Summary: A simple method to prepare surfactant‐free and solvent‐free semiconducting polymer particles by using an environmentally benign supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) process is reported. The process of the rapid expansion of supercritical solutions (RESS) is used to produce spherical particles of poly[2‐(3‐thienyl)acetyl 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8‐tridecafluorooctanoate] (PSFTE), 50–500 nm in size, from 0.1–0.5 wt.‐% PSFTE solutions in CO₂ at pre‐expansion temperatures of 40 °C and pre‐expansion pressures of 276 bar.

An FESEM image of PSFTE particles produced by the RESS process with CO₂.