Formation of flat, homogeneous surfaces of organized molecular films of three-armed polymerizable amphiphiles with metal-scavenging properties

Surface complexing (i.e., metal-bridged polymerization in this study) of a three-armed amphiphilic compound with metal-scavenging properties has been investigated using the surface pressure-area (π-A) isotherms of a Langmuir monolayer from the subphase. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was also carried out on eluted solutions from corresponding multilayers of the solid. Furthermore, the molecular arrangement and surface morphology of organized molecular films of the resultant comb polymer were estimated by in-plane and out-of-plane X-ray diffraction (XRD) and by atomic force microscopy. From an analysis of the wide-angle X-ray diffraction of the corresponding monomer in the bulk, the long hydrocarbon chains are observed to pack hexagonally in the solid state. Compared to their monolayer on distilled water as the subphase, a polymerized monolayer on a buffer solution containing Cd(2+) ions is remarkably expanded at 15 °C. From ICP-MS and IR measurements, it is found that this monolayer stoichiometrically contains Cd(2+) ions on the -SH group. It is found by XRD that highly ordered layer structures and regular 2D lattices are constructed in the organized molecular films of the Cd-bridged comb polymer. Furthermore, the surface morphology of Langmuir-Blodgett films fabricated from the monolayers on a buffer solution containing Cd(2+) and Pd(2+) shows flat and smooth domains upon metal scavenging and polymerization.     

Lignin from sugar cane bagasse: extraction, fabrication of nanostructured films, and application

Four lignin samples were extracted from sugar cane bagasse using four different alcohols (methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, and 1-butanol) via the organosolv-CO2 supercritical pulping process. Langmuir films were characterized by surface pressure vs mean molecular area (Pi-A) isotherms to exploit information at the molecular level carrying out stability tests, cycles of compression/expansion (hysteresis), subphase temperature variations, and metallic ions dissolved into the water subphase at different concentrations. Briefly, it was observed that these lignins are relatively stable on the water surface when compared to those obtained via different extraction processes. Besides, the Pi-A isotherms are shifted to smaller molecular areas at higher subphase temperatures and to larger molecular areas when the metallic ions are dissolved into the subphase. The results are related to the formation of stable aggregates (domains) onto the water subphase by these lignins, as shown in the Pi-A isotherms. It was found as well that the most stable lignin monolayer onto the water subphase is that extracted with 1-butanol. Homogeneous Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of this lignin could be produced as confirmed by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and the cumulative transfer parameter. In addition, FTIR analysis showed that this lignin LB film is structured in a way that the phenyl groups are organized preferentially parallel to the substrate surface. Further, these LB films were deposited onto gold interdigitated electrodes and ITO and applied in studies involving the detection of Cd+2 ions in aqueous solutions at low concentration levels through impedance spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements. FTIR spectroscopy was carried out before and after soaking the thin films into Cd+2 aqueous solutions, revealing a possible physical interaction between the lignin phenyl groups and the heavy metal ions. The importance of using nanostructured systems is demonstrated as well by comparing both LB and cast films.     

Cd2+-induced interfacial structural changes of Langmuir-Blodgett films of stearic acid on solid substrates: a sum frequency generation study

The molecular structures and their stabilities at the outmost-layer of the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of stearic acid on solid substrates have been investigated by a highly surface-sensitive spectroscopic technique, sum frequency generation (SFG), in air and in aqueous solution, using the combination of both normal and deuterated stearic acid. Peaks observed in the SFG spectra are mainly attributed to the terminal methyl group at the outmost layer of the LB films. The SFG spectra in air are virtually identical and are independent of the odd-even property and thickness (1-12) of the LB films, indicating that the even-numbered LB film changes its surface structure after passing through the interface between the water subphase and air, especially when the Cd2+ cation was included in the water subphase. Furthermore, we have demonstrated for the first time using in situ SFG measurement that the interfacial molecular structure at the LB bilayer of stearic acid on the hydrophilic substrates significantly change with immersion in the water subphase containing Cd2+ cation while such a structural change has not been observed in the water subphase without Cd2+. These results clearly indicate that a reorganization process takes place on the surface of the stearic acid bilayer induced by the Cd2+ cation. The electrostatic interaction between the carboxylate headgroup of stearic acid via the Cd2+ cation seems to play an important role in the surface reorganization process both in air and in solution.     

亚相金属离子与两亲配体LB膜相互作用的研究

The complex formation of 2-hexadecylcarbamoyl-8-hydroxyquinoline(HHQ) monolayers at the air/water interface by reaction with metal ions from the subphase was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The formation of HHQ-metal complexes leads to the appearance of new peaks assigned to the metal ions. The information on stoichimoetry provided by XPS indicated that a metal ion is coordinated by two HHQ molecules for La3+ and Cd2+ ions, but by one HHQ molecule for Mn2+ and Ni2+ ions.     

离子印迹荧光传感器选择性检测镉离子

该文运用离子印迹技术,结合表面修饰方法以2-萘基丙烯酸酯为荧光配体,聚偏氟乙烯(PVDF)膜为支撑介质,在二甲基亚砜中于65℃下热引发聚合得到镉离子荧光印迹传感器.该荧光印迹传感器在中性条件下对镉离子表现出良好的选择性和抗干扰能力,检出限为5.5×10-7mol/L,与ICP - MS法无显著性差异.循环使用10次的相...     

An Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Polymer

Poly(N-acetylethylenimine) (polyoxazoline) (POZO) with a terminal triethoxysilyl group was successfully synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization of 2-methyl-2-oxazoline followed by termination with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Triethoxysilyl-terminated telechelic POZO was prepared by using a bifunctional initiator. These silane coupling POZOs were subjected to acid-catalyzed cohydrolysis polymerization with tetraethoxysilane by the so-called “sol-gel” method to produce a novel organic/inorganic hybrid polymer (block copolymer), which was a homogeneous transparent/glassy composite material. The obtained hybrid showed higher hydrophilic properties compared with silica gel without POZO segments. On the other hand, a hybrid polymer consisting of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and silica gel, which absorbed both water and organic solvents, showed amphiphilic properties. POZO segments were eliminated by pyrolysis of the present hybrid polymer to produce a silica with micropores.     

两亲性杂侧链聚合物刷的合成及其乳化功能

报道了一种随机高密度接枝亲水、疏水聚合物侧链的刷形两亲性聚合物.首先,结合可逆加成-断裂链转移(RAFT)聚合和后修饰方法,得到含叠氮侧基的聚甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯(PGMA-N3)作为主链;再分别合成端炔基聚苯乙烯(PS)和端炔基聚环氧乙烷(PEO),然后通过铜催化的叠氮-炔环加成反应,将疏水性PS和亲水性PEO同时高效的接到PGMA主链上,制得两亲性杂侧链的聚合物刷.由凝胶渗透色谱(SEC)分析得知,在主链叠氮基团与两侧链总炔基的摩尔投料比为1∶1的条件下,PS和PEO的接枝效率很高,都大于90%.通过调节主链长度和2种侧链的投料比,获得不同组成的聚合物刷.通过等质量的甲苯/水混合体系,考察两亲性聚合物刷的乳化能力,发现主链聚合度为100,PS∶PEO比例为70∶30的聚合物刷表现出最佳的乳化性能.     

Polymeric amphiphiles with hydrophilic main chain spacers: Studies in monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers

A methacrylic lipid was polymerized to form an amphiphilic homopolymer and random copolymers with various levels of acrylic acid comonomers. The behavior of these polymeric lipids was investigated in monolayers at the air-water interface and in Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers on polymer foil supports. The acrylic acid acts as a hydrophilic spacer along the polymer backbone, and improves the ability of the polymer to self-organize into highly ordered monolayers and ultimately LB multilayers. It is shown that the quality and stability of the multilayers increase substantially with the increase in comonomer content.     

一种具有“浮萍”结构的单分子膜与Langmuir—Blodgett多层膜

本文以St-DVB微凝胶/甲基丙烯酸两性接枝共聚物制成了一种新型“浮萍”结构的单分子膜,并转移制备了LB多层膜,对其单分子膜的性质、LB多层膜的二维有序结构及膜的热稳定性进行了较深入的研究。     

Formation of silver nanoparticles at the air-water interface mediated by a monolayer of functionalized hyperbranched molecules

Nanofibrillar micellar structures formed by the amphiphilic hyperbranched molecules within a Langmuir monolayer were utilized as matter for silver nanoparticle formation from the ion-containing water subphase. We observed that silver nanoparticles were formed within the multifunctional amphiphilic hyperbranched molecules. The diameter of nanoparticles varied from 2-4 nm and was controlled by the core dimensions and the interfibrillar free surface area. Furthermore, upon addition of potassium nitrate to the subphase, the Langmuir monolayer templated the nanoparticles' formation along the nanofibrillar structures. The suggested mechanism of nanoparticle formation involves the oxidation of primary amino groups by silver catalysis facilitated by "caging" of silver ions within surface areas dominated by multibranched cores. This system provides an example of a one-step process in which hyperbranched molecules with outer alkyl tails and compressed amine-hydroxyl cores mediated the formation of stable nanoparticles placed along/among/beneath the nanofibrillar micelles.     

末端四苯乙烯荧光团标记法研究双亲性嵌段聚合物的自组装行为

以四苯乙烯类分子2-溴-2-甲基-丙酸-3-(4-三苯乙烯基-苯氧基)-丙醇酯(E)作为引发剂,N-异丙基丙烯酰胺和苯乙烯为原料,通过活性自由基聚合,合成了末端具有聚集诱导发光(AIE)活性发光体的双亲性嵌段聚合物G。 详细研究了AIE活性引发剂E和嵌段聚合物G在不同状态下的光物理行为差异。结果表明,在相同浓度条件下,随着温度的升高,引发剂E分散液的荧光强度不断下降。 而嵌段聚合物的荧光强度先上升,当温度超过37 ℃后,嵌段聚合物的荧光强度不断下降。 同样地,通过改变引发剂E和嵌段聚合物G在四氢呋喃和水混合溶剂中的浓度发现,随着浓度的减小,引发剂E的荧光强度不断下降,而嵌段聚合物分散液在改变分散液浓度时荧光强度的变化规律和改变温度时荧光强度的变化趋势相似。 通过监控双亲性嵌段聚合物末端挂接的AIE活性发光分子发光性质的变化可以间接表征其聚集态结构的变化。     

水溶性聚合物和两亲聚合物:9.新型丙烯酰胺基两亲单体及其两亲聚合物的单层膜研究

本文对新型两亲单体,2-丙烯酰胺基十六烷磺酸(AMC_(16)S),及其两亲聚合物PAMC_(16)S在空气-水界面上形成单层膜的特点进行了研究。AMC_(16)S可通过在亚相中添加Ca~(2+)或Cd~(2+)等多价阳离子在界面上原位生成不溶性磺酸盐的方法获得满意的成膜行为。PAMC_(16)S不溶于水,可直接成膜。发现,PAMC_(16)S的成膜行为与亚相的性质明显相关。纯水亚相下PAMC_(16)S的极限单体链节面积较大,如亚相含有Ca~(2+)或Cd~(2+),极限面积明显缩小,说明烷基碳氢链的排列趋向紧密。     

Two applications of metal cyanide square grid monolayers: studies of evolving magnetic properties in layered films and templating Prussian blue family thin films

Two applications of previously described square grid network monolayers prepared at the air/water interface are explored. The monolayer networks are single layers of Prussian blue like mixed-metal cyanide networks that are formed via the interface-directed condensation of amphiphilic pentacyanometallate complex and subphase metal ions. In the first application, the monolayers are deposited onto solid supports and the magnetic properties of the networks are evaluated, as the transferred films evolve from a monolayer to a bilayer to multilayers. In the second application, the network monolayers are used to derivatize a surface, providing a seed layer for the subsequent deposition of solid-state metal cyanide molecule-based magnets. Improved surface wetting results in continuous, transparent magnetic films.     

Synthesis and nanostructure of strong polyelectrolyte brushes in amphiphilic diblock copolymer monolayers on a water surface

We synthesized an ionic amphiphilic diblock copolymer, poly(hydrogenated isoprene)-b-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PIp-h2-b-PSS), by living anionic polymerization, and the nanostructure of its monolayer spread on a water surface was directly investigated by the in situ X-ray reflectivity technique. The monolayer of the diblock copolymer on a water surface had a smooth hydrophobic PIp-h2 layer on water and a "carpet"/polymer brush double layer in a hydrophilic sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSSNa) layer under the water. The surface pressure dependence and PSSNa chain length dependence of the PIp-h2 layer thickness and the brush nanostructure were quantitatively studied. The effect of salt concentration in the subphase was also investigated in aqueous solutions containing 0-2 M NaCl. The salt effect on monolayer structure occurred at around 0.2 M. The thickness of the PSS brush layer decreased at salt concentrations above 0.2 M, while no structural change was observed below 0.2 M. This critical salt concentration is thought to be related to the balance of ionic concentrations inside the brush and in bulk solution.     

Temperature-dependent interfacial properties of hydrophobically end-modified poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline)s assemblies at the air/water interface and on solid substrates

We describe herein the properties at the air/water (A/W) interface of hydrophobically end-modified (HM) poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline)s (PiPrOx) bearing an n-octadecyl chain on both termini (telechelic HM-PiPrOx) or on one chain end (semitelechelic HM-PiPrOx) for different subphase temperatures and spreading solvents using the Langmuir film balance technique. The polymer interfacial properties revealed by the π–A isotherms depend markedly on the architecture and molecular weight of the polymer. On cold water subphases (14 °C), diffusion of PiPrOx chains onto water takes place for all polymers in the intermediate compressibility region (5 mN m⁻¹). At higher subphase temperatures (36 and 48 °C), the HM-PiPrOx film exhibited remarkable stability with time. Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) imaging of the A/W interface showed that the polymer assembly was not uniform and that large domains formed, either isolated grains or pearl necklaces, depending on the polymer structure, the concentration of the spreading solution and the subphase temperature. The Langmuir films were transferred onto hydrophilic substrates (silica) by the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique and onto hydrophobic substrates (gold) by Langmuir–Schaefer (LS) film deposition, resulting in the formation of adsorbed particles ranging in size from 200 to 500 nm, depending on the polymer architecture and the substrate temperature. The particles presented “Janus”-like hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics.     

Langmuir-Blodgett Films and Calcium Ion Coordination of Biliverdin and Its Amphiphilic Derivatives

Up to now, the investigations of the chemistry of biliverdin and its analogs has been limited in organic solvents1-4. There is no report on organized molecular films of biliverdin and its derivatives. The structural organization and biophysical properties of biliverdin molecules in ordered molecular assemblies might be different from those in organic solvents, but similar to those in biological membranes in mammals. Therefore, biliverdin or its derivatives incorporated in ordered molecular fil…     

Laminar order within Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers from phospholipid and myelin basic protein: a neutron reflectivity study

Multilayers consisting of negatively charged phospholipid DMPA and myelin basic protein (MBP) were assembled by Langmuir-Blodgett deposition of floating Langmuir monolayers from the air/water interface to solid substrates. Protein/lipid samples were obtained by binding MBP from the aqueous subphase to the phospholipid monolayers before deposition. The vertical organization of these model membranes (i.e., with organization perpendicular to the substrate surface) was investigated in detail by neutron reflectivity measurements, and the internal distribution of water molecules was determined from the change of contrast after in-situ H2O/D2O exchange. The multilayers were well ordered, with repeating lipid bilayers as fundamental structural unit. MBP was inserted in between adjacent lipid headgroups, such as in the natural myelin membrane. Water molecules in the multilayers were present mainly in the lipid headgroup and protein slab. On exposition of the pure lipid multilayers to a dry atmosphere, a reduction of the bilayer spacing was determined, whereas the global lamellar order was not affected. In contrast, drying of the protein/lipid multilayers induced degradation of the laminar order. The data demonstrate that ordered Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers are versatile model systems for studying how competing interactions between lipid, protein, water, and ions affect the global organization of such multilamellar lipid/protein assemblies. Here, the water molecules were found to be a necessary mediator to maintain the laminar order in a multilayer from DMPA and myelin basic protein.     

Micellization of non-surface-active diblock copolymers in water. Special characteristics of poly(styrene)-block-poly(styrenesulfonate)

Strongly ionized amphiphilic diblock copolymers of poly(styrene)-b-poly(styrenesulfonate) with various hydrophilic and hydrophobic chain lengths were synthesized by living radical polymerization, and their properties and self-assembling behavior were systematically investigated by surface tension measurement, foam formation, hydrophobic dye solubilization, X-ray reflectivity, dynamic light scattering, small-angle neutron scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering, and atomic force microscope techniques. These copolymer solutions in pure water did not show a decrease of surface tension with increasing polymer concentration. The solutions also did not show foam formation, and no adsorption at the air/water interface was confirmed by reflectivity experiments. However, in 0.5 M NaCl aq solutions polymer adsorption and foam formation were observed. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) was observed by the dye solubilization experiment in both the solutions with and without added salt, and by dynamic light scattering we confirmed the existence of polymer micelles in solution, even though there was no adsorption of polymer molecules at the water surface in the solution without salt. By the small-angle scattering technique, we confirmed that the micelles have a well-defined core-shell structure and their sizes were 100-150 A depending on the hydrophobic and hydrophilic chain length ratio. The micelle size and shape were unaffected by addition of up to 0.5 M salt. The absence of polymer adsorption at the water surface with micelle formation in a bulk solution, which is now known as a universal characteristic for strongly ionized amphiphilic block copolymers, was attributed to the image charge effect at the air/water interface due to the many charges on the hydrophilic segment.     

两亲性树状聚合物*

树状聚合物及其功能化是近年来高分子科学界的研究热点之一。本文综述了不同类型的树状聚合物,分别有聚酯、聚丙三醇、聚乙烯亚胺等超支化聚合物,聚酰胺-胺、聚丙烯亚胺等树枝状聚合物。通过对树状聚合物末端大量官能团的亲水（亲油）改性可以制备两亲性树状聚合物,改性方法主要有酰胺化反应、酯化反应、麦克尔加成反应等。与通过缩聚反应所得到的上述树状聚合物不同,近年来配位聚合领域出现的通过“链行走”机理形成的树状聚乙烯,引起了高度关注,这方面着重介绍了乙烯与极性单体直接共聚合或者采用链行走与原子转移自由基聚合联用制备两亲性树状乙烯聚合物。最后对两亲性树状聚合物领域的发展前景进行了展望。     

Polymerization of diacetylenes in multilayers

A series of amphiphilic diacetylene monocarbonic acids was synthesized, and their ability to form monolayers at the air–water interphase was investigated. Acids with total number of C atoms ≥20 and mp >45°C form surface states suitable to be used for buildup of multilayers by the Langmuir–Blodgett technique. Using the LB technique, multilayers of defined thickness were built up on quartz substrates. The multilayers were polymerized by exposure to a UV light source according to the mechanism of solid-state polymerization of diacetylenes without destruction of the layer structure and with retention of the packing in the individual layers. Thus well-defined polymer multilayers were obtained. The monomer and polymer multilayers were characterized by UV spectra, x-ray small-angle diffraction, and interference microscopic and electron microscopic techniques. The polyconjugated backbones of the polymer chains are all stretched out in the plane of the substrate but not over macroscopic dimensions because the multilayers have a crystalline domain structure. The polymer multilayer films are quite stable under ambient conditions.