X-ray structure determination of isotactic poly(2-vinylpyridine)

The structure of isotactic poly(2-vinylpyridine) has been determined from x-ray fiber data utilizing rigid-body least-squares refinement techniques. The polymer exists as a threefold helix with three chains passing through a hexagonal unit cell having the dimensions a = b = 15.49 Å and c = 6.56 Å (fiber axis) and space group P3₁ or P3₂. The asymmetric unit consists of three monomeric units (one in each chain), resulting in three crystallographically independent chains in the unit cell. The results show that two of the chains are interlocked through pyridine ring interactions whereas the third chain is less restricted. A statistical structure is proposed in which any two chains in the unit cell can be interlocked, provided they have the same sense. Such a situation permits a completely statistical structure in which half the chains in any crystallite are oriented upward and the other half downward.     

含树枝化以及线性侧链的超分子共聚物的液晶相结构调控

设计了一类由聚4-乙烯基吡啶(P4VP)、含弯曲树枝化分子12CBP以及线性分子PDP组成的三元共混体系,其中12CBP和PDP端基均为酚羟基,可与P4VP侧基的吡啶环上的N原子进行氢键复合.傅立叶变换红外光谱、示差扫描量热法、偏光显微镜、小角X射线散射和原子力显微镜等多种研究表明该共混体系为均相体系,三组分自组装形成以P4VP为主链,12CBP和PDP为超分子侧链的"无规共聚物"P4VP(12CBP)x(PDP)y(x+y=1).该超分子侧链共聚物的聚集态结构与小分子12CBP和PDP相对含量有关.当12CBP含量x≥0.5时,体系组装形成六方柱状相结构,柱子的直径随着体系中12CBP含量减少而逐渐减小.当12CBP含量0.5时,即使少量12CBP的引入也会引起体系层状相结构的破坏,体系表现为无定形状态.     

ORDERED STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION AND RELAXATION BEHAVIORS OF A SERIES MICROPHASE SEPARATED “HAIRY-ROD” POLYIMIDES WITH MULTIPLE ALKYL SIDE CHAINS

A series of “hairy-rod” polyimides, BBPA(n), with multiple alkyl side chains was prepared from 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and 4,4′-biphenyldiamine substituted in the 2,2′-positions with benzoate, which was substituted in the 3,4,5-positions with ether side chains of varying lengths. The number of the methylene units, n, in these alkyl side chains were in even numbers ranging from 8 to 18. Combining techniques of one-dimensional (1D) and 2D wide angle x-ray diffraction, 1D small angle X-ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetry experiments, it was found that this series of “hairy-rod” polyimides possess a micro-phase separation between the backbones and side chains. This led to the formation of ordered structures in two different length scales, of which both are hexagonal packing: one is attributed to the alkyl side chains on the sub-nanometer scale, and another is for the whole polymer chains on the nanometer scale. The development of the hexagonal structure on the sub-nanometer scale was critically dependent upon the lengths of the alkylside chains. Three relaxation processes were captured by dynamic mechanical analysis, i.e., segmental motion of the backbones, α the melting of the side chain crystals, β1, which exits only for the materials with longer side chains(n=18,16); and the subglass relaxation of side chains, β2- The peak relaxation temperature of the α process decreased with increasing the length of side chains, while the one of the β2 process increased. The activation energy of the α relaxation was relatively independent on the length of side chain, whereas, β2 process showed the increasing of activation energy with increasing the length of side chains.     

Controlling optical properties and interchain interactions in semiconducting polymers by encapsulation in periodic nanoporous silicas with different pore sizes

The photophysics of MEH-PPV incorporated into the pores of periodic silica hosts has been investigated in an effort to understand the role played by interchain aggregation and chain morphology in polaron production. In this work, guest/host interactions were used to incorporate MEH-PPV into the straight, homogeneous pores of hexagonal surfactant- or polymer-templated mesoporous silicas of varying pore diameters. Polarized photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy were then used to investigate the polymers' environment within the silica pores. Experiments exploiting luminescence peak shifts and depolarization indicate that depending on the pore size and preparation conditions, the alignment and packing of the polymer chains within the pores could be controlled. Samples could be produced with isolated chains, interacting straight chains, and coiled interacting chains. The sub-bandgap absorption by polarons was then measured with photoinduced absorption as a function of pore size. Small-diameter pores that allowed single polymer chains to reside within the pore showed little evidence of interchain contact and had a low polaron yield. Increasing the number of polymer chains within the pore increased the polaron yield. Finally, when the pores were large enough that the chains could coil, strong polaron absorption was observed, indicative of a further increase in polaron yield or an increase in polaron lifetime. The polaron absorption spectra also sharpen and red shift with increasing pore diameter, suggesting that excitons may migrate to lower energy polymer segments in samples where polymer chains are both coiled and interacting.     

Lyotropic liquid crystalline epoxide-amine addition polymers

A new type of amphiphilic polymer is described. It is built up from a hydrophilic main chain and hydrophobic n-alkyl chains directly attached to the monomer units. With this chemical constitution the formation of micelles and micellar aggregates is expected, where the hydrophobic side chains are organised on a convex surface. The polymers are synthesised by the polyaddition of tetra-, hexa- and octaethylene diglycidyl ether and n-dodecyl- and n-hexadecyl amine. Polymers are synthesised by systematic variation of the hydrophilic/lipophilic balance (HLB). Although the HLB of the polymers is varied, only a uniform polymorphism is observed in aqueous solutions. A broad miscibility gap and a hexagonal phase at polymer concentrations of 70–80 wt.% polymer exist. Due to the new head-type constitution of the polymers, the hexagonal phase is expected to be of the inverse type.     

Molecular gelation mechanism of maltodextrins investigated by wide-angle X-ray scattering

Thermally reversible maltodextrin gels are two-phase systems, composed of disc-like crystalline domains with a diameter of about 300 nm and regions containing amorphous polymer chains and water. The structure of the polysaccharide chains within the lamellae is that of the crystalline B-form of amylose, the polymer chains are arranged in double-stranded helices, which are packed in a hexagonal unit cell (a=b=1.85 nm, c (fiber repeat)=1.04 nm,=120). As revealed by measurements of the excess wide-angle X-ray scattering of the polysaccharide, gelation of the solutions is due to a partial crystallization of the polymer. In non-gelling maltodextrin solutions a crystallinity cannot be detected.     

Shape‐Induced,Hexagonal, Open Frameworks: Rubidium Ion Complexed Cucurbituril

A honeycomb structure is shown by the one‐dimensional coordination polymer comprising D_6h‐symmetric cucurbituril molecules and rubidium ions (see picture). The cucurbituril molecules stack atop one another and show coordination of their carbonyl groups to the rubidium ions in between. The shape and symmetry of the building blocks encourage the coordination polymer chains to be arranged in such a way as to produce an open‐framework structure with large, linear, hexagonal channels.     

Polyelectrolyte-surfactant complexes with long range order

Mixtures of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) or hydrophobically modified CMC with an oppositely charged surfactant (benzyldimethyltetradecylammonium chloride) in water were prepared. When the global polymer concentration is 0.18% by weight and the surfactant content is high enough, a precipitate with hexagonal order is formed. The precipitate composition shows practically constancy in its water content and a slight diminution in polymer concentration when the global surfactant content is varied between 0.9 and 23 wt%. The lattice parameter in this phase decreases when the polymer/surfactant ratio in the phase increases; this variation is faster with CMC than with the hydrophobically modified CMC. In this way electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions are far from being additive. From the extrapolation to infinite dilution, the global interaction seems to depend on the substitution degree in the polymer. Additionally, the comparison between the radius at the polar-apolar interface in the cylinders and the lattice parameter as a function of polymer/surfactant ratio in the hexagonal phase is compatible with some of the alkyl chains belonging to the hydrophobically modified CMC being present in the aqueous zone.     

Conformational transitions and aggregations of regioregular polyalkylthiophenes

Diverse conformational transitions and aggregations of regioregular poly (3-alkylthiophene)s (PATs) in different environment have been studied by means of AFM and UV-vis-spectroscopy. In methanol, which is a non-solvent for both alkyl side groups and aromatic backbone at low polymer concentration, PATs chains fold into compact poorly ordered flat structures. At higher polymer concentration PATs molecules undergo 3D aggregation into near spherical particles. In hexane, which is a selective solvent for alkyl side chains, PATs molecules undergo ordered main-chain collapse followed by 1D aggregation. Concentration-independent red shift of λmax and good resolved fine vibronic structure in the electronic absorption spectra indicate that planarization occurs on the single-molecule level.     

Surface anchored polymer: Role in adhesion and friction

We present an investigation of thin polymer layers formed by either strong adsorption or end grafting on a surface or an interface. Depending on the kind of surface attachment, different internal organisations of the chains are observed: either polydisperse loops for adsorbed layers, or almost monodisperse tails in the case of grafting. The molecular parameters of the layer (length and surface density of anchored chains) and the molecular organisation inside the layer govern the ability of the surface anchored chains to be swollen by a good solvent or to penetrate into a bulk polymer, either a melt or a cross-linked elastomer, three properties which have been characterised through neutrons reflectivity techniques. We then analyse how the ability of the surface anchored chains to penetrate into a bulk polymer, entangle with it, and then be deformed when this bulk polymer is mechanically solicitated, are key parameters which govern adhesion and friction properties.     

Covalently functionalized hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets by nitrene addition

The covalent functionalization of exfoliated hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanosheets by nitrene addition is described. Integration of functionalized h-BN nanosheets within a polycarbonate matrix is demonstrated and was found to afford significant increases in mechanical properties. This integration methodology was further extended by the covalent modification of the h-BN nanosheets with polymer chains of a polycarbonate analogue, and the integration of the polymer modified h-BN within the polymer matrix.     

Morphology and Crystal Structure of Wholly Aromatic All-Para Polyamide-Hydrazide Polymers

The morphology of some amide-hydrazide polymers of the type useful for high-modulus X-500 class fibers has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy of thin films crystallized from dilute solution. Selected area electron diffraction was used to characterize the crystallinity and crystal structure of the thin films and precipitated polymer. The films were cast from concentrated solutions and crystallized by heating the films. The results of these studies revealed several unique features relative to the crystal structure of the all-para polymers. Thin films of the crystallized polymer showed a distinctive crystalline texture—the molecular chains were found to be preferentially oriented parallel to the film plane and randomly oriented about an axis normal to the film plane. Electron diffraction measurements showed equatorial reflection maxima at tilt angles of = 30, ±48, and =59 when the films were tilted on an axis parallel to the film plane. From these results a tentative crystal unit cell and theoretical crystal density were determined: a = 8.5 [Agrave], b = 4.9 Å, c (chain axis) = 29.6 Å, p (density) =1.51 g/cc. The value a/b = 1.735, which is very near 3¹/², implies essentially hexagonal packing of the chains. Crystallization from dilute solution revealed lamellar structures resembling “single crystals” in the electron microscope similar to those observed in other crystalline polymers. However, in contrast to these other polymers, these “crystals” are not likely to contain folded chains because of the very rigid nature of the all-para poiyamide-hydrazide.     

Study on structure formation of short polyethylene chains via dynamic Monte Carlo simulation

Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of structure formation for short polyethylene chains at low temperature are performed based on a recent developed method that uses coarse-grained chains on a high coordination lattice. Local short-range interactions based on rotational isomeric state (RIS) model and long-range interactions obtained from Lennard–Jones (LJ) potential are introduced during the simulation. Properties evaluated from the simulations are the mean square dimensions, anisotropy of the radius of gyration tensor, local conformation determined by the occupancy of trans state and orientation correlation functions, energy of the system, and chain packing reflected by the pair correlation functions and structure factors. All of these parameters reveal an ordering process that produces an approximation to a hexagonal crystal phase. The hexagonal structure is imposed by the presence of a diamond lattice underlying the high coordination lattice on which the simulation is performed. Folding of the chains in the crystal is mandatory, because they have fully extended lengths in excess of the dimension of the simulated periodic box. Nevertheless, the simulations demonstrate that a high degree of crystallinity can be achieved in reasonable computer time. The simulation technique should be applicable to other choices of periodic boundary conditions that do not affect the results as strongly as in the present case.     

一种新的有机-无机混配配位聚合物[Zn(N3)2(bpp)]n的自组装及晶体结构(bpp=1，3-二吡啶丙烷)

A novel coordination polymer [Zn(N₃)₂(bpp)]_n[bpp=1，3-bis(4-pyridyl)-propane] was synthesized at room temperature and structurally characterized by means of X-ray single crystal diffraction. The results show that the polymer exhibits a linear chain structure; the Zn-Zn distance is 12.235?. Each Zn(Ⅱ) ion is coordinated by two nitrogen atoms from bpp ligands and two nitrogen atoms from azido (N₃^-) groups， the coordination geometry of Zn(Ⅱ) ion is a slightly distorted tetrahedron， the angles around Zn(Ⅱ) ions are from 103.27° to 121.37°. In the solid-state structure of the polymer， the linear chains are stacked with parallel mode along a direction. Moreover， between adjacent chains， there are π-π interactions between pyridine rings， which are arranged in face-to-face fashion with interplanar distances of av. 3.821?. CCDC： 189591.     

结晶性间同立构1,2-聚丁二烯的单晶结构

近十几年来 ,结晶性间同立构 1 ,2 -聚丁二烯引起人们的广泛关注 ,但绝大多数研究工作集中在聚合物的制备、物理性质和应用方面[1～ 3] ,对于其结晶行为和晶体结构则未见报道 .原因是间同立构 1 ,2 -聚丁二烯分子侧链含有大量的双键 ,在较高温度下很容易交联 ,特别是高间规度的聚合物 ,由于其熔融温度高 (>2 0 0℃ )则更易产生交联 ,这给结晶行为和结构研究带来很大困难 .结晶性间同立构 1 ,2 -聚丁二烯的晶体结构为平面锯齿链正交堆砌 ,Pacm空间群[4 ] .我们曾报道了结晶性间同立构 1 ,2 -聚丁二烯的合成和溶液浇铸膜的板条状结构[5] ,本…     

Oligomer-to-polymer transition in short ethylene glycol chains connected to mobile hydrophobic anchors.

We studied the structure of short ethylene glycol (EG) chains with N repeating units (EGN, N = 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15) connected to hydrophobic dihexadecyl chains by means of a combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS). These synthetic amphiphiles dispersed in water form planar lamellar stacks and hexagonal cylinders confining the EG chains to restricted geometries. Owing to the self-assembly of the anchoring points, the lateral density of EG chains in planar lamella can be quantitatively controlled. Furthermore, the chain-melting phase transition of the anchors enables us to "switch" the intermolecular distance reversibly. SAXS/WAXS results suggest that the shorter EG chains (N = 3, 6, and 9) assume a helical conformation in stacks of planar lamella. When the EG chains are further elongated (N = 12 and 15), the lamellar periodicities cannot be explained by a linear extrapolation of shorter oligomers, but can be interpreted well as polymer brushes following the scaling theorem. Such rich phase behaviors of EGN molecules can be used as a simple model of oligo/poly-saccharide chains on cell surfaces, which act not only as flexible repellers between neighboring cells but also as stable spacers for functional ligands.     

Inhibition of energy transfer between conjugated polymer chains in host/guest nanocomposites generates white photo- and electroluminescence

The generation of white light requires the combination of two or more chromophores that emit simultaneously. The observed color of a mixture of light-emitting molecules, however, originates generally only from the lowest band-gap species because of efficient energy transfer between the chromophores which is difficult to avoid. Here we report on a nanocomposite material designed to yield pure and stable white photo- and electroluminescence. In this material, red, green, and blue emitting conjugated polymers are confined within the galleries of a layered semiconducting host matrix. The host hinders polymer pi-pi interactions which are responsible for the energy transfer between polymer chains, consequently, emission from the three chromophores is observed simultaneously resulting in white photoluminescence. The efficacy of the nanocomposites is demonstrated in simple single-layer white-emitting polymer diodes. The mechanism suggested here for white light generation, supported by extensive luminescence measurements, is in contrast to that previously reported in white-emitting polymer diodes where efficient energy transfer between polymer chains was essential for obtaining white light.     

Effect of the Solvent on the Conformation of Isolated MEH‐PPV Chains Intercalated Into SnS2

Photophysical processes in conjugated polymers are influenced by two competing effects: the extent of excited state delocalization along a chain, and the electronic interaction between chains. Experimentally, it is often difficult to separate the two because both are controlled by chain conformation. Here we demonstrate that it is possible to modify intra‐chain delocalization without inducing inter‐chain interactions by intercalating polymer monolayers between the sheets of an inorganic layered matrix. The red‐emitting conjugated polymer, MEH‐PPV, is confined to the interlayer space of layered SnS₂. The formation of isolated polymer monolayers between the SnS₂ sheets is confirmed by X‐ray diffraction measurements. Photoluminescence excitation (PLE) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the incorporated MEH‐PPV chains reveal that the morphology of the incorporated chains can be varied through the choice of solvent used for chain intercalation. Incorporation from chloroform results in more extended conformations compared to intercalation from xylene. Even highly twisted conformations can be achieved when the incorporation occurs from a methanol:chloroform mixture. The PL spectra of the MEH‐PPV incorporated SnS₂ nanocomposites using the different solvents are in good agreement with the PL spectra of the same solutions, indicating that the conformation of the polymer chains in the solutions is retained upon intercalation into the inorganic host. Therefore, intercalation of conjugated polymer chains into layered hosts enables the study of intra‐chain photophysical processes as a function of chain conformation.     

The structure of water in polymer systems as revealed by Raman spectroscopy

A review on the structure of water in aqueous polymer systems as revealed by Raman spectroscopy is presented. Various interpretations and analysis procedures for Raman bands of liquid water which have been proposed are introduced. The structure and hydrogen-bonding properties of water which exist in aqueous polymer solutions and gels are described. Effects of chemical properties of polymer chains and size of water domains surrounded by polymer chains on the structure of water are discussed.     

Polymer complexes stabilized through hydrogen bonds. Influence of “structure defects” on complex formation: Viscometry and fluorescence polarization measurements

The structure of polymer complexes stabilized through hydrogen bonds can be much influenced by the presence of nonactive groups (structure defects) on the polymer chains. In this paper two very simple homopolymer/copolymer systems are studied: the homopolymer is a polybase, polyoxyethylene (PEO) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and the copolymer a partially neutralized poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). The acrylate groups on PAA chain behave as structure defects. Viscometry provides information about macroscopic structure of polymer complex in solution while fluorescence polarization is especially adapted for the study of the local mobility of polymer chains. Two kinds of structure are found: the first one is compact and implies a low viscosity of the mixture, eventually precipitation occurs, the second one is a highly branched structure, close to a gel, which leads to a very high increase in viscosity. For instance, the viscosity of the mixture may be several hundred times higher than the sum of the viscosities of the two individual polymer solutions. Such mixtures are especially adapted to be used like thickening agents.