Comparative Study of Scattering and Osmotic Properties of Synthetic and Biopolymer Gels

Summary: The effect of monovalent/divalent cation exchange on the structure and osmotic properties of chemically cross-linked polyacrylate and DNA gels swollen in near physiological salt solutions has been investigated. Both systems exhibit a reversible volume phase transition in the presence of calcium ions. The small-angle neutron scattering spectra of these gels display qualitatively similar features. At low values of q surface scattering is observed, while in the intermediate q range the signal is characteristic of scattering from rod-like elements. At high values of q the scattering intensity is governed by the local (short-range) geometry of the polymer chains. The competition between monovalent and divalent cations has been studied by anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering (ASAXS). The ASAXS results reveal that the local concentration of the divalent counter-ions in the vicinity of the polymer chains significantly exceeds that of the monovalent counter-ions.     

From the conformation of a single molecule to physical networks in highly interacting polymers: A small-angle neutron study

Small-angle neutron scattering has been used to study the conformation and structure of highly interacting macromolecules in complex fluids. The evolution of the structure has been investigated from the conformation of a single molecule through an association process to the formation of physical networks. Two highly interacting polymers, an ionic polymer (consisting of a perfluorinated backbone and an ionizable hydrophilic side chain dissolved in water/alcohol mixtures) and rodlike, highly conjugated phenylene ethylene molecules (dissolved in toluene), have been studied. Highly interacting polymers often form relatively long lasting physical networks with increasing polymer concentration. The driving force, however, is system-specific, and so are the micellar systems and physical networks formed. Although the two families of polymers under consideration are entirely different chemically, their strong interaction, either ionic or through π–π coupling, results in similarities in the complex fluids formed when they are dissolved in solutions. These include elongated configurations in dilute solutions, association into micelles, and eventually coalescence into physical networks. The ionic polymers form durable stable networks, whereas the rodlike polymers form a fragile, gel-like phase. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3165–3178, 2004     

A Simple and Versatile Method for the Construction of Nearly Ideal Polymer Networks

Polymer networks usually contain numerous inhomogeneities that deteriorate their physical properties and should be eliminated to create reliable, high‐performance materials. A simple method is introduced for the production of nearly ideal networks from various vinyl polymers through controlled polymerization and subsequent crosslinking. Monodisperse star polymers with bromide end groups were synthesized by atom‐transfer radical polymerization and end‐linked with dithiol linkers using thiol–bromide chemistry. This simple procedure formed nearly ideal polymer networks, as revealed from elasticity of the formed gel and model conjugation reactions involving linear polymers. The versatility of this method was demonstrated by preparing networks of common vinyl polymers, including polyacrylates, polymethacrylate, and polystyrene. This method can be used to prepare multiple functional nearly ideal gels and elastomers and to explore fundamental aspects of polymer networks.     

Polymer Networks: From Plastics and Gels to Porous Frameworks

Polymer networks, which are materials composed of many smaller components—referred to as “junctions” and “strands”—connected together via covalent or non‐covalent/supramolecular interactions, are arguably the most versatile, widely studied, broadly used, and important materials known. From the first commercial polymers through the plastics revolution of the 20^th century to today, there are almost no aspects of modern life that are not impacted by polymer networks. Nevertheless, there are still many challenges that must be addressed to enable a complete understanding of these materials and facilitate their development for emerging applications ranging from sustainability and energy harvesting/storage to tissue engineering and additive manufacturing. Here, we provide a unifying overview of the fundamentals of polymer network synthesis, structure, and properties, tying together recent trends in the field that are not always associated with classical polymer networks, such as the advent of crystalline “framework” materials. We also highlight recent advances in using molecular design and control of topology to showcase how a deep understanding of structure–property relationships can lead to advanced networks with exceptional properties.     

Equilibrium structure of hydrogen-bonded polymer blends

Deuterium-labeled polystyrene modified by random distributions of the comonomer p-(1,1,1,3,3,3-hexaflouro-2-hydroxyisopropyl)-α-methyl-styrene [DPS(OH)] has been blended with poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) and studied with small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Miscibility is induced via hydrogen bonding between the DPS(OH) hydroxyl group and PBMA carbonyl groups. The data suggest that the nature of the miscible-phase structure in these blends differs from that of the usual homopolymer blends at small scattering angles, which we attribute to the short-range site specific nature of the hydrogen bond interaction. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 2745–2750, 1998     

Light,Small Angle Neutron and X-Ray Scattering from Gels

This paper gives two examples of experiments that demonstrate the power of small angle scattering techniques in the study of swollen polymer networks. First, it is shown how the partly ergodic character of these systems is directly detected by neutron spin echo experiments. The observed total field correlation function of the intensity scattered from a neutral gel allows the ergodic contribution to be directly distinguished from the non ergodic part, at values of transfer wave vector q that lie well beyond the range of dynamic light scattering. The results can be compared with those obtained at much lower q from visible light scattering. Second, a recent application of small angle X-ray (SAXS) and neutron (SANS) scattering is described for a polyelectrolyte molecule, DNA, in semi-dilute solutions under near-physiological conditions. For these observations, the divalent ion normally present, calcium, is replaced by an equivalent ion, strontium. The comparison between SANS and SAXS yields a quantitative picture of the cloud of divalent counter-ions around the central DNA core. At physiological conditions, the cloud is thinner than that predicted on the basis of the Debye screening length but thicker than if the counter-ions were condensed on the DNA chain.     

Langevin Dynamics Simulation of Chain Crosslinking into Polymer Networks

A Langevin dynamics simulation method is presented to create polymer networks. The properties of the network are found to depend on the interactions between segments of the precursor chains, the FJCs, and the excluded volume chains modelled by the repulsive WCA potential. The mean square displacements of the crosslinkers in both networks show scaling behaviors with chain length. The shear modulus depends on the preparation method and is in fair agreement with theory. The method allows the study of supramolecular materials and the effects of crosslinking in combination with, e.g., changes in thermodynamic stability of the reacting mixture or the presence of nanoparticles.

     

Chain conformation of rod-like polymers in the melt: Small-angle neutron scattering of poly(benzoyl paraphenylene)

The chain conformation of a rigid rod polymer, poly(benzoyl paraphenylene), is determined in the melt using small-angle neutron scattering. The coherent scattering cross-section from blends of partially deuterated and hydrogenous poly(benzoyl paraphenylene) agree well with ideal rod scattering for q > 0.02 Å⁻¹, indicating that the polymer chains are highly extended. Comparison of the results to a single chain-scattering function for chains of arbitrary stiffness yield a persistence length of ca. 130 Å. Pure component scattering at the lowest scattering lengths indicate that the melt is not molecularly homogenous, but is comprised of domains, potentially reflecting localized groupings of chains with similar backbone orientation. Furthermore, this mesoscopic structure depends on the processing history of the polymer in the melt state. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. B Polym. Phys. 36: 2449–2459, 1998     

Calcium-induced volume transition in polyacrylate hydrogels swollen in physiological salt solutions

Osmotic and small-angle neutron-scattering measurements are performed to study the volume transition that occurs in sodium polyacrylate gels swollen in sodium chloride solutions when calcium ions are introduced. In the presence of calcium ions, the osmotic pressure depends sensitively on the sodium chloride concentration, indicating that calcium preferentially replaces condensed sodium ions. This substitution modifies the effective attractive interaction between polymer chains. Analysis of the osmotic data in terms of the Flory–Huggins theory reveals a sharp increase in the third-order ternary thermodynamic interaction parameter upon introduction of calcium ions. The neutron-scattering response at low scattering vectors q displays power-law behavior with a slope of approximately −3.6, consistent with scattering from surfaces of large objects. These results are in agreement with the development of dense polymer-rich regions dispersed in a soft polymer matrix. At larger q, a region with slope −1 is observed, characteristic of rigid linear structures.

Small-angle neutron-scattering spectra of polyacrylate hydrogels swollen by 40 mM sodium chloride solutions containing different amounts of CaCl₂ (+: 0.5 mM , ○: 0.85 mM , ×: 1.7 mM ). The dashed curve shows the least squares fit of the 0.85 mM CaCl₂ data to Equation ( 5 ) in which the first term is replaced by Equation ( 8 ), and the second term is approximated by a simple power law.     

Flow-induced structure in a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer as studied by SANS

Small-angle neutron scattering is utilized to determine the flow induced alignment of a model thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) as a function of shear rate and temperature. The results demonstrate that the flow-induced structures in thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers have similarities and differences to those in lyotropic liquid crystalline polymer solutions. The shear rate dependence of the alignment shows that the flow-induced alignment correlates very well to the viscosity behavior of the LCP in the shear thinning regime, while temperature variation results in a change in the extent of alignment within the nematic phase. Relaxation results also demonstrate that the flow-induced alignment remains essentially unchanged for up to an hour after the shear field has been removed. Last, there exists a regime at low shear rate and low temperature where alignment of the LCP molecule perpendicular to the applied shear flow is stable. These results provide important experimental evidence of the molecular level changes that occur in a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer during flow, which can be utilized to develop theoretical models and more efficiently process thermotropic polymers. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 3017–3023, 1998     

Addressing the challenges of modeling the scattering from bottlebrush polymers in solution

Small-angle scattering measurements of complex macromolecules in solution are used to establish relationships between chemical structure and conformational properties. Interpretation of the scattering data requires an inverse approach where a model is chosen and the simulated scattering intensity from that model is iterated to match the experimental scattering intensity. This raises challenges in the case where the model is an imperfect approximation of the underlying structure, or where there are significant correlations between model parameters. We examine three bottlebrush polymers (consisting of polynorbornene backbone and polystyrene side chains) in a good solvent using a model commonly applied to this class of polymers: the flexible cylinder model. Applying a series of constrained Monte-Carlo Markov Chain analyses demonstrates the severity of the correlations between key parameters and the presence of multiple close minima in the goodness of fit space. We demonstrate that a shape-agnostic model can fit the scattering with significantly reduced parameter correlations and less potential for complex, multimodal parameter spaces. We provide recommendations to improve the analysis of complex macromolecules in solution, highlighting the value of Bayesian methods. This approach provides richer information for understanding parameter sensitivity compared to methods which produce a single, best fit.     

聚氨酯/聚苯乙烯互穿聚合物网络的研究

互穿聚合物网络形态和力学性能的研究已有报道^[1～3],但有关合成过程中分子量变化形态和性能的影响研究甚少。本文在动力学研究的基础上^[4],用GPC、DSC和Instron万能机研究了聚氨酯/聚苯乙烯互穿聚合物网络(PU/PSt-IPN)的分子量,玻璃化转变温度和力能,考察了分子量与相分离点之间的关系。     

Hydrophilic,cationic large‐core star polymers and polymer networks: Synthesis and physicochemical characterization

Group transfer polymerization was used to prepare hydrophilic, cationic large‐core star polymers (LCSPs) and networks of 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) in a two‐step procedure involving the synthesis of linear DMAEMA arms, followed by their crosslinking using a mixture of DMAEMA monomer and EGDMA crosslinker. The degree of polymerization of the linear chains prepared in the first step was kept constant, while the composition of the crosslinking mixture was varied systematically at a constant amount of crosslinker. The monomer/crosslinker molar ratio determined whether LCSPs or polymer networks would be produced. In particular, a high monomer/crosslinker molar ratio led to the formation of networks, whereas LCSPs were formed when a low monomer/crosslinker molar ratio was used. The absolute weight‐average molecular weight of the LCSPs was determined using static light scattering, whereas their hydrodynamic radii and radii of gyration were determined using dynamic light scattering and small‐angle neutron scattering, respectively. The sol fraction extracted from the networks decreased as the monomer/crosslinker molar ratio increased. The degrees of swelling of all of the networks were measured as a function of pH and were found to increase below pH 7. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3958–3969, 2008     

聚氨酯／聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯互穿聚合物网络的研究

本文对(蓖麻油-聚乙二醇)聚氨酯/聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PU/PMMA)互穿聚合物网络(IPN)体系进行了研究.实验结果表明:IPN的力学性能受网络化学构型控制.在PU/PMMA为25/75时,应力-应变曲线出现屈服点,产生类似皮革行为,并在此点抗张强度最高,表现明显的协同效应.动态力学性能及电镜均证明该体系相分离十分严重,通过加入扩链剂及网间交联剂能显著改善两组分相容性,其中网间交联剂效果最好。     

聚氨酯型互穿网络聚合物的研究

以甲苯二异氰酸酯和蓖麻油反应，合成了一系列室温固化的蓖麻油型聚氨酯。分别研究了蓖麻油聚氨酯（ＣＯＰＵ）／聚苯乙烯（ＰＳｔ）ＩＰＮｓ、ＣＯＰＵ／聚丙烯腈（ＰＡＮ）ＩＰＮｓ的结构和性能。结果表明：ＣＯＰＵ／ＰＡＮ的力学性能较ＣＯＰＵ／ＰＳｔ的力学性能为好。为进一步改善聚合物之间的相容性，在聚苯乙烯网络中引入极性较大的丙烯腈制备了ＣＯＰＵ／Ｐ（Ｓｔ－ＣＯ－ＡＮ）ＩＰＮｓ，并对它的力学性能、热分析、动态力学性能、热稳定性等作了系统的研究。结果表明：当聚氨酯浓度为６０％时，改变Ｓｔ、ＡＮ的比例，随ＡＮ含量的增加，体系的微相分离程度降低。改变ＣＯＰＵ／Ｐ（Ｓｔ－ＣＯ－ＡＮ）的比例，ｔａｎδ－Ｔ曲线上均呈现一个较宽的玻璃化转变温度；热重分析表明，其初始分解温度可达２４４℃。     

锂金属电池用三维半互穿网络聚合物电解质的制备

锂金属电池作为下一代高比能量电池技术受到人们越来越广泛的关注。然而由锂枝晶生长引发的安全问题是锂金属电池商业化面临的最大挑战之一。具有高锂离子迁移数和离子电导率的聚合物电解质是抑制锂枝晶生长的重要策略之一。本文将季戊四醇四丙烯酸酯和自由基引发剂AIBN添加至商业化电解液中,采用具有单离子传导功能的多孔聚合物电解质为锂金属电池的电解质隔膜,通过在电池内部发生热诱导原位聚合制备三维半互穿网络单离子传导聚合物电解质,达到提高电解质隔膜离子电导率和机械拉伸性能,以及有效抑制锂枝晶生长的目的。通过该策略的实施,成功获得了室温离子电导率0.53 mS·cm^-1和锂离子迁移数0.65的良好结果。应用于锂金属电池,证明该电解质能够有效抑制锂枝晶的生长和倍率性能的提高,为锂金属电池的开发提供了良好的解决路径。