Segmented block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(ethylene terephthalate)

A new series of segmented copolymers were synthesized from poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) oligomers and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) by a two‐step solution polymerization reaction. PET oligomers were obtained by glycolysis depolymerization. Structural features were defined by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The copolymer composition was calculated via ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The content of soft PEG segments was higher than that of hard PET segments. A single glass‐transition temperature was detected for all the synthesized segmented copolymers. This observation was found to be independent of the initial PET‐to‐PEG molar ratio. The molar masses of the copolymers were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4448–4457, 2004     

Creating patterned poly(dimethylsiloxane) surfaces with amoxicillin and poly(ethylene glycol)

This paper reports a simple microwave plasma patterning of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surfaces, which is accomplished by allowing selective surface areas to microwave plasma exposure in the presence of gaseous monomer. When maleic anhydride is used for microwave plasma reaction in the presence of physical barrier on the PDMS substrate, the resulting patterned surfaces with chemically bonded maleic anhydride and carboxylic acid groups are generated. In this particular study we attached amoxicillin via ammonolysis under weak base conditions in the presence of a catalyst as well as poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG). A combination of internal reflection IR imaging (IRIRI) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed that amoxicillin and PEG can be readily reacted on the microwave plasma patterned PDMS surfaces. Surface areas directly exposed to microwave plasmons exhibit the highest reactivity due to higher content of functional groups. These studies also show that molecular weight of PEG has also significant effect on kinetics of surface reactions.     

Complex formation of daunomycin with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and poly(ethylene glycol)

Russian Journal of General Chemistry - Complexes of the anthracycline antitumor antibiotic daunomycin with biocompatible polymer carriers, poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and poly(ethylene glycol), have...     

Photopolymerization of enzymatically synthesized methacrylated poly(caprolactone) with poly(ethylene glycol) macromonomer

Polycaprolactone (PCL) based α,ω-methacrylated macromonomer (DMPCL) was synthesized via enzymatic ring-opening polymerization (eROP) by using Novozyme 435 as the enzyme immobilized catalyst. DMPCL was further photopolymerized with monofunctional poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA-950) macromonomer and trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) as tri-functionalized crosslinking agent in glass vials when CHCl₃ was the solvent and Irgacure 819 was the photoinitiator. Ultraviolet (UV) Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs enabled photoinduced reactions at room temperature with low heat generation and high reaction efficiency. The obtained gels were characterized with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). DMPCL participated as an effective crosslinking agent in the photopolymerization of PEGMA-950. Combined usage of DMPCL and PEGMA-950 resulted in significantly more effective polymerization than the separate photopolymerizations of these macromonomers.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether endcapped poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Linear and branched poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) copolymers with polyethylene glycol) (PEG) methyl ether (700 or 2000 g/mol) end groups were synthesized using conventional melt polymerization. DSC analysis demonstrated that low levels of PEG end groups accelerated PET crystallization. The incorporated PEG end groups also decreased the crystallization temperature of PET dramatically, and copolymers with a high content of PEG (>17.6 wt%) were able to crystallize at room temperature. Rheological analysis demonstrated that the presence of PEG end groups effectively decreased the melt viscosities and facilitated melt processing. XPS and ATR-FTIR revealed that the PEG end groups tended to aggregate on the surface, and the surface of compression molded films containing 34.0 wt% PEG were PEG rich (85 wt% PEG). PEG end-capped PET (34.0 wt% PEG) and PET films were immersed into a fibrinogen solution (0.7 mg/mL BSA) for 72 h to investigate the propensity for protein adhesion. XPS demonstrated that the concentration of nitrogen (1.05%) on the surface of PEG endcapped PET film was statistically lower than PET (7.67%). SEM analysis was consistent with XPS results, and revealed the presence of adsorbed protein on the surface of PET films.     

叶酸和聚乙二醇接枝作基因载体用壳聚糖的合成与表征

本研究将叶酸和聚乙二醇接枝到四种不同分子量的壳聚糖氨基侧链上,以改善壳聚糖的靶向性和水溶性作基因载体。用FTIE、1HNMR、UV-Vis、DSC和TEM对产物进行了表征,结果表明,叶酸和聚乙二醇被成功地接枝到壳聚糖上,所制得的载体有望作为潜在的肿瘤细胞靶向基因载体。     

Surface modification of polyethersulfone membranes by blending triblock copolymers of methoxyl poly(ethylene glycol)-polyurethane-methoxyl poly(ethylene glycol)

The surface of polyethersulfone (PES) membrane was modified by blending triblock copolymers of methoxyl poly(ethylene glycol)-polyurethane-methoxyl poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG-PU-mPEG), which were synthesized through solution polymerization with mPEG Mns of 500 and 2000, respectively. The PES and PES/mPEG-PU-mPEG blended membranes were prepared through spin coating coupled with liquid-liquid phase separation. FTIR and (1)H NMR analysis confirmed that the triblock copolymers were successfully synthesized. The functional groups and morphologies of the membranes were studied by ATR-FTIR and SEM, respectively. It was found that the triblock copolymers were blended into PES membranes successfully, and the morphologies of the blended membranes were somewhat different from PES membrane. The water contact angles and platelet adhesion were decreased after blending mPEG-PU-mPEG into PES membranes. Meanwhile, the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) for the blended membranes increased. The anti-protein-fouling property and permeation property of the blended membranes improved obviously. SEM observation and 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay proved the surfaces of the blended membranes promoted human hepatocytes adhesion and proliferation better than PES membrane.     

Vibrational analysis of molten poly(ethylene glycol)

The infrared absorption of poly(ethylene glycol) was measured in the molten state. Characteristic bands of the molten state were identified. Normal vibrations and frequency distributions were treated for various conformation models with CH₂CH₂O repeat units. The infrared absorption peaks of the molten state closely correspond to the frequency distribution peaks of the TGT conformation with gauche O? CH₂? CH₂? O groups, although infrared bands due to trans O? CH₂? CH₂? O groups are also observed. Vibrational assignments of the infrared bands and Raman lines were made on the basis of potential energy distributions.     

Crystallization of photo-chain extended poly(ethylene glycol)

Coumarin-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) monols and diols were isothermally crystallized at temperatures between 20 and 35 °C before and after exposure to approximately 110 J cm⁻² of ultra-violet A (λ > 300 nm, UVA) irradiation. Irradiation dimerized the coumarin groups and chain-extended the coumarin-functionalized PEG oligomers. The higher molecular weights reduced the crystal growth rate by as much as 50% compared to the non-irradiated coumarin-functionalized PEG oligomers under ambient crystallization conditions. Hoffman’s kinetic nucleation theory was utilized to evaluate the types of nucleation that occurred for the coumarin-functionalized PEG diols (COU-PEG-COU). Crystallization regimes II and III were observed for the coumarin-modified PEG oligomers before and after exposure to UVA light.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol) grafted poly(L-lactide)

Poly(ethylene glycol) grafted poly(L -lactide) was prepared by ring opening polymerization of L -lactide and epoxy-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (PEGME). Stannous octoate and Al(Et)₃·0.5 H₂O were tested as polymerization catalysts, and Al(Et)₃·0.5 H₂O was found to be more effective for the ring-opening of the epoxy group of the modified PEGME monomer. The synthesized polymers were characterized by NMR and the efficiency of the incorporation of epoxy-terminated PEGME in the copolymer was determined.     

Single nanocrystal arrays on patterned poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer microstructures using selective wetting and drying

Single nanocrystal arrays were fabricated on sub-microwells of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) copolymer using selective wetting on the hydrophilic regions of the exposed substrate surface and subsequent drying. Templates were produced by molding a thin film of a PEG-based random copolymer on hydrophilic substrates such as glass or silicon dioxide. The polymeric microstructures provide a topographical barrier around the well, which makes it possible to create nanocrystal arrays with controlled geometrical features. The size of the nanocrystal was found to decrease with decreasing well size and also decrease with decreasing topological height. A simple empirical equation was derived to predict the size of the crystal as a function of the pattern size and height, which is in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Phase separation in mixtures of poly(ethylene glycol monomethylether) and poly(propylene glycol) oligomers

Time-resolved light scattering was employed to investigate kinetics of phase separation in mixtures of poly (ethylene glycol monomethylether) (PEGE)/poly (propylene glycol) (PPG) oligomers. Phase diagrams for PEGE/PPG of varying molecular weights were established by means of cold point measurements. The oligomer mixtures reveal an upper critical solution temperature (UCST). Several temperature quench experiments were carried out with a 60/40 PEGE/PPG blend by rapidly quenching from a single phase (69°C) to two-phase temperatures (66–61°C) at 1°C intervals. As is typical for oligomer mixtures, the early stage of spinodal decomposition (SD) was not detected. The kinetics of phase decomposition was found to be dominated by the late stage of SD. Time-evolution of scattering intensity was analyzed in accordance with nonlinear and dynamical scaling theories. The time dependence of the peak intensity I_m and the corresponding peak wavenumber q_m was found to follow the power-law {I_m(t)? t^α, q_m(t)? t^-β} with the values of α = 3 ± 0.3 and β = 1 ± 0.2, which are very close to the values predicted by Siggia. This process has been attributed to a coarsening mechanism driven by surface tension. In the temporal scaling analysis, the structure function reveals university with time, suggesting self-similarity. Phase separation dynamics in 60/40 PEGE/PPG resembles the behavior predicted for off-critical mixtures.     

Ion conductivity studies of blends of poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(ethylene glycol) complexed with LiCF3 SO3

Polymer electrolytes which are adhesive, transparent, and stable to atmospheric moisture have been prepared by blending poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) with poly(ethylene glycol)/LiCF₃ SO₃ complexes. The maximum ionic conductivities at room temperature were measured to be in the range of 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁵ s cm⁻¹. The clarity of the sample was improved as the graft degree increased for all the samples studied. The graft degree of poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) was found to be important for the compatibility between the poly(methyl methacrylate) segments in poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) and the added poly(ethylene glycol), and consequently, for the ion conductivity of the polymer electrolyte. These properties make them promising candidates for polymer electrolytes in electrochromic devices. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Depolymerisation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibre wastes using ethylene glycol

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) [PET] fibre wastes from an industrial manufacturer was depolymerised using excess ethylene glycol [EG] in the presence of metal acetate as a transesterification catalyst. The glycolysis reactions were carried out at the boiling point of ethylene glycol under nitrogen atmosphere up to 10 h. Influences of the reaction time, volume of EG, catalysts and their concentrations on the yield of the glycolysis products were investigated. The glycolysis products were analysed for hydroxyl and acid values and identified by different techniques, such as HPLC, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR, mass spectra, and DSC. It was found that the glycolysis products consist mainly of bis(hydroxyethyl)terephthalate [BHET] monomer (>75%) which was effectively separated from dimer in quite pure crystalline form.     

Synthesis of novel biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol) analogue:Water-soluble aliphatic polyester with pendant oligo(ethylene glycol) chains

A novel poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG) analogue composed of aliphatic polyester backbone and pendant oligo(ethylene glycol) short chains is reported.The PEG analogue is a copolymer synthesized by ring-opening alternating copolymerization of succinic anhydride with 2-((2-(2-metho xyethoxy)ethoxy)methyl)oxirane.The structure of the copolymer was confirmed by ~1H NMR spectrum.The effects of the monomer feed ratio on the copolymerization were studied and the polymerization mechanism was given.The PEG analogue di...     

Surface modification of nanoporous alumina surfaces with poly(ethylene glycol)

Nanoporous alumina surfaces have a variety of applications in biosensors, biofiltration, and targeted drug delivery. However, the fabrication route to create these nanopores in alumina results in surface defects in the crystal lattice. This results in inherent charge on the porous surface causing biofouling, that is, nonspecific adsorption of biomolecules. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is known to form biocompatible nonfouling films on silicon surfaces. However, its application to alumina surfaces is very limited and has not been well investigated. In this study, we have covalently attached PEG to nanoporous alumina surfaces to improve their nonfouling properties. A PEG-silane coupling technique was used to modify the surface. Different concentrations of PEG for different immobilization times were used to form PEG films of various grafting densities. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to verify the presence of PEG moieties on the alumina surface. High-resolution C1s spectra show that with an increase in concentration and immobilization time, the grafting density of PEG also increases. Further, a standard overlayer model was used to calculate the thickness of PEG films formed using the XPS intensities of the Al2p peaks. The films formed by this technique are less than 2.5 nm thick, suggesting that such films will not clog the pores which are in the range of 70-80 nm.     

Enhanced crystallization behaviors of poly(ethylene terephthalate) via adding expanded graphite and poly(ethylene glycol)

A compound additive system consisting of expanded graphite (EG) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was designed to enhance the crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). In this additive system, EG acted as a heterogeneous nucleating agent to reduce energy barrier for nucleation, while PEG played as plasticizer to improve mobility of PET chains. Simultaneously adding EG and PEG resulted in faster crystallization kinetics than the cases of solely adding EG or PEG in both of non-isothermal and isothermal crystallization processes, indicating a synergistic effect of EG and PEG on enhancing PET crystallization. However, for non-isothermal crystallization process, in which crystallization occurred from a cooling melt, EG played a dominant role. As to isothermal crystallization process where crystallization took place in a super-cooling state, PEG seemed to be more important. Moreover, the chain conformation change among the semi-crystalline PET specimens was ascertained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives

Five general routes for the preparation of polyoxyethylene [generally referred to as poly(ethylene glycol) or PEG] derivatives are described. These routes are (1) nucleophilic displacements with the alkoxide of PEG, (2) nucleophilic displacement on PEG–tosylate, –mesylate, or –bromide, (3) reductive amination of PEG–aldehyde, (4) reductive amination of PEG–amine, and (5) nucleophilic displacements on the s-triazine derivatives prepared from s-triazine trichloride (cyanuric chloride) and PEG. Eighteen derivatives are prepared and potential applications to catalysis, cell purifications, and other areas are discussed briefly.