Accelerated hydrolytic degradation of Poly(l-lactide)/Poly(d-lactide) stereocomplex up to late stage

Poly(l-lactide) (PLLA)/poly(d-lactide) (PDLA) blend specimens containing only stereocomplex as crystalline species, together with those of pure PLLA and PDLA specimens, were prepared by solution crystallization using acetonitrile as the solvent. Their accelerated hydrolytic degradation was carried out in phosphate-buffered solution at elevated temperatures of 70-97 °C up to the late stage. During hydrolytic degradation, the stereocomplex crystalline residues were first traced by gel permeation chromatography. Similar to the hydrolytic degradation of pure PLLA and PDLA specimens, the hydrolytic degradation of stereocomplexed PLLA/PDLA blend specimens slowed down at the late stage when most of the amorphous chains were removed and crystalline resides were formed and degraded. The estimated activation energy for hydrolytic degradation of stereocomplex crystalline residues (97.3 kJ mol⁻¹) is significantly higher than 75.2 kJ mol⁻¹ reported for α-form of PLLA crystalline residues. This indicates that the stereocomplex crystalline residues showed the higher hydrolysis resistance compared to that of α-form of PLLA crystalline residues.     

Self-Nucleation Efficiency of PDLA in PLAs: Crystallization Behavior and Morphology

Crystallization behavior and morphology of PLA blended with 0.05–1.00 wt % loadings of poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA) forming stereocomplex crystallites as in-situ nucleating agents, were studied using wideangle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and polarizing-light optical microscopy (POM). Blending PLA with small amount of PDLA does lead to formation of PLA stereocomplex (SC), although the PLA is a random copolymer. The in-situ formed SC crystal acted as nucleation sites in blends and accelerated the crystallization of PLA by decreasing the half-time (t_1/2). The nucleation efficiency of PDLA obviously increased and the crystallization induction time decreased while the content of PDLA reached up to 0.20 wt %. While the content of PDLA is 0.2 wt %, the nucleation efficiency of PDLA is up to 43.8%, and the induction time decreased from 430 to 88 s. In addition, compared with pure PLA, t_1/2 decreases from 15.1 to 3.5 min at T_c = 127.5°C while the amount PDLA is 1.0 wt %. The equilibrium melting temperature of PLA decreased from 187.2 to 181.2°C with the increase of PDLA content.     

Miktoarm star‐shaped poly(lactic acid) copolymer: Synthesis and stereocomplex crystallization behavior

The miktoarm star‐shaped poly(lactic acid) (PLA) copolymer, (PLLA)₂‐core‐(PDLA)₂, was synthesized via stepwise ring‐opening polymerization of lactide with dibromoneopentyl glycol as the starting material. ¹H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy proved the feasibility of synthetic route and the successful preparation of star‐shaped PLA copolymers. The results of FTIR spectroscopy and XRD showed that the stereocomplex structure of the copolymer could be more perfect after solvent dissolution treatment. Effect of chain architectures on crystallization was investigated by studying the nonisothermal and isothermal crystallization of the miktoarm star‐shaped PLA copolymer and other stereocomplexes. Nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy tests indicated that (PLLA)₂‐core‐(PDLA)₂ exhibited the fastest formation of a stereocomplex in a dynamic test due to its special structure. In isothermal crystallization tests, the copolymer exhibited the fast crystal growth rate and the most perfect crystal morphology. The results reveal that the unique molecular structure has an important influence on the crystallization of the miktoarm star‐shaped PLA copolymer. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 814–826     

D-、L-和DL-青霉胺的太赫兹时域光谱

利用太赫兹时域光谱技术(THz-TDS)对D-、L-和DL-青霉胺的研究发现, 三种样品在0.2 THz到1.8 THz波段的吸收光谱存在显著差异, 实验结果表明, THz吸收光谱能够鉴别青霉胺对映异构体, 这一特点将可以用于青霉胺药物的检测. 本文利用纯D-、L-青霉胺的THz吸收光谱, 对D-、L-青霉胺混合样品的THz吸收光谱进行拟合, 证明可以用THz光谱定量分析混合样品中D-、L-青霉胺的相对含量. 这项研究为手性药物分子检测和分析提供了新的实验方法, 也对深入了解手性药物与生物靶分子之间相互作用提供了启示.     

Prominently Promoting the Formation of Poly(butylene adipate) <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-Form Crystals by Coalescing from Inclusion Complex

We successfully use a co-precipitation method to prepare inclusion complex between poly(butylene adipate) (PBA) chains (guest component) and urea molecules (host component). The PBA/urea inclusion complex is confirmed to adopt a hexagonal crystal modification with lattice parameters of a = 8.14 Å and c = 10.92 Å, and the interaction between PBA chains and urea is van der Waals force. The singly isolated PBA chains are suggested to take some gauche conformation, which is different from the all-trans conformation in β-form PBA. Furthermore, we employ the isolated PBA chains which are uniformly pre-established in a specific conformation in urea channels to regulate the crystal form of PBA for the first time. After removing the host urea molecules, the coalesced PBA chains are found to solely crystallize into α-form crystals at different coalescing temperatures. By comparing the FTIR spectra, it is found that PBA chains in inclusion complex plausibly contain some similar conformers as those in α-form crystal, which is suggested to be the intrinsic reason for the sole formation of α-form crystals. This research proves that inclusion complex can be used as a very effective method to regulate polymorphism of semi-crystalline polymers.     

Molecular conformation of optically active polyesters and their stereocomplexes

Crystal lattices for various polymorphs of poly(α-methly-α-ethyl-β-propiolactone) (PMEPL) are proposed on the basis of combined electron and x-ray diffraction data. Single crystal-like electron diffraction is observed from melt crystallized thin films of isotactic PMEPL and stereocomplex. Melt-crystallized isotactic PMEPL exhibits a monoclinic, pseudo orthorhombic lattice with the unit cell parameter c (4.75 Å) equivalent to the periodicity of the planar zigzag conformation typically obtained by sample elongation. The stereocomplex crystallizes in a distinctly different orthorhombic lattice with c = 7.1 Å, implying a 2₁ helical conformation. In addition, melt-crystallized mixtures of isotactic PMEPL and isotactic poly(α-methyl-α-n-propyl-β-propiolactone) (PMPPL) are examined by solid state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. These techniques reveal that, in such blends, the conformation and crystal structure found for isotactic PMEPL of a given chirality depends on the absolute configuration of the PMPPL present. In samples containing PMEPL and PMPPL of opposite absolute configuration, isotactic PMEPL crystallizes from the melt as a helix, in contrast to its behavior in the pure state, whereas PMPPL adopt the same helical conformation in the blend as when crystallized alone.     

Phase transition behavior of a poly(oxyethylene-b-butylene adipate) ionomer with shape memory properties

A series of biodegradable poly(oxyethylene-b-butylene adipate) ionomers (POBAi) were prepared by two-step in situ polymerization using adipic acid, 1,4-butanediol and mixed monomers of bis(poly(oxyethylene)) sulfonated dimethyl fumarate. The chemical composition of these POBAi was ascertained by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The objective of this study was to investigate the shape memory effect of POBAi containing ionomer compared to non ionic POBA. It was observed that POBA5.0i showed a good shape memory effect than that of POBA 2.5 mol% or none of ionic group due to much physical cross-linking point by rich ionic group. Stress-induced phase transition was investigated during the shape deformation and recovery process using a wide-angle X-ray diffractometer (WAXD). The POBA crystal phase transition from β- to α-form was observed in all POBA samples by either thermal treatment or physical drawing. The α-form crystal did not recover to the initial β-form during the recovery process because the monoclinic α-form crystal is structurally more stable than the orthorhombic β-form crystal.     

Linear and four‐armed poly(l‐lactide)‐block‐poly(d‐lactide) copolymers and their stereocomplexation with poly(lactide)s

Linear and four‐armed poly(l ‐lactide)‐block‐poly(d ‐lactide) (PLLA‐b‐PDLA) block copolymers are synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization of d ‐lactide on the end hydroxyl of linear and four‐armed PLLA prepolymers. DSC results indicate that the melting temperature and melting enthalpies of poly (lactide) stereocomplex in the copolymers are obviously lower than corresponding linear and four‐armed PLLA/PDLA blends. Compared with the four‐armed PLLA‐b‐PDLA copolymer, the similar linear PLLA‐b‐PDLA shows higher melting temperature (212.3 °C) and larger melting enthalpy (70.6 J g^?1). After these copolymers blend with additional neat PLAs, DSC, and WAXD results show that the stereocomplex formation between free PLA molecular chain and enantiomeric PLA block is the major stereocomplex formation. In the linear copolymer/linear PLA blends, the stereocomplex crystallites (sc) as well as homochiral crystallites (hc) form in the copolymer/PLA cast films. However, in the four‐armed copolymer/linear PLA blends, both sc and hc develop in the four‐armed PLLA‐b‐PDLA/PDLA specimen, which means that the stereocomplexation mainly forms between free PDLA molecule and the inside PLLA block, and the outside PDLA block could form some microcrystallites. Although the melting enthalpies of stereocomplexes in the blends are smaller than that of neat copolymers, only two‐thirds of the molecular chains participate in the stereocomplex formation, and the crystallization efficiency strengthens. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 1560–1567     

Two novel algorithms for the thermogravimetric assessment of polymer degradation under non-isothermal conditions

Two novel algorithms are presented for processing thermogravimetric (TG) data obtained during the degradation of a polymer in a single step mechanism under non-isothermal conditions. The first algorithm assesses three characteristics computed from the TG profile against a theoretical data set, and identifies likely kinetic models to fit the experimental data. The second algorithm provides an iterative arithmetic method to extract the apparent activation energy, E_a, and Arrhenius A-factor, A, from TG data without simplifying assumptions. The algorithms are validated using model data and applied to data for the non-isothermal degradation of poly(ethylene adipate), poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and a food packaging PLA composite formulation containing kenaf, a natural fibre. The analysis of poly(ethylene adipate) produced E_a = 137 kJ mol⁻¹ and log₁₀A = 8.71 (first-order kinetic model). The kenaf fibre destabilizes PLA, lowering its E_a from 190 kJ mol⁻¹ to 150 kJ mol⁻¹ (contracting volume model).     

Replication and surface properties of micro injection molded PLA/MWCNT nanocomposites

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced polylactide (PLA) nanocomposites were injected molded into a mold with micro needle patterns. In order to alleviate the hesitation effect caused by an increased melt viscositgy of PLA/CNT nanocomposites, the effects of the injection speed and holding pressure on the replication property were investigated. The effects of MWCNTs on the crystallization, thermal behavior, replication properties, replication and surface properties of micro injection molded PLA/CNT nanocomposites were investigated. An analysis of crystallinity and thermal behavior indicated that the MWCNTs promoted the unique α’ to α crystal transition of PLA, leading to an enhancement of surface modulus and hardness, as measured using a nanoindentation technique. The specific interaction between PLA and MWCNTs was characterized using an equilibrium melting point depression technique. Furthermore, the MWCNTs increased the activation energy for thermal degradation of PLA due to the physical barrier effect. The improved replication quality of the microfeatures in the PLA/MWCNT nanocomposites has been achieved by elevating injection speed and holding pressure, which enhances the polymer filling ability within the micro cavity. A replication ratio greater than 96% for the micro injection molded PLA/CNT nanocomposites were achieved at holding pressure of 100 MPa and injection speed of 120 mm/s. This study shows that processing conditions significantly influence the replication and surface properties of micro injection molded PLA/CNT nanocomposites.     

Enhanced general analytical equation for the kinetics of the thermal degradation of poly(lactic acid) driven by random scission

An enhanced general analytical equation has been developed in order to evaluate the kinetic parameters of the thermal degradation of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) at various linear heating rates and at constant rate conditions. This improvement consisted of replacing the n-order conversion function by a modified form of the Sestak-Berggren equation f(α) = c(1?α)ⁿα^m, which led to better adjustment of experimental data, and also adequately represented the conventional mechanisms for solid-state processes. The kinetic parameters so obtained have been compared to those determined by conventional differential and isoconversional methods. Given that the thermal degradation of PLA has been argued to be caused by random chain scission reactions of ester groups, the conversion function (α) = 2(α^1/2?α), corresponding to a random scission mechanism, has been tested.     

含硫氨基酸的太赫兹光谱

利用太赫兹时域光谱(THz-TDS)技术研究室温条件下多晶含硫氨基酸L-蛋氨酸(Met)和L-半胱氨酸(Cys)的光谱特性, 得到相应的吸收谱和折射率谱, 表明含硫氨基酸在THz波段具有区别于其它氨基酸的显著特征. 在实验测量的有效光谱范围0.2～2.8 THz内, L-蛋氨酸的THz吸收峰分别位于1.06, 1.88和2.70 THz; L-半胱氨酸的吸收峰分别位于1.40, 1.70, 2.33和2.61 THz, 两种氨基酸的平均折射率均为1.44. 利用GAUSSIAN 03软件包中的Hartree-Fock理论计算了蛋氨酸双分子的低频振动谱, 表明了与蛋氨酸各吸收峰对应的分子微观振动模式, 并对实验光谱进行了解析讨论.     

The mechanism of α-γ transition of poly- (vinylidene fluoride) in the miscible blends

The simultaneous DSC-FTIR was used for the observation of crystallization and melting of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its blends with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA). The isothermal crystallization was carried out under the condition of both α-form and γ-form crystallized competitively. The crystal growth rate of α -form and γ -form were evaluated from the absorbance changes at 795 cm^-1 (α -form, CH₂ rocking) and 810 cm^-1 (γ -form, CH₂ rocking) obtained by the DSC-FTIR. The crystal growth rate of γ -form decreased at the same crystallization temperature in the order of PVDF/syn-PMMA, PVDF/PEMA and PVDF/at-PMMA, which was corresponding to the order of interaction parameter. The mechanism of α -g transition of PVDF in the miscible blends with at-PMMA, syn-PMMA and PEMA was evaluated from the relationship between the decrease of α -form and the increase of γ -form. The critical crystallization temperature, at which the transformation from α -form to γ -form proceeded only in the solid state, shifted to higher temperature side in the order of interaction parameter. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Measurement of coherent terahertz radiation for time-domain spectroscopy and imaging

A high-power terahertz (THz) source for THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and THz imaging has been developed based on an S-band compact electron linac at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). A THz pulse was generated as coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR) from an ultra-short electron bunch and expected to have peak power of kW-order with frequency range of 0.1–2 THz. The electro-optic (EO) sampling method with a ZnTe crystal for the THz pulse measurement has been prepared for THz-TDS system. The timing measurement between the THz pulse and a probe laser was carried out. A preliminary experiment of THz transmission imaging of an integrated circuit (IC) card has been successfully demonstrated using the THz CSR pulse and a W-band rf detector. The imaging result was experimentally compared with a result of X-ray imaging. It is confirmed that its intensity and stability are enough to perform for the THz applications.     

Vibrational spectra of copper sulfate hydrates investigated with low-temperature Raman spectroscopy and terahertz time domain spectroscopy

In this paper, the vibrational spectra of copper sulfate hydrates (CuSO(4)·xH(2)O, x = 5, 3, 1, 0) have been investigated with low-temperature Raman spectroscopy and terahertz time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). It is found that the four groups of Raman bands between 90 and 4000 cm(-1) can be assigned to lattice vibration as well as intramolecular vibrations of a copper complex, sulfate group, and water molecules. The variation of vibrational spectra during the dehydrated process are discussed in detail considering the transformation of the crystal structure, especially the bands between 3000 and 3500 cm(-1), which are attributed to the ν(1) and ν(3) modes of water molecules. In addition, as a complement of Raman spectra, the THz spectra at 0.1-3 THz indicate the absorption due to the low-frequency lattice vibration and hydrogen bond.     

Sulfur-substitution-enhanced crystallization and crystal structure of poly(trimethylene monothiocarbonate)

In this paper, the crystallization behavior of a novel poly(monothiocarbonate), poly(trimethylene monothiocarbonate) (PTMMTC), was investigated and compared with its polycarbonate analogue, poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC). It is found that PTMMTC exhibits strong crystallizability, while unstretched PTMC is amorphous. DSC and DMA results reveal that PTMMTC possesses higher glass transition temperature (T_g) and β-transition temperature (T_β) than PTMC. Simulation based on density functional theory (DFT) shows that, the bond angle of C-S-C is evidently smaller than that of C-O-C, and thus a larger dipole moment. This leads to the stronger intermolecular interaction and more rigid chain conformation in PTMMTC, which is the origin of sulfur-substitution enhanced crystallization. The crystal structure of PTMMTC was preliminarily determined for the first time. PTMMTC has an orthorhombic crystal structure with a planar zig-zag chain conformation. The parameters of unit cell are a = 10.74 Å, b = 4.79 Å, and c (fiber axis) = 7.74 Å.     

Influence of chain extender on thermal properties and melt flow index of stereocomplex PLA

The effects of chain extension and melt blending temperature on the stereocomplex formation of 50/50 (w/w) poly(L-lactide) (PLLA)/poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) blends or stereocomplex polylactides (scPLAs) were investigated. Joncryl^® ADR 4368, a styrene-acrylic multifunctional oligomeric agent, was used as a chain extender. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffractometry were used to confirm the stereocomplex formation of the PLLA/PDLA blends. Melt flow indices (MFI) of the blends were also determined. The stereocomplex crystallinities gradually decreased with increasing blending temperature and Joncryl^® ADR 4368 ratio. The significant decrease in the MFI of scPLAs is believed to be attributed to chain extension at the blending temperatures of 170 °C and 200 °C. The MFI values of scPLAs decreased as the Joncryl^® ADR 4368 ratio and blending temperature increased. The results indicated that the chain extension has an effect on the stereocomplexation and it improved the melt strength of the scPLAs.     

Far-infrared investigation of kaolinite and halloysite intercalates using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

Two clay minerals from the kaolin group, namely well-ordered kaolinite and poorly ordered halloysite, were investigated by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). Both clay samples were used for preparation of their respective intercalates using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and potassium acetate (KAc) with water. The intercalates were also characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The dielectric behaviour of clay samples was investigated in the far-infrared region of 0.2–2.7 THz corresponding to about 6.7–89.9 cm⁻¹. The frequency dependence of the power absorption coefficient revealed clear absorption bands for DMSO intercalates but not for KAc with water. For kaolinite – DMSO intercalate a distinct doublet at 1.70 THz (56.6 cm⁻¹) and 1.88 THz (62.6 cm⁻¹), and for halloysite – DMSO intercalate a single broad band centred around 1.72 THz (57.3 cm⁻¹) were found. These bands are reported for the first time in this type of intercalation substances and indicate the application potential of THz time-domain spectroscopy for use in the investigation and detection of chemical behaviour of molecular species introduced into the interlayer space of layered substances such as clays and clay minerals. Additionally, the qualitative characteristics of observed bands of DMSO intercalates in the THz region reasonably resembled the structural order/disorder of used kaolinite and halloysite samples.     

Dynamic Monte Carlo simulations of competition in crystallization of mixed polymers grafted on a substrate

Nowadays, preparation of poly(lactide) (PLA) with high content of stereocomplex crystallites (SCs) is receiving more and more attentions. The stereocomplex formation between enantiomeric poly(l ‐lactide) and poly(d ‐lactide) can efficiently improve the corresponding mechanical properties and thermal stability. In the current work, using dynamic Monte Carlo simulations, the microscopic mechanism of SC formation in grafted polymers was investigated. The increase in grafting density can lead to the enhancement of SC formation. On one hand, the miscibility between the chains of different types can be improved due to the grafting. On the other hand, the increase in grafting density can result in the higher degree of chain extension and the change in crystal nucleation and growth modes. The changes facilitate the stereocomplex formation. These findings not only provide an effective way to prepare PLAs with high content of SCs, but also reveal the underlying mechanisms controlling the SC formation. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 89–97     

Crystallization behavior of poly(lactic acid) with a self-assembly aryl amide nucleating agent probed by real-time infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction

The effect of a self-assembly nucleating agent, N,N′,N″-tricyclohexyl-1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylamide (BTCA), on the crystallization behavior of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was probed by time-resolved Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The vibrational changes associated with inter- and intra-chain interactions during crystallization were monitored. In the initial period of crystallization, the order of intensity changes is as follows: 1458 cm⁻¹ > 1210 cm⁻¹ » 921 cm⁻¹, 1458 cm⁻¹ ∼ 1210 cm⁻¹ > 921 cm⁻¹, and 1458 cm⁻¹ ∼ 1210 cm⁻¹ ∼ 921 cm⁻¹ for neat PLA, PLAs containing 0.1 wt% and 0.3 wt% BTCA, respectively. This indicates that BTCA can accelerate both the formation of skeletal conformational-ordered structure and, especially, the 10₃ helix one. The incorporation of BTCA changes the crystallization mechanism but has no impact on the crystal form of PLA.