Effect of sequence structure on wetting behaviors of fluorinated methacrylate polymers based on perfluorohexylethyl methacrylate and stearyl acrylate

Due to the non-crystalline properties of short chain perfluoroalkyl groups,using short chain perfluoroalkyl to stabilize low surface free energy polymers has been a challenging task.In this study,we prepare a series of random copolymers poly(perfluorohexylethyl methacrylate)-co-poly(stearyl acrylate) (P13FMA-co-PSA) and block copolymers poly(perfluorohexylethyl methacrylate)-b-poly(stearyl acrylate) (P13FMA-b-PSA),and systematically investigate the effects of the sequence structure and the content of 13FMA of the fluorinated copolymers on surface free energy and surface reorganization.Static/dynamic contact angle goniometry and water/oil repellency analyses demonstrate that the random polymer P13FMA-co-PSA could not achieve low surface free energy and low surface reorganization at the same time.In contrast,for the block copolymer P13FMA-b-PSA,both low surface free energy and low surface reorganization are acquired simultaneously.The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS),dynamic contact angle goniometry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) reveal the above-mentioned properties.The consecutive 13FMA segments improve the surface fluorine density,while the consecutive SA chains enhance the crystallinity of the SA segments,and further hinder the surface reorganization of the perfluoroalkyl groups.Therefore,P13FMA-b-PSA exhibits a higher utilization efficiency of fluorine atoms and a better structural stability than P13FMA-co-PSA.     

Straightforward synthesis of poly(lauryl acrylate)-b-poly(stearyl acrylate) diblock copolymers by ATRP

Lauryl (LA) and stearyl (SA) acrylates were successfully polymerized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), leading to well defined homopolymers and diblock copolymers (PDI < 1.2). Interestingly, the polymerization was very well controlled using N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA), a ligand which had initially been reported to be unadvisable for the polymerization of such monomers. Both kinetic studies and chain extension reactions supported our conclusions. A PLA₆₅-b-PSA₄₇ diblock copolymer was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic thermo-mechanical analysis, revealing that both blocks exhibit side-chain crystallinity and phase segregate in the crystalline state. The diblock behaves as a brittle rigid polymer when both blocks are crystalline, as a ductile material after the melting of the PLA phase and becomes a viscous liquid when both blocks are molten. This work could be extended to the preparation of PSA-b-PLA-b-PSA bio-issued thermoplastic elastomers.     

Characterization of particle surface and morphology in vinyl acetate-butyl acrylate emulsion copolymers — Influence of the copolymerization pathway

Surface characterization was investigated in vinyl acetate (VAc) butyl acrylate (BuA) copolymer latexes of various compositions and prepared with four different emulsion polymerization processes: conventionnal batch, composition-controlled batch, core-shell, emulsifier-free semi-continuous. Surface end-groups (sulfate or carboxylic) titration results were first compared and discussed according to the type of process and as a function of conversion. As previously shown [1], it was confirmed that batch latex particles present a heterogeneous structure with a rich VAc outlayer, as in core-shell particles. As expected, semi-continuous and composition-controlled batch particles exhibit surface end-group characteristics revealing a more homogeneous distribution of both monomers within the particles. These differences in particle morphology were corroborated by analyzing water-polymer interface in these latexes using the soap titration method, with the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or sodium hexadecyl sulfate (SHS) as emulsifier probes. When the BuA was batch-polymerized onto PVAc seed particles, the estimated surface composition seemed to show that probably phase rearrangement occurs in the particle during the synthesis or upon aging. It was also confirmed that SDS displays an abnormal adsorption due to complexation and solubilization in the rich-VAc shell of the particles.     

Characteristic ratio of poly(tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate) and poly(2-ethylbutyl acrylate)

The synthesis, characteristic ratio C_∞ and glass transition temperature (T_g) of poly(tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate) (PTHFA) and of poly(2-ethylbutyl acrylate) (P2EBA) are reported. P2EBA has slightly lower flexibility (C_∞ = 9.2) than PTHFA (C_∞ = 8.6), mainly because of the higher bulkiness of its side group and the closer proximity to the main chain. The C_∞ results compared with the corresponding polymethacrylates show an increase in flexibility due to the absence of the α-methyl group. Comparison with poly(methyl acrylate) clearly shows the influence of the bulkiness of the side group on the chain flexibility. The lower T_g of P2EBA than that of PTHFA may be explained by the higher flexibility of the 2-ethylbutyl side group. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35 : 1589–1592, 1997     

The preparation of t‐butyl acrylate,methyl acrylate,and styrene block copolymers by atom transfer radical polymerization: Precursors to amphiphilic and hydrophilic block copolymers and conversion to complex nanostructured materials

Atom transfer radical polymerization conditions with copper(I) bromide/pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (CuBr/PMDETA) as the catalyst system were employed for the polymerization of tert‐butyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, and styrene to generate well‐defined homopolymers, diblock copolymers, and triblock copolymers. Temperature studies indicated that the polymerizations occurred smoothly in bulk at 50 °C. The kinetics of tert‐butyl acrylate polymerization under these conditions are reported. Well‐defined poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (PtBA; polydispersity index = 1.14) and poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA; polydispersity index = 1.03) homopolymers were synthesized and then used as macroinitiators for the preparation of PtBA‐b‐PMA and PMA‐b‐PtBA diblock copolymers in bulk at 50 °C or in toluene at 60 or 90 °C. In toluene, the amount of CuBr/PMDETA relative to the macroinitiator was important; at least 1 equiv of CuBr/PMDETA was required for complete initiation. Typical block lengths were composed of 100–150 repeat units per segment. A triblock copolymer, composed of PtBA‐b‐PMA‐b‐PS (PS = polystyrene), was also synthesized with a well‐defined composition and a narrow molecular weight dispersity. The tert‐butyl esters of PtBA‐b‐PMA and PtBA‐b‐PMA‐b‐PS were selectively cleaved to form the amphiphilic block copolymers PAA‐b‐PMA [PAA = poly(acrylic acid)] and PAA‐b‐PMA‐b‐PS, respectively, via reaction with anhydrous trifluoroacetic acid in dichloromethane at room temperature for 3 h. Characterization data are reported from analyses by gel permeation chromatography; infrared, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies; differential scanning calorimetry; and matrix‐assisted, laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. The assembly of the amphiphilic triblock copolymer PAA₉₀‐b‐PMA₈₀‐b‐PS₉₈ within an aqueous solution, followed by conversion into stable complex nanostructures via crosslinking reactions between the hydrophilic PAA chains comprising the peripheral layers, produced mixtures of spherical and cylindrical topologies. The visualization and size determination of the resulting nanostructures were performed by atomic force microscopy, which revealed very interesting segregation phenomena. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4805–4820, 2000     

2D NMR studies of acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymers

The microstructure of acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymers prepared by the solution polymerization using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as free radical initiator was investigated by two-dimensional NMR techniques. 2D-heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC) and the total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY) have been utilized to resolve the complex ¹H NMR spectrum and to establish the compositional and configurational sequences of acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymers. 2D HSQC and TOCSY showed compositional and configurational sensitivity of methine protons of A and M units upto the triad level. Heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation (HMBC) spectroscopy has been used to study carbon (carbonyl/nitrile)-proton coupling. The carbonyl and nitrile carbons showed compositional sensitivity upto the triad level. The values of reactivity ratios were determined by Kelen-Tudos (KT) and non-linear error in variable method (RREVM).     

Synthesis of poly(isobornyl acrylate) containing copolymers by atom transfer radical polymerization

For the first time, a detailed study of the atom transfer radical polymerization of isobornyl acrylate (iBA) is reported. On the basis of these results, well‐defined PiBA‐containing block copolymers were synthesized, focussing on the preparation of amphiphilic poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) containing block copolymers. The precursor monomers 1‐ethoxyethyl acrylate (EEA) as well as tert‐butyl acrylate have been used to synthesize the PAA‐segments of the PiBA‐b‐PAA block copolymers. Finally, the synthesis of “block‐like” copolymers of PiBA and PEEA via a one‐pot procedure was investigated. By optimizing the copper and ligand concentration, and choosing the appropriate solvent, a controlled polymerization behaviour was obtained in all cases, as evidenced by a detailed kinetic analysis, GPC, NMR, and MALDI‐TOF data. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the quantitative transformation of the precursor polymer PEEA to the corresponding PAA‐containing copolymers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1649–1661, 2008     

高效液相色谱-三级四级杆质谱测定食品接触材料中6种全氟羧酸类化合物

采用高效液相色谱-串联质谱仪建立了食品接触材料中6种全氟羧酸类化合物(PFCAs)残留量的检测方法。通过对超声、振荡和离子配对3种方法的比较,选择超声法作为提取食品接触材料中PFCAs的提取方法,提取时间为30 min,提取溶剂体积为10 mL。提取物经C18色谱柱分离后由串联质谱检测。最低检测限为0.5μg/kg,添加回收率在84.6%～114.6%之间。     

Nanodomains in a hydrophilic-hydrophobic IPN based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) and poly(ethyl acrylate)

The morphology of a series of hydrogels based on the interpenetration of poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) and poly(ethyl acrylate) has been studied through transmission electron microscopy, TEM, atomic force microscopy, AFM, and dynamic-mechanical spectroscopy, DMA. For the TEM analysis phosphotungstic acid, PTA, was used as alternative selective staining agent to those commonly used. The good agreement between TEM and AFM images allowed us to confirm that the PTA technique is a very powerful tool for TEM analysis of these hydrogel systems. All the results show that the IPNs presented phase-separation with two kinds of microdomains: those preferentially with a hydrophilic nature and those with preferentially a hydrophobic one, of sizes that range from 30 nm to 100 nm. Each one of these domains is composed by smaller nanodomains of alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic component ranging between 6 and 10 nm sizes, those preferentially with a hydrophilic nature having a larger proportion of hydrophilic nanodomains. The AFM images of the IPN with the highest PHEA mass fraction, x_PHEA = 0.75, suggest that the hydrophilic phase is co-continuous in the material. A disperse hydrophilic phase is found when the PHEA mass fraction is reduced up to x_PHEA = 0.38. This phase-separation is explained in terms of some characteristic parameters of the networks such as the mesh size and the number of units between cross-links. The morphology found makes the systems very attractive for cell adhesion substrates and for matrices of scaffolds in soft tissue engineering.     

Synthesis and characterization of functional gradient copolymers of allyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate

Functional spontaneous gradient copolymers of allyl methacrylate (A) and butyl acrylate (B) were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization. The copolymerization reactions were carried out in toluene solutions at 100 °C with methyl 2‐bromopropionate as the initiator and copper bromide with N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as the catalyst system. Different aspects of the statistical reaction copolymerizations, such as the kinetic behavior, crosslinking density, and gel fraction, were studied. The gel data were compared with Flory's gelation theory, and the sol fractions of the synthesized copolymers were characterized by size exclusion chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The copolymer composition, demonstrating the gradient character of the copolymers, and the microstructure were analyzed. The experimental data agreed well with data calculated with the Mayo–Lewis terminal model and Bernoullian statistics, with monomer reactivity ratios of 2.58 ± 0.37 and 0.51 ± 0.05 for A and B, respectively, an isotacticity parameter for A of 0.24, and a coisotacticity parameter of 0.33. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5304–5315, 2006     

TiO2/聚丙烯酸丁酯纳米复合薄膜的制备及结构表征

利用微乳液原位聚合法在普通玻璃表面上制备了TiO2/聚丙烯酸丁酯纳米复合膜.采用傅立叶变换红外光谱、高分辨透射电子显微镜和X射线光电子能谱对膜的结构进行了表征.结果表明， TiO2以纳米线的形式弥散在聚丙烯酸丁酯的高分子网络中，并且所制备的TiO2纳米线具有板钛矿相结构.     

Emulsions Stabilized with poly(Hydroxyethyl Acrylate-co-Coumaryl Acrylate-co-2-Ethylhexyl acrylate)

Thermo- and photo-responsive emulsions were prepared using mineral oil as an oil phase and a thermo- and-photo-sensitive polymer as an emulsifier. Hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) was copolymerized with Coumaryl acrylate (CA) and 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA) by a free radical reaction with the content of CA in the reaction mixture being varied (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 mol%) and the content of EHA being kept constant (2 mol%). CA was used as a photo-responsive comonomer and EHA was used as a hydrophobic comonomer to endow the copolymer with amphiphilicity. The copolymers prepared using the HEA/CA/EHA mixture where CA content was 1, 2, 3 mol% exhibited a phase transition in the range of 20°C– 45°C, and the phase transition temperature decreased with increasing the content. The CA of the copolymers was readily dimerized under the irradiation of UV (365 nm. 400 W) and the dimerization degree was 27%–47% in 60 min. The droplet size of emulsions significantly increased with increasing the temperature from 27°C- 50°C, possibly due to the thermal contraction of the copolymers. Also, the size markedly increased by 60 min-irradiation of the UV light, possibly because of the photo collapse of the copolymers.     

Mechanical and rheological properties of poly(ethylene-co-ethyl acrylate) as a function of carbon black content

Carbon black (CB) filled poly(ethylene-co-ethyl acrylate) (EEA-CB) is used as conductive phase in conductive polymer composites (CPC). Electrical conductivity of CPC obtained from blends of immiscible polymers results from CB particles localization within the material, which depends on composition and processing conditions. It is particularly important to control viscosity of such systems as this parameter determines both the phase morphology and conductive pathway structure. The small scale, at which CB particle aggregation/dispersion phenomena occur within CPC, makes direct observations difficult. But the effect of carbon black particles/polymers interactions is clearly visible by means of rheological measurements. A strong reinforcing effect of CB on CPC in both solid and liquid states has been noticed. This phenomenon has been analyzed using classical models as a function of temperature and CB content. The results confirm the necessity of CPC rheology control especially during the process to achieve good reproducibility of electrical properties.     

Asymmetric reduction of perfluoroalkyl ketones with chiral lithium alkoxides

Reduction of perfluoroalkyl ketones with chiral lithium alkoxides gave chiral α-perfluoroalkyl alcohols in high enantiomeric excesses. Interestingly, reaction of 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone (1) with lithium (S)-1-phenylethoxide (2) gave (S)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-phenylethanol (3), while the same reaction of perfluorooctan-1-one (7) with 2 gave (R)-1H-1-phenylperfluorooctanol (8). Based on the speculation of mechanism, the order of steric effects on this reaction is estimated as C₇F₁₅ > substituted phenyl > CF₃.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new class of polyfluorinated alkanes: tetrakis(perfluoroalkyl)alkane

The synthesis and physico-chemical characterization of 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(perfluoroalkyl-methylene)ethane {[F(CF₂)_nCH₂]₂CH}₂ (n=6, TK6; n=8, TK8) are reported. The synthesis consists of four steps: (1) addition of allyl alcohol to a perfluoroalkyl iodide, F(CF₂)_nI (n=6,8) to give the corresponding iodo-adduct; (2) dehalogenation of the adduct by treatment with zinc in aqueous acetic acid, yielding 3-perfluoro-n-alkyl-1-propene; (3) addition of 3-perfluoro-n-alkyl-l-propene to perfluoroalkyl iodide, F(CF₂)_nI (n=6,8) to give 1,3-perfluoro-n-alkyl-2-iodo-propane; (4) coupling of 1,3-perfluoro-n-alkyl-2-iodo-propane by zinc in acetic anhydride giving the final products. TK6 and TK8 are characterized by very low surface tension values and exhibit very good properties as potential ski-waxes.     

Synthesis and characterization of copolymers based on styrene and partially fluorinated acrylates

Copolymers of styrene and fluorinated acrylate monomers with F-octylalkyl, F(CF₂)₈(CH₂)_n^′ side groups were prepared by free radical polymerization. Thermal behaviour of the resulting polymers was investigated by DSC and TGA. Even if at the macroscopic scale the polymers surfaces are homogeneous and clear, the analysis indicates that all samples exhibit two glass transitions temperatures. This discontinuity may be regarded as an indication for microphase separation of fluorine-rich and polystyrene-rich microphases. Water and hexadecane contact angles measurements show that these polymers are quite surface active in the solid state. Surface and bulk organizations were investigated by XPS analysis. A strong correlation between bulk organization and surface properties of the polymers could be established. Preferential adsorption of fluorinated segments at the material surface were more pronounced than expected in the bulk.     

Poly(n-butyl acrylate) based lead (II) selective electrodes

Poly(n-butyl acrylate) membranes for potentiometric ion-selective electrodes were developed and studied on example of lead-selective sensors. A novel approach resulting in Nernstian responses of tested sensor was proposed. Introduction of 5% (w/w) hydroxyethyl methacrylate into n-butyl acrylate moiety resulted in significant improvement of sensor analytical parameters. For the latter membrane material linear responses were obtained within lead activities range from 10⁻² to 10⁻⁹ mol/dm³, while for poly(n-butyl acrylate) based membranes pretreated in the same manner super-Nernstian behavior was obtained in a parallel experiment. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies did not reveal significant differences between these two membranes, also similar lead ions diffusion coefficients were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with laser ablation.The difference between two kinds of membranes was found to concern higher Pb(II) ions contents in the surface part of the membrane with hydroxyethyl methacrylate, resulting in balanced Pb ions fluxes from/to the membrane.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Application of Amphiphilic Copolymer Poly(vinyl alcohol)-g-Poly(butyl acrylate)

An amphiphilic graft copolymer poly(vinyl alcohol)-g-poly(butyl acrylate) (PVA-g-PBA) was synthesized by grafting butyl acrylate (BA) onto poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with potassium persulfate (KPS) as free radical initiator in N₂ atmosphere and aqueous medium. The formation of graft copolymer was confirmed by means of infrared spectroscopy (IR). The influences of initiator, monomer concentration and reaction time on the percentage of monomer conversion(C _M), graft degree(Gd) and graft efficiency(Ge) have been discussed in detail. PVA-g-PBA was used as compatibilizer in blends of chlorinated polyethylene (CPE)/ poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)[P(AA-AM)], and the compatibility between CPE and P(AA-AM) was also investigated.