A chemiluminescence study on thermal and photostability of ethylene/α-olefin copolymers synthesized with rac-Et(Ind)2ZrCl2/MAO catalyst system

Copolymers of ethylene and α-hexene or α-octadecene were synthesised, and the relationship between their degradation and the type and content of comonomer was investigated by chemiluminescence, FTIR and thermogravimetric analysis. A clear effect of the length of branches on the thermal behaviour of copolymers was found. The insertion of octadecene caused the formation of a higher content of oxidised species in those copolymers. It may be related to the increase of length of branching which favoured the scission of the carbon–carbon bonds to form alkyl radicals in the earlier stages. It was observed that thermal stability decreased as the comonomer was incorporated. The isothermal CL curves under oxygen exhibited double stage, oxygen independent and oxygen diffusion controlled reactions. The intensity of CL of second stage, decreased and shifted to longer time as the comonomer content increased. This effect was attributed to crosslinking processes which are favoured with the increase of branching degree. Otherwise, for copolymers with high comonomer content, the chemiluminescence intensity enhanced and shifted to shorter time. It was associated to the decrease of the molecular weight, and as consequence, more reactive terminal groups which drives to the promotion of the initiation of thermal oxidation.Copolymers were UV-exposured and CL measured at different irradiation period of times. From the beginning, CL intensity slightly increased with time, followed by a drastically enhancement of emission intensity, and enhancement of chemiluminescence decay rate values, as result of degradation of samples and the higher mobility of peroxides to recombine. The results were supported by FTIR and TGA analysis, which revealed the higher degree of degradation for the copolymers as the comonomer content increased.     

Thermal oxidation and molding feasibility of cycloolefin copolymers (COCs) with high glass transition temperature

Cycloolefin copolymers (COCs) with high glass transition temperature (T_g = 203 °C) have been synthesized and pelletized by extrusion molding. However, their colors change from transparent to yellow during extrusion molding because of thermal oxidation and generation of alkene groups. We have successfully blended several antioxidants (Irganox 1010, Irgafos 168, Irganox HP2225 and Irganox HP2921) into lab-made COCs to avoid the discoloration. The experimental results show that Irganox HP2921 is the best antioxidant among the antioxidants used and can effectively not only suppress thermal oxidation but also eliminate the color stain.     

Synthesis and crystallization behaviors of poly(styrene-b-isoprene-b-ε-caprolactone) triblock copolymers

The triblock copolymers, poly(styrene-b-isoprene-b-ε-caprolactone)s (PS-b-PI-b-PCL) have been synthesized successfully by combination of anionic polymerization and ring-opening polymerization. Diblock copolymer capped with hydroxyl group, PS-b-PI-OH was synthesized by sequential anionic polymerization of styrene and isoprene and following end-capping reaction of EO, and then it was used as macro initiator in the ring-opening polymerization of CL. The results of DSC and WAXD show big effect of amorphous PS-b-PI on the thermal behaviors of PCL block in the triblock copolymers and the lower degree of crystalline in the triblock copolymer with higher molecular weight of PS-b-PI was observed. The real-time observation on the polarized optical microscopy shows the spherulite growth rates of PCL₂₇, PCL₃₂₈ and PS-b-PI-b-PCL₃₄₄ are 0.71, 0.46 and 0.07 μm s⁻¹, respectively. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of the PS₉₀-b-PI₆₆-b-PCL₂₈ show the columns morphology formed by it’s self-assembling.     

Amphiphilic biodegradable poly(CL-b-PEG-b-CL) triblock copolymers prepared by novel rare earth complex: Synthesis and crystallization properties

Amphiphilic biodegradable poly(CL-b-PEG-b-CL) triblock copolymers have been successfully prepared by the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL) employing yttrium tris(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate) [Y(DBMP)₃] as catalyst and double-hydroxyl capped PEGs (DHPEG) as macro-initiator. The triblock architecture, molecular weight, thermal and crystallization properties of the copolymers were characterized by NMR spectra, SEC, DSC and WAXD analyses. The isothermal crystallization behavior of the copolymers was investigated by POM analysis in detail, which is greatly influenced by the length of PCL and PEG blocks. On the POM micrograph of PEG_10,000-(PCL₈₆₀₀)₂, a unique morphology of concentric spherulites was observed due to the sequent crystallization of the PCL and PEG blocks.     

Photo-oxidative degradation mechanisms in styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS) triblock copolymer

The photo-oxidative degradation of poly[styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b-styrene], SEBS, has been studied at wavelengths cut-off below 290 nm, and monochromatic light of 254 nm and 365 nm, using a variety of spectroscopic methods including FTIR, UV and luminescence spectroscopy coupled with crosslinking and hydroperoxide analyses in order to understand the mechanisms involved. A study on polystyrene photodegradation is also compared at varying wavelengths in order to provide an understanding of the light sensitivity of the styrene vs the aliphatic phases in the SEBS. The increase in colour shows evidence for the presence of visible light absorbing chromophores. Hydroperoxide analysis reflects a rapid increase in the hydroperoxide concentration in the olefinic phase. Fluorescence spectroscopy shows a rapid disruption of the polystyrene excimers coupled with the formation of long-wavelength emitting polyconjugated stilbene-type chromophores. Phosphorescence analysis indicates the presence of acetophenone groups while GPC and sol/gel analysis showed that degradation occurs mainly due to chain scission. Changes in the FTIR spectra of the photo-oxidised samples show a predominant absorption associated with carboxylic acids and/or aliphatic esters at 1712 cm⁻¹. Other species such as hydroperoxides, ketones and α,β-unsaturated carbonyls are also formed and mechanisms are proposed.     

Effects of ozone in surface modification and thermal stability of SEBS block copolymers

SEBS block copolymers were treated under mild conditions in an ozone atmosphere, producing very slightly chemically-modified surfaces. The thermal stability was analysed by chemiluminescence and related to morphological changes observed by AFM. The intrinsic thermal stability was diminished by ozone exposure, but the oxidation induction times were delayed which indicates an enhancement of thermal stability under oxidative conditions. Also, chemiluminescence analysis showed the presence of a typical order-disorder transition at temperatures around 120 °C. Two different sets of samples which showed different morphological patterns were imaged by AFM. The effects of micro-domain separation and inter-domain structure on thermal properties are discussed and explained by a coarsening of the internal interface induced by ozone. A detailed 2D Fourier transformed analysis of AFM images allowed us to identify a regular wrinkled nano-pattern induced by uniaxial strain combined with ozone treatment, offering new opportunities in applications ranging from organic electronics to bio-patterning.     

Synthesis of amphiphilic block–graft copolymers [poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene)‐g‐poly(acrylic acid)] and their aggregation in water

Novel block–graft copolymers [poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene)‐g‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate)] were synthesized by the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA) with chloromethylated poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene) (SEBS) as a macromolecular initiator. The copolymers were composed of triblock SEBS as the backbone and tBA as grafts attached to the polystyrene end blocks. The macromolecular initiator (chloromethylated SEBS) was prepared by successive hydrogenation and chloromethylation of SEBS. The degree of chloromethylation, ranging from 1.6 to 36.5 mol % according to the styrene units in SEBS, was attained with adjustments in the amount of SnCl₄ and the reaction time with a slight effect on the monodispersity of the starting material (SEBS). The ATRP mechanism of the copolymerization was supported by the kinetic data and the linear increase in the molecular weights of the products with conversion. The graft density was controlled with changes in the functionality of the chloromethylated SEBS. The average length of the graft chain, ranging from a few repeat units to about two hundred, was adjusted with changes in the reaction time and alterations in the initiator/catalyst/ligand molar ratio. Incomplete initiation was detected at a low conversion; moreover, for initiators with low functionality, sluggish initiation was overcome with suitable reaction conditions. The block–graft copolymers were hydrolyzed into amphiphilic ones containing poly(acrylic acid) grafts. The aggregation behavior of the amphiphilic copolymers was studied with dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, and the aggregates showed a variety of morphologies. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1253–1266, 2002     

First Synthesis of Highly Chemiluminescent Benzo[b]furan‐2(3H)‐ones Bearing a Urea Substructure

A series of benzo[b]furan‐2(3H)‐ones (coumaran‐2‐ones) bearing a urea substructure, namely derivatives of 3‐(aminocarbonylamino)benzo[b]furan‐2(3H)‐one, was prepared for the first time. The accessibility of these compounds through an electrophilic α‐amidoalkylation approach of phenols (Tscherniac–Einhorn reaction) in the key step as well as the chemiluminescence (CL) properties of the desired compounds are strongly dependent on the substitution patterns at the urea moiety. Competing reaction pathways are discussed and an improved one pot synthetical approach of also general interest is presented. In conclusion, especially N,N‐dialkylaminocarbonylamino‐derivatives of benzo[b]furan‐2(3H)‐ones exhibit a strong flash like blue CL upon treatment with bases such as 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) in the presence of oxygen or hydrogen peroxide. Comparative physico‐chemical investigations revealed that novel compounds outperform their urethane‐analogues in terms of CL‐intensity and the speed of the decay making them potentially useful as new tools for CL‐based applications on the short time scale.     

Nanosized SrCO3-based chemiluminescence sensor for ethanol

The development of a nanosized SrCO₃-based sensor based on the generated chemiluminescence (CL) from catalytic oxidation of organic vapors was demonstrated. The luminescence characteristics and effect of different parameters, such as temperature and flow rate, were discussed with a prepared CL detection system. This sensor was evaluated for the measurement of gaseous ethanol as a model analyte. Under the optimized conditions, the linear range of CL intensity versus concentration of ethanol vapor is 6-3750 ppm (r=0.998, n=8), with the limit of detection of 2.1 ppm. This SrCO₃ sensor shows high selectivity to ethanol. There is no response while the foreign substances, such as gasoline, ammonia and hydrogen, are passing through the sensor. The hydrocarbons can slightly interfere with the ethanol measurement. The sensor also exhibits good stability and durability during 100 h reaction with 2000 ppm ethanol. The interactions between ethanol molecules and SrCO₃ involving CL emission were investigated by utilizing gas chromatography in this paper and the possible mechanism of CL from ethanol oxidation on SrCO₃ was discussed.     

Flame-retarded mechanism of SEBS/PPO composites modified with mica and resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate)

The flame retardancy of styrene-b-ethylene/butylene-b-styrene triblock polymer (SEBS)/poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) blends was greatly improved by the combined use of mica and resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) (RDP). The limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning and cone calorimeter test were performed to evaluate the flame-retarded effect. The composite of SEBS/PPO/maleic anhydride grafted SEBS (SEBS-g-MAH) with a mass ratio of 11/11/3 passed a V-0 rating in the UL94 test by the addition of 10–15 wt% mica and 15–10 wt% RDP with total amount of 25 wt%. The synergism was confirmed by the mathematical evaluation of the synergistic effect index (SE) in LOI, the residue, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and the total heat evolved (THE) per mass loss (THE/ML). The flame-retarded mechanism of the composite was also proposed on the results of cone calorimeter test, TGA-FTIR, SEM micrographs and SEM/EDS analysis of the residues. It was found that the degradation rate of SEBS/PPO/SEBS-g-MAH matrix was slowed down, a more consolidated char layer with higher residue was promoted by the combination of RDP and mica. The flame-retardancy of RDP with mica in SEBS/PPO/SEBS-g-MAH matrix was synergistic through gas and condensed phase action.     

Preparation of a blocked isocyanate compound and its grafting onto styrene-b-(ethylene-co-1-butene)-b-styrene triblock copolymer

The ε-caprolactam was used to block the isocyanate group to enhance the storage stability of allyl (3-isocyanate-4-tolyl) carbamate. The spectra of FTIR and NMR showed that blocked allyl (3-isocyanate-4-tolyl) carbamate (BTAI) possesses two chemical functions, an 1-olefin double bond and a blocked isocyanate group. The FTIR spectrum showed BTAI could regenerate isocyanate group at elevated temperature. DSC and TG/DTA indicated the minimal dissociation temperature was about 135 °C and the maximal dissociation rate appeared at 226 °C. Then the styrene-b-(ethylene-co-1-butene)-b-styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS) was functionalized by BTAI via melt free radical grafting. The effect of temperature, monomer and initiator concentrations on the grafting degree and grafting efficiency was evaluated. The highest grafting degree was obtained at 200 °C. The grafting degree and grafting efficiency increased with the enhanced concentration of BTAI or initiator. The weight-average molecular weight (M_w) increased greatly at higher initiator concentration and lower ratio of the monomer/initiator. And the molecule weight distribution (MWD) of the modified SEBS became wider than that of pure SEBS. It is obvious that shearing thinning behavior of grafted SEBS is more profound than pure SEBS.     

Chemiluminescence kinetic analysis on the oxidative degradation of poly(lactic acid)

The oxidation of polymers is characterized by the generation of free radicals, and the kinetic parameters depicting the progress of oxidation are specific for each material structure and formulation. The durability of materials depends intrinsically on the molecular structure, and degradation mechanism influences the long-term stability of products. The intimate transformations of macromolecules can be reliably characterized by chemiluminescence (CL), which depicts the evolution of oxidation state by the reaction of free radicals with molecular oxygen. The isothermal and nonisothermal CL spectra are complementary proofs for the interpretation of oxidation behavior involving hydroperoxide as the initiators of oxidation. The degradation of PLA takes place by decomposition and fragmentation to lactide. The values of five kinetic parameters (initial CL intensity, CL intensity at the first peak, temperature corresponding to the first peak, oxidation induction time and oxidation rate) obtained for oxidative degradation of PLA lead to the activation energies ranged between 49 and 99 kJ mol^?1. The evolution of thermal degradation for poly(lactic acid) is an excellent example for the explanation of the decay fate of radical intermediates.     

Functionalization of Styrene-Olefin Block Copolymers by Melt Radical Grafting of Glycidyl Methacrylate and Reactive Blending with PET

Blocks copolymers styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene (SEBS) and styrene-b-(ethylene-co-propylene) (SEP, SEPSEP), with different styrene content and number of blocks in the chain, were functionalized with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) by melt radical grafting. The influence of monomer concentration, radical initiator and copolymer structure on the grafting degree was examined. The grafted copolymers were characterised by DSC and capillary rheometry. Blends of PET with functionalized SEBS and SEPSEP showed a marked improvement of phase morphology and elongation at break when compared to blends with unfunctionalized copolymers.     

Crystallization and melting behaviors of polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butene) block copolymers

Non-isothermal and isothermal crystallization behaviors of polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butene) (PSt-b-PEB) block copolymers with different compositions and chain lengths were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results show that crystallization of PEB block is strongly dependent on the composition. Crystallization temperature (T_c), melting temperature (T_m) and fusion enthalpy (ΔH_f) increase rapidly with PEB volume fraction (V_E) for block copolymers with V_E below 50%, but there is little change when PEB block becomes the major component. Glass transition temperature (T_g) of the PSt block and order-disorder transition temperature (T_ODT) of block copolymers also have a weak effect. The isothermal crystallization kinetics results show that Avrami exponent (n) was strongly dependent on the composition and crystallization temperature. For the block copolymers with V_E below 38.7 vol%, the values of n vary between 0.9 and 1.3, indicating that crystallization is confined. For the PSt-b-PEB block copolymers with V_E higher than 50%, fractionated crystallization behavior is usually observed. A two-step isothermal crystallization procedure is applied to these block copolymers. It is found that breakout crystallization occurs at higher T_c, but confined at lower T_c. Two overlapped melting peaks are observed for the block copolymers with fractionated crystallization behavior after two-step crystallization, and only the higher melting peak corresponding to breakout crystallization can be used to derive equilibrium melting temperature.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Crystalline Styrene‐b‐(Ethylene‐co‐Butylene)‐b‐Styrene Triblock Copolymers

By merit of dual catalysis of the cationic rare‐earth complex [(η⁵‐Flu‐CH₂‐Py)Ho(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF) (Flu = fluorenyl, Py = pyridyl) for the living polymerizations of butadiene (BD) and styrene (St), the crystalline styrene‐butadiene‐styrene (SBS) triblock copolymers consisting of elastic polybutadiene (PBD) sequences with suitable 1,4 regularity (about 70%) and crystalline syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS, [rrrr] > 99%) sequences were successfully synthesized through sequential addition of St, BD, and St monomers. The catalytic system showed high polymerization activities for St and BD in a controlled manner. The crystalline styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene (SEBS) triblock copolymers were obtained by hydrogenation of the above SBS copolymers. The observation of a strong endothermic peak at 266 °C in their differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves confirmed the existence of the sPS blocks in the crystalline SEBS different from the industrial product Kraton SEBS‐1652. Thermal degradation temperature of the crystalline SEBS (418 ± 2 °C) indicated the well thermostability and process window of this polymer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 55, 1243–1249     

Methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(valerolactone) diblock polymeric micelles for enhanced encapsulation and protection of camptothecin

Amphiphilic block copolymers, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(valerolactone) (mPEG-b-PVL), were synthesized via ring opening polymerization of δ-valerolactone in the presence of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG). The copolymers form micelle-like nanoparticles by their amphiphilic characteristics and their structures were examined by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The sizes of nanoparticles ranged from 60 to 120 nm as measured by dynamic light scattering detection, and were larger with higher molecular weight of the copolymers. The Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) of these nanoparticles in water decreased with increasing molecular weight of hydrophobic segment. Stability analysis showed that the micellar solutions maintain their sizes at 37 °C for six weeks without aggregation or dissociation. The lyophilization method was better than the evaporation method when camptothecin (CPT) was incorporated to the micelles. The former method yielded higher CPT loading efficiency and lower aggregation. The loading efficiency of CPT could be more than 96% and a steady release rate of CPT was kept for twenty six days. Moreover, the mPEG-b-PVL polymeric micelles offered good protection of CPT lactone form at 37 °C for sixteen days. The copolymers showed no cytotoxicity towards L929 mouse muscular cells when incubated for one day. Taken together, the mPEG-b-PVL copolymer has potential to be used for the delivery of CPT or other similar drugs.     

Organic/inorganic hybrid star-shaped block copolymers of poly(l-lactide) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) with a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane core: Synthesis and self-assembly

The star-shaped organic/inorganic hybrid poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) was prepared using octa(3-hydroxypropyl) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane as initiator via ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide (LLA). The molecular weight of POSS-containing star-shaped hybrid PLLA (POSSPLLA) can be well controlled by the feed ratio of LLA to initiator. The POSSPLLA was further functionalized into the macromolecular reversible addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT) agent for the polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), leading to the POSS-containing star-shaped organic/inorganic hybrid amphiphilic block copolymers, poly(l-lactide)–block–poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (POSS(PLLA–b–PNIPAM)). The self-assembly behavior of POSS(PLLA–b–PNIPAM) block copolymers in aqueous solution was investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). DLS showed the PNIPAM block in the aggregates is temperature-responsive and its phase-transition is reversible. TEM proved that the star-shaped POSS(PLLA–b–PNIPAM) amphiphilic block copolymers can self-assemble into the vesicles in aqueous solution. The vesicular wall and coronas are composed of the hydrophobic POSS core and PLLA, and hydrophilic PNIPAM blocks, respectively. Therefore, POSSPLLA and POSS(PLLA–b–PNIPAM) block copolymers, as a class of novel organic–inorganic hybrid materials with the advantageous properties, can be potentially used in biological and medical fields.     

Studies of luminol-dependent whole-blood chemiluminescence induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF)

A whole-blood luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) assay stimulated by platelet-activating factor (PAF) is reported. Factors investigated using this assay were dilution of blood, dose responsiveness of PAF, and inactivation of PAF. The final conditions chosen for the assay were a 1:10 dilution of whole blood and 2 × 10^?4M luminol. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and indomethacin (INDO), which inhibit lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase, decreased luminol-dependent whole-blood chemiluminescence by 59 and 17%, respectively. Superoxide dismutase and catalase were relatively ineffective inhibitors of CL (28 and 22%, respectively) while sodium azide was most inhibitory (84%). Although these studies were not entirely conclusive, lipoxygenase and myeloperoxidase appear to be important in CL elicited by PAF in this whole-blood CL assay. This system may serve as a useful screening system for measuring the effect of PAF in the blood of different individuals without extensive separation of cell types. It has the distinct advantage of being closer to in situ Conditions.     

Micellization behavior of diblock and triblock copolymers of poly(t-butyl methacrylate) bearing associating short polystyrene end-blocks

Anionic polymerization high vacuum techniques were employed for the synthesis of a diblock (PS-b-PtBuMA) and two triblock (PS-b-PtBuMA-b-PS) copolymers of polystyrene (PS) and poly(t-butyl methacrylate) (PtBuMA) bearing similar low molecular weight PS end-block(s). Dilute solution viscometry, as well as static and dynamic light scattering, were employed to assess whether the short PS end-blocks were able to promote association in t-amyl alcohol, a selective solvent for PtBuMA. The effect of macromolecular architecture on the association behavior of the copolymers was also examined.     

Poly(vinylpyrrolidone-b-styrene) block copolymers tethered surfaces for protein adsorption and cell adhesion regulation

Poly(vinylpyrrolidone-b-styrene) (PVP-b-PS) diblock copolymers tethered to glass surfaces were prepared, and the effects on protein adsorption and cellular behavior to the glass and the modified glass surfaces investigated. The PVP-b-PS grafting process was confirmed by water contact angle and XPS measurements. The results obtained for the water contact angles suggest that there are two phases that coexist on the PVP-b-PS block copolymer tethered surface, under aqueous conditions. Although the PVP-b-PS surface possessed, to some extent, a protein resistant property, following introduction of the PS segment to the end of tethered PVP, both fibrinogen and lysozyme adsorption were increased significantly. The PVP-b-PS modified surface, based on Western-blot analysis, appeared to have the greatest amount of surface bound vitronectin, however the conformation of the adsorbed vitronectin may have subsequently been affected by the surface tethered copolymer as was suggested by cell culture results. From these results, we proposed that protein adsorption and cell adhesion can be regulated by tuning the chemical compositions of diblock copolymers tethered to surfaces.