Frontal polymerization synthesis and characterization of temperature- and pH-sensitive hydrogels

The temperature- and pH-sensitive hydrogels, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (P(NIPAM-co-AAc)), were synthesized via frontal polymerization (FP). The reaction components have been varied in order to find their influences on frontal parameters and copolymer features. The results showed that front velocity and front temperature were dependent on the initiator concentration, reactant dilution, and NIPMA/AAc molar ratio. In addition, the morphology and sensitive behavior of the FP hydrogels were mainly affected by monomers’ ratio. Namely, the pore size, swelling abilities, LCST, and response kinetics of copolymer hydrogels obviously increased with the increasing acrylic acid concentration; however, they slightly changed with varying of amounts of initiator and solvent. Finally, in comparison with the hydrogels prepared by conventional batch polymerization, the ones synthesized by frontal polymerization exhibited more homogeneous chain composition and improved microstructure and response ability.     

Facile synthesis of poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) by frontal free‐radical polymerization

We report the first synthesis of poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) without solvent by free‐radical frontal polymerization (FP) at ambient pressure. In a typical run, the appropriate amounts of reactant (hydroxyethyl acrylate) and initiator (1,1‐di(tert‐butylperoxy)‐3,3,5‐trimethylcyclohexane) (Luperox 231) were mixed together at ambient pressure. FP was initiated by heating the wall of the tube with a soldering iron, and the resultant hot fronts were allowed to self‐propagate throughout the reaction vessel. Once initiated, no further energy was required for polymerization to occur. To study the macrokinetics, we also produced PHEA frontally with ammonium persulfate as initiator and dimethyl sulfoxide as the solvent. The dependences of the front velocity and front temperature on the initiator concentration and reactant dilution were investigated. The front temperatures were between 124 and 157 °C, depending on the ammonium persulfate concentration. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that PHEA prepared by FP with ammonium persulfate as initiator had higher thermal stability than solvent‐free frontally prepared PHEA with Luperox 231 as initiator. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 873–881, 2007     

Morphological characteristics of modified freeze-dried poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-isopropylacrylamide) microspheres studied by optical microscopy,SEM, and DLS

Influence of the initiator and additional hydrophobic copolymer on the morphology of thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) microspheres, and their presumed application for the stabilization of biologically active molecules were evaluated in this study. Three different types of pNIPAM were synthesized, applying various components: PN1 is a polymer with terminal anionic groups resulting from potassium persulfate initiator; PN2 was synthesized with a 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride initiator introducing cationic amidine terminal groups; in the PN3 polymer, anionic terminals were implemented, however, increased hydrophobicity was maintained using N-tert-butyl functional groups. Turbidity measurements of the obtained dispersions confirmed specific thermosensitivity of synthesized microspheres in the range of 32–33°C. The polymerization course was proved by infrared spectroscopy and ¹H NMR assessments, whereas the size of the synthesized microspheres, expressed as planar area, was evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy (OM). The respective surface patterns of the freeze-dried microspheres were evaluated by SEM. Planar area of the synthesized macromolecules was in the range between 0.41–3.22 μm, depending on the substrates composition and the method applied for the measurements. The assessments performed in the dry stage gave higher values of the diameter and planar area of the observed microspheres. The measured diameter and planar area increased in the following order for the PN3 microspheres: DLS, OM, SEM. In the case of PN1 and PN2, the observed diameters were positioned as: DLS, SEM, OM. These differences were assigned both to varied intramolecular hydrophobic-hydrophilic interactions of the polymer chains and to the environment, i.e. low pressure in the SEM conditions and aqueous solvent in the DLS measurements. The observed gaps in the freeze-dried PN2 polymer resulted in an attempt to evaluate the application of this polymer for mechanical stabilization of certain macromolecules or nanocrystals in the size range between 10 nm and 20 nm.     

机理转移法合成星形梳状聚丁二烯-g-聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯共聚物的研究

结合活性负离子聚合与原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP),采用机理转移法制备了一系列窄分布且分子量可控的星形梳状聚丁二烯-g-聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯接枝共聚物(SC-(PB-g-PMMA)).首先通过阴离子聚合,制备星形聚丁二烯,后经甲酸-过氧化氢原位环氧化对链中部分双键进行环氧化,再与原位生成2-溴异丁酸发生酯化反应,得到具有链中活性溴的星形大分子引发剂(SPB-Brn).然后,利用该大分子引发剂,采用CuCl/CuCl2/PMDETA催化体系,通过ATRP聚合单体MMA,合成出星形梳状SC-(PB-g-PMMA)聚合物.通过GPC,1H-NMR和FTIR等分析手段对合成的星形大分子引发剂及星形梳状聚合物进结构表征,证实得到目标产物,并同时研究了聚合物的热力学性质与溶液性质.     

Facile synthesis of amphiphilic gels by frontal free‐radical polymerization

We report a new facile strategy for quickly synthesizing poly(2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate‐co‐vinyl versatate) amphiphilic gels with excellent physicochemical properties by frontal free‐radical polymerization. The appropriate amounts of 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate, vinyl versatate (VeoVa 9) and ammonium persulfate initiator were mixed together at ambient temperature in the presence of N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone as the solvent medium. Frontal polymerization (FP) was initiated by heating the wall of the tube with a soldering iron. Once initiated, no further energy was required for the polymerization to occur. The dependence of the front velocity and front temperature on the initiator concentration was investigated. The front temperatures were between 132 and 157 °C, depending on the initiator concentration. The morphology, swelling rate, and swelling behavior of amphiphilic gels prepared via FP were comparatively investigated on the basis of scanning electron microscopy, water contact angle, and swelling measurements. Results show that the amphiphilic gels prepared via FP behave with good swelling capacity both in water and organic solvents. The FP can be exploited as an alternative means for synthesis of amphiphilic gels with additional advantages of fast and efficient way. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 823–831, 2010     

SYNTHESIS OF BOWL-LIKE PARTICLES BY EMULSION POLYMERIZATION AND RELEASE BEHAVIOR OF SOLVENT FROM THE PARTICLES

1. INTRODUCTION Hollow particles have been produced usually by the alkali swelling procedure (ASP), dynamic swelling method (DSM), and water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) emulsion polymerization [1]. Because particles can reserve various chemicals in their hollow, they could be used as reservoir and release material [2]. But almost all the work was to make hollow spheres. One kind of hollow particles, the bowl-shaped polymer particles have some advantages because of their special shape [3~6]…     

Synthesis of poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methylolacrylamide)/polymethylacrylamide hybrids via frontal free-radical polymerization

In this study, poly(N-methylolacrylamide)/polymethylacrylamide (PNMA/PMAA) hybrids were produced successfully by frontal free-radical polymerization at ambient pressure. In a typical run, the appropriate amounts of reactants (N-methylolacrylamide, NMA; methylacrylamide, MAA) and initiator (ammonium persulfate) were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide at ambient temperature. Frontal polymerization (FP) was initiated by heating the wall of the tube with a soldering iron, and the resultant hot fronts were allowed to self-propagate throughout the reaction vessel. Once initiated, no further energy was required for polymerization to occur. The dependences of the front velocity and front temperature on the initiator concentration, reactant dilution, and NMA/MAA components were thoroughly investigated. The front temperatures were between 69 and 116 °C, depending on the persulfate concentration. We have also investigated the FP of PNMA/PMAA hybrids with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as solvent. Results show that FP can be exploited as a means for the preparation of PNMA/PMAA hybrids with the potential advantage of higher throughput compared to the traditional mode.     

A facile pathway for the fast synthesis of colloidal crystal‐loaded hydrogels via frontal polymerization

In this work, a dually sensitive colloidal crystal (CC)‐loaded hydrogel has been synthesized via frontal polymerization (FP) in a facile and rapid way. First, a polystyrene CC film was fabricated by vertical deposition on the inner wall of a test tube. Then, a mixture of acrylic acid (AAc), 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and glycerol along with the initiator and crosslinker was added to this test tube to carry out FP, resulting in the formation of CC‐loaded hydrogel. The influence of the mass ratios of HEMA/AAc on front velocity and temperatures were studied. The swelling behavior, the morphology, and the stimuli‐responsive behavior of the CC‐loaded hydrogels prepared via FP were thoroughly investigated on the basis of swelling measurement, scanning electron microscopy, and reflection spectra. Results show that the as‐prepared CC‐loaded hydrogels exhibit excellent dual sensitivity to both methanol concentrations and pH values with very short response time, which can be observed visually without the aid of instruments. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

SYNTHESIS OF BOWL-LIKE PARTICLES BY EMULSION POLYMERIZATION AND RELEASE BEHAVIOR OF SOLVENT FROM THE PARTICLES

Poly(styrene-glycidyl methacrylate) particles having bowl-shaped hollow structures were synthesized by swollen seed emulsion polymerization. The PS emulsion synthesized through soap-free emulsion polymeri:ation was swollen by toluene, and then the mixture of second monomers was added under polymerization condition So a thin shell of poly(styrene-glycidyl methacrylate) cross-linked by triethylene glycol diacrylate was formed around the swollen PS particle. The bowl-shaped particles were obtained after the collapsing of the thin shell when the toluene emanated from the particles, but the shapes were effected by the degrees of cross-linking. The shape of the particles was observed by SEM. The release behavior of solvent from the particles was examined by TG     

Frontal polymerization synthesis and characterization of Konjac glucomannan‐graft‐acrylic acid polymers

Konjac glucomannan‐graft‐acrylic acid polymers, used as superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), were synthesized by frontal polymerization (FP). The features of front propagation including front velocity and maximum temperature (T_max) were influenced by the amount of glucomannan, initiator, and environment temperature. The graft copolymer was characterized by FTIR, DSC, and SEM. The amount of crosslinking agent mainly determined the crosslinking degree of SAPs that would affect the water absorbency and microstructure. Water absorbency of SAP was also investigated and most of them displayed high water absorption rate. The aforementioned results allow us to conclude that FP can be considered as a promising method to fabricate SAP for its excellent advantages. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3391–3398, 2009     

Water‐Triggered Frontal Polymerization

A totally new mode of frontal polymerization (FP) of acrylamide is established which is triggered by the simple addition of a minute, specific volume of water. Experimental conditions under which this mode of polymerization yields linear and water‐soluble polyacrylamide were carefully established, paving the way to synthesize commercially pertinent homo‐ and copolymers. A new redox couple was identified to circumvent the imidization and the ensuing gelation, hitherto associated with FP of acrylamide. Effects of reaction variables such as type and concentration of redox couple and volume of water on measurable parameters of FP such as front velocity, front temperature, shape of front and yield have been studied. Two types of redox couples are reported. Nonplanar frontal regime was observed in few redox couples. We could visually observe helical patterns with naked eyes, while layered patterns were observable under SEM. Additionally, micro‐phase separation and heterogeneity in the polymer matrix was observed due to unreacted pockets of monomer which evolve via bulk mode. This nonlinear phenomenon is described.

     

First solvent‐free synthesis of poly(N‐methylolacrylamide) via frontal free‐radical polymerization

We report the first synthesis of poly (N‐methylolacrylamide) (PNMA) via free‐radical frontal polymerization (FP) with solid monomers at ambient pressure. The appropriate amounts of reactants (N‐methylolacrylamide) (NMA) and initiator (ammonium persulfate) were mixed together at ambient temperature without solvent. FP was initiated by heating the wall of the tube with a soldering iron, and the resultant hot fronts were allowed to self‐propagate throughout the reaction vessel. Once initiated, no further energy was required for polymerization to occur. To suppress the fingers of molten monomer, a small amount of nanosilica was added. We also produced PNMA with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, as solvent by FP, to study the macrokinetics in FP of PNMA without fillers. The front velocity and front temperature dependence on the ammonium persulfate and N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone concentration were investigated. The polymer was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis. Results show that without postpolymerization solvent removal, waste production can be reduced. Solvent‐free FP could be exploited as a means for preparation of PNMA with the potential advantage of higher throughput than solvent‐based methods. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4322–4330, 2007     

前端聚合制备多孔聚丙烯酰胺水凝胶——溶剂和引发剂对反应和产物的影响

利用前端聚合结合发泡工艺制备了孔结构可调控的聚丙烯酰胺多孔水凝胶.研究发现溶剂和引发剂浓度变化对聚合前端的移动及形成的产物性能有重要影响.增加溶剂用量,聚合前端的移动速度和聚合前端最高温度下降,产物孔径增大,孔壁变厚,材料吸水溶胀性能降低;增加引发剂浓度,聚合前端移动速度显著加快,最高温度升高,产物的孔体积和溶胀率先增加后减小.     

超声悬浮共聚法制备聚合物微球及其形态

采用超声粉碎和悬浮聚合法,以甲基丙烯酸甲酯、苯乙烯为主单体,过氧化苯甲酰为引发剂,颜料黄74为着色剂,合成了彩色聚合物微球。光学显微镜以及扫描电镜的观察和分析表明：利用超声粉碎法可使聚合物微球的粒径从几百微米降低到几微米;热熔融后,聚合物微球内包覆了细小的颜料颗粒。     

Polymeric nanocomposites containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes prepared via frontal polymerization

Frontal polymerization (FP) has been successfully applied, for the first time, to obtain polymeric nanocomposites containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) in an amine‐cured epoxy matrix. Variations of maximum temperature (T_max) and front velocity (V_f) have been studied. A comparison of these products with the corresponding materials, obtained by the classical batch polymerization technique, demonstrated that FP allows a higher degree of conversion than batch polymerization. The products have been characterized in terms of their thermal behavior with DSC analysis. SEM and X‐ray analyses revealed the morphology and the structures of the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites obtained by FP have the same characteristics of those synthesized, in much longer times, by batch polymerization. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4514–4521, 2007     

Synthesis of Bowl-like Particles by Emulsion Polymerization and Release Behavior of Solvent from the Particles

Bowl-like poly (styrene-co-glycidyl methacrylate) was synthesized by swollen seeded emulsion polymerization. The polymerization was carried out in PS seed emulsion swollen by toluene, whereby the bowl-like particles formed at last. The shape was observed by SEM. These particles became ball-like when swollen by toluene, observed by optical microscope, and the release behavior of solvent from them was examined.     

New σ-μ ligands for the anionic polymerization of methacrylates in apolar medium

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) has been anionically synthesized at high temperature and in apolar media, using diphenylhexyllithium (DPHLi) as initiator and a novel σ-μ chelating ligand to curb the side reactions. It has been indeed found that lithium 2-(dimethylamino-)ethoxide is a very efficient σ-μ ligand that prevents the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) from being disrupted by significant secondary termination reactions. Ligand/initiator molar ratio, solvent polarity, temperature, monomer and active center concentrations are proved to be key parameters in the control of the polymerization process.     

手性化合物环境下制备甲壳型液晶高分子

甲壳型液晶高分子的研究是我国独创[1 ,2 ] ,已产生了积极的科学影响 .虽然它们在化学结构上属于侧链型 ,但在分子形态上更接近于主链型液晶高分子[3] .由于庞大的液晶基元对空间的要求 ,液晶高分子主链被迫采取尽可能伸展的构象[4,5] .然而 ,至今尚不清楚主链与液晶基元之间是怎样协同作用以形成有序结构 .本文探索了在不同手性化合物环境下制备单手螺旋链甲壳型液晶高分子的可能性 .尽管最后并未获得螺旋链高分子 ,但仍取得了一些有价值的结果 .手性化合物环境分别是 ( )薄荷醇 ( 1 )作为反应溶剂、( )过氧化 二 (碳酸薄荷醇酯 ( 2 )作…     

a,ω-二羧基-甲基丙烯酸丁酯低聚物的合成及MS分析

利用传统自由基聚合法,在四氢呋喃溶液中自由基引发聚合甲基丙烯酸丁酯单体而得到ω-羧基-甲基丙烯酸丁酯低聚物(CTBMA)(分子量在1500左右);利用CTBMA末端酯基的反应特性,在二氧六环/水/KOH混合溶液中皂化CTBMA,使之转化为α,ω-羧基甲基丙烯酸丁酯低聚物(di-CTBMA);研究了溶剂的类别、反应时间等反应条件对皂化产物结构的影响;利用MALDI-TOF-MS及LSIMS对皂化各阶段产物进行了分析监测.实验表明,在适当的皂化条件下,CTBMA皂化时主要为末端酯基转化为羧基,相应得到的产物di-CTMBA具有很好的结构特性,其官能团度(functionality)接近2.     

Mathematical modeling of interfacial gel polymerization for weak and strong gel effects

Frontal polymerization (FP) is a process in which a spatially localized reaction zone propagates into a monomer converting it into a polymer. Two types of FP processes have been observed experimentally. One is exothermic FP, which occurs due to diffusion of heat released in the polymerization reactions and which we have previously studied. The other is an isothermal FP process, also referred to as interfacial gel polymerization, which is due to mass diffusion of the species coupled with the gel effect. In a previous work we proposed and studied analytically a model of interfacial gel polymerization. That work discussed the case of an excessive amount of initiator in the initial mixture. In addition, it was assumed that the parameters of the problem were such that the steady‐state assumption (SSA) concerning the total concentration of radicals holds not only in the bulk region, which is typically the case, but also in the gel region, which may limit the applicability of the results. In this work we seek to resolve the limitations associated with these two main assumptions. We relax the SSA in the gel region, analyze the various situations of initiator consumption for a weak gel effect, and study the case of a strong gel effect. We obtain analytical results, including the time‐dependent propagation velocity of the reaction zone and the distance traveled by the front before it breaks down due to reactions ahead of the front, which are in good agreement with our numerical simulations.