Thermoanalytical studies on specialty polymers in Japan

Thermoanalytical studies on specialty polymers in Japan are reviewed. The basic and applied researches for the developments of new specialty polymers such as high-performance polymers, liquid crystalline polymers, and biodegradable polymers during the 1990's are introduced from the standpoint of thermal analysis. Many studies were performed for the improvements of durability and thermal stability of engineering polymers, biodegradable polymers and so on. A special topic of researches on the thermal behavior of polymers by high-pressure differential thermal analysis is included in this review. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

旋光性聚合物的铁电性能

旋光性高分子在结构上具有一定的空间特异性,因而可以有多种应用。根据铁电材料所必需具备的条件,经过特定的分子结构设计,可以使之具备铁电性能,据此,人们已合成了许多不同类型的铁电聚合物。本文按照铁电聚合物所处的聚集态不同,分别综述了具有铁电特性的晶态和液晶态旋光性聚合物的种类、结构特点及其铁电性能,分析讨论了影响液晶态旋光性聚合物的自发极化率和响应时间的因素。     

Functionalized liquid-crystalline polymers towards NLO-applications and piezo-sensors

A systematic synthesis of functionalized 1c polymers is possible starting from precursor polymers with phenolic groups. The esterification of these precursor polymers with chiral acids proceeds nearly quantitatively and produces polymers with cholesteric and chiral smectic C* phases. A further functionalization of these polymers with “NLO-chromophores” produces polymers, which are suitable for second harmonic generation; a functionalization with crosslinkable groups leads to polymers, which act as piezoelements.     

ARCHITECTURE OF LADDER,TUBULAR AND SIEVE-PLATE POLYMERS PREPARED BY STEPWISE COUPLING POLYMERIZATION

"Stepwise-coupling polymerization" (SCP) is a very useful approach for preparing microstructure-controllableordered network polymers, including soluble one-dimensional ladderlike polymers (LP) and tubular polymers (TP), and two-dimensional sieve-plate polymers. The novel reactive LPs are important precursors of micro-structure controllable polymerssuch as "fishbone-" or "rowboat-"like mesomorphic polymers and their metal complexes as well as tubular polymers (TPs).They are full of great potential for use as advanced materials.     

Thermal conductivity behaviour of polymers around glass transition and crystalline melting temperatures

The thermal conductivity of five semi-crystalline and four amorphous polymers was determined within a wide range of temperature, starting at room temperature and going up to temperatures above the polymer melting point (Tm) for semi-crystalline polymers or above the glass transition temperature (Tg) for amorphous polymers. Two transient techniques were employed in the experimental investigation: the hot wire technique for the group of amorphous polymers, and the laser flash technique for the semicrystalline polymers. As expected, the experimental results show that Tg exerts a measureable influence on the thermal conductivity of amorphous polymers. In the case of semi-crystalline polymers, a singular behaviour of the thermal conductivity is observed within the Tm range. In order to explain the anomalous behaviour, the influence of these transition temperatures on the thermal conductivity behaviour with temperature has been analysed in terms of a phonon conduction process and temperature variations of specific heat and modulus of elasticity of the analyzed polymers.     

A comparative study of interaction of ibuprofen with biocompatible polymers

In this paper we are reporting the interaction of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen (IBF) with various biocompatible polymers. Being amphiphilic, the drug interacts with the polymers similar to the interaction of surfactants and polymers. Therefore, we have considered the polymer-amphiphile interaction approach using conductimetry. The polymers of different charges (cationic, anionic, and nonionic) have been taken for the study. It was found that the critical aggregation concentration (cac) decreases on increasing the polymer concentrations of cationic as well as nonionic polymers whereas it increases for anionic polymers. The results imply that anionic IBF interacts with cationic and nonionic polymers more strongly as compared to the anionic polymers. A possible anionic-anionic repulsion is responsible for the weak interaction of IBF with anionic polymers. On the other side, the critical micelle concentration (cmc) increases for all polymers which is a usual indication of the interaction between amphiphiles and polymers. Free energies of aggregation (ΔG_agg) and micellization (ΔG_mic) were also computed with the help of degrees of micelle ionization obtained from the specific conductivity - [IBF] isotherms.     

温度敏感树形聚合物

温度敏感树形聚合物结合了温敏聚合物对温度具有响应行为的特点以及树形聚合物非线形构造的方式、大尺度、结构易于调节和功能化等特征,在智能材料和生物医药等领域有着重要的研究价值和应用前景。此类聚合物可以通过在树形聚合物表面引入温敏基元、控制聚合物结构的亲疏水比例以及采用温敏基元直接构筑聚合物等方式形成,其温敏性可以通过调控聚合物内部或外部基团的亲疏水性、树枝化基元代数、树形构造方式等得以实现与控制。此外,树形聚合物独特的拓扑结构赋予其与线形聚合物不同的温敏行为及脱水机理。本文综述了包括温敏树枝状大分子、温敏树枝化聚合物、温敏超支化聚合物等不同类型温敏树形聚合物近年来的研究进展,重点介绍这些聚合物的合成方法、温敏行为和拓扑结构对温敏行为的影响,以及在纳米材料、生物医用、分子传感器等方面的应用研究。     

Opportunities In Interfacial Area Between Organic and Materials Chemistry

It is well recognized that the current trend in organic chemistry is diverged into two frontiers: biochemistry and materials chemistry. This talk presents our recent research effort in the interfacial area between organic and materials chemistry. The major theme of our research is focused upon the rational design, synthesis and characterization of novel functional and multifunctional polymers and molecules. Typical examples of current projects are: 1). Development of polymerization methodologies: a). exploration of palladium catalyzed reactions for polycondensations, b). living ring-opening polymerization of cyclic lactone to form thioester-functionalized polyesters for chemo-ligation, 2). Design, synthesis and physical studies of photorefractive polymers, 3). Second order nonlinear optical polymers, 4). Conjugated diblock polymers for the formation of self-assembled, nano-sized electroactive materials, 5). High-performance light emitting diodes from new conjugated polymers, 6). Conjugated liquid crystalline polymers, 7). Architectural controls of polymer microstructures, including synthesis of dendritic polyphenylenevinylenes, 8). Metal-containing functional polymers. 9) Biocompatible polymers.     

Metal-Catalyzed Coupling Reactions In The Synthesis Of New Conducting Polymers

The use of transition metal-catalyzed coupling reactions in the synthesis of conducting polymers is discussed. These reactions are of growing importance in polymer synthesis and are particularly important in the synthesis of highly functionalized conjugated (conducting) polymers. In this report we discuss applications of this methodology for the synthesis of conducting polymer sensory materials and polymers with reactive functional groups. In the sensory polymers we have incorporated crown ether groups which induce perturbations to the polymer's electronic structure when exposed to an alkali metal ion. Our interest in polymers with reactive functional groups is for the development of polymers which can be transformed into novel all-carbon ladder polymers.     

Recombinant protein-based polymers for advanced drug delivery

Advances in recombinant techniques have led to the development of genetically engineered polymers with exquisite control over monomer sequence and polymer length. The ability to study how precise structures correlate with function has provided opportunities for the utility of these polymers in drug delivery. Chemically derived and developed methods of synthesis have yielded many useful polymers for drug delivery to-date, including those currently used in patients. However they have drawbacks, including limitations involved in statistical characterization of conventional polymer synthetic techniques. Encoding at the genetic level and production of such recombinant polymers in organisms allow for precise order and accuracy of amino acid residues and production of monodisperse polymers with specific function and physicochemical properties. Research into elastin-like, silk-like, and silk-elastinlike protein polymers for example has led to the development of delivery systems based on natural motifs of structural proteins to take advantage of their physicochemical properties. Additionally, protein based polymers on other natural motifs and de novo designs are starting to produce promising constructs for drug and gene delivery applications where precise control over structure promises correlation with function and guides the development of new and improved constructs. Clinical applications based on recombinant polymers for delivery of bioactive agents have not been realized at this point. However lessons learned from fundamental research with these polymers can be used to guide design of safe and effective systems for use in the clinic. This tutorial review summarizes progress made in the design and utility of recombinant polymers in drug and gene delivery and discusses challenges and future directions of such polymers for this purpose.     

Thermal studies and chromium removal efficiency of thermoresponsive hyperbranched copolymers based on PEG-methacrylates

This study deals with the removal of chromium species from aqueous dilute solutions using thermoresponsive linear and hyperbranched copolymers based on PEG-methacrylates. The thermal stability of polymers was studied by thermogravimetric analysis and chemiluminescence emission, which evidenced a slightly enhanced stability for hyperbranched polymers respect to linear structures. Their LCST was successfully determined by TOPEM (temperature-modulated DSC), and similar values to those obtained by UV spectroscopy were obtained. The adsorption capacities for chromium hexavalent of the polymers have been investigated as function of LCST. The results showed highest retention capacity of Cr(VI) for all polymers above LCST. Hyperbranched polymers were more efficient than linear polymers, because of the structure of the polymers. Hyperbranched polymers when precipitate form a network with more nanocavities where the chromium can be adsorbed. The efficiency increased with ratio of OEGMA/DEGMA, reaching a maximum retention capacity value of 40 mg Cr(VI)/g polymer.     

New comb-like polymers: Synthesis,structures and reactivity

Comb-like polymers have been widely investigated mainly to correlate their structures with the thermal behaviour. Our interests are directed on the synthesis of new types of comb-like polymers bearing reactive groups in the side chains, main chain or as end groups. One part of the investigations deals with the behaviour of photosensible polymers containing azobenzene, cinnamic acid and mesoionic moieties. The use of enzymes as catalysts for the synthesis of new methacrylic derivatives and for the modification of polymers illustrates a fascinating contribution to polymer chemistry. The classical Diels-Alder addition was also used for the synthesis and modification of polymers. Finally, the construction of polymers containing rotaxanes in the side chains is presented.     

高效液相色谱表征高聚物*

最常用的测试高聚物的分子量和分子量分布的体积排除色谱(SEC)是高效液相色谱 (HPLC)的一个重要分支,HPLC的另一个重要分支是相互作用液相色谱, 它是20世纪90年代开始用于高分子分离和表征的研究领域。相互作用液相色谱可以根据高分子的化学结构（如共混物组成、共聚物组成、端基）来分离,它比SEC 有更高的分离效率。本文介绍了高聚物液相色谱的分离模式,并就高聚物体积排除色谱、相互作用液相色谱、临界液相色谱和全二维液相色谱用于分离和表征高聚物的研究进展进行了较系统的综述,并对该技术目前存在的问题和今后可能的发展前景进行了探讨。     

Water-soluble biodegradable polymers: Synthetic or natural-based raw materials?

In this paper, we review some of the significant synthesis approaches that we and others have evaluated for producing commercially viable water-soluble biodegradable polymers. The goals set for these polymers, cost/performance equivalent with current non-biodegradable polymers and complete biodegradation or a high degree of certainty that they are free from potential adverse environmental impact, are realistic but very difficult to achieve. Hence, we believe that few new polymers are emerging or are likely to emerge in the near future because of the radical directional changes needed in the synthesis and environmental testing procedures for water-soluble biodegradable polymers. We consider polymers with structures and compositions that mimic nature most likely to eventually be successful in the market place regardless of raw material origin, provided that cost/performance comparable with current commercial polymers can be achieved. Poly(aspartic acid), recently developed, may be considered as a prototype of things to come.     

医用可生物降解高分子材料

对目前医用可生物降解高分子材料的研究及应用状况分化学合成，天然和生物技术合成三类作了综述。对材料的生物相容性、可生物降解性及物理机械性能进行了分析和比较。并就医用生物降解高分子材料的发展趋势作了预测。     

高分子立构复合结晶的研究进展

立构复合结晶是高分子结晶中的一种普遍现象,也是不同高分子之间共结晶的特殊形式.互为立体异构高分子在共混物和立体嵌段共聚物中可形成立构复合结晶.由于这种独特的链凝聚结构,立构复合结晶材料与相应的同质结晶材料的性能显著不同,立构复合结晶通常可提高高分子材料的熔点、耐热性、结晶能力、结晶度、机械力学性能、耐溶剂性能等.通过立构复合结晶,可使一些非晶或难结晶的高分子转变为可结晶或高结晶度的状态,从而实现材料性能的转变.因此,互为立体异构高分子之间的立构复合结晶为聚合物材料的性能优化和调控提供了有效的途径.文献已报道了多类可立构复合结晶的聚合物体系,包括脂肪族聚酯、脂肪族聚碳酸酯、聚甲基丙烯酸酯、聚酰胺和聚酮等.本文根据聚合物化学结构的不同,针对文献已报道的可立构复合结晶的高分子体系,综述了其立构复合结晶的形成条件、结构特征与物理性质.     

A review of Fourier-transform Raman spectroscopic studies on polymers

The published work on the FT-Raman spectra of polymers other than elastomers is reviewed and assessed. Experimental techniques, including sampling procedures, measurements at elevated temperatures and microscope accessories are considered first, followed by the scope for quantitative measurements. The survey of published work on polymers is arranged into the subdivisions hydrocarbon polymers, polyamides and polyimides, poly(aryl ether ketone) and poly(aryl ether ether ketone) and the corresponding sulphones, halogenated polymers, highly conjugated polymers, various other polymers, polymerization kinetic studies and thin polymer films.     

Preparation of bio-based polymers for materials applications

A new technology developed by us for the synthesis of well defined, tailored cellulose-synthetic polymer graft polymers and crosslinked cellulose graft polymers with control over the molecular weight of the synthetic polymer graft, a high degree of graft substitution, and knowledge of the backbone-graft linkage is reviewed. The potential of bio-based polymers using these new tailored cellulosic graft polymers for use in plastics, resins, and composite applications is discussed. The new graft polymers can function as compatibilizers/interfacial agents in the preparation of biopolymer-synthetic polymer composites and blends with the desirable properties of the constitutent polymers incorporated into the new material system.     

聚丙烯酸酯型高分子侧链液晶的合成及其对聚乙烯成核结晶行为的影响

基于聚烯烃用成核剂的结构特征设计合成了两种极性基团和非极性基团交替排列的乙烯基单体,并利用自由基引发聚合,制备出相应的侧链型液晶聚合物.采用元素分析、红外光谱和核磁共振氢谱对所合成单体和聚合物的结构进行了确认.并采用热失重(TGA)和差示扫描量热仪(DSC)研究了聚合物的热稳定性和相转变温度.结果表明,所合成聚合物的起始热分解温度均在337℃以上,具有优异的热稳定性;液晶相变温度区间可达186 K,具有较宽的液晶态温度范围.热台偏光显微镜(HS-POM)研究结果表明,聚合物均呈现出纹影织构,证明所合成的聚合物均为热致向列型侧链液晶高分子.采用DSC和HS-POM研究了所合成的侧链液晶聚合物对高密度聚乙烯(HDPE)异相成核结晶行为的影响.结果表明,侧链型液晶聚合物在提高HDPE结晶温度、结晶度以及降低HDPE晶粒的尺寸及分布方面均有优异的效果,是一类HDPE有效的成核剂.     

Insulating Polymers as Additives to Bulk-Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells: The Effect of Miscibility

Adding insulating polymers to conjugated polymers is an efficient strategy to tailor their mechanical properties for flexible organic electronics. In this work, we selected two insulating polymers as additives for high-performance photoactive layers and investigated the mechanical and photovoltaic properties in organic solar cells (OSCs). The insulating polymers were found to reduce the electron mobilities in the photoactive layers, and hence the power conversion efficiencies were significantly decreased. More importantly, we found that the insulating polymers exhibited negative effect on the mechanical properties of the photoactive layers, with reduced Young's modulus and low crack onset strains. Further studies revealed that the insulating polymers had poor miscibility with the photoactive layers, providing large domains and more cavities in blend thin films, which act as negative effect for the tensile test. The studies indicate that rational selection of insulating polymers, especially enhancing the non-covalent interaction with the photoactive layers, will be critically important for the stretchable OSCs.