The IUPAC recommended factor 2 preceding rate coefficients in the radical termination kinetic equations is claimed to be incorrect and confusing. This recommendation can lead to incorrect analysis of experimental data, especially while applying kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. The statement is based on the derivation of the corresponding relationships.
Summary: A numerical method is presented for simulating charged colloidal dispersions in electrolyte solutions. Utilizing a smoothed profile for colloid‐solvent boundaries, efficient mesoscopic simulations are enabled for modeling dispersions of many colloidal particles exhibiting many‐body electrostatic interactions. The validity of the method was examined for simple colloid geometries, and the efficiency was demonstrated by calculating stable structures of two‐dimensional dispersions, which resulted in the formation of colloidal crystals.
Several alkyl side chains are bonded to each polymeric repeat unit using both coordinated ligands and electrostatically bound counterions to directly control the interface curvature of the self‐organized structures. 2,6‐Bis(octylaminomethyl)pyridine is Zn‐coordinated to poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (P4VP) with dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBS) counterions, leading to multicomb polymeric supramolecules, poly[(4VP)Zn(2,6‐bis(octylaminomethyl)pyridine)(DBS)2]. Coordination is evidenced by infrared spectroscopy and visualized by quantum chemical calculations. The amorphous hexagonal self‐organized structures are characterized using X‐ray measurements.
A simple method to obtain novel nanofibers composed of polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) has been proposed. It consists of the electrospinning of a mixed homogeneous solution of polyelectrolyte partners, and the formation of PEC during the electrospinning. This was achieved by careful choice of the composition of the spinning solutions. Chitosan was the polycationic partner, with either a weak polyacid [poly(acrylic acid), PAA] as a counterpart or a strong one [poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid), PAMPS]. The fibrous mats were composed of nanofibers with mean diameters of ca. 100 nm. They retained their integrity over the pH range which is typical of the corresponding PEC.
We describe an enzyme‐responsive polymeric vehicle, which is of great interest in controlled drug delivery, biosensing, and other related areas. The polymer synthesized using lipase as catalyst in DMSO has a favorable molecular structure that is quickly hydrolyzed by lipase in aqueous phase, and allows a fast release of encapsulated molecules.
An algorithm is developed for simulating adsorption of tree type block‐branched copolymer chains, of arbitrary architecture, from dilute solutions to solid surfaces. A continuum form of the self‐consistent field (SCF) theory is used. The chain architecture is first represented by a convergent tree‐graph, which is then converted into a special type of the connectivity matrix. This matrix is used for computing the configurational statistics of the chains in the adsorbed layer. The crucial step in the algorithm is to compute the junction (branch point) probability weights. A stepwise procedure for computing these probability weights is described. The capability of the algorithm has been demonstrated using illustrative examples.
Transparent film materials with excellent mechanical and thermal properties were elaborated by drying a latex suspension of armored polymer/Laponite composite particles. Low‐temperature TEM observation of ultrathin cross‐sections of the films indicated a unique network morphology characterized by a “honeycomb” distribution of the Laponite platelets remindful of the original particles morphology.
Au nanoparticles (NPs) and polymer composite particles with phase‐separation structures were prepared based on phase separation structures. Au NPs were successfully synthesized in amphiphilic block‐copolymer micelles, and then composite particles were formed by a simple solvent evaporation process from Au NPs and polymer solution. The phase separated structures (Janus and Core‐shell) were controlled by changing the combination of polymers having differing hydrophobicity.
Multicomponent phase change microfibers, which can storage and release thermal energy in a stepwise manner, are firstly prepared through a facile one‐step multifluidic compound‐jet electrospinning with temperature control. The multiresponsive effect benefits from a special multichannel tubular microstructure that could controllably encapsulate different phase change materials into the channels independently. Aside from the fabrication of multicomponent phase change microfibers, the melt multifluidic compound‐jet electrospinning is promising for applications related to microencapsulation and multifunctional material fields.
Sixteen parallel polymerization reactions of 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline have been performed at different temperatures in an automated synthesizer that allowed individual heating of each reactor. During the reactions samples were taken automatically, which were characterized by means of both online GPC and offline GC, in order to optimize the reaction temperature and to determine the activation energy of the polymerization.
Hollow polyphosphazene microcapsules have been fabricated by the covalent layer‐by‐layer assembly of polydichlorophosphazene (PDCP) and hexamethylenediamine (HDA) on aminosilanized silica particles, followed by core removal in a HF/NH4F solution. The hollow and intact microcapsules in both wet and dry states have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The chemical structure of the microcapsules has been verified by FT‐IR spectroscopy. The microcapsules could be hydrolytically degraded in a phosphate buffer at biological pH.
Stable aqueous dispersions of nanoparticles were prepared by polyelectrolyte complex formation between well‐defined poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sodium sulfonate) and poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] diblock copolymers. Controlled synthesis of the copolymers was achieved by water‐based atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The nanoparticles were characterized by a quite narrow and monomodal size distribution as evidenced by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and confirmed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) after solution casting and freeze‐drying.
Spherical polyelectrolyte brushes consisting of a magnetite/polystyrene nanocomposite core and a poly(acrylic acid) brush shell were prepared by photo‐emulsion polymerization. They are narrowly dispersed, superparamagnetic and redispersible after aggregating by external magnetic field, as determined by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, thermal gravimetric analysis and a vibrating sample magnetometer. Magnetic control is thus introduced into nano‐sized spherical polyelectrolyte brushes to achieve recovery and controllable delivery in applications. This approach opens up the way for cost‐effective applications of spherical polyelectrolyte brushes.
Different micromechanical models for the prediction of mechanical properties of CNT/polymer composites, taking into consideration filler percolation throughout the matrix, are considered. It is demonstrated that the critical filler volume fraction, where a percolating network of CNTs is forming, marks a “turning point” in the reinforcement efficiency. Expectations for the reinforcing effect of CNTs at concentrations above a percolating threshold with the current technology are in general unrealistic.
