Facile Polymer Functionalization of Hydrothermal‐Carbonization‐Derived Carbons

A simple and efficient polymer grafting onto hydrothermal carbonization (HTC)‐derived materials is described. The method pertains to the Diels–Alder cycloaddition reaction of furan moieties present on the surface of a HTC material with the maleimide groups stemming from a maleimide protected poly(ethylene glycol) (Me‐PEG‐MI) by a retro Diels‐Alder reaction. The precursor polymer, HTC material, and final product are characterized. Successful grafting is confirmed by elemental analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and dispersion studies.

     

Fluorene‐Based Co‐polymer with High Hole Mobility and Device Performance in Bulk Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells

A new donor–acceptor polymer based on 9,9‐dioctylfluorene is synthesized and tested in organic photovoltaic devices. Results show that the polymer exhibits good solubility in a range of organic solvents and has a high hole mobility. When blended with a PC₇₀BM acceptor and fabricated into a bulk heterojunction, photovoltaic devices having a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.2% and a peak external quantum efficiency of 74% are created. Such efficiencies are realized without any necessity for solvent additives or thermal annealing protocols.

     

Initiator‐Grafted Silica Particles for Controlled Free Radical Polymerization: Influence of the Initiator Structure on the Grafting Density

A series of organic‐inorganic hybrid particles were synthesized by a self‐assembled layer of different initiators, immobilized on silica particles and used for controlled radical polymerization. We use three different initiator systems for atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), unimolecular nitroxide mediated polymerization (NMP), and bimolecular NMP, for the development of the hybrid inorganic/organic particles. After preliminary qualitative characterization by X‐ray spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier‐transformed infrared (FT‐IR) measurements, the hybrid nanoparticles were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to determine and discuss the initiator graft density in terms of steric hindrance.

The coupling agents employed for the various approaches used here: a) NMP1‐bimolecular system, b) NMP2‐unimolecular system, and c) ATRP.     

A General Approach toward Opal–Inverse Opal Interlocked Materials

Opal–inverse opal interlocked composites consisting of opals of hollow spheres with window channels interlocked, have displayed new properties. A facile and general method has been reported to synthesize the ordered composites. Polymer shells are first grown onto the surface of a silica sphere of an opal template by ATRP, which is followed by a sequential modification of the shells resulting in functional groups. Composite shells are favorably synthesized within the functional polymer shells. After the removal of silica opal templates, opal–inverse opal interlocked structures with varied compositions of polymers, inorganic materials, and carbon are achieved.

     

Novel Biopolymer Matrices for Microencapsulation of Phages: Enhanced Protection Against Acidity and Protease Activity

Phage therapy by oral administration requires enhanced resistance of phages to the harsh gastric conditions. The aim of this work is the microencapsulation of phages in natural biopolymeric matrices as a protective barrier against the gastric environment. Alginate and pectin are used as base polymers. Further emulsification with oleic acid or coating with a different biopolymer is also studied. Emulsified pectin shows the maximum encapsulation efficiency and the highest protection against acidity, leaving more than 10³ active phages after 30 min exposure at pH = 1.6, and protects phage from pepsin activity (4.2 mg mL^?1). Non‐encapsulated phages are fully inactivated at pH = 1.6 or with pepsin (0.5 mg mL^?1) after 10 min.

     

Parallel Breakup of Polymer Drops under Simple Shear

The deformation and breakup of a single polycarbonate drop in a polyethylene matrix is studied at high temperatures under simple shear flow using a transparent Couette device. We observed “parallel breakup” where the drop breaks after being stretched into a thin sheet parallel to the flow. The breakup occurs at a viscosity ratio greater than 3.5. Deborah number and a stress ratio incorporating elastic moduli can characterize the “parallel breakup”.

Deformation and breakup of a polycarbonate drop in a polyethylene matrix.     

Electro‐active Polymer Actuator Based on Sulfonated Polyimide with Highly Conductive Silver Electrodes Via Self‐metallization

We report here a facile synthesis of high performance electro‐active polymer actuator based on a sulfonated polyimide with well‐defined silver electrodes via self‐metallization. The proposed method greatly reduces fabrication time and cost, and obviates a cation exchange process required in the fabrication of ionic polymer‐metal composite actuators. Also, the self‐metallized silver electrodes exhibit outstanding metal‐polymer adhesion with high conductivity, resulting in substantially larger tip displacements compared with Nafion‐based actuators.

     

Polystyrene Microspheres and Nanospheres Produced by Electrospray

Summary: Polystyrene (PS) micro‐ and nanospheres with uniform dimensions and smooth surfaces have been produced by electrospray. The effect of PS molecular weight on beads morphology and the fundamental role of concentration have been investigated. Moreover, a new apparatus was designed to collect the polymer spheres during the process and to prevent the coalescence among the spheres.

PS micro‐ and nanospheres produced by electrospray     

Bioactive Amphiphilic Peptide Derivatives with pH Triggered Morphology and Structure

A series of bioactive amphiphilic peptide derivatives that contain the RGD (Arg‐Gly‐Asp) sequence have been designed and prepared by the standard solid‐phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) technique. The influence of the molecular structure and pH change on the morphology of the amphiphilic peptide derivatives in aqueous solution is investigated. The results reveal that the amphiphilic peptide derivatives with different molecular structures exhibit different self‐assembly behavior in response to environmental changes. Furthermore, by adjusting the pH, the molecular interactions of amphiphilic peptide derivatives are tuned, which results in a morphology change.

     

Polymer/Laponite Composite Latexes: Particle Morphology,Film Microstructure,and Properties

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.

     

Effect of the Molar Volume on the Elastic Properties of Vinylic Polymers: A Static Molecular Modeling Approach

The effect of the molar volume on the mechanical properties of three polymers is computed using molecular mechanics. It is demonstrated that elastic properties significantly depend on the molar volume. To be reproducible they must be determined for a series of “stable” glassy configurations for which the potential energy is minimized not only according to the coordinates but also to the molar volume. If these conditions are not fulfilled, a great disparity in values between experiment and simulation is observed. The procedure is first applied to PVC. It is then argued that coherent results stemming from the application of this approach to both tacticities of PMMA justifies its application toward other polymers.

     

Molecular Recognition in Solutions of Rod‐Like Copolymers with Two Different Sequences

Segregation in a solution of rigid copolymeric molecules with two different sequences leading to co‐existence of two smectic mesophases has been studied. Thermodynamic characteristics of these mesophases and their equilibrium compositions were found in the frame of two discrete models. It was shown that the degree of ordering in the mesophase depends on the sequence of units in the identical molecules forming this mesophase. The concentration of “mismatched” molecules in the mesophase (the purity of mesophase) is determined both by the composition and the sequence of such molecules. It was shown, that a difference in the sequences can be sufficient to cause phase separation.

     

An optimized RGD-decorated micellar drug delivery system for albendazole for the treatment of ovarian cancer: from RAFT polymer synthesis to cellular uptake

Block copolymers were prepared via RAFT polymerization with P(PEGMEMA) as the hydrophilic block to form micelles for the controlled delivery of ABZ. The group contribution method was used to estimate the partial solubility parameters for ABZ and various polymers as potential core‐forming block to achieve optimum compatibility. Different ratios between MMA and LMA, a non‐compatible monomer, were prepared. Cytotoxicity tests revealed a high toxicity of the ABZ‐loaded micelle resulting in 80% cell deaths at a micelle concentration of 10 µg · mL^?1. Cellular uptake of micelles has been studied using fluorescently labeled micelles, showing that a large fraction of micelles is readily taken up by OVCAR‐3 cells. RGD‐conjugated micelles were prepared and showed an increased cellular uptake.

     

Stabilization of Polymer Bilayers by Introducing Crosslinking at the Interface

Summary: Bisphenol A solid epoxy serves as an effective reaction compatibilizer to the bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC)/PMMA bilayer systems. Addition of epoxy to the bottom PMMA layer can retard or even prevent the dewetting of PC films by introducing crosslinking between both components at the interface. This is the first investigation of polymer bilayers stabilized by chemical reactions.

AFM topographic image of a representative dewetting hole.     

Supramolecular Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles Mediated by Polypseudorotaxane with Thiolated β‐Cyclodextrin

Summary: A water‐soluble gold nanoparticle aggregate 2 was prepared by chloroauric acid and a polypseudorotaxane 1 of mono‐6‐thio‐β‐cyclodextrin with poly(propylene glycol) bis(2‐aminopropyl ether) ( ≈ 2 000) in the presence of sodium borohydride in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) solution. The investigative results indicated that the gold nanoparticle aggregate 2 might act as an efficient DNA‐cleavage reagent.

A typical TEM image of gold nanoparticle aggregate 2 .