Electron microscopy investigations of the morphology of a polyester-polyurethane

In the current paper the morphology of a slightly crosslinked polyester-polyurethane (hard-segment content ca. 33 wt.-%) is studied by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A new staining technique based on ruthenium tetroxide was applied. This new technique allows the unambiguous visualization of the typical microdomain structure of the polyurethane and also of a wide size spectrum of globular hard-segment-rich domains which result from phase separation in the early stage of preparation. The hard-segment-rich microdomains have a size between 1.5 and 10 nm while the globular domains span a size spectrum from 10 to 2000 nm.     

Transmission electron microscopy of 3F/PMDA-polypropylene oxide triblock copolymer based nanofoams

Transmission electron microscopy was performed on a polymeric nanofoam material, derived from a triblock copolymer composed of a fluorinated polyimide center block, 3F/PMDA (derived from pyromelletic dianhydride (PMDA) and 1,1-bis(4-aminophenyl)-1-phenyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethane (3F)) and polypropylene oxide (PO) end blocks. The cast and imidized polymer exhibits a microphase-separated morphology consisting of PO microdomains within a polyimide matrix. The final nanofoam material is obtained by decomposing PO microdomains into low molecular weight products, which diffuse out of the polyimide matrix leaving nanometer length scale voids. Ruthenium tetroxide staining prior to microscopy was used to enhance the contrast between the 3F/PMDA matrix and the PO microdomains or voids, which permitted a more detailed view of the microstructure of both the foamed and unfoamed materials. From the power spectra of the micrographs, spatial correlation between the PO microdomains in the unfoamed material and between the voids in the foam were found. An interdomain separation distance of ca. 37 nm was observed. Analysis of the image yielded an average area of 411 nm² for the PO domains. The analysis indicated that the PO domains were oblong, having average major and minor dimensions of 35 and 12.5 nm, respectively. An autocorrelation of the image showed that the domain center of masses were positioned 41 nm apart, in close agreement with the domain spacing (ca. 37 nm) found as described above. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 1067–1076, 1997     

TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF SEGMENTED POLYURETHANES WITH RUTHENIUM TETROXIDE AS A STAINING AGENT

Microphase separation and lamellar structure of segmented polyether- and polyester-polyurethanes have been investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy with the ruthenium tetroxide staining technique. The results show that the RuO_4 staining technique is simpler and may give better image contrast than other staining methods for this polymer. Microphase separation and lamellar structure of segmented polyether-and polyester-polyurethanes were directly observed and discussed.     

Equilibrium encapsulation of polystyrene latex particles

We have performed a series of seeded styrene emulsion polymerizations in which the second stage of growth was initiated only after the second-stage monomer charge had achieved equilibrium saturation with the seed particles. The final particles were observed in the electron microscope by using two means of distinguishing between the first- and second-generation polymer: (a) butadiene tagging and osmium tetroxide staining coupled with ultramicrotomy and (b) tritiated-styrene tagging coupled with autoradiographic detection. We find that the first- and second-generation polymer chains are not uniformly mixed throughout the final latex product; rather, the second-generation polymer overcoats the seed polymer in a core–shell fashion. In order to explain these results, we present the viewpoint that monomer actually concentrates at the periphery of the swollen particle to form a monomer-encapsulated structure, rather than swelling the particle uniformly as has always been envisioned. We believe the encapsulation phenomena to be governed by the microscopic thermodynamic environment of the latex particles which has, in turn, a profound effect upon the conformational behavior of the long-chain polymer molecules as they interact with the particle–water interface.     

Composite structure of liquid crystal/polymer nanotubes revealed by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy.

We have applied high-angle annular dark-field microscopy to the characterization of the structure of template-grown nanotubes composed of a polymer and a discotic liquid crystalline material. Selective staining of the liquid crystal phase with ruthenium tetroxide was used to develop adequate Z-contrast that allows us to distinguish between the two phases. At appropriate staining conditions, we could clearly visualize, in the annular dark-field mode, a 5-15-nm thin liquid crystalline layer precipitated on the inner surface of the polymer tubes. Cryo-electron diffraction has shown high alignment of the discotic columns within the layer parallel to the tube axis. However, although the polymer/liquid crystal phase separation is almost complete, the wetting behavior of the polymer in relation to the template appears to be sensitively influenced by kinetic factors.     

Thickening and Associating Behavior in Aqueous Solutions of a Terpolymer with Poly(ethylene oxide) Side Chains

A water-soluble terpolymer (PAVA) was synthesized by aqueous free radical copolymerization technique using acrylamide(AM), sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane-sulphonate (NaAMPS) and a macromonomer: p-vinylbenzyl-terminated octylphenoxy poly(ethylene oxide) (VPEO, degree of polymerization: 10). The remarkable intermolecular hydrophobic associations were formed in water and a brine solution for this polymer, which resulted in a good thickening effect, resistance to salt and salt-thickening. The hydrophobically associating microstructures of PAVA in aqueous solutions were measured by the fluorescent probe and scanning electron microscope. As polymer concentration was increased in water and brine solutions, the associating strength and non-polarity of hydrophobic microdomains increased remarkably. However, at the polymer concentrations higher than 0.20 g/dL, the non-polarity of hydrophobic microdomains tended to remain constant, and the I ₁/I ₃ value changed slightly in 0.5 g/dL NaCl. The continuous associating structures were formed by the expanded polymer chains in brine solutions, as well as in water. As the NaCl concentration increased, the non-polarity of associating microstructures increased slowly, but the compact degree of these microstructures increased.     

Transmission electron microscopy study of solvent-induced phase morphologies of environmentally responsive mixed homopolymer brushes on silica particles

We report in this work a transmission electron microscopy study of phase morphologies of environmentally responsive mixed poly( t-butyl acrylate) (P tBA)/polystyrene (PS) brushes and mixed poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)/PS brushes on 180 nm silica particles after treatments with nonselective good solvents and selective solvents, respectively. Mixed P tBA/PS brushes were grown from Y-initiator-functionalized silica particles by sequential atom transfer radical polymerization and nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization. Mixed PAA/PS brushes were prepared from mixed P tBA/PS brushes by removal of the t-butyl groups. For mixed P tBA/PS brushes with P tBA M n of 24.2 kDa and PS M n of 23.0 kDa and the corresponding mixed PAA/PS brushes, random worm-like, nearly bicontinuous nanostructures were formed from lateral microphase separation when the particles were cast from nonselective good solvents (chloroform for mixed P tBA/PS brushes and N, N-dimethylformamide for mixed PAA/PS brushes). The feature sizes were on the order of polymer chain root-mean-square end-to-end distances ( approximately 10 nm). In contrast, mixed P tBA/PS brushes with lower molecular weights (P tBA M n = 10.4 kDa and PS M n = 11.9 kDa) did not strongly phase separate after being cast from chloroform. After the solvents in the particle dispersions were gradually changed to selective solvents ( n-octane for mixed P tBA/PS brushes and H 2O for mixed PAA/PS brushes), isolated microdomains with an average size of 14-19 nm were formed as one grafted polymer collapsed and associated to form isolated microdomains, which were shielded by another grafted polymer yielding surface-tethered micellar structures. These results confirmed the theoretical predictions of the formation of "rippled" nanostructures and surface micellar structures of mixed homopolymer brushes induced by nonselective and selective solvents, respectively.     

INFLUENCE OF pH AND PRESENCE OF Cu2+ IONS ON THE PROPERTIES OF POLYACRYLOYLACETONE (PAA)MONOLAYERS

The influence of pH on the properties of polyacryloylacetone (PAA) monolayers at air/water interface was examined by using surface pressure-area isotherm measurement,a new rheological approach and AFM imaging. The isotherms and AFM-imaging detect phase transitions in PAA monolayers and growth of microdomains during compression in the case of pH 6.6 and missing of such kind of structures at pH 9. The rheological study below and above the phase transition shows an existence of a large relaxation time related to the process of formation of microdomains.

The influence of divalent ions on the properties of a PAA monolayer was studied. The presence of Cu²⁺ ions leads to polymer - ion interaction which results in the formation of microdomains.     

Asymmetric dihydroxylation catalyzed by ionic polymer-supported osmium tetroxide

Osmium tetroxide was immobilized onto a short-length PEGylated ionic polymer, which exhibited excellent catalytic performance in OsO4-catalyzed asymmetric dihydroxylation. The resulting polymer was recycled five times without any loss of yield or enantioselectivity. In addition to the immobilization of osmium, the polymer also exhibited an ability to immobilize a significant amount of chiral ligand.     

Determination of Shrink-Resist Polymers on Wool Fabric by DSC

Many reactive polymers used to shrink-resist wool fabric are derived from poly(propylene oxide) (PPO). Shrink-resist polymers derived from PPO were identified on wool by their oxidation characteristics using differential scanning calorimetry. The amount of PPO-based polymers on the fabric was estimated using isothermal scans after calibration with suitable standards. Polyacrylates applied with the PPO did not interfere with the oxidation of the PPO component, but a polyester-polyurethane dispersion suppressed PPO oxidation and made identification and estimation of the PPO component unreliable. The technique was used to determine the distribution of shrink-resist polymer on men's trousers.     

巨型囊泡的侧向相分离与出芽

用电形成法制备含三组分二油酰磷脂酰胆碱(DOPC)/二棕榈酰磷脂酰胆碱(DPPC)/胆固醇(Chol)的巨型囊泡, 以TR-DPPE为荧光染色剂, 在荧光显微镜下直接观察膜的侧向相分离与微区相凸起出芽的耦合. 发现囊泡膜内的相分离具有诱导期, 相分离速度很快, 形成的微相区在整个囊泡球面上均衡分布. 各微相区的出芽不是同时进行, 为逐个随机发生. 每次出芽的时间小于0.5 s. 分相与出芽的耦合使球面上的不同微区之间不会相互融合成更大的微区.     

A method of test for residual isophorone diisocyanate trimer in new polyester-polyurethane coatings on light metal packaging using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection

A method of test for residual isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) trimer in experimental formulation polyester-polyurethane (PEPU) thermoset coatings on metal food packaging is described. The method involves extraction of coated panels using acetonitrile containing dibutylamine for concurrent derivatisation, and then high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS/MS). Single laboratory validation was carried out using three different experimental PEPU-based coatings. The calibrations were linear, the analytical recovery was good, no interferences were seen, and substance identification criteria were met. The detection limit of the method is around 0.02 micro g/100 cm(2) of coating, which for a typical sized can and assuming complete migration of any residual IPDI trimer, corresponds to about 0.2 micro g/kg food or beverage. Separate studies indicated that, even if migration occurred at such low levels, the IPDI trimer would not be expected to persist in canned aqueous or fatty foodstuffs as it would hydrolyse to the corresponding aliphatic amine or react with food components to destroy the isocyanate moiety. The method of test developed here for residual IPDI trimer in thermoset polyester-polyurethane coatings should prove to be a valuable tool for investigating the cure kinetics of these novel coatings and help to guide the development of enhanced formulations.     

Bulk and microscopic properties of copolymer networks in mixed aqueous solvents

Amphiphilic films and hydrogels have been prepared from ethanol/water solutions containing a hydrocarbon-grafted water-soluble cellulose ether. These materials are characterized by dispersed hydrophobic microdomains which form spontaneously in the solvent due to the inherent incompatibility of the side chains with water. At low applied shear stress, the microdomains behave as temporary linkages of finite lifetimes, imparting viscoelastic properties to the networks. The molecular weight between microdomains was found to be independent of the volume fraction of polymer in the gel, and the number of linkages per backbone ranges from 22.8 ± 1.3 to 26.2 ± 1.5 over the frequency range 30–50 rad/s. The behavior of the solutions and gels was characterized using fluorescence and dynamic rheological measurements. It was demonstrated that the microdomains are capable of sequestering water-insoluble solutes. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effect of microemulsion-like polysoap on the catalysed esterolysis of hydrophobic p-nitrophenyl esters

The esterolytic activity of metal ion complexes of n-alkyl-2-hydroxymethylbenzimidazoles/Zn²⁺ towards p-nitrophenyl esters (picolinates and alkanoates) was investigated in the presence of an amphiphilic polymer, poly(1-hexadecyl-3-vinylpyridinium bromide), as a macromolecular matrix. The reaction rate constants obtained for the polymer hydrophobic microdomains were compared with those observed for the new conventional surfactant, 3-ethyl-1-hexadecylpyridinium bromide, chosen as the model of the repeat unit of the homopolymer. In both cases, the kinetic analysis indicated that the esterolysis reaction proceeds through the formation of an initial binary complex Ligand–Zn²⁺, the stoichiometry of which is 2/1 type.     

Direct imaging of polyethylene crystallites within block copolymer microdomains

Ruthenium tetroxide (RuO₄) is a versatile agent for imparting mass density contrast to saturated hydrocarbon polymers. We have successfully employed RuO₄ to examine the microdomain and crystallite morphologies of poly(ethylene‐block‐vinylcyclohexane) semicrystalline–glassy diblock copolymers via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ultrathin sections cut from blocks stained with RuO₄ showed excellent contrast in TEM, revealing the individual polyethylene crystallites that formed within the preexisting block copolymer microdomains. The size and orientation of the crystallites, which previously could only be inferred from scattering data, are readily apparent in the micrographs. Moreover, such imaging directly reveals the lateral extent of the crystallites and the number of crystallites lying within the cross section of each microdomain. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 2564–2570, 2000     

Effect of a new hydrophobically modified polyampholyte on the formation of inverse microemulsions and the preparation of gold nanoparticles

A new regular polyampholyte, namely poly-(N,N-dially-N,N-dimethylammonium-alt-N-octyl-maleamic carboxylate), was synthesized by alternating free radical copolymerization. The influence of the added polymer on the range of the inverse micellar region (L(2) phase) of a SDS-based system was investigated. The phase behavior as well as conductivity measurements indicate that the polymer, which forms hydrophobic microdomains, is located more in the water core of the microemulsion droplets rather than at the interface of the surfactant film. The polyampholyte proved to be an efficient reducing and stabilizing agent for the formation of gold colloids. The process of nanoparticle formation was investigated in the absence of any other reducing agent, in water as well as in the microemulsion template phase. In both cases, nanoscalic gold particles can be synthesized, while the adsorption of the polymer on the particle surface prevents their aggregation due to electrosteric stabilization.     

P(VDF-HFP)-PMMA/CaCO3(SiO2)复合聚合物电解质的电化学性质

采用激光扫描共焦显微镜、X射线衍射、循环伏安和交流阻抗等方法对由聚(偏二氟乙烯-六氟丙烯)(P(VDF-HFP))、聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)以及纳米碳酸钙(二氧化硅)制备的几种复合聚合物电解质(CPE)膜P(VDF-HFP)-PMMA/CaCO3(SiO2)的性能进行了研究. 结果表明, PMMA的加入能提高CPE的吸液率, 从而增大其离子导电率. 在P(VDF-HFP)与PMMA质量比为1:1条件下制得的CPE性能最佳. 用P(VDF-HFP)-PMMA为聚合物基体与纳米级SiO2、CaCO3进行复合制成的聚合物膜, 无机粒子的加入没有破坏原来聚合物非晶结构; 室温下CPE的电导率达到3.42 mS·cm-1; 电化学稳定窗口为4.8 V. 电池Li/CPE/GMS(石墨基材料)的测试证明, CPE与石墨负极有很好的相容性. 聚合物电池Li/CPE(CaCO3)/LiCoO2比Li/CPE)(SiO2)/LiCoO2具有更优越的倍率放电性能.     

导电聚合物有序超薄膜的合成及其作为有机电致发光器件空穴注入层

采用修饰多层LB膜的方法制备了导电聚合物聚-3,4-乙烯二氧噻吩/二十烷酸(PEDOT:AA)复合层状有序膜, 构筑了一种导电聚合物镶嵌的多层有序膜结构. 将这种导电聚合物有序薄膜沉积于ITO电极表面, 将其作为有机电致发光二极管(OLED)的空穴注入层, 并研究了ITO/(PEDOT:AA)/MEH-PPV/Al器件的性能. 研究结果表明, 与采用聚3,4-乙烯二氧噻吩/聚苯乙烯磺酸(PEDOT:PSS)自组装膜和旋涂膜作为空穴注入层的ITO/(PEDOT:PSS)/MEH-PPV/Al器件相比, 器件的发光效率增加, 起亮电压降低. 我们认为这是由于PEDOT:AA薄膜提供了一种有序层状结构后, 减小了ITO与MEH-PPV间的接触势垒, 改善了空穴载流子注入效率. 进一步的研究表明, 由于PEDOT:AA多层膜间靠较弱的亲水、疏水作用结合, 这种导电多层有序膜的热稳定性与普通LB膜相似, 在较高温度下发生从层状有序态到无序态的变化, 这是导致OLED器件性能发生劣化的主要原因.     

The Effect of Synthesis Method on Three-component IPNs Morphology and Property

Three-component IPNs were synthesized from polyurethane/poly (methyl acrylate aminoethyl methacrylate)/epoxy resin [PU/P(MADMA)/EP] by simultaneous synthesis interpenetrating polymer networks method(SINs) and sequential synthesis interpenetrating polymer networks method (STPNs). Comparing the effect of the two synthesis methods on the morphology and mechanical properties of three-component IPNs, it was found that the compatibility of three-component IPNs depends on the component ratios and interpenetrating formation , the different synthesis methods make the entanglement and interpenetrating between networks changed. The tensile strength of SIPNs is bigger than that of SINs, while the elongation at break of SINs is bigger than that of SIPNs. It is feasible to use stepwise staining method to observe the morphology change.     

Determination of Polymer Compatibility by Viscometric Measurements on Ternary Solutions of the Two Polymers

Results on the intrinsic viscosity [η] are reported for the system solvent(1)/polymer(2)/polymer(3) in which the solvent was benzene, polymer(2) was polystyrene (PS), and polymer(3) was poly(dimethylsiloxane) PDMS. The values of [η] were then used to determine the likely compatibility of polymer blends of PS and PDMS. Initial focus was on the traditional interaction parameter b ₂₃ ⁽¹⁾ used by several authors to predict compatibilities, it but depends on the molar mass, weight fractions, and concentrations of each polymer. A new interaction parameter b ₂₃ ⁽²⁾ that is independent of polymer(3) concentration and molar mass was evaluated for determinations of polymer compatibility.