Michael Addition Reaction of Vinyl Sulfoxide with Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)

The Michael addition reaction of a series of alkyl vinyl sulfoxides (CH₂[dbnd]CH-SO-R; R = CH₃ (MVSO), C₂H₅ (EVSO), t-C₄H₉ (BVSO)) with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was carried out after investigating the model reaction with isopropyl alcohol. The addition reaction was found to proceed in the presence of sodium hydroxide as catalyst. This sulfinylation of PVA proceeded more easily with MVSO and EVSO than with BVSO, and a polymer containing up to 60 mol% sulfoxide unit was obtained with MVSO and EVSO. The solution viscosity as well as the solubility behavior of the modified PVA' having various types and contents of sulfoxide group were also examined.     

Application of Crosslinked Ionic Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Nanogel as Adsorbents for Water Treatment

Core-shell smart ionic nanogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) core and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide/acrylic acid) p(NIPAm-AAc) shell particles were successfully synthesized through a one-step surfactant-free emulsion polymerization method (SFEP). Different mole ratios of p(NIPAm-AAc) shells were synthesized. The morphologies of PVA/p(NIPAm-AAc) nanogels were investigated by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The data showed the formation of spherical nanoparticles and well-defined core-shell nanogels. PVA/p(NIPAm-AAc) core-shell nanogels were applied as a novel polymeric adsorbent to remove heavy metal pollutants from aqueous solution. Copper(II) (Cu²⁺) ions were selected as the target pollutant to evaluate these nanoparticles’ adsorption capability. The influence of the uptake conditions such as pH, weight ratio of nanoparticles, time, initial feed concentration, and adsorption temperature on the metal ion binding capacity of nanogels was also tested. Adsorption equilibrium data were calculated according to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. It was found that the sorption of Cu²⁺ was better suited to the Freundlich adsorption model than the Langmuir adsorption model. Also, the selectivity of the nanogels toward the different metal ions such lead (Pb²⁺) and cadmium (Cd²⁺) were tested. The maximum of Cu²⁺ ions adsorbed on to PVA/p(NIPAm-AAc) core-shell nanogels adsorbent was 94 mg/g obtained under simple and fast experimental conditions, indicating these nanogels can be used as effective and practical polymeric adsorbents.     

Grafting of Vinyl Monomers onto Poly(Acryloyl-L-valine) Microspheres Containing Peroxyester Groups

Abstract

Poly(acryloyl-L-valine) microspheres containing peroxyester groups were prepared by copolymerization of acryloyl-L-valine with di-t-butyl peroxyfumarate in acetophenone. Graft copolymerization of some vinyl monomers onto the microspheres was carried out by photolysis or thermolysis of the peroxyester groups in the microspheres. When benzyl methacrylate (BzMA) was used as the second monomer, BzMA conversion and grafting efficiency were found to increase with time. This might be ascribed to long lifetime of the polymer radicals in the microspheres. In fact, the very stable propagating radical of BzMA was observed by ESR in the photoinduced graft copolymerization system of the microspheres and BzMA at room temperature. The copolymerization process was investigated by ESR.     

Characterisation of Redox Initiators for Producing Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Hydrogels

Summary: This work focuses on the characterisation of ascorbic acid/persulphate initiating system. Three different persulphates were used (ammonium, potassium and sodium), and a range of initiator concentrations were tested. Gel time, gel quality, initiator toxicity, and cell survival upon encapsulation were measured. No significant differences were observed between the three types of persulphates. Higher concentrations of the initiators resulted in faster gel times (5min for 0.05wt% initiator) and higher quality gels (less than 20% sol fraction), although the lower initiator concentrations were better in terms of cell growth inhibition and survival upon encapsulation. Overall, this system shows great promise for use in biomedical applications, however there is a need to minimise the initiator concentration to increase cell compatibility while maintaining a high enough concentration for adequate gel formation.     

Ultrasonic Degradation and Copolymerization of Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) with Acrylonitrile

The ultrasonic degradation of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in aqueous solution and copolymerization of PVA with acrylonitrile (AN) were studied. It is confirmed that the rate of degradation of PVA follows the kinetic equation suggested by Baramboim. Both water-soluble and water-insoluble copolymer can be obtained by changing the irradiation time or the amount of AN added to the aqueous solution of PVA. The structure of the copolymer was identified by IR, MS, PGC, and x-ray diffraction. The copolymer prepared is mainly a block one. By irradiating 2% PVA/AN (1/1.6, w/w) at 20 ± 1°C and 21. 5 kHz with 490 W for 28 min, the yield of water-soluble copolymer is 25.49%, the AN content in which is 13.98%. After 100 min, with the weight ratio between PVA and AN 1/4, the yield of the water-insoluble copolymer amounted to 296.01%, the AN content in which is 75.56%.     

低分子物质在聚乙烯醇水凝胶中的扩散

水凝胶是指一种网络结构中含大量水,而不溶于水的高分子材料。近年来,发现聚乙烯醇(PVA)水溶液在低温冷冻一段时间,可形成强度较高的水凝胶弹性体,用这种水凝胶制得的固定化增殖细胞凝胶,在生物工程材料开发中取得了很好的效果。本文旨在研究低分子物质在PVA水凝胶中的扩散性能。     

Liposomal Encapsulation of Carvacrol to Obtain Active Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) Films

Lecithins of different origins and compositions were used for the liposomal encapsulation of carvacrol within the framework of the development of active films for food packaging. Liposomes were incorporated into aqueous polymeric solutions from fully (F) and partially (P) hydrolysed Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) to obtain the films by casting. The particle size distribution and ζ-potential of the liposomal suspensions, as well as their stability over time, were evaluated. Liposomal stability during film formation was analysed through the carvacrol retention in the dried film and the film microstructure. Subtle variations in the size distributions of liposomes from different lecithins were observed. However, the absolute values of the ζ-potential were higher (−52, −57 mV) for soy lecithin (SL) liposomes, followed by those of soy lecithin enriched with phosphatidylcholine (SL-PC) (−43, −50 mV) and sunflower lecithin (SFL) (−33, −38 mV). No significant changes in the liposomal properties were observed during the study period. Lyotropic mesomorphism of lipid associations and carvacrol leakage occurred to differing extents during the film drying step, depending on the membrane lipid composition and surface charge. Liposomes obtained with SL-PC were the most effective at maintaining the stability of carvacrol emulsion during film formation, which led to the greatest carvacrol retention in the films, whereas SFL gave rise to the least stable system and the highest carvacrol losses. P-PVA was less sensitive to the emulsion destabilisation due to its greater bonding capacity with carvacrol. Therefore, P-PVA with carvacrol-loaded SL-PC liposomes has great potential to produce active films for food packaging applications.     

The Structure of Water-Swollen Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) and the Swelling Mechanism

The swelling mechanism of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in a wide range of the equilibrium swelling index, of 7–153% (with H₂O) and of 12-297% (with D₂O), was investigated by IR, Raman, and broad-band NMR spectroscopy. Analysis of the spectral data obtained confirmed the presence of hydration water (bonded with polymer-free hydroxyl groups) and condensation water (not having been bonded with polymer hydroxyl groups) in poly(vinyl alcohol) swollen samples at low (～7%) and high (>23%) equilibrium swelling indexes, respectively. Moreover, it revealed the intra- and inter-molecular hydrogen bonds breaking in the polymer swollen to higher extent (equilibrium swelling index > 85%).     

细菌视紫红质／聚乙烯醇复合膜的制备及相关功能研究

细菌视紫红质（bR)是一种独特的光敏蛋白，具有光致变色和光驱质子泵功能 。将bR蛋白包埋于聚乙烯醇（PVA）基质中，制备了bR/PVA复合膜。利用紫外－可 见分光光度计和自制的毫秒级动力学光谱仪，检测了样品的吸收光谱和光循环M中 间体在脉冲光激发下随时间的变化；同时，利用凝胶扫描成像仪及相关分析软件考 察了样品成膜后的均匀程度。实验表明：bR/PVA复合膜具有良好的均匀性、透明性 和力学性能，而且bR蛋白保持了原有的生物活性和光学性质，bR与M中间体之间能 达到一种光可控制的双稳态，M中间体的寿命也得到了显著的延长，证实了bR可以 提供一个用于信息存储的模型材料。     

聚乙烯醇明胶混合水溶液的静电纺丝

将聚乙烯醇与明胶混合水溶液进行静电纺丝,制备了聚乙烯醇与明胶混合超细纤维及其电纺膜,研究了混合纺丝液的组成对纺丝液的粘度、表面张力和电导率的影响,观察了纤维的微观形貌,并对电纺膜进行了差示扫描量热测定.结果表明:当混合液中明胶含量小于20 9/6时,静电纺丝可以稳定进行.随着明胶含量由5%逐渐增加至25%,混合超细纤维的平均直径先是由260nm逐渐下降至207 nm而后又逐渐增加至320 nm.明胶的含量低于15%时,不影响其混合电纺膜中PVA的结晶.     

Fabrication of Sulfated Heterosaccharide/Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) Hydrogel Nanocomposite for Application as Wound Healing Dressing

Nowadays, natural polysaccharides-based hydrogels have achieved promising results as dressings to promote skin healing. In the present study, we prepared a novel hydrogel nanocomposite with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and sulfated heterosaccharide (UF), named UPH. The SEM results showed that the UPH had dense porous structures with a high porosity and a specific surface area. The UPH had a good swelling property, which can effectively adsorb exudate and keep the wound moist. The in vitro experiments results showed that the UPH was non-cytotoxic and could regulate the inflammatory response and promote the migration of fibroblasts significantly. The phenotypic, histochemistry, and Western blot analyses showed UPH treatment accelerated the wound healing and recovery of skin tissue at wound sites in a C57BL/6 mouse model. Furthermore, the UPH could promote the inflammation process to onset earlier and last shorter than that in a normal process. Given its migration-promoting ability and physicochemical properties, the UPH may provide an effective application for the treatment and management of skin wounds.     

Structure and Mechanical Properties of Chitosan/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Blend Films

Summary: The origins of the thermal and mechanical properties of chitosan and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with inter- and intra-hydrogen bonds were investigated systematically by using X-ray, DSC, positron annihilation and viscoelastic measurements. Based on their individual properties, the characteristics of the blend films were estimated in relation to their morphology and mechanical properties as a function of chitosan content. The characteristics of the blend films were also analyzed in terms of the deviation from a simple additive rule of chitosan and PVA content. These results suggested that the miscibility of chitosan and PVA could be ensured by entanglement of the amorphous chain segments of chitosan and PVA. Further detailed analysis revealed that the chitosan content on the film surface is higher than that of the admixture content of chitosan after elongation, although the chitosan and PVA chains were crystallized independently. The elongation could be achieved for the blend films whose PVA content was higher than 50% and the drawn blend films were transparent. Thus, it may be expected that sufficiently entangled meshes formed between chitosan and PVA amorphous chains within the film, the PVA content being higher than 50%, were maintained under the elongation process.     

Irradiation of Crosslinked, Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Blended Hydrogel for Wound Dressing

In order to obtain a more ideal hydrogel wound dressing, crosslinked hydrogel films blended with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl pyrrolidone, kappa-carrageenan (KC), and powder silk were prepared by electron beam, and their physiochemical properties were investigated as a combination of function factors. The experimental results showed that the gel fraction of the hydrogel films depended mainly on irradiation dose and the monomer concentration of the polymers, the properties of hydrogel could be greatly extended or improved by blending homopolymers. The rate of gel formation of the hydrogel was raised, and the water evaporation from hydrogel could be retarded after mixing with KC, while the tensile strength of hydrogel films were obviously increased after mixing with silk. Toxicity and healing effect of PVA/PVP/KC/silk blended hydrogel films as wound dressings were evaluated. The irradiated blended hydrogel showed satisfactory properties for wound dressing, the hydrogel did not induceany acute general toxic effects, and it is effective for fast healing of wound.     

Poly(Organophosphazenes): Use in the Improvement of Standard Materials. Application to the Modification of Surface Properties of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)

Abstract

Modification of surface properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) by grafting of poly(organophosphazenes).     

Synthesis of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) and/or Poly(Vinyl Acetate) Particles with Spherical Morphology and Core-Shell Structure and its Use in Vascular Embolization

Poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA, is the most frequently used material in embolization of tumors, aneurisms and arteriovenous malformations due to its low toxicity, good biocompatibility and desirable physical properties. It is well known that PVA particles cannot be prepared by direct polymerization of vinyl alcohol. Its synthesis is typically performed by the suspension polymerization of vinyl acetate to produce poly(vinyl acetate), PVAc, followed by the saponification of the PVAc particles. This work shows that, using the suspension polymerization technique, it is possible to obtain spherical particles with a core-shell structure of PVA/PVAc with regular morphology, instead of particles with irregular shapes and sizes, as usually found in many commercial embolization products. Therefore, this work presents the production of PVA/PVAc spherical particles that can be used to occlude blood vessels, eliminating the disadvantages of commercial PVA. In vivo clinical tests with white “New Zealand” rabbits undergoing kidney inflammation reaction have shown that these spherical particles are much more efficient for vascular embolization.     

Grafting of Vinyudene Chloride. Model Studies with Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) as Substrate

The modification of coatings resins by graft polymerization of vinylidene chloride should produce a coatings binder with improved barrier properties. For superior color stability, vinylidene chloride must be copolymer-ized with other monomers such as alkyl acrylates and methacrylates. Ceric ion initiation was used to graft vinylidene chloride free-radically onto a model alcohol-containing polymer, polyvinyl alcohol. The effects of various reaction parameters on vinylidene chloride grafting were studied. Graft copolymers were characterized using selective solvent extraction, FTIR, SEM, XES, DSC, and x-ray diffraction.     

Preparation and Characterization of Blend Films of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) and Sodium Alginate

Blend films of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and sodium alginate (NaAlg) were prepared by casting from aqueous solutions. This blend films were characterized by tensile strength test, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The miscibility in the blends of PVA and NaAlg was established on the basis of the thermal analysis results. DSC showed that the blends possessed single, composition‐dependent glass transition temperatures (T_gs), indicating that the blends are miscible. FT‐IR studies indicate that there is the intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions, i.e. –OH…^?OOC– in PVA/NaAlg blends. The blend films also exhibited the higher thermal stability and their mechanical properties improved compared to those of homopolymers.     

Synthesis and Properties of Hydrogels Based on Chitosan and Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Crosslinked by Genipin

Semi‐interpenetrating polymeric networks of chitosan and poly(vinyl alcohol) [PVA] were prepared by varying the ratio of the constituents. The hydrogels were crosslinked using genipin, a naturally occurring nontoxic cross‐linking agent. The swelling behavior of these hydrogels was studied by immersing the films in deionized water at various temperatures and in buffer solutions of different pH. The states of water in the hydrogels, swollen at 25°C and pH 7, were determined using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The swelling behavior of the gels was found to be dependent on temperature and pH of the medium. The amount of freezing water in the swollen hydrogels increased, whereas the amount of nonfreezing bound water remained more or less the same with increasing PVA concentration.     

Improved Preparation and Application of Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Vinyl Sulfone

An improved synthesis of poly(ethy1ene glycol) vinyl sulfone is presented and its reactions with nucleophiles reported.     

基于固定化电子媒介体的漆酶电极的制备与应用

采用一种新方法引入媒介体,即将媒介体2,2-连氮-双(3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸)(ABTS)固定在多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)上,将壳聚糖与漆酶共同修饰在玻碳电极表面,制备了漆酶电极。实验发现,ABTS能够被牢固地吸附在多壁碳纳米管上,且吸附了ABTS的多壁碳纳米管在水中的分散性能大为改善。由于ABTS的存在,该漆酶电极能够更加有效地催化氧气还原,使氧气的还原电位从-0.1 V升至0.6 V。研究了修饰在多壁碳纳米管上的ABTS的电化学行为,并讨论了碳纳米管修饰量、pH值及温度对漆酶电极催化性能的影响。该方法简单,制备的漆酶电极对氧气还原的催化效率高,有望应用于植入型生物燃料电池。