Polyelectrolyte complex dispersions with a high colloidal stability controlled by the polyion structure and titrant addition rate

Three ionic/nonionic random copolymers of sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate (AMPS) with either t-butyl acrylamide (TBA) or methyl methacrylate (MM), were used in the preparation of some polyelectrolyte complex dispersions (PCD) with two strong polycations of integral type, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC), and an ionene type polycation, containing 95 mol% N,N-dimethyl-2-hydroxypropyleneammonium chloride repeat units (PCA₅). The novelty of the paper is that PCDs with a high colloidal stability, both before and after the complex stoichiometry, were obtained even with hydrophilic/hydrophobic polyanions, with a high titrant addition rate (TAR), a less explored parameter, which allows a fine control of PCDs aggregation level, in salt-free aqueous solutions. The characteristics of PCDs were also correlated with the polyanion average charge density and the structure of the nonionic comonomer, at a constant TAR, the polyanion with the lowest charge density leading to the highest turbidities and the lowest colloidal stabilities. A mechanism of the PCDs colloidal stabilization as a function of TAR was suggested in the paper.     

The thermodynamic stability of the mixtures of hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) and sodium dodecyl sulfate at low surfactant-to-polyelectrolyte ratios

The equilibrium nature of the association between the hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) has been investigated in the presence of excess polyelectrolyte. It was found that the thermodynamic stability of the system considerably depends on the ionization degree of the PEI molecules. In the case of slightly charged PEI molecules, the PEI/SDS mixtures are thermodynamically stable solutions in the pre-precipitation concentration range. In contrast, at low and moderate pH kinetically stable colloidal dispersions of the positively charged PEI/SDS particles can be observed at low surfactant-to-polyelectrolyte ratios. These dispersions are stabilized by the uncompensated charges of the PEI molecules. In addition to the primary PEI/SDS particles, larger aggregates may also appear in the mixtures. The higher the protonation degree of the PEI molecules and the smaller the net charge of the primary PEI/SDS particles, the more likely the aggregate formation becomes.     

Effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and chondroitin sulfate A on human monocytic THP-1 cell migration

Angiogenesis serves as a crucial factor in disease development and progression, such as cancer metastasis, and monocyte migration is one of the key steps for angiogenesis. Therapeutic modulation of angiogenesis is a promising new therapeutic avenue under investigation. In this study, effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and chondroitin sulfate A on monocyte migration were investigated. Human monocytic THP-1 cells were from Riken Cell Bank (Tsukuba, Japan) and vascular endothelial cells (VECs) were obtained from swine thoracic aorta. The migration experimental system was adapted from Falcon™ Cell Culture Inserts with pore sizes of 3 and 8 μm cultured endothelial cells or not on the insert polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membranes. Four VEGF concentrations (0, 10, 50 and 100 ng/ml) and three concentrations of chondroitin sulfate A (0, 1.25 and 5.0 mg/ml) were used to investigate their effects on THP-1 cell migration ability through PET membranes and VECs monolayer. The THP-1 cell migration was evaluated by counting the number of migrated cells related to the total number of cells under a microscope. We counted the migration cells every 1 h on a Tatai-type hemocytometer using an inverted microscope for total 7 h. For inserts with pore sizes of 3 and 8 μm, the THP-1 cell migration increased with VEGF concentrations; however, cell migration decreased with the chondroitin sulfate A concentration. Our results demonstrated that VEGF accelerated monocyte migration through endothelial monolayer and chondroitin sulfate A is an effective inhibitor of monocyte migration for angiogenesis.     

Polyelectrolyte complex formation between poly(diallyldimethyl-ammonium chloride) and copolymers of acrylamide and sodium-acrylate

 The interaction between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, in this study poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) and copolymers of acrylamide and sodium-acrylate differing in their chain length and charge density parameter (ξ) was investigated in relation to the molar charge ratio of anionic to cationic charges (n ₋/n ₊). The molecular weights of the polyelectrolytes used were 2.9·10⁵g/mol for PDADMAC and for the polyacrylamide copolymers 14 ·10⁶g/mol as well as 5·10⁵g/mol obtained by ultrasonic degradation of the high molecular weight copolymers. The charge density parameters of the polyanions used (ξ ^PR ) varied between 0.14 and 0.64. Complexation between PDADMAC and high molecular weight polyanions leads mainly to macroscopic phase separation whereas the degraded polyanions and PDADMAC formed soluble complexes as well as stable dispersions, if charge excess was available. Precipitates and dispersions were characterized by several methods such as element analysis, thermogravimetry, pyrolysis-GC/MS, PEL titration, ζ-potential measurements, determination of turbidity, particle size measurements and determination of carbon content (TOC).  All precipitated complexes include about 20% water and are of 1:1 stoichiometry concerning ionic binding. Investigations of dispersions confirm 1:1 stoichiometry of complex particles stabilized by excess polyelectrolyte and soluble complexes. It was also found that the particle size can be varied via the charge density parameter of the polyanions used in the range of negative charge excess. Received: 21 June 2001 Accepted: 9 October 2001     

Characterization of the quantitative relationship between signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and sample amount on-target by MALDI-TOF MS: Determination of chondroitin sulfate subsequent to enzymatic digestion

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is an important glycosaminoglycan of the extracellular matrix and its quantitative detection is of interest in different pathologies. Although there are already methods of quantitative CS determination, many of them are laborious, require time-consuming sample workup and/or suffer from low sensitivity. It will be shown here that the CS content of biological samples can be easily assessed in the picomole range subsequent to enzymatic digestion. MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry) was used to determine the concentrations of the unsaturated disaccharide of CS obtained by enzymatic digestion of native CS with chondroitin ABC lyase. The signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio can be used as a quantitative measure: amounts of CS (measured as the disaccharide) down to at least 500 fmol could be detected and there is a direct correlation between the S/N ratio and the amount of CS between about 2 and 200 pmol although the curve per se is sigmoidal. The influence of different parameters such as the used matrix, the applied laser intensity and different methods of data analysis were also tested. Advantages and drawbacks of this approach are critically discussed. Finally, the method was validated by the determination of the CS content in samples of known concentration as well as in enzymatically digested bovine nasal cartilage and compared with two further established methods of CS determination (Carbazole and Alcian Blue method).     

Macrometallocycle binuclear NHC silver(I) complex with bridging azobenzene: Synthesis,structure and recognition for hydrogen sulfate

One bis-imidazolium salt 2,2′-di[2’’-(N-methyl-imidazoliumyl)ethoxyl]azobenzene hexafluorophosphate (LH₂·(PF₆)₂) and its macrometallocycle binuclear N-heterocyclic carbene silver(I) complex [(LAg)₂](PF₆)₂ were prepared and characterized. The structure of [(LAg)₂](PF₆)₂ was determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. In complex [(LAg)₂](PF₆)₂, one 34-membered macrometallocycle was formed by two biscarbene ligand L and two silver(I) ions. Additionally, the selective recognition of hydrogen sulfate using [(LAg)₂](PF₆)₂ as a chemosensor was investigated on the basis of fluorescence titrations, ultraviolet titrations, ¹H NMR titrations, HRMS and IR spectra. Complex [(LAg)₂](PF₆)₂ was demonstrated to be an effective chemosensor for hydrogen sulfate.     

Surface modification of poly(tetramethylene adipate-co-terephthalate) membrane via layer-by-layer assembly of chitosan and dextran sulfate polyelectrolyte multiplayer

The improvement of hydrophilicity and hemocompatibility of poly(tetramethylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PTAT) membrane was developed via polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) immobilization. The polysaccharide PEMs included chitosan (CS, as a positive-charged and antibacterial agent) and dextran sulfate (DS, as a negative-charged and anti-adhesive agent) were successfully prepared using the aminolyzed PTAT membrane in a layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly manner. The obtained results showed that the contact angle of as-modified PTAT membranes reached to the steady value after four bilayers of coating, hence suggesting that the full coverage was achieved. It could be found that the PTAT–PEMs membranes with DS as the outmost layer could resist the platelet adhesion and human plasma fibrinogen (HPF) adsorption, thereby prolonging effectively the blood coagulation times. According to L929 fibroblast cell growth inhibition index, the as-prepared PTAT membranes exhibited non-cytotoxic. Overall results demonstrated that such an easy, valid and shape-independent processing should be potential for surface modification of PTAT membrane in the application of hemodialysis devices.     

Luminescence response of an osmium(II) complex to macromolecular polyanions for the detection of heparin and chondroitin sulfate in biomedical preparations

Heparin, dextran sulfate (DS), chondroitin sulfate (CS), and carrageenan are found to enhance the luminescence intensity of an osmium(II) carbonyl complex with phenanthroline (phen) and 4-phenylpyridine (4-phpy) ligands in aqueous and ethanol solutions. The enhancing effect of the polyanions on the luminescence of the complex is heavily dependent on the sulfate content and other factors such as structure, solubility, and counter ions of the polyanion. The highly sulfated dextran and ι-carrageenan have the most profound effect, while the low charged κ-carrageenan and CS have the least response in aqueous solution. All polyanions exhibited enhanced luminescence intensity of the complex in ethanol solutions, and even the low charged CS and κ-carrageenan enhanced the luminescence more than 4 times. DS contamination of the sodium heparin at 5% can show a significant increase in luminescence response. The osmium complex is found to be highly successful in the fast and sensitive detection of heparin in commercial injectable samples with various backgrounds as well as the detection of CS in over the counter food supplement tablets.     

Thermal stability and fire retardancy of PMMA (nano)composites with layered metal hydroxides containing dodecyl sulfate anions

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with Mg/Al, Zn/Al, Ca/Al metal hydroxide layers, and a Zn/Ni hydroxy double salt (HDS) were prepared with a common anion, dodecyl sulfate [CH₃(CH₂)₁₀COO^?, DS]. The LDH and HDS additives were melt blended with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The dispersion and morphology were characterized via X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy. Mg/Al‐DS and Zn/Al‐DS LDHs were found to form nanocomposites with PMMA, exhibiting good dispersion and some degree of exfoliated morphology for the Zn/Al‐DS/PMMA combination and mixed intercalation and exfoliation behavior for Mg/Al‐DS in PMMA. The Ca/Al‐DS LDH and Zn/Ni‐DS HDS formed microcomposites with PMMA. Thermal stability was investigated via thermogravimetric analysis; each of the additives increased the thermal stability of PMMA. Cone calorimetry was used to measure the fire properties; the microcomposite of Zn/Ni‐DS HDS at 10% loading provided the best improvement in peak heat release rate, with a 40% reduction over the pure polymer. The residue composition after burning the composites was investigated. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polyelectrolyte complexes of soluble poly-2-[(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride and its hydrogels with poly(acrylic acid)

The complex formation of poly-2-[(methacryloyloxy)-ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (PMADQUAT) with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) of different molecular weights has been studied in aqueous solutions by potentiometric, viscometric, turbidimetric and FTIR spectroscopic methods. The formation of insoluble non-stoichiometric polyelectrolyte complexes has been shown. The stability of polyelectrolyte complexes in solutions of different pH and ionic strength has been evaluated. The formation of polyelectrolyte complexes between hydrogels of PMADQUAT and linear PAA of different molecular weights has been studied. It was shown that the molecular weight of PAA considerably affects the kinetics of interaction as well as the final state of gel-polymer complex.     

Controlled phase separations in solutions of soluble polyelectrolyte complex of DIVEMA (copolymer of divinyl ether and maleic anhydride)

Copolymer of divinyl ether and maleic anhydride (DIVEMA) is known to possess some anti-tumor and immune-stimulating activity and use as a drug carrier in anti-tumor drug delivery systems. Samples of DIVEMA of different degrees of polymerization were synthesized and characterized. Interaction of the hydrolyzed water-soluble DIVEMA polyanions with poly(N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium) cations (PEVP) has been studied. According to the potentiometry data, almost all carboxylic groups of the polyanions were able to form ion pairs with PEVP. In aqueous and water-salt solutions, formation of either soluble or insoluble polyelectrolyte complexes occurred depending on pH, ratio of the oppositely charged groups, and degree of polymerization of PEVP and/or DIVEMA. The phase separations followed general rules revealed by studying mixtures of PEVP and polycarboxylic acids. However in the case of DIVEMA, a significant broadening of the region for insoluble complexes at the expense of the region of soluble complexes was established. The data obtained demonstrate plausible advantages of the complex formation as the non-covalent modification of the polymeric carrier that endow DIVEMA with the ability for reversible soluble-insoluble transformation, in particular at physiological pH and ionic strength.     

Microemulsion photopolymerization of methacrylates stabilized with sodium dodecyl sulfate and poly(N-acetylethylenimine) macromonomers

Methyl methacrylate and butyl methacrylate were polymerized in oil-in-water microemulsions that were stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). A poly(N-acetylethylenimine) (PNAEI) macromer was also included in the recipe, as a cosurfactant and a comonomer. Polymerizations were initiated by UV-irradiation. The average diameters of latex particles, obtained by STM, were in the range of 17-200 nm. The experimental data evidenced that the particle size was mainly dependent on the SDS/PNAEI ratio. Polymerization yields were around 75-85%. The synthesized copolymers have viscosity average molecular weights in the range of 2.1-2.4×10⁶ and glass transition temperatures of 38.0-43.5°C, lower than those obtained without using PNAEI. The investigation by means of FTIR and 1H-NMR techniques revealed that PNAEI was incorporated into the nanoparticles.     

Thermal and photochemical stability of poly(methyl methacrylate) and its blends with poly(vinyl acetate)

An investigation of the thermal stability of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blends with poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) revealed that PVAc acts as a stabilizer as concerns thermal and photochemical degradation when the processes take place in air. The temperatures of decomposition of these blends are higher than that of pure PMMA. The efficiency of photodegradation and photooxidation in the blends is lower than that of pure PMMA.     

Preparation of poly(phenylsilsesquioxane) (PPSQ) particles with ladder structure and the thermal stability of PP/PPSQ composites

The poly(phenylsilsesquioxane) (PPSQ) particles were prepared with both basic and acidic catalyzed processes and the PP/PPSQ composites were prepared by melt blending method. Studies on PPSQ by Infrared (IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), ²⁹Si cross polarized (CP) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy showed that the structure of PPSQ was ladder structure. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that the prepared PPSQ particles were about 2 µm with narrow size distributions. The morphology and thermal stability of PP/PPSQ composites were characterized by SEM, XRD, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The SEM result showed that the particles were well dispersed in the PP matrix and the XRD revealed that the addition of PPSQ influences the crystallinity and crystal orientation of PP. The thermogravimetric analysis results of the PP/PPSQ composites indicated that the incorporation of PPSQ can improve the thermal stability of PP. The Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method was employed to analyze the TGA data and the kinetic results showed that the apparent activation energy for PP/PPSQ composites was much higher than that of neat PP, suggesting that the PPSQ influences the mechanisms of pyrolysis of PP. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and evaluation of nano-hydroxyapatite/poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) porous microsphere for aspirin carrier

A novel vehicle for the delivery of aspirin (ASA) was prepared from porous nano-hydroxyapatite/poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) [nano-HAP/P(St-DVB)] composite microspheres by grafting nano-HAP [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2] onto porous P(St-DVB) microspheres. Four types of porous composite microspheres were prepared, each with different nano-HAP contents. The ASA-loaded composite microspheres prepared with 10% and 15% nano-HAP (mass ratio) exhibited excellent buoyancy with relatively short instantaneous floating time (within 10 min) and a long sustained floating time (12 h) in simulated gastric juice. They also offered good sustained release of ASA (up to 8 h). Furthermore, these composite microspheres displayed good buffering capacity that prevented the buildup of acidity caused by hydrolysis of ASA, keeping the pH of gastric juice within the normal range (pH 0.9 to 1.5). The results showed that porous nano-HAP/P(St-DVB) composite microspheres prepared with 10% and 15% nano-HAP could be used as a novel drug carrier for ASA, providing a sustained release dose without leading to stomach irritation, a side effect that is often associated with ASA medication.     

Synthesis and characterization of carborane-containing poly(hydroxy ethers) with excellent thermal stability

o-Carborane-containing poly(hydroxy ethers)(P1, P2 and P3) were synthesized via "advancement reaction" of o-carborane-containing bisphenol(4) and diglycidyl ether of bisphenols(DGEBA and 1). FTIR and ~(1) H-, ~(13)C-, and ~(11) B-NMR were utilized to characterize the obtained polymers. TGA test was conducted under nitrogen and air. It is found that the shielding effect of carborane moiety on its adjacent aromatic structures contributes to high initial decomposition temperatures, while oxygen in air has an adverse effect on the initial decomposition temperature. The oxygen can combine with polymer chain to form peroxide and hydroperoxide groups, which are more reactive during the degradation process. Besides, o-carborane-containing poly(hydroxy ethers) have high char yield at elevated temperatures. The boron atom combines with oxygen from the polymer structure or/and from air, thus to form a three-dimensional network linked with B―O―B and B―C bonds, and retain the polymer weight to a large extent.     

A homogeneous catalyst made of poly(4-vinylpyridine-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone)-Pd(0) complex for hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds

Poly(4-vinylpyridine-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone)(VPy-co-NVP) and its palladium complex (VPy–NVP–Pd) were prepared. The palladium complex was used as catalyst for the hydrogenation of some nitroaromatics. The molar content of VPy units in VPy-co-NVP was determined as 31.25% by ¹H NMR. VPy–NVP–Pd can be easily resolved in ethanol forming a homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation system together with substrates. The optimum catalytic activity for hydrogenation of nitrobenzene appeared when VPy/Pd molar ratio was 2. The catalytic behavior of the catalyst was found to be greatly affected by the type and concentration of added alkalies. The highest hydrogenation rate for nitrobenzene was found in a 0.1 mol/l ethanol solution of potassium hydroxide. The catalytic stability was examined by using nitrobenzene and 4-nitroanisole as substrates.     

Modification of poly(vinyl chloride) with pendant metal complex for catalytic applications

Poly(vinyl chloride) was modified to develop an alternative support for the preparation of polymer-supported catalysts. Commercially available poly(vinyl chloride) was synthetically modified to a polymer containing pendant primary amino groups. The Schiff-base of salicylaldehyde and the amino polymer were prepared and were used as the ligands in the synthesis of a polymer-supported copper complex. The polymer-supported ligand and catalysts were characterized by various physical methods. The polymer with the pendant copper complex was able to catalyze the one-pot three-component Mannich reaction between aldehydes, ketones and anilines under mild and environmentally friendly conditions. The catalyst can be recovered by simple filtration and is reusable.     

The conformational effect of form I helical poly(L-proline) and form II helical poly(L-proline) to the complex formation with helical poly(L-glutamic acid) through hydrogen bonding

The complex formation between helical poly-L-glutamic acid (PLGA) and helical poly-L-proline (PLP) was studied in a methanol-water (2 : 1) cosolvent and a propanol-water cosolvent (9 : 1). Reduced viscosity, circular dichroism, pH, and molar absorptivity were measured. The experimental results exhibit that the interpolymer complex was formed between helical PLGA and helical PLP through hydrogen bonding. When the complex was formed the unit mole ratio of PLGA : PLP(II) is 2 : 1 and PLGA : PLP(I) is 1.5 : 1, the ability of complex formation of PLP (II) with PLGA is better than that of PLP(I). On complexation the conformations of PLGA and PLP change and this change is more enhanced in the PLGA-PLP(II) than the PLGA-PLP(I) complex; its cause is studied. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

pH and ionic sensitive chitosan/carboxymethyl chitosan IPN complex films for the controlled release of coenzyme A

pH and ionic sensitive interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) complex films based on chitosan (CS) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CM-CS) were prepared by using glutaraldehyde as crosslinking agent. Its structure was characterized by FT-IR, which indicated that the IPN was formed. The films were studied by swelling, weight loss with time, and release of coenzyme A (CoA). It was found that the IPN films were sensitive to pH and ionic strength of the medium. The cumulative release rate of CoA decreased with CoA loading content, ionic strength or crosslinking agent increasing. The composition of the IPN films and pH of release medium also had significant effect on the release of CoA. The differences in the rates and amounts of released CoA may be attributed to the swelling behavior, the degradation of films, and interaction between drug molecule and polymer matrix. These results suggested CS/CM-CS IPN films could be used as drug delivery carrier.