水蒸气诱导聚电解质刷的构象转变

我们把Flory-Huggins模型(association models)推广应用到暴露于水蒸气中的聚电解质刷体系,考虑聚电解质-水氢键(P-W氢键)与水-水氢键(W-W氢键)、形成氢键与聚电解质链构象的耦合特性,研究水蒸气诱导的聚电解质刷构象转变的机理.研究发现,当P-W氢键效应起主导作用时,随着水蒸气浓度的增加,聚电解质刷会单调溶胀;P-W和W-W两种氢键效应,则会导致随着水蒸气浓度的增加,聚电解质刷的构象首先塌缩,然后开始溶胀的反常转变行为.基于本文的分析,可以预言,由于P-W氢键效应,聚电解质刷可以吸附水蒸气,吸附能力随聚电解质链长的增加而增强;当聚电解质链接枝密度足够高时,由于P-W和W-W两种氢键效应,增加体系中的水蒸气,会在聚电解质刷体系中形成由P-W氢键和W-W氢键交错链接的三维网络状凝胶结构.     

水蒸气诱导聚电解质刷的构象转变

我们把 Flory−Huggins 模型(association models)推广应用暴露于水蒸气中的聚电解质刷体系,考虑聚电解质-水氢键(P-W氢键)与水-水氢键(W-W氢键)、形成氢键与聚电解质链构象的耦合特性,研究水蒸气诱导的聚电解质刷构象转变的机理.研究发现,当 P-W 氢键效应起主导作用时,随着水蒸气浓度的增加,聚电解质刷会单调溶胀;P-W 和 W-W 两种氢键效应,则会导致随着水蒸气浓度的增加,聚电解质刷的构象首先塌缩,然后开始溶胀的反常转变行为。基于本文的分析,可以预言,由于 P-W 氢键效应,聚电解质刷可以吸附水蒸气,吸附能力随聚电解质链长的增加而增强;当聚电解质链接枝密度足够高时,由于 P-W 和 W-W 两种氢键效应,增加体系中的水蒸气,会在聚电解质刷体系中形成由 P-W 氢键和 W-W 氢键交错链接的三维网络状凝胶结构。     

水合作用与 pH 调控两性离子聚合物刷的相变行为

本文基于Flory-Huggins理论,建立理论模型研究水合作用与pH调控两性离子聚合物(ZP)刷的相变行为.理论模型考虑ZP的水合作用,以及ZP刷体系中的静电作用.研究发现,在不同pH条件下,ZP刷的体积分数随着水合作的减弱而的增加.随着pH的变化,ZP刷构象随着水合性转变行为明显改变,这是由于pH调控ZP链单体带有过多的净电荷(正电荷或负电荷),致使ZP链内出现静电排斥导致ZP刷溶胀.另外,当ZP链单体呈现过多的净电荷,会在很大程度上决定ZP刷体系静电势,影响ZP刷的相变行为.通过考察体系自由能,我们还发现,ZP刷体系自由能呈现了极大值,随着pH值的变化,自由能呈现的极大值随之改变,由此表明了体系的不稳定性,进而导致ZP刷体系发生相变.     

水蒸气诱导两性离子聚合物刷的构象转变

我们把Flory Huggins模型(association models)推广应用到暴露于水蒸气中的两性离子聚合物刷体系,考虑两性离子聚合物-水氢键(P-W氢键)与两性离子聚合物链间两亲离子单体-单体键合(zwitterions complex)、形成氢键与两性离子聚合物链构象的耦合特性,研究水蒸气诱导的两性离子聚合物刷构象转变的机理和相行为.研究发现,随着水蒸气浓度的增加,P-W氢键效应会使得两性离子聚合物刷溶胀;两亲离子单体-单体键合效应会导致水分子将会被排出刷外,并会导致两性离子聚合物刷塌缩.通过分析两性离子聚合物刷的相图发现,P-W氢键效应在决定两性离子聚合物刷的相行为中起到主导作用,在水蒸气增加过程中两性离子聚合物刷将会单调溶胀.基于本文的分析,可以预言,由于P-W氢键效应,两性离子聚合物刷可以吸附水蒸气,当两性离子聚合物链接枝密度足够高时,两性离子聚合物刷内的水分子将会被排出,并会形成两亲离子单体-单体键合连接的凝胶状结构.     

球形聚电解质刷的自洽场模拟

利用自洽场理论(self-consistent filed theory,SCFT)研究了聚电解质体系盐浓度、链接枝密度及带电比对球形聚电解质刷相行为的影响,并和标度理论3种刷型的标度关系进行了对照.自洽场理论计算结果不仅给出了3种类型聚电解质刷的行为趋势,而且可以为不同类型重叠区的刷行为提供更多细节信息.离子的密度分布表明体系始终是局部电中性的,加盐刷与中性刷有相似之处,而渗透压刷的接枝链并不是均匀伸展.盐浓度下降时,单体自由端分布移向外层并出现排空区.     

多价抗衡离子诱导聚甲基丙烯酸N,N-二甲基氨基乙酯(PDMAEMA)刷构象转变的UCST行为

本文应用分子场理论,研究pH、[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)诱导聚甲基丙烯酸N,N-二甲基氨基乙酯(PDMAEMA)刷的上临界溶解温度(UCST)构象转变与结构特性.理论模型考虑p H和[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)对PDMAEMA刷体系的静电调控作用.研究发现,在不同[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)浓度、不同p H条件下,PDMAEMA刷呈现了UCST构象转变行为.由于p H调节PDMAEMA单体质子化,[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)通过与PDMAEMA带正电荷的单体结合,形成了在PDMAEMA链内以[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)为中介的带电单体间的静电吸引结合.随着温度升高,[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)与PDMAEMA带正电荷的单体结合被破坏,[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)在链内凝聚导致的静电屏蔽效应减弱,PDMAEMA链内带电单体间的静电排斥增强,PDMAEMA刷的构象呈现了从塌缩到溶胀的UCST转变行为,并且在较高[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)浓度条件下,PDMAEMA刷构象转变的UCST增高.在较低p H值条件下,较多的PDMAEMA单体被质子化,[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)与PDMAEMA带正电单体的结合增强,PDMAEMA刷构象转变的UCST增大.基于pH和[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)对PDMAEMA刷体系中的静电调控效应,可以预言,在较小p H和较大[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)浓度条件下,PDMAEMA链在垂直培基表面沿着链方向形成结节状结构.这是由于以[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)为中介的链内带电单体间的静电吸引作用增强,导致临近单体间汇聚结节.我们的理论结果符合实验观测,由此表明,pH调节PDMAEMA单体的带电状态,以及[Fe(CN)_6]~(3-)在PDMAEMA链内凝聚导致的静电屏蔽效应,决定着PDMAEMA刷的UCST构象转变和结构特性.     

浸没于带电纳米粒子溶液中的聚电解质刷:强拉伸理论

当纳米粒子浓度Φ较高,电量Z较低时,纳米粒子可以渗入聚电解质刷内部.当纳米粒子浓度Φ相对较低,电纳米粒子的渗透压与链的熵弹性之间的竞争决定,刷厚度满足的标度关系为H≈(ZΦ)-1/3;在后一种情形下,刷行为由反离子的渗透压与链的熵弹性之间的竞争决定,刷厚度满足的标度关系为H≈(ZΦ)-1.本文还纳米粒子是调控聚电解质刷...     

中性/聚电解质高分子混合刷对蛋白质的吸附/解吸附

本文应用分子理论,研究中性(A)/聚电解质(B)高分子混合刷对蛋白质的吸附/解吸附特性.理论模型考虑蛋白质与中性高分子A的排斥、以及与聚电解质高分子B的静电吸引.研究发现,在pH=4～6、中性高分子A处于弱水合状态时,混合刷中A高分子链塌缩,B聚电解质链溶胀.由于蛋白质和B聚电解质链间的静电吸引,导致高分子混合刷对蛋白质的吸附.当A高分子水合性增强时,A高分子链溶胀,B聚电解质链塌缩.由于蛋白质与A高分子链间的排斥作用增强,与B聚电解质链间的静电吸引减弱,混合刷对蛋白质解吸附.     

亲水性两性离子聚合物刷的构象与结构

本文应用分子场理论,研究暴露于水蒸气中的亲水性两性离子聚合物(HP)刷的构象与结构.理论模型考虑HP-水(P-W)氢键和水-水(W-W)氢键效应,以及HP单体之间的偶极-偶极相互作用.研究发现,P-W与W-W氢键决定着HP的水合性,P-W氢键形成,会诱导HP刷溶胀.我们通过考察HP单体间的偶极-偶极相互作用发现,随着偶极-偶极相互作用增强,HP链在垂直培基表面沿着链方向,形成了结节状结构.这是由于HP单体之间的偶极-偶极静电吸引作用导致单体间汇聚结节,这种结节在刷内产生了较强的排斥体积作用,因此,这种HP刷具有抗污性能.在较高的接枝密度环境下,由于HP链间单体之间的偶极-偶极静电吸引作用,会形成链间单体-单体的结节,在刷内形成结节网络状凝胶结构,这种结构的出现,会使得HP刷呈现极强的抗污性.另外,当体系中水蒸气浓度增加、水合相互作用增强时,增加的P-W氢键将平衡HP单体之间的偶极-偶极相互作用,使得结节解开,聚合物链伸展.我们的理论结果符合实验观测,由此表明,P-W氢键效应,以及HP单体之间的偶极-偶极相互作用决定着HP刷的构象转变和结构特性,刷内出现的两性离子聚合物链内单体间的结节和链间单体结节状凝胶结构,是两性离子聚合物刷呈现较强抗污性的本质特性.     

利用微悬臂梁表面应力研究聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺分子的构象转变

提出了一种基于微悬臂梁传感技术研究大分子折叠/构象转变的新方法.通过分子自组装的方法将热敏性的聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺(PNIPAM)分子链修饰到微悬臂梁的单侧表面,用光杠杆技术检测温度在20-40 ℃之间变化时由于微悬臂梁上的PNIPAM分子在水中的构象转变所引起的微悬臂梁变形.实验结果显示:在升温过程中,微悬臂梁的表面应力发生了变化并且导致微悬臂梁产生了弯曲变形,这个过程对应着微悬臂梁上的PNIPAM分子从无规线团构象到塌缩小球构象的构象转变.在降温过程中,微悬臂梁发生了反方向的弯曲变形,这对应着PNIPAM分子从塌缩小球构象向无规线团构象的构象转变.整个温度变化过程中构象转变是连续进行的,而在低临界溶解温度(约32 ℃)附近转变幅度较大,这与自由水溶液中PNIPAM分子的无规线团-塌缩小球构象转变相对应.实验结果还显示:由于PNIPAM分子在塌缩过程中氢键的形成和链段间可能的缠结效应,整个温度循环过程中微悬臂梁的变形是不可逆的且有明显的迟滞效应.     

Fabrication of ultrahydrophobic poly(lauryl acrylate) brushes on silicon wafer via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

In this report, ultrahydrophobic poly(lauryl acrylate) [poly(LA)] brushes were synthesized by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) of lauryl acrylate (LA) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) at 90 °C. The formation of ultrahydrophobic poly(LA) films, whose thickness can be turned by changing polymerization time, is evidenced by using the combination of ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), grazing angle attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (GATR-FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and water contact angle measurements. The SI-ATRP can be conducted in a well-controlled manner, as revealed by the linear kinetic plot, linear evolution of number-average molecular weights () versus monomer conversions, and the relatively narrow PDI (<1.28) of the grafted poly(LA) chains. The calculation of grafting parameters from experimental measurements indicated the synthesis of densely grafted poly(LA) films and allowed us to predict a “brushlike” conformation for the chains in good solvent. The poly(LA) brushes exhibited high water contact angle of 163.3 ± 2.8°.     

The Effect of an Absorbed Polyelectrolyte Layer on the Dynamic Mobility of a Colloidal Particle

Electroacoustic measurements can be used for determining the characteristics of polymer layers on colloidal particles. In this paper a theoretical formula is derived for calculating the effect of a polyelectrolyte layer on the colloid electroacoustic signal. Representative calculations are presented, and the application of these results for polyelectrolyte characterisation are discussed.     

Structural transition of nanogel star polymers with pH by controlling PEGMA interactions with acid or base copolymers

We use small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to characterise a class of star diblock polymers with a nanogel core on which the outer block arms are comprised of random copolymers of temperature sensitive PEGMA with pH sensitive basic (PDMAEMA) and acidic (PMAA) monomers. The acquired SAXS data show that many of the nanogel star polymers undergo a sharp structural transition over a narrow range of pH, but with unexpectedly large shifts in the apparent pKa with respect to that of the acidic or basic monomer unit, the linear polymer form or even an alternate star polymer with a tightly cross-linked core chemistry. We have demonstrated a distinct and quantifiable structural response for the nanogel star copolymers by altering the core or by pairing the monomers PDMAEMA–PEGMA and PMAA–PEGMA to achieve structural transitions that have typically been observed in stars through changes in arm length and number.     

A theoretical study on calculation of absolute hydration enthalpies for some univalent ions

Using the total radius of alkaline fluorides and sodium halides and their experimental total enthalpy values, absolute hydration enthalpies of sodium and fluoride ions ( and ) were previously calculated. Also, by the help of data of sodium and fluoride ions for all alkaline metal ions and halides absolute hydration enthalpies were determined.

Self-consistent field theory of adsorption of flexible polyelectrolytes onto an oppositely charged sphere

The adsorption of flexible polyelectrolyte （PE） with the smeared charge distribution onto an oppositely charged sphere immersed in a PE solution is studied numerically with the continuum self-consistent field theory. The power law scaling relationships between the boundary layer thickness and the surface charge density and the charge fraction of PE chains revealed in the study are in good agreement with the existing analytical result. The curvature effect on the degree of charge compensation of the total amount of charges on the adsorbed PE chains over the surface charges is examined, and a clear understanding of it based on the dependences of the degree of charge compensation on the surface charge density and the charge fraction of PE chains is established.     

Anion–water interactions of weakly hydrated anions: molecular dynamics simulations of aqueous NaBF4 and NaPF6

In aqueous ionic solutions, both the structure and the dynamics of water are altered dramatically with respect to the pure solvent. The emergence of novel experimental techniques makes these changes accessible to detailed investigations. At the same time, computational studies deliver unique possibilities for the interpretation of the experimental data at the molecular level. Here, using molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate how competing mechanisms can explain the seemingly contradictory statements about the structure and dynamics of ion-coordinated solvent in aqueous solutions of two interesting and technologically important electrolytes, NaBF₄ and NaPF₆. While the static structural data (i.e. radial, radial-angular and spatial distribution functions, as well as hydrogen bonding statistics) unequivocally point at very weak anion–water hydrogen bonding in both salts, dynamic analyses (in particular, orientational anisotropy decay and solvent residence times) reveal quite significant retardation of water rotation and mobility due to solute coordination. Additionally, rotational immobilisation of coordinated solvent molecules is clearly unrelated to the hydrogen bond strength between them, as demonstrated by the interatomic oxygen–oxygen distance distributions for coordinated and bulk water.