Heterogeneous polymerization with polyaspartate macromonomer having vinyl pendant groups. I. Synthesis of macromonomer and dispersion copolymerization of styrene

Sodium polyaspartate (PAspNa) derivatives with vinylbenzyl pendant groups (VBA‐PAspNa) were synthesized by reaction of poly(succinimide) (PSI) and vinylbenzylamine (VBA), and hydrolysis by sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. VBA‐PAspNa is a macromonomer with multiple vinyl groups in the side chain. Submicron sized polymeric particles were prepared by dispersion copolymerization of styrene with VBA‐PAspNa in a mixture of ethanol and water. Particle diameter decreased with increasing concentration and vinyl group fraction of VBA‐PAspNa. When compared with the particle diameter prepared using PAspNa or benzylamine‐modified PAspNa (BA‐PAspNa) as a dispersion stabilizer without vinyl groups, the particles prepared with VBA‐PAspNa were an order smaller than those prepared with PAspNa or BA‐PAspNa. The particles after refinement show an adequate negative ζ‐potential. From this result, we clarified the presence of PAspNa chains anchored onto the particle surface. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 762–770, 2009     

Effects of dispersion stabilizer and reaction solvent on forming monodisperse polystyrene microspheres by dispersion polymerization

We used poly(aspartic acid) (PAsp) synthesized by ion exchange with sodium polyaspartate (PAspNa) as a dispersion stabilizer. PAsp improved the dispersion stability and the solubility in the medium for dispersion polymerization. The effects of the stabilizer hydrophobicity on particle formation, conversion, particle diameter, and its distribution of polystyrene microspheres were investigated by using both biodegradable polymers as a dispersion stabilizer. According to these results, we concluded that the polymerization rate of the styrene with PAsp was higher than that of styrene with PAspNa. That is why, smaller and more monodisperse microspheres were prepared with PAsp, compared to those with PAspNa.     

Synthesis of monodisperse polystyrene microspheres by dispersion polymerization using sodium polyaspartate

We prepared monodisperse polystyrene microspheres by dispersion polymerization using sodium polyaspartate (PAspNa) as a dispersion stabilizer in an ethanol/water medium. The influence of reaction parameters, i.e., the volume fraction of ethanol in the medium, stabilizer concentration, and the monomer concentration, on the average diameter of the prepared polystyrene microspheres and its distribution were investigated. Polystyrene microspheres were successfully prepared, and the average diameter of the prepared monodisperse polystyrene microspheres was controlled by adjusting the reaction parameters. The zeta potential of the microspheres and the time course of conversion, the particle diameter and its distribution, and particle numbers were also examined. It was found that PAspNa as a dispersion stabilizer provides an environmentally benign process for the preparation of monodisperse polymer microspheres by dispersion polymerization.     

Preparation and Characterization of Polymeric Microspheres Having Isotactic Poly(methacrylic acid) on Their Surfaces

IntroductionUseful strategies for the synthesis of polymer-ic particles and their surface modification have re-ceived much attention. In recent years,authorshave been interested in the preparation and thecharacterization of sub- micron to micron- sizemonodisperse polymeric particles by the emulsifier-free radical dispersion copolymerization of hy-drophilic macromonomers and hydrophobicmonomers in polar solvents.Itwas found thatwa-ter- soluble polymer chains grafted on the surfacesof the partic…     

Revisiting the synthesis of a well-known comb-graft copolymer stabilizer and its application to the dispersion polymerization of poly(methyl methacrylate) in organic media

Polymeric stabilizers are an essential ingredient for the dispersion polymerization of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) in nonpolar media. In this contribution, we focus on the synthesis of an amphipathic copolymer consisting of pendant poly(12-hydroxystearic acid) (PHS) chains grafted to an insoluble PMMA backbone. This type of steric stabilizer is well established and capable of producing spherically shaped, monodisperse PMMA colloids. Unfortunately, the comb-graft copolymer is not available commercially; furthermore, the multistep synthesis of the desired stabilizer has proven challenging to reproduce. We discuss the practical matter of preparing PHS-graft-PMMA, and report specific techniques developed over several years in our lab. Gel permeation chromatography, mass spectroscopy, and end group analysis of the stabilizer and the precursor macromonomer reveal important, previously unreported details about the chemical synthesis. Our protocol is reproducible and resulted in the production of low polydispersity PMMA particles.     

Synthesis of sterically stabilized polystyrene latex particles using cationic block copolymers and macromonomers and their application as stimulus-responsive particulate emulsifiers for oil-in-water emulsions

2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMA) was block copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) using group transfer polymerization to give four AB diblock, ABA triblock, and BAB triblock copolymers of low polydispersity (Mw/Mn < 1.20). In addition, a near-monodisperse styrene-functionalized DMA-based macromonomer was synthesized via oxyanionic polymerization using a potassium 4-vinylbenzyl alcoholate initiator. These five well-defined, tertiary amine methacrylate-based copolymers were evaluated as steric stabilizers for the synthesis of polystyrene latexes via emulsion and dispersion polymerization. The most efficient steric stabilizers proved to be the DMA-MMA diblock copolymer and the DMA-based macromonomer. The polystyrene latexes were characterized in terms of their particle size and morphology, stabilizer content, surface charge, and surface activity using dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy, aqueous electrophoresis measurements, and surface tensiometry, respectively. The pH-dependent surface activity exhibited by selected latexes suggests potential applications as stimulus-responsive particulate emulsifiers for oil-in-water emulsions.     

SYNTHESIS OF MACROMONOMER USING END FUNCTIONAL POLYSTYRENE PREPARED FROM p-METHOXYBENZYL p-TRIMETHYL-SILYLPHENYL SELENIDE AS A PHOTOINIFERTER

The end functional polystyrene having phenylseleno group at ω-chain end was prepared from radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of p-methoxybenzyl p-trimethylsilylphenyl selenide as a photoiniferter. The phenylseleno group at ω-chain end in polystyrene was eliminated by hydrogen peroxide. The resulting polystyrene was interconverted quantitatively to polystyrene having epoxy end group by the oxidation with m-chloroperbenzoic acid. The macromonomer having a meth-acryloyl end group was synthesized from polystyrene containing epoxy end group with methacrylic acid in xylene at 140°C. Copolymerization of this macromonomer with methyl methacrylate afforded effectively a graft copolymer composed of a poly-(methyl methacrylate) backbone and polystyrene branches.     

温敏两亲性接枝物PAM-g-PNIPAm的合成及表征

以巯基乙胺为分子量调节剂,以丙烯酰氯作为链端转化剂合成了不同分子量的端丙烯酰胺基聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺)(PNIPAm)大分子单体;与丙烯酰胺共聚合,合成了以PNIPAm为侧链的接枝聚丙烯酰胺.用FTIR和¹HNMR方法表征了接枝聚合物与大分子单体的组成.该接枝聚合物在水溶液中具有热缔合特性及明显的温敏增稠性,水溶液的粘度在32～50℃之间随温度增加而增加.     

Polymacromonomers with polyolefin branches synthesized by free-radical homopolymerization of polyolefin macromonomer with a methacryloyl end group

Polymacromonomers with polyolefin branches were successfully synthesized by free-radical homopolymerization of polyolefin macromonomer with a methacryloyl end group. Propylene-ethylene random copolymer (PER) with a vinylidene end group was prepared by polymerization using a metallocene catalyst. Then, the unsaturated end group was converted to a hydroxy end group via hydroalumination and oxidation. The PER with the hydroxy end group was easily reacted with methacryloyl chloride to produce methacryloyl-terminated PER (PER macromonomer; PERM). The free-radical polymerization of thus-obtained PERM was done using 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitorile) (AIBN) as a free-radical initiator. From NMR analyses, the obtained polymers were identified as poly(PERM). Based on gel permeation chromatography (GPC), the estimated degree of polymerization (D_p) of these polymers were about 30. Thus, new class of polymacromonomers with polyolefin branches was synthesized.     

Preparation of biodegradable microspheres by anionic dispersion polymerization with PLA copolymeric dispersion stabilizer

We prepared poly(d,l-lactide) (PLA) microspheres by anionic dispersion polymerization of d,l-lactide. The polymerization was carried out in xylene/heptane (1:2 in v/v) mixture solution at 368 K for 9 h, with poly(dodecyl methacrylate)-co-poly[α-methacryloxyethoxy-poly(l-lactide)] (PDMA-co-P(MA-PLLA)) synthesized in this study, as a dispersion stabilizer. The number-averaged diameter and diameter distribution (coefficient of variation) of obtained PLA microspheres ranged from 180 to 800 nm and 14–40%, respectively, depending on the preparation condition. Furthermore, the time courses of monomer conversion, particle diameter, and particle number were investigated to clarify the formation mechanism of microspheres with PDMA-co-P(MA-PLLA) as a dispersion stabilizer. From this experiment, we found that the aggregation of primary particles occurred in anionic dispersion polymerization, and the particle diameter of obtained PLA microspheres decreased with increasing PDMA-co-P(MA-PLLA) concentration. In conclusion, we clarified that PDMA-co-P(MA-PLLA) effectively contributed to the stability of primary particles.     

氨基两亲高分子磁性微球的制备与表征

采用分散聚合法,以乙醇水为介质,在Fe3O4磁流体存在下,通过苯乙烯与聚氧乙烯大分子单体(MPEO)共聚制备了同时具有两亲性和磁响应性的端基为氨基的高分子微球.改变聚合条件可以得到平均粒径范围在5～80μm,氨基含量为0.01～0.25mmolg的两亲磁性高分子微球.     

一种新型的可生物降解的热敏凝胶微粒的制备

聚合物水凝胶是由高分子组成的三维空间交联网络与水的混合体系,有望在药物控制释放等领域获得广泛应用,某些水凝胶还具有显著的环境响应性,构成了一类主流的智能材料,在生物医用材料领域,对于材料的可降解性有严格要求,而单一的可降解药物缓释载体材料和单一的智能型水凝胶材料已有较多报道,但能够将这两种特性结合在同一种材料中的报道则很少,其中智能响应范围合适、降解速率易于大范围调节的合成水凝胶则更少。     

Synthesis and characterization of novel polyacid-stabilized latexes

A series of novel polyacid macromonomers based on 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) via a two-step route. First, a range of well-defined PHPMA homopolymer precursors were synthesized by ATRP using a tertiary amine-functionalized initiator, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl-2-bromoisobutyrylamide, and a CuCl/2, 2'-bipyridine (bpy) catalyst in alcoholic media at 50 °C. ATRP polymerizations were relatively slow and poorly controlled in pure isopropanol (IPA), especially when targeting higher degrees of polymerization (DP > 30). Improved control was achieved by addition of water: low polydispersity (M(w)/M(n) < 1.25) PHPMA homopolymers of DP = 30, 40, 50, 60, or 70 were successfully prepared using a 9:1 w/w % IPA/water mixture at 50 °C. These PHPMA homopolymer precursors were then derivatized to produce the corresponding poly(2-(succinyloxy)propyl methacrylate) (PSPMA) macromonomers by quaternizing the tertiary amine end-group with excess 4-vinylbenzyl chloride, followed by esterification of the pendent hydroxyl groups using excess succinic anhydride at 20 °C. These polyacid macromonomers were evaluated as reactive steric stabilizers for polystyrene latex synthesis under either aqueous emulsion polymerization or alcoholic dispersion polymerization conditions. Near-monodisperse polystyrene latexes were obtained via aqueous emulsion polymerization using 10 wt % PSPMA macromonomer (with respect to styrene monomer) with various initiators as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy, disk centrifuge photosedimentometry and light scattering studies. PSPMA macromomer concentrations as low as 1.0 wt % also produced near-monodisperse latexes, suggesting that these PSPMA macromonomers are highly effective stabilizers. Alcoholic dispersion polymerization of styrene conducted in various ethanol/water mixtures with 10 wt % PSPMA(50) macromonomer produced relatively large near-monodisperse latexes. Increasing the water content in such formulations led to smaller latexes, as expected. Control experiments conducted with 10 wt % PSPMA(50) homopolymer produced relatively large polydisperse latexes via emulsion polymerization and only macroscopic precipitates via alcoholic dispersion polymerization. Thus the terminal styrene group on the macromonomer chains is essential for the formation of well-defined latexes. FT-IR spectroscopy indicated that these latexes contained PSPMA macromonomer, whereas (1)H NMR spectroscopy studies of dissolved latexes allowed stabilizer contents to be determined. Aqueous electrophoresis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies confirmed that the PSPMA macromonomer chains were located at the latex surface, as expected. Finally, these polyacid-stabilized polystyrene latexes exhibited excellent freeze-thaw stability and remained colloidally stable in the presence of electrolyte.     

Preparation of a thermosensitive and biodegradable microgel via polymerization of macromonomers based on diacrylated Pluronic/oligoester copolymers

A novel biodegradable and thermosensitive hydrogel microparticle was prepared via suspension polymerization of a kind of block copolymer macromonomers. According to the molecular design, the macromonomer is composed of a thermosensitive triblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) and two oligomers of biodegradable polyester such as oligo(lactic acid) or oligo(ε-caprolactone), and end-capped with acryloyl groups. Microgels were obtained by inverse suspension polymerization of the macromonomer aqueous droplets initiated by a redox initiator. Thermosensitivity and in vitro biodegradation of the resultant microgels were confirmed. The gel microparticles in an aqueous solution were swollen at low temperature and shrunken at high temperature (human body temperature). Degradation rate could be adjusted by controlling the composition and the degree of polymerization of oligoester. Thus, the microgels exhibit combinatory and tunable properties.     

PAm-g-PMAA亲水性聚合物微球的合成

利用链转移自由基聚合和端基置换反应法 ,合成了苯乙烯基单封端的聚甲基丙烯酸叔丁酯 (PBMA)大分子单体 .在N ,N′ 亚甲基二丙烯酰胺 (Bis A)存在的条件下 ,使PBMA大分子单体与亲水性单体丙烯酰胺(Am)在乙醇 水的混合介质中进行分散共聚反应 ,得到了表面为PBMA接枝的聚丙烯酰胺 (PAm g PBMA)聚合物微球 .将所得PAm g PBMA微球在酸性条件下水解 ,得到了整体亲水的聚甲基丙烯酸接枝的聚丙烯酰胺(PAm g PMAA)聚合物微球 .用激光光散射、透射电子显微镜和X射线光电子能谱仪等对聚合物微球的直径、形态及表面组成进行了表征 .研究结果表明 ,在共聚反应中PBMA大分子单体的分子量与浓度、Bis A浓度和介质的组成对微球的形成与颗粒直径的大小有明显影响 ;所形成的聚合物颗粒是以PBMA为壳、以交联PAm为核的核壳结构微球 .     

聚天冬氨酸的合成研究

以L-天冬氨酸为原料,磷酸为催化剂,在不同溶剂中进行缩聚反应,合成中间体聚丁二酰亚胺(PSI),当混合溶剂为m三甲苯／m环丁砜=7／3时,可得到较高分子量的PSI。当催化剂与单体的质量比为0．14时,分子量达到最大值。将PSI碱解得到聚天冬氨酸。     

A new tool for the study of polymerization under supercritical conditions – preliminary results

Efficient stirring is needed to realize heat flow analysis with a thermally homogeneous medium. Because dispersion polymerization with supercritical fluids can be destabilized under stirring, a preliminary target has been to find a compromise between synthesis and basic reaction calorimetry requirements. This paper describes the use of poly (dimethylsiloxane) macromonomer with a molecular weight 5000 g/mol as stabilizer for the dispersion polymerization of methyl methacrylate in supercritical carbon dioxide. The effect of stirring speed and stabilizer concentration has been examined. This study has shown that poly (methyl methacrylate) can be produced at high yield and molecular weight using 10 wt% (respect to monomer) poly (dimethylsiloxane) macromonomer at stirring speeds up to 600 rpm. A polymerization enthalpy of −57.6±2 kJ/mol has been calculated being in good agreement with previously reported data. Thus, preliminary results for the heat balance using the newly developed high pressure reaction calorimeter for supercritical fluid applications have shown the important potential of reaction calorimetry to promote supercritical fluid technologies at industrial scale allowing for the determination of kinetics and thermodynamic and safety data, respectively.     

High molecular weight monodisperse polystyrene microspheres prepared by dispersion polymerization,using a novel bifunctional macromonomer

A novel bifunctional vinyl‐terminated polyurethane macromonomer was applied to the dispersion polymerization of styrene in ethanol. Monodisperse polystyrene (PS) microspheres were successfully obtained above 15 wt % of macromonomer relative to styrene. The steep slope from the reduction of the average particle size reveals that the macromonomer can efficiently stabilize higher surface area of the particles when compared with a conventional stabilizer, poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone). The stable and monodisperse PS microspheres having the weight‐average diameter of 1.2 μm and a good uniformity of 1.01 were obtained with 20 wt % polyurethane macromonomer. The grafting ratio of the PS calculated from ¹H NMR spectra linearly increased up to 0.048 with 20 wt % of the macromonomer. In addition, the high molecular weights (501,300 g/mol) of PS with increased glass transition and enhanced thermal degradation temperature were obtained. Thus, these results suggest that the bifunctional vinyl‐terminated polyurethane macromonomer acts as a reactive stabilizer, which gives polyurethane‐grafted PS with a high molecular weight. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3566–3573, 2005     

特殊形态接枝高分子颗粒的合成

表面接枝高分子微球具有分子结构的可设计性 ,分散稳定性好 ,被用于高效催化剂的载体、药物释放控制和疾病治疗等生物医学领域 ,因而引起了许多高分子材料和生物医学工作者的极大兴趣[1～ 3] .我们用链转移自由基聚合法合成了一端为苯乙烯基封端的聚乙二醇 ( PEG)和聚 ( N -异丙基丙烯酰胺 )等亲水性大分子单体 .在与疏水性单体如苯乙烯等的二元分散共聚反应中 ,利用接枝共聚物在溶液中的自组装 ,制备了粒径分布均一 ,颗粒表面形态光滑 ,同时表面具有功能性高分子链的微球 [4～ 8] .传统的合成高分子微球的研究主要是以苯乙烯或甲基丙烯酸…     

Micellar polymerization of amphiphilic poly(vinyl alcohol) macromonomer having a methacrylate end group prepared by aldol‐type group‐transfer polymerization

Amphiphilic and heterotactic‐rich poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) macromonomer, that is, PVA having a phenyl or phenoxyethyl methacrylate unit as the polymerizable end group, was synthesized via the aldol‐type group‐transfer polymerization (aldol‐GTP) technique. Aldol‐GTPs of vinyloxytriethylsilane (VOTES) were carried out in dichloromethane with 4‐methacryloylbenzaldehyde and 4‐(2‐methacryloylethoxy)benzaldehyde as the initiators with various Lewis acids. The polymerizations proceeded smoothly to give silylated PVA macromonomers (number‐average molecular weights: 1.3 × 10³–1.96 × 10⁴). Poly(VOTES) was easily desilylated to give heterotactic‐rich PVA macromonomer in good yield. The critical micelle concentration of the PVA macromonomer was determined by surface‐tension measurement. Micellar polymerization of the amphiphilic macromonomer gave comb‐shaped (graft) polymer having PVA side chains effectively (conversion: 80–82%), whereas polymerization in dimethyl sulfoxide (homogeneous state) did not. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 4477–4484, 2002