An electroactive nickel containing polymeric film obtained by electrochemical reduction of an aryl-nickel derivative

The electrochemical reduction of [Ni(PPh₃)₂(p-C₆H₄Br)Br] in acetonitrile results in a polymeric coating of a nickel-containing poly-p-phenylene, formulated as [-Ni(p-C₆H₄)_n-] (n=6?7) on the basis of elemental analysis, IR, UV, MS and ESCA measurements. This coating is found to undergo a two-electron reversible reduction and a one-electron reversible oxidation with a large potential window (3.6 V), without the polymeric film being destroyed. Moreover, the polymer obtained is shown to be electroactive towards dissolved reactants via permeation or mediated electron transfer, depending on the molecular size of the electroactive species employed.     

Electroreductive polymerization of phenylmethyldichlorosilane in a divided cell using a neutral membrane

Electrochemical formation of poly(phenylmethylsilane) in a divided cell containing a Teflon® neutral membrane was studied. The electrolysis of dichlorosilanes was carried out in a solution containing tetrahydrofuran + hexamethylphosphoramide as the solvent, tetrabutylammonium perchlorate as the support electrolyte and stainless steel as the cathode, with Pt and graphite as the resistant anodes or stainless steel as the sacrificial anode. Polysilanes with a number-average molecular weight in the range from 2,600 to 130,000 g/mol were obtained, depending on the conditions used.     

Poly(organophosphazenes) containing azo dyes

In this paper we describe a method for the functionalization of catenapoly[bis(4-hydroxyphenoxy)-λ⁵-phosphazene] with diazonium salts to form new, deeply-coloured, phosphazene copolymers containing variable amounts of azo dyes attached to the polyphosphazene skeleton. The degree of functionalization in these substrates is regulated in order not to exceed 20% of the sites available in the pristine polyphosphazene and to maintain a high percentage of unreacted, free, hydroxy groups, in the final, coloured copolymers. These species are still very reactive and able to undergo further functionalization reactions.     

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) thermoresponsive cross-linked conjugates containing polymeric soybean oil and/or polypropylene glycol

Synthesis, characterization and solution properties of a new series of the PNIPAM-soybean oil and/or polypropylene glycol, PPG, conjugates (conjugates also referred to as co-networks) have been described. For this purpose free radical polymerization of NIPAM monomer was initiated by macroinitiators based on PSB and/or PPG in order to obtain PSB-g-PNIPAM, PPG-g-PNIPAM and PSB-g-PPG-g-PNIPAM cross-linked graft copolymers. The autooxidation of soybean oil under air at room temperature rendered waxy soluble polymeric soybean oil peroxide associated with cross-linked parts. The soluble polymeric oil macro-peroxide isolated from the cross-linked part was used to initiate the free radical polymerization of NIPAM to give PSB-g-PNIPAM cross-linked copolymer. To obtain PPG-macromonomeric initiator, PPG-MIM, PPG-bis amino propyl ether with Mn 400 (or 2000) Dalton was reacted with 4,4′-azo bis cyanopentanoyl chloride and methacryloyl chloride, respectively. PPG-MIM also initiated the free radical polymerization of NIPAM at 80 °C to yield PPG-g-PNIPAM cross-linked thermoresponsive product. In order to obtain PSB-g-PPG-g-PNIPAM cross-linked triblock copolymer, NIPAM was polymerized by using the mixture of two macroinitiators, PSB and PPG-MIM. PSB contents in the graft copolymers were calculated via elemental analysis of nitrogen in graft copolymers. Thermal analysis, SEM, FTIR and ¹H NMR techniques were used in the characterization of the products. The effect of polymeric soybean oil, PSB, and/or PPG on the thermal response rate of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide, PNIPAM, cross-linked-graft copolymers swollen in water has been investigated by means of swelling-deswelling and drug release behaviors against to temperature change. Lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) of the cross-linked PNIPAM conjugates (conjugates also referred to as co-networks) were determined from the curves of swelling degrees versus solution temperatures. The response temperature of the hydrophobically modified PNIPAM conjugates was reduced to 27 °C, 23 °C and 27 °C for PSB-g-PNIPAM, PPG-g-PNIPAM and PSB-g-PPG-g-PNIPAM, respectively. We have found that the graft copolymers were not pH-responsive. In addition, higher pH ranges cause the hydrolysis of the PSB ester linkages, quickly and makes the cross-linked graft copolymers soluble.The fastest shrinking of the gels was observed by loosing water between 65% and 98% at 50 °C.Methyl orange (MO), was used as a model drug, loaded into cross-linked graft copolymers to examine and compare the effects of controlled release at lower and higher temperatures of lower critical solution temperature (LCST).     

Poly(imides) containing hexoxy side groups

Novel poly(imides) containing hexoxy side groups have been prepared through the interaction of 1-hexoxy-3,5-diaminobenzene with binuclear aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides under the conditions of two-stage polycondensation in N-methylpyrrolidone. It was been shown that, upon incorporation of hexoxyl substituents, the solubility of the resulting polyimides is improved and, simultaneously, their softening and thermal degradation temperatures and dielectric constants are decreased.     

Poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) hydrogels obtained by frontal polymerization

Frontal polymerization (FP) has been used as an alternative technique for the preparation of poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) hydrogels. Samples were synthesized in bulk, water, or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and the obtained materials were characterized and compared in terms of their yield, swelling behavior, thermal properties, and morphology. It was found that their features are dependent on the presence and type of the solvent used. Samples prepared in bulk are characterized by the lowest yields and the highest front temperatures (T_max) and velocities (V_f), whereas those synthesized in water have the highest yields and the lowest values of T_max and V_f. No significant differences have been found in terms of T_g among the three series of samples. By contrast, the reaction conditions influenced the porous morphology of the samples and, consequently, their swelling capability in water. The swelling ratio ranges from about 670–700% for some samples prepared in water up to 3500% for a sample obtained in DMSO, thus indicating that this parameter can be properly tuned by using the most suitable FP conditions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1422–1428, 2009     

Treatment of wastes containing cesium ions by electrochemical ion-exchange (EIX)

In this study, an electrochemical ion-exchange (EIX) technique, based on cationic resin and zirconium phosphate (ZrP), have been chosen for the separation of cesium from radioactive wastes. These materials show high chemical stability in oxidizing media and under ionizing radiation. Charcoal, graphite and binder used in the formulation of electrodes have been studied as well. 99.8% of the cesium sorption from solution was observed. The great advantage of this process is the total release of cesium at room temperature, by reversing polarities, which makes possible the reuse of the electrode without losing its exchanging capacity.     

Poly(ethylene oxide) electrolytes containing mixed salts

An unusual conductivity enhancement occurs in PEO-based ZnBr₂/LiBr electrolytes of composition, [xZnBr₂ + (1 ? x)LiBr](PEO)₁₆ with x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00. The conductivity of the mixed-salt electrolytes is higher than that of either pure salt electrolyte. The highest conductivity, observed for x = 0.5, is two orders of magnitude higher than that of pure LiBr(PEO)₁₆ and one order higher than ZnBr₂(PEO)₁₆. In contrast, the conductivity of mixed Mg (CIO₄)₂/LiCIO₄ electrolytes, [xMg(CIO₄)₂ + (1 ? x) LiCIO₄](PEO)₁₆ where x = 0.00, 0.20, 0.50, 0.80, 1.00, increases monotonically with the mole fraction of the higher conductivity component, LiCIO₄(PEO)₁₆. The conductivity and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results suggest that the conductivity enhancement in the ZnBr₂/LiBr electrolytes results from a change in charge carrier type and concentration, whereas the conductivity change in the Mg(CIO₄)₂/LiCIO₄ electrolytes arises from a change in the microscopic viscosity of the electrolytes. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Poly(pyrazolyl)aluminate complexes containing aluminum-hydrogen bonds

The treatment of LiAlH(4) with 2, 3, or 4 equiv of the 3,5-disubstituted pyrazoles Ph(2)pzH or iPr(2)pzH afforded [Li(THF)(2)][AlH(2)(Ph(2)pz)(2)] (97%), [Li(THF)][AlH(Ph(2)pz)(3)] (96%), [Li(THF)(4)][Al(Ph(2)pz)(4)] (95%), and [Li(THF)][AlH(iPr(2)pz)(3)] (89%). The treatment of ZnCl(2) with [Li(THF)][AlH(Ph(2)pz)(3)] afforded Zn(AlH(Ph(2)Pz)(3))H (70%). X-ray crystal structures of these complexes demonstrated κ(2) or κ(3) coordination of the aluminum-based ligands to the Li or Zn ions. The treatment of [Li(THF)][AlH(Ph(2)pz)(3)] with MgBr(2) or CoCl(2) in THF/Et(2)O solutions, by contrast, afforded the pyrazolate transfer products Mg(2)Br(2)(Ph(2)pz)(2)(THF)(3)·2THF (25%) and Co(2)Cl(2)(Ph(2)pz)(2)(THF)(3)·THF (23%) as colorless and blue crystalline solids, respectively. An analogous treatment of [Li(THF)][AlH(Ph(2)pz)(3)] with MCl(2) (M = Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu) afforded metal powders and H(2), illustrating hydride transfer from Al to M as a competing reaction path.     

Polymer light‐emitting electrochemical cell based on a block copolymer containing tri(ethyleneoxide) spacers

We presented the optical properties of a novel block copolymer containing chromophores, 2,5‐dimethoxy‐1,4‐di(α‐(2‐naphthalene vinylene)benzene (MDNVB) and spacers, tri(ethylene oxide) (TEO). The intrachain and interchain excitations due to the molecular aggregation are responsible for the significant bathochromic shift in the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum when going from the solution to the thin film. With a certain content of the polymer electrolyte, blue–green light‐emitting electrochemical cell based on this block copolymer was demonstrated with the turn‐on voltage of 2.5 V, the maximum electroluminescence (EL) efficiency of 1.2 cd/A, and the d.c. response time of less than 5 sec, indicating strongly that an improved morphology of the active layer is formed because of the effective TEO‐PEO interaction. Lowering the content of the polymer electrolyte results in a higher turn‐on voltage and smaller injection current; increasing the content leads to a considerable microscopic leaking current and lower EL efficiency of the device. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Poly(1,3,4-oxadiazole-imide)s containing dimethylsilane groups

New poly(1,3,4-oxadiazole-imide)s containing dimethylsilane units have been prepared by solution polycondensation reaction of an aromatic dianhydride incorporating dimethylsilane group, namely bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)dimethylsilane dianhydride, with different aromatic diamines having preformed 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring, such as 2,5-bis(p-aminophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole, 2,5-bis[p-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole, 2,5-bis[p-(3-aminophenoxy)phenyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole, 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(3,5-diaminophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole, and 2-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-5-(3,5-diaminophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole. The polymers were easily soluble in polar organic solvents, such as N-methylpyrrolidinone, N,N-dimethylformamide, and pyridine, as well as in less polar organic solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran and chloroform. Very thin coatings deposited on silicon wafers exhibited smooth, pinhole-free surface in atomic force microscopy investigations. The polymers showed high thermal stability with decomposition temperature being above 415 °C.They exhibited a glass transition in the temperature range of 202-282 °C, with reasonable interval between glass transition and decomposition temperature. Solutions of the polymers in N,N-dimethylformamide exhibited fluorescence, having maximum emission wavelength in the range of 353-428 nm.     

Determination of SCN- in urine and saliva of smokers and non-smokers by SCN(-)-selective polymeric membrane containing a nickel(II)-azamacrocycle complex coated on a graphite electrode.

The construction, performance characteristics, and application of a novel polymeric membrane coated on a graphite electrode with unique selectivity towards SCN- are reported. The electrode was prepared by incorporating Ni(II)-2,2,4,9,9,11-hexamethyltetraazacyclotetradecanediene perchlorate into a plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membrane. The influences of membrane composition, pH and foreign ions were investigated. The electrode displays a near Nernstian slope (-57.8 mV decade-1) over a wide concentration range of 1 x 10(-7)-1 x 10(-1) M of SCN- ion. The electrode has a detection limit of 4.8 x 10(-8) M (2.8 ng/cm3) SCN- and shows response times of about 15 s and 120 s for low to high and high to low concentration sequences, respectively. The proposed sensor shows high selectivity towards SCN- over several common organic and inorganic anions. The electrode revealed a great enhancement in selectivity coefficients and detection limit for SCN-, in comparison with the previously reported electrodes. It was successfully applied to the direct determination of SCN- in milk and biological samples, and as an indicator electrode in titration of Ag+ ions with thiocyanate.     

聚癸二酸丙三醇酯对聚乳酸的改性

以丙三醇和癸二酸为单体通过熔融缩聚制得了聚癸二酸丙三醇酯(PGS),并用其预聚物(p-PGS)对聚L-丙交酯(PLLA)进行共混改性.利用傅立叶变换红外光谱(FT-IR)、核磁共振氢谱(1H-NMR)及凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)法对P-PGS的结构进行表征,并研究了改性后材料的力学性能、两相相容性、亲水性能和细胞相容性.结果表明:P-PGS具有支化分子结构,分散系数约为2.7;共混改性后的材料弹性模量和拉伸强度均有所下降,而断裂伸长率从7 %显著提高到150%左右;PLLA/PGS属于海岛式共混结构,PGS以小于10μm的尺寸均匀分布在PLLA基体中;共混后材料的亲水性也有一定的提高,且几乎保持了PLLA原有的细胞相容性.     

Selective transport of cesium ion in polymeric CTA membrane containing calixcrown ethers

A series of calixcrown ethers for which the cavity size of the crown ring is varied from crown-6 to crown-7 to crown-8 were examined for the transport abilities toward alkali metal ions. These ligands were incorporated into supported liquid membranes (SLMs) and into polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) composed of cellulose triacetate (CTA) as a support and 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) and tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP) as a plasticizer. In both membrane systems, calixcrown-6 showed the best selectivity toward a cesium ion over other alkali metal ions. The polymeric CTA membrane showed more rapid transport rate as well as higher durability than did the SLMs.     

Poly(1,3,4-oxadiazole-amide)s containing pendent imide groups

A series of new poly(1,3,4-oxadiazole-amide)s containing pendent imide groups has been synthesized by solution polycondensation of aromatic diamines containing preformed 1,3,4-oxadiazole rings with two diacid chlorides containing imide rings. These polymers were also prepared by the reaction of the same diacid chlorides with p-aminobenzhydrazide which were subsequently cyclodehydrated in solid state. The polymers were soluble in polar amidic solvents and some of them gave transparent flexible films by casting from solutions. They showed high thermal stability with decomposition temperatures above 400°C and glass transition temperatures in the range of 245–327°C. They had low dielectric constants, in the range of 3.32–3.94, and good tensile properties.     

Poly(vinyl alcohol) obtained through polymerization of some vinyl esters

Bulk and/or solution polymerizations of a series of vinyl esters, e.g., vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl butyrate, vinyl pivalate, and vinyl benzoate were conducted. Iodine-coloration, 1,2-glycol structure, molecular weight, and tacticity (triad and pentad) were measured for the resulting poly(vinyl alcohol)s (PVAs). The iodine-coloration abilities of PVAs, derived from poly(vinyl ester)s that were obtained through bulk polymerization at 60°C, depended on the starting monomer, increasing in the following order: vinyl benzoate < vinyl acetate < vinyl propionate < vinyl butyrate < vinyl pivalate. In solution polymerizations of vinyl propionate and vinyl butyrate, it was revealed that the tacticity of the derived PVAs apparently depended on the type and amount of polymerization solvent employed, as found previously in the case for vinyl acetate. The iodine-coloration of these PVA samples varied in the same order as their syndiotactic content, while no relationship was observed toward their 1,2-glycol content. The probabilities of the syndiotactic propagation at 60°C were estimated as 0.49 (benzoate), 0.54 (acetate), 0.55 (propionate), 0.56 (butyrate), and 0.60 (pivalate), respectively.     

Poly(siloxane‐urethane) crosslinked structures obtained by sol‐gel technique

Poly(siloxane‐urethane) crosslinked structures were prepared from isophorone diisocyanate, α,ω‐bis(hydroxybutyl)oligodimethylsiloxane and a new hybrid diol containing hydrolysable Si? OC₂H₅ groups besides OH groups. The latest was synthesized by the acid‐catalyzed reaction between 1,3‐bis(3‐glycidoxypropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane and 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane. The formations of the urethane groups along the polymer backbone as well as the formation of the silica domains were first confirmed by the presence of the specific bands in Fourier transform infrared spectra. The resulted materials were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The results of the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) performed at various frequencies revealed shape memory capabilities for some of the obtained structures. The silica formed because of the hydrolysis‐condensation reactions proved to have reinforcing effect upon siloxane‐urethane structure also evidenced by DMA and increasing water vapor sorption capacity as was measured by dynamic vapor sorption. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011