Synthesis and characterization of amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymers containing bis[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]sulfone

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymers (abbreviated as PETS) that contain bis[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]sulfone (BHEPS) were prepared from dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), ethylene glycol (EG) (5-95%) and BHEPS (5-95%). The compositions and microstructures of the copolyesters were determined by ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, respectively. The thermal behaviors were studied over the entire range of copolymer compositions, using X-ray analysis, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The molecular weights, optical characteristics and tensile properties of these polymers were also determined. Experimental results indicated that the copolymers had a random microstructure. The intrinsic viscosities of the copolymers ranged from 0.65 to 0.69 dL/g. The copolyesters with BHEPS of <10 mol% were crystallizable, whereas the copolyesters with BHEPS of ?10 mol% were amorphous. Incorporating BHEPS affected the glass-transition temperature (T_g) values of those polymers, from about 81 °C for PETS₅ to 126 °C for PETS₉₅. The optical transmissions exceeded 86% for λ = 400 nm for all of the amorphous polyesters. The tensile modulus and strength of the copolyesters increased with BHEPS. However, they also became brittle and their elongation at break decreased.     

Uniform Ln (Eu, Tb) doped NaLa(WO4)2 nanocrystals: Synthesis, characterization, and optical properties

Uniform shuttle-like Ln³⁺ (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺) doped NaLa(WO₄)₂ nanocrystals have been solvothermally synthesized, and the size of the nanocrystals could be easily controlled by adjusting the volume ratio of ethylene glycol (EG) to water. Doped with 5 mol% Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions, the NaLa(WO₄)₂ nanocrystals showed strong red and green emissions with lifetimes of 0.8 and 1.40 ms, respectively. A high quenching concentration of 15 mol% was observed in Eu³⁺-doped NaLa(WO₄)₂ nanocrystals and 35 mol% in Tb³⁺-doped NaLa(WO₄)₂ nanocrystals. The emission intensity measurements of Eu³⁺-doped NaLa(WO₄)₂ with different sizes indicated that the emission intensity of shuttles with length of 300 nm in average was stronger than that of shuttles with length of 900 nm in average, but was weaker than that of needles with length of 4 and 9 μm in average.     

Dechlorination of poly(vinyl chloride) using NaOH in ethylene glycol under atmospheric pressure

A solution of NaOH dissolved in ethylene glycol (EG) was effective in the dechlorination of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) at atmospheric pressure. The degree of dechlorination increased with increasing temperature, reaching a maximum of 97.8% at 190 °C. The dechlorination proceeded under chemical control and exhibited first-order kinetics with an apparent activation energy of 170 kJ mol⁻¹. The apparent rate constant for dechlorination in 1.0 M NaOH/EG was approximately 150 times greater than that in 1.0 M NaOH/H₂O. In addition, dechlorination was faster at atmospheric pressure in NaOH/EG than under high pressure in NaOH/H₂O. The dechlorination reaction occurs via a combination of E2 and S_N2 mechanisms.     

Dechlorination of poly(vinylidene chloride) in NaOH/ethylene glycol as a function of NaOH concentration, temperature, and solvent

The wet dechlorination treatment of poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVDC) was evaluated at atmospheric pressure in a solution of NaOH in ethylene glycol (EG), as a function of NaOH concentration, temperature, and solvent. Hydroxide ion from NaOH was required for dechlorination with EG acting solely as a solvent. The wet treatment exhibited significantly enhanced dechlorination efficiency over traditional thermal techniques, with a reaction efficiency as high as 92.8% in 1.0 M NaOH at 190 °C. Dechlorination reactions of PVDC in both NaOH/EG and NaOH/H₂O were expressed by an apparent first-order reaction. At 190 °C, the apparent rate constant in 1.0 M NaOH/EG was approximately 1.4 times larger than in 1.0 M NaOH/H₂O, with an apparent activation energy of 82.8 kJ mol⁻¹, indicating that the reaction proceeded under chemical control. The degree of dechlorination increased with increasing reaction temperature, favouring the elimination of HCl over the hydroxyl substitution of chloride.     

Mechanism of glycolysis of nylon 6,6 and its model compound by ethylene glycol

The degradation mechanism of nylon 6,6 and its model compound hexamethylenebis(hexamide) (HMHA) by ethylene glycol (EG) was studied in detail. Glycolysis of both model compound and nylon 6,6 was carried out with stoichiometric excess of EG at high temperature (250 and 275 °C, respectively) in an autoclave reactor as a closed system. Samples were collected at predetermined intervals and characterized by FT-IR, GC-MS, and GPC. FT-IR studies of model compound glycolysis showed no significant increase in the ester band after 11 h indicating that the glycolysis reaction may have reached equilibrium. GC-MS data revealed the presence of ester as well as unreacted model compound. GC-MS data for nylon 6,6 revealed the presence of compounds having β-hydroxyethylester group, bis(β-hydroxyethyl)adipate, and δ-valerolactone as the degradation products. From GPC data, as the glycolysis time of nylon 6,6 increased, both the number average and weight average molecular weights decreased indicating that the main chain of nylon 6,6 was broken into low molecular weight compounds during glycolysis.     

Divalent metal ion-sensitive holographic sensors

A holographic sensor for real-time detection of divalent metal ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Zn²⁺) has been fabricated by incorporating a chelating monomer into a hydrogel matrix. A methacrylated analogue of iminodiacetic acid (IDA) was prepared and co-polymerised with hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as a cross-linker to form polymer films. A silver-based reflection hologram was incorporated into the hydrogel by diffusion followed by holographic recording using a frequency-doubled Nd/YAG laser. Changes in the replay wavelength of the hologram were used to characterise the swelling behaviour of the matrix as a function of its chemical composition and concentration of analyte in the media. The effects of active monomer, cross-linker, pH and ionic strength on the swelling of the matrix and on metal detection sensitivity have been studied. Polymers containing >10 mol% of chelating monomer and 6 mol% of cross-linker showed significant responses (46.3 nm) within 30 s at an ion concentration of 0-40 nm. The selectivity of the holograms towards the different ions tested was Ni²⁺>Zn²⁺>Co²⁺>Ca²⁺>Mg²⁺. The sensor showed fully reversible responses, permitting real-time monitoring of calcium ion efflux during the germination of Bacillus megaterium spores.     

A new label dosimetry system based on pentacosa-diynoic acid monomer for low dose applications

The dosimetric characteristics of γ-radiation sensitive labels based on polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and a conjugated diacetylene monomer, 10,12-pentacosa-diynoic acid (PCDA) have been investigated using reflectance colorimeter. Two types of labels (colourless and yellow) based on PCDA monomer were prepared using an Automatic Film Applicator System. Upon γ-ray exposure, the colourless label turns progressively blue, while the yellow colour label turns to green then to dark blue. The colour intensity of the labels is proportional to the radiation absorbed dose. The useful dose range was 15 Gy-2 kGy depending on PCDA monomer concentration. The expanded uncertainty of dose measurement of the colourless label was 6.06 (2σ).     

Controlling the gelation temperature of biomimetic polyisocyanides

The gelation temperature and mechanical properties of aqueous ethylene glycol-decorated polyisocyanide solutions strongly depends on the length of the glycol tail. Copolymerisation of monomers with different tail lengths allows for precise engineering of the gel properties.     

Glycolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) using basic ionic liquids as catalysts

The glycolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was studied using several ionic liquids and basic ionic liquids as catalysts. The basic ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxyl ([Bmim]OH), exhibits higher catalytic activity for the glycolysis of PET, compared with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bicarbonate ([Bmim]HCO₃), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Bmim]Br). FT-IR, ¹H NMR and DSC were used to confirm the main product of glycolysis was bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) monomer. The influences of experimental parameters, such as the amount of catalyst, glycolysis time, reaction temperature, and dosages of ethylene glycol on the conversion of PET, yield of BHET were investigated. The results showed a strong influence of the mixture evolution of temperature and reaction time on depolymerization of PET. Under the optimum conditions of m(PET):m(EG): 1:10, dosage of [Bmim]OH at 0.1 g (5 wt%), reaction temperature 190 °C and time 2 h, the conversion of PET and the yield of BHET were 100% and 71.2% respectively. Balance between the polymerization of BHET and depolymerization of PET could be changed when the reaction time was more than 2 h and contents of catalyst and EG were changed.     

Microwave assisted ecofriendly recycling of poly (ethylene terephthalate) bottle waste

Glycolysis of poly (ethylene terephthalate) bottle waste was carried out using microwave energy. A domestic microwave oven of 800 W was used with suitable modification for carrying out the reaction under reflux. The catalysts used for the depolymerization in ethylene glycol (EG) were zinc acetate and some simple laboratory chemicals such as sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and barium hydroxide. Comparison of results was made from the point of view of the yield of bis (2-hydroxyethylene) terephthalate (BHET) and the time taken for depolymerization. It was observed that under identical conditions of catalyst concentration and PET:EG ratio, the yield of BHET was nearly same as that obtained earlier by conventional electric heating. However, the time taken for completion of reaction was reduced drastically from 8 h to 35 min. This has led to substantial saving in energy.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of nickel hydroxide nanostructures in mixed solvents of water and alcohol

Nickel hydroxide nanosheets and flowers have been hydrothermally synthesized using Ni(CH₃COO)₂·4H₂O in mixed solvents of ethylene glycol (EG) or ethanol and deionized water at 200 °C for different time. The phase and morphology of the obtained products can be controlled by adjusting the experimental parameters, including the hydrothermal time and the volume ratio of water to EG or ethanol. The possible reaction mechanism and growth of the nanosheets and nanoflowers are discussed based on the experimental results. Porous nickel oxide nanosheets are obtained by heating nickel hydroxide nanosheets in air at 400 °C. The products were characterized by using various methods including X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The electrochemical property of β-Ni(OH)₂ nanosheets was investigated through the cyclic voltammogram (CV) measurement.     

Curing and Glass Transition of Epoxy Resins from Ester-Carboxylic Acid Derivatives of Mono- and Disaccharides,and Alcoholysis Lignin

Mono- and disaccharides (SAC) such as glucose (Glc), fructose (Frc) and sucrose (Suc), and also alcoholysis lignin (AL) were dissolved in ethylene glycol and each of the obtained mixtures was reacted with succinic anhydride to form a mixture of ester-carboxylic acid derivatives such as SAC-polyacid, SACPA, and AL-polyacid, ALPA. Ethylene glycol-polyacid (EGPA) was also prepared from ethylene glycol. Each of the obtained mixtures of ester carboxylic acid derivatives was reacted with ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether in the presence of a catalytic amount of dimethylbenzylamine to form ester-epoxy resins. The molar ratios of epoxy groups to carboxylic acid groups ([EPOXY]/[ACID] ratios, mol mol⁻¹) was maintained at 1.0. The contents of SACPA and ALPA in the mixtures of SACPA/EGPA, and ALPA/EGPA, respectively, were also varied from 0 to 100 %. The curing reaction of SucPA and ALPA was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Activation energy of the curing reaction for the SucPA system was 80.5 kJ/mol. Thermal properties of epoxy resins were studied by DSC. Glass transition temperatures (T_g) decreased with increasing numbers of repeating units in ester chains between cross-linking points, suggesting that ester chain lengths between cross-linking points mainly affect the mobility of ester chains in epoxy resin networks.     

Preparation of novel cross-linked fluoroalkyl end-capped adamantane cooligomer/copper nanocomposites

Copper(II) oxide reacted with hydrazine in the presence of fluoroalkyl end-capped oxime-blocked isocyanato cooligomer containing adamantyl segments at 90 °C for 30 min in ethylene glycol, and the deprotecting reaction of the cooligomer in the resulting product at 120 °C for 15 min was found to afford the colloidal red-brown colored cross-linked fluorinated cooligomer/Cu nanocomposites, which were stabilized by fluoroalkyl end-capped cooligomer containing benzotriazole segments. On the other hand, the corresponding cross-linked fluorinated cooligomer possessing no adamantyl segments could not afford the copper nanocomposites under similar conditions. Dynamic light scattering measurements and TEM photography of these cross-linked fluorinated cooligomer/Cu composites showed that these composites are nanometer size-controlled very fine nanoparticles. These fluorinated Cu nanocomposites have a good dispersibility and stability in mixed solvents of ethylene glycol and methanol for two weeks under air atmosphere conditions. In addition, these fluorinated Cu nanocomposite powders have been found to be stable for more than three months.     

磷化钨催化转化纤维素制乙二醇

 首次将磷化钨 (WP) 催化剂应用于纤维素的催化转化反应. 结果表明, 与碳化钨催化剂类似, WP 催化剂也可高效地实现纤维素转化. 在 H2 初始压力为 6 MPa, 反应温度为 245 oC 时, 20%WP/AC (活性炭) 催化纤维素高选择性地生成乙二醇, 其收率为 25.4 mol%. 2% 镍的加入使得该催化剂上乙二醇收率增至 46.0 mol%, 表明 Ni 与 WP 之间存在着明显的协同作用.     

An optical sensor for the determination of digoxin in serum samples based on a molecularly imprinted polymer membrane

This paper reports the synthesis and testing of a molecularly imprinted polymer membrane for digoxin analysis. Digoxin-specific bulk polymer was obtained by the UV initiated co-polymerisation of methacrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate in acetonitrile as porogen. After extracting the template analyte, the ground polymer particles were mixed with plasticizer polyvinyl chloride to form a MIP membrane. A reference polymer membrane was prepared from the same mixture of monomers but with no template. The resultant membrane morphologies were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The imprinted membrane was tested as the recognition element in a digoxin-sensitive fluorescence sensor; sensor response was measured using standard solutions of digoxin at concentrations of up to 4 × 10⁻³ mg L⁻¹. The detection limit was 3.17 × 10⁻⁵ mg L⁻¹. Within- and between-day relative standard deviations RSD (n = 5) were in the range 4.5-5.5% and 5.5-6.5% respectively for 0 and 1 × 10⁻³ mg L⁻¹ digoxin concentrations. A selectivity study showed that compounds of similar structure to digoxin did not significantly interfere with detection for interferent concentrations at 10, 30 and 100 times higher than the digoxin concentration. This simply manufactured MIP membrane showed good recognition characteristics, a high affinity for digoxin, and provided satisfactory results in analyses of this analyte in human serum.     

Calorimetric and spin-label ESR studies of PEG:2000-DPPE containing DPPC/lyso-PPC mixtures

The thermotropic behavior of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) multibilayers containing up to 10 mol% of lyso-palmitoylphosphatidylcholine (lyso-PPC) with and without low content of poly(ethylene glycol:2000)-grafted dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine (PEG:2000-DPPE) has been studied by high sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and electron spin resonance (ESR) using the spin probe di-tert-butyl-nitroxide (DTBN). The three lipids, dispersed in buffer at appropriate concentrations, form thermosensitive liposomes used as site-specific drug-delivery systems. Without polymer–lipids, the DPPC main transition temperature is downshifted of 1.2–1.3 °C at the highest lyso-PPC content. The molar enthalpy and the cooperative unit of the DPPC main transition first decrease rapidly, then more slowly and finally slightly increase with lyso-PPC content. Moreover, in the mixed dispersions, the membrane fluidity increases at any temperature. The addition up to 5 mol% of PEG:2000-DPPE to DPPC/10 mol% lyso-PPC mixtures does not affect neither the thermotropic phase behavior nor the transition cooperativity and the fluidity of the dispersions.     

Characterization of amphiphilic hydrocarbon modified Poly(ethylene glycol) synthesized through ring-opening reaction of 2-(1-octadecenyl)succinic anhydride

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) triblock and diblock amphiphilic block copolymers were synthesized from poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether, respectively. The hydroxyl groups of PEG readily react with 2-(1-octadecenyl) succinic anhydride (OSA) at 140 °C through ring-opening reaction of the succinic anhydride. Both the PEG-OSA diblock and triblock copolymers are produced without use of any solvent or catalyst. The molecular structure of the copolymers was characterized by ¹H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, and the thermal properties by DSC. The behavior of the copolymers in selective and nonselective solvents was studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy in deuterium oxide and d-chloroform. The aggregation of the polymers in water was studied with a particle size analyzer and a transmission electron microscope (TEM) in bright field mode. The results show that the hydrophobic C₁₈ chain with intramolecular succinic anhydride linker can be attached to the hydrophilic PEG chain, an ester bond forming between the blocks. The copolymers exhibit flexible, liquid-like hydrophobic blocks even in water, which is a nonsolvent for OSA. PEG-OSA block copolymers self-organize in water, forming micellar polymer aggregates in nanoscale.     

Preparation and properties of poly(methylene terephthalates)

A systematic study of poly(methylene terephthalates) has been made. Melting points, second-order transition temperatures, and solubility temperatures are presented for the homologous series of terephthalate polyesters of ethylene glycol through 1,10-dodecanediol, and for terephthalate copolyesters of: (1) ethylene glycol/1,3-propanediol and (2) ethylene glycol/1,4-butanediol. Fiber properties of the terephthalate polyesters and the 70/30 ethylene glycol/1,3-propanediol copolyterephthalate ester are presented. Only the first three members of the poly(methylene terephthalate) series show promise for use in textile fibers.     

A library of thermoresponsive PEG-based methacrylate homopolymers: How do the molar mass and number of ethylene glycol groups affect the cloud point?

In this study, a novel library of thermoresponsive homopolymers based on poly (ethylene glycol) (EG) (m)ethyl ether methacrylate monomers is presented. Twenty-seven EG based homopolymers were synthesized and three parameters, the molar mass (MM), the number of the ethylene glycol groups in the monomer, and the chemistry of the functional side group were varied to investigate how these affect their thermoresponsive behavior. The targeted MMs of these polymers are varied from 2560, 5000, 8200 to 12,000 g mol⁻¹. Seven PEG-based monomers were investigated: ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate (MEGMA), ethylene glycol ethyl ether methacrylate (EEGMA), di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (DEGMA), tri(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (TEGMA), tri(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether methacrylate (TEGEMA), penta(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA), nona(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (NEGMA). Homopolymers of 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) were also synthesized for comparison. The cloud points of these homopolymers were tested in different solvents and it was observed that it decreases as the number of EG group was decreased or the MM increased. Interestingly, the end functional group (methoxy or ethoxy) of the side group has an effect as well and is even more dominant than the number of EG groups.     

Effect of amphiphilic molecules upon chromatic transitions of polydiacetylene vesicles in aqueous solutions

Effect of amphiphilic molecules upon the chromatic transitions of polymerized 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid (PCDA) vesicles in aqueous solutions was reported. The colorimetric response of polymerized PCDA vesicles for 1-pentanol is higher than that for ethanol due to more hydrophobic property of 1-pentanol. The colorimetric response of polymerized PCDA vesicles for sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Triton X-100 is lower than that for cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The strong ability of CTAB to induce chromatic transition of the vesicles is related to the positively charged headgroups of CTAB, which favors approach of CTAB to the negatively charged carboxylate groups at the vesicle surface. The insertion of alkyl chain of CTAB into the hydrophobic domain perturbs the conformation of the conjugated polymer backbone and induces color change of polydiacetylene vesicles. For a series of alkylamine hydrochloric salts, the longer the alkyl chain, the stronger the ability of alkylamine to induce chromatic transition of polydiacetylene vesicles.