Sterically Stabilized Poly（3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene） Colloidal Dispersions Doped with Different Sulfonic Acids

Dispersion polymerization method of preparing colloidal dispersions has been developed to tackle the solubility problem in the area of conducting polymers1. The general method to prepare colloidal dispersions of conducting polymers such as polypyrrole and…     

Investigation of Spectroscopic and Thermal Properties of Poly(o‐toluidine) Doped with Polymeric Acids

Single step polymerization of poly(o‐toluidine) was carried out by using ammonium persulphate as an oxidizing agent. Formation of the conducting emeraldine salt phase of the polymer was confirmed by the UV‐visible and FT‐IR spectroscopic analysis. The elemental composition of the polymer was evaluated by using a CHNS analyzer. Thermal stability of these polymers was investigated by the thermogravimetric analysis. Among the three polymeric acids used for doping purposes, poly(acrylic acid) doped material was found to show less thermal stability compared to poly(styrene sulphonic acid) and poly(vinyl sulphonic acid) doped poly(o‐toluidine).     

Crystallizability of Poly(ε-caprolactone) Blends with Poly(vinylphenol) under Different Conditions

The intermolecular interaction between poly（vinylphenol） （PVPh） and polycaprolactone （PCL） and the crystallization behavior of PCL in PCL/PVPh blends with different compositions and under different conditions were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectra （FTIR） and differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）. It has been shown that the PCL in the blends with different blend ratios all exists in crystalline state after solution casting, even though the crystallinity decreases with increasing PVPh content. For the melt crystallized samples, PCL in its 80/20 PCL/PVPh sample can still crystallize. The crystallinity is, however, lower than that of the solution cast sample. For blends containing 50% or 20% PCL, the as-cast samples are semicrystalline and can change to compatible amorphous state after heat treatment process. FTIR analysis shows the existence of hydrogen bonding between PCL and PVPh and the fraction of hydrogen bonds increases remarkably after heat treatment process.     

Compressive Elastic Moduli of Poly(N‐Isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogels Crosslinked with Poly(Dimethyl Siloxane)

Hydrophobically modified and thermally reversible neutral and ionic copolymer hydrogels were prepared from N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), vinyl terminated poly (dimethylsiloxane) (VTPDMS) and itaconic acid (IA) by free radical solution polymerization, and their properties such as swelling ratio and compression modulus were studied at the 25°C. The incorporation of VTPDMS as a hydrophobic macrocrosslinker into the structures of neutral NIPAAm hydrogels increased their mechanical strength around 10 times than those of the ones crosslinked with conventional tetra functional monomer, i.e., N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide (BIS). Compression modulus decreased with an increase in IA content for ionic samples and increased with increasing molecular weight and content of VTPDMS for neutral samples. It was assumed that in the first case, electrostatic repulsive forces resulting from the ionized carboxyl groups of IA were responsible for decreasing mechanical strength, while in the second case, hydrophobic interactions between dimethylsiloxane units of VTPDMS chains enhanced the compression moduli. According to the results presented in this work, it can be said that the right balance of hydrophobic and hydrophilic constituents and adjustment of the number of ionized groups, as well as crosslinking degree, change the structure and physical properties of NIPPAAm hydrogels.     

Polymer Optoelectronic Devices with High‐Conductivity Poly(3,4‐Ethylenedioxythiophene) Anodes

Abstract

The conductivity of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) film can be enhanced by more than two orders in magnitude by adding a compound with two or more polar groups, such as ethylene glycol (EG), meso‐erythritol (IUPAC name: 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroxybutane), or 2‐nitroethanol, into the PEDOT:PSS aqueous solution. The mechanism of the increase in conductivity for PEDOT:PSS has been studied using Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscope (AFM). Here we propose that the change in conductivity is due to the conformational change of PEDOT chains in the film. In untreated PEDOT:PSS films, coil, linear, or expanded‐coil conformations of the PEDOT chains may be present. In treated PEDOT:PSS films, the linear or expanded‐coil conformations may becomes the dominant form for PEDOT chains. This conformational change results in the enhancement of charge‐carrier mobility in the film and leads to enhanced conductivity. The high‐conductivity PEDOT:PSS film is ideal as the electrode for polymer optoelectronic devices. In this article, we report on the fabrication of polymer light‐emitting diodes (PLEDs) and photovoltaic cells (PVs) made using a highly conductive form of PEDOT:PSS as anode, and we demonstrate its performance relative to that of similar device using indium‐tin oxide (ITO) as the anode.     

Preparation of Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) Microgels using Different Initiators Under Various pH Values

Ammonium persulfate (APS), 2,2′‐azobis(amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (V50) and 4,4′‐azobis(4‐cyanovaleric acid) (ACVA) were utilized to prepare temperature‐sensitive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgels by precipitation polymerization under various reaction pH conditions. Their particle sizes and swelling ratios depended on the reaction pH due to the pH dependence on the ionization degree of the decomposed fragments originating from the initiators and their hydrophilicity‐hydrophobicity. The more hydrophobic initiator, under the reaction pH conditions used, could be partitioned to a greater extent into the microgel particles due to the hydrophobicity of PNIPAM chains at the reaction temperature, which led to a more cross‐linked structure inside the microgels resulting in their smaller swelling ratio. pH dependence of surface charge density of the microgels with amidino groups or carboxylic acid groups on their surfaces was evidenced by the variation of their zeta potentials as a function of pH.     

The Preparation and Biodegradable Properties of Poly(L‐lactic acid)‐Poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) Multiblock Copolymers

Multi‐block copolymers of PLLA and PCL were prepared by a coupling reaction between PLLA and PCL prepolymers with –NCO end groups. FTIR proved that the products were PLLA‐PCL copolymers. The weight‐average molecular weight of the copolymers was up to 180,000 at a composition of 60% PLLA and 40% PCL. The degradation properties of PLLA and PLLA‐PCL copolymers were studied by a soil burial test and a hydrolysis test in a phosphate‐buffer solution. The degradation rate was estimated by the mass loss, molecular weight reduction, pH value changes and swelling index; the degradation rates of the copolymers were a function of the composition of PLLA and PCL. Increasing PCL content in the copolymers resulted in lower degradation rate.     

Graft Copolymerization of 2‐Acrylamido‐2‐methyl Propane Sulfonic Acid on Dimethyl Sulfoxide Pretreated Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Films Using Cerium Ammonium Nitrate as Initiator

Abstract

In this study, graft polymerization of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films using cerium ammonium nitrate (CeAN) as an initiator was investigated. Before the polymerization reaction was carried out, films were swelled in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at 140°C for 1 h. The effect of polymerization temperature, time, initiator, and monomer concentrations on the graft yield were investigated. It was observed that the graft yield was initially increased with increasing temperature, monomer, and initiator concentrations; and then decreased. Graft yield was found to increase with increasing polymerization time up to 5 h, then remain constant. The effects of monomer and initiator inclusions on the grafting yield were also examined. Optimum conditions for grafting were found to be [AMPS] = 1.0 M, [Ce⁴⁺] = 1.5 × 10^?2 M, T = 85°C and t = 5 h. The rate of grafting was found to be proportional to the 0.1 and 0.4 powers of monomer and initiator concentrations, respectively. The overall activation energy for the grafting was calculated to be 11.4 kcal mol^?1. The effect of grafting on PET film properties such as intrinsic viscosity and water absorption capacity were determined. The grafted PET films were characterized with FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Microwave‐Promoted Ullmann Condensation of 2‐Aminopyridines with 2‐Chlorobenzoic Acids

A new efficient synthetic method of microwave‐promoted Ullmann condensation of 2‐aminopyridines with 2‐chlorobenzoic acids to yield various substituted 11H‐pyrido[2,1‐b]quinazolin‐11‐ones in dry media is presented. Results were compared with those obtained following the classical heating.     

Synthesis and Properties of Poly(AAm‐KMA‐MA) Hydrogels

In this investigation, poly(acrylamide‐co‐potassium methacrylate‐co‐maleic acid) hydrogels, poly(AAm‐KMA‐MA) were synthesized by redox copolymerization in aqueous solution. The effect of reaction parameters, such as concentration of maleic acid, crosslinking agent, initiator and activator, on the swelling behavior was investigated in detail. The swelling/diffusion characteristics were also evaluated for 1,4‐butanediol diacrylate (BDDA) and 1,2‐ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) crosslinked hydrogels having different amounts of maleic acid. The results indicate that the water diffusion of hydrogels was of a non‐Fickian type. The hydrogels were characterized by IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Their surface characteristics were observed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, their swelling phenomena in different pH and salt solutions and simulated biological fluids was also studied.     

A New Nano‐Structured Flame‐Retardant Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

A modified nano‐hydrotalcite was used as inorganic flame‐retardant fillers for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) polymers. A flame‐retardant compound was obtained from layered hydrotalcite (LDH) dispersed in brominated polystyrene (PBS) solution and then solvent evaporation from the dissolved PBS samples. The compound of PBS/LDH was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and was found to have high aspect ratio LDH dispersed in the PBS matrix. Flame‐retardant PET composite was prepared by melt‐compounding the flame‐retardant compound of PBS/LDH and PET. Improvement in the fire retardancy of the nano‐flame‐retardant PET composite obtained was found by measuring the oxygen index. The nanostructure of flame‐retardant PET composite was chirecterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of flame‐retardant PET composite. The mechanical properties of the flame‐retardant PET nano‐composite were also characterized.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Photocrosslinking Properties of Poly(1‐(4‐Methacrylamidophenyl)‐1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)prop‐1‐en‐3‐one)

The phenylmethacrylamide monomer, 1‐(4‐methacrylamidophenyl)‐1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)prop‐1‐en‐3‐one (MPNP) containing a photosensitive group was synthesized by reacting 4‐nitrocinnamoylaniline with methacryloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine at 0–5°C. The functional monomer, MPNP was polymerized in ethyl methyl ketone (EMK) under nitrogen atmosphere at 70°C using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as the initiator. The synthesized polymer was characterized by UV, IR, ¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. The molecular weight data of the polymer as obtained from gel permeation chromatography suggests a higher tendency for chain termination by radical recombination than disproportionation. The thermal studies of the polymer were obtained from thermogravimetric analysis. The glass transition temperature of the polymer was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The solubility of the polymer was tested in various organic solvents at room temperature. The photosensitivity of the polymer was investigated in various solvents in the presence and absence of triplet photosensitizers. The effect of the different solvents nature and concentration on the rate of photocrosslinking of the polymer were also examined for using the polymer as negative photoresist materials.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Hydroxyl‐Terminated Poly(γ‐benzyl‐L‐glutamate)

In order to provide an active end group of hydroxyl group and improve the hydrophility of poly(γ‐benzyl‐L‐glutamate) (PBLG), ethanolamine (EA) was utilized as the initiator to initiate N‐carboxy‐γ‐benzyl‐L‐glutamate anhydride (Bz‐L‐Glu‐NCA) polymerization. The prepared hydroxyl‐terminated PBLG (HO‐PBLG) was fully characterized by FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, XPS, XRD, DSC, and GPC. The results of FTIR and XRD indicated that the chain conformation of HO‐PBLG predominantly presented α‐helix. The water contact angle was measured to confirm that the hydrophilicity was improved by the introduction of hydroxyl group. Chondrocytes studies showed that the cells attachment efficiency on the HO‐PBLG film was good and the cells grew well.     

Preparation and Characterization of Poly(N‐Vinylpyrrolidone‐co‐Methacrylic Acid) Hydrogels

In this study, N‐vinylpyrrolidone (VP)/methacrylic acid (MAA) copolymers have been prepared at three different mole percents, the methacrylic acid composition being around 5, 10, 15%. MAA and VP monomer mixtures have been irradiated in ⁶⁰Co‐γ source at different irradiation doses and percent conversions have been determined gravimetrically. ～80% conversion of monomers into hydrogels were performed at 3.4 kGy irradiation dose. These hydrogels were swollen in distilled water at pH 4.0, 7.0, and 9.0. P(VP/MAA) hydrogel which contains 5% methacrylic acid showed the maximum % swelling at pH 9.0 in water. Diffusion of water was found to be of non‐Fickian character. Diffusion coefficients of water in P(VP/MAA) hydrogels were calculated. Initial swelling rates of P(VP/MAA) hydrogels increased with increasing pH and MAA content in hydrogels. Swelling kinetics of P(VP/MAA) hydrogels was found to be of second order. Thermal behavior of PMAA, PVP and P(VP/MAA) hydrogel were investigated by thermal analysis. P(VP/MAA) hydrogel gained new thermal properties and the temperature for maximum weight loss and temperature for half‐life of P(VP/MAA) hydrogel were determined.     

Synthesis of Star‐Shaped Poly(ϵ‐caprolactone)‐b‐Poly(styrene) Block Copolymer by Combining Ring‐Opening Polymerization and Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Newly designed star‐shaped block copolymers made of poly(?‐caprolactone) (PCL) and polystyrene (PS) were synthesized by combining ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ?‐caprolactone (CL) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene (St). The switch from the first to the second mechanism was obtained by selective transformation of “living” radical sites. First, tri‐ and tetrafunctional initiators were used as an initiator for the “living” ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ?‐caprolactone producing a hydroxyl terminated three or four arm star‐shaped polymer. Next, the OH end groups of PCL star branches were derivatized into 2‐bromoisobutyrate groups which gave rise to the corresponding tri‐ and tetrabromoester ended‐PCL stars; the latter served as macroinitiators for the ATRP of styrene at 110°C in the presence of CuBr/2,2‐bipyridine (Bipy) catalyst system affording star‐shaped block copolymers PCL_n‐b‐PS_n (n=3 or 4). The samples obtained were characterizated by ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy and GPC (gel permeation chromatograph). These copolymers exhibited the expected structure. The crystallization of star‐shaped block copolymers was studied by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry). The results show that when the content of the PS block increased, the T_m of the star‐shaped block copolymer decreased.     

Preparation of Macroporous Aluminium Oxide using Template of Poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐glycidylmethacrylate) Crosslinked with Methylenebisacrylamide

Poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐glycidylmethacrylate), poly(MA‐co‐GMA) samples were prepared by exposure to γ–irradiation, at fixed concentration of methylenebisacrylamide MBA, 0.5% wt/wt as crosslinker while the MA/GMA ratio was varied. FTIR spectra showed bands refer to MA, as well as GMA, indicating the involvement of both in the copolymerization. Al(NO₃)₃.9H₂O as a precursor for the preparation of aluminium oxide was templated as a guest into the crosslinked gels by soaking the gels in a methanol solution. The perturbation of the bands at 3439, 2926, 1635, 1476, 1394, and 1166 cm^?1 after the templation of the guest, provides evidence for the loading of the guest species into the gel. The swelling behavior of the prepared samples found to be dependent on the composition of the gel and the pH. The templation of the aluminium nitrate into the gel was further proved by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for investigating the produced oxide particles, which revealed macropores with maximum diameter at MA/GMA, 40∶60 wt/wt (H3) and complete disappearance at 80 wt% of methacrylic acid (H5). X‐ray diffraction (XRD) showed an amorphous structure of the aluminium oxide. Increasing the hydrophilicity of the template leads to an increase in the Lewis acidic sites on the surface of the produced aluminium oxide up to 60 wt% of methacrylic acid (H4) while a further increase was met by a redecrease in the surface acidity (H5).     

Studies on the Miscibility of Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and Poly(ethylene oxide) Blends

Miscibility characteristics of poly[2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate] (PHEMA) and poly[ethylene oxide] (PEO) have been investigated by solution viscometry, ultrasonic and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) methods. The interaction parameters were obtained using the viscosity data. Ultrasonic velocity and adiabatic compressibility vs. blend composition have been plotted and are found to be linear. A single glass transition temperature was observed by differential scanning calorimetry. Variation of glass transition temperature (T_g) with composition follows Garden‐Taylor equation. T_g values have also been calculated from the Fox equation. The results obtained reveal that PHEMA forms a miscible blend with PEO in the entire composition range.     

Characterization of Poly(ethyleneoxyethylene terephthalate‐co‐adipate) using NMR Spectroscopy

Comonomer sequence distribution and ¹H‐NMR chemical shifts were determined for poly(ethyleneoxyethylene terephthalate‐co‐adipate) (PEOETA) copolyester. The sequence distribution of terephthalate (T) and adipate (A) residues was found to be random, which is typical for copolyesters synthesized via bulk polycondensation. The inner methylene protons of EOE residues appeared as a pair of doublets due to chemical shift differences among the EOE‐centered dyad sequences TT, TA, AT, and AA. The four equivalent phenylene protons of T residues appeared as a triplet due to chemical shift differences among the T‐centered triad sequences TTT, TTA (?ATA), and ATA. Higher‐order tetrad and pentad sensitivity were also observed for the inner methylene and phenylene protons, respectively, especially for TT‐ and TTT‐centered sequences. The sequence sensitivity of the phenylene protons was attributed to unique spatial interactions between themselves and protons within adjacent adipate and EOE units. These spatial interactions were confirmed using Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement Spectroscopy (NOESY).     

Polylactones. 13. Transesterification of Poly(L-Lactide) with Poly(Glycoude), Poly(β-Propio-Lactone), and Poly[ε -Caprolactone)

Homogeneous blends of poly(L-lactide) (M _n = 30 000 to 40 000) and poly(β-propiolactone) or poly(ε-caprolactone) were prepared in solution. The solvent-free blends were subjected to transesterification catalyzed by means of methyl triflate, triflic acid, boron trifluoride, or tributyltin methoxide at 100 or 150°C. At 100°C, transesterification was barely detectable even after 96 h. When poly(β-propiolactone) was used as the reactant at 150°C, degradation was faster than transesterification regardless of the catalyst. The same negative result was obtained for heterogeneous blends of poly(L-lactide) and poly(glycolide). In the case of poly(ε-caprolactone), copolyesters with slightly blocky sequences were obtained with tributyltin methoxide as catalyst, whereas the acidic catalysts caused rapid degradation. The copolyesters were characterized by means of ¹H-NMR spectroscopy with regard to their molar composition, by means of ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy with regard to their sequences, and by means of differential scanning calorimetry with regard to crystallinity.