Polymer-Solvent Interactions in Solutions of Thermoresponsive Polymers Studied by NMR and IR Spectroscopy

Summary: NMR relaxation and diffusion coefficient measurements revealed that a portion of water molecules is bound in mesoglobules formed in poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (PIPMAm) and poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) aqueous solutions above the LCST, with fast exchange between bound and free states (residence time ∼1 ms). Two types of bound water molecules were assigned to water bound inside mesoglobules and on their surface. For highly concentrated PVME/D₂O solutions (c ≥ 20 wt%) a slow exchange was detected by NMR for bound water (residence time = 2.1 s). For PIPMAm aqueous solution IR spectra indicate a two-steps character of the phase transition. For PIPMAm in D₂O/ethanol (EtOH) mixtures the globular structures were observed by NMR at 298 K for certain compositions of the mixed solvent (cononsolvency effect). Virtually no EtOH is bound in these globular structures, in contrast to the temperature-induced globular structures.     

NMR study of phase separation in D2O/ethanol solutions of poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) induced by solvent composition and temperature

¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies were applied to investigate phase separation in solutions of poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (PIPMAm) in D₂O/ethanol (EtOH) mixtures induced by solvent composition (cononsolvency) and temperature. Effects of EtOH content in D₂O/EtOH mixtures and temperature on the appearance and extent of the phase separation were characterized. Differences in mesoglobules formed during the phase separation induced by cononsolvency and temperature were found. For temperature-induced phase separation, ¹³C spin-spin relaxation times showed that besides the free EtOH expelled from the PIPMAm mesoglobules, there are also EtOH molecules bound in these mesoglobules. On the other hand, virtually no bound EtOH molecules were detected for mesoglobules formed as a consequence of the cononsolvency. For PIPMAm random copolymers containing negatively charged methacrylate units the phase separation induced by solvent composition was not observed.     

1H NMR relaxation study of polymer-solvent interactions during thermotropic phase transition in aqueous solutions

The dynamic-structural changes and polymer - solvent interactions during the thermotropic phase transition in poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME)/D₂O solutions in a broad range of polymer concentrations (c = 0.1-60 wt.-%) were studied combining the measurements of ¹H NMR spectra, spin-spin (T₂) and spin-lattice (T₁) relaxation times. Phase separation in solutions results in a marked line broadening of a major part of polymer segments, evidently due to the formation of compact globular-like structures. The minority (∼15%) mobile component, which does not participate in the phase separation, consists of low-molecular-weight fractions of PVME, as shown by GPC. Measurements of spin-spin relaxation times T₂ of PVME methylene protons have shown that globular structures are more compact in dilute solutions in comparison with semidilute solutions where globules probably contain a certain amount of water. A certain portion of water molecules bound at elevated temperatures to (in) PVME globular structures in semidilute and concentrated solutions was revealed from measurements of spin-spin and spin-lattice relaxation times of residual HDO molecules.     

Polymer‐solvent interactions during phase transition in poly(vinyl methyl eiher)/D2O solutions as studied by NMR methods

The structural‐dynamic changes and polymer‐solvent interactions during temperature‐induced phase transition in poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME)/D₂O solutions in a broad range of concentrations (0.1‐30 wt.‐%) were studied by ¹H NMR methods. In the whole concentration range the phase transition is manifested by line broadening (linewidth 350‐500 Hz) of a major part of PVME units, evidently due to the formation of globular‐like structures. Above the LCST transition, the fraction of phase‐separated PVME segments is equal to 0.8±0.1, independent of polymer concentration. While at low concentrations the transition is virtually discontinuous, at high concentrations the transition region is ∼ 3 K broad. Measurements of nonselective and selective ¹H spin‐lattice relaxation times T₁ of solvent (HDO) molecules evidenced that at elevated temperatures, where most PVME forms globular structures, a part of solvent molecules is bound to PVME forming a complex; the lifetime of the bound water (HDO) molecules is ≤2 s.     

H NMR study of temperature-induced phase separation in solutions of poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide-co-acrylamide) copolymers

¹H NMR spectroscopy was applied to investigate temperature-induced phase separation in solutions of poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide-co-acrylamide) [P(IPMAm/AAm)] random copolymers in D₂O, D₂O/ethanol and D₂O/acetone. The NMR relaxation behaviour of water (HDO) was also examined. The effects of P(IPMAm/AAm) composition and the ethanol or acetone content in the mixed solvents on the temperature, width and extent of the phase transition as well as on the mobility of polymer segments and water molecules were characterized. For D₂O solutions of the copolymers prepared with the AAm fraction in the polymerization mixture not exceeding 25 mol% ¹H NMR spectra show dynamic heterogeneity of copolymer chains in mesoglobules where AAm sequences and surrounding short IPMAm sequences are hydrated and mobile, while sufficiently long IPMAm sequences are dehydrated and their mobility is strongly reduced. The obtained results are consistent with the idea that P(IPMAm/AAm) copolymer mesoglobules are rather porous and disordered.     

Analysis of the HDO content in heavy water by ATR-FTIR

The applicability of ATR-FTIR for the determination of the HDO content in heavy water (D₂O) was investigated. Two groups of calibration standard solutions, of low contents (0–1 n% H₂O in heavy water) and of higher contents (0–10 n% H₂O in heavy water) were prepared by adding properly calculated amount of H₂O to D₂O by weight. The absorbances at 3400 cm⁻¹ (ν, O–H) against the calibration standards were measured five times using two kinds of interchangeable IREs (1 bound and 9 bound reflections). And four calibration curves were obtained by linear least square fit of the measured absorbances for the four different measurement conditions, which are (1) for low contents group using 1 bound reflection, (2) for low contents group using 9 bound reflections, (3) for higher contents group using 1 bound reflection, (4) for higher contents group using 9 bound reflections. Determined contents (c ₀) of each calibration standards for the four measurement conditions were obtained by the calibration curves and compared to the calculated contents (c _cal). The uncertainty sources were considered when the HDO in heavy water is determined according to the procedure of this work. The uncertainties u(c ₀) of the determined contents (c ₀) for the four different measurement conditions were calculated.     

Stimuli-Responsive Polymers in Solution Investigated by NMR and Infrared Spectroscopy

Summary: Temperature-induced and solvent composition-induced phase separation in solutions of poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (PIPMAm) and other thermoresponsive polymers as studied by NMR and infrared (IR) spectroscopy is discussed. The fraction p of phase-separated units (units with significantly reduced mobility) and subsequently, e.g., thermodynamic parameters characterizing the coil-globule phase transition induced by temperature, were determined from reduced integrated intensities in high-resolution ¹H NMR spectra. This approach can be especially useful in investigations of phase separation in solutions of binary polymer systems. Information on behaviour of water during temperature-induced phase transition was obtained from measurements of ¹H NMR relaxation times of HDO molecules. NMR and IR spectroscopy were used to investigate PIPMAm solutions in water/ethanol (D₂O/EtOH) mixtures where the phase separation can be induced by solvent composition (cononsolvency). Some differences in globular-like structures induced by temperature and solvent composition were revealed by these methods.     

Phase Separation in Aqueous Polymer Solutions as Studied by NMR Methods

Some possibilities of ¹H NMR spectroscopy in investigations of structural-dynamic changes and polymer-solvent interactions during the temperature-induced phase transitions in aqueous polymer solutions are described. Results obtained recently on D₂O solutions of poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME), poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (PIPMAm), negatively charged copolymers of N-isopropylmethacrylamide and sodium methacrylate, and PIPMAm/PVME mixtures are discussed. A markedly different rate of dehydration process in dilute solutions on the one hand, and in semidilute and concentrated solutions on the other hand, was revealed from ¹H spin-spin relaxation measurements.     

Temperature-sensitive poly(vinyl methyl ether) hydrogel beads

Temperature-sensitive hydrogel beads were prepared by radiation crosslinking of poly(vinyl methyl ether) PVME spheres wrapped in Ca-alginate. The obtained gel beads have diameters in the sub-millimeter or millimeter range (depending on the PVME concentration). They were characterized by sol-gel analysis, swelling measurements, and differential scanning calorimetry. The gel content g increases with increasing radiation dose D. The swelling degree Q_v decreases with increasing PVME concentration c_p and increasing D. In comparison to PVME bulkgels the phase-transition temperature of the synthesized PVME gel beads is a little decreased.     

H 2 O-D2O Solvent Isotope Effect on Excess Molar Volumes of 3-Methylpyridine Solutions

Densities of 3-methylpyridine (3-MP) + water and 3-methylpyridine + heavy water were measured in the 3-MP mole fraction range 0.002–0.04 from 298 to 318 K. The excess molar volumes of 3-MP + D₂O mixtures were found to be more negative than those of 3-MP + H₂O mixtures. The partial molar volume of 3-MP at infinite dilution is smaller in D₂O than in H₂O which suggests that 3-MP causes a structure-breaking effect in water which is more pronounced in D₂O. It was found that the volume change with concentration in dilute solutions of 3-MP in water and heavy water can be adequately described by the pair-wise interaction of the solute molecules. The molal volume second-virial coefficient, V _xx , is positive indicating that the water molecules are less structured in the cospheres of the solute pairs than in the bulk solvent. The temperature dependence of V _xx displays a maximum at around 308 K in the case of D₂O solutions, whereas V _xx increases almost linearly with temperature in H₂O solutions.     

Star polymer diffusion in concentrated solutions: Dependence on functionality via the coupling model

The coupling model is formulated in terms of the dynamic constraint entropy, S_c(t), and subsequently compared with measured tracer diffusion coefficients D for linear, 3-arm star, and 12arm star polystyrenes in solutions of poly (vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) /o-fluorotoluene. Inequalities between the dynamic constraint entropies, S_cf and S_cf′(t), respectively, for f-arm and f′-arm stars, enable us to explain the experimental observation that at constant arm molecular weight, the ratio D_star/D_linear decreases substantially with increasing concentration above the entanglement concentration for the PVME. This work indicates that not only the reptation model, but also the coupling model, can account for the experimental observation that in entangled solutions the mechanism for diffusion depends on diffusant architecture.     

Étude par spectroscopie infrarouge de la structure du cation mg(h2o)62+ dans quelques sels de magnésium hydratés

The infrared spectra of eight hexahydrated magnesium salts have been investigated in the 4000-2000 cm^?1 range. The stretching H₂O, D₂O and HDO water bands are discussed. Two types of hydrogen bond depending on the acceptor properties of the anion can be distinguished: the water molecules are bonded to anions or to other water molecules.     

Capture of asymmetric top dipolar molecules by ions: Rate constants for capture of H2O, HDO, and D2O by arbitrary ions

The capture of rotationally state-selected and unselected asymmetric top polar molecules by ions is investigated. Analytical expressions (for all rotational states up to j = 2) of capture rate constants in the perturbed-rotor second-order limit are derived for application to low temperature conditions. Approximate analytical representations over wider temperature ranges are also given for rotationally unselected molecules. The capture of H₂O, D₂O, and HDO by arbitrary ions is chosen for demonstration of the approach. Capture rate constants for the about 60 reactions of H₂O with ions listed in the UMIST 2006 data base for astrochemistry are calculated, compared with experimental data, and represented in the format k_cap(T) ≈ c₁ + c₂(T/300 K)^−1/2. The parameters c₁ and c₂ can be predicted in a very simple way. The approach allows one to identify capture-controlled mechanisms and/or to trace experimental artifacts. The approach applies equally well to the capture of symmetric top and linear dipole molecules by arbitrary ions.     

Chlorine‐Induced Hydrogen‐Bonding Network of A Novel Dimer Based on Nickel and Tridentate Ligand: 3‐Hydrazine‐4‐amino‐1,2,4‐Triazole

The reaction of NiCl₂ and 3‐hydrazine‐4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole (Hatr) in the mixed solvent of EtOH and H₂O yielded a dimer compound ([Ni₂(Hatr)₂(H₂O)₂(EtOH)₂Cl₂]Cl₂·EtOH) with water and EtOH molecules coordinated to nickle ions. It crystallized in trigonal space group R‐3, a=b=29.67(1) Å, c=8.95(7) Å, β=120(1)°, as determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Then, they were fully characterized by the IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), and elemental analysis.     

Pressure and Temperature Effects on the Molecular Rotation in Acetonitrile-Water Mixtures

NMR spin-lattice relaxation time (T ₁) measurements were performed for ¹⁴N of acetonitrile in acetonitrile (CH₃CN)—H₂O mixtures and for ²H of heavy water in CH₃CN—D₂O mixtures at 30°C up to 294.2 MPa together with those for ²H in CH₃CN—D₂O mixtures at 10 and 20°C under atmospheric pressure over the whole composition range of the mixtures. IR absorption spectra for CH₃CN—H₂O and CH₃CN—10 mol% HDO/D₂O mixtures were obtained at 30°C under atmospheric pressure. Densities and viscosities of CH₃CN—H₂O mixtures were also measured under high pressure. The rotational correlation times for D₂O [τ _c (D)] and acetonitrile [τ _c (N)] were determined from T ₁ measurements. Under atmospheric pressure, τ _c (D) exhibits a small maximum around 10 mol% of acetonitrile at each temperature, and the maximum position is almost independent of temperature. These results suggest that the dipole–dipole interaction between acetonitrile and water molecules plays an important role in determining the rotational motion of water molecules in the mixtures. This is supported by the variation of the peak for the bending vibration of water molecules with composition. The decreases in τ _c (D) and τ _c (N) at higher acetonitrile contents are ascribed to the formation of acetonitrile dimer, trimer, and oligomer aggregates. Except for τ _c (D) in the water-rich region, the pressure coefficients of τ _c (D) and τ _c (N) are positive which is understood as a simple compression effect. Furthermore, the composition of mixture at which τ _c (D) and τ _c (N) show a maximum shifted to higher acetonitrile content with increasing pressure. These results are discussed in terms of the pressure effect on the equilibria of acetonitrile monomers with the aggregates of acetonitrile in the mixtures.     

(Co)polymers of oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylates—temperature‐induced aggregation in aqueous solution

The synthesis and aggregation behavior of well‐defined thermosensitive (co)polymers of oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylates (POEGMA) in aqueous solutions were investigated. The cloud points of the POEGMAs solutions were determined by turbidimetry and dynamic light scattering. For POEGMA (co)polymers the cloud point temperature (T_CP) increased linearly with increasing content of more hydrophilic comonomer. The mesoglobules formed by POEGMAs in dilute aqueous solutions above T_CP were studied by light scattering. The size of mesoglobules depended on the concentration and the heating procedures. The aggregates became smaller with decreasing initial concentration of polymer and increasing rates of temperature change. By selecting the proper heating and dilution procedures, the influence of the (co)polymer structure on the size of the mesoglobules could be determined. The size of the mesoglobules decreased with the length of the OEG side chains and increased with increasing content of more hydrophilic comonomer. The light scattering parameters of the mesoglobules—A₂ values and shape factors ${R_{\rm g}\over R_{\rm h}}$ —suggested that the hydrophilic OEG side chains placed at the periphery of the mesoglobules in direct contact with the surrounding water controlled the size of mesoglobules and their stability. Shape factors for all POEGMA mesoglobules indicated that the mesoglobules remained highly hydrated after formation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Self‐diffusion in a hyaluronic acid–albumin–water system as studied by NMR

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an anionic biopolymer that is present in many tissues and can be involved in cancerous neoformations. HA can form complexes with proteins (particularly, serum albumin) in the body. However, HA structures and processes involving HA have not been extensively studied by NMR because the molecule's rigid structure makes these studies problematic. In the current work, self‐diffusion of HA and bovine serum albumin (BSA), and water in solutions was measured by ¹H pulsed field gradient NMR (PFG NMR) with a focus on the HA‐BSA‐D₂O systems at various concentrations of BSA and HA. It was shown that in the presence of even a small amount of HA, the self‐diffusion coefficient (SDC) of BSA decreases. To explain this fact, three hypotheses were proposed and analyzed. The first one was based on the effect of slowing down of water mobility in the presence of HA. The second hypothesis suggested an effect of mechanical collisions of BSA with HA molecules. The third hypothesized that BSA and HA molecules form a complex where BSA molecules reduced in mobility. It was shown that the third mechanism is the most likely. The state of the BSA molecules in the BSA‐HA‐D₂O system corresponds to a ‘fast exchange’ condition from the NMR point of view: BSA molecules reside in the ‘free’ and ‘bound’ (with HA) states for much shorter time than the diffusion time of the PFG NMR experiment, 7 ms. The fractions of ‘bound’ BSA molecules in the BSA‐HA complex were estimated. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of perchlorates on the infrared bands of water: III. The structural model

The splitting of OD bands of HDO in the presence of perchlorates is studied and a structural model of solution is proposed. The assignment of D₂O and H₂O stretching bands in perchlorate solutions is discussed and the effect of temperature and of perchlorate on the vibrational bands of water are compared. Two other band-splitting anions are presented and the problem of anion-water hydrogen bonding is analysed.     

NMR Investigations of Temperature-Induced Phase Transition in Aqueous Polymer Solutions

The different dynamics of polymer segments forming phase-separated globular structures in aqueous (D₂O) solutions affects both the shape of NMR spectra and NMR relaxation times of polymer and solvent. Two types of the approach are discussed. The first one is based on the reduction of integrated intensities of polymer NMR lines in high-resolution NMR spectra in the system undergoing the coil-globule phase transition. The fraction p of phase-separated units (units with significantly reduced mobility) and subsequently, e.g., thermodynamic parameters ΔH and ΔS characterizing the coil-globule phase transition can be determined. The second approach is based on measurements of ¹H NMR relaxation times of water (HDO) which provide information on behaviour of water during phase transition. The power of both approaches is demonstrated on results obtained with solutions of several thermoresponsive homopolymers and copolymers.     

An isotopic effect in the dielectric spectra of Ark. 9/water systems

Dielectric spectra of H₂O and D₂O molecules in the L_α liquid crystalline phase of nonylphenoxy-poly(ethylenoxy)ethanol(Ark. 9)/water lyotropic systems have been investigated by dielectric time domain spectroscopy in the frequency range from 10 MHz to 10 GHz. By fitting the Cole-Cole formula to the dielectric spectra, obtained at different temperatures the dielectric increments, the relaxation times and the distribution parameters have been calculated. A strong retardation of water molecules has been found for the lamellar phase with low water content, i.e. 10 water molecules (H₂O or D₂O) per one Ark. 9 molecule. The relaxation times obtained at room temperature for the light and heavy water are 63 and 93 ps, respectively. It means that the retardation factor for D₂O molecules in the L_α phase is close to 1.5 and higher than that found for pure heavy water (1.25). Any decomposition of the dielectric spectra obtained seems to be unsubstantiated. The temperature dependences of the relaxation times acquired for both kinds of water obey the Arrhenius behaviour.