Effect of Polymer End Group on the Morphology of Polystyrene/Poly(methyl methacrylate) Composite Particles Prepared by the Solvent Evaporation Method

Summary: The effect of polymer end group on the morphology of polystyrene (PS)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composite particles was investigated on the basis of experimental observations and theoretical predictions. Both polymers with potassium persulfate (KPS)-derived hydrophilic end group(s) and 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN)-derived hydrophobic end group(s) were synthesized by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerizations and solution polymerizations, respectively. Composite particles with the same end groups were prepared by release of toluene from PS/PMMA/toluene (1/1/24, w/w/w) droplets dispersed in an aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). At a low SDS concentration, when the polymers with KPS-derived end group(s) were employed, acornlike particles were formed. On the other hand, when the polymers with AIBN-derived end group(s) were used, particles having a dimple were obtained. The interfacial tensions between toluene solutions of the polymers and SDS aqueous medium were lower for KPS-derived end group(s) than for AIBN-derived end group(s), and the difference was much larger for PS phase than PMMA phase. The predicted morphologies obtained from calculation of the minimum total interfacial free energy using the interfacial tensions agreed well with the experimentally observed morphologies in both cases. Moreover, the morphology of PS/PMMA composite particles with different end groups was also examined.     

Morphology Tuning of Electrospun Liquid Crystal/Polymer Fibers

This paper elucidates the means to control precisely the morphology of electrospun liquid crystal/polymer fibers formed by phase separation. The relative humidity, solution parameters (concentration, solvent), and the process parameter (feed rate) were varied systematically. We show that the morphology of the phase‐separated liquid crystal can be continuously tuned from capsules to uniform fibers with systematic formation of beads‐on‐a‐string structured fibers in the intermediate ranges. In all cases, the polymer forms a sheath around a liquid‐crystal (LC) core. The width of the polymer sheath and the diameter of the LC core increase with increasing feed rates. This is similar to the results obtained by coaxial electrospinning. Because these fibers retain the responsive properties of liquid crystals and because of their large surface area, they have potential applications as thermo‐, chemo‐, and biosensors. Because the size and shape of the liquid‐crystal domains will have a profound effect on the performance of the fibers, our ability to precisely control morphology will be crucial in developing these applications.     

Effect of Concentration Gradient on the Morphology Development in Polymer Solutions Undergoing Thermally Induced Phase Separation

Anisotropic porous polymeric materials fabricated from the phase separation method via spinodal decomposition are used in various practical engineering applications. We studied the formation of anisotropic porous polymeric materials numerically, by imposing an initial linear concentration gradient across a model polymer solution. The initial concentration gradient is placed at three different regions of the polymer sample for comparison purposes. All the simulation results are in good agreement with published experimental observations, which are reported from the applications of porous polymeric membranes. The structure development shows that an anisotropic porous morphology forms when an initial linear concentration gradient is applied to the model polymer solution.

     

Airbrush Formation of Liquid Crystal/Polymer Fibers

A homogeneous solution of a low‐molecular‐weight liquid crystal and a polymer spontaneously phase separates during airbrushing to form uniform fibers with a fluid liquid‐crystal core surrounded by a solid polymer sheath. This structure forms because it effectively minimizes the interfacial energy of the phase‐separated components while minimizing the elastic energy of the liquid‐crystal core. These fibers incorporate the sensitive stimuli response of liquid crystals while maintaining the structural integrity, flexibility, and large surface‐area‐to‐volume ratios inherent in fibers. We demonstrate the electro‐ and thermo‐optical response of the resulting fibers. They may find use as biological and chemical sensors. The resulting fibers have the potential to shape the future of flexible/wearable electronics and sensors.     

Morphology Evolution during the Phase Separation of Polyetherimide/Epoxy Blends

The results of time‐resolved light scattering for the phase separation of epoxy/polyetherimide/anhydride blends show that the evolution of scattering vector q_m follows a Maxwell‐type relaxation equation. The relaxation time may be suggested as the time taken for the diffusion of the epoxy‐anhydride n‐mers from the PEI‐rich phase by their relaxation movement, and the apparent activation energy of the relaxation movement is obtained.

Values of q_m versus time at different temperatures.     

浸没凝胶相转化制备聚合物膜的孔结构及其形成机理

全面地综述了浸没凝胶相转化法制备的聚合物微孔膜的表面和膜中存在的各种孔的结构和形态,从制膜体系的热力学性质和成膜动力学角度解释了各种孔结构形态的形成和生长机理,即膜表面与膜中孔的结构形态由此时制膜体系发生的相分离类型决定,由此可推断出不同的膜层可能有不同的成膜机理。因此,只要掌握了各种膜孔结构形成的机理,通过改变膜的制备条件,控制体系的热力学性质与成膜时动力学扩散是可以实现相转化膜结构的控制。     

Interpenetrating Polymer Networks with Spatially Graded Morphology Controllable by UV-Radiation Curing

Interpenetrating Polymer Networks (IPNs) composed of polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were synthesized from a precursor mixture by using dissimilar photo-cross-link reactions. When the reation yields exceeded a certain threshold, the mixture was quenched from one-phase region into two-phase region, leading to phase separation. Upon irradiation with strong UV-light, an intensity gradient was formed along the propagating direction of the exciting light, generating a gradient of quench depth via the spatial inhomogeneity of the cross-link reactions. As a consequence, a gradient of the characteristic length scales was continuously generated from the top to the bottom of the mixture. The resulting three-dimensional (3-D) morphology was in-situ observed at different depths of the mixture by using a laser-scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). From this 3-D observation, it was found that phase separation was accelerated at the bottom of the mixture and proceeded in an autocatalytic fashion. The mechanism for the formation of the graded morphology was discussed in conjunction with the kinetics of the autocatalytic phase separation.     

Ternary Polymer Solutions with Hydrogen Bonds, 1

The Flory Huggins methodology coupled to AET has been extended to ternary polymer systems, in particular to solvent (A)/polymer 1 (B)/polymer 2 (C) systems, with the two polymers displaying H‐bonding interactions. Because the H‐bonding can perturb the randomness of polymeric conformations, the change in Gibbs free energy of mixing, ΔG, should arise from changes in combinatorial entropy as well as in interaction energy. The combinatorial part of ΔG is evaluated through AET as a function of the association constant η between B and C components, the autoassociation constant σ between B components, and the independent number m of interaction sites of acceptor C. The enthalpic contribution is evaluated by introducing concentration independent interaction parameters, , evaluated by subtracting from the functions g_ij(ϕ) the energetic contributions due to the H‐bonding specific interactions. Once the resulting ΔG equation is tested, values obtained for hypothetic systems with low, moderate and strong H‐bonding interactions are discussed.

     

Binary Interaction Parameters,Ternary Systems: Realistic Modeling of Liquid/Liquid Phase Separation

The phase behavior of ternary systems (either a polymer solution in a mixed solvent or a polymer blend in a single solvent) was modeled theoretically. The modeling considers two specific features of polymers explicitly: chain connectivity and the ability to respond to changes in the molecular environment by conformational reorientation. Previously, this approach has been applied to polymer solutions in single solvents. Here it is generalized and the number of parameters is reduced to two per binary system. The calculation of the Gibbs energies of the ternary mixtures accounts for the composition dependencies of the binary interaction parameters. The following phenomena are reproduced realistically for polymer solutions in a mixed solvent and for solutions of two polymers in a common solvent: simplicity, co‐solvency, and co‐non‐solvency. The results nourish the hope that the new approach is capable of modeling phase diagrams for ternary systems by means of binary interaction parameters only.

     

Morphology re-entry in asymmetric PS-PI-PS' triblock copolymer and PS homopolymer blends

Here, we report the morphology variation in a series of PS-b-PI-b-PS' asymmetric triblock copolymer and PS homopolymer (hPS) blends, where PS' and PS are polystyrene blocks with a molecular weight ratio of approximately 0.11 and PI is poly(isoprene). We find that adding a small amount of hPS results in significant order–order transition (OOT) boundary deflection toward higher PS volume fractions f_PS, which is accompanied by morphology re-entry. For example, the neat triblock copolymer with a PS + PS' volume fraction of f_PS = 0.38 exhibits a lamellar microphase; adding a small amount of hPS reverts the morphology into a hexagonal phase with PS cylinders, while further increasing the hPS fraction leads to normal OOTs from PS cylinders to lamellae, to PI cylinders and finally to spheres. The morphology variation reported here is significantly different from that reported in binary blends of diblock or symmetric triblock copolymer with homopolymer. While the domain features of the LAM structure can be correctly reproduced by self-consistent field theory (SCFT), the observed morphology re-entry is absent in the theoretical SCFT phase diagram. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 169–179     

Morphology of PU/PMMA hybrid particles from miniemulsion polymerization: Thermodynamic considerations

The morphology of PU/PMMA hybrid particles prepared by miniemulsion polymerization was predicted through the consideration of their Gibbs free energy changes. Five morphological states of PU/PMMA hybrid particles were proposed and their Gibbs free energy changes were calculated. Before the formation of hybrid particles, the initial state included a monomer mixture of PU prepolymer, MMA, a chain extender, TMP, and an initiator, which was in droplets suspended in water containing SDS. Two assumptions were made. First, the densities of all states were the same. Secondly, secondary nucleation of particles was negligible. Thus the size of initial droplet and final particle was unchanged through miniemulsion polymerization. The interfacial tensions were measured by a pendant drop method and were used for calculation. The preferred morphology of PU/PMMA hybrid particle had the minimum value of ΔG_phase. Different NCO/OH ratios of PU and initiators of MMA were used to study the morphological change of PU/PMMA hybrid particles. When BD was used as the chain extender of PU, the hybrid particles showed the PU‐rich phase as the shell and PMMA‐rich as the core. When incorporating bisphenol A into PU polymer, the homogeneous structure of hybrid particle was preferred. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3359–3369, 2007     

Morphology and properties of semi-IPNs of polyetherimide and bisphenol A dicyanate

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) were synthesized from mixtures of polyetherimide (PEI) and bisphenol A dicyanate (BPACY) at different compositions and different cure temperatures. The phase separation behavior during cure was analyzed in terms of glass transtion temperature (T_g) behavior of fully cured semi-IPNs and the morphology–property relationship was also studied. The mixtures of PEI and BPACY monomer showed upper critical solution temperature behavior and their semi-IPNs showed sea-island morphology in 1–14 wt% PEI composition, dual-phase morphology in 15–19 wt% PEI composition and nodular morphology in 20–60 wt% PEI composition, respectively. The sea-island morphology was formed via nucleation and growth, while the other morphologies were predominantly formed via spinodal decomposition. Cure temperature did not influence the macroscopic morphology, but the domain size changed with temperature. As cure temperature was increased, the PEI domain size in the sea-island morphology decreased, while the BPACY nodule size increased in the nodular morphology. Mechanical and thermal properties were so strongly dependent upon the morphology that they changed dramatically near the phase inversion point.     

Genetic algorithm for the determination of binodal curves in ternary systems polymer-liquid(1)-liquid(2) and polymer(1)-polymer(2)-solvent

A simple genetic algorithm for the numerical evaluation of binodal curves in ternary systems polymer-liquid (1)-liquid (2) and polymer (1)-polymer (2)-solvent is presented. The technique exploits a specifically developed restarting technique based on a combined elitist and zooming strategy on the last population at each iteration. The objective function (fitness) is represented by the weighted sum of the squared differences of chemical potentials of the two phases of each component, obtained evaluating first derivatives of Gibbs free energy of the mixture with respect to the number of moles of the components. The method proposed (a) is numerically stable since it does not require the evaluation of first derivatives of the objective function and (b) can be applied in a wide range of cases changing the equation of state. Several comparisons with simplified iterative procedures presented in the past in the technical literature both for mixtures of two polymers with identical characteristics in a solvent and for mixtures of solvent-nonsolvent-polymer with solvent-polymer interaction parameter equal to zero are reported. Finally, a comparison between present results and the "alternating tangent approach" is reported for two technically meaningful binary systems, when a simplified PC-SAFT equation of state is adopted. The comparisons show that reliable results can be obtained by means of the algorithm proposed and suggest that the procedure presented can be used for practical purposes.     

Free energy of an inhomogeneous polymer–polymer–solvent system. II

A complete expression for the enthalpy of mixing of inhomogeneous polymer–polymer–solvent systems applicable for small as well as large concentration fluctuations has been developed. This is used to express the free energy of inhomogeneous polymer–polymer–solvent systems in an extended form of the Landau-Ginzburg functional. The gradient energy parameters obtained here are consistent with the published results. The free energy functional has been applied to develop a generalized continuity equation for spinodal decomposition in polymer–polymer systems. A linearized version of this continuity equation has been used to study the effect of the gradient terms on the dominant wavelength during spinodal decomposition.     

Making High Selective Molecule Imprinting Polymer (MIP) In Polar Solvent

IntroductionMoleculeimprintingtechnologyhasmadegreatprogressinmakingchiralstationaryphasewithpredeterminedchiralselectivityagainstenantiomerssuchasaminoacidandtheirderivatives;sugarandtheirderivatives;naproxenandmethylbenZylamine'-'.Functionalmonomer...     

The Use of Pressure-Volume-Temperature Measurements in Polymer Science

The importance of the knowledge of thermodynamic parameters from p-V-T experiments is shown in different fields of polymer science with special emphasis on determination of the phase behaviour of polymer systems.     

温度梯度引起的聚合物共混物梯度相形态的研究

研究了两相不相容聚合物共混物在静态退火时,由温度梯度引起的分散相尺寸的空间分布梯度相形态,讨论了分散相体积分数和两相之间界面张力对梯度形态形成的影响.应用接触凝聚模型计算了在温度梯度作用下,分散相粒子的粗化过程.计算结果表明,界面张力越大,或者分散相体积分数越大,形成的梯度相形态越明显;并且在温度梯度存在下,分散相粒子粗化的速度加快.     

小分子优先结晶构筑聚合物/非富勒烯共混体系互穿网络结构

非富勒烯小分子受体(SMAs)有序聚集决定聚合物/非富勒烯共混体系光伏电池的双分子复合几率。 然而,由于非对称相分离聚合物趋于优先形成网络,抑制小分子受体分子结晶。 在聚[(2,6-(4,8-二(5-(2-乙基己基噻吩-2-基)苯并[1,2-b:4,5-b']二噻吩))-alt-(5,5-(1',3'-二-2-噻吩基-5',7'-二(2-乙基己基)苯并[1',2'-c:4',5'-c']二噻吩-4,8-二酮))](PBDB-T)/9-二(2-亚甲基(3-(1,1-二氰基亚甲基)-6,7-二氟-茚酮))-5,5,11,11-四(4-己基苯基)-二噻吩并[2,3-d:2',3'-d']-s-引达省[1,2-b:5,6-b']二噻吩(IT-4F)共混体系,四氢呋喃蒸汽处理可提高IT-4F结晶性,150 ℃热退火可提高PBDB-T的结晶性。 因此,依次利用蒸汽退火和热退火处理薄膜,诱导小分子先结晶、聚合物后结晶,从而降低PBDB-T对小分子扩散的限制,构建高结晶互穿网络结构。 形貌优化后降低了双分子复合,器件光电转换效率从5.95%提高至7.18%。     

Morphology Transition in Ultrathin Titania Films: From Pores to Lamellae

Nanostructured TiO₂ thin films were prepared using an amphiphilic PS‐b‐PEO block copolymer as a templating agent. A good–poor solvent pair‐induced pair phase separation process was coupled with sol–gel chemistry to control the morphology of the TiO₂ film in a solution of 1,4‐dioxane, concentrated HCl, and titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP). By varying the block copolymer concentration from 0.25 to 4.0 wt.‐% while keeping the relative ratios among 1,4‐dioxane, conc. HCl, and TTIP constant, a morphology transition from pores to lamellae was observed. The photoluminescence (PL) properties of the film composed of different morphologies were studied, and the PL properties were found to be independent of the morphologies of the mesoporous films. The mechanism of the morphology evolution with respect to the copolymer concentration is further discussed.