Self-oscillation of polymer chains induced by the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction under acid-free conditions

A novel self-oscillating polymer was prepared by utilizing the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction. In this study, a sulfonic acid group was newly introduced as a pH-control site into the copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide, and the ruthenium complex was introduced as a catalyst site. By introducing the pH-control site, we succeed in causing the soluble-insoluble self-oscillation of the polymer solution under acid-free conditions in which only two BZ substrates, malonic acid and sodium bromate, were present as added agents. The self-oscillating behavior was remarkably influenced by the temperature and polymer concentration, which reflects the intermolecular aggregative capacity of the polymer chains in the reduced state to change the lower critical solution temperature. This achievement of self-oscillation of polymer chains under acid-free conditions may lead to their practical use as novel biomimetic materials under biological conditions.     

A viscosity self-oscillation of polymer solution induced by the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction under acid-free condition

We succeeded in measuring a viscosity self-oscillation induced by the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction for a polymer solution on the constant temperature condition under acid-free condition. The polymer chain is consisted of N-isopropylacrylamide, ruthenium complex as a catalyst of the BZ reaction, and an acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) as a pH and the solubility control site. The viscosity self-oscillation for the AMPS-containing polymer solution was attributed to the difference between viscosities for the polymer solution in the reduced and oxidized states. The effects of the polymer concentration and the temperature of the polymer solution on the viscosity self-oscillation were investigated. As a result, the viscosity self-oscillating behavior significantly depended on the polymer concentration and the temperature of the polymer solution. The period of the viscosity self-oscillation decreased with increasing temperature in accordance with the Arrenius equation.     

Control of oscillating behavior for the self-oscillating polymer with pH-control site

A novel self-oscillating polymer was prepared by copolymerizing the catalyst for the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction with N-isopropylacrylamide. Further, by introducing acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) with a sulfonic acid group as a pH-control site into the polymer, self-oscillation under acid-free conditions was achieved. The period and amplitude for the self-oscillation is controllable by changing the composition of the polymer. On-off switching of self-oscillation is also possible by changing temperature or substrate concentrations. The AMPS plays an important role not only to control the pH but also to change the solubility of the polymer.     

Fabrication of Self-Oscillating Micelles with a Built-In Oxidizing Agent

Various biological behaviors are fueled by “respiration”, which is an example of catabolism. So far, we have reported various self-oscillating soft materials exhibiting bioinspired dynamic movements. These autonomous polymer systems are driven by the Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction, which is analogous to the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle that is an integral part of respiration. However, in the BZ reaction, the external addition of an oxidizing agent is necessary to initiate the oxidation process, which is realized by intracellular moieties such as ubiquinone in living systems. Herein, we realized self-oscillating micelles that are driven without the external addition of an oxidizing agent. This was achieved by embedding the oxidizing source into the structure of the self-oscillating AB diblock copolymers. This strategy introduces a new function equivalent to intracellular oxidizing moieties, and is useful for the design of completely autonomous bioinspired materials.     

Self-oscillating polymer gel as novel biomimetic materials exhibiting spatiotemporal structure

As a novel biomimetic polymer gel, we have been studying polymer gel with an autonomous self-oscillating function since it was firstly reported in 1996. For developing the polymer gels, we utilized an oscillating chemical reaction, called the Belousov?CZhabotinsky (BZ) reaction, which is recognized as a chemical model for understanding several autonomous phenomena in biological systems. The self-oscillating polymer gel is composed of a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) network in which the metal catalyst for the BZ reaction is covalently immobilized. Under the coexistence of the reactants, the polymer undergoes spontaneous swelling?Cdeswelling changes (in the case of gel) or cyclic soluble?Cinsoluble changes (in the case of uncross-linked polymer) without any on?Coff switching of external stimuli. Several kinds of functional material systems utilizing the self-oscillating polymer and gel such as biomimetic actuators, mass transport surface, etc. are expected. Here, these recent progress on the self-oscillating polymer and gels and the design of functional material systems are summarized.     

智能化自振荡高分子凝胶

自振荡高分子凝胶是一种智能化软物质材料,其体积无需外界刺激即能自发膨胀收缩,实现化学能向机械能转化,具有良好的研究和应用前景。本文介绍了自振荡凝胶的设计和自振荡机理、不同尺度的自振荡行为,以及温度、浓度、胶结构和外界刺激等因素对自振荡行为的影响等内容。从凝胶自驱动运动和物质运输两方面介绍仿生驱动凝胶在组织工程、生命科学、药物缓释和材料等领域的潜在应用,并展望了自振荡凝胶未来研究趋势。     

Synthesis of poly(2,5-dimethylphenylene sulfide) through oxidative polymerization of sulfur chloride with p-xylene

Poly(2,5-dimethylphenylene sulfide) was prepared by oxidative polymerization of sulfur chloride with p-xylene using 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ) as an oxidizing agent. The reaction proceeded efficiently under atmospheric pressure and at room temperature. The polymer formed had a high melting temperature and linear structure which was confirmed by spectroscopies. The effects of reaction time, solvent, temperature and oxidizing agent on polymerization are also discussed.     

Fabrication of Self‐Oscillating Micelles with a Built‐In Oxidizing Agent

Various biological behaviors are fueled by “respiration”, which is an example of catabolism. So far, we have reported various self‐oscillating soft materials exhibiting bioinspired dynamic movements. These autonomous polymer systems are driven by the Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction, which is analogous to the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle that is an integral part of respiration. However, in the BZ reaction, the external addition of an oxidizing agent is necessary to initiate the oxidation process, which is realized by intracellular moieties such as ubiquinone in living systems. Herein, we realized self‐oscillating micelles that are driven without the external addition of an oxidizing agent. This was achieved by embedding the oxidizing source into the structure of the self‐oscillating AB diblock copolymers. This strategy introduces a new function equivalent to intracellular oxidizing moieties, and is useful for the design of completely autonomous bioinspired materials.     

A study on the synthesis,characterization and properties of polyaniline using acrylic acid as a primary dopant. I: polymerization and polymer

In the presence of acrylic acid (AA) as a primary dopant, polyaniline (PANI) doped with poly(acrylic acid) was successfully synthesized by using ammonium persulfate (APS) as initiator and oxidizing agent. The effect of experimental conditions on the polymer yields was systematically studied. It was found that the polymer yield can be as high as 65%, and this value strongly depends on synthesis conditions, such as the reaction time, the molar ratio of oxidizing agent to aniline monomer, the concentration of reactants and reaction temperature. The molecular weight ( ) of main chains of the de‐doped PANI is estimated to be 32,000–53,000. Based on the data of FT‐IR, UV‐vis, ¹³C‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), elemental analysis and electrical conductivity measurement, the emeraldine salt form of PANI was confirmed and the molecular structure of the resulting PANI‐AA was proposed. Accordingly the reaction mechanism was discussed and it was convinced that the polymerization reaction of AA is initiated by APS. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mussel-inspired 3D networks with stiff-irreversible or soft-reversible characteristics - It's all a matter of solvent

Mostly, catechol groups are used as cross-linkers either based on oxidation to make irreversible networks in presence of oxidizing agent or coordination with metal ions to form reversible networks. However, a systematic study of gelation of catecholic polymer by adding oxidizing agent in non-aqueous solvents are scarce. Here, we report a study of gelation of catecholic polymer by adding oxidizing agent in different media to show the effect of media on behavior of catechol groups. When the gelation performed in an aprotic solvent, the copolymer containing catechol units gelates supramolecularly by H-bonding, yielding reversible and self-healing behavior, while in aqueous solvents irreversibly crosslinked not self-healing gels are obtained. As polymer-bound catechol groups are often studied in water, knowledge of the behavior of catecholic polymer in organic solvents is important to create supramolecular structures with more precisely controlled properties.     

Autonomous oscillating microgels involving Fe(phen)3 catalyst synchronized with the Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction

A novel kind of microgels’ poly(NIPAAm-co-Fe(phen)₃-co-CS) were prepared by copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), chitosan (CS), and iron(II) 5-acrylamide-1,10-phenanthroline-bis(1,10-phenanthroline) (denoted as Fe(phen)₃), the catalyst for the Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction. The microgels were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and static water contact angle. In addition, the self-oscillating behaviors of the microgels were investigated in BZ system free of catalyst. Both the redox potential and transmittance self-oscillation were observed. Moreover, the self-oscillating parameters, such as the induction period, oscillating period, duration, and amplitude decreased with the increasing of CS contents. This special property enables them to be used as biocompatible materials for a variety of applications.     

新型芳香胺－邻醌聚合物的合成及其作为纳料固定化酶载体的研究

以碘酸盐为氧化剂，通过氧化－迈克尔加成反应，由邻苯二酚和4,4'-亚甲基 苯胺合成了一种新的功能聚合物，芳香胺－邻醌聚合物。这种聚合物表面由分布均 匀的纳料颗粒和孔穴构成。由于这种聚合物分子含有疏水骨架、羰基和胺基的有序 分布，以及独特的纳料微观颗粒和孔穴结构，使其成为吸附法固定化酶的良好载 体。     

Synthesis of fusible and soluble conducting polyfluorene derivatives and their characteristics

Conducting polyfluorene derivatives with alkyl chains—poly(9-alkylfluorene)s and poly-(9,9-dialkylfluorene)s—have been synthesized by chemical polymerization utilizing FeCl₃ as an oxidizing agent. The polymers obtained are found to be soluble in conventional organic solvents such as chloroform and have been characterized by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR. The results indicate that the fluorene moeities are mainly linked in the 2,7′-fashion to yield the straight chain polymer. The degree of polymerization is estimated (by gel permeation chromatography) to be of the order of 10. The polymers are found to be fusible and the thermal properties of the polymers have been characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. The glass transition temperature is found to decrease with an increase of the alkyl chain length. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Self-oscillation mechanism of necking on extension of polymers

A new phenomenon in necking of some polymers, including poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PETP) was detected. It was found that extension of PETP films under certain conditions results in periodic stress oscillations and a periodic change in appearance of the sample. The conditions at which self-oscillations appear have been determined, and the principal regularities of this regime of deformation are described. The following factors are critical for the appearance of self-oscillation: speed of straining and compliance of the sample. The self-oscillation of stress and formation of the periodic transverse bands is attributed to heat dissipation during necking corresponding to local temperature jumps and periodic strong variation of elasticity modulus due to poor heat conductivity of the polymer. Changing the external conditions of heat transfer influences the possibility and development of the effect. The phenomenon is common for various crystallizing polymers, being dependent on physical properties of the polymer and conditions of deformation.     

Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohols under Mild Heterogeneous Conditions

A combination of iodic acid with ammonium dichromate in the presence of wet SiO₂ was used as an efficient oxidizing agent for the transformation of benzyl alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones in n-hexane or without a solvent at room temperature with excellent yields.     

AFM observation of immobilized self-oscillating polymer

Various types of nanocomponents have been developed to construct a nanodevice or nanomachine. Here, we add a new nanocomponent that has the function of self-oscillation. A thermoresponsive polymer carrying a Ru complex, a catalyst of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction, was synthesized and immobilized on a glass plate. Periodic turbidity changes in the aqueous solution of the polymer were observed, and nanoscale self-oscillation of the immobilized polymer was observed by a scanning probe microscope.     

发蓝光材料聚烷基芴的合成和性能研究

聚芴及其衍生物是一类极具光、电活性的重要有机聚合物材料 .早在 90年代初 ,Fukuda等[1,2 ]首先报道了聚芴的合成 .在过去的几年中 ,由于这类聚合物及其衍生物卓越的光电性能 ,使其在发光二极管、激光器件、导电光刻蚀、光电池、生物传感器件等方面得到了广泛应用 ,从而推动了这一领域的飞速发展 .国外研究者在这方面进行了大量的研究工作 ,合成了一系列具有光电性能的聚芴共聚物 ,并用于研制各种光电器件[3～ 10 ] .从单体合成方法来看 ,大多都有采用文献 [1 ]所述的方法 ,但该方法要求在无水 (正丁基锂 )、无氧 (Ar气 )、低温 ( - 78℃ …     

Anti-tack action of polyvinylpyrrolidone on hydroxypropylmethylcellulose solution

The anti-tack action of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) solution was elucidated using a probe test method. The influence of PVP of varying molecular weights at various PVP concentrations and solution temperatures on the tackiness of HPMC solution was studied. The viscosity, surface tension, cloud point and solution spectroscopy of HPMC solutions and glass transition temperature of HPMC films, with and without PVP, were investigated. The tackiness of HPMC solutions in response to the addition of PVP, at different concentrations of HPMC and using HPMC with varying contents of hydroxypropyl/methoxyl substitution, was also evaluated. PVP is a commonly used binder and adhesive. However, it reduced the tack of the HPMC solution when used at low concentrations, without affecting the state of hydration of HPMC. Lower molecular weight PVP was more effective as an anti-tack agent owing to suitable hydrodynamic size to intersperse among the HPMC chains. The degree of reduction in tack values was more pronounced for HPMC that showed a greater extent of interaction between polymer chains such as when high concentration of HPMC or low solution temperature was employed. This indicated that the tack reduction property of PVP relied on its ability to interact with the HPMC chains. The profile of reduction in tack values was affected by the contents of HPMC substitution and was a result of net reduction in the extent of hydrogen bonding between HPMC chains. It was significantly correlated to the changes of viscosity and surface tension of the HPMC solutions but not to the glass transition temperatures of the polymers prepared as solid films. The results suggested that the anti-tack action of PVP was attributed to its ability to interact with HPMC chains in the aqueous medium and consequently to reduce the extent of HPMC-HPMC bonding.     

Pyridinium chlorochromate oxidation route to polyaniline

In this work, for the first time, pyridinium chlorochromate is used as an oxidizing agent inorder to oxidize aniline to polyaniline salts via an aqueous polymerization pathway in the presence of protic acids such as sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric and phosphoric acid. The polymer samples were characterized by infrared, electronic absorption spectral, elemental analysis, conductivity, density and water absorption measurements. The results of the polyaniline salts prepared by pyridinium chlorochromate as an oxidizing agent were compared with that of the polyaniline salt prepared by ammonium persulfate. Generally, aniline is oxidized using ammonium persulfate as an oxidizing agent, which is unstable. In this work, pyridinium chlorochromate is used to oxidize aniline to polyaniline salt and the polymerization reaction could be completed in 30 min. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temperature-regulated activity of responsive polymer-protein conjugates prepared by grafting-from via RAFT polymerization

A facile route to well-defined "smart" polymer-protein conjugates with tunable bioactivity is reported. Protein modification with a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent and subsequent room temperature polymerization in aqueous media led to conjugates of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and a model protein. Representing the first example of polymer-protein conjugation with RAFT agent immobilization via the "R-group" approach, high molecular weight and reductively stable conjugates were accessible without extensive purification or adverse effects on the protein structure. An increase in molecular weight with conversion was observed for the chains grafted from the protein surface, confirming the controlled nature of the polymerization. The responsive behavior of the immobilized polymer facilitated conjugate isolation and also allowed environmental modulation of bioactivity.