Preparation of a reflective‐type electrochromic device based on monodisperse,micrometer‐size‐range polymeric microspheres and viologen pendants

A reflective electrochromic device (ECD) based on polymeric microspheres was proposed, and its feasibility for a display was investigated. The viologen moiety was introduced onto the surface of chloro‐functionalized polymeric microspheres via refluxing in toluene. The existence of the viologen pendants was confirmed with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and their redox reactions were examined with cyclic voltammetry. The ECD had an inherent white background without an applied potential because the micrometer size range of the substrate particles scattered the light, whereas a deep violet color appeared when 3.0 V was applied to the cell. This color change could have been caused by the reduction of viologen pendants on the surface of the polymeric microspheres. The reflectance values of the ECD were observed with a spectrophotometer, and the response times and cyclic stability of the ECD, depending on the potential, were also examined. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 6562–6572, 2005     

Au-Pt bimetallic nanoparticles formation via viologen-mediated reduction on polymeric nanospheres

Poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) nanospheres prepared via emulsion polymerization were surface functionalized with viologen moieties. Several methods were investigated to achieve the desired high surface concentration of viologen moieties with minimal aggregation of the nanospheres. The viologen-functionalized nanospheres were used for photoinduced reduction of gold ions and platinum ions, either individually, simultaneously or sequentially, to result in the formation of well-distributed Au-Pt nanoparticles of a few nanometers on the surface of the nanospheres. UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and XPS analyses of these bimetallic nanoparticles were carried out. The reaction time and the sequence of the reduction process play an important role in determining the composition of the bimetallic nanoparticles. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis reveals the highly crystalline nature of the bimetallic nanoparticles.     

Fabrication of polymeric-Laponite composite hollow microspheres via LBL assembly

Hollow structure microspheres with composite polymeric-Laponite shells were prepared by electrostatic self-assembly of Laponite on the polymeric hollow microspheres in this work. The multilayer hydrophilic core/hydrophobic shell polymer latex particles containing carboxyl groups inside were first synthesized via seeded emulsion polymerization, followed by alkali treatment, generating polymeric hollow microspheres. Then, polyethyleneimine (PEI) and Laponite were alternately electrostatic adsorbed on the prepared polymeric hollow microspheres to form polymeric-Laponite composite hollow microspheres. It was indicated that the morphology of alkali-treated microspheres could be tuned through simply altering the dosage of alkali used in the post-treatment process. Along with the increasing of the coating layers, the zeta potential of microspheres absorbed PEI or Laponite approximately tended to be constant respectively, and the thickness of Laponite layer around the hollow microspheres increased clearly, getting more uniform and homogenous. Furthermore, the corresponding polymeric-Laponite hollow microspheres showed high pressure resistance ability compared to the polymeric hollow microspheres.     

Novel Electrochromic Displays Using Monodisperse Viologen‐Modified Porous Polymeric Microspheres

Summary: In order to achieve a reasonable response time in an electrochromic display, viologen‐modified porous polymeric microspheres of various porosities have been used as substrates. Porous microspheres are prepared using seeded polymerization in the presence of a porogen. Based on ionic conductivity and the chronocoulometry measurements, it is confirmed that the electrolyte content increases, and the resistance of the polymer particles in the device decreases as the specific surface area of the porous particles increases. This results in a rapid response time of 270 ms.

Schematic representation of the viologen‐modified porous polymeric microspheres in the manufactured ECD device (A). Images of the device (B) in the OFF state (left) and in the ON state (right).     

在聚合物微球 GMA/MMA 表面同步合成与固载卟啉及固载化金属卟啉的催化氧化性能

 制备了甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯 (GMA) 与甲基丙烯酸甲酯 (MMA) 共聚微球 GMA/MMA, 并通过键合有对羟基苯甲醛 (HBA) 的改性微球 HBA-GMA/MMA 与苯甲醛 (或取代苯甲醛) 以及吡咯间的 Adler 反应, 实现了卟啉在共聚微球 GMA/MMA 表面的同步合成与固载, 制得了固载有苯基卟啉 (PP)、对氯苯基卟啉 (CPP)、对硝基苯基卟啉 (NPP) 的功能化微球 PP-GMA/MMA, CPP-GMA/MMA 和 NPP-GMA/MMA. 重点考察了影响卟啉同步合成与固载过程的因素. 制备了固载有钴卟啉的催化剂, 并以分子氧氧化乙苯为模型反应, 考察了催化剂的活性. 结果表明, 苯甲醛取代基的结构、催化剂的酸性和溶剂的极性对卟啉的同步合成与固载都有较大的影响; 钴卟啉催化剂对分子氧氧化乙苯反应具有较高的催化活性, 且当钴卟啉外环上含有强吸电子基团硝基时, 催化剂活性最高.     

Surface modification of monodisperse hydroxyl functionalized polymeric microspheres using ceric ammonium nitrate

The surface modification of monodisperse hydroxyl functionalized polymeric microspheres was carried out by utilizing a redox initiation system. Styrene, divinylbenzene and hydroxyethyl methacrylate were used as the second monomer in the seeded polymerization. An excessive amount of the second monomer emulsion was swollen into the polystyrene (PS) seed particles completely by controlling the medium solvency and swelling temperature. The hydroxyl functional groups were radicalized by the ceric ammonium nitrate in nitric acid solution, and the methyl methacrylate was reacted uniformly on the surface of microspheres. From the SEM, and FE-TEM measurements, highly monodisperse microspheres having a smooth surface, and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) coating layer were observed, respectively. The surface characteristics of the PS seed particles, hydroxyl functionalized and surface-modified polymeric microspheres were confirmed by utilizing FT-IR, XPS and thermal analysis.     

A novel protocol for the preparation of uniform polymer microspheres with high yields through step polymerization of isophorone diisocyanate

Uniform polymer microspheres with neat surface are of high interests. Precipitation polymerization of vinylic monomers remains a very limited process owing to very low monomer concentration allowed. Here, a fully novel protocol for the production of uniform polymeric microspheres is presented. Using one single monomer, isophorone diisocyanate, highly monodisperse polyurea microspheres were achieved with very high yield in a very short time period via precipitation polymerization in water–acetone mixed solvent. Results demonstrated that the ratio of water–acetone and polymerization temperature played important roles in the process. The size of the microspheres was readily adjustable by varying monomer concentration, water/acetone ratio or polymerization temperature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

HAP/P(MMA-St)复合微球的制备及其吸附性能

以微孔纳米羟基磷灰石（HAP）为无机载体,甲基丙烯酸甲酯（MMA）和苯乙烯（St）为聚合单体,采用悬浮聚合法制备了HAP/P(MMA-St)复合微球。研究了影响球体粒度及其分布的主要因素和微球的吸附性能。结果表明,表面活性剂用量（质量分数,下同）为1‰、MMA用量为2%,HAP用量为30%,转速为300r/min时复合微球的合格球收率最高为86.4%。当微球中HAP的含量为36.07%时,HAP/P(MMA-St)微球对牛血清蛋白的最大吸附量Qe=18.70 mg/g,比未加HAP时,增加了4.65 mg/g。     

相分离聚合法:(Ⅰ)羧酸型共聚功能微球的合成

粒径在微米级、粒度分布窄的高分子微球具有十分广泛的应用。但是由于这样规格的微球正是在一般的悬浮聚合和乳液聚合的合成范围之外,而采用二步聚合法和种子聚合法则不是需要使用特殊的反应装置,就是合成步聚十分繁复,因此至今对于这样规格高分子微球的报道不多。     

微孔羟基磷灰石/聚(甲基丙烯酸甲酯-苯乙烯)复合微球的制备及其吸附性能

以微孔纳米羟基磷灰石(HAP)为无机载体,甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)和苯乙烯(St)为聚合单体,采用悬浮聚合法制备了HAP/P(MMA-St)复合微球。研究了影响球体粒度及其分布的主要因素和微球的吸附性能。结果表明,表面活性剂用量(质量分数,下同)为1‰,MMA用量为2%,HAP用量为30%,转速为300r/min时复合微球的合格球收率最高,为86.4%。当微球中HAP的质量分数为36.07%时,HAP/P(MMA-St)微球对牛血清蛋白的最大吸附量Qe=18.70mg/g,比未加HAP时,增加了4.65mg/g。     

相分离聚合法:(Ⅰ)羧酸型共聚功能微球的合成

Crosslinked functional microspheres with Carboxylic group have been synthesized by the method of Phaseseparated polymerization from monomers of methacrylic acid and other vinyl-type monomers. The effects of reaction condition such as comonomer, crosslinking agent, initiator and polymerization temperature, as well as polymerization time on the morphological structure of microspheres formed have been studied. The functional polymeric microspheres with good spherical form, diameter near 5 micrometers, narrow dispersion in diameter and contained carboxylic group can be synthesized stably.     

乙酸中沉淀聚合制备窄分散聚二乙烯基苯微球

在沉淀聚合中利用含无毒的乙酸溶剂合成出窄分散交联聚二乙烯基苯(PDVB-55)微球,用扫描电镜(SEM)对其表面形态和粒度进行了表征,结果显示PDVB-55微球均匀且互相分离,平均粒径是2.69μm.X射线光电能谱(XPS)分析表面化学组成显示,微球表面有大量残余双键.     

无皂乳液聚合制备光敏聚合物微球及其光响应性

利用红外光谱(IR)和核磁共振(1H NMR)对所制备的光敏可聚合单体重氮萘醌苯磺酸甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯(DNQMA)进行了表征. 采用无皂乳液聚合方法制备DNQMA与甲基丙烯酸叔丁酯(t-BMA)的共聚合光敏微球. 利用紫外光谱(UV/Vis)、动态光散射(DLS)、扫描电镜(SEM)对光敏微球在光照前后形态的变化进行了表征. DLS的研究结果表明在水分散液中, 光敏微球的尺寸随光照时间的增加, 先增大, 然后达到平衡. 这与紫外光谱中DNQMA特征吸收达到饱和的时间相一致. SEM研究结果表明光敏微球的形态在光照后破坏很严重, 并基本解体.     

High immobilization of antibacterial moieties onto monodisperse microspheres by dispersion polymerization using bicationic viologen surfmer

In order to achieve monodisperse particles with high content of antibacterial groups covalently bonded on surface, a bicationic viologen,N-hexyl-N’-(4-vinylbenzyl)-4,4’-bipyridinium bromide chloride(HW) was devised as a surfmer in dispersion polymerization of styrene(St) using a mixture of methanol(or ethylene glycol) and water as media.Effects of content of HW,its addition profile and composition of reaction media on particles size and incorporation of HW moieties were mainly investigated.The attachment of silver and gold nanoparticles on particle surface under UV irradiation ascertained the surface-bonded HW segments.SEM,TEM observations and XPS,zata potential measurements indicated that increase of initial HW contents and addition of HW(when polymerization had been performed for 3 h) led to grown particles and enhanced immobilization of HW moieties.Using a mixture of ethylene glycol and water as reaction media, small particles(520-142 nm) with highly attached HW moieties were prepared.Furthermore,antibacterial efficacy of the resultant particles against S.aureus was assayed,and particles with more HW moieties anchored on surface demonstrated greater efficiency of antibacterial activity.     

Development of a peroxide biosensor made of a thiolated-viologen and hemoglobin-modified gold electrode

A gold electrode modified with thiolated-viologen is used to design a biosensor in corporate with hemoglobin (Hb). A highly stable self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of thiol-based viologen is immobilized onto the gold electrode. Hb is then immobilized onto the viologen-modified electrode. The modified electrode is very stable. By incorporating with SAMs of viologen and Hb, viologen can act as an electron transfer mediator for Hb to the gold electrode. The potential of Hb was found to be about − 135 mV versus Ag/AgCl for ferro and ferri active centers. The electrochemistry of Hb provides an opportunity to manufacture a third generation of biosensors. Experimental conditions influencing the biosensor performances such as pH, and potential are optimized and assessed. This sensor offered an excellent electrochemical response for H₂O₂ concentration below the μmol level with high sensitivity and selectivity with a short time response.     

Electrochemical Studies of Water-Soluble Palladium Nanoparticles

Aqueous-soluble monolayer-protected palladium nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrogen reduction of Pd(II) in a water solution. The particles were then further functionalized by incorporating multiple copies of mercapto derivatives of viologen into the particle protecting monolayers. The electrochemistry of the viologen moieties with the particles dissolved in solution or immobilized onto electrode surfaces was carefully studied using various electrochemical techniques. The particle molecular capacitance was evaluated by rotating-disk-electrode voltammetry and the electron-transfer rate constant of the particle-bound viologen moieties was estimated by impedance measurements.     

Polymeric microspheres by radiation copolymerization of acrolein and various monomers at low temperatures

The preparation of polymeric microspheres having aldehyde groups by radiation polymerization of acrolein solution containing various monomers at low temperatures was studied, in which the monomer solution was dispersed with polyvinyl alcohol in order to obtain monomeric microspheres and then irradiated. The particle size of the microspheres from acrolein — 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate system varied with polymerization and dispersion condition, in which the particle size increase of the concentration of 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate and its particle size distribution was broadened. In acrolein — polyethyleneglycol dimethacrylate system, the effect of the molecular structure of monomers on the particle size was studied, and it was found that the particle size decreased with number of oxyethylene units in monomers.     

A thermosensitive amphoteric microsphere and its potential application as a biological carrier

Thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) moieties were introduced onto amphoteric styrene/glycidyl methacrylate copolymer seed microspheres prepared by use of amphoteric initiators. The resulting microspheres exhibited thermosensitive and amphoteric behavior, so dual sensitivity to both pH and temperature was observed. The colloidal properties of the microspheres before and after seeded polymerization were characterized by varying the temperature and the pH. The results indicated that the specific surface structure emerged when the environmental conditions were changed. In addition, the reactive epoxy groups on the microsphere surface could be utilized to immobilize the protein molecules. The behavior of protein adsorption and immobilization onto the microspheres was examined in order to understand their potential applications in biological areas.     

Synthesis of hydrophilic microspheres with LCST close to body temperature for controlled dual‐sensitive drug release

Novel stimuli‐responsive hydrophilic microspheres were prepared by free radical polymerization of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and methacrylic acid (MA), as hydrophilic monomers, and N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and N,N′‐ethylenebisacrylamide (EBA), as thermo‐sensitive monomer and crosslinker, respectively. Hydrophilic comonomers were introduced in the macromolecular network to synthesize materials with tunable thermal behavior. In addition, by introducing in the polymerization feed both a hydrophilic and a pH‐sensitive monomer, such as MA, dual stimuli‐responsive (pH and temperature) hydrogels were synthesized. The incorporation of monomers in the network was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, while the network density and the shape of hydrogels was found to strictly depend on the concentration of monomers in the polymerization feed. Thermal analyses showed negative thermo‐responsive behavior with pronounced water affinity of microspheres at a temperature lower than lower critical solution temperature (LCST). In our experiment, the LCST values of the hydrogels were in the range 34.6–37.5°C, close to the body temperature, and the amount of hydrophilic moieties in the polymeric network allows to collect shrinking/swelling transition temperatures higher than the LCST of NIPAAm homopolymers. In order to test the preformed materials as drug carriers, diclofenac diethylammonium salt (DDA) was chosen and drug entrapment percent was determined. Drug release profiles, in media at different temperature and pH, depend on hydrogels crosslinking degree and drug–bead interactions. By using semi‐empirical equations, the release mechanism was extensively studied and the diffusional contribute was evaluated. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of Polymethyl Methacrylate Microspheres in the Presence of Dextran and Its Derivatives

Emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by a carboxyl-containing azo initiator in the presence of a polymeric stabilizer (dextran or its functionalized derivatives) was studied with the aim to prepare monodisperse microspheres of polymethyl methacrylate with surface carboxy, amido, and aldehyde groups. The optimal conditions for formation of monodisperse microspheres were found, allowing control of their diameter in the submicrometer range and of the nature and content of surface functional groups.