Single Polyelectrolyte Microcapsules Fabricated By Glutaraldehyde‐Mediated Covalent Layer‐By‐Layer Assembly

Summary: Single polyelectrolyte component microcapsules and multilayers, exemplified by poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), have been prepared using a method of glutaraldehyde (GA)‐mediated covalent layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly. The GA cross‐linking of the adsorbed PAH results in surfaces covered by reactive aldehyde groups, which can then react with PAH to result in another layer of covalently linked PAH. The repeated assembly of single polyelectrolyte in an LbL manner can be thus achieved. The PAH multilayers can grow linearly along with the layer number, and their thickness can be controlled at the nanometer scale, as verified by UV‐vis absorption spectrometry and ellipsometry. Single polyelectrolyte microcapsules are obtained after removal of the template cores at low pH. The morphology and integrity are confirmed by scanning force microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Schematic illustration of the preparation of a single polyelectrolyte component microcapsule by GA‐mediated covalent LbL assembly.     

Investigation on RAFT Polymerization of a Y‐Shaped Amphiphilic Fluorinated Monomer and Anti‐Fog and Oil‐Repellent Properties of the Polymers

A Y‐shaped amphiphilic fluorinated monomer, 1‐(1H,1H,2H,2H‐perfluorodecyloxy)‐3‐(3,6,9‐trioxadecyloxy)‐propan‐2‐yl acrylate has been synthesized and its polymerization by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) homopolymerization has been investigated. The results show that the molecular weights of the polymers are controlled and all the molecular weight distributions are lower than 1.4. Well‐defined copolymers with 2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate have been prepared by RAFT polymerization, and the surface properties of the block and random copolymers have been examined by contact angle measurement for water and hexadecane. It has been found that the surfaces of the block copolymers simultaneously exhibit excellent anti‐fog and oil‐repellent properties.

     

Water‐Soluble N‐(n‐Fatty acyl)chitosans

Chitosan was partially N‐acylated by treatment with n‐fatty acid anhydrides in a homogeneous solution in 2 vol.‐% aqueous acetic acid‐methanol (1:2 v/v). The degree of substitution (d.s.) for N‐acyl groups in the water‐soluble N‐acylchitosan derivatives was in the range of 0.42–0.82 for N‐acetyl, 0.37–0.76 for N‐propionyl, 0.52–0.71 for N‐butyryl and 0.54–0.64 for N‐pentanoyl and ca. 0.58 for N‐hexanoyl, respectively.

Water soluble N‐(n‐fatty acyl)chitosans.     

Thin Films by Multilayer Build‐Up of Electron Transport Materials

We present the synthesis and the electrochemical characterization of polymeric electron transport materials, synthesized by polycondensation of substituted triazines and α,ω‐dihaloalkanes. They can be reversibly reduced with the least negative potential at −0.39 V, which is below the reduction potential of oxygen. In addition, the formation of polyelectrolyte multilayers is possible by the electrostatic self‐assembly method. This multilayer formation takes place in a very defined way up to thirty double layers.

An example of one of the polymeric triazine electron transport materials synthesized and a schematic diagram of a self‐assembled multilayer film.     

Layer‐by‐Layer Assembled Nanotubes as Biomimetic Nanoreactors for Calcium Carbonate Deposition

Enzyme‐loaded magnetic polyelectrolyte multilayer nanotubes prepared by layer‐by‐layer assembly combined with the porous template could be used as biomimetic nanoreactors. It is demonstrated that calcium carbonate can be biomimetically synthesized inside the cavities of the polyelectrolyte nanotubes by the catalysis of urease, and the size of the calcium carbonate precipitates was controlled by the cavity dimensions. The metastable structure of the calcium carbonate precipitates inside the nanotubes was protected by the outer shell of the polyelectrolyte multilayers. These features may allow polyelectrolyte nanotubes to be applied in the fields of nanomaterials synthesis, controlled release, and drug delivery.

     

Nitroxide‐Mediated Polymerization of Styrene in a Continuous Tubular Reactor

Summary: Nitroxide‐mediated polymerization of styrene in a continuous tubular reactor has been demonstrated for the first time. The polymerization kinetics in the tubular reactor are similar to those in a batch reactor. The number average molecular weight increases linearly with conversion, and chain extension experiments were successful, indicating that the living nature of the polymerization is maintained in the tubular reactor.

Evolution of molecular weight as measured by GPC for chain‐extended latex in continuous tubular reactor.     

Hydrogen Bonding‐Induced Transformation of Network Aggregates into Vesicles ‐ A Potential Method for the Preparation of Composite Vesicles

While network‐like assemblies are formed by amphiphilic polyphosphazenes with poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) and ethyl tryptophan as side groups in aqueous solution, a significant morphology transformation is observed when small molecules that exhibit hydrogen‐bonding interactions with amphiphilic copolymers are introduced during the preparation of polymeric assemblies through a dialysis procedure. Depending on copolymer composition and the content of small molecules introduced, aggregates ranging from general vesicles, high‐genus vesicles, to well‐defined nanospheres can be prepared successfully as clearly evidenced by TEM observation, which suggests this procedure should be a novel approach to prepare composite vesicles.

     

Micelles‐Encapsulated Microcapsules for Sequential Loading of Hydrophobic and Water‐Soluble Drugs

Layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly was conducted on CaCO₃ microparticles pre‐doped with polystyrene‐block‐poly(acrylic acid) (PS‐b‐PAA) micelles, and resulted in micelles encapsulation in the microcapsules after core removal. Distribution of the micelles in the templates and capsules was characterized by transmission electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The micelles inside the capsules connected with each other to form a chain and network‐like structure with a higher density near the capsule walls. The hydrophobic PS cores were then able to load small uncharged hydrophobic drugs while the negatively charged PAA corona could induce spontaneous deposition of water‐soluble positively charged drugs such as doxorubicin.

     

Surface‐Functionalized,Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization‐Derived Monoliths for Anion‐Exchange Chromatography

Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) was used for the synthesis of monolithic capillary columns with inner diameters of 200 µm. The resulting polymeric monoliths were characterized by inverse size‐exclusion chromatography (ISEC). Surface functionalization was carried out in situ using 2‐(N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl)norborn‐5‐ene‐2‐ylcarboxylic amide ( 1 ). The resulting functionalized monoliths were successfully used in anion‐exchange chromatography of oligodeoxynucleotides.

     

Direct Observation of α‐Chloro‐p‐quinodimethane as the Real Monomer in the Gilch Polymerization Leading to Poly(p‐phenylene vinylene)s

It is the general consensus that in Gilch polymerizations the 1,4‐bis(chloromethylene)benzene starting material first changes into p‐quinodimethane intermediates which then act as the real monomers. However, direct observation of these intermediates has not been possible so far. This is because usually the p‐quinodimethane auto‐initiates its rapid radical polymerization instantaneously, keeping its concentration extremely low throughout the whole process. Here it is shown that, when the reaction is carried out at very low temperatures, the formation of p‐quinodimethane still proceeds but chain growth is suppressed. Hence, the concentration of the active monomer reaches a level sufficient for NMR analysis.

     

Supramolecular Dynamics as Origin for Thermally Induced Insoluble‐to‐Soluble‐to‐Insoluble Transitions of Copolymers in Water

The synthesis of cationic mono‐(6‐O‐(1‐vinylimidazolium))‐ß‐cyclodextrin with toluenesulfonate as the corresponding anion is described. Free‐radical copolymerization of the resulting host–guest complex with N‐isopropylacrylamide or N,N‐diethylacrylamide yielded copolymers showing a temperature‐controlled solubility window in water. The impact of different anionic guests and salt concentrations on solubility behavior was investigated via turbidity measurements.

     

Hybrid Nonlinear Optical Materials Containing Imidazole Chromophore through the Sol‐Gel Process

A new sol‐gel hybrid film based on heterocyclic chromophore, namely 2‐[4′‐(N‐ethyl‐N‐hydroxyethyl)amino phenyl azo]‐4,5‐dicyanoimidazole (IZ), has been synthesized and characterized. The hybrid system possesses a high chromophore loading density up to 65 wt.‐% without observing a phase separation. The initial decomposition temperatures of the chromophore and hybrid material were determined to be 260 and 272 °C, respectively. Poled films show a fairly high and stable nonlinear optical (NLO) response, even at an elevated temperature.

     

Spontaneous Self‐Assembly of a Mono‐Component Polyimide Bearing Terminal Hydrogen‐Bonding Sites in a Single Solvent

A unique example of macromolecular self‐assembly, where a mono‐component homopolyimide bearing carboxy end‐groups spontaneously forms nanopartilces with novel dimple‐like morphology in a single good solvent, is presented. The self‐assembly process is dramatically affected by the solution concentration and the temperature. It is proposed that such an unexpected self‐assembly behavior is a synergistic result of the self‐complementary hydrogen bonding between carboxy end‐groups and the propensity to parallel packing of polyimide chains through aromatic interactions.

     

Efficient Usage of Thiocarbonates for Both the Production and the Biofunctionalization of Polymers

End group modification of polymers prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization was accomplished by conversion of trithiocarbonate into reactive functions able to conjugate easily with biomolecules or bioactive functionality. Polymers were prepared by RAFT, and subsequent aminolysis led to sulfhydryl‐terminated polymers that reacted in situ with an excess of dithiopyridyl disulfide to yield pyridyl disulfide‐terminated macromolecules or in the presence of ene to yield functional polymers. In the first route, the pyridyl disulfide end groups allowed coupling with oligonucleotide and peptide. The second approach exploited thiol–ene chemistry to couple polymers and model compounds such as carbohydrate and biotin with high yield.

     

Single‐Chain‐Particles of Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)

Spherical single‐chain‐particles of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) were prepared in aqueous solution above the lower critical solution temperature upon the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The size of the single‐chain‐particles was investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy and viscosity measurements of the corresponding solutions, indicating the absence of inter‐chain entanglements among the single‐chain‐particles.

Schematic of the preparation of PNIPAM single‐chain‐globules in solution.     

Shape Memory Effect of Bacterial Poly[(3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐co‐(3‐hydroxyvalerate)]

Summary: A bacterial poly[(3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐co‐(3‐hydroxyvalerate)] biosynthesized by Pseudomonas sp. HJ‐2 was found to be a shape memory polymer. Permanent shapes were set by annealing at room temperature the samples that had been pre‐treated above 95 °C in specified shapes. The temporary shapes were set by stretching and holding the elongated samples. Thermal shrinkage began at 45 °C and stopped at 75 °C to recover to their permanent shapes. Apparently, the orientation induced the formation of hard segments that were responsible for setting the temporary shapes. The shape memory effect of this polymer was explained based on the DSC and XRD results at different phases.

The recovery of a coil shape upon heating a strip of HJ‐2 PHB35V, demonstrating the polymers shape memory effect.     

Diversified Applications of Chemically Modified 1,2‐Polybutadiene

Commercially available 1,2‐PB was transformed into a well‐defined reactive intermediate by quantitative bromination. The brominated polymer was used as a polyfunctional macroinitiator for the cationic ring‐opening polymerization of 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline to yield a water‐soluble brush polymer. Nucleophilic substitution of bromide by 1‐methyl imidazole resulted in the formation of polyelectrolyte copolymers consisting of mixed units of imidazolium, bromo, and double bond. These copolymers, which were soluble in water without forming aggregates, were used as stabilizers in the heterophase polymerization of styrene and were also studied for their ionic conducting properties.

     

Chitinase‐Catalyzed Synthesis of a Chitin‐Xylan Hybrid Polymer: A Novel Water‐Soluble β(1 → 4) Polysaccharide Having an N‐Acetylglucosamine‐Xylose Repeating Unit

Summary: A chitin‐xylan hybrid polysaccharide having β(1 → 4)‐linked alternating structure of N‐acetyl‐D ‐glucosamine and D ‐xylose was synthesized via chitinase‐catalyzed polymerization. An oxazoline derivative of D ‐xylosyl‐β(1 → 4)‐N‐acetyl‐D ‐glucosamine ( 1 ) was effectively polymerized by the catalysis of chitinase from Bacillus sp., giving rise to a water‐soluble chitin‐xylan hybrid polysaccharide ( 2 ) in good yields. Molecular weights ( ) of 2 reached 1 500, which corresponds to 8–10 saccharide units.

A chitin‐xylan hybrid polysaccharide ( 2 ) synthesized via chitinase‐catalyzed polymerization.     

Preparation and Properties of New Soluble π‐Conjugated Polymers Containing a Fumaronitrile Unit in the Main Chain

Summary: A class of new, soluble, π‐conjugated polymers containing a fumaronitrile unit in the main chain were synthesized by the reaction between di(4‐bromophenyl)fumaronitrile and bis(2,2‐dimethylpropane‐1,3‐diyl)‐1,4‐dialkoxyphenylene‐2,5‐diborate employing palladium catalysts. All the polymers were photoluminescent and electrochemically active.

The new soluble π‐conjugated polymers 1a – d with photoluminescence and electrochemical activity synthesized here.     

A New Type of Thermoresponsive Copolymer with UCST‐Type Transitions in Water: Poly(N‐vinylimidazole‐co‐1‐vinyl‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)imidazole)

1‐Vinyl‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)imidazole ( 2 ) is synthesized by a procedure described in the literature. Corresponding copolymers with upper critical solution temperature (UCST)‐type transitions in water and high‐glass transition temperatures (T_g) are prepared by free radical copolymerization with N‐vinylimidazole ( 1 ). Depending on the copolymer composition, the cloud point can be varied between 19 and 41 °C. As the copolymer composition is identical with the monomer feed ratio, the cloud point can be easily tuned in the desired range. Furthermore, a distinctive pH‐dependence and salt effect can be observed.