Hydrodynamic, electrooptical, and conformational properties of fullerene-containing poly(2-vinylpyridines) in solutions

For C₆₀ fullerene-containing poly(2-vinylpyridines) synthesized by anionic polymerization, the molecular mass and hydrodynamic size of macromolecules in solutions have been determined by molecular hydrodynamics (translational diffusion and viscometry) and electrooptics in dilute benzene and THF solutions. Under the same conditions in the molecular mass range (9.8–123) × 10³, the hydrodynamic behavior of linear poly(2-vinylpyridines) and their molecular-mass dependences have been examined and the conformational characteristics of macromolecules have been established. The branching of macromolecules has been characterized by comparing the properties of star-shaped fullerene-containing and linear poly(2-vinylpyridines). With consideration of the hydrodynamic data interpreted within the framework of regular star model, it is inferred that on average three to four linear polymer chains with a molecular mass of (8 ± 3) × 10³ for each chain are attached to a fullerene core of C₆₀ in molecules of fullerene-containing poly(2-vinylpyridines). The specific Kerr constant of fullerene-containing poly(2-vinylpyridines) in dilute benzene solution is ?(14 ± 1) × 10^?12 cm⁵/[g (300 V)²]. As evidenced by the electrooptical data, the incorporation of fullerene into the polymer weakens self-association of macromolecules in solution.     

Determination of microtacticity of poly(vinylketones) and their derivatives by NMR spectroscopies of carbon-13 and proton

Sequence distribution of atactic poly(phenylvinylketone) (PPVK) has been determined by [¹³C]-[¹H]NMR spectroscopy. Quantitative analysis of the carbonyl pattern allows resolution into pentads with intensities fitting a first order Markov process. The carbonyl pattern of highly isotactic PPVK, initiated by diethylzinc, deviates strongly from Bernoullian statistics, as in the case of highly isotactic polymethylvinylketone (PMVK). For n-butyl-lithium initiated poly(isopropenylphenylvinylketone) (PIPK), the carbonyl pattern practically agrees with a Bernoullian distribution. Atactic PMVK, analyzed from the methylene and the carbonyl pattern in [¹³C] or [¹H]NMR, shows that the polymerization process is purely Bernoullian and quite different from that for poly(isopropenylmethylketone). Except for poly(methylallylalcohol) for which the tacticity can be determined, the resolution is too poor to allow a quantitative sequence distribution of poly(allylalcohols) or poly(allyltrifluoroacetates). [¹H] and [¹⁹F]NMR spectroscopies of these compounds do not give better results.     

Formation of Fe2+-phenanthroline complexes in the volume of hydrogel

The interaction of weakly crosslinked gels of poly(methacrylic acid) and a nonionic gel based on N-vinylcaprolactam and N-vinylimidazole with Fe²⁺ ions in aqueous solutions has been studied. A comparative study of the conformational state and of the absorption ability of the gels for their interaction with iron and ferroin ions has been performed. It has been shown that Fe²⁺ ions are efficiently absorbed by both poly(methacrylic acid) gels and the gels based on N-vinylcaprolactam and N-vinylimidazole. In this case, the poly(methacrylic acid) gels undergo contraction, while nonionic gels derived from N-vinylcaprolactam and N-vinylimidazole experience swelling. During the interaction of gels containing immobilized Fe²⁺ ions with phenanthroline, the efficient absorption of the complexon and the formation of Fe²⁺-phenanthroline complexes in the gel volume take place, thus inducing the contraction of gels. The interaction of poly(methacrylic acid) gels with ferroin is accompanied by the absorption of the complex, the formation of the tertiary complexes, and the collapse of the gel. The efficiency of formation of tertiary complexes in the gel volume is independent of their preparation procedure.     

Miscible blends of poly(ethylene oxide) with brush copolymers of poly(vinyl alcohol)‐graft‐poly(l‐lactide)

Even though poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) is immiscible with both poly(l ‐lactide) (PLLA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), this article shows a working route to obtain miscible blends based on these polymers. The miscibility of these polymers has been analyzed using the solubility parameter approach to choose the proper ratios of the constituents of the blend. Then, PVA has been grafted with l ‐lactide (LLA) through ring‐opening polymerization to obtain a poly(vinyl alcohol)‐graft‐poly(l ‐lactide) (PVA‐g‐PLLA) brush copolymer with 82 mol % LLA according to ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. PEO has been blended with the PVA‐g‐PLLA brush copolymer and the miscibility of the system has been analyzed by DSC, FTIR, OM, and SEM. The particular architecture of the blends results in DSC traces lacking clearly distinguishable glass transitions that have been explained considering self‐concentration effects (Lodge and McLeish) and the associated concentration fluctuations. Fortunately, the FTIR analysis is conclusive regarding the miscibility and the specific interactions in these systems. Melting point depression analysis suggests that interactions of intermediate strength and PLOM and SEM reveal homogeneous morphologies for the PEO/PVA‐g‐PLLA blends. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1217–1226     

New Additions to Nonconjugated Conductive Polymers; Nonlinear Optical Effects

Recently, new additions to nonconjugated conductive polymers have been made that include: poly(β-pinene), poly(ethylenepyrrolediyl) derivative and polynorbornene. These polymers have different double-bond number fractions per repeat compared to previously reported nonconjugated conductive polymers. Upon doping with electron acceptor (e.g. iodine) the conductivities increase more than ten orders of magnitude to levels consistent with their double-bond number fractions. Radical cations that are formed upon doping have dimensions less than a nanometer leading to unexpectedly large nonlinear optical effects. The measured Kerr coefficient of doped polyisoprene is ～1.6 × 10^-10 m/V² at 633 nm. For doped poly(β-pinene) the Kerr coefficient is ～1.2 × 10^-10 m/V² and for poly(ethylenepyrrolediyl) derivative it is ～1.2 × 10^-9m/V². Exceptionally large two-photon absorption coefficient (～2.6 cm/MW at 810 nm) has been measured for doped poly(β-pinene). The mechanism of the nonlinear optical effect has been explained using a model of subnanometer size metallic quantum dots. These novel materials with wide transparency are expected to have significant applications in photonics.     

Amperometric Sensor for Detection of the Reduced Form of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Using a Poly(pyronin B) Film Modified Electrode

An electrochemical method for the preparation of poly(pyronin B) film was proposed in this paper. A poly(pyronin B) (poly(PyB)) film modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) has been fabricated via an electrochemical oxidation procedure and applied to the electrocatalytic oxidation of reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The poly(PyB) film modified electrode surface has been characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), UV‐visible absorption spectrophotometry (UV‐vis) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). These studies have been used to investigate the poly(PyB) film, which demonstrates the formation of the polymer film and the excellent electroactivity of poly(PyB) in neutral and even in alkaline media. Due to its potent catalytic effects towards the electrooxidation of NADH at lower potential (0.0 V), poly(PyB) film modified electrode can be used for the selective determination of NADH in real samples because of dopamine, ascorbic acid and uric acid oxidation can be avoided at this potential. The catalytic peak currents are linearly dependent on the concentrations of NADH in the range of 1.0×10^?6 to 5.0×10^?4 mol/L with correlation coefficients of 0.999. The detection limits for NADH is 0.5×10^?6 mol/L. Poly(PyB) modified electrode also shows good stability and reproducibility due to the irreversible attachment of polymer film at GCE surface.     

Effects of gamma and electron beam irradiation on polymer electrolytes

Polymer electrolytes based on poly(ethylene oxide) and lithium salts have been widely studied in recent years. In order to enhance the room temperature ionic conductivity of PEO-LiX complexes, various techniques, such as addition of plasticizers and crown ether, and also irradiation by γ and electron beams have been investigated. The enhancement of the conductivity by irradiation has been accounted for the decreasing of the crystallinity of PEO-LiX. We reviewed these results and have investigated the degradation processes of PEO using Tb³⁺ fluorescence probes. We have also studied on the effects of irradiation of polymers such as poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA) and PEO using Tb⁺³ fluorescence probe. Various monomers containing SO₃H and COOH have been grafted on poly(ethylene oxide) using irradiation technique. The structures and ionic conductivities of Li and Na salts of irradiated products were investigated in detail.     

Anodic Stripping Voltammetry Determination of Pb(II) and Cd(II) at a Bismuth/Poly(aniline) Film Electrode

Abstract

A novel voltammetric method—anodic—using a bismuth/poly(aniline) film electrode has been developed for simultaneous measurement of Pb(II) and Cd(II) at low µg L^?1 concentration levels by stripping voltammetry. The results confirmed that the bismuth/poly(aniline) film electrode offered high‐quality stripping performance compared with the bismuth film electrode. Well‐defined sharp stripping peaks were observed for Pb(II) and Cd(II), along with an extremely low baseline. The detection limits of Pb(II) and Cd(II) are 1.03 µg L^?1 and 1.48 µg L^?1, respectively. The bismuth/poly (aniline) electrode has been applied to the determination of Pb(II) in tap water samples with satisfactory results.     

ELECTROCHEMICAL SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF POLY(AZURE B)*

A blue poly(azure B) film has been synthesized using repeated potential cycling between -0.25 and 1. 10 V (versusSCE). The electrolytic solution consisted of 2.5 mmol dm~(-3) azure B, 0.5 mol dm~(-3) NaCl and 0.2 mol dm~(-3) NaH_2PO_4 at the pHrange of 2.0 to 11.0. The in situ visible spectrum during electrolysis of azure B shows that the intensity at 740 nm peakincreases with increasing numbers of potential cycles, which is attributable to the formation of poly(azure B). Thewavelength of its corresponding absorption peak is 98 nm longer than that of azure B. The polymerization rate is stronglyaffected by pH values. The anodic peak potential and cathodic peak potential of the poly(azure B) in a solution of pH 3.0 arenot affected by increasing the scan rate from 25 to 600 mV s~(-1). Poly(azure B) has good electrochemical reversibility and fastcharge transfer characteristic in the pH range of 2.0 and 11.0. The conductivity of poly(azure B) is 1.5×10~(-4) S cm~(-1).According to the differences between FTIR spectra of poly(azure B) and azure B, an electrochemical polymerizationmechanism of azure B is proposed in this paper.     

New green fluorescent polymer sensors for metal cations and protons

A new 4-(N-methylpiperazine)-N-allyl-1,8-naphthalimide with intense yellow-green fluorescence has been synthesized. Then it has been copolymerized with styrene and methylmetacrylate. The photophysical characteristics of the fluorescent dye and its copolymers (poly(St-co-NI) and poly(MAA-co-NI)) have been determined viewing their sensor properties for protons and transition metal cations (Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Zn²⁺). Fluorescence enhancement is the photophysical response of the 4-(N-methylpiperazine)-N-allyl-1,8-naphthalimide to the presence of metal cations and protons, while fluorescence quenching is observed for both copolymers.     

Properties of thin poly(tetrafluoroethylene) films deposited on solid substrates by electron beam polymerization from vapor phase

The deposition of thin poly(tetrafruoroethylene) films on silicon substrates via the polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene from the vapor phase by means of an electron beam with an electron energy of 20–40 eV and the current density varied in the range 1–10⁴ μA/cm² has been studied. It has been shown that a variation in the current density during deposition allows one to widely vary the properties of the films being formed, in particular, their heat resistance. The crosslinked poly(tetrafluoroethylene) films prepared at a current density of 10² to 10³ μA/cm² demonstrate heat resistance up to 400–450°C. This opens wide prospects for the use of these films as dielectric layers in microelectronics.     

Polymer colloids and silver nanoparticles hybrid materials

The present study presents two different methods to obtain hybrid material formed by the poly [styrene (ST)–poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA) 1100] and silver (Ag⁰). The aim has been to cover the polymeric particles with Ag⁰ shell. The first method consisted of mixing Ag⁰ nanoparticles dispersion with poly (ST-PEGMA 1100) dispersion, while in the second method, the Ag⁰ nanoparticles have been generated in situ. The hybrid materials have been characterized by MO, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry, and ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry. The results confirm the obtaining of two types of morphologies. In the first case, the nanoparticles have been arranged in the interspatial zones of the polymer particles, while in the second method, the Ag⁰ nanoparticles have covered the polymer particles. Thus, the film obtained using the second method is more suitable for the practical application, as a separation membrane, using the antiseptic properties of Ag⁰.     

Influence of free and copolymerized triplet quenchers on the photolysis of poly(vinyl phenyl ketone) in solution

The influence of free, diffusion-control quenchers of triplets (naphthalene, biphenyl, 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexadiene) on the photolysis of poly(vinyl phenyl ketone) in benzene solution has been investigated. The Stern-Volmer plots for quenching of main-chain scission were linear, and the quenching constants were independent of the macroviscosity of the solutions. Copolymers of vinyl phenyl ketone with 1-vinylnaphthalene and 2-vinylnaphthalene containing as much as 10% (by weight) vinylnaphthalene were prepared. The photolysis of the copolymers was compared with the photolysis of poly(vinyl phenyl ketone) in the presence of free naphthalene. It was found that the quenching efficiency of found naphthalene units was about 21 times higher. The possibility of migration of the absorbed energy along the polymer chain is discussed. The relation between average-number molecular weight M _n and intrinsic viscosity [η] has been determined osmometrically. For unfractionated poly(vinyl phenyl ketone) in benzene at 30°C, the relation [η] = 2.82 × 10^?5 M _n^0.84 has been found.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Poly(aryl ether) Containing 4-Chloro-2,5-diphenyloxazole

4-Chloro-2,5-bis(4-fluorophenyl)oxazole monomer has successfully been synthesized using cyclization reaction of 4-fluorobenzoyl cyanide with 4-fluorobenzaldehyde. This monomer was converted to poly(aryl ether)s by nucleophilic substitution of the fluorine atoms on the benzene rings of oxazole monomer with bisphenol A. The influence of the reaction time on the molecular weight had been investigated. The polymers were identified by FT-IR,¹H-NMR and TGA. The products exhibited weight-average molar masses up to 2.81 x 10⁴g mol⁻¹ in GPC. These poly(aryl ether)s showed very high thermal stability up to 363 °C for 5 % weight loss in TGA under N₂.     

Poly-α-ester degradation studies. VI. Thermal degradation of poly(3-pentylidene carboxylate)

The thermal degradation of poly(3-pentylidene carboxylate) has been studied kinetically over the temperature range 200–300°C using thermogravimetry, gas evolution analysis, and rheogoniometry together with isolation and analysis of the reaction products. The observed behavior is completely different from that previously reported for poly(isopropylidene carboxylate) and poly(methylene carboxylate). Whereas in the latter cases the decomposition occurs by a first-order intramolecular ester interchange process characterized by an activation energy in the region of 27 kcal mole^?1, poly(3-pentylidene carboxylate) decomposition occurs by random chain scission superimposed on a first-order hydrogen abstraction process. The activation energy associated with this decomposition reaction is in the region of 47 kcal mole^?1, and the major degradation products are cis- and trans-2-ethyl crotonic acid.     

Redox polymerization process: An efficient tool for the synthesis of block copolymers

The synthesis of poly(acrylonitrile)-block-poly-(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(acrylonitrile) copolymers has been carried out using a redox system consisting of ceric ion and poly(ethylene glycol)s of various molecular weights in aqueous medium. The generation of intermediate radicals in the redox process has been confirmed by ESR spectroscopy and the polymerization progressing through ‘blocking from’ mechanism has been postulated. The formation of the block copolymers has been confirmed by chemical tests and fractional precipitation technique as well as by FT-IR and FT-NMR [¹H and ¹³C–(¹H)] spectroscopic techniques. The triblock nature of the block copolymers has been ascertained through the cleavage of ether linkage of the PEG segment. TG/DTA studies of the block copolymers with PEG molecular weights of 1000 and above revealed two-stage decomposition, while their DSC traces exhibited a shift in the melting peak of PEG. GPC investigations of the block copolymers manifested a high homogeneity with unimodal distribution of molecular weights. SEM studies indicated significant changes in the morphological characteristics of the block copolymers. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Highly conductive meta derivatives of poly(phenylene sulfide)

Changes in the backbone structure of several meta derivatives of polyphenylene sulfide upon doping with AsF₅ have been investigated by IR spectroscopy. Poly(m-phenylene sulfide) does not form a conducting complex with AsF₅ unless reacted under conditions where carbon-carbon bonds form intramolecularly between phenyl rings. This assertion has been verified by comparison of the IR spectra of poly(m-phenylene sulfide) and a newly synthesized derivative, poly(thio-3,7-dibenzothiophendiyl), after doping with AsF₅. This new derivative forms a complex with AsF₅ which exhibits a conductivity of 18.5 S/cm. A sulfone-containing derivative has also been synthesized, poly[thio-3,7-(dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxide)-diyl]. With this polymer, a much lower conductivity, 10^?3 S/cm, was obtained after exposure to AsF₅.     

Lipase‐Catalyzed Transesterification of Polyesters to Ester Copolymers

Lipase‐catalyzed intermolecular transesterification between two different polyesters has been carried out using in toluene. The transesterification of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and (1,4‐butylene adipate) took place via catalysis of lipase from Candida antarctica to give an ester copolymer. ¹³C NMR analysis showed that the resulting polymer was not a mixture of the starting polyesters, but a copolymer consisting of both units. The reaction temperature and solvent amount greatly affected the microstructure of the ester copolymer. Under appropriate conditions, the random copolymer was formed. The enzymatic transesterification has been monitored by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and ¹³C NMR. Ester copolymers were enzymatically obtained from PCL and other poly(α,ω‐alkylene dicarboxylate)s and their microstructure depended on the polyester structure.     

Configurational properties of aromatic polyesters: Dipole moments of poly(diethylene terephthalate) chains

Dielectric constants have been determined for a fraction of poly(diethylene terephthalate) in benzene at several temperatures. The data indicate that the dipole moment ratio 〈μ²〉/Nm² is somewhat higher than that of poly(ethylene oxide), and its temperature coefficient is in the vicinity of zero. Both the dipole ratio and its temperature coefficient are in very good agreement with those predicted by the rotational isomeric state theory. Using this theory, the unperturbed dimensions of poly(diethylene terephthalate) were calculated and it was found that (〈r²〉/M)_∞ = 0.80 Ų (g mol wt)^?1, a value intermediate between those of poly(ethylene oxide) (0.57) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (1.05).     

Calorimetric and thermal analysis studies on the binding of phenothiazinium dye thionine with DNA polynucleotides

Binding of the phenothaizinium dye thionine with four sequence specific deoxyribopolynucleotides, poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC), poly(dG).poly(dC), poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT), and poly(dA).poly(dT) has been investigated by means of thermal helix melting, isothermal titration calorimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry experiments. The binding affinity values evaluated from isothermal titration calorimetry suggests that thionine exhibits the highest binding affinity to poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC). The binding to poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC), poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT), and poly(dG).poly(dC) is exothermic and favoured by negative enthalpy changes while binding to poly(dA).poly(dT) is endothermic and anomalous. The values of heat capacity changes of the interaction are negative and in the range (?0.4 to ?0.5) kJ · K^?1 · mol^?1. The binding is characterized by strong stabilization of the polynucleotides against thermal strand separation. The binding affinity values derived from thermal melting data are in excellent agreement with those obtained from isothermal titration calorimetry data. Insights into the energetic aspects and guanine–cytosine selectivity of the DNA interaction of thionine have been obtained from these studies.