Preparation and characterization of sponge-like composites by cross-linking hyaluronic acid and carboxymethylcellulose sodium with adipic dihydrazide

The objective of this study was to develop a novel kind of hyaluronic acid-based biomaterials which had the great potentials to be used as dermal fillers or applied in tissue augmentation or filling. A series of sponge-like composites were prepared by cross-linking different amounts of hyaluronic acid (HA) and carboxymethylcellulose sodium (CMC-Na). Adipic dihydrazide (ADH) was employed as the cross-linker and water-soluble 1-ethyl-3-[3-(dimethylaminopropyl)] carbodiimide (EDC) as the carboxyl-activating agent. Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) analysis was performed to characterize the expected amide linkages in the cross-linked composites, and the scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis was carried out to view the microstructures of the composites. Furthermore, the physico-chemical properties, such as swelling property, thermostability, the resistance to hyaluronidase (HAse) degradation and the antioxidant abilities against hydroxyl free radical (OH), were characterized. The presence of the amide peak at 1476.11 cm⁻¹ in FT-IR spectra indicated the cross-linking between HA and CMC-Na by ADH. As demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the microstructures of the composites were dependent on HA content. The equilibrium swelling ratio was 20.091 ± 0.070, indicating the excellent water-uptake abilities of the composites. The HA-CMCNa composites showed a thermal stability up to 237 °C, independent of the composition of the prepared biomaterials. When exposed to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution containing HAse (100 U/ml), all of the composites could be degraded quickly in 15 h. But when the concentrations of ADH and EDC in the cross-linking reaction system were increased up to 10 mmol/L, respectively, the degradation process lasted for 60 h. The prepared composites possessed great antioxidant abilities against OH and the ability to scavenge OH depended on the composition. With the high water-keeping ability and improved physico-chemical stabilities, the prepared biocompatible HA-CMCNa composites could be used as ideal alternatives for dermal fillers, tissue augmentation/filling biomaterials.     

Water sorption and polymer dynamics in hybrid poly(2-hydroxyethyl-co-ethyl acrylate)/silica hydrogels

This work probes the hydration properties and molecular dynamics of hybrid poly(hydroxyethyl-co-ethyl acrylate)/silica hydrogels. Two series of hybrid copolymers were prepared by simultaneous polymerization and silica preparation by sol-gel method, the first with hydroxyethyl acrylate/ethyl acrylate (HEA/EA) composition at 100/0, 90/10, 70/30, 50/50, 30/70, 10/90 and fixed silica content at 20 wt.%, and the second with fixed HEA/EA organic composition at 70/30 and 0, 5, 10 and 20 wt.% of silica. The hydration properties of these systems were studied at 25 °C by exposure to several controlled water vapor atmospheres (water activities 0-0.98) in sealed jars and by immersion in distilled water. Finally, the molecular dynamics of the hydrated hybrids at several levels of hydration was probed with Thermally Stimulated Depolarization Currents (TSDC) in the temperature interval between −150 and 20 °C. The results indicate that a critical region of silica content between 10 and 20 wt.% exists, above which silica is able to form an inorganic network. This silica network prevents the expansion of water clusters inside the hydrogels and subsequently the total stretching of the polymer network without obstructing the water sorption at the first stages of hydration from the dry state. As concerns the copolymer composition, the presence of EA reduces water sorption and formation of water clusters affecting directly to the hydrophilic regions. The TSDC thermograms reveal the presence of a single primary main broad peak denoted as α_cop relaxation process, which is closely related to the copolymer glass transition, and of a secondary relaxation process denoted as β_sw relaxation, which originates from the rotational motions of the lateral hydroxyl groups with attached water molecules. The single α_cop implies structural homogeneity at the nanoscale in HEA-rich samples (x_HEA > 0.5), while for high EA content (x_EA ? 0.5) phase separation is detected. Both relaxation processes show strong dependence on water content and organic phase composition.     

Alternating ethylene–alkyl acrylate copolymers. I. polymer preparation

High molecular weight alternating ethylene–ethyl acrylate copolymers were prepared by using boron trifluoride to complex the acrylate ester. The polymerizations were run under mild conditions (25–50°C, 6–20 atm ethylene) in dichloromethane or dichloroethane solution with free-radical initiation. At lower ethylene pressures or at less than stoichiometric levels of BF₃, the polymers are acrylate-rich. This is due to ethyl acrylate homopolymerization competing with the copolymerization reaction. The effect of other polymerization variables is also discussed.     

Ultrastable, redispersible, small, and highly organomodified mesoporous silica nanotherapeutics

Practical biomedical application of mesoporous silica nanoparticles is limited by poor particle dispersity and stability due to serious irreversible aggregation in biological media. To solve this problem, hydrothermally treated mesoporous silica nanoparticles of small size with dual-organosilane (hydrophilic and hydrophobic silane) surface modification have been synthesized. These highly organomodified mesoporous silica nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, N(2) adsorption-desorption, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and solid-state (29)Si NMR, and they prove to be very stable in simulated body fluid at physiological temperature. Additionally, they can be dried to a powdered solid and easily redispersed in biological media, maintaining their small size for a period of at least 15 days. Furthermore, this preparation method can be expanded to synthesize redispersible fluorescent and magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles. The highly stable and redispersible mesoporous silica NPs show minimal toxicity during in vitro cellular assays. Most importantly, two types of doxorubicin, water-soluble doxorubicin and poorly water-soluble doxorubicin, can be loaded into these highly stable mesoporous silica nanoparticles, and these drug-loaded nanoparticles can also be well-redispersed in aqueous solution. Enhanced cytotoxicity to cervical cancer (HeLa) cells was found upon treatment with water-soluble doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles compared to free water-soluble doxorubicin. These results suggest that highly stable, redispersible, and small mesoporous silica nanoparticles are promising agents for in vivo biomedical applications.     

D-glucose-derived polymer intermediates as templates for the synthesis of ultrastable and redispersible gold colloids

A two-stage hydrothermal process was developed for the synthesis of highly dispersed Au colloids. In the first stage, a novel glucose-derived polymer template was prepared by the hydrothermal treatment of glucose at 160 degrees C. This template was then further used in the next step to synthesize highly dispersed gold (Au) colloids by hydrothermal treatment with HAuCl(4.) The templates treated at 160 degrees C with changing reaction times had different templating effects toward Au species. The 3-h treated template was able tightly adhere to the Au colloids. As a result, an unusual stability was observed for the prepared Au particles that could be repeatedly precipitated and redispersed with the template in H(2)O and were also stable against heating (below 160 degrees C) and aging. Meanwhile, the 5-h and 7-h treated templates had much poorer templating effects to Au species, leading to severe aggregation of the Au colloids immobilized on them. The various templating effects were correlated to the different structural features of the templates. Compared to the 5- or 7-h treated templates that were deeply carbonized, the 3-h treated template was only slightly carbonized, thus possessing a lot of functional and hydrophilic O-containing groups that could bind to Au species. These differences in templating ability were also observed in the Au samples prepared by the sonication-assisted method. The highly dispersed Au colloids immobilized on the 3-h treated template were tested for CO oxidation, and a good catalytic activity and stability for CO oxidation was observed.     

Phase behavior and preparation of mesoporous silica in aqueous mixtures of fluorinated surfactant and hydrophobic fluorinated polymer

The phase behavior and formation of self-assemblies in the ternary water/fluorinated surfactant (C(8)F(17)EO(10))/hydrophobic fluorinated polymer (C(3)F(6)O)(n)COOH system and the application of those assemblies in the preparation of mesostructured silica have been investigated by means of phase study, small angle X-ray scattering, and rheology. Hexagonal (H(1)), bicontinuous cubic (V(1)) with Ia3d symmetry, and polymer rich lamellar (L(alpha)(')) are observed in the ternary diagram. C(8)F(17)EO(10) molecules are dissolved in polymer rich aggregates, whereas (C(3)F(6)O)(n)COOH molecules are practically insoluble in the surfactant lamellar phase due to packing restrictions. Hence, two types of lamellar phases exist: one with surfactant rich (L(alpha)) and the other with polymer rich (L(alpha)(')) in the water/C(8)F(17)EO(10)/(C(3)F(6)O)(n)COOH system. As suggested by rheological measurements, worm-like micelles are present in C(8)F(17)EO(10) aqueous solutions but a rod-sphere transition takes place by solubilization of (C(3)F(6)O)(n)COOH. C(8)F(17)EO(10) acts as a structure directing agent for the preparation of hexagonal mesoporous silica by the precipitation method. The addition of (C(3)F(6)O)(n)COOH induces the formation of larger but disordered pores.     

Strategy for preparation of hybrid polymer hydrogels using silica nanoparticles as multifunctional crosslinking points

Novel hybrid polymer hydrogels were prepared in a facile manner by simple mixing of a water-soluble copolymer having trimethoxysilyl side chains with silica nanoparticles used as multiple crosslinkers.     

Analysis of transport behavior in polymer powders

Vapor sorption studies on powder samples of glassy polymers have provided data which supplement results obtained on conventional film specimens and aid in the elucidation of glassy-state transport mechanisms. For uniform spherical particles of sub-micron size, sorption kinetics at very low activities of organic vapors follow a simple Fickian diffusion model. The short diffusion path in such samples allows determination of the very low diffusivities characteristic of the glassy state in experiments of conveniently short duration. Deviations from the Fickian, uniform-sphere model are observed in several circumstances: Particle size non-uniformity retards the approach to diffusion equilibrium. Sorption data at substantial vapor activities show an apparently similar slow approach to equilibrium which can be related to the contribution of a relaxation-controlled mode of sorption. The effects of particle non-uniformity and of relaxation processes can be distinguished by appropriate experimental design, and models for both have been developed. Sorption rate data obtained under Fickian diffusion conditions can be used to characterize particle size distribution. Sorption kinetics on uniform-sphere powders, conversely, can be analyzed through a diffusion-plus-relaxation model to distinguish and quantify the roles of the two transport modes more clearly than is possible with polymer film specimens. Polymer powder vapor solubility isotherms show significant variations with sample history which can be interpreted in terms of free volume changes and glassy state relaxations. This discussion, based on a study of vapor sorption by poly(vinyl chloride) samples, indicates that powder sorption measurements are also likely to be of general value in the study of other glassy polymers.     

Relationship between the polymer/silica interaction and properties of silica composite materials

Cast film composites have been prepared from aqueous polymer solutions containing nanometric silica particles. The polymers were polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and a blend of PVA‐HPMC polymers. In the aqueous dispersions, the polymer–silica interactions were studied through adsorption isotherms. These experiments indicated that HPMC has a high affinity for silica surfaces, and can adsorb at high coverage; conversely, low affinity and low coverage were found in the case of PVA. In the films, the organization of silica particles was investigated through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS). Both methods showed that the silica particles were well‐dispersed in the HPMC films and aggregated in the PVA films. The mechanical properties of the composite films were evaluated using tensile strength measurements. Both polymers were solid materials, with a high‐elastic modulus (65 MPa for HPMC and 291 for PVA) and a low‐maximum elongation at break (0.15 mm for HPMC and 4.12 mm for PVA). In HPMC films, the presence of silica particles led to an increase in the modulus and a decrease in the stress at break. In PVA films, the modulus decreased but the stress at break increased upon adding silica. Accordingly, the polymer/silica interaction can be used to tune the mechanical properties of such composite films. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1134–1146, 2006     

Amphipathic and membrane-destabilizing properties of the cationic acrylate polymer Eudragit E100

The cationic acrylate polymer Eudragit E100 (E100) produces a biphasic effect on the stability of casein micelles disrupting their internal structure. These results suggested that this polymer could have some amphipathic character. Therefore, in this study the polymer was characterized with respect to its interaction with different amphipathic systems (bile-acid micelles, lipoproteins and liposomes), cell membranes (red blood cells) and virus membranes (Herpes simplex type 2 virus). As with caseins, a biphasic effect was observed with bile acids with a precipitation phase at low polymer/bile acid ratio and a solubilization phase when the polymer concentration was increased. Upon interaction with human plasma, an important reduction in cholesterol and triglycerides was observed upon remotion of E100 by a rise in pH to 8.5 and centrifugation. In agreement with this finding, an important reduction in plasma lipoproteins was observed upon its treatment with E100 and further remotion by pH rise and centrifugation. However, the amount of the major protein components of human plasma and the activity of several enzymes and antibodies were not affected by their treatment with E100. The membrane-destabilizing properties of E100 were confirmed by its lytic activity on liposomes and red blood cells and by an important antiviral effect of E100 on Herpes simplex virus type 2. Altogether, these results show that, despite its water solubility and cationic character, E100 displays a significative amphipathic and membrane-destabilizing character with potential biotechnological applications. [diagram in text].     

有机硅-丙烯酸酯聚合物乳液合成及粒径分析

通过种子乳液半连续法合成了有机硅改性丙烯酸酯聚合物乳液,并对其粒子形态及分布进行分析。结果表明:通过种子乳液半连续聚合工艺可制备出固含量42wt%,乳化剂含量4wt%(基于单体量)、窄分布纳米粒子的有机硅改性丙烯酸酯聚合物乳液。随反应进行,粒径分布变窄,平均粒径逐渐增大。随乳化剂中SDS与OP-10的摩尔比减少,粒径增大。     

Template transformations in preparation of MCM-41 silica

Template transformation in MCM-41 material during thermal treatment under different conditions was investigated on the basis of thermogravimetry (TG-DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). Micelle templated silica was prepared using C18 trimethylammonium bromide. The pore structure of MCM-41 samples obtained after removal of the surfactant in air, argon flow and vacuum was analyzed on the basis of the adsorption isotherms of nitrogen at 77 K and XRD experiments. The TG-DTA experiments confirm the mechanism of the template removal known from literature. However, the sequence of the processes during thermal treatment of as-synthesized sample and temperature of transformations depended strongly on the presence of oxygen and the heating rate. The main template degradation took place below 573 K and was independent of the kind of atmosphere above the sample. Residual carbonaceous species are removed from pores and the external surface of MCM-41 silica upon heating to 823 K by combustion or evaporation. The latter process as well as translocation of liquid-like products of template degradation from the pore interior to external surface was confirmed by PALS experiment in vacuum.     

Surfacial modification of polymer powders as drug carriers

Preparation of warfarin methacrylate(WaMA) was carried out by esterification of warfarin as thromboembolism drug with methacryloyl chloride. Radical copolymerization of WaMA with 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone(VPr) was carried out in 1,4-dioxane at 60°C using 2,2′-azoisobutyronitrile as initiator. The surfacial modification of the copolymer powders was achieved using the freeze-drying by dissolving the copolymer in benzene and micellation by benzene-in-water and water-in-benzene systems. The hydrolysis of the copolymer including the drug was investigated under mild condition from a view point of released rate of the drug.     

Electron spin resonance of phenylethynylcopper coordination polymer powders

K-band electron spin resonance investigations on undoped and I-doped phenylethynylcopper coordination polymers (the latter being an organometallic conductor) are reported in the temperature range 4.2–300 K. Up to four signals are observed; the first, which shows up identically in both species studied, exhibits a line shape typical for a (glass) powder pattern or a distribution of small metallic clusters. Another intense signal, which is only observed in undoped powder, shows a thermally activated intensity. All signals behave paramagnetically and are discussed in relation to their originating centers.     

Composition, stability, and structure of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II) complexes with adipic acid dihydrazide in aqueous and aqueous-ethanol solutions

Solvation and complexation of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II) with adipic acid dihydrazide (L) in aqueous and aqueous-ethanol solutions (ethanol mole fraction 0.07–0.68) were studied by spectrophotometry. The formation constants of the species M(LH)³⁺, ML²⁺, M₂L⁴⁺ (μ = Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺), and also M₂L ₂ ⁴⁺ and ML ₂ ²⁺ (μ = Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺) were determined. With Cu(II), the complexes Cu(LH) ₂ ⁴⁺ , CuL(LH)³⁺, and Cu₂L(LH)⁵⁺ were also detected and characterized. Evidence is given for the hydrazide coordination mode: tridentate in ML²⁺, bidentate in M(LH)³⁺ and ML ₂ ²⁺ , and tetradentate in M₂L⁴⁺ and M₂L ₂ ⁴⁺ . The ligand exchange reactions involving CuL²⁺, Cu(LH)³⁺, Cu(LH) ₂ ⁴⁺ , CuL(LH)³⁺, CuL ₂ ²⁺ , and Cu₂L(LH)⁵⁺ in aqueous solutions of Cu(II) were revealed and kinetically characterized by nuclear magnetic relaxation. The heretofore unknown rate constants of formation of these complexes were calculated from the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters. Factors controlling the rate constants of the complex formation and chemical exchange are discussed.     

Porogens and porogen selection in the preparation of porous polymer monoliths

Porogens are key components required for the preparation of porous polymer monoliths for application in separation science. Porogens determine the stability, selectivity, and permeability of polymer monoliths. This review summarizes the role of porogens in the preparation of porous polymer monoliths with a focus on clear understanding of effect of porogens on morphological properties, porosity, surface area, mechanical stability, and permeability of monoliths, particularly targeting the field of separation science. This review also includes the use of different types of porogens with the focus on various approaches used to set criteria for their systematic selection, including porogen‐free techniques recently used for synthesis of porous monoliths. It discusses the current state‐of‐the‐art applications of porogens in column preparation as well as where the future developments in this field may be directed.     

沉淀二氧化硅消光剂的制备研究

涂料中的消光剂是一类能够改变涂膜表面光学性能的助剂。这类助剂能够在涂膜表面产生预期微粗糙度,使涂膜的光泽显著降低,给人一种古朴典雅的感觉。近几年来,我国的涂料工业方兴未艾,涂料总产量也跃居世界的前列。在这期间高光泽的亮光涂料以其色泽鲜艳、明亮等优点深受消费者的喜爱,并在相当长的时间内一统着涂料市场[1]。但是,随着人们生活水平的不断提高,一方面消费者感觉到了高光泽的亮光涂料成膜后反光比较严重,对人的眼睛有害;另一方面消费者的审美观念越来越倾向于休闲、时尚和个性化。这些因素就导致了人们对具有柔和外观的低光泽涂…     

A simple FTIR technique for estimating the surface area of silica powders and films

A simple technique using FTIR spectroscopy to estimate the surface area of porous and non-porous silica powders is presented. The surface area is estimated by comparing the integrated area of the band due to isolated silanol groups on different silicas. We have found that by using a fumed silica as a calibrant, an accuracy of about 7% in the surface area of several silica materials is obtained when compared to the surface area computed by BET nitrogen adsorption techniques. The FTIR technique for computing surface area is simple and takes very little time to complete the analysis. The principle advantage of this method is that it enables surface area measurements of silica films on porous supports. To the best of our knowledge, there are no other methods that provide this information.     

Synthesis of ellipsoidal hematite/silica/polymer hybrid materials and the corresponding hollow polymer ellipsoids

Ellipsoidal trilayer hematite/silica/poly(divinylbenzene) hybrid particles were prepared by distillation precipitation polymerization of divinyl benzene (DVB) in the presence of hematite/3-(methacryloxy)propyl trimethoxysilane (MPS)-modified silica (SiO(2)) core-shell particles as the seeds. The polymerization of DVB was performed in neat acetonitrile with 2,2'-azobisisobtyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator to coat the hematite/MPS-modified SiO(2) seeds through the capture of DVB oligomer radicals with the aid of a vinyl group on the surface of the hematite/MPS-modified silica core-shell particles in the absence of any stabilizer or surfactant. The other hematite/silica/polymer trilayer hybrid particles with different polarity and various functionality, such as hematite/silica/poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) and hematite/silica/poly(divinyl benzene- co-methacrylic acid) could also be prepared by this procedure. Hematite/silica/poly( N, N'-methylenebisacrylamide) composite particles could be prepared with unmodified hematite/silica particles as seeds. Hollow poly(divinyl benzene) (PDVB) and poly( N, N'-methylenebisacrylamide) (PMBAAm) ellipsoids with movable hematite cores were subsequently developed after the selective etching of the silica midlayer in diluted hydrofluoric acid from hematite/silica/PDVB and hematite/silica/PMBAAm trilayer hybrids. Hollow PDVB ellipsoids were obtained by removal of the silica midlayer and hematite core of the trilayer hybrids with concentrated HF solution. The resultant trilayer hybrid particles and hollow polymer ellipsoids were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer.