Tensammetry with accumulation on the hanging mercury drop electrode: Part 1. The influence of preconcentration potential on the accumulation of poly(ehtylene glycols) with various molecular weights

The preconcentration of poly(ethylene glycols) (PEG) with various molecular weights on the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) from a stirred solution was studied for the tensammetric determination of trace concentrations of these polymers. Preconcentration was significant in the case of PEGs having m.w. > 1000. The influence of the preconcentration potential on the cathodic tensammetric peak heights was studied in detail for PEG 1500, PEG 4000, PEG 6000, PEG 9000 and PEG 20 000. The concentration of the PEG affects this dependence. With a preconcentration potential of ?1.76 V vs. SCE applied for 10 min, the calibration graphs of these PEGs were linear in the concentration range 0.01–0.10 mg 1^?1.     

Segmented polyethylene oxides: A new class of polyethers prepared via melt transetherification

Several segmented polyethylene oxides (SPEOs) were prepared by a melt-transetherification process using 1,4-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene and polyethylene glycols (PEGs) of different molecular weights (di-, tri-, and tetraethylene glycols and PEGs of molecular weights 300, 600, 1000, 1500, and 3400) as the monomers. The effect of polymerization temperature (185 and 150 °C) on the molecular weight of SPEOs was studied, and it was shown that the molecular weight is larger at a higher polymerization temperature. The reversal of the polycondensation (transetherification) equilibrium by treatment of the polyethers with excess methanol transformed them completely into the starting monomers. The analysis of the degraded products by mass and NMR spectroscopies revealed that side reactions, such as the self-condensation of diols, are insignificant. The polymers containing shorter PEG spacers are amorphous, whereas the ones with longer PEG spacers are semicrystalline. The glass-transition temperature (T_g) of the SPEOs decreased with increases in the spacer length and attained the value of PEO at PEG-600, whereas the melting transition (T_m), crystallization temperature (T_c), and their enthalpies of transition, (ΔH_m) and (ΔH_c), increased with increases in the spacer length. The introduction of “molecular kinks” into SPEOs by the use of another monomer, 1,3-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,4,5,6-tetramethylbenzene, surprisingly, showed little effect on their thermal properties. A “branched-PEO” analogue, containing pendant oligoethyleneoxy units, was also prepared, and its thermal properties were compared with its linear analogue. Preliminary ionic conductance measurements showed that some of these SPEOs could serve as potential candidates for solid polymer–electrolyte applications. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1615–1628, 2001     

Tensammetry with accumulation on the hanging mercury drop electrode: Part 2. The behaviour of mixtures of Poly(ethylene glycols) as an Example of Surfactant Mixtures

Model investigations with two-, three- and four-component mixtures of poly(ethylene glycols) (PEG) having different molecular weights (1500–20 000) are described. Three different types of mixture can be distinguished. The first group comprises mixtures of components which have very similar properties and behave additively; such mixtures give only one peak, the height of wich depends linearly on the total concentration of PEG. Examples are mixtures of PEG 9000 with PEG 20 000, and PEG 6000 with PEG 9000 or PEG 20 000. The second group consits of mixtures of components with rather different properties; in such cases, a suitable choice of preconcentration potential enables one component to be determined with adequate precision, even in the presence a 100-fold amount of another component. Examples are mixtures of PEG 4000, PEG 9000 or PEG 20 000 with a 100-fold amount of PEG 1500, and multicomponent mixtures consisting of PEGs 6000, 9000 and 20 000 with PEG 1500 in excess; in the latter case, the three PEGs of higher-molecular-weight behave as a single component. The third group comprises mixtures of components which have similar properties, but which behave nonadditively; their properties are too similar for any component to be eliminated by choosing a suitable preconcentration potential, and two very close peaks of dubious usefulness are obtained. Mixtures of PEG 4000, 6000, 9000 and 20 000, or of PEG 4000, 9000 and 20 000 behave in this way.     

Inclusion of Poly(ethylene glycol)s by Crystalline (R)-(1-Naphthyl)glycyl-(R)-phenylglycine

Abstract

Crystallization of (R)-(1-naphthyl)glycyl-(R)-phenyl-glycine [(R,R)-1] in the presence of oligo(ethylene glycol) dimethyl ethers 2(n) or poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs, 3(M_n )) afforded inclusion compounds. The ratio of (R,R)-1/the guest polymer (2 or 3) was proportional to the length of the polymer chain. The crystal structure of a hepta(ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether-included compound was disclosed by X-ray crystallography which showed that (R,R)-1 molecules form a sheet and the guest molecule penetrates the crystal lattice of (R,R)-1 through a one-dimensional channel on the sheet. Powder X-ray analysis revealed that, regardless of the length of the guest polymer, the distance between the neighboring sheets remains unchanged (12.0–12.3 Å) in these inclusion crystals. By thermal analysis, it was shown that the decomposition points of these inclusion compounds became higher with the longer PEG included. The inclusion phenomenon enabled the fractionation of PEGs with various molecular weights, among which longer PEG was preferably included.     

Thermal Study of Polyurethane Elastomers Based on Biopitch–PEG–MDI System

Polyurethanes based on biopitch and PEG of distinct molecular masses (M _w 1500, 4000 and 6000) were synthesized using polymeric MDI. Different materials were obtained through syntheses using various biopitch content and NCO/OH ratio. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to determine their thermal properties. Variations of thermal stability were observed with amorphous and semicrystalline structures depending on the biopitch content and the NCO/OH ratio. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

ABA-type amphiphilic triblock copolymers containing p-ethoxy azobenzene via atom transfer radical polymerization: Synthesis,characterization, and properties

ABA-type amphiphilic triblock copolymers composed of poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) with different number-average molecular weights as the hydrophilic blocks (B) and poly{6-[4-(4-ethoxyphenylazo)phenoxy]hexyl methacrylate} (PA6C) as the hydrophobic blocks (A) were prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization. These copolymers were prepared from bromo-terminated macroinitiators based on PEG6000, PEG2000, and PEG600, with CuBr/N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as the catalytic system, at 85 °C in anisole. The block copolymers were characterized with ¹H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements were performed to reveal the phase segregation. In contrast to those polymers with similar compositions and structures in previous reports, these amphiphilic copolymers exhibited unusual liquid-crystalline properties over a wide temperature range, being stable even at room temperature. These copolymers showed photoresponsive isomerization under the irradiation of UV–vis light both in THF solutions and in solid films. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2225–2234, 2007     

Synthesis and hydrolytic stability of poly(oxyethylene‐H‐phosphonate)s

Poly(oxyethylene‐H‐phosphonate)s (POE‐H‐Ps), with different poly(oxyethylene) segment lengths, were synthesized via conventional two‐stage polycondensation reaction of dimethyl‐H‐phosphonate and poly(ethylene glycols) (PEGs), with nominal molecular weights of 400, 600, and 1000 Da. The changes in the composition of the reaction mixtures during the polycondensation process were followed by size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) and NMR. It was found that the three PEG fragments yield reproducibly POE‐H‐Ps with the following molecular weights: ～3000 Da (PEG‐400), ～6000 Da (PEG‐600), and ～10,000 Da (PEG‐1000) as measured by SEC, NMR, and VPO. The hydrolytic behavior of POE‐H‐Ps upon storage and in aqueous media with pH 3, 7.4, and 8 was studied for the first time by a combination of NMR and SEC. It was found that the long‐term stability of the polymers in dry state depends on the length of the PEG fragments and decreased in the following order: POE‐H‐P_(PEG‐1000) > POE‐H‐P_(PEG‐600) > POE‐H‐P_(PEG‐400). The hydrolytic transformation of the polymers in aqueous media is affected mostly by the pH of the solution. The degradation products are PEG fragments containing phosphonate end groups—an important prerequisite for the usage of the POE‐H‐Ps as nontoxic drug delivery vehicles and in vivo precursors for PEGylated prodrugs. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4130–4139, 2008     

Thermochemical, volumetric and spectroscopic properties of lysozyme–poly(ethylene) glycol system

Investigations of lysozyme–polyethylene glycol system were made by differential scanning calorimetry, fluorescence and density techniques. The values of unfolding enthalpies, ΔH_N^U, unfolding temperatures, T_m, excess molar heat capacities, ΔC_p, and apparent molar volumes, V_Φ , were determined as functions of PEG concentration. The three PEGs of average molecular mass (MW) 6000, 10000, 20000 were used as macromolecular crowding agents. The concentration of polymers was changed in the range 0–30% mass per volume (w/v). The values of ΔH_N^U remained constant with no dependence on PEG concentration, while PEG addition to buffered lysozyme solutions caused linear decrease of T_m. The values of ΔC_p and V_Φ of lysozyme dramatically changed in the range of 8–10% of PEG concentration. The fluorescence spectroscopy was used in order to investigate the polymer influence on possible solvent–lysozyme interactions. The electrical properties of polymer–water and polymer–buffer systems, the dielectric constants of solutions were determined with use of impedance spectroscopy.     

Phase behavior of biodegradable amphiphilic poly(l,l-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(l,l-lactide)

This study describes the miscibility phase behavior in two series of biodegradable triblock copolymers, poly(l-lactide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(l-lactide) (PLLA-PEG-PLLA), prepared from two di-hydroxy-terminated PEG prepolymers (M_n = 4000 or 600 g mol⁻¹) with different lengths of poly(l-lactide) segments (polymerization degree, DP = 1.2-145.6). The prepared block copolymers presented wide range of molecular weights (800-25,000 g mol⁻¹) and compositions (16-80 wt.% of PEG). The copolymer multiphases coexistance and interaction were evaluated by DSC and TGA. The copolymers presented a dual stage thermal degradation and decreased thermal stability compared to PEG homopolymers. In addition, DSC analyses allowed the observation of multiphase separation; the melting temperature, T_m, of PLLA and PEG phases depended on the relative segment lengths and the only observed glass transition temperature (T_g) in copolymers indicated miscibility in the amorphous phase.     

Pressure perturbation calorimetry of poly(ethylene) glycol solutions in water

The physico-chemical properties of poly(ethylene) glycol solutions in water have been studied with use of pressure perturbation calorimetry. The three PEGs of average molecular mass (M_r) 6000, 10000, 20000 were used. The concentration of polymers was changed in the range 0–30% mass per volume (w/v%). On the basic of VP-DSC measurements with use of PPC technique the dependencies of thermal expansion coefficient (α) and excess specific heat capacity (C_p,exc) on temperature were determinated for PEG–water solutions.     

Preparation and characterization of macroporous poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels for the controlled release of proteins

Macroporous, temperature‐sensitive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogels were synthesized with poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs; molecular weight = 2000–6000) as the pore‐forming agents. The influence of the molecular weight and PEG content on the responsive kinetics of these macroporous hydrogels was investigated. The PEG‐modified PNIPAAm hydrogels were characterized by the swelling ratio, deswelling–reswelling kinetics, Fourier transform infrared, and differential scanning calorimetry. The morphology of these hydrogels was analyzed with scanning electron microscopy. The prepared macroporous hydrogels exhibited some unique properties in comparison with the gels with low molecular weight PEGs (molecular weight < 2000) as the pore‐forming agents. In addition, a preliminary study on the controlled release of bovine serum albumin from these macroporous hydrogels was carried out. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 152–159, 2003     

Preparation of polyethyleneglycol (PEG) coatings for microencapsulation of charcoal

Polyethyleneglycols (PEGs) with their high solubility in water cannot normally be used as a coating material in aqueous solutions such as blood. A λ-radiation procedure was therefore applied after coating charcoal granules with PEG in a non-aqueous phase, and an 80–90% insoluble polymer matrix on charcoal was obtained. PEGs with different molecular weights from 4000 to 300,000 were used for coating. The performance of this system was determined by using several test solutes, namely creatinine, uric acid, and vitamin B-12. It was observed that the pore size and structure of these membranes can be adjusted by changing the irradiation time and by using PEGs with different molecular weights. Thus, very high mass transfer rates can be achieved.     

Synthesis and characterization of block poly(ester‐ether‐urethane)s from bacterial poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) oligomers

Telechelic hydroxylated poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB‐diol) oligomers have been successfully synthesized in 90–95% yield from high molar mass PHB by tin‐catalyzed alcoholysis with different diols (mainly 1,4‐butanediol) in diglyme. The PHB‐diol oligomers structure was studied by nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy MALDI‐ToF MS, and size exclusion chromatography, whereas their crystalline structures, thermal properties and thermal stability were analyzed by wide angle X‐ray scattering, DSC, and thermogravimetric analyses. The kinetic of the alcoholysis was studied and the influence of (i) the catalyst amount, (ii) the diol amount, (iii) the reaction temperature, and (iv) the diol chain length on the molar mass was discussed. The influence of the PHB‐diol molar mass on the thermal stability, the thermal properties and optical properties was investigated. Then, tin‐catalyzed poly(ester‐ether‐urethane)s (PEEU) of M_n = 15,000–20,000 g/mol were synthesized in 1,2‐dichloroethane from PHB‐diol oligomers (P_ester) with modified 4,4'‐MDI and different polyether‐diols (P_ether) (PEG‐2000, PEG‐4000, and PPG‐PEG‐PPG). The influence of the PHB‐diol chain length, the P_ether/P_ester ratio, the polyether segment nature and the PEG chain length on the thermal properties and crystalline structures of PEEUs was particularly discussed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 1949–1961     

Effect of polyethylene glycol on the crystallization and impact properties of polylactide‐based blends

Polylactide (PLA) was plasticized by polyethylene glycols (PEGs) with five different molecular weights (M_w = 200–20,000 g/mol). The effects of content and molecular weight of PEG on the crystallization and impact properties of PLA were studied by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and V‐notched impact tests, respectively. The results revealed that PEG‐10,000 could significantly improve the crystallization capacity and impact toughness of PLA. When the PEG‐10,000 content ranged from 0 to 20 wt%, the increases in both V‐notched Izod and Charpy impact strengths of PLA/PEG‐10,000 blends were 206.10% and 137.25%, respectively. Meanwhile, the crystallinity of PLA/PEG‐10,000 blends increased from 3.95% to 43.42%. For 10 wt% PEG content, the crystallization and impact properties of PLA/PEG blends mainly depended upon PEG molecular weight. With increasing the M_w of PEG, the crystallinity and impact strength of PLA/PEG blends first decreased and then increased. The introduction of PEG reduced the intermolecular force and enhanced the mobility of PLA chains, thus improving the crystallization capacity and flexibility of PLA. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solid polymer electrolytes I,preparation, characterization,and ionic conductivity of gelled polymer electrolytes based on novel crosslinked siloxane/poly(ethylene glycol) polymers

A series of crosslinked siloxane/poly(ethylene glycol) (Si–PEG) copolymers were synthesized from the reactive methoxy‐functional silicone resin (Si resin) and PEGs with different molecular weights via two kinds of crosslinking reactions during an in situ curing stage. One of the crosslinking reactions is the self‐condensation between two methoxy groups in the Si resin, and another one is an alkoxy‐exchange reaction between the methoxy group in the Si resin and the OH group in PEG. The synthesized crosslinked copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, DSC, and ¹³C NMR. The crosslinked copolymers were stable in a moisture‐free environment, but the Si? O? C linkages were hydrolyzed in humid conditions. The gel‐like solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) were prepared by impregnating these crosslinked Si–PEG copolymers in a propylene carbonate (LiClO₄/PC) solution. The highest conductivity reached 2.4 × 10^?4 S cm^?1 at 25 °C and increased to 8.7 × 10^?4 S cm^?1 at 85 °C. The conductivities of these gel‐type SPEs were affected by the content of LiClO₄/PC, the molecular weights of PEGs, and the weight fraction of the Si resin. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2051–2059, 2004     

Synthesis and characterization of well‐defined cyclodextrin‐centered seven‐arm star poly(ε‐caprolactone)s and amphiphilic star poly(ε‐caprolactone‐b‐ethylene glycol)s

Per‐2,3‐acetyl‐β‐cyclodextrin with seven primary hydroxyl groups was synthesized by selective modification and used as multifunctional initiator for the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone (CL). Well‐defined β‐cyclodextrin‐centered seven‐arm star poly(ε‐caprolactone)s (CDSPCLs) with narrow molecular weight distributions (≤1.15) have been successfully prepared in the presence of Sn(Oct)₂ at 120 °C. The molecular weight of CDSPCLs was characterized by end group ¹H NMR analyses and size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC), which could be well controlled by the molar ratio of the monomer to the initiator. Furthermore, amphiphilic seven‐arm star poly(ε‐caprolactone‐b‐ethylene glycol)s (CDSPCL‐b‐PEGs) were synthesized by the coupling reaction of CDSPCLs with carboxyl‐terminated mPEGs. ¹H NMR and SEC analyses confirmed the expected star block structures. Differential scanning calorimetry analyses suggested that the melting temperature (T_m), the crystallization temperature (T_c), and the crystallinity degree (X_c) of CDSPCLs all increased with the increasing of the molecular weight, and were lower than that of the linear poly(ε‐caprolactone). As for CDSPCL‐b‐PEGs, the T_c and T_m of the PCL blocks were significantly influenced by the PEG segments in the copolymers. Moreover, these amphiphilic star block copolymers could self‐assemble into spherical micelles with the particle size ranging from 10 to 40 nm. Their micellization behaviors were characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6455–6465, 2008     

Synthesis and characterization of three-arm star-shaped polyethylene glycols with 1,1,1-trihydroxmethylpropane as cores

A small molecule core (TMP-SK₃) with three terminal carboxyl groups was synthesized successfully by the reaction of 1,1,1-trihydroxymethylpropane with the excessive sebacic acid diacetic anhydride (SK). Then, the core molecule was used as a coupling agent to condensate with polyethylene glycols (PEG) of different molecular weights or polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether (PEGm) in the presence of stannous octoate as catalyst and diphenyl ether as an azeotropic agent to remove water. Thus, the three-arm star-shaped PEGs was obtained successfully and characterized by ¹H-NMR, DSC, GPC and XRD etc.. DSC measurements indicate that the crystallizing and the melting temperatures of the three-arm star-shaped PEGs were different from those of the corresponding linear PEG because the existence of TMP-SK₃ altered its crystallizing velocity and perfect degree of crystallization. __________ Translated from Acta Polymerica Sinica, 2007, 9: 862–867 [译自: 高分子学报]     

The influence of molecular weight of the donor polymer on the solid-state behavior of interchain EDA complexes

N-(2-hydroxyethyl)carbazolyl methacrylate (HECM) and N-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyl carbazolyl methacrylate (HMCM-2) were polymerized by group transfer polymerization to varying molecular weights of somewhat narrow molecular weight distribution. The thermal behavior of the homopolymers and of their EDA complexes with poly(β-hydroxyethyl-3,5-dinitrobenzoyl methacrylate) (PDNBM-2) was studied as a function of molecular weight. The T_g′s of both polymers and their miscible complexes increase steadily as molecular weight increases and then become constant at about M _n = 6000. Both the PHECM–PDNBM-2 and PHMCM-2—PDNBM-2 systems are thermally reversible miscible networks over all polymer molecular weights. Miscibility is thermodynamically controlled over the entire range of molecular weights in the first system and decomplexation does not occur below the decomposition temperature. However, miscibility is thermodynamically controlled in the second system when the molecular weight of PHMCM-2 is less than 5000, and kinetically controlled for higher molecular weights. The decomplexation temperature or LCST of the PHMCM-2–PDNBM-2 system occurs below the decomposition temperature and increases with decreasing PHMCM-2 molecular weight, in agreement with theoretical predictions on the dependence of LCST on polymer molecular weight.     

Bioengineering functional copolymers. III. Synthesis of biocompatible poly[(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐maleic anhydride)‐g‐poly(ethylene oxide)]/poly(ethylene imine) macrocomplexes and their thermostabilization effect on the activity of the enzyme penicillin G acylase

Stimuli‐responsive poly[(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐maleic anhydride)‐g‐poly(ethylene oxide)]/poly(ethylene imine) macrobranched macrocomplexes were synthesized by (1) the radical copolymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide and maleic anhydride with α,α′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator in 1,4‐dioxane at 65 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere, (2) the polyesterification (grafting) of prepared poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐maleic anhydride) containing less than 20 mol % anhydride units with α‐hydroxy‐ω‐methoxy‐poly(ethylene oxide)s having different number‐average molecular weights (M_n = 4000, 10,000, or 20,000), and (3) the incorporation of macrobranched copolymers with poly(ethylene imine) (M_n = 60,000). The composition and structure of the synthesized copolymer systems were determined by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and chemical and elemental analyses. The important properties of the copolymer systems (e.g., the viscosity, thermal and pH sensitivities, and lower critical solution temperature behavior) changed with increases in the molecular weight, composition, and length of the macrobranched hydrophobic domains. These copolymers with reactive anhydride and carboxylic groups were used for the stabilization of penicillin G acylase (PGA). The conjugation of the enzyme with the copolymers significantly increased the thermal stability of PGA (three times at 45 °C and two times at 65 °C). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1580–1593, 2003     

Phase equilibria of carbon dioxide + poly ethylene glycol + water mixtures at high pressure: Measurements and modelling

Phase equilibria of carbon dioxide + poly ethylene glycol (PEG) of average mol weight 6000 g/mol + water mixtures has been measured by the static method at conditions of interest for the development of Particles from Gas Saturated Solutions (PGSS)-drying processes (pressure from 10 MPa to 30 MPa, temperature from 353 K to 393 K). A thermodynamic model based on the Perturbed-Chain Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (PC-SAFT) equation of state has been developed for correlating experimental data. The model is able to predict the composition of the liquid phase with an average deviation of 8.0%. However, the model does not calculate correctly the concentration of PEG in the gas phase. The model is also capable of predicting VLE data reported in the literature of PEG + CO₂ mixtures with PEGs of molecular weights ranging from 1500 g/mol to 18500 g/mol as well as solid–fluid equilibrium of carbon dioxide + PEG mixtures at pressures below 10 MPa.