Synthesis and supramolecular self‐assembly of thermosensitive amphiphilic star copolymers based on a hyperbranched polyether core

A novel amphiphilic thermosensitive star copolymer with a hydrophobic hyperbranched poly (3‐ethyl‐3‐(hydroxymethyl)oxetane) (HBPO) core and many hydrophilic poly(2‐(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) arms was synthesized and used as the precursor for the aqueous solution self‐assembly. All the copolymers directly aggregated into core–shell unimolecular micelles (around 10 nm) and size‐controllable large multimolecular micelles (around 100 nm) in water at room temperature, according to pyrene probe fluorescence spectrometry and ¹H NMR, TEM, and DLS measurements. The star copolymers also underwent sharp, thermosensitive phase transitions at a lower critical solution temperature (LCST), which were proved to be originated from the secondary aggregation of the large micelles driven by increasing hydrophobic interaction due to the dehydration of PDMAEMA shells on heating. A quantitative variable temperature NMR analysis method was designed by using potassium hydrogen phthalate as an external standard and displayed great potential to evaluate the LCST transition at the molecular level. The drug loading and temperature‐dependent release properties of HBPO‐star‐PDMAEMA micelles were also investigated by using indomethacin as a model drug. The indomethacin‐loaded micelles displayed a rapid drug release at a temperature around LCST. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 668–681, 2008     

Synthesis of multi-arm star polystyrene with hyperbranched polyether core

Multi-arm star polystyrenes with hyperbranched poly(3-ethyl-3-oxetanemethanol) (PEOM, 3) core were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method. The structures of polymers were confirmed by FT-IR and ¹H NMR. GPC results showed that the resultant polymers had relatively low polydispersity indices (PD = 1.47-2.03). DSC analysis indicated that polystyrene star polymers had a glass transition temperature (T_g = 42.2-91.5 °C) that changed with the amount of the polystyrene in the polymers. In addition, the aggregation behavior of the multi-arm star polystyrenes in a selective solvent (THF/cyclohexane) was probed with polystyrene arms that encapsulated in the aggregates and PEOM cores hidden in the center of the micelles.     

Synthesis and properties of hyperbranched copolymers based on perfluorinated germanium hydrides

Hyperbranched copolymers of various structures and molecular masses in the range 2.0 × 10⁴?4.4 × 10⁵ are prepared via the activated copolycondensation of tris- and bis(pentafluorophenyl)germane in tetrahydrofuran performed in the presence of triethylamine as an activator. The kinetics of copolycondensation is studied via the method of heat-conduction reaction calorimetry. It is found that tris(pentafluorophenyl)germane shows a higher activity in copolycondensation than bis(pentafluorophenyl)germane. Shear moduli, loss factors, and glass-transition temperatures of the copolymers are determined by dynamic mechanical analysis and differential-scanning calorimetry. The copolymers feature glass-transition temperatures up to 250°C. These values are considerably higher than those of perfluorinated polyphenylenegermane (162°C).     

Synthesis of novel multi-arm star azobenzene side-chain liquid crystalline copolymers with a hyperbranched core

A series of novel multi-arm star side-chain liquid crystalline (LC) copolymers with hyperbranched core moieties were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using a multi-functional hyperbranched polyether as the initiator and chlorobenzene as the solvent. The multi-functional hyperbranched polyether initiator was prepared from poly(3-ethyl-3-(hydroxymethyl)oxetane) (PEHO) and 2-bromo-2-methylpropionyl bromide. The azobenzene side-chain liquid crystalline arms were designed to have an LC conformation of poly[6-(4-methoxy-4^′-oxy-azobenzene)hexyl methacrylate] with different molecular weights. Their characterization was performed with ¹H NMR, size exclusion chromatograph (SEC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal polarized optical microscopy (POM). The multi-arm star side-chain liquid crystalline copolymers exhibited a smectic and a nematic phase, and the phase transition temperatures from the smectic to the nematic phase and from the nematic to isotropic phase increased with increasing the molecular weight of the multi-arm star side-chain liquid crystalline copolymers from 1.78 × 10⁴ to 9.07 × 10⁴.     

Bioreducible unimolecular micelles based on amphiphilic multiarm hyperbranched copolymers for triggered drug release

A novel type of bioreducible amphiphilic multiarm hyperbranched copolymer (H40-star-PLA-SS-PEG) based on Boltorn® H40 core, poly(l-lactide) (PLA) inner-shell, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) outer-shell with disulfide-linkages between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties was developed as unimolecular micelles for controlled drug release triggered by reduction. The obtained H40-star-PLA-SS-PEG was characterized in detail by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses suggested that H40-star-PLA-SS-PEG formed stable unimolecular micelles in aqueous solution with an average diameter of 19 nm. Interestingly, these micelles aggregated into large particles rapidly in response to 10 mM dithiothreitol (DTT), most likely due to shedding of the hydrophilic PEG outer-shell through reductive cleavage of the disulfide bonds. As a hydrophobic anticancer model drug, doxorubicin (DOX) was encapsulated into these reductive unimolecular micelles. In vitro release studies revealed that under the reduction-stimulus, the detachment of PEG outer-shell in DOX-loaded micelles resulted in a rapid drug release. Flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) measurements indicated that these DOX-loaded micelles were easily internalized by living cells. Methyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay demonstrated a markedly enhanced drug efficacy of DOX-loaded H40-star-PLA-SS-PEG micelles as compared to free DOX. All of these results show that these bioreducible unimolecular micelles are promising carriers for the triggered intracellular delivery of hydrophobic anticancer drugs.     

Supramolecular self-assembly and controllable drug release of thermosensitive hyperbranched multiarm copolymers

A novel temperature-responsive hyperbranched multiarm copolymer with a hydrophobic hyperbranched poly(3-ethyl-3-(hydroxymethyl)oxetane)(HBPO) core and thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)(PNIPAM) arms was synthesized via the atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP) of NIPAM monomers from a hyperbranched HBPO macroinitiator.It was found that HBPO-star-PNIPAM self-assembled into multimolecular micelles(around 60 nm) in water at room temperature according to pyrene probe fluorescence spectrometry,1H N...     

Synthesis and characterization of a flame retardant hyperbranched polyether

<正>A brominated hyperbranched polyether has been synthesized from cyanuric chloride and sodium salt of tetrabromobisphenol-A by an A_2+B_3 approach.The synthesized polyether was characterized by ~1H-NMR,~(13)C-NMR,UV, FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies,measurements of solution viscosity,molecular weight and solubility and elemental and thermogravimetric analyses.The flame retardancy of the synthesized polyether and its blends with commercially available plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)(PVC) and low density polyethylene(LDPE) was investigated by measurements of limiting oxygen index(LOI) value and thermogravimetric analysis.The properties are compared with a non-halogenated similar type of bisphenol-A based aromatic polyether after blending at different dose levels with the same base polymers.The LOI values of these blends indicated that these hyperbranched polyethers acted as flame retardant additives,and antimony trioxide had prominent synergistic effect with the bromo hyperbranched polyether for the above base polymers,and an increment of 4 to 6 units in LOI values was observed.     

Amphiphilic star‐block copolymers based on a hyperbranched core: Synthesis and supramolecular self‐assembly

Novel amphiphilic star‐block copolymers, star poly(caprolactone)‐block‐poly[(2‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] and poly(caprolactone)‐block‐poly(methacrylic acid), with hyperbranched poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA–OH) as a core moiety were synthesized and characterized. The star‐block copolymers were prepared by a combination of ring‐opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). First, hyperbranched PHEMA–OH with 18 hydroxyl end groups on average was used as an initiator for the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone to produce PHEMA–PCL star homopolymers [PHEMA = poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate); PCL = poly(caprolactone)]. Next, the hydroxyl end groups of PHEMA–PCL were converted to 2‐bromoesters, and this gave rise to macroinitiator PHEMA–PCL–Br for ATRP. Then, 2‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate or tert‐butyl methacrylate was polymerized from the macroinitiators, and this afforded the star‐block copolymers PHEMA–PCL–PDMA [PDMA = poly(2‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)] and PHEMA–PCL–PtBMA [PtBMA = poly(tert‐butyl methacrylate)]. Characterization by gel permeation chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed the expected molecular structure. The hydrolysis of tert‐butyl ester groups of the poly(tert‐butyl methacrylate) blocks gave the star‐block copolymer PHEMA–PCL–PMAA [PMAA = poly(methacrylic acid)]. These amphiphilic star‐block copolymers could self‐assemble into spherical micelles, as characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 6534–6544, 2005     

Synthesis and properties of polyether nitrile copolymers with pendant methyl groups

Polyether nitrile and polyether nitrile copolymers with pendant methyl groups were prepared by the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2,6^′-dichlorobenzonitrile with hydroquinone (HQ) and with varying mole proportions of HQ and methyl hydroquinone (MeHQ) using N-methyl pyrrolidone solvent in the presence of anhydrous K₂CO₃. The polymers were characterised by different physico-chemical techniques. The crystallinity of the polymers was found to decrease with increase in concentration of the MeHQ units in the polymer. Thermogravimetric studies showed that all the polymers were stable up to 450 °C with a char yield above 50% at 900 °C in N₂ atmosphere. The glass transition temperature and activation energy of the polymers was found to increase with increase in concentration of the MeHQ units in the polymer.     

Encapsulation and controlled release of a hydrophobic drug using a novel nanoparticle-forming hyperbranched polyester

An amphiphilic, hyperbranched polymer suitable for use in controlled drug delivery is reported. This polymer was obtained by modification of the hyperbranched aliphatic polyester Boltorn H20 (H20) with succinic anhydride and then glycidyl methacrylate, and formed nanoparticles in aqueous solution. The critical association concentration was 7.4 x 10(-3) g . L(-1), as determined by fluorescence spectroscopy using pyrene as a molecular probe. A static/dynamic laser light scattering (LLS) study revealed that the average particle size was 39.4 nm with a low particle size distribution (PDI=0.04), and that each particle was composed of about 350 amphiphilic molecules. Daidzein, a hydrophobic traditional Chinese medicine, was encapsulated during particle formation and the release properties were determined. The optimal feeding concentration of daidzein to hyperbranched polyester was 4.9 x 10(-5) g . mL(-1) to 5.0 x 10(-3) g . mL(-1) with a loading efficiency of 76.1%. In the presence of the enzyme Lipase PS, the drug loaded nanoparticles degraded in a random one-by-one manner and released the drug over a few days. This system is therefore a novel controlled drug release system based on nanoparticles formed of hyperbranched polyester. Encapsulation of daidzein by hyperbranched polyester particles.     

Structural and conformational properties of hyperbranched copolymers based on perfluorinated germanium hydrides

Two series of hyperbranched copolymers based on perfluorinated germanium hydrides of various topological structures are studied in dilute chloroform solutions by the methods of molecular hydrodynamics and optics. The first series is composed of copolymers with various molecular masses (from 2.3 × 10⁴ to 31 × 10⁴) that contain rigid linear chains between branching points and various amounts of branching points in cascades of the dendritic fragment, while the second series is comprised of copolymers that, at close branching degrees, on average, are characterized by a looser structure owing to a large amount of linear units at the periphery of macromolecules with M = (2.5 × 10⁴)?(23 × 10⁴). Macromolecules of the studied polymers have compact dimensions and a high density of the polymer substance; their shape asymmetry is low. In terms of these characteristics, they approach dendrimers. At a fixed molecular mass, the copolymers with a loose structure have higher dimensions of macromolecules and higher intrinsic viscosities.     

Synthesis and performances for treating oily wastewater of polyether copolymers based on polyethyleneimine

The demulsification of the oily wastewater generated in the oil recovery process is very important in the crude oil exploitation. In present work, 10 block copolymers based on polyethyleneimine were synthesized, and their performances for treating oily wastewater were studied. The evaluation of demulsification efficiency, the effects of temperature, and the dosage on the treatment of oily wastewater by prepared copolymers were also investigated. To explore the causes of the differences, the interface activity of prepared copolymer molecules at water‐oil interface was investigated by the interfacial tension, and a mechanism diagram of demulsification of wastewater by the prepared copolymers was proposed. The demulsification of wastewater could be divided into 3 processes that were (1) adsorption, (2) congestion, and (3) coalescence. The prepared copolymer molecule acted as a hand in the oily wastewater to achieve the demulsification.     

A novel route to prepare pH- and temperature-sensitive nanogels via a semibatch process

A novel method via a semibatch process in the absence of surfactant has been adopted to prepare pH- and temperature-sensitive nanogels. The shape, charge distribution, temperature, and pH-induced volume phase transition behavior of the latexes were investigated by scanning electronic microscopy, zeta potentials, dynamic laser light scattering, and UV/vis spectroscopy. It was found that, in the absence of surfactant, with increasing the amount of AAc from 5 to 20 mol% of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), the hydrodynamic diameters (D_H) decrease from 230 to 60 nm. With increasing pH value from 3 to 11, the D_H values increase slightly, which is different than the dramatic increase seen when using a conventional batch method with a range from 680 to 1700 nm. However, at pH 3, the turbidity curves of these kinds of particles increase dramatically at temperatures between 33 and 37 °C, while remaining constant at first and then increasing directly at pH 11. Furthermore, the distribution of carboxylic groups located not only on the interior but also on the exterior of colloidal particles as a result of adoption of the semibatch method, other than simple surface distribution of poly(NIPAM-co-AAc) latexes via the batch method.     

Surface properties and drug release behavior of polycaprolactone polyether blend and copolymer

The surface properties of polycaprolactone (PCL)–poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) block copolymer (PCE) and blend (B-PCE) of PCL and PEG obviously affect the drug release behavior of the polymer. In this paper, both surface properties of PCE and B-PCE are studied and compared by measuring their water sorption and using the contact angle and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy technique. The effect of the polyether segment content in PCE and B-PCE on hydrophilicity is discussed. The results show that a hydrophilic polyether segment moves towards the surface and enriches on the surface for either PCE or B-PCE. The enrichment content of the polyether segment of PCE and the hydrophilicity of its surface are higher than that of B-PCE. A reason for the different drug release rates for PCE and B-PCE is suggested.     

一种低代超支化聚醚的合成、表征及表面活性研究

以十二胺、丙烯酸甲酯和乙二胺为原料,甲醇为溶剂,采用发散合成法合成一种低代超支化分子骨架.采用1H NMR对分子骨架的结构进行了表征.在此基础上,以低代骨架为起始剂,分别与环氧乙烷、环氧丙烷加成制备了一种超支化聚醚,测定了它的表面张力、浊点,同时计算出了它的HLB值.结果表明:骨架的分子结构与所设计的结构相符,合成的聚醚具有典型表面活性剂的性质.     

The amphiphilic multiarm copolymers based on hyperbranched polyester and lysine: Synthesis and self-assembly

The amphiphilic multiarm copolymers were synthesized through the modification of commercially available hyperbranched polyesters(Boltorn H40) with N-ε-carbobenzoxy-L-Lysine N-carboxyanhydride(ZLys-NCA).After being condensed with N-Boc-phenylalanine(Boc-~NPhe) and deprotected the Boc-groups in trifluoroacetic acid(TFA),the original terminal hydroxyl groups were transformed into the amino groups and then initiated the ring-opening polymerization of ZLys-NCA.The hydrophilic poly(L-lysine) was grafted to the surface of Boltorn H40 successfully after the protecting benzyl groups were removed by the HBr solution in glacial acetic acid(33 wt%).The resulting multiarm copolymers were characterized by the ~1H-NMR,GPC and FTIR.The arm length calculated by NMR and GPC analysis was about 3 and 13 lysine-units for H40-Phe-PLysl and H40-Phe-PLys2 respectively.Due to the amphiphilic molecular structure,they displayed ability to self-assemble into spherical micelles in aqueous solution with the average diameter in the range from 70 nm to 250 nm.The CMC of H40-Phe-PLysl and H40-Phe-PLys2 was 0.013 mg/mL and 0.028 mg/mL,respectively, indicating that H40-Phe-PLysl with shorter arm length is easier to self-assemble than H40-Phe-PLys2 with longer arm length.     

Synthesis and surface properties of a fluorinated polyether

A new polyether consisting of alternate fluorinated/non-fluorinated phenylene units in the backbone has been synthesized via polycondensation of an AB monomer. At room temperature, the polymer film exhibits a low surface energy that is comparable to poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE). However, as the temperature is raised above a particular level, the surface energy of the polymer films starts to increase. Morphological measurements suggest that a smooth thin polymer film can be formed by solvent casting, but it spontaneously dewets the substrate surface when thermally annealed.     

Synthesis of novel fluorinated hyperbranched polyimides with excellent optical properties

Novel anhydride‐terminated fluorinated hyperbranched polyimides (FHBPIs) were successfully prepared by condensation of a triamine monomer, 1,3,5‐tris(2‐trifluoromethyl‐4‐aminopheoxy) benzene (TFAPOB), and various aromatic dianhydride monomers with different linear length. UV–vis spectra indicate high optical transparency of FHBPI films with a UV–vis absorption edge of 350–395 nm. FHBPIs show increased mechanical properties with the linear length of dianhydride monomer. Young's moduli of FHBPI range from 2.37 to 2.56 Gpa, similar to those of their linear analogs. These FHBPI films also present a minimum birefringence value as low as 0.0025 at 650 nm and have low optical absorption in the optical communication wavelengths of 1310 and 1550 nm. Rib‐type optical waveguide device fabricated by FHBPI‐4d demonstrated an obvious near‐field mode pattern of the waveguide. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6269–6279, 2009     

Synthesis and properties of novel bis(triarylamines) based on a 3,3'-diphenyl-2,2'-bithiophene core

An efficient synthesis of 3,3'-diphenyl-2,2'-bithiophene based bis(triarylamines) and their physical properties are reported.