Preparation of Molecule‐Responsive Microsized Hydrogels via Photopolymerization for Smart Microchannel Microvalves

Microdevices designed for practical environmental pollution monitoring need to detect specific pollutants such as dioxins. Bisphenol A (BPA) has been widely used as a monomer for the synthesis of polycarbonate and epoxy resins. However, the recent discovery of its high potential ability to disrupt human endocrine systems has made the development of smart systems and microdevices for its detection and removal necessary. Molecule‐responsive microsized hydrogels with β‐cycrodextrin (β‐CD) as ligands are prepared by photopolymerization using a fluorescence microscope. The molecule‐responsive micro‐hydrogels show ultra‐quick shrinkage in response to target BPA. Furthermore, the flow rate of a microchannel is autonomously regulated by the molecule‐responsive shrinking of their hydrogels as smart microvalves.

     

A Hemi‐metallocene Chromium Catalyst with Trimethylaluminum‐Free Methylaluminoxane for the Synthesis of Disentangled Ultra‐High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

Recently, it has been shown that by using a single‐site catalytic system having titanium as a metallic center, it is possible to tailor the entanglement density in the amorphous region of a semi‐crystalline ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). This route provides the possibility to make high‐modulus, high‐strength uniaxially and biaxially drawn tapes and films, without using any solvent during processing. In this publication, it is shown that a single‐site catalyst having chromium as metallic center, proposed by Enders and co‐workers, can also be tuned to provide control on the entanglement density during synthesis of the UHMWPE. However, to achieve the goal some modifications during the synthesis are required. The synthesized polymers can be processed in the solid state below the equilibrium melting temperature, resulting in uniaxially drawn tapes having tensile strength and modulus greater than 3.5 N/tex and 200 N/tex, respectively. Rheological studies have been performed to follow the increase in entanglement density in melt state with time.

     

Well‐Defined High Molecular Weight Polystyrene with High Rates and High Livingness Synthesized via Two‐Stage RAFT Emulsion Polymerization

A highly living polymer with over 100 kg mol⁻¹ molecular weight is very difficult to achieve by controlled radical polymerization since the unavoidable side reactions of irreversible radical termination and radical chain transfer to monomer reaction become significant. It is reported that over 500 kg mol⁻¹ polystyrene with high livingness and low dispersity could be synthesized by a facile two‐stage reversible addition–fragmentation transfer emulsion polymerization. The monomer conversion reaches 90% within 10 h. High livingness of the product is ascribed to the extremely low initiator concentration and the chain transfer constant for monomer unexpectedly much lower than the well‐accepted values in the conventional radical polymerization. The two‐stage monomer feeding policy much decreases the dispersity of the product.

     

A Single Molecular Diels–Alder Crosslinker for Achieving Recyclable Cross‐Linked Polymers

A triol‐functional crosslinker combining the thermoreversible properties of Diels–Alder (DA) adducts in one molecule is designed, synthesized, and used as an ideal substitute of a traditional crosslinker to prepare thermal recyclable cross‐linked polyurethanes with excellent mechanical properties and recyclability in a very simple and efficient way. The recycle property of these materials achieved by the DA/retro‐DA reaction at a suitable temperature is verified by differential scanning calorimetry and in situ variable temperature solid‐state NMR experiments during the cyclic heating and cooling processes. The thermal recyclability and remending ability of the bulk polyurethanes is demonstrated by three polymer processing methods, including hot‐press molding, injection molding, and solution casting. It is notable that all the recycled cross‐linked polymers display nearly invariable elongation/stress at break compared to the as‐synthesized samples. Further end‐group functionalization of this single molecular DA crosslinker provides the potential in preparing a wide range of recyclable cross‐linked polymers.

     

Effects of mussel-inspired co-deposition of 2-hydroxymethyl methacrylate and poly (2-methoxyethyl acrylate) on the hydrophilicity and binding tendency of common hemodialysis membranes: Molecular dynamics simulations and molecular docking studies

Despite advances in the field, hemoincompatibility remains a critical issue for hemodialysis (HD) as interactions between various human blood constituents and the polymeric structure of HD membranes results in complications such as activation of immune system cascades. Adding hydrophilic polymer structures to the membranes is one modification approach that can decrease the extent of protein adsorption. This study conducted molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to understand the interactions between three human serum proteins (fibrinogen [FB], human serum albumin, and transferrin) and common HD membranes in untreated and modified forms. Poly(aryl ether sulfone) (PAES) and cellulose triacetate were used as the common dialyzer polymers, and membrane modifications were performed with 2-hydroxymethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and poly (2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PMEA), using polydopamine-assisted co-deposition. The MD simulations were used as the framework for binding energy simulations, and molecular docking simulations were also performed to conduct molecular-level investigations between the two modifying polymers (HEMA and PMEA) and FB. Each of the three proteins acted differently with the membranes due to their unique nature and surface chemistry. The simulations show PMEA binds less intensively to FB with a higher number of hydrogen bonds, which reflects PMEA's superior performance compared to HEMA. The simulations suggest PAES membranes could be used in modified forms for blood-contact applications as they reflect the lowest binding energy to blood proteins.     

Macrocycle Dynamics in a Branched [8]Catenane Controlled by Three Different Stimuli in Three Different Regions

A branched [8]catenane from an efficient one-pot synthesis (72 % HPLC yield, 59 % isolated yield) featuring the simultaneous use of three kinds of templates and cucurbit[6]uril-mediated azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CBAAC) for ring-closing is reported. Design and assembly of the [8]catenane precursors are unexpectedly complex that can involve cooperating, competing and non-influencing interactions. Due to the branched structure, dynamics of the [8]catenane can be modulated in different extent by rigidifying/loosening the mechanical bonds at different regions by using solvent polarity, acid-base and metal ions as the stimuli. This work not only highlights the importance of understanding the delicate interplay of the weak and non-obvious supramolecular interactions in the synthesis of high-order [n]catenane, but also demonstrates a complex control of dynamics and flexibility for exploiting [n]catenanes applications.     

A two-point calibration method for quantifying organic binary mixtures using secondary ion mass spectrometry in the presence of matrix effects

Quantification of the composition of binary mixtures in secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is required in the analyses of technological materials from organic electronics to drug delivery systems. In some instances, it is found that there is a linear dependence between the composition, expressed as a ratio of component volumes, and the secondary ion intensities, expressed as a ratio of intensities of ions from each component. However, this ideal relationship fails in the presence of matrix effects and linearity is observed only over small compositional ranges, particularly in the dilute limits. In this paper, we assess an empirical method, which introduces a power law dependence between the intensity ratio and the volume fraction ratio. A previously published physical model of the organic matrix effect is employed to test the limits of the method and a mixed system of 3,3′-bis(9-carbazolyl) biphenyl and tris(2-phenylpyridinato)iridium (III) is used to demonstrate the method. This paper introduces a two-point calibration, which determines both the exponent in the power law and the sensitivity factor for the conversion of ion intensity ratio into volume fraction ratio. We demonstrate that this provides significantly improved accuracy, compared with a one-point calibration, over a wide compositional range in SIMS quantification and with a weak dependence on matrix effects. Because the method enables the use of clearly identifiable secondary ions for quantitative purposes and mitigates commonly observed matrix effects in organic materials, the two-point calibration method could be of significant benefit to SIMS analysts.     

Analysis of drug interactions with serum proteins and related binding agents by affinity capillary electrophoresis: A review

Biomolecules such as serum proteins can interact with drugs in the body and influence their pharmaceutical effects. Specific and precise methods that analyze these interactions are critical for drug development or monitoring and for diagnostic purposes. Affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) is one technique that can be used to examine the binding between drugs and serum proteins, or other agents found in serum or blood. This article will review the basic principles of ACE, along with related affinity-based capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods, and examine recent developments that have occurred in this field as related to the characterization of drug–protein interactions. An overview will be given of the various formats that can be used in ACE and CE for such work, including the relative advantages or weaknesses of each approach. Various applications of ACE and affinity-based CE methods for the analysis of drug interactions with serum proteins and other binding agents will also be presented. Applications of ACE and related techniques that will be discussed include drug interaction studies with serum agents, chiral drug separations employing serum proteins, and the use of CE in hybrid methods to characterize drug binding with serum proteins.