Buffering effects on the solution behavior and hydrolytic degradation of poly(β-amino ester)s

With a vast, synthetically accessible compositional space and highly tunable hydrolysis rates, poly(β-amino ester)s (PBAEs) are an attractive degradable polymer platform. Leveraging PBAEs in a wide range of applications hinges on the ability to program degradation, which, thus far, has been frustrated by multiple confounding phenomena contributing to the degradation of these charged polyesters. Basic conditions accelerate hydrolysis, yet reduce solubility, limiting water access to amines and esters. Further, the high buffering capacity of PBAEs can render buffers ineffective at controlling solution pH. To unify understanding of PBAE degradation and solution properties, this study examines PBAE hydrolysis as a function of pH and buffer concentration as well as polymer hydrophobicity. At low buffer concentrations, the PBAE amines and the acid produced during hydrolysis control solution pH. Meanwhile, at high buffer concentrations that afford relatively constant pH, hydrolysis rate increases with pH, despite the reduced PBAE solubility. Increasing the hydrophobic content of PBAEs eventually hinders the capacity of the polymer to accept protons from solution, limiting the pH increase and slowing hydrolysis. These studies showcase the role of buffering on the pH-dependent degradation and solution properties of PBAEs, providing guidance for programming degradation in applications ranging from drug delivery to thermosets.     

Amphiphilic block copolymer self‐assemblies of poly(NVP)‐b‐poly(MDO‐co‐vinyl esters): Tunable dimensions and functionalities

Functional, degradable polymers were synthesized via the copolymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) and 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxepane (MDO) using a macro‐xanthate CTA, poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone), resulting in the formation of amphiphilic block copolymers of poly(NVP)‐b‐poly(MDO‐co‐VAc). The behavior of the block copolymers in water was investigated and resulted in the formation of self‐assembled nanoparticles containing a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic corona. The size of the resultant nanoparticles was able to be tuned with variation of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments of the core and corona by changing the incorporation of the macro‐CTA as well as the monomer composition in the copolymers, as observed by Dynamic Light Scattering, Static Light Scattering, and Transmission Electron Microscopy analyses. The concept was further applied to a VAc derivative monomer, vinyl bromobutanoate, to incorporate further functionalities such as fluorescent dithiomaleimide groups throughout the polymer backbone using azidation and “click” chemistry as postpolymerization tools to create fluorescently labeled nanoparticles. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2699–2710     

Improvement of gas meter performance using polymer materials

The measuring elements of both dry‐ and wet‐type gas meters are composed of a diaphragm and rotary drum. In this article an explanation on the principle of measuring and the structure of the gas meter for each of these two types was discussed. Such applications were made as follows: synthetic rubber was used for the measuring diaphragm, engineering plastic was employed instead of metal for the measuring drum, and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) was used for the casing, respectively. As a result, an improvement in the gas resistance performance and productivity, which led to a lighter weight, more compactness and a lower cost of productions was achieved. Also the influence of the solubility of the measured gas to the plastic on the measured valve was discussed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical and experimental approaches to kinetics at the collapse transition of a homopolymer

Summary We discuss some recent theoretical studies of the kinetics of the collapse transition in homopolymers. An isolated polymer is modelled using computer simulation, and a time-dependent mean-field theory. The mean-field theory is analysed analytically for early stages, and for short polymers the equations are studied numerically. The results of simulation and theory are compared yielding, we argue, a consistent physical picture. Quantitative comparisons are not yet given, but seem relatively promising. Paper presented at the I International Conference on Scaling Concepts and Complex Fluids, Copanello, Italy, July 4– 1994.     

Analysis of the crystallization kinetics in poly(ethylene oxide) by calorimetric measurements

Summary Differential scanning calorimetric measurements in the early stage of isothermal crystal growth of polyethylene oxide are analysed in the light of irreversible thermodynamics. An accurate evaluation of the equilibrium melting temperature is done by fitting the thermograms obtained at different undercoolings and referring to the activation energy values already known from the literature. Paper presented at the I International Conference on Scaling Concepts and Complex Fluids, Copanello, Italy, July 4–8, 1994.     

Standardization and certification in the area of environmentally degradable plastics

Environmentally degradable polymers and plastics (EDPs) are a group of polymeric materials experiencing a rapid growth in number as well as in their applications and quantities used. The assessment of their key characteristic - degradability, including eventually biodegradability as the ultimate stage, is scientifically and technically a challenging issue and has led to differing interpretations in the past. In order to standardize techniques and criteria a number of standards were established by different standardization bodies which are also used as a basis for certification schemes. An up-to-date inventory of the rapidly growing standardization body is presented with basic interpretation to help guide the non-expert. A basic introduction to EDPs and polymer degradation is added for clarity.     

Tribological properties of ormosil coatings

Transparent plastics are not scratch resistant. The damage leads to a loss of optical properties. Coatings prepared using either tetraethoxysilane or colloidal silica particles embedded in glymo is a way to avoid these disadvantages. Tribological experiments are carried out to better understand the surface modification due to a sliding friction. It is shown that the wear track is not directly related to usual mechanical properties such as Young's modulus and the hardness of the coating. The different stages leading to material loss are discussed in term of particle removal and debris circulation (accumulation or elimination) through the friction track. The mechanical properties of the film combined with the film to substrate adhesion are expected to play an important role as it can be deduced from results obtained as a function of the coating composition.     

难降解有机废水的催化氧化法处理

催化氧化法可通过多种途径来加强传统的化学法处理效果，目前已成为难降解有机废水处理的一项重要新技术。本文介绍了光催化氧化法、均相氧化法、多相氧化法(包括电催化氧化法)以及超临界水氧化技术的国内外研究现状及特点，并对其在有机废水中的应用情况和发展前景作了扼要评述。