Facile synthesis of exfoliated and highly conductive poly(arylene disulfide)/graphite nanocomposites

Exfoliated graphite has been synthesized by first synthesizing H₂SO₄ intercalated compound in a H₂O₂‐H₂SO₄ mixture, followed by exfoliation under microwave irradiation. Poly(arylene disulfide)/graphite nanocomposites were then fabricated by absorbing cyclic(arylene disulfide) oligomers into the pores of exfoliated graphite. Subsequently, the nanocomposite precursor was subjected to heat treatment to carry out the in situ ring‐opening polymerization of the oligomers via free radical mechanism. The as‐prepared nanocomposite exhibited a exfoliated nanostructure as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation. The nanocomposite with a very small amount of graphite, 5 wt%, possesses a highly electrical conductivity of 4 S/cm, therefore, many applications can be found as conductive materials. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of macrocyclic aliphatic disulfide oligomers from dithiols by oxidative coupling with oxygen using a copper‐amine catalyst

A new effective method is provided for the synthesis of macrocyclic aliphatic disulfide oligomers by catalytic oxidation of aliphatic dithiols with oxygen in the presence of a copper‐amine catalyst. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The preparation and characterization of novel cocylic(arylene disulfide) oligomers

A series of homo‐ and cocyclic(arylene disulfide) oligomers were synthesized under high dilution conditions by the catalytic oxidation of arylenedithiols with oxygen in the presence of a copper‐amine catalyst in DMAc. The aryl groups contained moieties such as sulfone, ether, and ketone. The free radical ring‐opening polymerization of these cyclic(arylene disulfide) oligomers led to the formation of linear poly(thio arylene)s. The homo‐ and cocyclic(arylene disulfide) oligomers were characterized by gradient high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), get permeation chromatography (GPC), ¹H‐NMR, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods. These cocyclic(arylene disulfide) oligomers except those containing sulfone moiety had lower melt flow temperature as low as 140 °C and therefore could readily undergo free radical ring‐opening polymerization under mild conditions. The glass transition temperatures of these cocyclics ranged from 72.3 to 190.0 °C, while the glass transition temperatures of the polydisulfides derived from these cocyclics ranged from 78.4 to 194.5 °C. In this article, a new method of preparing arylene dithiols 4,4′‐oxybis(benzenethiol) and diphenylmethane‐4,4′‐dithiol is reported. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimizing the Electrocatalytic Activity of Surface Confined Co Macrocyclics for the Electrooxidation of Thiocyanate at pH 4

We have studied the trends in catalytic activity of several Co macrocyclics confined on the surface graphite electrodes for the oxidation of thiocyanate. A plot of log i (at constant E) versus the formal potential of the catalyst gives a volcano correlation, indicating that the Co(II/I) redox potential needs to be tuned, in order to achieve maximum reactivity. Graphite electrodes modified with Co phthalocyanine at pH 4 exhibit linear amperometric response for thiocyanate concentration in the range 10^?7 and 10^?3 M. Theoretical calculations show that electrocatalytic activity (as log i at constant E) plotted versus the energy of the LUMO of the Co complex also gives a volcano correlation.     

Cyclic alkoxyamine‐initiator tethered by azide/alkyne‐“click”‐chemistry enabling ring‐expansion vinyl polymerization providing macrocyclic polymers

A cyclic initiator for the nitroxide‐mediated controlled radical polymerization (NMP) is a powerful tool for the preparation of macrocyclic polymers via a ring‐expansion vinyl polymerization mechanism. For this purpose, we prepared a Hawker‐type NMP‐initiator that includes an azide and a terminal alkyne as an acyclic precursor, which is subsequently tethered via an intramolecular azide/alkyne‐“click”‐reaction, producing the final cyclic NMP‐initiator. The polymerization reactions of styrene with cyclic initiator were demonstrated and the resultant polymers were characterized by the gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and the matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). These results prove that the ring‐expansion polymerization of styrene occurred together with the radical ring‐crossover reactions originating from the exchange of the inherent nitroxides generating macrocyclic polystyrenes with higher expanded rings. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3402–3416, 2010     

Synthesis and ring‐opening polymerization of co‐cyclic(aromatic aliphatic disulfide) oligomers

An effective approach was presented for the synthesis of co‐cyclic(aromatic aliphatic disulfide) oligomers by catalytic oxidation of aromatic and aliphatic dithiols with oxygen in the presence of a copper‐amine catalyst. The aromatic dithiols can be 4,4′‐oxybis(benzenethiol), 4,4′‐diphenyl dithiol, 4,4′‐diphenylsulfone dithiol. The aliphatic dithiols can be 1,2‐ethanedithiol, 2,3‐butanedithiol, 1,6‐hexane dithiol. The co‐cyclic(aromatic aliphatic disulfide) oligomers were characterized by gradient HPLC, MALDI‐TOF‐MS, GPC, ¹H‐NMR, TGA, and DSC techniques. The glass transition temperatures of these co‐cyclics ranged from ?11.3 to 56.6°C. In general, these co‐cyclic(aromatic aliphatic disulfide) oligomers are soluble in common organic solvents, such as CHCl₃, THF, DMF, DMAc. These co‐cyclic oligomers readily underwent free radical ring‐opening polymerization in the melt at 180°C, producing linear, tough and high molecular weight poly(aromatic aliphatic disulfide)s. The glass transition temperatures of these polymers ranged from ?3.7 to 107.8°C that are higher than those of corresponding co‐cyclics. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Radical Polymerization of methacrylates with an adamantane‐like rigid core derived from naturally occurring myo‐inositol

Trimethacrylate and dimethacrylate with rigid adamantane‐like cores were synthesized from myo‐inositol orthoester, and their radical homopolymerization and copolymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA) were investigated. The radical homopolymerization of trimethacrylate yielded a networked polymer with higher thermal stability than that of a networked polymer synthesized by radical homopolymerization of 1,3,5‐cyclohexanetriol‐derived trimethacrylate, demonstrating the effect of adamantane‐like core rigidity on the increase in thermal stability. Further, dimethacrylate underwent cyclopolymerization, forming a macrocyclic structure in the repeating unit, as the two methacrylate groups were oriented axially from the rigid orthoester‐core and thus located close to each other. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2411–2420     

Concentration‐Dependent Self‐Assembly of a Novel Comb Oligomer Having Rigid Binaphthyl Macrocyclic Pendants

Summary: The synthesis and self‐assembly of a comb oligomer having rigid racemic binaphthyl macrocyclic pendant groups are described. The coupling of two structural motifs at the molecular level, e.g., a nanometer‐size chiral cavity, and a flexible polymeric backbone, could lead to new opportunities in molecular recognition and separation. The macrocyclic monomers were synthesized followed by introduction of an acrylate side‐group, and through free‐radical polymerization, they yielded a comb oligomer. Most importantly, this novel oligomer can self‐assemble into solid or hollow spheres when tetrahydrofuran (THF) solutions of the oligomer at different concentrations are dropped onto the surface of water. The morphology of the solid or hollow spheres was observed by TEM, ESEM and DLS.

A schematic illustration of the processes of self‐assembly of the oligomer.     

Kinetic simulations for cyclization of α,ω‐telechelic polymers

In this work, we conducted kinetic simulations to examine the effects of various experimental conditions on cyclization during the feed of α,ω‐telechelic polymers into a reaction mixture. The simulations showed that the interplay between the feed rate and rate coefficients for cyclization and multiblock formation were the dominant and controlling parameters. The simulations were in good agreement with previously published results on cyclization of α,ω‐telechelic polystyrene with different molecular weights by the Cu‐catalyzed azide/alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction. They also showed that high dilution was not a necessary condition for cyclization and that high percentages of monocyclic could be rapidly produced in solutions that are more concentrated. Previously reported work demonstrated that cyclic polystyrene could be prepared in less than 9 min at 25 °C using the CuAAC “click” reaction. These simulations allow for optimization and better experimental design, leading to the possibility of large scale production of cyclic polymers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Short carbon fiber reinforced aromatic polydisulfide derived from cyclic (4,4′‐oxybis(benzene)disulfide) via ring‐opening polymerization

Morphology, mechanical and thermal properties of short carbon fiber reinforced poly(arylene disulfide) synthesized by ring‐opening reaction of cyclic(arylene disulfide) oligomers were studied. These macrocyclic oligomers were prepared from 4,4′‐oxybis(benzenethiol) by oxidation coupling cyclization. Ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) was carried out by in situ melt molding in air. Oxidation reaction during the ROP was detected using the Raman spectrum technique. Three‐point bending tests were performed to determine the flexural properties of neat polymers and the composites. The results showed that the flexural strength and modulus of poly(arylene disulfide)/carbon fiber composites were greatly enhanced with the carbon fiber addition. The maximum weight loss peak temperatures of the composites increased with increasing short carbon fiber content. Good adhesion between carbon fiber and the matrix was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.