Controlled synthesis of amphiphilic biodegradable polylactide‐grafted dextran copolymers

The whole controlled synthesis of novel amphiphilic polylactide (PLA)‐grafted dextran copolymers was achieved. The control of the architecture of such biodegradable and potentially biocompatible copolymers has required a three‐step synthesis based on the “grafting from” concept. The first step consisted of the partial silylation of the dextran hydroxyl groups. This protection step was followed by the ring‐opening polymerization of D ,L ‐lactide initiated from the remaining OH functions of the partially silylated polysaccharide. The third step involved the silylether group deprotection under very mild conditions. Based on previous studies, in which the control of the first step was achieved, this study is focused on the last two steps. Experimental conditions were investigated to ensure a controlled polymerization of D ,L ‐lactide, in terms of grafting efficiency, graft length, and transesterification limitation. After polymerization, the final step was studied in order to avoid degradation of both polysaccharide backbone and polyester grafts. The chemical stability of dextran backbone was checked throughout each step of the synthesis. PLA‐grafted dextrans and PLA‐grafted (silylated dextrans) were proved to adopt a core‐shell conformation in various solvents. Furthermore, preliminary experiments on the potential use of these amphiphilic grafted copolymers as liquid/liquid interface stabilizers were performed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2577–2588, 2004     

Desorption behavior of a surfactant in a linear low‐density polyethylene blend at elevated temperatures

The desorption behavior of a surfactant in a linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) blend at elevated temperatures of 50, 70, and 80 °C was studied with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The composition of the LLDPE blend was 70:30 LLDPE/low‐density polyethylene. Three different specimens (II, III, and IV) were prepared with various compositions of a small molecular penetrant, sorbitan palmitate (SPAN‐40), and a migration controller, poly(ethylene acrylic acid) (EAA), in the LLDPE blend. The calculated diffusion coefficient (D) of SPAN‐40 in specimens II, III, and IV, between 50 and 80 °C, varied from 1.74 × 10^?11 to 6.79 × 10^?11 cm²/s, from 1.10 × 10^?11 to 5.75 × 10^?11 cm²/s, and from 0.58 × 10^?11 to 4.75 × 10^?11 cm²/s, respectively. In addition, the calculated activation energies (E_D) of specimens II, III, and IV, from the plotting of ln D versus 1/T between 50 and 80 °C, were 42.9, 52.7, and 65.6 kJ/mol, respectively. These values were different from those obtained between 25 and 50 °C and were believed to have been influenced by the interference of Tinuvin (a UV stabilizer) at elevated temperatures higher than 50 °C. Although the desorption rate of SPAN‐40 increased with the temperature and decreased with the EAA content, the observed spectral behavior did not depend on the temperature and time. For all specimens stored over 50 °C, the peak at 1739 cm^?1 decreased in a few days and subsequently increased with a peak shift toward 1730 cm^?1. This arose from the carbonyl stretching vibration of Tinuvin, possibly because of oxidation or degradation at elevated temperatures. In addition, the incorporation of EAA into the LLDPE blend suppressed the desorption rate of SPAN‐40 and retarded the appearance of the 1730 cm^?1 peak. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1114–1126, 2004     

Solubility parameter determination of cationic surfactants by inverse GC

Summary The solubility parameters of cationic surfactants were obtained using the inverse gas chromatographic technique. The surfactants didodecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide, dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide and dodecyl pyridinium chloride were used as stationary phase and retention data of different probe solutes were measured at different temperatures. The results were analysed by the combination of Flory-Huggins and Hildebrand theories, and the solubility parameters of the surfactants were obtained in a range of temperatures between 80–120°C.     

Effect of maltodextrins on the surface activity of small-molecule surfactants

We report on the effect of commercially important polysaccharides (maltodextrins with variable dextrose equivalent (Paselli SA-2, MD-6 and MD-10) on the surface activity at the air–water interface of small-molecule surfactants (sms), possessing different hydrophobic–lipophilic balance ((SSL (Na⁺), the main component is a sodium salt of stearol–lactoyl lactic acid, and PGE (080), polyglycerol ester of C18 fatty acid), and widely used in food products. A marked change of the surface activity of sms was found in the presence of maltodextrins by tensiometry. The combined data of laser multiangle light scattering and mixing calorimetry have suggested that this result is governed by specific complex formation between maltodextrins and sms in aqueous medium. Measurements have been made of the molar mass, the second virial coefficient and the enthalpy of intermolecular interactions in aqueous solutions. The implication of a degree of polymerization of maltodextrins in this phenomenon was shown. The interrelation between the molecular parameters of the formed complexes and their surface activity at the air–water interface has been revealed and discussed.     

Photocrosslinked poly(vinylbenzophenone)‐core micelles via mild Friedel–Crafts benzoylation of polystyrene amphiphiles

Photocrosslinkable poly(vinylbenzophenone)‐containing polymers were synthesized via a one‐step, Friedel–Crafts benzoylation of polystyrene‐containing starting materials [including polystyrene, polystyrene‐block‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate), polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide), polystyrene‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate), and polystyrene‐block‐poly(n‐butyl acrylate)] with benzoyl trifluoromethanesulfonate as a benzoylation reagent. The use of this mild reagent (which required no added Lewis acid) permitted polymers with well‐defined compositions and narrow molecular weight distributions to be synthesized. Micelles formed from one of these benzoylated polymers, [polystyrene_0.25‐co‐poly(vinylbenzophenone)_0.75]₁₁₅‐block‐poly(acrylic acid)₁₄, were then fixed by the irradiation of the micelle cores with UV light. As the irradiation time was increased, the pendent benzophenone groups crosslinked with other chains in the glassy micelle cores. Dynamic light scattering, spectrofluorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were all used to verify the progress of the crosslinking reaction. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2604–2614, 2006     

Formation and Physicochemical Features of Hybrid Threadlike Micelles in Aqueous Solution

We investigate the construction of long, stable hybrid threadlike micelles consisting of polyelectrolytes and oppositely charged surfactants in aqueous solution and examine the physicochemical features such as their structure and viscoelastic behavior in aqueous solution. The most important point for their construction is the careful control of interactions, especially electrostatic interactions, caused between the surfactants and polyelectrolytes. Incorporated polyelectrolytes are fully extended in these hybrid threadlike micelles irrespective of the molecular weight of the polymer. The viscoelastic behavior of the hybrid threadlike micellar solution is similar to that of ordinary threadlike micellar systems consisting of low‐molecular‐weight substances. However, the inclusion of polymers in the micelles causes differences in their mechanical properties.     

C12-s-C12·2Br与低碳醇混合水溶液胶团化行为的温度效应和焓/熵补偿

季铵盐Gemini表面活性剂C12-s-C12·2Br(s=2,3,4,6)与丙醇、丁醇、戊醇、己醇混合水溶液的In(cmc)随温度升高而逐渐增大.计算所得热力学数据表明,C12-s-C12·2Br与醇混合胶团化过程服从熵驱动机理,也出现了焓/熵补偿现象.随着温度上升,熵驱动力增大,在指定温度时,醇分子烷烃链上碳原子数n增大使△Gm0值减小,胶团结构更加稳定;而增加s使值增大,胶团稳定性下降.     

Thermodynamic and Dynamic Properties of Micellar Aggregates of Nonionic Surfactants with Short Hydrophobic Tails

The densities and viscosities of binary aqueous mixtures of poly(ethylenoxide)hexanols [C₆H₁₃(OCH₂CH₂)_mOH, C₆E_m] (m= 3, 4, and 5) have been studied in the micellar composition range. For the same surfactants the self-diffusion coefficients in mixtures with heavy water have been determined by the spin-echo pulsed field gradient method. The volumetric data are interpreted by means of the phase separation model, and values of the CMC, volume change, and standard free energy change of micellization are obtained. From the viscosity data the hydration numbers of the surfactant hydrophilic head in the micellar state are computed; they are in agreement with those obtained from HDO self-diffusion data. The surfactant self-diffusion data are used to calculate the apparent micelle radius and the aggregation number. The micellization parameters obtained for the different surfactants are compared and discussed.     

A self-diffusion study of poly(ethylene-oxide) alkyl alcohols

The self-diffusion coefficients of HDO and some surfactants in aqueous mixtures at different concentrations, below the critical micelle concentration, have been determined by means of the NMR, spin-echo pulsed field gradient method. The surfactant solutes chosen were ethylene glycol-pentyl alcohol (diethylene glycolpentylalcohol, ethylene glycol-hexyalcohol, diethylene glycol-hexyl alcohol, triethylene glycol-hexyl alcohol, tetraethylene glycol-hexyl alcohol, pentaethylene glycol-hexyl alcohol). The interactions in solution are studied by analyzing the solute self-diffusion coefficients extrapolated to infinite dilution. These values are compared with those of 1-alkanols. The slope of the self diffusion coefficientsvs. the solute concentration are correlated with the microscopic friction coefficients. A model for interpreting the experimental data is suggested.     

DSC Investigations of DDAB,DTAB and DHAB Vesicle Aqueous Solutions in Presence of SDS

Interactions of anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) with vesicles formed by synthetic dialkyldimethylammonium bromides i.e. didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB), ditetradecyldimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), dihexadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DHAB) have been examined by using differential scanning microcalorimetry and electron transmission microscopy. The temperatures and standard enthalpies characterising gel to liquid-crystal transitions increase significantly with increase of SDS concentration for all investigated systems. It means that incorporation of SDS monomers in these vesicular bilayers significantly stabilises their gel states. Moreover, in case of DDAB and DTAB vesicle systems added SDS limits kinetic features of recorded isobaric heat capacity dependencies on temperature observed earlier for the pure vesicular solutions. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.