Polymer-polymer interaction, in the presence of a solvent as measured by viscometry

Dilute solution viscometry experiments have been carried out in five ternary polymer systems solvent(1)/polymer(2)/polymer(3). Values of the specific viscosity of polymer (3) in a ‘binary solvent’ formed by polymer(2) + solvent(1) have been used to determine the compatibility of the polymer blends. Krigbaum and Wall formalism has been used to predict compatibility which relies on an interaction parameter that depends on the concentration, weight fraction and molar mass of each polymer. To reduce the dependences and to clarify the criterion of compatibility, a parameter independent of polymer (3) composition and molar mass has been deduced. This parameter shows the same behaviour with polyme…

Modelling the Influence of Nanoparticles in the Phase Behaviour of an Epoxy/Polystyrene Mixture, 2

The influences of nanoparticle size and concentration on the thermodynamic behaviour of epoxy/polystyrene blends are evaluated in the framework of Ginzburg's simple analytical theory. Two approaches have been employed: NPEPO (for particles coated with epoxy groups) and NPFEN (for particles coated with phenyl groups). Using NPEPO, the particles are found to prefer the phase richer in epoxy, whereas the opposite occurs for NPFEN. The particles size significantly influences blend compatibility. When the particle radius Rp is about the same size as the radius of gyration R g of PS, the compatibility of blends increases with particle concentration, whereas for R p > R g , higher particle concent…

Solution properties of polyelectrolytes—V. Viscometric study of mixed polyanions in pure water

Abstract A viscometric study of sodium polystyrene sulphonate (NaPSS) and sodium poly( l -glutamate) (NaPLG) in salt-free water has been carried out as a function of the total concentration, cm, and the concentration of one polyelectrolyte at fixed concentration of the other. The influences of the molecular weight and concentration are considered in order to establish the degree of compatibility. For the first time, an equation is proposed to define the reduced viscosity of the NaPSS + NaPLG mixture in water. The viscometric interaction parameter, Bm, taking into account the electrostatic and thermodynamic interactions between both polyions, is defined as a geometrical mean of the contribut…

Incorporation of Silica Nanospherical Particles into Epoxy-Amine Crosslinked Materials

Composites of silica nanospheres coated with crosslinked epoxy–amine were synthesised and examined by 29Si-magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The most representative fact is that epoxy-modified nanospheres lost less weight at high temperatures. At temperatures greater than 300°C the loss of weight for epoxy-modified nanospheres was rather lower than for unmodified nanospheres. This helped them to retain their structures, as the loss of weight can have adverse effects on network defects, due to the loss of crosslinks by unit of volume.

Solution properties of polyelectrolytes XII. Semi-quantitative approach to mixed electrostatic and hydrophobic polymer-gel interactions

Abstract Aqueous size-exclusion chromatography of polyanions, where secondary effects affect the total separation mechanism, was investigated. For elution of polyelectrolytes on inorganic silica-based supports, the electrostatic polymer-gel repulsive interactions were evaluated through the values for a hypothetical repulsion layer, X e , according to the model developed by other workers. Using a similar procedure, the existence of an effective barrier defined as X e − X h is proposed for those systems in which electrostatic repulsion and hydrophobic interactions take place simultaneously as secondary mechanisms. X h can be viewed as a measure of the “enlargement” of the geometrical pore rad…

Miscibility of a DGEBA Based Epoxy Resin Blended with Thermoplastic Mixtures of Poly(styrene) and Block Copolymers: Influence of the Copolymer Content and Chemical Nature

The miscibility and phase behavior of ternary systems formed by a DGEBA based epoxy resin, polystyrene (PS), and diblock copolymers has been investigated through phase diagrams experimentally obtai...

Separation Efficiency of Two SEC Packings: Comparison of Chromatographic, Thermodynamic, and Fractal Parameters

Abstract The size‐exclusion chromatographic (SEC), thermodynamic, and fractal behavior of two organic packings, named TSK‐Gel HHR and TSK‐Gel HXL, has been compared in order to assess their separation efficiency. The different experimental elution trends of five solvent/polymer systems have been evidenced through the universal calibration curves, and the existence of secondary mechanisms (such as adsorption) has been quantified by the chromatographic partition coefficient K p. From a thermodynamic point of view, the swelling and crosslinking degrees have been evaluated and compared in the two gels assayed. Moreover, the values of some fractal parameters (fractal dimension of the surface and…

Size‐Exclusion Chromatography in Single and Mixed Eluents: Effects of Sorption of Solvent and Polymer Solutes on Novel TSK‐Gel Super AW Columns

Abstract The novel TSK Gel Super AW column packing is based on a polymeric gel with residual hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups on the gel surface. These groups can act as active sites making the chromatographic support compatible both with polar and apolar eluents. This interesting property allows the elution of systems of very different polarities but also induces binary polymer–gel, polymer–solvent, and solvent–gel enthalpic interactions that lead to a mixture of separation mechanisms: repulsion, partition, or adsorption besides the main size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) mechanism. For this reason, the elution behaviour of many and diverse polymer/solvent systems has been studied in th…

A thermodynamic analysis on the coincidence of extrema conditions in the sorption equilibrium for ternary polymer systems

Flory-Huggins theory of polymer solutions has been used to express the condition of extrema values in the total sorption, as well as the inversion point in the preferential adsorption parameters for termary polymer systems. Two approaches have been followed, the first considers the binary and ternary interaction parameters independent of polymer concentration and solvent composition. In the second one, this dependence has been introduced. Our attention is focused on the volume fraction of solvent mixture dependence of the above parameters, in order to confirm or not the coincidence between the extrema values and the inversion point. Several cosolvent and cononsolvent ternary polymer systems…

Viscometric behaviour of polymer blends based on poly (vinylidene fluoride)

The viscosity behaviour of dilute dimethylformamide solutions of poly(vinylidene fluoride)-poly (methyl methacrylate) and poly(vinylidene fluoride)-polystyrene has been studied at 25°C. The polymer concentration ranges are such that neither phase separation nor microgel formation occurs, although we are very close to theta conditions. The intrinsic viscosity and viscosity interaction parameter of the ternary mixtures have been calculated. The estimation of the compatibility of the above polymer pairs has been studied based on: a) specific viscosities; b) viscosity interaction parameters, according to Krigbaum and Wall formalism, and c) viscosity interaction parameters of a system formed by …

Macromolecules in ordered media. 6. Effect of the phospholipidic bilayer composition on poly (2-vinyl pyridine) - liposome association

The intrinsic fluorescence emission of poly (2-vinyl pyridine) has been exploited in order to gain insight into the nature of the interaction with artificial membranes. In this contribution, the study has been focused on the effect of the phospholipid bilayer composition on the association to the polymer. Fluorescence data have been converted into association isotherms and then analyzed in terms of both binding and partition models. Results show that the association is enhanced by the presence of negative charged phospholipid as a constituent of the liposomal membrane. The strong surface density dependence of the polymer-liposome association indicatesthe predominantly electrostatic nature o…

A thermodynamic approach to study hydrogen-bonding interactions in solvent/solvent/polymer ternary systems

Abstract A thermodynamic approach based on both the classical Flory–Huggins (FH) formalism and the association equilibria (AE) theory has been developed to study the solubility properties of a system formed by a proton-donor solvent (A), a proton-acceptor solvent (B) and a proton-acceptor polymer (C). The miscibility of this ternary system is attained by competitive specific interactions via hydrogen-bonding established between the hydroxyl and carbonyl interacting groups of either solvent–solvent (AB) or solvent–polymer (AC) system components. The binary AB and AC specific interactions and their dependence with the system composition as well as with the extent of the association equilibriu…

Thermodynamics of a polymer blend solution system studied by gel permeation chromatography and viscosity

Binary and ternary interaction parameters and their derivatives have been calculated with the Flory-Huggins formalism developed for a ternary polymer system. The equilibrium compositions of the ternary system tetrahydrofuran/polybutadiene/polystyrene that forms two phases in equilibrium at 25°C have been used to solve the binodal equations. With this set of parameters, the viscosimetric interaction parameters have been computed. For the sake of comparison, the experimental viscosimetric parameter has been determined from intrinsic viscosity data of a polymer (3) in a "binary solvent" (solvent + polymer (2)). It has been clearly shown that composition-dependent parameters are necessary to re…

A Qualitative Analysis of Secondary Mechanisms in SEC of Polymers Through the Mean Value of the Viscosimetric Exponent

Abstract Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) universal calibration curves for poly(dimethylsiloxane), polybutadiene and poly(2-vinylpyridine) samples have been obtained in columns packed with cross-linked polystyrene gel using cyclohexane, toluene, benzene, dioxane and tetrahydrofuran as eluents at 25°C. The eluents exhibit different thermodynamic quality for the polymeric solutes and for the gel matrix which is reflected in the values of their Mark-Houwink-Sakurada exponents a. The plots of log(hydrodynamic volume) versus retention volume for the polymeric solutes in different eluents are displaced to higher retention volumes than that of THF-polybutadiene (ideal SEC), evidencing the exist…

Porous fractal gels: secondary effects in SEC

Abstract The fractal nature of porous silica gels, Spherosil XOA 200 and of a Lichrospher mixture, has been tested through size exclusion chromatography of polystyrene in pure and mixed eluents. Fractal parameters, D f and L , depend on eluent with D f values close to 2.0 for Spherosil and higher than 2.0 for Lichrospher. D f and L changes with eluent have been related to secondary separation effects and partition and adsorption contributions have been evaluated.

Ionomers in solution: 1. Viscometric and chromatographic studies in cononsolvent and cosolvent mixtures

Abstract The viscosity and elution behaviour of polystyrene sulfonate ionomers with varying ionic content has been studied in the pure solvents chloroform (CHL), tetrahydrofuran (THF), dioxan (DIO), ethyl acetate (EA) and dimethylformamide (DMF) as well as in their cononsolvent mixtures CHL/THF (50:50), DIO/CHL (75:25) and in the cosolvent mixture EA/DMF (50:50). In the pure solvents with low dielectric constant the reduced viscosities of ionomers are lower at low concentrations and higher at moderate ones than the respective viscosities of the polystyrene precursor. These results can be explained by formation of intramolecular and intermolecular associations. Moreover, differences in visco…

Modelling Monomer/Disc Composites Phase Behaviour

Summary: A model developed by Balazs' group to explain the phase behaviour of polymer/clay composites is extended to obtain an expression for the free energy of polymer/thin disc mixtures. Phase diagrams for monomer/disc mixtures are built by minimizing the free energy and calculating the chemical potentials of the three system components. Via the comparison of the diagrams, it is studied the effects of nanodisc size and interaction parameters on mixture stability and attained morphology. The performed predictions between monomers and discs give criteria that advance the properties of the mixture. Changes in monomer concentration and interaction parameters provide a means to prevent van der…

Membrane Lipid-Polypeptide Molecular Associations in Non Aqueous Solvent. Effect of Phosphatidylcholine Concentration and Temperature and their Influence on the Gramicidin a Dimer-Monomer Conformational Equilibrium

Abstract The use of an Ultrastyragel 500 A column for the study of interactions between phosphatidylcholine and gramicidin A in tetra-hydrofuran is described. Analysis of vacant peak has allowed to establish the influence that eluent lipid composition, concentration of injected gramicidin and temperature have on the interaction. At 20[ddot] C, for the assayed phospholipid concentration range (0.04 to 0.14 %, w/v), the lipid/polypeptide molar binding ratio, BR, varies from 1.3 to 6.9. An increase in temperature from 20 to 40[ddot] C causes a decrease in BR of about 20 %. On the other hand, the interaction releases some of the water bound to the lipid polar head, suggesting that the binding i…

Incorporation of Silica Nanospherical Particles in Epoxy–Amine Crosslinked Materials II. Dynamic Mechanical Measurements of Epoxy Matrix-Silica Nanocomposites

The mechanical strengths of epoxy composites reinforced with silica nanospheres, unfunctionalised or functionalised with either amine or epoxy groups, increase up to a proportion of 5 wt.% of filler, as reflected in a study of the shear storage modulus carried out in dynamic mechanical analysis. This improvement is observed in both glassy and rubbery states, moderately affecting the glass transition temperature of the material. From this percentage of strengthening substance the mechanical properties begin to deteriorate, but keeping (up to 10 wt.% of strengthening material), a greater storage modulus in shear than that of the pristine epoxy resin. A trend can be discerned as the percentag…

Modelling the hydrogen-bonding interactions in a copolymer/biodegradable homopolymer blend through excess functions

A recent theoretical approach based on the coupling of both the Flory-Huggins (FH) and the Association Equilibria thermodynamic (AET) theories was modified and adapted to study the miscibility properties of a multi- component system formed by two polymers (a proton-donor and a proton-acceptor) and a proton-acceptor solvent, named copolymer(A)/solvent(B)/polymer(C). Compatibility between polymers was mainly attained by hydrogen- bonding between the hydroxyl group on the phenol unit of the poly(styrene-co-vinyl phenol) (PSVPh) and the car- bonyl group of the biodegradable and environmentally friendly poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). However, the self- association of PSVPh and specific interacti…

On the thermodynamic treatment of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/polystyrene blend under liquid—liquid phase separation conditions

Abstract This paper deals with experimental and theoretical investigations on the compatibility of binary of polymer blends in solution. The experimental phase boundary of a crystalline polymer such as poly(vinylidene fluoride) with polystyrene (an amorphous polymer) in dimethylformamide as solvent has been determined by size-exclusion chromatography at 25°C. The composition of the coexisting phases has been used to calculate interaction parameters by means of the Flory—Huggins-type function for the free energy of mixing, including composition dependence of the polymer-polymer interaction parameter and a first correction term denoted as ternary interaction parameter. The calculation of thes…

Ternary Polymer Solutions with Hydrogen Bonds, 1

The Flory Huggins methodology coupled to AET has been extended to ternary polymer systems, in particular to solvent (A)/polymer 1 (B)/polymer 2 (C) systems, with the two polymers displaying H-bonding interactions. Because the H-bonding can perturb the randomness of polymeric conformations, the change in Gibbs free energy of mixing, AG, should arise from changes in combinatorial entropy as well as in interaction energy. The combinatorial part of AG is evaluated through AET as a function of the association constant η between B and C components, the autoassociation constant a between B components, and the independent number m of interaction sites of acceptor C. The enthalpic contribution is ev…

The Fractal Approach to Secondary Mechanisms in SEC

Abstract Size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) is one of the most used experimental techniques to characterize polymers in solution; it has been applied to interpret the elution behaviour of many polymer‐solvent systems in five types of column packings. The experimental data have revealed that the classical universal calibration is not accomplished. Deviations from a unique curve are a consequence of two effects: entropic (exclusion by size) and enthalpic (binary and ternary interactions between solvent, polymer, and gel), which results in secondary mechanisms accompanying the main “ideal” SEC separation mechanism. Therefore, three approaches of building a calibration curve have been compared…

Size-Exclusion Chromatographic Determination of Polymer Molar Mass Averages Using a Fractal Calibration

The characterization of polymers by size-exclusion chromatography basically consists of the determination of the weight-average molar mass (Mw), number-average molar mass (Mn), and polydispersity index (I). An accurate estimation of these magnitudes requires the use of a reliable and trusted calibration curve. Three procedures for building up a calibration curve are analyzed in this work. The first is the classical universal calibration (UC), based on the elution of tetrahydrofuran-polystyrene in a system as reference. The second is based on the proper calibration curve made with standards of the sample under study. However, two main drawbacks arise when using these methodologies: the nonfu…

Time-dependent monomerization of gramicidin A, enhanced by phosphatidylcholine in non-polar solvents

Abstract The usefulness of size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography for the study of gramicidin A dimer—monomer conformational equilibrium in non

The fractal calibration method applied to the characterization of polymers in solvent mixtures and in mixed gel packings by SEC.

The size-exclusion chromatographic (SEC) behaviour of different solvent/polymer systems in three packing sets has been analysed from fractal considerations. The three-column sets studied are specifically formed by: (i) 'pure' micro-styragel, (ii) 'mixed' TSK Gel H(HR + XL + HR) and (iii) mixed TSK Gel H(XL + HR + XL). The experimental data reveals that in most of the systems assayed the classical universal calibration (UC) is not fulfilled, denoting the existence of secondary effects accompanying the main SEC mechanism. In order to obtain an accurate characterization of different polymers eluted in solvent mixtures and/or mixed packings, the use of a reliable and trusted calibration curve i…

Solution properties of polyelectrolytes

Abstract Chromatographic data for sodium polystyrene sulphonate were obtained on both silica- and polymer-based size-exclusion supports using mobile phases of various pH and ionic strength. Deviations of the elution volume were observed towards both lower and higher values relative to the reference calibration graph obtained with uncharged standards. An empirical correlation is proposed in order to account for all the secondary effects observed. The general applicability of this correlation was further tested for chromatographic data obtained for a series of peptides and proteins on a silica-based support under very different eluent conditions. Deviations from ideal elution behaviour such a…

Preferential solvation of poly(methyl methacrylate) and a bisphenol A diglycidyl ether by size-exclusion chromatography

The preferential adsorption coefficient, lambda, of poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, in solutions formed by an epoxy resin in tetrahydrofuran (THF), was studied by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). Only PMMA of lowest molar mass was preferentially solvated by epoxy but at low concentrations of epoxy in the mixture. At higher epoxy content PMMA was preferentially solvated by THF. A simultaneous and competitive solvation between the specific interactions PMMA-epoxy and the self association of epoxy at high concentrations would be the responsible of this inversion point. The more compacted coil of PMMA of higher molecular weights in solution could explain the lack of interaction of these po…

Viscometric study of mixtures of neutral and charged polymers in aqueous solution

The viscosity behaviour of aqueous mixtures formed by a polyelectrolyte (A) and a neutral polymer (B) such as polystyrene sulfonate (PSS)-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polylysine (PLL)-PVP has been studied at 25°C. The intrinsic viscosity and viscosity interaction parameter of each polymer in water have been determined and have served us to estimate the compatibility of the different mixtures according to two different methodologies: (i) mixtures of two polymers in water as solvent and (ii) mixtures of either polymer A OFB in a solvent formed by either polymer B or A in water ("polymer solvent method"). By comparing the experimental and theoretical viscosity data it is clearly seen that: m…

Thermodynamic study on phase equilibrium of epoxy resin/thermoplastic blends

Abstract The experimental phase diagrams (cloud point curves) of three series of epoxy/thermoplastic blends, namely, epoxy/polystyrene (PS), epoxy/poly(ether sulfone) (PES), and epoxy/poly(ether imide) (PEI) as a function of molar mass and composition have been analysed from a thermodynamic point of view. A model based on the Flory–Huggins lattice theory considering the concentration dependence of the interaction parameter as predicted by Koningsveld was employed to determine the equilibrium compositions, and concentration and temperature dependent interaction parameters. Binodal, spinodal, and critical point data have been computed and show good agreement with experimental data.

A comparative study on Kθ evaluation from [η]-M data in single and mixed solvents through various excluded volume theories

Abstract By allowing for the dependence of B on molecular weight, through its relationship with A2, modified Flory-Fox-Schaefgen, Kurata-Stockmayer-Roig, Berry and Inagaki-Suzuki-Kurata equations are obtained, relating [η] to A2 and to Kθ. Through these equations, Kθ can be determined from data sets for [η]-A2. Because of the scarcity of these data sets, A2 values have been calculated from experimental data for [η] and trial Kθ values through two parameter theories, namely, through the Flory-Krigbaum-Orofino theory for Ψ. Iterative processes were followed until coincidence was obtained between trial Kθ values and those evaluated from the modified excluded volume equations. The method has be…

Interaction of quinine with negatively charged lipid vesicles studied by fluorescence spectroscopy Influence of the pH

Abstract The interaction of quinine with dimyristoylphosphatidic acid (DMPA) and dimyristoylphosphatidyl glycerol (DMPG) small unilamellar vesicles in the gel phase was studied by steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy at pHs 7, 6, 5 and 4 and 20°C. In aqueous solution, with excitation at 335 nm, the emission fluorescence spectrum of quinine varied with pH reflecting the occurrence of different charged species of the drug. In all cases, the emission maximum centered at 383 or 443 nm shifted to lower wavelength in the presence of vesicles. This indicates that the membrane-bound state quinine is in an environment of low polarity. Drug monocationic species were deeply buried in DMPG relative t…

A Flory–Huggins thermodynamic approach for predicting sorption equilibrium in ternary polymer systems

The Flory–Huggins theory as modified by Pouchlý has been applied to calculate preferential (λ) and total (Y) sorption coefficients for a ternary polymer system. The ternary interaction function (ϕ1ϕ2ϕ3GT(u1, ϕ3)) is described as the product of three independent binary functions. This expression allows prediction of λ and Y from binary interaction parameters χ, χ, g, g, and g12(ϕ10). Three ternary polymer systems are used to check the validity of the expression. Moreover for polymer systems in which the parameters g and/or g are unknown, a procedure to evaluate them has been developed and verified on systems for which sufficient experimental information is available.

Cover Picture: Macromol. Theory Simul. 1/2007

Polymer Retention Mechanism in GPC on Active Gels

Abstract The elution behaviour of low molecular weight polystyrene (PS) down to the monomer on spherosil gel in several eluents has been studied. In the medium range of molecular weights the elution behaviour is similar to that followed by high molecular weight PS, the differences in elution volumes among different eluents increasing monotonically with decreasing molecular weight and partition rather than adsorption probably being responsible for the shifts in retention volumes. However, at the total permeation limit, the situation is alike to that found in liquid-solid chromatography, the elution volumes of solutes with molecular sizes very close to that of styrene being determined by solv…

Influence of the Copolymer Content on the Miscibility, Phase Behaviour and Morphology of a DGEBA/Polystyrene/Styrene-co-Maleic Anhydride Ternary Blend

The miscibility, phase behaviour and morphology of ternary systems, formed by a DGEBA-based epoxy resin, polystyrene (PS) and styrene-co-maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymers have been investigated through phase diagrams. The analysis has been done in the absence and in the presence of 4,4'-methylene bis(2,6-diethyl aniline) (MDEA) as curing agent. In both cases, the influence of the copolymer content on blend compatibility, has been discussed. The results show that miscibility is enhanced by the presence of SMA copolymer in the blend and as the MA content in the copolymer is increased (from 7 to 14wt.-%), due to specific H-bonding interactions between the H-donor hydroxyl groups on the epoxy r…

Dynamic Mechanical Measurements of Epoxy Matrix-Silica Nanocomposites II

The mechanical properties of epoxy-silica nanocomposites have been studied; the silica nanosphere fillers used were un-functionalised, functionalised with amine, with epoxy, or a mixture of both kinds. Dynamic mechanical analysis measurements revealed an increase in the shear storage modulus, for all samples with a filler content of 3–5%. Improvements were observed in the glassy and rubbery states, without affecting the glass transition temperature of the materials. Above these strengthening percentages, the mechanical properties began to deteriorate, but in all cases they remained superior to those of the pristine epoxy resin. For low strengthening percentages, samples reinforced with bot…

An Analysis of the Concentration Effects on Elution Volumes by Using the Preferential Solvation Parameter in Two SEC Packings

Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) elution behavior of different solvent/polymer systems has been analyzed from chromatographic, thermodynamic, and hydrodynamic points of view in two organic column packings based on polystyrene/divinylbenzene (PS/DVB) copolymer, μ-styragel and TSK-Gel H HR . Although both packings present similar chromatographic properties, some differences arise when eluting the same systems. The values of the adsorption distribution coefficients, K p , have been correlated with the preferential solvation coefficient, λ (see Figure), for both packings, showing that those systems with lower and negative λ values (denoting higher preferential solvation of the polymer by the…

Comparative evaluation of the swelling and degrees of cross-linking in three organic gel packings for SEC through some geometric parameters.

Abstract The size exclusion chromatographic (SEC) behavior of five solvent/polymer systems in three organic column packings based on polystyrene/divinylbenzene (PS/DVB) copolymer, TSK-Gel H HR , μ-styragel and TSK-Gel H XL , has been compared. All the packings offer similar characteristics (pore size, particle size and efficiency) but some differences have been found when eluting the same systems. The different elution behavior observed in both polymeric gels has been analyzed in terms of their swelling and cross-linking degrees and of the fractal parameters. From the Universal Calibration plots, values of the chromatographic partition coefficient, K p , have been obtained and using some eq…

Interaction of Quinine with Model Lipid Membranes of Different Compositions

The binding of a drug such as Quinine with neutral and negatively charged small unilamellar lipid vesicles at pH 7 and 37 degrees C was investigated. Changes in the fluorescence properties of the drug after association with the liposomes were used to obtain binding isotherms over a range of phospholipid compositions at different ionic strengths. Under such conditions, the association was strongly enhanced by the negative net charge of the bilayer but diminished by the increasing presence of electrolytes in the aqueous media. Binding data were analyzed in terms of a surface partition equilibrium without and after correcting for electrostatic effects by means of the Gouy-Chapman theory. The i…

Compatibility between polystyrene copolymers and polymers in solution via hydrogen bonding

Abstract It has been applied the concept of improving miscibility, by introducing and optimizing the extent of intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions between two polymers. We select a commodity polymer such as polystyrene, to study the compatibility in chloroform with poly(vinyl pyridine) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), both considered as proton acceptors. In order to enhance polymer–polymer miscibility, polystyrene is slightly modified by copolymerization with methacrylic acid, in the first case, and with vinyl-phenol comonomer, in the second one. In this way, two series of polystyrene-based copolymers are synthesized and characterized bearing ca. 8% (w/w) of –OH groups. The miscibility…

A comparative study between cosolvent and cononsolvent ternary polymer systems through the preferential adsorption coefficient

Sorption equilibrium of polystyrene and poly (dimethyl siloxane) in mixed solvents has been monitored by means of the preferential adsorption coefficient experimentally determined from intensity light scattering measurements. The pairs of solvents used to dissolve each polymer sample have been selected for the purpose to perform cosolvent and cononsolvent ternary polymer systems. Flory-Huggins formalism including ternary interactions has been used to predict the sorption equilibrium for the cosolvent system and, for the first time, for cononsolvent ones. Moreover, the proportionality between binary and ternary interactions, recognized by Pouchly, is also corroborated for both ternary polyme…

Static measurements of refractive index increments at 633 nm with a modified refractive index detector

A R 401 Waters Assoc. differential refractometer has been modified to obtain the variation of refractive index increments, dn/dc, of polymer solutions at 633 nm. The introduced modifications were in the sample injection system and in the light source. The performance of the modified refractometer both with aqueous and organic solutions is analyzed. In order to localize a conformational transition in lysozyme, the dependence of dn/dc on temperature for lysozyme solutions in phosphate buffer is studied. Similarly, (dn/dc)k values for the ternary n-alkane/butanone/poly(dimethyl siloxane) systems over the whole composition range of the binary solvent mixtures are evaluated.

Macromolecules in ordered media: 4. Poly(2-vinyl pyridine)-liposome association induced by electrostatic interactions

Abstract We have investigated the interaction between vesicles based on dimyristoyl phosphatidic acid (DMPA) and a polymer, such as poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (P2VPy), on the basis of both partition and binding models. The resulting association curves are non monotonous being three regions clearly evidenced. The electrostatic and steric origin of the attractive or repulsive interactions are analyzed as a function of pH, ionic strength and temperature using the fluorescence spectroscopy technique. We emphasize the importance of differentiating the ideal definition of the binding constant from the theoretically evaluated including the activity coefficient, γ, to take into account shifts from the …

Taking into account the dependency on molar mass of the viscometric interaction parameter B, the modified Stockmayer-Fixman-Burchard equation ([η]/M1/2) = KΘ + C″ · A2 · M1/2 is obtained. It relates the intrinsic viscosity, [η], to the second virial coefficient, A2, and to the unperturbed dimensions parameter, KΘ, with C″ being a constant. Hereupon, KΘ can be determined from [η] and A2 data of any binary (solvent/polymer) and/or ternary (solvent 1/solvent 2/polymer) system, BPS and/or TPS. Because of the scarcity of reliable sets of [η] and A2 values mostly for TPS, the application of the above equation to obtain KΘ coefficients rests limited. This limitation can be surmounted by an A2 eval…

Association Equilibria Theory for Polymers in Mixed Solvents with Specific Interactions

Hydrogen bonding plays an important role in determining the physical and thermodynamic properties of polar fluids. Theoretical and experimental aspects of polymers, in mixed solvents with hydrogen-bonding-specific interactions, are investigated using a simple association model based on the theory of association equilibria developed by Pouchly et al. The thermodynamic non-idealities are accounted for using a modified Flory-Huggins theory with effective g ij parameters. The entropic term of the above formalism has been formulated taking into account the pplymer segment-solvent as well as the solvent-solvent hydrogen-bond formation. Four equilibrium constants are introduced to make a realistic…

Binding of basic amphipathic peptides to neutral phospholipid membranes: a thermodynamic study applied to dansyl-labeled melittin and substance P analogues.

A thermodynamic approach is proposed to quantitatively analyze the binding isotherms of peptides to model membranes as a function of one adjustable parameter, the actual peptide charge in solution z(p)+. The main features of this approach are a theoretical expression for the partition coefficient calculated from the molar free energies of the peptide in the aqueous and lipid phases, an equation proposed by S. Stankowski [(1991) Biophysical Journal, Vol. 60, p. 341] to evaluate the activity coefficient of the peptide in the lipid phase, and the Debye-Huckel equation that quantifies the activity coefficient of the peptide in the aqueous phase. To assess the validity of this approach we have s…

Fractal calibration in size-exclusion chromatography

Abstract The elution behaviour of different polymer–solvent systems in three types of organic columns for SEC has been compared and interpreted. The experimental data show that the classical universal calibration is not accomplished. Deviations from a unique curve are observed due to the binary and ternary interactions between the components of the system (solvent, polymer and gel) which results on secondary mechanisms accompanying the main pure or “ideal” SEC separation mechanism. Both, enthalpic and entropic effects are interpreted in terms of the swelling and crosslinking degrees of the gel packings, and are also related with the fractal characteristics of their surfaces, such as the fra…

Prediction of maxima and minima in the curve of total sorption parameter in ternary polymer systems. Influence of ternary interaction parameter

Flory-Huggins theory modified by Pouchly has been applied to predict maxima and minima in the curve of total sorption in ternary polymer systems formed by a polymer and two liquids. In this work, different diagrams based on experimental magnitudes easily obtained such as the difference in affinities of liquids, solvents and non solvents, and the solvent molar volume ratio. Total sorption parameter has been considered to be the decisive magnitude to define extrema conditions in both cosolvent and cononsolvent ternary polymer systems. The theoretical prediction is not altered by the inclusion of ternary interactions. Different examples of ternary systems dealing with vinyl polymers and polydi…

Binding of a fluorescent dansylcadaverine-substance P analogue to negatively charged phospholipid membranes.

Abstract We have investigated the binding of a new dansylcadaverine derivative of substance P (DNC-SP) with negatively charged small unilamellar vesicles composed of a mixture of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and either phosphatidylglycerol (PG) or phosphatidylserine (PS) using fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. The changes in fluorescence properties were used to obtain association isotherms at variable membrane negative charges and at different ionic strengths. The experimental association isotherms were analyzed using two binding approaches: (i) the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and the partition equilibrium model, that neglect the activity coefficients; and (ii) the partition equilibrium m…

Study and comparison of interaction parameters and phase behavior of epoxy/polystyrene and epoxies copolymer polystyrene-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) blends

Thermodynamic studies in terms of phase separation behavior and interaction parameters, in mixtures of epoxy resins (thermoset materials) with thermoplastic additives, consisting of polystyrene (PS) or polystyrene-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) P(S-MMA) (with small proportion of MMA), have been carried out. It can be confirmed that the solubility of P(S-MMA) is an improvement on that of PS, with the prepolymer epoxy resins. Moreover, the interaction parameters are positive at temperatures in which phase separation is observed, but negative at temperatures in which the phase separation window disappears, in the corresponding phase diagram. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engine…

Modelling the influence of nanoparticles in the phase behaviour of an epoxy/polystyrene mixture

Abstract The cloud point temperatures of four series of epoxy/polystyrene blends have been experimentally determined as a function of polymer mass and system composition. The phase diagrams show an UCST behaviour, increasing incompatibility as the molar mass increases. The Flory–Huggins theory with a concentration-dependent interaction parameter has been developed to study the compatibility of two polymers in presence of spherical nanoparticles. This theory has been first compared with the experimental cloud point curve in absence of nanoparticles, and secondly it has been used to predict the thermodynamic behaviour in presence of different volume fraction of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles co…

Treatment of poly(styrene-co-methacrylic acid)/poly(4-vinylpyridine) blends in solution under liquid–liquid phase-separation conditions. A new method for phase-separation data attainment from viscosity measurements

Phase diagrams are contributed for polymer mixture systems in solution. One polymer has proton-acceptor character and the other has growing proton-donor nature, which is reflected in the phase diagrams. Usually, these diagrams are obtained from size-exclusion chromatographic (SEC) measurements. A totally novel application, which is exposed in this report, is the construction of the phase diagram from the viscometric experiments of polymer mixtures. The evaluated binodal or cloud-point isotherms so built agree well with those from SEC. The results indicate an augmentation in the dimensions of donor polymer B, in the presence of acceptor polymer C, intensifying with the concentration of C, wh…

Predictability of properties of ternary systems solvent/solvent/polymer from interaction parameters of the binary systems—III. Analysis of binary potential functions forming ternary ones

Abstract The assumption that the ternary parameter, g τ , and its derivative with respect to polymer concentration, ( ∂g τ / ∂φ 3 ) μ 1 , φ 3 → 0 , can be described by three binary interaction parameters, g o i 3 ( i = 1, 2) and g 12 , implies that these must be independent functions. This feature has been demonstrated by using g o i 3 values obtained from A/B/polymer(P) and C/D/P ternary polymer systems to predict the ternary properties, namely preferential solvation (λ), second virial coefficient ( A 2 ) and intrinsic viscosity ([η]), of a A/C/P ternary system. Two distinct polymers, polystyrene(PS) and poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS), have been utilized in three solvent mixtures, benzene(BZ…

Solution properties of polyelectrolytes. III. Effect of sodium polystyrene sulfonate concentration on viscometric and size exclusion chromatographic behavior at different ionic strengths

The effect of sodium polystyrene sulfonate concentration on the shape of its molecules in aqueous solution at different NaNO3 ionic strengths has been analyzed by viscometry and size-exclusion chromatography (s.e.c). An equation has been developed which predicts the intrinsic viscosity, [η] p.cp.cs, at finite concentration of both polyion (cp) and electrolyte (cs). The experimental results obtained by both techniques can be accounted for in terms of the theory. Several factors involved in the elution mechanism have been considered and the variation of the slopes of s.e.c. calibration curves with cp and cs has been discussed in terms of polyion conformation changes.

Intrinsic viscosities, [η], second virial coefficients, A2, and interaction potentials, g12, for the ternary systems alcohol (1)/3-heptanone (2)/poly(1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (3), with the unbranched alcohols methanol, ethanol and 1-propanol, were determined at 25°C. Taking into account the dependence of the viscometric interaction parameter, B, with the molecular weight of the polymer, the unperturbed dimensions parameter, KΘ, of the polymer was unambiguously obtained. Relationships between ΔKΘ (defined as ΔKΘ = ΔK − KΘ) and excess Gibbs energies, GE, and between excess viscosity, Δ[η], and GE allow to obtain equations relating A2 to ΔKΘ or to Δ[η]. Therefore, A2 can be evaluated from experi…

Elution curves on spherosil gels in pure and mixed eluents of poly(dimethylsiloxane), PDMS, and poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, as well as those of polystyrene, PS, just for comparison, have been determined. In a general way, PDMS elution volumers fit to those of PS, whereas PMMA elution curves shift to higher retention volumes. The differences in retention volumes between the different polymeric solutes have been interpreted in terms of differences in polymer-gel and polymer-solvent interactions. Hydrogen-bonding seems to be the main contribution to solute-substrate interactions.

Negatively cooperative binding of melittin to neutral phospholipid vesicles

Abstract The association of basic amphipathic peptides to neutral phospholipid membranes is investigated in terms of binding and partition models. The binding of native and modified melittin to egg-yolk phosphatidylcholine vesicles is studied by steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. The effect of the ionic strength shows an enhancement of the association as the ionic strength increases. After correction for electrostatic effects by the Gouy–Chapman theory, the melittin binding isotherms could be described by a partition model. In terms of conventional binding mechanisms, which do not take into account electrostatic effects, this would correspond to a negative cooperativity. A plausible wa…

Ternary Polymer Solutions with Hydrogen Bonds, 2

Experimental ternary phase diagrams for ternary systems CHL/PS-MAA/PVPy with diverse MAA contents have been determined by GPC. The presence of MAA in the copolymers gives rise to specific interactions, by hydrogen bond formation between both polymeric components, so strong that the isotherm for the system with the highest MAA content so far studied, CHL/PS-MAA(8%)/PVPy, is representative of a complex coacervation situation. By applying the theoretical background deduced by coupling the Flory-Huggins lattice model to the AET developed for ternary polymeric systems SPP with specific intermolecular interactions (via hydrogen bonds), free energy surfaces for the CHL/PS-MAA/PVPy systems are cons…

Deviations in the determination of the unperturbed dimensions of polymers arising in ternary polymer systems (solvent (1)/solvent (2)/polymer) can be explained by the inaccurate use of an interaction parameter independent of polymer molecular weight. On this basis, a new formalism for the calculation of the second virial coefficient from intrinsic viscosity is proposed. This formalism was tested (and compared with well established formalisms) for all ternary polymer systems with simultaneous intrinsic viscosity and second virial coefficient data in the literature.

The unperturbed dimensions parameter KΘ is one of the most important characteristics of a polymer chain. For binary systems (polymer/solvent) and mostly for ternary systems (polymer/solvent(1)/solvent(2)) the KΘ values show large discrepancies with respect to those under thetaconditions in a single solvent. These discrepancies can be explained by considering that the interaction parameter χ (and consequently the coil dimensions or the number of intramolecular contacts between polymer segments) changes with molecular weight M. Assuming this dependency, a modified Stockmayer-Fixman equation is proposed from which a unique value of KΘ for a given polymer, independent of M, is obtained. The use…

A fluorescence spectroscopy study of the interaction of monocationic quinine with phospholipid vesicles Effect of the ionic strength and lipid composition

Abstract The interaction of monocationic quinine with zwitterionic dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and mixed negatively-charged dimyristoylphosphatidyl glycerol (DMPG) DMPC small unilamellar vesicles in the liquid-crystalline phase was investigated by steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy at pH 7 and 37°C. The maximum fluorescence emission peak at 383 nm, upon excitation at 335 nm, shifts to lower wavelength and decreases its intensity as the ratio between the total lipid and quinine concentrations increases. This indicates that in the membrane-bound state quinine is in an environment of low polarity, more deeply buried when anionic DMPG is present in the vesicle. For monoprotonated…

Macromolecules in ordered media: 7. Influence of ionic strength and bilayer composition on the association of polyelectrolytes to mixed liposomes

The effect of both the phospholipid composition of the bilayer and the ionic strength of the medium on the association between poly(2-vinyl pyridine) and mixed liposomes based on dimyristoyl phosphatidic acid and dimyristoyl phosphatidil choline was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy. Intensity changes upon addition of vesicles have allowed us to estimate the extent of the association and data have been processed as association isotherms. We found that the association is enhanced by increasing both the ionic strength and the anionic phospholipid fraction. However, whereas the negative net charge of the bilayer strongly enhances the interaction, the presence of more and more electr…

Interaction of polyelectrolytes with oppositely charged micelles studied by fluorescence and liquid chromatography

It is studied by spectrofluorimetry the association of ionized cationic micelles (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB) with oppositely charged polyelectrolyte [sodium poly(styrenesulfonate), PSSNa]. CTAB provokes a change in the fluorescence intensity emitted by PSSNa. The investigated surfactants form micelle-like aggregates before critical micellar concentration (CMC). Two approaches (binding and partition equilibrium) are used to obtain the association constant, KA, number of CTAB molecules in a binding site, N, and apparent partition coefficient, Γ. Analysis of the parameters as a function of polymer concentration and ionic strength μ is performed. The effect of μ shows an enhancement …

Estimation of the Compatibility Between Poly(Methylmethacrylate) and Poly(Styrene Co Vinyl Phenol) Blends from Dilute Solution Measurements

Abstract The compatibility of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with poly(styrene‐co‐vinyl phenol) (PS‐VPh) with two different contents of vinyl phenol, 5.8 and 7.2%, in dilute tetrahydrofuran solutions has been investigated by size exclusion chromatography and fluorescence spectroscopy at 25°C. The chromatographic technique permits the evaluation of the preferential solvation at different PMMA/PS‐VPh ratios. Changes in the fluorescence properties of PS‐VPh, caused by its association with PMMA, were used to obtain the fraction of copolymer bound to PMMA at diverse PMMA compositions. Both techniques agree quantitatively in every system, indicating that the association increases when the PMMA …

Miscibility of Blends of Biodegradable Polymers and Copolymers with Different Plasticizers

Miscibility between components of different plasticizer(A)/solvent(B)/biodegradable polymer(C) ternary systems with H-bonding has been compared. Systems were formed by two H-donor phenolic plasticizers, 4-nonylphenol (NP) and 4:4'-dihydroxydiphenylmethane (BPF); an H-acceptor solvent, epichlorohydrin (ECH); and H-acceptor poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) or poly[(3-hydroxybutyrate)-co-(3-hydroxyvalerate)] (PHBHV) copolymers. Blend miscibility is the result of the balance of three competitive H-bondings: plasticizer self-association (AA), plasticizer-solvent (AB) and plasticizer-polymer (AC) interassociations. The strength and extent of such specific interactions have been experimentally monito…

Interactions of quinine with polyacrylic and poly-L-glutamic acids in aqueous solutions

Abstract Drug-loaded polymers provide an attractive form for controlled drug delivery systems. A proper knowledge of polymer–drug interactions can aid in the designing of polymers for various drug-delivery applications. In this paper we have investigated the interaction of a drug such as quinine, with synthetic macromolecules such as poly(acrylic acid), PAA, and poly(L-glutamic acid), PGA, at pH 7 and 37 °C by fluorescence spectroscopy and viscometry. The analysis of the binding isotherms revealed that the association process is positive cooperative up to a threshold concentration and then it is negative. In addition, the thermodynamic parameters vary along the isotherm. Results also sugges…

Macromolecules in ordered media: 5. Poly(4-vinyl pyridine)—liposome association induced by electrostatic interactions

Abstract The association of water-soluble vinyl polymers to dimyristoyl phosphatidic acid unilamellar vesicles as a function of pH, temperature and salt content using steady-state fluorescence and viscometry has been investigated. Poly(4-vinyl pyridine) fluorescence data were converted to association isotherms and discussed in terms of binding and partition models. The results of this report support previous suggestions: (1) in the case of polyions the inclusion of the activity coefficient in both models is essential; (2) the parameters calculated using the two different theoretical approaches can be directly compared by the relating equation proposed for us. Finally, the excellent agreemen…

Viscometric study on the compatibility of polymer–polymer mixtures in solution

Abstract The viscosity behaviour of mixtures formed by two uncharged polymers in dilute solution has been studied at 25°C. The ternary systems assayed, and denoted solvent (1)/ polymer (2)/ polymer (3), have in common the poly(ether sulphone) (PES) as polymer 2, and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or poly(styrene) (PS) as polymer 3. The intrinsic viscosity and the viscometric interaction parameters have been experimentally measured for the binary (solvent/polymer) as well as for the ternary systems, and also theoretically evaluated for the latter. The estimation of the compatibility degree of the above polymer pairs have been done by means of three criteri…

Solution properties of polyelectrolytes

Abstract Aqueous size-exclusion chromatography was used to analyse the elution behaviour of several standard ionic polymers, including poly( l -glutamic acid), sodium poly(styrene sulphonate) and poly(acrylic acid), different in nature and chain flexibility, as a function of the pH and ionic strength of the eluent. Two organic-based hydrophilic packings, Spherogel TSK PW4000 and Ultrahydrogel 250, were tested in order to select the optimal conditions of macromolecular separation, and the results obtained for each column were compared. A set of calibration graphs for the above polyions as a function of eluent pH and ionic strength were obtained and compared with those obtained for uncharged …

Mark-Houwink Parameters of Biosynthetic Poly(γ-glutamic acid) in Aqueous Solution

A combined viscosity–light scattering–gel permeation chromatography (GPC) study was carried out on bacterially produced poly(γ-glutamic acid) (PGGA). PGGA samples with weight-average molecular weights ranging from 8×104 up to 8×105 g·mol–1 dissolved in phosphate buffer at 0.13 M ionic strength were used. It was found that the Mark–Houwink relation is acceptably obeyed, giving K and a values of 1.84×10–6 dL·g–1 and 1.16, respectively. As expected, GPC analysis showed that PGGA does not follow the universal calibration plot and that deviations can not be avoided by modifying the ionic strength.

Modeling Studies of the Phase Behavior of Monomer/Polymer/Disk Composites

The model developed by Balazs et al. to explain the phase behavior of polymer/clay composites is extended to monomer/polymer/clay composites, obtaining an expression for the free energy of a monomer/polymer/thin-disk mixture. By minimizing the free energy and calculating the chemical potentials of the three system components, phase diagrams for the monomer/disk and monomer/polymer/disk mixtures are contructed. Through the evolution and comparison of these diagrams, the effects of nanodisk size, polymer molecular mass and interaction parameters (temperature) on mixture stability and attained morphology are then studied.

Quantitative Prediction of Concentration Effects in Steric Exclusion Chromatography

Abstract A semiempirical model, based on a previous one quantitatively describing the dependence of the elution volume, V(cA), on the concentration of injected polymer, cA, in exclusion chromatography (SEC) at dilute solutions, has been developed. In the derived equation, concentration effects are mainly governed by the Huggins' coefficient, kA, and by the quadratic coefficient in the polynomial expansion of the reduced specific viscosity, kA. Because of the incertitudes on reliable kA and kA' values, these are respectively removed from the model through she Imai's equation and the empirical correlation kA' + 0.122=kA, here obtained. Thus, A predicted elution volumes besides polymer concent…

Solution Properties of Polyelectrolytes. VI. Secondary Effects in Aqueous Size-Exclusion Chromatography

Abstract An independent analysis of different operational variables in aqueous size exclusion chromatography of poly electrolytes has been carried out using a silica-based support. The effect of polyion concentration, pH and ionic strength on sodium polystyrenesulfonate calibration plots has been investigated. Finally, a novel semi-empirical model has been developed from thermodynamic considerations which relates the support effective pore volume to the polyelectrolyte molecular weight and qualitatively describes secondary effects.

Solution properties of polyelectrolytes. II. Comparison of the effects of both polyion and eluent salt concentrations on the calibrations in aqueous exclusion chromatography

The elution behaviour of charged water-soluble polymers (sodium polystyrene sulphonate) in both salt-free and NaCl-containing aqueous mobile phases has been investigated by size-exclusion chromatography. A comparative analysis has been established between the results as a function of polyion and salt concentrations, which demonstrates that the chromatographic behaviour is similar in both cases. The variation of the slopes of the different concentration-dependent calibration curves is discussed in terms of polyelectrolyte conformational changes. Finally, a semi-empirical model has been developed to predict the dependence of the elution volume in either polyion or salt concentration, and its …

Investigation of compatibility of a dicyanate ester monomer and polysulfone by size-exclusion chromatography and viscometry

The influence of solvent on the compatibility behaviour of Arocy B10, a cyanate ester monomer, and polysulfone (PSF) was investigated by means of dilute solution viscometry and of the preferential solvation parameter at 25 °C. The ternary systems under study are: tetrahydrofuran/Arocy B10/polysulfone (PSF), N,N-dimethylformamide/Arocy B10/PSF and dichloromethane/Arocy B10/PSF. Values of the specific viscosity of PSF in a ‘binary solvent’ formed by Arocy B10 + solvent have been used to determine the compatibility of the polymer blend Arocy B10/PSF. An interaction parameter Δb that depends on concentration has been determined. The preferential solvation parameter was measured by size-exclusio…

Macromolecules in ordered media. II. A fluorescence study of the polymer-liposome association

The interactions of poly (4-vinyl pyridine) with dimyristoylphosphatidic acid-based liposomes were studied in heterogeneous solution systems. The polymer was dispersed in aqueous buffer solutions of small unilamellar vesicles and after a suitable period of incubation to raise the equilibrium, the experiments has been conducted as a function of polymer concentration and temperature. According to the measurements of the steady-state fluorescence spectra, changes in the intensities as well as shifts in the emission peak wavelength, has served as raw data to accounting for the polymer-vesicle interactions. Quantitative evaluation of the interaction has been done using a simple associating model…

Preferential solvation of a dicyanate ester monomer and poly(sulfone) in different organic solvents by size-exclusion chromatography.

Preferential solvation parameters A in the ternary systems solvent (1) -monomer (2) -polymer (3) were determined as a tool to measure the compatibility between the cyanate ester monomer Arocy B10 and poly(sulfone), PSF, in the presence of three organic solvents: tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide and dicloromethane. The A parameter was measured by size-exclusion chromatography at different monomer-to-polymer ratios. The quantitative evaluation was rigorously made at polymer-diluted conditions. PSF was found to be preferentially solvated by the monomer. Concerning the solvent used, systems containing tetrahydrofuran showed the strongest solvation, the lowest A values being those obtained in …

Binding of water-soluble, globular proteins to anionic model membranes

Abstract The role of electrostatics is studied in the adsorption of proteins to negatively charged (phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylglycerol, PC/PG) and neutral (PC) small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs). For model proteins the interaction is monitored vs . pH at low ionic strength. The adsorption behaviour of lysozyme, myoglobin and albumin (isoelectronic point, p I 5–11) is investigated in SUVs, along with changes of the fluorescence emission spectra of the charged proteins, via their adsorption on SUVs. Significant adsorption of the proteins to negatively charged SUVs is found only at pH values, where the number of positive charge moieties exceeds the number of negative charge moieties on th…

Evaluation of thermodynamic parameters for blends of polyethersulfone and poly(methyl methacrylate) or polystyrene in dimethylformamide

Liquid-liquid phase separation phenomena have been investigated for a ternary system containing two polymers and a solvent. Namely, dimethylformamide (DMF)/polyethersulfone (PES)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and DMF/PES/Polystyrene (PS). The composition of the three components in the two phases in equilibrium has been determined by size exclusion chromatographic (s.e.c.) analysis. The lattice-based mean-field theory, first developed by Flory and Huggins, has been modified to adequately describe these systems. In this respect, we have assumed that the parameters depend on the polymer concentration, and we have included a ternary parameter. The phase equilibrium compositions have been use…

Solution Properties of Poly-Electrolytes. XI. Adsorption Effects in Aqueous Size-Exclusion Chromatog-Raphy of Polyanions

Abstract Elution profiles of a series of polymer standards such as sodium poly(styrene sulphonate), poly(acrylic acid) and poly(L-glutamic acid) have been obtained from size-exclusion chromatography experiments using separately two types of hydrophilic supports. A variety of mobile phase compositions have been performed to enhance adsorption effects in order to study how this phenomenon can affect to the chromatographic separation mechanism of polyanions. Distribution coefficient values, in general greater than unity, have served to quantify the adsorption effect, as well as to analyze their dependence on eluent ionic strength, on the ionic groups of the support and on the chemical nature a…

Study on resolution capacity and secondary mechanisms of three different TSK gels for organic SEC.

A comparative study on the elution behavior in size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) of three polymeric TSK gel packings, named H, H H R , and H X L types, is performed. The deviations of the universal calibration (u.c.) curves of seven solvent-polymer systems show evidence that the existence of secondary effects accompanying the main SEC mechanism. These secondary mechanisms are a consequence of the binary enthalpic interactions between the different components of the chromatographic system, such as polymer-solvent, polymer-gel and solvent-gel. However, in the present case, the observed deviations from a unique u.c. curve can mainly be attributed to adsorption of polymeric solutes (analytes)…

Solution properties of polyelectrolytes. I. Exclusion chromatography of sodium polystyrene sulphonate in salt-free water as eluent

The effect of concentration of sodium polystyrene sulphonate on the elution volume in exclusion chromatography has been investigated using salt-free water as eluent. A non-linear increase in the elution volume has been observed with increasing injected sample concentration. Concentration-dependent calibrations have been obtained which approach the universal calibration for uncharged polymers (dextrans) as polyelectrolyte concentration increases. The separation mechanisms are interpreted in terms of electrostatic and hydrodynamic interactions. A semi-empirical model is proposed to predict concentration effects of linear polyions in exclusion chromatography and good agreement has been found b…

Thermodynamic Study of Small Hydrophobic Ions at the Water–Lipid Interface

Abstract The thermodynamics of binding of two small hydrophobic ions such as norharman and tryptophan to neutral and negatively charged small unilamellar vesicles was investigated at pH 7.4 using fluorescence spectroscopy. Vesicles were formed at room temperature from dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) or DMPC/dimyristoylphosphatidic acid and DMPC/dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol. The changes in fluorescence properties were used to obtain association isotherms at variable membrane surface negative charge and at different ionic strengths. The binding of both ions was found to be quantitatively enhanced as the percentage of negative phospholipid increases in the membrane. Also, a decrease …

The intrinsic viscosities, [η], for the ternary systems alkane (1)/2-butanone (2)/poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)(3), with the alkanes decane, dodecane and hexadecane, are determined at 20,0°C. The constants a of the Mark-Houwink equation and the constant of the unperturbed dimensions, KΘ, of the polymer are evaluated over the whole composition range of the binary solvent mixture. [η] shows a pronounced maximum at intermediate compositions as found in cosolvent mixtures. In these cosolvent mixtures, the numerical values of KΘ are higher than in the single-component solvents, because the cosolvent mixtures correspond to a mixed solvent with an excess free energy, GE ≥ 0, the increase in KΘ bei…

Macromolecules in ordered media III. A fluorescence study on the association of poly-2-vinylpyridine with a phospholipid bilayer

Association of low molecular weight poly-2-vinylpyridine taken as a polycation model with unilamellar vesicles based on dimirystoylphosphatidic acid has been experimentally investigated by means of fluorescence energy transfer experiments. The conventional profiles for the binding isotherms were obtained, confirming strong deviations from the ideality of these complex fluid composites. Two approaches, named binding and partitioning equilibrium, respectively, were used to obtain the association constant, K A; the number of phospholipids that form a binding site, N; the partition coefficient, Λ; the activity coefficient, γ; and the effective charge, v. Analysis of these parameters as a functi…

Correlation between transport and equilibrium properties through the ternary interaction parameter for cosolvent and cononsolvent polymeric systems

A study of the ternary polymer systems dimethyl formamide-ethyl acetate-polystyrene, chloroform-1,4 dioxane-polystyrene and tetrahydrofuran-chloroform-polystyrene was carried out by viscosity and light scattering at 298 K. A good correlation has been found between the excess intrinsic viscosity, unperturbed polymer dimensions, second virial coefficient and the excess Gibbs free energy by using a ternary interaction parameter, dependent on molecular weight. This modification enables the conversion between transport and equilibrium properties.

Relative strength of H-bonding groups on biodegradable polymer-based blends in solution

The intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(styrene-co-vinyl phenol) copolymers with mutual solvent epichlorohydrin were thoroughly investigated by steady-state fluorescence and viscosity techniques. Fluorescence spectroscopy along with viscosity technique was used to asses the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate) and its blends with five copolymer samples of styrene–vinyl phenol, containing different proportions of vinyl phenol but similar average molecular weight and polydispersity index. In the case of very low OH contents (2–4 mol %), as expected, both components of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(styrene-co-4-vi…