Synthesis of hyperbranched poly(tert-butyl acrylate) by self-condensing atom transfer radical polymerization of a macroinimer

Using 2-hydroxyethyl α-bromoisobuty-rate as initiator, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of tert-butyl acrylate leads to poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PtBA) with a hydroxyl group at one and a bromine atom at the other end. Esterification of the hydroxyl group of these heterotelechelic polymers with acryloyl chloride yields PtBA (M n = 3060) with a polymerizable double bond at one end and a bromine atom at the other end which can act as an initiator in ATRP (macroinimer). Self-condensing ATRP of such a macroinimer leads to hyperbranched or highly branched PtBA. The polymer was characterized by GPC viscosity measurements. Even at M w = 78800, a rather low polydispersity index of M w M …

Mechanism of anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of aluminium alkyls

Methyl methacrylate was polymerized with tert-butyl lithium in the presence of triethylaluminium or triisobutylaluminium at 78°C in toluene. As indicated by GPC and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, the polymerization is accompanied by side reactions. The lower oligomers were fractionated by distillation and characterised by NMR, FT-IR, UV and electron impact (EI) mass spectrometry. All these data show that part of the polymer chains are carrying exactly one tert-butyl isoprenyl ketone unit. In order to avoid the formation of tert-butyl isoprenyl ketone a molar ratio of Al/Li>2 is necessary.

General Kinetic Analysis and Comparison of Molecular Weight Distributions for Various Mechanisms of Activity Exchange in Living Polymerizations

The molecular weight distributions in many living (e.g. anionic, group transfer, cationic, and radical) polymerizations strongly depend on the dynamics of various equilibria between chain ends of d...

Micromechanics of “raspberry” morphology in PPE/SAN polymer blends compatibilized with linear ABC triblock terpolymers

Abstract The effect of compatibilization with a symmetrical polystyrene- block -polybutadiene- block -poly(methyl methacrylate) (SBM) triblock terpolymer on the morphological and mechanical properties (specifically toughness) of immiscible poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether)/poly(styrene- co -acrylonitrile) (PPE/SAN) blends with different blend (w/w) ratios is investigated. We study the effect of blend viscosity on the localization of the compatibilizer at the blend interface, influencing the mechanical properties of the macroscopic material. The impact of the specific morphology of the blends, known as “raspberry morphology”, on the final material will be explained using thermomechanica…

Cyclodextrins in polymer synthesis: polymerization of methyl methacrylate under atom-transfer conditions (ATRP) in aqueous solution

Host guest complexes of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin (m-β-CD, 1 a) were polymerized in aqueous medium using atom-transfer radical polymerization. Ethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate (EBIB) was used as an initiator, copper(I) bromide as the catalyst, and bipyridine (bipy) or 4,4′-di-(5-nonyl)-2,2´-bipyridine (dNbipy) as ligands. The unthreading of m-β-CD during the polymerization led to water-insoluble poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). It was found that using dNbipy resulted in higher monomer conversion than using bipy as the ligand under similar conditions. Furthermore, it is shown that the polymerization of MMA under these conditions has a living character. The pol…

Interfacial Assembly and Jamming Behavior of Polymeric Janus Particles at Liquid Interfaces

The self-assembly and interfacial jamming of spherical Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) at the water/oil interface were investigated. Polymeric JNPs, made by cross-linking polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-PB-PMMA), with a high interfacial activity assemble at the water/oil interface. During the self-assembly at the interface, the interfacial energy was reduced and a dynamic interlayer was observed that is responsive to the pH of the aqueous phase. Unlike hard particles, the JNPs are composed of polymer chains that can spread at the liquid-liquid interface to maximize coverage at relatively low areal densities. In a pendant drop geometry, the interfacial area of …

Molecular parameters of hyperbranched polymers made by self-condensing vinyl polymerization of macroinimers

The molecular weight averages and the degree of branching, DB, of a hyperbranched polymer obtained by self-condensing vinyl polymerization (SCVP) of a macroinimer A-(m)γ-B* is calculated by modifying the existing equations for SCVP. The polydispersity is lowered by a factor (γ + 1), where γ is the degree of polymerization of the macroinimer. DB decreases with γ, however, at full conversion the DB of the polymacroinimer is approximately 60% higher than expected from the “dilution” of an AB* inimer with linear m units. This is the result of the existence of a new kind of branched units. The structure of polymacroinimers is similar to the pattern of a highly branched copolymer obtained by self…

Guided hierarchical co-assembly of soft patchy nanoparticles.

Different polymers can be used in combination to produce coexisting nanoparticles of different symmetry and tailored to co-assemble into well-ordered binary and ternary hierarchical structures. There is considerable practical interest in developing the tools to fabricate multicomponent artificial systems that mimic the hierarchical ordering seen in the natural world — complex biomaterials can be assembled from the simple but precisely defined molecular building blocks. Andre Groschel and colleagues have developed a bottom-up approach that's a step in that direction. Previously they designed simple linear polymers that self-assemble in solution to produce monodisperse nanoparticles with well…

Hyperbranched methacrylates by self-condensing group transfer polymerization

The synthesis of hyperbranched methacrylates was achieved by self-condensing group transfer polymerization of 2-(2-methyl-1-triethylsiloxy-1-propenyloxy)ethyl methacrylate (1). “Back-biting” is shown to be the predominant side reaction. In spite of this, the compact nature of the hyperbranched molecules was demonstrated through SEC-viscosity measurements and comparison with a linear analogue. The degree of branching can be controlled by copolymerization with conventional monomers, e.g. MMA, and the living polymers can be used as macroinitiators for star-shaped polymers.

Self-assembly concepts for multicompartment nanostructures.

Compartmentalization is ubiquitous to many biological and artificial systems, be it for the separate storage of incompatible matter or to isolate transport processes. Advancements in the synthesis of sequential block copolymers offer a variety of tools to replicate natural design principles with tailor-made soft matter for the precise spatial separation of functionalities on multiple length scales. Here, we review recent trends in the self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers to multicompartment nanostructures (MCNs) under (semi-)dilute conditions, with special emphasis on ABC triblock terpolymers. The intrinsic immiscibility of connected blocks induces short-range repulsion into discre…

Molecular Parameters of Hyperbranched Copolymers Obtained by Self-Condensing Vinyl Copolymerization, 2. Non-Equal Rate Constants

The kinetics, molecular weight averages, and the average degree of branching, DB, are calculated for the self-condensing vinyl copolymerization (SCVCP) of a vinyl monomer M with an "inimer" AB* in the case of different reactivities of active species. Emphasis is given to two limiting cases: formation of "macroinimers" occurs if the monomer M is more reactive than the vinyl groups of inimers or polymer, and "hyperstars" are formed in the opposite case. It is shown that the kinetics, the molecular weight averages, and the average degree of branching strongly depend on the relative reactivities of monomer and inimer. Comparison with experimental data shows that consistent fits of the reactivit…

Effect of the Substituent Position on the Anionic Copolymerization of Styrene Derivatives: Experimental Results and Density Functional Theory Calculations

In a combined synthetic, kinetic and theoretical study, the living anionic copolymerization of styrene and its ring-methylated derivatives ortho-, meta-, and para-methylstyrene (MS) was examined by real-time 1H NMR spectroscopy in the nonpolar solvents toluene-d8 and cyclohexane-d12 as well as by density functional theory calculations. Based on the NMR kinetics data, reactivity ratios for each comonomer pair were determined by the Kelen–Tudős method and numerical integration of the copolymerization equation (Contour software). The reaction pathway was modeled and followed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations to validate and predict the experimentally derived reactivity ratios. Un…

Complexes of star-shaped cationic polyelectrolytes with anionic liposomes: Towards multi-liposomal assemblies with controllable stability

Abstract Complexes were formed via the electrostatic interaction between 30–50 nm anionic liposomes and a star-shaped polyelectrolyte, poly{[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethyl ammonium iodide}, having cationic arms that radiate from a silicon-based central core. The complexation was investigated with attention given to assessing the capacity of the cationic stars for the anionic liposomes (both liquid and solid); the integrity of the complexed liposomes; and the stability of the resulting star/liposome complexes in aqueous salt solutions. We have found that by changing the content of anionic groups in the liposomal membrane as well as the phase-state of membrane, the stability of star/lipos…

Towards completely miscible PMMA nanocomposites reinforced by shear-stiff, nano-mica

Abstract Optimizing the reinforcement of polymers with nanoplatelets requires optimization of the aspect ratio and the moduli of the filler while providing a complete stress transfer. Employing a novel shear-stiff, nano-mica with large aspect ratio, we focus on maximizing the interfacial interaction between filler and matrix. External surfaces of the nano-mica were selectively modified by a polycationic macro-initiator and two PMMA-polymer brushes of length below and above critical entanglement length, respectively, and the mechanical properties of the three PMMA nanocomposites were measured. The multiple electrostatic anchoring groups of the macro-initiator not only provide reliable adhesi…

Carbanionic Polymerization: Kinetics and Thermodynamics

For a kinetic analysis, the process of anionic polymerization has to be divided into at least three main reactions common to all types of polymerization (equations 1–3). I* denotes initiator, M monomer, Pi* and Pi′ an active or inactive polymer chain of degree of polymerization i, respectively, and X a terminating agent.

Tapered Multiblock Copolymers Based on Isoprene and 4-Methylstyrene: Influence of the Tapered Interface on the Self-Assembly and Thermomechanical Properties

The synthesis of tapered multiblock copolymers by statistical living anionic copolymerization of a mixture of isoprene (I) and 4-methylstyrene (4MS) in cyclohexane is based on vastly different reac...

Control of Morphology and Corona Composition in Aggregates of Mixtures of PS-b-PAA and PS-b-P4VP Diblock Copolymers: Effects of Solvent, Water Content, and Mixture Composition

The morphologies and corona compositions in aggregates of mixtures of PS-b-PAA and PS-b-P4VP diblock copolymers are influenced by controllable assembly parameters such as water content, block copolymer molar ratios, and solvent effects as well as the hydrophilic block lengths and block length ratios. All these factors can affect the morphology of the aggregates as well as their corona composition, the latter especially in vesicles, where two interfaces are involved. The morphologies and corona compositions of the aggregates were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and electrophoretic mobility, respectively. They depend, to a large extent, on the solubility of P4VP and PAA in th…

Mechanism of Anionic Polymerization of (Meth)acrylates in the Presence of Aluminum Alkyls, 6. Polymerization of Primary and Tertiary Acrylates

The kinetics of the polymerization of n-butyl acrylate initiated by lithiated ester enolates in the presence of aluminum alkyls was investigated in toluene and in toluene/Lewis base mixed solvents at −78 °C. In pure toluene, curved time−conversion plots, incomplete monomer conversion, and broad molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn ≈ 2) are observedin the absence of aluminum alkyls the molecular weight distributions are significantly broader (Mw/Mn > 14). High monomer conversions and narrower molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn ≈ 1.5) are obtained when using Lewis bases (e.g., methyl pivalate) as cosolvents. The polymerization of tert-butyl acrylate rapidly reaches full monomer conversion…

Molecular parameters of hyperbranched polymers made by self-condensing vinyl polymerization. 1. Molecular weight distribution

The molecular weight distribution (MWD) and its moments are calculated for hyperbranched polymers formed by self-condensing vinyl polymerization (SCVP) of monomers (“inimers”) with the general structure AB*, where A is a vinyl group and B* is an initiating group. The calculated MWD is extremely broad, the polydispersity index (PDI) being equal to the number-average degree of polymerization:  Pw/Pn = Pn. It is twice as broad as that for the polycondensation of AB2 type monomers. If the fraction of unreacted monomer is not taken into account, the MWD becomes somewhat narrower, P‘w/P‘n ≈ 0.40P‘n. The kinetics of the polymerization process are first order with respect to the concentration of vi…

Anionic Copolymerization Enables the Scalable Synthesis of Alternating (AB)n Multiblock Copolymers with High Molecular Weight in n/2 Steps

Based on the highly disparate reactivities of isoprene (I, rI = 25.4) and 4-methylstyrene (4MS, r4MS = 0.007) in the anionic copolymerization in nonpolar media, a general strategy for the rapid and scalable synthesis of tapered multiblock copolymers with an extremely steep gradient has been developed. A repetitive addition strategy of a mixture of isoprene and 4MS leads to a tapered diblock in each case, giving access to linear alternating multiblock copolymers of the (AB)n type with up to 10 blocks. All multiblock copolymers showed narrow molecular weight distributions (dispersity Đ = 1.04–1.12). High molecular weights in the range of 80 to 400 kg mol–1 were achieved. Due to the incompatib…

Kinetic Analysis of “Living” Polymerization Processes Exhibiting Slow Equilibria. 5. Effect of Monomer Transfer in Cationic Polymerization and Similar Living Processes

This work deals with the kinetics of polymerization processes with chain transfer to monomer and reversible formation of dormant species. Such a mechanism is typical for cationic polymerization in the presence of Lewis acids as co-initiators. The expressions of number- and weight-average degrees of polymerization and polydispersity index are derived rigorously for a mechanism with free ions as the active species, but it is also applied to other mechanisms, e.g., ion pairs as active species. Plots of polydispersity index versus monomer conversion can be easily computed on a PC computer even though the expressions for the weight-average degree of polymerization and the concentration of residu…

Evidence for chain transfer in the atom transfer radical polymerization of butyl acrylate

Poly(butyl acrylate) (PBuA) of high molecular weight was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in ethyl acetate. Whereas for low molecular weight polymers, a linear increase of the number-average molecular weight. M n , versus conversion and narrow molecular weight distributions indicate the suppression of side reactions, a downward curvature in the plot of M n versus conversion was observed for high molecular weights (M n > 50 000). This effect is explained by chain transfer reactions, leading to branched polymers. GPC measurements with a viscosity detector give evidence for the branched structure of high molecular weight polymers obtained in ATRP. In addition, transfe…

Hollow Polymeric Capsules from POSS-Based Block Copolymer for Photodynamic Therapy

A novel amphiphilic diblock copolymer, PHEMAPOSS-b-P(DMAEMA-co-CMA), was prepared via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, where PHEMAPOSS block was first synthesized using a methacrylate monomer based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (HEMAPOSS), and PHEMAPOSS was further utilized to prepare the block copolymer via RAFT copolymerization of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and reduction-cleavable coumarin methacrylate (CMA) monomer. PHEMAPOSS-b-P(DMAEMA-co-CMA) could self-assemble in water to form spherical micelles with POSS core and stimuli-responsive shell. The micelles were cross-linked by photodimerization of coumarin, and then hollo…

The effect of reaction conditions on the chain end structure and functionality during dehydrochlorination oftert-chlorine-telechelic polyisobutylene by potassium tert-butoxide

Dehydrochlorination of tert-chlorine-telechelic polyisobutylene with potassium tert-butoxide in refluxing tetrahydrofuran is quantitative after 22 h, but results in ca. 3% endo olefin chain ends which are not reactive in some subsequent functionalization reactions. The formation of these undesired structures is most likely due to simultaneous thermally induced HCl loss. Lower temperatures and longer reaction times led to exclusive formation of external double bonds in some cases but to incomplete dehydrochlorination.

Copolymerization of Isoprene with p-Alkylstyrene Monomers: Disparate Reactivity Ratios and the Shape of the Gradient

The statistical copolymerization of isoprene with p-ethyl- (p-ES), p-isopropyl- (p-iPS), and p-tert-butylstyrene (p-tBS) initiated by sec-butyllithium in cyclohexane was investigated with respect to kinetics, reactivity ratios, and formation of tapered block copolymers with pronounced monomer gradient. An efficient synthetic route to the monomers was developed on a multigram scale, relying on the precipitation of the side-product triphenylphosphine oxide at low temperature. The copolymerization kinetics and resulting molecular weight distributions were analyzed. The dispersity, Đ, of the copolymers depends on the p-alkyl substituent, the the degree of polymerization Pn and the comonomer mol…

Tapered copolymers of styrene and 4‐vinylbenzocyclobutene via carbanionic polymerization for crosslinkable polymer films

Estimation of Number-Average Molecular Weights of Copolymers by Gel Permeation Chromatography−Light Scattering

The true number-average molecular weight, Mn, of copolymers is obtained by GPC coupled with a light-scattering detector even if the composition and therefore the refractive index increment varies with elution volume, provided slices taken are monodisperse with respect to molecular weight and composition. In contrast, only an apparent weight-average molecular weight, can be obtained by the conventional GPC−light scattering combination, even for a perfect chromatographic resolution. The errors in Mn associated with nonhomogeneous slices are estimated. Experimental data with mixtures of linear polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate) confirm these estimations and indicate that the error in Mn…

Molecular Weight Distribution of Hyperbranched Polymers Generated by Self-Condensing Vinyl Polymerization in Presence of a Multifunctional Initiator

The molecular weight distribution (MWD) is derived for polymers generated by self-condensing vinyl polymerization (SCVP) of a monomer having a vinyl and an initiator group (“inimer”) in the presence of a multifunctional initiator. If the monomer is added slowly to the initiator solution (semi-batch process), this leads to hyperbranched polymers with a multifunctional core. If monomer and initiator are mixed simultaneously (batch process), even at vinyl group conversions as high as 99%, the total MWD consists of polymers which have grown via reactions between inimer molecules (i.e., the normal SCVP process) and those which have reacted with the initiator. Consequently, the weight distributio…

The influence of lithium tert-butoxide (tBuOLi) and of lithium chloride on the oligomerization of tert-butyl acrylate (tBuA) initiated by tert-butyl α-lithioisobutyrate (tBiB-Li) was investigated. These additives affect both the kinetics and the product distribution. Whereas the addition of LiCl leads to a narrower molecular-weight distribution (MWD) the presence of tBuOLi induces broader MWD's, characterized by a very high fraction of the dimer. Both additives decrease the rates of propagation to different degrees. These effects are discussed on the basis of the formation of aggregates and adducts, the lithiated dimer having a higher tendency to form aggregates than the other oligomers. Th…

Mechanism of Anionic Polymerization of (Meth)acrylates in the Presence of Aluminium Alkyls IV. Formation of a Co-ordinative Polymer Network via the Living Aluminate End Group

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of aluminium alkyls in toluene deviates from conventional kinetics. This results predominantly from the formation and precipitation of a co-ordinative polymer gel or network. Due to the lower reactivity and accessibility of the living chains in the gel, they are regarded as ’dormant’ and thus the concentration of active species decreases during polymerization. The network formation occurs via co-ordination of the living aluminate chain end group with in-chain ester carbonyl groups. Part of the chains are deactivated by a termination process but they are free of cyclic β-ketoesters which would result from the common ’back-biting’ reac…

Janus particles: synthesis, self-assembly, physical properties, and applications.

Endfunctional Polymers by Functionalization of Living Cationic Chain Ends with 1,1-Diphenylethylene

Abstract A new functionalization method has been developed for the synthesis of 2,2-diphenylvinyl(DPV)-telechelic polyisobutylene (PIB). First, living carbocationic polymerization (LCCP) of isobutylene (IB) is quantitatively end-quenched with a nonpolymerizable olefin, 1,1-diphenylethylene (DPE). This process yields a mixture of diphenyl substituted vinyl and tertiary chlorine endgroups. Treatment of the resulting polymer with potassium-tert-butoxide (tBuOK) leads to the quantitative formation of DPV-telechelic PIB which is a potential macroinitiator precursor for living anionic polymerizations.

Tetrahydrofuran: More than a “Randomizer” in the Living Anionic Copolymerization of Styrene and Isoprene: Kinetics, Microstructures, Morphologies, and Mechanical Properties

The statistical anionic copolymerization of isoprene (I) and styrene (S) is commonly used to synthesize tapered block copolymers, enabling control of the phase behavior by adjusting the order–disor...

Rational design of ABC triblock terpolymer solution nanostructures with controlled patch morphology

Block copolymers self-assemble into a variety of nanostructures that are relevant for science and technology. While the assembly of diblock copolymers is largely understood, predicting the solution assembly of triblock terpolymers remains challenging due to complex interplay of block/block and block/solvent interactions. Here we provide guidelines for the self-assembly of linear ABC triblock terpolymers into a large variety of multicompartment nanostructures with C corona and A/B cores. The ratio of block lengths NC/NA thereby controls micelle geometry to spheres, cylinders, bilayer sheets and vesicles. The insoluble blocks then microphase separate to core A and surface patch B, where NB co…

Die lebende anionische Polymerisation

Zusammenfassung Vor sechzig Jahren entdeckte Michael Szwarc die lebende anionische Polymerisation. Trotz ihrer hohen synthetischen Anforderungen ist sie bis heute die praziseste Methode zur Herstellung von wohldefinierten Polymeren und inspirierte zahlreiche neue Polymerisationsmethoden. Masgeschneiderte Blockcopolymere finden sich in den verschiedensten Anwendungen von High-End-Verpackungsmaterialien uber die Elektronik bis hin zu Nanomedizin.

Kinetics and Mechanisms in the Anionic Polymerization of Methacrylic Esters

Under appropriate conditions the anionic polymerization of methacrylates proceeds in an ideal manner leading to polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions. From the kinetics of polymerization and from the microstructure of the polymers the existence of different active species is concluded, the most important one being a peripherally solvated contact ion pair. Depending on polymerization conditions two different modes of monomer addition can occur. Homo- and copolymerization experiments show that the influence of the ester group is mainly given by electronic effects. In non- polar solvents the polymerization of tert.-butyl methacrylate (in contrast to methyl methacrylate) leads to …

Characterization of Micelles of Polyisobutylene-block-poly(methacrylic acid) in Aqueous Medium

Four amphiphilic block copolymers polyisobutylene-block-poly(methacrylic acid) (IBm-MAAn; m = 70−134, n = 52−228) were synthesized and transferred into aqueous medium at pH 10−12. Their structure in solution was characterized by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), static and dynamic light scattering (SLS, DLS), analytical ultracentrifuge (AUC), and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with freeze-fracturing and staining techniques. DLS data, AUC sedimentation traces, and TEM images indicate at least two different kinds of particles. TEM shows spherical micelles; however, especially for polymers with larger hydrophobic blocks, additional particles are observed. FCS shows extrem…

Untersuchung von neuartigen Nanopartikeln für ihre Anwendung in der Biotechnologie

© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim www.cit-journal.com In der organischen Synthese werden oftmals hohe Drucke und Temperaturen wie auch konzentrierte und schadliche Losungen eingesetzt. Unter allgemein milderen Bedingungen konnen durch biotechnologische Alternativen gleiche Zielprodukte erhalten werden. e-Caprolacton wird industriell als Monomer zur Polymerisation zu Polycaprolacton eingesetzt. Dieses biologisch abbaubare Polymer ist mischbar mit vielen verschiedenen Polymeren, was einen sehr breiten Anwendungsbreich schafft wie beispielsweise fur die Medizin, als Weichmacher oder als Druckmaterial fur 3D-Drucker. Chemisch erfolgt die Synthese von e-Caprolacton durch die Baey…

Acrylic Graft Copolymers Via Macromonomers

Comb-shaped poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and PMMA grafted with poly(nbutyl acrylate) (PnBuA) were prepared by radical copolymerisation of ω-methacryloyl-PMMA with MMA and nBuA, respectively. The comb-shaped PMMA is characterised with respect to radius of gyration by using GPC equipped with a multi-angle laser light scattering detector. The radical copolymerisation of the macromonomer with nBuA in toluene follows complex kinetics. The dependence of the relative reactivity of the macromonomer on absolute concentration and on the ratio of comonomers may be explained by preferential solvation of comonomers by segments of their own kind (“bootstrap effect”) or even micelle formation. However…

Loading of polymer nanocarriers: Factors, mechanisms and applications

Abstract The progress in synthetic polymer chemistry has allowed the precise design of hybrid and multifunctional colloidal particles, which differ in type, size and shape, thus enhancing their possible applications as target-oriented carriers of low and high molar mass active species. This survey discusses the basic principles and factors, associated with the process of loading of polymeric nanoparticles. For the purpose of this review, the polymeric nano-carriers are divided into five most studied types: micelles, nanogels, capsules (incl. vesicles), dendrimers, and hybrid nanoparticles with porous cores. Factors influencing the loading are described and their importance discussed. An imp…

Synthesis and solution properties of star-shaped poly(tert-butyl acrylate)

A series of star polymers consisting of poly(tert-butyl acrylate) arms and an ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) microgel core were synthesized using anionic polymerization. The effect of various parameters (precursor length, ratio [[EGDMA]/[Initiator], reaction time, and overall concentrations) on the average number of arms was investigated. Molecular weights were determined using GPC coupled with an online viscometer and MALLS. The exponents for the relation between intrinsic viscosity or radius of gyration and molecular weight, respectively, are extremely low, indicating that the dimensions of the star polymers only slightly increase with the number of arms. After a certain number of …

Efficient size control of copper nanoparticles generated in irradiated aqueous solutions of star-shaped polyelectrolyte containers

Physical chemistry, chemical physics 17(17), 11490-11498(2015). doi:10.1039/C5CP00269A

Interfacial stabilization by soft Janus nanoparticles

Abstract The stabilization of water/air, water/oil and water/solid interfaces by Janus particles with polystyrene (PS) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) hemispheres was systematically investigated. The stabilization of these interfaces is of relevance for the formulation of foams, emulsions and dispersions. The Janus particles were prepared from micellar solutions of polystyrene-b-polyisoprene-b-poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) (PS-PI-PtBMA) triblock terpolymers by selective cross-linking of the polyisoprene domain on a multi-gram scale, followed by hydrolysis of the PtBMA block. For the investigation of water/oil-emulsions a series of hydrophobic oils (paraffin oil, xylene, peanut oil, isopro…

Self-Assembly of block copolymers into internally ordered microparticles

Abstract Block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly is one of the most versatile concepts for the bottom-up design of functional nanostructures in materials science, nanomedicine and nanotechnology. While BCPs have been extensively studied regarding their microphase separation in bulk and the self-assembly in solution, only recently BCPs were investigated for their ability to form internally ordered microparticles. In this review, we discuss two emerging concepts: (i) the microphase separation of BCPs in the spherical confinement of evaporating emulsion droplets and (ii) the self-assembly of highly asymmetric BCPs under concentrated conditions. While the first concept yields solid and compact mult…

Kinetic treatment of slow initiation in living carbocationic polymerization and investigation of benzyl halides as initiators for the polymerization of isobutylene

In contrast to earlier conclusions it is demonstrated that kinetic analysis of incremental monomer addition (IMA) experiments for living carbocationic polymerizations with slow initiation leads only to the ratio of apparent rate constants of initiation and propagation. The apparent rate constants depend on the true (bimolecular) rate constants and on the positions of the equilibria between dormant and active states of initiator and polymer chain ends, respectively. The same considerations are true for other living processes involving dormant species, e.g., group transfer polymerization or controlled radical polymerization. Slow initiation of living carbocationic polymerization of isobutylen…

Janus Micelles as effective supracolloidal dispersants for carbon nanotubes

Equilibria in the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate, 1. Chain-length dependence of the rate and equilibrium constants

The rate constants of polymerization and cyclization and the equilibrium constants of polymerization are calculated from kinetic data of the anionic oligomerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by methyl α-lithioisobutyrate in THF at 25°C, and of the “disproportionation” of living oligomers. The numeric method reported earlier was improved. The rate constants of cyclization decrease with chain-length, due to increasing steric hindrance. The rate constants of polymerization depend on the concentration of active centres, due to the formation of associates. Rate and equilibrium constants of polymerization decrease with chain-length. This is discussed in terms of intramolecular coordination…

Copolymerization of n-Butyl Acrylate with Methyl Methacrylate and PMMA Macromonomers:  Comparison of Reactivity Ratios in Conventional and Atom Transfer Radical Copolymerization

The reactivity ratios of n-butyl acrylate (nBuA) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and ω-methacryloyl-PMMA macromonomers (MM) in conventional and atom transfer radical copolymerization (ATRP) have been determined. For the copolymerization of nBuA with MMA, good agreement of the ratios is observed between conventional and controlled radical copolymerization, indicating that chemoselectivities in both processes are similar. The relative reactivity of the MM (1/rnBuA) in conventional copolymerization is significantly lower than that of MMA. It depends on the concentration of the comonomers but is not significantly influenced by the length of the MM. At high concentrations the relative reactivity …

The role of association/complexation equilibria in the anionic polymerization of (meth)acrylates

The kinetics of the anionic polymerization of methacrylates and acrylates in THF as well as the MWD of the polymers formed depend on the concentration of active centres and of additives, such as lithium halides and lithium alkoxides. These results are discussed on basis of multiple equilibria between non-associated, associated, and complexed ion pairs which are supported by viscosity measurements. The position of these equilibria determines the rate of polymerization, whereas the dynamics of interconversion determine the polydispersity. In the absence of additives the rate of monomer addition to non-associated ion pairs competes with the rate of association. Addition of lithium chloride mai…

Mean square radius of gyration and hydrodynamic radius of jointed star (dumbbell) and H-comb polymers

Equations for the mean square radius of gyration and the hydrodynamic radius for jointed stars (dumbbells) and H-combs are derived, based on random flight statistics for each subchain. Comparision with literature data on computer simulations and experimental data for H-combs show good agreement for the g-value of the mean square radius of gyration even in good solvents. This suggests that for the mean square radius of gyration the relative dimension of a H-comb relative to the linear molecule of the same degree of polymerization is not altered significantly by long range interactions, as in the case of star polymers. For the hydrodynamic radius the situation is different. Fair agreement is …

Hierarchical Structuring in Block Copolymer Nanocomposites through Two Phase-Separation Processes Operating on Different Time Scales

Tailoring the size and surface chemistry of nanoparticles allows one to control their position in a block copolymer, but this is usually limited to one-dimensional distribution across domains. Here, the hierarchical assembly of poly(ethylene oxide)-stabilized gold nanoparticles (Au-PEO) into hexagonally packed clusters inside mesostructured ultrathin films of polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) is described. A close examination of the structural evolution at different nanoparticle filling fractions and PEO ligand molecular weights suggests that the mechanism leading to this structure-within-structure is the existence of two phase separation processes operating on differe…

Quantitative analysis of broad molecular weight distributions obtained by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

In order to quantify the error of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry in the determination of broad molecular weight distributions, different mixtures by weight of two poly(methyl methacrylate) standards were prepared. These mixtures, with well-defined bimodal molecular weight distributions were analysed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry using different matrices (2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid) and different cations (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+ and Cs+) for doping the analyte. From the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric data, the weight fractions of the two polymers of all mixtures were determined and compared to the values mea…

Kinetic Investigation on Metal Free Anionic Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate Using Tetraphenylphosphonium as the Counterion in Tetrahydrofuran

The anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate using tetraphenylphosphonium triphenylmethanide as an initiator proceeds in a living manner even at room temperature. The rate constants of propagation were measured between -20 and +20 °C using a flow tube reactor. At 0 °C the reaction half-lives range from 0.3 to 1 s. The polymerization follows first-order kinetics with respect to monomer conversion (with a short induction period) and shows a linear dependence of the number-average degree of polymerization on conversion with high initiator efficiencies and narrow molecular weight distributions (M w /M n < 1.1). The dependence of the measured rate constants on the active center concentratio…

Periodic nanoscale patterning of polyelectrolytes over square centimeter areas using block copolymer templates

© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2016. Nano-patterned materials are beneficial for applications such as solar cells, opto-electronics, and sensing owing to their periodic structure and high interfacial area. Here, we present a non-lithographic approach for assembling polyelectrolytes into periodic nanoscale patterns over cm2-scale areas. Chemically modified block copolymer thin films featuring alternating charged and neutral domains are used as patterned substrates for electrostatic self-assembly. In-depth characterization of the deposition process using spectroscopy and microscopy techniques, including the state-of-the-art scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM), reveals both the sel…

Synthesis of Linear and Star-Shaped Block Copolymers of Isobutylene and Methacrylates by Combination of Living Cationic and Anionic Polymerizations

A new synthetic route for the preparation of polyisobutylene (PIB)-based linear and star-shaped block copolymers was developed by combining living carbocationic and anionic polymerizations. Living PIB chains were quantitatively endcapped with 1,1-diphenylethylene, leading to 1,1-diphenyl-1-methoxy (DPOMe) or 2,2-diphenylvinyl (DPV) termini, or both. Both the DPOMe- and DPV-terminated PIBs, and the mixtures of both endgroups were quantitatively metalated with K/Na alloy, Cs metal, or Li dispersion in THF at room temperature. The resulting stable macrocarbanion obtained by metalation with K/Na alloy was used to initiate living anionic polymerization of tert-butyl methacrylate (tBMA) yielding …

Synthetic approaches towards new polymer systems by the combination of living carbocationic and anionic polymerizations

This study summarizes recent efforts to obtain by combination of living carbocationic and anionic polymerizations block copolymers which are potential precursors for building new well-defined polymeric architectures with microphase separated morphology. Living carbocationic polymerization (LCCP) yields telechelic polyisobutylene (PIB) chains with a variety of useful endgroups, such as tert-chlorine, isopropenyl, primary hydroxyl, tolyl etc. When tolyl-ended PIB was used as precursor for macroinitiator of living anionic polymerization of 2-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl methacrylate (tBuMe2SiOEMA), mixtures of homopolymers and block copolymers were formed due to incomplete lithiation of t…

The effect of THF and the chelating modifier DTHFP on the copolymerisation of β-myrcene and styrene: kinetics, microstructures, morphologies, and mechanical properties

The statistical anionic copolymerisation of the biobased monomer β-myrcene with styrene in cyclohexane was investigated via in situ near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, focusing on the influence of the modifiers (i.e., Lewis bases) tetrahydrofuran (THF) and 2,2-di(2-tetrahydrofuryl)propane (DTHFP) on the reactivity ratios. With increasing [modifier]/[Li] ratio, the reactivity ratios in the system myrcene/styrene are adjustable from rS ≪ rMyrvia rS ≈ rMyr to rS ≫ rMyr. The bidentate modifier DTHFP affects the reactivity ratios much more than THF: minute amounts only (0.35 equivalent relative to Li) are required to randomize the copolymer, and one equivalent to invert the reactivity ratios. Usin…

Kinetic analysis of "living" polymerization processes exhibiting slow equilibria. 6. Cationic polymerization involving covalent species, ion pairs, and free cations

The kinetics of cationic polymerization is studied theoretically in accordance with a three-state mechanism which consists of two successive equilibria:  the ionization/ion collapse equilibrium between covalent species and ion pairs, and the subsequent dissociation/association equilibrium between ion pairs and free ions. The number- and weight-average degrees of polymerization and the polydispersity index (PDI), Pw/Pn, are derived. The molecular weight distribution of the polymer generated from this mechanism is generally broader than that of polymers formed via a two-state mechanism, i.e. with only one equilibrium either between covalent species and ion pairs or between covalent species an…

Effect of Lithium Perchlorate on the Kinetics of the Anionic Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate in Tetrahydrofuran

The kinetics of the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of lithium perchlorate (LiClO 4 ) are investigated in THF using 1,1-diphenylhexyllithium as initiator in a flow-tube reactor between -30 and 0 °C. The rate constants of propagation determined in the presence of LiClO 4 are lower than those obtained in the absence of the salt, similar to the effect observed for LiCl. For propagation, the reaction order with respect to active center concentration is found to be 0.5 in both cases, which indicates that LiClO 4 does not effectively perturb the aggregation of the enolate ion pair. The formation of various mixed aggregates is proposed. The polydispersity index of the…

Metal-free anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate in tetrahydrofuran using bis(triphenylphosphoranilydene)ammonium (PNP+) as counterion

Bis(triphenylphosphoranilydene)ammonium (PNP + ) triphenylmethanide (Ph 3 C - ) is a new metal-free initiator for the living polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA). The kinetics of the polymerization strongly depend on the metal counterion the initiator precursor. When the initiator is made from the metathesis reaction of Ph 3 CK and PNPCl, the polymerization follows first-order kinetics up to 0°C with half-lives below 0.1 s. The propagation rate constants are much higher than those obtained with tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP + ) cations, indicating a smaller fraction of dormant ylides. When the initiator is synthesized from Ph 3 CLi, polymerization proceeds much slower and molecular wei…

Molecular Parameters of Hyperbranched Polymers Made by Self-Condensing Vinyl Polymerization. 2. Degree of Branching

Using a modified definition, the average degree of branching, , the fraction of branchpoints, , as well as the fractions of various structural units are calculated as a function of conversion of double bonds for hyperbranched polymers formed by self-condensing vinyl polymerization (SCVP) of monomers (or “inimers”) with the general structure AB*, where A is a vinyl group and B* is an initiating group. The results are compared to those for the polycondensation of AB2-type monomers. At full conversion, is somewhat smaller for SCVP ( ∞ ≈ 0.465) than for AB2 systems ( ∞ = 0.5). There are two kinds of linear groups in SCVP whereas there is only one kind in AB2 systems. Since there are two differe…

Main Chain Conformation and Anomalous Elution Behavior of Cylindrical Brushes As Revealed by GPC/MALLS, Light Scattering, and SFM

High molar mass polymacromonomers based on methacryloyl end-functionalized oligo methacrylates (Mn = 2410 g/mol) adopt the conformation of wormlike cylindrical brushes. Comparison of the absolute molar mass, Mw, determined by static light scattering and the contour length, Lw, of the molecules measured by SFM in the dry state revealed the length per vinylic main chain monomer of the cylindrical structure to be less than 0.1 nm, thus being much shorter than the maximum value of 0.25 nm. In solution this shrinkage could be quantified to 0.071 nm per monomer by Holtzer analysis of the scattering curves which in addition yielded the Kuhn statistical segment length lk = 120 nm. GPC MALLS investi…

Mechanism of anionic polymerization of (meth)acrylates in the presence of aluminium alkyls

Summary Methyl methacrylate was polymerized with tert-butyl lithium in the presence of triethylaluminum or triisobutylaluminium at -78~ in toluene. As indicated by GPC and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, the polymerization is accompanied by side reactions. The lower oligomers were fractionated by distillation and characterised by NMR, FT-IR, UV and electron impact (EI) mass spectrometry. All these data show that part of the polymer chains are carrying exactly one tert-butyl isoprenyl ketone unit. In order to avoid the formation of tert-butyl isoprenyl ketone a molar ratio of A1/Li > 2 is necessary.

The anionic polymerization of tert-butyl methacrylate (TBMA) in tetrahydrofuran, using Na+ and Cs+ as counterions proceeds without side reactions even at room temperature. The resulting molecular weight distributions are nearly monodisperse (Mw/Mn ⩽ 1,01). The rate constants for the propagation of ion pairs were measured in the range from + 15 to −100°C. The Arrhenius plots are linear, but different for the two counterions, resulting in the following numerical values for the frequency exponent A and the activation energy Ea: A = 8,5 and Ea = 7,2 kcal/mol = 30 kJ/mol for Na+; A = 9,5 and Ea = 5,6 kcal/mol = 23 kJ/mol for Cs+. The difference between the counterions, which is in contrast to th…

Architecture, self-assembly and properties of well-defined hybrid polymers based on polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane (POSS)

Abstract Well-defined hybrid polymers based on polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane (POSS) with a variety of architectures have been developed, including telechelic polymers, block copolymers and star-shaped polymers. The synthesis, self-assembly and properties of this kind of materials are reviewed. Well-defined POSS-containing hybrid polymers can be constructed by living polymerization techniques, such as ring-opening polymerization and living free-radical polymerization or the combination of living polymerization and coupling reactions, such as click chemistry and hydrosilylation. The self-assembly behavior of well-defined POSS-containing hybrid polymers is also described in detail. The P…

From dots to doughnuts: Two-dimensionally confined deposition of polyelectrolytes on block copolymer templates

© 2016 Elsevier Ltd The combination of block copolymer templating with electrostatic self-assembly provides a simple and robust method for creating nano-patterned polyelectrolyte multilayers over large areas. The deposition of the first polyelectrolyte layer provides important insights on the initial stages of multilayer buildup. Here, we focus on two-dimensionally confined “dots” patterns afforded by block copolymer films featuring hexagonally-packed cylinders that are oriented normal to the substrate. Rendering the cylinder caps positively charged enables the selective deposition of negatively charged polyelectrolytes on them under salt-free conditions. The initially formed polyelectrolyt…

Splitting of Surface-Immobilized Multicompartment Micelles into Clusters upon Charge Inversion

International audience; We investigate a morphological transition of surface-immobilized triblock terpolymer micelles: the splitting into well-defined clusters of satellite micelles upon pH changes. The multicompartment micelles are formed in aqueous solution of ABC triblock terpolymers consisting of a hydrophobic polybutadiene block, a weak polyanionic poly(methacrylic acid) block, and a weak polycationic poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) block. They are subsequently immobilized on silicon wafer surfaces by dip-coating. The splitting process is triggered by a pH change to strongly basic pH, which goes along with a charge reversal of the micelles. We find that the aggregation number…

Synthesis strategies and properties of smart amphiphilic networks

This paper briefly surveys recent developments in the field of amphiphilic networks (APN) which are a new class of crosslinked polymer systems consisting of covalently bonded hydrophobic and hydrophilic chain segments. The covalent bonds between immiscible hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymer chains prevent demixing and yield polymer networks with unique structure and properties. Telechelic macromonomers provide the basis for the first generation of APNs obtained by copolymerization of the macromonomer with selected low molecular weight monomers. Synthesis of a variety of APNs using methacrylate-telechelic polyisobutylene (PIB) macromonomers prepared by living carbocationic polymerization (L…

Mechanism of anionic polymerization of (meth)acrylates in the presence of aluminium alkyls, 2. Kinetic investigations with methyl methacrylate in toluene

The kinetics of the polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by lithium alkyls (tert-butyllithium or ethyl α-lithiobutyrate) was investigated in the presence of aluminium alkyls (triethylaluminium or triisobutylaluminium) in toluene at −78°C. The rate of polymerization decreases considerably once the living dimer is formed. This suggests that the aluminate end-group coordinates with the penultimate ester group of the polymer chain, thus decreasing reactivity. The results are at variance with an activated monomer mechanism.

The decomposition reactions of the lithiated dimer, trimer, and tetramer of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in THF at 25°C were investigated. The decomposition of the lithiated dimer proceeds via depolymerization to lithiated monomer and MMA, addition of MMA to residual lithiated dimer, resulting the trimer (“disproportionation” of the dimer), and subsequent autocondensation of the products. The lithiated trimer almost exclusively undergoes cyclo-autocondensation, whereas for the lithiated tetramer both reactions proceed simultaneously to a remarkable degree. It is shown that the relative rate of autocondensation, which is highly dependent on the degree of polymerization of the oligomer, controls…

Anionic Polymerization of Alkyl (Meth)acrylates Using Metal-Free Initiators:  Effect of Ion Pairing on Initiation Equilibria

Metal-free anionic polymerizations of alkyl (meth)acrylates using tetrabutylammonium salts of diethylphenylmalonate, fluorene, and 9-ethylfluorene as initiators were performed in THF at 30 °C. A poor control of molecular weights, inconsistent initiator efficiencies, and broad or bimodal molecular weight distributions were obtained. The effect of counterion nature was studied from the polymerization of methyl methacrylate using the 1,1-diphenylhexyl anion with tetrabutylammonium, tetramethyldiethylguanidinium, and lithium as counterions under otherwise identical conditions. Metal-free initiators resulted in incomplete initiation which is attributed to the fact that the initiation is an equil…

Hidden Structural Features of Multicompartment Micelles Revealed by Cryogenic Transmission Electron Tomography

The demand for ever more complex nanostructures in materials and soft matter nanoscience also requires sophisticated characterization tools for reliable visualization and interpretation of internal morphological features. Here, we address both aspects and present synthetic concepts for the compartmentalization of nanoparticle peripheries as well as their in situ tomographic characterization. We first form negatively charged spherical multicompartment micelles from ampholytic triblock terpolymers in aqueous media, followed by interpolyelectrolyte complex (IPEC) formation of the anionic corona with bis-hydrophilic cationic/neutral diblock copolymers. At a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio of anionic a…

Effect of bulkiness and lewis acidity of aluminium compounds on the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate in toluene

The bulkiness and the Lewis acidity of added aluminium compounds strongly affect the polymerization of methyl methacrylate in toluene at −78°C. The polymerization strongly deviates from ‘ideal’ first-order kinetics, i.e. the first-order time-conversion plots are kinked at low monomer conversions. Additionally, for the more bulky and more Lewis-acid aluminium alkyls, the time-conversion plots show a further downward curvature. This curvature is not the result of a termination reaction because the polymers are free of side products like β-ketoesters or vinyl ketone units. The molecular weight distributions and tacticities of the resulting polymers are also affected. Dependent on the aluminium…

Synthesis of linear and three-arm star tert-chlorine-telechelic polyisobutylenes by a two-step conventional laboratory process

A two-step conventional laboratory process was developed for the synthesis of mono- and difunctional linear and three-arm star tert-chlorine-telechelic polyisobutylenes (PIB) with desired molecular weights (MW) and narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) by living carbocationic polymerization (LCCP). This polymerization method applies easy to handle operations and chemicals. LCCP of isobutylene (IB), was carried out in CH2Cl2 as solvent and with BCl3 as coinitiator in the first step to obtain soluble low MW PIB prepolymer with narrow MWD. This was followed by addition of hexane, TiCl4 and additional monomer in the second step to prepare PIBs with desired MW and narrow MWD in practically …

Nanoscale hybrid silica/polymer Janus particles with a double-responsive hemicorona

Abstract We report a versatile large-scale synthesis strategy for hybrid Janus nanoparticles with a silica core and a unilaterally attached polymer corona in a size range below 100 nm. The stimuli-responsive behavior of these nanoparticles with a poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) hemicorona is investigated. The synthesis is based on a modified version of the Pickering emulsion polymerization technique in combination with surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in a “grafting from” approach. In a first step, poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) latex particles are prepared via Pickering emulsion polymerization. Colloidal stability is provided by 30 nm silica nan…

Living Polymer Chains with Predictable Molecular Weight and Dispersity via Carbanionic Polymerization in Continuous Flow: Mixing Rate as a Key Parameter

Aiming at systematic variation of the parameter dispersity, Đ (or “polydispersity”), living polymers with predictable dispersity (Đ = 1.15–2.20) and controlled molecular weights (Mn = 3200–18 500 g mol–1) were prepared via carbanionic polymerization. The approach relies on a continuous flow reactor equipped with a tangential four-way jet micromixing device. By varying the total flow rate, the mixing efficiency of the initiator (sec-BuLi) and the corresponding vinyl monomers is controlled, resulting in polymers with predefined dispersity, while the number-average molecular weight, Mn, is kept constant. In this manner living polystyrene (PS), poly(p-methylstyrene) (PpMeS), and poly(2-vinylpyr…

Alignment of Tellurium Nanorods via a Magnetization−Alignment− Demagnetization (“MAD”) Process Assisted by an External Magnetic Field

Tellurium (Te) nanorods have been successfully aligned on a solid substrate via a magnetization-alignment-demagnetization ("MAD") process in the presence of an external magnetic field. Te nanorods carrying a poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) shell were first converted into magnetic nanocylinders by assembling magnetite nanoparticles on their surface via a hydrophobic interaction in THF. We demonstrate that, below a critical concentration of the nanoparticles, this assembly process is able to quantitatively tune the magnetite nanoparticles' density on the nanorods in terms of their stoichiometric ratio. Due to the polymer and surfactant on their surface, the formed magnetic nanocylinders are sol…

Core-Shell Cylindrical Polymer Brushes with New Properties: A Mini-Review

Poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(n-butyl acrylate)-block-poly(acrylic acid) triblock terpolymers with highly asymmetric hydrophilic blocks: synthesis and aqueous solution properties

The synthesis and aggregation behaviour in aqueous media of novel amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(n-butyl acrylate)-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PEO–PnBA–PAA) triblock terpolymers were studied. Terpolymers composed of two highly asymmetric hydrophilic PEO (113 monomer units) and PAA (10–17 units) blocks, and a longer soft hydrophobic PnBA block (163 or 223 units) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) of n-butyl acrylate and tert-butyl acrylate (tBA), followed by selective hydrolysis of the PtBA blocks. These terpolymers are not directly soluble in water but form defined spherical micelles by employing the dialysis method as confirmed by dynamic light scatt…

Control of Corona Composition and Morphology in Aggregates of Mixtures of PS-b-PAA and PS-b-P4VP Diblock Copolymers: Effects of pH and Block Length

The corona compositions and morphologies in aggregates of mixtures of amphiphilic polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PS-b-PAA) and polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) diblock copolymers are influenced by controllable assembly parameters such as the hydrophilic block length and solution pH. The morphologies and corona compositions of the aggregates were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and electrophoretic mobility, respectively. When mineral acids or bases are present during aggregate formation, they can exert a strong influence on the corona composition. Morphology changes were also seen with changing pH, as well as changes in corona composition, specifica…

Living Anionic Polymerization in Continuous Flow: Facilitated Synthesis of High-Molecular Weight Poly(2-vinylpyridine) and Polystyrene

We describe the living anionic polymerization of 2-vinylpyridine (2VP) and styrene (S) in continuous flow, comparing two micromixing devices with different mixing principles. The use of a continuous flow setup reduces the experimental effort for living anionic polymerizations significantly, compared to a conventional batch system. By adjusting the ratio of the flow rates of the monomer and initiator solutions a variety of different molecular weights can be rapidly synthesized within several minutes, using one setup. Additionally, a comparison of the influence of the two different mixing devices—an interdigital micromixer (SIMM-V2) leading to laminar mixing and a tangential four-way jet mixi…

Anionic Polymerization of (Meth)acrylates in the Presence of Tetraalkylammonium Halide−Trialkyl Aluminum Complexes in Toluene. 3. Kinetic Investigations on Primary Acrylates

The polymerization of n-butyl acrylate initiated by ester enolates in the presence of tetraalkylammonium halide−trialkylaluminum complexes, R4N[AlnR‘3nX] (n = 1, 2), in toluene has a controlled character at −78 °C only for selected combinations of the complex. Quantitative monomer conversions are usually reached with Me4N[AlnBui3nCl] leading to polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn < 1.2). Kinetic investigations show a complex mechanism of the polymerization, implying an equilibrium between at least two active species. Besides, various acrylate homopolymers and block copolymers (PMMA-b-polyacrylate) can be synthesized with this new initiating system.

NMR and Quantum-Chemical Study on the Structure of Ester Enolate−Aluminum Alkyl Complexes as Models of the Active Center in the Anionic Polymerization of Methacrylates in Toluene

6Li and 13C NMR on ethyl α-lithioisobutyrate (EiBLi) and quantum-chemical (DFT) calculations on methyl α-lithioisobutyrate (MiBLi) were used to elucidate the structure of the active center in the anionic polymerization of methacrylates in the presence of triethylaluminum (AlEt3) in toluene. This study reveals ester enolate/aluminum alkyl complexes with different degrees of association, (MiBLi·AlEt3)n (n = 1, 2, 4), and different stoichiometries, MiBLi·xAlEt3 (x = 1, 2). In the presence of methyl pivalate (MPiv), which is taken as a model compound for the monomer and polymer, complexes such as (MiBLi·MPiv·AlEt3)n (n = 1, 2) are formed. These complexes can dissociate into MiBLi·2AlEt3 and MPi…

Stable Carbanions by Quantitative Metalation of Cationically Obtained Diphenylvinyl and Diphenylmethoxy Compounds:  New Initiators for Living Anionic Polymerizations

Kinetics of Anionic Living Copolymerization of Isoprene and Styrene Using in Situ NIR Spectroscopy: Temperature Effects on Monomer Sequence and Morphology

The living anionic copolymerization of isoprene (I) and styrene (S) can afford a variety of different polymer microstructures that strongly depend on experimental parameters such as solvent, counte...

Micelles of polyisobutylene-block-poly(methacrylic acid) diblock copolymers and their water-soluble interpolyelectrolyte complexes formed with quaternized poly(4-vinylpyridine)

The micellization of ionic amphiphilic diblock copolymers, polyisobutylene-block-poly(methacrylic acid) (PIB-b-PMAA), with a constant degree of polymerization of the non-ionic block ðDPn ¼ 20Þ and various degrees of polymerization of the polyelectrolyte block ðDPn ¼ 100 – 425Þ was examined in aqueous media by means of fluorescence spectroscopy using pyrene as a polarity probe. The molar values of the critical micellization concentration (cmc) were found to be around 2 £ 10 26 mol/l, being nearly independent of the length of the polyelectrolyte block as well as pH (in the range 6 – 9) and ionic strength (# 0.5 M NaCl) while the specific cmc values varied from 20 to 100 mg/l. Small-angle neut…

The reaction kinetics for the group transfer polymerization (GTP) of tert-butyl methacrylate (TBMA) using a silyl ketene acetal initiator and a nucleophilic catalyst are investigated. The reaction is shown to be of first order in both monomer and catalyst concentrations. The “livingness” of this system appears to be influenced by the reaction temperature. At temperatures above −20°C, deactivation is observed, with its severity increasing with increasing temperature. This deactivation is attributed to a depletion of catalyst by side reactions. It was demonstrated that reactivation is made possible by the addition of more catalyst. This result is in contrast to the anionic polymerization of T…

Gradient high-performance liquid chromatography of statistical and block copolymers of styrene and t-butyl methacrylate

Copolymers of styrene (S) and tert-butyl methacrylate (TBMA) containing 24–92 mass % of the latter monomer were investigated using a silica column with isooctane/tetrahydrofuran (THF) gradients and on a phenyl bonded-phase column by methanol (MeOH)/THF gradients using UV detection. In both cases, retention decreased with increasing TBMA content of the sample. This is in contrast to the behavior of copolymers of S and methyl methacrylate (MMA) whose retention in gradient elution on silica columns increases with MMA content due to the polarity of this unit. The inversion of elution order is a result of the bulky TBMA residues shielding the polar groups of the ester units. For copolymers of va…

Co-transfection of star-shaped PDMAEMAs enhance transfection efficiency of protamine/pDNA complexes in the presence of serum

Abstract In previous studies, we have found that un-complexed free cationic polymers greatly promote gene transfection efficiency of pDNA complexes. Dividing the gene transfection system into two parts, bound chains and free chains, we exploited mixing different biomaterials as the second component of our designed system to improve gene transfection outcome. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of star-shaped poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) with different arm numbers as free chains (i.e., co-transfection agent) while using natural salmon protamine as bound chains. We explored the gene transfer ability of the system in both serum free and complete cell culture…

A block copolymer-templated construction approach for the creation of nano-patterned polyelectrolyte multilayers and nanoscale objects

A block copolymer-based assembly approach for the creation of nano-patterned polyelectrolyte multilayers over cm2-scale areas is presented. Up to 5 bi-layers were selectively assembled on top of specific nano-domains featuring different morphologies. The successful isolation of nanoscale objects corresponding in shape to the template features is also demonstrated. This methodology is applicable to different types of polyelectrolytes, and opens up a new dimension for layer-by-layer construction.

Copolymerization of methacryloyl-terminated PMMA macromonomers with methyl methacrylate

Methacryloyl-terminated macromonomers (MM) of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) of two different molecular weights were prepared by group transfer polymerization (GTP). They were copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) by radical polymerization using toluene as the solvent. The relative reactivity of the MM, 1/r1, decreases with increasing initial MM concentration. This is interpreted as a consequence of the increasing viscosity of the reaction medium leading to an increasing diffusion control of the MM addition. At a constant weight ratio of MMA to MM the reactivity of the longer macromonomer is higher than of the shorter one. Increasing the molar ratio [MMA]/[MM], i.e. increasing the ave…

Bulk morphologies of polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) triblock terpolymers

Abstract The self-assembly of block copolymers in the bulk phase enables the formation of complex nanostructures with sub 100 nm periodicities and long-range order, both relevant for nanotechnology applications. Here, we map the bulk phase behavior of polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) (SBT) triblock terpolymers on a series of narrowly distributed polymers with widely different block volume fractions, ϕS, ϕB and ϕT. In dependence of ϕ, we find the lamella–lamella, core-shell cylinder, cylinder-in-lamella and core-shell gyroid morphology, but also a rarely observed cylinder-in-lamella phase. The bulk morphologies are thoroughly characterized by transmission e…

Structural Study of Star Polyelectrolytes and Their Porous Multilayer Assembly in Solution

Star polyelectrolytes with responsive properties to external stimuli, such as pH, temperature and ionic condition, were utilized to fabricate layer-by-layer (LbL) microcapsules . The microstructure of star polyelectrolytes was first studied in semi-dilute solution by in situ small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). These measurements show that with the addition of salts, arms of strong cationic star polyelectrolytes will contract and the spatial ordering of the stars would be interrupted. SANS measurements were also performed on the microcapsules in order to study their internal structure and responsive properties in solution. The results show that with the increase of shell thickness, microc…

An On/Off Circular Dichroism Signal Reveals a pH Dependent Competition between a Cyclodextrin and a Polyelectrolyte for an Atropisomeric Aromatic Guest

Preparation of Hyperbranched Polyacrylates by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization. 2. Kinetics and Mechanism of Chain Growth for the Self-Condensing Vinyl Polymerization of 2-((2-Bromopropionyl)oxy)ethyl Acrylate

The self-condensing vinyl polymerization (SCVP) of 2-((2-bromopropionyl)oxy)ethyl acrylate (BPEA) has resulted in the formation of hyperbranched polyacrylates. The polymerization mechanism used to polymerize the BPEA was atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), a “living”/controlled radical polymerization. This paper details the study of the kinetics of polymerization and the growth of the macromolecule during the polymerization. The results obtained in the polymerization were compared to the theoretical predictions for SCVP. It was determined that the polymerization deviated from the ideal case, as a consequence of the establishment of a dynamic equilibrium in ATRP resulting in the add…

The kinetics and the molecular weight distributions (MWD) in the anionic polymerization of tert-butyl acrylate (tBuA) in tetrahydrofuran at 23 ± 3°C were investigated. Tert-butyl α-lithioisobutyrate (tBiB-Li) was used as the initiator in the absence and presence of the additives lithium chloride and lithium tert-butoxide (tBuOLi). A flow tube reactor was used which allowed very rapid mixing of reagents, within milliseconds. The polymerization is extremely fast, half-lives being 0,01 s for the system without additive, 0,05 s for LiCl and 3 s for tBuOLi as an additive. The rate of termination was estimated from the strong UV absorption of the enolized β-oxoester end group formed. The number-a…

Living and Controlled Anionic Polymerization of Methacrylates and Acrylates in the Presence of Tetraalkylammonium Halide-Alkylaluminum Complexes in Toluene

The size of both the cation and the anion of added NR4 X influences the rate of living polymerization of acrylates and methacrylates with alkylaluminum compounds. This controlled reaction, which occurs near to room temperature, provides unimodal polymers with narrow molecular-weight distributions. The complex shown to the right is suggested as a possible active species. R=Me, Et, nBu; R'=Me, Et; X=Cl, Br, I.

One-Step Block Copolymer Synthesis versus Sequential Monomer Addition: A Fundamental Study Reveals That One Methyl Group Makes a Difference

Block copolymers of polyisoprene and polystyrene are key materials for polymer nanostructures as well as for several commercially established thermoplastic elastomers. In a combined experimental and kinetic Monte Carlo simulation study, the direct (i.e., statistical) living anionic copolymerization of a mixture of isoprene (I) and 4-methylstyrene (4MS) in nonpolar media was investigated on a fundamental level. In situ 1H NMR spectroscopy enabled to directly monitor gradient formation during the copolymerization and to determine the nature of the gradient. In addition, a precise comparison with the established copolymerization of isoprene and styrene (I/S) was possible. Statistical copolymer…

The effect of lithium tert-butoxide (t-BuOLi) on rate constants and equilibrium constants of reactions involved in the initial stage of the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in tetrahydrofuran, initiated by methyl α-lithioisobutyrate (P) was investigated at 23 ± 3°C. Addition of t-BuOLi decreases the rate constants of initiation and propagation by one order of magnitude; the rate constants of termination by cyclization decrease by two orders of magnitude. This leads to an overall tenfold higher preference of propagation with respect to termination and explains the favourable effect of alkoxide in the polymerization reported earlier. Within experimental error, the equilibri…

Mechanism of anionic polymerization of (meth)acrylates in the presence of aluminium alkyls, 1. 13C NMR studies of model compounds in toluene

The bimetallic ate complex [(CH 3 ) 2 C=C(OEt)(O - AlR 3 )]Li + is regarded to be the model of the active centre of the polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of aluminium alkyls. This complex is detectable by 13 C NMR up to 273 K. At ambient temperature irreversible decomposition takes place. Apart from the formation of the ate complex, excess aluminium chloride coordinates to the ester carbonyl groups of both the monomer and the polymer chain

Kinetics of Group Transfer Polymerization

The group transfer polymerization (GTP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and tert.-butyl methacrylate (TBMA), catalyzed by bifluoride, is of first order with respect to monomer and catalyst concentrations. A slightly negative order with respect to initiator concentration is observed, indicating an inhibitive function of the initiator. Termination reactions occur at lower catalyst concentrations. They are very pronounced for TBMA and result in incomplete conversions. For MMA, at lower catalyst and higher initiator concentrations, induction periods are observed which increase when lowering the temperature. This is related with the formation of active chains. The Arrhenius plots for the propagatio…

Magnetic Core–Shell Nanoparticles as Carriers for Olefin Dimerization Catalysts

We report the covalent support of functionalized nickel complexes on magnetic core–shell hybrid particles γ-Fe2O3/SiO2. Two completely different ways of connecting the particle with these nickel complexes were carried out. The first approach used the hydrosilylation method between the alkene-substituted nickel complex and a silane. In a second approach, the particles were connected with the complexes by means of click chemistry (copper-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition). For this purpose, the nickel complexes were substituted with an alkyne moiety. Transmission and scanning electron microscopies, energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction, and FTIR spectroscopy were the methods employed …

Anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate using tetrakis[tris(dimethylamino)phosphoranylidenamino] phosphonium (P5+) as counterion in tetrahydrofuran

A novel metal-free initiator, i.e. the salt of the tetrakis[tris(dimethylamino)phosphoranylidenamino]phosphonium (P5+) cation with the 1,1-diphenylhexyl (DPH–) anion was prepared by cation metathesis. It initiates a very fast and controlled anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate in THF. Kinetic investigations between –20 and +20°C using a flow tube reactor provide nearly linear first-order time-conversion plots with half-lives below 0.1 s, a linear dependence of the number-average degree of polymerization, and rather narrow molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn ≈ 1.2). 13C NMR measurements on a model of the active chain end (the P5+ salt of ethyl isobutyrate) in THF-d8 show 15 and 25…

Kinetic Analysis of “Living” Polymerization Systems Exhibiting Slow Equilibria. 3. “Associative” Mechanism of Group Transfer Polymerization and Ion Pair Generation in Cationic Polymerization

The averages of the molecular weight distribution are derived for a “living” polymerization process which proceeds via active and “dormant” species and where the active species are formed by addition of a catalyst to a “dormant” species. Such a mechanism is applicable to group transfer and “living” cationic polymerizations (assuming that ion pairs are formed exclusively in the latter case). Both equilibrium and nonequilibrium initial conditions are used for the calculation. The results are very similar to those obtained for degenerative transfer (i.e., direct exchange of activity between active and “dormant” species). The dominating parameter is β = k2/(kpI0), where k2 and kp are the rate c…

Advanced Functional Structures Based on Interpolyelectrolyte Complexes

This review considers interpolyelectrolyte complexes, with a particular emphasis on advanced macromolecular co-assemblies based on polyionic species with nonlinear topology and on polymer–inorganic hybrids formed by interpolyelectrolyte complexes containing metal ions and/or metal nanoparticles.

Group transfer and anionic polymerization: A critical comparison

The mechanism of group transfer polymerization (GTP) of methacrylates in THF is investigated by using data on kinetics of homo- and copolymerization, polymer microstructure and molecular weight distribution. By comparison with corresponding data on anionic polymerization it is concluded that the mechanisms of monomer addition to the active chain end is very similar for both anionic and group transfer polymerization and that GTP is ionic in character. On the other hand, GTP uniquely is characterized by the existence of a catalyst exchange equilibrium. The position of this equilibrium determines the rates of polymerization, and the dynamics determine the molecular weight distribution.

Novel initiating systems for the living polymerization of acrylates and methacrylates

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate with lithiated initiators in the presence of aluminium alkyls in toluene has living character but it deviates from conventional first-order kinetics and the polymers have fairly broad molecular weight distributions. This results from the formation and precipitation of a coordinative polymer network in which the lithium ions of the living chain ends are coordinated to the in-chain ester carbonyl groups. Thus, the network formation can be prevented by adding Lewis bases like methyl pivalate which coordinate to the living chain ends instead ofthe polymer. Alternatively, one can introduce tetraalkylammonium salts aiming at an exchange of the lithium ion…

Neutron reflectometry studies on the interfacial width between polystyrene and various poly(alkylmethacrylates)

From neutron reflectometry we have obtained the interfacial width (typically 2-8 nm) between incompatible polymers above the glass transition temperatures. The investigated polymer bilayers consist of a deuterated polystyrene top layer and various poly(alkylmethacrylates) as a bottom layer. We obtained interesting effects of the length of the alkyl group on the interfacial width. Using mean-field theory we calculate Flory-Huggins-Stavermann interaction parameters X from the interfacial width a I data. These results are compared with investigations of the interfacial width between deuterated poly(methylmethacrylate) and respective polyalkyl-methacrylates.

Synergistic effects of Janus particles and triblock terpolymers on toughness of immiscible polymer blends

Abstract By influencing both the interfacial adhesion and the morphology, compatibilizers determine the mechanical properties of polymer blends. Here, we study the mechanical properties, in particular the fatigue crack propagation (FCP) of immiscible blends of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether)/poly(styrene- co -acrylonitrile) (PPE/SAN), compatibilized with Janus nanoparticles (JPs) and linear polystyrene- block -polybutadiene- block -poly(methyl methacrylate) (SBM) triblock terpolymers. Synergistic effects of a mixture of both compatibilizers improve the FCP behavior and reveal the important role of interface stiffness and flexibility on the mechanical properties of polymer blends. The…

Cylindrical polymer brushes – Anisotropic building blocks, unimolecular templates and particulate nanocarriers

Abstract This article presents an overview of the latest key developments and research activities in the area of cylindrical polymer brushes (CPBs), also known as ‘molecular bottlebrushes’. CPBs consist of a polymer backbone containing polymer side chains that cause the backbone to extend and adopt a worm-like conformation. The extent of backbone stretching and the aspect ratio of CPBs is determined by the length and grafting density of the side chains. The latest developments in controlled/living polymerisation techniques led to novel and more efficient ways of producing delicate polymer architectures, such as block copolymer CPBs, and resulted in a considerable expansion of the field of a…

Janus-Micellen als effektive suprakolloidale Dispersionsmittel für Kohlenstoff-Nanoröhren

Kinetics and mechanism of group transfer polymerization of N-butyl acrylate catalyzed by Hgl2 /(CH3 )3 Sil in toluene

The group transfer polymerization (GTP) of n-butyl acrylate (nBuA) using 1-methoxy-1-(trimethylsiloxy)-2-methyl-1-propene (MTS) as an initiator, mercuric iodide (HgI2) as a catalyst in toluene at room temperature gives a very good control of molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution. (Mw/Mn < 1.2). Kinetic studies in this system reveal that this reaction is rather slow, half-lives being in the range of hours. The kinetic order of the apparent rate constant of propagation with respect to initiator and catalyst concentrations were found to be near to unity. However, the first-order time-conversion plots exhibit considerable induction periods. Upon addition of trimethylsilyl io…

The anionic polymerization of tert-butyl acylate (tBuA) initiated by tert-butyl α-lithioisobutyrate was investigated in THF at 25°C. The individual oligomers were isolated and characterized by UV, IR and NMR spectroscopy. The distribution of products was determined in the range of reaction times 0,02 s ≤ t ≤ 1800 s. The oligomerization is extremely fast. Even after 0,02 s at -30°C, no residual monomer could be detected. After short reaction times the reaction mixture almost exclusively consists of linear oligomers of tBuA. This indicates that there is no termination reaction by Claisen condensation during polymerization. Nevertheless, the molecular weight distribution is rather broad (Mw/Mn…

Acrylic thermoplastic elastomers and comb-shaped poly(methyl methacrylate) via the macromonomer technique

Comb-shaped poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(butyl acrylate) (PnBuA) grafted with PMMA were prepared by radical copolymerization of ω-methacryloyl-PMMA with MMA and nBuA, respectively. The comb-shaped PMMA is characterized with respect to radius of gyration by using gel permeation chromatography equipped with a multi-angle laser light scattering detector. The radical copolymerization of the macromonomer with nBuA in toluene follows complex kinetics. The dependence of the relative reactivity of the macromonomer on absolute concentration and on the ratio of comonomers may be explained by preferential solvation of comonomers by segments of their own kind (“bootstrap effect”) or even m…

Controlling Multicompartment Morphologies Using Solvent Conditions and Chemical Modification

The solution self-assembly of amphiphilic diblock copolymers into spheres, cylinders, and vesicles (polymersomes) has been intensely studied over the past two decades, and their morphological behavior is well understood. Linear ABC triblock terpolymers with two insoluble blocks A/B, on the other hand, display a richer and more complex morphological spectrum that has been recently explored by synthetic block length variations. Here, we describe facile postpolymerization routes to tailor ABC triblock terpolymer solution morphologies by altering block solubility (solvent mixtures), blending with homopolymers, and block-selective chemical reactions. The feasibility of these processes is demonst…

The Impact of Janus Nanoparticles on the Compatibilization of Immiscible Polymer Blends under Technologically Relevant Conditions

Several hundred grams of Janus nanoparticles (d ≈ 40 nm) were synthesized from triblock terpolymers as compatibilizers for blending of technologically relevant polymers, PPE and SAN, on industry-scale extruders. The Janus nanoparticles (JPs) demonstrate superior compatibilization capabilities compared to the corresponding triblock terpolymer, attributed to the combined intrinsic properties, amphiphilicity and the Pickering effect. Straightforward mixing and extrusion protocols yield multiscale blend morphologies with "raspberry-like" structures of JPs-covered PPE phases in a SAN matrix. The JPs densely pack at the blend interface providing the necessary steric repulsion to suppress droplet …

Glycopolymer Functionalization of Engineered Spider Silk Protein-based Materials for Improved Cell Adhesion

Silk protein-based materials are promising biomaterials for application as tissue scaffolds, due to their processability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. The preparation of films composed of an engineered spider silk protein (eADF4(C16)) and their functionalization with glycopolymers are described. The glycopolymers bind proteins found in the extracellular matrix, providing a biomimetic coating on the films that improves cell adhesion to the surfaces of engineered spider silk films. Such silk-based materials have potential as coatings for degradable implantable devices.

Tapered Multiblock Copolymers Based on Farnesene and Styrene: Impact of Biobased Polydiene Architectures on Material Properties

The reactivity of the biobased monomer β-farnesene in the statistical anionic copolymerization with styrene and the effect of the bottlebrush-like polyfarnesene structure on the phase separation be...

Effect of core-forming molecules on molecular weight distribution and degree of branching in the synthesis of hyperbranched polymers

The polydispersity index, the molecular weight distribution (MWD), and the degree of branching ( ) are calculated for hyperbranched polymers obtained in self-condensing vinyl polymerization of AB* monomers in the presence of a core-forming molecule (i.e. a multifunctional initiator, Bf*). Two cases are considered:  (a) batch polymerization, i.e., with all components mixed together; (b) semibatch polymerization, i.e., slow addition of the monomer to the core-forming molecule. The results obtained for the latter case are also valid for polycondensation of AB2 monomers. The presence of core-forming molecules leads to a considerable narrowing of the MWD's, the polydispersity index decreasing wi…

Compatibility of a statistical copolymer P(EMA-co-MMA) with PS and PMMA

The compositions of coexisting phases and the interface widths in blends of a statistical copolymer of poly(ethylmethacrylate-co -methylmethacrylate) (P(EMA 1-x -co-MMA x )) and a deuterated polystyrene (PS(D)) as well as a deuterated poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA(D)) have been investigated by neutron reflectometry (NR). Interaction parameters are calculated from the compositions of coexisting phases and the interface width values. Utilizing a novel two dimensional scheme for graphical representation of the interaction parameters, the results are in very good agreement with studies on the interaction parameters for PS/PMMA, PS/PEMA and PEMA/PMMA blends. In particular, χ EMA/MMA deduced fro…

Towards bio-based tapered block copolymers: the behaviour of myrcene in the statistical anionic copolymerisation

To explore the potential of myrcene (Myr) as a bio-based monoterpene comonomer for styrenic copolymers and to establish its general applicability for the carbanionic copolymerisation, several statistical copolymerisations of myrcene and common monomers like isoprene (I), styrene (S) and 4-methylstyrene (4MS) were carried out in cyclohexane and monitored by in situ1H NMR spectroscopy. Real-time NMR kinetic studies permitted the determination of the reactivity ratios and the composition profile for each monomer combination. While the copolymerisation of Myr/I yielded a gradient copolymer and reactivity ratios of moderate disparity (rMyr = 4.4; rI = 0.23), the statistical copolymerisation of M…

The effect of TMEDA on the kinetics of the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate in tetrahydrofuran using lithium as counterion

The kinetics of the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate in presence of N,N,N', -tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) in THF are investigated using 1,1-diphenyl-hexyllithium as initiator in a temperature range between -20°C and 0°C in a flow-tube reactor. The rate constants of propagation determined in the presence of TMEDA are compared to those obtained in the absence of a chelating agent. For propagation, the reaction order with respect to active centers is found to be 0.5 in both cases which indicates that the chelation of the lithium cation does not effectively perturb the aggregation of the enolate ion pair. Both the rate constants of propagation via non-aggregated ion pairs, k …

Influence of Polyplex Formation on the Performance of Star-Shaped Polycationic Transfection Agents for Mammalian Cells

Genetic modification (“transfection”) of mammalian cells using non-viral, synthetic agents such as polycations, is still a challenge. Polyplex formation between the DNA and the polycation is a decisive step in such experiments. Star-shaped polycations have been proposed as superior transfection agents, yet have never before been compared side-by-side, e.g., in view of structural effects. Herein four star-shaped polycationic structures, all based on (2-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) building blocks, were investigated for their potential to deliver DNA to adherent (CHO, L929, HEK-293) and non-adherent (Jurkat, primary human T lymphocytes) mammalian cells. The investigated vectors …

Isoprene/Styrene Tapered Multiblock Copolymers with up to Ten Blocks: Synthesis, Phase Behavior, Order, and Mechanical Properties

The living anionic copolymerization of isoprene and styrene in cyclohexane affords tapered block copolymers due to the highly disparate reactivity ratios of rI = 12.8 and rS = 0.051. Repeated addit...

Electrostatically Driven Complexation of Liposomes with a Star-Shaped Polyelectrolyte to Low-Toxicity Multi-Liposomal Assemblies

Anionic liposomes are electrostatically complexed to a star-shaped cationic polyelectrolyte. Upon complexation, the liposomes retain their integrity and the resulting liposome-star complexes do not dissociate in a physiological solution with 0.15 M NaCl. This provides a multi-liposomal container for possible use as a high-capacity carrier.

Using Janus Nanoparticles To Trap Polymer Blend Morphologies during Solvent-Evaporation-Induced Demixing

Using ternary blends of polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and Janus particles (JPs) with symmetric PS and PMMA hemispheres, we demonstrate the stabilization of dispersed and bicontinuous phase-separated morphologies by the interfacial adsorption of Janus particles during demixing upon solvent removal. The resulting blend morphology could be varied by changing the blend composition and JP loading. Increasing particle loading decreased the size of phase-separated domains, while altering the mixing ratio of the PS/PMMA homopolymers produced morphologies ranging from PMMA droplets in a PS matrix to PS droplets in a PMMA matrix. Notably, bicontinuous morphologies were obtained …

Systematic Study of a Library of PDMAEMA-Based, Superparamagnetic Nano-Stars for the Transfection of CHO-K1 Cells.

The introduction of the DNA into mammalian cells remains a challenge in gene delivery, particularly in vivo. Viral vectors are unmatched in their efficiency for gene delivery, but may trigger immune responses and cause severe side-reactions. Non-viral vectors are much less efficient. Recently, our group has suggested that a star-shaped structure improves and even transforms the gene delivery capability of synthetic polycations. In this contribution, this effect was systematically studied using a library of highly homogeneous, paramagnetic nano-star polycations with varied arm lengths and grafting densities. Gene delivery was conducted in CHO-K1 cells, using a plasmid encoding a green fluore…

Co-Assembly of A–B Diblock Copolymers with B′-type Nanoparticles in Thin Films: Effect of Copolymer Composition and Nanoparticle Shape

The coassembly of A–B diblock copolymers with B′-type nanoparticles (i.e., nanoparticles that are slightly incompatible with the B domain) leads to hierarchical structures, where the block copolymer phase separates first and the nanoparticles create close-packed arrays within the B domains due to a slower, secondary phase separation process. Here we report the results of a comprehensive study, which focused on two aspects: the influence of the nanoparticle shape (spherical vs rod-like) and the effect of the volume composition of the blocks. Three polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) copolymers featuring similar molecular weights but differing in PS volume fraction were mi…

Synthesis and large scale fractionation of non-linear polymers: brushes and hyperbranched polymers

Polymer brushes with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) backbone and polystyrene side chains were synthesized by radical polymerization of ω-methacryloyl-polystyrene macromonomers. Hyperbranched PMMA was obtained by means of self-condensing group transfer copolymerization of methyl methacrylate with an initiator-monomer containing a polymerizable methacryloyl moiety and an initiating silylketeneacetal function. Both non-linear products were fractionated using the method of continuous polymer fractionation, consisting in a particular type of continuous countercurrent extraction. The combination of methyl ethyl ketone (solvent) with acetone (AC) (precipitant) turned out to be suitable for the f…