Search results for "Dynamic"

The influence of hydrophobic substitution on self-association of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(n-alkyl glycidyl carbamate)s-b-poly(ethylene oxide) trib…

2007

Abstract A series of amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(n-alkyl glycidyl carbamate)s-b-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymers were synthesized by reaction between poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polyglycidol-b-poly(ethylene oxide) precursor copolymer and four n-alkyl isocyanates: ethyl, propyl, butyl and pentyl. After dissolution in water at room temperature the copolymers spontaneously form micelles. The critical micellization concentrations were determined by UV–VIS spectroscopy. The dimensions of the micelles, the aggregation numbers, and in some cases the micellar shape were determined by dynamic and static light scattering in a relatively broad temperature range. Special attention has be…

Collapse of Linear Polyelectrolyte Chains in a Poor Solvent: When Does a Collapsing Polyelectrolyte Collect its Counterions?

2008

To better understand the collapse of polyions in poor solvent conditions the effective charge and the solvent quality of the hypothetically uncharged polymer backbone need to be known. In the present work this is achieved by utilizing poly-2-vinylpyridine quaternized to 4.3% with ethylbromide. Conductivity and light scattering measurements were utilized to study the polyion collapse in isorefractive solvent/nonsolvent mixtures consisting of 1-propanol and 2-pentanone, respectively, at nearly constant dielectric constant. The solvent quality of the uncharged polyion could be quantified which, for the first time, allowed the experimental investigation of the effect of the electrostatic intera…

The protein dynamical transition does not require the protein polypeptide chain

2011

We give experimental evidence that the main features of protein dynamics revealed by neutron scattering, i.e., the “protein dynamical transition” and the “boson peak”, do not need the protein polypeptide chain. We show that a rapid increase of hydrogen atoms fluctuations at about 220 K, analogous to the one observed in hydrated myoglobin powders, is also observed in a hydrated amino acids mixture with the chemical composition of myoglobin but lacking the polypeptide chain; in agreement with the protein behavior, the transition is abolished in the dry mixture. Further, an excess of low-frequency vibrational modes around 3 meV, typically observed in protein powders, is also observed in our mi…

Interactions Between Blood Proteins and Nanoparticles Investigated Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations

2019

In the development of new therapeutic agents based on nanoparticles it is of fundamental importance understanding how these substances interact with the underlying biological milieu. Our research is focussed on simulating in silico these interactions using accurate atomistic models, and gather from these information general pictures and simplified models of the underlying phenomena. Here we report results about the interactions of blood proteins with promising hydrophilic polymers used for the coating of therapeutic nanoparticles, about the salt dependent behavior of one of these polymers (poly-(ethylene glycol)) and about the interactions of blood proteins with silica, one of the most used…

1979

The kinetics of the anionic polymerization of styrene were investigated under pressure (1≤p/bar < 1800) with Na+ as counter ion in tetrahydropyran (THP) as solvent and with Cs+ as counter ion in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) as solvent. The results yielded the activation volume of the contact ion pair ΔV and the sum (ΔV + ΔVcs) of the activation volume of the solvent separated ion pair ΔV and the volume change upon formation of solvent separated ion pairs from contact ion pairs ΔVcs. The numerical values are negative. The activation volume of the solvent separated ion pairs could be estimated.

Stability of negatively charged platelets in calcium-rich anionic copolymer solutions.

2014

Controlling the stability of anisotropic particles is key to the development of advanced materials. Here, we report an investigation, by means of mesoscale molecular dynamics simulations, of the stability and structural change of calcium-rich dispersions containing negatively charged nanoplatelets, neutralized by calcium counterions, in the presence of either comb copolymers composed of anionic backbones with attached neutral side chains or anionic-neutral linear block copolymers. In agreement with experimental observations, small stacks of platelets (tactoids) are formed, which are greatly stabilized in the presence of copolymers. In the absence of polymers, tactoids will grow and aggregat…

Polymeric scaffolds prepared via Thermally Induced Phase Separation (TIPS): Tuning of structure and morphology

2007

Scaffolds suitable for tissue engineering applications were prepared by Thermally Induced Phase Separation (TIPS) starting from a ternary solution PLLA/dioxane/water. The experimental protocol consisted of three consecutive steps, a first quench from the homogeneous solution to an appropriate demixing temperature (within the metastable region), a holding stage for a given residence time and a final quench from the demixing temperature to a low temperature (within the unstable region). A large variety of morphologies, in terms of average pore size and interconnection, were obtained upon modifying the demixing time and temperature, owing to the interplay of nucleation and growth processes dur…

An Unlockable-Relockable Iron Cage by Subcomponent Self-Assembly

2008

Aggregation processes of perylene bisimide diimidazolium salts

2015

The supramolecular aggregation of three diimidazolium- functionalized perylene bisimides, differing in the alkyl chain length was investigated. These salts form aggregates in solvents like chloroform, dichloromethane, and glycerol. Solvent-, concentration-, and temperature-dependent spectroscopic studies were carried out, evidencing the occurrence of an isodesmic, enthalpy-driven aggregation process, underpinned by p–p stacking and hydrogen bonding. Moreover, dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and SEM images revealed that these salts aggregate in chloroform into elongated structures.

Forces Between Solid Surfaces Across Polymer Melts as Revealed by Atomic Force Microscopy

2007

Forces between solid surfaces across polymer melts are poorly understood despite their fundamental importance and their relevance for making composite materials. Such force measurements reveal information on the structure of polymers at surfaces and of confined polymers. Experiments with the atomic force microscope and polyisoprene (PI) confirmed theoretical predictions that no long‐range force should be present in thermodynamic equilibrium. In poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) repulsive forces are observed at high molar mass. We attribute this to the formation of an immobilized layer caused by a slow release of adsorbed segments enhanced by entanglement. In low molar mass PDMS attractive forc…