Search results for "Lower critical solution temperature"

Tailoring Properties of Carbon Nanotube Dispersions and Nanocomposites Using Temperature-Responsive Copolymers of Pyrene-Modified Poly(N-cyclopropyla…

2010

Despite their immense potential, the ability to control the dispersion and microstructure of carbon nanotubes remains a hurdle for their widespread use. Stimuli-responsive polymers show conformational changes with an applied external stimulus (pH, temperature, light, etc.). The dispersion of carbon nanotubes by thermoresponsive polymers is shown to enable the macroscopic properties of aqueous suspensions to be tailored as a function of temperature. This work presents the synthesis, characterization, and use of temperature-responsive poly(N-cyclopropylacrylamide) (PNCPA) polymers containing 1, 3, and 5 mol % pyrene-bearing repeat units to tailor the dispersion state of single-walled carbon n…

The Efficiency of Polymer Fractionation at Lower Critical Solution Temperatures

1978

The efficiency of a single fractionation step (i.e. of the partition of a given polymer sample between the coexisting phases which form when its solution demixes) is governed by the variation of the mass ratio of the individual P-mers with chain length. These dependences have been measured for the system dimethoxymethane/diethylether/ polystyrene which exhibits lower critical solution temperatures by means of the Baker-Williams method and by means of g.p.c. Their comparison with the results of previous investigation on systems showing upper critical solution temperatures reveals no thermodynamic differences in the aptitude of upper and lower critical solution temperatures for fractionation …

Hyperbranched Poly(propylene oxide): A Multifunctional Backbone-Thermoresponsive Polyether Polyol Copolymer

2012

Backbone-thermoresponsive hyperbranched poly(propylene oxide)-based polyether polyols have been synthesized by anionic ring-opening copolymerization of glycidol and propylene oxide. The number of functional hydroxyl end groups and the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) can be readily adjusted by varying the comonomer ratio. Molecular weights in the range of 1200-2000 g/mol were achieved. Hyperbranched polyether polyols with LCST values between 24 and 83 °C can be obtained in a convenient one-step reaction.

Microstructure analysis of biocompatible phosphoester copolymers

2013

Copolymers with varying compositions of 2-ethoxy-2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane (EEP) and 2-ethoxy-4-methyl-2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane (EMEP) have been synthesized via 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene-catalyzed anionic ring-opening polymerization. The molecular weights and comonomer ratios were well controlled and polymers with reasonable molecular weight distributions (<1.5) were obtained in all cases. The copolymers were investigated by 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopies to determine the underlying microstructure via detailed dyad analysis. The copolymers were found to be nontoxic to HeLa cells. Furthermore, the obtained copolymers of EEP and EMEP show thermoresponsive properties, i.e., exh…

Phase Behavior of the System Linear Polyglycerol + Methanol + Carbon Dioxide

2011

To compare the phase behavior of linear and hyperbranched polymers, the phase envelopes of the ternary system linear polyglycerol + methanol + carbon dioxide were determined for polymers of varying molar mass. Phase changes were detected by a static synthetic method using the Cailletet setup for temperatures between 331 K and 421 K and pressures up to 13.1 MPa. Besides the vapor–liquid and liquid–liquid equilibria, also the vapor–liquid to vapor–liquid–liquid and vapor–liquid–liquid to liquid–liquid phase boundaries are reported. The experimental results are similar to systems with hyperbranched polymers (rather than linear polymers). For the systems with linear polymers, however, the bubbl…

Interrelation between the thermodynamic and viscometric behaviour of aqueous solutions of hydrophobically modified ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose

2000

Abstract Aqueous solutions of a commercial sample of hydrophobically modified ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (HC, Mw=100 kg/mol, nonylphenol substitution ca. 1.7 mol%) were studied with respect to their demixing behaviour and flow characteristics. Phase separation temperatures were measured turbidimetrically and by determining the first discernible macroscopic phase separation. In some cases demixing was also monitored viscometrically. Phase volume ratios yielded a critical polymer concentration of 1.87 wt.% HC (displaced considerably out of the minimum of the demixing curve towards higher polymer concentrations) and a lower critical solution temperature of 47°C. Model calculations of the spi…

Biocompatible Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-halloysite Nanotubes for Thermoresponsive Curcumin Release

2015

The grafting of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAM) onto the halloysite external surface is proposed in order to obtain a novel thermoresponsive drug carrier for curcumin delivery. The new nanomaterial is characterized by means of FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and SEM investigations. A high density of polymer chain was achieved at the nanoparticle surface. The PNIPAAM dehydration phenomenon was observed in water above 32 °C that is nearly coincident with the lower critical solution temperature for the polymer. The colloidal stability as well as the wettability of the obtained nanomaterial may be triggered by temperature stimuli. In vitro tests simulating the gastro-intes…

Thermoresponsive hyperbranched polyethylenimines with isobutyramide functional groups

2007

Design of PNIPAAM covalently grafted on halloysite nanotubes as a support for metal-based catalysts

2016

A thermo-responsive polymer such as poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAM) was covalently grafted on the external surface of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) by means of microwave irradiation. This nanomaterial was used as a support and stabilizer for palladium nanoparticles. The obtained HNT–PNIPAAM/PdNPs was characterized by means of TGA, SEM, EDS and TEM analyses. The palladium content of the catalyst was estimated to be 0.4 wt%. The stability of the catalytic material at different temperatures (below and above the PNIPAAM lower critical solution temperature) was tested in the Suzuki reaction under microwave irradiation. In addition, TEM analysis after five consecutive runs was performed. The …