Thermo‐ and pH‐responsive behaviors of graft copolymer and blend based on chitosan and N‐isopropylacrylamide

Thermo‐ and pH‐sensitive polymers were prepared by graft polymerization or blending of chitosan and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm). The graft copolymer and blend were characterized by Fourier transform‐infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction measurements, and solubility test. The maximum grafting (%) of chitosan‐g‐(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (NIPAAm) was obtained at the 0.5 M NIPAAm monomer concentration, 2 × 10⁻³ M of ceric ammonium nitrate initiator and 2 h of reaction time at 25°C. The percentage of grafting (%) and the efficiency of grafting (%) gradually increased with the concentration of NIPAAm up to 0.5 M, and then decreased at above 0.5 M NIPAAm concentration due to the increase in the homopolymerization of NIPAAm. Both crosslinked chitosan‐g‐NIPAAm and chitosan/PNIPAAm blend reached an equilibrium state within 30 min. The equilibrium water content of all IPN samples dropped sharply at pH > 6 and temperature > 30°C. In the buffer solutions of various pH and temperature, the chitosan/PNIPAAm blend IPN has a somewhat higher swelling than that of the chitosan‐g‐NIPAAm IPN. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 1381–1391, 2000     

Synthesis,properties and self‐assembly of intelligent core‐shell nanoparticles based on chitosan with different molecular weight and N‐isopropylacrylamide

In this study, a series of chitosan‐graft‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (CTS‐g‐PNIPAAm) copolymers based on different molecular weight (Mw) of CTS and NIPAAm were synthesized through the polymerization of NIPAAm in an acid aqueous solution. The structures were verified by Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance. The influence of the CTS Mw on the properties of the resulting copolymers and self‐assembled nanoparticles was fully examined. The grafting ratio and grafting efficiency of the copolymers increased with the CTS Mw. All the copolymers have a similar low critical solution temperature of 33.5°C, which was independent of the CTS Mw. Furthermore, the copolymers were less temperature sensitive, when CTS Mw increased to 200 kDa. Besides, once the CTS Mw increased to 700 kDa, the copolymers were less pH sensitive near the tumor site (from pH 7.4 to 6.8). The copolymers could form uniform nanoparticles once the temperature increased to 34°C, which was reversible. After crosslinking by N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA), structurally stable nanoparticles could be obtained. The results from Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the MBA crosslinked nanoparticles were uniformly spherical with a loose structure. Surface tension method indicated that the critical aggregate concentrations were 0.045, 0.042, 0.037, and 0.036 mg mL^?1 prepared from CTS 50, 100, 200, and 700 kDa, respectively. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Studies on the effect of anions of various lithium salts in PEMA gel polymer electrolytes

This research synthesized graft copolymers of chitosan‐g‐poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) (CS‐g‐PNIPAAm) by UV‐initiated free‐radical polymerization of NIPAAm monomer to CS selectively at the C‐6 position of pyranose ring. First, amino groups in CS were protected by reaction with phthalic anhydride (PA) to form PACS. The degree of phthaloylation was carefully controlled to ensure that most amino groups were protected, and only a very small amount of hydroxyl groups were reacted. In the second step, the vinyl functional group was introduced to the PACS by reaction with a vinyl compound containing an isocyanate group (3‐isopropenyl‐αα′‐dimethylbenzyl isocyanate), through the urethane linkage with hydroxyl groups at the C‐6 position. The phthaloyl groups were then removed by hydrazine to recover the amino groups in CS. Finally, PNIPAAm was grafted to the vinyl CS at the C‐6 position by UV‐initiated free‐radical polymerization. The synthesized CS‐g‐PNIPAAm copolymers were confirmed to have a structure of an AB‐crosslinked graft copolymer. Respectively, these copolymer hydrogels exhibited pH‐ and thermal‐responsive swelling properties in an aqueous solution due to their CS and PNIPAAm components. The test of cell viability with L929 fibroblast revealed that the CS‐g‐PNIPAAm copolymers having a grafting ratio lower than 1.7 had cellular compatibility as good as pure CS. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Graft copolymerization of styrene onto casein initiated by potassium diperiodatonickelate (IV) in alkaline medium

A novel redox system, potassium diperiodatonickelate (Ni(IV))‐casein is used to initiate graft copolymerization of Styrene onto casein under different conditions in aqueous alkaline solution. Graft copolymers with both high grafting efficiency (>98%) and percentage of grafting(>300%) are obtained, which indicated that (Ni(IV))‐casein redox pair is an efficient initiator for this grafting. The effects of reaction parameters, such as monomer‐to‐casein weight ratio, initiator concentration, pH, time, and temperature, are investigated. A tentative initiation mechanism is proposed. The structures and properties of the graft copolymer are characterized by Fourier transform infrared Spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction diagrams, and Scanning Electron Microscope. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4247–4251, 2006     

Temperature/pH‐sensitive comb‐type graft hydrogels composed of chitosan and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)

Comb‐type graft hydrogels, composed of chitosan and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), were prepared to manifest rapid temperature and pH sensitivity. Instead of directly grafting the NIPAAm monomer onto the chitosan chain, semitelechelic PNIPAAm with carboxyl end group was synthesized by radical polymerization using 3‐mercaptopropionic acid as the chain‐transfer agent, and was grafted onto chitosan having amino groups. The comb‐type hydrogels were prepared with two different graft yields and grafting regions, such as surface‐ and bulk‐grafting, and then compared with a chitosan hydrogel. The synthesis of telechelic PNIPAAm and the formation of amide group were confirmed by using FTIR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. Results from the water state and thermal stability revealed that the introduction of the PNIPAAm side chain disturbed the ordered arrangement of the chitosan molecule, resulting in an increase in the equilibrium water content. Comb‐type graft hydrogels showed rapid temperature and pH sensitivity because of the free‐ended PNIPAAm attached to the chitosan main chain and the chitosan amino group itself, respectively. In particular, the surface graft hydrogel maintained its dimension at low pH, although the chitosan main chain was not crosslinked, whereas chitosan and bulk graft hydrogel were dissolved as a result of the coating effect of pH‐independent PNIPAAm. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2612–2620, 2004     

Synthesis and characterization of butyl acrylate graft sodium salt of partially carboxymethylated starch

Graft copolymers were synthesized by graft copolymerization of butyl acrylate (BA) onto sodium salt of partially carboxymethylated starch (Na‐PCMS). Ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN), a redox initiator, was used for initiation of graft copolymerization reaction. All the experiments were run with Na‐PCMS having degree of substitution, DS = 0.35. The grafting reaction was characterized by parameters such as % total conversion (%Ct), % grafting (%G), % grafting efficiency (%GE), and % add‐on. Graft copolymers were characterized by infrared spectral analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Variables affecting graft copolymerization reaction such as nitric acid concentration, reaction time, reaction temperature, and ceric ion concentration were investigated. The results revealed that 0.3M CAN as initiator, 0.3M HNO₃, with reaction time 4–4.5 h at 25–30°C were found as suitable parameters for maximum yield of graft copolymerization reaction. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. JAppl Polym Sci 102: 3334–3340, 2006     

Graft copolymerization of methyl acrylate onto silk sericin initiated by tert‐butyl hydroperoxide

A novel redox system, tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)–silk sericin (SS), was used to initiate the graft copolymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) onto silk sericin in an aqueous medium. The graft copolymer, consisting of nanoparticles with a fine core–shell structure, was characterized using Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy. The effects of the concentrations of MA and TBHP, reaction temperature and time on the grafting parameters of the copolymerization were studied in detail. In terms of grafting percentage and grafting efficiency, the optimum reaction conditions were obtained as follows: [MA] = 0.465 mol L^?1, [TBHP] = 3.884 × 10^?4 mol L^?1, T = 80 °C, t = 150 min. Transmission electron microscopy images of the particles showed a core–shell morphology, where poly(methyl acrylate) cores were covered with SS shells. A possible initiation mechanism is proposed. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Copolymer hydrogel microspheres consisting of modified sulfate chondroitin‐co‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)

Modified chondroitin sulfate (π‐CdS) microspheres were synthesized by way of crosslinking‐copolymerization reaction with N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), yielding CdS‐co‐PNIPAAm copolymer network. The incorporation of vinyl groups onto the CdS was processed with the use of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) in an aqueous solution of pH 3.5 under stirring speed of 800 rpm at 50°C. ¹³C NMR and ¹H NMR spectra of CdS treated with the GMA indicated the formation of 3‐methacryloyl‐1‐glyceryl ester of π‐CdS and 3‐methacryloyl‐2‐glyceryl ester of π‐CdS that are the reaction products resultant of an epoxide ring‐opening mechanism via. The synthesis of microspheres was performed via radical reaction of the vinyl groups at the π‐CdS with vinyl groups at the NIPAAm in a water−benzyl alcohol microemulsion. The formation of spherical structures is the result of the polymerization‐crosslinking reaction of the π‐CdS with the NIPAAm monomers at the droplets of water, in view that both reactants have hydrophilic characteristics at the temperature at which the reaction was processed. The pure CdS hydrogel microspheres showed a slightly cracked structure with a lower diameter range while the CdS‐co‐PNIPAAm hydrogel microspheres showed a flat and tight structure with a more regular mass distribution. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

A novel route for synthesis of temperature responsive nanoparticles

We report the preparation of responsive silica nanoparticles by reaction of epoxy modified silica with stimuli responsive poly (acrylic acid‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) (poly (AA‐co‐NIPAAm)). A series of copolymers of poly (AA‐co‐NIPAAm) were synthesized by a novel route, employing solid state condensation of polyacrylic acid and isopropyl amine in different feed ratios (44 mol %–100 mol % AA). The structure of the copolymers was characterized by FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) was found to vary with the copolymer composition. The pH dependence of the LCST was also observed, and the copolymers exhibited a higher LCST at neutral pH than at acidic pH (4–5). Selected copolymers were used to prepare responsive core‐shell particles. Silica nanoparticles modified using glycidoxy propyl trimethoxy propyl silane were reacted with the responsive copolymer to form responsive core‐shell particles. The influence of reaction conditions on the modification of silica particles and reaction with responsive copolymers was investigated. The hydrodynamic behavior of the synthesized thermo responsive nanoparticles was also studied. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Ceric‐initiated free radical graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto kappa carrageenan

The polysaccharide, kappa carrageenan (kC), was modified using ceric‐initiated graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) under inert atmosphere in a homogeneous aqueous medium. Grafting was confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy, solubility test, elemental analysis, acid hydrolysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). kC‐graft‐poly(AN) products had a higher thermal stability than kC as revealed by TGA analysis. The polyacrylonitrile branches were isolated by acidic degradation of the carrageenan main chains and characterized by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Residual monomers were not found by HPLC in graft copolymers stored even for longer periods. The effect of various factors affecting on grafting, i.e., concentration of the initiator, monomer, and polysaccharide as well as the reaction time and temperature were studied by conventional methods to achieve the optimum grafting parameters. The graft copolymerization reactions were kinetically investigated using semi‐empirical expressions and a suitable rate expression has been derived. According to the empirical rates of the polymerization and the graft copolymerization of AN onto kC backbone, the overall activation energy of the graft copolymerization reaction was estimated to be 20.96 kJ/mol. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Graft copolymerization of soybean protein isolate and methacrylic acid

Graft copolymers of soybean protein isolate (SPI) and methacrylic acid (MAA) were prepared in an 8 mol/L urea aqueous solution with ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator, β‐mercaptoethanol as an unfolding agent for SPI, and a chain‐transfer agent. Evidence of grafting was obtained by the comparison of the Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectra of SPI with those of the SPI‐grafted MAA copolymer [SPI‐g‐poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA)]. A possible copolymerization mechanism of SPI and MAA was determined, and the copolymerization rate equation was derived. The effect of β‐mercaptoethanol content, APS content, and reaction temperature on the graft copolymerization was studied by the determination of the grafting parameters, including grafting percentage and grafting efficiency. Dynamic laser light scattering was used to investigate the effect of the pH value on the hydrodynamic radius of SPI and the grafted SPI aggregate in aqueous solution. The average hydrodynamic radius of SPI‐g‐PMAA aggregate was much smaller than that of the SPI aggregate at about the isoelectric point of SPI and a high pH value, and the hydrodynamic radius distribution of the SPI‐g‐PMAA aggregate was narrower than that of the SPI aggregate. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 4023–4029, 2006     

Modification of cellulose/chitin mix fibers with N‐isopropylacrylamide and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) under cold plasma conditions

A two‐step grafting procedure was applied to cellulose/chitin (CC) mix fibers, namely: activation under the action of cold plasma discharges, followed by reaction with N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) to obtain fibers with responsiveness to external stimuli. The graft samples were characterized using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray microanalysis and antimicrobial testing. All obtained results confirm the morphological and structural changes after plasma treatment which determine the modification of cellulose fiber properties. It was estimated from XPS data that the degrees of modification/grafting were about 23% for CC/NIPAAm and 13% for CC/PNIPAAm. Such treatment could be transferred to practical technologies, particularly in textile applications and special applications in the medical field. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

黄原胶与丙烯酸接枝共聚反应的研究

以过硫酸钾为引发剂,在氮气保护下,研究了黄原胶（XG）与丙烯酸（AA）的接枝共聚反应。考察了单体浓度、引发剂浓度、反应温度和反应时间等因素对接枝率及接枝效率的影响,探讨了过硫酸钾引发黄原胶接枝丙烯酸共聚反应的基本规律。采用红外光谱（FT—IR）对接枝共聚物的结构进行研究,并初步探讨了接枝机理。     

Synthesis and characterization of dextrin‐grafted polypropylene

We carried out the graft copolymerization of the water‐soluble natural polymer dextrin onto preirradiated polypropylene (PP) in an aqueous medium using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as the radical initiator. PP was irradiated by γ rays from a Co⁶⁰ source at a constant dose rate of 3.40 kGy/h to introduce hydroperoxide linkages, which served as the sites for grafting. The graft copolymerization was studied as a function of different reaction parameters, and the maximum percentage grafting (P_g; 55%) of dextrin onto PP was obtained at optimum conditions of [BPO] = 5.165 × 10⁻² mol/L, temperature = 60°C in 120 min with 15 mL of water. Different grafting parameters, such as the percentage apparent grafting, percentage grafting, and percentage true grafting have been evaluated. The graft copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Swelling studies were carried out in pure, binary, ternary, and quaternary solvent systems composed of water, ethanol (EtOH), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) at different ratios. The maximum swelling percentage PP‐g‐dextrin (both composite and true graft) was observed in pure DMSO and DMF followed by EtOH and water. Water‐retention studies of PP and PP‐g‐dextrin (both composite and true graft) were investigated at different time periods, temperatures, and pH values. The maximum percentage water retention of PP‐g‐dextrin (composite, 124%) was observed at 8 h and 50°C in a neutral medium (pH 7). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Synthesis and characterization of new amphoteric graft copolymer of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose with acrylamide and dimethylaminoethyl methylacrylate

The graft copolymerization of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) with acrylamide (AM) and dimethylaminoethyl methylacrylate (DMAEMA) was conducted in an aqueous solution using ammonium persulfate (APS) and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylene diamine (TMEDA) as the initiator. The effects of various factors on grafting, such as temperature, pH, initiator concentration, and concentrations of AM, DMAEMA, and NaCMC were studied. The composition and thermal stability of the graft copolymers were characterized by infrared, elemental, and thermogravimetric analysis, and degradation activation energy and kinetic order were calculated. The relationship between its reduced viscosity and pH in aqueous NaCl was also investigated. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 879–885, 1998     

黄原胶与丙烯酰胺接枝共聚反应的研究

以过硫酸铵为引发剂,在氮气保护下,研究了黄原胶与丙烯酰胺的接枝共聚反应。考察了单体浓度、引发剂浓度、反应温度和反应时间等因素对接枝率及接枝效率的影响,探讨了过硫酸铵引发黄原胶接枝丙烯酰胺共聚反应的基本规律。采用红外光谱、X射线粉末衍射对接枝共聚物的结构进行研究,用热重分析法表征了产物的热性能,并初步探讨了接枝机理。结果表明,过硫酸铵能有效地引发黄原胶与丙烯酰胺的接枝共聚反应,并且接枝率和接枝效率随单体浓度、引发剂浓度、反应温度的变化出现极大值,随反应时间的延长不断上升,直至基本不变。     

Poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐graft‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) amphiphilic copolymers prepared by a combination of ring‐opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization: Synthesis,self‐assembly,and thermoresponsive property

Thermoresponsive graft copolymers of ε‐caprolactone and N‐isopropylacrylamide were synthesized by a combination of ring‐opening polymerization and the sequential atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The copolymer composition, chemical structure, and the self‐assembled structure were characterized. The graft length and density of the copolymers were well controlled by varying the feed ratio of monomer to initiator and the fraction of chlorides along PCL backbone, which is acting as the macroinitiator for ATRP. In aqueous solution, PCL‐g‐PNIPAAm can assemble into the spherical micelles which comprise of the biodegradable hydrophobic PCL core and thermoresponsive hydrophilic PNIPAAm corona. The critical micelle concentrations of PCL‐g‐PNIPAAm were determined under the range of 6.4–23.4 mg/L, which increases with the PNIPAAm content increasing. The mean hydrodynamic diameters of PCL‐g‐PNIPAAm micelles depend strongly on the graft length and density of the PNIPAAm segment, allowing to tune the particle size within a wide range. Additionally, the PCL‐g‐PNIPAAm micelles exhibit thermosensitive properties and aggregate when the temperature is above the lower critical solution temperature. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41115.     

Functionalization of poly(ester‐urethane) surface by radiation‐induced grafting of N‐isopropylacrylamide using conventional and reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer‐mediated methods

The functionalization of poly(ester‐urethane) (PUR) surface was conducted using radiation‐induced grafting. A thermosensitive layer constructed from N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) was introduced onto a polyurethane film and characterized using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopies and contact angle measurements. Size exclusion chromatography was used to analyse the PUR‐graft‐PNIPAAm copolymers and homopolymers formed in solution. Additionally, reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization was performed in order to obtain PNIPAAm‐grafted surfaces with well‐defined properties. Atomic force microscopy was used to evaluate the surfaces synthesized via conventional and RAFT‐mediated grafting methods. The results of various techniques confirmed the successful grafting of NIPAAm from PUR film. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

pH and thermo‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) copolymer grafted to poly(ethylene glycol)

pH and thermo‐responsive graft copolymers are reported where thermo‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) [poly(NIPAAm), poly A ], poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐2‐(diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) [poly(NIPAAm‐co‐DEA), poly B ], and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid) [poly(NIPAAm‐co‐MAA), poly C ] have been installed to benzaldehyde grafted polyethylene glycol (PEG) back bone following introducing a pH responsive benzoic‐imine bond. All the prepared graft copolymers for PEG‐g‐poly(NIPAAm) [ P‐N1 ], PEG‐g‐poly(NIPAAm‐co‐DEA) [ P‐N2 ], and PEG‐g‐poly(NIPAAm‐co‐MAA) [ P‐N3 ] were characterized by ¹H‐NMR to assure the successful synthesis of the expected polymers. Molecular weight of all synthesized polymers was evaluated following gel permeation chromatography. The lower critical solution temperature of graft copolymers varied significantly when grafted to benzaldehyde containing PEG and after further functionalization of copolymer based poly(NIPAAm). The contact angle experiment showed the changes in hydrophilic/hydrophobic behavior when the polymers were exposed to different pH and temperature. Particle size measurement investigation by dynamic light scattering was performed to rectify thermo and pH responsiveness of all prepared polymers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Synthesis,properties, and functions of thermosensitive copolymers having pyridyl and/or pyridinium groups

Thermosensitive copolymers with pyridyl and/or pyridinium groups were prepared by copolymerization of 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) followed by the reaction of 4VP–NIPAAm copolymers with benzyl chloride.The copolymer 4VP–NIPAAm was soluble in dilute HCl below 32 °C, but the quaternized 4VP–NIPAAm copolymer was soluble even in aqueous solutions of pH 6.5 below 28 °C. The thermosensitivity of both 4VP–NIPAAm and the quaternized 4VP–NIPAAm copolymer was observed. The quaternized 4VP–NIPAAm copolymer could adsorb food dyes dissolved in water and the copolymer–dye complexes became water-insoluble. The quaternized 4VP–NIPAAm copolymer also exhibited high antibacterial activity against bacteria such as Escherichia coli.