Improved Hydrophilicity from Poly(ethylene glycol) in Amphiphilic Conetworks with Poly(dimethylsiloxane)

This paper focuses on the improvement of hydrophicility and water content of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) by bonding a hydrophilic macromer, hydroxyl-terminated linear poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), into a highly hydrophobic macromer, hydroxyl-terminated linear PDMS to prepare amphiphilic conetworks (APCNs) with the crosslinkers, tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and bis[(3-methyldimethoxysilyl)propyl]-polypropylene oxide (BMPPO), which also functioned as a compatibilizer. Fourier transform infrared results clearly demonstrated the occurrence of the hydrolysis reactions between the terminal hydroxyl groups on the terminal of the two polymer chains and the alkoxy groups in TEOS and BMPPO. Differential scanning calorimetry results and X-ray diffraction obviously showed the presence of the two phases in the conetworks. The contact angle (CA) indicated the wettability of the conetworks increased in the surfaces, that is, CA values decreased significantly from 105° in PDMS to 55° in the PEG/PDMS APCN (10/1 mol ratio), and the swelling degrees of the APCNs increased from ca. 0 to 60 % when the PEG/PDMS mol ratio was larger than 4/1. The APCNs with such high hydrophilicity and the good mechanical properties should be useful as biomaterials.     

Using Graphene-Based Materials for Stiff and Strong Poly(ethylene glycol) Hydrogels

Blood-contacting devices are increasingly important for the management of cardiovascular diseases. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels represent one of the most explored hydrogels to date. However, they are mechanically weak, which prevents their use in load-bearing biomedical applications (e.g., vascular grafts, cardiac valves). Graphene and its derivatives, which have outstanding mechanical properties, a very high specific surface area, and good compatibility with many polymer matrices, are promising candidates to solve this challenge. In this work, we propose the use of graphene-based materials as nanofillers for mechanical reinforcement of PEG hydrogels, and we obtain composites that are stiffer and stronger than, and as anti-adhesive as, neat PEG hydrogels. Results show that single-layer and few-layer graphene oxide can strengthen PEG hydrogels, increasing their stiffness up to 6-fold and their strength 14-fold upon incorporation of 4% w/v (40 mg/mL) graphene oxide. The composites are cytocompatible and remain anti-adhesive towards endothelial cells, human platelets and Staphylococcus aureus, similar to neat hydrogels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to report such an increase of the tensile properties of PEG hydrogels using graphene-based materials as fillers. This work paves the way for the exploitation of PEG hydrogels as a backbone material for load-bearing applications.     

Preparation and Characterization of Copolymer Micelles Formed by Poly(ethylene glycol)-Polylactide Block Copolymers as Novel Drug Carriers

Diblock copolymer poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether-polylactide (MePEG-PLA) micelles were prepared by dialysis against water. Indomethacin (IMC) as a model drug was entrapped into the micelles by dialysis method. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the prepared micelles in distilled water investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy was 0.0051 mg/mL which is lower than that of common low molecular weight surfactants. The diameters of MePEG-PLA micelles and IMC loaded MePEG-PLA micelles in number-averaged scale measured by dynamic light scattering were 52.4 and 53.7 nm respectively. Transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope observation showed that the appearance of MePEG-PLA micelles was in a spherical shape. The content of IMC incorporated in the core portion of the micelles was 18 wt.%. The effects of the synthesis method of the copolymer on the polydispersity of the micelles and the yield of the micelles formation were discussed.     

Carboxylate-Ended Poly(ethylene glycol) Macromonomers and their Copolymers as Inhibitors for Calcium Phosphate and Calcium Sulfate

Carboxylate-ended poly(ethylene glycol) macromonomers, namely allylpolyethoxy carboxylate (APEC), were prepared by means of a carboxy methylation technique with the obvious advantage of energy conservation. APEC and acrylic acid (AA) were then used as monomers to obtain AA/APEC copolymers. Fourier-transform infrared spectra and nuclear magnetic resonance were employed to characterize AA/APEC structure. Observations showed that AA/APEC was a much better inhibitor both for calcium phosphate and calcium sulfate compared to the commercial inhibitors, and it was also an effective inhibitor, even at elevated temperature, pH, Ca²⁺ and Fe²⁺ concentration or in the presence of biocides.     

Polyester-Polyether Block Copolymers II. Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Poly(hexamethylene terephthalate)/Poly(oxytetramethylene) Block Copolymers

The melting and crystallisation behaviour of crystalline phases in poly (hexamethylene terephthalate)/poly(oxytetramethylene) block copolymers have been investigated in relation to copolymer composition and polyether block molecular weight (m.w.). In contrast to that in corresponding homopolymer blends, the polyester crystallinity in the block polymers is greatly reduced by incorporation of polyether units, though some persists even at low polyester contents. Concomitant changes in the glass transition temperatures show part of the polyester component to form a homogeneous component of the amorphous phase. The mechanical properties change with composition in parallel with the changes in copolymer crystallinity and T_g. Copolymers with 20-60 w % of poly(oxytetramethylene) units of m.w. 2000 are highly extensible elastomers. Those with higher m. w. polyether blocks have higher modulus and strength but suffer a serious loss of properties at 60d?C. The observations are interpreted in terms of a model in which polyester crystallites (and polyether crystallites also, for the higher m. w. polyether blocks) are supported within an amorphous matrix by tie-molecules whose nature changes with the copolymer compositions. The results are compared with those for analogous polyester-polyethers having different structural components.     

不同PEG含量对PLA/PEG共混物结晶动力学的影响

采用溶液共混法制备了一系列不同配比的聚乳酸(PLA)/聚乙二醇(PEG)共混物。通过偏光显微镜(POM)、扫描电镜(SEM)和差式扫描量热仪(DSC)研究了不同PEG含量的PLA/PEG共混物在不同结晶温度下,聚乳酸的晶体形貌、球晶生长速率及热力学性能。研究发现,PEG能够显著提高聚乳酸球晶的生长速率。当PEG含量为60%时,PLA/PEG共混物中聚乳酸球晶的生长速率最快,达到23.6μm/min,比纯聚乳酸的最快球晶生长速率(0.5μm/min)高47倍。但是,当PEG含量高于60%时,聚乳酸球晶的生长速率有所降低。同时,PLA/PEG共混物中聚乳酸球晶速率随结晶温度变化的取向,均向低温移动。另外,PLA/PEG共混物中聚乳酸球晶呈现环状花纹。DSC测试结果表明,随着PEG含量的增加,PLA/PEG共混物的玻璃化转变温度明显降低。     

烯基聚乙二醇嵌段共聚物的合成及室温固化

以聚乙二醇(PEG)为引发剂,三氟化硼乙醚(BF_3·Et_2O)络合物为催化剂,缩水甘油醚(GA)和烯丙基缩水甘油醚(AGE)为共聚单体,通过阳离子开环聚合反应,制备了烯基聚乙二醇嵌段共聚物粘合剂(PEG-PGA-PAGE)。采用红外光谱(FTIR)、核磁共振氢谱(~1HNMR)对产物的结构进行了表征,并以对苯二腈氧化物为固化剂固化合成的粘合剂制备出弹性体。考察了GA、AGE分时间段加和同时加两种不同加料顺序下合成的粘合剂(PEG-PGA-PAGE-1和PEG-PGA-PAGE-2)制备弹性体的力学和热性能。结果表明:粘合剂可实现室温固化,GA、AGE分段加制备的PEG-PGA-PAGE-1固化弹性体的力学性能和耐热性更强,其拉伸强度可达0.948 MPa,断裂伸长率可达89.32%,邵氏硬度可达23.8 Ha,储能模量可达361.05 MPa,玻璃化转变温度(T_g)为–41.85℃,接触角为74°。室温固化提高了弹性体的力学性能,有望应用于复合固体推进剂。     

单甲氧基聚乙二醇氨基的制备

通过两步反应制备了相对分子质量(简称分子量)为5 000的单甲氧基聚乙二醇氨基(m PEG5k-EDA)。首先以单甲氧基聚乙二醇5 000(m PEG5k)和对甲苯磺酰氯(p-Ts Cl)为原料,反应得到活性中间体m PEG5k-OTs,然后通过与乙二胺的亲核取代反应获得目标产物,并通过正交实验确定了最佳反应条件:m PEG5k-OTs与乙二胺的摩尔比为1∶25、反应温度为80℃和反应时间为24 h。产物和中间体的结构通过IR和1HNMR进行表征,并通过SDS-PAGE碘染色法检测产物分子量的变化情况。结果表明,通过该方法能简便快捷地制备m PEG5k-EDA,在最优实验条件下,目标产物的总收率高达76.8%,且SDS-PAGE检测表明,产物纯度较高,不含交联副产物。     

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(ethylene glycol) grafted Poly(ε-Caprolactone)

Summary A new graft copolymer, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) grafted with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), was prepared by one-pot synthesis of ε-caprolactone and modified PEG. Aluminium isopropoxide or potassium tert-butoxide was used as a catalyst for the ring-opening polymerization. Polymerization using potassium tert-butoxide as a catalyst showed very effective graft reaction of PEG onto poly(ε-caprolactone). A slight decrease in the melting temperature was observed with the increase of the PEG graft frequency. Interestingly, considerable changes were observed on the surface property by the introducing PEG side chains compared to that of PCL homopolymer. Measurements of water contact angle showed that the hydrophilic surface of the polymer could be obtained even at a low graft frequency of PEG.     

Hydrophobic Cross-Linked Poly(dimethylsiloxane)-Based Sorbents for Oil Spill Applications

With the increase of industrialization and urbanization, humankind faces massive oil-based pollution due to tanker accidents, human error, and natural disasters. For this, hydrophobic sorbents are fabricated and their applications for the removal of oil from polluted water sources are investigated. These hydrophobic sorbents are prepared by the condensation reaction of poly(dimethylsiloxane) and tris[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]isocyanurate cross-linker via bulk polymerization. The obtained sorbents exhibit high oil sorption capacity, fast absorption–desorption kinetics, and great reusability. Moreover, they can selectively absorb oil from the water surface, thus making them practical for water clean-up applications.     

Polyester-Polyether Block Copolymers III. Supramolecular Texture in Poly(hexamethylene terephthalate)/Poly(oxytetramethylene) Block Copolymers and Related Homopolymers and Blends

Optical and electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering have been used to investigate the texture of poly(hexamethylene terephthalate)/poly(oxtetramethylene) multi-block copolymers. The findings are consistent with a substantial separation of the combined sub-species into separate phases, and with the aggregation of the alkylene terephthalate ‘hard’ segment blocks into crystalline forms analogous to those of the homopolymer alone and connected by microfibrillar units. The observations are correlated with the mechanical properties of the copolymers in terms of a ‘string of beads’ model, and compared with existing knowledge of phase-separation morphology in other families of block copolymers. Some investigation has also been made into the morphology of poly(hexamethylene terephthalate) and poly(oxytetramethylene) homopolymers and their blends crystallised from the melt. The results are considered in relation to the properties of the corresponding copolymers.     

二甲基丙烯酸聚乙二醇酯的RAFT交联聚合行为

采用差示扫描量热(DSC)和动态力学分析(DMA)方法研究二甲基丙烯酸聚乙二醇酯(PEGDMA)的可逆加成-断裂链转移(RAFT)自由基交联聚合,探索了交联单体双键间链段长度和链柔性对RAFT交联聚合动力学及其交联结构的影响.实验发现,随着双键间乙二醇单元数由4增加到9,聚合速率加快,当乙二醇单元数由9增加到14,聚合速率不增反降,这种行为是交联网络密度减小后增长自由基浓度下降和悬挂双键反应活性增加共同作用的结果;双键间链段柔性的增加使RAFT交联聚合速率加快:随双键间链段长度增加,交联网络密度和玻璃化转变温度降低,交联网络的均匀性得到改善.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(ethylene glycol) Methacrylate Based Hydrogel Networks for Anti‐Biofouling Applications

A series of hydrogels based on poly(ethylenglycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEMA) is synthesized using macromonomers of three different molecular weights, in combination with varied degrees of chemical crosslinking. The effects of PEGMEMA, initiator, and crosslinker concentrations on gel yield and swelling properties are studied. In addition, the chemical structure of the gels is characterized by FTIR and solid‐state NMR spectra. The swelling and rheological behaviors of hydrogels as well as protein partitioning into the gels are discussed in terms of the network mesh size. Low protein sorption and bacteria deposition tendencies indicate that PEGMEMA‐based hydrogels could be highly beneficial for uses as fouling‐resistant materials, for instance, as protective coatings for desalination membranes.

     

聚乙二醇中共轭烯炔化合物的合成

发展了一种在聚乙二醇介质中末端炔烃与缺电子炔烃选择性生成共轭烯炔化合物的方法。在三苯基膦氯化钯(2mol%)、溴化亚铜(4mol%)、PEG-400(1.0g)和氮气的作用下,1mmol末端炔烃与0.5mmol缺电子炔烃可以顺利地发生交叉偶联反应选择性生成相应的共轭烯炔化合物,该反应产率较高,对环境友好,且催化体系可以适当地重复使用。     

Synthesis of Triblock Copolymers via Photopolymerization of Styrene and Methyl Methacrylate Using Macrophotoinitiators Possessing Poly(ethylene glycol) Units

Macrophotoinitiators based on poly(ethylene glycol)s bearing benzyl tereftalmono amid moieties were synthesized by the reaction of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) terminated with terephtaloyl chloride and benzyl amine. The initiators possessing PEG with different molecular weights were used in the photoinduced radical polymerization of styrene (S) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) to yield poly(styrene-b-ethylene glycol-b-styrene) and poly(methyl methacrylate-ethylene glycol-b-methyl methacrylate) triblock copolymers. Characterization of macrophotoinitiators were performed by elemental anlysis, IR and ¹H-NMR spectrum. The elemental analysis results agreed with the theoretical values. The IR and ¹H-NMR spectra showed that the poly(ethylene glycol) units were reacting with the tereftloyl chloride and benzylamine. Characterization of the block copolymers was carried out by spectral measurements, GPC and fractional precipitation methods. The polydispersities of the block copolymers were observed between 1.2–2.32 for poly(methyl methacrylate-ethylene glycol-b-methyl methacrylate) and 1.25–1.90 for poly(styrene-b-ethylene glycol-b-styrene) from GPC measurements.     

基于聚3-己基噻吩的嵌段共聚物研究进展

随着全球对新能源、新材料研究领域的战略提升,聚3-己基噻吩(P3HT)作为导电共轭聚合物的相关研究已成为近年来的一个热点,并取得了突飞猛进的进展.P3HT均聚物受其激发子寿命短的影响,其光电转换效率有限,而嵌段共聚物可以实现微相分离,进而可以实现提高有机光伏材料的光电转换效率的目的.总结了近年研究者们合成的嵌段共聚物及...     

Poly(methylphenylphosphazene)–Graft–Poly(methyl Methacrylate) Copolymers Via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was used to graft poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, onto poly(methylphenylphosphazene), [(Me)(Ph)PN] _n , PMPP. A two-step process was used to convert a portion of the methyl substituents on [(Me)(Ph)PN] _n to –CH₂C(CH₃)₂OH groups and then to bromoalkyl groups, –CH₂C(CH₃)₂OC(=O)C(CH₃)₂Br, the latter of which served as initiation sites for ATRP of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of CuCl/bipyridine. Variations in the length of the grafted chains were investigated and the graft copolymers were compared to the parent polymer and blends of similar composition. The new bromoalkyl derivatives of [(Me)(Ph)PN] _n and the PMPP–graft–PMMA copolymers were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). We dedicate this paper to Professor Harry R. Allcock for consistently maintaining the highest standards in his creative, pioneering work in inorganic rings and polymers.     

Properties of Block Copolymers of Poly(Butylene Terephthalate) and Polyoxytetramethylene Glycol

Synthesis of polyester thermoelastoplasts, block copolymers of polyoxytetramethylene glycol and poly(butylene terephthalate) of the polyblock type, was developed and implemented in pilot industrial conditions. POTM blocks act as flexible molecular decouplings that give the copolymer elasticity, while PBT blocks form physical linkages and are responsible for the mechanical strength and hardness of the material. The composition of the reaction systems, process stage sequence, and synthesis parameters are optimized for block copolymers with a concentration of the flexible POTM block of 65-10 wt. % and a molecular weight of 1000. The structure is investigated, and the physicochemical and mechanical properties of the material obtained are determined. It was found that the concentration of flexible blocks has a determining effect on the physicochemical structure and properties of the block copolymers. For a 40% concentration of the flexible block, the character of the concentration curves of the physicomechanical indexes changes significantly due to phase-structural transformations in the block copolymers.     

Characterization of Native Cellulose/Poly(ethylene glycol) Films

Water molecules retained in native cellulose gels obtained from Acetobacter xylinum (AX) were displaced by poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEG) of different molecular weight. The so obtained native cellulose/PEG material, characterized in film form by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and wide angle X‐ray scattering, revealed that strong interactions occur between PEG and cellulose and that the polymer mixture is in the rubbery state at ambient temperature. Moreover, it could be dyed in supercritical carbon dioxide by disperse dyes, thus exhibiting typically lipophilic properties and suitability to be employed as a biocompatible support for lipophilic active species.