Swelling behaviors and mechanical properties of polymer gel/poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) complexes

The contraction of poly(acrylic acid-co-butyl methacrylate) (P(AA-co-BMA)) gel induced by complexation with linear Poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) is quite different from that of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) or poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) gel. The dynamic mechanic properties vary greatly between complexed and uncomplexed networks. It was found that the concentration of PVP has a strong effect on the complexation with P(AA-co-BMA) gel and the dynamic mechanic properties of the P(AA-co-BMA)/PVP complexes.     

Interpolymer complexes of poly(acrylamide) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) with poly(acrylic acid): a comparative study

The interpolymer complexation, through successive hydrogen bonding, between poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNiPAAm) with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) in aqueous solution has been viscometrically and potentiometrically investigated. The stoichiometry of the complexes formed was determined. By comparing the strength of the two complexes the very important contribution of the hydrophobic interaction in their formation has been indicated.     

pH/Temperature control of interpolymer complexation between poly(acrylic acid) and weak polybases in aqueous solutions

The formation of interpolymer complexes (IPC) between poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(acrylamide) (PAM), poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA), and statistical copolymers of acrylamide (AM) and N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) has been studied as a function of pH, salt concentration and temperature (0–70 °C). The cloud points of dilute solutions were measured by turbidimetry and phase diagrams were determined as a function of temperature and pH in pure water and as a function of pH and salt concentration at room temperature. For each temperature and salt concentration a critical pH (pH_crit) below which IPC are observed was defined. In the case of PAA/PAM, pH_crit continuously decreased with increasing temperature, from pH 3.5 at 0 °C to pH 1.9 at 60 °C (UCST-type). In the case of PAA/PDMA, pH_crit, increased with temperature. The LCST-type behavior of the hydrogen-bonding complex formed between PAA and PDMA was attributed to the dimethyl substitution of amide groups that puts in hydrophobic interactions at high temperature. PAA and statistical copolymers P(AM-co-DMA) showed an intermediate behavior between PAA/PAM and PAA/PDMA with a continuous shift from UCST-type to LCST-type with increasing amount of DMA. This behavior can be attributed to changes in configurational entropy due to the IPC formation and (for PDMA) to the release of water molecules initially confined in hydrophobic hydration cages around DMA units. While at low salt concentration, the stability of PAA/PAM and PAA/PDMA complexes only slightly increases with the screening of ionized acrylic units, there is a sharp increase of pH_crit at high salt concentration in relation with the weakening of the solvent quality. In this regime, the complex formation of PAA/PDMA is greatly enhanced compared to PAA/PAM due to the interference of hydrophobic interactions.     

Flow behavior of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose/polyacrylic acid interpolymer complexes in aqueous media

The intermolecular complexation of non‐ionic polymers with weak acids having chemically complementary structures is an important approach to modify the viscosity of polymer solutions. In this study intermolecular complexation of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) with polyacrylic acid (PAA) in an aqueous medium was studied. The study focuses on the factors affecting the complexation and rheological behavior of the HPMC/PAA system including the stoichiometric ratio of the two polymers, the molecular weight of the PAA, and the pH and ionic strength of the medium. Results showed that interpolymer complexation occurred between HPMC and PAA at low pH. It was attributed to hydrogen bonding between the ? COOH group of the PAA and the ? OH group of the HPMC. Under basic conditions (above the critical pH) the viscosity of the interpolymer complex increased accompanied by a transition from a compact interpolymer complexation structure to an extended conformation of interpolymer associates. Introduction of monovalent and multivalent salts (at > pH_critical) decreased the viscosity of the HPMC/PAA interpolymer associates and favored the formation of interpolymer complexes between the two polymers. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Hydrogen bond detachment in polymer complexes

The hydrogen bonded polymer complex bulk and thin film was prepared by solution mixing and layer-by-layer assembly, respectively. Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVPON) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were hydrogen bonding acceptor polymers while poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) were hydrogen bonding donor polymers. The detachment of hydrogen bond between the chains in polymer complexes was investigated during the dissolution in alkaline solution, ionic liquid and tertiary amine N-oxide. We compared the dissolution process of the polymer complex bulk with the polymer complex thin film, and discussed the polymer chain length, chain entanglement degree and temperature effect on hydrogen bond detachment and dissolution of polymer complexes.     

Crystallization kinetics of γ phase poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF) induecd by tetrabutylammonium bisulfate

The phase transition behavior of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx) under complexation with star-shaped poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) having various arm numbers (two, three, four, and six) has been studied by turbidity and laser light scattering measurements. The change in cloud point temperature (T _cp) of PEtOx was monitored as a function of pH, ionic strength, and arm number of the star polyelectrolyte. The shift in T _cp to a lower value than that of pure PEtOx was more pronounced at pH 4.2 (pH?a), when the carboxylic acid groups are protonated as compared to pH 7.0 (pH?>?pK_a ), when the acid moieties are partially ionized. Dynamic light scattering showed that these complexes may have micellar core-shell type structure with a mean hydrodynamic radius (R _h) ranging from 12 nm to ～200 nm depending upon the temperature. Significant shift in T _cp was observed for six-arm star poly(acrylic acid) complexes at both pH values. This change in the T _cp is accredited to the differences in the driving forces of phase transition, including hydrogen bonding between carboxylic acid groups of PAA and the carbonyl moiety of PEtOx as well as the hydrophobic interactions.     

Bioartificial materials based on blends of collagen and poly(acrylic acid)

The interactions between soluble collagen (C) from calf skin and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were studied. Mixing aqueous solutions of collagen and PAA, at various pH values (2.5–4), leads to the formation of complexes that precipitate in the form of insoluble aggregates. The effects of mixture composition, pH, and ionic strength on C/PAA complex formation were investigated by gravimetric, turbidimetric, and conductometric analysis. The experimental results indicate that the complexes form through electrostatic interactions. Homogeneous solid films with variable C/PAA ratios were obtained by casting from solutions in which the pH was adjusted just over the isoelectric point of collagen, thus avoiding the attractive ionic interactions responsible for the complexation of collagen and PAA molecules. A relevant result obtained is related to the possibility of restoring the ionic interactions between the two polymers inside the solid films. Mixture composition and pH appear to influence the thermal properties of both complexes and films. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 971–976, 1999     

Infrared spectroscopy and electrical properties of ternary poly(acrylic acid)–metal–poly(acrylamide) complexes

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and electrical measurements were used for the characterization of the interpolymer complexation between poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) and also the ternary PAA–metal–PAAm complexes. The interpolymer complexes were prepared by adjusting the pH value of the mixture solutions at different PAA weight fractions (W_PAA). The ternary complexes were prepared by mixing metal chloride solutions (such as ErCl₃ and LaCl₃) with different concentrations to PAA–PAAm mixtures and adjusting the pH value for different W_PAA. It was found that the IR spectra of the interpolymer complexes showed absorption bands at shifted positions and of intensities different from those of the parent polymers. Also, the examination of the spectra of the ternary metal–polymer complexes revealed that they depend on the nature, lency, ionic radius, and concentration of the added metal chlorides. Analysis of the electrical results showed that the electrical conductivity of the interpolymer complexes are always lower than those of PAA and PAAm, which was attributed to the decrease in the mobility of the polymer chains as a result of the complexation. Also, the conductivity of the ternary metal complexes showed a dependence on the properties of the additives and were found to decrease with increasing their concentrations. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 2699–2705, 2002     

Architectural effect of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(amide imide) block copolymers on dispersion of carbon nanotubes in water

The dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in water by poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(amide imide) (PAI) block copolymers and homo‐PAA is investigated. Poly(acrylic acid)‐block‐poly(amide imide) (PAA‐block‐PAI), poly(acrylic acid)‐block‐poly(amide imide)‐block‐poly(acrylic acid) (PAA‐block‐PAI‐block‐PAA), and heteroarm star block copolymer poly(acrylic acid)₂poly(amide imide) (PAA₂PAI) with similar molecular weights and PAA contents are used as the copolymers. The dispersion of CNTs is observed by dynamic light scattering and ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy. The presence of the hydrophobic sequence improves the dispersion. PAA₂PAI has the best dispersion ability, followed in order by PAA‐block‐PAI‐block‐PAA, PAA‐block‐PAI, and homo‐PAA. In the dry state, aggregates of CNT are observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the mixture with PAA‐block‐PAI and homo‐PAA. The adhesion of the copolymers to CNT is also observed by TEM and is due to the high affinity between hydrophobic PAI and CNT. In particular, PAA₂PAI and PAA‐block‐PAI‐block‐PAA well cover the CNTs. The presence of PAI and the PAA location are important for the dispersion of CNTs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43461.     

Study of ternary component polymer complexes of poly(methacrylic acid) and poly(acrylic acid) with complementary polymers

Ternary component polymer complexes have been prepared from poly(acrylic acid) and poly(methacrylic acid) with complementary polymers, such as poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and poly(ethylene oxide). The formation of ternary complexes, selective complexation, and mutual compatibility of the complementary polymers attached to the same polycarboxylic acid chain, have been studied by several techniques, such as viscometry, turbidimetry, potentiometry, conductometry, and IR spectra.     

Competitive interaction of polyanions and anionic dye with bovine serum albumin

The binding of anionic dye, p-(2-amino-6-sulfonyl-8-naphthylazo)benzene sulfonic acid disodium salt (ASANA) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) at pH 7.5 has been studied by spectrophotometric techniques. The values of the dissociation constants were obtained with the use of the Benesi-Hildebrand equation for ASANA. Competitive binding of polyanions, sodium poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSSNa), potassium poly(vinyl sulfonate) (PVSK), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) and anionic dye to BSA was evaluated through the variations in the different spectra of BSA-dye-polymer systems.     

Effect of Magnesium Ions on the Adsorption of Poly(acrylic acid) onto Alumina

The adsorption isotherms of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) onto alumina powder have been determined as a function of pH, ionic strength, and magnesium-ion concentration. The adsorption of PAA is strongly enhanced by magnesium ions in alkaline media but less affected under acidic conditions. The adsorption isotherms display a maximum when PAA is fully complexed with magnesium ions in the solution, corresponding to a ratio of 0.25 ± 0.05 [Mg²⁺]/[acrylic acid monomer]. The decrease in adsorbed amount with an increase in PAA concentration at constant magnesium-ion concentration is related to a decrease in the complexation ratio.     

Drug transport in stimuli responsive acrylic and methacrylic interpenetrating polymer networks

The interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) are recently gaining attention as sustained drug delivery systems because they could ensure a proper combination of functionality and network density to control the drug release profiles. This study aims to reveal how the functionality of two IPNs based on polyacrylamide and respectively poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) influences their smart behavior as well as their properties as delivery systems of the cationic drug verapamil hydrochloride (VPM). The “extra” α‐methyl group of PMAA results into a loss of the temperature sensitivity in the studied region and changes the pH responsivity of the PMAA/PAAM IPNs as compared to the PAA/PAAM IPNs. Moreover, the VPM diffusion in both IPNs depends on their composition due to the change in their functionality as well as of their network density. The “extra” α‐methyl group of PMAA defines its enhanced hydrophobicity and hence influences the VPM diffusion mechanism. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45380.     

A mucoadhesive polymer prepared by template polymerization of acrylic acid in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) macromer

A new mucoadhesive polymer complex was prepared by the template polymerization of acrylic acid with poly(ethylene glycol) macromer (PEGM) as a template polymer. Fourier transform infrared results showed that the poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)/PEGM mucoadhesive polymer complex was formed by hydrogen bonding between the carboxyl groups of PAA and the ether groups of PEGM. The glass‐transition temperature of the PAA/PEGM mucoadhesive polymer complexes was shifted to a lower temperature as the repeating unit ratio of PAA/PEGM in the complex decreased. The dissolution rate of the PAA/PEGM mucoadhesive polymer complex was much slower than that of the PAA/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) mucoadhesive polymer complex and was dependent on the pH and molecular weight of PEGM. The mucoadhesive force of the PAA/PEGM mucoadhesive polymer complexes was stronger than that of commercial Carbopol 971P NF and almost the same as that of the PAA/PEG mucoadhesive polymer complex. The PAA/PEGM interpolymer complex seemed to be a better mucoadhesive polymer matrix than the PAA/PEG interpolymer complex. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1904–1910, 2002     

Competitive interaction of polyanions and 2-(4′-hydroxyphenylazo) benzoic acid with bovine serum albumin

The binding of the anionic dye 2-(4′-hydroxyphenylazo) benzoic acid (HABA) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) at pH 6.0–7.5 was studied by spectrophotometry. The values of the dissociation constants were obtained by use of a modified Langmuirtype equation for HABA. Competitive binding of the polyanions sodium poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSSNa), potassium poly(vinyl sulfate) (PVSK), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), with HABA to BSA were evaluated by variations in the difference spectra of BSA-HABA-polymer systems.     

Complexation between poly(methacrylic acid) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone)

The complexation between poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) in aqueous phase was studied by various fluorescence techniques, including fluorescence anisotropy measurements, fluorescence probe studies, and nonradiation energy transfer. It was demonstrated that the complexation of PMAA with PVP occurs within a pH range of 1 to 5 and along with complexation, the conformation of PMAA changed from a hypercoiled to a loosely coiled form. The complex ratio between the two polymers is 2:1 (PMAA/PVP, in monomer unit). Salt effect studies showed that the complexation occurred due to formation of hydrogen bonds between the two polymers. Based on these conclusions and the “connected cluster model” for PMAA at low pH, a “ladder with connected cluster” model was proposed for the structure of PMAA/PVP complex formed at low pH. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 620–627, 2001     

Stability and thermodynamic parameters of some selective intermacromolecular complexation

Summary Selectivity in intermacromolecular complex formation has been studied for some three component systems involving poly (ethylene imine) (PEI), poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly (acrylic acid) (PAA). The stability constant and related thermodynamic parameters of these complexes were determined at several temperatures. The entropy and enthalpy changes of the systems with temperature have been interpreted in terms of destabilization of the various interacting forces involved in complex formation as a result of pH of the medium.     

Polyanion/gelatin complexes as pH‐sensitive gels for controlled protein release

Polyanion/gelatin complexes including poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA)/gelatin, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)/gelatin, and heparin/gelatin are investigated as pH‐sensitive gels for controlled protein release. Polyanions can interact with gelatin and form amorphous precipitates within a certain pH range, which is affected by the polyanion nature. The entrapment efficiency of model proteins (myoglobin, cytochrome c, and pepsin) into the complexes is rather high (>80%). By using a modified colloid titration that mixes a solution of gelatin and model proteins titrated with polyanion solution, myoglobin and cytochrome c are found to interact with polyanions by electrostatic forces at low pH, while pepsin either interacts with the polyanion when the pH is below its isoelectric point (IEP) or complexes with gelatin at a pH above IEP_pepsin. At pH 7.4 all the complexes dissociate and proteins are rapidly released within a few hours. The complexes are stable and the proteins are retained within a certain pH range, which is related to the polyanion type (e.g., 5.0–2.0 for PMAA, 4.6–1.2 for PAA, and <4.3 for heparin). The three processes of complex formation, dissociation, and protein release have a good correlation. In addition, the protein release transition takes place within a rather narrow pH range (ca. 0.5 units) and the protein nature has little effect on the protein release profile. The high protein entrapment efficiency and good pH sensitivity of the protein release can be mainly attributed to the electrostatic attractive interactions between proteins and polyanion or gelatin. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 1416–1425, 2001     

Influence of solvent on thermodynamic parameters and stability of some multicomponent polymer complexes involving an acrylic polymer,poly (ethylene imine) and poly (vinyl pyrrolidone)

Summary Stability constant and thermodynamic parameters (e.g. ΔH⁰ and ΔS⁰) have been determined at several temperatures for some multicomponent complexes of varying composition involving poly (acrylic acid) (PAA), poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and poly (ethylene imine) (PEI) in aqueous medium and water-DMSO mixture. It has been observed that the stability constant and thermodynamic parameters of the interpolymer complexes change due to presence of organic solvent in the medium. Some of these observations have been attributed to the change in the degree of solvation of component polymers, reduced hydrophobic interaction and dielectric constant of the medium.     

Binary and ternary polymer–strontium complexes and the capture of radioactive strontium‐90 from the polluted soil of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site

The interaction of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with strontium ions and the binding of strontium ions by equimolar interpolymer complexes (IPCs) of PAA and PEG were studied. The stability constants of binary polymer–metal complexes were determined. Aqueous solutions of IPCs of PAA and PEG were applied as soil structuring agents in model and real experiments. The ability of IPCs to capture radioactive strontium ions from the polluted soil of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site was established. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 759–764, 2003