Comparison of poly(ethylene oxide) crystal orientations and crystallization behaviors in nano-confined cylinders constructed by a poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polystyrene diblock copolymer and a blend of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polystyrene and polystyrene

A poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polystyrene (PEO-b-PS) diblock copolymer with a number average molecular weight of PEO blocks, =8.8 kg/mol, and a number average molecular weight of PS blocks, =24.5 kg/mol, (volume fraction of the PEO blocks, f_PEO, was 0.26) exhibited a hexagonal cylinder (HC) phase structure. Small angle X-ray scattering results showed that the PEO cylinder diameter was 13.3 nm, and the hexagonal lattice was a=25.1 nm. The cylinder diameter of this HC phase structure was virtually the same as that in the blend system constructed by a PEO-b-PS diblock copolymer (=8.7 kg/mol and =9.2 kg/mol) and a PS homo-polymer (=4.6 kg/mol) in which the f_PEO was 0.32. The cylinder diameter in this blend sample was 13.7 nm and the hexagonal lattice was a=23.1 nm. Comparing crystal orientation and crystallization behaviors of this PEO-b-PS copolymer with the blend, it was found that the crystal orientation change with respect to crystallization temperature was almost identical. This is attributed to the fact that in both cases the PEO block tethering densities and confinement sizes are very similar. This indicates that when the of PS homo-polymer is lower than the PS blocks, the PS homo-polymer is located inside of the PS matrix rather than at the interface between the PEO and PS in the HC phase structure. On the other hand, a substantial difference of crystallization behaviors was observed between these two samples. The PEO-b-PS copolymer exhibited much more retarded crystallization kinetics than that of the blend. Based on the small angle X-ray scattering results, it was found that in the blend sample, the HC phase structure was not as regularly ordered as that in the PEO-b-PS copolymer, and thus, the HC phase structure contained more defects in the blend. This led to a suggestion that the primary nucleation process in the confined crystallization is a defect-controlled process. The mean crystallite sizes were estimated by the Scherer equation, and the PEO crystal sizes are on the scale of the confined size.     

13C n.m.r. relaxation study of poly(aspartic acid)

¹³C n.m.r. relaxation parameters (T₁, line widths and NOE factors) and chemical shifts were measured in dependence on pH for several samples of poly(α-l-Asp) differing in molecular mass and polydispersity, and for samples of poly(α,β-d,l-Asp) differing in molecular mass. Poly(α-l-Asp) dissolved at pH 9 and acidified to pH 6-4 can appear in two different forms, A and B. In n.m.r. spectra these forms differ mainly by the width of the bands of side chain carbons which is larger in form A. Conditions for a reproducible generation of either of the two forms were not found although the effect of molecular mass (3–6 × 10⁴), polydispersity, sample concentration (2.0-0.2 mol l^?1), temperature of dissolution (4°C–37°C), concentration of NaCl (0–4 mol l^?1) or rate of acidification (1 pH unit s^?1 week^?1) and rate of mixing were investigated. The dynamics of poly(α,β-d,l-Asp) is almost unaffected by change of pH. The relaxation parameters of poly(α-l-Asp) at pH 9 and 4 differ more in form A than in form B. Analysis of relaxation data for the methine carbon of poly(α-l-Asp) in form A by means of the isotropic model with a log x² distribution of correlation times yields a correlation time of 1 ns at pH 4. This indicates that the dynamics of the backbone is dominated by rapid segmental motions even at pH 4. The dependence of chemical shifts on pH indicates that the chemical shift values are determined mainly by the ionization of the carboxyl group in the side chain rather than by a conformational transition. The evaluated relaxation parameters suggest, when compared with those of polypeptides with known conformational behaviour, that the two forms of poly(α-l-Asp) differ in conformation (α-helix, β-structure).     

Study of interfacial tension in poly(ethylene oxide)/polystyrene/diblock copolymer system by electric deformation method

We investigated the interfacial tension γ between poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and polystyrene (PS) focusing our attention on the dependence of γ on the molecular weight (M) of PEO and the surfactant effect of poly(ethylene oxide-b-styrene) diblock copolymer [P(EO-b-S)]. Measurements of γ were carried out by observing electric deformation of droplets of PEO suspended in bulk PS or in a concentrated solution of PS in dioctylphthalate (DOP). The results indicate that γ between PEO and PS is almost independent of M of PEO in the high molecular weight region, but exhibits a minimum around M = 500. Addition of 1 wt% of P(EO-b-S) to the PEO/PS system causes a decrease of γ due to the surfactant effect of the copolymer, but γ is almost independent of further addition of the copolymer. The decrement of the interfacial tension Δγ increases with increasing molecular weight of P(EO-b-S).     

Dynamic structure of swollen crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide) gels from n.m.r. line-shape analysis and magic angle rotation n.m.r.

Chemically crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide) gels swollen to equilibrium in CDCl₃ (22.3 w/w% of polymer) and CCl₄ (77.5 w/w% of polymer) were characterized by combination of the results of ¹H n.m.r. spectra measured with magic angle rotation (MAR-n.m.r.) and numerical analysis of static ¹H n.m.r. line shapes. From MAR-n.m.r., activation energies of rapid segmental motions were found to be 1.7 ± 0.3 kcal mol^?1 in CDCl₃ and 9.4 ± 0.6 kcal mol^?1 in CCl₄. Static line-shape analysis yields a parameter which characterizes the deviation of segmental motions from isotropy in space. This parameter was found to be independent of temperature and equal in both systems.     

On the solution conformation of poly(ethylene oxide). An FT-pulsed field gradient n.m.r. self-diffusion study

Frictional coefficients for short-chain poly(ethylene oxide) have been determined by spin-echo n.m.r. measurements in chloroform, benzene and water. The results do not support an anomalous helical conformation in aqueous media but rather a common structure in all three solvents. Diffusion coefficients for PEO in dextran in NaPSS solutions have been determined. It is found that PEO transport is related to the macroscopic viscosity of the system, i.e. to both the concentration and molar mass of the matrix polymer.     

Dissipative particle dynamics study on the multicompartment micelles self-assembled from the mixture of diblock copolymer poly(ethyl ethylene)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) and homopolymer poly(propylene oxide) in aqueous solution

Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) method is applied to model the self-assembly of diblock copolymer poly(ethyl ethylene)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEE-b-PEO) and homopolymer poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) in aqueous solution. In this study, several segments are coarse-grained into a single simulation bead based on the experimental density. For the self-assembly of pure diblock copolymer PEE-b-PEO in dilute solution, the DPD simulation results are in good agreement with experimental data of micelle morphologies and sizes. The chain lengths of the block copolymers and the volume ratios between PPO and PEE-b-PEO are varied to find the conditions of forming multicompartment micelles. The micelles with core-shell-corona structure and the micelles with two compartments are both formed from the mixture of PEE-b-PEO and PPO in aqueous solution.     

Self-diffusion of poly(ethylene oxide) in aqueous dextran solutions measured using FT-pulsed field gradient n.m.r.

Transport in ternary polymer₁, polymer₂, solvent systems has been investigated using an n.m.r. spin-echo technique. The dependence of the self-diffusion coefficient of poly(ethylene oxide) polymers on the concentration and molecular size of dextran in aqueous solution has been measured. Monodisperse poly(ethylene oxide) fractions ($\text{M}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{w}}\text{=7.3×10}{}^4$, 2.8·10⁵ and 1.2·10⁶) and dextrans ($\text{M}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{w}}\text{=2·10}{}^4$, 1·10⁵ and 5·10⁵) have been employed over a range of concentration up to the miscibility limit in each system. It is found that when the molecular size of the diffusant is commensurate with or exceeds that of the matrix polymer, a relationship of the form: $\text{(}\text{D}\text{D}{}_0\text{)}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>PEO</mtext>}}\text{=}\text{exp}\text{?k(C[η])}$ is applicable, where C[η] refers to the dextran component and is considered to describe the extent of coil overlap in concentrated solution. ($\text{D}\text{D}{}_0$) is independent of the molecular size of the poly(ethylene oxide), at least in the range studied (M_w<300 000).     

Self-assembly and crystallization behavior of a double-crystalline polyethylene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer

The self-assembly and crystallization behavior of a well-defined low molecular weight polyethylene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PE-b-PEO) diblock copolymer was studied. The number-average degrees of polymerization for the PE and PEO blocks were 29 and 20, respectively. The molecular weight distribution was 1.04 as determined by size-exclusion chromatography. The PE-b-PEO sample exhibited two melting points at 28.7 and 97.4 °C for the PEO and the PE crystals, respectively. The crystallization of the PE blocks was unconfined, while the crystallization of the PEO blocks was confined between pre-existing PE crystalline lamellae, as demonstrated by simultaneous small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) studies. In the fully crystalline state, both PE and PEO blocks formed extended-chain crystals with PE chains tilted ∼22° from the lamellar normal and PEO chains parallel to the lamellar normal, as evidenced by two-dimensional WAXD study of shear-oriented samples. Regardless of hydrogen bonding among hydroxyl chain ends in the PEO blocks, interdigitated, single-crystalline layer morphology was observed for both PE and PEO crystals. The partial crystalline morphology, where the PE crystallizes and the PEO is amorphous, had the same overall d-spacing as the fully crystalline morphology. A double-amorphous PEO layer sandwiched between neighboring PE crystalline layers was deduced based on a chain conformation study using Fourier transform infrared. The confined crystallization kinetics for PEO blocks was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, which could be explained by a heterogeneous nucleation mechanism. The slower crystallization rate in the PEO-block than the same molecular weight homopolymer was attributed to the effects of nanoconfinement and PEO chains tethered to the PE crystals.     

Influence of diblock copolymer on the morphology and properties of polystyrene/poly(dimethylsiloxane) blends

Blends of polystyrene (PS) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), with and without diblock copolymers (PS‐b‐PDMS), were prepared by melt mixing. The melt rheology behavior of the blends was studied with a capillary rheometer. The morphology of the blends was examined with scanning electron microscopy. The miscibility of the blends was studied with differential scanning calorimetry. The morphology of PS/PDMS blends was modified by the addition of PS‐b‐PDMS copolymers and investigated as a function of the molar mass of the diblock copolymers, viscosity ratios and the processing conditions. As investigated, the observed morphology of the melt‐blended PS/PDMS pair unambiguously supported the interfacial activity of the diblock copolymers. When a few percent of the diblock copolymers blended together with the PS and PDMS homopolymers, the phase size was reduced and the phase dispersion was firmly stabilized against coalescence. The compatibilizing efficiency of the copolymers was strongly dependent on its molar mass. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2747–2757, 2004     

Poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide)/poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer as a sustained-release carrier for perfume compounds

The volatility behavior of perfume compounds in poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide)/poly(ethylene oxide) copolymer was investigated by means of dynamic and static headspace analyses. Suppression of the volatility of perfume compounds by EO₁₀₅PO₂₇EO₁₀₅ copolymer was markedly greater than by polyethyleneglycol. This suppressive effect may be due to micelle and gel formation of EO₁₀₅PO₂₇EO₁₀₅ copolymer. EO₁₀₅PO₂₇EO₁₀₅ copolymer is expected to be useful as a novel sustained-release carrier that maintains constant release rates for the volatility of perfume compounds over a wide temperature range.     

Pulsed n.m.r. of cis-polyisoprene: 2

Pulsed n.m.r. spin-spin relaxation time measurements are reported for a commercial whole polymer sample of cis-polyisoprene which has been crosslinked to varying extents by γ-irradiation. The spin-spin relaxation decays at 150°C consist of two components, T_2S and T_2L, which are attributed to protons in a network structure (entangled or crosslinked) and in non-network molecules respectively. Comparison of the n.m.r. data with solubility measurements, which only detect the presence of a crosslinked network, provides a value for the average molecular weight for entanglements which is in the region of 40 000 to 50 000.     

Pulsed n.m.r. of cis-polyisoprene: 1

Proton spin-spin (T₂), and spin-lattice (T₁) relaxation time measurements are reported for six monodisperse cis-polyisoprenes ($\text{M}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{n}}$ from 2000 to 200 000) over the temperature range from ?50° to 170°C. At low temperatures (?30° to 10°C) T₁ and T₂ are determined by the short range segmental motions but above 10°C T₂ is sensitive to the long range motions. When $\text{M}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{n}}\text{? 30 000 T}{}_2$ becomes influenced by the presence of entanglements which produce a transient network structure and this confers on the spin-spin relaxation a pseudo-solid-like response. Similar behaviour is observed in crosslinked networks produced by irradiation. The results are discussed in terms of the types of motion occurring in amorphous polymers above T_g and the analogy with dynamic mechanical measurements is discussed.     

Epoxy resin containing poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(?-caprolactone) diblock copolymer: Effect of curing agents on nanostructures

An amphiphilic diblock copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(?-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL) was synthesized via the ring-opening polymerization of ?-caprolactone in the presence of a hydroxyl-terminated poly(ethylene oxide) monomethyl ether. The diblock copolymer was incorporated into epoxy thermosets. It is found that the formation of nanostructures of thermosetting blends is quite dependent on the uses of aromatic amine hardeners. For 4,4′-methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) (MOCA)-cured thermosetting system, the homogeneous morphology was obtained at the compositions investigated. Nonetheless, the nanostructured thermosets were obtained when the blends were cured with 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS). The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that the nanostructured thermosets did not displayed any crystallinity although the subchains of the diblock copolymer are crystalline. The nanostructures were evidenced by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The dependence of morphological structures on the types of aromatic amines for epoxy and PEO-b-PCL thermosetting blends were interpreted on the basis of the difference in hydrogen bonding interactions resulting from the structure of curing agents. Considering the complete miscibility of the subchains (viz. PEO and PCL) with the precursors of epoxy resin before curing, it is judged that the formation of the nanostructures in the thermosets follows the mechanism of reaction-induced microphase separation, which is in marked contrast to the mechanism of self-assembly, i.e., micelle structures of block copolymers are formed prior to curing, followed by fixing these nanostructures via curing.     

High-performance poly(butylene oxide)/poly (ethylene oxide) block copolymer surfactants for the preparation of water-in-oil high internal phase emulsions

High-performance surfactants have been developed for the preparation of water-in-oil high internal phase emulsions (HIPE), particularly for the preparation of polymerized HIPE foams. High-efficiency surfactants with poly(butylene oxide)/poly(ethylene oxide) (BO/EO) block copolymer backbones have been developed that can stabilize an HIPE through polymerization at concentrations as low as 0.006 wt% based on total emulsion weight. Polymerizable versions have been developed that bind into the polymeric foam backbone. BO/EO block copolymer surfactants also allow preparation of polymerized HIPE foams without salt in the aqueous phase. HIPE with the BO/EO surfactants have been prepared at room temperature and polymerized at temperatures exceeding 90°C. By minimizing the required amount of surfactant, allowing the surfactant to react during HIPE polymerizations, eliminating the need for salt, and stabilizing over a broad range of temperatures, BO/EO block copolymer surfactants have demonstrated their place as high-performance HIPE surfactants.     

Association properties of a high molecular weight poly(propylene oxide–b–ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer in aqueous solution

Summary Summary A high molecular weight poly(propylene oxide–b–ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer was prepared via sequential anionic suspension polymerization using a calcium amidealkoxide initiating system. ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, viscometry and static and dynamic light scattering have been used to characterize the copolymer and to examine its self–assembly in aqueous solution. The copolymer was found to self–associate in a narrow concentration range above a certain critical aggregation concentration. The weight–average molecular weight, the radii of gyration, the second virial coefficients, the diffusion coefficients, and the hydrodynamic radii of the particles in both unimer and aggregate regions were determined. Aggregates of low aggregation number (2–3) were formed. Dynamic light scattering measurements performed in a wide concentration range revealed an enhanced aggregate stability towards dissociation upon dilution.     

Molecular motion of poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene and poly(propylene oxide) in solution studied by 13C n.m.r. spin-lattice relaxation measurements: effects due to distributions of correlation times

The ¹³C n.m.r. spin lattice relaxation times and Nuclear Overhauser Enhancements have been measured for solutions of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) in o-dichlorobenzene, polystyrene (PS) in pentachloroethane and poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) in CDCI₃ as a function of temperature. For PS and PMMA a T₁ minimum is observed close to ambient temperature. The single correlation time theory of relaxation is inadequate to explain the relaxation data, but within experimental error, the data can be interpreted in terms of either the Cole-Cole distribution of correlation times, the log ?χ² distribution or a conformational jump model of chain dynamics.     

Nanostructures from photo-cross-linked amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide)-b-alkyl diblock copolymers

Poly(ethylene oxide) monomethylether was functionalized by alkyl chains of various lengths (l=10-19 methylene groups) bearing a polymerizable methacrylate moiety. Each synthesis step on the polymer gives quantitative functionalization rates. The self-assembly of the amphiphilic polymers in water was studied by light scattering for various end-groups. Sterical and polar effects were shown to influence the micellization step. The cores of the micelles formed by PEO-C_l-methacrylate were irreversibly cross-linked by UV irradiation. Star polymers that are stable under dilution in good solvent are obtained after 1-min irradiation. The hydrodynamic radius and the molar mass of the nanoparticles depend on the amount of photoinitiator introduced in the cores.