Synthesis and characterization of poly(tetramethylsilarylenesiloxane) derivatives bearing benzodithiophene moieties

Poly(tetramethylsilarylenesiloxane) derivatives bearing benzo[1,2-b;4,5-b′]dithiophene (P1) and benzo[2,1-b;3,4-b′]dithiophene (P2) moieties were prepared via polycondensation of the corresponding disilanol monomers, that is, 2,6-bis(dimethylhydroxysilyl)benzo[1,2-b;4,5-b′]dithiophene (M1) and 2,7-bis(dimethylhydroxysilyl)benzo[2,1-b;3,4-b′]dithiophene (M2), respectively. It was deduced that P1 is a crystalline polymer while P2 is an amorphous one from the results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Bathochromic and hyperchromic effects were observed in the absorption and fluorescence spectra when dimethylsilyl substituents were introduced on the benzo[1,2-b;4,5-b′]dithiophene and benzo[2,1-b;3,4-b′]dithiophene skeletons. The fluorescence quantum yields (Φ_Fs) were not improved by the introduction of dimethylsilyl groups onto the benzo[1,2-b;4,5-b′]dithiophene and benzo[2,1-b;3,4-b′]dithiophene skeletons, whereas the improvement in the Φ_Fs was remarkable in the case of poly(tetramethylsilarylenesiloxane) derivatives that possessed the corresponding fused benzene ring systems, i.e., poly(tetramethyl-2,6-silanthrylenesiloxane) and poly(tetramethyl-1,8-silphenanthrylenesiloxane).     

Synthesis and properties of cyclopentadithiophene-based poly(silarylenesiloxane) derivatives

Poly(silarylenesiloxane) derivatives with 4,4-dimethylcyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene moiety, bearing dimethyl- (P1), methylphenyl- (P2) and diphenyl- (P3) substituents on silyl moieties, were prepared via polycondensation of the corresponding disilanol monomers, that is, 2,6-bis(dimethylhydroxysilyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene (M1), 2,6-bis(methylphenylhydroxysilyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene (M2), and 2,6-bis(diphenylhydroxysilyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene (M3), respectively. P1-P3 exhibited the good solubility in common organic solvents, such as benzene, toluene, chloroform, dichloromethane, THF, and so on. The glass transition temperatures (T_gs) of P1, P2 and P3 were determined by differential scanning calorimetry to be 56, 97 and 137 °C, respectively, depending on the substituent on the silyl moieties. No melting temperatures (T_ms) of P1, P2 and P3 were observed, suggesting the obtained P1-P3 are amorphous polymers. The temperatures at 5% weight loss (T_d5s) of P1, P2 and P3 were 460, 459 and 479 °C, respectively, indicating that the larger number of phenyl group on the silyl moieties resulted in the better thermostability. Bathochromic and hyperchromic effects were observed in the absorption and fluorescence spectra by introducing silyl substituents onto 4,4-dimethylcyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene moiety. In addition, the bathochromic shift of the maximum absorption (λ_abs) and the increase in the fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_F) were observed by the introduction of phenyl group onto the silyl moieties.     

Synthesis of soluble poly(9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl)s. A new class of luminescent poly(p-phenylene)s with ethylene type bridges

Poly(9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl)s with -OSi(R)₂(R′) groups at the 9,10-positions were synthesized by dehalogenative polycondensation of the corresponding monomers by using a zerovalent nickel complex. They showed number average molecular weights (M_n's) of 9800-69,000 and high quantum yields (62%-quantitative) in photoluminescence. Palladium catalyzed copolymerization of 2,7-dibromo-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene having -OCH₃ or -OSi(R)₂(R′) groups at the 9,10-positions with diethynyl- or diboronic-aromatic compounds also gave photoluminescent polymers with high quantum yields.     

Synthesis and properties of polymer brush consisting of poly(phenylacetylene) main chain and poly(dimethylsiloxane) side chains

A novel polymer brush consisting of poly(phenylacetylene) (PPA) main chain and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) side chains was synthesized by the polymerization of phenylacetylene-terminated PDMS macromonomer (M-PDMS). The macromonomer was prepared by the esterfication of monohydroxy-ended PDMS (PDMS-OH, degree of polymerization (DP) = 42) with p-ethynylbenzoic acid. The polymerization of M-PDMS using [(nbd)RhCl]₂/Et₃N catalyst led to polymer brush, poly(M-PDMS), with M_n up to 349?000 (DP of main chain 104). Poly(M-PDMS) with narrow molecular weight distribution (M_n = 39?900, M_w/M_n = 1.11) was obtained with a vinyl-Rh catalyst, [Rh{C(Ph)CPh₂}(nbd){P(4-FC₆H₄)₃}]/(4-FC₆H₄)₃P. Poly(M-PDMS)s were brown to orange viscous liquids and soluble in organic solvents such as toluene and CHCl₃. The UV-vis absorptions of poly(M-PDMS) were observed in the range of 350-525 nm, which are attributable to the PPA main chain.     

Synthesis and thermal characterization of novel adamantane-based polysiloxane

Novel polysiloxane derivative having adamantyl moiety in the main chain (P1) was synthesized and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), and X-ray diffraction analysis. P1 was obtained by bulk polycondensation without catalysts as well as solution polycondensation of novel disilanol monomer, i.e., 1,3-bis[4-(dimethylhydroxysilyl)phenyl]adamantane (M1), which was prepared by the Grignard reaction using chlorodimethylsilane and 1,3-bis(4-bromophenyl)adamantane, followed by the hydrolysis catalyzed by 5% palladium on charcoal. The molecular weight of P1 was dependent on the concentration of M1 in solution polycondensation, and the high concentration of M1 would result in the high average molecular weight of P1. P1 exhibited the good solubility in common organic solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), chloroform, dichloromethane, and toluene. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of P1 determined from DSC would be dependent on the average molecular weight of P1. The highest T_g was 115 °C and much higher than that of poly(tetramethyl-1,4-silphenylenesiloxane) (−20 °C). The melting temperature (T_m) of P1 seemed to be independent of the average molecular weight of P1 and was in the range of 153-157 °C, which was comparable to the T_m of poly(tetramethyl-1,4-silphenylenesiloxane). The temperature at 5% weight loss (T_d5) of P1 determined by TG was also comparable to that of poly(tetramethyl-1,4-silphenylenesiloxane), indicating that P1 is a new polysiloxane derivative with the high T_g as well as good thermostability.     

Segmented copolymers of poly(phenylene ether) and polyester

Copolymers of telechelic poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) (PPE) segments with terephthalic methyl ester end groups (PPE-2T, 3500 g/mol) and poly(dodecane terephthalate) (PDDT) were made via a polycondensation reaction in the melt. The inherent viscosities of the segmented copolymers were high. The thermal properties of the copolymers were studied by DMA. The segmented block copolymers had a transparent melt at low (12 wt%) PDDT contents. The segmented block copolymers had at higher PDDT contents a non-transparent melt and two glass transition temperatures. The glass transition temperature of the PPE phase decreased strongly with PDDT content in the copolymer. The glass transition temperature of the PDDT phase increased moderately with PPE content. At low PPE contents the modulus of the PDDT increased strongly with increasing PPE content.     

Polymer micelle-like aggregates of novel amphiphilic biodegradable poly(asparagine) grafted with poly(caprolactone)

Novel amphiphilic graft copolymers composed of poly(asparagine) (PAsn) as the hydrophilic backbone and poly(caprolactone) (PCL) as the hydrophobic segment were successfully synthesized by grafting PCL-HMDs to poly(succinimde). After tosylating PCL-diol with p-toluenesulfonylchloride (TsCl), tosylated poly(caprolactone) (PCL-OTs) was then reacted with hexamethylenediamine (HMD). The reaction of the amine terminated PCL with poly(succinimide) (PSI) and the following aminolysis resulted in poly(aspargine)-graft-poly(caprolactone) (PAsn-g-PCL). The degree of substitution (DS) and grafting reaction was confirmed by ¹³C NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. X-ray diffraction and DSC thermogram showed that the crystalline domain originated from PCL became apparent with an increase of DS. The amphiphilic comb-type graft polymer formed self-aggregates in aqueous solution when precipitated and dialysed against distilled water. Strong hydrophobic interaction of associated PCL grafts facilitated primary aggregate formation with DS, significantly reducing critical aggregation concentration and secondary aggregates also appeared in DLS measurements. Self-aggregates showed a bimodal size distribution originated from the self-aggregation and kinetically controlled particle aggregation, although the smaller primary aggregates was predominant. Spherical and dispersed aggregates of about 20 nm in diameter were observed by a transmission electron microscope.     

Surface and mechanical properties of microporous membranes of poly(ethylene glycol)-polydimethylsiloxane copolymer/chitosan

Poly(ethylene glycol)-polydimethylsiloxane (PEG-PDMS) block copolymers were prepared via a condensation reaction between PEG diacid and PDMS diol. PEG diacid was synthesized from the reaction between hydroxy-terminated PEG and succinic anhydride. PDMS diol was prepared from the ring-opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D₄) followed by hydrosilylation with allyl alcohol. The copolymers were incorporated into chitosan in order that good water swellability and wettability of chitosan were retained due to hydrophilic PEG blocks, whereas PDMS block in the copolymers functioned as a toughening modifier. Percent crosslinking of 66-84 was observed once 5-10 wt% of the copolymers was incorporated. As compared to the unmodified sample, the copolymer-containing chitosan exhibited the decreases in both water contact angles and the rate of water vapor permeability. The studies on tensile properties indicated that incorporation of copolymers into chitosan improved the flexibility of the films.     

Copolymers of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) and ester units

Copolymers of telechelic poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) segments with terephthalic methyl ester endgroups (PPE-2T, 3700 g/mol) and different diols were made via a polycondensation reaction. The terephthalic endgroups of PPE-2T are stable during this reaction. The T_g of these polyether-ester copolymers decreases with increasing diol length and diol flexibility. The T_g can be set between 100 and 200 °C by changing the type of diol. However at increasing diol length the T_g becomes broader and the test bars are less transparent because the extent of phase separation increases with increasing diol length. Only polymers with a diol length up to C12 are homogeneous. Phase separation is probably enhanced by the bimodal molecular weight distribution of PPE-2T. Phase separation can be suppressed by using shorter PPE-2T segments with a short diol. It is even better to use fractionated, monomodal PPE-2T. Copolymerisation is much more effective in decreasing the T_g of PPE and therefore its processability than blending with polystyrene. It is expected that the processability of these copolymers is much better than that of PPE.     

Synthesis, characterization, and properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(1,4-butylene succinate) block copolymers

Reactive blending at 290 °C of a series of mixtures of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(1,4-butylene succinate) (PBS) led to the formation of block PET/PBS copolyesters. The block lengths of the resulting copolymers decreased with the severity of the treatment. Copolyesters with PET/PBS molar compositions of 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, and 50/50 were prepared by this method and their composition and microstructure were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, respectively. The T_g, T_m, and crystallinity of the copolymers decreased as the content in PBS and the degree of randomness increased. The elastic modulus and tensile strength of the copolymers decreased with the content of PBS, whereas, on the contrary, the elongation at break increased. The PET/PBS copolymers exhibited a pronounced hydrolytic degradability, which increased with the content in 1,4-butylene succinic units. Hydrolysis mainly occurred on the aliphatic ester groups.     

Synthesis, characterization and pyrolysis of poly(styrene/divinylbenzene) derivatives

A series of polyfstyrene/divinylbenzene) derivatives were prepared and characterized by solid-state ¹³C FT-NMR, FT-IR, elemental analysis, SEM and TGA. The resins were then subjected to pyrolysis in order to determine which derivatives resulted in high yields of carbonaceous material while retaining a spherical shape.     

Synthesis and properties of ABA-type triblock copolymers of poly(glycolide-co-caprolactone) (A) and poly(ethylene glycol) (B)

Poly(glycolide-co-caprolactone) (A)-poly(ethylene glycol) (B) ABA-type triblock copolymers (PGCE) were synthesized by bulk ring opening polymerization, using the hydroxyl endgroups of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as initiator and stannous octoate as catalyst. The resulting copolymers were characterized by various analytical techniques. Gel permeation chromatographic analysis indicated that the polymerization product was free of residual monomers, PEG and oligomers. ¹H NMR and differential scanning calorimeter results demonstrated that the copolymers had a structure of poly(glycolide-co-caprolactone) (PGC) chains chemically attached to PEG segments. All the PGCE copolymers showed improved hydrophilicity in comparison with the corresponding PGC copolymers with the same molar ratio of glycolidyl and caproyl units. The microspheres of PGCE copolymer exhibited rough surfaces quite different from the smooth surface of PGC microspheres. This phenomenon was attentively ascribed to the highly swollen ability of PGCE copolymers and the freeze-drying process in the microspheres fabrication.     

Synthesis and optical properties of poly(tetramethylsilarylenesiloxane) derivative bearing diphenylcyclopentadithiophene moiety

The thermal and optical properties of a novel diphenylcyclopentadithiophene-based poly(tetramethylsilarylenesiloxane) derivative (P1), which was prepared via polycondensation of a novel disilanol monomer, i.e., 2,6-bis(dimethylhydroxysilyl)-4,4-diphenylcyclopentadithiophene (M1), were investigated. P1 exhibited good solubility in common organic solvents, such as benzene, toluene, chloroform, dichloromethane and THF at ambient temperature. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of P1 was determined by differential scanning calorimetry to be 109 °C. No melting temperature (T_m) of P1 was observed, indicating the obtained P1 was an amorphous polymer. The temperature at 5% weight loss (T_d5) of P1 was 454 °C, indicating the rather good thermostability of P1. Bathochromic and hyperchromic effects were observed in the absorption and fluorescence spectra by introducing dimethylsilyl substituents onto 4,4-diphenylcyclopentadithiophene skeleton. The fluorescence quantum yields (Φ_Fs) of M1 and P1 in chloroform were determined to be 0.36 and 0.39, respectively. It was revealed that M1 and P1 exhibited the higher fluorescence intensity than diphenylcyclopentadithiophene owing to the cooperative effects of the introduction of diphenyl groups onto spiro carbon of cyclopentadithiophene as well as dimethylsilyl moieties onto 2- and 6-position of cyclopentadithiophene skeleton.     

Synthesis and properties of random poly(lactic acid)-based ionomers

A random poly(lactic acid), PLA, based ionomer was synthesized by copolymerizing a methacrylate-terminated PLA macromonomer and methyl methacrylate. The copolymerization kinetics were studied using ¹H NMR spectroscopy and the copolymer composition was characterized by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Carboxylic acid groups were introduced into the copolymer by reacting the hydroxyl end groups of the PLA macromonomer with succinic anhydride, and the acid groups were neutralized with metal acetates to produce Na-, Ca-, and Y-PLA ionomers. Significant increases in T_g were observed for the ionomers and thermomechanical analysis indicated that the ionomers were more resistant to penetration by a weighted probe and an apparent rubbery plateau was observed above T_g. The ionomers were more hydrophilic than PLA, but relatively low water absorption could be achieved for the Ca²⁺-salt ionomer.     

Synthesis and thermal properties of telechelic poly(lactic acid) ionomers

Telechelic poly(lactic acid) (PLA) ionomers were synthesized using a chemical recycling process. A transesterification reaction between a commercial PLA and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate or ethylene glycol was used to produce a hydroxy-terminated PLA. The hydroxy-terminated PLA was then reacted with itaconic anhydride to produce terminal carboxylic acid groups, which were neutralized with appropriate metal acetates to produce Na-, Li-, K-, Zn-, Ca- and Y-ω- and α,ω-telechelic PLA ionomers. ¹H NMR spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of the itaconic acid end-groups and FTIR spectroscopy was used to quantify the extent of neutralization. The addition of the ionic groups increased the glass transition (T_g), and T_g increased as the strength of the ion-pair increased. The ionic groups suppressed crystallinity, especially when multivalent cations were used.     

Synthesis and characterization of a fluorinated phthalazinone monomer 4-(2-fluoro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-phthalazin-1(2H)-one and its polymers from polycondensation reactions

As a category of high performance polymers having good solubility and distinguished thermal properties, poly(phthalazinone ether)s received much attention for their applications in engineering plastics and membrane materials. 2-(2-Fluoro-4-hydroxybenzoyl)-benzoic acid (FHBBA) synthesized from 3-fluorophenol and phthalic anhydride reacted with hydrazine hydrate to form 4-(2-fluoro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-phthlazin-1(2H)-one (FDHPZ). Four polymers were prepared from polycondensation reactions of FDHPZ with 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone, bis(4-chlorophenyl) sulfone, 1,4-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)-benzene and perfluorobiphenyl, respectively. All polymers show good solubility in common aprotic solvents and have excellent thermal properties investigated by DSC and TGA. FTIR and NMR spectra of FDHPZ, FHBBA, and polymers from FDHPZ were studied. Refractive indices (n_TE) of films on silicon substrates were measured with a Prism Coupler. These polymers have potentials as materials for optical waveguides.     

Synthesis of polyether-based block copolymers based on poly(propylene oxide) and terephthalates

Poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) is a low reactive telechelic polyether and the synthesis of high molecular weight poly(propylene oxide)-based block copolymers was studied. The poly(propylene oxide) used was end capped with 20 wt % ethylene oxide and had a molecular weight of 2300 g/mol (ultra-low monol PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO). The type of terephthalic acid based precursors was varied: terephthalic acid, dimethyl terephthalate, diphenyl terephthalate, di(trifluoro ethyl) terephthalate, di(p-nitrophenyl) terephthalate) and terephthalic acid chloride. High molecular weight poly(propylene oxide) based segmented block copolymers were obtained with diphenyl terephthalate (inherent viscosity: 1.6 dl/g).The synthesis of polyether(ester-amide)s comprising PPO and isophthalamide-based segments was also studied by varying the polymerization temperature and time. High molecular weight poly(propylene oxide) block copolymers could be obtained if the reaction was carried out for 2 h at 250 °C under vacuum. Higher temperatures (280 °C) and longer times result in lower inherent viscosities, probably due to degradation of the polyether.     

Swelling and morphological properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) hydrogels in solution with high salt concentration

Understanding the swelling properties of hydrogels and how they affect the hydrogel's morphology is of fundamental importance in the development of hydrogel-based artificial muscles, bio-actuators, sensors and other devices. In this paper, the swelling behavior of PVA-PAA hydrogel films in saline water and in buffer solutions of different pH values was investigated. It was observed that the swelling factor of the hydrogel decreases when the ionic strength of the solvent solution increases. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed structures with different pore shapes and sizes depending on the type of solution used for hydration. In saline water, Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDS) analysis indicated the formation of NaCl crystals within the polymeric network. Finally, the PVA-PAA hydrogel was used as an actuator to strain a fiber Bragg grating sensor, thus providing an indirect measurement of the pH value of the surrounding solution.     

Syndiotactic poly(propene-co-norbornene): Synthesis and properties at low norbornene incorporation

Copolymerizations of propene with norbornene were carried out using a syndiotactic metallocene catalyst at low initial comonomer concentrations for different polymerization times. The influence of the norbornene concentration on the catalytic activity and on the resulting material properties has been analyzed. The copolymer molecular weight decreased drastically when small amounts of norbornene were added in reactions which lasted 30 min. When longer reaction times were used the molecular weight increased with time, however living polymerization was ruled out because the polydispersity was ca. 2. The DSC measurements showed copolymers with low crystallinity or which were completely amorphous.     

Synthesis and stimuli-responsive properties of chitosan/poly(acrylic acid) hollow nanospheres

We report here a synthetic study on the formation process of hollow polymeric nanospheres based on a simple, core-template-free route, and the effects of polymerization concentration, shell cross-linking, pH, salt concentration and temperature on the size and stability of hollow polymeric nanospheres. The hollow structure of polymeric nanospheres is spontaneously formed by polymerization of acrylic acid monomers inside the chitosan–acrylic acid assemblies. It is found that (i) the hollow structure of nanospheres is stabilized by both physical cross-linking in the inner shell and chemical cross-linking in the outmost shell; (ii) the size of the hollow spheres can be adjusted over the range of 77–500 nm by controlling the concentration of chitosan–acrylic acid assemblies in the reaction system; (iii) the synthesized nanospheres are stimuli-responsive. The size of the hollow nanospheres can be manipulated by changing pH, salt concentration and temperature. Furthermore, with heating and cooling the variation in size of hollow nanospheres is completely reversible and reproducible; (iv) the surface of the hollow nanospheres obtained is chemically active, which provides the functional sites with chemical groups for subsequent chemical reactions at the surface.