Synthesis and thermosensitive behavior of dextran graft copolymers containing poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) side chains

New graft copolymers were synthesized by grafting N-vinylcaprolactam onto dextran. Their composition and structure were investigated by elemental analyses, infrared spectra and thermogravimetric analyses. By optical transmittance measurements, it was found that the aqueous solutions of these graft copolymers showed a temperature-dependent transmittance change due to the introduction of thermosensitive poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) graft chains. Moreover, the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the graft copolymer in aqueous solution was dependent on its grafting extent and concentration. The LCST value was found to increase with the increase of the grafting extent and decrease with the increase of the copolymer concentration. With these stimuli-response properties, such polysaccharide derivative may hold potential applications in biomedicine and biotechnology. Translated from Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Sunyatseni, 2006, 45(1): 50–52 [译自: 中山大学学报 (自然科学版)]     

Comonomer effect: Switching the lower critical solution temperature to upper critical solution temperature in thermo-pH sensitive binary graft copolymers

Hydrophilic biocompatible surfaces can be obtained by grafting stimuli-sensitive polymers onto commercially available medical devices. Thermo and pH-responsive polymers are two of the most studied materials due to their potential application as drug delivery systems. Poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) has a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) near to physiological temperature. However, when it is grafted with pH-sensitive moieties its LCST it is affected undergoing remarkable displacements. We studied the effect of acrylic acid (AAc), 4-vinylpyridine (4VP), and 1-vinylimidazole (Vim) on the LCST of N-vinylcaprolactam (NVCL) grafted onto silicone rubber (SR), and SR-g-NVCL (32.5 °C). The binary graft copolymers were obtained by ionizing grafting radiation using the simultaneous technique; the samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), cross-polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (CP/MAS ¹³C-NMR), and thermogravimetrical analysis (TGA). LCST value was dramatically affected by the comonomer content; even it was observed the switching from LCST to upper critical solution temperature (UCST) for (SR-g-NVCL)-g-AAc and (SR-g-NVCL)-g-4VP samples. The observed behavior is rarely reported for binary graft copolymers. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48170.     

Synthesis of stimuli‐responsive star‐like copolymer H20‐PNIPAm‐r‐PEGMA via the ATRP copolymerization technique and its micellization in aqueous solution

A series of novel star‐like copolymers H20‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐random‐poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (H20‐PNIPAm‐r‐PEGMA), which could respond to both temperature and ionic strength stimuli in aqueous solution were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. Stimuli‐response of these copolymers in aqueous solution was characterized by dynamic laser scattering (DLS), ¹H‐NMR and turbidity. In aqueous solution, these star‐like copolymers exhibited response to temperature and ionic strength with tunable low‐critical solution temperature (LCST) from 32 to 100°C. The LCST values of copolymers increased with increasing PEGMA contents, while decreased with increasing ionic strength. An interesting phenomenon, which should be a unique character of star‐like copolymer, was observed by the turbidity test of copolymer 1160. The addition of sodium chloride and increase of concentration can let copolymer 1160 behave normally, which was further confirmed by atomic force microscopy and DLS. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Graft copolymerizations of modified cellulose,grafting of acrylonitrile,and methyl methacrylate on carboxy methyl cellulose

Graft copolymers of acrylonitrile (ACN), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and their mixtures on carboxy methyl cellulose (d.S 0.4–0.5) were prepared by the use of ceric ion initiator in aqueous medium. The graft copolymers were characterized by IR spectroscopy. The extent of graft copolymerization of ACN and MMA was measured in terms of graft level, molecular weight of grafted polymer chains, and the frequency of grafting as functions of ceric ion concentration. It was found that at comparable reaction conditions, the molecular weight of the grafted polymer chains and the frequency of grafting were not of the same order of magnitude. For the monomer mixtures, the copolymer compositions obtained from the total nitrogen contents of the copolymer samples showed that a disproportionately low amount of ACN monomeric units were incorporated into the graft copolymer, even at high ACN content of the feed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Phase behavior of temperature‐ and pH‐sensitive poly(acrylic acid‐g‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) in dilute aqueous solution

Several different composition temperature‐ and pH‐sensitive poly(acrylic acid‐g‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) (P(AA‐g‐NIPAM)) graft copolymers were synthesized by free‐radical copolymerization utilizing macromonomer technique. The phase behavior and conformation change of P(AA‐g‐NIPAM) in aqueous solutions were investigated by UV–vis transmittance measurements, fluorescence probe, and fluorescence quenching techniques. The results demonstrate that the P(AA‐g‐NIPAM) copolymers have temperature‐ and pH‐sensitivities, and these different composition graft copolymers have different lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and critical phase transition pH values. The LCST of graft copolymer decreases with increasing PNIPAM content, and the critical phase transition pH value increases with increasing Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) content. At room temperature (20°C), different composition of P(AA‐g‐NIPAM) graft copolymers in dilute aqueous solutions (0.001 wt %) have a loose conformation, and there is no hydrophobic microdomain formation within researching pH range (pH 3 ～ 10). In addition, for the P(AA‐g‐NIPAM) aqueous solutions, transition from coil to globular is an incomplete reversible process in heating and cooling cycles. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Graft copolymerization of vinyl monomers on cellulosic materials

Graft copolymers of acrylonitrile, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate and of acrylonitrile/ethyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile/methyl methacrylate monomer mixtures on carboxymethylcellulose (degree of substitution 0.4–0.5) were prepared by use of ceric ion initiator in aqueous medium. The extent of graft polymer formation was measured in terms of graft level, molecular weight of grafted polymer chains and frequency of grafting as function of ceric ion concentration. It was found that at comparable reaction conditions, the molecular weight and frequency of grafting were not of the same order of magnitude. For the monomer mixtures, the copolymer compositions obtained from the total nitrogen content of the acrylonitrile/alkyl methacrylate copolymer samples showed that a relativity low amount of the acrylonitrile monomeric units were incorporated into the graft copolymer even at high acrylonitrile content of the feed.     

淀粉接枝丙烯酰氧乙基三甲基氯化铵共聚物的合成

以玉米淀粉为原料,在水介质中通过硝酸铈铵引发淀粉与丙烯酰氧乙基三甲基氯化铵(DAC)接枝共聚,制备系列含阳离子季铵基团的淀粉-DAC接枝共聚物,系统考察了反应条件对接枝共聚物接枝率(PG)的影响。结果表明:在本实验体系内可制备较高接枝率的阳离子接枝共聚物。当硝酸铈铵的浓度为1.5×10-2mol/L,m(DAC)∶m(淀粉)=3,反应温度40℃,反应时间4 h时,接枝共聚物的接枝率最高可达118.67%。用FTIR、1HNMR、XRD对接枝共聚物结构进行了表征。     

Effect of intermolecular and intramolecular forces on hydrodynamic diameters of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) copolymers in aqueous solutions

A novel copolymer, poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate‐co‐3‐trimethoxysilypropyl methacrylate) has been synthesized and the hydrodynamic diameters in various aqueous solutions under different temperatures are determined by dynamic light scattering. The results show that the hydrodynamic diameters of copolymers have no obvious change in each working solution below lower critical solution temperature (LCST); across LCST, the diameters increased suddenly at different initial temperature in various aqueous solutions; above LCST, they decreased slightly as the temperature increased in UHQ water, and increased continuously with increasing temperature or salt concentration in saline solutions, and reduced with the rising of pH value in pH buffer. These are attributed to different intermolecular and intramolecular forces leading to disparity in dimension, conformation, and LCST of copolymers. The hydrogen bonding between water molecules and copolymer chains could maintain size and conformation of copolymer single chain; the hydrogen bonding between amide linkages and hydrophobic interactions between isopropyl groups result in intramolecular collapse and intermolecular aggregation; the electrostatic repulsion weakens aggregation extent of copolymers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Synthesis and Characterization of Starch-Poly(vinyl Acetate) Graft Copolymers and their Saponified Form

A redox initiation system based on potassium persulfate/acetone sodium bisulphite (KPS/ASBS) was developed to initiate the graft copolymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) monomer onto corn starch in aqueous solution. The grafting reaction was studied with respect to grafting yield (GY), grafting efficiency (GE) and total conversion (TC) and results obtained were compared with those a well-established redox initiation system namely potassium persulfate/sodium bisulphite (KPS/SBS). The effect of reaction variables such as redox initiator concentration, liquor ratio, reaction time and temperature as well as VAc concentration were investigated. The GY, GE and TC increased significantly with increase of the redox initiation concentration up to 8/16 mmol/l irrespective of the initiation system used. Moreover, optimal grafting was obtained at 60 ^○C for KPS/ASBS redox system and 70 ^○C for KPS/SBS redox system. Saponification of poly (vinyl acetate)-starch graft copolymers were effected using NaOH in three different bath media (n-hexane, acetone or methanol) to convert starch-g-poly(vinyl acetate) to starch-g-poly(vinyl alcohol). Higher extent of solubility in hot water of the saponified form was achieved by using a bath containing n-hexane/sodium hydroxide; however, increasing the graft yield higher than 26.3% decreases the solubility. The structures and thermal stability of starch, grafted starch copolymer and saponified grafted starch copolymer were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Moreover, the rheological behavior as well as sizing performance of the saponified grafted starch copolymers were evaluated and compared with the native starch and commercial polyvinyl alcohol.     

Water-soluble copolymers. XI. Selectivity in the graft copolymerization of acrylamide/N-(1,1-dimethyl-3-oxybutyl)acrylamide comonomers onto dextran by Ce(IV)-induced initiation

Characteristic behavior in the graft copolymerization of acrylamide/N-(1,1-dimethyl-3-oxybutyl)acrylamide (AM/DAAM) comonomers onto dextran by Ce(IV)-induced initiation was investigated. From a preliminary study, it was found that ceric ammonium nitrate polymerized AM/DAAM comonomer mixtures and diacetone acrylamide, but not acrylamide alone in the aqueous solution. The effect of grafting conditions on the graft copolymerization product was studied with the aid of aqueous size exclusion chromatography and the anthrone reagent. The selectivity of formation of the graft copolymer over random copolymer was found to increase as the reaction temperature and AM/DAAM ratio increased and as both the Ce(IV)/Dextran molar ratio and HNO₃ concentration decreased. After establishing optimum grafting conditions, graft copolymer samples were prepared, and their aqueous solution behavior studied as functions of structure, temperature, and added salts.     

Stimuli‐responsive properties of aminophenylboronic acid‐carrying thermosensitive copolymers

Thermosensitive copolymers of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) and N‐acryloxysuccinimide (NASI) were obtained by solution polymerization using azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator in a tetrahydrofuran–toluene mixture at 65 °C. A boronic acid‐carrying ligand, m‐aminophenylboronic acid (APBA) was covalently attached to the thermosensitive copolymer via the reaction between amino and succinimide groups. APBA‐coupled thermosensitive copolymer exhibited both temperature and pH sensitivity. Thermally reversible phase transitions were observed both in the acidic and alkaline pH region for the APBA‐modified copolymers obtained with different NASI feed concentrations. In our study, ribonucleic acid (RNA) was selected as a biomolecule having reactive groups which could potentially interact with the boronic acid functionality. The response of boronic acid‐carrying thermosensitive copolymer against RNA was investigated in aqueous media in the pH range 4–9. In the acidic pH region, an increase was observed in the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the APBA‐coupled thermosensitive copolymer with increasing RNA concentration. However, LCST decreased with increasing RNA concentration at both neutral and alkaline pH values. The LCST of the APBA‐attached copolymer varied linearly with the RNA concentration at pH of 3, 4 and 7. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Simple and facile synthesis of aryl benzoates from stabilized arenediazonium tetrafluoroborate using a recyclable polymer-supported benzoate ion

Temperature-responsive P(NIPAM-co-HMAM)-b-PEO-b-P(NIPAM-co-HMAM) triblock copolymers were synthesized by an atomic transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method without freeze?Cpump?Cthaw cycles. The composition, structure, and molecular weight of the synthesized block copolymer were characterized by ¹?H NMR and GPC. The phase transitions induced by temperature for different copolymers in dilute aqueous solutions have been studied using transmittance measurements, laser particle size measurements, viscosity analysis, and surface tension measurement, which showed that the HMAM content and the PEO (or PEG) chain length in the synthesized triblock copolymer affects the copolymer??s lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The micellization behavior of each temperature-responsive triblock copolymer was investigated by fluorescence probe measurements and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which showed that the triblock copolymers form stable micelles above the LCST. The introduction of the HMAM component and the formation of micelles represent the first steps in the development of an injectable gel that forms in situ through chemical and physical crosslinking.     

Preparation and characterization of thermosensitive and biodegradable PNDH-g-PLLA nanoparticles for drug delivery

A series of thermosensitive and biodegradable graft copolymers (PNDH-g-PLLA) were synthesized by the radical copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide, N,N-dimethylacrylamide and N-(hydroxymethyl)acrylamide, followed by the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide. The molecular weight and chemical structure of these copolymers were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR). The resulting copolymers were temperature-sensitive and the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) was affected by their compositions. The graft copolymers obtained in this study exhibited low critical micelle formation concentration (CMC) values that were affected by the content of PLLA. Spherical nanoparticles with degradable cores were prepared from aqueous solutions of the amphiphilic graft polymers by a dialysis method. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) results indicated that the particle size increased with increase of PLLA content in the copolymer. The morphologies of prepared nanoparticles were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The prepared PNDH-g-PLLA nanoparticles with thermosensitive and biodegradable properties may have practical application in drug delivery and controlled drug release.     

Preparation,characterization, and properties of cellulose–polyacrylamide graft copolymers

Graft copolymers of acrylamide on cellulose materials (α‐cellulose 55.8%, DP 287.3) obtained from Terminalia superba wood meal and its carboxymethylated derivative (DS 0.438) were prepared using a ceric ion initiator and batch polymerization and modified batch polymerization processes. The extent of graft polymer formation was measured in graft level, grafting efficiency, molecular weight of grafted polymer chains, frequency of grafting as a function of the polymerization medium, and initiator and monomer concentrations. It was found that the modified batch polymerization process yielded greater graft polymer formation and that graft copolymerization in aqueous alcohol medium resulted in enhanced levels of grafting and formation of many short grafted polymer chains. Viscosity measurements in aqueous solutions of carboxymethyl cellulose‐g‐polyacrylamide copolymer samples showed that interpositioning of polyacrylamide chains markedly increased the specific viscosity and resistance to biodegradation of the graft copolymers. The flocculation characteristics of the graft copolymers were determined with kaolin suspension. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 913–923, 2003     

Cation exchange membranes by radiation-induced graft copolymerization of styrene onto PFA copolymer films. I. Preparation and characterization of the graft copolymer

PFA-g-polystyrene graft copolymers were prepared by simultaneous radiation-induced graft copolymerization of styrene onto poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluorovinyl ether) (PFA) films. The effects of grafting conditions such as monomer concentration, dose, and dose rate were investigated. Three solvents, i.e., methanol, benzene, and dichloromethane, were used as diluents in this grafting system. Of the three solvents employed, dichloromethane was found to greatly enhance the grafting process, and the degree of grafting increased with the increase of monomer concentration until it reached its highest value at a styrene concentration of 60 (vol %). The dependence of the initial rate of grafting on the monomer concentration was found to be of the order of 1.2. The degree of grafting was found to increase with the increase in irradiation dose, while it considerably decreased with the increase in dose rate. The formation of graft copolymers was confirmed by FTIR analysis. The structural investigation by X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that the degree of crystallinity content of such graft copolymers decreases with the increase in grafting, and consequently, the mechanical properties of the graft copolymers were influenced to some extent. Both tensile strength and elongation percent decreased with the increase in the degree of grafting. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 2095–2102, 1999     

Grafting of methyl methacrylate onto sodium alginate initiated by potassium ditelluratoargentate(III)

Sodium alginate (SA) was graft‐copolymerized with methyl methacrylate in an alkali aqueous solution with potassium ditelluratoargentate(III) (DTA) as the initiator. Graft copolymers with both a high grafting efficiency (>90%) and a high percentage of grafting were obtained, which indicated that the DTA–SA redox pair was an efficient initiator for this grafting. The grafting parameters, including total conversion, grafting efficiency, and percentage grafting, were evaluated comparatively. The dependence of these parameters on temperature and time, monomer concentration, initiator concentration, and SA backbone concentration was also investigated. The overall activation energy of this grafting was calculated as 37.50 kJ/mol. Proof of grafting was obtained from gravimetric analysis and IR spectra. A tentative mechanism involving a two‐step, single‐electron‐transfer process of DTA is proposed to explain the generation of radicals and the initiation of grafting. Some basic properties of the grafted copolymer were studied by instrumental analyses, including thermogravimetry, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1688–1694, 2005     

Temperature and light sensitive copolymers containing azobenzene moieties prepared via a polymer analogous reaction

Four different series of polyacrylamides containing different amounts of azobenzene moieties have been synthesized via a polymer analogous reaction of poly(pentafluorophenylacrylate) (PPFPA). All copolymers were designed to exhibit a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in aqueous solution, which was dependent on (i) the amount of incorporated chromophoric azobenzene groups and (ii) the isomerization state of the respective azobenzene group. Higher LCST values were measured for UV-irradiated solutions of the copolymers in comparison to the non-irradiated copolymer solutions. A maximum difference in the LCST of up to 7 °C was found for the copolymer poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) containing 8.5 mol% of azobenzene groups. Within this temperature range, a reversible solubility change of the copolymer could be induced by irradiation with light.     

Synthesis of water‐soluble thermosensitive polymers having phosphonium groups from methacryloyloxyethyl trialkyl phosphonium chlorides–N‐isopropylacrylamide copolymers and their functions

Water‐soluble thermosensitive polymers having phosphonium groups were synthesized by the copolymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) with methacryloyloxyethyl trialkyl phosphonium chlorides (METRs) having varying alkyl lengths. The relative viscosities of the copolymer solutions increased with increasing content of phosphonium groups in the copolymers and decreased with increasing chain length of alkyl chains in the phosphonium groups. However, the copolymers of METR with octyl groups in phosphonium groups (METO) and NIPAAm became water insoluble with increasing contents of METO moieties in the copolymers. The transmittance at 660 nm of the copolymer solutions above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) decreased gradually with increasing temperature and decreased with increasing chain length of alkyl chains in the phosphonium groups. The transmittance at 660 nm of the copolymer solutions above the LCST was greatly affected by the addition of neutral salts such as KCl. The copolymers of METR with ethyl groups in phosphonium groups and NIPAAm and those of METR with butyl groups in phosphonium groups and NIPAAm had high flocculating abilities against bacterial suspensions. The METO–NIPAAm copolymer was found to have a high antibacterial activity. The flocculating ability and the antibacterial activity of the copolymers were affected by not only the content of phosphonium groups but also the alkyl chain length in the phosphonium groups in the copolymers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 386–393, 2003     

聚(丙烯酸-丙烯酰胺)接枝辛基酚聚氧乙烯醚丙烯酸酯两亲性共聚物的合成及表征

以辛基酚聚氧乙烯醚丙烯酸酯(C8PhEO10Ac)为大分子单体,丙烯酸(AA)、丙烯酰胺(AM)为共聚单体,采用大分子单体接枝共聚法,制备了一种两亲性接枝共聚物(AA-AM-g-C8PhEO10Ac),用静态光散射(SLS)与GPC联用技术测得接枝共聚物的分子量为9.51×105,用FTIR、1H NMR和TG/DTA等手段对共聚物的结构及性能进行了表征。采用透射电子显微镜(TEM)对聚合物在水溶液中的自组装行为进行了初步研究。结果表明,AA-AM-g-C8PhEO10Ac在水溶液中自组装,形成球型胶束,随着浓度增大,趋向于形成更大的自组装体。     

Synthesis and characterization of polyacrylamide grafted copolymers of Kundoor mucilage

In the present research, grafting of acrylamide monomer onto a water‐soluble food grade polysaccharide, Kundoor mucilage, initiated by ceric ion in aqueous medium has been studied under N₂ atmosphere. Ceric ion initiated solution polymerization was found to be satisfactory for the formation of copolymer. The effect of monomer concentration, initiator concentration, reaction time, and temperature, in terms of grafting efficiency (%GE) and percent of grafting (%PG), have been investigated. The graft copolymers were characterized by FTIR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 1186–1191, 2005