A water‐soluble CO2‐triggered viscosity‐responsive copolymer of N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and acrylamide

A series of copolymers PDAMs were synthesized with varying monomer ratio of acrylamide (AM) and N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). The resulting copolymer solution shows an interesting property of viscosity‐response which is CO₂‐triggered and N₂‐enabled. Tertiary amine groups of PDAMs experience a reversible transition between hydrophobic and hydrophilic state upon CO₂ addition and its removal, which induced different rheological behavior. A combination of zeta‐potential, laser particle‐size analysis, and electrical conductivity analysis indicated that, when the monomer mole ratio of DMAEMA and AM is less than or equal to 3 : 7, the hydrophobic association structure between the copolymer molecules was destroyed by the leading of CO₂ and caused a viscosity decrease in its solution. On the contrary, when the monomer mole ratio of DMAEMA and AM is more than 3 : 7, a more extended conformation due to the protonated tertiary amine groups is formed and the enhanced repulsive interactions among the copolymer molecule results in a rise of its solution viscosity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40872.     

Synthesis of well‐defined responsive membranes with fixable solvent responsiveness

A versatile method is described to synthesize a new family of solvent‐responsive membranes whose response states can be not only tunable but also fixable via ultraviolet (UV) irradiation induced crosslinking. The atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide was first immobilized on the poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) track‐etched membrane followed by room‐temperature ATRP grafting of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (P(HEMA‐co‐DMAEMA)) respectively. The hydroxyl groups of PHEMA were further reacted with cinnamoyl chloride (a photosensitive monomer) to obtain photo‐crosslinkable PET‐g‐PHEMA/CA membrane and PET‐g‐P(HEMA/CA‐co‐DMAEMA) membrane. The length of grafted polymer chains was controllable by varying the polymerization time. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection and thermogravimetric analysis were employed to characterize the resulting membranes. The various membrane surface morphologies resulting from different states of the grafted chains in water and dimethylformamide were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. It was demonstrated that the grafted P(HEMA/CA‐co‐DMAEMA) chains had more pronounced solvent responsivity than the grafted PHEMA/CA chains. The surface morphologies of the grafted membranes could be adjusted using different solvents and fixed by UV irradiation crosslinking. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis of poly[(2‐oxo‐1,3‐dioxolan‐4‐yl)methyl vinyl ether‐co‐N‐phenylmaleimide] and its miscibility in blends with styrene‐acrylonitrile or poly(vinyl chloride)

The aim of the study was to investigate the synthesis of a copolymer bearing cyclic carbonate and its miscibility with styrene/acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) or poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). (2‐Oxo‐1,3‐dioxolan‐4‐yl)methyl vinyl ether (OVE) as a monomer was synthesized from glycidyl vinyl ether and CO₂ using quaternary ammonium chloride salts as catalysts. The highest reaction rate was observed when tetraoctylammonium chloride (TOAC) was used as a catalyst. Even at the atmospheric pressure of CO₂, the yield of OVE using TOAC was above 80% after 6 h of reaction at 80°C. The copolymer of OVE and N‐phenylmaleimide (NPM) was prepared by radical copolymerization and was characterized by FTIR and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopies and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The monomer reactivity ratios were given as r₁ (OVE) = 0.53–0.57 and r₂ (NPM) = 2.23–2.24 in the copolymerization of OVE and NPM. The films of poly(OVE‐co‐NPM)/SAN and poly(OVE‐co‐NPM)/PVC blends were cast from N‐dimethylformamide. An optical clarity test and DSC analysis showed that poly(OVE‐co‐NPM)/SAN and poly(OVE‐co‐NPM)/PVC blends were both miscible over the whole composition range. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 1809–1815, 2000     

Rapid removal of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions by the macroporous poly(N,N′‐dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate) hydrogels

To improve the adsorption ability of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], the macroporous poly(N, N′‐dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate) [poly(DMAEMA)] hydrogels were successfully fabricated by free‐radical copolymerization in ethanol/water mixture using N, N′‐dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) as the monomer, N, N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA) as the cross‐linker, and Na₂SO₄ solution as the porogen. The effects of various parameters, such as the concentration of Na₂SO₄ solutions, the dosage of MBAA, pH values, adsorption kinetic, and isotherm curves, were all investigated through systematic experiments. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to characterize the various pore structures. The experimental results showed that the influence of Na₂SO₄ solution to the pore morphology in the matrix was significant. The poly(DMAEMA) hydrogels can effectively adsorb Cr(VI) ions in aqueous media, and the macroporous structures could obvious improve the response rate and adsorption capacity. These results prove that the macroporous poly(DMAEMA) gels can be treated as a potential material for environmental pollution control. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Preparation of electrorheological active ionomers from poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐co‐poly(4‐vinyl pyridine)

In this study, synthesis, characterization, partial hydrolysis, and salt formation of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐co‐poly(4‐vinyl pyridine), (poly(HEMA)‐co‐poly‐(4‐VP)) copolymers were investigated. The copolymers were synthesized by free radical polymerization using K₂S₂O₈ as an initiator. By varying the monomer/initiator ratio, chain lengths of the copolymers were changed. The copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), viscosity measurements, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and FTIR spectroscopies, elemental analysis, and end group analysis methods. The copolymers were partially hydrolyzed by p‐toluene sulfonic acid monohydrate (PTSA·H₂O) and washed with LiOH_(aq) solution to prepare electrorheological (ER) active ionomers, poly(Li‐HEMA)‐co‐poly(4‐VP). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 3540–3548, 2006     

Preparation and application in drug controlled delivery of pH‐sensitive P(CE‐co‐DMAEMA‐co‐MEG) hydrogel

A pH‐sensitive hydrogel [P(CE‐co‐DMAEMA‐co‐MEG)] was synthesized by the free‐radical crosslinking polymerization of N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate(MPEG‐Mac) and methoxyl poly(ethylene glycol)‐poly(caprolactone)‐methacryloyl methchloride (PCE‐Mac). The effects of pH and monomer content on swelling property, swelling and deswelling kinetics of the hydrogels were examined and hydrogel microstructures were investigated by SEM. Sodium salicylate was chosen as a model drug and the controlled‐release properties of hydrogels were pilot studied. The results indicated that the swelling ratios of the gels in stimulated gastric fluids (SGF, pH = 1.4) were higher than those in stimulated intestinal fluids (SIF, pH = 7.4), and followed a non‐Fickian and a Fickian diffusion mechanism, respectively. In vitro release studies showed that its release rate depends on different swelling of the network as a function of the environmental pH and DMAEMA content. SEM micrographs showed homogenous pore structure of the hydrogel with open pores at pH 1.4. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40737.     

Synthesis,characteristics, and phase behavior of a thermosensitive and pH‐sensitive polyelectrolyte

A series of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid‐co‐octadecyl acrylate) (poly(NIPAM‐co‐MAA‐co‐ODA)) with different monomer molar ratios was synthesized. Critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the polyelectrolyte solution was determined and the CMC increase with methacrylic acid content in the polyelectrolyte. The phase behaviors of the polyelectrolyte solution were studied, and the effects of various factors on the phase transition were discussed. The experimental results indicate that the lower critical solution temperature and the phase transition pH depend on the monomer molar ratio in the polyelectrolyte. Effect of polyelectrolyte concentration on phase transition pH was studied, and results shown that the phase‐transition pH is independent of the polyelectrolyte concentration. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Study on preparation of monodispersed poly(styrene‐co‐N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) composite microspheres by SPG (Shirasu Porous Glass) emulsification technique

Monodispersed poly(styrene‐co‐N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) [P(St‐DMAEMA)] composite microspheres were prepared by employing a Shirasu Porous Glass (SPG) emulsification technique. A mixture of monomer, hexadecane (HD), and initiator N,N′‐azobis(2,4‐dimethylvaleronitrile) (ADVN) was used as a dispersed phase and an aqueous phase containing stabilizer [poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) or poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)], sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and water‐soluble inhibitor [hydroquinone (HQ), diaminophenylene (DAP), or sodium nitrite (NaNO₂)], was used as a continuous phase. The dispersed phase was permeated through the uniform pores of SPG membrane into the continuous phase by a gas pressure to form the uniform droplets. Then, the droplets were polymerized at 70°C. The effects of inhibitor, stabilizer, ADVN, and DMAEMA on the secondary nucleation, DMAEMA fraction in the polymer, conversion, and morphologies of the particles were investigated. It was found that the secondary nucleation was prevented effectively in the presence of HQ or DAP when PVP was used as the stabilizer. The secondary particle was observed when ADVN amount was raised to 0.3 g (/18 g monomer); however, no secondary nucleation occurred even by increasing DMAEMA fraction to 10 wt %. This result implied that the diffusion of ADVN into the aqueous phase was a main factor responsible to the secondary nucleation more than that of DMAEMA. The hollow particles were obtained when NaNO₂ was used, while one‐hole particles formed in the other cases. By adding crosslinking agent, the hole disappeared and the monomer conversion was improved. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 2408–2424, 2001     

Specialty polymeric membranes. V. Selective permeation of carbon dioxide through synthetic polymeric membranes having 2-(N,N-dimethyl)aminoethoxycarbonyl moiety

Permeation of CO₂ was investigated by using synthetic polymeric membranes having a tertiary amine moiety, 2-(N,N-dimethyl)aminoethoxycarbonyl moiety. Permselectivity of the present membranes towards CO₂ was achieved. Through poly{2-(N,N-dimethyl)aminoethyl methacrylate-co-acrylonitrile} (DMAEMA/AN-199) membrane, where DMAEMA mol fraction was 0.199, the separation factor towards CO₂ for CO₂/N₂ separation ranged from 60 to 90, ranging in the CO₂ partial pressure in the feed gas from 61 to 3.6 cmHg. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Precipitation polymerization of acrylamide with quaternary ammonium cationic monomer in potassium carbonate solution initiated by plasma

Precipitation polymerization of 2‐(methacryloyloxyethyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride (DMC)‐co‐acrylamide (AM) [poly(AM‐DMC)] has been successfully performed in potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃)‐water media by plasma initiation. K₂CO₃ solution was selected because not only the higher solubility of AM and DMC comparing with that of poly(AM‐DMC), but the higher intrinsic viscosity of poly(AM‐DMC) could be obtained. A set of experiments was performed using different K₂CO₃ concentration (from 50 down to 10% (w/w)), thus the precipitation architecture was not obtained below 20% (w/w). And particles size, particles size distribution (7–120 μm), and intrinsic viscosity of poly(AM‐DMC) (ranging up to 455 cm³/g) were also summarized in this article. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 4060–4067, 2007     

Preparation of acrylamide‐based poly‐HIPEs with enhanced mechanical strength using PVDBM‐b‐PEG‐emulsified CO2‐in‐water emulsions

Poly(vinyl acetate‐alt‐dibutyl maleate)‐block‐poly(ethylene glycol) (PVDBM‐b‐PEG) copolymers were synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer radical polymerization and used as emulsifiers to form stable CO₂‐in‐water high internal phase emulsions (C/W HIPEs). Then, highly interconnected cellular polyacrylamide (PAM) and poly(acrylamide‐co‐N‐hydroxymethyl acrylamide) [P(AM‐co‐HMAM)] poly‐HIPEs with enhanced mechanical strength were prepared based on the stable C/W HIPEs. The porous structures of the PAM poly‐HIPEs, as well as morphology and compressive modulus, could be influenced by the surfactant concentration and the length of the CO₂‐philic tails of the surfactants. PAM poly‐HIPEs with the smallest average pore diameter (11.12 ± 0.62 μm) and the highest compressive modulus (22.65 ± 0.10 MPa) could be obtained by using the short CO₂‐philic chains of the PVDBM‐b‐PEG surfactant at a high concentration (1.0 wt %). Moreover, with the copolymerization of N‐hydroxymethyl acrylamide (HMAM) comonomers with acrylamide, the compressive modulus of the obtained P(AM‐co‐HMAM) poly‐HIPEs was three times higher than that of PAM poly‐HIPEs. Both PAM and P(AM‐co‐HMAM) poly‐HIPEs were employed as scaffolds to guide H9c2 cardiac muscle cellular growth. Fluorescence images showed that a smaller average pore size and a narrower pore‐size distribution were helpful for cell growth and proliferation on these materials. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46346.     

A facile preparation of pH‐temperature dual stimuli‐responsive supramolecular hydrogel and its controllable drug release

A series of pH‐temperature dual stimuli‐responsive random copolymers poly[N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate‐co‐poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate][poly(DMAEMA‐co‐MPEGMA)] were synthesized by free radical polymerization. The supramolecular hydrogel was formed by pseudopolyrotaxane, which was prepared with the host‐guest interactions between α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains. Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the structures of the hydrogels. The pH‐temperature dual stimuli responsive properties of the hydrogels were characterized by rheometer. Finally, the controllable drug release behavior of the hydrogel, which was used 5‐fluorouracil (5‐Fu) as the model drug, was investigated at different temperatures and different pH values. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43279.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel core‐shell magnetic nanogels based on 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid in aqueous media

Ultrafine well‐dispersed Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were directly prepared in aqueous solution using controlled coprecipitation method. The synthesis of Fe₃O₄/poly (2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid) (PAMPS), Fe₃O₄/poly (acrylamide‐co‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid) poly(AM‐co‐AMPS) and Fe₃O₄/poly (acrylic acid‐co‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid) poly(AA‐co‐AMPS) ‐core/shell nanogels are reported. The nanogels were prepared via crosslinking copolymerization of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid, acrylamide and acrylic acid monomers in the presence of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker, N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) and potassium peroxydisulfate (KPS) as redox initiator system. The results of FTIR and ¹H‐NMR spectra indicated that the compositions of the prepared nanogels are consistent with the designed structure. X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements were used to determine the size of both magnetite and stabilized polymer coated magnetite nanoparticles. The data showed that the mean particle size of synthesized magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles was about 10 nm. The diameter of the stabilized polymer coated Fe₃O₄ nanogels ranged from 50 to 250 nm based on polymer type. TEM micrographs proved that nanogels possess the spherical morphology before and after swelling. These nanogels exhibited pH‐induced phase transition due to protonation of AMPS copolymer chains. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Effect of orotic acid as a nucleating agent on the crystallization of bacterial poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate) copolymers

The kinetics of crystallization induced by orotic acid (OA) and boron nitride (BN) as nucleating agents were investigated for bacterial poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate)s (P(HB‐co‐HH)s) containing from 0 to 18% HH monomer units. The nucleation efficiency of these two chemicals was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). It was found that both orotic acid and boron nitride are able to nucleate the crystallization of PHB. In the case of P(HB‐co‐HH) copolymers, orotic acid showed an outstanding nucleating effect. The comparison of half‐crystallization times shows that for P(HB‐co‐10% HH), the crystallization initiated by orotic acid is more than three time faster than the one induced by boron nitride (t_1/2BN/t_1/2OA(60°C) = 3.7 and t_1/2BN/t_1/2OA(90°C) = 4.5). According to the fact that orotic acid is a biodegradable, biocompatible and a nontoxic chemical, this nucleating agent is a promising solution for PHAs used in medical applications such as implants. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Preparation and thermal response behavior of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐a crylic acid) microgels via soap‐free emulsion polymerization based on AIBN initiator

Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) (poly(NIPAM‐co‐AA)) microgels with different copolymer compositions were prepared through soap‐free emulsion polymerization at 80°C, and 2, 2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was used as initiator. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) characterization shows that the prepared microgels are regular and smooth and not easy to distort. Result of ¹H‐NMR characterization shows that with increasing of the initial concentration of AA (AA in feed), the AA content in polymer chains increases. The thermal response of microgels latex was investigated by UV‐3010 spectrophometer through detecting the transmittance of the latex at different temperature in the range of 190–900 nm. The thermal response of the poly(NIPAM‐co‐AA) microgels was tested by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The results show that with the increase of AA content in polymer chains, the low critical solution temperature (LCST) of microgels latex first decreases and then increases. Still, with increasing of AA in poly(NIPAM‐co‐AA) microgels, the LCST of microgels first increases and then decreases. The basic reasons causing the changes of LCST of microgels latex and microgels are interpreted clearly in this article from the perspective of hydrogen bonding interaction. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

pH and thermo‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) copolymer grafted to poly(ethylene glycol)

pH and thermo‐responsive graft copolymers are reported where thermo‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) [poly(NIPAAm), poly A ], poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐2‐(diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) [poly(NIPAAm‐co‐DEA), poly B ], and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid) [poly(NIPAAm‐co‐MAA), poly C ] have been installed to benzaldehyde grafted polyethylene glycol (PEG) back bone following introducing a pH responsive benzoic‐imine bond. All the prepared graft copolymers for PEG‐g‐poly(NIPAAm) [ P‐N1 ], PEG‐g‐poly(NIPAAm‐co‐DEA) [ P‐N2 ], and PEG‐g‐poly(NIPAAm‐co‐MAA) [ P‐N3 ] were characterized by ¹H‐NMR to assure the successful synthesis of the expected polymers. Molecular weight of all synthesized polymers was evaluated following gel permeation chromatography. The lower critical solution temperature of graft copolymers varied significantly when grafted to benzaldehyde containing PEG and after further functionalization of copolymer based poly(NIPAAm). The contact angle experiment showed the changes in hydrophilic/hydrophobic behavior when the polymers were exposed to different pH and temperature. Particle size measurement investigation by dynamic light scattering was performed to rectify thermo and pH responsiveness of all prepared polymers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Relative strength of H‐bonding groups on biodegradable polymer‐based blends in solution

The intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) and poly(styrene‐co‐vinyl phenol) copolymers with mutual solvent epichlorohydrin were thoroughly investigated by steady‐state fluorescence and viscosity techniques. Fluorescence spectroscopy along with viscosity technique was used to asses the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between poly‐(3‐hydroxybutyrate) and its blends with five copolymer samples of styrene–vinyl phenol, containing different proportions of vinyl phenol but similar average molecular weight and polydispersity index. In the case of very low OH contents (2–4 mol %), as expected, both components of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) and poly(styrene‐co‐4‐vinylphenol) chains are well separated and remain so independently of the mixed polymer ratio and overall polymer concentration as well. Conversely, when the OH content reaches 5.8 mol % or more, a significant decrease of the intrinsic fluorescence intensity emitted by the copolymer is detected upon addition of aliquots of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate). In these cases, an average value for the interassociation equilibrium constant, K_A = 8.7, was obtained using a binding model formalism. A good agreement of these results with those obtained from complementary viscosity measurements, through the interaction parameter, Δb, was found. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 900–910, 2006     

A novel temperature and pH dual‐responsive hybrid hydrogel with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane as crosslinker: synthesis,characterization and drug release properties

Octavinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OVPS) is used as the crosslinker instead of N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) to copolymerize with 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) or DMAEMA and N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) to prepare hybrid hydrogels: P(OVPS‐co‐DMAEMA) and P(OVPS‐co‐DMAEMA‐co‐NIPAM). The prepared hydrogels are transparent and show dual response to temperature and pH. The hydrogels were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile tests. Their mechanical properties, swelling ratio, deswelling and reswelling behaviors as well as drug release properties were investigated. The results indicate that OVPS can be incorporated into polymer networks in proportion to feed ratios. The P(OVPS‐co‐DMAEMA) hydrogel exhibits more homogeneous interior structure, higher swelling ratio and faster response than the conventional hydrogel prepared with BIS. Moreover, the incorporation of OVPS enhances the compression and tensile properties of the hydrogels. The feed ratios of OVPS and NIPAM have a great effect on volume phase transition temperature, thermal sensitivity, swelling behavior, mechanical properties and drug release properties of the hybrid hydrogels. The prepared dual‐responsive OVPS‐containing hydrogels are expected to be used as biomedical materials in drug release and tissue engineering. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characteristics of a novel aliphatic polycarbonate,poly[(propylene oxide)‐co‐(carbon dioxide)‐co‐(γ‐butyrolactone)]

A novel aliphatic polycarbonate, poly[(propylene oxide)‐co‐(carbon dioxide)‐co‐(γ‐butyrolactone)] [P(PO? CO₂? GBL)], was synthesized by the copolymerization of carbon dioxide, propylene oxide (PO) and γ‐butyrolactone (GBL). The resulting copolymers were determined by FTIR and NMR spectral analysis with viscosity‐average molecular weights (M_v) from 50 000 to 120 000 g mol^?1. According to elemental analysis, the calculated data of elemental contents in P(PO? CO₂? GBL)44 were close to the found data. The result showed that GBL was inserted into the backbone of poly[(propylene oxide)‐co‐(carbon dioxide)] successfully. GBL offered an ester structural unit that gave the copolymer better degradability. The correlations between reaction conditions and properties were studied. When GBL content increased, the M_v and the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the copolymers improved relative to an identical copolymer without GBL. Prolonging the reaction time of the copolymerization resulted in increases in M_v and T_g. P(PO? CO₂? GBL) exhibited a high T_g above 40 °C. The rate of backbone degradation increased with increasing GBL content. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Swelling behaviour of a new kind of polyampholyte hydrogel composed of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and acrylic acid

Poly[(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)‐co‐(acrylic acid)] [poly(DMAEMA‐co‐AAc)] hydrogels have been synthesized by UV‐induced copolymerization of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and acrylic acid monomer. The effects of pH and ionic strength on the swelling behaviour of poly(DMAEMA‐co‐AAc) hydrogels were investigated in detail. It was found that there is minimal equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR) for the hydrogels with the change of pH, and the pH at minimal ESR of the hydrogels was defined by the isoelectric points (IEP), similar to the situation with protein molecules. The IEP of the hydrogels shifted to higher values with increase in the DMAEMA content in the hydrogels. Antipolyelectrolyte behaviour of the hydrogels at a pH near the IEP was observed as well, and the ESR increased with increasing ionic strength. The study of swelling kinetics of the hydrogels showed that the swelling process was Fickian at the IEP and non‐Fickian when the pH deviated from the IEP. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry