Photochemistry and photophysics of poly(organophosphazenes) and related compounds: A review. I. Monomolecular processes

In this review we report an outline of the synthesis, UV-Vis spectral characterization, and light-induced reactivity in monomolecular processes of poly(organophosphazenes). The photoreactivity of phosphazene polymers, both in solution and in solid state, strongly depends on the nature of the chromophore attached to the phosphorus atoms of the inorganic –P=N – backbone. In fact, polyphosphazenes not bearing mobile hydrogen atoms in the side moieties undergo, in the first excited singlet state, homolytic eleavage of the bonds connecting the substituents to the inorganic backbone: free radicals of the substituents and phosphazene macroradicals are formed. Moreover, for polyphosphazenes containing labile hydrogens in the side groups, C–H bond scission takes place with the formation of free hydrogens and radicals located in the phosphazene substituents. From these species degradation or crosslinking of the macromolecules will follow according to the experimental conditions.This review is in three parts. Parts II and III will appear sequentially in the next two issues of this journal.     

Photochemistry and photophysics of poly(organophosphazenes) and related compounds: A review. II. Bimolecular reactions

In the second part of this review we highlight the bimolecular reactions (hydrogen abstraction, and energy or electron transfer) that take place in the photochemistry of poly(organophosphazenes). Both inter-molecular interactions (i.e. between excited free chromophores and ground state groups attached to the phosphazenes, or between excited phosphazene substituents and external quenchers) and intra-molecular processes (i.e. between excited and ground state groups geminally attached to the same phosphorus or supported to different phosphorus along the polyphosphazene skeleton) are exploited. Suggestions are given on the possible practical application of these reactions in different photochemical domains, e.g. heterogeneous-phase photosensitization, photocrosslinking, photoconductivity, microelectronics, light-induced radical polymerization of vinyl monomers, etc.     

Functionalization of Poly(organophosphazenes). VI. Substituent effect on the grafting reaction of maleic anhydride onto phenoxy-substituted phosphazene polymers

In this paper we describe the solution functionalization reaction of six phenoxysubstituted poly(organophosphazenes) with maleic anhydride and the effect of the phosphazene substituents on the overall grafting yield of anhydride moieties. It was found that the phosphazene polymer substituted with 4-ethylphenoxy groups is the most reactive of the whole series of exploited materials, while that bearing 4-t-butylphenoxy groups is the most inert one. This experimental reactivity trend observed in the grafting process is accounted for on the basis of both thermodynamic and steric factors.     

Photochemical behavior of poly(organophosphazenes). XI. Photochemistry of poly[bis(4-benzylphenoxy) phosphazene]

In this paper we present results on the photolysis of poly[bis(4-benzylphenoxy)-phosphazene] in solution and in film, both in the presence and in the absence of molecular oxygen. Light irradiation of the polymer in oxygen-saturated CH₂Cl₂ solutions results in a remarkable degradation of the polyphosphazene, while in argon-purged solutions no appreciable variations of the polymer structure could be detected. The photolysis of poly[bis(4-benzylphenoxy)phosphazene] in films induces the cross-linking of the polymer regardless of the presence or the absence of molecular oxygen. The main process observed during the photochemistry both in solution and in the solid state of the polymer is the oxidation of the 4-benzylphenoxy group on the polyphosphazene, without involvement of the inorganic -P=N- backbone. The effect of temperature on the photolysis of the polyphosphazene substrate in film is also reported.     

Photochemical behaviour of poly(organophosphazenes). 14. Photooxidation of poly[bis(4-isopropylphenoxy) phosphazene] under accelerated conditions

The photooxidation of poly[bis(4-isopropylphenoxy)phosphazene] under accelerated conditions has been followed by FTIR and UV visible spectroscopic techniques. The main photooxidation products are acetophenone and phenol groups. In addition, acetone vapors have been detected by GC MS combined techniques concomitant with the IR spectral changes in the CH stretching region, suggesting a significant decrease in the isopropyl moieties. The presence of polymeric sequences having phenol groups under our conditions gives origin to further oxidation reactions due to electron transfer or radical recombination or to hydrogen abstraction reactions promoted by unhindered phenoxyl radicals. In addition, the absence of UV visible light, i.e., under thermooxidation reaction at 60° C has demonstrated that phenol groups are the main responsible of secondary oxidation products. The complexity of the photooxidation mechanism in the solid state for this polymer makes it difficult to determine a definitive degradation mechanism under both thermo- and photooxidative conditions.Presented at the 1st Italian Workshop on Cyclo- and Poly(phosphazene) Materials, February 15–16, 1996, at the CNR Research Area in Padova, Italy.See Ref. 14.     

Photochemistry and photophysics of poly(organophosphazenes) and related compounds: A review. III. Applicative aspects

In the third part of this review we report some applicative aspects of poly(organophosphazenes) in photochemical fields. In particular, the possible application of phosphazene polymers that contain azobenzene or spiropyran residues as photochromic macromolecules is outlined; the light-induced grafting of organic, carbon-backboned polymers onto polyphosphazene matrices, as a method of modifying both surface and bulk properties of these materials, is highlighted; and the potential application of cyclophosphazenes as photo-stabilizers for commercial organic polymers or as photoinitiators for radical polymerization of vinyl monomers is described.Parts I and II in this series appeared in this journal, Volume 4, Numbers 1 and 2, 1994, respectively.     

两种混合取代聚膦腈的温敏性能和降解性能研究

研究了具有甘氨酸乙酯(或苯丙氨酸乙酯)和甲氧基乙氧基乙氧基侧链的混合取代聚膦腈的温度敏感性能和降解性能。两种聚膦腈均具有较低临界溶液温度(LCST),在质量分数为2. 5% ~15%的范围内,其LCST与浓度无关。体外降解实验表明,两种聚膦腈在酸性和碱性条件下降解较快,而在pH7. 4时降解较慢。其降解产物为对机体无害的小分子。     

聚乙二醇改性聚乳酸及其在药物载体中的应用

综述了聚乙二醇改性聚乳酸及其端基化的制备方法,介绍了聚乙二醇-聚乳酸嵌段共聚物作为药物载体的研究进展,并对今后的研究进行了展望.     

Grafting reactions onto poly(organophosphazenes). VIII. Grafting kinetics, surface properties, thermal and dynamic mechanical characterization of phosphazene grafted copolymers containing poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(vinyl alcohol)

In this paper we report the light-induced grafting kinetics of vinyl acetate onto three poly(organophosphazene) films, i.e., poly[bis(4-methylphenoxy) phosphazene], poly[bis(4-ethylphenoxy)phosphazene], and poly[bis(4-secbutylphenoxy)phosphazene], and the characterization of the poly(organophosphazene)-g-poly-vinylacetate materials and the poly(organophosphazene)-g-poly-vinylalcohol copolymers, derived from hydrolysis of the previous ones. The reactivity of poly(organophosphazenes) was found to be directly dependent on the different crystallinity content. The modification of the surface properties was studied by SEM analysis and DCA measurements. The higher the grafting pereentage, the higher the roughness of surface and the lower the receeding contact angle. DSC analysis revealed that the crystallizability of poly(organophosphazene)-g-poly-vinylacetate decreases as the grafting percentage increases. Finally, DMTA measurements confirmed the presence of polyvinylacetate after grafting and its disappearance and the simultaneous increase in thermomechanical stability after hydrolysis.Presented at the 1st Italian Workshop on Cyclo- and Poly(phosphazene) Materials. February 15–16, 1996, at the CNR Research Area in Padova, Italy.     

Poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-grafted poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) copolymers: Synthesis, characterization and rapid deswelling and reswelling behavior of hydrogels

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-block-poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) diblock copolymer (PNIPAAm-b-PVPy) was successfully synthesized via sequential reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer/macromolecular design via the interchange of xanthate (RAFT/MADIX) process, in which the chain transfer agent of xanthate was in situ afforded via the reaction of isopropylxanthic disulfide (DIP) with 2,2-azobisisobutylnitrile (AIBN). The RAFT/MADIX technique was employed to prepare the poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-grafted poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) copolymers (PNIPAAm-g-PVPy) with N,N-methylenebisacrylamide as the crosslinking agent. The comb-like PNIPAAm-g-PVPy copolymer networks with PVPy as the pendent chains were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The hydrogel behavior of PNIPAAm-g-PVPy networks was investigated in terms of swelling, deswelling and reswelling tests. With the inclusion of PVPy chains, the swelling ratios of the hydrogels were significantly enhanced compared to the control PNIPAAm hydrogel. It is found that the PVPy-modified PNIPAAm hydrogels displayed faster response to the external temperature changes than the control PNIPAAm hydrogel. The improved thermoresponsive properties of hydrogels are ascribed to the formation of the comb-like architectures in the copolymer networks.     

聚乙二醇增塑聚乳酸的等温结晶动力学研究

采用DSC方法对聚乙二醇(PEG)增塑聚乳酸的等温结晶动力学进行了研究。结果表明,PEG的加入提高了聚乳酸的结晶速度,在相同结晶温度下,随着PEG摩尔质量的增大,结晶速率增大,结晶活化能先减小后增大。不同摩尔质量PEG增塑PLA的结晶成核机理和生长方式一样。     

聚苯硫醚砜与聚苯硫醚共混体系的初步探索

采用DSC对聚苯硫醚砜(PPSS)／聚苯硫醚(PPS)合金进行了测试,结果表明,PPSS与PPS的玻璃化温度发生了相互靠拢的现象,说明两组分间产生了部分相容的趋势;对PPSS／PPS(质量比50／50)合金的TG分析也表明,PPSS与PPS产生了部分相容;采用X射线衍射对PPSS／PPS的聚集态结构进行了表征,发现随PPS质量分数增大。结晶峰越来越明显。峰面积也随之增大。     

Poly(vinyl alcohol)-based polymer electrolyte membranes for direct methanol fuel cells

We have prepared polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and modified PVA polyanion containing 2 or 4 mol% of 2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) groups as a copolymer. The PEMs of various AMPS content and cross-linking conditions were prepared to determine the effect of AMPS content and cross-linking conditions on PEM properties. Proton conductivity and permeability of methanol through the PEMs increased with increasing AMPS content, C_AMPS, and with decreasing cross-linker concentration, C_GA, because of the increase in the water content. The permeability coefficient of methanol through the PEM prepared under the conditions of C_AMPS = 2.7 mol% and C_GA = 0.35 vol% was about 30 times lower than that of Nafion^®117 under the same measurement conditions. The proton permselectivity of the PEM, which is defined as the ratio of the proton conductivity to the permeability coefficient of methanol, gave a maximum value of 66 × 10³ S cm⁻³ s. The value is about three times higher than that of Nafion^®117.     

A reactive molecular dynamics model of thermal decomposition in polymers: I. Poly(methyl methacrylate)

The theory and implementation of reactive molecular dynamics (RMD) are presented. The capabilities of RMD and its potential use as a tool for investigating the mechanisms of thermal transformations in materials are demonstrated by presenting results from simulations of the thermal degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). While it is known that depolymerization must be the major decomposition channel for PMMA, there are unanswered questions about the nature of the initiation reaction and the relative reactivities of the tertiary and primary radicals formed in the degradation process. The results of our RMD simulations, performed directly in the condensed phase, are consistent with available experimental information. They also provide new insights into the mechanism of the thermally induced conversion of this polymer into its constituent monomers.     

Poly(hydroxyether sulfone) and its blends with poly(ethylene oxide): miscibility, phase behavior and hydrogen bonding interactions

Poly(hydroxyether sulfone) (PHES) was synthesized through polycondensation of bisphenol S with epichlorohydrin. It was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The miscibility in the blends of PHES with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was established on the basis of the thermal analysis results. DSC showed that the PHES/PEO blends prepared by casting from N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) possessed single, composition-dependent glass transition temperatures (T_gs), indicating that the blends are miscible in amorphous state. At elevated temperatures, the PHES/PEO blends underwent phase separation. The phase behavior was investigated by optical microscope and the cloud point curve was determined. A typical lower critical solution temperature behavior was observed in the moderate temperature range for this blend system. FTIR studies indicate that there are the competitive hydrogen bonding interactions upon adding PEO to the system, which was involved with the intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions, i.e. -OH?OS, -OH?-OH and -OH versus ether oxygen atoms of PEO between PHES and PEO. In terms of the infrared spectroscopic investigation, it is judged that from weak to strong the strength of the hydrogen bonding interactions is in the following order: -OH?OS, -OH?-OH and -OH versus ether oxygen atoms of PEO.     

Dynamics of Poly(ethylene glycol)-Tethered, pH Responsive Networks

Smart biomaterials composed of pH responsive polymers, poly((meth)acrylic acid), were synthesized using a precipitation polymerization technique. The microparticles were grafted with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains that are capable of complexing with the hydroxyl groups of the polyacid and interpenetrating into the mucus gel layer upon entry into the small intestine. Upon introduction of an alkaline solution, these materials imbibe a significant amount of water and create a highly viscous suspension. These materials have the necessary physicochemical properties to serve as mucoadhesive controlled release drug carriers for the oral delivery of drugs.     

新型耐高温杂环聚醚砜酮酮材料的研究

合成一种新型热塑性耐高温杂环聚醚砜酮酮材料（ＰＰＥＳＫＫ）,研究了材料的热性能、力学性能、电性能、溶解性能、摩擦性能及膜性能。结果表明,ＰＰＥＳＫＫ为一类具有较高耐热性、综合性能优良、成本低的机械工程塑料。     

Studies on the Crystallization and Melting Behavior of Poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate)

Abstract

Crystallization behaviour of low molecular weight (oligomeric) and high molecular weight poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate)s (PEN) was studied using wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that the crystallization conditions determine the nature of crystalline modification. Crystallization from the glassy state gives a-modification, whereas, crystallizing from the melt above 220°C results in β-modification. In contrast, the oligomers gives both the modifications up on crystallizing from the melt. The equilibrium melting temperatures of PEN were determined from DSC experiments, based on conditions of crystallization of a and β-modifications.     

Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Poly(Phthalazinone Ether Sulfone)/Poly(Ether Sulfone) Blends

The mechanical and thermal properties of poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone) (PPES)/poly(aryl ether sulfone) (PES) blends prepared by melt-mixing were investigated by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The dynamic mechanical thermal analysis results show that the incorporated PES has a large influence on the heat stability of PPES. The DMTA results display that the blends with a single glass transition temperature, which increases with increasing PPES content, indicates that PPES and PES are completely miscible over the studied composition range. The thermodegradative behavior of PPES/PES blends was used to analyze their thermal stability. The Friedman technique was used to determine the kinetic parameters (i.e., the apparent activation energy and order of reaction of the degradation process). The results indicate that the presence of the PES component influences the thermal stability of the PPES. On the basis of the kinetic data derived from Friedman' approach, the lifetime estimates for pure PPES, pure PES, and the blends generated from the weight loss of 5% were constructed.     

Application of Poly(butylenes 2-methylsuccinate) as Migration Resistant Plasticizer for Poly(vinyl chloride)

The bio-based and biodegradable polyester poly(butylenes 2-methylsuccinate) (PBM) was successfully used as a polymeric plasticizer to modify poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in this work. The tensile properties, plasticization efficiency estimated by the lowered glass transition temperature and the enhanced elongation at break of the PVC/PBM blends and the migration stability of the PBM were investigated. It was indicated that the migration-resistant property of PVC plasticized with PBM was greatly superior to that with dioctyl phthalate (DOP). Furthermore, the tensile properties were comparable to that of PVC/DOP, indicating that the environmentally friendly PBM can be used as an alternative plasticizer to remove the potential health risks from migrating phthalates during applications.