Synthesis and characterization of a series of star-branched poly(ε-caprolactone)s with the variation in arm numbers and lengths

A series of star-branched poly(ε-caprolactone)s (SPCLs) was synthesized with structural variation of the arm numbers and lengths through ring-opening polymerization under bulk condition. Arm numbers were varied to be 3, 4, and 6 by using multifunctional initiating cores such as trimethylol propane, pentaerythritol, and dipentaerythritol, respectively. The lengths of the poly(ε-caprolactone) arms were varied by controlling the molar ratio of monomer-to-initiating hydroxyl group molar ratio ([CL]₀/[-OH]₀=5, 10, 15). Molecular weights were determined by both ¹H NMR end-group analysis and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, which gave reasonably consistent values. On the contrary, the GPC method failed to give accurate values of molecular weight of SPCLs due to the discrepancy with the linear standard. The branching architecture of SPCLs was evaluated by the branching ratio, g, which is the ratio of the mean-square radius of SPCL to that of liner counterpart, linear poly(ε-caprolactone) (LPCL), which is of the same chemistry and having the same molecular weight. The radii of gyration of SPCLs and LPCLs were determined using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) from the initial slopes of Zimm plots, represented as 1/I(q) vs q² with I(q) and q being the scattered intensity and scattering vector, respectively. The g values were observed to decrease with increasing arm numbers, indicating more compact molecular structure for SPCLs with higher arm numbers, while no such effect was observed for arm length variation. Thermal properties as well as the degree of crystallinity of SPCLs were found to be also dependent on structural variations. The melting points and the degradation temperatures were observed to increase with increasing arm lengths but with constant arm number. On the other hand, arm number variation with constant arm length gave no such changes to the thermal transitions of SPCLs. However, for the SPCLs with equivalent molecular weights, the degree of crystallinity was found to decrease with increasing arm numbers.     

Potential tissue implants from the networks based on 1,5-dioxepan-2-one and ε-caprolactone

The synthesis and characterization of degradable polymeric networks for biomedical applications was performed. Cross-linked films of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(1,5-dioxepan-2-one) (PDXO) having various mole fractions of monomers and different cross-link densities were successfully prepared using 2,2′-bis-(ε-caprolactone-4-yl) propane (BCP) as cross-linking agent. Reaction parameters were carefully examined to optimise the film-forming conditions. Networks obtained were elastomeric materials, easy to cast and remove from the mould. Effect of CL content and cross-link density on the final properties of the polymer network was evaluated. High CL content or degree of cross-linking led to increase in Young's modulus and decrease in elongation at break. An increase in crystalline domains in films having a higher CL content was observed by optical microscopy. A greater thermal stability was observed in films having a high CL content. The hydrophilicity of the materials could be tailored by changing the CL content. The surface of the films became rougher with higher CL content.     

Crystallization and thermoelectric behavior of conductive-filler-filled poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(vinyl butyral)/montmorillonite nanocomposites

Crystallization and thermoelectric properties of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites containing carbon black (CB) have been studied as a functions of a small amount of amorphous PVB content and a wide range of molecular weight of PVB. X-ray diffraction data of PCL/PVB/MMT nanocomposites indicates most of the swellable silicate layers are exfoliated and randomly dispersed into PCL/PVB system. The band spacings of PCL spherulites in PCL/PVB/MMT nanocomposites decrease with increasing PVB content, and this indicates that increasing the PVB content greatly shortens the period of lamellar twisting. The presence of 1 wt% MMT and higher molecular weight of PVB also shorten the period of PCL lamellar twisting. Nucleation and crystallization parameters, such as growth rate G and Avrami exponent n, can be determined by using POM and DSC isothermally crystallized at 41 °C. For samples with the same CB content, the intensity of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) (I_PTC, defined as the ratio of peak resistivity to resistivity at room temperature) of the nanocomposites was increased as the content and the molecular weight of PVB increases. The change of the PTC property related to the morphological difference (i.e. period of lamellar twisting) in the nanocomposites can be discussed.     

高风电渗透率下考虑需求侧管理策略的智能微电网调度方法

提出了一种高风电渗透率下考虑需求侧管理策略的智能微电网调度方法。首先,考虑经济、环境成本指标、清洁能源就地消纳量以及可中断负荷和可转移负荷策略,建立了多目标优化调度模型。然后,引入ε约束法生成Pareto前沿解集,利用归一化方法求出最优折衷解。最后,基于24节点配电系统对所提方法进行分析验证。算例结果表明:建立的多目标优化模型能够有效提升清洁能源的消纳率,提高调度方案经济性,同时有效降低发电污染排放。采用的需求侧管理策略能够有效平抑负荷波动,达到削峰填谷的目的。     

A Facile Approach toward Thermoplastic Triple-Shape Memory Polymers

In this work, a ternary blend of polyolefin elastomer (POE), lauric acid (LA), and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with triple-shape memory effect (triple-SME) is reported. LA and PCL exhibit distinct thermal transitions and construct two reversible switching networks capable of fixing and releasing different temporary shapes under a mild condition. The ternary blend shows excellent triple-shape memory properties and good toughness. Besides, the permanent shape can be reconfigured by a simple thermal treatment. These particular features make the novel blend a competitive candidate for diverse applications. And the creative combination of crystalline small molecule and semicrystalline polymer expands the freedom for producing triple-shape memory polymers (triple-SMPs).     

Association of IgG1 Antibody Clearance with FcγRIIA Polymorphism and Platelet Count in Infliximab-Treated Patients

The FcγRIIA/CD32A is mainly expressed on platelets, myeloid and several endothelial cells. Its affinity is considered insufficient for allowing significant binding of monomeric IgG, while its H131R polymorphism (histidine > arginine at position 131) influences affinity for multimeric IgG2. Platelet FcγRIIA has been reported to contribute to IgG-containing immune-complexe clearance. Given our finding that platelet FcγRIIA actually binds monomeric IgG, we investigated the role of platelets and FcγRIIA in IgG antibody elimination. We used pharmacokinetics analysis of infliximab (IgG1) in individuals with controlled Crohn’s disease. The influence of platelet count and FcγRIIA polymorphism was quantified by multivariate linear modelling. The infliximab half-life increased with R allele number (13.2, 14.4 and 15.6 days for HH, HR and RR patients, respectively). It decreased with increasing platelet count in R carriers: from ≈20 days (RR) and ≈17 days (HR) at 150 × 10⁹/L, respectively, to ≈13 days (both HR and RR) at 350 × 10⁹/L. Moreover, a flow cytometry assay showed that infliximab and monomeric IgG1 bound efficiently to platelet FcγRIIA H and R allotypes, whereas panitumumab and IgG2 bound poorly to the latter. We propose that infliximab (and presumably any IgG1 antibody) elimination is partly due to an unappreciated mechanism dependent on binding to platelet FcγRIIA, which is probably tuned by its affinity for IgG2.     

纤维素醋酸酯接枝己内酯的聚合研究

以冰醋酸为溶剂,浓硫酸为催化剂,将取代度为2 4的二醋酸纤维素水解为取代度为1 4的醋酸纤维素(CA)。以此醋酸纤维素为接枝骨架,ε 己内酯(ε CL)为接枝单体,在辛酸亚锡的引发下,合成了醋酸纤维素/聚己内酯接枝共聚物(CA g PCL)。研究了反应物纯度、原料配比、引发剂与单体摩尔比、反应时间、反应温度对单体转化率(C%)、接枝率(G%)、接枝效率(GE%)的影响。结果表明,当反应温度为140℃,单体ε 己内酯与醋酸纤维素的质量比为4∶1,引发剂辛酸亚锡与单体ε 己内酯的摩尔比为0 005,反应时间为16h,C%,GE%和G%分别为46 8%,65 2%和122 1%。     

Ionic liquids as electrolytes

Salts having a low melting point are liquid at room temperature, or even below, and form a new class of liquids usually called room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL). Information about RTILs can be found in the literature with such key words as: room temperature molten salt, low-temperature molten salt, ambient-temperature molten salt, liquid organic salt or simply ionic liquid. Their physicochemical properties are the same as high temperature ionic liquids, but the practical aspects of their maintenance or handling are different enough to merit a distinction. The class of ionic liquids, based on tetraalkylammonium cation and chloroaluminate anion, has been extensively studied since late 1970s of the XX century, following the works of Osteryoung. Systematic research on the application of chloroaluminate ionic liquids as solvents was performed in 1980s. However, ionic liquids based on aluminium halides are moisture sensitive. During the last decade an increasing number of new ionic liquids have been prepared and used as solvents. The general aim of this paper was to review the physical and chemical properties of RTILs from the point of view of their possible application as electrolytes in electrochemical processes and devices. The following points are discussed: melting and freezing, conductivity, viscosity, temperature dependence of conductivity, transport and transference numbers, electrochemical stability, possible application in aluminium electroplating, lithium batteries and in electrochemical capacitors.     

Residues important for the function of a multihelical DNA binding domain in the new transcription factor family of Cam and Tet repressors

We report that some prokaryotic repressors including CamR andTetR belong to the same family. CamR and TetR bind to DNA usinga multihelical DNA binding domain (DBD) at the N-termini ofthe proteins, while the C-termini are important for regulatingthe DNA binding in a manner dependent on their co-factors (camphorfor CamR, tetracycline for TetR). In all, 11 important aminoacid positions have been identified in the CamR DBD by the systematicsubstitution of residues by Ala. Of the 11 positions, 10 areeither buried in the core, and thus important for creating thehydrophobic environment, or exposed on the surface, and thusimportant for binding to DNA. The eleventh residue, Gly, seemsto be important for a loop structure. The DNA binding mode ofthis type of DBD and a general mechanism of regulating theirDNA binding are discussed in reference to the crystal structureof TetR [Hinrichs et al., (1994) Science, 264, 418–420].