LCST

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Polymers and Materials Science


Selected Abstracts


Electrochemically Induced Formation of Surface-Attached Temperature-Responsive Hydrogels.

ELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 9 2010
Amperometric Glucose Sensors with Tunable Sensor Characteristics
Abstract Employing thermally responsive hydrogels, the design of an amperometric glucose sensor is proposed. The properties of the biosensor can be modulated upon changing the temperature. Homo- and copolymers of N -isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (OEGMA) were prepared by electrochemically induced polymerization thus yielding surface-attached hydrogels. The growth of the films as well as the change in the film thickness in dependence from the temperature were investigated by means of an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). The layer thickness in the dry state ranged from 20 to 120,nm. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the hydrogel increases with increasing content of the more hydrophilic OEGMA. Hence, the swelling in aqueous electrolyte is composition dependent and can be adjusted by selecting a specific NIPAm to OEGMA ratio. All homo- and copolymer films showed good biocompatibility and no fouling could be observed during exposing the surfaces to human serum albumin. For amperometric glucose detection, glucose oxidase was entrapped in the films during electrochemically-induced polymerization. Both the apparent Michaelis constant (K and the apparent maximum current (i as determined by amperometry could be adjusted both by the film composition as well as the operation temperature. [source]


Preparation and Characterization of a pH- and Thermally Responsive Poly(N -isopropylacrylamide- co -acrylic acid)/Porous SiO2 Hybrid

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 5 2010
Loren A. Perelman
Abstract A multifunctional nanohybrid composed of a pH- and thermoresponsive hydrogel, poly(N -isopropylacrylamide- co -acrylic acid) [poly(NIPAM- co -AAc)], is synthesized in situ within the mesopores of an oxidized porous Si template. The hybrid is characterized by electron microscopy and by thin film optical interference spectroscopy. The optical reflectivity spectrum of the hybrid displays Fabry,Pérot fringes characteristic of thin film optical interference, enabling direct, real-time observation of the pH-induced swelling, and volume phase transitions associated with the confined poly(NIPAM- co -AAc) hydrogel. The optical response correlates to the percentage of AAc contained within the hydrogel, with a maximum change observed for samples containing 20% AAc. The swelling kinetics of the hydrogel are significantly altered due to the nanoscale confinement, displaying a more rapid response to pH or heating stimuli relative to bulk polymer films. The inclusion of AAc dramatically alters the thermoresponsiveness of the hybrid at pH 7, effectively eliminating the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The observed changes in the optical reflectivity spectrum are interpreted in terms of changes in the dielectric composition and morphology of the hybrids. [source]


A Thermoresponsive Membrane for Chiral Resolution,

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 4 2008
Mei Yang
Abstract A novel thermoresponsive membrane for chiral resolution with high performance has been developed. The membrane exhibits chiral selectivity based on molecular recognition of beta-cyclodextrin (, -CD) and thermosensitivity based on the phase transition of poly(N -isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM). Linear PNIPAM chains were grafted onto porous nylon-6 membrane substrates by using a plasma-graft pore-filling polymerization method; the chains thus acted as microenvironmental adjustors for , -CD molecules. , -CD moieties were introduced into the linear PNIPAM chains by a chemical grafting polymerization method and acted as chiral selectors. The phase transition of grafted PNIPAM chains affects the microenvironment of , -CD molecules and, thus, the association between , -CD and guest molecules. The chiral selectivity of the prepared thermoresponsive membranes in chiral resolution operated at temperature below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM is higher than that of membranes with no thermosensitivity. Furthermore, the decomplexation ratio of enantiomer-loaded thermoresponsive membranes in decomplexation at temperatures above the LCST is much higher than that of membranes with no thermosensitivity. Thus, by simply changing the operation temperature, high, selective chiral resolution and efficient membrane regeneration are achieved. The proposed membrane provides a new and efficient way to solve the difficult decomplexation problem of chiral solid membranes, which is highly attractive for chiral resolution. [source]


Thermally Responsive Biomineralization on Biodegradable Substrates,

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 16 2007
J. Shi
Abstract Biomineralization offers an elegant example of how nature can design complex, hierarchical, and structurally/morphologically controllable materials. In this work, the surface of bioactive substrates prepared from poly(L -lactic acid) and reinforced with Bioglass are modified by the graft polymerization of poly(N -isopropylacrylamide), (PNIPAAm) after plasma activation. It is found that such treatment, together with temperature, could trigger the formation of apatite on the biodegradable substrate upon immersion in simulated body fluid above the PNIPAAm lower critical solution temperature (LCST); in contrast, no apatite is formed at room temperature. A control experiment on a material that is not subjected to surface treatment does not show any evidence of mineral deposition at the two analyzed temperatures. This "smart" biomineralization concept is combined with patterning methodologies to control the microstructure of the surface onto which PNIPAAm is grafted. In this case, the apatite is formed at 37,°C in the modified regions. We suggest that this concept could be extended in the biomimetic production of other minerals, where it would be triggered by another kind of stimulus (e.g., pH or ionic strength) in substrates with more complex geometries. [source]


A Novel Approach to Observing Synergy Effects of PHSRN on Integrin,RGD Binding Using Intelligent Surfaces,

ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 16 2008
Mitsuhiro Ebara
A novel assay for measuring time-dependant ligand-receptor affinity changes is developed based on a peptide-immobilized temperature-responsive surface, as schematically illustrated in the figure. The grafted thermoresponsive polymer acts as an "on-off" switch for mediating integrin,peptide bonding. At temperatures above and below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), the peptides are accessible and shielded from integrin access, respectively. [source]


Synthesis and characterization of temperature-sensitive block copolymers from poly(N -isopropylacrylamide) and 4-methyl-,-caprolactone or 4-phenyl-,-caprolactone

JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 3 2010
Ren-Shen Lee
Abstract This study synthesizes thermally sensitive block copolymers poly(N -isopropylacrylamide)- b -poly(4-methyl-,-caprolactone) (PNIPA- b -PMCL) and poly(N -isopropylacrylamide)- b -poly(4-phenyl-,-caprolactone) (PNIPA- b -PBCL) by ring-opening polymerization of 4-methyl-,-caprolactone (MCL) or 4-phenyl-,-caprolactone (BCL) initiated from hydroxy-terminated poly(N -isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) as the macroinitiator in the presence of SnOct2 as the catalyst. This research prepares a PNIPA bearing a single terminal hydroxyl group by telomerization using 2-hydroxyethanethiol (ME) as a chain-transfer agent. These copolymers are characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), 1H-NMR, FTIR, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The thermal properties (Tg) of diblock copolymers depend on polymer compositions. Incorporating larger amount of MCL or BCL into the macromolecular backbone decreases Tg. Their solutions show transparent below a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and opaque above the LCST. LCST values for the PNIPA- b -PMCL aqueous solution were observed to shift to lower temperature than that for PNIPA homopolymers. This work investigates their micellar characteristics in the aqueous phase by fluorescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The block copolymers formed micelles in the aqueous phase with critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) in the range of 0.29,2.74 mg L,1, depending on polymer compositions, which dramatically affect micelle shape. Drug entrapment efficiency and drug loading content of micelles depend on block polymer compositions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source]


The totally miscible in ternary hydrogen-bonded polymer blend of poly(vinyl phenol)/phenoxy/phenolic

JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2009
Shiao-Wei KuoArticle first published online: 28 MAY 200
Abstract The individual binary polymer blends of phenolic/phenoxy, phenolic/poly(vinyl phenol) (PVPh), and phenoxy/PVPh have specific interaction through intermolecular hydrogen bonding of hydroxyl,hydroxyl group to form homogeneous miscible phase. In addition, the miscibility and hydrogen bonding behaviors of ternary hydrogen bond blends of phenolic/phenoxy/PVPh were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and optical microscopy. According to the DSC analysis, every composition of the ternary blend shows single glass transition temperature (Tg), indicating that this ternary hydrogen-bonded blend is totally miscible. The interassociation equilibrium constant between each binary blend was calculated from the appropriate model compounds. The interassociation equilibrium constant (KA) of each individually binary blend is higher than any self-association equilibrium constant (KB), resulting in the hydroxyl group tending to form interassociation hydrogen bond. Photographs of optical microscopy show this ternary blend possess lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phase diagram. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009 [source]


Lower critical solution temperature determination of smart, thermosensitive N -isopropylacrylamide- alt -2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate copolymers: Kinetics and physical properties

JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2008
Mohammad M. Fares
Abstract The lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) were verified and determined for different molar feed ratios of N -isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomers with ultraviolet spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. Increases in the NIPAAm monomer content played a crucial role in the LCST, which increased up to 36.7°C at 50 mol %. However, a further increase in the NIPAAm monomer content steadily reduced the LCST, which decreased to 33°C at 100 mol % NIPAAm [i.e., pure poly(N -isopropylacrylamide)]. The rate of copolymerization, assessed by the conventional conversion (%),time method, and the apparent activation energies were determined. The reactivity ratios of the monomers, determined by the Kelen,Tudos and Fineman,Ross techniques, together with the results of an equation, showed that the copolymer which formed was an alternating copolymer. The Q,e values for the NIPAAm monomer were determined. The equation showed the linear Arrhenius behavior of ln(r1r2) versus the reciprocal of the temperature (where r1 and r2 are the reactivity ratios of NIPAAm and HEMA, respectively): the activation energy difference [i.e., (E12 + E21) , (E11 + E22), where E12, E21, E11, and E22 are various activation energies] was found to be ,109 kJ/mol. The copolymers were characterized with 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet,visible, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source]


Phase behavior on the binary and ternary mixtures of poly(isooctyl acrylate) + supercritical fluid solvents + isooctyl acrylate and CO2 + isooctyl acrylate system

JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 2 2008
Hun-Soo Byun
Abstract Experimental cloud-point data to the temperature of 180 °C and the pressure up to 2000 bar are presented for ternary mixtures of poly(isooctyl acrylate) + supercritical fluid solvents + isooctyl acrylate systems. Cloud-point pressures of poly(isooctyl acrylate) + CO2 + isooctyl acrylate system is measured in the temperature range of 60,180°C and to pressures as high as 2000 bar with isooctyl acrylate concentration of 0,44.5 wt. This system changes the pressure,temperature slope of the phase behavior curves from upper critical solution temperature (UCST) region to lower critical solution temperature (LCST) region as the isooctyl acrylate concentration increases. Poly(isooctyl acrylate) does dissolve in pure CO2 to the temperature of 180°C and the pressure of 2000 bar. The phase behavior for poly(isooctyl acrylate) + CO2 + 9.5, 14.8, 30.6, and 41.9 wt % dimethyl ether (DME) mixture show the curve changes from UCST to LCST as the DME concentration increases. Also, the cloud-point curves are measured for the binary mixtures of poly(isooctyl acrylate) in supercritical propane, propylene, butane, and 1-butene. High pressure phase behaviors are measured for the CO2 + isooctyl acrylate system at 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120°C and pressure up to 200 bar. This system exhibits type-I phase behavior with a continuous mixture-critical curve. The experimental results for the CO2 + isooctyl acrylate system are modeled using the Peng-Robinson equation of state. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008 [source]


Grafting of poly(N -isopropylacrylamide) onto nylon and polystyrene surfaces by atmospheric plasma treatment followed with free radical graft copolymerization

JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007
Xiaoling Wang
Abstract Stimuli-responsive polymer materials (SRPs) have potential uses in drug delivery, tissue engineering, bioreactors, and cell-surface adhesion control. Temperature-responsive surfaces were fabricated by grafting poly(N -isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) onto nylon and polystyrene surfaces via a new procedure, i.e., He atmospheric plasma treatment followed by free radical graft copolymerization. The atmospheric plasma exhibits the activation capability to initiate graft copolymerization. The procedure is suitable for integration into a continuous manufacturing process. To reduce homopolymerization and enhance graft yield, Mohr's salt was added. The graft of PNIPAM was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Dramatic water contact angle increase was found for PNIPAM-grafted polymers at about 32°C, indicating the temperature sensitivity of the grafted surface, i.e., the change of surface from hydrophilic to hydrophobic when temperature increases above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The addition of Mohr's salt enhances the grafting reaction and the magnitude of temperature sensitivity. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 3614,3621, 2007 [source]


Characterization of the physicochemical, antimicrobial, and drug release properties of thermoresponsive hydrogel copolymers designed for medical device applications

JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 2 2008
David S. Jones
Abstract In this study, a series of hydrogels was synthesized by free radical polymerization, namely poly(2-(hydroxyethyl)methacrylate) (pHEMA), poly(4-(hydroxybutyl)methacrylate) (pHBMA), poly(6-(hydroxyhexyl)methacrylate) (pHHMA), and copolymers composed of N -isopropylacrylamide (NIPAA), methacrylic acid (MA), NIPAA, and the above monomers. The surface, mechanical, and swelling properties (at 20 and 37°C, pH 6) of the polymers were determined using dynamic contact angle analysis, tensile analysis, and thermogravimetry, respectively. The Tg and lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) were determined using modulated DSC and oscillatory rheometry, respectively. Drug loading of the hydrogels with chlorhexidine diacetate was performed by immersion in a drug solution at 20°C (<LCST) and subsequent characterization of the drug release and antimicrobial properties performed at 20 and 37°C. The composition of the hydrogels directly affected the advancing contact angle, mechanical properties, and swelling. Thermoresponsive behavior was only observed with hydrogels composed of HEMA, NIPAA, MA, and NIPAA in which pulsatile drug release was obtained by elevating the temperature from below to above the LCST. A greater mass and enhanced pulsatile release of drug, with the associated greater antimicrobial properties (an 108 reduction in viability of Staphylococcus epidermidis in 15 min), was associated with poly(NIPAA- co -HEMA, 1:1). It is suggested that the pulsatile drug release and favorable antimicrobial and mechanical properties of candidate hydrogels, particularly poly(HEMA- co -NIPAA), offer promise as thermoresponsive, antimicrobial biomaterials that may be used as wound dressings, medical implants, or coatings of medical devices. Furthermore, it is suggested that drug loading may be effectively performed in situ by lowering the temperature of the device/dressing. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008 [source]


Flow characteristics of thermo-responsive microspheres in microchannel during the phase transition

AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 6 2009
Ming-Yu Zhou
Abstract To probe into the flow and aggregation behaviors of thermo-responsive microspheres in microchannel during the phase transition, the flow characteristics of monodisperse poly(n -isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microspheres in microchannel with local heating are investigated systematically. When the fluid temperature in the microchannel increases across the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), the PNIPAM microspheres finish the phase transition within 10 s and are easily get aggregated during the phase transition. The diameter ratio of microsphere to microchannel, number of microspheres, initial distance between microspheres, and flow direction of fluid in microchannel, are key parameters affecting the flow and aggregation behaviors of the microspheres in microchannel during the phase transition. If a proper combination of these parameters is designed, the microspheres can aggregate together during the phase transition and stop automatically at a desired position in the microchannel by local heating, which is what the targeting drug delivery system expected. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source]


Thermoresponsive transport through porous membranes with grafted PNIPAM gates

AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2003
Liang-Yin Chu
Both thermoresponsive flat membranes and core-shell microcapsule membranes, with a porous membrane substrate and grafted poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) gates, were successfully prepared using a plasma-graft pore-filling polymerization method. PNIPAM was proven to be grafted homogeneously onto the porous membrane substrates, in the direction of both the membrane thickness and surface. Regardless of the solute molecular size, temperature had an opposite effect on diffusion coefficients of the solute across the PNIPAM-grafted membranes with low graft yields as opposed to those with high graft yields. The PE-g-PNIPAM membranes change from positive thermo-response to negative thermoresponse types with increasing pore-filling ratios at around 30%. Phenomenological models were developed for predicting the diffusion coefficient of the solute across PNIPAM-grafted membranes at temperatures, both above and below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Predicted diffusional coefficients of solutes across both the PNIPAM-grafted flat and PNIPAM-grafted microcapsule membranes fit the experimental values. To obtain an ideal result for the diffusional thermoresponsive controlled release through PNIPAM-grafted membranes, the substrates strong enough to prevent any conformation changes are more suitable for preparing thermoresponsive membranes than weak ones. [source]


Water-soluble, thermoresponsive, hyperbranched copolymers based on PEG-methacrylates: Synthesis, characterization, and LCST behavior

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 13 2010
Mario Luzon
Abstract A series of water-soluble thermoresponsive hyperbranched copoly(oligoethylene glycol)s were synthesized by copolymerization of di(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (DEG-MA) and oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (OEG-MA, Mw = 475 g/mol), with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGD-MA) used as the crosslinker, via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. Polymers were characterized by size exclusion chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. According to the monomer composition, that is, the ratio of OEG-MA: DEG-MA: EGD-MA, the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) could be tuned from 25 °C to 90 °C. The thermoresponsive properties of these hyperbranched copolymers were studied carefully and compared with their linear analogs. It was found that molecular architecture influences thermoresponsive behavior, with a decrease of around 5,10 °C in the LCST of the hyperbranched polymers compared with the LCST of linear chains. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2783,2792, 2010 [source]


Water-soluble triply-responsive homopolymers of N,N -dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate with a terminal azobenzene moiety

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 12 2010
Xinde Tang
Abstract Novel water-soluble triply-responsive homopolymers of N,N -dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) containing an azobenzene moiety as the terminal group were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique. The ATRP process of DMAEMA was initiated by an azobenzene derivative substituted with a 2-bromoisobutyryl group (Azo-Br) in the presence of CuCl/Me6TREN in 1,4-dioxane as a catalyst system. The molecular weights and their polydispersities of the resulting homopolymers (Azo-PDMAEMA) were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The homopolymers are soluble in aqueous solution and exhibit a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) that alternated reversibly in response to Ph and photoisomerization of the terminal azobenzene moiety. It was found that the LCST increased as pH decreased in the range of testing. Under UV light irradiation, the trans -to- cis photoisomerization of the azobenzene moiety resulted in a higher LCST, whereas it recovered under visible light irradiation. This kind of polymers should be particularly interesting for a variety of potential applications in some promising areas, such as drug controlled-releasing carriers and intelligent materials because of the multistimuli responsive property. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2564,2570, 2010 [source]


Synthesis and characterization of synthetic polymer colloids colloidally stabilized by cationized starch oligomers

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 7 2009
Marianne Gaborieau
Abstract A method is developed for anchoring enzymatically degraded cationized starch as electrosteric stabilizers onto synthetic latices, using cerium(IV) to create free-radical grafting sites on the starch. Direct anchoring of debranched starch onto a poly(methyl methacrylate) seed latex yields a latex stabilized by well-defined oligosaccharides. Using ,-amylase to randomly cleave starch to form (1,4)-,-glucans, and a comonomer, N -isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM), whose corresponding polymer exhibits a lower critical solution temperature (LCST), creates a means to synthesize block (or graft) oligomers of oligosaccharide and synthetic polymer, which are water soluble at room temperature. Above 30 °C, they become amphiphilic and form self-emulsifying nanoparticles (sometimes termed "frozen micelles") from which a synthetic latex is grown after addition of methyl methacrylate, the collapsed NIPAM-containing entities functioning as a type of in situ seed. This synthesis of stable synthetic latex particles is shown to have a high grafting efficiency. The starch fragments were characterized by 1H solution-state NMR before grafting, and 13C solid-state cross-polarization magic-angle spinning (CP-MAS) NMR was used to characterize the starch oligomers actually grafted on the final latex. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1836,1852, 2009 [source]


Poly(ether tert -amine): A novel family of multiresponsive polymer

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 5 2009
Yanrong Ren
Abstract A novel multiresponsive poly(ether tert -amine) (PEA) was synthesized by nucleophilic addition/ring-opening reaction of commercial poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(propylene oxide) (PPO), and di-epoxy and di-amine monomer. The process of synthesis was very simple and green in ethanol as reactive media. These PEAs exhibit sharp response to temperature, pH, and ionic strength, with adjustable and sharp phase transitions in the range of 27,100 °C. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PEA's aqueous solution presents a linear relationship to the PEO content (y = 35.7 + x), indicating well-tunable LCST. The concentration of PEA has no obvious effect on LCST. Therefore, PEA will be potential in applications of drug delivery, separation, and biotechnology. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1292,1297, 2009 [source]


Preparation of novel acrylamide-based thermoresponsive polymer analogues and their application as thermoresponsive chromatographic matrices

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 16 2008
Yoshikatsu Akiyama
Abstract New thermoresponsive polymers based on poly(N -(N, -alkylcarbamido)propyl methacrylamide) analogues were designed with increased hydrophobic content to facilitate temperature-dependent chromatographic separations of peptides and proteins from aqueous mobile phases. These polymer solution exhibited a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) when the alkyl group is methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, propyl, butyl, and isobutyl. However, larger alkyl groups such as hexyl and phenyl were not soluble in aqueous solutions at any temperature. Phase transition temperatures were lower for larger alkyl groups and increased with decreasing polymer molecular weight and concentration in solution. LCST dependence on polymer molecular weight and concentration is more significant compared with well-studied poly(N -isopropylacrylamide) (PIPAAm). Partition coefficient (log P) values for N -(N, -butylcarbamide)propylmethacrylamide and N -(N, -isobutylcarbamide)propyl methacrylamide (iBuCPMA) monomers are larger than that for IPAAm monomer, suggesting higher hydrophobicity than IPAAm. Chromatographic evaluation of poly(N -(N, -isobutylcarbamide)propyl methacrylamide) (PiBuCPMA) grafted silica particles in aqueous separations revealed larger k, values for peptides, insulin, insulin chain B, and angiotensin I than PIPAAm-grafted silica beads. In particular, k, values for insulin obtained from PiBuCPMA-grafted silica separations were much larger than those from PIPAAm-grafted surface separations, indicating that PiBuCPMA should be more hydrophobic than PIPAAm. These results support the introduction of alkylcarbamido groups to efficiently increase thermoresponsive polymer hydrophobicity of poly(N -alkylacrylamides) and poly(N -alkylmethacrylamides). Consequently, poly(N -(N, -alkylcarbamido)propyl methacrylamide) analogues such as PiBuCPMA and poly(N -(N, -alkylcarbamido)alkylmehacrylamide) are new thermoresponsive polymers with appropriate hydrophobic partitioning properties for protein and peptide separations in aqueous media, depending on selection of their alkyl groups. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5471,5482, 2008 [source]


Acid-labile, thermoresponsive (meth)acrylamide polymers with pendant cyclic acetal moieties

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 13 2008
Xiao-Nan Huang
Abstract Acid-labile, thermoresponsive polymers with pendant six-membered cyclic acetal groups were prepared by radical polymerization of two monomers, N -(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl) methacrylamide (NDMM) and N -(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl) acrylamide (NDMA). The aqueous solution properties of the polymers, PNDMM and PNDMA, were studied by turbidimetry, 1H NMR, fluorescence, and DSC measurements. It is found that both polymers show sensitive and reversible phase transitions with distinct lower critical solution temperatures (LCST). Below their LCSTs, there are still some polymer aggregates as evidenced by measurements of pyrene excitation spectra and urea effects on the cloud points (CP) of polymers. The salting effect of six inorganic sodium salts on the phase transition behavior of PNDMM was investigated by turbidimetric approach. The salting-out to salting-in effect is in the order of SO42, > F, > Cl, > Br, > I, > SCN,, following the Hofmeister's series. pH-dependent hydrolysis of PNDMM and PNDMA was studied by turbidimetric and 1H NMR methods. They are both pH-sensitive and their hydrolysis rates significantly increase with decreasing pH value. The CP of PNDMM gradually increases with the acid-triggered hydrolysis of the acetal groups and the hydrolyzed polymer with , 30% hydrolysis degree does not show thermally induced phase transition. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4332,4343, 2008 [source]


Synthesis and supramolecular self-assembly of thermosensitive amphiphilic star copolymers based on a hyperbranched polyether core

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 2 2008
Haiyan Hong
Abstract A novel amphiphilic thermosensitive star copolymer with a hydrophobic hyperbranched poly (3-ethyl-3-(hydroxymethyl)oxetane) (HBPO) core and many hydrophilic poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) arms was synthesized and used as the precursor for the aqueous solution self-assembly. All the copolymers directly aggregated into core,shell unimolecular micelles (around 10 nm) and size-controllable large multimolecular micelles (around 100 nm) in water at room temperature, according to pyrene probe fluorescence spectrometry and 1H NMR, TEM, and DLS measurements. The star copolymers also underwent sharp, thermosensitive phase transitions at a lower critical solution temperature (LCST), which were proved to be originated from the secondary aggregation of the large micelles driven by increasing hydrophobic interaction due to the dehydration of PDMAEMA shells on heating. A quantitative variable temperature NMR analysis method was designed by using potassium hydrogen phthalate as an external standard and displayed great potential to evaluate the LCST transition at the molecular level. The drug loading and temperature-dependent release properties of HBPO- star -PDMAEMA micelles were also investigated by using indomethacin as a model drug. The indomethacin-loaded micelles displayed a rapid drug release at a temperature around LCST. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 668,681, 2008 [source]


Thermoresponsive hydrogel of poly(glycidyl methacrylate- co - N -isopropylacrylamide) as a nanoreactor of gold nanoparticles

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 13 2007
Xiaowei Jiang
Abstract The synthesis of a thermoresponsive hydrogel of poly(glycidyl methacrylate- co - N -isopropylacrylamide) (PGMA- co -PNIPAM) and its application as a nanoreactor of gold nanoparticles are studied. The thermoresponsive copolymer of PGMA- co -PNIPAM is first synthesized by the copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate and N -isopropylacrylamide using 2,2,-azobis(isobutyronitrile) as an initiator in tetrahydrofuran at 70 °C and then crosslinked with diethylenetriamine to form a thermoresponsive hydrogel. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the thermoresponsive hydrogel is about 50 °C. The hydrogel exists as 280-nm spheres below the LCST. The diameter of the spherical hydrogel gradually decreases to a minimum constant of 113 nm when the temperature increases to 75 °C. The hydrogel can act as a nanoreactor of gold nanoparticles because of the coordination of nitrogen atoms of the crosslinker with gold ions, on which a hydrogel/gold nanocomposite is synthesized. The LCST of the resultant hydrogel/gold nanocomposite is similar to that of the hydrogel. The size of the resultant gold nanoparticles is about 15 nm. The hydrogel/gold nanocomposite can act as a smart and recyclable catalyst. At a temperature below the LCST, the thermoresponsive nanocomposite is a homogeneous and efficient catalyst, whereas at a temperature above the LCST, it becomes a heterogeneous one, and its catalytic activity greatly decreases. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2812,2819, 2007 [source]


Synthesis and characterization of core,shell-type polymeric micelles from diblock copolymers via reversible addition,fragmentation chain transfer

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 10 2006
Ping Zhang
Abstract A method was developed to enable the formation of nanoparticles by reversible addition,fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The thermoresponsive behavior of polymeric micelles was modified by means of micellar inner cores and an outer shell. Polymeric micelles comprising AB block copolymers of poly(N -isopropylacrylamide) (PIPAAm) and poly(2-hydroxyethylacrylate) (PHEA) or polystyrene (PSt) were prepared. PIPAAm- b -PHEA and PIPAAm- b -PSt block copolymers formed a core,shell micellar structure after the dialysis of the block copolymer solutions in organic solvents against water at 20 °C. Upon heating above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), PIPAAm- b -PHEA micelles exhibited an abrupt increase in polarity and an abrupt decrease in rigidity sensed by pyrene. In contrast, PIPAAm- b -PSt micelles maintained constant values with lower polarity and higher rigidity than those of PIPAAm- b -PHEA micelles over the temperature range of 20,40 °C. Structural deformations produced by the change in the outer polymer shell with temperature cycles through the LCST were proposed for the PHEA core, which possessed a lower glass-transition temperature (ca. 20 °C) than the LCST of the PIPAAm outer shell (ca. 32.5 °C), whereas the PSt core with a much higher glass-transition temperature (ca. 100 °C) retained its structure. The nature of the hydrophobic segments composing the micelle inner core offered an important control point for thermoresponsive drug release and the drug activity of the thermoresponsive polymeric micelles. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3312,3320, 2006 [source]


Synthesis of poly[N -isopropylacrylamide- g -poly(ethylene glycol)] with a reactive group at the poly(ethylene glycol) end and its thermosensitive self-assembling character

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 4 2006
Michihiro Iijima
Abstract Poly[N -isopropylacrylamide- g -poly(ethylene glycol)]s with a reactive group at the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) end were synthesized by the radical copolymerization of N -isopropylacrylamide with a PEG macromonomer having an acetal group at one end and a methacryloyl group at the other chain end. The temperature dependence of the aqueous solutions of the obtained graft copolymers was estimated by light scattering measurements. The intensity of the light scattering from aqueous polymer solutions increased with increasing temperature. In particular, at temperatures above 40°C, the intensity abruptly increased, indicating a phase separation of the graft copolymer due to the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the poly(N -isopropylacrylamide) segment. No turbidity was observed even above the LCST, and this suggested a nanoscale self-assembling structure of the graft copolymer. The dynamic light scattering measurements confirmed that the size of the aggregate was in the range of several tens of nanometers. The acetal group at the end of the PEG graft chain was easily converted to the aldehyde group by an acid treatment, which was analyzed by 1H NMR. Such a temperature-induced nanosphere possessing reactive PEG tethered chains on the surface is promising for new nanobased biomedical materials. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1457,1469, 2006 [source]


Polymers derived from N -isopropylacrylamide and azobenzene-containing acrylamides: Photoresponsive affinity to water

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 20 2004
Haruhisa Akiyama
N -Isopropylacryamide was copolymerized by free-radical polymerization with N -[2-(4-phenylazophenoxy)ethyl]acrylamide derivatives that were substituted at their 4,-position with ethoxy, methoxyethoxy, or isopropyl units, or with N -{2-[4-(pyridin-2-ylazo)phenoxy]ethyl}acrylamide. The polymers were soluble in cold water and possessed lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs). The value of the LCST rose a few degrees after UV irradiation and dropped after irradiation with visible light, reversibly, in processes that corresponded to the isomerization of the azobenzene units. The polymers became increasingly hydrophobic after increasing their azobenzene content. The difference of hydrophobicity correlates with the absorption band height at about 400 nm. The structure of the substituent on the azobenzene unit affected both the transition temperature and the hydrophobicity. A change in photoinduced wettability for water was observed to occur on a prepared film at a temperature different from the LCST determined in water. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5200,5214, 2004 [source]


Morphology and temperature responsiveness,swelling relationship of poly(N -isopropylamide,chitosan) copolymers and their application to drug release

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 12 2004
Chia-Fen Lee
Abstract Poly [N -isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm),chitosan] crosslinked copolymer particles were synthesized by soapless emulsion copolymerization of NIPAAm and chitosan. An anionic initiator [ammonium persulfate (APS)] and a cationic initiator [2,2,-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine)dihydrochloride (AIBA)] were used to initiate the reaction of copolymerization. The chitosan,NIPAAm copolymer synthesized by using APS as the initiator showed a homogeneous morphology and exhibited the characteristic of a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The copolymer synthesized by using AIBA as an initiator showed a core,shell morphology, and the characteristic of LCST was insignificant. The LCST of the chitosan,NIPAAm copolymer depended on the morphology of the copolymer particles. In addition, the chitosan,NIPAAm copolymer particles were processed to form copolymer disks. Then, the effect of various variables such as the chitosan/NIPAAm weight ratio, the concentration of crosslinking agent, and the pH values on the swelling ratio of chitosan,NIPAAm copolymer disks were investigated. Furthermore, caffeine was used as the model drug to study the characteristics of drug loading of the chitosan,NIPAAm copolymer disks. Variables such as the chitosan/NIPAAm weight ratio and the concentration of the crosslinking agent significantly influenced the behavior of caffeine loading. Two factors (pore size and swelling ratio) affected the behavior of caffeine release from the chitosan,NIPAAm copolymer disks. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3029,3037, 2004 [source]


Synthesis and Structure/Property Relationships of Regioselective 2- O -, 3- O - and 6- O -Ethyl Celluloses

MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE, Issue 6 2010
Hiroshi Kamitakahara
Abstract Regioselectively ethylated celluloses, 2- O - (1), 3- O - (2), and 6- O -ethyl- (3) celluloses were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of glucopyranose orthopivalate derivatives. The number-average degrees of polymerization (DPns) of compounds 1 and 2 were calculated to be 10.6 and 49.4, respectively. Three kinds of compound 3 with different DPns were prepared: DPns,=,12.9 (3-1), 60.3 (3-2), and 36.1 (3-3). The 2- O -, 3- O -, and 6- O -ethylcelluloses were soluble in water, confirmed by NMR analysis. Furthermore, the 3- O - (2), and 6- O -ethyl- (3-2) celluloses showed thermo-responsive aggregation behavior and had a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) at about 40,°C and 70,°C, respectively, based on the results from turbidity tests and DSC measurements. The 6- O -ethyl-cellulose (3-3) with DPn,=,36.1 and DPw,=,54.6 showed gelation behavior over approx 70,°C, whereas the 6- O -ethyl-celluloses 3-1 and 3-2 with lower and higher molecular weight, such as DPns 12.9 and 60.3, did not show gelation behavior at this temperature. It was revealed that the position of ethyl group affected the phase transition temperature. According to our experiments, the 3- O -ethyl and 6- O -ethyl groups along the cellulose chains caused the thermo-responsive property of their aqueous solutions. The appropriate DP of the regioselective 6- O -ethyl-cellulose existed for gelation of the aqueous solution. [source]


Novel Biodegradable and Thermosensitive Dex-AI/PNIPAAm Hydrogel

MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE, Issue 2 2003
Xian-Zheng Zhang
Abstract The dextran-allyl isocyanate/poly(N -isopropylacrylamide) (Dex-AI/PNIPAAm) hydrogel was designed and prepared by copolymerization of the modified dextran with N -isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm). This novel Dex-AI/PNIPAAm hydrogel is biodegradable and intelligent due to its biodegradable dextran linkage and thermosensitive PNIPAAm moiety. With an increase in dextran content, it exhibits the increased lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and decreased porous microstructure. Also, the thermosensitivity of this hydrogel is also controllable and adjustable depending on the different compositions. SEM micrographs of the Dex-AI/PNIPAAm hydrogels. [source]


Thermal Sensitivity of tert -Butyloxycarbonylmethyl-Modified Polyquats in Condensed Phase and Solubility Properties of Copolymers with N -Isopropylacrylamide

MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 15 2010
Nina Gonsior
Abstract The synthesis of the easily decomposable ionic monomer 2- tert -butoxy- N -[2-(methacryloyl-oxy)ethyl]- N,N -dimethyl-2-oxoethanammonium chloride (3) via thermally induced syn-elimination of a tert -butyl ester group was realized simply by mixing N,N -dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (1) and tert -butyl chloroacetate (2) at ambient temperature without solvent. The obtained salt was polymerized via free radical polymerization. The decomposition and foaming via iso -butene formation takes place by heating up to about 160,°C. IR, DSC, TGA, and GC/MS measurements were performed to follow this pyrolysis reaction. Furthermore, the copolymerization of 3 with N -isopropylacrylamid (NiPAAm, 5) was carried out with different monomer ratios. Molar mass distributions were measured using an asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (aFFFF) system. The obtained copolymers 6,10 exhibit lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behaviour in water with cloud points at different temperatures depending on the monomer ratio. [source]


Response Characteristics of Thermoresponsive Polymers Using Nanomechanical Cantilever Sensors

MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 16 2009
Calvin Bradley
Abstract We investigated coatings of thermally responsive thin polymer films prepared on nanomechanical cantilever sensor (NCS): (i) a PNIPAM brush, and (ii) an interlinked ppDEA polymer. Upon heating from 22 to 50,°C in water, a minimum in the differential deflection between 31.9,±,1.7,°C (PNIPAM) and 47.7,±,1.9,°C (ppDEA) was measured. The minimum in differential deflection can be associated with the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the films. Below the LCST the NCS deflection corresponds to a bending toward the thermally responsive polymer film side, associated to dehydration. At higher temperature, the deflection was reversed, i.e., away from the polymer coating. This response is mainly attributed to a bimaterial effect between the collapsed polymer and the NCS material. The LCST of the PNIPAM brush layer and the ppDEA film were close to that reported for the bulk polymers. [source]


Molecular-Recognition-Induced Phase Transitions of Two Thermo-Responsive Polymers with Pendent , -Cyclodextrin Groups

MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 2 2008
Mei Yang
Abstract PNIPAM-based thermo-responsive polymers with pendent , -cyclodextrin groups were synthesized and the molecular-recognition-induced phase-transition behavior of fabricated polymers was investigated. The results showed that the thermo-sensitive PNG-ECD and PNG-HCD polymers could significantly recognize the guest ANS molecules, and their LCSTs in ANS aqueous solutions were lower than those in blank aqueous solution. The more ANS could be recognized by the polymer, the lower was the LCST of the polymer. The guest NS molecules had an opposite influence on the LCSTs of the PNG-ECD and PNG-HCD polymers, because the complexation between CD and NS slightly enlarged the hydrophilic moiety of the polymers. [source]