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Polymer Poly (polymer + poly)
Selected AbstractsCeramic,Polymer Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3/Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Composites with Different Type Composite Structures for Electronic TechnologyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Hong Wang Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 (BST)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites with 0,3, 1,3, and 2,2 type structures were prepared and studied. The effect of composite type on the dielectric properties of BST/PMMA composites was comprehensively investigated by both theoretical and experimental methods. The 1,3 type composite shows the highest permittivity and dielectric tunability, while the 2,2 and 0,3 type composites show lower permittivity as well as lower dielectric tunabilities. The experimentally measured dielectric properties are in agreement with the theoretically calculated values. The results help in understanding and tailoring the dielectric properties of ceramic,polymer composites by choosing a suitable composite structure. [source] Antioxidant Activity of Degradable Polymer Poly(trolox ester) to Suppress Oxidative Stress Injury in the CellsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 1 2010Paritosh P. Wattamwar Abstract Oxidative stress is a pathological condition that has been implicated as a central player in a variety of diseases, including vascular and neurodegenerative diseases. More recently, oxidative stress has also been shown to be involved in the biological incompatibility of many materials, especially at the nanoscale. As such, there is a critical need for new biomaterials that can inhibit this response, improving the compatibility of medical devices. In this work, trolox, a synthetic antioxidant and water-soluble analogue of Vitamin E, is polymerized to form an oxidation active polymer as a new class of biomaterial. Synthesized poly(trolox ester) polymers were formulated into nanoparticles using a single emulsion technique, and their size was controlled by changing the polymer concentration in the organic solvent. Nanoparticle cytotoxicity, protective effects against cellular oxidative stress, and degradation kinetics were all evaluated. Poly(trolox ester) nanoparticles were found to have little to no cytotoxicity and were capable of suppressing cellular oxidative stress induced by cobalt nanoparticles. In vitro degradation studies of poly(trolox ester) nanoparticles indicate that the antioxidant activity of nanoparticles was derived from its enzymatic degradation to release active antioxidants. [source] Nanobubbles from Gas-Generating Polymeric Nanoparticles: Ultrasound Imaging of Living Subjects,ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE, Issue 3 2010Eunah Kang Dr. Durch die Koaleszenz und Fusion von Kohlendioxidnanobläschen in einem Tumor entstehen Mikrobläschen, die mit Ultraschall sichtbar gemacht werden können (siehe Bild). Die Bläschen stammen von Gas freisetzenden polymeren Nanopartikeln mit einem Überzug aus hydrophobisiertem Chitosan. Die Hydrolyse des Polymers Poly(BL-PO) mit einem bioabbaubaren Rückgrat und einer Carbonatseitenkette setzt Kohlendioxid frei. [source] An optimized microchip electrophoresis system for mutation detection by tandem SSCP and heteroduplex analysis for p53,gene exons,5,9ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 19 2006Christa N. Hestekin Abstract With the complete sequencing of the human genome, there is a growing need for rapid, highly sensitive genetic mutation detection methods suitable for clinical implementation. DNA-based diagnostics such as single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and heteroduplex analysis (HA) are commonly used in research laboratories to screen for mutations, but the slab gel electrophoresis (SGE) format is ill-suited for routine clinical use. The translation of these assays from SGE to microfluidic chips offers significant speed, cost, and sensitivity advantages; however, numerous parameters must be optimized to provide highly sensitive mutation detection. Here we present a methodical study of system parameters including polymer matrix, wall coating, analysis temperature, and electric field strengths on the effectiveness of mutation detection by tandem SSCP/HA for DNA samples from exons,5,9 of the p53 gene. The effects of polymer matrix concentration and average molar mass were studied for linear polyacrylamide (LPA) solutions. We determined that a matrix of 8%,w/v 600,kDa LPA provides the most reliable SSCP/HA mutation detection on chips. The inclusion of a small amount of the dynamic wall-coating polymer poly- N -hydroxyethylacrylamide in the matrix substantially improves the resolution of SSCP conformers and extends the coating lifetime. We investigated electrophoresis temperatures between 17 and 35°C and found that the lowest temperature accessible on our chip electrophoresis system gives the best condition for high sensitivity of the tandem SSCP/HA method, especially for the SSCP conformers. Finally, the use of electrical fields between 350 and 450,V/cm provided rapid separations (<10,min) with well-resolved DNA peaks for both SSCP and HA. [source] Near IR Sensitization of Organic Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells: Towards Optimization of the Spectral Response of Organic Solar CellsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 2 2010Markus Koppe Abstract The spectroscopic response of a poly(3-hexylthiophene)/[6,6]-phenyl-C61 -butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT/PCBM)-based bulk heterojunction solar cell is extended into the near infrared region (NIR) of the spectrum by adding the low bandgap polymer poly[2,6-(4,4-bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H -cyclopenta[2,1- b;3,4- b´]-dithiophene)- alt -4,7-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)] [PCPDTBT] to the blend. The dominant mechanism behind the enhanced photosensitivity of the ternary blend is found to be a two-step process: first, an ultrafast and efficient photoinduced charge transfer generates positive charges on P3HT and PCPDTBT and a negative charge on PCBM. In a second step, the positive charge on PCPDTBT is transferred to P3HT. Thus, P3HT serves two purposes. On the one hand it is involved in the generation of charge carriers by the photoinduced electron transfer to PCBM, and, on the other hand, it forms the charge transport matrix for the positive carriers transferred from PCPDTBT. Other mechanisms, such as energy transfer or photoinduced charge transfer directly between the two polymers, are found to be absent or negligible. [source] Bimolecular Crystals of Fullerenes in Conjugated Polymers and the Implications of Molecular Mixing for Solar CellsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 8 2009A. C. Mayer The performance of polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells is heavily influenced by the interpenetrating nanostructure formed by the two semiconductors because the size of the phases, the nature of the interface, and molecular packing affect exciton dissociation, recombination, and charge transport. Here, X-ray diffraction is used to demonstrate the formation of stable, well-ordered bimolecular crystals of fullerene intercalated between the side-chains of the semiconducting polymer poly(2,5-bis(3-tetradecylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2- b]thiophene. It is shown that fullerene intercalation is general and is likely to occur in blends with both amorphous and semicrystalline polymers when there is enough free volume between the side-chains to accommodate the fullerene molecule. These findings offer explanations for why luminescence is completely quenched in crystals much larger than exciton diffusion lengths, how the hole mobility of poly(2-methoxy-5-(3,,7,-dimethyloxy)-p-phylene vinylene) increases by over 2 orders of magnitude when blended with fullerene derivatives, and why large-scale phase separation occurs in some polymer:fullerene blend ratios while thermodynamically stable mixing on the molecular scale occurs for others. Furthermore, it is shown that intercalation of fullerenes between side chains mostly determines the optimum polymer:fullerene blending ratios. These discoveries suggest a method of intentionally designing bimolecular crystals and tuning their properties to create novel materials for photovoltaic and other applications. [source] Microgel-Based Stimuli-Responsive CapsulesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 4 2009Sebastian Berger Abstract In this paper, a preparation of stimuli-responsive capsules based on aqueous microgels is described. Microgel particles act as stabilizers for oil-in-water emulsion and organize themselves on the surface of chloroform droplets containing the biodegradable polymer poly(4-hydroxybutyrate- co -4-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV). After chloroform evaporation, composite capsules consisting of a thin PHBV wall with integrated microgels are obtained. Due to the presence of microgels acting as sensitive building blocks, the capsules respond to different stimuli (temperature, solvent concentration). Preliminary results indicate that the capsule dimensions and morphology can be tuned by microgel and PHBV concentration in water and chloroform, respectively. [source] Phase Segregation in Thin Films of Conjugated Polyrotaxane, Poly(ethylene oxide) Blends: A Scanning Force Microscopy Study,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 6 2007L. Sardone Abstract Scanning force microscopy (SFM) is used to study the surface morphology of spin-coated thin films of the ion-transport polymer poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blended with either cyclodextrin (CD)-threaded conjugated polyrotaxanes based on poly(4,4,-diphenylene-vinylene) (PDV), ,-CD,PDV, or their uninsulated PDV analogues. Both the polyrotaxanes and their blends with PEO are of interest as active materials in light-emitting devices. The SFM analysis of the blended films supported on mica and on indium tin oxide (ITO) reveals in both cases a morphology that reflects the substrate topography on the (sub-)micrometer scale and is characterized by an absence of the surface structure that is usually associated with phase segregation. This observation confirms a good miscibility of the two hydrophilic components, when deposited by using spin-coating, as suggested by the luminescence data on devices and thin films. Clear evidence of phase segregation is instead found when blending PEO with a new organic-soluble conjugated polymer such as a silylated poly(fluorene)- alt -poly(para -phenylene) based polyrotaxane (THS,,-CD,PF,PPP). The results obtained are relevant to the understanding of the factors influencing the interfacial and the intermolecular interactions with a view to optimizing the performance of light-emitting diodes, and light-emitting electrochemical cells based on supramolecularly engineered organic polymers. [source] Biodegradable Xylitol-Based Polymers,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 10 2008Joost P. Bruggeman Synthetic polymers composed of metabolites endogenous to the mammalian organism are designed. The design is based on the monomer xylitol, which possesses a wide range of physical properties that are biologically relevant. Xylitol-based hydrogels and elastomers are biocompatible in vitro and in vivo, compared to the prevalent synthetic polymer poly(L-lactic- co - glycolic acid) (PLGA). It furthermore provides a platform to tune mechanical properties, degradation profiles, and cell attachment. [source] Smooth Continuous Films of Stoichiometric Silicon Carbide from Poly(methylsilyne),ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 8 2004W. Pitcher A new synthesis of the silicon-network-backbone polymer poly(methylsilyne) gives a material that is easily converted by pyrolysis to smooth continous films of stoichiometric silicon carbide (see Figure). The films are adherent to the silicon or alumina substrates, and show root mean square roughness of 169,Å over a 500,,m range. Applications in electronics are envisaged. [source] Constructive modification of conducting polyaniline characteristics in unusual proportion through nanomaterial blend formation with the neutral polymer poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2007E. Subramanian Abstract The present work reports an investigation on the modification of conducting polyaniline (PANI) characteristics favorably on blending with the neutral polymer, poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) in a systematic variation of their molar ratios (aniline : PVP = 4 : 1, 2 : 1, 1 : 1, 1 : 2, and 1 : 3). Prepared by precipitation technique by conventional in situ chemical oxidative polymerization with ammonium peroxodisulfate in aqueous H2SO4 medium (pH 1.0), these materials have nanometer sizes (, 50,200 nm) and, depending on the molar ratios, exhibit a distinct deviation in physicochemical characteristics from those of pristine PANI prepared in the identical condition. A gradual trend in characteristics is noticed in first three PANI,PVP blends, while an abnormal hike in conductivity, unusual spectral features in IR and UV,vis, hardened nature, and induction of characteristic morphology, crystallinity, and thermal stability are associated with the last two blends that have excess PVP. Thus a division of two sets of nanoblends, one set with less or equal content of PVP and another with excess of PVP, emerges. Evidently, PVP has a tuning effect on PANI through its dopant, supporting matrix and interpenetrating steric stabilizer acts in proportion quite unusual to its neutral nature. The study altogether brings to light a simple way of modification of PANI characteristics by conventional method of blend synthesis. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007 [source] Stability of poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) materials intended for implants,JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 2 2010Elin M. Thaning Abstract This study presents experiments designed to study the stability of the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT), under simulated physiological conditions using phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (0.01M) at 37°C over a 5- to 6-week period. Voltage pulsing in PBS was used as an additional test environment. The influence of switching the counter ion used in electropolymerization from polystyrene sulphonate (PSS) to heparin was investigated. Absorbance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used to evaluate the material properties. Most of the samples in H2O2 lost both electroactivity and optical absorbance within the study period, but PEDOT:PSS was found slightly more stable than PEDOT:heparin. Polymers were relatively stable in PBS throughout the study period, with around 80% of electroactivity remaining after 5 weeks, disregarding delamination, which was a significant problem especially for polymer on indium tin oxide substrates. Voltage pulsing in PBS did not increase degradation. The counter ion influenced the time course of degradation in oxidizing agents. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 2010 [source] Synthesis of amphiphilic copolymer brushes: Poly(ethylene oxide)-graft-polystyreneJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 15 2006Zhongyu Li Abstract A well-defined amphiphilic copolymer brush with poly(ethylene oxide) as the main chain and polystyrene as the side chain was successfully prepared by a combination of anionic polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The glycidol was first protected by ethyl vinyl ether to form 2,3-epoxypropyl-1-ethoxyethyl ether and then copolymerized with ethylene oxide by the initiation of a mixture of diphenylmethylpotassium and triethylene glycol to give the well-defined polymer poly(ethylene oxide- co -2,3-epoxypropyl-1-ethoxyethyl ether); the latter was hydrolyzed under acidic conditions, and then the recovered copolymer of ethylene oxide and glycidol {poly(ethylene oxide- co -glycidol) [poly(EO- co -Gly)]} with multiple pending hydroxymethyl groups was esterified with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide to produce the macro-ATRP initiator [poly(EO- co -Gly)(ATRP). The latter was used to initiate the polymerization of styrene to form the amphiphilic copolymer brushes. The object products and intermediates were characterized with 1H NMR, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared, and size exclusion chromatography in detail. In all cases, the molecular weight distribution of the copolymer brushes was rather narrow (weight-average molecular weight/number-average molecular weight < 1.2), and the linear dependence of ln[M0]/[M] (where [M0] is the initial monomer concentration and [M] is the monomer concentration at a certain time) on time demonstrated that the styrene polymerization was well controlled. This method has universal significance for the preparation of copolymer brushes with hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) as the main chain. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4361,4371, 2006 [source] Partially miscible poly(lactic acid)- blend -poly(propylene carbonate) filled with carbon black as conductive polymer compositePOLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 9 2008Wang Ning Abstract BACKGROUND: Conductive polymer composites (CPCs) can be obtained by filling polymer matrices with electrically conductive particles, and have a wide variety of potential applications. In the work reported, the biodegradable polymer poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as a partially miscible blend with poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) was used as a polymer matrix. Carbon black (CB) was used as the conducting filler. RESULTS: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed interactions between matrix and CB filler; this interaction was stronger in PPC- blend -CB than in PLA- blend -CB composites. A rheology study showed that low-viscosity PPC could improve the fluidity of the CPCs, but decrease that of CB. With increasing CB content, the enforcement effect, storage modulus and glass transition temperature increased, but the elongation at break decreased. CPCs exhibited the lowest electrical percolation thresholds of 1.39 vol.% CB when the content of PPC in PLA- blend -PPC was 40 wt%. The conductivity of CPCs containing 5.33 vol.% CB and 40 wt% PPC reached 1.57 S cm,1. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that CB exhibits a preference for dispersion in the low-viscosity phase (PPC) of the multiphase matrix. CONCLUSION: In the presence of CB, partially miscible PLA- blend -PPC could form multi-percolation CPCs. Moreover, the combination of PLA and PPC with CB broadens novel application of both renewable polymers and CPCs. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Cadmium(II) thio- and selenocyanate complexes of 3,3,-bis(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-1,1,-biadamantane, a ligand designed with an `extended nanodiamond' aliphatic platformACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C, Issue 7 2010Ganna A. Senchyk In the structures of the CdII pseudohalide coordination polymer poly[[diaquabis[,2 -3,3,-bis(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-1,1,-biadamantane-,2N1:N1,]cadmium(II)] dithiocyanate dihydrate], {[Cd(C24H32N6)2(H2O)2](NCS)2·2H2O}n, (I), and the isomorphous selenocyanate analogue, {[Cd(C24H32N6)2(H2O)2](NCSe)2·2H2O}n, (II), the CdII cations occupy inversion centres and have octahedral CdN4O2 environments, completed by four N atoms of the organic ligands [Cd,N = 2.316,(2) and 2.361,(2),Å for (I), and 2.313,(3) and 2.372,(3),Å for (II)] and two trans -coordinated aqua ligands [Cd,O = 2.3189,(15),Å for (I) and 2.323,(2),Å for (II)]. In each compound, the ligand displays a bidentate N1:N1, -bridging mode, connecting the metal centres at a distance of 14.66,Å into two-dimensional nets of (4,4)-topology, while the uncoordinated thio(seleno)cyanate anions reside inside the net cavities. Hydrogen bonding between the water molecules, anions and 1,2,4-triazole N atoms supports the tight packing, with an interlayer distance of 6.09,Å. [source] A novel two-dimensional framework based on unprecedented cadmium(II) chainsACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C, Issue 2 2009Jie Qin The bent ligand 4-[(1H -1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]benzoic acid (HL) has been used to create the novel two-dimensional coordination polymer poly[,2 -aqua-,2 -chlorido-{,2 -4-[(1H -1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]benzoato}cadmium(II)], [Cd(C10H8N3O2)Cl(H2O)]n, under hydrothermal reaction of HL with cadmium chloride. The crystallographically unique Cd atom is seven-coordinated in an approximately pentagonal,bipyramidal environment of two carboxylate O atoms, two water O atoms, two Cl atoms and one triazole N atom. A notable feature is the presence of zigzag ...Cd...Cd... inorganic chains, in which neighboring CdII ions are doubly bridged by pairs of ,2 -Cl atoms and ,2 -H2O ligands in an alternating fashion. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first example containing this bridging mode in a cadmium(II) framework. The chains are connected to one another through the bridging L, ligand into a two-dimensional undulating network. All of the two-dimensional nets stack exactly together in an ,AA, stacking sequence along the crystallographic b axis. Neighboring layers are further linked into a three-dimensional framework via interlayer hydrogen-bonding interactions. [source] A novel cobalt(II) coordination polymer with an unusual four-connected 42.63.8 topologyACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C, Issue 7 2008Guo-Hua Wei In the cobalt(II) coordination polymer poly[[(,2 -benzene-1,3-dicarboxylato){,2 -1,1,-[2,2,-oxybis(ethane-2,1-diyl)]di-1H -imidazole}cobalt(II)] monohydrate], {[Co(C10H14N4O)(C8H4O4)]·H2O}n, two crystallographically distinct CoII cations are four-coordinated by N2O2 donor sets in distorted tetrahedral geometries. The CoII centers are connected by benzene-1,3-dicarboxylate (m -BDC) anions, giving two types of linear chains, which are further joined via meso -helical 1,1,-[2,2,-oxybis(ethane-2,1-diyl)]di-1H -imidazole ligands to yield a thick two-dimensional slab. The compound displays a two-dimensional four-connected 42.63.8 topology, which is unprecedented in coordination polymers. [source] The effect of protein,precipitant interfaces and applied shear on the nucleation and growth of lysozyme crystalsACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 11 2009Nuno M. Reis This paper is concerned with the effect of protein,precipitant interfaces and externally applied shear on the nucleation and growth kinetics of hen egg-white lysozyme crystals. The early stages of microbatch crystallization of lysozyme were explored using both optical and confocal fluorescence microscopy imaging. Initially, an antisolvent (precipitant) was added to a protein drop and the optical development of the protein,precipitant interface was followed with time. In the presence of the water-soluble polymer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) a sharp interface was observed to form immediately within the drop, giving an initial clear separation between the lighter protein solution and the heavier precipitant. This interface subsequently became unstable and quickly developed within a few seconds into several unstable `fingers' that represented regions of high concentration-gradient interfaces. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that the subsequent nucleation of protein crystals occurred preferentially in the region of these interfaces. Additional experiments using an optical shearing system demonstrated that oscillatory shear significantly decreased nucleation rates whilst extending the growth period of the lysozyme crystals. The experimental observations relating to both nucleation and growth have relevance in developing efficient and reliable protocols for general crystallization procedures and the controlled crystallization of single large high-quality protein crystals for use in X-ray crystallography. [source] Raman spectroscopy of secondary structure of elastinlike polymer poly(GVGVP)BIOPOLYMERS, Issue 3 2001Pavel Schmidt Abstract Raman spectra of the elastinlike polypentapeptide poly(GVGVP) were measured in H2O and D2O as solutions and, after increasing the temperature, as suspensions and sediments. In addition, spectra of the polypentapeptide in the solutions of increasing concentration and in the solid state were also investigated by gradually evaporating the water. Significant changes in band frequencies, intensities, and shapes were found for selected Raman bands in the measured spectra, particularly for the CH stretching, the glycine CH2 wagging, and some amide vibrations. The CH stretching vibrations are influenced predominantly by the presence of water, the glycine CH2 wagging vibrations are associated with conformational transitions. Three possible types of poly(GVGVP)s in the presence of water were indicated: polymer chains in a relatively extended state in the solution, a ,-spiral structure in the suspension, and irregularly bent chains in the sediment. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopolymers (Biospectroscopy) 62: 150,157, 2001 [source] The Relevance of the Collaborative Effect in Determining the Performances of Photorefractive Polymer MaterialsCHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 2 2010Rocco Angelone Dr. Abstract A derivative of 2-methylindole, 3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-1-allyl-2-methylindole, NPEMI-A, is studied for its photoconductivity and photorefractivity behaviour. Its blends with the organic polymer poly-(2,3-dimethyl- N -vinylindole), PVDMI, are also investigated. Due to the expected and devised mutual solubility of the two components of the blends, it is possible to carry out measurements with the weight percent of the chromophore NPEMI-A changing from zero to 100. Films were produced by a squeezing process between two ITO-covered glass sheets. No opacity phenomena, that are so common for many other organic blends due to the segregation of the dissolved chromophore, are observed. The photorefractive optical gain ,2 is obtained as a function of the chromophore content. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements (DSC) are also carried out to obtain the whole change of the glass transition temperature Tg as a function of the amount of chromophore contained in the blends. From the experimental trend of Tg a meaningful quantitative estimate of the value of the electrostatic interactions acting in the studied blends, is obtained. The importance of the value of Tg, and of the electrostatic interactions, in determining the extent of the photorefractivity is clearly evident. The results are compared for NPEMI-A (,2=210 cm,1) and for NPEMI-E (,2 , 2000 cm,1) that has a N-2-ethylhexyl group instead of a N-allyl group. The Pockels and Kerr contributions and,for the first time,a "collaborative effect" of the photorefractivity of NPEMI-A are distinguished and quantitatively evaluated. [source] Polymeric Actuators for Biological ApplicationsCHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 12 2007Avishay Pelah Dr. Abstract To shed light on the role of cell rheology and mechanotransduction in various physiological and disease states, different techniques of force application, such as optical tweezers and deformable substrates, are employed. In this present paper we describe a new approach for the deformation of cells based on the temperature-sensitive polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), PNIPAM. In response to temperature changes, PNIPAM gels undergo extensive and reversible changes in volume that allow them to be used as actuators for stretching and compressing cells and tissues. Herein we focus mainly on our experience with the deformation of red blood cells as proof of principle, and demonstrate the wealth of possibilities such stimuli-responsive materials may offer as actuators. [source] Synthesis, Photophysics and Morphology of a Conjugated Polymer with Azobenzene Building Block in the BackboneCHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2010Dezhi Shen Abstract A conjugate polymer poly[p -(phenyleneethylene)-alt-(phenyleneazophenyleneethylene)] (PPEPAPE) containing azobenzene building block in the polymer backbone was synthesized via Sonogashira cross-coupling of 4,4,-diiodoazobenzene and 1,4-diethynyl-2,5-didodecyloxybenzene. All the monomers and the resulting polymer were well characterized. The polymer had a relatively high molecular weight and showed very good solubility (,10 mg/mL) in common organic solvents. The photophysics of this polymer in solution and in film was investigated. The surface morphology of the films was studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the relationship between the morphology and absorbance was discussed. This polymer has good film-forming property, broad absorbance and no emission, which might make it a good candidate for the photovoltaic material in the solar cell. [source] Regioselective Synthesis of Phenols and Halophenols from Arylboronic Acids Using Solid Poly(N -vinylpyrrolidone)/ Hydrogen Peroxide and Poly(4-vinylpyridine)/Hydrogen Peroxide ComplexesADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 10 2009K. Surya Prakash Abstract Solid hydrogen peroxide complexes based on poly(N -vinylpyrrolidone) and poly(4-vinylpyridine) were prepared and used as solid hydroxylating reagents. These solid hydrogen peroxide equivalents are found to be much safer, convenient and efficient reagent systems for the ipso -hydroxylation of arylboronic acids to the corresponding phenols in high yields at a faster rate. The versatility of the reagents has been further expanded for the one-pot synthesis of halophenols. Density functional theory calculations were carried out on hydrogen peroxide complexes of N -ethylpyrrolidone and 4-ethylpyridine as models to get a better understanding of structure and behavior of hydrogen peroxide complexes of the polymers poly(N -vinylpyrrolidone) and poly(4-vinylpyridine) compared to aqueous hydrogen peroxide. [source] Drug encapsulation using supercritical fluid extraction of emulsionsJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 3 2006P. Chattopadhyay Abstract The current work was aimed at evaluating a new method, supercritical fluid extraction of emulsions (SFEE), for the production of composite (e.g., polymer-drug) micro- and nanoparticles, intended for application in sustained-release drug delivery formulations. Using the proposed method, composite particles were obtained, both in a continuous or batch manner by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions. Model drugs indomethacin and ketoprofen and biodegradable polymers poly(lactic/glycolic) acid and Eudragit RS were used in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the SFEE process for producing these particles. Stable aqueous suspensions of composite micro and nanoparticles, having sizes ranging between 0.1 and 2 µm were consistently obtained. Emulsion droplet diameter was found to be the major size control parameter. Other parameters investigated included polymer and drug concentrations in solvent and emulsion solvent fraction. The residual solvent content in the particle suspension obtained was consistently below 50 ppm. Standard dissolution tests were used to observe the sustained release phenomenon of the composite particles. The dissolution profile was characterized in terms of the intrinsic dissolution kinetic coefficients taking into account the specific surface area and solubility of the particles. It was observed that the kinetic coefficient parameter for encapsulated drugs was reduced by 2,4 orders of magnitude when compared to the unprocessed drug particles. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 95:667,679, 2006 [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||