Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Muhammad Asif Iqbal, Toheed Akhter, Muhammad Faheem, Asif Mahmood, Waheed Al-Masry, Sohail Nadeem, Sadaf Ul Hassan, Chan Ho Park
Summary: We synthesized a thermoresponsive polymer with a narrow molecular weight distribution using organic photo-redox-catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP). The O-ATRP was mediated by a photoredox catalyst 1,2,3,5-tetrakis (carbazol-9-yl)-4,6-dicyanobenzene (4CzIPN) under visible light irradiation. The polymerization of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) chains from a hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC)-based macroinitiator was characterized using various analytical methods. The resulting PMMA-grafted HPC (PMMA-g-HPC) showed a widened lower critical solution temperature (LCST) window and an inverse pH dependency of the LCST, making it promising for various applications including drug delivery systems.
Article
Polymer Science
Daheng Wu, Xiaodong Yin, Yaqi Zhao, Yiwen Wang, Deke Li, Fuchao Yang, Long Wang, Yi Chen, Jianing Wang, Haoyong Yang, Xiaoling Liu, Fu Liu, Tao Zhang
Summary: In this study, a robust and biocompatible surface-initiated controlled radical polymerization method catalyzed by a Sn(0) sheet was presented. The method exhibited excellent controllability and efficiently converted diverse vinyl monomers into homogeneous polymer brushes. The resulting polymer brushes showed superior affinity towards blood and cell due to the intrinsic biocompatibility of Sn. This strategy provides a new avenue for the controllable fabrication of biocompatible polymer brushes for biological applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Xiaoling Xu, Mei Hong, Chunyang Bao, Yan Wang, Jing Chen, Die Li, Tianheng Wang, Qiang Zhang
Summary: The claw-type Schiff base Py(3)Tren was utilized as an active ligand for photoinduced atom transfer radical polymerization (Photo-ATRP) with CuBr2 as the catalyst, enabling temporal control of the polymerization process and synthesis of well-defined poly(MMA) with high chain-end functionality confirmed by in situ chain extension. The polymerization mechanism was elucidated through UV/vis spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) experiments.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Olessya P. Loiko, Johan P. A. Heuts, Alex M. van Herk
Summary: This article reports the synthesis of polymer-vesicle latex particles using extruded vesicles of DODAB via an atom transfer radical polymerization-based approach. Cryo-TEM characterization reveals that the final morphology of the particles is affected by monomer feed composition and chain length. Protrusions or nanocapsules were synthesized depending on the monomer combinations used.
COLLOID AND POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Yi Wu, Bo Liu, Dongmei Cui
Summary: The ultrafast synthesis of core cross-linked star poly(p-methylstyrene) (s-PMS) with syndiotactic arms was achieved through a coupling reaction between the active species of metal-poly(p-methylstyrene) and the cross-linker of divinylbenzene (DVB). By controlling the molecular weight, DVB loading, and coupling time, narrowly distributed s-PMS with high yield was obtained. Compared to linear PMS, s-PMS with the same molecular weight has lower solution viscosity and smaller hydrodynamic radius.
Article
Polymer Science
Aurel Diacon, Edina Rusen, Florica Rizea, Adi Ghebaur, Daniela Berger, Raluca Somoghi, Andreea Matei, Petru Palade, Oana Tutunaru
Summary: The study developed an ATRP process for MMA polymerization using Fe(CO)(5) as co-initiator, demonstrating controlled characteristics and producing magnetic PMMA particles. The particles have porous characteristics and magnetic properties, making them suitable for use as catalyst supports, separation processes, or biomedical applications.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Christian Andersen, Libor Zverina, Koosha Ehtiati, Esben Thormann, Hanne Mordhorst, Sunje J. Pamp, Niels J. Madsen, Anders E. Daugaard
Summary: PDMS is a versatile material for biomedical devices, but its hydrophobic nature makes it prone to microbial colonization. This study presents a new method of introducing an ATRP initiator onto the PDMS surface and grafting PDMAEMA brushes using SI-SARA-ATRP to enhance antimicrobial properties. The fast reaction rate and increased antimicrobial activity demonstrate the potential for full-scale exploitation of PDMS in biomedical devices.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Hui Ye, Yining Zhou, Guodong Yang, Tengfei Yu, Yuzhong Zhang, Lizhi Zhao, Qingping Xin, Shurui Han
Summary: In this study, a pH-responsive membrane was developed for protein fractionation. The membrane successfully separated different milk proteins by controlling the pH value.
POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Yi Wang, Francesca Lorandi, Marco Fantin, Krzysztof Matyjaszewski
Summary: Polymerizations in aqueous dispersed media benefit from good heat transfer, low viscosity, low content of volatile compounds, and established industrial use. The implementation of ATRP in dispersed media has highlighted the possibility of achieving improved livingness and producing a variety of macromolecular architectures. ATRP techniques employing low-ppm catalyst loadings have enabled access to a larger variety of polymer architectures and functional polymer particles, which have found applications in molecular recognition, drug delivery, bio-quantification, and advanced coatings.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hyun Suk Wang, Kostas Parkatzidis, Simon Harrisson, Nghia P. Truong, Athina Anastasaki
Summary: The dispersity of a polymer is a key parameter in material design, and a rapid and quantitative method has been developed to tailor dispersity of polymers in aqueous atom transfer radical polymerization by using excess ligand to regulate the dissociation of bromide ions. This method allows for control over dispersity within a short time frame, high monomer conversions, and maintenance of high end-group fidelity.
Review
Polymer Science
Chris William Anderson Bainbridge, Andika Wangsadijaya, Neil Broderick, Jianyong Jin
Summary: Controlled radical polymerization techniques are widely used in polymer research and development. However, their application in crosslinked polymer networks, which allows versatile post-production modifications, has received less attention. These living polymer networks can be classified into parent and daughter networks, and the use of atom transfer radical polymerization and reversible addition fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization has been most common. The future potential of living polymer networks is also discussed.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ki Jung Kim, Yunmi Chae, Seong Jin An, Jin Hui Jo, Sungmin Park, Won Seok Chi
Summary: This study investigates microphase-separated structured PI-POEM graft copolymer membranes, which have controllable POEM concentrations and the ability to modify material properties. The results show that PI-POEM graft copolymer membranes exhibit high CO2 affinity and separation performance, making them promising for CO2 separation processes.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Amrish Kumar Padmakumar, Nikhil K. Singha, Muthupandian Ashokkumar, Frank A. Leibfarth, Greg G. Qiao
Summary: Advances in nanomolecular engineering have led to the development of technology using ultrasonic irradiation to initiate polymerization. In this study, ultrasound-assisted reversible addition chain-transfer (Sono-RAFT) polymerization was used to compare batch and continuous flow polymerization methods on monomer conversion, polymer molar mass, and dispersity using different monomer substrates. Results showed that continuous flow polymerization had higher monomer conversion compared to batch reactions under the same conditions. Continuous flow reactors with stainless-steel microreactors provided higher cavitation intensity and lower oxygen contamination, making Sono-RAFT possible at higher monomer concentrations. These findings have implications for mechanochemistry and the practical and sustainable implementation of sonochemically regulated polymerization.
Article
Polymer Science
Xiaoqiang Xue, Mingjian Feng, Hongting Pu, Fangli Cheng, Wenyan Huang, Hongjun Yang, Li Jiang, Qimin Jiang, Bibiao Jiang, Sridhar Komarneni
Summary: In this study, well-defined branched polystyrenes (BPS) were synthesized by combining self-condensing atom transfer radical copolymerization (ATRP) and Diels-Alder (DA)/retro-Diels-Alder (r-DA) reactions. The controlled synthesis of BPS with different morphologies was achieved through temperature induction, and the resulting BPS exhibited distinctive rheological behaviors in the melt and solution.
Review
Polymer Science
Alfred K. K. Fung, Michelle L. Coote
Summary: Atom transfer radical polymerization has become one of the most dominant methods in controlled radical polymerization since its invention 25 years ago. The rise in importance is largely due to increases in scope, reduced catalyst loading, and improved oxygen tolerance. These developments have been underpinned by an improved understanding of the mechanism, kinetics, and structure-reactivity trends.
POLYMER INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Jiannan Cheng, Qing Yu, Kai Tu, Jinying Wang, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: This study presents a controlled method for the formation of ellipsoidal micelles, disklike micelles, and sheets by hierarchical self-assembly of triphilic main-chain-type semifluorinated alternating graft copolymers. The possible self-assembly mechanism of these micron-level aggregates is proposed, providing new insights for the synthesis of main-chain-type fluorinated graft copolymers and the research field of solution self-assembly of fluorinated copolymers.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Xin Pan, Shubei Ma, Xiaowen Sui, Lili Xie, Furong Li, Zhengping Cheng, Li Cui, Hongling Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of intravenous thrombolytic therapy (ITT) for acute ischemic stroke patients in Dalian, China in 2020. The results showed an increase in the number of patients receiving ITT in 2021 compared to 2020, along with a decrease in door-to-needle time. It was also found that in 2020, a significant number of patients did not use ambulance transport, while in 2021, a higher percentage of patients used ambulance transport.
Article
Polymer Science
Jiannan Cheng, Xiang Xu, Qing Yu, Chaojie Li, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: We report a facile method to synthesize graft copolymers with a semi-fluorinated alternating backbone via simultaneous CuAAC reaction and ATRP. The synthesis of fluorinated backbone from START polymerization can be introduced to the graft copolymers due to the powerful tolerance and designability of semi-fluorinated alternating copolymers. This strategy provides a new and facile approach for the synthesis of fluorinated graft copolymers under mild conditions.
Article
Polymer Science
Xiang Xu, Haihui Li, Jiannan Cheng, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: We presented a near-infrared light-responsive hydrogel material composed of two monomers, an ionic liquid monomer (TVBP) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), with a diacrylate crosslinker containing poly(propylene glycol), all of which are temperature sensitive. The ionic liquid monomer TVBP demonstrated the ability to generate high osmotic pressure, enabling the hydrogel to extract fresh water from brackish water. By using photothermal conversion through irradiation with NIR LED light on croconaine dye-doped silica nanoparticles (NIR-800@SiO2 NPs), around 95% of fresh water could be skillfully recovered from the hydrogel. The proposal of this scheme is expected to be a significant reference for continuous water desalination.
Article
Polymer Science
Jiyuan Sun, Shusu Ren, Haitao Zhao, Shunhu Zhang, Xiang Xu, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: To overcome the challenges of long wavelength-photocontrolled radical polymerization in aqueous solutions and the limitations of post-treatment of conventional near-infrared (NIR) photocatalysts (PCs), we developed and synthesized a series of beta-tetra-substituted water-soluble zinc phthalocyanines (beta-TS-Zns) as NIR PCs. These NIR PCs exhibited efficient reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization under NIR light irradiation, and could also be covalently loaded on polymer chains for permanent NIR photocatalysis. The polymerization could be conducted in water and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution, producing polymers with controlled molar mass and narrow dispersities (D = 1.03-1.25). This NIR-photocontrolled aqueous RAFT polymerization system holds promise for applications in tissue engineering biomaterials benefiting from the high penetration ability of NIR light.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Shusu Ren, Haihui Li, Xiang Xu, Haitao Zhao, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: In this study, stable and powerful unimolecular micelles (UIMs) with dual PTT/PDT function were prepared by photocontrolled bromine-iodine transformation reversible-deactivation radical polymerization. These UIMs showed excellent biocompatibility and superior PTT and/or PDT therapeutic effects under specific wavelengths of light, making them promising candidates for cancer therapy and anti-tumor research.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qing Yu, Jinying Wang, Jiannan Cheng, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: Amphiphobic coating surfaces were fabricated by simple spin coating of fluorinated reversed micelles synthesized via a polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) strategy. The influence of reaction solvent and polymerization conditions on the wettability of the reversed micelles was investigated. The method showed high water contact angles (151.9 degrees) and low sliding angle (5.0 degrees), making it a promising approach for fabricating amphiphobic surfaces.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiang Xu, Jiannan Cheng, Haitao Zhao, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: In this work, a series of near-infrared light (NIR)-responsive vitrimers are synthesized using carboxyl-bearing croconaine dye (CR-800) as a photothermal agent. NIR-responsive liquid crystalline elastomers (CR-vitrimer-LCEs) are further prepared under NIR laser without a template. The dynamic covalent bonding properties of vitrimer allow for the fabrication of a hand-shaped actuator with fingers of different NIR-response threshold values, which successfully achieve local and sequential control under a uniform NIR light field.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Shusu Ren, Xiang Xu, Jiyuan Sun, Haitao Zhao, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: This study synthesized a series of cationic porphyrin-based star-shaped copolymers using photo-controlled bromine-iodine transformation reversible-deactivation radical polymerization. The effects of alkyl chain length, degree of polymerization, and hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance on the antibacterial activity of the polymers were investigated. The resulting copolymer Zn@P6 showed excellent photodynamic inhibition activity against both S. aureus and E. coli, with low cytotoxicity and promising biological application prospects.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Shunhu Zhang, Chun Tian, Xiaowu Jiang, Xiang Xu, Haitao Zhao, Jiyuan Sun, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: Two synthetic strategies were developed to improve the solubility and recyclability of NIR photocatalyst: living polymers with permanent NIR photocatalyst by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and non-living polymers with recyclable NIR macro-photocatalyst by conventional radical polymerization. The living macro-PCs obtained from RAFT polymerization showed permanent NIR photocatalysis, while the water-soluble non-living macro-PCs from conventional radical polymerization exhibited only NIR photocatalysis but could be easily recycled by centrifugation.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiang Xu, Jiannan Cheng, Haitao Zhao, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: In this study, a hand-shaped actuator is developed by synthesizing near-infrared sensitive CR-vitrimers, which achieves local and sequential control under a uniform near-infrared light field.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Chaojie Li, Jiannan Cheng, Yi Zhang, Qing Yu, Zhiru Yuan, Weiwei He, Xiaoguang Bao, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: Fluorinated polymers, although fascinating, have not been widely applied in daily life due to restricted synthetic methodology and limited availability of monomers. In this work, main-chain-type semifluorinated alternating terpolymers (SFATs) were synthesized using a step transfer-addition and radical-termination (START) polymerization strategy. The synthesis was achieved by irradiation with visible light at room temperature using NaI as the catalyst. The work provides a guide for the synthesis of a broad range of fluorinated polymers by increasing participating monomers and facilitating the integration of desirable properties.
Article
Polymer Science
Shuaijie Chen, Peng Wang, Haitao Zhao, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: This study developed a facile and efficient method for preparing grafted polyesters by combining photocontrolled BIT-RDRP and ROP in flow reactors at room temperature for the first time. Polymethacrylate macroinitiators were synthesized in the first tube and employed for TBD-catalyzed ROP in the second tube to provide tailored grafted polyesters. The use of flow tube reactors significantly improved the polymerization rates and allowed for the production of grafted polyesters with controlled molar mass and narrow dispersity.
Article
Polymer Science
Jiyuan Sun, Shusu Ren, Haitao Zhao, Shunhu Zhang, Xiang Xu, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: To overcome the challenges of long wavelength-photocontrolled radical polymerization in aqueous solutions and the limitations of conventional near-infrared (NIR) photocatalysts, a series of beta-tetra-substituted water-soluble zinc phthalocyanines (beta-TS-Zns) were designed and synthesized as NIR photocatalysts for reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The NIR photocatalysts can also be polymerizable monomers and covalently loaded on the polymer chains, enabling permanent NIR photocatalysis. The polymerization can be conducted in water and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution, producing polymers with controlled molar mass and narrow dispersities.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yu Li, Shusu Ren, Qing Yu, Tao Wang, Xiang Xu, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: In this study, antibacterial and nonflammable melamine sponges with high throughput were prepared for emulsion separation. The modified sponges exhibited excellent oil absorption rate, high flux, and thermal stability, making them ideal for practical applications.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
