Article
Polymer Science
Fehaid M. Alsubaie, Othman Y. Alothman, Basheer A. Alshammari, Hassan Fouad
Summary: In this study, copper-mediated reversible deactivation radical polymerization of homo-polyacrylamides was conducted in aqueous solutions at 0.0 degrees C, resulting in well-defined water-soluble homopolymers with narrow dispersity. The effect of decreasing the reaction temperature on the polymerization rate was also investigated, showing that temperatures below 0.0 degrees C did not affect the controlled polymerization and process rate.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Minh-Loan Tran-Do, Jean-Pierre Habas, Bruno Ameduri
Summary: This study presents the oxygen-tolerant radical copolymerization of fluorinated monomers with vinyl ethers at room temperature in the presence of a tri-nbutylborane methoxypropylamine (TBB-MOPA)/CH3COOH system. Different alternating poly(FO-alt-VE) copolymers were synthesized, characterized, and studied for their thermomechanical properties and stabilities. The resulting copolymers showed high thermostability and hydrophobic surfaces, suggesting potential applications in paints, coatings, and elastomers.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xin Xu, Xumin Huang, Yixin Chang, Ye Yu, Jiacheng Zhao, Naatasha Isahak, Jisi Teng, Ruirui Quo, Hui Peng, Chun-Xia Zhao, Thomas P. Davis, Changkui Fu, Andrew K. Whittaker
Summary: This study presents the synthesis of a new class of antifouling polymer brushes based on highly hydrophilic sulfoxide polymers using surface-initiated PET-RAFT polymerization. The sulfoxide polymer brushes show outstanding antifouling properties in reducing nonspecific adsorption of proteins and cells, offering a general approach to engineering material surfaces with antifouling properties for biomedical applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Wenqi Wang, Brayan Rondon, Zeyu Wang, Junpeng Wang, Jia Niu
Summary: The study reports a general method for the organocatalyzed photocontrolled radical ring-opening cascade copolymerization of macrocyclic allylic sulfone and various types of vinyl monomers. This method provides a versatile approach to the wide range of degradable vinyl plastics with various structures and functions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mateusz Grabowski, Bartlomiej Kost, Agnieszka Bodzioch, Melania Bednarek
Summary: This paper presents a new strategy for preparing block copolymers of polylactide (PLA), using multiple inifer groups to introduce vinyl monomers (VM) into PLA chains. The inifer group tetraphenylethane (TPE) was incorporated into PLA chains using diisocyanate. The ability of PLA-PU to form initiating radicals was demonstrated, and block copolymers PLA/PVM were successfully formed through polymerization of acrylonitrile and styrene using PLA-PU as a macroinifer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yassir Zouhri, Jean-Michel M. Berthe, Fanny Bonnet, Bernard Stasik, Christel Colemonts, Thierry Lasuye, Andre Mortreux, Yohan Champouret, Marc Visseaux
Summary: Combinations of ascorbic acid derivatives and ferrocenyl-based activators, known as kickers, have been described as powerful redox systems to enhance the decomposition of organic peroxides in the polymerization of vinyl monomers under suspension conditions. The initial polymerization rates can be significantly improved by a factor up to 8, depending on the monomer and peroxide used. However, issues such as crusting and yellowing of PVC during the polymerization process have been observed. These issues were resolved by changing the surfactant and optimizing the injection mode of the kicker, which improved the process efficiency without compromising the quality of the resulting PVC.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Riko Kashima, Akito Kajita, Tomohiro Kubo, Masami Kamigaito, Kotaro Satoh
Summary: Novel functional polymers were synthesized in this study using glycerol as a bio-based precursor. These polymers, derived from cyclic vinyl ethers with acetal linkage, exhibited well-defined molecular structures and could be hydrolyzed under acidic conditions to yield water-soluble functional polymers.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Carlos M. R. Abreu, Talita C. Rezende, Armenio C. Serra, Ana C. Fonseca, Rebecca Braslau, Jorge F. J. Coelho
Summary: A new strategy of internal plasticization of PVC was achieved by copolymerization of VC with n-BA and OEOA. The effect of solvent, initiator, polymerization temperature, and VC/n-BA/OEOA ratios on Tg of the resulting copolymers was investigated. The internally plasticized PVC copolymers showed lower Tg values than predicted, indicating effective plasticization of PVC. Under optimized conditions, different degrees of internal plasticization could be achieved by varying the initial monomer ratio. Importantly, the plasticizing moieties were covalently bonded to the polymer, resulting in no migration during extraction.
Article
Polymer Science
Elena F. Sheka
Summary: This article presents the first case of virtual polymerization based on the concept of digital twins (DTs). It discusses three types of free-radical polymerization, focusing on the initiation, propagation, and termination of polymer chain growth. Using calculations, the energy and spin-density parameters of the ground state of the DTs are determined. Based on this information, two Evans-Polanyi-Semenov relations are constructed to accurately evaluate the activation energy for initiation and propagation in free-radical polymerization.
Article
Polymer Science
Yujiro Hiraki, Masaya Terasaki, Kaoru Adachi
Summary: In this study, well controlled living anionic polymerization of vinyl monomers was achieved using the BnTMS/t-BuOK initiator system with appropriate additives, leading to the synthesis of a block copolymer.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Shaoxiang Liu, Qilong Li, Yingying Li, Jiandong Zhang, Xiangqiang Pan, Jian Zhu, Xiulin Zhu
Summary: The synthesis of selenium-containing monomer polystyrene by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, as well as the structure changes during redox cycling, were studied. The properties of the polymer before and after oxidation were investigated, and a selenium-containing polymer was successfully used to fabricate inverse opal photonic crystals for use as a redox-responsive sensor, showcasing new perspectives in modulating photonic crystals.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Polymer Science
Nicole Ziegenbalg, Lada Elbinger, Ulrich S. Schubert, Johannes C. Brendel
Summary: The large variety of available functional groups, their versatility, and the various polymerization techniques have made vinyl monomers the prevalent source for preparation of polymers. Interestingly, among this wide variety of applied structures S-vinyl monomers have remained a niche for the last decades despite their unique set of properties and early reports on their reactivities. Access to these compounds on a technical scale has been limited, but recent developments in sulfur chemistry and the need for more diverse reactivities might lead to a renewed interest in S-vinyl monomers. The different variations of sulfur moieties and their corresponding diversity of properties make these compounds increasingly attractive for fundamental research and applications. However, the detailed understanding and control of their polymerization behavior is still a challenge, as S-vinyl compounds may be susceptible to side reactions depending on the applied reactions. This review intends to provide a comprehensive overview of reported polymerization techniques, their challenges and limitations with regard to sulfur compounds, and the resulting reactivities of the corresponding monomers in homopolymerizations as well as copolymerizations with various other vinyl monomers.
Review
Polymer Science
Michael Buback, Robin A. Hutchinson, Igor Lacik
Summary: Polymerization of monomers with carboxylic acid and amide functional groups in aqueous solution is of significant technical importance. The kinetics and polymer properties can be tuned by various factors such as monomer ionization, pH, ionic strength, and addition of organic cosolvent. Accurate rate coefficients in aqueous solution are crucial for understanding the impact of intermolecular interactions on the polymerization rate.
PROGRESS IN POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiangke Li, Shi-Yang Tang, Yang Zhang, Jiayuan Zhu, Helen Forgham, Chun-Xia Zhao, Cheng Zhang, Thomas P. Davis, Ruirui Qiao
Summary: Droplet-based microfluidics is a significant technology that can be improved by using fluoropolymer-based surfactants to enhance stability and biocompatibility.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Aurelie Destephen, Nicholas Ballard
Summary: Cationic polymerization of vinyl monomers in water is limited due to carbocations reactivity towards water and the sensitivity of Lewis acid catalysts to water, but using water tolerant Lewis acid catalysts allows for polymer synthesis in dispersed media. The polymerizations in dispersed media proceed under pseudo-bulk conditions, with the molar mass dependent on water content and the rate of chain transfer to water.
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
Polymer Science
Qing Yu, Jiannan Cheng, Xiang Xu, Yu Li, Chaojie Li, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: In this study, fluorinated macromolecular coupling agents were prepared and decorated on the surface of silica nanoparticles to create superhydrophobic coatings. The coatings exhibited excellent stability against acidic, basic, and high salty solutions, and demonstrated self-cleaning and oil/water separation capabilities. The findings have promising implications for practical applications on a large scale.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Shuaijie Chen, Minghui Yang, Haihui Li, Haitao Zhao, Xiang Xu, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: This work presents a facile and efficient strategy for preparing block copolymers by combining near-infrared light-controlled bromine-iodine transformation reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (BIT-RDRP) and purple LED light induced ring-opening polymerization (ROP). The macroinitiator was first synthesized via NIR light-controlled BIT-RDRP, and then the block copolymers with narrow dispersity (as low as 1.06) were prepared by combining purple LED light induced ROP through two step or one pot process. Importantly, the one pot strategy greatly simplifies the operation process and improves the synthesis efficiency, facilitating the batch preparation of block copolymers.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(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
Polymer Science
Haitao Zhao, Guoqing Bian, Xiang Xu, Ran Liu, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: In this study, a high-efficiency NIR-photocontrolled bromine-iodine transformation RDRP (BIT-RDRP) system was developed by using persistent radical anions (PRAs) as catalysts. The electron-deficient species NTCDA can be reduced to PRAs, which are activated by NIR light to initiate polymerizations. The catalytic system achieved a monomer conversion of over 97.0% within 180-240min, demonstrating controllable polymerization. Other types of PRA catalysts were also developed, confirming the catalytic mechanism. This study opens up a new direction for the further development of NIR-photocontrolled RDRP.
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)
