The further understanding of chain topology effect on the properties of single polymer in good solvent: Special behaviors of single tadpole chain

Chain topology strongly affects the static and dynamic properties of polymer melts and polymers in dilute solution. For different chain architectures, such as ring and linear polymers, the molecular size and the diffusion behavior are different. To further understand the chain topology effect on the static and dynamic properties of polymers, we focus on the tadpole polymer which consists of a cyclic chain attached with one or more linear tails. It is found that both the number and the length of linear tails play important roles on the properties of the tadpole polymers in dilute solution. For the tadpole polymers with fixed linear tail length and number, with increasing the degree of polymerization of tadpole polymers, a transition from linear-like to ring-like behavior is observed for both the static and dynamic properties.

Efficient preparation of silver nanoplates assisted by non-polar solvents

In the paper, we report an efficient method to prepare high yield (up to 97%) of silver nanoplates. Synthesis of silver nanoplates was carried Out in a binary solvent system of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and toluene, in which DMF served as the reductant and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the capping agent. By increasing the ratio of toluene to DMF to 7:6, silver nanoplates can be Successfully synthesized; otherwise other shaped nanoparticles would be the major products. The nanoplate sample was characterized by TEM, HRTEM, SAED, XRD, AFM and UV-visible spectroscopy, proving the high nanoplate purity of this sample. The influence of toluene content, other solvents, AgNO3 concentration, preparation temperature and chloride ions was also examined, which suggests that the function of nonpolar solvents in this system is to enhance the PVP coverage on silver surface and, furthermore, to facilitate the preferential adsorption of PVP on two (I I I) facets of silver nanoplates.

Facile, Efficient Copolymerization of Ethylene with Bicyclic, Non-Conjugated Dienes by Titanium Complexes Bearing Bis(beta-Enaminoketonato) Ligands

Copolymerizations of ethylene with 5-vinyl-2-norbornene or 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene under the action of various titanium complexes bearing bis(beta-enaminoketonato) chelate ligands of the type, [(RN)-N-1=C(R-2)CH=C(R-3)O](2)TiCl2 (1, R-1=Ph, R-2=CF3, R-3=Ph; 2, R-1=C6H4F-p, R-2=CF3, R-3=Ph; 3, R-1=Ph, R-2=CF3, R-3=t-Bu; 4, R-1=C6H4F-p, R-2=CF3, R-3=t-Bu; 5, R-1=Ph, R-2=CH3, R-3=CF3; 6, R-1=C6H4F-p, R-2=CH3 R-3=CF3), have been shown to occur with the regioselective insertion of the endocyclic double bond of the monomer into the copolymer chain, leaving the exocyclic vinyl double bond as a pendant unsaturation. The ligand modification strongly affects the copolymerization behaviour. High catalytic activities and efficient co-monomer incorporation can be easily obtained by optimizing the catalyst structures and polymerization conditions.

Influence of montmorillonite on syndiotactic polymerization behavior of styrene

The influence of montmorillonite (MMT) on the syndiotactic polymerization behavior of styrene was studied. To avoid the hydrophilic surface of the MMT coming into contact with the catalyst, which could poison it, SAN was introduced between the MMT and Cp*Ti (OCH3)(3). MMT was introduced into the catalytic system as a supporter for the Ti catalyst (supported catalytic system) or just dispersed in the polymerization solvent directly (in situ polymerization system). The polymerization results showed that surface modification of MMT dramatically affected the catalytic activity as well as the syndiotacticity of the polymers. This is mainly explained by the insulator SAN preventing the formation of the inactive/little active species Si-O-Ti and other atactic active species resulting from the reaction of the -OH on the MMT layer surface with Cp*Ti(OCH3)(3).

Pyrrolide-supported lanthanide alkyl complexes. Influence of ligands on molecular structure and catalytic activity toward isoprene polymerization

The N,N- bidentate ligands 2- {( N- 2,6- R) iminomethyl)} pyrrole ( HL1, R) dimethylphenyl; HL2, R) diisopropylphenyl) have been prepared. HL1 reacted readily with 1 equiv of lanthanide tris( alkyl)s, Ln(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2), affording lanthanide bis(alkyl) complexes L(1)Ln(CH2SiMe3)(2)(THF)(n) (1a, Ln= Lu, n = 2; 1b, Ln = Sc, n = 1) via alkane elimination. Reaction of the bulky ligand HL2 with 1 equiv of Ln(CH2SiMe3)(3)( THF)(2) gave the bis(pyrrolylaldiminato) lanthanide mono(alkyl) complexes L(2)(2)Ln- (CH2SiMe3)(THF) (2a, Ln) Lu; 2b, Ln = Sc), selectively. The N,N- bidentate ligand HL3, 2- dimethylaminomethylpyrrole, reacted with Ln( CH2SiMe3) 3( THF) 2, generating bimetallic bis( alkyl) complexes of central symmetry ( 3a, Ln = Y; 3b, Ln = Lu; 3c, Ln = Sc). Treatment of the N,N,N,N- tetradentate ligand H2L4, 2,2'-bis(2,2-dimethylpropyldiimino) methylpyrrole, with equimolar Lu(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) afforded a C-2- symmetric binuclear complex ( 4). Complexes 3a, 3b, 3c, and 4 represent rare examples of THF- free binuclear lanthanide bis( alkyl) complexes supported by non- cyclopentadienyl ligands. All complexes have been tested as initiators for the polymerization of isoprene in the presence of AlEt3 and [ Ph3C][B(C6F5)(4)]. Complexes 1a, 1b, and 3a show activity, and 1b is the most active initiator, whereas 2a, 2b, 3b, 3c, and 4 are inert.

Non-isothermal crystallisation kinetics of polyamide 6/mesoporous silica nanocomposites

Non-isothermal crystallisation kinetics of a polyamide 6/mesoporous silica nanocomposite (PA6-MS) has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at different cooling rates. Mandelkern, Jeziorny-Ziabicki and Ozawa methods were applied to describe this crystallisation process. The analyses show that the mesoporous silica particles act as nucleating agents in the composite and that the Avrami exponent n varies from 3.0 to 4.6. The addition of mesoporous silica influenced the mechanism of nucleation and the growth of polyamide 6 (PA6) crystallites.

2-cyanoprop-2-yl dithiobenzoate mediated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of acrylonitrile targeting a polymer with a higher molecular weight

The reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) mediated by 2-cyanoprop-2-yl dithiobenzoate was first applied to synthesize polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with a high molecular weight up to 32,800 and a polydispersity index as low as 1.29. The key to success was ascribed to the optimization of the experimental conditions to increase the fragmentation reaction efficiency of the intermediate radical. In accordance with the atom transfer radical polymerization of AN, ethylene carbonate was also a better solvent candidate for providing higher controlled/living RAFT polymerization behaviors than dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide. The various experimental parameters, including the temperature, the molar ratio of dithiobenzoate to the initiator, the molar ratio of the monomer to dithiobenzoate, the monomer concentration, and the addition of the comonomer, were varied to improve the control of the molecular weight and polydispersity index. The molecular weights of PANS were validated by gel permeation chromatography along with a universal calibration procedure and intrinsic viscosity measurements. H-1 NMR analysis confirmed the high chain-end functionality of the resultant polymers.

Facile synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched poly(ether amide)s generated from Michael addition polymerization of in situ created AB(2) monomers

A new straightforward strategy for synthesis of novel hyperbranched poly (ether amide)s from readily available monomers has been developed. By optimizing the reaction conditions, the AB(2)-type monomers were formed dominantly during the initial reaction stage. Without any purification, the AB(2) intermediate was subjected to further polymerization in the presence (or absence) of an initiator, to prepare the hyperbranched polymer-bearing multihydroxyl end-groups. The influence of monomer, initiator, and solvent on polymerization and the molecular weight (MW) of the resultant polymers was studied thoroughly. The MALDI-TOF MS of the polymers indicated that the polymerization proceeded in the proposed way. Analyses of H-1 NMR and C-13 NMR spectra revealed the branched structures of the polymers obtained. These polymers exhibit high-moderate MWs and broad MW distributions determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) in combination with triple detectors, including refractive index, light scattering, and viscosity detectors. In addition, the examination of the solution behavior of these polymers showed that the values of intrinsic viscosity [eta] and the Mark-Houwink exponent a were remarkably lower compared with their linear analogs, because of their branched nature.

Organolanthanides with 3-(2-pyridylmethyl) indenyl ligands: synthesis, crystal structures and catalytic activities of divalent complexes for epsilon-caprolactone polymerization

Reaction of 3-(2-pyridylmethyl)indenyl lithium (1) with LnI(2)(THF)(2) (Ln = Sm, Yb) in THF produced the divalent organolanthanides (C5H4NCH2C9H6)(2)Ln(II)(THF) (Ln = Sm (2), Yb (3)) in high yield. 1 reacts with LnCl(3) (Ln = Nd, Sm, Yb) in THF to give bis(3-(2-pyridylmethyl)indenyl) lanthanide chlorides (C5H4NCH2C9H6)(2)Ln(III)Cl (Ln = Nd (4), Sm (5)) and the unexpected divalent lanthanides 3 (Ln = Yb). Complexes 2-5 show more stable in air than the non-functionalized analogues. X-ray structural analyses of 2-4 were performed. 2 and 3 belong to the high symmetrical space group (Cmcm) with the same structures, they are THF-solvated 9-coordinate monomeric in the solid state, while 4 is an unsolvated 9-coordinate monomer with a trans arrangement of both the side-arms and indenyl rings in the solid state. Additionally, 2 and 3 show moderate polymerization activities for F-caprolactone (CL).

Synthesis, structure and norbornene polymerization behavior of neutral palladium complexes

A series of neutral palladium(II) complexes bearing non-symmetric bidentate pyrrole-iminato or salicylaldiminato chelate ligands have been synthesized, and the structure of representative complexes (3a, 4a, and 5a) have been confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. These palladium complexes have been investigated as catalysts for the polymerization of norbornene. Using modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) as a cocatalyst, these complexes display high activities and produce vinyl-addition polynorborenes. Catalytic activity of up to 8.52 x 10(3) kg/mol(Pd) h has been observed. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) has been used to investigate the polymer microstructure and it has been found that they are non-crystalline.

Grafting polymerization of L-lactide on the surface of hydroxyapatite nano-crystals

A novel method of grafting ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide (LLA) onto the surface of hydroxyapatite nano-particles (n-HAP) was developed. PLLA was directly connected onto the HAP surface through a chemical linkage. The PLLA-g-HAP particles could be stably dispersed in organic solvent such as chloroform for several weeks. The n-HAP particles still retained the original dimension and shape after the grafting of PLLA. Compared with the P-31 MAS-NMR spectrum of pure HAP powders, there appeared a downfield displacement of 1.2 ppm in the spectrum of PLLA-g-HAP. Fourier transformation infrared (FT-IR) spectra further confirmed the existence of PLLA on the surface of PLLA-g-HAP. The amount of grafted polymer determined by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was about 6% in weight. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the PLLA/PLLA-g-HAP composite containing 8 wt% of PLLA-g-HAP were 55 MPa and about 10-13%, respectively, while those of the PLLA/n-HAP composites were 40 MPa and 3-5%, respectively.

Synthesis and structural characterization of beta-diketiminate-lanthanide Amides and their catalytic activity for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate and epsilon-caprolactone

The synthesis and catalytic activity of lanthanide monoamido complexes supported by a beta-diketiminate ligand are described. Donor solvents, such as DME, can cleave the chloro bridges of the dinuclear beta-diketiminate ytterbium dichloride {[(DIPPh)(2)nacnac]YbCl(mu-Cl)(3)Yb[(DIPPh)(2)nacnac](THF)} (1) [(DIPPh)(2)nacnac = N,N-diisopropylphenyl-2,4-pentanediimine anion] to produce the monomeric complex [(DIPPh)(2)nacnac]YbCl2(DME) (2) in high isolated yield. Complex 2 is a useful precursor for the synthesis of beta-diketiminate-ytterbium monoamido derivatives. Reaction of complex 2 with 1 equiv of LiNPr2i in THF at room temperature, after crystallization in THF/toluene mixed solvent, gave the anionic beta-diketiminate-ytterbium amido complex [(DIPPh)(2)nacnac]Yb(NPr2i)(mu-Cl)(2)Li(THF)(2) (3), while similar reaction of complex 2 with LiNPh2 produced the neutral complex [(DIPPh)(2)nacnac]Yb(NPh2)Cl(THF) (4). Recrystallization of complex 3 from toluene solution at elevated temperature led to the neutral beta-diketiminate-lanthanide amido complex [{(DIPPh)(2)nacnac}Yb(NPr2i)(mu-Cl)](2) (5). The reaction medium has a significant effect on the outcome of the reaction.

Syntheses of fully sulfonated polyaniline nano-networks and its application to the direct electrochemistry of cytochrome c

Fully sulfonated polyaniline nano-particles, nano-fibrils and nano-networks have been achieved for the first time by electrochemical homopolymerization of orthanilic acid using a three-step electrochemical deposition procedure in a mixed solvent of acetonitrile (ACN) and water. The diameter of the uniform nano-particles is about 60nm, and the nano-fibrils can be organized in two-dimensional (21)) or three-dimensional (313) non-periodic networks with good electrical contact. Average distance between contacts is about 850 and 600 nm for a 2D and 3D system, respectively. The details of the poly(orthanilic acid) (POA) nano-structure were examined with a field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM). The structure and properties of POA were characterized with FTIR, UV-vis and electrochemical methods. The 3D POA nano-networks coated platinum electrode gave a direct electrochemical behavior of horse heart cytochrome c (Cyt c) immobilized on this electrode surface, a pair of well-defined redox waves with formal potential (E-ol) of -0.032 V (versus Ag/AgCl) was achieved. The interaction between Cyt c and POA makes the formal potential shift negatively compared to that of Cyt c in solution. Spectrophotometric and electrochemical methods were used to investigate the interaction of Cyt c with POA.

A Monte Carlo simulation for the micellization of ABC 3-miktoarm star terpolymers in a selective solvent

We have used Monte Carlo simulation to study the micellization of ABC 3-miktoarm star terpolymers in a selective solvent (good to A segment, bad to B and C segments). The simulation results reveal that the self-assembled morphology is determined by the block length, molecular architecture, terpolymer concentration and insolubility of insoluble block in the solvent. In dilute solution, symmetric terpolymers (N-B = N-C = 30) tend to aggregate into a novel wormlike pearl-necklace structure linked by an alternating arrangement of B and C spheres, whereas the asymmetric terpolymers (NB = 10, NC = 50) are likely to aggregate into spherical or cylindrical micelles (formed by C blocks) connected with some small B spheres, when the concentration of terpolymer is relatively low (chain number is 100). However, when the concentration of terpolymer is relatively high (chain number is 250), the symmetric terpolymers tend to aggregate into a netlike structure linked by an alternation of B and C spheres, whereas the asymmetric terpolymers are likely to aggregate into wormlike micelles (formed by C blocks) connected with some of small spheres (formed by B blocks). Moreover, when the insolubility of insoluble block in the solvent is weak, the insoluble blocks aggregate into some incompact micelles.

Titanium complexes with novel triaryl-substituted phosphinimide ligands: Synthesis, structure and ethylene polymerization behavior

A series of titanium phosphinimide complexes [Ph2P(2-RO-C6H4)(2)TiCl2 (7, R = CH3; 8, R = CHMe2) and (PhP(2-Me2CHOC6H4)][THF]TiCl3 (9) have been prepared by reaction of TiCl4 with the corresponding phosphinimines under dehalosilylation. The structure of complex 9 has been determined by X-ray crystallography, and a solvent molecule THF was found to be coordinated with the central metal and the Ti-O bond was consistent with the normal Ti-O (donor) bond length. The complexes 7 and 8 displayed inactive to ethylene polymerization, and the complex 9 displayed moderate activity in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) or i-BU3Al/Ph3CB(C6F5)(4), and this should be partly attributed to coordination of THF with titanium and the steric effect of two iso-propoxyl. And catalytic activity up to 32.2 kg-PE/(mol-Ti h bar) was observed.