SYNTHESIS OF A NEW KIND OF AMPHIPHILIC COPOLYMER AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THEIR LB FILMS

A new kind of amphiphilic copolymer was synthesized with azo bond functional side chains, and elementary studies about formation of I,B film, UV-visible spectra and photoelectrical properties of multilayers of this kind of amphiphilic copolymer were reported.

Preparation of pH-responsive membranes with amphiphilic copolymers by surface segregation method

Novel pH-responsive membranes were prepared by blending pH-responsive amphiphilic copolymers with polyethersulfone(PES) via a nonsolvent-induced phase separation(NIPS) technique. The amphiphilic copolymers bearing Pluronic F127 and poly(methacrylic acid)(PMAA) segments, abbreviated as PMAA n–F127–PMAA n,were synthesized by free radical polymerization. The physical and chemical properties of the blend membranes were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectrum, water contact angle, Zeta potential and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). The enrichment of hydrophilic PMAA segments on the membrane surfaces was attributed to surface segregation during the membrane preparation process. The blend membranes had signi ficant p H-responsive properties due to the conformational changes of surface-segregated PMAA segments under different pH values of feed solutions. Fluxes of the blend membranes were larger at low p H values of feed solutions than that at high pH values. The pH-responsive ability of the membranes was enhanced with the increase of the degree of PMAA near-surface coverage.

ANTIFOULING PROPERTIES OF POLYVINYL CHLORIDE) MEMBRANES MODIFIED BY AMPHIPHILIC COPOLYMERS P(MMA-A-MAA)

Three well-defined diblock copolymers ofpoly（methyl methacrylate-b-methacrylic acid） （P（MMA-b-MAA）） were synthesized using atom transfer radical polymerization method and varying poly（methacrylic acid） （PMAA） chain lengths. These copolymers were blended with PVC to fabricate porous membranes via phase inversion process. Membrane morphologies were observed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and chemical composition changes of the membrane surfaces were measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）. Static and dynamic protein adsorption experiments were used to evaluate antifouling properties of the blend membranes. It was found that, the blend membranes containing longer PMAA arm length showed lower static protein adsorption, higher water permeation flux and better protein solution flux recovery.

NOVEL AMPHIPHILIC FLUORESCENT GRAFT COPOLYMER: SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND ENCAPSULATION OF A HYDROPHOBIC AGENT

Novel amphiphilic fluorescent graft copolymer （PVP-PyAHy） was successfully synthesized by the free radical copolymerization of hydrophobic monomer N-（1-pyrenebutyryl）-N＇-acryloyl hydrazide （PyAHy） with hydrophilic precursor polymers of vinyl-functionalized poly（N-vinylpyrrolidone） （PVP） in DMF. The copolymer is amphiphilic and has intrinsic fluorescence. FT-IR, ^1H-NMR, TEM, gel permeation chromatography-multi-angle laser light scattering, UV-Vis spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to characterize this copolymer. The TEM observation shows that the copolymer PVP-PyAHy forms micelles in aqueous solution. Results of fluorometric measurements illustrate that the critical micelle concentration （CMC） value of PVP-PyAHy in aqueous solution is about 0.90 mg/mL. To examine the encapsulation ability of the copolymer in aqueous media, methyl yellow was employed as a model hydrophobic agent. The loading level of the polymer to methyl yellow is 8.8 mg/g. The cytotoxicity assays for Madin Darby Canine Kidney （MDCK） cells shows good biocompatibility of PVP-PyAHy in vitro. These results suggest the potential of this copolymer PVP-PyAHy as drugs delivery carrier and fluorescent tracer.

AMPHIPHILIC STAR-BLOCK COPOLYMERS BY IODIDE-MEDIATED RADICAL POLYMERIZATION

Amphiphilic star-block copolymers composed of polystyrene and poly（acrylic acid） were synthesized by iodide- mediated radical polymerization. Firstly, free radical polymerization of styrene was carried out with AIBN as initiator and 1,1,1-trimethyolpropane tri（2-iodoisobutyrate） as chain transfer agent, giving iodine atom ended star-shaped polystyrene with three arm chains, R（polystyrene）3. Secondly, tert-butyl acrylate was polymerization using polystyrene obtained as macro-chain transfer agent, and star-block copolymer, R（polystyrene-b-poly（tert-butyl acrylate））3 with controlled molecular weight was obtained. Finally, amphiphilic star-block copolymer, R（polystyrene-b-poly（acrylic acid））3 was obtained by hydrolysis of R（polystyrene-b-poly（tert-butyl acrylate））3 under acidic condition.

Enzymatic Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Amphiphilic Triblock Copolymer Poly(p-dioxanone-co-5-benzyloxytrimethylene carbonate)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)

Novel amphiphilic triblock copolymer poly（p-dioxanone-co-5-benzyloxytrimethylene carbonate）-block-poly（ethylene glycol）-block-poly（p-dioxanone-co-5-benzyloxytrimethylene carbonate） （p（PDO-co-BTMC）-b-PEG-b-p（PDO-co-BTMC）） was successfully synthesized using immobilized porcine pancreas lipase on porous silica particles （IPPL） as the catalyst for the fLrSt time. 1H NMR, 13C NMR and GPC analysis were used to confirm the structures of resulting copolymers. The molecular weight （Mn） of the copolymer with feed ratio of 69：20：11 （BTMC： PDO： PEG ） was 31300 g/mol and the polydispersity was 1.85, while the Mn decreased to 25000 g/mol and polydispersity of 1.93 with the feed ratio of 50：40：10.

Synthesis of an Amphiphilic Dendrimer-Like Block Copolymer and Its Application on Drug Delivery

Dendrimer-like amphiphilic copolymer is a kind of three-dimensional spherical structure polymer. An amphiphilic dendrimer-like diblock copolymer, PEEGE-G2-b-PEO（OH）12, constituted of a hydrophobic poly（ethoxyethyl glycidol ether） inner core and a hydrophilic poly（ethylene oxide） outer layer, has been successfully synthesized by the living anionic ring-opening polymerization method. The intermediates and targeted products were charac-terized with 1H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The application on drug delivery of dendrimer-like diblock copolymer PEEGE-G2-b-PEO（OH）12 using DOX as a model drug was also studied. The drug loading content and encapsulation e ciency were found at 13.07% and 45.75%, respectively. In vitro release experiment results indicated that the drug-loaded micelles exhibited a sustained release behavior under acidic media.

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AMPHIPHILIC GRAFT COPOLYMER CONTAINING MICROPHASE SEPARATED AND LONG POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE) SIDE CHAIN STRUCTURES

Acryloyl terminated Poly (ethyleneoxide)macromonomers (PEO-A) with different PEO chain lengths have been prepared by deactivation of PEO alkoxide with acryloyl chloride. A new kind of amphiphilic polystyrene-g-poly (ethylene oxide)graft copolymer containing both microphase separated and PEO side chain structures has been synthesized from radical copolymerization of PEO-A macromonomer with styrene. After careful purification by a newly-developed method called 'selective dissolution', the well-defined structure of the purified copolymers was confirmed by IR, ~1H-NMR and GPC. Various experimental parameters controlling the copolymerization were studied in detail. The results indicated that the feed ratio of styrene to macromonomer(S/M) was the most important determining factor for the composition of the copolymers. A detailed 'comb- model' was proposed to describe the molecular structure of the graft copolymers. Finally, this amphiphilic graft copolymers may readily form microphase separated structures as clearly indicated by transmission electron microscopy.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel amphiphilic biodegradable β-cyclodextrin/poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate) copolymer

β-Cyclodextrin/poly（γ-benzyl L-glutamate） （β-CD-PBLG） copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of N- carboxy-γ-benzyl L-glutamate anhydride （BLG-NCA） in N,N-dimethylformamide （DMF） initiated by mono-amino-β-cyclodextrin（H2N-β-CD）. The structures of the copolymers were confirmed by IR, ^1H NMR and GPC. The fluorescence technique was used to determine the critical micelle concentrations （CMC） of copolymer micell solution, the diameter and the distribution of micelles were characterized by DLS. The results showed that BLG-NCA could be initiated by H2N-β-CD to produce copolymer. The nanomicells were formed by these copolymers in water.

Synthesis and Characterization of Amphiphific Block Copolymer Containing PVP and Poly（5-benzyloxytrimethylene carbonate）

Amphiphilic copolymer of 5-benzyloxytrimethylene carbonate （BTMC） with poly （vinyl pyrrolidone） （PVP） was successfully synthesized using immobilized porcine pancreas lipase （IPPL） or SnOct2 as catalyst. Hydroxyl terminated PVP, synthesized with 2-mercaptoethanol as a chain transfer reagent, was employed as a rnacroinitiator. The resulting copolymers were characterized by GPC, ^1H NMR and IR. Increasing the BTMC/PVP-OH feed ratio （[B]/[P]） resulted in the increase of Mn of corresponding copolymers and the decrease of Mw/Mn. Immobilized enzyme has comparable catalytic activity to SnOct2 for the copolymerization.

Formation of Copolymer-Ag Nanoparticles Composite Micelles in Three-dimensional Co-flow Focusing Microfluidic Device

A novel method was presented to create composite micelles of amphiphilic copolymers and Ag nanoparticles(NPs) in a three-dimensional co-flow focusing microfluidic device(3D CFMD). Self-assembly of the copolymers was initiated by the fast mixing of water and a blend dispersion of hydrophobic Ag NPs and amphiphilic copolymers. At the same time, the hydrophobic Ag NPs enter the core of copolymer micelles, based on the hydrophobic interaction. The copolymer-Ag NPs composite micelles have a core-shell structure with copolymer shell and Ag NPs core. COMSOL Multiphysics is used to simulate the concentration distribution of copolymers and Ag NPs under different flow rates. Co-assembly microfluidic conditions are determined based on simulation results. Under suitable microfluidic conditions, both block copolymers and gradient copolymers can co-assemble with hydrophobic Ag NPs to form composite micelles, respectively. This microfluidic coassembly method will have a good prospect in the preparation of composite micelles of amphiphilic copolymers and metal nanoparticles.

Enhanced stability of nitrogen-doped carbon-supported palladium catalyst for oxidative carbonylation of phenol

Enhancing the stability of supported noble metal catalysts emerges is a major challenge in both science and industry.Herein,a heterogeneous Pd catalyst(Pd/NCF)was prepared by supporting Pd ultrafine metal nanoparticles(NPs)on nitrogen-doped carbon;synthesized by using F127 as a stabilizer,as well as chitosan as a carbon and nitrogen source.The Pd/NCF catalyst was efficient and recyclable for oxidative carbonylation of phenol to diphenyl carbonate,exhibiting higher stability than Pd/NC prepared without F127 addition.The hydrogen bond between chitosan(CTS)and F127 was enhanced by F127,which anchored the N in the free amino group,increasing the N content of the carbon material and ensuring that the support could provide sufficient N sites for the deposition of Pd NPs.This process helped to improve metal dispersion.The increased metal-support interaction,which limits the leaching and coarsening of Pd NPs,improves the stability of the Pd/NCF catalyst.Furthermore,density functional theory calculations indicated that pyridine N stabilized the Pd^(2+)species,significantly inhibiting the loss of Pd^(2+)in Pd/NCF during the reaction process.This work provides a promising avenue towards enhancing the stability of nitrogen-doped carbon-supported metal catalysts.

MOLECULAR DESIGN SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF SIX KINDS OF MULTIPHASE (STYRENE-ETHYLENE OXIDE)COPOLYMERS

Multiphase copolymers of styrene (S) and ethylene oxide (EO) are amphiphilic, because of the hydrophobic and amorphous polystyrene (PS) segments and the hydrophilic and crystalline polyoxyethylene (PEO). They have many uses including polymeric surfactants, electrostatic charge reducers, compatibilizer in polymer

Influence of Block Copolymer on Formation and Acid Resistant Properties of Hybrid CaCO_3 Particles

Block copolymer polystyrene-b-poly（acrylic acid）（PS-b-PAA） was used as structural template for the synthesis of CaCO3 microparticles. Through this procedure, acid resistant hybrid CaCO3 micro- spheres were obtained. Acid resistant properties of this type of hybrid CaCO3 were studied. Size measurement shows that the acid resistant properties of the hybrid particles are different in different solutions, such as HCl, EDTA, and H2SO4 solutions.

Metal-free synthesis of amphiphilic functional polycarbonates

Amphiphilic block copolymers of poly（5-benzyloxy trimethylene carbonate） （PBTMC） and poly（ethylene glycol） （PEG） were synthesized through enzymatic polymerization using immobilized porcine pancreas lipase （IPPL）. The obtained copolymers with different compositions were characterized by GPC and IH NMR. The copolymer composition was in agreement with the feed ratio. The molecular weight of the copolymers showed an increasing trend with the decrease of PEG contents. MiceUes of the copolymers were formed by dialysis procedure, and characterized by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）.

SYNTHESIS OF pH-RESPONSIVE AMPHIPHILIC DIBLOCK COPOLYMERS CONTAINING POLYISOBUTYLENE via OXYANION-INITIATED POLYMERIZATION AND THEIR MULTIPLE SELF-ASSEMBLY MORPHOLOGIES

Two pH-responsive amphiphilic diblock copolymers, namely polyisobutylene-block-poly[2-（N,N- dimethylamino）ethyl methaerylate] （PIB-b-PDMAEMA） and polyisobutylene-block-poly（metharylic acid） （PIB-b-PMAA）, were synthesized via oxyanion-initiated polymerization, and their multiple self-assembly behaviors have been studied. An exo-01efin-terminated highly reactive polyisobutylene （HRPIB） was first changed to hydroxyl-terminated PIB （PIB-OH） via hydroboration-oxidation of C =C double bond in the chain end, and then reacted with KH to yield a potassium alcoholate of PIB （PIB-O-K＋）. PIB-O-K＋ was immediately used as a macroinitiator to polymerize DMAEMA monomer, resulting in a cationic diblock copolymer PIB-b-PDMAEMA. With the similar synthesis procedure, the anionic diblock copolymer PIB-b- PMAA could be prepared via a combination of oxyanion-initiated polymerization of tert-butyl methacrylate （tBMA） and subsequent hydrolysis of tert-butyl ester groups in PtBMA block. The functional PIB and block copolymers have been fully characterized by 1H-NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography （GPC）. These samples allowed us to systematically investigate the effects of block composition on the pH responsivity and various self-assembled morphologies of the copolymers in THF/water mixed solvent. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） images revealed that these diblock copolymers containing small amount of original PIB without exo-olefin-terminated group are able to self-assemble into micelles, vesicles with different particle sizes and cylindrical aggregates, depending on various factors including block copolymer composition, solvent polarity and pH value.

Rheological properties of polyvinyl butyral/Pluronic F127/PEG200 blend systems

The influence of temperature and mass fraction of Pluonic F127 on the rheological properties of polyvinyl butyric （PVB）/Pluronic F127/polyethylene glycol （PEG） 200 blend systems was investigated by a rotational rheometer with parallel plates. The results show that the blend systems approach homogeneous state at 140, 150 and 160℃while the rheological properties of the blend systems significantly deviate from the homogeneous systems at 120℃. Shear thinning behavior is observed for all the blend systems at different temperatures and is enhanced by increasing Pluronic F127 content. The complex viscosity, storage modulus, loss modulus, zero-shear activation energy and flow recovery of the blend systems increase with the increase of Pluronic F127 content. There is a crossing point for the loss modulus and the storage modulus of each sample at high frequency, which is called specified frequency （SF）. The loss modulus is larger than the storage modulus when the frequency is less than the SF, and when frequency is more than SF, the loss modulus is smaller than the storage modulus.

Formation of polymer vesicles by amphiphilic fluorosiloxane graft copolymers in solution

Amphiphilic fluorosiloxane graft copolymers with a poly（dimethylsiloxane） （PDMS） backbone, a hydrophobic fluorosiloxane side-chain and three hydrophilic polyether side-chains were synthesized by hydrosilation reaction in this work. The micellization of amphiphilic graft copolymers in the water/ethanol solvent system was investigated, and vesicles with different size were formed after the self-assembly system was aged for different time.

Effects of Additives and Coagulant Temperature on Fabrication of High Performance PVDF/Pluronic F127 Blend Hollow Fiber Membranes via Nonsolvent Induced Phase Separation

Poly（vinylidene fluoride） （PVDF） has become one of the most popular materials for membrane preparation via nonsolvent induced phase separation （NIPS） process. In this study, an amphiphilic block copolymer, Pluronic F127, has been used as both a pore-former and a surface-modifier in the fabrication of PVDF hollow fibermembranes to enhance the membrane permeability and hydrophilicity. The effects of 2nd additive and coagulant temperature on the formation of PVDF/Pluronic F 127 membranes have also been investigated. The as-spun hollow fibers were characterized in terms of cross-sectional morphology, pure water permeation （PWP）, relative molecular mass cut-off （MWCO）, membrane chemistry, and hydrolphilicity. It was obsered that the addition of Pluronic F 127 significantly increased the PWP of as-spun fibers, while the membrane contact angle was reduced. However, the size of macrovoids in the membranes was undesirably large. The addition of a 2nd additive, including lithium chloride （LiC1） and water, or an increase in coagulant temperature was found to effectively suppress the macrovoid for- mation in the Pluronic-containing membranes. In addition, the use of LiC1 as a 2nd additive also further enhanced the PWP and hydrophilicity of the membranes, while the surface pore size became smaller. PVDF hollow fiber with a PWP as high as 2330 L·m-2·h-1·MPa-1, a MWCO of 53000 and＇a contact angle of 71 o was successfully fabricated with 3% （by mass） of Pluronic F127 and 3% （by mass） of LiC1 at a coagulant temperature of 25 ℃, which shows better performance as compared with most of PVDF hollow fiber membranes made by NIPS method.

Molecular dynamics study of water diffusion in an amphiphilic block copolymer with large difference in the blocks＇ glass transition temperatures

Isothermal-isobaric molecular dynamics simu- lation was used to study the diffusion mechanism of water in polyurethane-block-poly（N-isopropyl acrylamide） （PU- block-PNIPAm） with a hydrophobic PU/hydrophilic PNIPAm mass ratio of 1.4 to 1 at 298 K and 450 K. Here, the experimental glass transition temperature （Tg） of PU is 243 K while that of PNIPAm is 383 K. Different amounts of water up to 15 wt-% were added to PU-block- PNIPAm. We were able to reproduce the specific volumes and glass transition temperatures （250 K and 390 K） of PU- block-PNIPAm. The computed self-diffusion coefficient of water increased exponentially with increasing water concentration at both temperatures （i.e., following the free volume model of Fujita）. It suggested that water diffusion in PU-block-PNIPAm depends only on its fractional free volume despite the free volume inhomo- geneity. It is noted that at 298 K, PU is rubbery while PNIPAm is glassy. Regardless of temperature, radial distribution functions showed that water formed clusters with sizes in the range of 0.2-0.4 nm in PU-block- PNIPAm. At low water concentrations, more clusters were found in the PU domain but at high water concentrations, more in the PNIPAm domain. It is believed that water molecules diffuse as clusters rather than as individual molecules.