Advancements in Polymer Science: Synthesis, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications of Homopolymers and Copolymers

Polymer science encompasses a different range of materials critical to industries spanning from packaging to biomedicine. Understanding the synthesis, characterization, and applications of common homopolymers and copolymers is fundamental to advancing polymer research and development. In this comprehensive review, we explore various preparation methods, including free radical, anionic, and cationic polymerization, utilized for synthesizing homopolymers and copolymers. Furthermore, we investigate solvent choices commonly employed for polymer characterization, ranging from neat conditions, polar protic and polar aprotic solvents. We also explored characterization techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). In addition to industrial applications, we highlight the diverse biological applications of homopolymers, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) and polystyrene, which find its extensive use in biomedicine. By synthesizing and analyzing this wealth of information, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the synthesis, characterization, and applications of homopolymers and copolymers, with a particular focus on their biological applications. This holistic approach not only contributes to advancements in polymer science and technology but also fosters innovation in biomedicine, ultimately benefiting human health and well-being.

SYNTHETIC STUDIES ON BLOOD COMPATIBLE BIOMATERIALSⅡ. SYNTHESIS OF POLY(ETHYLENEGLYCOL MONOMETHYLLTHER ) METHACRYLATE AND ANTITHROMBOGENICITY OF ITS COPOLYMERS

Poly （ethyleneglycol monomethylether） methacrylate （PEGMM）was synthesized by means of the reaction of methacrylyl chloride with sodium monomethylpolyethyleneglycoxide and was characterized by FTIR,;H-NMR,and ultraviolet spectrometries. A series of poly （vinyl alcohol）-graft-PEGMM （PVA-g-PEGMM ）and methyl methacrylate-PEGMM copolymer （PMMA-PEGMM） were prepared and tested for antithrombogenicity in vitro. The results indicate that the antithrombogenicity of the copolymers basically increases with the increasing of the DP of polyoxyethylene （POE） chain and tends to a plateau after the DP around 114,i.e. the long chain structure of POE is favourable to the antithrombogenicityof its copolymers ;moreover, the extent of the improvement ofantithrombogenicity also relates to the PEGMM content of the copolymers and the kind of the matrix that the POE chains are located on. These results are consistent with the anticipation of the hypothesis of maintaining proteins normal conformations for blood compatible bioraaterials.

Acrylonitrile-methyl Methacrylate Copolymer Films Containing Microencapsulated n-Octadecane

Acryionitrilv-methyi mcthacrylate copolymer was synthesized in aqueous solution by Redox. The copolymer was mixed with 10 - 40 wt% of microencapsulated n-octadecane （MieroPCMs） in water. Copolymer films containing Mi- eroPCMs were cast at room temperature in N, N- imethyiformamide solution. The copolymer of acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate and the copolymer films containing MicroPC- Ms were characterized by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy （FTIR）, Differential Scanning Calorimetry （DSC）, Thermosravimetrlc Analyzer （TG）, X-ray Diffraction （XRD） and Scanning Electron Microscopy （SEM）, etc. The mierocapsules in the films are evenly distributed in the copolymer matrix. The heat-absorbing temperatures and heat-evolving temperatures of the films are almost the same as that of the MieroPCMs, respectively, and fluctuate in a slight range. In addition, the enthalpy efficiency of MieroPCMs rises with the contents of MicroPCMs increasing. The crystallirdty of the film increases with the contents of MicroPOMs increasing.

EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON COPOLYMERIZATION PARAMETERS OF HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE AND METHYL METHACRYLATE

The copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA, M//1) and methyl methacrylate (MMA, M//2) in cyclohexanone was studied. The multiple experiments of solution copolymerization with low conversion were carried out at two sensitive composition feed points at 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 degree C, respectively. The composition of the copolymers was analyzed by **1H-NMR. The reactivity ratios which were estimated by the Error-in-Variable Method (EVM) of Mayo-Lewis equation were found to be r//1 equals 0.328, r//2 equals 1.781 for 60 degree C; 0.375, 1.709 for 80 degree C; 0.406, 1.654 for 100 degree C; 0.439, 1.540 for 120 degree C and 0.455, 1.400 for 140 degree C, and the 95% joint confidence intervals of the reactivity ratios were also determined. According to r//1 and r//2, Arrhenius relations and the activity energy difference between the homo- and cross-propagation were calculated. (Author abstract) 12 Refs.

Development and characterization of nifedipine-amino methacrylate copolymer solid dispersion powders with various adsorbents

Solid dispersions of nifedipine(NDP), a poorly water-soluble drug, and amino methacrylate copolymer(AMCP) with aid of adsorbent, that is, fumed silica, talcum, calcium carbonate,titanium dioxide, and mesoporous silica from rice husks(SRH), were prepared by solvent method. The physicochemical properties of solid dispersions, compared to their physical mixtures, were determined using powder X-ray diffractometry(PXRD) and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC). The surface morphology of the prepared solid dispersions was examined by scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The dissolution of NDP from solid dispersions was compared to NDP powders. The effect of adsorbent type on NDP dissolution was also examined. The dissolution of NDP increased with the ratio of NDP:AMCP:adsorbent of 1:4:1 when compared to the other formulations. As indicated from PXRD patterns, DSC thermograms and SEM images, NDP was molecularly dispersed within polymer carrier or in an amorphous form, which confirmed the better dissolution of solid dispersions. Solid dispersions containing SRH provided the highest NDP dissolution, due to a porous nature of SRH, allowing dissolved drug to fill in the pores and consequently dissolve in the medium.The results suggested that solid dispersions containing adsorbents(SRH in particular) demonstrated improved dissolution of poorly water-soluble drug when compared to NDP powder.

PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF MMA/1-PROPYLMETHACRYLATE-POSS COPOLYMER WITH ATOM TRANSFER RADICAL POLYMERIZATION

The methyl methacrylate(MMA)/1-propylmethacrylate-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane(PM-POSS) copolymers were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization with CuBr as catalyst.The unreacted PM-POSS monomer could be removed completely by washing the copolymerization product with n-hexane.The copolymers were characterized with ~1H-NMR,X-ray diffraction,differential scanning calorimetry,thermogravimetric analysis and gel permeation chromatography.With increasing PM-POSS feed ratio,the total conversi...

HELIX SENSE-SELECTIVE COPOLYMERIZATION OF TRIPHENYLMETHYL METHACRYLATE WITH CHIRAL ANIONIC INITIATORS

Optically active copolymers of pairs of three monomers, triphenyl (methyl methacrylate)and one or two pyridyl substituted methyl methacrylate homologues, were obtained by helix-sense-selective copolymerization using complexes of organolithium with chiral ligand as anionicinitiators in toluene at low temperature. The copolymers obtained with (-)-sparteine (Sp) and(S,S)-(+)-and (R, R)-(-)-2, 3-dimethoxy-1, 4-bis (dimethylamino) butanes((+)-and (-)-DDB) complexes of organolithium showed low optical activity, but PMP complex with N, N-diphenylethyleneamine monolithium amide (PMP-DPEDA-Li) was effective in synthesizingcopolymers of high optical rotation ([α]_D^(25) about+320～1370°)which were comparable to thoseof relative homopolymers with one-handed helical structure.

POLYMERIC IONIC CONDUCTORS MODIFIED WITH POLAR GROUPS:PART Ⅰ. IONIC CONDUCTION AND MECHANICAL PROPERTY OF LI-COMPLEX BASED ON ACRYLAM ID E-COPOLYMERIZED METHACRYLATES

Acrylamide was introduced onto the chain of poly[oligo(oxyethylene) methacrylate] as a polar constituent, and the effect of its presence on the mechanical strength and ionic conduction properties of Li-salt complex based on the resultant copolymer was investigated. The introduction of the polar constituent raises chain rigidity, retards crystallization of oligo(oxyethylene) domain and promotes the dissociation of lithium salt. The factors work on the mechanical and conduction properties synergistically, therefore both of the properties are improved simultaneously as the consequence of acrylamide-introduction.

POLYMERIC IONIC CONDUCTORS MODIFIED WITH POLAR GROUPS: PART Ⅱ. STRUCTURE-IONIC CONDUCTION RELATION IN LI-COMPLEX BASED ON MALEIC ANHYDRID E-COPOLYMERIZED METHACRYLATES

Ringlike polar monomer maleic, anhydride (MAn) was copolymerized with oligo (oxyethylene) methacrylate (MEO_n), and its effect on ion conduction property of the corresponding polymer-salt complexes was studied. As a consequence the introduction of MAn onto polymer chain retards crystallization of the ether pendants considerably, and improves the ion conductivity to a larger degree compared with other polar groups once investigated (σ_(max),25℃=8.5×10^(-5) S/cm). The structure-ion conduction relation in the polymer-salt matrix is also analyzed macroscopically through the correspondence between composition-dependences of polymerization conversion and isothermal ion conductivity, and microscopically through the measurements of cross polarized light and electron transmission.

EFFECTS OF ω-ACRYLOYL POLY (ETHYLENE OXIDE) MACROMONOMER ON EMULSIFIER-FREE EMULSI0N COPOLYMERIZATION OF METHYL METHACRYLATE AND n-BUTYL ACRYLATE

Well-defined nonionic hydrophilic ω-acryloyl poly(ethylene oxide) macro-monomer (PEO-A) has been prepared by living anionic polymerization of ethylene oxidewith diphenyl methyl potassium as the initiator and acryloyl chloride as the reaction termi-nating agent. The polymer was characterized by FTIR and SEC. The emulsifier-free emul-sion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and n-butyl acrylate (BA) containingvarious concentrations of PEO-A was studied. In all cases stable emulsion coplymerizationsof MMA and BA were obtained. The stabilizing effect was found to be dependent on themolecular weight and the feed amount of the macromonomer.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Zwitterionic Copolymer Poly (ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(carboxybetaine methacrylate) with Good Cell Affinity

Design of polymeric scaffolds with specific physical and biological properties is a key objective of tissue engineering research. In this work, a novel copolymer poly （e-caprolactone）-b-poly （carboxybetaine methacrylate） （PCL-PCBMA） containing zwitterion and polyester segments, was synthesized through ATRP technique. The chemical structure, composition,and molecular weight of the synthesized copolymer were characterized by ~HNMR and GPC. The polymer was further electrospun into fibrous film which has been characterized by SEM, XPS, water uptake test, and MTT cell culture assay. All these results indicate that this kind of copolymer is a suitable candidate for the application in vascular tissue engineering.

Synthesisand Characterization of Brush Copolymer Poly(propyleneoxide)-graft-Poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)

In this paper,a amphiphilic brush copolymer poly(propylene oxide)-graft-poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)(PPO-gPDMAEMA)was successfully prepared via the combine of anionic ring opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP).The target products were confirmed by GPC and1H NMR.This well-defined copolymer can supply a promising material as drug and gene carriers and protective materials.

THE EFFECT OF MONOMERS FEEDING METHODS ON EMULSION COPOLYMERIZATION OF VINYLIDENE CHLORIDE AND ACRYLATES

The emulsion copolymerization of vinylidene chloride (VDC) with methyl-methacrylate(MMA) and acrylonitrile (AN) was carried out by batch, seeded batch and semicontinuous pro-cesses,respectively. Significant differences were found in the physical and mechanical propertiesof the latexes and films, depending on the methods of monomer feeding. The results both intheory and experiments demonstrated that the copolymer composition and the length of the VDC sequences in the copolymer could be controlled by the modes of monomer feeding process.

SYNTHESIS OF POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE)-graft-POLYSTYRENE BY ATOM TRANSFER RADICAL POLYMERIZATION

The radical copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate was carried out via atomtransfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiated by ethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate and catalyzed by CuBr/2,2'-bipyridinecomplex. This polymerization proceeds in a living fashion with controlled molecular weight and low polydispersity. Theobtained copolymer was esterified with 2-bromoisobutylryl bromide yielding a macroinitiator, poly(methyl methacrylate-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-2-(2-bromoisobutyryloxy)ethyl methacrylate), and its structure was characterized by ~1H-NMR. This macroinitiator was used for ATRP of styrene to synthesize poly(methyl methacrylate)-graft-polystyrene. Themolecular weight of graft copolymer increased with the monomer conversion, and the polydispersity remained relatively low.The individual grafted polystyrene chains were cleaved from the macroinitiator backbone by hydrolysis and the hydrolyzed product was characterized by ~1H-NMR and GPC.

THE SYNTHESIS OF NEW POLED CROSSLINKED POLYMETHACRYLATES AND THEIR SECOND ORDER NONLINEAR OPTICAL PROPERTIES

Films were prepared from mixtures of copolymers of 4-nitro-4'-[N-methylacryloyloxyethyl, N'-ethyl] amino azobenzene with glycidyl methacrylate (chromophore content: 6 mol%) and copolymers containing anhydride units, which was obtained by the reaction of 4-nitro-4'-[N-hydroxyethyl, N'-ethyl] amino azobenzene with polymethacryloyl chloride (chromophore content: 25 mol %). During thermal poling process the anhydride reacts with the epoxy group and the resulting crosslinked network structure will stabilize the second harmonic generation in the poled film. The second harmonic generation of the poled film shows a maximum with the variation of composition this is presumed to be due to the effects of the increasing of concentration, orientation order as well as orientation stability of chromophore groups during crosslinking.

NANOSTRUCTURES OF FUNCTIONAL BLOCK COPOLYMERS

Nanostructure fabrication from block copolymers in my group normally involves polymer design, synthesis, self-assembly, selective domain crosslinking, and sometimes selective domain removal. Preparation of thin films withnanochannels was used to illustrate the strategy we took. In this particular case, a linear triblock copolymer polyisoprenc-block-poly(2-cinnamoylethyl methacrylate)-block-poly(t-butyl acrylate), PI-b-PCEMA-b-PtBA, was used. Films, 25 to50 μm thick, were prepared from casting on glass slides a toluene solution of PI-b-PCEMA-b-PtBA and PtBA homopolymer,hPtBA, where hPtBA is shorter than the PtBA block. At the hPtBA mass faction of 20% relative to the triblock or the totalPtBA (hPtBA and PtBA block) volume fraction of 0.44, hPtBA and PtBA formed a seemingly continuous phase in the matrixof PCEMA and Pl. Such a block segregation pattern was locked in by photocrosslinking the PCEMA domain. Nanochannelswere formed by extracting out hPtBA with solvent. Alternatively. larger channels were obtained from extracting out hPtBAand hydrolyzing the t-butyl groups of the PtBA block. Such membranes were not liquid permeable but had gas permeabilityconstants ～6 orders of magnitude higher than that of low-density polyethylene films.

Design and comparative in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of starch-acrylate graft copolymer based salbutamol sulphate sustained release tablets

The present work deals with the development of controlled release tablets of salbutamol sulphate(SS)using graft copolymers of methyl methacrylate(St-g-PMMA and Ast-g-PMMA)on starch and acetylated starch.Formulations were evaluated for physical characteristics like hardness,friability,drug release,drug content and weight variations,which fulfilled all the official requirements of tablet dosage form.The release rates from formulated matrix tablets were studied at SGF(pH 1.2)followed by SIF(pH 6.8).Drug release from the graft copolymer based tablets was found to be sustained upto the 14 h with>75%drug release.The in-vitro release study showed that the graft copolymer based matrix formulations(F3&F4)exhibited highest correlation value(r2)for higuchi kinetic model and Korsmeyer's model with n values between 0.61 and 0.67 proved that release mechanisms were governed by both diffusion and erosion mechanism.There was no significant difference in the pharmacokinetic parameters(tmax,Cmax,AUC,Ke,and t1/2)of the graft copolymers matrices and HPMC K100M matrix tablets,indicating their comparable sustained release effect.The potential of graft copolymers to sustain the drug release is well supported by in-vivo pharmacokinetic studies and their adequate physicochemical properties make them promising excipients for controlled drug delivery system.

3D打印工艺参数对PLA/PTW共混物力学性能影响的研究

采用3D打印中的熔融沉积成型(FDM)工艺制备了聚乳酸/乙烯-丙烯酸丁酯-甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯共聚物(PLA/PTW),通过单因素实验探究了3D打印工艺参数(喷头温度、打印平台温度和打印速度)对PLA/PTW共混物力学性能的影响,并在此基础上设计了三因素三水平正交实验,优化了3D打印的工艺参数。结果表明,共混物的冲击强度和拉伸强度均随喷头温度的增加呈现先上升后下降、均随打印平台温度的增加而增加、均随打印速度的增加出现下降的趋势。各工艺参数对PLA/PTW共混物综合力学性能的影响从大到小依次为:喷头温度、打印速度、打印平台温度,且当喷头温度为210℃、打印平台温度为80℃以及打印速度为40 mm/s时,打印出的PLA/PTW共混物的综合力学性能最佳。

超临界CO_(2)辅助聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯/聚对苯二甲酸丁二酯珠粒发泡

聚对苯二甲酸丁二酯(PBT)与聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯(PET)化学结构相似,熔融温度相近且结晶速率、熔体强度等性能互补的特点在PET/PBT合金化方面得到广泛应用。文中采用扩链剂乙烯-丙烯酸甲酯共聚物接枝甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯(EMA-g-GMA)和碳纳米管(CNTs)协同改性PET/PBT,并通过超临界CO_(2)浸渍辅助发泡制备了PET/PBT发泡珠粒。结果表明,EMA-g-GMA(EG)的加入起到了扩链增容效果,提高了体系交联度和黏弹性;CNTs的加入有效提高了体系稳定性和黏度,并延缓了PET/PBT基体的降解;EG和CNTs的加入使可发泡温度从260℃降至200℃,泡孔分布趋于均匀,泡孔结构得到改善;在260℃,平均泡孔尺寸从4.4μm降至3.37μm,泡孔密度从3.06×10^(9)cm^(-3)提高至5.32×10^(9)cm^(-3);PET/PBT/EG,PET/PBT/CNTs和PET/PBT/EG/CNTs的拉伸强度相比于PET/PBT,分别提高了97%,67.6%和79.3%,断裂伸长率分别提高了93.4%,57.4%和80.3%。

EVA/PMMA杂化改性降凝剂对长庆含蜡原油流变性的影响机理

基于聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)微球良好的有机相容性,通过熔融共混法将PMMA微球与乙烯-醋酸乙烯酯共聚物(EVA28)降凝剂复合制备了EVA/PMMA杂化改性降凝剂;以长庆含蜡原油为研究对象,通过流变实验评价了EVA/PMMA杂化改性降凝剂对原油流变性的改善效果,利用差示扫描量热法和偏光显微镜法考察了添加降凝剂前后原油的结晶特性和蜡晶形貌变化。结果表明:与纯EVA28降凝剂相比,加入质量分数20 mg/kg EVA/PMMA杂化改性降凝剂使长庆含蜡原油的凝点从8℃降低到5℃,5℃时的黏度从40.96 mPa·s减小到35.56 mPa·s,屈服值从0.527 Pa减小到0.224 Pa。EVA/PMMA杂化改性降凝剂可以进一步降低长庆含蜡原油的析蜡点,增溶石蜡的正向作用更加显著,利于改善原油的流变性。