Self-assembly of Gradient Copolymer Synthesized by Spontaneous Batch RAFT Emulsion Polymerization and Its Application on Encapsulating Ag Nanoparticles

The gradient copolymers of acrylic acid and trifluoroethyl methacrylate（coded as P（TFEMAgrad-AA）） were synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation transfer（RAFT） emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization. The spontaneous batch feeding approach was used to control the gradient chain sequence. Transmission electron microscopy（TEM） analysis revealed that the P（TFEMA-grad-AA） can self-assemble to form spherical micelles, rodlike micelles or vesicles in selective solvents. Morphological transition of the P（TFEMA-grad-AA） micelles was sensitive to the water content of the dioxane/water mixed solvent. More interestingly, Ag nanoparticles（NPs） were encapsulated by the P（TFEMA-grad-AA） micelles during the selfassembly process. The gradient chain sequence made the Ag NPs easily enter the core of the micelles, even when P（TFEMA-grad-AA） had less hydrophobic fluoro-units and more hydrophilic units. TEM images with energy dispersive spectrometer indicated that the nanocomposite micelles consisted of a Ag NPs core and a gradient copolymer shell.

Self-assembly and UV-curing Property of Polymerized Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Monomer of Sodium 3,4,5-tris（ll-acryloxyundecyloxy）benzoate

A polymerized lyotropic liquid crystal monomer of sodium 3,4,5-tris（11-acryloxyundecyloxy）- benzoate was synthesized by a convenient route starting from 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid via esterification followed by etherification, acylation and finally neutralization. The chemi- cal structure was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared （FT-IR） and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectral analysis. The self-organization behavior of the monomer with deionized water in methanol at room temperature was also demonstrated. The assemblies were char- acterized by polarized optical microscope and X-ray diffraction. The results show that a solution containing 80：20 of the monomer to water was found to be able to self-organize into Lamellar （La） phase and 92：8 with inverted hexagonal （H]I） phase, which was in ac- cordance with the theoretical calculation of critical packing parameter. It suggests that the concentration of the monomer was the key factor to influence assembly structure. Addi- tionally, the acrylate conversion with different photoinitiators and nanostructure retention after polymerization were investigated. The research shows that the acrylate conversion of the monomer with Darocur2959 could reach up to 78% when irradiated by 30 mW/cm2 UV light of 365 nm for 30 min characterized by Real-time FT-IR as well as the sol-gel method. Meanwhile, the La and HII phase nanostructures were both retained after polymerization.

Design of multifunctional polymeric binders in silicon anodes for lithium‐ion batteries

Silicon(Si)is a promising anode material for lithium‐ion batteries(LIBs)owing to its tremendously high theoretical storage capacity(4200 mAh g−1),which has the potential to elevate the energy of LIBs.However,Si anodes exhibit severe volume change during lithiation/delithiation processes,resulting in anode pulverization and delamination with detrimental growth of solid electrolyte interface layers.As a result,the cycling stability of Si anodes is insufficient for commercialization in LIBs.Polymeric binders can play critical roles in Si anodes by affecting their cycling stability,although they occupy a small portion of the electrodes.This review introduces crucial factors influencing polymeric binders'properties and the electrochemical performance of Si anodes.In particular,we emphasize the structure–property relationships of binders in the context of molecular design strategy,functional groups,types of interactions,and functionalities of binders.Furthermore,binders with additional functionalities,such as electrical conductivity and self‐healability,are extensively discussed,with an emphasis on the binder design principle.

Aqueous Self-Assembly of Block Copolymers to Form Manganese Oxide-Based Polymeric Vesicles for Tumor Microenvironment-Activated Drug Delivery

Molecular self-assembly is crucially fundamental to nature.However,the aqueous self-assembly of polymers is still a challenge.To achieve self-assembly of block copolymers [(polyacrylic acid-block-polyethylene glycol-block-polyacrylic acid(PAA68-b-PEG86-b-PAA68)] in an aqueous phase,manganese oxide(MnO2) is first generated to drive phase separation of the PAA block to form the PAA68-b-PEG68-b-PAA68/MnO2 polymeric assembly that exhibits a stable structure in a physiological medium.The polymeric assembly exhibits vesicular morphology with a diameter of approximately 30 nm and high doxorubicin(DOX) loading capacity of approximately 94%.The transformation from MnO2 to Mn2+caused by endogenous glutathione(GSH)facilitates the disassembly of PAA68-b-PEG68-b-PAA68/MnO2 to enable its drug delivery at the tumor sites.The toxicity of DOXloaded PAA68-b-PEG68-b-PAA69/MnO2 to tumor cells has been verified in vitro and in vivo.Notably,drug-loaded polymeric vesicles have been demonstrated,especially in in vivo studies,to overcome the cardiotoxicity of DOX.We expect this work to encourage the potential application of polymer self-assembly.

EFFECT OF POLYMERIZATION CONDITIONS ON THE MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF POLYPHENYLSILSISQUIOXANE

Samples of polyphenylsilsisquioxane (PPSQ)using CaF_2 or MgF_2 as the main catalysts hadbeen prepared under different polymerization conditions. The results were treated on anorthogonal design L_9 (3~4). All weight-average molecular weights (M_W ) of PPSQ had beenmeasured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Effects of polymerization conditionsincluding reaction temperature, composition of the dual catalysts (CaF_2 or MgF_2 and DCC),mixture of solvents and reaction time on M_W of PPSQ have been discussed. The quantity of thecatalysts is the most important factor that affects M_W of PPSQ. Reaction temperature is thesecond important factor. Appropriate polymerization condition has been established to get PPSQwith high M_W.

Monocrotophos Molecularly Imprinted Microspheres Prepared by Precipitation Polymerization in Acetonitrile

Molecularly imprinted microspheres (MIP) for monocrotophos have been prepared by precipitation polymerization in acetonitrile (ACN) 60℃,24 h,using methacrylic acid (MAA),ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and 2, 2-azobisiobutyronitrile (AIBN) as functional monomer,cross-linker and initiator,respectively.The recognition mechanism was elucidated by UV-vis spectra and computer modeling.Equilibrium binding experiment was employed to investigate the rebinding properties,Scatchard analysis showed that specific binding sites formed in the imprinted microspheres,and there were two kinds of binding sites,one was high binding sites,the other was low binding sites.This microspheres can be useful affinity absorbent used for organophosphorus pesticides separation and purification in food and environmental analysis.

Self-assembly synthesis of solid polymer electrolyte with carbonate terminated poly (ethylene glycol) matrix and its application for solid state lithium battery

A facile one-pot synthesis of solid polymer electrolytes(SPEs), composed of carbonate terminated poly(ethylene glycol)(CH3O-PEG-IC), poly(ethylene glycol)-block-polystyrene(PEG-b-PS) block copolymer nanoparticles containing a conductive PEG corona, fumed SiO2 and Li TFSI salt via polymerization-induced self-assembly is proposed. This method to prepare SPEs has the advantages of one-pot convenient synthesis, avoiding use of organic solvent and conveniently adding inorganic additives. CH3O-PEG-IC combines advantages of PEG and polycarbonate, the in situ synthesized PEG-b-PS nanoparticles containing a rigid polystyrene(PS) core and a PEG corona guarantee continuous lithium ion transport in the synthesized SPEs, and the fumed SiO2 optimizes the interfacial properties and improves the electrochemical stability, all of which afford SPEs a well considerable room temperature ionic conductivity of 1.73 × 10^-4S/cm, high lithium transference number of 0.53, and wide electrochemical stability window of 5.5 V(vs. Li^+/Li). By employing these SPEs, the assembled solid state cells of Li FePO4 |SPEs|Li exhibit considerable cell performance.

Nanostructured Columns from Self-assemblyof Complementary Molecular Components

Nanostructured columns with a length about several tens of micrometer and a diameter of about 80 nm were obtained by molecular recognition directed self-assembly of a pair of comple- mentary molecular components, 4-amino-2 , 6-didodecylamino-1 , 3, 5-triazine(M) and 5- (4-dode- cyloxybenzylidene )-(1H, 3H)-2, 4, 6-pyrimidinetrione (B) in chloroform. In this system, with positive cooperativity, π-aromatic stacking and van der Waals interactions as well as hydrogen bonds cause the formation of the nanocolumns.

A Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Sensor Based on the Electropolymerization of p-Aminothiophenol-Functionalized Au Nanoparticles Electrode for the Detection of Nonylphenol

Endocrine disruptors(EDCs),also known as Environmental Hormones(EHs),refer to substances in the environment that interfere with the endocrine systems of humans and animals.These substances can lead to genital disorders in humans and animals[1].Nonylphenol(Nph)is a kind of relatively distributed substance of EDCs.Nph is the metabolite of nonylphenol polyethoxy and an important fine chemical,raw material,and intermedium[2]。

Thermoreversible Thickening and Self-assembly Behaviors of pH/Temperature Dually Responsive Microgels with Interpenetrating Polymer Network Structure

The pH /temperature dually responsive microgels of interpenetrating polymer network( IPN) structure composed of poly( N-isopropylacrylamide)( PNIPAM) network and poly( acrylic acid)( PAA) network( PNIPAM /PAA IPN microgels) were synthesized by seed emulsion polymerization. The results obtained by dynamic laser light scattering( DLLS) show that the microgels have good pH /temperature dual sensitivities. The temperature sensitive component and the pH sensitive component inside the microgels have little interference with each other. The rheological properties of the concentrated PNIPAM /PAA IPN microgel dispersions as a function of temperature at pH 4. 0 or 7. 0 were investigated by viscometer,and the results displayed that only at pH 7. 0 the dispersions presented thermoreversible thickening behavior. Then the PNIPAM /PAA fibers were prepared by self-assembly of the PNIPAM /PAA IPN microgels in the ice-crystal templates formed by unidirectional liquid nitrogen freezing method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy( FESEM) images indicate that the PNIPAM /PAA fibers are rounded,randomly orientated and interweaved.

Differentiated self-assembly through orthogonal noncovalent interactions towards the synthesis of two-dimensional woven supramolecular polymers

Molecular weaving is a powerful approach to make molecularly woven materials that have showed unprecedented characteristics and properties intrinsically distinct to those of non-woven materials.We here report a facile and efficient approach for the synthesis of 2D woven supramolecular polymers by differentiated self-assembly through orthogonal noncovalent interactions.Importantly,the difference in binding strength of two orthogonal noncovalent interactions can be used to control the process of molecular weaving.Consequently,single-layered 2D woven supramolecular polymers were synthesized and fully characterized by various techniques.This study demonstrates a controllable method for molecular weaving,and will significantly hasten the development of molecularly woven materials.

Identification of origin of insulating polymer maneuvered photoredox catalysis

Solid non-conjugated polymers have long been regarded as insulators due to deficiency of delocalizedπelectrons along the molecular chain framework.Up to date,origin of insulating polymer regulated charge transfer has not yet been uncovered.In this work,we unleash the root origin of charge transport capability of insulating polymer in photocatalysis.We ascertain that insulating polymer plays crucial roles in fine tuning of electronic structure of transition metal chalcogenides(TMCs),which mainly include altering surface electron density of TMCs for accelerating charge transport kinetics,triggering the generation of defect over TMCs for prolonging carrier lifetime,and acting as hole-trapping mediator for retarding charge recombination.These synergistic roles contribute to the charge transfer of insulating polymer.Our work opens a new vista of utilizing solid insulating polymers for maneuvering charge transfer toward solar energy conversion.

Sequence structure controllable polymerization-induced self-assembly

Polymerization-induced self-assembly(PISA)combines synthesis and self-assembly of artificial polymers in one-pot,which brings us one step closer to emulating biosynthesis.However,the reported PISA formulations primarily focus on developing nano-objects with new chemical compositions and rarely on structural regulation of polymers with specific components.Herein,sequence structure controllable polymerization-induced self-assembly(SCPISA)is reported by using 7-(2-methacryloyloxyethoxy)-4-methylcoumarin(CMA)as a monomer.During the copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate(HEMA)and CMA,controlled incorporation of CMA units into the polymer chains can be realized by programmable light/heat changes.SCPISA-based P(HEMA-co-CMA)copolymers with the same composition but different sequence structures generate a range of assemblies.Moreover,the morphologies of the resultant nano-objects can also be controlled by regulating the feed molar ratio of CMA and HEMA,which is similar to the conventional PISA,but the synthesis procedure is obviously simplified in SCPISA.The versatility of the methodology is further demonstrated by the fabrication of different functional nano-objects with sequence structure-dependent morphologies in SCPISA systems with different functional monomers.

Effect of Molecular Weight on Thermoelectric Performance of P3HT Analogues with 2-Propoxyethyl Side Chains

By replacing hexyl chains in poly(3-hexylthiophene)(P3HT)with 2-propoxyethyls,four poly(3-(2-propoxyethyl)thiophene)(P3POET)homopolymers with comparable polydispersity indexes(PDI)and regioregularities were prepared herein in addition with step increment of about 7 kDa on numberaverage molecular weight(M_(n))from around 11 to 32 kDa(accordingly denoted as P11k,P18k,P25k,and P32k).When doped in film by FeCl_(3)at the optimized conditions,the maximum power factor(PF_(max))increases greatly from 4.3μW·m^(-1)·K^(-2)for P11k to 8.8μW·m^(-1)·K^(-2)for P18k,and further to 9.7μW·m^(-1)·K^(-2)for P25k,followed by a slight decrease to 9.2μW·m^(-1)·K^(-2)for P32k.The close Seebeck coefficients(S)at PF_(max)are observed in these doped polymer films due to their consistent frontier orbital energy levels and Fermi levels.The main contribution to this PF_(max)evolution thus comes from the corresponding conductivities(σ).Theσvariation of the doped films can be rationally correlated with their microstructure evolution.

Intelligent responsive self-assembled micro-nanocapsules:Used to delay gel gelation time

In the application of polymer gels to profile control and water shutoff,the gelation time will directly determine whether the gel can"go further"in the formation,but the most of the methods for delaying gel gelation time are complicated or have low responsiveness.There is an urgent need for an effective method for delaying gel gelation time with intelligent response.Inspired by the slow-release effect of drug capsules,this paper uses the self-assembly effect of gas-phase hydrophobic SiO_(2) in aqueous solution as a capsule to prepare an intelligent responsive self-assembled micro-nanocapsules.The capsule slowly releases the cross-linking agent under the stimulation of external conditions such as temperature and pH value,thus delaying gel gelation time.When the pH value is 2 and the concentration of gas-phase hydrophobic SiO_(2) particles is 10%,the gelation time of the capsule gel system at 30,60,90,and 120℃is12.5,13.2,15.2,and 21.1 times longer than that of the gel system without containing capsule,respectively.Compared with other methods,the yield stress of the gel without containing capsules was 78 Pa,and the yield stress after the addition of capsules was 322 Pa.The intelligent responsive self-assembled micronanocapsules prepared by gas-phase hydrophobic silica nanoparticles can not only delay the gel gelation time,but also increase the gel strength.The slow release of cross-linking agent from capsule provides an effective method for prolongating the gelation time of polymer gels.

Factors resisting protein adsorption on hydrophilic/hydrophobic self-assembled monolayers terminated with hydrophilic hydroxyl groups

The hydroxyl-terminated self-assembled monolayer(OH-SAM),as a surface resistant to protein adsorption,exhibits substantial potential in applications such as ship navigation and medical implants,and the appropriate strategies for designing anti-fouling surfaces are crucial.Here,we employ molecular dynamics simulations and alchemical free energy calculations to systematically analyze the factors influencing resistance to protein adsorption on the SAMs terminated with single or double OH groups at three packing densities(∑=2.0 nm^(-2),4.5 nm^(-2),and 6.5 nm^(-2)),respectively.For the first time,we observed that the compactness and order of interfacial water enhance its physical barrier effect,subsequently enhancing the resistance of SAM to protein adsorption.Notably,the spatial hindrance effect of SAM leads to the embedding of protein into SAM,resulting in a lack of resistance of SAM towards protein.Furthermore,the number of hydroxyl groups per unit area of double OH-terminated SAM at ∑=6.5 nm^(-2) is approximately 2 to 3 times that of single OH-terminated SAM at ∑=6.5 nm^(-2) and 4.5 nm^(-2),consequently yielding a weaker resistance of double OH-terminated SAM towards protein.Meanwhile,due to the structure of SAM itself,i.e.,the formation of a nearly perfect ice-like hydrogen bond structure,the SAM exhibits the weakest resistance towards protein.This study will complement and improve the mechanism of OH-SAM resistance to protein adsorption,especially the traditional barrier effect of interfacial water.

Electropolymerization of 4-Aminothiophenol Self-AssembledMonolayer on Au Electrode

In this letter. we report that oxidation of 4-aminothiophenol self-assembled monolayeron An electrode produces a couple of redox current peaks with close peak potentials in 0.5 mol/LHCIO4 aqueous solution, and the peaks are ascribed to an electroactive monolayer.Electrochemical properties of the monolayer polymer were investigated with use ofelectrochemical quartz crystal microbalance and cyclic voltammetry.

SELF-ASSEMBLY OF ROD-COIL DIBLOCK COPOLYMERS——INFLUENCE OF THE ROD LENGTH

The self-assembly of five narrowly distributed novel rod-coil diblock copolymers, poly(styrene-block-(2, 5-bis[4-methoxy-phenyl]oxycarbonyl) styrene) (PS-b-PMPCS), in p-xylene, a selective solvent at room temperature, was studied. Therod-coil copolymers, which have the same PS length but different PMPCS length, were synthesized by 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-I-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) mediated living free radical polymerization. The influence of the rod length on the self-assemblymorphology was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). At a concentration of 2.0 mg/mL, those copolymerswith relatively shorter PMPCS length (copolymers 1 and 2) form individual spherical micelles; those with relatively longerPMPCS length (copolymer 3 and 4) form 'pearl chains' coexisting with individual spherical micelles; the ones with longestPMPCS length form 'pearl chains' coexisting with occasionally formed nanofibers. The diameter of all the morphologieswas controlled by the rod length. This gives us a way to govern the self-assembly morphology by altering the length of oneblock in the block copolymer.

THE CONTROL OF POLYMETHACRYLATE MOLECULAR STRUCTURE BY GROUP TRANSFER POLYMERIZATION

INTRODUCTION Group transfer polymerization (GTP) is a method for controlling the structure of acrylic polymers in which reactive chain ends are covalentiy bound to a trimethylsilyl group. In the presence of a catalyst, monomer inserts into these chain ends between the silyl group and the last monomer unit. The process is illustrated by equation (1) for methyl methacrylate. GTP is a living polymerization, i. e., there is little or no chain termination and no chain transfer. A significant advantage of GTP is that it