Self-assembly of block copolymers grafted onto a flat substrate:Recent progress in theory and simulations

Block copolymers are a class of soft matter that self-assemble to form ordered morphologies on the scale of nanome- ters, making them ideal materials for various applications. These applications directly depend on the shape and size of the self-assembled morphologies, and hence, a high degree of control over the self-assembly is desired. Grafting block copolymer chains onto a substrate to form copolymer brushes is a versatile method to fabricate functional surfaces. Such surfaces demonstrate a response to their environment, i.e., they change their surface topography in response to different external conditions. Furthermore, such surfaces may possess nanoscale patterns, which are important for some applica- tions; however, such patterns may not form with spun-cast films under the same condition. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of the self-assembly of block copolymers grafted onto a flat substrate. We mainly concentrate on the self-assembled morphologies of end-grafted AB dibloek eopolymers, junction p0int-grafted AB diblock copolymers （i.e., Y-shaped brushes）, and end-grafted ABA triblock copolymers. Special emphasis is placed on theoretical and simulation progress.

Study on PVC Grafted with Acrylic Rare Earths

The copolymers were formed by the graft copolymerization of PVC with acrylic rare earth. The principle and method of the graft copolymerization of PVC and acrylic rare earth were discussed. The graft copolymers were characterized by FT-IR spectra and scanning electron microscope (SEM).The thermal stability of the graft-copolymers was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The experiment results show that the thermal resistance and toughness of the graft copolymers are obviously enhanced.

Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable amphiphilic PEG-grafted poly(DTC-co-CL)

A novel biodegradable copolymer, poly（5,5-dibromomethyltrimethylene carbonate-co-ε-caprolactone） （poly（DBTC-co-CL）） with pendant bromine groups, was synthesized via ring-opening polymerization （ROP） of ε-caprolactone （CL） and 5,5- dibromomethyltrimethylene carbonate （DBTC） using stannous octoate （Sn（Oct）2） as catalyst. Then the pendant bromine groups were completely converted into azide form, which permitted ＂click＂ reaction with alkyne-terminated polyethylene （A-PEG） by Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions preparing biodegradable amphiphilic poly（DTC-co-CL）-g-PEG graft copolymer. The graft copolymer was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR） and size-exclusion chromatography （SEC）.

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GRAFT COPOLYMERS BASED ON POLY(p-PHENYLENE TEREPHTHALAMIDE) BACKBONE AND WELL-DEFINED POLYSTYRENE SIDE CHAINS

A novel dualfunctional monomer, 2-（2＇,2＇,6＇,6＇-tetramethyl-piperidinyl-1＇-oxy）methylbenzene-1,4-dioyl chloride hydrochloride, with two acid chloride groups for step-growth polymerization and a nitroxide group for the mediation of living radical polymerization was synthesized. It was first copolymerized with terephthaloyl chloride and p- phenylenediamine at a feed molar ratio of 1：3：4 in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone containing 10 wt% calcium chloride at -10℃ to yield a poly（p-phenylene terephthalamide） based macroinitiator, which initiated radical polymerization of styrene at 125℃ to obtain a series of poly（p-phenylene terephthalamide）-g-polystyrenes. A combinatory analysis of proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elementary analysis, thermogravimetry and gel permeation chromatography indicated that the macroinitiator induced the radical polymerization of styrene to proceed in a well- controlled way. The molecular weight of side-chains increased with an increase of monomer conversion, and the molecular weight distribution index remained lower than 1.5. The graft copolymers showed a remarkably improved solubility in N- methyl-2-pyrrolidone and much depressed crystallinity in bulk.

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

CHARACTERIZATION OF AMPHIPHILIC AND MICROPHASE SEPARATED GRAFT COPOLYMERS Ⅱ SURFACE CHARACTERIZATION AND IN VITRO BLOOD-COMPATIBILITY ASSESSMENT OF POLYSTYRENE-GRAFT-ω-STEARYLPOLY (ETHYLENE OXIDE)

This paper reported the research results concerning the surface characterization ofpolystyrene-graft-w-stearyl poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-g-SPEO) by means of XPS,contactangle measurement and TEM, and its in vitro blood compatibility assessment by measuringthe plasma recalcification time (RT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT). The XPSresults demonstrated that the surface and bulk composition of the PS-g-SPEO graftcopolymers differ remarkably from each other,and that SPEO component was constantlyenriched at the copolymer/air interface. Contact angle studies indicated that the surfacewater wettability can be adjusted effectively by changing the composition of the copolymer.PS-g-SPEO graft copolymers can undergo microphase separation as clearly illustrated byTEM photographs. The relationship between the surface properties of PS-g-SPEO graftcopolymer and its blood compatibility was also discussed.

STUDY ON DYNAMIC MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF POLY BUTYLACRYLATE GRAFT VINYL CHLORIDE COPOLYMERS

Dynamic mechanical behaviours of PVC ho-mopolymer. poly butylacryiate (PBA ) graft vinylchloride copolymers and blend of PVC and ACR have been investigated. The results reveal that there is semicompatible nature in the two phases in these materials,that the compatibility of the two phases decrease, -with the increase of crosslinking density of PBA backbone in graft copolyers. For different copolymer types-PB A graft copolymers had better compatibility of the two phases compared ivith the graft copolymers 晈ith core/shell backbone poly-

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.

PREPARATION AND SWELLING PROPERTIES OF SUPER-ABSORBENT POLYMER

A super-absorbent polymer is prepared by graft polymerizing acrylamide (AM) onto potato starch using eerie ammonium nitrate (CAN) and N, N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide (bisAM) as an initiator and cross-linking agent respectively, and then subjecting the potato starch- poly(acrylamide) (PAM) graft copolymer (SPAM) to alkaline saponification. The water absorbency (WA) of the sample is nearly 5000 g H2O/g for dry sample in 24 h at room temperature and is far larger than that of reported in the literature([1]). The variables affecting the WA were investigated and optimiz;ed, they were: concentrations of potato starch, AM, CAN and bisAM were 26.3 g/L, 1.14 mol/L, 10.3 mmol/L and 0.53 mmol/L, respectively. The amount of sodium hydroxide was 15 g and the temperatures of graft copolymerization and saponification reactions were 60 degrees C and 95 degrees C. The time of graft copolymerization and saponification reactions was 2 h, respectively.

Determination of Crosslinking and Grafting in Polyurethane-acrylic Hybrid Material and Their Theoretical Calculations

A theoretical method to calculate the mode of polyurethane（PU） prepolymers grafted to polyacrylic（PAC） was presented. Using hydroxyethyl acrylate（HEA） as coupling agent, polyurethane-acrylics（PU-AC） hybrid latexes were prepared with varying HEA level and the reaction of HEA with PU prepolymers at different temperatures, and PU grafted to PAC was experimentally determined. The results show that PU grafted to PAC regularly increased, and the non-grafted and linear free PU regularly decreased with increase in HEA/NCO（isocyanate group）. The grafted PU on PAC was not proportional to HEA. More than half of linear PU prepolymers were grafted to PAC when HEA was at a low level with HEA/NCO at 0.33. While grafted PU increased to 84.80%（mass fraction）, when HEA/NCO increased to 1.0. The results were interpreted based on the theoretical calculation of PU grafted to PAC by the present method.

Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan-g-poly- (D, L-lactic acid) Copolymer

Biodegradable chitosan-g-poly (D, L-lactic acid) copolymers were prepared via two methods. (1) The lactide was grafted onto hydroxyl groups of chitosan by using macromolecular initiator sodium of trimethylsilyl-chitosan, (2) poly (D,L-lactic acid)(PLA) with low molecular weight can be linked to the amino group by coupling activated PLA to trimethylsilyl-chitosan. Two graft copolymers had hydrophilic-hydrophobic character and can be applied as carriers for drug delivery.

Chitosan-graft-poly(L-glutamic acid) Hybrid Material and Its Self-assembly

Chitosan-graft-poly（L-glutamic acid）（CS-g-PGA） copolymer was successfully synthesized by grafting polymerization of γ-benzyl-L-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride onto the modified chitosan chains. The self-assembly behavior of such a CS-g-PGA amphiphilic copolymer was studied. The results show that spherical nanoparticles have been formed. The size of CS-g-PGA nanoparticles is found to be controlled by the grafting ratio of PGA. These bio-based polysaccharide/polypeptide hybrid nanoparticles with controllable size may have great potential application in biomedical fields, such as drug delivery systems.

THERMALLY STIMULATED SHAPE MEMORY BEHAVIOR OF POLYMERS WITH PHYSICAL CROSSLINKS

The shape memory effect of polymers was investigated for the purpose of improving the processing conditions of their preparation and broadening the list of polymers for shape memory applications. Emphasis was put on the possibility of using polymers with physical crosslinks as shape memory materials and their structure-function relationships. Segmented block polyurethanes and polyethylene/nylon 6 graft copolymers were used as examples of polymers with physical crosslinks. It was found that these copolymers can really be used as thermally stimulated shape memory materials with large recoverable strain and high final recovery rate. The main advantage of using copolymers is their improved processing conditions as compared with polymers with chemical crosslinks. As only physical crosslinks are introduced, all conventional processing techniques for thermal plastics can be used, and the materials become easily reusable. The results indicate that the high crystallinity of these copolymers at room temperature and the formation of stable physical crosslinks are the two prerequisites for these polymers to exhibit shape memory effect. The successful use of block and graft copolymers imply the possibility of using polymers of various structure and properties as shape memory materials.

SYNTHESIS AND POLYMERIZATION OF α-METHACRYLYOXYLETHYLOXYCARBONYLMETHYL-ω-(N,N-DIETHYLDITHIOCARBAMYL)POLYSTYRENE MACROMONOMERS

Polystyrene macromonomers with different molecular weight were prepared by radical polymerization of styrene(St) in benzene using β-methacryloxylethyl 2-N,N-diethyldithiocarbamylacetate (MAEDCA) as a monomer-iniferter.Characterization of the macromonomer by ~1H-NMR showed that the end groups were α-methacrylyoxylethyloxycarbonyl-methyl and ω-(N,N-diethyldithiocarbamyl). The macromonomer was difficult to homopolymerize, but it was easilycopolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by AIBN to form graft copolymers (PMMA-g-PSt) with PStbranches randomly distributed along the PMMA backbone. Copolymerization reaction and the structure of the graft copolymers were strongly affected by M_n and concentration of the macromonomer. The composition and M_n of the purified graft copolymer were determined by ~1H-NMR and GPC analysis.

SYNTHESIS OF AN AMPHIPHILIC PPESK-g-P(PEGMA)GRAFT COPOLYMER VIA ATRP AND ITS USE IN BLEND MODIFICATION OF PPESK MEMBRANES

Preparation of an amphiphilic graft copolymer having poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone ketone)(PPESK) as main chains was carried out by atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP).The precursor,chloromethylated PPESK (CMPPESK),was prepared by using chioromethylether as chloromethylation agent.Then,poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate(PEGMA) was used as monomer to synthesize PPESK-g-P(PEGMA) by ATRP method under the catalysis of a cuprous chloride/2,2'-bipyridyl system.PPESK/PPESK-g-P(PEGMA) blend m...

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF REACTIVE GRAFT COPOLYMER PDMS-g-(PEO-OH)

A new reactive graft copolymer, poly (dimethyl siloxane)-graft-omega-hydroxyl-poly (ethylene oxide) (PDMS-g-(PEO-OH)), was synthesized by the hydrosilylation reaction of alpha, omega-bifunctional PEO macromonomer (CH2=CH-CH2-PEO-OH) with poly (hydromethylsiloxane) (PHMS). The obtained copolymer, exhibited the expected comblike structure as indicated by the result of detailed characterization and the needed reactivity as demonstrated by the result of esterification between PDMS-g-(PEO-OH) and aminoacetic acid. This reactive graft copolymer is expected to be very useful in the preparation of new bioactive polymer materials.

Synthesis of EPR-g-styrene by anionic coupling technique

Ethylene-propylene rubber （EPR） graft copolymers were prepared successfully by anionic coupling technique between chlorinated EPR （C1-EPR） and living anionic polystyrene chain. The EPR-g-styrene was characterized by hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance （1H NMR） and gel penetration chromatogram （GPC）.

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.

Synthesis and Properties of Poly (n-Octyl Acrylate) with Uniform Polystyrene Grafts

Poly （n-octyl acrylate） with uniform polystyrene grafts （POA-g-PS） was obtained by radical copolymerization of n-octyl acrylate （OA） with PS macromer, in solution. The reactivity ratio and effects of copolymerization conditions on grafting efficiency were studied. The crude products were purified by extraction with cyclohexane and n-butanol successively. POA-g-PS exhibited a very good compatibilizing effect on the acrylic rubber/polystyrene blends. 2﹪-3﹪ of the graft copolymer was enough for enhancing the tensile strength of the blends. DSC and SEM demonstrated the enhancement of compatibility in the presence of the graft copolymer.

Synthesis, Purification and Characterization of Amphiphilic and Microphase Separated Graft Copolymer Polystyrene-g-Poly(ethylene oxide)

The present paper covers the poly (ethylene oxide) macromer with vinyl benzyl terminal group (PEO-VB) prepared by deactivation of the alkoxide function of mono-functional 'living' PEO chains with vinyl benzyl chloride (VBC). The obtained macromers were subjected to careful purification and detailed characterization. A new kind of amphiphilic polystyrene-g-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-g-PEO) with both mi-crophase separated and PEO side chains was synthesized from radical copolymerization of PEO-VB macromer with styrene monomer. An improved purification method, referred as 'selective dissolvation', was established for the isolation of graft copolymers from the grafting products, and the purity and yield of the purified copolymers were satisfactory. The well-defined structure of the purified copolymers was confirmed by IR, 1H NMR and GPC. The bulk composition of the graft copolymers was determined by a well-established first derivative UV spectrometry. Various experimental parameters controlling the copolymerization were also studied. The results indicate that the feed ratio of macromer to styrene (M/S) was the most important factor in determining the composition of the copolymers. Thus a series of PS-g-PEO with a wide range of bulk compositions were obtained simply by adjusting the value of M/S. As clearly indicated by transmission electron microscopy, this amphiphilic graft copolymers may readily form microphase separated structures.