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.

Six-month angiographic and one-year clinical outcomes of polymer free paclitaxel-eluting stent in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction： a comparison with permanent polymer sirolimus-eluting stent

Background Since permanent polymer is implicated in adverse events associated with delayed vessel healing after drug eluting stents （DES） implantation, great efforts have been made to develop more biocompatible DES with biodegradable polymer or without polymer. The present study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of polymer free paclitaxel-eluting stents （PF-PES） in comparison with permanent polymer sirolimus-eluting stents （PP-SES） in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI）. Methods Patients with STEMI were randomly assigned to receive PP-SES （n=55）, and PF-PES （n=50）. The 6-month angiographic and 1-year clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Target lesion failure （TLF） was defined as the composite of cardiac death, recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction （Re-MI）, or target lesion revascularization （TLR）. Results Follow-up angiography at six months was performed in 72.7% of the PP-SES group and 70.0% of the PF-PES group （P=0.757）. The two groups had comparable angiographic outcomes including minimal luminal diameter, diameter stenosis, late loss and binary restenosis. All patients were clinically followed up to one year. The two groups had similar clinical outcomes with relatively low rates of target lesion failure （10.9% PP-SES vs. 12.0% PF-PES, P=0.861） and definite or probable stent thrombosis （1.8% PP-SES vs. 2.0% PF-PES, P=1.000） at one year. Conclusions The present study suggests that the safety and efficacy of PF-PES in the setting of STEMI are comparable to PP-SES. Further randomized trials with laraer study DODUlations are needed to net definite conclusions.

On the Scaling Study for the A_f-A_g Type Free Radical Polymerization

根据Ａｆ－Ａｇ自由基加聚反应的数量分布函数，导出凝胶点附近的渐进分布函数和高分子矩的表示式．进一步应用标度变换，得到了描述溶胶－凝胶相变的广义标度律，从而揭示了Ａｆ－Ａｇ自由基加聚的固化反应是一个相变过程．

DESIGN AND SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL CHIRAL IONIC LIQUIDS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN FREE RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF METHYL METHACRYLATE

Two new chiral ionic liquids, 1 -((-)-menthoxycarbonylmethylene)-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphateand 1-((-)-menthoxycarbonylmethylene)-3-hexadecylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, were designed an d prepared. Theirchemical structures were characterized by ~1H-NMR. Reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate(MMA) in these two ionic liquids was carried out using AIBN/CuCl_2/bipy as the initiating system. The resultant well-definedpolymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was employed as a macroinitiator to induce the atom transfer radical polymerization ofmenthyl methacrylate (MnMA) in chlorobenzene, which yielded a PMMA-b-PMnMA diblock copolymer with narrow polydispersity.

"LIVING" FREE RADICAL SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL RODCOIL DIBLOCK COPOLYMERS WITH POLYSTYRENE AND MESOGEN-JACKETED LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMER SEGMENTS

The synthesis of rod-coil diblock copolymers was achieved for the first time by TEMPO-mediated 'living' free radical polymerization of styrene and 2,5-bis [(4-methoxyphenyl)oxycarbonyl] styrene(MPCS). The block architecture of the two diblock copolymers thus prepared, MPCS-b-St(5400/2400) and MPCS-b-St(10800/8700), was confirmed by GPC, DSC studies and the formation of multimolecular micelles. (Author abstract) 10 Refs.

SYNTHESIS OF HETEROARM STAR-SHAPED POLYMER BY THE USE OF POLYFUNCTIONAL CHAIN-TRANSFER AGENT via CONVENTIONAL FREE RADICAL POLYMERIZATION

Heteroarm star-shaped polymers were synthesized by conventional free radical polymerization in two steps by the use of polyfunctional chain transfer agent.In the first step,free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate was carried out in the presence of a polyfunctional chain transfer agent,pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropinate).At appropriate monomer conversions,two-arm PMMA having two residual thiol groups at the chain center or three-arm PMMA having one residual thiol group at the core were o...

AQUEOUS STABLE FREE RADICAL POLYMERIZATION PROCESSES

An overview of aqueous polymerizations, which include emulsion, miniemulsion and suspension polymerizations, under stable free radical polymerization (SFRP) conditions is presented. The success of miniemulsion and suspension SFRP polymerizations is contrasted with the difficulties associated with obtaining a stable emulsion polymerization. A recently developed unique microprecipitation technique is referenced as a means of making submicron sized particles that can be used to achieve a stable emulsion SFRP process.

Metal Free Polymer/Graphite Electrode-Ferricyanides Catholyte System for MFC with High Performance

A Microbial fuel cell(MFC)with metal free polymer/graphite electrodes(150 mm×150 mm)was constructed.The electrodes with flowing channels,which were different in roughness,were designed.No additional catalyst was coated on the electrode,therefore the MFC was cheaper and possessed good durability with high performance.The effect of roughness,K3Fe(CN)6 concentration and sprayed air on the performance of the constructed MFC was investigated.Results showed that the roughness of electrode can significantly affect the performance of MFC.The power density of MFC increased by 1.56 times owing to the arithmetic mean roughness which has increased by 1.41 times.With an increasing K3Fe(CN)6 concentration,the performance of MFC also improves.The MFC with K3Fe(CN)6 only(30 mM)showed the highest power density of 1260 mW/m2,which is by 21.4 times and 1.3 times higher than those of MFCs with spraying air only(59 mW/m2)and with K3Fe(CN)6+air(1005 mW/m2),respectively.This showed that the appropriate concentration of K3Fe(CN)6 can significantly improve the power density,while the air has a negative effect when it is sprayed onto K3Fe(CN)6 catholyte.A coulombic efficiency of 34.2%and an energy efficiency of 13.3%with a COD degradation rate of 73.5%were achieved with MFC using K3Fe(CN)6 only.The overpotentials of MFC were also calculated.It can be seen that both theηohmic andηconcentration were very low as compared to theηactivation,and theηconcentration can be ignored because its effect was less than 3 mV.The theoretical calculation suggested that with an increasing conversion rate of K3Fe(CN)6,the cathode potential decreased and reached 0.31 V at a conversion rate of 0.99.While the anode behaves differently for constant pH and changeable pH as the reaction progresses,which reveals that the buffer solution and removal of protons play an important role in maintaining the anode potential.

Influences of Electrolytes on the Soap-free Emulsion Copolymerization of St-MMA-AA

Monodisperse functional polymer microspheres with different particle size and with clean surface were prepared by batch soap-free emulsion polymerization of styrene, methyl methacrylate and acrylic acid in the presence of salts, and the influences of type and amount of electrolytes on polymerization process and particle morphology were investigated. Results showed that there was a critical concentration for different electrolyte to make polymerization process and the resultant emulsion stable, and the particle size increased with the increase of electrolyte concentration. The effect of metal ions was Ca^2＋〉〉K^＋〉Na^＋〉Li^＋, and the effect of haloids was Br〉Cl〉F. Keywords： Electrolyte, soap-free emulsion polymerization, polystyrene, latex particle morphology.

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AFFINITY POLYMER BASIC MICROSPHERES BY SOAP-FREE EMULSION POLYMERIZATION

Poly(styrene-co-glycidyl methacrylate) latex microspheres with uniform size and high-density epoxy groups on the surface were prepared by soap-free emulsion polymerization with batch wise operation mode in the presence of 2.2′- azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride as an initiator.The kinetics of soap-free emulsion polymerization and the effects of polymerization factors were examined.In addition,the optimum polymerization conditions of poly(styrene-co- glycidyl methacrylate) latex microspheres for...

NITROXIDE-MEDIATED FREE RADICAL SYNTHESIS OF MESOGEN-JACKETED LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMERS

The first TEMPO-mediated 'living' free radical polymerization of liquid crystalline monomer, 2, 5-bis[(4-methoxyphenyl)oxycarbonyl]styrene (MPCS), was carried out at 130 degrees C with BPO as an initiator. The molecular weight of the polymer can be varied from rather low values to high values while maintaining narrow polydispersity. It was observed that the polymerization of MPCS proceeded much faster than that of styrene. A tentative explanation for this fast polymerization was suggested.

Preparation of Self-crosslinked Fluorocarbon Polymer Emulsion with Core-shell Structure by the Method of Soap-free Emulsion Polymerization

Using methyl methacrylate （MMA）, butyl acrylate（BA） and hexafluorobutyl acrylate（HFBA） as main raw materials, we prepared self-crosslinked fluorocarbon polymer emulsion with core-shell structure via soap-free emulsion polymerization when the conception of particle design and polymer morphology was adopted. Moreover, the influence of mole ratio of BA to MAA, pH value on the oligomer was studied. And the effects of the added amount of oligomer, self-crosslinked monomer and HFBA, mass ratio of BA to MMA, reaction temperature and the initiator on the polymerization technology and the performance of the product, were investigated and optimized. The structure and performance of the fluorocarbon polymer emulsion were characterized and tested with FTIR, TEM, MFT and contact angle and water absorption of the latex film. The experimental results show that the optimal conditions for preparing fluorocarbon polymer emulsion are as follows： for preparing the oligomer, tool ratio of BA to MAA is equal to 1.0 ： 1.60, and pH value is controlled within the range of 8.0 and 9.0; for preparing fluorocarbon polymer emulsion, the added amount of oligmer[P（BA/MANa）] is 6%; mass ratio of BA to MMA is 40 ＂ 60; the added amount of self-crosslinked monomer is 2%, the added amount of HFBA is 15 %; reaction temperature is 80 ℃; the mixture of potassium persulfate and sodium bisulfite is used as the initiator. The film-forming stability of the fluorocarbon polymer emul- sion and the performance of the latex film, which is prepared with the soap-free emulsion polymerization, are better than that prepared with the conventional emulsion polymerization.

SYNTHESIS AND FREE RADICAL RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION OF 2-METHYL-AND 2-METHYL-9-n-BUTYL-(-7-METHYLENE-1,4,6-TRIOXA-SPIRO (4, 4)NONANE)

This paper describes the synthesis and free radical ring-opening polymerization of 2-methyl-and 2-methyl-9-n-butyl (-7-methylene-1, 4, 6-trioxaspiro (4, 4) nonane). The structures of the two polymers were verified by IR, 'H and ^(13)C NMR spectra. The substituent on 9-position of 7-methylene-trioxaspiro (4, 4) nonane affects the structure of polymer and polymerization activity. The polymerization mechanism is discussed.

Investigation of the free volume and ionic conducting mechanism of poly(ethylene oxide)-LiClO_4 polymeric electrolyte by positron annihilating lifetime spectroscopy

The positron annihilation lifetime and ionic conductivity are each measured as a function of organophilic rectorite（OREC） content and temperature in a range from 160 K to 300 K.According to the variation of ortho-positronium（o-Ps） lifetime with temperature,the glassy transition temperature is determined.The continuous maximum entropy lifetime（MELT） analysis clearly shows that the OREC and temperature have important effects on o-Ps lifetime and free volume distribution.The experimental results show that the temperature dependence of ionic conductivity obeys the Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher（VTF） and Williams-Landel-Ferry（WLF） equations,implying a free-volume transport mechanism.A linear least-squares procedure is used to evaluate the apparent activation energy related to the ionic transport in the VTF equation and several important parameters in the WLF equation.It is worthwhile to notice that a direct linear relationship between the ionic conductivity and free volume fraction is established using the WLF equation based on the free volume theory for nanocomposite electrolyte,which indicates that the segmental chain migration and ionic migration and diffusion could be explained by the free volume theory.

STABILITY OF EMULSIFIER-FREE EMULSION COPOLYMERIZATION OF METHYL METHACRYLATE/BUTYL ACRYLATE/SODIUM MONO(ETHYL POLYOXYETHYLENE)MALEATE

A series of new water-soluble bifunctional comonomers having both carboxyl and alkyl polyoxyethylene groups, such as sodium mono(ethyl polyoxyethylene) maleate (ZE series) with various molecular weights of polyoxyethylene ethyl ether, were synthesized and characterized. The effects of the structural factor, the amount and feeding mode of the comonomers, the initiator concentration and polymerization temperature on the stability of emulsifier-free emulsion copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and butyl acrylate (BA) in the presence of a small amount of ZE with potassium persulfate as initiator were investigated. Stable, almost monodispersed MMA/BA/ZE emulsifier-free latex particles were prepared.

Nonisothermal Kinetics of Free-Radical Polymerization of 2,2-Dinitropropyl Methacrylate

The 2,2-dinitropropyl methacrylate（DNPMA） was synthesized by esterification of α-methacrylic acid with 2,2-dinitropropanol.The free-radical bulk polymerization of DNPMA in the presence of 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile（AIBN） was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry（DSC） in the nonisothermal mode.Kissinger,Ozawa and Barrett methods were applied to determine the activation energy（Ea） and the reaction order of the free-radical polymerization.The results showed that the temperature of exothermic polymerization peaks increased with increasing heating rate.With increasing the molar ratio of monomer/initiator and the heating rate,the reaction order of nonisothermal polymerization was approximately equal to 1.The average Ea value from Kissinger and Ozawa methods（77.74±1.07 kJ/mol） was smaller than the value from the Barrett method（Ea=102.36 kJ/mol）.

FREE RADICAL RING OPENING POLYMERIZATION OF CYCLIC ACRYLATES

Cyclic acrylates, 2,2- dimethyl-5-methylene-1 , 3-dioxolan-4 -one and 2- phenyl-5-methylene-1,3-dioxolan-4-one, were synthesized successfully. The monomers were characterized by ~1H NMR, ^(13)C NMR, IR and elemental analysis or HRMS. Polymerization of the monomers were carried out at 120℃ with di-t-butylperoxide as initiator. The polymers were studied by ~1H NMR, ^(13)C NMR, UV and hydrolysis. The molecular weights of the resulting polymers were estimated by viscosity measurement and the extent of ring opening was estimated also by ~1H NMR and hydrolysis of the polymers and further confirmed by UV spectra.

SYNTHESIS AND FREE RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF 2-OXO-3-METHYLEN E-5-PHENYL-1,4-DIOXAN

The novel cyclic monomer, 2-oxo-3-methylene-5-phenyl-1,4-dioxan, was synthesized by a set of reactions. Several intermediates were prepared and characterized in order to determine the monomer structure. The presence of chiral centers in the intermediates and resulting monomer makes it complicated to separate , purify and characterize them. It is a very reactive monomer which will polymerize even at room temperature if expose to moisture and air. This monomer can undergo essentially quantitative flee radical ring opening polymerization. The driving force for ring opening is the formation of new carbonyl group and benzylic radical. The monomer and polymer structure were established by IR, ~1H NMR, ^(13)C NMR and elemental analysis or high resolution mass spectrum. The molecular weight of the resulting polymer was estimated by viscosity determination.

INFLUENCES OF ACID POST-TREATMENT ON THE MORPHOLOGY OF SOAP-FREE P(MMA-EA-MAA)PARTICLES PREPARED BY SEEDED EMULSION POLYMERIZATION

Soap-free poly（methyl methacrylate-ethyl acrylate-methacrylic acid） latex particles with narrow size distribution were synthesized by seeded emulsion polymerization, and the porous particles were created by a stepwise alkali/acid treatment method. Effects of acid treatment conditions on the particle morphology were investigated. Results show that one to three pores were formed inside most of particles after post-treatment. At pH 7.0, when the treatment temperature was lower than 70℃, the size of particles and the volume of pores remained almost unchanged, and these two values increased significantly when the temperature was higher than 70℃. Both the particle size and the pore volume decreased with the increase of initial pH value and treatment time in the acid treatment. As the pH was below 4.0 and the treatment time was longer than 180 min, the particles shrunk in size.

Green Light-Emitting Region-Regular Poly(9,9-Dihexylfluorene-co-Fluorenone) Prepared from Solvent-Free Oxidative Coupling Polymerization

Soluble green light-emitting poly（9,9-dihexylfluorene- co-fluorenone） was synthesized by solvent-free oxidative coupling polymerization of 9,9-dihexylfluorene in a facile one-step reaction. The polymers were characterized by FT-IR, ^1H NMR, ^13C NMR, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The region-regular structure of the polymer linking at 2, 7＇-position on the fluorene moieties was obtained. The FT-IR spectra of the polymers showed fluorenone vibration. The fluorescence spectra of the solid thin film of the polymers displayed green light-emitting, which was emitted from fluorenone moieties produced in the polymerization process.