Mingfu Zhang

Bio: Mingfu Zhang is an academic researcher from University of Bayreuth. The author has contributed to research in topics: Copolymer & Acrylic acid. The author has an hindex of 13, co-authored 20 publications receiving 3037 citations.

Cylindrical polymer brushes

Abstract: In recent years, research on cylindrical polymer brushes (or molecular bottlebrushes) has received significant attention. In this article, we discuss various strategies for their synthesis and the unique properties arising from their regular multibranched structure. Some recent advances in the application of cylindrical polymer brushes are highlighted. Amphiphilic core– shell cylindrical polymer brushes, for example, have been successfully used as single molecular templates for inorganic nanoparticle formation. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3461–3481, 2005

A New Double-Responsive Block Copolymer Synthesized via RAFT Polymerization: Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-block-poly(acrylic acid)

Abstract: Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-block-poly(acrylic acid), PNIPAAm-b-PAA, with low polydispersity was prepared by reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in methanol. The block copolymers respond to both temperature and pH stimuli. The behavior of the double-responsive block copolymers in solution was investigated by dynamic light scattering, temperature-sweep NMR, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, and IR spectroscopy. The block copolymers form micelles in aqueous solutions in dependence of pH and temperature. Cloud point measurements indicated the formation of larger aggregates at pH 4.5 and temperatures above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAAm. The solution behavior is strongly influenced by hydrogen bonding interactions between the NIPAAm and acrylic acid blocks.

Amphiphilic Cylindrical Core−Shell Brushes via a “Grafting From” Process Using ATRP

Abstract: Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was applied to the synthesis of amphiphilic cylindrical polymer brushes by using the “grafting from” technique The procedure included the following steps: (1) ATRP of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) gave well-defined poly(HEMA), (2) subsequent esterification of the pendant hydroxy groups of poly(HEMA) with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide yielded a polyinitiator, poly(2-(2-bromoisobutyryloxy)ethyl methacrylate (PBIEM), (3) ATRP of various monomers (tert-butyl acrylate, or styrene) using PBIEM as polyinitiator yielded cylindrical brushes with homopolymer side chains, (4) addition of a second monomer (styrene or tert-butyl acrylate) formed the cylindrical brushes with diblock copolymer side chains (core−shell cylinders), and (5) hydrolysis of the poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PtBA) block of the side chains to poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) formed amphiphilic core−shell polymer brushes By using this technique, well-defined core−shell cylindrical polymer brushes with polystyr

Amphiphilic Janus Micelles with Polystyrene and Poly(methacrylic acid) Hemispheres

Abstract: We describe the synthesis and the solution properties of Janus micelles containing a polybutadiene (PB) core and a compartmentalized corona consisting of a poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) and a polystyrene (PS) hemisphere. The Janus micelles were obtained via cross-linking the middle block of a microphase-separated PS-block-PB-block-PMMA triblock copolymer in the bulk state, followed by alkaline hydrolysis of the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) ester groups. Results of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, field flow fractionation, light scattering, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and scanning force microscopy indicate that above a critical aggregation concentration of about 0.03 g/L spherical supermicelles are formed from about 30 PS-PMAA micelles in aqueous solution in the presence of NaCl. These supermicelles have radii of 40-60 nm, significantly increasing on ionization (pH >6). In addition, very large spherical objects are observed with radii of 100-250 nm.

Living radical polymerization by the RAFT process

Abstract: This paper presents a review of living radical polymerization achieved with thiocarbonylthio compounds [ZC(=S)SR] by a mechanism of reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT). Since we first introduced the technique in 1998, the number of papers and patents on the RAFT process has increased exponentially as the technique has proved to be one of the most versatile for the provision of polymers of well defined architecture. The factors influencing the effectiveness of RAFT agents and outcome of RAFT polymerization are detailed. With this insight, guidelines are presented on how to conduct RAFT and choose RAFT agents to achieve particular structures. A survey is provided of the current scope and applications of the RAFT process in the synthesis of well defined homo-, gradient, diblock, triblock, and star polymers, as well as more complex architectures including microgels and polymer brushes.

Polymer/Silica Nanocomposites: Preparation, Characterization, Properties, and Applications

Abstract: 5. In Situ Polymerization 3907 5.1. General Polymerization 3907 5.2. Photopolymerization 3910 5.3. Surface-Initiated Polymerization 3912 5.4. Other Methods 3913 6. Colloidal Nanocomposites 3913 6.1. Sol-Gel Process 3914 6.2. In Situ Polymerization 3916 6.2.1. Emulsion Polymerization 3917 6.2.2. Emulsifier-Free Emulsion Polymerization 3919 6.2.3. Miniemulsion Polymerization 3920 6.2.4. Dispersion Polymerization 3921 6.2.5. Other Polymerization Methods 3923 6.2.6. Conducting Nanocomposites 3924 6.3. Self Assembly 3926 7. Other Preparative Methods 3926 8. Characterization and Properties 3928 8.1. Chemical Structure 3928 8.2. Microstructure and Morphology 3929 8.3. Mechanical Properties 3933 8.3.1. Tensile, Impact, and Flexural Properties 3933 8.3.2. Hardness 3936 8.3.3. Fracture Toughness 3937 8.3.4. Friction and Wear Properties 3937 8.4. Thermal Properties 3938 8.5. Flame-Retardant Properties 3941 8.6. Optical Properties 3942 8.7. Gas Transport Properties 3943 8.8. Rheological Properties 3945 8.9. Electrical Properties 3945 8.10. Other Characterization Techniques 3946 9. Applications 3947 9.1. Coatings 3947 9.2. Proton Exchange Membranes 3948 9.3. Pervaporation Membranes 3948 9.4. Encapsulation of Organic Light-Emitting Devices 3948

Polymer Brushes via Surface-Initiated Controlled Radical Polymerization: Synthesis, Characterization, Properties, and Applications

Abstract: Keywords: Fragmentation Chain-Transfer ; Self-Assembled Monolayers ; Walled Carbon Nanotubes ; Well-Defined Polymer ; Nitroxide-Mediated Polymerization ; Block-Copolymer Brushes ; Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Brushes ; Transfer Raft Polymerization ; Quartz-Crystal Microbalance ; Poly(Acrylic Acid) Brushes Reference EPFL-REVIEW-148464doi:10.1021/cr900045aView record in Web of Science Record created on 2010-04-23, modified on 2017-05-10