Showing papers in "Macromolecular Rapid Communications in 2013"

Progress in Renewable Polymers from Natural Terpenes, Terpenoids, and Rosin

Abstract: The development of sustainable renewable polymers from natural resources has increasingly gained attention from scientists, engineers as well as the general public and government agencies. This review covers recent progress in the field of renewable bio-based monomers and polymers from natural resources: terpenes, terpenoids, and rosin, which are a class of hydrocarbon-rich biomass with abundance and low cost, holding much potential for utilization as organic feedstocks for green plastics and composites. This review details polymerization and copolymerization of terpenes such as pinene, limonene, and myrcene and their derivatives, terpenoids including carvone and menthol, and rosin-derived monomers. The future direction on the utilization of these natural resources is discussed.

Self‐Healing Polymers via Supramolecular Forces

Abstract: As polymers and polymeric materials are “the” smart invention and technological driving force of the 20th century, the quest for self-healing or self-repairing polymers is strong. The concept of supramolecular self-healing materials relies on the use of noncovalent, transient bonds to generate networks, which are able to heal the damaged site, putting aspects of reversibility and dynamics of a network as crucial factors for the understanding and design of such self-healing materials. This Review describes recent examples and concepts of supramolecular polymers based on hydrogen bonding, π–π interactions, ionomers, and coordinative bonds, thus convincingly discussing the advantages and versatility of these supramolecular forces for the design and realization of self-healing polymers.

Recent Development of Hypercrosslinked Microporous Organic Polymers

Abstract: Hypercrosslinked polymers (HCPs) are currently receiving great interest due to their easy preparation, high chemical and thermal stability, and low cost. Combined with the lightweight properties and high surface areas HCPs can be considered as promising materials for gas storage and separation, catalysis, and heavy metal ions removal in wastewater treatment. This Feature Article summarizes strategies for the preparation of HCPs, comprising the post-crosslinking of "Davankov-type" resins, direct polycondensation of aromatic chloromethyl (or hydroxymethyl) monomers, and knitting aromatic compound polymers (KAPs). The HCPs applications, such as H2 storage, CO2 capture, and heterogeneous catalysis, are also discussed throughout in the article. Finally, the outlook of this research area is given.

Chemistry of Crosslinking Processes for Self‐Healing Polymers

Abstract: Recent developments in material design have seen an exponential increase of polymers and polymer composites that can repair themselves in response to damage. In this review, a distinction is made between extrinsic materials, where the self-healing property is obtained by adding healing agents to the material to be repaired, and intrinsic materials, where self-healing is achieved by the material itself through its chemical nature. An overview of the crosslinking chemistries used in self-healing materials will be given, discussing the advantages and drawbacks of each system. The review is not only aiming to enable researchers to compare their ongoing research with the state-of-the-art but also to serve as a guide for the newcomers, which allows for a selection of the most promising self-healing chemistries.

CO2‐Responsive Polymers

Abstract: This Review focuses on the recent progress in the area of CO2 -responsive polymers and provides detailed descriptions of these existing examples. CO2 -responsive polymers can be categorized into three types based on their CO2 -responsive groups: amidine, amine, and carboxyl groups. Compared with traditional temperature, pH, or light stimuli-responsive polymers, CO2 -responsive polymers provide the advantage to use CO2 as a "green" trigger as well as to capture CO2 directly from air. In addition, the current challenges of CO2 -responsive polymers are discussed and the different solution methods are compared. Noteworthy, CO2 -responsive polymers are considered to have a prosperous future in various scientific areas.

Forming of polymer nanofibers by a pressurised gyration process.

Abstract: A new route consisting of simultaneous centrifugal spinning and solution blowing to form polymer nanofibers is reported. The fiber diameter (60-1000 nm) is shown to be a function of polymer concentration, rotational speed, and working pressure of the processing system. The fiber length is dependent on the rotational speed. The process can deliver 6 kg of fiber per hour and therefore offers mass production capabilities compared with other established polymer nanofiber generation methods such as electrospinning, centrifugal spinning, and blowing.

Post-functionalization of polymers via orthogonal ligation chemistry.

Abstract: The establishment of advanced living/controlled polymerization protocols allows for engineering synthetic polymers in a precise fashion. Combining advanced living/controlled polymerization techniques with highly efficient coupling chemistries facilitates quantitative, modular, and orthogonal functionalization of synthetic polymer strands at their chain termini as well as side-chain functionalization. The review highlights the current status of selected post-functionalization techniques of polymers via orthogonal ligation chemistries, major characteristics of the specific transformation chemistry, as well as the characterization of the products.

Visible‐Light‐Mediated Thiol‐Ene Hydrogelation Using Eosin‐Y as the Only Photoinitiator

Abstract: The utility of visible-light-mediated polymerization in tissue engineering has been limited due to the necessary use of potentially cytotoxic coinitiator and comonomer. Here, we report a visible-light-mediated thiol-ene hydrogelation scheme using eosin-Y as the only photoinitiator. Under visible light exposure, rapid and highly tunable step-growth gelation is achieved using PEG-norbornene and a model cross-linker dithiothreitol. In addition to investigating the gelation kinetics and properties of thiol-ene hydrogels formed by this new gelation scheme, we also report high cytocompatibility of these hydrogels using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and pancreatic MIN6 β-cells.

Dextran-based self-healing hydrogels formed by reversible diels-alder reaction under physiological conditions.

Abstract: A dextran-based self-healing hydrogel is prepared by reversible Diels-Alder reaction under physiological conditions. Cytocompatible fulvene-modified dextran as main polymer chains and dichloromaleic-acid-modified poly(ethylene glycol) as cross-linkers are used. Both macro- and microscopic observation as well as the rheological recovery test confirm the self-healing property of the dextran-l-poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels ("l" means "linked-by"). In addition, scanning electrochemical microscopy is used to qualitatively and quantitatively in situ track the self-healing process of the hydrogel for the first time. It is found that the longitudinal depth of scratch on hydrogel surface almost completely healed at 37 °C after 7 h. This work represents a facile approach for fabrication of polysaccharide self-healing hydrogel, which can be potentially used in several biomedical fields.

Self-healing in tough graphene oxide composite hydrogels.

Abstract: Polymer hydrogels that are capable of spontaneously healing injury are being developed at a rapid pace because of their great potential in biomedical applications. Here, the self-healing property of tough graphene nanocomposite hydrogels fabricated by using graphene peroxide as polyfunctional initiating and cross-linking centers is reported. The hydrogels show excellent self-healing ability at ambient temperature or even lower temperatures for a short time and very high recovery degrees (up to 88% tensile strength) can be achieved at a prolonged healing time. The healed gels exhibit very high tensile strengths (up to 0.35 MPa) and extremely high elongations (up to 4900%). The strong interactions between the polyacrylamide chains and the graphene oxide sheets are essential to the mechanical strengths of the healed gels.

Room temperature synthesis of heptazine-based microporous polymer networks as photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution.

Abstract: Two emerging material classes are combined in this work, namely polymeric carbon nitrides and microporous polymer networks. The former, polymeric carbon nitrides, are composed of amine-bridged heptazine moieties and showed interesting performance as a metal-free photocatalyst. These materials have, however, to be prepared at high temperatures, making control of their chemical structure difficult. The latter, microporous polymer networks have received increasing interest due to their high surface area, giving rise to interesting applications in gas storage or catalysis. Here, the central building block of carbon nitrides, a functionalized heptazine as monomer, and tecton are used to create microporous polymer networks. The resulting heptazine-based microporous polymers show high porosity, while their chemical structure resembles the ones of carbon nitrides. The polymers show activity for the photocatalytic production of hydrogen from water, even under visible light illumination.

Responsive DNA-based hydrogels and their applications

Abstract: The term hydrogel describes a type of soft and wet material formed by cross-linked hydrophilic polymers. The distinct feature of hydrogels is their ability to absorb a large amount of water and swell. The properties of a hydrogel are usually determined by the chemical properties of their constituent polymer(s). However, a group of hydrogels, called "smart hydrogels," changes properties in response to environmental changes or external stimuli. Recently, DNA or DNA-inspired responsive hydrogels have attracted considerable attention in construction of smart hydrogels because of the intrinsic advantages of DNA. As a biological polymer, DNA is hydrophilic, biocompatible, and highly programmable by Watson-Crick base pairing. DNA can form a hydrogel by itself under certain conditions, and it can also be incorporated into synthetic polymers to form DNA-hybrid hydrogels. Functional DNAs, such as aptamers and DNAzymes, provide additional molecular recognition capabilities and versatility. In this Review, DNA-based hydrogels are discussed in terms of their stimulus response, as well as their applications.

Pure Protein Scaffolds from Pickering High Internal Phase Emulsion Template

Abstract: The formation of hierarchical porous protein scaffolds from oil-in-water (o/w) high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) stabilized by bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein nanoparticles (Pickering HIPE) is reported. The route consists of three principal steps. First, a stable o/w HIPE stabilized by BSA protein nanoparticles is formulated. Next, crosslinking the dispersed protein nanoparticles gives rise to a gel in the continuous water phase to freeze the emulsion's microstructure. Finally, removal of the oil components and water directly leads to a three dimensional, bimodal meso-macroporous protein scaffold, which is suitable for a wide range of biomedical applications.

Renewable non-isocyanate based thermoplastic polyurethanes via polycondensation of dimethyl carbamate monomers with diols.

Abstract: 1,5,7-Triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD)-catalyzed polycondensation reactions of fatty acid derived dimethyl dicarbamates and diols are introduced as a versatile, non-isocyanate route to renewable polyurethanes. The key step for the synthesis of dimethyl carbamate monomers from plant-oil-derived dicarboxylic acids is based on a sustainable base-catalyzed Lossen rearrangement. The formed polyurethanes with molecular weights up to 25 kDa are characterized by SEC, DSC, and NMR analysis.

Cell(MC3T3-E1)-Printed Poly(ϵ-caprolactone)/Alginate Hybrid Scaffolds for Tissue Regeneration

Abstract: A new cell-printed scaffold consisting of poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) and cell-embedded alginate struts is designed. The PCL and alginate struts are stacked in an interdigitated pattern in successive layers to acquire a three-dimensional (3D) shape. The hybrid scaffold exhibits a two-phase structure consisting of cell (MC3T3-E1)-laden alginate struts able to support biological activity and PCL struts able to provide controllable mechanical support of the cell-laden alginate struts. The hybrid scaffolds exhibit an impressive increase in tensile modulus and maximum strength compared to pure alginate scaffolds. Laden cells are homogeneously distributed throughout the alginate struts and the entire scaffold, resulting in cell viability of approximately 84%.

Design and preparation of single-chain nanocarriers mimicking disordered proteins for combined delivery of dermal bioactive cargos.

Abstract: Inspired by the multifunctionality of vitamin D-binding protein and the multiple transient-binding behavior of some intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), a polymeric platform is designed, prepared, and characterized for combined delivery of dermal protective and anticancer bioactive cargos on the basis of artificial single-chain nano-objects mimicking IDPs. For the first time ever, simultaneous delivery of folic acid or vitamin B9 , and hinokitiol, a relevant natural bioactive compound that exhibits anticancer activity against human malignant melanoma cells, from these multidirectionally self-assembled unimolecular nanocarriers is illustrated.

Light‐Harvesting Organic Photoinitiators of Polymerization

Abstract: Two new photoinitiators with unprecedented light absorption properties are proposed on the basis of a suitable truxene skeleton where several UV photoinitiators PI units such as benzophenone and thioxanthone are introduced at the periphery and whose molecular orbitals MO can be coupled with those of the PI units: a red-shifted absorption and a strong increase of the molecular extinction coefficients (by a ≈ 20-1000 fold factor) are found. These compounds are highly efficient light-harvesting photoinitiators. The scope and practicality of these photoinitiators of polymerization can be dramatically expanded, that is, both radical and cationic polymerization processes are accessible upon very soft irradiation conditions (halogen lamp, LED…) thanks to the unique light absorption properties of the new proposed structures.

Detailed optimization of polycondensation reaction via direct C-H arylation of ethylenedioxythiophene.

Abstract: The polycondensation reaction of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene with 2,7-dibromo-9,9-dioctylfluorene via Pd-catalyzed direct arylation gives poly[(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene-2,5-diyl)-(9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl)]. The reaction conditions are optimized in terms of the Pd precatalysts, reaction time, and carboxylic acid additives. The combination of 1 mol% Pd(OAc)(2) and 1-adamantanecarboxylic acid as an additive is the optimized catalytic system, and it yields the corresponding polymer with a molecular weight of 39,400 in 89% yield. The polycondensation reaction, followed by an end-capping reaction, effectively provides a linear polymer without Br terminals.

Formation of integral asymmetric membranes of AB diblock and ABC triblock copolymers by phase inversion.

Abstract: The formation of integral asymmetric membranes from ABC triblock terpolymers by non-solvent-induced phase separation is shown. They are compared with the AB diblock copolymer precursors. Triblock terpolymers of polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-P2VP-b-PEO) with two compositions are investigated. The third block supports the formation of a membrane in a case, where the corresponding diblock copolymer does not form a good membrane. In addition, the hydrophilicity is increased by the third block and due to the hydroxyl group the possibility of post-functionalization is given. The morphologies are imaged by scanning electron microscopy. The influence of the PEO on the membrane properties is analyzed by water flux, retention, and dynamic contact angle measurements.

Double hydrogen-bonding pH-sensitive hydrogels retaining high-strengths over a wide pH range.

Abstract: Traditional pH-sensitive hydrogels inevitably suffer strength deterioration while the responsive weak acid or base groups are in the ionized state. In this study, we report on a facile approach to fabricate a novel pH-sensitive high-strength hydrogel from copolymerization of two hydrogen-bonding motif-containing monomers, 3-acrylamidophenylboronic acid and 2-vinyl-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine with a crosslinker N,N-methylenebisacrylamide through hydrophilic optimization of the comonomer oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate. The double hydrogen bonding hydrogel exhibits both high tensile and compressive strengths over a broad pH range due to the unique ability to maintain at least one type of hydrogen-bonding crosslink over the whole course of pH change.

Modular establishment of a diketopyrrolopyrrole-based polymer library via Pd-catalyzed direct C-H (Hetero)arylation: a highly efficient approach to discover low-bandgap polymers.

Abstract: A concise, highly efficient palladium-catalyzed direct C–H (hetero)arylation is developed to modularly assemble a diketopyrrolopyrrole (DTDPP)-based polymer library to screen low-bandgap and near-infrared (NIR) absorbing materials. The DTDPP-based copolymers P1 and P2 with an alternating donor–acceptor–donor–acceptor (D–A–D–A) sequence and the homopolymer P9 exhibit planarity and excellent π-conjugation, which lead to low bandgaps (down to 1.22 eV) as well as strong and broad NIR absorption bands (up to 1000 nm).

Triple click reaction strategy for macromolecular diversity.

Abstract: This Feature Article focuses on the rapidly emerging concept of the "triple click reactions" towards the design and synthesis of macromolecules with well-defined topology and chemical composition, and also precise molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution. The term "triple click reaction" used in this feature article is based on the utilization of three chemically and mechanistically different click reactions for polymer-polymer conjugation and post-modification of the polymers. Three sequential click reactions of which two are identical should not be considered to be triple click reactions. The triple click reaction strategy for polymer conjugation and post-modification of polymers is classified in this article based on the resultant architectures: linear and non-linear structures.

Preparation of Reactive Three-Dimensional Microstructures via Direct Laser Writing and Thiol-ene Chemistry

Abstract: Three-dimensional microstructures are fabricated employing the direct laser writing process and radical thiol-ene polymerization. The resin system consists of a two-photon photoinitiator and multifunctional thiols and olefins. Woodpile photonic crystals with 22 layers and a rod distance of 2 μm are fabricated. The structures are characterized via scanning electron microscopy and focused ion beam milling. The thiol-ene polymerization during fabrication is verified via infrared spectroscopy. The structures are grafted in a subsequent thiol-Michael addition reaction with different functional maleimides. The success of the grafting reaction is evaluated via laser scanning microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The grafting density is calculated to be close to 200 molecules μm-2. Reactive 3D microstructures are fabricated by two-photon direct laser writing of a tetra-functional thiol with a tetra-functional allyl ether via radical thiol-ene polymerization, expressing residual thiol functionalities on the surface of the structure. These functionalities can be readily addressed by thiol-Michael addition reactions, evidenced by fluorescence microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A neutral supramolecular hyperbranched polymer fabricated from an AB2 -type copillar[5]arene.

Abstract: A heterotritopic copillar[5]arene monomer by introducing effective neutral guest moieties (methylene chains end-capped with cyano and triazole groups) to a pillar[5]arene macrocycle is prepared. This well-designed AB2 -type copillar[5]arene contains strong host-guest recognition motifs that are connected with relatively flexible and long linkers, thus efficiently assembles to form supramole-cular hyperbranched polymer (SHP) in chloroform solution, which is characterized by various techniques including (1) H NMR, DOSY, viscosity, DLS, and TEM. Particularly, this supramolecular polymer can be effectively depolymerized by adding a competitive butanedinitrile guest.

Rationally designed α-helical broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptides with idealized facial amphiphilicity.

Abstract: A series of 12-amino acid peptide analogs is designed using point mutation strategy based on an α-helical peptide template. The first mutation in the series, KL12, has an idealized facial amphiphilicity. Subsequent mutations are performed to increase hydrophobic or cationic contents. Idealized facial amphiphilicity show enhanced antimicrobial activity and selectivity against most of the tested microbes. Increasing hydrophobic contents further enhance antimicrobial potency; however, selectivity of the most hydrophobic analog is impaired due to non-specific interactions with mammalian cell membrane. This study demonstrates that facial amphiphilicity and hydrophobic content are strongly correlated with antimicrobial activity and selectivity of antimicrobial peptides.

Light-Triggered Multifunctionality at Surfaces Mediated by Photolabile Protecting Groups

Abstract: Photoremovable protecting groups (PRPGs) are applied to organic surfaces, thin polymer films, and hydrogels to achieve light-based remote control of their (bio)chemical and physical properties. These can be localized (i.e. patterned), tunable by exposure dose, and generated on-demand. Using PRPGs with independent response to different wavelengths, multifunctional materials with a number of individually addressable functional states can be generated. Light-triggered polymerization, crosslinking, and degradation processes as well as release of attached molecules can be realized. Light-responsive surfaces and materials based on PRPGs open interesting possibilities for the next generation of instructive materials for cell culture and tissue regeneration.

Exfoliation of crystalline 2D carbon nitride: thin sheets, scrolls and bundles via mechanical and chemical routes.

Abstract: The carbon nitride poly(triazine imide) with intercalated bromide ions is a layered, graphitic material of 2D covalently bonded molecular sheets with an exceptionally large gallery height of 3.52 A due to the intercalated bromide anions. The material can be cleaved both mechanically and chemically into thin sheets and scrolls analogous to the carbon-only systems graphite and graphene.

Red‐Light‐Induced Cationic Photopolymerization: Perylene Derivatives as Efficient Photoinitiators

Abstract: Nine different perylene derivatives are prepared and their ability to initiate, when combined with an iodonium salt (and optionally N-vinylcarbazole), a ring-opening cationic photopolymerization of epoxides under very soft halogen lamp irradiation is investigated. One of them is particularly efficient under a red laser diode exposure at 635 nm and belongs now to the very few systems available at this wavelength. The photochemical mechanisms are studied by steady-state photolysis, electron spin resonance spin trapping, fluorescence, cyclic voltammetry, and laser flash photolysis techniques.

Hierarchically Porous Materials from Layer-by-Layer Photopolymerization of High Internal Phase Emulsions

Abstract: A combination of high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating and additive manufacturing technology (AMT) is applied for creating hierarchical porosity within an acrylate and acrylate/ thiol-based polymer network. The photopolymerizable formulation is optimized to produce emulsions with a volume fraction of droplet phase greater than 80 vol%. Kinetic stability of the emulsions is suffi cient enough to withstand in-mold curing or computer-controlled layer-by-layer stereolithography without phase separation. By including macroscale cellular cavities within the build fi le, a level of controlled porosity is created simultaneous to the formation of the porous microstructure of the polyHIPE. The hybrid HIPE–AMT technique thus provides hierarchically porous materials with mechanical properties tailored by the addition of thiol chain transfer agent.

Square‐Micrometer‐Sized, Free‐Standing Organometallic Sheets and Their Square‐Centimeter‐Sized Multilayers on Solid Substrates

Abstract: Oligofunctional terpyridine-based monomers are spread at an air/water interface, where they are connected with transition metal salts such as Fe(II) into mechanically coherent monolayer sheets of macroscopic dimension. The conversions of these processes are determined by XPS for several monomer/metal ion combinations. The sheets are transferred onto TEM grids, the 20 × 20 square micrometer sized holes of which can be spanned. AFM indentation experiments provide in-plane elastic moduli which are compared with naturally occurring sheets such as graphene. The new organometallic sheets are also used to create multilayer assemblies on square centimeter length scales on solid substrates. Finally some directions are provided where this research can lead to in future and where its application potential lies.