TY - JOUR A1 - Kricheldorf, Hans R. A1 - Weidner, Steffen A1 - Scheliga, Felix T1 - Polycondensation of L-lactic acid: a deeper look into solid state polycondensation N2 - L-Lactic acid (LA) was condensed in the presence of SnCl2 or 4-toluenesulfonic acid (TSA) at 140 °C, and chain growth without cyclization was observed. In addition, poly(L-lactic acid)s (PLAs) with a degree of polymerization (DP) of 25, 50 or 100 were prepared by water-initiated ring-opening polymerization (ROP). These PLAs were annealed in the solid state at 140 °C and 160 °C in the presence of tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (SnOct2, SnCl2 or TSA). The changes in the molar mass distribution and in the topology were characterized by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). With increasing time, fewer side reactions caused higher molar masses and increasing fractions of cyclic polylactides (cPLA) were obtained. Their “saw tooth” pattern in the MALDI-TOF mass spectra indicated the formation of extended ring crystallites in the solid state. TSA was the most active catalyst and caused fewer side reactions than SnCl2, which was the least reactive catalyst. Acetylation of the CH-OH end groups hindered polycondensation and prevented the formation of cPLAs. Reaction mechanisms will be discussed. KW - MALDI-TOF MS KW - Polycondensation KW - Polylaktide KW - Solid state PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-625271 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/d4py01191k SN - 1759-9962 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) AN - OPUS4-62527 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kricheldorf, H. A1 - Weidner, Steffen A1 - Meyer, A. T1 - About alcohol-initiated polymerization of glycolide and separate crystallization of cyclic and linear polyglycolides N2 - Alcohol-initiated polymerizations of glycolide (GL) catalyzed by tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (SnOct2) were carried out in bulk with variation of GA/In ratio, temperature and time. Due to a rather strong competition of cyclization polyglycolide (PGA) free of cycles were never obtained. When the cyclic catalysts 2,2-dibutal-2-stanna − 1,3-dithiolane (DSTL) or 2-stanna 1,3-dioxo-4,5,6,7 bibenzepane (SnBiph) were used in combination with 1,4-butanediol the influence of cyclization was even stronger. Furthermore, the degrees of polymerization were higher than the GA/alcohol ratio due to rapid polycondensation in the solid state. At 160 °C or below, the matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectra indicated separate crystallization of low molar mass cyclic and linear PGAs from the same reaction mixture (also observed for poly(L-lactide)s). KW - MALDI TOF MS KW - Polyglycolide KW - Ring opening polymerization KW - Cyclization KW - Crystallization PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-607282 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2024.127440 SN - 0032-3861 VL - 309 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-60728 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kricheldorf, H. R. A1 - Weidner, Steffen T1 - Syntheses of cyclic polylactides and the problem of catenane formation N2 - Cyclic poly(L-lactide)s (PLAs) were prepared in bulk either by ring-expansion polymerization (REP) or by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) with simultaneous polycondensation (ROPPOC). In contrast to REP the latter method involves formation of linear chains and thus, may involve formation of polydisperse catenanes that affect crystallization. The reprecipitated PLAs were annealed at 120 °C and compared with regard to melting temperature (Tm) and melting enthalpy (ΔHm). For similar molar masses the PLAs prepared by REP and ROPPOC had almost identical Tm's and crystallinities. Furthermore, the influence of REP and ROPPOC catalysts on the morphology of the virgin reaction products was compared. KW - MALDI-TOF MS KW - Catenane KW - Polylactide PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-625061 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ra08683j VL - 15 IS - 5 SP - 3686 EP - 3692 PB - RSC AN - OPUS4-62506 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Grabicki, N. A1 - Nguyen, K. T. G. A1 - Weidner, Steffen A1 - Dumele, O. T1 - Confined Spaces in [n]Cyclo-2,7-pyrenylenes N2 - A set of strained aromatic macrocycles based on [n]cyclo2,7-(4,5,9,10-tetrahydro)pyrenylenes is presented with size dependent photophysical properties. The K-region of pyrene was functionalized with ethylene glycol groups to decorate the outer rim and thereby confine the space inside the macrocycle. This confined space is especially pronounced for n = 5, which leads to an internal binding of up to 8.0×104 M–1 between the ether-decorated [5]cyclo-2,7-pyrenylene and shape complementary crown ether–cation complexes. Both, the ether-decorated [n]cyclo-pyrenylenes as well as one of their host–guest complexes have been structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. In combination with computational methods the structural and thermodynamic reasons for the exceptionally strong binding have been elucidated. The presented rim confinement strategy makes cycloparaphenylenes an attractive supramolecular host family with a favorable, size-independent read-out signature and binding capabilities extending beyond fullerene guests. KW - Cycloparaphenylenes KW - Host–guest systems KW - Macrocycles KW - Molecular recognition KW - Supramolecular chemistry PY - 2021 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202102809 SN - 1433-7851 VL - 60 IS - 27 SP - 1 EP - 7 PB - Wiley VCH AN - OPUS4-52517 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Weidner, Steffen T1 - MALDI Mass spectrometry of synthetic polymers – making molecular elephants to fly N2 - The importance of MALDI TOF mass spectrometry for the analysis of synthetic polymers is shown and some specific issues influencing the analysis e.g. polymer mass dispersity, matrix and matrix homogeneity, nature of cations and end groups, sequence distribution are discussed by means of examples. T2 - Merck Polymer Seminar CY - Online meeting DA - 29.04.2021 KW - MALDI-ToF MS KW - Ionization KW - Desorption KW - Polymers PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-52545 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lee, C. A1 - Inutan, E. D. A1 - Chen, J. L. A1 - Mukeku, M. M. A1 - Weidner, Steffen A1 - Trimpin, S. A1 - Ni, C.-K. T1 - Toward understanding the ionization mechanism of matrix‐assisted ionization using mass spectrometry experiment and theory N2 - Matrix‐assisted ionization (MAI) mass spectrometry does not require voltages, a laser beam, or added heat to initiate ionization, but it is strongly dependent on the choice of matrix and the vacuum conditions. High charge state distributions of nonvolatile analyte ions produced by MAI suggest that the ionization mechanism may be similar to that of electrospray ionization (ESI), but different from matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). While significant information is available for MAI using mass spectrometers operating at atmospheric and intermediate pressure, little is known about the mechanism at high vacuum. Eleven MAI matrices were studied on a high‐vacuum time‐of‐flight (TOF) mass spectrometer using a 266 nm pulsed laser beam under otherwise typical MALDI conditions. Detailed comparisons with the commonly used MALDI matrices and theoretical prediction were made for 3‐nitrobenzonitrile (3‐NBN), which is the only MAI matrix that works well in high vacuum when irradiated with a laser. Screening of MAI matrices with good absorption at 266 nm but with various degrees of volatility and laser energies suggests that volatility and absorption at the laser wavelength may be necessary, but not sufficient, criteria to explain the formation of multiply charged analyte ions. 3‐NBN produces intact, highly charged ions of nonvolatile analytes in high‐vacuum TOF with the use of a laser, demonstrating that ESI‐like ions can be produced in high vacuum. Theoretical calculations and mass spectra suggest that thermally induced proton transfer, which is the major ionization mechanism in MALDI, is not important with the 3‐NBN matrix at 266 nm laser wavelength. 3‐NBN:analyte crystal morphology is, however, important in ion generation in high vacuum. The 3‐NBN MAI matrix produces intact, highly charged ions of nonvolatile compounds in high‐vacuum TOF mass spectrometers with the aid of ablation and/or heating by laser irradiation, and shows a different ionization mechanism from that of typical MALDI matrices. KW - Ionization KW - MALDI-TOF MS KW - Mechanism PY - 2021 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.8382 VL - 35 IS - 51 SP - e8382 PB - John Wiley & Sons AN - OPUS4-49209 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Weidner, Steffen A1 - Meyer, A. A1 - Falkenhagen, Jana A1 - Kricheldorf, H. R. T1 - SnOct2-catalyzed and alcohol-initiated ROPs of L-lactide – About the influence of initiators on chemical reactions in the melt and the solid state N2 - SnOct2 (Sn(II) 2-ethylhexanoate) catalyzed ROPs of L-lactide were performed in bulk with eight different alcohols as initiators. The time was varied between 1 h and 24 h for all initiators. For two initiators the temperature was also lowered to 115 ◦C. Even-numbered chains were predominantly formed in all polymerizations at short times, but the rate of transesterification (e.g. even/odd equilibration) and the molecular weight distribution were found to depend significantly on the nature of the initiator. Observed transesterification reactions also continued in solid poly (L-lactide), and with the most active initiator, almost total equilibration was achieved even at 130 ◦C. This means that all chains including those of the crystallites were involved in transesterification reactions proceeding across the flat surfaces of the crystallites. The more or less equilibrated crystalline polylactides were characterized by DSC and SAXS measurements with regard to their melting temperature (Tm), crystallinity and crystal thickness. KW - Polylactide KW - MALDI-TOF MS KW - Crystallization KW - Catalysts KW - SAXS PY - 2021 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2021.110508 VL - 153 SP - 110508 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-52633 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - You, Zengchao T1 - Separation of polysterene nanoparticles with different coatings using 2D off-line coupling of asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation and capillary electrophoresis N2 - The successful off-line coupling of asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation (AF4) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) for Separation of nanoparticles (NPs) with different surface coatings was shown. Two mixtures of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) with comparable core sizes (20 nm and 50 nm) but different coatings (no coating/carboxyl-coated) were studied. Separation in either method resulted in non-baseline resolved or non-separated peaks. In contrast, two-dimensional off-line coupling of AF4 and CE resulted in clearly separated regions in their 2 D plots and can obviouly improve separation resolution. T2 - FFF 2020 CY - Wien, Austria DA - 23.02.2020 KW - Capillary electrophoresis KW - Nanoparticle PY - 2020 AN - OPUS4-50487 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Altmann, Korinna T1 - Reference material candidates for microplastic analysis N2 - Every day, there are new headlines in the media about microplastics (1-1000 µm, ISO/TR 21960:2020) and nanoplastics (< 1 µm, ISO/TR 21960:2020) findings all over the planet with high variations in particle number and mass. The challenges in analytics are very complex, e.g. representative sampling, non-destructive sample preparation with concentrated particles and homogeneous distribution and true detection. All together lead to lacks in harmonization and results, which are hardly comparable. On the other hand, monitoring of microplastics is mandatory in the future strictly regulated by the EU commission in the Drinking water and Wastewater Framework Directive. One step to accurate and precise results will be the development of suitable reference materials mimicking particles in the environment. BAM developed test materials, which are produced by mixing a small portion of microplastic particles with a water-soluble matrix. After solid phase dilution and homogenisation small portions are pressed into tablets and bottled in glass vials (Figure 1). These tablets are well characterized with particle size distribution and SEM images. Additionally, they are tested as reference material candidate according to homogeneity and stability for particle number with µ-IR and µ-Raman as well as on particle mass with Py-GC/MS and TED-GC/MS after ISO Guide 35. Results are promising. The material passed the homogeneity control. No changes are observed within 6 months of storage. The same tested reference material is finally used in sample preparation experiments, where environmental suspended particular matter from surface water or baby milk powders are spiked with the tablets. T2 - ESOPS CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 09.09.2024 KW - Microplastics KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Reference materials KW - Polymer 3R KW - Tablets PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61017 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - INPR A1 - Smales, Glen J. A1 - Appel, Paul Alexander A1 - Breßler, Ingo A1 - Chambers, Aaron A1 - Dumele, Oliver A1 - Ebisch, Maximilian A1 - Frontzek, Julius A1 - del Refugio Monroy, José A1 - Rosalie, Julian M. A1 - Pauw, Brian R. T1 - DACHS and RoWaN: The Automated and Traceable Synthesis of ZIF-8 N2 - Automated synthesis and open-data practices are increasingly seen as key enablers of transparent, traceable, and reproducible science. By combining automation with structured, metadata-rich documentation, it becomes possible to systematically com- pare synthesis strategies and link outcomes to detailed parameters. In this work, we implement such an approach to study the synthesis of ZIF-8, comparing hand and automation-assisted methods under controlled conditions. Using over 100 synthesis experiments, we assess the repeatability of particle size and yield, and explore how variations in mixing and injection influence outcomes. This study demonstrates how traceable synthesis workflows can support repeatability and comparison across synthe- sis strategies. The DACHS (Database for Automation, Characterization and Holistic Synthesis) framework underpins this work, providing a lightweight infrastructure for transparent synthesis data capture. KW - Automation KW - MOFs KW - SAXS PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-645861 DO - https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-7fgg0 SP - 1 EP - 32 PB - Cambridge AN - OPUS4-64586 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -