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Eingeladener Vortrag
- nein (12)
The influence of different types of low and atmospheric pressure plasma on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) has been studied in terms of changes in molar mass and molar mass distribution. Apart from a variation of plasma gases (oxygen, helium) different types of plasma (microwave, radio frequency, corona discharge) were used for the plasma surface modification. The changes in molar mass and types of functional end groups of lower molar mass products were investigated by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS), whereas the high-molar mass fraction was analyzed by means of size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). The formation of crosslinked products during exposure to a helium plasma, which emits preponderately energy-rich and intense ultraviolet radiation, was proved by means of thermal field-flow fractionation (ThFFF). This method combined with a multiangle laser light scattering (MALLS) detector allows detection of weakly crosslinked polymers and microgels. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1639-1648, 1998
The hydrolytic degradation of technical poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was investigated by means of different methods such as size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), viscometry, light-scattering, thin-layer chromatography, end-group titration, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). The long-term degradation was simulated by exposing PET filament yarns to aqueous neutral conditions at 90°C for up to 18 weeks. By means of MALDI-MS and thin-layer chromatography, the formation of different oligomers was obtained during polymer degradation. As expected, an ester scission process was found generating acid terminated oligomers (H-[GT]m-OH) and T-[GT]m-OH and ethylene glycol terminated oligomers (H-[GT]m-G), where G is an ethylene glycol unit and T is a terephthalic acid unit. Additionally, the scission of the ester bonds during the chemical treatment led to a strong decrease in the number of cyclic oligomers ([GT]m). The occurrence of di-acid terminated species demonstrated a high degree of degradation.
Technical waxes and paraffins were investigated using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). SEC enables the simultaneous determination of molecular masses up to high values and molecular mass distributions. The resolution of homologous species, however, is poor. In this respect the use of SFC is advantageous. Proper resolution of homologues may be provided up to Mr~1200 without great difficulty. To compare these chromatographic results MALDI-MS was applied for the determination of molecular masses and mass distributions in technical waxes for the first time. Using reflectron mode excellent MALDI mass spectra could be achieved in the molecular mass range up to 1000 Da. The mean values of the molecular masses calculated by MALDI-MS were in sufficient agreement with those of SFC. In the linear mode of MALDI-MS molecular masses could be determined to nearly 3000 Da. Beyond this mass range SEC still remains the method of choice. Advantages and difficulties of the used methods are discussed in this paper.
This article reports round-robin tests dealing with static light scattering (LS), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and viscometry measurements of 10 reference materials of various polymer classes: poly(styrene)s (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate)s (PMMA), poly(ethylene oxide)s (PEO), and poly(lactide)s (PLA).
In the certificates, molar masses and intrinsic viscosities as well as their uncertainties are specified. Additional values from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared spectroscopy (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), melt flow index (MFR), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), which were determined exclusively in BAM laboratories are given, as well.
These results represent the base for the BAM certification work of creating polymer reference materials according to the BAM Guidelines for the Production and Certification of BAM Reference Materials, a version of the European guidelines (BCR/01/97). These samples are available for third-party user.
Polybutadienes (PB) and polyisoprenes (PI) with various molecular weights and polydispersities were epoxidized applying two different synthetic routes. The degree of epoxidation was determined by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). It has been found that the degree of functionalization of polybutadiene is generally lower than that for polyisoprenes. Additionally, PB shows lower degrees of epoxidation at higher masses, whereas the level of functionalization of PI was unaffected by the molar mass. Coupling of gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry was successfully used for the investigation of epoxidized polymers with higher masses. Using mass spectra of single fractions, the degree of epoxidation could be determined and applied for a calibration of GPC.
Various copolyesters of lactide, isosorbide, and terephthalic acid are prepared by a two-step process performed in a 'one-pot' procedure, beginning with an isosorbide-initiated oligomerization of L-lactide followed by polycondensation with terephthaloyl chloride using SnCl2 as a catalyst for both steps. The SEC data show the formation of random copolyesters with high polydispersities as a consequence of the relatively high fraction of cyclics proved by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The glass-transition temperatures (89–180 °C) obey an almost linear trend with the molar composition. The thermostability decreases with increasing lactide content. The successful incorporation of phenyl phosphate results in copolyesters of lower inflammability.
Synthesis of terpene-poly(ethylene oxide)s by t-BuP4-promoted anionic ring-opening polymerization
(2012)
Terpene alcohols (menthol, retinol, cholesterol, and betulin) together with the phosphazene base t-BuP4 were used as initiating systems for anionic ring-opening polymerization of ethylene oxide. The polymerizations were conducted in a controlled manner with the initial molar ratio of t-BuP4 to hydroxyl groups of 0.01–0.2, yielding a series of biohybrid polymers comprising terpene entities and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chains with low polydispersities and tunable compositions (57–87 wt% of PEO). Samples were characterized by NMR and UV/visible spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and size exclusion chromatography; thermal properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The concept of this study opens a new toolbox of terpene-based biohybrid polymers with variable properties and functions.
RATIONALE
The fast and univocal identification of different species in mixtures of pollen grains is still a challenge. Apart from microscopic evaluation and Raman spectroscopy, no other techniques are available.
METHODS
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry was applied to the analysis of extracts of single pollen grains and pollen mixtures. Pollen grains were fixed, treated and covered with matrix directly on the MALDI target.
RESULTS
Clearly resolved MALDI ion intensity images could be obtained enabling the identification of single pollen grains in a mixture.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate the potential and the suitability of MALDI imaging mass spectrometry as an additional method for the identification of pollen mixtures.
The development of a facile covalent strategy for the fabrication of organic conducting polymers (OCPs)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) based molecular hybrid materials remains a challenge and is expected to address the detrimental intrinsic bundling issue of CNTs. In view of the pristine CNTs' ability to undergo Diels–Alder reactions with dienes, we report the synthesis of a novel poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) based organic conducting polymer (OCP) with terminal cyclopentadienyl (Cp) groups. The synthetic strategy employed is based on a combination of in situ end group functionalization via Grignard metathesis (GRIM) polymerization and a subsequent end group switching via reaction with nickelocene. Characterization data from Matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDITOF MS) fully support the successful synthesis of monofunctional Cp-capped P3HT, which was found to be highly reactive toward dienophile end-capped polystyrene (PS). The Cp-capped P3HT was subsequently ligated to the surface of pristine single walled CNTs (SWCNTs). The resulting P3HT/SWCNTs molecular hybrid material was characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis (EA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The data from TGA, EA, and XPS were used to quantitatively deduce the grafting density. P3HT/SWCNTs prepared with Cp capped P3HT was found to contain 2 times more P3HT than the reference sample, featuring a grafting density of 0.0510 chains·nm–2 and a periodicity of 1 P3HT chain per 748 carbon atoms of the SWCNTs. HRTEM revealed individual SWCNTs wrapped with P3HT whereas in the reference sample P3HT was adsorbed on the bundles of the SWCNTs. The results presented here provide a new avenue for designing novel materials based on CNTs and OCPs.
Isosorbide, succinyl chloride and isophthaloyl chloride are polycondensed under various reaction conditions. The heating in bulk with or without catalysts as well in an aromatic solvent without catalyst, and polycondensation with the addition of pyridine only yield low molar mass copolyesters. However, heating in chlorobenzene with addition of SnCl2 or ZnCl2 produces satisfactory molar masses. The number average molecular weights (Mn) of most copolyesters fall into the range of 7000–15,000 Da with polydispersities (PD) in the range of 3–9. The MALDI-TOF mass spectra almost exclusively displayed peaks of cyclics indicating that the chain growth was mainly limited by cyclization and not by side reactions, stoichiometric imbalance or incomplete conversion. The glass-transition temperatures increased with the content of isophthalic acid from 75 to 180 °C and the thermo-stabilities also followed this trend.
Efficient Cu-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions have been used to prepare two series of three regioisomers of G-1 and G-2 poly(triazole-pyridine) dendrons. The G-1 and G-2 dendrons consist of branched yet conformationally pre-organized 2,6-bis(phenyl/pyridyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine (BPTP) monomeric and trimeric cores, respectively, carrying one focal and either two or four peripheral alkyl side chains. In the solid state, the conformation and supramolecular organization were studied by means of a single crystal X-ray structure analysis of one derivative. At the liquidsolid interface, the self-assembly behavior was investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) on graphite surfaces. Based on the observed supramolecular organization, it appears that the subtle balance between conformational preferences inherent in the dendritic backbone on the one side and the adsorption and packing of the alkyl side chains on the graphite substrate on the other side dictate the overall structure formation in 2D.
Ring-opening polymerization of N-substituted glycine N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) was applied to prepare a series of well-defined poly(N-C3 glycine)s (C3 = n-propyl, allyl, propargyl, and isopropyl), polypeptoids, with molecular weights in the range of 1.8–6.6 kg mol–1. Poly(N-isopropyl glycine), a previously unreported polypeptoid, could be obtained by bulk polymerization of the corresponding NCA in the melt. The samples were characterized by spectroscopy (NMR and FT-IR), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI–ToF MS). The polymers could be dispersed in water up to 20–40 g L–1; the poly(N-propargyl glycine) was not soluble in water. Turbidity measurements of the three water-soluble polypeptoids illustrated cloud point temperatures dependent on structural and electronic properties of the side chain. The cloud point temperatures were found to increase in the order C3 = n-propyl (15–25 °C) < allyl (27–54 °C) < isopropyl (47–58 °C). Long-term annealing of the aqueous solution of poly(N-{n-propyl} glycine) and poly(N-allyl glycine) above the cloud point temperature resulted in the formation of crystalline microparticles with melting points of 188–198 and 157–165 °C (differential scanning calorimetry, DSC), respectively, and rose bud type morphology (scanning electron microscopy, SEM).
Numerous water-initiated polymerizations of εCL are conducted in bulk with variation of catalyst, reaction time, and temperature. The conversions are determined by 1H NMR and the molar masses by SEC measurements. For polymerizations at 100 °C, Bi triflate and Hf triflate are used as catalysts, whereas at 140 °C, Al triflate, Sn(II) triflate, SnCl2, HfCl4, BiCl3, and LaCl3 are used. In addition to a closed reaction vessel, experiments are also performed with stirring in a vacuum. Under these conditions, the best catalyst (SnCl2) yields 2–3 times higher molar masses and mass spectra indicate a significant higher fraction of cyclic polymers. The results prove that a modification of the procedure may stimulate a polycondesation process without change of catalyst, time, and temperature.
A solvent-free homogenization/transfer matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) method is described for the preparation and precise transfer of up to 100 samples simultaneously on a single MALDI plate. This method is demonstrated using a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) mixture consisting of different molecular weights (500-6000) and end groups (PEO, dimethoxy-PEO, monomethoxy monomethacrylate-PEO, and dimethacrylate-PEO) that was fractionated using liquid adsorption chromatography at critical conditions. Off-line fractionation is performed prior to the on-target homogenization/transfer solvent-free sample preparation and MALDI mass analysis. The miniaturization of the solvent-free MALDI approach allowed analysis of less than 2 g per PEO component per fraction corresponding to ~200 pmol for PEO 6000. The amounts of polymer sample used for LC separation and the quality of the MS results are equivalent to the "dry spray" method; however, three times more fractions were collected and analyzed with the newly developed hyphenated approach. The off-line method eliminates optimization of, for example, spray conditions or spreading of organic solvents on the MALDI plate that occurs with droplet deposition methods. The widespread applications of MALDI make this solvent-free, multisample method particularly important as it expands the capabilities for obtaining mass measurements with great efficiencies in areas with increased sample numbers. In addition, the solvent-free method is well suited for automated MALDI analysis as it virtually eliminates the "dead-spot" phenomenon.
Two-dimensional polymer characterization is used for a simultaneous analysis of molar masses and chemical heterogeneities (e.g., end groups, copolymer composition, etc.). This principle is based on coupling of two different chromatographic modes. Liquid adsorption chromatography at critical conditions (LACCC) is applied for a separation according to the chemical heterogeneity, whereas in the second-dimension fractions are analyzed with regard to their molar mass distribution by means of size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Because appropriate standards for a calibration of the SEC are seldom available, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used to substitute the SEC. The LACCC-MALDI MS coupling enables acquiring additional structural information on copolymer composition, which can considerably enhance the performance of this coupled method.
Using SnCl2, ZnCl2, Zn-lactate or Zr-acetylacetonate as catalysts ʟ-lactide was oligomerized in bulk with isosorbide as initiator. The ratio isosorbide/lactide was varied from 8/2 to 2/8. The resulting oligomers were in situ polycondensed with isophthaloyl chloride in various aromatic solvents. In chlorobenzene homogeneous reaction mixtures were obtained, whereas molten copolyesters precipitated from toluene and xylene. The obtained average molecular weights indicated high polydispersities. According to MALDI-TOF MS the low molar mass reaction products (<4 kDa) almost exclusively consisted of cyclics with a composition depending on the feed ratio. The glass-transition temperatures (Tg) varied between the values of poly(ʟ-lactide (64 °C) and poly(isosorbide isophthalate) (180 °C). Four polyesters prepared from 5-tert-butyl isophthalic acid displayed higher Tg values. Differential thermoanalysis evidenced that the thermostability decreases with higher fractions of lactide, but processing from the melt seems to be feasible up to temperatures of 260 °C without risking degradation.
Using 22 metal triflates as catalysts, ε-caprolactone is polymerized at 22 °C in bulk. Only five relatively acidic triflates prove active. Three triflates, including the neutral Sm3+, are active using water as initiator. A very low content of cyclics is found in all the experiments. With Ce3+ and Ce4+, polymerizations are performed in CH2Cl2 and in bulk at 2 °C and 22 °C. Low dispersities (down to 1.1) are obtained. At 22 °C, Ce4+ and, even better, Ce3+ also catalyze syntheses of CO2H- and CH2OH-terminated polycaprolactones, whereby higher dispersities and larger fractions of cyclics are obtained. Further polymerizations and polycondensations are catalyzed with protic acids. The results can be explained by a proton-catalyzed activated monomer mechanism.
Polycondensations of 1,6-hexane diol and sebacic acid were conducted in bulk with addition of a lanthanide triflate as acidic catalyst. With exception of promethium triflate all lanthanide triflates were studied. A particularly low molecular weight was obtained with neodym triflate and the best results with samarium triflate. With Sm(OTf)3 weight average (Mw) values up to 65 kDa (uncorrected SEC data) were achieved after optimization of the reaction conditions. Comparison of these results with those obtained from bismuth, magnesium, and zinc triflates, on the one hand, and comparison with the acidities of all catalysts, on the other, indicates that the esterification mechanism involves complexation of monomer by metal ions. Preparation of multiblock copoly(ether ester)s failed due to insufficient incorporation of poly(tetrahydrofuran) diols.
The development of dendritic metal ion carrier systems for use in a biological environment is a challenging task as the carrier system must possess multiple features (e.g. a protective shell for metal decomplexation, targeting functions, metal-intradendrimer complexes, etc.) to substitute for the function of metal proteins in processes such as copper metabolism. Thus, Cu(II) complexation by a series of poly(propyleneimine) glycodendrimers ranging up to the fifth generation that have either a dense maltose or maltotriose shell was investigated by UV/Vis spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). As a necessary step towards potential biological application, we elucidated the complexation capacity, location of the Cu(II)-dendrimer complexes and the Cu(II) coordination sphere in the dendritic environment. A generation-dependent Cu(II) complexation was found. Furthermore, analysis of the EPR spectra revealed that internal and external Cu(II) coordination and the symmetry (axial and rhombic) of the generated complexes depend on the oligosaccharide shell, dendrimer generation and the relative concentrations of Cu(II) and the dendrimers. Both axial and rhombic symmetries are generation dependent, but also distort with increasing generation number. External coordination of Cu(II) is supported by sugar groups and water molecules. Finally, a third-generation dendrimer with a maltose shell was used to explore the general complexation behaviour of the dendritic poly(propyleneimine) scaffold towards different metal ions [Cu(II), Ag(I), VO(IV), Ni(II), Eu(III) and UO2(VI)].
εCL was polymerized using the triflates of lanthanum, samarium, magnesium, aluminum, scandium, and bismuth as catalysts. Bismuth triflate proved to be extraordinarily reactive, and catalyzed polymerizations of εCL even at 20 °C. Adding DTBMP reduced the polymerization rate only slightly. Furthermore, no evidence of a cationic mechanism was found by end‐group analyses. Polymerization at 20 °C either in bulk or in solution only yielded polyesters of low or medium molecular weights. Yet addition of alcohols allowed for a proper control of molecular weight and end‐groups. Additionally, low catalyst concentrations and low temperature resulted in narrow molecular weight distributions and polylactones almost free of cyclic compounds.
Using three different catalysts, water-initiated polymerizations of ε-caprolactone were conducted in bulk with variation of the monomer/water ratio. The resulting CH2OH and CO2H- terminated polylactones were subjected in situ to azeotropic polycondensations. With Bi-triflate and temperatures, the polycondensations were not much successful and involved side reactions. With ZnCl2, and especially SnCl2, considerably higher molar masses were achieved. The substitution of toluene for chlorobenzene for refluxing gave better results. The polycondensations broadened the molar mass distribution of the ROP-based prepolymers, and polydispersities between 1.4–1.8 were obtained. The MALDITOF mass spectra revealed that the polycondensations significantly enhanced the fraction of rings due to efficient 'end-biting' reactions. By comparison with copolymerization experiments and Sn methoxide-initiated polymerizations, it was demonstrated that equilibration reactions, such as the formation of rings by 'back-biting,' did not occur.
Copolyesters of glycolic acid combined with adipic acid and 1,4 butanediol were synthesized, their in vitro hydrolytic degradation was studied and correlated with their structure. The hydrolytic degradation of the copolyesters was directly related with the degree of crystallinity and the diameter of the crystallites. It was found that glycolate units disturb the ordering of the butylene adipate units, which results in a decrease of the crystallinity. By comparing the hydrolysis parameters of synthesized copolyesters with those of similar aliphatic copolyesters a hydrolysis mechanism was proposed. According to this mechanism, the degradation takes place not only by the loss of end units, but also through the removal of larger segments. MALDI-TOF MS data showed that the possibility of a copolyester macromolecule forming cyclic structures correlates with the arrangement of ester groups in the macromolecules and the structure of the linear segments.
In the present study the incorporation of iron into an organic polymer, composed of formamidine subunits [R–N=C(H)–NH–R], has been examined. The catalytic ability of the recyclable material was investigated in the iron-catalyzed formation of C–C bonds. After optimization of the reaction conditions, excellent yields and chemoselectivities were feasible.
In recent years mass spectrometric methods, in particular matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) have become indispensable tools for analyzing molecular masses and mass distributions of polymers. Moreover, these techniques offer the advantage of being able to determine simultaneously chemical functionality, and compositional and topological distributions of polymers. Especially in combination with liquid and/or gas phase separation methods, a comprehensive polymer characterization can be achieved and the difficulties of MS to analyze chemically heterogeneous polymers, copolymers, and samples with broad molecular mass distribution can be overcome.
Systems containing multiple photochromic units possibly display a synergistic interplay of individual switching events and hence potentially give rise to unprecedented photoresponsive behavior. Among such systems photoswitchable foldamers are attractive as the photoisomerization events are coupled to the helixcoil conformational transition. To gain comprehensive insight into the role of the number of switching units (statistics) as well as their specific location and relative orientation in the helix backbone, several series of foldamers have been synthesized and characterized. In these series of foldamers, the local environment of the photoswitchable units was precisely tuned as π,π-stacking interactions were enforced to occur between specific pairs, i.e. azobenzene–azobenzene, azobenzene–tolane, or phenylene–phenylene units. These particular arrangements are reflected not only in the stability of the helical conformation, but also affect the photoresponsive behavior, i.e. the rate of photoisomerization and extent of denaturation. Furthermore, determining the intramolecular spin–spin distance in a series of TEMPO-labeled foldamers with variable chain lengths and different spatial locations of the spin-labels deduced an independent verification of the photoinduced helix–coil transition by ESR spectroscopy. Quantitative analysis of the corresponding ESR spectra shows an excellent correlation of the extent of intramolecular spin–spin coupling and the intensity of the Cotton effect in CD spectroscopy. From all of these results an unusual relationship between the rate of photoisomerization and the extent of photoinduced denaturation could be unraveled, as they are not going hand-in-hand but compete with each other, i.e. the easier the individual switching event is, the harder it becomes to achieve a high degree of unfolding. This insight into the effect of microenvironment on the ease of individual switching events and the role of statistics on the resulting degree of the overall conformational transition is of general interest for the design of multi-switch architectures with improved photoresponse.
For the development of selective and sensitive chemical sensors, we have developed a new family of poly(etherphosphoramide) polymers. These polymers were obtained with satisfactory yields by nucleophilic aromatic polycondensation using isosorbide as green resources, and bisphenol A with two novel difluoro phosphinothioic amide monomers. Unprecedented, the thiophosphorylated aminoheterocycles monomers, functionalized with two heterocyclic amine, N-methylpiperazine and morpholine were successfully obtained by nucleophilic substitution reaction of P(S)–Cl compound. The resulting polymers were characterized by different analytical techniques (NMR, MALDI–ToF MS, GPC, DSC, and ATG). The resulting partially green polymers, having tertiary phosphine sulfide with P–N side chain functionalities along the main chain of polymers are the sensitive film at the surface of a gold electrode for the impedimetric detection of Cd, Ni, Pb and Hg. The bio-based poly(etherphosphoramide) functionalized with N-methylpiperazine modified sensor showed better analytical performance
than petrochemical based polymers for the detection of Ni2+. A detection limit of 50 pM was obtained which is very low compared to the previously published electrochemical sensors for nickel detection.
Formation Mechanism of a Nano-Ring of Bismuth Cations and Mono-Lacunary Keggin-Type Phosphomolybdate
(2022)
A new hetero-bimetallic polyoxometalate (POM) nano-ring was synthesized in a one-pot procedure. The structure consists of tetrameric units containing four bismuth-substituted monolacunary Keggin anions including distorted [BiO8] cubes. The nano-ring is formed via self-assembly from metal precursors in aqueous acidic medium. The compound (NH4)16[(BiPMo11O39)4] ⋅ 22 H2O; (P4Bi4Mo44) was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS), Raman spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF), and thermogravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry mass spectrometry (TG-DSC-MS). The formation of the nano-ring in solution was studied by time-resolved in situ small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) and in situ EXAFS measurements at the Mo−K and the Bi−L3 edge indicating a two-step process consisting of condensation of Mo-anions and formation of Bi−Mo-units followed by a rapid self-assembly to yield the final tetrameric ring structure.
L-Lactide was polymerized by means of neat SnOct2 with variation of LA/Cat ratio, temperature and time. The resulting cyclic polylactides crystallized spontaneously at 160 °C or below, but needed nucleation via mechanical stress at 165 or 170 °C. All the crystalline polylactides obtained directly from ROP above 120 °C had melting temperatures (Tm) above 189 °C (up to 194.5 °C). SnOct2 also enabled transformation of low Tm poly(L-lactide)s (Tm <180 °C) into the high Tm m1odification by annealing, due to the impact of transesterification reactions in the interphase between the crystallites. The influence of crystallization temperature and annealing time on the crystal thickness was studied via SAXS measurements. A comparison with the crystallization and annealing experiments reported by Pennings and coworkers and Tsuji and Ikada is discussed, and a satisfactory agreement has been found, because those authors also studied polyLA samples containing SnOct2 in its active form. It is also demonstrated in this work that the high Tm modification cannot be obtained when the catalyst is removed or poisoned as it is true for commercial polylactides.
The Na salt of chloroacetic acid is condensed in suspension. Furthermore,glycolic acid is condensed in bulk or in concentrated solution by means of SnCl2 or 4-toluene sulfonic acid (TSA) as catalysts. The temperatures are varied from 160 to 200°C and the time from 1 to 5 days. Low molar mass cyclic poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) is detected by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI TOF) mass spectrometry in most PGAs. A predominance of certain cycles having an even number of repeat units is observed suggesting a thermodynamically favored formation of extended-ring crystals. Extremely high melting temperatures (up to 237.5°C)and high melting enthalpies are found for polycondensations with TSA in 1,2-dichlorobenzene.
Glycolide was polymerized in bulk with two cyclic catalysts − 2,2-dibutyl-2-stanna-1,3-dithiolane (DSTL) and 2-stanna-1,3-dioxa-4,5,6,7-dibenzepane (SnBiph). The monomer/initiator ratio, temperature (140 – 180 °C) and time (1–––4 days) were varied. The MALDI TOF mass spectra exclusively displayed peaks of cyclic polyglycolide (PGA) and revealed an unusual “saw-tooth pattern” in the mass range below m/z 2 500 suggesting formation of extended ring crystallites. The DSC measurements indicated increasing crystallinity with higher temperature and longer time, and after annealing for 4 d at 160 °C a hitherto unknown and unexpected glass transition was found in the temperature range of 170–185 °C. Linear PGAs prepared by means of metal alkoxides under identical conditions did not show the afore-mentioned features of the cyclic PGAs, neither in the mass spectra nor in the DSC measurements. All PGAs were also characterized by SAXS measurements, which revealed relatively small L-values suggesting formation of thin crystallites in all cases with little influence of the reaction conditions.
Glycolide was polymerized in bulk by means of four different ROPPOC catalysts: tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (SnOct2), dibutyltin bis(pentafluoro-phenoxide) (BuSnOPF),zinc biscaproate (ZnCap), and zinc bis(pentafluoro-phenyl sulfide) (ZnSPF). The temperature was varied between 110 and 180°C and the time between 3 h and 7 days. For the few polyglycolides (PGAs) that were soluble extremely high molecular masses were obtained. The MALDI TOF mass spectra had all a low signal-to-noise ration and displayed the peaks of cyclic PGAs with a“saw-tooth pattern ”indicating formation of extended-ring crystallites in the mass range below m/z 2500. The shape of DSC curves varied considerably with catalyst and reaction conditions, whereas the long-distance values measured by SAXS were small and varied little with the polymeriza-tion conditions.
Ring-opening polymerizations (ROPs) of l-lactide (LA) were performed with ethyl l-lactate or 11-bromoundecanol as initiators (In) and tin(II) ethyl hexanoate (SnOct2) as catalyst (Cat) using four different LA/In ratios (20/1, 40/1, 60/1, and 100/1). One series of ROPs was conducted in bulk at 120 °C, yielding PLAs with low dispersities (Ð ~ 1.2–1.4), and a second series was conducted in bulk at 160 °C, yielding higher dispersities (Ð ~ 1.3–1.9). Samples from both series were annealed for 1 or 14 days at 140 °C in the presence of SnOct2. Both polycondensation and disproportionation reactions occurred, so that all four samples tended to form the same type of molar mass distribution below 10,000 Da, regardless of their initially different number average molar masses (Mn). Both initiators gave nearly identical results. The thermodynamic control of all reversible transesterification processes favored the formation of crystallites composed of chains with a Mn around 3500–3700, corresponding to a crystal thickness of 10–13 nm.
Solvent-free sample preparation offers some advantages over solvent-based techniques, such as improved accuracy, reproducibility and sensitivity, for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) analysis. However, little or no information is available on the application of solvent-free techniques for the MALDI analysis of polymer blends. Solvent-free sample preparation by ball milling was applied with varying sample-to-matrix ratios for MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis of various polymers, including polystyrenes, poly(methyl methacrylate)s and poly(ethylene glycol)s. The peak intensity ratios were compared with those obtained after using the conventional dried droplet sample preparation method. In addition, solvent-assisted milling was also applied to improve sample homogeneities.
Depending on the sample preparation method used, different peak intensity ratios were found, showing varying degrees of suppression of the signal intensities of higher mass polymers. Ball milling for up to 30 min was required to achieve constant intensity ratios indicating homogeneous mixtures. The use of wet-assisted grinding to improve the homogeneity of the blends was found to be disadvantageous as it caused partial degradation and mass-dependent segregation of the polymers in the vials.The results clearly show that solvent-free sample preparation must be carefully considered when applied to synthetic polymer blends, as it may cause additional problems with regard to homogeneity and stability of the blends.
The dispersed iron oxide nanoparticles of ferrofluids in aqueous solution are difficult to characterize due to their protective polymer coatings. We report on the bimodal size distribution of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles found in the MRI contrast agent Resovist, which is a representative example of commercial nanoparticle-based pharmaceutical formulations. The radii of the majority of the nanoparticles (>99%) range from 4 to 13 nm (less than 1% of the particles display radii up to 21 nm). The maxima of the size distributions are at 5.0 and 9.9 nm. The analysis was performed with in situ characterization of Resovist via online coupling of asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (A4F) with small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) using a standard copper X-ray tube as a radiation source. The outlet of the A4F was directly coupled to a flow capillary on the SAXS instrument. SAXS curves of nanoparticle fractions were recorded at 1-min time intervals. We recommend using the A4F-SAXS coupling as a routine method for analysis of dispersed nanoparticles with sizes in the range of 1-100 nm. It allows a fast and quantitative comparison of different batches without the need for sample preparation.
We report on a hyphenated polymer analysis method consisting of asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (A4F) coupled online with small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). A mixture of six poly(styrene sulfonate)s with molar masses in the range of 6.5 × 103 to 1.0 × 106 g mol-1 was used as a model system for polyelectrolytes in aqueous solutions with a broad molar mass distribution. A complete polymer separation and analysis was performed in 60 min. Detailed information for all polymer fractions are available on i) the radii of gyration, which were determined from the SAXS data interpretation in terms of the Debye model (Gaussian chains), and ii) the diffusion coefficients (from DLS). We recommend using the A4F-SAXS-DLS coupling as a possible new reference method for the detailed analysis of complex polymer mixtures. Advantages of the use of SAXS are seen in comparison to static light scattering for polymers with radii of gyration smaller then 15 nm, for which only SAXS produces precise analytical results on the size of the polymers in solution.
Polyelectrolytes such as PAA and its salts are widely used, but are notoriously difficult to characterize due to their polyelectrolyte properties and broad molecular mass distributions. In this paper, we report on a new PAA analysis by combining asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation and an advanced SAXS technique using an acoustic levitator to minimize background scattering. The proof-of-principle is demonstrated with a mixture of three standard PAAs with different molecular masses. Detailed information on the PAA fractions is available on radii of gyration, polymer contour lengths, and coil conformation. Our method is expected to be applicable for a wide range of water-soluble synthetic and natural polymers and ideal for molecular masses of 5 × 103–2 × 105 g · mol-1.
We report on the characterization of the solution structure of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)s (PVP) by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and by online coupling of asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (A4F), SAXS and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The commercial products PVP K30 and PVP K90 with nominal molar masses of 40 × 103 and 360 × 103 g mol-1, respectively, were investigated separately and as binary mixture. Detailed information for all polymer fractions is available on the polymer contour lengths and the diffusion coefficients. Key areas of applications for the A4F-SAXS-DLS coupling are seen in comparison to static light scattering for polymers with radii of gyration smaller than 10 nm, for which only SAXS produces precise analytical results on the size of the polymers in solution.
Orally ingested nanoparticles may overcome the gastrointestinal barrier, reach the circulatory system, be distributed in the organism and cause adverse health effects. However, ingested nanoparticles have to pass through different physicochemical environments, which may alter their properties before they reach the intestinal cells. In this study, silver nanoparticles are characterised physicochemically during the course of artificial digestion to simulate the biochemical processes occurring during digestion. Their cytotoxicity on intestinal cells was investigated using the Caco-2 cell model. Using field-flow fractionation combined with dynamic light scattering and small-angle X-ray scattering, the authors found that particles only partially aggregate as a result of the digestive process. Cell viabilities were determined by means of CellTiter-Blue® assay, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole-staining and real-time impedance. These measurements reveal small differences between digested and undigested particles (1–100 µg/ml or 1–69 particles/cell). The findings suggest that silver nanoparticles may indeed overcome the gastrointestinal juices in their particulate form without forming large quantities of aggregates. Consequently, the authors presume that the particles can reach the intestinal epithelial cells after ingestion with only a slight reduction in their cytotoxic potential. The study indicates that it is important to determine the impact of body fluids on the nanoparticles of interest to provide a reliable interpretation of their nano-specific cytotoxicity testing in vivo and in vitro.
Alcohol-initiated ROPs of L-Lactide were performed at 140 ◦C in bulk with variation of the initiator/catalyst ratio and time. Lower ratios favor the formation of cycles which upon annealing display a change of the MALDI mass peak distribution towards a new maximum with a “saw-tooth pattern” of the mass peaks representing the cycles.
Such a pattern was not observed for the mass peak of the linear chains. The coexistence of these patterns indicate that linear and cyclic poly (L-lactide)s (PLA) crystallize in separate crystals, and that the crystallites of the cycles are made up by extended rings. High Tm and ΔHm values confirm that these extended-ring crystallites represent a thermodynamically optimized form of PLA. Experiments with preformed cyclic and linear PLAs support this interpretation.
With 2,2-dibutyl-2-stanna-1,3-dithiolane (DSTL) and 2-stanna-1,3-dioxa-4,5,6,7-dibenzoxepane (SnBiPh) as catalysts ring-expansion polymerizations (REP) were performed either in 2 M solution using three different solvents and two different temperatures or in bulk at 140 and 120 ◦C. A kinetically controlled rapid REP up to weight average molecular masses (Mẃs) above 300 000 was followed by a slower degradation of the molecular masses at 140 ◦C, but not at 120 ◦C Furthermore, a low molecular mass cyclic poly(L-lactide) (cPLA) with a Mn around 16 000 was prepared by polymerization in dilute solution and used as starting material for ring-ring equilibration at 140 ◦C in 2 M solutions. Again, a decrease of the molecular mass was detectable, suggesting that the equilibrium Mn is below 5 000. The degradation of the molecular masses via RRE was surprisingly more effective in solid cyclic PLA than in solution, and a specific transesterification mechanism involving loops on the surface of crystallites is proposed. This degradation favored the formation of extended-ring crystallites, which were detectable by a “saw-tooth pattern” in their MALDI mass spectra.
A poly(L-lactide) with a trifluoroethyl ester end group and an average degree of polymerization (DP) of 50 was synthesized by ROP of L-lactide initiated with trifluoroethanol. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) in combination with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements revealed an average crystal thickness of 13 nm, corresponding to 45 repeat units. This suggests that most crystallites were formed by extended PLA chains, and both flat surfaces were covered by CF3 groups. The crystalline PLAs were annealed at 140 or 160 °C in the presence of two catalysts: tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate, (SnOct2) or dibutyltin bis(pentafluorophenoxide) (BuSnPhF). The chemical reactions, such as polycondensation and cyclization, proceeded in the solid state and were monitored by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-offlight (MALDI TOF) mass spectrometry and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurements. Under optimal conditions a large fraction of linear chains was transformed into crystallites composed of extended cycles. Additionally, MALDI TOF MS analysis of GPC fractions from samples annealed for 28 or 42 days detected chain elongation of the linear species up to a factor of 20.