Controlling enzyme hydrolysis of branched polymers synthesised using transfer-dominated branching radical telomerisation via telogen and taxogen selection

With the ever-growing reliance on polymeric materials for numerous applications, new avenues to induce, design and control degradation are clearly important. Here, we describe a previously unreported approach to controlling enzymatic hydrolysis of high molecular weight branched polymers formed from the new free-radical polymer synthesis strategy transfer-dominated branching radical telomerisation (TBRT). Modifying the chemical nature of TBRT polymers may be accomplished through telogen selection and multi-vinyl taxogen (MVT) design, and we show telogen-driven control of enzyme-catalysed hydrolysis and the impact of careful placement of hydrolytically susceptible groups within readily synthesised MVTs. Our results indicate that utilising conventional free-radical chemistries and unsaturated monomers as feedstocks for highly branched polymer architectures has considerable potential for the design of future materials that degrade into very low molecular weight byproducts at variable and controllable rates.

Thermally Stable UV-Curable Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives Based on Silicon-Acrylate Telomers and Selected Adhesion Promoters

A new type of UV-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive containing Si atoms (Si-PSAs) was prepared by a solution-free UV-initiated telomerization process of n-butyl acrylate, acrylic acid, methyl methacrylate, and 4-acrylooxybenzophenone using triethylsilane (TES) as a telogen and an acylphosphine oxide (APO) as a radical photoinitiator. Selected commercial adhesion promoters were tested as additives in the formulation of adhesive compositions, i.e., (i) an organic copolymer with polar groups (carboxyl and hydroxyl); (ii) a hydroxymetal-organic compound; and (iii) a quaternary ammonium salt and (iv) a chlorinated polyolefin. No fillers, crosslinking agents, or photoinitiators were used in the adhesive compositions. NMR techniques confirmed the incorporation of silicon atoms into the polyacrylate structure. The influence of adhesion promoters on the kinetics of the UV-crosslinking process of Si-PSAs was investigated by a photo-DSC technique. The obtained Si-PSAs were characterized by adhesion (to steel, glass, PMMA, and PE), tack, and cohesion at 20 °C. Finally, the wetting angle of Si-PSAs with water was checked and their thermal stability was proved (TGA). Unexpectedly, the quaternary ammonium salt had the most favorable effect on improving the thermal stability of Si-PSAs (302 °C) and adhesion to glass and PMMA. In contrast, Si-PSAs containing the hydroxymetal-organic compound showed excellent adhesion to steel.

Removable Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives Based on Acrylic Telomer Syrups

Removable pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are used in the production of self-adhesive materials such as protective films, masking tapes or biomedical electrodes. This work presents a new and environmentally friendly method of obtaining this type of adhesive materials, i.e., photochemically induced free radical telomerization. Adhesive binders to removable PSAs, i.e., the photoreactive acrylic telomer syrups (ATS) were prepared from n-butyl acrylate, acrylic acid, and 4-acrylooxybenzophenone. Tetrabromomethane (CBr4) or bromotrichloromethane (CBrCl3) were used as the telogens. ATS was modified with unsaturated polybutadiene resin and a radical photoinitiator. Adhesive compositions were coated onto a carrier and UV cross-linked. The effects of the chemical nature of telomers (i.e., terminal Br or Cl atoms) and their molecular weight (K-value), as well as the cross-linking degree on adhesive properties of PSAs, were studied. It was found that with the increase in telogen content in the system, the dynamic viscosity of ATS and K-value of acrylic telomers decrease, and the conversion of monomers increases. CBr4 turned out to be a more effective chain transfer agent than CBrCl3. Moreover, telomers with terminal Br-atoms (7.5 mmol of CBr4), due to slightly lower molecular weights and viscosity, showed a higher photocrosslinking ability (which was confirmed by high cohesion results at 20 and 70 °C, i.e., >72 h). Generally, higher values of the temperature at which adhesive failure occurred were noted for PSAs based on ATS with lower telogen content (7.5 mmol), both CBr4 and CBrCl3. The excellent result for removable PSA was obtained in the case of telomer syrup Br-7.5 crosslinked with a 5 J/cm2 dose of UV-radiation (adhesion ca.1.3 N/25 mm, and cohesion > 72 h).

Synthesis, characterization, and biodegradation studies of new cellulose-based polymers

New cellulose carbamates and cellulose acetate carbamates were prepared by classical addition reaction of isocyanates with alcohols. A Telomerization technique was used to make the grafted molecules strongly anchored and more hydrophobic. These molecules were grafted into cellulose and CA chains, respectively. The structures of the synthesized derivatives were confirmed using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared and Thermogravimetric Analysis, and their solubility phenomenon was also established, and the carbamate derivatives showed better solubility compared to cellulose. Their ability to biodegrade was investigated, and it was concluded that Cell-P₁ and CA-P₁ derivatives are more biodegradable than the other samples. These results suggest that the resulting compounds can be used effectively in many useful industrial fields, for instance, eco-friendly food packaging, domains that use materials that are environmentally friendly and sustainable and the development of green chemistry.

Self-Crosslinkable Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives from Silicone-(Meth)acrylate Telomer Syrups

In this study, a novel and environmentally friendly method for the preparation of photoreactive pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) was demonstrated. Adhesive binders based on n-butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, acrylic acid, and 4-acryloyloxy benzophenone were prepared with a UV-induced telomerization process in the presence of triethylsilane (TES) as a telogen and acylphosphine oxide (APO) as a radical photoinitiator. The influence of TES (0−10 wt. parts) and APO (0.05−0.1 wt. parts/100 wt. parts of monomer mixtures) concentrations on the UV telomerization process kinetics was investigated using a photodifferential scanning calorimetry method and selected physicochemical features of the obtained silicone-(met)acrylate telomeric syrups (K-value, solid content, glass-transition temperature, and dynamic viscosity), as well as properties of the obtained PSAs (Tg, adhesion, tack, and cohesion), were studied. An increase in TES content caused a significant decrease in the Tg values (approx. 10 °C) and K-value (up to approximately 25 a.u.) of the dry telomers, as well as the dynamic viscosity of the telomeric syrups. PSAs were obtained through UV irradiation of thin polymer films consisting only of silicone-(meth)acrylate telomer solutions (without the use of additional chemical modifiers or of a protective gas atmosphere and protective layers). PSAs were characterized by very good adhesion (12.4 N/25 mm), cohesion at 20 °C (>72 h) and 70 °C (>72 h), and low glass-transition temperature (−25 °C).

Controlling the pH-response of branched copolymer nanoprecipitates synthesised by transfer-dominated branching radical telomerisation (TBRT) through telogen chemistry and spatial distribution of tertiary amine functionality

Amine functionality offers the modification of polymer properties to enable stimuli-responsive behaviour, and this feature has been utilised in numerous studies of self-assembly and disassembly. The ability to place amines as pendant groups along linear polymer backbones within distinct blocks, at chain ends or as statistical mixtures with other functionalities, has allowed fine tuning of responses to pH. Here we study and compare the placement of amines within the backbones or as pendant groups within polyesters synthesised by the newly reported transfer-dominated branching radical telomerisation (TBRT). Branched polymers with backbone amines are clearly shown to undergo dissolution that is determined by pH and telogen selection; they undergo nanoprecipitation only when hydrophilic telogens are present within their structure and provide nanoprecipitates that are highly sensitive to the addition of acid. In contrast, TBRT polymers with pendant amines form uniform nanoparticles with remarkable stability to pH changes, under identical nanoprecipitation conditions. The behaviour differences shown here open new avenues of synthetic flexibility for pH-responsive polymer design using TBRT.

Structural Adhesives Tapes Based on a Solid Epoxy Resin and Multifunctional Acrylic Telomers

Thermally curable pressure-sensitive structural adhesives tapes (SATs) were compounded using a solid epoxy resin and multifunctional acrylic telomer solutions (MATs) prepared by a thermally initiated telomerization process in an epoxy diluent containing two kinds of telogens (CBr₄ or CBrCl₃). Dynamic viscosity, K-value, and volatile mater content in MATs (i.e., MAT-T with CBr₄, MAT-B with CBrCl₃) were investigated in relation to telogen type and content. The influence of MATs on the self-adhesive features and curing behavior of UV-crosslinked tapes as well as on the shear strength of thermally cured aluminum–SAT–aluminum joints was investigated as well. Increasing the telogen dose (from 5 to 15 wt. parts) caused significant improvement in the adhesion (+315% and +184%), tack (+147% and +298%), and cohesion (+414% and +1716%) of SATs based on MAT-T and MAT-B, respectively. Additionally, MATs with high telogen content (especially the MAT-T-type) improved the resistance of cured joints to aviation fuel, humidity, and elevated temperature. The highest overlap shear strength values were registered for SATs based on MATs containing 7.5 wt. parts of CBr₄ (16.7 MPa) or 10 wt. parts of CBrCl₃ (15.3 MPa).

The Effect of Type-I Photoinitiators on the Kinetics of the UV-Induced Cotelomerization Process of Acrylate Monomers and Properties of Obtained Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

A new method of solvent-free acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) based on UV-induced cotelomerization products was presented. The key acrylic monomers (i.e., n-butyl acrylate and acrylic acid) with copolymerizable photoinitiator 4-acrylooxybenzophenone in the presence of a selected chain transfer agent (tetrabromomethane, TBM) were used in the UV-cotelomerization process. Moreover, two kinds of UV-photoinitiators (α-hydroxyalkylphenones, HPs and acylphosphine oxides, APOs) were tested. Photo-DSC, viscosity, thermogravimetric, and GPC measurements for cotelomers were performed. The kinetics study revealed that the systems with APOs, especially Omnirad 819 and Omnirad TPO, were characterized by a much higher reaction rate and greater initiation efficiency than HPs systems were. Additionally, the APO-based syrups exhibited a higher solid content (ca. 60–96 wt%), a higher dynamic viscosity (5–185 Pa·s), but slightly lower molecular weights (M_n and M_w) compared to HP syrups. However, better self-adhesive features (i.e., adhesion and tack) were observed for PSAs based on cotelomers syrups obtained using APOs with lower solid contents (55–80 wt%). It was found that as the solids content (i.e., monomers conversion) increased the adhesion, the tack and glass transition temperature decreased and the type and amount of photoinitiator had no effect on polydispersity. Most of the obtained PSAs were characterized by excellent cohesion, both at 20 °C and 70 °C.

Quantification of branching within high molecular weight polymers with polyester backbones formed by transfer-dominated branching radical telomerisation (TBRT)

New branched polymerisations offer previously inaccessible macromolecules and architectural understanding is important as it provides insight into the branching mechanism and enables the determination of structure-property relationships. Here we present a detailed inverse gated 13C NMR characterisation of materials derived from the very recently reported Transfer-dominated Branching Radical Telomerisation (TBRT) approach to quantify branching and provide an insight into cyclisation.

Impact of multi-vinyl taxogen dimensions on high molecular weight soluble polymer synthesis using transfer-dominated branching radical telomerisation

The creation of branched polymers by TBRT is influenced by the molecular dimensions of the polymerising species. A mechanistic understanding is presented that includes a radical lifetime sphere model that is unique to telomerisation conditions used.

Influence of Acrylic Acid on Kinetics of UV-Induced Cotelomerization Process and Properties of Obtained Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

A new environmentally friendly method of photoreactive pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) preparation was demonstrated. PSAs based on n-butyl acrylate (BA), acrylic acid (AA) and 4-acryloyloxy benxophenone (ABP) were prepared via the UV-induced cotelomerization process in the presence of a radical photoinitiator (acylphosphine oxide) and telogen (tetrabromomethane). Hydroxyterminated polybutadiene was used as a crosslinking agent. Influence of AA concentration (0-10 wt %) on kinetics of the cotelomerization process was investigated using a photodifferential scanning calorimetry method, selected physicochemical features of obtained photoreactive BA/AA/ABP cotelomers (molecular masses, polydispersity, monomers conversion and dynamic viscosity) and self-adhesive properties of obtained PSAs (adhesion, tack and cohesion) were studied, as well. It turned out that AA content is the important factor that influences monomers conversion (thereby the volatile parts content in prepolymer) and PSAs' properties. As the acrylic acid content increases, the reaction rate increases, but the total monomers conversion and the solid content of the prepolymer decreases. Additionally, the adhesion and cohesion of PSAs were grown up, and their tackiness decreased. However, the AA content has no effect on molecular weights (Mw and Mn) and polydispersity (c.a. 1.5) of photoreactive cotelomers. The optimal AA content necessary to obtain a prepolymer with low volatile parts content and good PSA properties was determined.

Hyperbranched polymers with step-growth chemistries from transfer-dominated branching radical telomerisation (TBRT) of divinyl monomers

The commercially relevant synthesis of novel materials with step-growth backbones has been achieved by applying conventional chemistries to the radical telomerisation of divinyl monomers leading to high molecular weight branched polymers.

Inducing β Phase Crystallinity in Block Copolymers of Vinylidene Fluoride with Methyl Methacrylate or Styrene

Block copolymers of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) with either styrene or methyl methacrylate (MMA) were synthesized and analyzed with respect to the type of the crystalline phase occurring. PVDF with iodine end groups (PVDF-I) was prepared by iodine transfer polymerization either in solution with supercritical CO₂ or in emulsion. To activate all iodine end groups Mn₂(CO)10 is employed. Upon UV irradiation Mn(CO)₅ radicals are obtained, which abstract iodine from PVDF-I generating PVDF radicals. Subsequent polymerization with styrene or methyl methacrylate (MMA) yields block copolymers. Size exclusion chromatography and NMR results prove that the entire PVDF-I is converted. XRD, FT-IR, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses allow for the identification of crystal phase transformation. It is clearly shown that the original α crystalline phase of PVDF-I is changed to the β crystalline phase in case of the block copolymers. For ratios of the VDF block length to the MMA block length ranging from 1.4 to 5 only β phase material was detected.

Synthesis of Chlorotrifluoroethylene-Based Block Copolymers by Iodine Transfer Polymerization

Various fluorinated macro-chain transfer agents (CTAs) based on vinylidene fluoride (VDF), chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), or CTFE and vinylidene chloride (VDC), were synthesized by iodine transfer polymerization (ITP). These macro-CTAs were involved in a further ITP reaction that led to the synthesis of original CTFE-based block copolymers exhibiting molecular weight ranging from 2500 to 40000 g/mol and endowed with high thermal stabilities (decomposition temperature at 10% weight loss of ca. 380 °C, under air). ITP of CTFE and VDC as well as ITP of VDF thermally initiated at 100 °C by a catalytic amount of dimanganese decacarbonyl (Mn₂(CO)₁₀) are reported for the first time.

Thiol‐ene Radical Coupling: A Powerful Technique for the Synthesis of Polymer Precursors, Block Copolymers and Graft Copolymers

This chapter aims to show how reaching functional oligomers and polymers by thiol‐ene radical coupling. According to the vinyl monomers used, different strategies can be adapted in order to reach either monofunctional or telechelic oligomers. For example, combination of thiol‐ene radical coupling onto a functional monomer provides high value oligomers such as silane‐coupling agents for composite materials. This chapter also discusses thiol‐ene radical coupling onto vinyl‐containing polymers, which leads to partial modification of the properties. Finally, we showed how thiol‐ene radical coupling allows for the synthesis of block copolymers such as PMMA‐b‐PDMS‐b‐PMMA.

Mild-temperature Mn2(CO)10-photomediated controlled radical polymerization of vinylidene fluoride and synthesis of well-defined poly(vinylidene fluoride) block copolymers

By contrast to typical high-temperature (100-250 °C) telo-/polymerizations of gaseous fluorinated monomers, carried out in high-pressure metal reactors, the visible light, Mn(2)(CO)(10)-photomediated initiation of vinylidene fluoride (bp = -83 °C) polymerization occurs readily from a variety of alkyl, semifluorinated, and perfluorinated halides at 40 °C, in low-pressure glass tubes and in a variety of solvents, including water and alkyl carbonates. Perfluorinated alkyl iodide initiators also induce a controlled radical polymerization via iodine degenerative transfer (IDT). While IDT proceeds with accumulation of the less reactive P(m)-CF(2)-CH(2)-I vs the P(n)-CH(2)-CF(2)-I chain ends, Mn(2)(CO)(10) enables their subsequent quantitative activation toward the synthesis of well-defined poly(vinylidene fluoride) block copolymers with a variety of other monomers.

End functionalized polymeric system derived from pyrrolidine provide high transfection efficiency

Chemical architecture and functionality play an important role in the physico-chemical properties of cationic polymers with applications as gene vectors. In this study, linear homopolymers of N-ethyl pyrrolidine methacrylamide (EPA), copolymers of EPA with N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and oligomers of EPA were synthesized, and the resulting structures were evaluated for their transfection efficiency as non-viral gene vectors. Specifically, polymer species with high and low molecular weights (120-2.6 kDa) and different functionalities (tertiary amines as side chains and primary amine as chain end) were prepared as non-crosslinked, linear homopolymers, copolymers and oligomers, respectively. Polymer/DNA complexes (polyplexes) formation was evaluated by agarose gel electrophoresis, showing that all systems complexed with DNA in all P/N ratios with the exception of the EPA homopolymer. Furthermore, light scattering measurements and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) showed different size (50-450 nm) and morphology depending on the composition and concentration of the polyplex systems. Cell viability and proliferation after contact with polymer and polyplexes were studied using 3T3 fibroblasts, and the systems showed an excellent biocompatibility at 2 and 4 days. Transfection studies were performed with plasmid Gaussian luciferase kit and were found that the highest transfection efficiency in serum free was obtained with oligomers from the P/N ratio of 1/6 to 1/10. Transfection values of the functionalized oligomers with respect to the control linear poly (dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) [poly (DMAEMA)] are very interesting in the presence of serum. Haemolysis for these polymers values below 1%, which provide attractive potential applications in gene therapy with these non-toxic readsorbable polymers.

Obtaining kinetic information from the chain-length distribution of polymers produced by RAFT

We describe a simple model for the kinetics and chain-length distribution of polymers made by living radical techniques. Living radical methods give good control over the molecular weight of a linear polymer by capping the growing end and forming a dormant chain. The polymer is predominantly capped, and occasionally decaps to form a radical that propagates for a short period before recapping. Our model uses this mechanism to describe the chain-length distribution of polymers made by living radical methods. We focus on oligomers made by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization as model systems. Our model can determine optimal reaction conditions for desired polymer properties and test hypotheses about reaction schemes by using only two parameters, with each parameter related to the kinetics. The first parameter is the mean number of monomers added when a chain decaps. A broad distribution results if many monomers are added upon decapping. The second parameter is the mean number of times a polymer decaps. Many decapping events indicate high monomer conversion. Our model gives kinetic information by directly fitting to an experimental chain-length distribution, which is the reverse of other kinetic models that generate the distribution from rate coefficients. Our approach has also the advantage of being simpler than previously published kinetic schemes, which use many rate coefficients as inputs. Our model was tested against three monomers (acrylic acid, butyl acrylate, and styrene) and two RAFT agents. In each case, we successfully describe the chain-length distribution, and give information about the kinetics, especially the probability of propagation versus deactivation by the RAFT mechanism. This excellent agreement with a priori expectations and quantum calculations makes our model a powerful tool for predicting the structure of polymers obtained by living radical polymerization.