Application of NMR spectroscopy in molecular weight determination of polymers

Compositional analysis of multilayered plastic constituents and constituent mixtures using benchtop 1H NMR spectroscopy

Multilayered plastics are widely used in food packaging and other commercial applications due to their tailored functional properties. By layering different polymers, the multilayered composite material can have enhanced mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties compared to a single plastic. However, there is a significant need to recycle these multilayer plastics, but their complex structure offers significant challenges to their successful recycling. Ultimately, the use and recycling of these complex materials requires the ability to characterize the composition and purity as a means of quality control for both production and recycling processes. New advances and availability of low-field benchtop 1H NMR spectrometers have led to increasing interest in its use for characterization of multicomponent polymers and polymer mixtures. Here, we demonstrate the capability of low-field benchtop 1H NMR spectroscopy for characterization of three common polymers associated with multilayered packaging systems (low-density polyethylene [LDPE], ethylene vinyl alcohol [EVOH], and Nylon) as well as their blends. Calibration curves are obtained for determining the unknown composition of EVOH and Nylon in multilayered packaging plastics using both the EVOH hydroxyl peak area and an observed peak shift, both yielding results in good agreement with the prepared sample compositions. Additionally, comparison of results extracted for the same samples characterized by our benchtop spectrometer and a 500-MHz spectrometer found results to be consistent and within 2 wt% on average. Overall, low-field benchtop 1H NMR spectroscopy is a reliable and accessible tool for characterization of these polymer systems.

A Tailored Thermosensitive PLGA-PEG-PLGA/Emulsomes Composite for Enhanced Oxcarbazepine Brain Delivery via the Nasal Route

The use of nanocarrier delivery systems for direct nose to brain drug delivery shows promise for achieving increased brain drug levels as compared to simple solution systems. An example of such nanocarriers is emulsomes formed from lipid cores surrounded and stabilised by a corona of phospholipids (PC) and a coating of Tween 80, which combines the properties of both liposomes and emulsions. Oxcarbazepine (OX), an antiepileptic drug, was entrapped in emulsomes and then localized in a poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA-PEG-PLGA) triblock copolymer thermogel. The incorporation of OX emulsomes in thermogels retarded drug release and increased its residence time (MRT) in rats. The OX-emulsome and the OX-emulsome-thermogel formulations showed in vitro sustained drug release of 81.1 and 53.5%, respectively, over a period of 24 h. The pharmacokinetic studies in rats showed transport of OX to the systemic circulation after nasal administration with a higher uptake in the brain tissue in case of OX-emulsomes and highest MRT for OX-emulsomal-thermogels as compared to the IN OX-emulsomes, OX-solution and Trileptal® suspension. Histopathological examination of nasal tissues showed a mild vascular congestion and moderate inflammatory changes around congested vessels compared to saline control, but lower toxic effect than that reported in case of the drug solution.

The Effect of Molecular Parameters on the Thermal Behavior of Recycled and Virgin Polyamides and Their Glass Fiber Composites

A study was carried out to evaluate the effects of molecular weight and molecular structure on non-isothermal crystallization behavior of recycled and virgin polyamides (PA) and their corresponding glass fiber (GF) composites. Two different recycled polyamides (PA), namely post-industrial waste (PIW) and post-consumer waste (PCW) were used. The former was obtained from a fiber manufacturer and the latter was recycled from used carpets. The molecular weights of the resins were measured by intrinsic viscosity (IV) measurements and 13carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR). The NMR technique also provided information on PA structure, cis and trans amide conformers content and residual unreacted monomer. Non-isothermal crystallization of the resins was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The molecular weights of recycled materials were higher than that of virgin injection molding grade PA-6. However, the crystallization rates (indicated by t1/2) of recycled resins were faster. It could be attributed to the presence of TiO2 in recycled materials. Moreover, the higher cis-amide conformer content of recycled resins suggested higher segmental mobility. On the other hand, the crystallization rate of composites based on recycled PA-6 was slower than that of composites based on the virgin PA-6. The suppression of crystallization rate was apparently due to PA-66 added during the preparation of reinforced recycled resins. This behavior was confirmed by model compounds based on PA-6/PA-66 blends.

Interfacial energy of polypeptide complex coacervates measured via capillary adhesion

A systematic study of the interfacial energy (γ) of polypeptide complex coacervates in aqueous solution was performed using a surface forces apparatus (SFA). Poly(L-lysine hydrochloride) (PLys) and poly(L-glutamic acid sodium salt) (PGA) were investigated as a model pair of oppositely charged weak polyelectrolytes. These two synthetic polypeptides of natural amino acids have identical backbones and differ only in their charged side groups. All experiments were conducted using equal chain lengths of PLys and PGA in order to isolate and highlight effects of the interactions of the charged groups during complexation. Complex coacervates resulted from mixing very dilute aqueous salt solutions of PLys and PGA. Two phases in equilibrium evolved under the conditions used: a dense polymer-rich coacervate phase and a dilute polymer-deficient aqueous phase. Capillary adhesion, associated with a coacervate meniscus bridge between two mica surfaces, was measured upon the separation of the two surfaces. This adhesion enabled the determination of the γ at the aqueous/coacervate phase interface. Important experimental factors affecting these measurements were varied and are discussed, including the compression force (1.3-35.9 mN/m) and separation speed (2.4-33.2 nm/s). Physical parameters of the system, such as the salt concentration (100-600 mM) and polypeptide chain length (N = 30, 200, and 400) were also studied. The γ of these polypeptide coacervates was separately found to decrease with both increasing salt concentration and decreasing polypeptide chain length. In most of the above cases, γ measurements were found to be very low, <1 mJ/m(2). Biocompatible complex coacervates with low γ have a strong potential for applications in surface coatings, adhesives, and the encapsulation of a wide range of materials.

Methylene crosslinked calix[6]arene hexacaarboxylic acid resin: a highly efficient solid phase extractant for decontamination of lead bearing effluents

Calixarene-based cation exchange resin has been developed by methylene crosslinking of calix[6]arene hexacarboxylic acid derivative and the resin has been exploited for solid phase extraction of some toxic heavy metal ions. The selectivity order of the resin towards some metal ions follows the order Pb(II) > Cu(II)> Zn(II), Ni(II), Co(II). The maximum lead ion binding capacity of the resin was found to be 1.30 mmol g(-1) resin. The loaded lead was quantitatively eluted with dilute acid solution regenerating the resin. Mutual separation of Pb(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) was achieved by using the column packed with the resin.

Characterization of hydrogels using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Literature relevant to characterization of hydrogels and cross-linked polymer networks using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has been extensively reviewed. After a brief introduction to the fundamentals of NMR spectroscopy, a variety of NMR techniques are considered, including 13C NMR of swollen polymer networks, end-group studies by 13C NMR with labelled initiators, spin-spin and spin-lattice relaxational studies to distinguish species based upon mobility, and characterization of specific interactions using the nuclear Overhauser effect. Finally, a brief treatment of the characterization of polymer structural quantities such as composition, tacticity and sequence distribution by NMR spectroscopic studies is presented. Although our discussion is representative rather than exhaustive, we are confident that this review will demonstrate the utility of NMR spectroscopy for characterization of hydrogel networks which have applications as biomaterials.