Sterically and electrosterically stabilized emulsion polymerization. Kinetics and preparation

Kinetic detection of hydrogen peroxide in single horseradish peroxidase-concentrated silica particle using confocal fluorescence microspectroscopic measurement

In the present study, we propose a scheme for detecting H2O2 by using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) adsorbed onto single silica particles and fluorescence microspectroscopy. When the silica particles were immersed in an HRP solution, the HRP concentration in the silica particles increased by a factor of 690 compared to that in the bulk aqueous solution because HRP was adsorbed on the silica surface. When a single particle containing HRP was added to a mixed solution of H2O2 and Amplex Red, fluorescence from resorufin, which was produced by the reaction of HRP, H2O2, and Amplex Red, was observed. The fluorescence from the resorufin in the particles increased after a single particle was added to the solution, and the release of resorufin was observed. As the concentration of H2O2 (CH2O2) decreased, the time it takes for fluorescence intensity to reach its maximum was shorter. The detection limit for H2O2 in the present system was 980 nM. The reaction behavior of a single silica particle was evaluated using a spherical diffusion model, which explains the approximate concentration change of resorufin in the silica particle. The proposed method has the advantages of simple sample preparation and detection, low sample consumption, and a short detection time.

Controllable Regulation of Diesel Oil-in-Water Pickering Emulsion Stability by Multiresponsive Recyclable Magnetic Polymer Brush Microvessels

To ensure safety and efficiency in the production and transportation of fuel oil, there is an urgent demand to develop intelligent emulsifiers to deal with this challenge. Fe3O4@PDA-P(NIPAM-b-MAA-b-LMA) (MNPDNML) microspheres were prepared by modifying polydopamine and the triblock polymer brush P(NIPAM-b-MAA-b-LMA) on the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles via oxidative autopolymerization and SI-RAFT polymerization. Therefore, the MNPDNML microspheres exhibited sensitive stimulus-responsive behavior to pH, temperature, near-infrared (NIR) laser radiation, and magnetic fields. The stability state of the emulsion could be modulated by changing pH, temperature, magnetic field, and NIR radiation, and the reversible switching of emulsification/breaking behavior could be reached at least 10 times. This "intelligent emulsifier" exhibited high emulsification efficiency, long-term stability, and on-demand emulsification/breaking properties. It was notable that MNPDNML microspheres showed excellent emulsification ability for olive oil, kerosene, gasoline, and crude oil, which allowed the material to be widely used in the controlled transportation and separation of fuel oil.

Modulating Phase Behavior in Fatty Acid-Modified Elastin-like Polypeptides (FAMEs): Insights into the Impact of Lipid Length on Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Phase Separation

Although post-translational lipidation is prevalent in eukaryotes, its impact on the liquid-liquid phase separation of disordered proteins is still poorly understood. Here, we examined the thermodynamic phase boundaries and kinetics of aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) formation for a library of elastin-like polypeptides modified with saturated fatty acids of different chain lengths. By systematically altering the physicochemical properties of the attached lipids, we were able to correlate the molecular properties of lipids to changes in the thermodynamic phase boundaries and the kinetic stability of droplets formed by these proteins. We discovered that increasing the chain length lowers the phase separation temperature in a sigmoidal manner due to alterations in the unfavorable interactions between protein and water and changes in the entropy of phase separation. Our kinetic studies unveiled remarkable sensitivity to lipid length, which we propose is due to the temperature-dependent interactions between lipids and the protein. Strikingly, we found that the addition of just a single methylene group is sufficient to allow tuning of these interactions as a function of temperature, with proteins modified with C7-C9 lipids exhibiting non-Arrhenius dependence in their phase separation, a behavior that is absent for both shorter and longer fatty acids. This work advances our theoretical understanding of protein-lipid interactions and opens avenues for the rational design of lipidated proteins in biomedical paradigms, where precise control over the phase separation is pivotal.

What is the role of PEO chains in the assembly of core-corona supraparticles in aqueous dispersions?

Hypothesis The assembly of core-corona supraparticles in aqueous dispersions has been regularly assisted by auxiliary monomers/oligomers which modify the individual particles with, e.g., surface grafting of polyethylene oxide (PEO) chains or other hydrophilic monomers. However, this modification complicates the preparation and purification procedures and increases potential upscaling efforts. Hybrid polymer-silica core-corona supracolloids could be more simply assembled if the PEO chains from surfactants, typically used by default as polymer stabilizers, concomitantly act as assembly promotors. The supracolloids assembly could therefore be more easily achieved without requiring particles functionalization or post-purification steps. Methods The self-assembly of supracolloidal particles prepared with PEO-surfactant stabilized (Triton X-405) and/or PEO-grafted polymer particles is compared to differentiate the roles of the PEO chains in the assembly of core-corona supraparticles. Using time-resolved dynamic light scattering (DLS) and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy(cryo-TEM), the effect of concentration of PEO chains (from surfactant) on the kinetics and dynamics of supracolloids assembly is investigated. Self-consistent field (SCF) lattice theory was used to numerically study the distribution of PEO chains at the interfaces present in the supracolloidal dispersions. Findings The PEO based surfactant can be used as assembly promoter of core-corona hybrid supracolloids due to its amphiphilic nature and via establishing hydrophobic interactions. The concentration of the PEO surfactant, and especially the PEO chains distribution over the different interfaces, crucially affect the supracolloids assembly. A simplified pathway for preparing hybrid supracolloidal particles with a well-controlled corona coverage over polymer cores is presented.

Nanostructured Systems Improve the Antimicrobial Potential of the Essential Oil from Cymbopogon densiflorus Leaves

The physicochemical characteristics of nanostructured suspensions are important prerequisites for the success of new drug development. This work aimed to develop nanometric systems containing Cymbopogon densiflorus leaf essential oil and to evaluate their antimicrobial activity. The essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation from leaves and analyzed by GC-MS. The main constituents were found to be trans-p-mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol, cis-p-mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol, trans-p-mentha-1(7),8-dien-2-ol, cis-piperitol, and cis-p-mentha-1(7),8-dien-2-ol. In silico prediction analysis suggested that this oil possesses antimicrobial potential and the main mechanism of action might be the peptidoglycan glycosyltransferase inhibition. Nanoemulsions were prepared by the phase inversion method, and liposomes were made by the film hydration method. Qualitative evaluation of the antimicrobial activity was performed by the diffusion disk assay with 24 microorganisms; all of them were found to be sensitive to the essential oil. Subsequently, this property was quantified by the serial microdilution technique, where the nanoformulations demonstrated improved activity in comparison with the free oil. Bactericidal action was tested by the propidium iodide method, which revealed that free essential oil and nanoemulsion increased cytoplasmic membrane permeability, while no difference was observed between negative control and liposome. These results were confirmed by images obtained using transmission electron microscopy. This study has shown an optimization in the antimicrobial activity of C. densiflorus essential oil by a nanoemulsion and a liposomal formulation of the active substances.

Interferon-gamma carrying nanoemulsion with immunomodulatory and anti-tumor activities

The therapeutic administration of cytokines has been introduced aiming to modulate the immune response system, seeking for different approaches to face pathologies such as cancer, auto immune and infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a stable oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsion system carrying the cytokine Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) on the activity of phagocytes and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Nanoemulsions were prepared through ultra-homogenization, and they consisted of distilled water, triglycerides of capric acid/caprylic, sorbitan-oleate, polysorbate 80, and 1-butanol. IFN-γ (100 ng ml^-1 ) was incorporated into two O/W nanoemulsion formulations, and these formulations were characterized in terms of their preliminary and accelerated physicochemical stability, rheological properties, droplet size, polydispersity and surface charge. We identified the most optimal IFN-γ nanoemulsion (IFN-γNE2), which remained stable under extreme temperature variations for 90 days, contained an average dose of 97 ng ml^-1 of IFN-γ and exhibited a biocompatible pH and a relative stable rheological profile. Cell viability and intracellular Ca²⁺ release assays conducted showed that IFN-γNE2 reduced the cell viability of MCF-7 cells without affecting the cell viability of phagocytes. Furthermore, IFN-γNE2 was able to induce cellular activity of phagocytes as evidenced by increased intracellular Ca²⁺ release in these cells. Our findings on this IFN-γ nanoemulsion suggest that it can be a promising therapeutic agent for immunostimulation and cancer treatment.

One-Pot Synthesis of Waterborne Polymeric Dispersions Stabilized with Alkali-Soluble Resins

Alkali-soluble resins (ASRs) are a type of electrosteric emulsifiers of high interest because they can profitably improve the features of waterborne dispersions. In this work, they have been synthesized in-situ through a one-pot approach and they have been used as polymeric surfactants for a second emulsion polymerization step in the same reactor. This strategy provides some advantages compared to other polymerization techniques, like the intensification of the process and the absence of organic solvents. Their use can also further reduce the environmental impact of formulations for film-forming applications, since grafting reactions with the particles have been observed and quantified in relation with the synthetic parameters. These chemical linkages with the particles may reduce the leaching and the release of surfactants from polymeric films, for example in water-based coatings or adhesives. The systems have been also studied from the kinetics point of view, finding relevant differences with other electrosterically stabilized processes from the literature, as well as concerns the nucleation mechanism.

Polyamine-functional sterically stabilized latexes for covalently cross-linkable colloidosomes

Sterically stabilized polystyrene latexes were prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization using a poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) stabilizer in the presence of 4-vinylbenzyl chloride (4-VBC; 1.0 wt % based on styrene). Partial quaternization of the amine groups on the PEI chains by 4-VBC occurs in situ, hence producing a chemically grafted steric stabilizer. Such 4-VBC-modified PEI chains were grafted more efficiently onto the polystyrene particles than unmodified PEI, as judged by aqueous electrophoresis, XPS, and nitrogen microanalysis. Moreover, partially quaternized PEI gave significantly smaller polystyrene particles than those synthesized in the absence of any PEI stabilizer or those synthesized using unmodified PEI. The partially quaternized PEI-stabilized polystyrene latex proved to be an effective emulsifier at pH 9, forming stable oil-in-water Pickering emulsions when homogenized (12,000 rpm, 2 min, 20 °C) with four model oils, namely, n-dodecane, methyl myristate, isononyl isononanoate, and sunflower oil. The primary and/or secondary amine groups on the PEI stabilizer chains were successfully cross-linked using three commercially available polymeric reagents, namely, tolylene 2,4-diisocyanate-terminated poly(propylene glycol) (PPG-TDI), poly(propylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PPG-DGE), or poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEG-DGE). Cross-linking with the former reagent led to robust colloidosomes that survived the removal of the internal oil phase on washing with excess alcohol, as judged by optical microscopy and SEM. PPG-TDI reacted very rapidly with the PEI stabilizer chains, with cross-linking being achieved during homogenization. Well-defined colloidosomes could be formed only by using sunflower oil and isononyl isononanoate with this cross-linker at 20 °C. However, cooling to 0 °C allowed colloidosomes to be formed using n-dodecane, presumably because of the slower rate of cross-linking at this reduced temperature. PPG-DGE proved to be a more generic cross-linker because it formed robust colloidosomes with all four model oils. However, cross-linking was much slower than that achieved using PPG-TDI, with intact colloidosomes being formed only after ∼12 h at 20 °C. The PEG-DGE cross-linker allowed cross-linking to be conducted at 20 °C from the aqueous phase (rather from within the oil droplets for the oil-soluble PPG-TDI or PPG-DGE cross-linkers). In this case, well-defined colloidosomes were obtained at 50 vol % with surprisingly little intercolloidosome aggregation, as judged by laser diffraction studies.

Controllable synthesis of new polymerizable macrosurfactants via CCTP and RAFT techniques and investigation of their performance in emulsion polymerization

We reported herein the synthesis of poly(methacrylic acid)-b-poly(butyl acrylate) (PMAA-b-PBA) block copolymers (surfmers) and their performance as novel polymerizable macrosurfactants in emulsion polymerization. The surfmers bearing terminal unsaturated carbon-carbon double bonds were first successfully designed and sythesized via catalytic chain transfer polymerization (CCTP) and radical addition-fragmentation polymerization (RAFT) techniques. The structures of surfmers were characterized by Raman spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The critical micelle concentration of surfmers was determined. Subsequently, the surfmers were used as emulsifier to prepare polyacrylate latexes (PA-surf). The influence of the surfmer concentration as well as PMAA and PBA chain segment ratios of surfmer on their performance in emulsion polymerization was discussed thoroughly. The particle size, amount of coagulum, and stability against electrolyte solutions of the latexes were evaluated. Also, the relations between monomer conversion in emulsion polymerization, polymerization rate, emulsion particle size, surface tension, and reaction time were investigated, which showed some interesting information for the probable mechanism underlying this emulsion polymerization system. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectra (ATR FT-IR) were performed to investigate the surface morphology and component distribution of the latex films. The results show high efficiency of these surfmers in emulsion polymerization, suggesting that the resultant PMAA-b-PBA block copolymers act not only as the emulsifier but also as the stabilizer of monomer droplets as well as the so-called comonomer.

Osmosis based method drives the self-assembly of polymeric chains into micro- and nanostructures

Polymers derived from monomers with a variety of functionalities provide materials with a vast range of properties and applications. Worldwide research has recently developed a wide number of methods suitable for the preparation of polymeric materials of nanometric dimensions, in view of the fact that, at the nanoscale level, new and unexpected properties emerge and lead to innovative applications. In this framework, we have exploited an easy method for the generation of nanostructures, regardless of the chemical structure of the pristine amorphous polymers, that is, biopolymers (e.g., polysaccharides) and synthetic, functional, and structural polymers (i.e, polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylates, polyacetylenes, and polymetallaynes). The nanostructure of these macromolecules, considered as the prototypes of various classes of polymeric materials, was achieved by using a simple and versatile procedure based on an osmotic method (OBM). Depending on the choice of solvent/nonsolvent pairs, the dialysis membrane molecular weight cutoff (MWCO), temperature, and polymer concentration, different morphologies can be obtained (e.g., spheres, sponges, disks, and fibers); also, a tuning of the nanoparticle dimensions ranging from the micro- to nanoscale has been obtained.

The Emulsion Polymerization of Each of Vinyl Acetate and Butyl Acrylate Monomers Using bis (2-ethylhexyl) Maleate for Improving the Physicomechanical Properties of Paints and Adhesive Films

Improving the water sensitivity of polyvinyl acetate PVAc films as well as pressure sensitivity, adhesion and washability of polybutyl acrylate were achieved by using bis (2-ethylhexyl) maleate (BEHM). The emulsion polymerization kinetics of vinyl acetate and butyl acrylate in presence of BEHM was studied. The order of the polymerization reaction with respect to the BEHM in presence of each of vinyl acetate and butyl acrylate was studied. The physicomechanical properties of the polyvinyl acetate films and vinyl acetate-butyl acrylate copolymer films were studied in presence of BEHM and the obtained results were matched with those prepared in the presence of pluronic F 108 and showed superior values. The obtained mean average molecular weights were found to be smaller in presence of BEHM assuring the presence of chain transfer reaction.

Hydrogel coated monoliths for enzymatic hydrolysis of penicillin G

The objective of this work was to develop a hydrogel-coated monolith for the entrapment of penicillin G acylase (E. coli, PGA). After screening of different hydrogels, chitosan was chosen as the carrier material for the preparation of monolithic biocatalysts. This protocol leads to active immobilized biocatalysts for the enzymatic hydrolysis of penicillin G (PenG). The monolithic biocatalyst was tested in a monolith loop reactor (MLR) and compared with conventional reactor systems using free PGA, and a commercially available immobilized PGA. The optimal immobilization protocol was found to be 5 g l⁻¹ PGA, 1% chitosan, 1.1% glutaraldehyde and pH 7. Final PGA loading on glass plates was 29 mg ml⁻¹ gel. For 400 cpsi monoliths, the final PGA loading on functionalized monoliths was 36 mg ml⁻¹ gel. The observed volumetric reaction rate in the MLR was 0.79 mol s⁻¹ m⁻³_monolith. Apart from an initial drop in activity due to wash out of PGA at higher ionic strength, no decrease in activity was observed after five subsequent activity test runs. The storage stability of the biocatalysts is at least a month without loss of activity. Although the monolithic biocatalyst as used in the MLR is still outperformed by the current industrial catalyst (immobilized preparation of PGA, 4.5 mol s⁻¹ m⁻³_catalyst), the rate per gel volume is slightly higher for monolithic catalysts. Good activity and improved mechanical strength make the monolithic bioreactor an interesting alternative that deserves further investigation for this application. Although moderate internal diffusion limitations have been observed inside the gel beads and in the gel layer on the monolith channel, this is not the main reason for the large differences in reactor performance that were observed. The pH drop over the reactor as a result of the chosen method for pH control results in a decreased performance of both the MLR and the packed bed reactor compared to the batch system. A different reactor configuration including an optimal pH profile is required to increase the reactor performance. The monolithic stirrer reactor would be an interesting alternative to improve the performance of the monolith-PGA combination.

Aqueous latex/ceramic nanoparticle dispersions: colloidal stability and coating properties

The effect of pH on the colloidal stability of aqueous dispersions containing antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) or indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles and poly(vinyl acetate-acrylic) copolymer (PVAc-co-acrylic) latex particles was investigated using experimental observations and Derjiaguin, Landau, Verwey and Overbeek (DLVO) theory. The microstructure, electrical properties and optical properties of composite coatings prepared from various dispersions were also studied. Zeta potential measurements revealed that the isoelectric point (IEP) of ATO nanoparticles was below pH 2.0, that of ITO nanoparticles was at pH approximately 6.0 and that of PVAc-co-acrylic latex was at pH approximately 2.0. ATO/PVAc-co-acrylic dispersions prepared at pH 3 were stable, but those prepared at pH 1.5 formed aggregates, which settled quickly with time. DLVO theory predictions are in accord with these results. Stable ITO/PVAc-co-acrylic dispersions are obtained at a pH of 3.0 and 11.0, but dispersions are not stable at a pH of 6.0, the IEP of ITO. At a pH of 3.0, DLVO results predict attraction between ITO particles and latex particles. Dispersion pH affected the microstructures and properties of ATO (or ITO)/PVAc-co-acrylic coatings. Suspensions that formed aggregates produced coatings with lower percolation thresholds and lower transparencies than those produced from stable suspensions.

On the inverse miniemulsion copolymerization and terpolymerization of acrylamide, N, N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) and methacrylic acid

The kinetics of free-radical copolymerization and terpolymerization of acrylamide (AAm), N, N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBA) and methacrylic acid (MA) in the inverse water/monomer/cyclohexane/Tween 85 miniemulsion was investigated. Polymerizable sterically-stable miniemulsions were formulated in cyclohexane as a continuous medium. Polymerizations are very fast and reach the final conversion within several minutes. The dependence of the polymerization rate vs. conversion is described by a curve with two nonstationary rate intervals. The maximum rate of polymerization slightly increases with increasing concentration of crosslinking monomer (MBA) and strongly decreases by the addition of MA. The rate of polymerization is inversely proportional to the 0.9th and 1.8th power of the particle concentration without and with MA, respectively. The number of polymer particles is inversely proportional to the 0.18th and 0.13th power of MBA concentration. The kinetic and colloidal parameters of the miniemulsion polymerization are discussed in terms of microemulsion polymerization model.