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Levin I, Radulescu A, Liberman L, Cohen Y. Block Copolymer Adsorption on the Surface of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Dispersion in N, N Dimethyl Formamide. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:838. [PMID: 36903716 PMCID: PMC10004759 DOI: 10.3390/nano13050838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This research aims to characterize the adsorption morphology of block copolymer dispersants of the styrene-block-4-vinylpyridine family (S4VP) on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in a polar organic solvent, N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF). Good, unagglomerated dispersion is important in several applications such as fabricating CNT nanocomposites in a polymer film for electronic or optical devices. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements, using the contrast variation (CV) method, are used to evaluate the density and extension of the polymer chains adsorbed on the nanotube surface, which can yield insight into the means of successful dispersion. The results show that the block copolymers adsorb onto the MWCNT surface as a continuous coverage of low polymer concentration. Poly(styrene) (PS) blocks adsorb more tightly, forming a 20 Å layer containing about 6 wt.% PS, whereas poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) blocks emanate into the solvent, forming a thicker shell (totaling 110 Å in radius) but of very dilute (<1 wt.%) polymer concentration. This indicates strong chain extension. Increasing the PS molecular weight increases the thickness of the adsorbed layer but decreases the overall polymer concentration within it. These results are relevant for the ability of dispersed CNTs to form a strong interface with matrix polymers in composites, due to the extension of the 4VP chains allowing for entanglement with matrix chains. The sparse polymer coverage of the CNT surface may provide sufficient space to form CNT-CNT contacts in processed films and composites, which are important for electrical or thermal conductivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irena Levin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Aurel Radulescu
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS-4) at Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ), D-85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Lucy Liberman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Yachin Cohen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
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Patel D, Patel D, Ray D, Kuperkar K, Aswal VK, Bahadur P. Single and mixed Pluronics® micelles with solubilized hydrophobic additives: Underscoring the aqueous solution demeanor and micellar transition. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.117625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Zhou Y, Firkowska-Boden I, Arras MML, Jandt KD. Polystyrene Homopolymer Enhances Dispersion of MWCNTs Stabilized in Solution by a PS- b-P2VP Copolymer. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:391-399. [PMID: 33356302 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c03042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Block copolymers (BCPs) have previously been identified as powerful multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) dispersants in solution. However, relatively high costs and limited dispersibility hinder the use of BCPs in large-scale practical applications. Partial replacement of BCP with a low-cost homopolymer (HP) offers a promising approach to produce cost-effective MWNCT dispersions. The effect of HP/BCP blends on MWNCT dispersion degree and stability has yet to be elucidated. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that HP-induced BCP micelle size variation affects MWCNT dispersibility. Here, blends of the BCP poly(styrene)-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) and the HP polystyrene (PS) were applied to examine BCP micelles' size dependence on the MWCNT dispersion degree. Light microscopy results showed that using HP/BCP blends, MWCNT dispersion was enhanced by up to 263% compared to pure BCP at a constant weight ratio of BCP to MWCNTs. Based on the correlation of increased MWCNT dispersion degree with increased BCP micelle size, as revealed by dynamic light scattering, an MWCNT dispersion mechanism is proposed. The mechanism includes a rationale for the unexpected finding that HP PS swells the BCP micelle's PS corona in a good solvent for PS. Using HP to increase MWCNT dispersion is a promising approach with possible applications in the production of high-performance composite materials. This holds especially for formulations of practical relevance where often (BCP) dispersants are only one of many components in the material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zhou
- Chair of Materials Science, Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Löbdergraben 32, 07743 Jena, Germany
- School of Materials Engineering, Xi'an Aeronautical University, Xi'an 710077, P.R. China
| | - Izabela Firkowska-Boden
- Chair of Materials Science, Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Löbdergraben 32, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Matthias M L Arras
- Chair of Materials Science, Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Löbdergraben 32, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Klaus D Jandt
- Chair of Materials Science, Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Löbdergraben 32, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
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Lee H. Molecular Simulations of PEGylated Biomolecules, Liposomes, and Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Applications. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E533. [PMID: 32531886 PMCID: PMC7355693 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12060533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the first polyethylene glycol (PEG)ylated protein was approved by the FDA in 1990, PEGylation has been successfully applied to develop drug delivery systems through experiments, but these experimental results are not always easy to interpret at the atomic level because of the limited resolution of experimental techniques. To determine the optimal size, structure, and density of PEG for drug delivery, the structure and dynamics of PEGylated drug carriers need to be understood close to the atomic scale, as can be done using molecular dynamics simulations, assuming that these simulations can be validated by successful comparisons to experiments. Starting with the development of all-atom and coarse-grained PEG models in 1990s, PEGylated drug carriers have been widely simulated. In particular, recent advances in computer performance and simulation methodologies have allowed for molecular simulations of large complexes of PEGylated drug carriers interacting with other molecules such as anticancer drugs, plasma proteins, membranes, and receptors, which makes it possible to interpret experimental observations at a nearly atomistic resolution, as well as help in the rational design of drug delivery systems for applications in nanomedicine. Here, simulation studies on the following PEGylated drug topics will be reviewed: proteins and peptides, liposomes, and nanoparticles such as dendrimers and carbon nanotubes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwankyu Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Korea
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Fernandes RMF, Dai J, Regev O, Marques EF, Furó I. Block Copolymers as Dispersants for Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: Modes of Surface Attachment and Role of Block Polydispersity. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:13672-13679. [PMID: 30335395 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b02658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
When using amphiphilic polymers to exfoliate and disperse carbon nanotubes in water, the balance between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties is critical and nontrivial. Here, we investigate the mode of surface attachment of a triblock copolymer, Pluronics F127, composed of a central hydrophobic polypropylene oxide block flanked by hydrophilic polyethylene oxide blocks, onto single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Crucially, we analyze the composition in dispersant of both the as-obtained dispersion (the supernatant) and the precipitate-containing undispersed materials. For this, we combine the carefully obtained data from 1H NMR peak intensities and self-diffusion and thermogravimetric analysis. The molecular motions behind the observed NMR features are clarified. We find that the hydrophobic blocks attach to the dispersed SWNT surface and remain significantly immobilized leading to 1H NMR signal loss. On the other hand, the hydrophilic blocks remain highly mobile and thus readily detectable by NMR. The dispersant is shown to possess significant block polydispersity that has a large effect on dispersibility. Polymers with large hydrophobic blocks adsorb on the surface of the carbonaceous particles that precipitate, indicating that although a larger hydrophobic block is good for enhancing adsorption, it may be less effective in dispersing the tubes. A model is also proposed that consistently explains our observations in SWNT dispersions and some contradicting findings obtained previously in carbon nanohorn dispersions. Overall, our findings help elucidating the molecular picture of the dispersion process for SWNTs and are of interest when looking for more effective (i.e., well-balanced) polymeric dispersants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo M F Fernandes
- Division of Applied Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry , KTH Royal Institute of Technology , SE-10044 Stockholm , Sweden
- CIQUP, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences , University of Porto , P-4169-007 Porto , Portugal
| | - Jing Dai
- Division of Applied Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry , KTH Royal Institute of Technology , SE-10044 Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Oren Regev
- Department of Chemical Engineering and the Ilse Katz Institute for Nanotechnology , Ben-Gurion University of Negev , 84105 Beer-Sheva , Israel
| | - Eduardo F Marques
- CIQUP, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences , University of Porto , P-4169-007 Porto , Portugal
| | - István Furó
- Division of Applied Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry , KTH Royal Institute of Technology , SE-10044 Stockholm , Sweden
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Arras MM, He B, Jandt KD. High molar mass amphiphilic block copolymer enables alignment and dispersion of unfunctionalized carbon nanotubes in melt-drawn thin-films. POLYMER 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2017.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Liang C, Wang B, Chen J, Yong Q, Huang Y, Liao B. Dispersion of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Polymers with Carbazole Pendants. J Phys Chem B 2017; 121:8408-8416. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b05481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Caizhen Liang
- Key
Laboratory of Cellulose and Lignocellulosics Chemistry, Guangzhou
Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, P.R. China
| | - Bin Wang
- Key
Laboratory of Cellulose and Lignocellulosics Chemistry, Guangzhou
Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, P.R. China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Key
Laboratory of Cellulose and Lignocellulosics Chemistry, Guangzhou
Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, P.R. China
| | - Qiwen Yong
- Key
Laboratory of Cellulose and Lignocellulosics Chemistry, Guangzhou
Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, P.R. China
| | - Yuewen Huang
- Key
Laboratory of Cellulose and Lignocellulosics Chemistry, Guangzhou
Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, P.R. China
| | - Bing Liao
- Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, P.R. China
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Bodratti AM, Sarkar B, Alexandridis P. Adsorption of poly(ethylene oxide)-containing amphiphilic polymers on solid-liquid interfaces: Fundamentals and applications. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2017; 244:132-163. [PMID: 28069108 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2016.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The adsorption of amphiphilic molecules of varying size on solid-liquid interfaces modulates the properties of colloidal systems. Nonionic, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based amphiphilic molecules are particularly useful because of their graded hydrophobic-hydrophilic nature, which allows for adsorption on a wide array of solid surfaces. Their adsorption also results in other useful properties, such as responsiveness to external stimuli and solubilization of hydrophobic compounds. This review focuses on the adsorption properties of PEO-based amphiphiles, beginning with a discussion of fundamental concepts pertaining to the adsorption of macromolecules on solid-liquid interfaces, and more specifically the adsorption of PEO homopolymers. The main portion of the review highlights studies on factors affecting the adsorption and surface self-assembly of PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymers, where PPO is poly(propylene oxide). Block copolymers of this type are commercially available and of interest in several fields, due to their low toxicity and compatibility in aqueous systems. Examples of applications relevant to the interfacial behavior of PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymers are paints and coatings, detergents, filtration, and drug delivery. The methods discussed herein for manipulating the adsorption properties of PEO-PPO-PEO are emphasized for their ability to shed light on molecular interactions at interfaces. Knowledge of these interactions guides the formulation of novel materials with useful mesoscale organization and micro- and macrophase properties.
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Cheng J, Pu H, Du J. A processing method with high efficiency for low density polyethylene nanofibers reinforced by aligned carbon nanotubes via nanolayer coextrusion. POLYMER 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2017.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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