Hyperbranched Polyesters: Synthesis, Characterization, and Molecular Simulations

Reconfiguration of Langmuir Monolayers of Thermo-Responsive Branched Ionic Polymers with LCST Transition

Thermo-responsive ionic polymers have the ability to form adaptive and switchable morphologies, which may offer enhanced control in energy storage and catalytic applications. Current thermo-responsive polymers are composed of covalently attached thermo-responsive moieties, restricting their mobility and global dynamic response. Here, we report the synthesis and assembly at the water-air interface of symmetric and asymmetric amphiphilic thermo-responsive branched polymers with weakly ionically bound arms of amine-terminated poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) macro-cations. As we observed, symmetric branched polymers formed multimolecular nanosized micellar assemblies, whereas corresponding asymmetric polymers formed large, interconnected worm-like aggregates. Dramatic changes in localized and large-scale chemical composition confirmed the reversible adsorption and desorption of the mobile PNIPAM macro-cations below and above the low critical solution temperature (LCST) and their non-uniform redistribution within polymer monolayer. Increasing the temperature above LCST led to the formation of large interconnected micellar aggregates because of the micelle-centered aggregation of the hydrophobized PNIPAM macro-cationic terminal chains in the aqueous subphase. Overall, this work provides insights into the dynamic nature of the chemical composition of branched ionic polymers with weakly ionically bound thermo-responsive terminal chains and its effect on both morphology and local/surface chemistry of monolayers at LCST transition.

Synthesis and characterization of fully biobased polyesters with tunable branched architectures

A series of sugar-derived triols and biobased diacids were combined to prepare fully biobased branched polyesters with different structural features by melt polycondensation.

Structure and Properties of PSf Hollow Fiber Membranes with Different Molecular Weight Hyperbranched Polyester Using Pentaerythritol as Core

A homologous series of hyperbranched polyesters (HBPEs) was successfully synthesized via an esterification reaction of 2,2-bis(methylol)propionic acid (bis-MPA) with pentaerythritol. The molecular weights of the HBPEs were 2160, 2660, 4150 and 5840 g/mol, respectively. These HBPEs were used as additives to prepare polysulfone (PSf) hollow fiber membranes via non-solvent induced phase separation. The characteristic behaviors of the casting solution were investigated, as well as the morphologies, hydrophilicity and mechanical properties of the PSf membranes. The results showed that the initial viscosities of the casting solutions were increased, and the shear-thinning phenomenon became increasingly obvious. The demixing rate first increased and then decreased when increasing the HBPE molecular weight, and the turning point was 2660 g/mol. The PSf hollow fiber membranes with different molecular weights of HBPEs had a co-existing morphology of double finger-like and sponge-like structures. The starting pure water contact angle decreased obviously, and the mechanical properties improved.

Synthesis of a novel glycerol based B3-type monomer and its application in hyperbranched polyester urethane–urea coatings

Renewable based poly(urethane–urea) coatings with high thermal stability (T_g – 124.9) were prepared from hyperbranched polyester polyol with the degree of branching almost equal to 66%.

Combinatorial approach to develop tailored biodegradable poly(xylitol dicarboxylate) polyesters

The objective of this work was to develop a versatile strategy for preparing biodegradable polymers with tunable properties for biomedical applications. A family of xylitol-based cross-linked polyesters was synthesized by melt condensation. The effect of systematic variation of chain length of the diacid, stoichiometric ratio, and postpolymerization curing time on the physicochemical properties was characterized. The degradation rate decreased as the chain length of the diacid increased. The polyesters synthesized by this approach possess a diverse spectrum of degradation (ranging from ∼4 to 100% degradation in 7 days), mechanical strength (from 0.5 to ∼15 MPa) and controlled release properties. The degradation was a first-order process and the rate constant of degradation decreased linearly as the hydrophobicity of the polyester increased. In controlled release studies, the order of diffusion increased with chain length and curing time. The polymers were found to be cytocompatible and are thus suitable for possible use as biodegradable polymers. This work demonstrates that this particular combinatorial approach to polymer synthesis can be used to prepare biomaterials with independently tunable properties.

Molecular dynamics investigation of the adhesion mechanism acting between dopamine and the surface of dopamine-processed aramid fibers

Dopamine, as a universal material for surface treatment, can effectively improve the surface performance of aramid fibers. However, directly processing the surface of aramid fibers using dopamine currently incurs a high cost. To seek dopamine substitutes, one must first explore the adhesion mechanism responsible for binding the dopamine to the surface of the fiber. In this study, we construct an all-atomic molecular dynamics model of an aramid fiber before and after surface modification using dopamine. A force field based on condensed-phase optimized molecular potentials for atomistic simulation studies (COMPASS) is used. Using it, we analyze the surface adhesion mechanism of polydopamines aggregated by 21 kinds of molecular structures typically found on the surface of aramid fibers. The results show that a clear and smooth interface is formed between the polydopamine nanofilm layer and the surface of the aramid fiber. The high atomic density of the polydopamine in the small interface region is found to be conducive to noncovalent bonds of polydopamines with the surface of the aramid fiber. In addition, we investigate the works of adhesion of the 21 molecular structures typically found on the surface of aramid fibers. The results suggest that the work of adhesion of 5,6-indolequinone is the highest, followed by annular eumelanin molecules with annular planar structure. Straight-chain shaped dimers proved to be the molecules with the highest adhesion ability of the dihydroxyindole chain oligomers. Therefore, there is reason to suppose that more molecular structures (as above) can be formed by processing the surface of aramid fibers using dopamine by controlling the processing conditions. These molecular structures help improve the adhesion ability of the dopamine on the surface of the aramid fiber. Additionally, if these polydopamine molecules with high adhesion ability can be synthesized on a large scale, then new surface-processing materials are possible.