Structural studies of phase transitions in poly(di-n-alkylsiloxanes). 1. Poly(dimethylsiloxane) and poly(diethylsiloxane)

Structural characterization of poly(diethylsiloxane) in the crystalline, liquid crystalline and isotropic phases by solid-state 17O NMR spectroscopy and ab initio MO calculations

The structure of poly(diethylsiloxane) (PDES) has been characterized using solid-state NMR of (17)O. The sample studied had a weight-average molecular weight of 2.45 x 10(5). The sample was prepared by utilizing the cationic ring-opening polymerization of (17)O-enriched hexacyclotrisiloxane. Solid-state NMR of (17)O-enriched PDES was measured on the low-temperature beta(1) phase, the high-temperature beta(2) phase, the two-phase system consisting of the liquid crystal and isotropic liquid phase and the isotropic phase. From these data, the molecular structure and dynamics of PDES in the various phases were characterized via the chemical shifts of (17)O, and electric field gradient parameters were determined from NMR and ab initio molecular orbital (MO) calculations. In addition to the solid-state NMR of (1)H, (13)C and (29)Si previously reported on these samples, knowledge of the dynamic behavior of PDES as inferred from the NMR of (17)O in the present study was enhanced significantly. Further, the potential of combining the experimental NMR of (17)O with ab initio MO calculations to characterize the dynamics of polymers containing oxygen is demonstrated.

Physico-chemical properties of a rifampicin-releasing polydimethylsiloxane shunt

Infection of implanted polymeric devices is a major problem in modern medicine. Silicone shunts were modified in order to prevent microbial colonization by incorporating rifampicin. The release mechanism and the altered properties of the silicone were studied. Release rates of rifampicin out of the polymeric shunt materia were measured in vitro for up to 60 d. For high velocity of rifampicin in the polymeric matrix and long-lasting controlled release rates, high compatibility of polymer and drug was required. Compatibility and therefore miscibility of drug and polymer were estimated by reduced solubility and cohesion energy densities (Hansen parameter, solubility parameter delta). Mechanical properties of the polymer were influenced by incorporation of small drug amounts, characterized by stress-strain curves. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements suggested thermodynamically controlled interaction of the macromolecules with the incorporated substance. The physico-chemical state of the drug in the internal phase and the surface of the polymer was studied by scanning electron micrography (SEM), showing homogeneous molecular dispersion of the drug in the polymeric material as well as crystalline structures on the surface.