Synthesis and Functionalities of Poly(N-vinylalkylamide). 13. Synthesis and Properties of Thermal and pH Stimuli-Responsive Poly(vinylamine) Copolymers

Characterization and Performance Analysis of Hydrolyzed versus Non-Hydrolyzed Poly(NVF-co-HEA) Hydrogels for Cosmetic Applications

This study explores the synthesis and modification of poly(N-vinylformamide-co-N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide) (poly(NVF-co-HEA)) hydrogels for cosmetic applications. Poly(NVF-co-HEA) hydrogels were produced followed by an acid hydrolysis reaction to produce poly(NVF-co-VAm-co-HEA) hydrogels, introducing poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm) into the structure. This modification considerably alters the hydrogels' properties, yielding materials with over 96% water content, predominantly in the form of non-freezing or free water, which is beneficial in the uptake and release of hydrophilic species. The primary amine groups from inclusion of VAm also improved the mechanical properties, as evidenced by an 8-fold increase in Young's modulus. The hydrogels also possessed pH-responsive behavior, which was particularly noticeable under acidic and basic conditions, where a large decrease in water content was observed (40% to 75% reduction). Characterizing the hydrogels' release capabilities involved using organic dyes of different functional groups and sizes to examine the pH impact on release. The results indicated that hydrolyzed hydrogels interacted more effectively with charged species, highlighting their suitability for pH-responsive delivery. The release of cosmetic active ingredients was also demonstrated through the controlled release of Liquid Azelaic™, specifically potassium azeloyl diglycinate (PAD). Our findings reveal that the hydrolyzed hydrogels exhibit superior burst release, especially under alkaline conditions, suggesting their suitability for cosmetic applications where controlled, pH-responsive delivery of active ingredients is desired. Overall, this investigation highlights the potential of hydrolyzed poly(NVF-co-HEA) hydrogels in cosmetic applications. Their ability to combine high water content with mechanical integrity, along with their pH-responsive release ability, allows for use in cosmetic formulations.

Thermoresponsive and co-nonsolvency behavior of poly(N-vinyl isobutyramide) and poly(N-isopropyl methacrylamide) as poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) analogs in aqueous media

Sets of the nonionic polymers poly(N-vinyl isobutyramide) (pNVIBAm) and poly(N-isopropyl methacrylamide) (pNIPMAm) are synthesized by radical polymerization covering the molar mass range from about 20,000 to 150,000 kg mol−1, and their thermoresponsive and solvent-responsive behaviors in aqueous solution are studied. Both polymers feature a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) apparently of the rare so-called type II, as characteristic for their well-studied analogue poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (pNIPAm). Moreover, in analogy to pNIPAm, both polymers exhibit co-nonsolvency behavior in mixtures of water with several co-solvents, including short-chain alcohols as well as a range of polar aprotic solvents. While the cloud points of the aqueous solutions are a few degrees higher than those for pNIPAm and increase in the order pNIPAm < pNVIBAm < pNIPMAm, the co-nonsolvency behavior becomes less pronounced in the order pNIPAm > pNVIBAm > pNIPMAm. Exceptionally, pNIPMAm does not show co-nonsolvency in mixtures of water and N,N-dimethylformamide.

Graphical Abstract

An environmentally benign post-polymerization functionalization strategy towards unprecedented poly(vinylamine) polyHIPEs

Interconnected highly porous poly(vinylamine) monoliths are produced by post-polymerization hydrolysis of emulsion-templated poly(N-vinylformamide) polyHIPEs (polymerized high internal phase emulsions).

Transiently thermoresponsive polymers and their applications in biomedicine

The focus of this review is on the class of transiently thermoresponsive polymers. These polymers are thermoresponsive, but gradually lose this property upon chemical transformation - often a hydrolysis reaction - in the polymer side chain or backbone. An overview of the different approaches used for the design of these polymers along with their physicochemical properties is given. Their amphiphilic properties and degradability into fully soluble compounds make this class of responsive polymers attractive for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. Examples of these are also provided in this review.

Thermo- and pH-Responsive, Coacervate-Forming Hyperbranched Poly(β-amino ester)s for Selective Cell Binding

We report a new type of thermo- and pH-responsive, coacervate-forming highly degradable polymer-hyperbranched poly(β-amino esters) (HPAEs) and its selective cell binding behaviors. The HPAEs were synthesized from 5-amino-1-pentanol (S5) and trimethylolpropane ethoxylate triacrylate (TMPETA) via an A2+B3 type Michael addition. The existence of multiple hydrogen bond pairs as well as tertiary amines makes the S5-TMPETA polymers manifest temperature- and pH-dependent phase transition. By varying the length of the ethylene glycol (EG) spacers in the TMPETA, polymer molecular weight, concentration, and pH value, the phase transition of the S5-TMPETA can be easily tuned in aqueous and buffer solutions, as evidenced by UV-vis spectroscopy and DLS measurements. Especially, the S5-TMPETA prepared from S5 and trimethylolpropane ethoxylate triacrylate 692 (S5-TMPETA692) shows a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) around 33 °C, above which the S5-TMPTEA can form coacervate particles able to encapsulate functional molecules effectively. Importantly, when incubation with HeLa cells, the S5-TMPTETA692 exhibits a temperature- and pH-responsive selective cell binding behaviors. In addition, the S5-TMPETA are highly hydrolyzable and elicit negligible cytotoxicity. This new type of "smart" polymer should find use in a variety of biomedical applications.

Tailoring of energetic groups in acroyloyl polymers

Acryloyl based novel energetic monomers having nitro acrylates and nitro triazole acrylates were synthesized and further used for polymerization. Due to scavanging properties of nitro groups, syntheses of nitro aromatic polymers are not facile at normal conditions. In this regard, we report a simple protocol to synthesize these energetic group embeded acroloyl polymers. These polymers were characterized by FTIR, and NMR spectroscopic techniques. gel permeation chromatography (GPC) technique was employed in order to understand molecular mass of these polymers along with average molecular weight, number average weight and poly dispersity index. Glass transition temperature (Tg) was determined by using DSC analysis. It was observed that with increase in nitro groups in polymers there is a decrease in glass transition temperature. Two steps degradation were depicted in the TGA thermograph in nitro containing polymers. Heat release during this reaction was found up to 951 J/g. Increase in nitrogen content in polymer unit enhanced the heat release of polymers.

Oxidation and temperature dual responsive polymers based on phenylboronic acid and N-isopropylacrylamide motifs

Oxidation and temperature dual responsive copolymers using ROS as a target for drug delivery have been demonstrated.

Functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes with thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide): effect of the polymer architecture

Star-shaped and linear thermo-responsive PNIPAM polymers were compared for the functionalization of SWNTs. The star-shaped polymer gave the SWNTs a higher solubility and more thermo-responsive properties than its linear counterpart.

A thermo-sensitive supramolecular hydrogel derived from an onium salt with solution–gel–crystal transition properties

A self-assembled supramolecular hydrogel, which not only exhibits thermo-sensitive characteristics but has the property of solution–gel–crystal transition, is obtained by mixing the aqueous solutions of benzoic acid and melamine.

Temperature and pH dual-responsive poly(vinyl lactam) copolymers functionalized with amine side groups via RAFT polymerization

A series of statistical copolymers based on cyclic N-vinyl lactams and N-vinylformamide were synthesized via RAFT polymerization. Tempertaure/pH dual responsive polymers were obtained via hydrolysis the copolymers in alkaline conditions.

Far beyond primary poly(vinylamine)s through free radical copolymerization and amide hydrolysis

Copolymers bearing various amino groups of predictable compositions are made available through radical copolymerization followed by optimized amide hydrolysis.

Towards an electronic dog nose: surface plasmon resonance immunosensor for security and safety

This review describes an “electronic dog nose” based on a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor and an antigen–antibody interaction for security and safety. We have concentrated on developing appropriate sensor surfaces for the SPR sensor for practical use. The review covers different surface fabrications, which all include variations of a self-assembled monolayer containing oligo(ethylene glycol), dendrimer, and hydrophilic polymer. We have carried out detection of explosives using the sensor surfaces. For the SPR sensor to detect explosives, the vapor or particles of the target substances have to be dissolved in a liquid. Therefore, we also review the development of sampling processes for explosives, and a protocol for the measurement of explosives on the SPR sensor in the field. Additionally, sensing elements, which have the potential to be applied for the electronic dog nose, are described.

Controlled synthesis of β-sheet polymers based on side-chain amyloidogenic short peptide segments via RAFT polymerization

A strategy was developed for the controlled synthesis of side-chain peptide containing pH-responsive polymers with an antiparallel β-sheet motif, which was independent of solvent polarity, PEGylation of homopolymers, the block length of PEG or peptidic segments in the block copolymer and temperature.

New directions in thermoresponsive polymers

Interest in thermoresponsive polymers has steadily grown over many decades, and a great deal of work has been dedicated to developing temperature sensitive macromolecules that can be crafted into new smart materials. However, the overwhelming majority of previously reported temperature-responsive polymers are based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), despite the fact that a wide range of other thermoresponsive polymers have demonstrated similar promise for the preparation of adaptive materials. Herein, we aim to highlight recent results that involve thermoresponsive systems that have not yet been as fully considered. Many of these (co)polymers represent clear opportunities for advancements in emerging biomedical and materials fields due to their increased biocompatibility and tuneable response. By highlighting recent examples of newly developed thermoresponsive polymer systems, we hope to promote the development of new generations of smart materials.

Empirical correlations between Krafft temperature and tail length for amidosulfobetaine surfactants in the presence of inorganic salt

Long-chain amidosulfobetaine surfactants, 3-(N-fattyamidopropyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium) propanesulfonates (n-DAS, n > 18), are insoluble in pure water due to their high Krafft temperature (T(K)), while they are soluble when inorganic salt is added to the surfactant solution as the T(K) of these zwitterionic surfactants is decreased. The influence of the salt content and ionic species of the added electrolytes on the T(K) of the series of amidosulfobetaine surfactants was examined by means of UV-vis spectrophometry and visual inspection. It was found that the T(K) of these surfactants depends strongly on not only the hydrophobic alkyl length (n), but also the salinity of the aqueous environment. When the salt concentration is increased from 0 to 100 mM, the T(K) shows a sharp decrease; when the salinity is fixed between 100 and 2000 mM, the T(K) varies linearly with n with a slope of ~7.7 irrespective of the salt species and the salt content. When the salt concentration is further increased above 2000 mM, a linear function is still observed, but the slope increases slightly.

Mechanisms of silk fibroin sol-gel transitions

Silk fibroin sol-gel transitions were studied by monitoring the process under various physicochemical conditions with optical spectroscopy at 550 nm. The secondary structural change of the fibroin from a disordered state in solution to a beta-sheet-rich conformation in the gel state was assessed by FTIR and CD over a range of fibroin concentrations, temperatures, and pH values. The structural changes were correlated to the degree of gelation based on changes in optical density at 550 nm. No detectable changes in the protein secondary structure (FTIR, CD) were found up to about 15% gelation (at 550 nm), indicating that these early stages of gelation are not accompanied by the formation of beta-sheets. Above 15%, the fraction of beta-sheet linearly increased with the degree of gelation. A pH dependency of gelation time was found with correlation to the predominant acidic side chains in the silk. Electrostatic interactions were related to the rate of gelation above neutral pH. The overall independencies of processing parameters including concentration, temperature, and pH on gel formation and protein structure can be related to primary sequence-specific features in the molecular organization of the fibroin protein. These findings clarify aspects of the self-assembly of this unique family of proteins as a route to gain control of material properties, as well as for new insight into the design of synthetic silk-biomimetic polymers with predictable solution and assembly properties.