A Facile Approach for Preparation of Phenylphosphinic Acid-Functionalized PSt Microspheres by Emulsion Polymerization Using Amphiphilic Macro-RAFT Agent as Emulsifier

Phosphorus-containing polymers synthesised via nitroxide-mediated polymerisation and their grafting on chitosan by grafting to and grafting from approaches

The phosphorus-based methacrylate monomers (h)MAPC1 have been polymerized by NMP and grafted on chitosan.

Smart functionalized phosphonic acid based copolymers: new structures for old purposes

Innovative well-defined acidic photopolymerizable phosphorus-based copolymers were prepared and tested in well-known dental applications to improve the adhesion of dental self-etch adhesives (SEAs).

Preparation of photochromic liquid core nanocapsules based on theoretical design

Photochromic materials have attracted considerable attention for their practical applications in optoelectronic devices. In this study, we developed the photochromic liquid core nanocapsules by polymerization of oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsion monomer droplets on the basis of Hansen solubility parameters. The thermoresponsive amphiphilic block copolymers (POEGMA_m-b-PSt_n and POEGMA_m-b-PMMA_n) were synthesized by sequential reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of hydrophilic oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate and hydrophobic styrene or MMA. The O/W nanoemulsion methyl methacrylate (MMA) droplets, dissolving dipropylene glycol methyl-n-propyl ether (DPMNP) and (E)-3-(adamantan-2-ylidene)-4-[1-(2,5-dimethyl-3-furyl) ethylidene]dihydro-2,5furandione (Aberchrome 670) as a core liquid and a photochromic dye, respectively, were obtained through the phase inversion temperature emulsification technique using POEGMA_m-b-PSt_n as a surfactant. As theoretically predicted in terms of the spreading coefficients, the DPMNP solution of Aberchrome 670 was successfully encapsulated by coacervation of the crosslinked PMMA condensed phase. Aberchrome 670 dissolved in a liquid core was found to photoisomerize twice as fast as that dispersed in the solid polymer matrices.

Synthesis and Aqueous Solution Properties of an Amino Bisphosphonate Methacrylate Homopolymer via RAFT Polymerization

The present contribution reports on the synthesis via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of a methacrylate derivative bearing an aminobisphosponate moiety as a pendant group, namely, ethyl N,N-tetramethylbis(phosphonate)-bis(methylene) amine methacrylate (MAC₂NP₂). The polymerization was performed by the use of cyanoisopropyl dithiobenzoate as chain transfer agent at 70 °C in various solvents with different polarities including N,N-dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, and in bulk. Best results were obtained in N,N-dimethylformamide where higher conversions and polymerization rates were noticed. The successful hydrolysis of the phosphonate ester groups was performed using bromotrimethylsilane with excellent yields leading to the formation of highly water soluble and pH-responsive polymers. Finally, a preliminary solution behavior study was carried out by investigating the aqueous solution properties of synthesized amino bisphosphonate methacrylate homopolymers and their phosphonic acid analogs via potentiometric titration and zeta potential measurements.

Phosphate-Functionalized Polyethylene with High Adsorption of Uranium(VI)

For uranium extraction from seawater, development of new stable and reusable sorbents with high affinity and good selectivity for U(VI) is required. Herein, a new phosphate-functionalized polyethylene (denoted PO₄/PE) was synthesized via a simple Ar-jet plasma treatment of PE in concentrated H₃PO₄ and was employed in U(VI) extraction from seawater. The prepared PO₄/PE shows superior performance in the extraction of trace U(VI) from seawater. The adsorption process followed the second-order kinetics model and the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity of PO₄/PE for U(VI) reaches 173.8 mg/g at pH 8.2 and 298 K. PO₄/PE can be effectively regenerated by 0.1 mol/L Na₂CO₃ and reused well even after eight cycles. Experimental results offer a new approach for U(VI) uptake from seawater.

Phosphonate-functionalized polystyrene microspheres with controlled zeta potential for efficient uranium sorption

A new method has been developed for effective uranium(vi) sorption from aqueous solution through phosphonate-functionalized polystyrene microspheres with controlled zeta potentials.

Random Copolymer as Polymeric Surfactant in Seed Emulsion Polymerization

An amphiphilic random copolymer was synthesized and applied as a surfactant in seed emulsion polymerization. The composition and structure of the copolymer were confirmed by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effect of the copolymer content on the properties of latexes and their sizing properties was discussed. The average size, size distribution and stability of latexes were measured by quasi-elastic light scattering. The results suggest that the copolymer was a random copolymer, and displayed surface-active properties in water. The copolymer content affected strongly the properties of latex and its sizing performance. Monodisperse and nano-sized latex particles were obtained in the presence of 10.5 % copolymer. The thermal characteristics of latex films could be regulated by controlling the content of the copolymer. Adding an appropriate amount of the copolymer could reduce the surface tension of the latexes and promote their adsorption on the paper surface. Latex-treated paper showed a better water resistance and higher surface strength.

Bifunctional polymeric microspheres for efficient uranium sorption from aqueous solution: synergistic interaction of positive charge and amidoxime group

Polymeric microspheres with a positive charge and amidoxime group are synthesized for uranium capture, and the synergistic interaction leads to highly selective and fast adsorption.

Living Radical Polymerization by the RAFT Process – A Third Update

This paper provides a third update to the review of reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) achieved with thiocarbonylthio compounds (ZC(=S)SR) by a mechanism of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) that was published in June 2005 (Aust. J. Chem. 2005, 58, 379). The first update was published in November 2006 (Aust. J. Chem. 2006, 59, 669) and the second in December 2009 (Aust. J. Chem. 2009, 62, 1402). This review cites over 700 publications that appeared during the period mid 2009 to early 2012 covering various aspects of RAFT polymerization which include reagent synthesis and properties, kinetics and mechanism of polymerization, novel polymer syntheses, and a diverse range of applications. This period has witnessed further significant developments, particularly in the areas of novel RAFT agents, techniques for end-group transformation, the production of micro/nanoparticles and modified surfaces, and biopolymer conjugates both for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Efficient and versatile synthesis of star polymers in water and their use as emulsifiers

Core cross-linked star polymers of low polydispersity were efficiently prepared in high yield by RAFT-mediated emulsion and dispersion polymerizations in water at high solid content. These star polymers were demonstrated to be effective emulsifiers, and the emulsion was successfully used as template to fabricate polymer particles.

Synthesis of Core - Shell Nanoparticles with Polystyrene Core and PEO Corona from Core-Crosslinked Micelles by the RAFT Process

Core–shell nanoparticles have been synthesized by core crosslinking of micelles. The underlying block copolymer, poly(oligo(ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate))-block-polystyrene (POEGMA-b-PS), was synthesized successfully by the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process, using POEGMA as a macro-RAFT agent. The block copolymers were self-assembled into micelles in aqueous media and the resulting micelles and the RAFT endgroup, located in the core of the micelle, were used for the subsequent crosslinking step using a crosslinker, divinyl benzene (DVB). The rate of the crosslinking reaction was found to be slow with less than 20% conversion being achieved after 72 h. Nevertheless, crosslinked micelles were obtained and only a small fraction of free block copolymers remained. Cytotoxicity tests confirmed the biocompatibility of the prepared core-crosslinked micelles. In addition the crosslinked micelles were taken up by L929 cells without causing any signs of cell damage.