PVDF-Based Fluoropolymer Modifications via Photoinduced Atom Transfer Radical Polymerizations

Graft modifications of PVDF fluoropolymers have been identified as the efficient route to improve the properties and expand the applications. Taking advantage of C-F and C-Cl bonds in the repeat units, atom transfer radical polymerizations (ATRP) were widely used for graft modification. Recently, photoinduced ATRP has shown good spatial and temporal control over the polymerization process in contrast to thermal activation mode. This minireview highlights the progress in PVDF-based fluoropolymer modifications by using photoinduced Cu(II)-mediated ATRP and organocatalyzed ATRP. The challenges and opportunities are proposed with the aim at advancing the development of synthesis and applications of fluoropolymer.

Understanding the effect of monomer structure of oligoethylene glycol acrylate copolymers on their thermoresponsive behavior for the development of polymeric sensors

Oligoethylene glycol acrylate (OEGA) polymers are a class of thermoresponsive polymers. Three new OEGA monomer combinations were investigated, which revealed three different types of thermoresponsive behavior as a function of copolymer composition.

Cu(0)-RDRP of styrene: balancing initiator efficiency and dispersity

The optimisation of all components within Cu(0)-wire mediated polymerisation of styrene is illustrated yielding well-defined polystyrene with enhanced initiator efficiency and dispersity at higher molecular weights.

Recent developments in polydopamine: an emerging soft matter for surface modification and biomedical applications

After more than four billion years of evolution, nature has created a large number of fascinating living organisms, which show numerous peculiar structures and wonderful properties. Nature can provide sources of plentiful inspiration for scientists to create various materials and devices with special functions and uses. Since Messersmith proposed the fabrication of multifunctional coatings through mussel-inspired chemistry, this field has attracted considerable attention for its promising and exiciting applications. Polydopamine (PDA), an emerging soft matter, has been demonstrated to be a crucial component in mussel-inspired chemistry. In this review, the recent developments of PDA for mussel-inspired surface modification are summarized and discussed. The biomedical applications of PDA-based materials are also highlighted. We believe that this review can provide important and timely information regarding mussel-inspired chemistry and will be of great interest for scientists in the chemistry, materials, biology, medicine and interdisciplinary fields.

Stability Enhancing N-Terminal PEGylation of Oxytocin Exploiting Different Polymer Architectures and Conjugation Approaches

Oxytocin, a cyclic nine amino acid neurohypophyseal hormone therapeutic, is effectively used in the control of postpartum hemorrhaging (PPH) and is on the WHO List of Essential Medicines. However, oxytocin has limited shelf life stability in aqueous solutions, particularly at temperatures in excess of 25 °C and injectable aqueous oxytocin formulations require refrigeration (<8 °C). This is particularly problematic in the hot climates often found in many developing countries where daytime temperatures can exceed 40 °C and where reliable cold-chain storage is not always achievable. The purpose of this study was to develop N-terminal amine targeted PEGylation strategies utilizing both linear PEG and polyPEG "comb" polymers as an effective method for stabilizing solution formulations of this peptide for prolonged storage in the absence of efficient cold-chain storage. The conjugation chemistries investigated herein include irreversible amine targeted conjugation methods utilizing NHS ester and aldehyde reductive amination chemistry. Additionally, one reversible conjugation method using a Schiff base approach was explored to allow for the release of the native peptide, thus, ensuring that biological activity remains unaffected. The reversibility of this approach was investigated for the different polymer architectures, alongside a nonpolymer oxytocin analogue to monitor how pH can tune native peptide release. Elevated temperature degradation studies of the polymer conjugates were evaluated to assess the stability of the PEGylated analogues in comparison to the native peptide in aqueous formulations to mimic storage conditions in developing nations and regions where storage under appropriate conditions is challenging.

Lights on! A significant photoenhancement effect on ATRP by ambient laboratory light

The influence of ambient laboratory light from common fluorescent lamps on AGET, ARGET, and classical ATRP reactions was investigated and significant differences were found except for ARGET ATRP.

Continuous flow SET-LRP in the presence of P(VDF-co-CTFE) as macroinitiator in a copper tubular reactor

A green, highly effective and energy-saving route to the grafting modification of P(VDF-co-CTFE) was developedviacontinuous flow SET-LRP with significant advantages over batch reactors.

Discrete copper(ii)-formate complexes as catalytic precursors for photo-induced reversible deactivation polymerization

Traditional copper-mediated reversible deactivation polymerization techniques (RDRP) employ various components mixedin situ(e.g.ligand, metal salt, additional deactivation speciesetc.) in order to achieve good control over the molecular weight distributions.

Cu(0)-mediated living radical polymerisation in dimethyl lactamide (DML); an unusual green solvent with limited environmental impact

The synthesis of poly-acrylates, methacrylates and styrene derivatives by SET-LRP is reported in a user and environmentally friendly “green” solvent, dimethyl lactamide (DML).