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Long-chain-branched poly(aryl ether sulfone)-poly(tetrahydrofuran) multiblock copolymers composed of hard linear and soft branching segments were synthesized from bromo-terminated poly(tetrahydrofuran) and hydroxy-terminated poly(aryl ether sulfone). Optimization of the polymerization conditions afforded soluble powder at a reaction concentration of 7 wt%. Microphase-separated morphology was observed for the branched multiblock copolymers. Compared with the corresponding linear multiblock copolymer, the branched polymer chains in the soft domains become less entangled and more reminiscent of hyperbranched architectures, whereas the overall chain entanglements are increased due to the long-chain-branched structure.
Hydrophilic alternating copolymers (P(11EO/MA)m) of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) allyl ether (11EO) and maleic anhydride (MA) were prepared via controlled radical polymerization. The MA units in P(11EO/MA)m were hydrolyzed to prepare pendant carboxylic acid group-containing polymers (P(11EO/MH)m). Furthermore, an amphiphilic diblock copolymer (P(11EO/MH)m-PSn) was prepared via block copolymerization of styrene using P(11EO/MH)m as a macro-chain transfer agent. The association behavior of P(11EO/MH)m-PSn in water was also investigated.
The polymerization and crystallization of polyamide 6 (PA6) via anionic polymerization was observed using a combination of in situ wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), temperature measurement, and real-time visualization at 119–182 °C. In-situ WAXS discriminated between polymerization and the crystallization of PA6. The WAXS results indicated that polymerization was fast at 139–155 °C, and crystallization was fast at 148–155 °C. The crystallinity of PA6 decreased with increasing temperature. We concluded that molding temperatures between 148 and 155 °C were suitable for high productivities of PA6 with good properties.
Based on the mechanism of cellular formation, the cellular formation and postcuring process were separated in this paper. First, the foamed sheets were rested at room temperature for 20 min. Then, the foamed sheets were fully vulcanized in a plate vulcanizing press at 165 °C for 8 min. A novel method of preparing microcellular silicone rubber foams without surface defects has been successfully created.
Mechanical properties of rubber nanocomposites are believed to closely related to the chain dynamics at the interface with fillers. We here tackle this hypothesis combining traditional rheological measurements with our published results obtained by a modern technique of interfacial sensitive spectroscopy.
This study describes the production of the amphiphilic bioresorbable polymers sorbitan–PLA and PEG–PLA in a single reactor. This method aims to simplify the separation process and reduce purification costs while increasing the chemical yield. The obtained mixtures could stabilize squalene/water interfaces, resulting in a double-dispersion structure that is favorable for encapsulation in sustained delivery applications.
The solubility of thermostable alkyl phosphate ester copper complexes in poly(alkyl methacrylate) has been investigated for use as near-infrared-absorbing dyes. 2-Ethylhexyl methacrylate solutions of the 2-ethylhexyl phosphate copper complex and isodecyl phosphate copper complex maintained their transparency even after polymerization, so these two copper complexes show good solubility in poly(2-ethylhexyl methacrylate). Both of the resin plates have visible light transmittance of above 80% and solar direct transmittance of below 50% from spectral transmission. Thus, these resin materials are suitable for window materials that require heat-shielding properties and transparency.
The equilibrium melting temperature (\(T_{\mathrm{m}}^0\)) of natural rubber crystals was reexamined by the Hoffman–Weeks plot and the Gibbs–Thomson plot using the lamellar thickness obtained from the same sample as the one used for the measurement of melting temperature. The sample was prepared from deproteinized latex. As a result, the \(T_{\mathrm{m}}^0\) of NR was estimated to be 61 °C. At the same time, the fold-surface free energy was estimated to be 0.046 Jm−2. These values should be more reliable than the previously assumed values.
This study examines the use of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA)-coated polystyrene functionalized with peptides that mimic receptors found on red blood cells for detection of the influenza virus. Although the current method, the hemagglutination inhibition test, utilized by the World Health Organization, is simple, it has some limitations. We found that our peptide dimers attached to beads were efficiently agglutinated, leading us to detect the presence of the influenza virus antigens. We believe that our study makes a significant contribution to the fight against influenza because we provide an alternative method for the important task of influenza surveillance and diagnosis.
