4 research outputs found
Multicore–Shell PNIPAm-<i>co</i>-PEGMa Microcapsules for Cell Encapsulation
The overall goal of this study was to fabricate multifunctional core–shell microcapsules with biological cells encapsulated within the polymer shell. Biocompatible temperature responsive microcapsules comprised of silicone oil droplets (multicores) and yeast cells embedded in a polymer matrix (shell) were prepared using a novel microarray approach. The cross-linked polymer shell and silicone multicores were formed in situ via photopolymerization of either poly(<i>N</i>-isopropylacryamide)(PNIPAm) or PNIPAm, copolymerized with poly(ethylene glycol monomethyl ether monomethacrylate) (PEGMa) within the droplets of an oil-in-water-in-oil double emulsion. An optimized recipe yielded a multicore–shell morphology, which was characterized by optical and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and theoretically confirmed by spreading coefficient calculations. Spreading coefficients were calculated from interfacial tension and contact angle measurements as well as from the determination of the Hamaker constants and the pair potential energies. The effects of the presence of PEGMa, its molecular weight (<i>M</i><sub>n</sub> 300 and 1100 g/mol), and concentration (10, 20, and 30 wt %) were also investigated, and they were found not to significantly alter the morphology of the microcapsules. They were found, however, to significantly improve the viability of the yeast cells, which were encapsulated within PNIPAm-based microcapsules by direct incorporation into the monomer solutions, prior to polymerization. Under LSCM, the fluorescence staining for live and dead cells showed a 30% viability of yeast cells entrapped within the PNIPAm matrix after 45 min of photopolymerization, but an improvement to 60% viability in the presence of PEGMa. The thermoresponsive behavior of the microcapsules allows the silicone oil cores to be irreversibly ejected, and so the role of the silicone oil is 2-fold. It facilitates multifunctionality in the microcapsule by first being used as a template to obtain the desired core–shell morphology, and second it can act as an encapsulant for oil-soluble drugs. It was shown that the encapsulated oil droplets were expelled above the volume phase transition temperature of the polymer, while the collapsed microcapsule remained intact. When these microcapsules were reswollen with an aqueous solution, it was observed that the hollow compartments refilled. In principle, these hollow-core microcapsules could then be filled with water-soluble drugs that could be delivered in vivo in response to temperature
Thermoresponsive Semicrystalline Poly(ε-caprolactone) Networks: Exploiting Cross-linking with Cinnamoyl Moieties to Design Polymers with Tunable Shape Memory
The overall goal of this study was to synthesize semicrystalline
polyÂ(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) copolymer networks with stimuli-responsive
shape memory behavior. Herein, we investigate the influence of a cinnamoyl
moiety to design shape memory polymer networks with tunable transition
temperatures. The effect of various copolymer architectures (random
or ABA triblock), the molecular weight of the crystalline domains,
PCL diol, <i>(M</i><sub>w</sub> 1250 or 2000 g mol<sup>–1</sup>) and its composition in the triblock (50 or 80 mol %) were also
investigated. The polymer microstructures were confirmed by NMR, DSC,
WAXS and UV–vis spectroscopic techniques. The thermal and mechanical
properties and the cross-linking density of the networks were characterized
by DSC, tensile testing and solvent swelling, respectively. Detailed
thermomechanical investigations conducted using DMA showed that shape
memory behavior was obtained only in the ABA triblock copolymers.
The best shape memory fixity, <i>R</i><sub>f</sub> of ∼99%
and shape recovery, <i>R</i><sub>r</sub> of ∼99%
was obtained when PCL diol with <i>M</i><sub>w</sub> 2000
g mol<sup>–1</sup> was incorporated in the triblock copolymer
at a concentration of 50 mol %. The series of triblock copolymers
with PCL at 50 mol % also showed mechanical properties with tunable
shape memory transition temperatures, ranging from 54 °C to close
to body temperature. Our work establishes a general design concept
for inducing a shape memory effect into any semicrystalline polyester
network. More specifically, it can be applied to systems which have
the highest transition temperature closest to the application temperature.
An advantage of our novel copolymers is their ability to be cross-linked
with UV radiation without any initiator or chemical cross-linker.
Possible applications are envisioned in the area of endovascular treatment
of ischemic stroke and cerebrovascular aneurysms, and for femoral
stents
Thermoresponsive Semicrystalline Poly(ε-caprolactone) Networks: Exploiting Cross-linking with Cinnamoyl Moieties to Design Polymers with Tunable Shape Memory
The overall goal of this study was to synthesize semicrystalline
polyÂ(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) copolymer networks with stimuli-responsive
shape memory behavior. Herein, we investigate the influence of a cinnamoyl
moiety to design shape memory polymer networks with tunable transition
temperatures. The effect of various copolymer architectures (random
or ABA triblock), the molecular weight of the crystalline domains,
PCL diol, <i>(M</i><sub>w</sub> 1250 or 2000 g mol<sup>–1</sup>) and its composition in the triblock (50 or 80 mol %) were also
investigated. The polymer microstructures were confirmed by NMR, DSC,
WAXS and UV–vis spectroscopic techniques. The thermal and mechanical
properties and the cross-linking density of the networks were characterized
by DSC, tensile testing and solvent swelling, respectively. Detailed
thermomechanical investigations conducted using DMA showed that shape
memory behavior was obtained only in the ABA triblock copolymers.
The best shape memory fixity, <i>R</i><sub>f</sub> of ∼99%
and shape recovery, <i>R</i><sub>r</sub> of ∼99%
was obtained when PCL diol with <i>M</i><sub>w</sub> 2000
g mol<sup>–1</sup> was incorporated in the triblock copolymer
at a concentration of 50 mol %. The series of triblock copolymers
with PCL at 50 mol % also showed mechanical properties with tunable
shape memory transition temperatures, ranging from 54 °C to close
to body temperature. Our work establishes a general design concept
for inducing a shape memory effect into any semicrystalline polyester
network. More specifically, it can be applied to systems which have
the highest transition temperature closest to the application temperature.
An advantage of our novel copolymers is their ability to be cross-linked
with UV radiation without any initiator or chemical cross-linker.
Possible applications are envisioned in the area of endovascular treatment
of ischemic stroke and cerebrovascular aneurysms, and for femoral
stents
Improving Charge Carrier Mobility of Polymer Blend Field Effect Transistors with Majority Insulating Polymer Phase
The key approach to achieve high
performance field effect transistor fabricated from semiconducting/insulating
polymer blends with majority insulating polymer phase is the formation
of connected fibrous structures of semiconducting polymer and good
interfacial interaction of semiconducting polymer with the dielectric
layer. Herein, tetrahydrofuran (THF) as a marginal solvent was used
as an additive in marginal/good solvent mixtures to control the crystallite
structure, phase segregation, and hole transport properties of polyÂ(3-hexylthiophene)/polyÂ(styrene)
(P3HT/PS; weight ratio: 1/4) blends, with the advantage that marginal/good
solvent mixture gives P3HT sufficient time for phase segregation and
relatively better solvent quality to aggregate to more stable structures
compared to other reported strategies as bad/good solvent mixtures
or directly marginal solvents. Incorporation of THF reduces the P3HT
solubility, forming connected fibrous structures as observed in both
neat P3HT and blend films; it appears these structures are responsible
for improved charge transport. Furthermore, enhanced molecular ordering, π–π
stacking and conjugation length are observed with increasing THF amount.
THF promotes the edge-on orientation and more stable crystal structures
in P3HT, while the lattice spacing remains the same. Finally, the
added THF increases hole mobility for P3HT/PS blend FETs, reaching
a maximum value of 4 0.0 × 10<sup>–3</sup> cm<sup>2</sup>/(V s) with 20 vol % THF and being comparative to neat P3HT; however,
THF has an insignificant influence on the hole mobility for neat P3HT
FETs. Morphological characterization supports the idea that differential
solubility creates both enhanced chain ordering and vertical phase
segregation that both improve FET performance. These results are promising
for the development of environmentally stable and lower cost polymer
electronics