6 research outputs found
Behavior of PNIPAM Microgels in Different Organic Solvents
In this research, we studied, in detail, the behavior of common PNIPAM microgels, obtained through surfactant-free precipitation polymerization, in a number of organic solvents. We showed that many of the selected solvents serve as good solvents for the PNIPAM microgels and that the size and architecture of the microgels depend on the solvent chosen. Expanding the range of solvents used for PNIPAM microgel incubation greatly enhances the possible routes for microparticle functionalization and modification, as well as the encapsulation of water-insoluble species. In this demonstration, we successfully encapsulated water-insoluble Sudan III dye in PNIPAM microgels and prepared the aqueous dispersions of such composite-colored microparticles
Double Stimuli-Responsive di- and Triblock Copolymers of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and Poly(1-vinylimidazole): Synthesis and Self-Assembly
For the first time, double stimuli-responsive properties of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) and poly(1-vinylimidazole) (PVIM) block copolymers in aqueous solutions were studied. The synthesis of PNIPA60-b-PVIM90 and PNIPA28-b-PVIM62-b-PNIPA29 was performed using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The polymers were characterized by size exclusion chromatography and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The conformational behavior of the polymers was studied using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and fluorescence spectroscopy (FS). It was found that PNIPA and block copolymers conformation and ability for self-assembly in aqueous medium below and above cloud point temperature depend on the locus of hydrophobic groups derived from the RAFT agent within the chain. Additionally, the length of PVIM block, its locus in the chain and charge perform an important role in the stabilization of macromolecular micelles and aggregates below and above cloud point temperature. At 25 °C the average hydrodynamic radius (Rh) of the block copolymer particles at pH 3 is lower than at pH 9 implying the self-assembling of macromolecules in the latter case. Cloud points of PNIPA60-b-PVIM90 are ~43 °C and ~37 °C at a pH of 3 and 9 and of PNIPA28-b-PVIM62-b-PNIPA29 they are ~35 °C and 31 °C at a pH of 3 and 9. Around cloud point independently of pH, the Rh value for triblock copolymer rises sharply, achieves the maximum value, then falls and reaches the constant value, while for diblock copolymer, it steadily grows after reaching cloud point. The information about polarity of microenvironment around polymer obtained by FS accords with DLS data
Copolymerization on Selective Substrates: Experimental Test and Computer Simulations
We
explore the influence of a selective substrate on the composition
and sequence statistics during the free radical copolymerization.
In particular, we study the radical copolymerization of styrene and
acrylic acid in bulk and in silica pores of different sizes. We show
that the substrate affects both polymer composition and sequence statistics.
We use dissipative particle dynamics simulations to study the polymerization
process in detail, trying to pinpoint the parameters responsible for
the observed differences in the polymer chain composition and sequences.
The magnitude of the observed effect depends on the fraction of adsorbed
monomer units, which cannot be described in the framework of the copolymerization
theories based on the terminal unit model
Charge Transfer Kinetics of Redox-Active Microgels
Polymer
microgel particles decorated with redox-active functional
groups are a new and promising object for electrochemical applications.
However, the process of charge exchange between an electrode and a
microgel particle carrying numerous redox-active centers differs fundamentally
from charge exchange involving only molecular species. A single act
of contact between the microgel and the electrode surface may not
be enough to fully discharge the microgel, and partial charge states
are to be expected. Understanding the specifics of this process is
crucial for the correct analysis of the data obtained from electrochemical
experiments with redox-active microgel solutions. In this study, we
employed coarse-grained molecular dynamics to investigate in detail
the act of charge transfer from a microgel particle to a flat electrode.
The simulations take into account both the mobility of functional
groups carrying the charge, which depend on the microgel architecture
and the charge exchange between the groups, which can accelerate the
propagation of charge within the microgel volume. A set of different
microgel systems were simulated in order to reveal the impact of their
characteristics: fraction of redox-active groups, microgel molecular
mass, cross-linker content, cross-linking topology, and solvent quality.
We have found trends in microgel composition leading to the most efficient
charge transfer kinetics. The obtained results would be useful for
understanding experimental results and for optimizing the design of
redox-active microgel particles aimed at faster discharge rates
Antiseptic Materials on the Base of Polymer Interpenetrating Networks Microgels and Benzalkonium Chloride
Polymer microgels, including those based on interpenetrating networks (IPNs), are currently vastly studied, and their practical applications are a matter of thriving research. In this work, we show the perspective for the use of polyelectrolyte IPN microgels either as scavengers or carriers of antiseptic substances. Here, we report that poly-N-isopropylacrylamide/polyacrylic acid IPN microgels can efficiently absorb the common bactericidal and virucidal compound benzalkonium chloride. The particles can form a stable aqueous colloidal suspension or be used as building blocks for soft free-standing films. Both materials showed antiseptic efficacy on the examples of Bacillus subtilis and S. aureus, which was approximately equal to the commercial antibiotic. Such polymer biocides can be used as liquid disinfectants, stable surface coatings, or parts of biomedical devices and can enhance the versatility of the possible practical applications of polymer microgels
Synthesis of Magneto-Controllable Polymer Nanocarrier Based on Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic Acid) for Doxorubicin Immobilization
In this work, the preparation procedure and properties of anionic magnetic microgels loaded with antitumor drug doxorubicin are described. The functional microgels were produced via the in situ formation of iron nanoparticles in an aqueous dispersion of polymer microgels based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PNIPAM-PAA). The composition and morphology of the resulting composite microgels were studied by means of X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic-force microscopy, laser microelectrophoresis, and static and dynamic light scattering. The forming nanoparticles were found to be β-FeO(OH). In physiological pH and ionic strength, the obtained composite microgels were shown to possess high colloid stability. The average size of the composites was 200 nm, while the zeta-potential was −27.5 mV. An optical tweezers study has demonstrated the possibility of manipulation with microgel using external magnetic fields. Loading of the composite microgel with doxorubicin did not lead to any change in particle size and colloidal stability. Magnetic-driven interaction of the drug-loaded microgel with model cell membranes was demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy. The described magnetic microgels demonstrate the potential for the controlled delivery of biologically active substances