Facile one-spot synthesis of highly branched polycaprolactone

Reported is the first solvent-free (bulk) synthesis of degradable/bioresorbable, highly branched polymers via tin octanoate Sn(Oct2) catalysed controlled ring opening co-polymerisation (ROP) of mono and di-functional lactone monomers that proceed to near quantitative conversion. The successful isolation of solvent soluble, highly branched structures was shown to be dependent on both the concentration of the di-functional monomer and the overall reaction time. Comparison with analogous systems utilising controlled radical polymerisation (CRP) to form the highly/hyper branched polymers suggested significant experimental differences between the two chain growth methods. The maximum proportion of di-functional monomer without gelation ensuing was found to be 0.6 equivalents w.r.t. mono-functional monomer (c.f. 1 with CRP) and the onset of significant levels of branching occurred at approximately 90% conversion (c.f. ~70% with CRP). These differences and significant disparity in reaction times were attributed to (a) the coordination and insertion (C+I) propagation mechanism adopted by the Sn catalyst and (b) the presence of additional trans-esterification reactions at high conversion. Evidence is presented to support the conclusion that there are two mechanisms contributing to the overall branching process in the ROP system at high conversion. First, the C+I mechanism promotes growth of linear polymer until approximately 90% conversion, after which both the C+I and trans-esterification processes contribute to the interchain branching process. The branched nature of the molecular structures was supported by confirmation plots generated from static light scattering. This data demonstrated that the polymers synthesised exhibit varying degrees of branching, consistent with the di-functional monomer (4,4’-bioxepanyl-7,7’-dione - BOD) concentration in the feed. The degree of branching was calculated using 3 different methods and the results were shown to be independent of method. Finally, DSC analysis of the polymers demonstrated correlation between the degree of branching achieved and the observed Tm for the material where increased branching leads to a drop in the recorded Tm

Unexpectedly high pressure for molecular dissociation in liquid hydrogen by electronic simulation

The study of the high pressure phase diagram of hydrogen has continued with renewed effort for about one century as it remains a fundamental challenge for experimental and theoretical techniques. Here we employ an efficient molecular dynamics based on the quantum Monte Carlo method, which can describe accurately the electronic correlation and treat a large number of hydrogen atoms, allowing a realistic and reliable prediction of thermodynamic properties. We find that the molecular liquid phase is unexpectedly stable, and the transition towards a fully atomic liquid phase occurs at much higher pressure than previously believed. The old standing problem of low-temperature atomization is, therefore, still far from experimental reach

Local deformation in a hydrogel induced by an external magnetic field

The aim of this study is to prove the feasibility of a system able to apply local mechanical loading on cells seeded in a hydrogel for tissue engineering applications. This experimental study is based on a previously developed artificial cartilage model with different concentrations of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) that simulates the cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM). Poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) microspheres with dispersed magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were produced with an emulsion method. These microspheres were embedded in aqueous PVA solutions with varying concentration to resemble increased viscosity of growing tissue during regeneration. The ability to induce a local deformation in the ECM was assessed by applying a steady or an oscillatory magnetic field gradient to different PVA solutions containing the magnetic microparticles, similarly as in ferrogels. PLLA microparticle motion was recorded, and the images were analyzed. Besides, PVA gels and PLLA microparticles were introduced into the pores of a polycaprolactone scaffold, and the microparticle distribution and the mechanical properties of the construct were evaluated. The results of this experimental model show that the dispersion of PLLA microparticles containing MNPs, together with cells in a supporting gel, will allow applying local mechanical stimuli to cells during tissue regeneration. This local stimulation can have a positive effect on the differentiation of seeded cells and improve tissue regeneration.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the MAT2013-46467-C4-1-R project, including the Feder funds. CIBER-BBN is an initiative funded by the VI National R&D&I Plan 2008-2011, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, Consolider Program. CIBER Actions are financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund. 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Influence of an Oriented External Electric Field on the Mechanism of Double Proton Transfer between Pyrazole and Guanidine: from an Asynchronous Plateau Transition State to a Synchronous or Stepwise Mechanism

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