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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2014) | Viewed by 68228

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Dr. Hsing-Lin Wang

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Department of Material Science and Engineering, South University of Science and Technology of China, Shenzhen 518055, China
Interests: polymer synthesis (conjugated polymers and fullerenes); processing and applications of conjugated polymers; polymer nanofibers and colloids; polymer/metal composites; polymeric sensors and actuators; polyeletrolyte (supramolecular) self-assembly
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Prof. Dr. Ping Xu

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School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
Interests: conjugated polymer applications; electrocatalysis; surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy; nanomaterials synthesis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Functional polymers possess combined physical, chemical and mechanical properties and functionalities taking advantage of their conductive, optical, electronic and biomedical features. Some functional polymers also reveal stimuli responsive properties that are subject to change upon exposure to external stimuli such as temperature, pH, and light. Perturbation of local environment can lead to change in polymer conformation, structure, and aggregated states that render them be used as smart materials. Polymer colloids allow further expansion of applications of functional polymers as they can be easily processed and adopted for conjugation with a variety of biomolecules. Hierarchical self-assemblies comprised of polymer colloids show applications as photonic materials with tunability simply by changing the size of the colloids. Recent studies also suggest that nanoscaled polymer colloids have similar application potentials as semiconducting quantum dots. In recent years, polymer colloids have emerged as one of the most promising materials due to their size and morphology -dependent properties, and the feasibility for chemical modification that allows exploration of emergent phenomena and commercial applications.

In view of the recent developments in polymer colloids, this specific issue solicits papers relating to the synthesis, processing, self-assembly and applications of polymer colloids and hybrid composites. The topical subjects to be addressed include: micro- and nanoemulsion, polymer complexes, polymer composites, smart materials, chemical modifications, bioconjugates, and correlation between colloid structure and functionality.

Dr. Hsing-Lin Wang
Prof. Dr. Ping Xu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

synthesis and characterization
polymer colloids and dispersion
micro and nanoemulsion
responsive polymers
polymer-surfactant complexes
conjugated polymers
hybrid polymer colloids (composites)
functionalization of polymer colloids
self-assembly of polymer colloids
biomedical; electronic and optical application

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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5888 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On the Relation between Natural and Enforced Syneresis of Acidic Precipitated Silica

by Sebastian Wilhelm and Matthias Kind

Polymers 2014, 6(12), 2896-2911; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym6122896 - 26 Nov 2014

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 10321

Abstract

Silica in industrial production processes is precipitated by mixing an acid and an inorganic precursor. In this aqueous solution, silica particles form due to a polymerization reaction and agglomeration and, finally, build a gel. Thereafter, the reaction continues, and the gel network shrinks with the expulsion of the enclosed pore liquid. This slow process is known as “natural syneresis” and strongly affects the product properties, such as the agglomerate size, specific surface or porosity of the silica produced. In order to investigate the influence of process parameters, such as temperature, pH or ionic strength, on the shrinkage in shorter time-scales, we propose an acceleration of this process and define it as “enforced syneresis”. The acceleration is performed by applying a mechanical external force to the gel by means of a plunger and measuring the shrinkage behavior under these conditions. Thereby, the conceptual idea is the prediction of the shrinkage due to natural syneresis based on the results of enforced syneresis. We are now able to predict the natural syneresis behavior from enforced syneresis data by the development of a correlative model. Using this prediction model, we can show the influence of temperature on the maximum shrinkage and on its rate in a significantly shorter time of about 12 h instead of several days. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Colloids)

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1731 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermo-Responsive Injectable MPEG-Polyester Diblock Copolymers for Sustained Drug Release

by Hoon Hyun, Seung Hun Park, Doo Yeon Kwon, Gilson Khang, Hai Bang Lee and Moon Suk Kim

Polymers 2014, 6(10), 2670-2683; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym6102670 - 23 Oct 2014

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 9332

Abstract

Thermo-responsive diblock copolymers composed of hydrophilic methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG) and hydrophobic biodegradable polyesters were prepared for application as injectable drug delivery systems, because they show a thermo-responsive sol-to-gel transition, especially around body temperature, when dispersed in aqueous solutions. The thermogelling hydrogels formed by hydrophobic aggregation could be varied by changing the components of the hydrophobic polyester part. For the polyester block in the present study, 95 mol% of ε-caprolactone (CL) was used for the main polyester chain and 5 mol% of p-dioxanone (DO) was copolymerized randomly by the MPEG initiator in the presence of HCl as the catalyst. By adding a small portion of DO into the poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) chains, the temperature range of gelation, the intensity of viscosity and the drug release behavior were changed. The MPEG-b-poly(ε-caprolactone-ran-p-dioxanone) (MPEG-b-PCDO) hydrogel showed the enhanced drug release in vitro and in vivo compared to MPEG-b-PCL hydrogel. Therefore, MPEG-polyester hydrogels may serve as minimally invasive and therapeutic, injectable hydrogel systems with adjustable temperature-responsive and biodegradable windows, as well as sustained release of drugs over a certain time period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Colloids)

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3120 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thymine- and Adenine-Functionalized Polystyrene Form Self-Assembled Structures through Multiple Complementary Hydrogen Bonds

by Yu-Shian Wu, Yi-Chen Wu and Shiao-Wei Kuo

Polymers 2014, 6(6), 1827-1845; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym6061827 - 18 Jun 2014

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 12133

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the self-assembly of two homopolymers of the same molecular weight, but containing complementary nucleobases. After employing nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization to synthesize poly(vinylbenzyl chloride), we converted the polymer into poly(vinylbenzyl azide) through a reaction with NaN₃ and then performed click chemistry with propargyl thymine and propargyl adenine to yield the homopolymers, poly(vinylbenzyl triazolylmethyl methylthymine) (PVBT) and poly(vinylbenzyl triazolylmethyl methyladenine) (PVBA), respectively. This PVBT/PVBA blend system exhibited a single glass transition temperature over the entire range of compositions, indicative of a miscible phase arising from the formation of multiple strong complementary hydrogen bonds between the thymine and adenine groups of PVBT and PVBA, respectively; Fourier transform infrared and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy confirmed the presence of these noncovalent interactions. In addition, dynamic rheology, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy provided evidence for the formation of supramolecular network structures in these binary PVBT/PVBA blend systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Colloids)

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3546 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On the Interaction of Adherent Cells with Thermoresponsive Polymer Coatings

by Katja Uhlig, Hans G. Boerner, Erik Wischerhoff, Jean-François Lutz, Magnus S. Jaeger, André Laschewsky and Claus Duschl

Polymers 2014, 6(4), 1164-1177; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym6041164 - 15 Apr 2014

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 8861

Abstract

Thermoresponsive polymer coatings allow the control of adhesion of cells on synthetic substrates. In particular, decreasing the temperature below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the polymer triggers the non-invasive detachment of cells from their cultivation substrate. Widening the range of applications of these coatings in cellular biotechnology requires a better understanding of their interaction with cells. By monitoring the morphological changes of cells during their detachment at various temperatures, we provide evidence that cell detachment is an active process. Analyses of cell residues that are left behind by the cells on the substrate during their detachment, further support this notion. In the second part of this work, we show that the kinetics of adhesion and the efficiency of detachment of cells can be controlled through the coadsorption of molecules bearing the peptide motif RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartic acid) with the polymers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Colloids)

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1326 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structure and Frictional Properties of Colloid Gel

by Masayuki Tokita

Polymers 2014, 6(3), 651-666; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym6030651 - 6 Mar 2014

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 7707

Abstract

Polymer gels are known to be opaque when the preparation conditions, such as the reaction temperature and the composition, are changed. The increase of the opaqueness of the gel suggests strongly the change of network structure. Here, we are going to review the recent studies on the structure and the frictional study of the opaque poly(acrylamide) gel. The results indicate that the opaque poly(acrylamide) gel consists of the fractal aggregate of the colloidal particles of sub-micrometer in size. The density of the colloid particle is calculated from the structural parameters and is found to be of the order of about 1 g/cm³. The results indicate that the main chain component and the cross-linker is densely cross-linked into the particle. The frictional property of poly(acrylamide) gel is analyzed in terms of the structural parameters of the gel. It is found that the frictional property of the opaque gel is well explained in terms of the structural parameters of the opaque gel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Colloids)

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1454 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancement Corrosion Resistance of (γ-Glycidyloxypropyl)-Silsesquioxane-Titanium Dioxide Films and Its Validation by Gas Molecule Diffusion Coefficients Using Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulation

by Haiyan Wang, Li Liu, Yudong Huang, Di Wang, Lijiang Hu and Douglas A. Loy

Polymers 2014, 6(2), 300-310; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym6020300 - 27 Jan 2014

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 7425

Abstract

Based on silsesquioxanes (SSO) derived from the hydrolytic condensation of (γ-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPMS) and titanium tetrabutoxide (TTB), hybrid films on aluminum alloy (AA), film-GPMS-SSO (f-GS) and f-GS-TTB_i_% (f-GSTT_5%–25%, i = 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 wt%), were prepared and tested by electrochemical measurements with typical potentiodynamic polarization curves. The I_corr values of the samples were significantly lower, comparing with the I_corr values of the f-GS, AA and f-GS modified tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the previous study, which implies that the TTB₅_%–25_% (TiO₂) additions in the coatings indeed enhance the electrochemical corrosion resistance. Correlations between the film structures and anticorrosion properties were discussed. To validate the corresponding anticorrosion experiment results, different 3D-amorphous cubic unit cells were employed as models to investigate the self-diffusion coefficient (SDC) for SO₂, NO₂ and H₂O molecules by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. All of the SDCs calculated for SO₂, NO₂ and H₂O diffusing in f-GSTT_5%–25% cells were less than the SDCs in f-GS. These results validated the corresponding anticorrosion experiment results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Colloids)

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1030 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modification of a Phenolic Resin with Epoxy- and Methacrylate-Functionalized Silica Sols to Improve the Ablation Resistance of Their Glass Fiber-Reinforced Composites

by Yu Hu, Wenlong Geng, Hong You, You Wang and Douglas A. Loy

Polymers 2014, 6(1), 105-113; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym6010105 - 6 Jan 2014

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 11112

Abstract

Functionalized silica sols were obtained by the hydrolytic condensation of (γ-methacryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPMS), (γ-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPMS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). Three different sols were obtained: MPS (derived from MPMS and TEOS), GPS-MPS (derived from GPMS, MPMS and TEOS), and GPSD (derived from GPMS, TEOS and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, DGEBA). These silica sols were mixed with a phenolic resin (PR). Ethylenediamine was used as a hardener for epoxy-functionalized sols and benzoyl peroxide was used as an initiator of the free-radical polymerization of methacrylate-functionalized silica sols. Glass fiber-reinforced composites were obtained from the neat PR and MPS-PR, GPS-MPS-PR and GPSD-PR. The resulting composites were evaluated as ablation resistant materials in an acetylene-oxygen flame. A large increase in the ablation resistance was observed when the PR was modified by the functionalized silica sols. The ablation resistance of the composites decreased as follows: GPSD-PR > MPS-PR > GPS-MPS-PR > PR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Colloids)

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