Anhydride Copolymer Research Articles

Preparation and characterization of n-octadecane @ calcium fluoride microencapsulated phase change materials

Microencapsulation of phase change materials (PCMs) with functional shell materials such as luminescent material could endow the obtained microencapsulated PCMs (MPCMs) with improved latent heat storage properties. The PCM core in turn could protect the luminescence shell from large temperature shifting and thus improve its performance. In this work, a series of MPCMs derived from n-octadecane (ODE) core and CaF2 shell were synthesized via a self-assembly method. The effects of the preparation conditions, including the core/shell mass ratio, the dosage of the emulsifier (styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, SMA) and the dosage of the chelator (Na3Cit), on the properties of the prepared [email protected]2 MPCMs were investigated and the optimal preparation condition was obtained. The MPCM obtained according to the optimal procedure (MPCM1) exhibited an encapsulation ratio of 54.02% and a latent heat of 131 J/g with negligible leakage. It also possessed excellent thermal reliability and significantly improved thermal conductivity. The MPCM1 could not only be utilized as good latent heat storage material and thermal regulation material, but also provided one new idea to prevent the thermal quenching of luminescence materials. In addition, this work could shed some light on the high-value utilization of recovered fluorine resources.

Water-soluble anionic polychloramide biocides based on maleic anhydride copolymers

Our goal was to develop film-forming polymers to extend the antimicrobial lifetimes of cleaned and disinfected surfaces. Antimicrobial polymers were prepared by first reacting poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride) with isopropylamine, partially consuming the anhydride groups, followed by hydrolysis to give water-soluble, highly anionic polyamide PC3. Chlorination with NaOCl gave PC3Cl with oxidative chlorine contents up to 9 wt%. Dried, 5 µm thick, PC3Cl films, gave log 4 reductions in the concentration of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus exposed to films. A unique feature of the maleic anhydride copolymer platform was the ability to form covalent grafts to surfaces via anhydride reactions. PC3 solution was impregnated into cellulosic filter paper, heated to form ester linkages with cellulose, followed by chlorination with sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate giving grafted PC3Cl. The treated paper (0.3 wt% PC3Cl) gave a log 4 reduction of E. coli concentration in 30 min

Industrial steel waste recovery pathway: Production of innovative supported catalyst and its application on hexavalent chromium reduction studies

Mill scale is the metallurgical waste produced by the rolling mill in the steel hot rolling process. This hazardous waste is mainly composed of oxide iron, such as hematite, magnetite and wustite. It may have a different and alternative final destination by becoming a catalyst for wastewater treatment. In this work, the catalytic potential of mill scale (MS) from a steel plant was evaluated for hexavalent chromium reduction from synthetic and real matrices under slurry conditions (MS particles dispersed in the solution) or immobilized in Raschig rings. Experiments were conducted in an annular photoreactor irradiated by UVA light. Raschig rings were coated with MS by electrostatic link with polyethylene-grafted-maleic anhydride copolymer (PEGMA) film, and further packed in the annular zone of the UV photoreactor. SEM, XRD and FTIR analysis showed a homogeneous film of MS firmly attached on Raschig rings surface. In this way, the iron-rich industrial steel waste acted as both source of iron and photocatalyst, allowing the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in the bulk solution and MS surface, respectively, in the presence of tartaric acid as hole and hydroxyl scavenger and Fe-complexing agent. The Raschig rings (248 g) coated with MS (23 g) achieved total Cr(VI) reduction (below detection limit) after 45 min of reaction (k = 2.0 × 10−2 mg L−1 min− 1) under UVA radiation, considering the following initial conditions: [Cr(VI)]0 = 10 mg L−1, [tartaric acid]0/[Cr(VI)]0 molar ratio = 6:1, pH = 3.0, T = 25 °C. The same system was tested for the treatment of a real effluent from a galvanic industry containing 6 mg L−1 of Cr(VI). Using the same tartaric acid/Cr(VI) molar ratio (6:1) and pH 3.0, the Cr(VI) present in the effluent was totally reduced (below detection limit) in 360 min (k = 1.93 × 10−2 mg L− 1 min− 1), showing similar kinetic behavior as the process with the synthetic matrix. In all experiments, the concentrations of dissolved iron (Fe(II) and Fe(total)) were below the disposal limit established by Brazilian legislation, and total chromium removal was achieved by Cr(III) precipitation after the photocatalytic reaction.

Facile fabrication of semi-IPN hydrogel adsorbent based on quaternary cellulose via amino-anhydride click reaction in water

Clean and safe water resources play a key role in environmental safety and human health. Recently, hydrogels have attracted extensive attention due to their non-toxicity, controllable performance, and high adsorption. Herein, a semi- interpenetrating network hydrogel (semi-IPN-Gel) adsorbent based on quaternary cellulose (QC) was prepared by the amino-anhydride click reaction between maleic anhydride copolymer and polyacrylamine hydrochloride (PAH), and its adsorption properties for Eosin Y were studied. First, a binary copolymer (PAM) of acrylamide and maleic anhydride was synthesized by free radical polymerization. Then, the PAM, QC and PAH were dissolved in water, and the pH of the solution was adjusted to alkaline. Semi-IPN-Gel was successfully prepared by fast anhydride-amino click reaction. The preparation conditions of hydrogels were optimized by single-factor experiments. Finally, taking Eosin Y as a model pollutant, the adsorption performance of Eosin Y was studied. The factors influencing the adsorption capacity of the absorbents such as initial concentration of the Eosin Y, temperature, the amount of absorbent, ionic strength and pH of the Eosin Y solutions were investigated. And adsorption data were analyzed via the kinetic model and the isothermal model, indicating that the adsorption process of the hydrogel is a single layer chemisorption process.

Synthesis and evaluation of alkyl methacrylate-norbornene anhydride copolymers with various pendants as pour point depressants for soybean biodiesel-diesel blends

Adding more biodiesel in petrochemical diesel is one of the effective methods to alleviate the global petrochemical energy shortage, but the high-proportional biodiesel-diesel blends are always limited by the poor cold flow properties. To address this issue, a series of alkyl methacrylate-norbornene anhydride copolymers (CnMC-NA, n = 12, 14, 16, 18) with different molar ratios were synthesized as pour point depressants for B30 (30 vol% biodiesel + 70 vol% diesel). Results showed that C14MC-NA (6:1) presented the best depressive effects at 0.2 wt% dosage, and the cloud point (CP), cold filter plugging point (CFPP) and pour point (PP) of B30 have reduced by 3, 9 and 10 °C, respectively. To further improve their depressive efficiency, nine kinds of alcohols were optimized and grafted modification with C14MC-NA (6:1). The effect of these alcoholysis modified copolymers on CP, CFPP and PP of B30 were systematic researched. Results indicated that long-chain alcohols modified C14MC-NA exhibited better depressive effects on B30 than that of aromatic alcohols and short-chain alcohols. Among that, C14MC-NA-C14 at 0.15 wt% dosage exhibited the best reduction on CP, CFPP and PP of B30 by 5, 12 and 15 °C, respectively. Additionally, the mechanism was discussed by polarizing optical microscopy, rheology analysis, differential scanning calorimeter and low-temperature x-ray diffractometer.

Synthesis and solution properties of poly(p,α dimethylstyrene-co-maleic anhydride): The use of a monomer potentially obtained from renewable sources as a substitute of styrene in amphiphilic copolymers

The use of p,α-dimethylstyrene, potentially obtainable from renewable sources, as a substitute for styrene in the synthesis of amphiphilic copolymers is reported in this work. A series of novel poly(p,α-dimethylstyrene-co-maleic anhydride) (SMA) copolymers was synthesized, characterized, and studied as potential polymeric surfactants. After hydrolysis, the copolymers solution properties were compared to the similar and very well-known styrene-maleic acid copolymers. Both series of copolymers were synthesized using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer-mediated polymerization (RAFT), and a sample of poly(p,α-dimethylstyrene-co-maleic anhydride) was synthesized via classical free radical polymerization. The synthesized copolymers were studied from the point of view of their solution properties, with particular attention to the influence of the macromolecular and chemical structure on the surface tension of their aqueous solutions. Our results suggest that p,α-dimethylstyrene can be employed in copolymers with maleic anhydride, the resulting material being a valid alternative to SMA copolymers for various applications, such as emulsifiers and dispersants. Furthermore, the DMSMA series seems to be slightly more surface active than SMA.

Vertellus buys Polyscope Polymers

The specialty chemical maker Vertellus has acquired Polyscope Polymers for an undisclosed amount. Based in Geleen, the Netherlands, Polyscope specializes in styrene maleic anhydride copolymers, which are used in engineering plastics, electronics, coatings, and inks. The private equity firm Pritzker Private Capital bought Vertellus last year. Vertellus subsequently acquired potassium chloride and vaccine adjuvant businesses from Chemtrade Logistics for $155 million and the food and personal care ingredient maker Jarchem Innovative Ingredients.

Surface modification of recycled coir fibers with hybrid coating and its effect on the properties of ABS composites

In this work, a hybrid coating (TSMA) was produced using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS)/KH550/Styrene maleic anhydride copolymer (SMA) as raw materials. The coating was afterwards applied to modify recycled coir (r-coir) fibers via dip-coating. R-coir fibers reinforced ABS composites were then prepared and the reinforcing effect of fibers on the composite structure was investigated, as well. The r-coir fibers coated with TSMA were hydrolyzed in air for 3 days. The SiO2 particles produced by sol-gel reaction of TEOS were used to connect KH550 and SMA to the surface of the fibers and form an organic-inorganic ‘armor’ structure. The successful surface modification of the r-coir fibers was proved via FTIR spectroscopic study and the improvement of their decomposition temperature was evidenced by TGA. Furthermore, the homogeneous dispersion of TSMA on the surface of r-coir fibers was observed via SEM. In addition, the tensile strength of single fibers was found to increase by 36.1%. According to the results, TSMA can be successfully homogenized on the fiber surface, enabling one to repair the damaged areas and improve the tensile strength of single fibers. Besides, good compatibility between r-coir fibers and ABS was revealed by contact angle measurements. Furthermore, the bending strength and elastic modulus of TSMA-modified r-coir fibers/ABS composites were improved by 6% and 27%, respectively. Therefore, the method of plant fiber modification proposed in present work provides a reliable way for effective reuse of r-coir fibers.

Ground Tire Rubber Modified by Elastomers via Low-Temperature Extrusion Process: Physico-Mechanical Properties and Volatile Organic Emission Assessment.

In this paper, low-temperature extrusion of ground tire rubber was performed as a pro-ecological waste tires recycling method. During this process, ground tire rubber was modified with constant content of dicumyl peroxide and a variable amount of elastomer (in the range: 2.5–15 phr). During the studies, three types of elastomers were used: styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene grafted with maleic anhydride and ethylene-octene copolymer. Energy consumption measurements, curing characteristics, physico-mechanical properties and volatile organic compounds emitted from modified reclaimed GTR were determined. The VOCs emission profile was investigated using a passive sampling technique, miniature emission chambers system and static headspace analysis and subsequently quantitative or qualitative analysis by gas chromatography. The VOCs analysis showed that in the studied conditions the most emitted volatile compounds are dicumyl peroxide decomposition by-products, such as: α-methylstyrene, acetophenone, α-cumyl alcohol, methyl cumyl ether, while the detection level of benzothiazole (devulcanization “marker”) was very low. Moreover, it was found that the mechanical properties of the obtained materials significantly improved with a higher content of styrene-butadiene rubber and styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene grafted with maleic anhydride while the opposite trend was observed for ethylene-octene copolymer content.

Three-dimensional protein microarrays fabricated on reactive microsphere modified COC substrates.

Fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) surface structures for the high density immobilization of biomolecules is an effective way to prepare highly sensitive biochips. In this work, a strategy to attach polymeric microspheres on a cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) substrate for the preparation of a 3D protein chip was developed. The COC surface was firstly functionalized by the photograft technique with epoxy groups, which were subsequently converted to amine groups. Then monodisperse poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) (PSM) copolymer microspheres were prepared by self-stabilized precipitation polymerization and deposited as a single layer on a modified COC surface to form a 3D surface texture. The surface roughness of the COC support undergoes a significant increase from 1.4 nm to 37.1 nm after deposition of PSM microspheres with a size of 460 nm, and the modified COC still maintains a transmittance of more than 63% at the fluorescence excitation wavelengths (555 nm and 647 nm). The immobilization efficiency of immunoglobulin G (IgG) on the 3D surface reached 75.6% and the immobilization density was calculated to be 0.255 μg cm-2, at a probe protein concentration of 200 μg mL-1. The 3D protein microarray can be rapidly blocked by gaseous ethylenediamine within 10 minutes due to the high reactivity of anhydride groups in PSM microspheres. Immunoassay results show that the 3D protein microarray achieved specific identification of the target protein with a linear detection range from 6.25 ng mL-1 to 250 ng mL-1 (R2 > 0.99) and a limit of detection of 8.87 ng mL-1. This strategy offers a novel way to develop high performance polymer-based 3D protein chips.

Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Biodegradable Composites Based on graft copolymer LLDPE-g-MA/Gelatin

The uncontrolled development of morphology at the stage of formation of biodegradable compositions based on synthetic and natural polymers limits the possibility of achieving satisfactory physical and mechanical and operational characteristics. In the present work, to achieve finely dispersed mixture morphology, an approach was proposed for reactive mixing of functionalized polyethylene with gelatin to form a linear low density polyethylene-grafted-maleic anhydride and gelatin (LLDPE-g-MA/GEL) graft copolymer. Using the selective extraction of the mixture components, we determined amount of graft copolymer LLDPE-g-MA/GEL, free gelatin, mechanical and thermal properties, as well as biodegradability data. It was found that as the amount of maleic groups in the polyethylene macromolecule increased, the amount of graft copolymer increased, and an increase in the content of gelatin in the blend led to a noticeable increase in the elastic modulus, tensile strength, and a decrease in elongation at break. Due to the degradation of gelatin, the thermal stability of the composite (initial temperature) decreased with increasing gelatin content. The maximum rate of destruction of the graft copolymer in the temperature range of 400–500 ºC increased markedly with an increase in the content of gelatin. It was found that the rate of biodegradability would increase with an increase in the content of gelatin in the blend; the maximum level of degradation was observed during the first 10 days and was more than 50 %. It was found that the maximum degree of grafting LLDPE-g-MA and gelatin to each other depended on the amount of maleic anhydride in the graft copolymer. The maximum degree of grafting was ob-served to be higher with increasing amount of maleic anhydride in the composites.

A one-component phosphonium borane Lewis pair serves as a dual initiator and catalyst in the ring-opening alternating copolymerization of anhydrides and epoxides

Lewis pairs as synergistic catalysts have demonstrated versatile adaptabilities towards different monomers.

Tailoring the dual role of styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer in the fabrication of polysulfone ultrafiltration membranes: Acting as a pore former and amphiphilic surface modifier

• The ring opening of SMA(anh) in NaOH solution enhanced the interaction with PSF. • The transformation of SMA(anh) into SMA enhanced the pore-forming ability. • Long finger-like pores were created on the cross section of PSF/SMA-4 h membrane. • Membrane performances were optimized by the cumulative effects of SMA and PEG. To enhance the membrane performances, amphiphilic copolymers are extensively used to modify polymeric membranes by the surface segregation. Notably, they also act as a pore former in the membrane fabrication by the nonsolvent induced phase separation (NIPS). However, it is rarely reported to systematically adjust the pore-forming ability. Herein, a simple method is proposed to simultaneously adjust the surface segregation and pore-forming ability of styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer (SMA (anh)) in the PSF composite membrane formation by its ring opening reaction in the alkaline environment. The surface segregation and pore-forming ability were obviously enhanced accompanying with the miscibility improvement of dope solutions. Subsequently, the membrane microstructure was further optimized by selecting polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the second additive. Significantly, high-molecular-weight PEG was anchored on the membrane surface via strong hydrogen bonding and chain entanglement with sodium styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer (SMA). Compared with the PSF/SMA (anh) membrane, water contact angle (WCA) was obviously reduced due to the cumulative effects of SMA and PEG. Moreover, the resultant membranes displayed the pure water flux of 415.8 L/m 2 ·h·bar, BSA rejection of 98.3 % and flux recovery ratio (FRR) of 95.15 %, which remarkably excelled those reported values for other similar PSF composite membranes.

Synthesis and Characterization of Functional Monomer N‐Vinyl Formamide (NVF)

AbstractN‐vinyl formamide (NVF) is successfully synthesized by using the intermediate polystyrene maleic anhydride ester. The prepared NVF owns high purity and the diacid as a by‐product of synthesis can be reused. N‐a‐hydroxyethyl formamide (NHEF) is synthesized by using acetaldehyde and formamide as raw materials in the presence of basic catalyst. Acetaldehyde is purified by distillation under reduced pressure and dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Low molecular weight styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer (SMA) is synthesized by the reaction of styrene and maleic anhydride in the presence of benzoyl peroxide initiator using acetone as solvent. The intermediate polystyrene maleic anhydride ester (NHEF–ADDUCT) is synthesized with SMA and NHEF as raw materials. Finally, the obtained NHEF–ADDUCT is cracked and the target product NVF is isolated and purified. The NVF is characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography (GC), 1H‐NMR, and 13C‐NMR. The purity of NVF is 86.7% as measured by iodometric method and GC internal standard method, indicating the small amount of impurity formamide in it.

Microstructure manipulation in PVDF/SMA/MWCNTs ultrafiltration membranes: Effects of hydrogen bonding and crystallization during the membrane formation

• The hydrogen bonding and nucleation of MWCNTs affected the membrane microstructures. • The hydrogen bonding strength followed the tendency like MWCNT-COOH > MWCNT-NH > MWCNT-OH. • MWCNT-OH induced the transformation of unstable β-phase to stable α-phase in PVDF. • MWCNT-COOH modified membranes had high permeation, rejection and antifouling ability. Amphiphilic copolymers and functionalized nanoparticles have been severally used to modify polymeric membranes to enhance their antifouling properties. However, their synergistic effects on the membrane microstructure and performance have been rarely reported. Herein, sodium styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer (SMANa) and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes with carboxyl groups (MWCNT-COOH), amino groups (MWCNT-NH) and hydroxyl groups (MWCNT-OH) were utilized to blend with poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) to fabricate the composite membrane by phase inversion. The hydrogen bonding between functional groups and SMANa, and the nucleation of MWCNTs were systematically investigated during the membrane formation. The hydrogen bonding strength followed the tendency of MWCNT-COOH > MWCNT-NH > MWCNT-OH. For MWCNT-NH, weak hydrogen bonding resulted in its aggregation in the dope solution and some large pores on the membrane surface. The α-nucleation of MWCNT-OH mainly dominated the membrane microstructure instead of hydrogen bonding, leading to a dense surface skin layer. In contrast, uniform and suitable pore structures were constructed on the MWCNT-COOH modified membrane thanks to the strong hydrogen bonding. Correspondingly, the resultant membrane simultaneously exhibited a better permeate flux (1266.50 L/m 2 ·h·bar) and rejections to BSA (98.60%), Congo red (62.85%) and methyl blue (29.19%), and the highest flux recovery ratio (88.5%), indicating excellent antifouling properties.

Multi-functional oilfield production chemicals: maleic-based polymers for gas hydrate and corrosion inhibition

Several chemical problems can occur during the production of oil and gas through flow lines. This includes corrosion, scale deposition and gas hydrate plugging. Three separate chemicals may be needed to treat these issues. Kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHIs) are used in cold oil or natural gas production flow lines to prevent the formation and plugging of the line with gas hydrates. They are often injected concomitantly with other production chemicals such as corrosion and scale inhibitors. KHIs are specific low molecular weight water-soluble polymers with amphiphilic groups formulated with synergists and solvents. However, many corrosion inhibitors (CIs) are antagonistic to the KHI polymer, severely reducing the KHI performance. It would be preferable and economic if the KHI also could act as a CI. We have explored the use of maleic-based copolymers as KHIs as well as their use as film-forming CIs. KHIs were tested using a natural gas mixture in high pressure rocking cells using the slow constant cooling test method. A terpolymer from reaction of vinyl acetate:maleic anhydride copolymer with cyclohexy lamine and 3,3-di-n-butylaminopropylamine (VA:MA-60% cHex-40% DBAPA), gave excellent performance as a KHI, better than the commercially available poly(N-vinyl caprolactam) (PVCap). CO2 corrosion inhibition was measured by Linear Polarization Resistance (LPR) in a 1 litre CO2 bubble test equipment using C1018 steel coupons. The new terpolymer gave good CO2 corrosion inhibition in 3.6 wt% brine, significantly better than PVCap, but not as good as a commercial imidazoline-based surfactant corrosion inhibitor. The terpolymer also showed good corrosion inhibition efficiency at high salinity conditions, (density 1.12 g/cm3). VA:MA-60% cHex-40% DBAPA shifted the open-circuit potential to more positive values and significantly decreased the corrosion rate.

A magnetic nanocomposite based on amine-functionalized pH-sensitive functional poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) copolymer for selective extraction, pre-concentration and determination of sub-trace Ag+ and Cu2+ ions from edible vegetable oils by a combination of spectrophotometry and ultrasound-assisted cloud point extraction

A magnetic nanocomposite based on amine-functionalized pH-sensitive functional poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) copolymer for selective extraction, pre-concentration and determination of sub-trace Ag+ and Cu2+ ions from edible vegetable oils by a combination of spectrophotometry and ultrasound-assisted cloud point extraction

Exploiting styrene-maleic acid copolymer grafting chromatographic stationary phase materials for separation of membrane lipids

High performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry is one of the most commonly used strategies for lipid analysis. The development of versatile chromatographic stationary phases to meet the increasing demands for separation of complex lipids is very important. Styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymer is an amphiphilic polymer, which has been proven to have the ability to solubilize lipid molecules of various structures. In this study, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer coated silica was first prepared by the thiol-ene click reaction. With l-cysteine hydrochloride or dodecanol as the post-modification reagents, Sil-SMA-amino acid and Sil-SMA-dodecanol stationary phase materials were further successfully fabricated via nucleophilic ring-opening reaction. The Fourier-transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, and elemental analysis results confirmed the two stationary phase materials were successfully prepared. Furthermore, both the Sil-SMA-dodecanol column and the Sil-SMA-amino acid column possessed reversed-phase/hydrophilic interaction/ion exchange mixed-mode retention mechanisms. The column efficiency of the Sil-SMA-derivatives columns reached 77,300 N/m. Based on the mixed-mode retention characteristics, the Sil-SMA-derivatives columns achieved both the lipid classes and species separation via a single column. The Sil-SMA-amino acid column was further successfully used to separate lipid extract from gastric cancer cell membrane. All these results demonstrated that the SMA-based stationary phase materials have a good potential for use in lipid separation.

Enhancement of the Processability and Properties of Nylon 6 by Blending with Polyketone

Polyketones (PKs) having strong hydrogen bonding properties and a chain extender are used as additives in the melt processing of nylon 6 (PA6). Their effect on the chain structure and properties of PA6 is studied to enhance the processability of PA6 in melt processing. The addition of the chain extender to PA6 increases the melt viscosity by forming branches on the backbone. The addition of PKs results in an additional increase in viscosity through the hydrogen bonding between N–H of PA6 and C=O of PK. The change in the N–H bond FT-IR peak of PA6 and the swelling data of the PA6/PK blend containing a chain extender, styrene maleic anhydride copolymer (ADR), suggest that incorporation of chain extender and PK in the melt processing of PA6 results in physical crosslinks through hydrogen bonding between the branched PA6 formed by the addition of chain extender and PK chains. This change in the chain structure of PA6 not only increases the melt strength of PA6 but also increases randomness resulting in decreased crystallinity.

Amphiphilic Copolymers for Versatile, Facile, and In Situ Tunable Surface Biofunctionalization (Adv. Mater. 42/2021)

Surface Biofunctionalization In article number 2102489, Carsten Werner, Uwe Freudenberg, and co-workers introduce a set of PEGylated styrene maleic acid(anhydride) copolymers with systematically varied molecular architecture—”anchor polymers”—and demonstrate their potentialities for adsorptive surface biofunctionalization of bulk materials.