Polyethylene Glycol Methyl Methacrylate Research Articles

Effect of Polyethylene Glycol Methyl Ether Methacrylate on the Biodegradability of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Starch Blend Films.

Blend copolymers (PVA/S) were grafted with polyethylene glycol methyl methacrylate (PEGMA) with different ratios. Potassium persulfate was used as an initiator. The blend copolymer (PVA/S) was created by combining poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with starch (S) in various ratios. The main idea was to study the effect of different ratios of the used raw materials on the biodegradability of plastic films. The resulting polymers (PVA/S/PEGMA) were analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy to investigate the hydrogen bond interaction between PVA, S, and PEGMA in the mixtures. TGA and SEM analyses were used to characterize the polymers (PVA/S/AA). The biodegradability and mechanical properties of the PVA/S/PEGMA blend films were evaluated. The findings revealed that the mechanical properties of the blend films are highly influenced by PEGMA. The time of degradation of the films immersed in soil and Coca-Cola increases as the contents of PVA and S and the molecular weight (MW) of PEGMA increase in the terpolymer. The M8 sample (PVA/S/PEGMA in the ratio of 3:1:2, respectively) with a MW of 950 g/mol produced the lowest elongation at break (67.5%), whereas M1 (PVA/S/PEGMA in the ratio of 1:1:1, respectively) with a MW of 300 g/mol produced the most (150%). The film's tensile strength and elongation at break were improved by grafting PEGMA onto the blending polymer (PAV-b-S). Tg and Tm increased when the PEGMA MW increased from 300 to 950. Tg (48.4 °C) and Tm (190.9 °C) were the lowest in M1 (300), while Tg (84.8 °C) and Tm (190.9 °C) were greatest in M1 (950) at 209.3 °C. The increased chain and molecular weight of PEGMA account for the increase in Tg and Tm of the copolymers.

Fine-Tuning the Degree of Negative Charge and Carboxylate Grafting Density of Polymer-Coated Magnetite Nanoparticle

The surface of magnetite nanoparticle (MNP) was modified with poly(acrylic acid)(PAA)-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl methacrylate (PEGMA) (co)polymer to obtain water dispersible MNP with pH sensitive surfaces via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of tert-butyl acrylate (t-BA), followed by the t-BA group deprotection. Molar compositions of the (co)polymer were systematically varied, namely 100:0, 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75 of P(t-BA)/PEGMA, respectively, such that the grafting density of carboxylate groups on the MNP surface after the deprotection can be fine-tuned. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the MNP were spherical (ca.5-12 nm in diameter) with some nanoclustering observed. The roles of PAA and PEGMA affecting the hydrodynamic size and zeta potential of the nanocomposites observed via photocorrelation spectroscopy (PCS) were discussed. The percentages of the polymeric composition in the nanocomposites in each step of the reaction were determined via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and their magnetic properties were studied via vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). These novel nanocomposites with pH sensitive surface and magnetically guidable properties might be advantageous for further conjugations either by covalent or ionic bonding with bioentities. HIGHLIGHTS Magnetite nanoparticle (MNP) coated poly(acrylic acid)(PAA)-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl methacrylate (PEGMA) (co)polymer were fabricated via ATRP The ratio of t-BA to PEGMA used in the copolymerization was studied The nanocomposites showed pH sensitive surface and magnetically guidable properties GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Pegylated Metal-Phenolic Networks for Antimicrobial and Antifouling Properties.

Metal-phenolic networks (MPNs) have recently attracted great interest in material chemistry and biomaterials because of their biocompatible, versatile, and multifunctional properties. In this paper, we describe a facile method for preparation of a designable antifouling, antimicrobial, and substrate-independent coating assembled from the coordination of metal ions and catecholic groups. Hydrophilic and catecholic polymers were synthesized by copolymerization of dopamine methacrylamide (DMA) and poly(ethylene glycol)methyl methacrylate (PEGMA) to afford p(PEGMA- co-DMA). To investigate the assembly and formation of MPN films, two different metal ions, that is, ferrous (FeII) and ferric (FeIII) ions, to react with p(PEGMA- co-DMA) were compared. The binding constants between iron ions and p(PEGMA- co-DMA) have been investigated by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis). Measurements with atomic force microscopy, contact angle goniometer, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were carried out to quantitatively analyze the surface morphology, wettability, and interfacial elemental compositions of coatings, respectively. Moreover, ellipsometric measurements were performed to obtain the film thickness and grafting density. In addition, the pH-responsive property of the MPN films was investigated at different pH values, showing fast disassembly of the networks at low pH. The antifouling properties of the obtained coatings were analyzed by exposing them to bacteria of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis and NIH-3T3 fibroblasts under observation of fluorescence microscopy and cell imaging analysis. The findings suggest that the MPN from complexation of p(PEGMA- co-DMA) and metal ions provides excellent antifouling, pH-responsive, and biocompatible properties on a wide range of substrates. Furthermore, the released iron ions can effectively suppress the growth of bacteria. Accordingly, the new coating architecture offers a universal feature to control surface properties and functionalization for various applications.

Exceptionally stable polymer electrolyte for a lithium battery based on cross-linking by a residue-free process

Abstract In this paper, we report the synthesis of cross-linked copolymers of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and poly (ethylene glycol) methyl methacrylate (PEGMA) for use as solid polymer electrolytes (SPE). The cross-linking is performed with volatile ethylene diamine, thus preventing the accumulation of undesirable precursors in the final membrane. The structure of the cross-linked polymer electrolyte was investigated by 13C solid NMR and its physical properties were examined by DSC, TGA and stress-strain tests. The ionic conductivities were determined by AC Impedance, which showed that the SPEs have good conductivities (10−5 Scm−1) at 80 °C. The highest capacity measured with these polymers was 151 mAh g−1 at C/6 and 80 °C for a LFP/SPE/Lithium battery. The retention capacity is high, at 97% after 80 cycles at different rates of cycling. The Young's modulus of the membranes is as high as 1 GPa. The SEM images showed no evidence of lithium dendrites and no degradation after cycling. Therefore, the polymer is a good candidate for battery operation over a long time. Especially important is the ability of this polymer to prevent growth of dendrites on the Li-metal electrode.

A bioinspired strategy for surface modification of silica nanoparticles

Silica nanoparticles have become one of the most promising nanomaterials for a vast of applications. In this work, a novel strategy for surface modification of silica nanoparticles has been developed for the first time via combination of mussel inspired chemistry and Michael addition reaction. In this procedure, thin polydopamine (PDA) films were first coated on the bare silica nanoparticles via self-polymerization of dopamine in alkaline condition. And then amino-containing polymers were introduced onto the PDA coated silica nanoparticles through Michael addition reaction, that are synthesized from free radical polymerization using poly(ethylene glycol) methyl methacrylate (PEGMA) and N-(3-aminopropyl) methacrylamide (NAPAM) as monomers and ammonium persulfate as the initiator. The successful modification of silica nanoparticles was evidenced by a series of characterization techniques. As compared with the bare silica nanoparticles, the polymers modified silica nanoparticles showed remarkable enhanced dispersibility in both aqueous and organic solution. This strategy is rather simple, effective and versatile. Therefore, it should be of specific importance for further applications of silica nanoparticles and will spark great research attention of scientists from different fields.

An extremely simple method for fabricating 3D protein microarrays with an anti-fouling background and high protein capacity.

Protein microarrays have become vital tools for various applications in biomedicine and bio-analysis during the past decade. The intense requirements for a lower detection limit and industrialization in this area have resulted in a persistent pursuit to fabricate protein microarrays with a low background and high signal intensity via simple methods. Here, we report on an extremely simple strategy to create three-dimensional (3D) protein microarrays with an anti-fouling background and a high protein capacity by photo-induced surface sequential controlled/living graft polymerization developed in our lab. According to this strategy, "dormant" groups of isopropyl thioxanthone semipinacol (ITXSP) were first introduced to a polymeric substrate through ultraviolet (UV)-induced surface abstraction of hydrogen, followed by a coupling reaction. Under visible light irradiation, the ITXSP groups were photolyzed to initiate surface living graft polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl methacrylate (PEGMMA), thus introducing PEG brushes to the substrate to generate a full anti-fouling background. Due to the living nature of this graft polymerization, there were still ITXSP groups on the chain ends of the PEG brushes. Therefore, by in situ secondary living graft cross-linking copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), we could finally plant height-controllable cylinder microarrays of a 3D PEG network containing reactive epoxy groups onto the PEG brushes. Through a commonly used reaction of amine and epoxy groups, the proteins could readily be covalently immobilized onto the microarrays. This delicate design aims to overcome two universal limitations in protein microarrays: a full anti-fouling background can effectively eliminate noise caused by non-specific absorption and a 3D reactive network provides a larger protein-loading capacity to improve signal intensity. The results of non-specific protein absorption tests demonstrated that the introduction of PEG brushes greatly improved the anti-fouling properties of the pristine low-density polyethylene (LDPE), for which the absorption to bovine serum albumin was reduced by 83.3%. Moreover, the 3D protein microarrays exhibited a higher protein capacity than the controls to which were attached the same protein on PGMA brushes and monolayer epoxy functional groups. The 3D protein microarrays were used to test the immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in human serum, suggesting that they could be used for biomedical diagnosis, which indicates that more potential bio-applications could be developed for these protein microarrays in the future.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel macromolecular surface modifier for polyethylene

A new macromolecular surface modifier, a copolymer of lauryl methacrylate (LMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl methacrylate (PEGMA), was synthesized through free radical polymerization. The copolymer was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum (1H-NMR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The copolymer was used to blend with polyethylene. The binary blends have been characterized by attenuated total reflection/Fourier transform infrared (ATRFTIR), contact-angle measurements (CDA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that poly(ethylene glycol) methyl methacrylate-co-lauryl methacrylate (PEGMA-co-LMA) could diffuse preferably onto the surface of the polyethylene (PE) film, and thus can be used as an efficient surface modifier for PE.

Thermoresponsive terpolymers based on methacrylate monomers: Effect of architecture and composition

AbstractA series of amphiphilic thermoresponsive copolymers was synthesized by group transfer polymerization. Seven copolymers were prepared based on the nonionic hydrophobic n‐butyl methacrylate (BuMA), the ionizable hydrophilic and thermoresponsive 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and the nonionic hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol)methyl methacrylate (PEGMA). In particular, one diblock copolymer and six tricomponent copolymers of different architectures and compositions, one random and five triblock copolymers, were synthesized. The polymers and their precursors were characterized in terms of their molecular weight and composition using gel permeation chromatography and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, respectively. Aqueous solutions of the polymers were studied by turbidimetry, hydrogen ion titration, and light scattering to determine their cloud points, pKas, and hydrodynamic diameters and investigate the effect of the polymers' composition and architecture. The thermoresponsive behavior of the copolymers was also studied. By increasing the temperature, all polymer solutions became more viscous, but only one polymer, the one with the highest content of the hydrophobic BuMA, formed a stable physical gel. Interestingly, the thermoresponsive behavior of these triblock copolymers was affected not only by the terpolymers' composition but also by the terpolymers' architecture. These findings can facilitate the design and engineering of injectable copolymers for tissue engineering that could enable the in situ formation of physical gels at body temperature. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 775–783, 2010