Side-chain Crystalline Block Copolymer Research Articles

Formation of a glyco-functionalized interface on polyethylene using a side-chain crystalline block copolymer with epoxide

Formation of a glyco-functionalized interface on polyethylene using a side-chain crystalline block copolymer with epoxide

Enhancement of the Surface Properties on Polypropylene Film Using Side-Chain Crystalline Block Copolymers.

The consumption of polypropylene (PP) has significantly increased over that of other materials because of its light weight, easy molding, and high mechanical strength. However, the applications of PP are limited, owing to the lack of surface properties, especially with respect to adhesive properties and hydrophilicity. In this study, we developed a surface modification method for enhancing the adhesive properties and hydrophilicity on the PP surface using a side-chain crystalline block copolymer (SCCBC). This method was simple and involved the dipping of a PP film in a diluted SCCBC solution. The optimized modification conditions for enhancing the adhesive properties of PP were investigated. The results revealed that the adhesion strength of PP modified with the SCCBC of behenyl acrylate and 2-(tert-butylamino)ethyl methacrylate was enhanced to 2.00 N/mm (T-peel test) and 1.05 N/mm2 (tensile shear test). In addition, the hydrophilicity of PP modified with the SCCBC of behenyl acrylate and di(ethylene glycol)ethyl ether acrylate was enhanced to a water contact angle of 69 ± 4°. Surface analysis was also performed to elucidate a plausible mechanism for PP modification by the SCCBCs. This surface modification method is facile and enhances desirable properties for the wide application of PP.

Development of surface properties of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene film using side-chain crystalline block copolymers

Abstract Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been widely used in industry; however, the applications for UHMWPE are limited because of low hydrophilic and adhesive properties. Herein, we developed the surface properties of UHMWPE by using side-chain crystalline block copolymers (SCCBCs), which consist of a side-chain crystalline unit and a functional unit. This process only required immersing the UHMWPE film in the diluted SCCBC solution, which enabled the UHMWPE surface to be coated homogeneously. The results of the contact angle and tensile shear test showed that the surface of UHMWPE modified with SCCBC was improved in hydrophilicity and adhesive properties. In addition, high adhesion strength was measured on UHMWPE surfaces dipped in a SCCBC solution at high temperature with the UHMWPE film becoming elongated at all parts other than the adhesion contact area.

Dependence of viscosity and transition temperatures of a thermal rheological fluid system on the molecular weight of the side-chain crystalline block copolymer dispersant

Stimuli-responsive materials are promising intelligent materials because of precise and easy control of their various properties simply by providing external stimuli. Herein, we developed a temperature-responsive thermal rheological (TR) fluid, consisting of a solution of polyethylene (PE) fine particle dispersion and a side-chain crystalline block copolymer (SCCBC). The viscosity of the TR fluid was reduced significantly depending on the degree of polymerization of SCCBC; the viscosity was minimized by using a stearyl acrylate15-n-butyl acrylate59 (STA15-nBA59) which has a low total molecular weight and whose functional unit has larger molecular weight than the side-chain crystalline unit. In addition, the TR fluids changed from liquid to almost-solid state, depending on temperature, and the transition temperature of TR fluid was increased using SCCBC with a higher total molecular weight. This result implied that the transition temperatures and viscosity of the TR fluids could be controlled simply by changing the molecular weight of SCCBCs.

Chemical Surface Modification of Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Fiber with Side-Chain Crystalline Block Copolymers and the Dyeing Characteristics

Chemical Surface Modification of Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Fiber with Side-Chain Crystalline Block Copolymers and the Dyeing Characteristics

Improving the adhesion of polyethylene surfaces using Side-Chain crystalline block copolymer

While polyethylene is widely used in consumer products, its use in other applications is limited because of low adhesive properties. In this study, the adhesive properties of high-density polyethylene were improved by a facile chemical treatment which was no require the special equipment or reagents. This simple treatment enabled the homogeneous modification of a polyethylene surface by dipping in a dilute solution containing a side-chain crystalline block copolymer (SCCBC) for a short time. SCCBC comprises of a block copolymer with one monomer containing long alkane side chains that form the side-chain crystalline units and the other that contains functional monomers. The adhesive strength of the high-density polyethylene film modified by SCCBC, as determined using a T-peel test and tensile shear test, was stronger than the non-modified high-density polyethylene substrate. Furthermore, this facile method imparted these strong adhesive properties to high-density polyethylene over a wide variety of treatment conditions such as temperature of SCCBC solution, concentration, dipping time and types of solvent.

Staining Characteristics of Polyethylene Fiber with Side Chain Crystalline Block Copolymer

Staining Characteristics of Polyethylene Fiber with Side Chain Crystalline Block Copolymer

Investigation about Addition of Adhesive Property to High Density Polyethylene Using Side Chain Crystalline Block Copolymer

Investigation about Addition of Adhesive Property to High Density Polyethylene Using Side Chain Crystalline Block Copolymer

Modification of polyethylene using side-chain crystalline block copolymer and evaluation of hydrophilicity

We synthesized side-chain crystalline block copolymer that exhibit an adsorptive interaction with polyethylene (PE) using a monomer with a long alkane side chain and a hydrophilic monomer. By coating PE with a dilute solution of these block copolymers, the PE surface can easily be endowed with hydrophilicity in a uniform manner. This method does not require a special experimental apparatus or reagents and is more viable than conventional methods in terms of energy efficiency and cost, which means it has a lower environmental impact. Based on the measured contact angle on the modified PE surface, we also evaluated the effects of copolymer concentration in the coating solution and the degree of polymerization in the functional region of the copolymer. The results suggest that the hydrophilicity of the PE surface can be controlled by adjusting these parameters. We synthesized side-chain crystalline block copolymer that exhibit an adsorptive interaction with polyethylene (PE) using a monomer with a long alkane side chain and a hydrophilic monomer. By coating PE with a dilute solution of these block copolymers, the PE surface can easily be endowed with hydrophilicity in a uniform manner. This method does not require a special experimental apparatus or reagents and is more viable than conventional methods in terms of energy efficiency and cost, which means it has a lower environmental impact. Based on the measured contact angle on the modified PE surface, we also evaluated the effects of copolymer concentration in the coating solution and the degree of polymerization in the functional region of the copolymer. The results suggest that the hydrophilicity of the PE surface can be controlled by adjusting these parameters.

側鎖結晶性ブロック共重合体を用いた動脈血管塞栓機能を有する熱レオロジー流体の創製と評価

側鎖結晶性ブロック共重合体を用いた動脈血管塞栓機能を有する熱レオロジー流体の創製と評価

Interaction between a Side Chain Crystalline Block Copolymer and Wax

Interaction between a Side Chain Crystalline Block Copolymer and Wax

Polyethylene Surface Modification by Side Chain Crystalline Block Copolymer

SummaryRecently, we found that Side Chain Crystalline Block Co‐Polymer (SCCBC), which has a long alkane side chain (>C10), can be used as a good dispersant for a concentrated polyethylene fine‐particle dispersion. We also found that the viscosity of this concentrated dispersion increased at high temperature and returned to normal at low temperature. We named this fluid Thermal Rheological Fluid (TR Fluid). The mechanism of this phenomenon involves the attachment and detachment of SCCBC. With the use of this mechanism, we examined whether it could be possible to modify the properties of a polyethylene (PE) surface. A PE film was dipped in a dilute SCCBC solution, and its surface was coated by SCCBC. The water contact angle changed from around 90° before coating to around 70° after coating. Thus, the surface of PE was made more hydrophilic. The adhesion strength was examined by a tensile test. The PE film elongated before the attached region broke. These results showed that SCCBC has a very high adhesion strength and can be used as a surface modifier or primer for attachment. Additionally, SCCBC could be easily removed from the PE film by hot water, and thus, it should be very easy to recycle or re‐use the PE.

Solid Electrolyte Function of a Polyethylene Porous Membrane Filled with Side-Chain Crystalline Block Co-Polymer by Using Its Crystalline Supramolecular Interaction

Side-Chain Crystalline Block Co-Polymer (SCCBC), which is composed of a side-chain crystalline monomer unit and a functional monomer unit (which can confer solvent-compatibility, polarity, etc.), can be adsorbed to a polyethylene crystal through crystalline supramolecular interaction. By using this interaction, we can modify not only the surface but also the inner pores of a porous polyethylene membrane to give various properties. In this study, we used a monomer with ethylene oxide repeating units as a functional unit, and evaluated its potential as a solid electrolyte for use in a Li ion secondary battery. The properties of the solid electrolyte were excellent compared to those of a non-modified porous membrane at low temperature. In addition, the solid electrolyte did not show temperature-dependence, and the Li+ ion conductivity remained nearly constant throughout the temperature range of 30°C to 60 oC. However, at high temperature (above 70 oC), the conductivity began to decrease. This characteristic may make it useful for sensing temperature and for self-controlling thermal runaway.

Synthesis of Semicrystalline/Fluorinated Side-Chain Crystalline Block Copolymers and Their Bulk and Thin Film Nanoordering

Semicrystalline/fluorinated side-chain crystalline block copolymers, dinonylphenyl end-capped poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(fluorinated methyl methacrylate) (DNPEPEO-b-PFMAs), were synthesized by ATRP of 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,10-heptadecafluorodecyl methacrylate using a surfactant poly(ethylene glycol) dinonylphenyl ether as precursor. Bulk and thin film morphologies in the block copolymers of DNPEPEO-b-PFMAs were investigated by DSC, WAXS, SAXS, TEM, AFM, and GISAXS. The block copolymers show microphase separated and ordered structures. In the bulk, a cylindrical morphology with PEO cylinders confined in PFMA matrix was confirmed by SAXS and TEM. WAXS studied on the copolymers bulk revealed semicrystalline PEO cylinders and PFMA matrix with the fluorinated side chain organized in bilayers. In thin films of DNPEPEO-b-PFMAs on PDMS modified silicon substrates, well ordered hexagonally packed arrays with PEO cylindrical microdomains normal to the substrate were observed. This fluorinated bloc...

Supramolecular Interaction of Side-Chain Crystalline Block Co-Polymer and Its Thermal Rheological Function

Recently, we polymerized a block copolymer that was constructed of side-chain crystalline monomer and a solvent-compatible monomer, which we referred to as a side-chain crystalline block copolymer (SCCBC). This SCCBC has a specific melting point. We found that this SCCBC was adsorbed onto polyethylene (PE) crystal by via supramolecular interaction. In addition, through this supramolecular interaction, the SCCBC acts as a dispersant for a concentrated PE particle dispersion, and this dispersion can be considered a Thermal Rheological Fluid. By using this novel supramolecular interaction, we can easily modify the surface properties of high crystalline polymers (PE, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc.), which have been thought to be inert. Especially, we can modify the inner surface properties of porous membranes without using physical methods (such as UV irradiation or plasma irradiation). Furthermore, these modified surface properties can revert to those in the non-modified state under changes in temperature. It may possible to develop intelligent materials with use of this supramolecular interaction in the near future. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.MF201318] (Received March 18, 2013; Accepted April 25, 2013; Published May 31, 2013)

Thermal Rheological Fluid Properties of Particle Dispersion Systems using Side Chain Crystalline Block Copolymer III.

We recently developed a new dispersant which can decrease the viscosity of concentrated polyethylene (PE) particle dispersions significantly. This dispersant is a block copolymer constructed with side chain crystalline monomers and solvent compatible monomers (Side Chain Crystalline Block Copolymer : SCCBC). Also the viscosity of this dispersion shows reversible temperature dependence that the viscosity increases with increasing temperature up to almost the original value of the dispersion without the dispersant. This phenomenon is named as “Thermal Rheology” and the fluid is named as “Thermal Rheological (TR) Fluid”. In the previous report, we found this TR Fluid effect depends on the randomness of the copolymer and solvent species qualitatively.In this investigation we researched about copolymer molecular composition and weight dependence on the TR Fluid effects. We also researched about deformation mode dependence. From this research, the TR Fluid effects strongly depend on the molecular weight, especially on the molecular weight of side chain crystalline composition. Also the TR Fluid effects are significant in low shear rate region and dynamic deformation mode.

Thermal Rheological Properties of the Particle Dispersion Systems with Using Side Chain Crystalline Block Co-Polymer (II)

In a previous paper, we reported that a block co-polymer constructed with side chain crystalline monomer and monomer having solvent affinity (Side Chain Crystalline Block Co-Polymer : SCCBC) decreased the viscosity of polyethylene particle dispersion incredibly. The dispersion system also showed the Thermal Rheological (TR) phenomenon that was with increasing the temperature the viscosity increased to the almost original viscosity of the dispersion system without SCCBC and with decreasing temperature the viscosity decreased reversibly. In this study, we considered the effect of the sequence distribution of SCCBC, species of side chain crystalline monomer, and species of solvent. We found that with using random copolymer, the TR behavior decreased. By changing the length of the side chain we could change the dispersant effect and also could control the transition temperature of TR phenomenon. We also found a specific SCCBC structure which could apply to the Teflon particle dispersion system. Moreover, we found that the dispersant effect depended on the species of the solvent and the dependence could arrange by the interfacial tension between solvent and solvent affinity monomer.