• Macromolecular Research
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.231-235
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• 2003

Phase behavior information is necessary for accomplishing homogeneous copolymerization to obtain high yield of copolymers and prevent a fouling problem. Cloud-point data to $160^{\circ}C$ and 1,450 bar are presented for five $C_6$ hydrocarbon solvents, normal hexane, 2,2-dimethyl butane, 2,3-dimethyl butane, 2-methyl pentane, and 3-methyl pentane, with poly(ethylene-co-53 mol% norbornene) ($PEN_{53}$). The pressure-concentration isotherms measured for $PEN_{53}$/n-hexane have maximums that range between 5 and 12 wt% $PEN_{53}$. The cloud-point curves for $PEN_{53}$ all have negative slopes that decrease in pressure with temperatures. The single-phase region of $PEN_{53}$ in n-hexane is larger than the regions in 2,2-dimethyl butane, 2,3-dimethyl butane, 2-methyl pentane, and 3-methyl pentane. The cloud-point curve of $PEN_{53}$ in 2,2-dimethyl butane is located at higher temperatures and pressures than the curve in 2,3-dimethyl butane due to the reduced dispersion interactions with and limited access of 2,2-dimethyl butane to the copolymer. Similar cloud-point behavior is observed for $PEN_{53}$ in 2-methyl pentane and 3-methyl pentane.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.196-208
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• 2009

Sophisticated polymeric materials with 'responsive' properties are beginning to reach the market. The use of reversible, noncovalent interactions is a recurring design principle for responsive materials. Recently developed hydrogen-bonding units allow this design principle to be taken to its extreme. Supramolecular polymers, where hydrogen bonds are the only force keeping the monomers together, form materials whose (mechanical) properties respond strongly to a change in temperature or solvent. In this review, we describe some examples of hydrogen-bonded supramolecular polymers that can be utilized for self-healing materials. Synthesis of a rubber-like material that can be recycled might not seem exciting. But one that can also repeatedly repair itself at room temperature, without adhesives, really stretches the imagination. Autonomic healing materials respond without external intervention to environmental stimuli in a nonlinear and productive fashion, and have great potential for advanced engineering systems.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.187-195
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• 2018

In this work, the morphology of polyvinylidene-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-co-HFP) membranes were systemically investigated using phase inversion technique, to target membrane contactor applications. As the presence of macrovoids degrade the mechanical integrity of the membranes and jeopardize the long-term stability of membrane contactor processes (e.g. wetting), a wide range of dope compositions and casting conditions was studied to eliminate the undesired macrovoids. The type of solvent had significant effect on the membrane morphology, and the observed morphology were correlated to the physical properties of the solvent and solvent-polymer interactions. In addition, to fabricate macrovoid-free structure, the effects of different coagulation temperatures, inclusion of additives, and addition of nonsolvents were investigated. Due to the slow crystallization rate of P(VDF-co-HFP) polymer, it was found that obtaining porous membrane without macrovoids is difficult using only nonsolvent-induced phase separation method (NIPS). However, combined other phase inversion methods such as evaporation-induced phase separation (EIPS) and vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS), the desired membrane morphology can be obtained without any macrovoids.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2003

A new method is introduced to build up organic/organic multilayer films composed of cationic poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and negatively charged poly (sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) using the spinning process. The adsorption process is governed by both the viscous force induced by fast solvent elimination and the electrostatic interaction between oppositely charged species. On the other hand, the centrifugal and air shear forces applied by the spinning process significantly enhances desorption of weakly bound polyelectrolyte chains and also induce the planarization of the adsorbed polyelectrolyte layer. The film thickness per bilayer adsorbed by the conventional dipping process and the spinning process was found to be about 4 ${\AA}$ and 24 ${\AA}$, respectively. The surface of the multilayer films prepared with the spinning process is quite homogeneous and smooth. Also, a new approach to create multilayer ultrathin films with well-defined micropatterns in a short process time is Introduced. To achieve such micropatterns with high line resolution in organic multilayer films, microfluidic channels were combined with the convective self-assembly process employing both hydrogen bonding and electrostatic intermolecular interactions. The channels were initially filled with polymer solution by capillary pressure and the residual solution was then removed by the .spinning process.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.446-452
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• 2005

The interactions between the surface of scaffolds and specific cells play an important role in tissue engineering applications. Some cell adhesive ligand peptides including Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) have been grafted into polymeric scaffolds to improve specific cell attachment. In order to make cell adhesive scaffolds for tissue regeneration, biodegradable nonporous poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) films were prepared by using a solvent casting technique with chloroform. The hydrophobic PLLA films were surface-modified by Argon plasma treatment and in situ direct acrylic acid (AA) grafting to get hydrophilic PLLA-g-PAA. The obtained carboxylic groups of PLLA-g-PAA were coupled with the amine groups of Gly-Arg-Asp-Gly (GRDG, control) and GRGD as a ligand peptide to get PLLA-g-GRDG and PLLA-g-GRGD, respectively. The surface properties of the modified PLLA films were examined by various surface analyses. The surface structures of the PLLA films were confirmed by ATR-FTIR and ESCA, whereas the immobilized amounts of the ligand peptides were 138-145 pmol/$cm^2$. The PLLA surfaces were more hydrophilic after AA and/or RGD grafting but their surface morphologies showed still relatively smoothness. Fibroblast adhesion to the PLLA surfaces was improved in the order of PLLA control

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.464-469
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• 2003

In this work, the fragrant oil release behavior of poly($\varepsilon$-caprolactone) (PCL) microcapsules containing SiO$_2$ was investigated. The SiO$_2$ was chemically treated in 10, 20, and 30 wt% hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. The acid and base values were determined by Boehm's titration technique and $N_2$/77 K adsorption isotherm characteristics, the specific surface area and total pore volume were studied by BET. The PCL microcapsules containing SiO$_2$ and fragrant oil were prepared by oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion solvent evaporation method. The shape and surface of PCL microcapsules were observed using image analyzer and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The fragrant oil release behavior of PCL microcapsules was characterized using UV/vis. spectra. The average diameters of PCL microcapsules were decreased from 35 to 21 $\mu$m with increasing stirring rate. It was found that in the case of acidic treatment the fragrant oil adsorption capacity and release rate were increased due to the increase of specific surface area and acid value. In the case of basic treatment, the fragrant oil adsorption capacity and release rate were decreased due to the decrease of sp ecific surface area and the increase of acid-base interactions between SiO$_2$-NaOH and fragrant oil with increasing base value of SiO$_2$.