A. P. Filippov

Thermoresponsive Star-Shaped Poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) in Aqueous Solution

Thermoresponsive star-shaped poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) with t-butylcalix[8]arene core was studied by light scattering methods in aqueous solution. The sample under investigation has Mw = 19600 g mol−1 and PDI of arms 1.41. The bimodal distribution of scattering objects was observed even at room temperature. The redistribution of these two kinds of particles takes place at T = 27°–36°C. At higher temperatures the growth of large particles, disappearance of the small component, and appearance-disappearance of “middle-size” aggregates were observed. Only the large particles with the hydrodynamic radius 95 nm exist in proximity to LCST (37.5°C).

Hydrodynamic and conformational properties of a hyperbranched polymethylallylcarbosilane in dilute solutions

The hydrodynamic and conformational properties of a hyperbranched polymethylallylcarbosilane in hexane solutions have been studied by light scattering, sedimentation, translational diffusion, and viscometry. Fractions with M = (1–75) × 103 have been used in experiments. The solution behavior of the hyperbranched polymer significantly differs from the properties of both spherical particles and linear polymers. The shape of hyperbranched polymethylallylcarbosilane macromolecules differs from spherical—the asymmetry factor is p ≤ 1.5. Polymethylallylcarbosilane macromolecules in solutions are characterized by compact structure—the hydrodynamic radius is not higher than 4 nm at M = 75 × 103.

Synthesis and investigation of the solution behavior of graft block copolymers of polyimide and poly(methyl methacrylate)

Graft copolymers with a polyimide backbone and poly(methyl methacrylate) side chains are investigated in dilute chloroform and ethyl acetate solutions via the methods of molecular hydrodynamics and optics. Copolymer samples are prepared through the “grafting from” method via atom-transfer radical polymerization with a multicenter polyimide macroinitiator. In solutions of copolymers with low degrees of functionalization Z (40%), supermolecular structures are formed as a result of interactions between the polyimide backbones. In samples with Z → 100%, the backbone is well screened by side chains; therefore, molecular solutions are formed in both solvents. The hydrodynamic and conformational behavior of samples with high functionalization degrees changes after the transition from ethyl acetate to chloroform owing to the different thermodynamic qualities of the solvents with respect to the copolymer components. In both solvents, the backbone tends to avoid contact with a poor solvent. This effect is more pronounced in the case of ethyl acetate. Macromolecules of the studied graft copolymers are characterized by high equilibrium rigidities (>40 nm) that are 10 times higher than the corresponding characteristics of aromatic polyimides.

Molecular and hydrodynamic characteristics of star-shaped polystyrenes with one or two fullerene (C60) molecules as a branching center

The molecular properties of regular star-shaped polystyrenes with different numbers of arms (6, 12, and 22) and different structures of the branching center (one or two covalently bonded fullerene C60 molecules) are studied by static light scattering; translational diffusion; and viscometry in toluene, THF, and chloroform. The lengths of the arms for the studied polymer stars are found to be the same. (The molecular mass of the arm is 8.1 × 103.) The molecular mass and hydrodynamic sizes of macromolecules are estimated. It is shown that the conformational and hydrodynamic characteristics of polymer stars remain practically unchanged on passage from THF to chloroform. Compared to the linear analog, star-shaped fullerene-containing PSs are characterized by a higher density of the molecular coil. The shape of their macromolecules differs insignificantly from spherical, in consistence with theoretical predictions for polymer stars with relatively short arms.

Effect of the length of branches on hydrodynamic and conformational properties of hyperbranched polycarbosilanes

The hydrodynamic and conformational properties of hyperbranched polycarbosilanes with different lengths of branches, namely, poly(methyl(allyl)carbosilane) containing three CH2 groups between branching centers and poly(methyl(undecenyl)carbosilane) whose branches are composed of 11 CH2 groups, have been studied in dilute solutions in hexane using the methods of molecular hydrodynamics and optics. Fractions with M < 17.5 × 104 have been used in experiments. The hydrodynamic properties of the above polycarbosilanes differ significantly from those of linear polymers since hyperbranched macromolecules are compact and their shape differs only slightly from spherical. The lengthening of chains between branching centers causes a change in the hydrodynamic characteristics, and the difference between hyperbranched polymers and dendrimers becomes more pronounced. As the length of branches increases, their conformation changes from an extended trans chain to a more or less bent rod.

Influence of arm length and number on star-shaped poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) aggregation in aqueous solutions near cloud point

Four-arm star-shaped poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazolines) (PiPrOx4) are synthesized by cationic polymerization on t-butylcalix[4]arene macroinitiator. The obtained samples differ by polymerization degree of arms NPiPrOx = 9 and 25 and are characterized in chloroform. The behavior in aqueous solutions is studied by light scattering methods and compared with the results of investigation of eight-arm star with similar structure. Three types of particles are observed in solution of short-arm PiPrOx4 at room temperature, whereas only two particle types are present in long-arm star solution. Arm shortening leads to widening of the phase transition interval. The arm number decreasing reduces the phase transition temperature by 1°C.

Effect of fluorinated substituents on hydrodynamic and conformational properties of hyperbranched polycarbosilane in solutions

Fractions of hyperbranched polycarbosilane modified with fluorine-containing end groups are studied by the methods of molecular hydrodynamics and optics in dilute solutions in hexafluorobenzene, methyl tert-butyl ether, chloroform, tetrahydrofurane, and toluene. The results are compared with the data available for the original polymethylallylcarbosilane. The incorporation of fluorinated groups leads to a change in the hydrodynamic parameters of the hyperbranched polymer. In this case, in thermodynamically better solvents, the patterns of the molecular-mass dependence of intrinsic viscosity for fluorinated and original hyperbranched polycarbosilanes coincide since the macromolecules of the polymers under comparison are characterized by similar shapes and almost the same hydrodynamic sizes. In a thermodynamically worse solvent (toluene), the above-mentioned changes in hydrodynamic parameters and the character of the molecular-mass dependences are related to compaction of macromolecules and a decrease in their shape asymmetry. This tendency is probably associated with the selectivity of this solvent with respect to the fluorine atom.

Deuterium Isotope Effect on Solution Behavior of Thermoresponsive Star-Shaped Poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline)

Thermosensitive star-shaped poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) (molar mass M≈21000 g mol−1) in D2O solution was studied by the static and dynamic light scattering methods. The behavior of the polymer investigated in deuterated water is similar qualitatively to that observed previously in undeuterated water. At the same time, the considerable quantitative changes of polymer behavior in D2O were seen. Deuterium substitution of solvent affects the phase transition temperature by decreasing its value by 1°C. The temperature interval of phase transition in D2O solution expands (by about 1°C) in comparison with that in H2O solution.

Behavior of hyperbranched polymers in solutions

Hyperbranched polycarbosilanes are investigated by the methods of molecular hydrodynamics and optics. Dependences of the hydrodynamic and conformational properties of these polymers on their molecular mass, the length of linear chains between branching points, and the chemical structure of end groups are analyzed. The hydrodynamic behavior of hyperbranched polycarbosilanes is explained by the fact that the dimensions of their macromolecules are compact and their shape is close to spherical. The convolution of chains between branching points becomes more pronounced with an increase in their length and a decrease in the molecular mass of the polymer. When end fluorinated groups are incorporated into the hyperbranched polycarbosilane, in thermodynamically good solvents and θ solvents, hydrodynamic characteristics change apparently owing to a change in the density of macromolecules in solution. In a poor solvent, the compaction of fluorinated macromolecules and a reduction in their shape asymmetry are observed. At a fixed branching degree, the hydrodynamic properties of hyperbranched polymers depend on the structural regularity of their macromolecules: In terms of hydrodynamic properties, the hyperbranched polycarbosilane with a degree of branching of 1 and a random distribution of branching points within the volume of a macro-molecule is appreciably different from a dendrimer of the same chemical nature and is close to polycarbosilanes with a degree of branching of 0.5.

Synthesis and Investigation of Double Stimuli-Responsive Behavior of N-Isopropylacrylamide and Maleic Acid Copolymer in Solutions

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-maleic acid) [poly(NIPAAm-co-MA)] linear copolymer with comonomer molar ratio NIPAAm:MA = 94:6 was synthesized by free-radical copolymerization. The molar mass, MsD = 28,000 Da, of poly(NIPAAm-co-MA) was determined using hydrodynamic methods. The self-assembly of poly(NIPAAm-co-MA) in aqueous solution at a concentration of 0.015 g cm−3 within the pH interval from 1.8 to 10.6 and the temperature interval from 22 to 60°C was investigated by static and dynamic light scattering. The copolymer showed a double temperature and pH responsiveness. Three types of particles, namely, macromolecules (or unimers), micellar-like structures, and loose aggregates existed in the poly(NIPAAm-co-MA) aqueous solutions. The fraction of dissolved entities and the hydrodynamic radii of the micellar-like structures and loose aggregates depended considerably on temperature and pH. The temperature of the phase separation and the width of the phase separation interval increased with pH. An influence of pH on kinetic processes in poly(NIPAAm-co-MA) solutions was observed.