Carmen M. González-Henríquez

Synthesis of Oligomeric Silicon-containing Poly(imide-amide)s Derived from Trimellitic Anhydride and Amino-Acids. Vibration Spectral, Optical, Thermal and Morphological Characterization

Poly(imide-amide)s (PIAs) were synthesized from diacids, which were obtained by trimellitic anhydride and glycine, L-alanine, L-phenylalanine, L-valine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine and p-aminobenzoic acid, and bis(4-aminophenyl)diphenylsilane. Compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, optical activity, IR and NMR spectroscopies. Yields were good, but ηinh values were low, showing materials of oligomeric nature, confirmed by MALDI-TOF spectrometry. PIAs were soluble in polar aprotic solvents, while those derived from amino acids with bulky side groups were soluble in CHCl3 and acetone. The wavenumber of vibrational bands were compared by Infrared and Raman spectroscopy. However, the high fluorescence emitted for PIAs, difficult to predict the vibrations of certain functional groups by Raman spectroscopy. The incorporation of chiral, amide and imide moieties interrupt the conjugation and increase the flexibility of the system. In addition, the adjacent phenyl units from the silicon-containing diamine, disfavors the planar conformation, which affects the optical properties showing an insulator behavior. DSC analyses showed that PIA-VII of aromatic nature had the higher glass transition temperature (Tg) value. For the other PIAs the Tg values decreased when volume of the side groups was increased, with the exception of PIA-VI derived from L-isoleucine. The thermal decomposition temperatures showed that only PIA-VII derived from p-aminobenzoic acid was thermostable. For the other PIAs it was possible to see a decrease of the TDT values when the size of the side chain is increased. The size and shape of the polymeric particles were studied by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM), showing a relation between structure, incorporation of rigid aromatic rings and voluminous group into the system.

Silarylene-containing poly(ether-amide)s obtained by Yamazaki–Higashi phosphorylation technique: use of bis(4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl)ethylmethyl silane

Abstract Aromatic poly(ether-amide)s (PEAs) based on -(R1,R2)diphenylsilane- and oxyether units were synthesized by direct polycondensation of a diamine and two dicarboxylic acids. For this, the diamine bis(4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl)ethylmethylsilane was obtained by reduction of the respective dinitro compound, which was synthesized by nucleophilic aromatic halogen displacement from 1-fluoro-4-nitrobenzene with bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylmethylsilane in basic medium. New silicon-containing aromatic diamine and the PEAs were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H, 13C and 29Si NMR spectroscopy and the results were in agreement with the proposed structures. The incorporation of aliphatic units such as methyl and/or ethyl groups on the silicon atoms affected positively the solubility of the PEAs in organic polar solvents. When their thermal and optical properties were compared with two PEAs of similar structure, containing phenyl groups bonded to the silicon atoms, it was observed a decrease of the glass transition temperature and transmittance values, maintaining a high thermal resistance.

Silarylene-containing oligo(ether-amide)s based on bis(4-(4-amino phenoxy)phenyl)dimethylsilane. Effect of the dicarboxylic acid structure on some properties

Oligo(ether-amide)s (PEAs) based on diphenylsilane and oxyphenyl units were synthesized through a Yamazaki–Higashi phosphorylation polyamidation technique. Thus, three new aromatic monomers were synthesized and characterized: a di(ether-amine), bis(4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl)dimethylsilane, and two dicarboxylic acids, bis(4-(4-carboxyphenoxy)phenyl)dimethylsilane and bis(4-(4-carboxyphenoxy)phenyl)diphenylsilane. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analyses show that the average molecular masses of the PEAs ranged from 1334 to 2097 m/z. The UV-vis technique was used to determine the optical band gap (Eg) of the oligomers. These values were between 3.91 and 4.57 eV. On the other hand, the conductivity of the samples was measured in the solid state (film) through the “four point method” showing a slight conductor behavior (13.3 and 5.0 S cm−1). Determination of fluorescence emission peaks showed two absorption bands. The first peak is related to a lesser electron-donating nature from an amide group, while the second peak was attributed to the polar solvent. Raman spectroscopy was used to determine the functional group in order to corroborate the structure and the crystallinity degree of the PEAs. Microstructural analyses of the samples were developed by using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, showing amorphousness in the system studied. AFM micrographs showed that all the samples present certain porosity. On the other hand, the incorporation of flexibility inducing oxyether linkages affected positively the solubility of the PEAs in common organic solvents, and also decreased significantly the values of the glass transition temperature (Tg) and increased the transparency in the UV-vis region. In all cases, the thermal decomposition temperature values (TDT10%) were above 400 °C.

Advances in the Fabrication of Antimicrobial Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications

This review describes, in an organized manner, the recent developments in the elaboration of hydrogels that possess antimicrobial activity. The fabrication of antibacterial hydrogels for biomedical applications that permits cell adhesion and proliferation still remains as an interesting challenge, in particular for tissue engineering applications. In this context, a large number of studies has been carried out in the design of hydrogels that serve as support for antimicrobial agents (nanoparticles, antibiotics, etc.). Another interesting approach is to use polymers with inherent antimicrobial activity provided by functional groups contained in their structures, such as quaternary ammonium salt or hydrogels fabricated from antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) or natural polymers, such as chitosan. A summary of the different alternatives employed for this purpose is described in this review, considering their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, more recent methodologies that lead to more sophisticated hydrogels that are able to react to external stimuli are equally depicted in this review.

Synthesis and characterization of aromatic poly(ether-imide)s based on bis(4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl)-R,R-silane anhydrides (R = Me, Ph) – spontaneous formation of surface micropores from THF solutions

Two new aromatic dianhydride monomers containing R,R-diphenylsilane (R = Me or Ph), an ether group and an isobenzofuran-1,3-dione moiety in their structure were prepared and spectroscopically characterized. They were reacted with two silylated aromatic diamines, previously reported, in order to prepare four different aromatic poly(ether-imide)s (PEIs). High yields were obtained for the synthesis of these polymers with an inherent viscosity range between 0.10 and 0.27 dL g−1, corresponding to a viscosimetric average molecular weight (Mv) from 1740 to 9520. PEIs were soluble in a variety of polar aprotic solvents. The thermal decomposition temperatures measured varied between 473 and 526 °C and the glass transition temperature values obtained varied from 164 to 184 °C. All poly(ether-imide)s were transparent in the UV-visible region. Additionally, films of these polymers were prepared by deposition of a solution through a spin coating technique; this process induces a spontaneous micropore formation on the film surface by means of quasi-instantaneous solvent evaporation. The solid samples were morphologically characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Thus, shape, distribution and dimensions (diameter and height) of the pores were studied. These parameters varied in agreement with the specific polymer characteristics: molecular weight, solubility and the nature of the R groups inserted into the molecule (phenyl group presence produces larger and deeper pores), among others.

Thin and ordered hydrogel films deposited through electrospinning technique; a simple and efficient support for organic bilayers

Thermal behavior of Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayers deposited over hydrogel fibers was examined. Thus, membrane stability, water absorption-release, phase transitions and phase transition temperatures were studied through different methods during heating cycles. Hydrogel films were realized using an oligomer mixture (HEMA-PEGDA575/photo-initiator) with adequate viscosity. Then, the fibers were deposited over silicon wafers (hydrophilic substrate) through electrospinning technique using four different voltages: 15, 20, 25 and 30 kV. The films were then exposed to UV light, favoring polymer chain crosslinking and interactions between hydrogel and substrate. For samples deposited at 20 and 25 kV, hierarchical wrinkle folds were observed at surface level, their arrangement distribution depends directly on thickness and associated point defects. DPPC bilayers were then placed over hydrogel scaffold using Langmuir-Blodgett technique. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis were used to investigate sample surface, micrographies show homogeneous layer formation with chain polymer order/disorder related to applied voltage during hydrogel deposition process, among other parameters. According to the results obtained, it is possible to conclude that the oligomer deposited at 20 kV produce thin homogenous films (~40 nm) with enhanced ability to absorb water and release it in a controlled way during heating cycles. These scaffold properties confer to DPPC membrane thermal stability, which allow an easy detection of phase(s) and phase transitions. Thermal behavior was also studied via Atomic Force Microscopy (roughness analysis). Contact angle measurements corroborate system wettability, supporting the theory that hydrogel thin films act as DPPC membrane enhancers for thermal stability against external stimuli.

Theoretical and Experimental Vibrational Spectroscopic Investigation of Two R1R2-Diphenylsilyl-Containing Monomers and Their Optically Active Derivative Polymer

FT-IR and Raman spectra of bis(4-aminophenyl)diphenylsilane (DIA) and a dicarboxylic acid containing the imide function and a L-alanine moiety (L-ALA) and their resultant polymer (PALA) were recorded in the 500-4000 cm(-1) and 400-3800 cm(-1) regions, respectively. The optically active poly(imide-amide) obtained has two sp(3) carbons in the main chain, favoring its flexibility. Raman analysis identifies the fluorescence produced by the electronic conjugation between the aromatic rings and the amidic groups, which affects the molecular fine structure. Thus, the theoretical study of the vibrational patterns has become a support and a complementary technique for the characterization of this fluorescent system. The optimized molecular geometry of the monomers and the polymeric unit using B3LYP and HF methods at the 6-31G(d) level of theory were used for the vibrational assignments. Thus, the small variations between the calculated and experimental vibration values could be related to possible intra- and/or intermolecular interactions or to the existence of a charge transfer phenomena between a donor or acceptor group within the system.

Silylated oligomeric poly(ether-azomethine)s from monomers containing biphenyl moieties: synthesis and characterization

In this study, four new silicon-containing poly(ether-azomethine)s with linear structures were prepared using original silicon and biphenyl moiety-containing monomers: two diamines and two dialdehydes. The oligomeric natures of the samples were established by GPC analysis, which showed chains containing 3 to 5 repetitive units. The monomers and the oligomeric samples were structurally characterized by NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. The solubilities of the samples in common organic solvents and their thermal behavior enable improvement of their industrial and technological processability. The optical band gaps of the oligomeric samples were estimated from optical measurements (UV-vis), and their electrical behavior in films was determined using the four-point method. The surface arrangements and morphological characteristics of the films were determined via atomic force microscopy measurements. The roughness, area increase percentage and layer stiffness of the films were also measured using this technique.

New oligomeric poly(ether-imide)s containing diphenylsilane and dibenzofuran moieties. Synthesis and characterization

ABSTRACT A new aromatic diamine, 2,8-di(4-aminophenyl)dibenzofuran, was synthesized through the Suzuki C-C coupling reaction. This compound and an analoge diamine also based on a dibenzofuran moiety reacted with silylated-dianhydrides to yield three aromatic oligomeric poly(ether-imide)s (PEIs). The new diamine and the oligomers were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, and NMR. Additionally, for the samples, solubility in an organic polar solvent was stablished and inherent viscosity values as an indirect measure of the molecular size were recovered. Some properties of PEIs were established and related to the specific structure of the repeating unit. In this sense, the rigidity/flexibility of the main chain fragments and the volume of groups bonded to silicon atom were responsible for the final properties of the polymers. All PEIs were obtained in high yield, but the inherent viscosities values of the soluble samples were low, indicating probably, low to moderated molecular sizes. The thermal decomposition temperatures measured by TGA varied from 490 to 562°C, and the Tg values ranged between 205 and 218°C. The solubility of all samples was tested in a series of common organic solvents at room temperature and at 40°C. The optical transparency in solution for the soluble samples was also determined.

Thermal Response Analysis of Phospholipid Bilayers Using Ellipsometric Techniques

Biomimetic planar artificial membranes have been widely studied due to their multiple applications in several research fields. Their humectation and thermal response are crucial for reaching stability; these characteristics are related to the molecular organization inside the bilayer, which is affected by the aliphatic chain length, saturations, and molecule polarity, among others. Bilayer stability becomes a fundamental factor when technological devices are developed—like biosensors—based on those systems. Thermal studies were performed for different types of phosphatidylcholine (PC) molecules: two pure PC bilayers and four binary PC mixtures. These analyses were carried out through the detection of slight changes in their optical and structural parameters via Ellipsometry and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) techniques. Phospholipid bilayers were prepared by Langmuir-Blodgett technique and deposited over a hydrophilic silicon wafer. Their molecular inclination degree, mobility, and stability of the different phases were detected and analyzed through bilayer thickness changes and their optical phase-amplitude response. Results show that certain binary lipid mixtures—with differences in its aliphatic chain length—present a co-existence of two thermal responses due to non-ideal mixing.