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Wei Y, Yue T, Li H, Duan P, Zhao H, Chen Q, Li S, Fang X, Liu J, Zhang L. Advancing elastomer performance with dynamic bond networks in polymer-grafted single-chain nanoparticles: a molecular dynamics exploration. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:11187-11202. [PMID: 38771650 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr01306a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
This research introduces a method to enhance the mechanical properties of elastomers by grafting polymer chains onto single-chain flexible nanoparticles (SCNPs) and incorporating dynamic functional groups. Drawing on developments in grafting polymers onto hard nanoparticle fillers, this method employs the distinct flexibility of SCNPs to diminish heterogeneity and enhance core size control. We use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for a mesoscale analysis of structural properties, particularly the effects of dynamic functional group quantities and their distribution. The findings demonstrate that increased quantities of functional groups are correlated with enhanced mechanical strength and toughness, showing improved stress-strain responses and energy dissipation capabilities. Moreover, the uniformity in the distribution of these functional groups is crucial, promoting a more cohesive and stable dynamic bonding network. The insights gained from MD simulations not only advance our understanding of the microstructural control necessary for optimizing macroscopic properties, but also provide valuable guidance for the design and engineering of advanced polymer nanocomposites, thereby enhancing the material performance through strategic molecular design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Tongkui Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoxiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengwei Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Hengheng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Qionghai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Sai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyu Fang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Jun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Liqun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, People's Republic of China
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Malo de Molina P, Le TP, Iturrospe A, Gasser U, Arbe A, Colmenero J, Pomposo JA. Neat Protein Single-Chain Nanoparticles from Partially Denatured BSA. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:42163-42169. [PMID: 36440132 PMCID: PMC9685756 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The main challenge for the preparation of protein single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) is the natural complexity of these macromolecules. Herein, we report the suitable conditions to produce "neat" bovine serum albumin (BSA) single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) from partially denatured BSA, which involves denaturation in urea and intramolecular cross-linking below the overlap concentration. We use two disuccinimide ester linkers containing three and six methylene spacer groups: disuccinimidyl glutarate (DSG) and disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS), respectively. Remarkably, the degree of internal cross-linking can be followed simply and efficiently via 1H NMR spectroscopy. The associated structural changes-as probed by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS)-reveal that the denatured protein has a random-like coil conformation, which progressively shrinks with the addition of DSG or DSS, thus allowing for size control of the BSA-SCNPs with radii of gyration down to 5.4 nm. The longer cross-linker exhibits slightly more efficiency in chain compaction with a somewhat stronger size reduction but similar reactivity at a given cross-linker concentration. This reliable method is applicable to a wide range of compact proteins since most proteins have appropriate reactive amino acids and denature in urea. Critically, this work paves the way to the synthesis of "neat", biodegradable protein SCNPs for a range of applications including nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Malo de Molina
- Materials
Physics Center (MPC), Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM)
(CSIC-UPV/EHU), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, E-20018 Donostia, Spain
- IKERBASQUE—Basque
Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, E-48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Thu Phuong Le
- Materials
Physics Center (MPC), Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM)
(CSIC-UPV/EHU), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, E-20018 Donostia, Spain
| | - Amaia Iturrospe
- Materials
Physics Center (MPC), Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM)
(CSIC-UPV/EHU), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, E-20018 Donostia, Spain
| | - Urs Gasser
- Laboratory
for Neutron Scattering and Imaging, Paul
Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Arantxa Arbe
- Materials
Physics Center (MPC), Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM)
(CSIC-UPV/EHU), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, E-20018 Donostia, Spain
| | - Juan Colmenero
- Materials
Physics Center (MPC), Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM)
(CSIC-UPV/EHU), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, E-20018 Donostia, Spain
- Departamento
de Polímeros y Materiales Avanzados: Física, Química
y Tecnología, University of the Basque
Country (UPV/EHU) P.O. Box 1072, E-20018 Donostia, Spain
- Donostia
International Physics Center, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 4, E-20018 Donostia, Spain
| | - José A. Pomposo
- Materials
Physics Center (MPC), Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM)
(CSIC-UPV/EHU), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, E-20018 Donostia, Spain
- IKERBASQUE—Basque
Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, E-48009 Bilbao, Spain
- Departamento
de Polímeros y Materiales Avanzados: Física, Química
y Tecnología, University of the Basque
Country (UPV/EHU) P.O. Box 1072, E-20018 Donostia, Spain
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3
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Jin T, Hilburg SL, Alexander-Katz A. Glass transition of random heteropolymers: A molecular dynamics simulation study in melt, in water, and in vacuum. POLYMER 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2022.125503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Chremos A, Horkay F, Douglas JF. Influence of network defects on the conformational structure of nanogel particles: From "closed compact" to "open fractal" nanogel particles. J Chem Phys 2022; 156:094903. [PMID: 35259888 PMCID: PMC8898093 DOI: 10.1063/5.0072274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We propose an approach to generate a wide range of randomly branched polymeric structures to gain general insights into how polymer topology encodes a configurational structure in solution. Nanogel particles can take forms ranging from relatively symmetric sponge-like compact structures to relatively anisotropic open fractal structures observed in some nanogel clusters and in some self-associating polymers in solutions, such as aggrecan solutions under physiologically relevant conditions. We hypothesize that this broad "spectrum" of branched polymer structures derives from the degree of regularity of bonding in the network defining these structures. Accordingly, we systematically introduce bonding defects in an initially perfect network having a lattice structure in three and two topological dimensions corresponding to "sponge" and "sheet" structures, respectively. The introduction of bonding defects causes these "closed" and relatively compact nanogel particles to transform near a well-defined bond percolation threshold into "open" fractal objects with the inherent anisotropy of randomly branched polymers. Moreover, with increasing network decimation, the network structure of these polymers acquires other configurational properties similar to those of randomly branched polymers. In particular, the mass scaling of the radius of gyration and its eigenvalues, as well as hydrodynamic radius, intrinsic viscosity, and form factor for scattering, all undergo abrupt changes that accompany these topological transitions. Our findings support the idea that randomly branched polymers can be considered to be equivalent to perforated sheets from a "universality class" standpoint. We utilize our model to gain insight into scattering measurements made on aggrecan solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Chremos
- Section on Quantitative Imaging and Tissue Sciences, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Ferenc Horkay
- Section on Quantitative Imaging and Tissue Sciences, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Jack F. Douglas
- Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA
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Maiz J, Verde-Sesto E, Asenjo-Sanz I, Mangin-Thro L, Frick B, Pomposo JA, Arbe A, Colmenero J. Disentangling Component Dynamics in an All-Polymer Nanocomposite Based on Single-Chain Nanoparticles by Quasielastic Neutron Scattering. Macromolecules 2022; 55:2320-2332. [PMID: 35355834 PMCID: PMC8945772 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c02382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
![]()
We
have investigated an all-polymer nanocomposite (NC) consisting
of single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) immersed in a matrix of linear
chains of their precursors (25/75% composition in weight). The SCNPs
were previously synthesized via “click” chemistry, which
induces intramolecular cross-links in the individual macromolecules
accompanied by a slight shift (5–8 K) of the glass transition
temperature toward higher values and a broadening of the dynamic response
with respect to the raw precursor material. The selective investigation
of the dynamics of the NC components has been possible by using properly
isotopically labeled materials and applying quasielastic neutron scattering
techniques. Results have been analyzed in the momentum transfer range
where the coherent scattering contribution is minimal, as determined
by complementary neutron diffraction experiments with polarization
analysis. We observe the development of dynamic heterogeneity in the
intermediate scattering function of the NC components, which grows
with increasing time. Local motions in the precursor matrix of the
NC are accelerated with respect to the reference bulk behavior, while
the displacements of SCNPs’ hydrogens show enhanced deviations
from Gaussian and exponential behavior compared with the pure melt
of SCNPs. The resulting averaged behavior in the NC coincides with
that of the pure precursor, in accordance with the macroscopic observations
by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Maiz
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM) (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center (MPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 5, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- IKERBASQUE-Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Ester Verde-Sesto
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM) (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center (MPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 5, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Isabel Asenjo-Sanz
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM) (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center (MPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 5, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Lucile Mangin-Thro
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Bernhard Frick
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - José A. Pomposo
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM) (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center (MPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 5, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- IKERBASQUE-Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
- Departamento de Polímeros y Materiales Avanzados: Física, Química y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco-Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Arantxa Arbe
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM) (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center (MPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 5, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Juan Colmenero
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM) (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center (MPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 5, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Departamento de Polímeros y Materiales Avanzados: Física, Química y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco-Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Donostia International Physics Center, Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 4, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
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Luo J, Zhu Y, Ruan Y, Wu W, Ouyang X, Du Z, Liu G. Diameter and Elasticity Governing the Relaxation of Soft-Nanoparticle Melts. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jintian Luo
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-dimension Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yihui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-dimension Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yifu Ruan
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-dimension Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Weiwei Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-dimension Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Xikai Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-dimension Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Zhukang Du
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - GengXin Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-dimension Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
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Jia XM, Lin WF, Zhao HY, Qian HJ, Lu ZY. Supercooled melt structure and dynamics of single-chain nanoparticles: A computer simulation study. J Chem Phys 2021; 155:054901. [PMID: 34364327 DOI: 10.1063/5.0056293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
By using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, we have investigated the structure and dynamics of supercooled single-chain cross-linked nanoparticle (SCNP) melts having a range of cross-linking degrees ϕ. We find a nearly linear increase in glass-transition temperature (Tg) with increasing ϕ. Correspondingly, we have also experimentally synthesized a series of polystyrene-based SCNPs and have found that the measured Tg estimated from differential scanning calorimetry is qualitatively consistent with the trend predicted by our simulation estimates. Experimentally, an increase in Tg as large as ΔTg = 61 K for ϕ = 0.36 is found compared with their linear chain counterparts, indicating that the changes in dynamics with cross-links are quite appreciable. We attribute the increase in Tg to the enlarged effective hard-core volume and the corresponding reduction in the free volume of the polymer segments. Topological constraints evidently frustrate the local packing. In addition, the introduction of intra-molecular cross-linking bonds slows down the structural relaxation and simultaneously enhances the local coupling motion on the length scales within SCNPs. Consequently, a more pronounced dynamical heterogeneity (DH) is observed for larger ϕ, as quantified by measuring the dynamical correlation length through the four-point susceptibility parameter, χ4. The increase in DH is directly related to the enhanced local cooperative motion derived from intra-molecular cross-linking bonds and structural heterogeneity derived from the cross-linking process. These results shed new light on the influence of intra-molecular topological constraints on the segmental dynamics of polymer melts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Meng Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Wen-Feng Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Huan-Yu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Hu-Jun Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Zhong-Yuan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
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Dynamic Processes and Mechanisms Involved in Relaxations of Single-Chain Nano-Particle Melts. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13142316. [PMID: 34301072 PMCID: PMC8309259 DOI: 10.3390/polym13142316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a combined study by quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS), dielectric and mechanical spectroscopy, calorimetry and wide-angle X-ray diffraction on single-chain nano-particles (SCNPs), using the corresponding linear precursor chains as reference, to elucidate the impact of internal bonds involving bulky cross-links on the properties of polymer melts. Internal cross-links do not appreciably alter local properties and fast dynamics. This is the case of the average inter-molecular distances, the β-relaxation and the extent of the atomic displacements at timescales faster than some picoseconds. Contrarily, the α-relaxation is slowed down with respect to the linear precursor, as detected by DSC, dielectric spectroscopy and QENS. QENS has also resolved broader response functions and stronger deviations from Gaussian behavior in the SCNPs melt, hinting at additional heterogeneities. The rheological properties are also clearly affected by internal cross-links. We discuss these results together with those previously reported on the deuterated counterpart samples and on SCNPs obtained through a different synthesis route to discern the effect of the nature of the cross-links on the modification of the diverse properties of the melts.
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Formanek M, Moreno AJ. Crowded solutions of single-chain nanoparticles under shear flow. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:2223-2233. [PMID: 33465214 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01978j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) are ultrasoft objects obtained through purely intramolecular cross-linking of single polymer chains. By means of computer simulations with implemented hydrodynamic interactions, we investigate for the first time the effect of the shear flow on the structural and dynamic properties of SCNPs in semidilute and concentrated solutions. We characterize the dependence of several conformational and dynamic observables on the shear rate and the concentration, obtaining a set of power-law scaling laws. The concentration has a very different effect on the shear rate dependence of the former observables in SCNPs than in simple linear chains. Whereas for the latter the scaling behaviour is marginally dependent on the concentration, two clearly different scaling regimes are found for the SCNPs below and above the overlap concentration. At fixed shear rate SCNPs and linear chains also respond very differently to crowding. Whereas, at moderate and high Weissenberg numbers the linear chains swell, the SCNPs exhibit a complex non-monotonic behaviour. We suggest that these findings are inherently related to the topological interactions preventing concatenation of the SCNPs, which lead to less interpenetration than for linear chains, and to the limitation to stretching imposed by the permanent cross-links in the SCNPs, which itself limits the ways to spatially arrange in the shear flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maud Formanek
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CSIC, UPV/EHU) and Materials Physics Center MPC, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, E-20018 San Sebastián, Spain. and Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, 47 Bateman Street, Cambridge CB2 1LR, UK
| | - Angel J Moreno
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CSIC, UPV/EHU) and Materials Physics Center MPC, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, E-20018 San Sebastián, Spain. and Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 4, E-20018 San Sebastián, Spain
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Maiz J, Verde-Sesto E, Asenjo-Sanz I, Fouquet P, Porcar L, Pomposo JA, de Molina PM, Arbe A, Colmenero J. Collective Motions and Mechanical Response of a Bulk of Single-Chain Nano-Particles Synthesized by Click-Chemistry. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 13:E50. [PMID: 33375589 PMCID: PMC7795070 DOI: 10.3390/polym13010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigate the effect of intra-molecular cross-links on the properties of polymer bulks. To do this, we apply a combination of thermal, rheological, diffraction, and neutron spin echo experiments covering the inter-molecular as well as the intermediate length scales to melts of single-chain nano-particles (SCNPs) obtained through 'click' chemistry. The comparison with the results obtained in a bulk of the corresponding linear precursor chains (prior to intra-molecular reaction) and in a bulk of SCNPs obtained through azide photodecomposition process shows that internal cross-links do not influence the average inter-molecular distances in the melt, but have a profound impact at intermediate length scales. This manifests in the structure, through the emergence of heterogeneities at nanometric scale, and also in the dynamics, leading to a more complex relaxation behavior including processes that allow relaxation of the internal domains. The influence of the nature of the internal bonds is reflected in the structural relaxation that is slowed down if bulky cross-linking agents are used. We also found that any residual amount of cross-links is critical for the rheological behavior, which can vary from an almost entanglement-free polymer bulk to a gel. The presence of such inter-molecular cross-links additionally hinders the decay of density fluctuations at intermediate length scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Maiz
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM) (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center (MPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 5, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; (E.V.-S.); (I.A.-S.); (J.A.P.); (P.M.d.M.); (A.A.); (J.C.)
- IKERBASQUE-Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Ester Verde-Sesto
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM) (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center (MPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 5, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; (E.V.-S.); (I.A.-S.); (J.A.P.); (P.M.d.M.); (A.A.); (J.C.)
| | - Isabel Asenjo-Sanz
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM) (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center (MPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 5, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; (E.V.-S.); (I.A.-S.); (J.A.P.); (P.M.d.M.); (A.A.); (J.C.)
| | - Peter Fouquet
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CEDEX 9, 38042 Grenoble, France; (P.F.); (L.P.)
| | - Lionel Porcar
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CEDEX 9, 38042 Grenoble, France; (P.F.); (L.P.)
| | - José A. Pomposo
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM) (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center (MPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 5, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; (E.V.-S.); (I.A.-S.); (J.A.P.); (P.M.d.M.); (A.A.); (J.C.)
- IKERBASQUE-Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
- Departamento de Polímeros y Materiales Avanzados: Física, Química y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco-Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Paula Malo de Molina
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM) (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center (MPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 5, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; (E.V.-S.); (I.A.-S.); (J.A.P.); (P.M.d.M.); (A.A.); (J.C.)
- IKERBASQUE-Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Arantxa Arbe
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM) (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center (MPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 5, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; (E.V.-S.); (I.A.-S.); (J.A.P.); (P.M.d.M.); (A.A.); (J.C.)
| | - Juan Colmenero
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM) (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center (MPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 5, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; (E.V.-S.); (I.A.-S.); (J.A.P.); (P.M.d.M.); (A.A.); (J.C.)
- Departamento de Polímeros y Materiales Avanzados: Física, Química y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco-Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Donostia International Physics Center, Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 4, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
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Arbe A, Alvarez F, Colmenero J. Insight into the Structure and Dynamics of Polymers by Neutron Scattering Combined with Atomistic Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3067. [PMID: 33371357 PMCID: PMC7767341 DOI: 10.3390/polym12123067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Combining neutron scattering and fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations allows unraveling structural and dynamical features of polymer melts at different length scales, mainly in the intermolecular and monomeric range. Here we present the methodology developed by us and the results of its application during the last years in a variety of polymers. This methodology is based on two pillars: (i) both techniques cover approximately the same length and time scales and (ii) the classical van Hove formalism allows easily calculating the magnitudes measured by neutron scattering from the simulated atomic trajectories. By direct comparison with experimental results, the simulated cell is validated. Thereafter, the information of the simulations can be exploited, calculating magnitudes that are experimentally inaccessible or extending the parameters range beyond the experimental capabilities. We show how detailed microscopic insight on structural features and dynamical processes of various kinds has been gained in polymeric systems with different degrees of complexity, and how intriguing questions as the collective behavior at intermediate length scales have been faced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arantxa Arbe
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CSIC, UPV/EHU) and Materials Physics Center MPC, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, E-20018 San Sebastián, Spain; (A.A.); (F.A.)
| | - Fernando Alvarez
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CSIC, UPV/EHU) and Materials Physics Center MPC, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, E-20018 San Sebastián, Spain; (A.A.); (F.A.)
- Departamento de Polímeros y Materiales Avanzados, Física, Química y Tecnología (UPV/EHU), Apartado 1072, E-20080 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Juan Colmenero
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CSIC, UPV/EHU) and Materials Physics Center MPC, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, E-20018 San Sebastián, Spain; (A.A.); (F.A.)
- Departamento de Polímeros y Materiales Avanzados, Física, Química y Tecnología (UPV/EHU), Apartado 1072, E-20080 San Sebastián, Spain
- Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 4, E-20018 San Sebastián, Spain
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Chen R, Berda EB. 100th Anniversary of Macromolecular Science Viewpoint: Re-examining Single-Chain Nanoparticles. ACS Macro Lett 2020; 9:1836-1843. [PMID: 35653673 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.0c00774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Single-chain nanoparticles (SCNP) are a class of polymeric nanoparticles obtained from the intramolecular cross-linking of polymers bearing reactive pendant groups. The development of SCNP has drawn tremendous attention since the fabrication of SCNP mimics the self-folding behavior in natural biomacromolecules and is highly desirable for a variety of applications ranging from catalysis, nanomedicine, nanoreactors, and sensors. The versatility of novel chemistries available for SCNP synthesis has greatly expanded over the past decade. Significant progress was also made in the understanding of a structure-property relationship in the single-chain folding process. In this Viewpoint, we discuss the effect of precursor polymer topology on single polymer folding. We summarize the progress in SCNP of complex architectures and highlight unresolved issues in the field, such as scalability and topological purity of SCNP.
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13
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Frisch H, Tuten BT, Barner‐Kowollik C. Macromolecular Superstructures: A Future Beyond Single Chain Nanoparticles. Isr J Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ijch.201900145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Frisch
- Centre for Materials Science, School of Chemistry and Physics Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2 George Street Brisbane, QLD 4000 Australia
| | - Bryan T. Tuten
- Centre for Materials Science, School of Chemistry and Physics Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2 George Street Brisbane, QLD 4000 Australia
| | - Christopher Barner‐Kowollik
- Centre for Materials Science, School of Chemistry and Physics Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2 George Street Brisbane, QLD 4000 Australia
- Macromolecular Architectures Institut für Technische Chemie und Polymerchemie KarlsruheInstitute of Technology (KIT) Engesserstr.18 76131 Karlsruhe Germany
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Klonos PA, Patelis N, Glynos E, Sakellariou G, Kyritsis A. Molecular Dynamics in Polystyrene Single-Chain Nanoparticles. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b02070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis A. Klonos
- Department of Physics, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15780 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Patelis
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografrou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Glynos
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, P.O.
Box 1385, Heraklion, 711 10 Crete, Greece
| | - Georgios Sakellariou
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografrou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Apostolos Kyritsis
- Department of Physics, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15780 Athens, Greece
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