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Yuan J, Xu J. Synthesis of Amphiphilic Block Copolymer and Its Application in Pigment-Based Ink. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:330. [PMID: 38255498 PMCID: PMC10821111 DOI: 10.3390/ma17020330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Amphiphilic block copolymers-based aqueous color inks show great potential in the field of visual communication design. However, the conventional step-by-step chemistry employed to synthesize the amphiphilic block copolymers is intricate, with low yield and high economic and environmental costs. In this work, we present a novel method for preparing an amphiphilic AB di-block copolymer of PCL-b-PAA by employing a combined polymerization strategy that involves both cationic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of the ε-caprolactone monomer and the reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization on the acrylic acid monomer simultaneously. The corresponding polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) serve as the hydrophobic and hydrophilic units, respectively. The effectiveness of the amphiphilic AB di-block copolymer as the polymeric pigment dispersant for water-based color inks is evaluated. The amphiphilic AB di-block copolymer of PCL-b-PAA exhibits a molecular weight of 1400 g mol-1, which is consistent with the theoretical value and suitable for polymeric dispersant application. The high surface excess (Γmax) of the PCL-b-PAA in water indicates a densely packed molecular morphology at the water/air interface. Additionally, micelles can be stably formed in the aqueous PCL-b-PAA solution at very low concentrations by demonstrating a low CMC value of 10-4 wt% and a micelle dimension of approximately 30 nm. The model ink dispersion is prepared using organic dyes (Disperse Yellow 232) and the amphiphilic block copolymer of PCL-b-PAA. The dispersion demonstrates near-Newtonian behavior, which is highly favorable for the application as inkjet ink. Furthermore, the ink dispersion displays a low viscosity, making it particularly suitable for visual communication design and printing purposes. Moreover, the ink dispersion demonstrates an unimodal distribution of the particle size, with an average diameter of approximately 500 nm. It retains exceptional stability of dispersion and even conducts a thermal aging treatment at 60 °C for 5 days. This work presents a facile and efficient synthetic strategy and molecular design of AB di-block copolymer-based dispersants for dye dispersions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Yuan
- Department of Art and Design, Taiyuan University, Taiyuan 237016, China
| | - Jinbao Xu
- School of Materials and Energy, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
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2
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Farmer MAH, Musa OM, Armes SP. Efficient Synthesis of Hydrolytically Degradable Block Copolymer Nanoparticles via Reverse Sequence Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly in Aqueous Media. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202309526. [PMID: 37522648 PMCID: PMC10952355 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202309526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Hydrolytically degradable block copolymer nanoparticles are prepared via reverse sequence polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) in aqueous media. This efficient protocol involves the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of N,N'-dimethylacrylamide (DMAC) using a monofunctional or bifunctional trithiocarbonate-capped poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) precursor. DMAC monomer is employed as a co-solvent to solubilize the hydrophobic PCL chains. At an intermediate DMAC conversion of 20-60 %, the reaction mixture is diluted with water to 10-25 % w/w solids. The growing amphiphilic block copolymer chains undergo nucleation to form sterically-stabilized PCL-core nanoparticles with PDMAC coronas. 1 H NMR studies confirm more than 99 % DMAC conversion while gel permeation chromatography (GPC) studies indicate well-controlled RAFT polymerizations (Mw /Mn ≤1.30). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) indicate spheres of 20-120 nm diameter. As expected, hydrolytic degradation occurs within days at 37 °C in either acidic or alkaline solution. Degradation is also observed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (pH 7.4) at 37 °C. However, no degradation is detected over a three-month period when these nanoparticles are stored at 20 °C in deionized water (pH 6.7). Finally, PDMAC30 -PCL16 -PDMAC30 nanoparticles are briefly evaluated as a dispersant for an agrochemical formulation based on a broad-spectrum fungicide (azoxystrobin).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A. H. Farmer
- Department of ChemistryThe University of SheffieldBrook HillS3 7HFSheffieldSouth YorkshireUK
| | - Osama M. Musa
- Ashland Specialty Ingredients1005 US 202/20608807BridgewaterNJUSA
| | - Steven P. Armes
- Department of ChemistryThe University of SheffieldBrook HillS3 7HFSheffieldSouth YorkshireUK
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3
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Häkkinen S, Tanaka J, Garcia Maset R, Hall SCL, Huband S, Rho JY, Song Q, Perrier S. Polymerisation-Induced Self-Assembly of Graft Copolymers. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202210518. [PMID: 36002384 PMCID: PMC9828155 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202210518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
We report the polymerisation-induced self-assembly of poly(lauryl methacrylate)-graft-poly(benzyl methacrylate) copolymers during reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) grafting from polymerisation in a backbone-selective solvent. Electron microscopy images suggest the phase separation of grafts to result in a network of spherical particles, due to the ability of the branched architecture to freeze chain entanglements and to bridge core domains. Small-angle X-ray scattering data suggest the architecture promotes the formation of multicore micelles, the core morphology of which transitions from spheres to worms, vesicles, and inverted micelles with increasing volume fraction of the grafts. A time-resolved SAXS study is presented to illustrate the formation of the inverted phase during a polymerisation. The grafted architecture gives access to unusual morphologies and provides exciting new handles for controlling the polymer structure and material properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satu Häkkinen
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of WarwickCoventryCV4 7ALUK
| | - Joji Tanaka
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of WarwickCoventryCV4 7ALUK,Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC 27599-3290USA
| | - Ramón Garcia Maset
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC 27599-3290USA
| | - Stephen C. L. Hall
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of WarwickCoventryCV4 7ALUK,ISIS Neutron and Muon SourceRutherford Appleton LaboratoryDidcotOX11 0QXUK
| | - Steven Huband
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC 27599-3290USA
| | - Julia Y. Rho
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC 27599-3290USA
| | - Qiao Song
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC 27599-3290USA
| | - Sébastien Perrier
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of WarwickCoventryCV4 7ALUK,Warwick Medical SchoolUniversity of WarwickCoventryCV4 7ALUK
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4
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Hakkinen S, Tanaka J, Garcia Macet R, Hall S, Huband S, Rho J, Song Q, Perrier S. Polymerisation‐Induced Self‐Assembly of Graft Copolymers. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202210518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Joji Tanaka
- University of Warwick Chemistry UNITED KINGDOM
| | | | | | | | - Julia Rho
- University of Warwick Chemistry UNITED KINGDOM
| | - Qiao Song
- University of Warwick Chemistry UNITED KINGDOM
| | - Sebastien Perrier
- University of Warwick Department of Chemistry Library Road CV4 7AL Coventry UNITED KINGDOM
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5
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Neal TJ, Penfold NJW, Armes SP. Reverse Sequence Polymerization‐Induced Self‐Assembly in Aqueous Media. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202207376. [PMID: 35678548 PMCID: PMC9541501 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202207376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We report a new aqueous polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA) formulation that enables the hydrophobic block to be prepared first when targeting diblock copolymer nano‐objects. This counter‐intuitive reverse sequence approach uses an ionic reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent for the RAFT aqueous dispersion polymerization of 2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) to produce charge‐stabilized latex particles. Chain extension using a water‐soluble methacrylic, acrylic or acrylamide comonomer then produces sterically stabilized diblock copolymer nanoparticles in an aqueous one‐pot formulation. In each case, the monomer diffuses into the PHPMA particles, which act as the locus for the polymerization. A remarkable change in morphology occurs as the ≈600 nm latex is converted into much smaller sterically stabilized diblock copolymer nanoparticles, which exhibit thermoresponsive behavior. Such reverse sequence PISA formulations enable the efficient synthesis of new functional diblock copolymer nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Neal
- Department or Chemistry The University of Sheffield Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF UK
| | - Nicholas J. W. Penfold
- Department or Chemistry The University of Sheffield Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF UK
| | - Steven P. Armes
- Department or Chemistry The University of Sheffield Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF UK
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6
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Neal TJ, Penfold NJW, Armes SP. Reverse Sequence Polymerization‐Induced Self‐Assembly in Aqueous Media. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202207376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Neal
- Department or Chemistry The University of Sheffield Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF UK
| | - Nicholas J. W. Penfold
- Department or Chemistry The University of Sheffield Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF UK
| | - Steven P. Armes
- Department or Chemistry The University of Sheffield Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF UK
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Hunter SJ, Penfold NJW, Jones ER, Zinn T, Mykhaylyk OO, Armes SP. Synthesis of Thermoresponsive Diblock Copolymer Nano-Objects via RAFT Aqueous Emulsion Polymerization of Hydroxybutyl Methacrylate. Macromolecules 2022; 55:3051-3062. [PMID: 35492576 PMCID: PMC9047412 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Saul J. Hunter
- Dainton Building, Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K
| | - Nicholas J. W. Penfold
- Dainton Building, Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K
| | | | - Thomas Zinn
- ESRF - The European Synchrotron, 38043 Grenoble, France
| | - Oleksandr O. Mykhaylyk
- Dainton Building, Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K
| | - Steven P. Armes
- Dainton Building, Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K
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Chan DH, Deane OJ, Kynaston EL, Lindsay C, Taylor P, Armes SP. Sterically Stabilized Diblock Copolymer Nanoparticles Enable Convenient Preparation of Suspension Concentrates Comprising Various Agrochemical Actives. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:2885-2894. [PMID: 35192370 PMCID: PMC9007534 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c03275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that sterically stabilized diblock copolymer nanoparticles can be readily prepared using polymerization-induced self-assembly. Recently, we reported that such nanoparticles can be employed as a dispersant to prepare micron-sized particles of a widely used fungicide (azoxystrobin) via ball milling. In the present study, we examine the effect of varying the nature of the steric stabilizer block, the mean nanoparticle diameter, and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the core-forming block on the particle size and colloidal stability of such azoxystrobin microparticles. In addition, the effect of crosslinking the nanoparticle cores is also investigated. Laser diffraction studies indicated the formation of azoxystrobin microparticles of approximately 2 μm diameter after milling for between 15 and 30 min at 6000 rpm. Diblock copolymer nanoparticles comprising a non-ionic steric stabilizer, rather than a cationic or anionic steric stabilizer, were determined to be more effective dispersants. Furthermore, nanoparticles of up to 51 nm diameter enabled efficient milling and ensured overall suspension concentrate stability. Moreover, crosslinking the nanoparticle cores and adjusting the Tg of the core-forming block had little effect on the milling of azoxystrobin. Finally, we show that this versatile approach is also applicable to five other organic crystalline agrochemicals, namely pinoxaden, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, isopyrazam and tebuconazole. TEM studies confirmed the adsorption of sterically stabilized nanoparticles at the surface of such agrochemical microparticles. The nanoparticles are characterized using TEM, DLS, aqueous electrophoresis and 1H NMR spectroscopy, while the final aqueous' suspension concentrates comprising microparticles of the above six agrochemical actives are characterized using optical microscopy, laser diffraction and electron microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek
H. H. Chan
- Dainton
Building, Chemistry Department, University
of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South
Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K.
| | - Oliver J. Deane
- Dainton
Building, Chemistry Department, University
of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South
Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K.
| | - Emily L. Kynaston
- Syngenta,
Jealott’s Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 6EY, U.K.
| | - Christopher Lindsay
- Syngenta,
Jealott’s Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 6EY, U.K.
| | - Philip Taylor
- Syngenta,
Jealott’s Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 6EY, U.K.
| | - Steven P. Armes
- Dainton
Building, Chemistry Department, University
of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South
Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K.
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Chen X, An N, Zeng M, Yuan J. Host-guest complexation modulated aqueous polymerization-induced self-assembly for monodisperse hierarchical nanoflowers. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:13720-13723. [PMID: 34854440 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc05561e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This work presents a one-step synthesis of monodisperse nanoflowers by aqueous polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA), modulated by host-guest interactions. Owing to the low monomer swelling of nanoparticles restricted by host-guest complexation, hierarchical surficial micellar structures were generated at the outer surface of the vesicles, forming fractal nanoflowers with a diameter polydispersity as low as 1.01. Our method allows the straightforward synthesis of monodisperse hierarchical nanoparticles for a wide range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Chen
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China. .,School of Materials Science and Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an, 710061, P. R. China
| | - Nankai An
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Min Zeng
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Jinying Yuan
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
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