Note in 2016

We have formulated the mixing Gibbs energy density for the micelle phase of an amphiphilic block copolymer solution using mean-field lattice theory. By comparing it with the mixing Gibbs energy density for the homogeneous phase, we have observed the transition between the micellization and the liquid–liquid phase separation. The micellization is preferred over the liquid–liquid phase separation at a higher amphiphilicity and a higher degree of polymerization of the block copolymer chain as well as at a higher incompatibility between the two block chains.

The crystalline species and crystallization behavior of four-armed stereo diblock poly(lactide) (4-LD) polymers and poly(L-lactide) polymers varied depending on crystallization method (precipitation, heating or slow cooling) and L-lactyl unit content. With the deviation of L-lactyl unit content from 50%, the crystalline species of 4-LD polymers changed from only SC-crystallites to amorphous and then to only homo-crystallites (heating and cooling) or from only SC-crystallites to only homo-crystallites (precipitation). Branching architecture rather than stereo diblock architecture interrupted the concurrent crystallization of SC-crystallites and homo-crystallites.

This paper demonstrates a simple method for the preparation of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films using the antisolvent addition method. The antisolvent addition method was performed by immersing PVDF solution-casted substrates into the antisolvent for PVDF at room temperature for a few minutes. After immersing and drying for a few hours, a PVDF film was easily obtained. Then, the crystalline structure of the resulting PVDF film was changed in the order of α, γ and β phases with increasing dipole moment of the solvent.

A new 1:1 alternating copolymerization of a five-membered, six-membered, and seven-membered cyclic germylene having a Me₃Si-N group with N-phenyl-p-quinoneimine has successfully been demonstrated. The germylenes behaved as a reductant monomer whereas N-phenyl-p-quinoneimine as an oxidant monomer to give copolymers (oxidation-reduction copolymerization). In contrast to the previous observation that the copolymerization of cyclic germylenes with p-benzoquinone led to the formation of 2:1 periodic copolymers, the present copolymerization using a p-quinoneimine derivative produces all 1:1 alternating copolymers.

Hardwood lignin in eucalyptus was first converted to hardwood lignocresol through a phase separation process utilizing wood meal, sulfuric acid, and p-cresol at ambient temperature. A syringyl methyl benzofuran, S2 was selectively obtained via a syringyl-type phenolic dimer with a coumaran ring, S1 by NaOH treatments of hardwood lignocresol at 170 °C. Our process controls the reactivity of C_α linkages, C_β-aryl-ethers, and C_γ-OH in sequence, successfully resulting in a high yield of specific aromatic chemicals from hardwood lignin based on the successiveness of C_β-aryl-ethers between syringyl units.

In the presence of naphthylbutadiyne (DNB) and dinitronaphthylbutadiyne (DNNB), ESR signals of propagating PMMA radicals with concentration of the order of 10¹⁴–10¹⁵ radicals per ml were observed from early stage of polymerization, and their concentration increased with conversion. The concentration of the DNNB system was about double of that of the DNB system, indicating that electron accepting groups increase the stabilization of PMMA radicals. No fragment of the butadiynes are found in the PMMA obtained, indicating that the aromatic diacetylenes stabilize free radicals without suffering the addition reaction.

Micelle formation and red-light fluorescence emission of benzothiadiazole (acceptor)−triphenylamine (donor) amphiphilic molecules in water/methanol solutions explored with synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering.

Microrod patterns were fabricated on PDMS sheets utilizing porous silicon wafers as templates. The prepared microrod PDMS surface showed high water and oil contact angles. To discuss the mechanism, theoretical contact angles were calculated utilizing Wenzel model and Cassie-Baxter model, and compared with the measured values. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the microrod PDMS surface has self-cleaning property.

Specific hydrolysis properties of microbial copolyester P(3HB-co-6%-3HHx) was found during super-heated steam treatment in a temperature range of 130–190 °C. From changes in diad sequences on ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, preferential and suppressive chain scission of HHx*HB and HB*HHx sequences, respectively, were determined. These specific reaction properties were considered to be contributed by higher steric propyl group in HHx unit than methyl group in HB unit, that is, promoting effect due to the concentration of HHx units in amorphous regions and suppressive effect due to steric hindrance and hydrophobicity of propyl group. Further, it was validated by the lowest-unoccupied molecular orbital analysis using a semi-empirical molecular orbital calculation method.

Model calculation results for the coefficient of performance c (solid) of a gel actuator driven by the shrinking transition and the increment of the transition temperature (ΔT/T₀) (broken) of the gel plotted against applied force. The shape of these curves depends on the ratio α/β (see text), but the real gels seem to hold α/β >1. In this figure α=3 and β=2 are used for calculation. A reduced form is employed for these variables.

Glycopolymers bearing oligosaccharides with narrow polydispersity indexes (<1.4) were synthesized using a ‘post- click’ chemistry method. A polymer backbone was synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization with acrylamide derivatives. Maltose, lactose, 3′-sialyllactose and 6′-sialyllactose were added to the polymer backbone and corresponding glycopolymers were obtained. The interactions between the glycopolymers and lectins were evaluated by a quartz crystal microbalance measurement. The interactions between the glycopolymers and influenza viruses were evaluated by hemagglutination inhibition assay.