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In this study, we report the synthesis and phase behaviour of statistical p(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-2-acrylamidephenylboronic acid) P(NIPAM-co-2-AAPBA) copolymers. They were obtained via free radical copolymerization of NIPAM and the pinacol ester of 2-acrylamidephenylboronic acid. The influence of copolymer composition on the demixing/mixing temperature was investigated by means of UV/Vis spectrometry, DLS, DSC, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The turbidity experiments revealed the gradual increase of the cloud point with the increase of 2-AAPBA content in the copolymer up to 37 °C at 30 mol%. The copolymer with 45 mol% did not display any transition. For copolymers displaying the cloud point, the hysteresis in the demixing/mixing temperature was observed. Transmittance measurements, DLS, and 1H NMR spectroscopy demonstrated that the phase transition was sharp upon heating, whereas the phase transition of the copolymer upon a decrease of temperature occurred in a much wider temperature range. Moreover, the NIPAM copolymer with 5 mol% 2-AAPBA content displayed 5 °C hysteresis, whereas for the copolymer containing 30 mol% 2-AAPBA it reached 25 °C. Actually, nanoparticles were formed from the copolymer with 30 mol% of 2-AAPBA above the cloud point, which were stable upon cooling to 5 °C showing the potential for drug delivery applications. Raman spectroscopy applied for the analysis of an aqueous solution of NIPAM copolymer with 15 mol% content heated over the cloud point revealed the appearance of a vibrational band at 753 cm−1 characteristic of boroxine, i.e., boronic acid anhydride, the formation of which explains the broadening of the hysteresis. The detailed analysis of experimental data supported with DFT calculations evidenced the presence of other vibrational bands of 2-AAPBA anhydride (780, 957 and 999 cm−1). This is the first report of boroxine formation upon the phase transition of boronic acid-based thermoresponsive copolymers.

This paper describes the preparation of spheroidal polystyrene core and polyglycidol-rich microparticles by stretching the relevant core-shell microspheres embedded into the poly(vinyl alcohol) film. The requirements for the preparation of the defect-free core-shell spheroids were determined. The rearrangement of the microparticle interfacial layer accompanying the conversion of the microspheres into microspheroids is described.

An efficient method was developed enabling the synthesis of spheroidal polymer microparticles. Thorough physicochemical characteristics of the particles were acquired comprising the size, shape, electrophoretic mobility, and the diffusion coefficient. The particles were monodisperse, and their shape was well-fitted by prolate spheroids having the axis ratio equal to 4.17. Knowing the diffusion coefficient, their hydrodynamic diameter of 449 nm was calculated, which matched the value derived from Brenner's analytical expression. Particle deposition kinetics on mica and silicon/silica substrates, modified by poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) adsorption, was studied by optical microscopy and AFM imaging. The validity of the random sequential adsorption model was confirmed. Additionally, monolayers of the particles on these substrates were thoroughly characterized in situ by the streaming potential measurements for different ionic strengths. These measurements confirmed that the ζ potential change with the spheroidal particle coverage is less abrupt than for spheres and agrees with theoretical predictions. Exploiting these results, a useful analytical expression was derived that allows one to calculate the spheroidal particle coverage in situ via the streaming potential measurements. This expression, especially accurate for low coverage range, can be used for a quantitative interpretation of adsorption and desorption kinetics of anisotropic macromolecules, e.g., proteins on solid substrates.

The study sheds light on the interaction between chitosan (Ch) and polyglycidol (PGL) and uses their interpolymer complex in hydrophilic coating of iron oxide particles (M). Preliminary investigations were performed by modeling chitosan and polyglycidol chains interactions using coarse grained beads approximation and molecular dynamics simulations. The results revealed that Ch and PGL chains associate together forming weak strength complexes, which was experimentally confirmed by surface tension, fluorescence and FTIR. The Ch-PGL mixture (C) and sodium dodecylsulfate (S) were used for layer-by-layer preparation of hydrophilic multilayer coatings of M. The successful covering, demonstrated by DLS, Zeta potential, FTIR, EDAX, preserved the particles super-paramagnetic properties. The most stable multilayer nanocomposite (MSCS) efficiently adsorbed methylene blue from water. The Freundlich model fitted well the equilibrium isotherm data, indicating a heterogeneous, multilayer adsorption. Benefiting from both nano-size and magnetic properties, this adsorbent could be an effectively, cheaply and eco-friendly wastewater treatment means.

Stable three-dimensional colloidal crystals were fabricated in an aqueous suspension of Tris buffer at pH > 8. The basic building blocks of the crystals were submicron-sized polystyrene–polyglycidol core–shell particles (Dn(SEM) = 270 ± 18 nm) with covalently bound 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA). The growth of the crystals was triggered by a thermodynamically favorable arrangement of particles leading to their close packing and by the formation of covalent cross-links between the individual particles. Under alkaline conditions, molecules of l-DOPA are oxidized, which allows their participation in cross-linking, necessary for the stabilization of the formed colloidal crystals. The average size of the fabricated colloidal crystals is determined by their weight, density of the suspending medium, and the energy of their Brownian motion. Crystals generated during the suspension of particles fall down after reaching the critical weight. Therefore, crystals of similar dimensions are deposited at the bottom ...

Solid-state boron nuclear magnetic resonance (11B NMR) and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopies (PALS) were used to study the molecular structure of self-healing hydrogels based on cross-linked hyperbranched polyglycidol (HbPGL) with borax at basic pH. The lifetime and intensity of orthopositronium allowed characterizing the micro- and nanostucture of hydrogels at various thermal conditions. Stepwise changes in the free volume parameters were found in pure HbPGL as well as in hydrogels based on this polymer. However, the shift in the phase transition temperature suggests that the important properties of the hydrogel arise from the water building these systems. Rheological measurements demonstrated the subsequent reduction of the average cross-link lifetime within the polymer network under heating. Composition of boronic species within hydrogel systems also diverged upon change in temperature range from −10 °C to +70 °C. The reduced fraction of boronic diester upon heating was quantitatively rebui...

The design and synthesis of various polymer core–shell particles result from their distinct characteristics, which combine the properties of two or more components into one material. Many accessible synthetic strategies for obtaining polymer core–shell particles lead to the formation of particles for which the internal morphology differs from the ideal core–shell structure. Understanding the precise morphology characteristics is important for mechanistic studies of particle formation, which ultimately results in the design of particles for specific structures and properties. The detailed characteristics of complex polymer particle structures are complicated and require more than one method. This review focuses on imaging methods such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cryo-TEM, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and confocal fluorescence microscopy that reveal the radial redistribution of the components and methods for the quantitative analysis of individual phases (core, shell and interfacial layer), such as small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Methods that can determine the surface composition and makeup of the character of interfacial layer (gradient or containing small domains, etc.) were also reviewed.

This paper describes various methods of preparation and characterization of supports (e.g. silicon, polymer, and metal) with grafted polymers and copolymers, which were tailored for biomedical applications. In particular, there are described methods related to preparation of substrates by surface modification leading to incorporation of initiators and, eventually, various polymerization methods yielding complete, dense, and efficient polymer or copolymer coverage with desired arrangement of polymers/copolymers chains, sufficient chains density, and thickness of a polymer layer. Special attention is drawn to the description of manufacturing of patterned polymer stimuli responsive brushes that are sensitive to changes, for example, temperature, pH, hydrophilicity, solvent, and ionic strength. Selected applications of supports containing tethered polymer brushes used as modern materials useful in biosciences, particularly as elements of biosensors, materials for diagnostics, and prostheses, as well as in other areas of micro-technology and nanotechnology are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Gradient copolymer grafts of styrene and α-tert-butoxy-ω-vinylbenzyl-poly(glycidol ethoxyethyl ether) (PGLet), a precursor of α-tert-butoxy-ω-vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol macromonomer (PGL), were prepared on silicon wafers via a surface-initiated activator generated by electron transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP). Silicon plates with previously attached 2-bromoisobutyrate served as a macroinitiator for the AGET ATRP (activator generated by electron transfer) of styrene and PGLet. The copolymers' gradient P(S-co-PPGL) of composition and thickness was obtained by a simple method where the plates were slowly removed from reaction mixture using a step motor. PGLet was added continuously (dropwise) into the reactor during withdrawal of the plates from solution in order to increase the relative concentration of PGLet in polymerization mixture. A range of strategies of making grafts was tested. The plates with copolymers grafts were analyzed by various techniques, like XPS, ellipsometry, and FTIR spectroscopy. The results indicate that the AGET ATRP process is dependent on the styrene/PGLet macromonomer ratio in the polymerization mixture. Under optimal conditions, the addition of PGLet during polymerization and subsequent deprotection of hydroxyl groups of PGLet permit to obtain plates with a novel copolymer layer with composition, thickness, and wettability gradient. Plates with chemical composition of copolymer grafts gradient served as versatile supports with controlled hydrophilic/hydrophobic area and were suitable for tailored deposition of particles.

Interactions of human serum albumin, gamma globulins and alkaline phosphatase with surface of hydrophilic microspheres are described. Relation between the composition of particles surface layer and adsorption/covalent immobilization and activity of proteins is elucidated. The set of poly(styrene/α-tert-butoxy-ω-vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol) microspheres (poly(S/PGly)) was synthesized via emulsion copolymerization of styrene and α-tert-butoxy-ω-vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol (PGL) macromonomer (Mn = 3000, Mw/Mn = 1.08). The way of addition of PGL macromonomer was different in particular subsets of syntheses; however, the total concentration of all compounds added to the polymerization mixture was kept constant. Namely, PGL was continuously injected beginning injection at various stages of styrene conversion or it was added together with styrene at the beginning of the polymerization. The syntheses yielded microspheres with a number average diameter measured by SEM in a range from 300 to 564.7 nm, and dispersities (Dw/Dn) lower than 1.004, depending on the method of addition of PGL to the polymerization mixture. Studies of proteins' adsorption allowed for determination of relation between the surface concentration of adsorbed protein and chemical composition of the particles interfacial layer. Activation of hydroxyl groups in polyglycidol by 1,3,5-trichlorotriazine allowed for the controlled covalent immobilization of proteins onto particles. The accompanying physical adsorption was low. Studies of the activity of alkaline phosphatase covalently bonded to the surface of the poly(S/PGly) particles with the fraction of PGL in the particles' interfacial layer (fPGL = 20.6 mol% revealed that the activity of the covalently immobilized enzyme was 4.6 times higher than activity of the enzyme adsorbed on the surface of the polystyrene microspheres. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

In the batch emulsion copolymerization of styrene and α- tert -butoxy-ω-vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol macromonomer, carried out at macromonomer concentrations exceeding the critical micelle concentration ( c mc ), particles are formed by a two-step coagulative nucleation mechanism. This mechanism leaves its mark on morphology of particle interface, rate of polymerization and on molecular weight distribution of the obtained polymer. AFM studies revealed that the interface of particles is composed of objects with dimensions close to dimensions of the primary particles. Compartmentalization of styrene in the macromonomer micelles leads to the higher initial rate of styrene conversion than in the similar macromonomer free homopolymerization of styrene. The initial polymerization in the monomer-swollen macromonomer micelles, similar to the microemulsion polymerization, is responsible for the formation of the highest molecular weight component. In the mature particles there are two different polymerization loci: the interfacial layer and the core. This leads to bimodal molecular weight distribution of the formed polymer.

The kinetics of the self-assembly of poly(styrene/α-tert-butoxy-ω-vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol) microparticles on poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-derivatized silicon/silica substrate was determined by direct AFM imaging and streaming potential (SP) measurements. The kinetic runs acquired under diffusion-controlled transport were quantitatively interpreted in terms of the extended random sequential adsorption (RSA) model. This allowed confirmation of a core/shell morphology of the microparticles. The polyglycidol-rich shell of thickness equal to 25 nm exhibited a fuzzy structure that enabled penetration of particles into each other resulting in high coverage inaccessible for ordinary microparticles. The SP measurements interpreted by using the 3D electrokinetic model confirmed this microparticle structure. Additionally, the acid-base characteristics of the microparticle monolayers were determined for a broad pH range. By using the streaming potential measurements, human serum albumin (HSA) adsorption on the microparticle monolayers was investigated under in situ conditions. It was confirmed that the protein adsorption was considerably lower than for the reference case of bare silicon/silica substrate under the same physicochemical conditions. This effect was attributed to the presence of the shell diminishing the protein/microparticle physical interactions.

The methods of preparation and characterization of core-shell poly(styrene/α-tert-butoxy-ω-vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol) particles arranged in colloidal crystals are described. The particles were prepared via emulsifier free emulsion copolymerization of styrene and α-tert-butoxy-ω-vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol macromonomer in aqueous medium, initiated by potassium persulfate. The individual polymerizations differed in a way of addition of macromonomer to the polymerization mixture. The particles assemblies were characterized by atomic force microscopy, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). In-depth distribution of chemical states was determined by XPS combined with argon gas cluster ion sputtering (Ar-GCIB). The morphology of microspheres assemblies reflected the composition of the entire particles. It was found that the method of macromonomer addition to the polymerization mixture affects the particles size, surface and overall morphology. The XPS profiles revealed the chemical composition of the particles arranged in multilayers. It was found that distribution of polyglycidol segments at the particles interfacial layer depends on the time and way of addition of macromonomer. The thickest outer layer composed from polystyrene-polyglycidol segments was obtained for particles when macromonomer was added at the beginning of polymerization.

Polyglycidol (or polyglycerol) is a biocompatible polymer with a main chain structure similar to that of poly(ethylene oxide) but with a –CH2OH reactive side group in every structural unit. The hydroxyl groups in polyglycidol not only increase the hydrophilicity of this polymer but also allow for its modification, leading to polymers with carboxyl, amine, and vinyl groups, as well as to polymers with bonded aliphatic chains, sugar moieties, and covalently immobilized bioactive compounds in particular proteins. The paper describes the current state of knowledge on the synthesis of polyglycidols with various topology (linear, branched, and star-like) and with various molar masses. We provide information on polyglycidol-rich surfaces with protein-repelling properties. We also describe methods for the synthesis of polyglycidol-containing copolymers and the preparation of nano- and microparticles that could be derived from these copolymers. The paper summarizes recent advances in the application of polyglycidol and polyglycidol-containing polymers as drug carriers, reagents for diagnostic systems, and elements of biosensors.

Optical properties of polymer microspheres with polystyrene cores and polyglycidol-enriched shells poly(styrene/α-tert-butoxy-ω-vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol) (P(S/PGL) particles with number average diameters D n determined by scanning electron microscopy equal 237 and 271 nm), were studied before and after immobilization of ovalbumin. The particles were synthesized by emulsifier-free emulsion copolymerization of styrene and polyglycidol macromonomer (poly(styrene/α-tert-butoxy-ω-vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol)) initiated with potassium persulfate. Molar fraction of polyglycidol units in the interfacial layer of the microspheres determined by XPS was equal 42.6 and 34.0%, for the particles with D n equal 137 and 271 nm, respectively. Colloidal crystals from the aforementioned particles were prepared by deposition of particle suspensions on the glass slides and subsequent evaporation of water. It was found that optical properties of colloidal crystals from the P(S/PGL) microspheres strongly depend on modification of their interfacial layer by covalent immobilization of ovalbumin. The coating of particles with ovalbumin resulted in decreasing their refractive index from 1.58 to 1.52.