A new aldehyde-functionalized glycomonomer, 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-6-O-(2′-formyl-4′vinylphenyl)-D-galactopyranose (IVDG), was designed and prepared. The "living"/controlled radical polymerization of IVDG was successfully achieved using 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) as the initiator and 1-phenylethyl dithiobenzoate as the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent at 60 °C in tetrahydrofuran. The polymerization followed first-order kinetics, the number-average molecular weight of the obtained polymers increased in direct proportion to the monomer conversion, and the molecular weight distribution was narrow (polydispersity index <1.1). Removal of protective isopropylidene groups from the sugar residue in polyIVDG was carried out quantitatively using 88% formic acid at room temperature, yielding a novel amphiphilic polymer containing both galactopyranose and aldehyde functionalities. These amphiphilic polymers self-assembled into well-defined aldehyde-bearing polymeric micelles in aqueous solution without recourse to any surfactant. The size of the micelles increased almost linearly with the molecular weight of polyIVDG precursor, which could be controlled directly via the aforementioned RAFT polymerization process. Protein-bioconjugated nanoparticles were also successfully prepared by the immobilization of bovine serum albumin (as a model protein) onto the aldehyde-functionalized micelles.
Abstract:In this study, the molten salt hydrate of lithium bromide (LiBr) was utilized as a non-derivatizing cellulose dissolution solvent to prepare regenerated cellulose films for kraft pulp. The effects of LiBr concentrations (60, 62, and 65 wt %) and dissolving time (from 5 to 40 min with the interval of 5 min) on the structures and the properties of the films were investigated. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and cross-polarization magic-angle spinning carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (CP/MAS 13 C NMR) characterizations verified the breakage of inter-and intra-cellulose hydrogen bonds during the regeneration, resulting in the disruption of the crystalline structure of cellulose. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data indicated that the regeneration converted the polymorphism of cellulose from I to II as well as decreased its crystallinity. Ultraviolet-visible spectra (UV-Vis) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses revealed the excellent optical transparency of the films to visible light due to the complete dissolution of cellulose fibers as well as the sufficient breaking of the interand intra-cellulose hydrogen bonds. In terms of tensile testing, tuning LiBr concentrations and dissolving time could increase the elongation at break and tensile strength of the films. The maximum elongation at break of 26% and tensile strength of 67 MPa were achieved when the films prepared in 65 wt % LiBr for 10 and 15 min, respectively. These results indicated the great potential of the cellulose films for packaging use.
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