Aggregation Behavior of C₆₀-End-Capped Poly(ethylene oxide)s

Abstract

Single- and double-C60-end-capped poly(ethylene oxide)s (PEOs) were prepared by reacting azido-terminated PEO with C60. The aggregation behavior of these polymers in THF and water was studied by gel permeation chromatography, static and dynamic laser light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The solvent polarity, the amount of C60, and the length of PEO segments significantly affect the conformation and the size distribution of aggregates or clusters. The aggregation number of single-C60-end-capped PEO exceeds 104, far larger than nonionic surfactants consisting of PEOs end-capped with paraffinic chains due to the stronger hydrophobic character of C60. Single-C60-end-capped PEO forms much larger aggregates than those of double-end-capped PEOs, possibly due to the relatively higher mobility of the former polymer. The PEO chain length of the double-C60-end-capped PEO controls the aggregate conformation and particle size distribution. It is believed that large aggregation complex comprises several smaller identical aggregates in THF solutions.

Self-Assembly of Stimuli-Responsive Water-Soluble [60]Fullerene End-Capped Ampholytic Block Copolymer

“…For example, micelle-like core-shell aggregates with shells containing highly-stretched polymer chains were reported for PMMA-b-C 60 and PnBMA-b-C 60 systems in THF [11]. Song et al reported large spherical aggregates for single-and two-arm fullerene-containing poly(ethylene oxide)s in THF and aqueous solution [12], [13]. Although the above polymers were synthesized by cycloaddition reaction of azide-terminated polymers with fullerene, the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique has recently been used to synthesize well-defined fullerene-containing polymers.…”

Synthesis and characterization of fullerene grafted poly(ε‐caprolactone)

“…It is similar to the fullerene aggregates observed for the fullerene capped PEO. 29 The fullerene aggregates were formed by the aggregation of fullerenes grafted to the PCL chain. This result verified our previous prediction that the fullerene introduced onto the PCL grafts can aggregate into the fullerene particles.…”

“…The resulted double-fullerene end-capped PEO (FPEOF) showed excellent mechanical properties. [25][26][27][28][29] The aggregation of the fullerene moieties in the double capped polymer leads to the formation of network-like structures so that a combination of a double-fullerene capped polymer and a linear polymer is expected to give rise to a pseudo-semi-interpenetrating polymer network (p-SIPN). Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blended with FPEOF shows a good reinforced toughness.…”

Mechanical Properties of Blends of Double‐Fullerene End‐Capped Poly(ethylene oxide) and Poly(L‐lactic acid)

“…The formation of p-SIPN will result in enhancement of the mechanical properties of PLLA. [37,43,44] The PLLA/FPEOF composite samples with PLLA in its amorphous state showed good tensile properties. An astounding fracture strain was observed and there was an optimum value for the content of FPEOF to achieve the highest fracture strain.…”