Polyvinylamine: A Tool for Engineering Interfaces

Abstract

With the highest content of primary amine functional groups of any polymer, polyvinylamine (PVAm) is a potent tool for the modification of macroscopic and nanoparticle surfaces. Based on the free radical polymerization and subsequent hydrolysis of N-vinylformamide, PVAm is prepared as linear polymers (0.8 kDa to >1 MDa), microgels, macrogels, and copolymers. The amine groups serve as reaction sites for grafting PVAm to surfaces and for the preparation of derivatives. Coupling low-molecular-weight molecules and oligomers gives PVAm-X, where X includes hydrophobes, carbohydrate oligomers, proteins, TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy), phenylboronic acids, and fluorocarbons. This contribution highlights the use of PVAm and PVAm-X to modify solid surface properties. Where possible, the PVAm properties and applications as an interfacial agent are compared to those of linear polyethylenimine, polyallylamine, and chitosan.

The Reaction of Poly(Vinyl Amine) with Acetone in Water

“…[6,7] Recently, the amazing versatility of PVAm application has been reviewed by Pelton. [8] The acid-or base-catalyzed hydrolysis of poly(vinyl formamide) (PNVF), that is produced by radical polymerization of N-vinylformamide in water, has been established as the most convenient numerous studies in PVAm chemistry did never hint at the formation of PVAl moieties along PVAm chains. [6,12] In previous works we studied the nucleophilic aromatic substitution of activated fluoro aromatics and highly reactive carbonitrile compounds with PVAm as reagent in aqueous solution to produce solvatochromic, acidochromic, and fluorescent polymers.…”

Nondestructive Molecular Characterization of Polycarbonate–Polyvinylamine Composites after Thermally Induced Aminolysis

“…It is currently mainly used as tool for surface modification and functionalization. [1a] Cross‐linked PVAm is swellable and can be used as biocompatible hydrogel. PVAm hydrogels offer a superior possibility of further functionalization or drug loading but they have a low mechanical stability.…”

Polyvinylamine application for functionalization of polyethylene fiber materials

“…Polyvinylamine is a weak polyelectrolyte and is positively charged, because of the protonation of the amino groups -NH 2 to -NH 3 + . By this positive charge, polyvinylamine can transfer adhesive properties after its deposition onto surfaces toward other negatively charged agents (Pelton, 2014). It is also named as interfacial agent supporting the adhesion at an interface between a substrate and a third functional agent (Pelton, 2014).…”

“…By this positive charge, polyvinylamine can transfer adhesive properties after its deposition onto surfaces toward other negatively charged agents (Pelton, 2014). It is also named as interfacial agent supporting the adhesion at an interface between a substrate and a third functional agent (Pelton, 2014). For this, if a method is developed to fix polyvinylamine onto PE fibers, this will allow the functionalization of PE fibers in a broad range of possible new properties with nearly every type of functional agent containing a negative net charge.…”