This lab manual guides chemists through demonstrations of synergistic effects between polyelectrolytes and nanoparticles. After a short introduction into the field of polyelectrolytes and polyelectrolyte characterization, the book discusses the role of polyelectrolytes in the process of nanoparticle formation. The book also explains methods for characterization of the polyelectrolyte-modified nanoparticles.
This book is divided into chapters covering instrumentation, sedimentation velocity runs, density gradient runs, application examples and future developments. In particular, the detailed application chapter demonstrates the versatility and power of AUC by means of many interesting and important industrial examples. Thus the book concentrates on practical aspects rather than details of centrifugation theory.
Polymeric and hybrid nanoparticles have received increased scientific interest in terms of basic research as well as commercial applications, promising a variety of uses for nanostructures in fields including bionanotechnology and medicine. Condensing the relevant research into a comprehensive reference, Polymer and Polymer-Hybrid Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Biomedical Applications covers an array of topics from synthetic procedures and macromolecular design to possible biomedical applications of nanoparticles and materials based on original and unique polymers. The book presents a well-rounded picture of objects ranging from simple polymeric micelles to complex hybrid polymer-based nanostructures, detailing synthetic procedures, techniques for characterization and analysis, properties, and behavior in selective solvents and dispersions. Each chapter contains background and introductory information, summarizing generalities on the nanosystems being discussed. The chapters also describe representative works of experts and provide in-depth, focused discussions. The authors present current knowledge on the following topics: Designed synthesis of functional polymers Construction of block copolymer micellar and nonmicellar self-assembled structures Construction of organic–organic hybrid nanosized particles Construction of organic–inorganic hybrid nanoparticles and nanoassemblies The final chapter addresses biological applications of polymeric nanoparticles, including delivery of low-molecular-weight drugs, macromolecular drugs, imaging and diagnostics, and photodynamic therapy. Summarizing important developments in the field, the authors condense relevant research into a comprehensive resource.
The interactions of charged polymers, polyelectrolytes, on surfaces and in solution have gained a lot of attention throughout the years. Depositing alternating layers of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes forms multilayers, PEMUs. Their association in solution leads to phase separations forming materials termed polyelectrolyte complexes, PECs. The repeat unit of the oppositely charged polyelectrolyte can be varied. The functional group linked to the repeat units dictates the strength of ion pairing. Their self-assembly in solution creates polymer nanoparticles and, in a network, produces polymer nanocomposites. These materials have been used for a variety of applications such as coatings, electronic devices, and drug delivery systems. Adding a certain salt concentration to the material can influence the polymer/polymer interaction within the complex. This work features three main interfaces at which polyelectrolyte interactions were studied: on a substrate through PEMUs, in solution through polymer nanoparticles and in nanocomposites. The pairing strength of a polythiouronium polyelectrolyte having a positively charged thiouronium group, like the guanidinium, was evaluated by the formation of PEMUs at various salt concentrations. Polyguanidiniums such as polyarginine are known to form like-charge ion pairings and hydrogen bonding. The same unusual characteristics cause the strong interactions of the polythiouronium with polyanions. High concentrations of salt dissociated the strong polythiouronium/polyanions complexes. The polythiouronium was selected to seek another example of a strong polycation and to form a PEMU with polyzwitterions, which are known for their weakly interacting strength and net-neutral charge. The second interface consists of the self-assembly of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with positively charged end groups in solution, and as a nanofiller, in a nanocomposite. Polydimethylsiloxane is biocompatible and highly hydrophobic; however, when self-assembled exhibits poor stability and tends to collapse. Introducing a glassy shell of polystyrene sulfonate enhances the stability of these polymer nanoparticles and improves the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite which exhibited thermal resistance. Using x-ray scattering and atomic force microscopy, the nanocomposite's unique morphology was deduced. Its hydrophobic properties were probed using a solvatochromic dye and were used to encapsulate inorganic nanoparticles. The gold nanoparticles are hydrophobically capped and they appeared to be encapsulated within the PDMS core. Their assembly was studied by x-ray scattering in the presence of a PSS shell in solution and the loading capability of the nanoparticle was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The newly formed material is a novel polymer nanoparticle/polymer nanocomposite that takes advantage of the PDMS malleability and biocompatibility. The nanoparticle can thus be used for biological applications such as bio-imaging and sensing. The last section compares the interactions of different polycations with lipid layers (monolayer or bilayer) to mimic the mechanism of surface sterilization. The functional group varied between a primary or tertiary ammonium, a guanidinium and two different thiouronium groups. Ammoniums are known for their ability to disrupt lipid bilayers and for their use in disinfectants. Polyarginine, a strong positively charged polymer, is recognized for its cell-penetrating ability due to its unique salt-bridge like interactions. Radioactive unilamellar phosphocholine vesicles were prepared and used to deposit a monolayer on a hydrophobic scintillator and a bilayer on a hydrophilic one. The interactions of the layers and the deposition were monitored by radiocounting. Polyarginine and the polymer with a higher composition of a hydrophobic thiouronium exhibited the strongest interactions. These investigations of the interactions between polyelectrolytes at different interfaces serve as a guide to design a variety of functional materials. Understanding the structure-property polymer relationship allows the build-up of materials with tuned properties.
Polyelectrolyte Complexes for Tailoring of Wood Fibre Surfaces. Polyelectrolyte Complexes in Flocculation Applications. Spontaneous Assembly and Induced Aggregation of Food Proteins. Polyelectrolyte Complexes of DNA and Polycations as Gene Delivery Vectors. Sizing, Shaping and Pharmaceutical Applications of Polyelectrolyte Complex Nanoparticles.
This book offers a valuable reference source to graduate and post graduate students, engineering students, research scholars polymer engineers from industry. The book provides the reader with current developments of theoretical models describing the thermodynamics polyelectrolytes as well as experimental findings. A particular emphasis is put on the rheological description of polyelectrolyte solutions and hydrogels.
This interdisciplinary approach to the topic brings together reviews of the physics, chemistry, fabrication and application of magnetic nanoparticles and nanostructures within a single cover. With its discussion of the basics as well as the most recent developments, and featuring many examples of practical applications, the result is both a clear and concise introduction to the topic for beginners and a guide to relevant comprehensive physical phenomena and essential technological applications for experienced researchers.
Making polymers into nanoparticles as an essential step in polymer solution processing is of key importance for many applications of polymers. This book seeks to uncover the basics and recent advances in polymer nanoparticles, including polymer synthesis, self-assembly, properties, and applications. It encompasses the various preparation methods of polymer nanoparticles, broadly ranged from single chain collapse to polymerization methods and solution self-assembly. It showcases a wide range of advanced applications of polymer nanoparticles in several fields that include pharmaceutics (drug and nucleotide delivery), biomedicals (bioimaging, diagnosis, and therapeutics), energy (batteries and solar cells) and environmental (catalysis and water purification).This book is enriched with a comprehensive range of content, incorporating synthesis, properties and applications in polymeric nanoparticles that will serve as a suitable beginner guide and survey book in polymer nanomaterials, as well as a useful tool for graduate students, scientists and practitioners in related fields or industries such as chemistry, materials science and engineering, nanomaterials, energy storage and conversion devices, and biomedicine.
This first book on this important and emerging topic presents an overview of the very latest results obtained in single-chain polymer nanoparticles obtained by folding synthetic single polymer chains, painting a complete picture from synthesis via characterization to everyday applications. The initial chapters describe the synthetics methods as well as the molecular simulation of these nanoparticles, while subsequent chapters discuss the analytical techniques that are applied to characterize them, including size and structural characterization as well as scattering techniques. The final chapters are then devoted to the practical applications in nanomedicine, sensing, catalysis and several other uses, concluding with a look at the future for such nanoparticles. Essential reading for polymer and materials scientists, materials engineers, biochemists as well as environmental chemists.
