Defining the Collapse Point in Colloidal Unimolecular Polymer (CUP) Formation

Colloidal unimolecular polymer (CUP) particles were made using polymers with different ratios of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers via a self-organization process known as water reduction. The water-reduction process and the collapse of the polymer chain to form a CUP were tracked using viscosity...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ashish Zore, Peng Geng, Yuwei Zhang, Michael R. Van De Mark
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-05-01
Series:Polymers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/9/1909
_version_ 1797503105912274944
author Ashish Zore
Peng Geng
Yuwei Zhang
Michael R. Van De Mark
author_facet Ashish Zore
Peng Geng
Yuwei Zhang
Michael R. Van De Mark
author_sort Ashish Zore
collection DOAJ
description Colloidal unimolecular polymer (CUP) particles were made using polymers with different ratios of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers via a self-organization process known as water reduction. The water-reduction process and the collapse of the polymer chain to form a CUP were tracked using viscosity measurements as a function of composition. A vibration viscometer, which allowed for viscosity measurement as the water was being added during the water-reduction process, was utilized. The protocol was optimized and tested for factors such as temperature control, loss of material, measurement stability while stirring, and changes in the solution volume with the addition of water. The resulting viscosity curve provided the composition of Tetrahydrofuran (THF)/water mixture that triggers the collapse of a polymer chain into a particle. Hansen as well as dielectric parameters were related to the polymer composition and percentage <i>v</i>/<i>v</i> of THF/water mixture at the collapse point. It was observed that the collapse of the polymer chain occurred when the water/THF composition was at a water volume of between 53.8 to 59.3% in the solvent mixture.
first_indexed 2024-03-10T03:45:46Z
format Article
id doaj.art-48e589196bc649ac8fd79ac440c79db1
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2073-4360
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-10T03:45:46Z
publishDate 2022-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Polymers
spelling doaj.art-48e589196bc649ac8fd79ac440c79db12023-11-23T09:08:04ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602022-05-01149190910.3390/polym14091909Defining the Collapse Point in Colloidal Unimolecular Polymer (CUP) FormationAshish Zore0Peng Geng1Yuwei Zhang2Michael R. Van De Mark3Department of Chemistry, Missouri S&T Coatings Institute, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65401, USADepartment of Chemistry, Missouri S&T Coatings Institute, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65401, USADepartment of Chemistry, Missouri S&T Coatings Institute, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65401, USADepartment of Chemistry, Missouri S&T Coatings Institute, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65401, USAColloidal unimolecular polymer (CUP) particles were made using polymers with different ratios of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers via a self-organization process known as water reduction. The water-reduction process and the collapse of the polymer chain to form a CUP were tracked using viscosity measurements as a function of composition. A vibration viscometer, which allowed for viscosity measurement as the water was being added during the water-reduction process, was utilized. The protocol was optimized and tested for factors such as temperature control, loss of material, measurement stability while stirring, and changes in the solution volume with the addition of water. The resulting viscosity curve provided the composition of Tetrahydrofuran (THF)/water mixture that triggers the collapse of a polymer chain into a particle. Hansen as well as dielectric parameters were related to the polymer composition and percentage <i>v</i>/<i>v</i> of THF/water mixture at the collapse point. It was observed that the collapse of the polymer chain occurred when the water/THF composition was at a water volume of between 53.8 to 59.3% in the solvent mixture.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/9/1909colloidal unimolecular polymer (CUP)single-chain polymer nanoparticlechain collapsevibration viscometerHansen parameters
spellingShingle Ashish Zore
Peng Geng
Yuwei Zhang
Michael R. Van De Mark
Defining the Collapse Point in Colloidal Unimolecular Polymer (CUP) Formation
Polymers
colloidal unimolecular polymer (CUP)
single-chain polymer nanoparticle
chain collapse
vibration viscometer
Hansen parameters
title Defining the Collapse Point in Colloidal Unimolecular Polymer (CUP) Formation
title_full Defining the Collapse Point in Colloidal Unimolecular Polymer (CUP) Formation
title_fullStr Defining the Collapse Point in Colloidal Unimolecular Polymer (CUP) Formation
title_full_unstemmed Defining the Collapse Point in Colloidal Unimolecular Polymer (CUP) Formation
title_short Defining the Collapse Point in Colloidal Unimolecular Polymer (CUP) Formation
title_sort defining the collapse point in colloidal unimolecular polymer cup formation
topic colloidal unimolecular polymer (CUP)
single-chain polymer nanoparticle
chain collapse
vibration viscometer
Hansen parameters
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/9/1909
work_keys_str_mv AT ashishzore definingthecollapsepointincolloidalunimolecularpolymercupformation
AT penggeng definingthecollapsepointincolloidalunimolecularpolymercupformation
AT yuweizhang definingthecollapsepointincolloidalunimolecularpolymercupformation
AT michaelrvandemark definingthecollapsepointincolloidalunimolecularpolymercupformation