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Polymers
Special Issues
Polymer Structures in Solution
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Polymer Structures in Solution

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Analysis and Characterization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2020) | Viewed by 19998

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ivo Nischang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
Interests: colloid characterization science, (hybrid) materials science, hydrodynamic analysis, analytical ultracentrifugation, field-flow fractionation, synthetic macromolecules, pharmapolymers, separation science
Dr. Igor Perevyazko

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Molecular Biophysics and Polymer Physics, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Interests: synthetic and biomacromolecules, nanoparticles, solution characterization, conformational analysis, analytical ultracentrifugation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the current state-of-the-art of polymeric materials in solution both from the synthetic aspects of their preparation and in particular on their characterization with suitable analytical strategies. Since polymeric materials are often formed from solutions of suitable precursors, their specific design criteria to tailor composition/structure, topology, and functionality need to be quantitatively tracked to evidence synthetic success. This concerns particularly modern analytical implementations of eminent techniques such as light scattering and hydrodynamic studies.
Papers are sought that discuss the latest research in the areas that make use of polymers in solution, particularly papers that provide in-depth insight into the characterization of polymer structures. The scope of the Special Issue therefore encompasses the synthesis and characterization of polymers used for life science and technical applications, including, e.g. polymer chains, (hyper-)branched and any other topology, complex architectures, (nano-)gels, polymer nanoparticles, polymer-based nanocomposites, and (hybrid) (non-)covalent assemblies.
Of particular interest are new concepts to study structures and functions in solutions resulting from the synthesis and processing of polymer materials, particularly also via a combination of methods leading to enhanced insight into the materials.

Dr. Ivo Nischang
Dr. Igor Perevyazko
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Synthetic design of polymer structures in solution
  • Biopolymers
  • Aggregation
  • Molar mass and hydrodynamic properties
  • Conformational analysis
  • Analytical ultracentrifugation
  • Field-flow fractionation
  • Size exclusion chromatography and liquid chromatography
  • Viscometry/rheology
  • Light scattering
  • Colloid stability
  • Nanoparticles
  • Shape and size analysis

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 3567 KiB  
Article
Hydrodynamic Compatibility of Hyaluronic Acid and Tamarind Seed Polysaccharide as Ocular Mucin Supplements
by Taewoo Chun, Thomas MacCalman, Vlad Dinu, Sara Ottino, Mary K. Phillips-Jones and Stephen E. Harding
Polymers 2020, 12(10), 2272; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12102272 - 2 Oct 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2756
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid (HA) has been commonly used in eyedrop formulations due to its viscous lubricating properties even at low concentration, acting as a supplement for ocular mucin (principally MUC5AC) which diminishes with aging in a condition known as Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or “dry eye”. [...] Read more.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) has been commonly used in eyedrop formulations due to its viscous lubricating properties even at low concentration, acting as a supplement for ocular mucin (principally MUC5AC) which diminishes with aging in a condition known as Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or “dry eye”. A difficulty has been its short residence time on ocular surfaces due to ocular clearance mechanisms which remove the polysaccharide almost immediately. To prolong its retention time, tamarind seed gum polysaccharide (TSP) is mixed as a helper biopolymer with HA. Here we look at the hydrodynamic characteristics of HA and TSP (weight average molar mass Mw and viscosity η) and then explore the compatibility of these polymers, including the possibility of potentially harmful aggregation effects. The research is based on a novel combination of three methods: sedimentation velocity in the analytical ultracentrifuge (SV-AUC), size-exclusion chromatography coupled to multiangle light scattering (SEC-MALS) and capillary viscometry. HA and TSP were found to have Mw=(680±30) kg/mol and (830±30) kg/mol respectively, and η=1475±30 ml/g and 675±20 ml/g, respectively. The structure of HA ranges from a rodlike molecule at lower molar masses changing to a random coil for Mw > 800 kg/mol, based on the Mark–Houwink–Kuhn–Sakurada (MHKS) coefficient. TSP, by contrast, is a random coil across the range of molar masses. For the mixed HA-TSP systems, SEC-MALS indicates a weak interaction. However, sedimentation coefficient (s) distributions obtained from SV-AUC measurements together with intrinsic viscosity demonstrated no evidence of any significant aggregation phenomenon, reassuring in terms of eye-drop formulation technology involving these substances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Structures in Solution)
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19 pages, 2469 KiB  
Article
Star-Shaped Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and Poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) with Central Thiacalix[4]Arene Fragments: Reduction and Stabilization of Silver Nanoparticles
by Alexey Lezov, Alexander Gubarev, Maria Mikhailova, Alexandra Lezova, Nina Mikusheva, Vladimir Kalganov, Marina Dudkina, Andrey Ten’kovtsev, Tatyana Nekrasova, Larisa Andreeva, Natalia Saprykina, Ruslan Smyslov, Yulia Gorshkova, Dmitriy Romanov, Stephanie Höppener, Igor Perevyazko and Nikolay Tsvetkov
Polymers 2019, 11(12), 2006; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym11122006 - 4 Dec 2019
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3231
Abstract
The interaction of silver nitrate with star-shaped poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) containing central thiacalix[4]arene cores, which proceeds under visible light in aqueous solutions at ambient temperature, was studied. It was found that this process led to the formation of stable colloidal solutions of silver [...] Read more.
The interaction of silver nitrate with star-shaped poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) containing central thiacalix[4]arene cores, which proceeds under visible light in aqueous solutions at ambient temperature, was studied. It was found that this process led to the formation of stable colloidal solutions of silver nanoparticles. The kinetics of the formation of the nanoparticles was investigated by the observation of a time-dependent increase in the intensity of the plasmon resonance peak that is related to the nanoparticles and appears in the range of 400 to 700 nm. According to the data of electron and X-ray spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and dynamic light scattering, the radius of the obtained silver nanoparticles is equal to 30 nm. In addition, the flow birefringence experiments showed that solutions of nanoparticles have high optical shear coefficients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Structures in Solution)
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15 pages, 2733 KiB  
Article
Stabilization of Silver Nanoparticles by Cationic Aminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymers in Aqueous Media—Effects of Component Ratios and Molar Masses of Copolymers
by Mariya E. Mikhailova, Anna S. Senchukova, Alexey A. Lezov, Alexander S. Gubarev, Anne -K. Trützschler, Ulrich S. Schubert and Nikolay V. Tsvetkov
Polymers 2019, 11(10), 1647; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym11101647 - 10 Oct 2019
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2295
Abstract
The ability of aminoethyl methacrylate cationic copolymers to stabilize silver nanoparticles in water was investigated. Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) was employed as a reducing agent for the preparation of silver nanoparticles. The objects were studied by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering [...] Read more.
The ability of aminoethyl methacrylate cationic copolymers to stabilize silver nanoparticles in water was investigated. Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) was employed as a reducing agent for the preparation of silver nanoparticles. The objects were studied by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Formation of nanoparticles in different conditions was investigated by varying ratios between components (silver salt, reducing agent and polymer) and molar masses of copolymers. As a result, we were successful in obtaining nanoparticles with a relatively narrow size distribution that were stable for more than six months. Consistent information on nanoparticle size was obtained. The holding capacity of the copolymer was studied. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Structures in Solution)
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Review

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17 pages, 1271 KiB  
Review
Incentives of Using the Hydrodynamic Invariant and Sedimentation Parameter for the Study of Naturally- and Synthetically-Based Macromolecules in Solution
by Mandy Grube, Gizem Cinar, Ulrich S. Schubert and Ivo Nischang
Polymers 2020, 12(2), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12020277 - 31 Jan 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 2879
Abstract
The interrelation of experimental rotational and translational hydrodynamic friction data as a basis for the study of macromolecules in solution represents a useful attempt for the verification of hydrodynamic information. Such interrelation originates from the basic development of colloid and macromolecular science and [...] Read more.
The interrelation of experimental rotational and translational hydrodynamic friction data as a basis for the study of macromolecules in solution represents a useful attempt for the verification of hydrodynamic information. Such interrelation originates from the basic development of colloid and macromolecular science and has proven to be a powerful tool for the study of naturally- and synthetically-based, i.e., artificial, macromolecules. In this tutorial review, we introduce this very basic concept with a brief historical background, the governing physical principles, and guidelines for anyone making use of it. This is because very often data to determine such an interrelation are available and it only takes a set of simple equations for it to be established. We exemplify this with data collected over recent years, focused primarily on water-based macromolecular systems and with relevance for pharmaceutical applications. We conclude with future incentives and opportunities for verifying an advanced design and tailored properties of natural/synthetic macromolecular materials in a dispersed or dissolved manner, i.e., in solution. Particular importance for the here outlined concept emanates from the situation that the classical scaling relationships of Kuhn–Mark–Houwink–Sakurada, most frequently applied in macromolecular science, are fulfilled, once the hydrodynamic invariant and/or sedimentation parameter are established. However, the hydrodynamic invariant and sedimentation parameter concept do not require a series of molar masses for their establishment and can help in the verification of a sound estimation of molar mass values of macromolecules. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Structures in Solution)
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27 pages, 2707 KiB  
Review
A Comprehensive Review on Water Diffusion in Polymers Focusing on the Polymer–Metal Interface Combination
by Chao Yang, Xiao Xing, Zili Li and Shouxin Zhang
Polymers 2020, 12(1), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12010138 - 6 Jan 2020
Cited by 68 | Viewed by 8235
Abstract
Water diffusion in polymers is relevant to a broad range of physicochemical phenomena and technological processes. Although many fields contributed to rapid progress in the fundamental knowledge of water–polymer interactions, detailed understandings come mainly from interpreting numerous experiments. These studies showed that a [...] Read more.
Water diffusion in polymers is relevant to a broad range of physicochemical phenomena and technological processes. Although many fields contributed to rapid progress in the fundamental knowledge of water–polymer interactions, detailed understandings come mainly from interpreting numerous experiments. These studies showed that a remarkably rich variety of diffusion forms between water and even seemingly simple polymers. In this review, focusing on the gravimetric and capacitance method, we discuss contradictions and problems existing for water diffusion in polymers in detail from perspectives of experiments and models, focusing on the analysis of error derived from widely used methods, especially for the Brasher–Kingsbury equation. We also provide a perspective on outstanding problems, challenges, and open questions, including water clusters, relaxation, and electrochemical reactions at the metal/polymer interface, as well as expanding the theoretical prospective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Structures in Solution)
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