Cellulose is the most abundant renewable polymer on the planet and there is great interest in expanding its use beyond its traditional applications. However, its hydrophilicity and insolubility in most common solvent systems are obstacles to its widespread use in advanced materials. One way to counteract this is to attach hydrophobic polymer chains to cellulose: this allows the properties of the copolymer to be tailored by the molecular weight, density, and physical properties of the grafts. Two methods were used here to synthesize the graft copolymers: a ‘grafting-from’ approach, where synthetic chains were grown outward from bromoester moieties on cellulose (Cell-BiB) via Cu(0)-mediated polymerization; and a ‘grafting-to’ approach, where fully formed synthetic chains with terminal sulfide functionality were added to cellulose acetate with methacrylate functionality (CA-MAA) via thiol-ene Michael addition. The Cell-BiB was synthesized in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and had a degree of substitution of 1.13. Polymerization from Cell-BiB proceeded at similar but slightly slower rate than an analogous non-polymeric initiator (EBiB). The average graft density of poly(methyl acrylate) chains was 0.71 chains/ring, with a maximum of 1.0 obtained. The graft density when grafting poly(methyl methacrylate) was only 0.15, and this appeared to be due to the slow initiation of BiB groups. Using EBiB to model the reaction and improve the design should allow this to be overcome. Chain extension experiments demonstrated the living behaviour of the polymer. The CA-MAA was synthesized by esterification with methacrylic acid. Reactions of CA-MAA with thiophenol and dodecanethiol resulted in quantitative addition of the thiol to the alkene. The grafts were synthesized by Cu(0)-mediated polymerization from a bifunctional initiator containing a disulfide bond, followed by reduction to sulfides. The synthetic polymers were successfully grafted to CA-MAA but the grafting yield was limited by the low sulfide functionality. Better retention of sulfide functionality is necessary for more efficient grafting. / Thesis (Master, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-05-27 16:21:03.874

Charge transfer (CT) complexes have been used in a number of radiation polymerisation processes including grafting and curing. The complexes studied include donor (D) monomers like vinyl ethers and vinyl acetate (VA) with acceptor (A) monomers such as maleic anhydride (MA). Both UV and EB have been utilised as radiation sources. The complexes are directly grafted to these substrates in the presence of radiation. The complexes yield novel copolymers when radiation cured with concurrent grafting improving the properties of the finished product. The term cure grafting has been proposed for this concurrent grafting process. Studies in basic photografting work to complement the cure grafting have been proposed. The role of solvent in grafting is discussed, particularly the effect of aromatics in photografting to naturally occurring trunk polymers like wool and cellulose. The effect of the double bond molar ratio (DBMR) of the DA components in grafting is examined. The ultraviolet (UV) conditions for gel formation during photografting, hence the importance of homopolymer yields in these processes is reported. A plausible mechanism to explain the results from this photografting work is proposed. The significance of these photografting studies in the related field of curing, especially in UV and ionising radiation (EB) systems, is discussed. EB curing and cure grafting of charge transfer (CT) monomer complexes is investigated. The EB results are compared with UV curing and cure grafting of the same complexes. The work has been extended to include EB/UV curing and cure grafting of thiolene systems. The significance of these results in the potential commercial application of these complexes is discussed. Variables affecting the UV/EB curing and cure grafting of thiolenes on cellulose have been studied. These include effect of varying the type of olefin, increasing the functionality of the thiol, use of acrylate monomers and oligomers in hybrid systems, altering the surface structure of the cellulose and finally the role of air in these processes particularly with EB. Photopolymerisation of the thiol-enes in bulk has also been investigated. The thesis content is based on the published work of 14 research papers over the course of the project. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

This thesis presents the first reported grafted PPE - polycaprolactone-g-PPE; the first PPE based sensing model: biotinylated grafted PPE/streptavidin coated sphere; the first photocrosslinkable PPE ¨C allyloxy PPE; and the new mechanism which demonstrates morphology control on a single molecular level

Thesis (PhD) -- University of Western Sydney, 2002. / "A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy." "A thesis submitted in the School of Science, Food and Horticulture, University of Western Sydney." "June 2002" Bibliography: leaves 303 - 305.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2005. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Sydney, 2008. / Thesis submitted to the University of Western Sydney, College of Health and Science, School of Natural Sciences, in fulfilment of the requirements for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy. Includes bibliography.

Thesis ( Ph.D) -- McMaster University, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available via World Wide Web.

This dissertation focuses on synthesis and characterization of graft and block copolymers containing carboxylate or phosphonate anions that are potential candidates for biomedical applications such as drug delivery and dental adhesives. Ammonium bisdiethylphosphonate (meth)acrylate and acrylamide phosphonate monomers were synthesized based on aza-Michael addition reactions. Free radical copolymerizations of these monomers with an acrylate-functional poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) macromonomer produced graft copolymers. Quantitative deprotection of the alkylphosphonate groups afforded graft copolymers with zwitterionic ammonium bisphosphonate or anionic phosphonate backbones and PEO grafts. The zwitterionic copolymers spontaneously assembled into aggregates in aqueous media. The anionic copolymers formed aggregates in DMF and DMSO, while only small amounts of aggregates were present in copolymer/methanol or copolymer/water solutions. Binding capabilities of the acrylamide phosphonic acids were investigated through interactions with hydroxyapatite. Previously our group has prepared poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(acrylic acid) (PEO-b-PAA) copolymers and used these polymers as carriers for both MRI imaging agents and cationic drugs. To enhance the capabilities of those carriers in tracking and crosslinking, we have designed, synthesized and characterized amine functionalized PEO-b-PAA copolymers. First, heterobifunctional poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with three different molecular weights were synthesized. Modification on one of these afforded a PEO macroinitiator with a bromide on one end and a protected amine on the other end. ATRP polymerization of tert-butyl acrylate (tBuA) in the presence of this initiator and a copper (I) bromide (CuBr) catalyst yielded a diblock copolymer. The copolymer was deprotected by reaction with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and formed an amine terminated H2N-PEO-b-PAA. Recently our group has utilized the novel ammonium bisdiethylphosphonate (meth)acrylate and acrylamide phosphonate copolymers to incorporate Carboplatin. The resulting complexes exhibited excellent anticancer activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells which might be related to ligand exchange of the dicarboxylate group of Carboplatin with the phosphonic acid moieties in the copolymer. Hence, complexation of small-molecule phosphonic acids with Carboplatin was investigated. Three compounds, vinylphosphonic acid, 3-hydroxypropyl ammonium bisphosphonic acid and 2-hydroxyethyl ammonium phosphonic acid were complexed with Carboplatin under acidic and neutral conditions. Covalent bonding of these acids to carboplatin was only observed under acidic pH. The covalently bonded percentage was 17%, 37% and 34%, respectively. More in-depth investigation was of great importance to further understand this complexation behavior. / Ph. D.

Yes / The physical properties of cyclic and linear polymers are markedly different; however, there are few examples which exploit these differences in clinical applications. In this study, we demonstrate that self-assemblies comprised of cyclic-linear graft copolymers are significantly more stable than the equivalent linear-linear graft copolymer assemblies. This difference in stability can be exploited to allow for triggered disassembly by cleavage of just a single bond within the cyclic polymer backbone, via disulfide reduction, in the presence of intracellular levels of l-glutathione. This topological effect was exploited to demonstrate the first example of topology-controlled particle disassembly for the controlled release of an anti-cancer drug in vitro. This approach represents a markedly different strategy for controlled release from polymer nanoparticles and highlights for the first time that a change in polymer topology can be used as a trigger in the design of delivery vehicles. We propose such constructs, which demonstrate disassembly behavior upon a change in polymer topology, could find application in the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. / ERC are acknowledged for support to M.C.A., A.P.D. (grant number: 681559) and R.O.R. (grant number: 615142).

Thesis (MSc (Chemistry and Polymer Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Hybrid graft copolymers of polystyrene (PSty) and polydimethylsiloxane macromonomers (PDMS) were synthesised. PSty-g-PDMS was synthesised employing the grafting through technique via a conventionally free radical polymerization (FRP) using a polydimethylsiloxane macromonomer. In this series the amount of PDMS incorporated into the copolymer was varied by varying the macromonomer to styrene ratios as well as the length of the PDMS side chain. This allows for the study of the effect that the macromonomer content and the branching length has on the efficiency of the grafting process. A second series of PDMS-g-PSty was also synthesized where the PDMS forms the backbone and the PSty the grafts. Two synthetic techniques were employed for the formation of these polymers. Firstly, the grafting onto approach was used where functional polystyrene prepolymers with either an allyl or vinyl end-groups were synthesised anionically (living anionic polymerization) prior to the coupling of a functional prepolymer using a hydrosilylation reaction with a Karstedt platinum catalyst. This technique was successful and gave insight to the effect of the polystyrene prepolymer graft length has on the grafting efficiency as well as the functional groups needed on the PDMS backbone. Furthermore, the effect of the viscosity (of the PDMS macromonomer) plays on the grafting efficiency was also elucidated. Lastly, the grafting from approach was employed for the formation of PDMS-g-PSty. ATRP, atom transfer radical polymerization, of styrene using a bromoisobutyrate functional PDMS macroinitiator was used for the synthesis of these copolymers. This was accomplished by reacting commercial silane functional PDMS molecules via a hydrosilylation reaction (using a Karstedt catalyst) with allyl-2- bromo-2-methyl-propionate to give a PDMS macroinitiator with bromoisobutyrate functional groups. This will allow for the initiation and growth of polystyrene branches from the PDMS backbone (employing ATRP with a suitable catalyst and ligand). The formation of the endproduct, PDMS-g-PSty, via this route proved to be extremely difficult and largely unsuccessful. Liquid chromatography (LC) at the critical point (LCCC) of polystyrene was used to separate the graft material from homo-polymers which might have formed as well as from the PDMS macromonomer. This technique allows for a very fast chromatographic analysis of the grafting reaction. Under the critical conditions of PSty it was found that the graft copolymer eluted at a lower retention time than the unreacted macromonomer and PSty homopolymer. Two-dimensional chromatography, where LCCC (1st dimension) was coupled to size exclusion chromatography (2nd dimension), was used for the evaluation of the CCD and MMD (molecular mass distribution) of the graft material. LC was furthermore coupled off-line to FTIR and TEM using an LC interface. LCFTIR gave insight to the microstructure of the material, whilst LC-TEM gave insight to the morphological nanostructure of the material. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hibried ent-kopolimere is gesintetiseer uit polistireen (PSty) en polidimetielsiloksaan (PDMS). PSty-g-PDMS is gesintetiseer deur gebruik te maak van die ent-deur tegniek via ‘n konvensionele vrye radikaal polimerisasie proses (VRP). In die reeks is die hoeveelheid PDMS wat geïnkorporeer is, gevarieer deur die hoeveelheid PDMS tot PSty verhouding te verander asook die lengte van die PDMS sytak. Gevolglik het dit toegelaat vir die studie van die effek wat die makromonomeer inhoud, sowel as die taklengte het op die effektiwiteit van die ent-proses. ‘n Tweede reeks is ook gesintetiseer, waar die PDMS die ruggraat vorm van die ko-polimeer, en die stireen die takke vorm van die ko-polimeer. Dus is PDMS-g-PSty gesintetiseer. Twee sintetiese tegnieke is benut vir die vorming van die kopolimere. In die eerste geval is daar van die ent-op tegniek gebruik gemaak waar funksionele polistireen prepolimere met ‘n alliel of ‘n silaan end-groep gesintetiseer is deur gebruik te maak van ‘n anioniese lewendige polimerisasie voor die koppeling van die PDMS makromonomere deur ‘n hidrosililasie proses met ‘n Karstedt platinum katalisator. Die tegniek was suksesvol en het in diepte insig gegee van die effek wat die molekulêre lengte van die polistireen prepolimeer het op die effektiwiteit van die ent-proses, sowel as die minimum hoeveelheid funksionele groepe wat teenwoordig moet wees op die PDMS ruggraat. Verder is die effek wat die viskositeit (van die PDMS makromonomeer) op die ent-proses het, bekend gemaak. Laastens is daar ook van die ent-vanaf tegniek gebruik gemaak vir die vorming van PDMS-g-PSty. AORP, atoom oordrag radikale polimerisasie, van stireen, deur gebruik te maak van ‘n bromoisobutiraat funksionele PDMS makro-inisieerder, is gebruik vir die sintese van die kopolimere. Die makro-inisieerders is bekom deur gebruik te maak van kommersiële silaan funksionele PDMS, en dit is gereageer deur middel van ‘n hidrosililasie proses met alliel-2-bromo- 2-metiel-propionaat. Dit het PDMS makroinisieerders tot gevolg gehad met bromoisobutiraat funksionele groepe. Gevolglik kon stireen takke vanaf die PDMS ruggraat gegroei word deur gebruik te maak van AORP met ‘n geskikte katalisator en ligand. Die vorming van die end-produk, PDMS-g-PSty, deur middel van hierdie roete was onsuksesvol. Vloeistof chromatografie by die kritiese punt van polistireen was gebruik om die ent-produk te skei van die homo-polimere en PDMS makromonomeer. Gevolglik kon die chemiese samestelling van die ent-produk geëvalueer word. Twee-dimensionele chromatografie, waar vloeistof chromatografie by die kritiese punt van polistireen in die eerste vlak gekoppel was aan grootte uitsluitings chromatografie in die tweede vlak, was benut om die chemiese komposisie sowel as die molekul re massa verdeling van die entproduk te verkry. Verder was vloeistof chromatografie indirek aan Fourier-oordrag infrarooi en transmissie elektron mikroskopie (TEM) gekoppel. Eergenoemde het insig gegee tot die mikrostruktuur van die materiaal, terwyl laasgenoemde insig gegee het tot die morfologiese nanostruktuur van die materiaal.