• Membrane Journal
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2013

Polyancrylonitrile nanofiber membrane (PAM) was prepared by using the electrospinning method with a solution of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) in DMF. The pore-diameter of PAMs and the number of PAM's layer were controlled for the microfiltration (MF) application. In addition, in order to improve the water-flux, AN-PEGMA copolymers have been synthesized via free radical polymerization with poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate and azobisisobutylronitrile (AIBN), and then PAN/AN-PEGMA nanofiber membranes (PAM/APM) were prepared by electrospinning with a mixture of PAN (9 wt%) and AN-PEGMA (3 wt%) in DMF (88 wt%). The prepared membranes were investigated with FT-IR and E.D.S. It was confirmed through scanning electron microscope (SEM), porometer, and porosity analysis that the porous membrane with a uniform diameter (400~600 nm) and a uniform pore characteristics (0.5~0.4 ${\mu}m$) was prepared. For the MF application, water-flux measurements were investigated and then the result was shown that the water permeability value of PAM/APMs introduced AN-PEGMA copolymers was relatively higher than that of the PVdF commercial membrane. From these results, PAN nanofiber membranes prepared by electrospinning could be utilized as a MF membrane.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.212-218
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• 2021

It is inevitable to generate incomplete combustion gases when mankind utilizes fossil fuels. From this point of view, gas separation process of combustion gas suggests the possibility of recycling CO gas. In this study, we fabricated a facilitated transport polymeric composite membrane for CO separation using AgBF₄ and HBF₄. The copolymer was synthesized via free-radical polymerization of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as a main chain and acrylic acid (AA) monomer as a side chain. The polymer synthesis was confirmed by FT-IR and the interactions of graft copolymer with AgBF₄, and HBF₄ were characterized by TEM. PVA-g-PAA graft copolymer membranes showed good channels for facilitated CO transport. In this perspective, we suggest the novel approach in CO separation membrane area via combination of grafting and facilitated transport.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.17-32
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• 2010

This review shows the design and the development of new $CO_2$-soluble hydrocarbon copolymers which can be used as effective stabilizers for successful dispersion polymerizations of bio-compatible materials in supercritical carbon dioxide ($scCO_2$). The basic concepts of supercritical fluid including its solvent properties and applications in polymer synthesis are described. We report the facile synthesis of highly soluble hydrocarbon based copolymers, prepared with good control via controlled free radical polymerization from readily accessible and commercially available monomers. The phase behaviour of these materials was monitored in pure $CO_2$ to investigate how the molecular weights and the composition of the copolymers affect their solubility in $CO_2$. Their activity as a stabilizer was then tested in dispersion polymerization of N-vinyl pyrrolidone in $CO_2$ at various reaction conditions to identify the key parameters required for a successful dispersion stabilization of growing PVP particles. Some prospective potentials of this research which can be applied in developing new polymer materials in an environmentally-friendly fashion for use in cosmetics are also discussed.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.547-552
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• 2007

Water soluble polymer, poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) was chosen to conjugate with 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-(succinyl) (N-succinyl DPPE) to make a new drug delivery system. PVP with an amine group (amino-PVP) was polymerized by free radical polymerization. The amine group of amino-PVP was conjugated with the carboxylic group of N-succinyl DPPE. The resultant conjugate could form nanoparticles in the aqueous solution; these nanoparticles were termed a lipid-polymer system. The critical aggregation concentration was measured with pyrene to give a value of $1{\times}10^{-3}g/L$. The particle size of the lipid-polymer system, as measured by DLS, AFM and TEM, was about 70 nm. Lipophilic component in the inner part of the lipid-polymer system could derive the physical interaction with hydrophobic drugs. Griseofulvin was used as a model drug in this study. The loading efficiency and release profile of the drug were measured by HPLC. The loading efficiency was about 54%. The release behavior was sustained for a prolonged time of 12 days. The proposed lipid-polymer system with biodegradable and biocompatible properties has promising potential as a passive-targeting drug delivery carrier because of its small particle size.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.1003-1009
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• 2009

Copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) comonomer with styrene (St), hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) and carboxyphenyl maleimide (CPMI) were synthesized by free radical polymerization using 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) initiator in 1,4-dioxane solvent. The copolymers formed were characterized by FTIR, $^1H$ NMR and $^{13}C$ NMR techniques and their thermal properties were studied by DSC and TGA. Copolymer composition was determined by $^1H$ NMR and/or by elemental analysis and monomer reactivity ratios (MRR) were estimated by the linear methods of Kelen-Tudos (K-T) and extended Kelen-Tudos (EK-T) and the non-linear approach. Copolymers of St and HPMA with NVP formed blocks of one of the monomer units, whereas alternating copolymers were obtained in CPMI-NVP, depending upon the side chain substitution. The MRR values are discussed in terms of monomer structural properties such as electronegativity and electron delocalization. The sequence distribution of monomers in the copolymers was studied by statistical method based on the average reactivity ratios obtained by EK-T method.

• Carbon letters
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2014

Spinnable pitch for melt-electrospinning was obtained from pyrolized fuel oil by electron beam (E-beam) radiation treatment. The modified pitch was characterized by measuring its elemental composition, softening point, viscosity, molecular weight, and spinnability. The softening point and viscosity properties of the modified pitch were influenced by reforming types (heat or E-beam radiation treatment) and the use of a catalyst. The softening point and molecular weight were increased in proportion to absorbed doses of E-beam radiation and added $AlCl_3$ due to the formation of pitch by free radical polymerization. The range of the molecular weight distribution of the modified pitch becomes narrow with better spinning owing to the generated aromatic compounds with similar molecular weight. The diameter of melt-electrospun pitch fibers under applied power of 20 kV decreased 53% ($4.7{\pm}0.9{\mu}m$) compared to that of melt-spun pitch fibers ($10.2{\pm}2.8{\mu}m$). It is found that E-beam treatment for reforming could be a promising method in terms of time-savings and cost-effectiveness, and the melt-electrospinning method is suitable for the preparation of thinner fibers than those obtained with the conventional melt-spinning method.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.451-458
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• 2004

Water-soluble polyacrylamides hydrophobically modified with small amounts of N,N-dialkylacrylamides [N,N-dihexylacrylamide (DHAM) and N,N-dioctylacrylamide (DOAM)] have been prepared through free radical solution polymerizations using two hydrophobic initiators derived from 4,4' -azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid) (ACVA) and long linear chains consisting of 12 and 16 carbon atoms (C12 and C16). This procedure resulted in polyacrylamides containing hydrophobic groups along the chain as well as at the chain ends. We compare the properties of this class of polymers, termed "combined associative polymers", with those of the multisticker (with hydrophobic groups along the polymer chain) and telechelic (with hydrophobic groups at the chain ends) associative polymers. These materials were prepared using DHAM or DOAM and a hydrophobic initiator (ACVA) modified with alkyl chains of two different lengths. Polymers having molecular weights (M$\_$w/) of ca. 175,000 and hydrophobic contents [H] of ca. 0.8 mol% were prepared using 0.07 mol% of initiator relative to the total monomer feed. We investigated the effects that the type, localization, and concentration of the hydrophobic groups have on the viscosities of the associative polymer solutions.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.614-619
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• 2008

Copolymers of phenyl alkyl acrylates/methacrylates are used clinically as soft materials for the foldable intraocular lens (IOL) to treat cataracts. In this study, copolymers of 2-phenylethyl acrylate (PEA) and 2-phenylethyl methacrylate (PEMA) of various compositions were prepared using free radical polymerization in solution. The composition of the copolymers was determined by $^1H$-NMR analysis. The reactivity ratios of the monomers were calculated using the conventional Fineman-Ross or Kelen-Tudos method. The reactivity ratio of PEA ($r_1$) and PEMA ($r_2$) were estimated to be 0.280 and 2.085 using the Kelen-Tudos method, respectively. These values suggest that PEMA is more reactive in copolymerization than PEA, and the copolymers will have a higher content of PEMA units. The glass transition temperature ($T_g$) of the copolymers increased with increasing PEMA content. The molecular weight and polydispersity indices ($M_w/M_n$) of the polymers were determined by GPC. Overall, these results are expected to be quite useful in applications to foldable soft IOL materials.

• Carbon letters
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.262-267
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• 2014

Pyrolized fuel oil (PFO) was reformed by novel electron beam (E-beam) radiation, and the elemental composition, chemical bonds, average molecular weight, solubility, softening point, yields, and density of the modified patches were characterized. These properties of modified pitch were dependent on the reforming method (heat or E-beam radiation treatment) and absorbed dose. Aromaticity ($F_a$), average molecular weight, solubility, softening point, and density increased in proportion to the absorbed dose of E-beam radiation, with the exception of the highest absorbed dose, due to modification by free radical polymerization and the powerful energy intensity of E-beam treatment. The H/C ratio and yield exhibited the opposite trend for the same reason. These results indicate that novel E-beam radiation reforming is suitable for the preparation of aromatic pitch with a high ${\beta}$-resin content.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.275-281
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• 2004

We have studied the effect of polarity, current density, current duration, crosslinking density, swelling ratio, and permeation enhancers on the transdermal flux of ketoprofen from acrylamide hydrogel. Hydrogel was prepared by free radical crosslinking polymerization of acrylamide. Drug loading was made just before transport experiment by soaking the hydrogel in solution containing drug. In vitro flux study using hairless mouse skin was performed at $36.5^{\circ}C$ using side-by-side diffusion cell, and the drug was analysed using HPLC/UV system. The result showed that, compared to passive flux, the total amount of drug transported increased about 18 folds by the application of $0.4\;mA/cm^2$ cathodal current. Anodal delivery with same current density also increased the total amount of drug transported about 13 folds. It seemed that the increase in flux was due to the electrorepulsion and the increase in passive permeability of the skin by the current application. Flux increased as current density, the duration of current application and loading amount (swelling duration) increased. As the cross linking density of the hydrogel increased, flux clearly decreased. The effect of hydrophilic enhancers (urea, N-methyl pyrrolidone, Tween 20) and some hydrophobic enhancers (propylene glycol monolaurate and isopropyl myristate) was minimal. However, about 3 folds increase in flux was observed when 5% oleic acid was used. Overall, these results provide some useful information on the design of an optimized iontophoretic delivery system of ketoprofen.