• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.359-364
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• 2006

Di-block copolymers composed of two biocompatible polymers, poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(D,L-lactide), were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization for preparing polymer vesicles (polymersomes). Emulsion solvent evaporation method was used to fabricate the polymersomes. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images confirmed that polymersomes have a hollow structure inside. Confocal laser microscope and optical microscope were also used to verify the hollow structure of polymersomes. Polymersomes having various sizes from several hundred nanometers to a few micrometers were fabricated. The size of the polymersomes could be readily controlled by altering the relative hydrodynamic volume fraction ratio between hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks in the copolymer structure, and by varying the fabrication methods. They showed greatly enhanced stability with increased molecular weight of PEG. They maintained their physical and chemical structural integrities after repeated cycles of centrifugation/re-dispersion, and even after treatment with surfactants.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.2342-2348
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• 2014

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) were grafted to both ends of Pluronic$^{(R)}$ F68 ($(EO)_{75}(PO)_{30}(EO)_{75}$) triblock copolymer to produce poly{(lactic acid)$_m$-co-(glycolic acid)$_n$}-b-poly(ethylene oxide)$_{75}$-b-poly(propylene oxide)$_{30}$-b-poly(ethylene oxide)$_{75}$-b-poly{(lactic acid)$_m$-co-(glycolic acid)$_n$} (PLGA-F68-PLGA) pentablock copolymers. Molecular weights of PLGA blocks were controlled and five kinds of pentablock copolymers with different PLGA block lengths were synthesized using in-situ ring-opening polymerization of D,L-lactide and glycolide with tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate ($Sn(Oct)_2$) catalyst. PLGA-F68-PLGA pentablock copolymers were characterized by $^1H$- and $^{13}C$-NMR, GPC, and TGA. The numbers (2m, 2n) of repeating units for lactic acid and glycolic acid inside PLGA segments were obtained as (48, 17), (90, 23), (125, 40), (180, 59), and (246, 64), with $^1H$-NMR measurement. From NMR data, the resultant molecular weights were determined in the range of 12,700-29,700, which were similar to those obtained from GPC. Polydispersity index was increased in the range of 1.32-1.91 as the content of PLGA blocks increased. TG and DTG thermograms showed discrete degradation traces for PLGA and F68 blocks, which indicate the weight fractions of PLGA blocks in pentablock copolymers can be calculated by TG profile and it is possible to remove PLGA block selectively. Hydrodynamic radius and radius of gyration of pentablock copolymer micelle were obtained in the range of 46-68 nm and 31-49 nm, respectively, in very dilute (i.e. 0.005 wt %) aqueous solution of THF:$H_2O$ = 10:90 by volume at $25^{\circ}C$.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.222-228
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• 2011

Poly(vinyl chloride)-g-poly(oxyethylene methacrylate) (PVC-g-POEM) graft copolymer was synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and used as an electrolyte for electrochromic device. Plasticized polymer electrolytes were prepared by the introduction of propylene carbonate (PC)/ethylene carbonate (EC) mixture as a plasticizer. The effect of salt was systematically investigated using lithium tetrafluoroborate ($LiBF_4$), lithium perchlorate ($LiClO_4$), lithium iodide (LiI) and lithium bistrifluoromethanesulfonimide (LiTFSI). Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements showed that the structure and glass transition temperature ($T_g$) of polymer electrolytes were changed due to the coordinative interactions between the ether oxygens of POEM and the lithium salts, as supported by FT-IR spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the microphase-separated structure of PVC-g-POEM was not greatly disrupted by the introduction of PC/EC and lithium salt. The plasticized polymer electrolyte was applied to the electrochromic device employing poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) conducting polymer.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.496-502
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• 2015

Facilitated transport is one of the possible solutions to simultaneously improve permeability and selectivity, which is challenging in conventional polymer-based membranes. Olefin/paraffin separation using facilitated transport membrane has received much attention as an alternative solution to the conventional distillation process. Herein, we report olefin separation composite membranes based on the polymer blends containing $AgBF_4/Al(NO_3)_3$ mixed salts. Free radical polymerization process was used to synthesize an amphiphilic graft copolymer of poly(dimethyl siloxane)-graft- poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PDMS-g-POEM). In addition, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was introduced to the PDMS-g-POEM graft copolymer to form polymer blends with various ratios. The propylene/propane mixed-gas selectivity and permeance reached up to 5.6 and 10.05 GPU, respectively, when the PEO loading was 70 wt% in polymer blend. The improvement of olefin separation performance was attributed to the olefin facilitating silver ions as well as the highly permeable blend matrix. The stabilization of silver ions in the composite membrane was achieved through the introduction of $Al(NO_3)_3$ which suppressed the reduction of silver ions to silver particles.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.812-820
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• 2002

The positive temperature coefficient (PTC) characteristics of polymer composites were investigated with the nano-sized carbon black particles using solution tasting and melt compounding methods. The polymeric PTC composites should the electrical threshold at 35 wt% for the melt compounding method and 40 wt% for the solution casting method. The ethylene vinylacetate copolymer (EVA) composite showed a gradual increase of resistance as a function of temperature and showed a maximum at the polymer molting point. The resistance of the high-density polythylene (HDPE) composite remains unchanged with temperature but started to Increase sharply near the melting point of HDPE and showed a maximum resistance at the melting point of HDPE. The dispersion of nano-sized carbon black particles was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and low resistance after electrical threshold, and both methods exhibited a well dispersed morphology. When the electric current was applied to the PTC composites, the resistance started increasing at the curie temperature and further increased until the trip temperature was roached. Then the resistance remained stable over the trip temperature. The secondary increase started at T$\sub$m/ of matrix polymer and kept increasing up to the trip temperature.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.110-117
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• 1987

For the preparation of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), the copolymerization of ethylene and 1-butene was carried out with various catalysts of titanium alkoxidealkylaluminum compound in slurry phase. The effects of catalyst components, aging time, concentration of catalyst components, polymerization time and temperature on the catalytic activity and copolymer composition were examined. The properties of copolymer obtained were also considered with the correlation to the 1-butene contents. It has been found that the titanium tetra-n-butoxide-diethylaluminum chloride catalyst system was the most suitable for the production of LLDPE with higher catalytic activity, more 1-butene content and less soluble parts. The density, glass transition temperature, melting point and heat of fusion of copolymer were decreased with increasing 1-butene contents.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.499-506
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• 1992

Copolymer of Styrene and GMA(glycidyl methachylate), having reactive ratios of $r_1=0.53$, $r_2=0.44$, was synthesized in dioxane using AIBN as free radical initiator. Followed by the reaction of ethylene diamine with copolymer PGS, amine groups were introduced to the PGS(NPGS). The composition of copolymer was determined by elemental analyzer. Poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) was obtained in benzene using AIBN as free radical initiator. The NPGS-PGMA blend of 50/50 composition was prepared by mixing these polymers in THF at $65^{\circ}C$. Glass transition temperature (Tg) of NPGS-PGMA blend was measured by DSC. The blend showed a single Tg. Accordingly, it was clear that the NPGS was compatible with PGMA. An intermolecular reaction between amine groups of NPGS and epoxy groups of PGMA imparts compatibility in the NPGS-PGMA blend. When the NPGS-PGMA blend was added to the incompatible PS-PGMA blend, PS-PGMA blend showed Tg change. Scanning Electron Micrograph(SEM) showed a fine morphology in this blend. Consequently, it was apparent that the NPGS-PGMA blend acted as a compatibilizer for the PS-PGMA blend.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.253-260
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• 2010

In this study, we prepared and evaluated a series of biocompatible and biodegradable block copolymer hydrogels with a delayed swelling property for tissue expander application. The hydrogels were synthesized via a radical crosslinking reaction of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) diacrylate and poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA-PEG-PLGA) triblock copolymer diacrylate as a swelling/degradation controller (SDC). For the synthesis of various SDCs that can lead to different degradation and swelling properties, various PLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock copolymers with different LA/GA ratios and different PLGA block lengths were synthesized and modified to have terminal acrylate groups. The resultant hydrogels were flexible and elastic even in the dry state. The in vitro degradation tests showed that the delayed swelling properties of the hydrogels could be modulated by varying the chemical composition of the biodegradable crosslinker (SDC) and the block ratio of SDC/PEG. The histopathologic observation after implantation of hydrogels in mice was performed and evaluated by macrography and microscopy. Any significant inflammation or necrosis was not observed in the implanted tissues. Due to their biocompatibility, elasticity, sufficient swelling pressure, delayed swelling and controllable degradability, the hydrogels could be useful for tissue expansion and other biomedical applications.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2013

The effect of layered double hydroxides (LDH) on the gas separation properties of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer was investigated. Mg-Al LDH/EVA nanocomposite membranes were prepared from solution intercalation using organically modified LDH (DS-LDH). Dodecyl sulfate (DS)-LDH was obtained by the intercalation of DS anion in the interlayer. The nanocomposite structure has been elucidated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD pattern clearly shows that the DS-LDH layers are disorderly well dispersed in the EVA matrix. The maximum tensile strength and elongation of the LDH/EVA nanocomposite membrane were found with the LDH content 3 wt%. The thermal properties of nanocompostie membrane were enhanced by the incorporation of LDH in EVA matrix. Gas permeation of LDH/EVA nanocomposite membranes with LDH contents of 1, 3, 5 wt% was studied for $O_2$ and $CO_2$ single gases. The presence of 3 wt% LDH decreased $O_2$ permeability by up to 53% compared to the EVA membrane. In spite of barrier property of nanocomposite membrane, however, the gas permeability for $CO_2$ was increased due to its strong affinity with the residual OH groups on the LDH.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.282-288
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• 2015

A new energetic thermoplastic elastomer based on the azidated polybutadiene(Az-PBD)/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) blends was prepared, and structure and properties of the blends were invetigated by SEM, DSC, DMA, tensile testing and combustion test. The Az-PBD was synthesized via a two-step process involving the addition reaction of commercially available 1,2-PBD with $Br_2$ and subsequent nucleophilic substitution reaction of the brominated PBD with $NaN_3$. EVA/Az-PBD with 90/10, 80/20, 70/30 (wt/wt) was prepared by a solution blending. SEM, DSC, and DMA results revealed that the blends are partially compatible and Az-PBD is dispersed in continuous EVA matrix. Tensile test showed that modulus and tension set increased while elongation-at-break of the blends decreased with increasing Az-PBD content in the blends, but all the blends showed a elongation at break as high as 700% and a tension set of less than 5%, indicating that the blends are typically elastomeric. Combustion test showed that, with increasing Az-PBD content in the blend, higher energy can be released.