| POLYMERS Vol.60 No.9 |
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COVER STORY
Polymers at Various Interfaces:From Preparation to Structure and Physical Properties |
| COVER STORY: Highlight Reviews |
| Fabrication and Controlling of Interfaces by Polymer Grafting on Surfaces | Kohji YOSHINAGA |
| <Abstract>
Interfaces chemistry is now in a new era owing to the development
of “living radical polymerization”, which enables to graft polymer chains
with controlled-molecular weight in high-density on surfaces. Fabrication
and application of a new kind of interfaces by using the “grafting from”
technique have been developing. In this article, recent researches on
controlling and forming of characteristic properties on solid surfaces
by “grafting from” techniques are reviewed. Keywords: Interface / Grafting From / Controlled Polymerization / Surface Modification / ATRP / RAFT |
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| Controlling Structure and Orientation of Polymer Films at Interfaces | Takahiro SEKI and Shusaku NAGANO |
| <Abstract> Polymer
thin films are commonly prepared by the solvent cast method. For materials
whose regular and hierarchical structures are essential for the functions
and properties, such conventional ways, in general, do not provide high
performances. This article introduces some particular preparation methods
of thin films with controlled structures and orientations via interactions
with interfaces such as water and solid surfaces. The properties of structure-controlled
films are compared with those obtained by solvent cast films. The importance
and essential roles of controlling molecular orientations in the film
performances are discussed. Keywords: Polymer Thin Films / Orientations / Controls at Interfaces / Block Copolymers / Conjugated Polymers / Photoresponsive Polymers / Surface-Grafted Chains / Organic-Inorganic Mesostructures |
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| Effects of Physico-Chemical Properties on Performance of Adhesive Bondings | Mitsukazu OCHI |
| <Abstract> In
adhesive bonding, the properties of the interface between adherend and
adhesives is a main factor to determine the performance of the joints.
The chemical composition at the interface is spontaneously controlled
to minimize the interfacial free energy at the interface. In addition,
the internal stresses are considerably stored in the interface with the
solidification of adhesives. The effects of such physico-chemical properties
on the performance of adhesive joints will be reviewed. Keywords: Adhesive Bonding / Interface / Interfacial Free Energy / Dynamic Wetting / Internal Stress |
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| COVER STORY:Topics and Products |
| Surface Characterization of Perfluoroalkylated Polymers | Kenji SUGIYAMA |
| <Abstract> A
variety of block copolymers and end-functionalized polymers containing
perfluoroalkyl (RF) groups were precisely synthesized by the living anionic
polymerization technique. The resulting polymer films were carefully
characterized with the point in view of constructing a fluorine rich
surface depending on the chemical structure of the polymer. Remarkable
enrichment of the RF groups at the dry surface was indicated by the surface
analyses of these polymer films. Interestingly, surface reconstruction
corresponding to the environmental change was observed when the RF groups
were introduced in hydrophilic polymer. Keywords: Anionic Polymerization / Block Copolymer / End-Functionalized Polymer / Environmental Change / Hydrophobicity / Oleophobicity / Perfluoroalkyl Group / Surface Construction |
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| Vertical Orientation and Long Range Ordering of Microdomains in Block Copolymer Thin Films | Teruaki HAYAKAWA |
| <Abstract> Microdomains
such as lamellae and cylinders in block copolymer thin films that are
oriented perpendicular to the underlying substrate have advantages in
pattern transfer over spheres or parallel cylinders because of the higher
aspect ratio of the resulting template and the vertical side walls. Herein,
current approaches for orientation and long range ordering of the microdomains
are described. Keywords: Block Copolymer / Microdomain / Thin Films / Vertical Orientation / Long Range Ordering / Directed Self-Assembly |
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| Nanostructures in Block-Copolymer Particles | Hiroshi YABU |
| <Abstract> Unique
microphase separation structures, different from bulk structure, are
found in block-copolymer particles, which are considered three-dimensional
confinement spaces. Block-copolymer particles were prepared by the self-organized
precipitation (SORP) method. Electron microscopy revealed that the microphase
separation structures in the particles changed from lamellae to various
unique morphologies depending on the size of particles. Keywords: Block-Copolymers / Confinement / Microphase-Separation / Particles / Self-Organization / Precipitation |
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| Study of Interfacial Dynamics of Softmaterials by X-Ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy | Taiki HOSHINO |
| <Abstract> X-ray
photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) is a powerful technique to study
interfacial dynamics of soft materials. In this manuscript, recent XPCS
studies for interface dynamics are briefly reviewed. Furthermore, an
XPCS study of the dynamics of polymer grafted nanoparticles in polystyrene
matrix is presented. Keywords: X-Ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy / Dynamics / Polymer Grafted Nanoparticle |
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| Nanopalpation Technique for Polymeric Surfaces and Interfaces | Ken NAKAJIMA |
| <Abstract> Nanopalpation
allows us to map physical properties such as Young's modulus, adhesive
energy and energy dissipation at nano-scale, which is realized by assuming
the atomic force microscope's sharp probe as a doctor's finger. The comparison
between this technique and the conventional tapping-mode operation was
employed by using a block-copolymer type thermoplastic elastomer as a
model specimen. Keywords: Nanopalpation / Atomic Force Microscope / Young's Modulus / Energy Dissipation / Block Copolymer |
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| Growing Polymers: A Personal Account |
| Lucky Enzyme | Ken’ichiro MATSUMOTO |
| <Abstract> Biosynthesis of poly(lactic acid)-like polyester was achieved using lactate-polymerizing enzyme. The experimental condition was found by a chance discovery. |
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| Front-Line Polymer Science |
| Fusion Materials: Toward the Development of New Functional Materials Overcoming the Limitations of Biomineralization | Takashi KATO |
| <Abstract> It
is important to develop new sophisticated organic/inorganic hybrid materials
to create a sustainable society where materials are in harmony with the
environment. These materials should be produced through processes with
efficient use of energy and resources. To mimic biomineralization is
an attractive strategy for the preparation of organic/inorganic hybrid
materials. Sophisticated hybrid materials such as teeth, bones, seashells
and exoskeletons are produced by biomineralization and they exhibit excellent
properties. Molecular control is a key in biomineralization. In this
process, biomacromolecules such as proteins and polysaccharides precisely
control the crystallization of inorganic substances. An innovative new
research area for futuristic, highly functional, and environmentally
friendly materials will be realized by the fusion of functional inorganic
materials with state-of-the-art organic materials. Keywords: Self-Organization/ Biomineralization / Fusion Materials / Hybrid Materials / Supramolecular Chemistry / Self-Assembly / Liquid Crystals / Crystal Growth |
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| Copyright(C) 2010 The Society of Polymer Science, Japan All Rights Reserved. |