POLYMERS Vol.58@No.2 January 2009
POLYMERS@Vol.58@No.2
>> Japanese >> English
Water / Polymer Systems
Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account
Difficulty and Fascination in Composite Development Akihiro ENDO
<Abstract>The key point of composite development is to improve a target property without losing other material properties. It is one of the biggest fascinations in composite development that this difficult task can be attained by countless approaches.
ƒy[ƒWƒgƒbƒv‚ց£
COVER STORY: Highlight Reviews
How do Water Molecules Behave in Polymers? Shin YAGIHARA, Naoki SHINYASHIKI and Rio KITA
<Abstract>Complimentary use of experimental techniques to observe dynamics of water molecules in polymer materials explains the molecular mechanism of physical properties and functions. Recent developments of broadband analysis, which are effective with universal approaches such as fractal and hydrogen bonding network concept are described.
Keywords: Water / Liquid Structure / Polymer Chain Dynamics / Dielectric Relaxation / Broadband Analysis / Hydrogen Bonding Network / Glass Transition / Fractal Structure
ƒy[ƒWƒgƒbƒv‚ց£
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Water in Polymers Yoshinori TAMAI and Mitsuhiro FUKUDA
<Abstract>Recent development of molecular dynamics simulation of water in polymers has been presented. The advantages of the MD simulation in analyzing the water mobility, reorientational relaxation near the polymer chain are mainly discussed. Topics of water models, peculiar structure in the narrow space and also the hydrophobic interaction in the atomic level are also presented.
Keywords: Molecular Dynamics Simulation / Water / Polymer / Hydrogen Bond / Hydrophobic Interaction
ƒy[ƒWƒgƒbƒv‚ց£
Correlation between Biocompatibility of Polymer Materials and Their Hydration Structure Hiromi KITANO* and Makoto GEMMEI-IDE
<Abstract>The origin of biocompatibility of materials has been discussed by many researchers, but not clarified yet. In this mini-review, the correlation of biocompatibility of polymer materials and its hydration structure examined by vibrational spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry was discussed.
Keywords: Water Structure / Ionic & Nonionic Polymers / Vibrational Spectroscopy / Differential Scanning Calorimetry
ƒy[ƒWƒgƒbƒv‚ց£
Controlled / Living Radical Polymerization in Aqueous Dispersed Systems Hideto MINAMI, Per B. ZETTERLUND and Masayoshi OKUBO
<Abstract>Controlled/living radical polymerization (CLRP) combines the attractive features of conventional radical polymerization with the added advantage of enabling synthesis of well-defined polymer, and has as such received great attention over the past two decades. To date, the vast majority of research in this field deals with homogeneous systems (bulk/solution). However, in more recent years, great efforts are being directed towards implementation of CLRP in various aqueous heterogeneous systems, motivated by applications, industrial requirements for commercialization, as well as environmental concerns. This review provides an introduction to this research trend.
Keywords: Controlled / Living Radical Polymerization / Aqueous Dispersed Systems
ƒy[ƒWƒgƒbƒv‚ց£
The Structural Transition of Polymers in Water Masahiko ANNAKA
<Abstract>The physicochemical natures of structural transition of polymers in water have been investigated mainly to clarify the interaction between polymers. In the search of the underlying its principle, it is crucial to understand the roles of water and polymers at molecular level.
Keywords: Thermo-sensitive Polymer / Phase Transition / Hydrophobic Interaction / Chemical Potential of Water / Dynamics
ƒy[ƒWƒgƒbƒv‚ց£
COVER STORY: Topics and Products
Hydration of Counterions in Organic Ion-exchangers Tetsuo OKADA
<Abstract>The local structures of counterions in hydrated ion-exchange resins are discussed on the basis of the results of X-ray absorption fine structure measurements. Counteranions are partly dehydrated, and the extent of dehydration is predictable from their hydration nature in bulk water. In contrast, most of the studied cations keep first hydration shell structures even in cation-exchange resins. However, clear dehydration is detected for K+.
Keywords: Hydration of Ions / Polymeric Electrolytes / Ion-exchange / X-ray Absorption Fine Structure
ƒy[ƒWƒgƒbƒv‚ց£
Hydrated Ionic Liquids as Solvents for Proteins Kyoko FUJITA,Hiroyuki OHNO
<Abstract>Ionic liquids (ILs) were mixed with small amount of water as a solvent for native proteins. Some hydrated ILs show excellent solubilizing ability for proteins. Proteins, dissolved in appropriate hydrated ILs, retain the native structure and activity.
Keywords: Ionic Liquids / Hydrated / Protein / Stability / Activity / Structure
ƒy[ƒWƒgƒbƒv‚ց£
Enzymatic Polymerization in Hydrous Ionic Liquids Masahiro FUJITA,Masahiro RIKUKAWA
<Abstract>Lipase-catalyzed ring-opening polymerizations of L-lactide were carried out in hydrous ionic liquids. The ratio of higher molecular weight poly(lactic acid) increased with increasing water content in ionic liquids.
Keywords: Ionic liquid / Enzymatic polymerization / Lipase / Poly(lactic acid) / Polyester
ƒy[ƒWƒgƒbƒv‚ց£
TEMPO-oxidized Cellulose Nanofibers Akira ISOGAI
<Abstract>Native celluloses can be converted to individual nanofibers 3-4 nm in width and at least several microns in length, by TEMPO-mediated oxidation and the successive disintegration in water. Significant amounts of C6 carboxylate groups are formed selectively on each microfibril surface by the oxidation without any changes in crystallinity or crystal size. Electrostatic repulsion and osmotic effect between anionically-charged cellulose microfibrils bring about the formation of completely individualized TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers in water. The new cellulose-based nanofibers formed by downsizing process of native celluloses by TEMPO-mediated oxidation are expected to be used as environmentally friendly nano-materials in high-tech fields.
Keywords: Cellulose / Nanofiber / TEMPO / Oxidation
ƒy[ƒWƒgƒbƒv‚ց£
Front-Line Polymer Science
Amyloid Fibril Formation and Protein Science Yuji GOTO
<Abstract>Amyloid fibrils have been a critical subject in recent studies of proteins since they are associated with the pathology of more than 20 serious human diseases. Moreover, a variety of proteins and peptides not related to diseases are able to form amyloid fibrils, implying that amyloid formation is a generic property of polypeptides. On the basis of various approaches of protein science, increasingly convincing models of amyloid structures, their formation and propagation are emerging. Now, approaches of polymer science will be promising for further advancing our understanding of amyloid fibrils.
Keywords: Amyloid Fibrils / Protein Misfolding / ƒΐ2-Microglobulin / Amyloid ƒΐ / Dialysis-related Amyloidosis / Alzheimer's Disease
ƒy[ƒWƒgƒbƒv‚ց£
 
Copyright(C) 2009 The Society of Polymer Science, Japan All Rights Reserved.