Polymer Journal
Vol. 40, No. 9 (September, 2008)

[Award Accounts: SPSJ Mitsubishi Chemical Award Accounts] Web Release Date: May 28, 2008

785-799 Fractal Materials and Their Functional Properties  K. Tsujii [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Fractal, a mathematical concept, is a powerful tool to develop some functional materials. Fractal surfaces have very large surface area, and show super water- and even oil-repellent property. Fractal body like Menger′s sponge possesses zero volume and infinite surface area in pure mathematical sense. Such a fractal body similar to the Menger′s sponge has been actually created utilizing fractal particles as templates, and is expected to show some interesting and unique functional properties.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: July 9, 2008

800-805 Surface-Patterning of Nanocomposite Hydrogel Film by Direct Replica Molding and Subsequent Change in Pattern Size  L. Song, M. Zhu, Y. Chen, and K. Haraguchi [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Surface-patterned PNIPA-based nanocomposite hydrogel (NC gel) film was successfully prepared by direct replica molding without any surface treatment of the template, and it exhibits extraordinary mechanical toughness as well as high transparency and excellent thermal sensitivity. The surface pattern could be modified (enlarged or miniaturized) on the micrometer-scale by subsequent thermosensitive swelling, de-swelling and drying.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: July 9, 2008

806-812 Preparation, Characterization and Biocompatibility Study of the Scaffold Prototype Derived from Cross-Linked Poly[(ε-caprolactone)-co-lactide] for Tissue Engineering Materials  H. Miyasako, K. Yamamoto, and T. Aoyagi [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

We examined the tissue engineering practicality of the scaffold prototype prepared from CL/LA (70/30 mol %) and salt-leaching method using NaCl particles with different size. As a result of cell growth assay of HBCC to the scaffold prototype, the cells go into the pores and adhere and spread on the inner surfaces. These results prove the successful preparation of excellent scaffold prototype in mechanical property and biocompatibility to match soft tissue.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: July 16, 2008

813-824 Novel Poly(esterimide)s Containing a Push-Pull Type Azobenzene Moiety-Synthesis, Characterization and Optical Properties  M. Siwy, B. Jarzabek, K. Switkowski, B. Pura, and E. Schab-Balcerzak [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

A processable poly(esterimide)s containing a donor-acceptor azobenzene chromophores as a side group were synthesized by a post azo-coulping reaction which let to form the polymers with different degrees of functionalization and various substituents on the azobenzene groups. The resulting polymers exhibited good organosolubility, high glass transition temperatures (159–224 °C), and high thermal decomposition temperatures. First time, the two-photon absorption coefficient (β) in azopoly(esterimide)s films was measured by using Z-scan experiment.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: July 16, 2008

825-831 Morphology Development in Asymmetric Poly(styrene-b-tert-butylacrylate) Thin Films by Solvent Annealing  M. Leolukman, Y.-H. La, X. Li, and P. Gopalan [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Morphology development of asymmetric poly(styrene-b-tert-butylacrylate) [P(S-b-tBA)] thin film via solvent annealing was investigated. P(S-b-tBA) film cast from toluene resulted in inverted phase and the one cast from PGMEA led to normal morphology. The annealing solvents, p-xylene or tert-butylacrylate, preference to either majority or minority block in combination with annealing time controlled the orientation of the cylinders. The preferential interaction of the annealing solvent with the majority block in the as-cast film resulted in a metastable highly ordered perpendicular cylinder morphology.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: July 16, 2008

832-836 Polymerization and Isomerization of Oxetanes using Heteropolyacid as a Catalyst  T. Soga, H. Kudo, T. Nishikubo, and S. Sato [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

The reaction of 3-ethyl-3-phenoxymethyloxetane (EPMO) with commercial grade 12-tungsto(IV)phosphoric acid (PW12−com.) was carried out at 80 °C in chlorobenzene for 12 h, and it was found that the poly(EPMO) was obtained in 89% yield. On the other hand, when the reaction of 3-acethyloxymethyl-3-ethyloxetane (AOEO) was performed with PW12−dry270, which was obtained by heating of PW12−com. at 270 °C in vacuo, and it was observed that the isomerization reaction of AOEO proceeded to give 4-ethyl-1-methyl-2,6,7-trioxa-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane (BOE) in 70% yield.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: July 16, 2008

837-841 Characterization of Insulin Adsorption Behavior on Amphoteric Charged Membranes  S. Zhang, K. Saito, H. Matsumoto, M. Minagawa, and A. Tanioka [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

A series of amphoteric charged membranes were prepared by pore-surface modification of porous poly(acrylonitrile) membranes. The equilibrium adsorption amount and adsorption kinetics of insulin were studied at two pH conditions. It turned out that electrostatic interaction between insulin and the membranes played an important role in the insulin adsorption on the membranes.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: July 16, 2008

842-845 Automotive Seating Foams with Excellent Riding Comfort Prepared by a Novel Polypropylene Glycol  H. Wada, Y. Toyota, A. Horie, T. Sasaki, C. Suzuki, and H. Fukuda [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

We have developed a novel polypropylene glycol (designated PPG) to improve the riding comfort of automotive seating foams. This PPG contains an extremely smaller amount of by-products (monools), newly developed automotive seating foams shows low resilience and low vibration transmissibility to a passenger in all regions. In this paper, we describe the foam properties (static property, dynamic property and durability, etc.) of TDI/MDI based molded foams and make clear the mechanism of riding comfort character of automotive seating foams.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: July 24, 2008

846-853 Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of Polyacetylenes Possessing Chiral Spirobifluorene Moieties in the Side Chain  T. Takata, F. Ishiwari, T. Sato, R. Seto, and Y. Koyama [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Synthesis, property, and structure of a few polyacetylenes having the pendent optically active spirobifluorene moiety as a C2 chiral group are described. Optically active monomers (R)-2′-ethynyl-9,9′-spirobifluorene-2-ol and (R)-2-acyloxy-2′-ethynyl-9,9′-spirobifluorene were prepared from optically pure 2,2′-dihydroxy-9,9′-spirobifluorene and polymerized by a rhodium catalyst system ([Rh(nbd)Cl]2-triethylamine) in THF at room temperature. The experimental results suggested the main chains had helical structures, caused by the introduction of a group with molecular chirality in the side chain.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: July 24, 2008

854-860 Molecular Aggregation State of Surface-grafted Poly{2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl acrylate} Thin Film Analyzed by Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction  H. Yamaguchi, K. Honda, M. Kobayashi, M. Morita, H. Masunaga, O. Sakata, S. Sasaki, and A. Takahara [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Poly{2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl acrylate} (PFA-C8) brush film with thickness of 4–50 nm was prepared by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization from the silicon wafer surface. The molecular aggregation state in PFA-C8 brush film was analyzed by X-ray reflectivity and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction. These analyses revealed that perfluorooctyl groups at the air/brush interface formed a hexagonal packing state, and were oriented almost perpendicular to the substrate, while a low-density amorphous layer was formed at the brush/substrate interface.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: July 24, 2008

861-866 Convenient Synthesis of Aromaric Poly(ether ketone)s Containing Alicyclic Units  K. Maeyama, T. Kamura, K. Akiba, and H. Saito [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Aromatic poly(ether ketone)s containing cyclohexanediyl and adamantanediyl units were synthesized through nucleophilic aromatic substitution polymerization of alicyclic difluorides with bisphenols in the presence of K2CO3 in NMP. Most of the poly(ether ketone)s thus synthesized are soluble in organic solvents such as CHCl3 and THF. Tg′s and Td5′s of the poly(ether ketone)s are in the region of 146–199 °C and 432–500 °C, respectively. UV spectra of the poly(ether ketone)s revealed that they are sufficiently transparent in the wavelength above 310 nm.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: July 30, 2008

867-874 Novel Telechelic 2-Methyl-2-Bromopropionate Terminated Polyurethane Macroinitiator for the Synthesis of ABA type Tri-block Copolymers through Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate  H. Verma and T. Kannan [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Novel telechelic 2-methyl-2-bromopropionate terminated polyurethane (MBP-PU-MBP) was synthesized and used to polymerize methyl methacrylate. As MBP-PU-MBP/CuBr/PMDETA initiating system follows ATRP mechanism, different chain lengths of PMMA blocks in PMMA-b-PU-b-PMMA tri-block copolymers can easily be achieved by just changing polymerization time.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: July 30, 2008

875-881 Functionalized Poly(tetramethyl-1,4-silphenylenesiloxane) with Pendant Hydroxyl Groups  Y. Yanai, T. Sasaki, Y. Otomo, S. Ota, Y. Nagase, and N. Nemoto [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Novel poly(tetramethyl-1,4-silphenylenesiloxane) derivative with alcoholic-hydroxyl groups on the phenylene moieties, i.e., poly[2,5-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)-tetramethyl-1,4-silphenylenesiloxane] (P1), was synthesized and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG) as well as X-ray diffraction analysis. P1 was obtained via catalytic deprotective-hydrogenation of poly[2,5-bis(2-benzyloxyethoxy)-tetramethyl-1,4-silphenylenesiloxane] (PreP1), which had been obtained by catalytic polycondensation of 2,5-bis(2-benzyloxyethoxy)-1,4-bis(dimethylhydroxysilyl)benzene (M1) in benzene. The obtained P1 would promise to be a new reactive-polymer with hydroxyl moieties to develop new functional materials.

[Special Issues --International Symposium on Polymer Crystallization 2007-- Review Article] Web Release Date: June 18, 2008

882-890 Colloidal Crystallization As Compared with Polymer Crystallization  T. Okubo [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Structural colors, giant colloidal crystals, crystal structures, fundamental properties such as phase transition, light-scattering, viscosity and elasticity, crystallization kinetics and electro-optics of colloidal crystals have been reviewed. Importance of the electrical double layers and inter-particle electrostatic repulsions are clarified. Colloidal crystals are really crystals as typical other crystals. However, the inter-particle force of the colloidal crystals is “repulsion” being quite opposite from the other typical crystals, where the inter-particle “attraction” plays an important role for crystallization.

[Special Issues --International Symposium on Polymer Crystallization 2007-- Regular Article] Web Release Date: May 21, 2008

891-899 Polymer Crystallization Processes as Seen from the Growth Front′s Perspective  B. Lotz and S. Z. D. Cheng [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Single crystal of isotactic poly(2-vinylcyclohexane) crystallized at decreasing temperatures. The white and dark domains correspond to microtwinned sectors, the width of which corresponds to the lateral spread. Note that as the crystallization temperature decreases, near the outer edges of the crystal, the width of these domains decreases, indicating an increased rate of secondary nucleation.

[Special Issues --International Symposium on Polymer Crystallization 2007-- Regular Article] Web Release Date: June 18, 2008

900-904 Crystallization after Orientation Relaxation in Polypropylene  K. Hashimoto and H. Saito [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Small spherulites with diffuse Maltese cross extinction patterns are obtained by crystallization after orientation relaxation while large mixed spherulites with no Maltese cross patterns are obtained by crystallization under quiescent conditions, suggesting the suppression of subsidiary lamellae by crystallization after the orientation relaxation. This might be attributed to the locally oriented chains that remain after orientation relaxation.

[Special Issues --International Symposium on Polymer Crystallization 2007-- Regular Article] Web Release Date: June 25, 2008

905-909 Branching and Higher Order Structure in Banded Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Spherulites  A. Toda, K. Taguchi, M. Hikosaka, and H. Kajioka [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

The formation mechanism of banded spherulites of poly(vinylidene fluoride) has been examined experimentally by optical and atomic force microscopies. The followings have been confirmed: the proportional relationship between the band spacing and the maximum lateral width of lamellar crystals at the growth front, and the square root dependence of the maximum width and the band spacing on the growth rate. Those results suggest a splaying instability of the growth front.

[Special Issues --International Symposium on Polymer Crystallization 2007-- Regular Article] Web Release Date: July 9, 2008

910-914 On the Stability of the Nematic Order Observed During the Cold-crystallization of PET  A. Abe, H. Furuya, T. Hiejima, and T. Nishiyama [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

A possible mechanism of forming a mesomorphic order during the cold-crystallization of PET was presented. PET crystallizes in the all-trans conformation, a high-energy form of the chain. The anisotropy of the terephthalate core may induce liquid crystallinity under a highly repulsive amorphous packing at lower temperatures. The EG unit cooperatively transforms from g to t. The nematic domain formation in the amorphous phase should lead to a SD-type microphase separation as suggested by Kaji et al.

[Special Issues --International Symposium on Polymer Crystallization 2007-- Regular Article] Web Release Date: July 9, 2008

915-922 Temperature Dependence of Crystal Growth Rate for α and β Forms of Isotactic Polypropylene  K. Nakamura, S. Shimizu, S. Umemoto, A. Thierry, B. Lotz, and N. Okui [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

The crystal growth rate of the α1, α2 and β forms were measured separatley in a wide range of temperatures. The cross-over points of the growth rates from the α1 form to the β form were observed. The elcetron diffraction pattern showed the high ordered sturucutre of the α2 form. The cross-over points from the α1 form to the α2 form were also found.