ALBERT

Description:    New correlation equations for the deep-bed filtration, including the term of diffusiophoresis, in addition to the Derjaguin and Landau, Verwey and Overbeek interactions, the Brownian diffusion and the interception, for predicting the initial collection efficiency under the favorable deposition condition and the filter coefficient ratio under the unfavorable deposition condition are derived by using the Brownian dynamics-simulation method. These new correlation equations for predicting the filter coefficient ratio are able to describe previous experimental results especially well for those submicron particles that are at high ionic strength. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-16 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2587-5 Authors You-Im Chang, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan 40704, People’s Republic of China Wei-You Cheng, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan 40704, People’s Republic of China Hui-Jen Tseng, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan 40704, People’s Republic of China Keng-Yi Liao, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan 40704, People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Well-defined poly(vinyl acetate)- block -poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PVAc- b -P4VP) block copolymers were synthesized for the first time by a combination of cobalt-mediated radical polymerization (CMRP) and reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and were used to prepare PVAc- b -P4VP hairy polystyrene (PSt) particles. PVAc end-capped by a cobalt(II) acetylacetonate complex was first synthesized by the CMRP of vinyl acetate, after which the cobalt complex was modified into a dithiobenzoate group for the RAFT polymerization of 4-vinylpyridine. The hairy PSt particles were synthesized by the dispersion polymerization of St using the PVAc- b -P4VP as both a macro-initiator and a colloidal stabilizer under UV radiation. The average size of PSt particles synthesized with 20 wt.% of PVAc- b -P4VP ( M n  = 39,500 g/mol) was 136 nm (CV = 19.2%). Very small Au nanoparticles were successfully immobilized on the surface of the PSt particles. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2592-3 Authors Hyun Jeong Jeon, Department of Advanced Fiber Engineering, Division of Nano-Systems, Inha University, Incheon, 402-751 South Korea Young Chang Yu, Department of Advanced Fiber Engineering, Division of Nano-Systems, Inha University, Incheon, 402-751 South Korea Ji Ho Youk, Department of Advanced Fiber Engineering, Division of Nano-Systems, Inha University, Incheon, 402-751 South Korea Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    By dissolving branched or linear aniline oligomers in polar solvent and introducing their stock solution into an aqueous acidic medium, sheet-like as well as wire-like supramolecular structures with well-defined morphology were obtained, respectively. These oligomeric supramolecular structures were constructed via a post-synthetic precipitation process, indicating that aniline oligomers are capable of self-assembling in an aqueous medium, which is similar to the reaction medium of aniline chemical polymerization. Possible formation mechanisms of these supramolecular structures were proposed, i.e., sheet-like products were probably constructed by collapsed molecular chains of aniline oligomers with branched units through π – π stacking and hydrogen bonding, whereas formation of the wire-like products was attributed to “oriented-attachment” of collapsed molecular chains of linear aniline oligomers. The findings obtained in this study are supposed to provide useful clues for uncovering the formation mechanism of polyaniline micro-/nanostructures. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2597-y Authors Yu Li, Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Science, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China Wei He, Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Science, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China Jing Feng, Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Science, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China Xinli Jing, Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Science, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Colloidal particles are used to characterize microscopic potential landscapes, which are defined on a sample surface and arise in ensembles of particles. The positions of the particles are recorded using video microscopy. Analysis of the positions, which the particles occupy during their Brownian motion, yields the exact shape of the surface potential, in which the particles move. The underlying principle of our measurements is well-known from measurements using total internal reflection microscopy; in contrast to these measurements, our scheme can be expanded to measurements of inter-particle interactions. As an example, we demonstrate the measurement of interactions between two magnetic particles, sedimenting towards a potential barrier in a tilted geometry. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2589-y Authors Christian Kreuter, FB Physik, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany Paul Leiderer, FB Physik, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany Artur Erbe, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The polarity of polyurethane coats was studied on the basis of the goniometric method for determination of wetting angle values, on the basis of calculated surface free energy (SFE) values by the van Oss–Good and Owens–Wendt methods, and on the basis of polarity measurements with the use of the 1 H NMR spectra. Test polyurethanes were synthesised in the reaction of methylene diphenyl 4,4′-diisocyanate (MDI) or 3-izocyanatomethyl –3,5,5- trimethylcyclohexyl isocyanate (IPDI) and polyoxyethylene glycols or polyesters poly(ε-caprolactone) diols and poly(ethyleneadipate) diol with different molecular weights, and some diols as chain extenders, in dioxane. The type of raw material was found to significantly affect the phase structure of the obtained polyurethane elastomers and to control physical interactions within those structures, thus influencing the SFE values. Fundamental reduction in the SFE value of a coating below 28 mJ/m 2 was achieved by the use of 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1,4-butanediol as the urethane prepolymer chain extender. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2598-x Authors Piotr Król, Department of Polymer Science, Faculty of Chemistry, Rzeszów University of Technology, Al. Powstańców Warszawy 6, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland Bożena Król, Department of Polymer Science, Faculty of Chemistry, Rzeszów University of Technology, Al. Powstańców Warszawy 6, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    We present herein a facile strategy for fabrication of fluorescent-ultrahydrophobic bifunctional ligand-free CdS quantum dots (QDs) using cadmium acetate, sodium sulfide as starting materials, and ethanol as the solvent. The as-prepared CdS QDs without ligands exhibit good photochemical stability and photoluminescence (PL) in comparison with the previously reported aqueous CdS QDs. The effects of various experimental variables, including Cd/S molar ratio, reaction time, and reaction temperature on the optical properties of the obtained CdS QDs have been systematically investigated. Subsquently, dodecanethiol was introduced to modify these CdS QDs, further conferring them with superhydrophobic property, along with good compatibility with polymers. The features and structures of the as-prepared QDs and their hybrids on UV–Vis, PL spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and contact angle have been disscussed. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2781-0 Authors Qiang Zhang, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Technology, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China Jian Yang, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Technology, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China Cai-Feng Wang, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Technology, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China Qiao-Ling Chen, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Technology, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China Su Chen, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Technology, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    By a simple method, large compound vesicles (LCVs) and LCVs with silver nanoparticles (Ag@LCVs) are created from asymmetric polystyrene- block -polyacrylonitrile (PS- b -PAN) and silver precursor. The asymmetric PS- b -PAN is polymerized by sequential reverse atom transfer radical polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization. Afterwards, by using N , N ′-dimethylformamide as solvent and reductant for the silver precursor, LCVs and Ag@LCVs are produced through simple drop casting and evaporation of solution on the substrate. Transmission electron microscope images together with scanning electron microscopy images show that both LCVs and Ag@LCVs are flowerlike and of rough surfaces. Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer confirms the formation of Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs). Specifically, the distribution of Ag NPs in Ag@LCVs is not uniform and they are principally in the center. Otherwise, adherence of simple vesicles and small hybrid nanoparticles of Ag NPs encapsulated within PS- b -PAN are observed. Finally, formation mechanisms for LCVs and Ag@LCVs are discussed. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2806-8 Authors Lin Tang, Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Applied and Natural Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China Xiaoyan Ma, Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Applied and Natural Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China Ying Song, Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Applied and Natural Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China Jie Yu, Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Applied and Natural Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The dispersion stability of carbonyl iron (CI)-based magnetorheological (MR) fluid was improved by coating soft magnetic CI particles with an environmentally benign biopolymer of xanthan gum to reduce the density gap between the medium oil and dispersed particles. The sedimentation test of the MR fluid showed that the xanthan gum/CI composite particles improved the sedimentation drawback of the pristine CI-based MR fluid. The rheological properties of the MR fluid were also examined using a rotational rheometer to observe the typical MR characteristics, such as yield stress and shear viscosity. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2816-6 Authors Hyung Hoon Sim, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, 402-751 South Korea Seung Hyuk Kwon, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, 402-751 South Korea Hyoung Jin Choi, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, 402-751 South Korea Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The aim of our study consisted in obtaining ZnO nanorods using a photonic crystal (PC) structure as substrate. For obtaining of such structures, a PC presenting with electroconductive properties was chosen. Thus, the first step was represented by the synthesis of a copper nanoparticles shell composed by a maximum of seven layers of inorganic particle. This core–shell structure was subsequently used for the generation of ZnO nanorods by electrochemical deposition. The obtained materials were characterized by SEM, dynamic light scattering, UV–Vis, and X-ray powder diffraction analysis. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2817-5 Authors Edina Rusen, Department of Polymer Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 149 Calea Victoriei, 71101 Bucharest, Romania Alexandra Mocanu, Department of Polymer Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 149 Calea Victoriei, 71101 Bucharest, Romania Raluca Somoghi, National Research and Development Institute for Chemistry and Petrochemistry–ICECHIM, 202Independence Street, District 6, CP35-174, 060021 Bucharest, Romania Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The self-assembly of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) through electrostatic cross-linking using Allura Red AC (AR) was explored in an aqueous solution. PAH showed no self-assembly in the absence of AR. A light-scattering study demonstrated that PAH formed aggregates of ca. 300-nm diameter by the addition of AR at 0.1 of the molar ratio of the SO 3 Na unit of AR to NH 3 Cl of PAH (SO 3 Na/NH 3 Cl). The PAH diameter decreased as the SO 3 Na/NH 3 Cl ratio increased up to 0.5 and thereafter rapidly increased due to sedimentation of the aggregates. The analysis of the normalized time correlation function of the scattered field confirmed that the electrostatic cross-linking by AR provided polydispersed aggregates of PAH. The UV analysis revealed that the PAH self-assembly caused a blue shift of AR. The size of the aggregates was independent of the PAH concentration. On the other hand, the aggregate size was strongly dependent on the temperature. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2821-9 Authors Eri Yoshida, Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Toyohashi University of Technology, 1-1 Hibarigaoka, Tempaku-cho, Toyohashi, Aichi 441-8580, Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The crystallization of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) during thermally induced solid–liquid phase separation leads to supermolecular structures in PVDF/montmorillonite (MMT)/diphenyl ketone dilutions with various poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) contents. The presence of MMT had a significant nucleation enhancement on the β-PVDF crystals along with the MMT surfaces, and subsequently the α-PVDF crystals formed between MMT layers. The mechanism of the PVDF crystallization in the dilution was studied by DSC, POM, FTIR, and SEM results. A small amount of PMMA incorporation (0.3 wt%) improved the dispersion of MMT in the mixture, leading to the highest nucleation effect on the PVDF crystals. This result proves that PMMA chains acted as a good interfacial agent for PVDF and MMT nanoparticles. A well-interconnected supermolecular morphology formed in the dilutions resulted in a higher tensile strength. When the PMMA content was over 1.5 wt% in the dilution, the excessive amorphous PMMA chains would hinder the crystallization of PVDF; subsequently, less interconnected PVDF lamellae structures lowered the tensile strength. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2820-x Authors Wenzhong Ma, Beijing Key Laboratory of Membrane Materials and Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 People’s Republic of China Bo Zhou, Beijing Key Laboratory of Membrane Materials and Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 People’s Republic of China Tianyin Liu, Beijing Key Laboratory of Membrane Materials and Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 People’s Republic of China Jun Zhang, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Technology, Nanjing, 210009 China Xiaolin Wang, Beijing Key Laboratory of Membrane Materials and Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Nonspherical polymer particles have attracted increasing attention recently. In this paper, micron-scale hemispherical polyimide (PI) particles were fabricated using water-soluble poly(amic acid) ammonium salts (PAAS) by a novel inverse emulsion technique. In the process, liquid paraffin was used as a continuous phase, the mixed solution of PAAS and water as a dispersed phase and sorbitan monooleate (Span80) as a surfactant. The research suggested that water as a stabilizing agent played an important role in forming stable emulsion. As the amount of water increased, stability of the emulsion increased gradually and morphology of PI particles transformed from sphere to ellipsoid, and finally to hemisphere. The concentration of PAAS solution and Span80 both affected the shape of particles, which changed from spherical to hemispherical by increasing the PAAS/Span80 concentration. The mechanism of forming hemispherical PI particles was discussed based on interfacial tension and interfacial free energy changes. Via adjusting the composition of the system to change the corresponding interfacial tension, we could get the particles with different morphologies. Furthermore, the change in structure characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy demonstrated that PAAS had been converted to PI after adding the dehydrating agent to the emulsion. And TGA results showed that the obtained PI particles had excellent thermal stability. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2827-3 Authors Yang Yang, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 Peoples Republic of China Zhenxing Jia, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 Peoples Republic of China Ying Wang, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 Peoples Republic of China Yi Gu, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 Peoples Republic of China Jiaqiang Qin, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 Peoples Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Polystyrene/montmorillonite (PSt/MMT) nanocomposite latexes have been synthesized by soap-free emulsion polymerization using MMT clay platelets as stabilizer. Small amounts of methacrylic acid were used as auxiliary monomer to promote clay adhesion to the surface of the particles. Overall solids content of the composite latexes in complete absence of coagulation of up to 30.7 wt% are reported under batch conditions. The 3 wt% MMT clay platelets were sufficient to maintain the colloidal stability and increasing MMT clay content resulted in the increase of particle diameter due to the improved viscosity of reaction medium. Transmission electron microscopy results demonstrate the existence of MMT platelets on the particle surface. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) results show that an exfoliated structure of PSt/MMT nanocomposites was obtained in this study with the absence of d 001 diffraction peak of MMT in the XRD region. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2823-7 Authors Jun Chen, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute of Molecular Engineering & Applied Chemistry, Anhui University of Technology, Ma’anshan, 243002 China Hai-Long Liu, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute of Molecular Engineering & Applied Chemistry, Anhui University of Technology, Ma’anshan, 243002 China Xiao-Qin Hong, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute of Molecular Engineering & Applied Chemistry, Anhui University of Technology, Ma’anshan, 243002 China Mu-Li Wang, CNOOC Changzhou Paint and Coating Industry Research Institute, Changzhou, 213016 China Cheng Cai, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute of Molecular Engineering & Applied Chemistry, Anhui University of Technology, Ma’anshan, 243002 China Qian-Feng Zhang, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute of Molecular Engineering & Applied Chemistry, Anhui University of Technology, Ma’anshan, 243002 China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Chemically heterogeneous surfaces are well known to induce contact angle hysteresis due to the local energy barriers that oppose contact line movement. In many cases, the surface heterogeneity is discontinuous, i.e. discrete regions of different wettability exist, which leads to pinning of the contact line at boundaries between regions. Pinning on individual rows of microscopic defects arranged in a square lattice can be sensed using a Wilhelmy balance to reveal discrete stick-slip motion. For defects more wettable than the matrix with a lattice spacing of 28 μm, the advancing contact line slips over ∼10 rows in a single slip step, while the receding contact line stick-slips between individual rows of defects. Single, millimetre-scale defects were used to assess the energy involved when a contact line advances or recedes over a hydrophilic (more wettable) defect. Quantitative information about defect-induced hysteresis in relation to defect dimensions is obtained. The crucial importance of wetting boundaries is highlighted with an experimental example of a surface that is heterogeneous yet, due to the continuously changing pattern, does not exhibit contact angle hysteresis. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2758-z Authors Craig Priest, Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, Adelaide, SA 5095, Australia Rossen Sedev, Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, Adelaide, SA 5095, Australia John Ralston, Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, Adelaide, SA 5095, Australia Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The surface properties of mixed system containing gemini anionic surfactant 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic sodium, 2,3-didodecyl ester and partly hydrolyzed polyacrylamide were investigated by surface tension measurements and oscillating bubble methods. The influences of surfactant concentration, dilational frequency, temperature, pH, as well as salts on dilational modulus were explored. Meanwhile, the interfacial tension relaxation method was employed to obtain the characteristic time of surface relaxation process. The polymers play important roles in changing the interfacial properties especially at lower surfactant concentration. The possible mechanism of the polymer in changing the interfacial properties is proposed. Both the hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction among the surfactants and polymers dominate the surface properties of mixed system. These dynamic properties are of fundamental interest in understanding the structure of adsorption layers, dynamics of surfactant molecules, and their interaction with polymers at the surface. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2801-0 Authors Yiguang Guo, Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Department of Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237 China Ting Chen, Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Department of Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237 China Na Zhao, Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Department of Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237 China Yazhuo Shang, Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Department of Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237 China Honglai Liu, Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Department of Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237 China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Annealing-induced viscoelastic and electric conduction variations were traced by simultaneous measurement of resistance and dynamic modulus to carbon black (CB)-filled high-density polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene at elevated temperatures. The resistance decay during annealing the melts is closely related to terminal relaxation of polymer chains and the temperature-mediated interfacial tension between CB and the matrix. On the other hand, a time–temperature–concentration superposition principle was disclosed to evolution of dynamic modulus for the filled melts at different temperatures and CB volume fractions. Annealing the filled melts causes a liquid-to-solid-like transition and the differences in kinetic constant for evolution of dynamic modulus among the three systems at the same condition are involved in interfacial tension. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2804-x Authors Yihu Song, MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China Qing Cao, MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China Qiang Zheng, MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    A compound additive system consisting of expanded graphite (EG) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was designed to enhance the crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). In this additive system, EG acted as a heterogeneous nucleating agent to reduce energy barrier for nucleation, while PEG played as plasticizer to improve mobility of PET chains. Simultaneously adding EG and PEG resulted in faster crystallization kinetics than the cases of solely adding EG or PEG in both of non-isothermal and isothermal crystallization processes, indicating a synergistic effect of EG and PEG on enhancing PET crystallization. However, for non-isothermal crystallization process, in which crystallization occurred from a cooling melt, EG played a dominant role. As to isothermal crystallization process where crystallization took place in a super-cooling state, PEG seemed to be more important. Moreover, the chain conformation change among the semi-crystalline PET specimens was ascertained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2809-5 Authors Juan-juan Su, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 People’s Republic of China Guang-hui Yang, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 People’s Republic of China Tian-nan Zhou, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 People’s Republic of China Xiang Gao, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 People’s Republic of China Ke Wang, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 People’s Republic of China Qiang Fu, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    A novel method is suggested to analytically solve a nonlinear Poisson–Boltzmann (NLPB) equation. The method consists chiefly of reducing the NLPB equation to linear PB equation in several segments by approximating a free term of the NLPB equation by piecewise linear functions, and then, solving analytically the linear PB equation in each segment. Superiority of the method is illustrated by applying the method to solve the NLPB equation describing a colloid sphere immersed in an arbitrary valence and mixed electrolyte solution; extensive test indicates that the resulting analytical expressions for both the electrical potential distribution Ψ ( r ) and surface charge density/surface potential relationship ( σ / Ψ 0 ) are characterized with two properties that mathematical structures are much simpler than those previously reported and application scope can be arbitrarily wide by adjusting the linear interpolation range. Finally, it is noted that the method is “universal” in that its applications are not limited to the NLPB equation. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2805-9 Authors S. Zhou, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China G. Zhang, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    In this study, cationic surfactants having multi-hydroxyl groups were synthesized by the condensation reaction of octadec-9-enyl glycidyl ether and methyl amine followed by the quaternization with dimethyl sulfate. The structure of the product was elucidated by 1 H-NMR and FT-IR. The minimum critical micelle concentration (CMC) and surface tension achieved using C18:1-BHDM surfactant were 1.24 × 10 −4  mol/L and 43.36 mN/m, respectively. The interfacial tensions measured between 1 wt% surfactant solution and n -decane were found to be in the same order of magnitude as those exhibited between micellar solutions and nonpolar hydrocarbon oils. The contact angle measurement result suggests that C18:1-BADM is the best wetting agent among the surfactants tested during this study. It has been observed that the results for foam stability measurement are consistent with those of CMC and contact angle. That is, the percentage of foam volume decrease has been observed to increase with an increase in number of hydroxyl group. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2802-z Authors JongChoo Lim, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Dongguk University-Seoul, Seoul, 100-715 South Korea Jong-mok Park, Environment and Resources Research Center, Green Chemistry Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, DaeJeon, 305-600 South Korea Chan Jo Park, Center for Chemical Analysis, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, DaeJeon, 305-600 South Korea Byung Min Lee, Environment and Resources Research Center, Green Chemistry Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, DaeJeon, 305-600 South Korea Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The synthesis of porous “sponge-like” TiO 2 via a polymer gel coating technique is presented. The experimental procedure involves the preparation of a gelled polymerizable microemulsion. The polymerization of the latter leads to porous poly- N -isopropylacrylamide which forms a hydrogel in the presence of water. Via solvent exchange, a suitable TiO 2 precursor is infiltrated into this structure after which its in situ hydrolysis is triggered to form porous amorphous TiO 2 . The subsequent calcination step allows the removal of the polymer template and the transformation of amorphous TiO 2 into porous, crystalline anatase with domain sizes ranging from 200 to 250 nm. As a means of verification and proof of concept, this material is tested as light-scattering layer in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), and it is found that the resulting solar cell performance is comparable to commercially available TiO 2 . However, an increased tendency to form rutile during DSSC fabrication was noticed when compared to commercial TiO 2 . As there is a large potential for optimizing the synthesis, the proposed procedure is a promising route towards porous TiO 2 that performs significantly better as scattering layer in light-harvesting and optical devices. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2792-x Authors Lukasz Szymanski, SFI Strategic Research Cluster in Solar Energy Conversion, School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland Praveen Surolia, SFI Strategic Research Cluster in Solar Energy Conversion, School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland Owen Byrne, SFI Strategic Research Cluster in Solar Energy Conversion, School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland K. Ravindranathan Thampi, SFI Strategic Research Cluster in Solar Energy Conversion, School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland Cosima Stubenrauch, SFI Strategic Research Cluster in Solar Energy Conversion, School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Well-defined perfluoroalkyl-terminated poly(glycerol methacrylate) ( R F -PGMA) semitelechelics are prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition reaction. R F -PGMA has a similar architecture as the well-studied perfluorinated poly(ethylene oxide) ( R F -PEO) semitelechelics but bears two hydroxyl groups on each glycerol methacrylate unit. Because of the strong hydrophobic interaction of the perfluoroalkyl group, R F -PGMA semitelechelics self-associate to form core–corona spherical micelles in water above the critical micellization concentration (cmc) which depends on poly(glycerol methacrylate) (PGMA) content and temperature. For comparison, the R F -PEO semitelechelics with the same perfluoroalkyl terminal group as R F -PGMA are also prepared. The cmc values of R F -PGMA semitelechelics are found to increase with increasing temperature in water, which is opposite to the tendency of R F -PEO semitelechelics. According to the thermodynamic studies, the micellization process of R F -PGMA in aqueous solution is driven by both a negative enthalpy and an increase of entropy, whereas the micellization of R F -PEO is an entropy-driven process exhibiting a positive micellization enthalpy. This striking different behavior originates from intra-/intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the hydroxyl groups of the PGMA chains. These strong inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds between PGMA segments lead to a self-aggregation of R F -PGMA evident in temperature-dependent 1 H and 19 F NMR spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering measurements. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2803-y Authors Zheng Li, Department of Chemistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany Elkin Amado, Department of Chemistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany Jörg Kressler, Department of Chemistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The contact angle (CA) measurements are generally performed on a large planar surface of a specific substrate with the width larger than the droplet size. In this study, the contact angle hysteresis on a narrow rectangular plane with a width smaller than the droplet size is experimentally studied through the inflation–deflation process by the needle–syringe method. The inflation process by stepwise addition of the liquid to the droplet leads to the contact line advancing outwardly along the major axis with advancing angle (θ a ). Although the droplet width is constrained by the edge of the plane, the CA along the minor axis (θ w ) increases and its value is greater than θ a (θ w 〉 θ a ). Deflation process by stepwise withdrawal of liquid from the droplet results in the contact line retracting inwardly along the major axis as the CA reduces to receding angle (θ r ). In the meantime, the CA along the minor axis decreases as well. Both advancing and receding angles acquired from the narrow rectangular plane are confirmed with those obtained form the typical large surface of acrylic glass. On the basis of free energy minimization and liquid-induced defects model, Surface Evolver simulations are performed to reproduce the behavior of droplet on the narrow rectangular plane during the inflation–deflation process. The results of experiment and simulation agree with each other very well. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2797-5 Authors Siang-Jie Hong, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Jhongli, Taiwan 320, Republic of China Tung-He Chou, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 106, Republic of China Yu-Yu Liu, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Jhongli, Taiwan 320, Republic of China Yu-Jane Sheng, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 106, Republic of China Heng-Kwong Tsao, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Jhongli, Taiwan 320, Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    We present an alternative approach for controlling the water adhesion on solid superhydrophobic surfaces by varying their coverage with a spray coating technique. In particular, micro-, submicro-, and nanorough surfaces were developed starting from photolithographically tailored SU-8 micropillars that were used as substrates for spraying first poly(tetrafluoroethylene) submicrometer particles and subsequently iron oxide nanoparticles. The sprayed particles serve to induce surface submicrometer and nanoscale roughness, rendering the SU-8 patterns superhydrophobic (apparent contact angle values of more than 150°), and also to tune the water adhesion between extreme states, turning the surfaces from “non-sticky” to “sticky” while preserving their superhydrophobicity. The influence of the chemical properties and of the geometrical characteristics of the functionalized surfaces on the wetting properties is discussed within the frame of the theory. This simple method can find various applications in the fabrication of microfluidic devices, smart surfaces, and biotechnological and antifouling materials. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2752-5 Authors Athanasios Milionis, Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies @UNILE, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Barsanti, 73010 Arnesano, Lecce, Italy Luigi Martiradonna, Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies @UNILE, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Barsanti, 73010 Arnesano, Lecce, Italy George C. Anyfantis, Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies @UNILE, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Barsanti, 73010 Arnesano, Lecce, Italy P. Davide Cozzoli, Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica “E. De Giorgi”, Università del Salento, via per Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy Ilker S. Bayer, Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies @UNILE, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Barsanti, 73010 Arnesano, Lecce, Italy Despina Fragouli, Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies @UNILE, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Barsanti, 73010 Arnesano, Lecce, Italy Athanassia Athanassiou, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    This work was aimed at studying the phase structure and evolution of polypropylene (PP)/poly(ethylene-1-octene) copolymer (PEOc) blends with droplet/matrix morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) during quiescent molten-state annealing process. The structure parameters, such as the area diameter, d p , and number average diameters, D n , of the dispersed phase in PP/PEOc blends were calculated by pattern analysis of SEM images. Moreover, the potential fractal behavior of the phase structure and morphology of PP/PEOc = 80/20 blend during the process was discussed. The histograms of P ( d p / [ ` ( d )] p ) obtained at various annealing time fell on a master curve, demonstrating the self-similar growth of the phase structure of the blends during quiescent molten-state annealing process. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2824-6 Authors Lin Zhu, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013 China Xiangqian Shen, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013 China Jianliang Gu, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013 China Cui Li, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013 China Xinhua Xu, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300072 China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    A novel imidazolium-based chiral surfactant with a Y-type hydrophobic chain, ( S )-(+)-1-(2,3-bis(octanoyloxy)propyl)-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bopmim]Cl), was synthesized. The aggregation behavior of [Bopmim]Cl in aqueous solution was then investigated by surface tension, electrical conductivity, 1 H NMR, and fluorescence measurements. Compared with [C 12 mim]Cl, the critical micelle concentration for [Bopmim]Cl is lower, indicating that the novel chiral surfactant has superior capacity to form micelles. A larger value of p C 20 , a greater minimum area per surfactant molecule ( A min ), a smaller degree of counterion binding ( β ), and a looser aggregate are caused by the relatively larger Y-type hydrophobic chain of [Bopmim]Cl. Furthermore, analysis of the 1 H NMR spectra revealed that the introduced Y-type hydrophobic chain may prevent the hydrophobic group from forming an extended chain configuration and cause a changeover from trans to gauche conformations upon micellization. The micelles of the novel chiral surfactant may provide some potential applications in the stereochemical recognition of surfaces or of biological structures. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2830-8 Authors Hejun Gao, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100 China Lijuan Shi, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100 China Shaohua Zhang, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100 China Jun Li, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100 China Xiaodong Wang, Shandong Provincial Analysis and Test Center, Jinan, 250100 China Liqiang Zheng, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100 China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Amphiphilic carbosilane dendrimers with novel architectural layout have been synthesized. These dendrimers contain peripheral groups consisting of covalently bound promesogenic fragments and hydrophilic (oligoethyleneglycolic) linkages which are connected to a carbosilane core in two distinct ways: as spacer or as tail arrangement. Such molecules have a block structure where the hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks are distributed within the dendrimer forming layers of different polarity. The hydrophilic layer is either enclosed between two hydrophobic parts of the molecule or is situated on the periphery. The synthetic strategy for achieving these structures is described. The interfacial properties of the dendrimers were studied and the influence of the dendritic structure’s organization on the Langmuir film formation process is assessed. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2811-y Authors Ignaty Leshchiner, Chemistry Department, Moscow State University, Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119991 Russia Natalia Boiko, Chemistry Department, Moscow State University, Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119991 Russia Jayant Kumar, Center for Advanced Materials, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA Robert M. Richardson, H.H. Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TL UK Aziz Muzafarov, Institute of Synthetic Polymeric Materials of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117393 Moscow, Russia Valery Shibaev, Chemistry Department, Moscow State University, Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119991 Russia Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    A simple electrochemical method of cyclic voltammetry (CV) was exploited to detect the cross-linking process of hybrid large-compound vesicles (LCVs) bearing electrochemically reactive ferrocene group inside. Results indicated that the CV behavior of LCVs deposited electrode was relative to the cross-linking degree of LCVs. It was found that oxidation peak potential became more positive and diffusion rates of electroactive species became smaller after the addition of triethylamine into LCVs solution with increasing time in few days. This showed that the increasing of cross-linking degree for LCVs hindered the electron transport of charge transfer between the neighboring active sites. Our studies will benefit the understanding and the control of the gelation process of hybrid LCVs for potential application in encapsulation and drug delivery. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2636-8 Authors Jianfeng Wang, Ningbo University of Technology, Ningbo, 315011 China Li Wang, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Reaction Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China Haojie Yu, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Reaction Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China Tao Chen, Department Chemie, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, 01069 Germany Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The photo-controlled/living radical polymerization of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) was attained using 4-methoxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl as the mediator and (2RS,2′RS)-azobis(4-methoxy-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) ( r -AMDV) as the initiator. The bulk polymerization of DMAEMA produced a polymer with a comparatively narrow molecular weight distribution below 1.6. The first-order time conversion plots showed a linear increase. The molecular weight of the resulting polymer also increased with an increase in the monomer conversion. The molecular weights of the resulting polymers were in good agreement with the theoretical molecular weights. A linear correlation was also obtained for the plots of the molecular weight vs. the reciprocal of the initial concentration of r -AMDV. The GPC analysis demonstrated the living nature of the polymerization based on the fact that the curves were shifted to the higher molecular weight side without deactivation as the conversion increased. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2641-y Authors Eri Yoshida, Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Toyohashi University of Technology, 1-1 Hibarigaoka, Tempaku-cho, Toyohashi, Aichi 441-8580, Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    A new simple method for the formation of hollow polyethersulfone (PES) microspheres was reported in this paper. Coaxial electrospraying equipment and nonsolvent precipitating bath were used to produce hollow microspheres in one step. The properties of the core solution affected the formation of hollow PES microspheres. To form hollow microspheres in one step, the core solution should be removed directly by a nonsolvent. Additionally, the core solution should also be used to occupy the internal space of microspheres and form a supporting layer at the interface between the core solution and the shell solution. The supporting layer formed by the micro-phase that was caused by the phase separation of the core or shell solution was the key factor for the formation of hollow PES microspheres. The performance of hollow microspheres produced by this method was excellent. This method provided a new simple way to form hollow polymer microspheres and can be extended to other polymers to prepare hollow microspheres in one step. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2645-7 Authors Quanchao Zhang, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 China Lihua Wang, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 China Zhimei Wei, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 China Xiaojun Wang, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064 China Shengru Long, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064 China Jie Yang, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064 China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The adsorption, micelle formation, and salting-out of dodecylammonium chloride in the presence of NaCl were studied from the viewpoint of mixed adsorption and aggregate formation. The surface tension of aqueous solutions of a NaCl–dodecylammonium chloride mixture was measured as a function of the total molality and composition of the mixture. Judging from phase diagrams of mixed adsorption and aggregate formation, NaCl and dodecylammonium chloride are miscible in the adsorbed film and coagel particle at high NaCl concentrations due to specific (nonelectrostatic) interaction between dodecylamonium ion and the counterion, while they are immiscible in the micelle. The difference in miscibility among the oriented states was ascribed to the difference in geometry among the states and to the interaction between bilayers in a coagel particle. Miscibility and specific interaction are compared between the mixtures of NaCl with dodecylammonium chloride and sodium dodecylsulfate. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2628-8 Authors Hidemi Iyota, Department of Life and Environmental Science, Kagoshima Prefectural College, Shimo-ishiki, Kagoshima, 890-0005 Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    To prepare functionalized magnetic polymer particles that are thermally responsive, inverse emulsion copolymerization of N -isopropylacrylamide, N , N ′-methylenebisacrylamide and glycidyl acrylate (GA) was investigated in paraffin oil in the presence of γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles dispersed in a water/glycerol mixture. The resulting polymer particles were characterized regarding the morphology, size, polydispersity, iron content, and the temperature-dependent phase transition using optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Magnetic properties were examined using hysteresis loop measurements and by analyzing the magnetic susceptibility with respect to temperature. We have also investigated the influence of the concentration of γ-Fe 2 O 3 and GA in monomers on properties of the particles (morphology, size, and presence of oxirane groups). The particles possessed a hollow structure as a result of phase separation between water/glycerol hydrophilic solvents in the polymerization feed and the forming polymer. Depending on the concentration of γ-Fe 2 O 3 in the monomer phase, the magnetic hollow particles contained 5–24 wt% iron. In water, the particles gradually collapsed when the temperature was raised to 40 °C because the elevated temperature weakened hydration and the PNIPAAm chains gradually became more hydrophobic. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2609-y Authors Hana Macková, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovsky Sq. 2, 162-06 Prague 6, Czech Republic Daniel Horák, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovsky Sq. 2, 162-06 Prague 6, Czech Republic Eduard Petrovský, Institute of Geophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Boční II/1401, 141-31 Prague 4, Czech Republic Jana Kovářová, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovsky Sq. 2, 162-06 Prague 6, Czech Republic Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Polymer–surfactant interactions in aqueous solutions of a acrylamide-based, hydrophobically modified polysulfobetaine (ADS) containing 3-[ N -(2-methacryloxylethyl)- N , N -dimethylammonio]-propane sulfonate and stearyl methylacrylate, with sodium dodedyl sulfate (SDS), N -dodecyl- N , N , N -trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), and Triton X-100 were studied using surface tension, rheology, Rayleigh light scattering, and dynamic laser light scattering techniques. The purpose of this study was to highlight the influences of the surfactant structure and the nature of the surfactant head group on the polymer–surfactant interactions. The results show that the interaction and association between ADS and surfactants are distinctly varied depending on surfactant type and surfactant concentration. SDS produced the strongest interactions with ADS, while DTAB and Triton X-100 interact with ADS to a lesser degree, which is attributed to surfactant structure and the nature of the surfactant head group. For SDS and DTAB, there are two driving forces for the complexation of the polymer and surfactants, resulting from the electrostatic interaction and the hydrophobic association. However, for the nonionic surfactant Triton X-100, only hydrophobic association predominated in the interaction between ADS and the surfactant. The mechanism and reconstruction of the polymer–surfactant complexes have been evaluated and discussed. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2633-y Authors Yu-Ju Che, Marine College, Shandong University at Weihai, Weihai, 264209 People’s Republic of China Yebang Tan, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100 People’s Republic of China Xiaona Ren, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100 People’s Republic of China Haipeng Xin, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100 People’s Republic of China Fanjun Meng, Marine College, Shandong University at Weihai, Weihai, 264209 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    We synthesized semiconducting polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles through a solid-stabilized Pickering emulsion route using silica nanoparticles. Specific morphologies of the silica nanoparticle wrapped PANI particles were observed using both scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope, which showed the emulsifiability of silica nanoparticles in the emulsion system. Electrorheological (ER) behavior of this novel particle-based ER fluid dispersed in silicone oil was measured by a controlled shear stress rheometer and analyzed with a flow curve equation of Cho-Choi-Jhon model, which fitted well the flow curves measured in the exposed electric field. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2639-5 Authors Ying Dan Liu, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, 402-751 South Korea Wen Ling Zhang, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, 402-751 South Korea Hyoung Jin Choi, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, 402-751 South Korea Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The preparation of poly(vinyl acetate) with well-controlled structure has received a great deal of interest in recent years because of a large number of developments in living radical polymerization techniques. Among these techniques, the use of reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)-mediated polymerization has been employed for the controlled polymerization of vinyl acetate due to the high susceptibility of this monomer towards chain transfer reactions. Here, a novel water-soluble N,N-dialkyl dithiocarbamate RAFT agent has been prepared and employed in the emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate. The kinetic results reveal that the polymerization nucleation mechanism changes from homogeneous to micellar and RAFT-generated radicals can change the kinetic behavior from conventional emulsion polymerization to living radical polymerization. At higher concentrations of the modified RAFT agent, as a result of an aqueous phase reaction between RAFT and sulfate radicals, relatively more hydrophobic radicals are generated, which favors entry and propagation into micelles swollen with monomer. This observation was determined from the investigation of the polymerization rate and measurements of the average particle diameter and the number of particles per liter of the aqueous phase. Molecular weight analysis also demonstrated the participation of the RAFT agent in the polymerization in such a way as to restrict chain transfer reactions. This was determined by examining the evolution of polymer chain length and attaining higher molecular weights, even up to 50 % greater than the samples obtained from the conventional emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate in the absence of the synthesized modified RAFT agent. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2640-z Authors Funian Zhao, Emulsion Polymers Institute, Lehigh University, 111 Research Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA Ali Reza Mahdavian, Polymer Science Department, Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute, P. O. Box 14965/115, Tehran, 14967 Iran Mohammad Bagher Teimouri, Faculty of Chemistry, Tarbiat Moallem University, 49 Mofateh St, Tehran, Iran Eric S. Daniels, Emulsion Polymers Institute, Lehigh University, 111 Research Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA Andrew Klein, Emulsion Polymers Institute, Lehigh University, 111 Research Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA Mohamed S. El-Aasser, Emulsion Polymers Institute, Lehigh University, 111 Research Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Micrometer-sized, hemispherical polystyrene (PS) particles were successfully prepared by microsuspension polymerization of homogeneous styrene/hexadecane (HD) droplets dispersed in polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether (Emulgen 931) aqueous solution, followed by rapid removal of HD from formed PS/HD particles with a “Janus” structure. It was important for the formation of the morphology of Janus particles in thermodynamically stable state to carry out the polymerization slowly. The formation of by-product small PS particles by emulsion polymerization was suppressed by the additions of CuCl 2 as a water-soluble inhibitor and NaCl to decrease the solubility of styrene in the aqueous phase. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2625-y Authors Tomoe Yamagami, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, Rokko, Nada, Kobe, 657-8501 Japan Takuya Tanaka, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, Rokko, Nada, Kobe, 657-8501 Japan Toyoko Suzuki, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, Rokko, Nada, Kobe, 657-8501 Japan Masayoshi Okubo, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, Rokko, Nada, Kobe, 657-8501 Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    A rod-coil amphiphilic organometallic oligomer based on o-ferrocenylcarbonyl benzoic acid (FcBA) as hydrophobic short rod and poly(ethylene glycol) 17 (PEG 17 ) as hydrophilic coil chain was synthesized via Friedel–Crafts acylation and esterification reaction and characterized by 1 H-NMR and FT-IR analyses. The rod-coil oligomer FcBA-PEG 17 with short-rod insoluble FcBA segment and long-coil PEG 17 segment could self-assemble into multi-morphological aggregates in water such as sphere, rod, strip and vesicle at different initial concentrations, which were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Interestingly, two different kinds of vesicles were observed, where disfigured vesicles formed at low initial concentration and ideal vesicles at high initial concentration. And the disfigured vesicles can be transferred into ideal vesicles at lower initial concentration through the threading of rigid α-CDs onto the coil PEG 17 chains. A possible mechanism for the formation of multi-morphological self-assembled micelles was also proposed. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2637-7 Authors Juan Shen, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049 People’s Republic of China Ming-Wei Jiang, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049 People’s Republic of China Ya-Kun Li, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049 People’s Republic of China Cheng-gong Guo, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049 People’s Republic of China Xiong-Ying Qiu, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049 People’s Republic of China Cai-Qi Wang, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    An inverse emulsion technique which allows the anisotropic growth of a broad variety of inorganic nanoparticles, together with an efficient hydrophobization, is described. This method is based upon the combined use of amphiphilic copolymers, which act as emulsifiers as well as compatibilizers, and structure-directing agents that control the crystallization of the inorganic nanoparticles. As a consequence, water-soluble, structure-directing agents can now be applied for the synthesis of hydrophobic, shape-anisotropic nanocrystals. More precisely, spherical, rod-like, and branched CdS as well as Au nanoparticles were prepared. Due to their excellent hydrophobization, these particles were homogeneously incorporated into a poly(2-ethylhexyl methacrylate) matrix. Their shape-dependent properties were transferred to nanocomposites as demonstrated for branched CdS nanocrystals. In comparison to more traditional materials composed of branched CdS nanoparticles, which are stabilized by low molecular weight amphiphiles, our composites show much less scattering. This is due to the homogenous distribution of the nanoparticles in the matrix. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2634-x Authors Christian Geidel, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany Markus Klapper, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany Klaus Müllen, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Thermosensitive poly( N -isopropylacrylamide-co-methacrylic acid) (poly(NIPAM-co-MAA)) microgels were prepared via semi-batch free radical copolymerization in which the functional monomer (methacrylic acid) was continuously fed into the reaction vessel at various speeds. Microgels with the same bulk MAA contents (and thus the same overall compositions) but different radial functional group distributions were produced, with batch copolymerizations resulting in core-localized functional groups, fast-feed semi-batch copolymerizations resulting in near-uniform functional group distributions, and slow-feed semi-batch copolymerizations resulting in shell-localized functional groups. Functional group distributions in the microgels were probed using titration analysis, electrophoresis, and transmission electron microscopy. The induced functional group distributions have particularly significant impacts on the pH-induced swelling and cationic drug binding behavior of the microgels; slower monomer feeds result in increased pH-induced swelling but lower drug binding. This work suggests that continuous semi-batch feed regimes can be used to synthesize thermoresponsive microgels with well-defined internal morphologies if an understanding of the relative copolymerization kinetics of each comonomer relative to NIPAM is achieved. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2642-x Authors Paniz Sheikholeslami, Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada Christopher M. Ewaschuk, Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada Syed Usman Ahmed, Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada Benjamin A. Greenlay, Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada Todd Hoare, Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Assembly of submicron-sized microspheres has received much attention due to its high potential for wide variety of applications. We have developed a preparation method of polymer particles by simple mixing of a poor solvent into the polymer solution followed by evaporation of a good solvent. By using this technique, silica nanoparticles and polymer composite particles were prepared. Preparation of three-dimensional assemblies of silica particles in polymer particles and composite Janus particles are shown. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2643-9 Authors Hiroshi Yabu, Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials (IMRAM), Tohoku University, 2-1-1, Katahira, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, 980-8577 Japan Shunsuke Sato, Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials (IMRAM), Tohoku University, 2-1-1, Katahira, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, 980-8577 Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by the branched block copolymer Tetronic 1107 was investigated in mixed solvents consisting of water and one of the following alcohols: ethanol, n -propanol, ethylene glycol (EG), or glycerol (GLY). The maximum concentration of dispersed CNTs ( C limit ) and the optimum T1107 concentration ( C opt ) to disperse the maximum amount of CNTs in different solvents were obtained from UV–vis–NIR absorbance spectra. The addition of ethanol or n -propanol to water dramatically increases the C limit . The value of C opt follows the order: n -propanol–water 〉 ethanol–water 〉 EG–water ≈ GLY–water mixtures. I D / I G was used to characterize the defect density of CNTs dispersed in the mixed solvents, which was investigated by Raman spectroscopy. The I D / I G values in n -propanol–water and ethanol–water mixtures are higher than those in EG–water and GLY–water mixtures. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy is used to confirm a favorable dispersion in the presence of different alcohols. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2776-x Authors Teng Liu, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100 People’s Republic of China Guiying Xu, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100 People’s Republic of China Juan Zhang, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100 People’s Republic of China Haihong Zhang, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100 People’s Republic of China Jinyu Pang, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The paper reports on the wetting characterization of two surfaces presenting reentrant shapes at micro- and nanoscale using low surface tension liquids (down to 28 mN/m). On the one hand, mushroom-like microstructures are fabricated by molding poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) onto a patterned sacrificial photoresist bilayer. On the other hand, zinc oxide nanostructures (ZnO NS) are synthesized by easy and fast chemical bath deposition technique. The PDMS and ZnO NS surfaces are then chemically modified with 1H , 1H , 2H , 2H -perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane in vapor phase. Both PDMS and ZnO NS surfaces exhibit a large apparent contact angle (〉150°) and contact angle hysteresis varying from 50° to a quasi-null value. This large discrepancy can be ascribed to the length scale and topography of the structures, promoting either a vertical imbibition or a lateral spreading within the roughness. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2750-7 Authors Renaud Dufour, Institut d’Electronique, de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologie (IEMN, UMR CNRS 8520), Université Lille1, Cité Scientifique, Avenue Poincaré, BP 60069, 59652 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France Guillaume Perry, Institut d’Electronique, de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologie (IEMN, UMR CNRS 8520), Université Lille1, Cité Scientifique, Avenue Poincaré, BP 60069, 59652 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France Maxime Harnois, Institut d’Electronique, de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologie (IEMN, UMR CNRS 8520), Université Lille1, Cité Scientifique, Avenue Poincaré, BP 60069, 59652 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France Yannick Coffinier, Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire (IRI, CNRS-USR 3078), Université Lille 1, Parc de la Haute Borne, 50 Avenue de Halley, BP 70478, 59658 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France Vincent Thomy, Institut d’Electronique, de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologie (IEMN, UMR CNRS 8520), Université Lille1, Cité Scientifique, Avenue Poincaré, BP 60069, 59652 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France Vincent Senez, Institut d’Electronique, de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologie (IEMN, UMR CNRS 8520), Université Lille1, Cité Scientifique, Avenue Poincaré, BP 60069, 59652 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France Rabah Boukherroub, Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire (IRI, CNRS-USR 3078), Université Lille 1, Parc de la Haute Borne, 50 Avenue de Halley, BP 70478, 59658 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    In this paper, we derive a modified Cassie’s equation for wetting on chemically patterned surfaces from a homogenization approach. The derivation reveals that effective contact angle is a local average of the static contact angle along the contact line which describes all possible equilibrium states including the local minimum of the free energy of the system. The usual Cassie’s state which corresponds to the global minimum is only a special case. We then discuss the contact angle hysteresis on chemically patterned surfaces. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2748-1 Authors Xianmin Xu, The State Key Laboratory of Scientific and Engineering Computing, Institute of Computational, Mathematics and Scientific/Engineering Computing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100080 China Xiaoping Wang, Department of Mathematics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    This study focuses on the preparation and characterization of magnetic switchable thin iron oxide–polymer films. In a series of experiments, the formation and growth of iron oxide under ultrathin polysiloxane layers was controlled by changing the concentration of iron ions in the aqueous subphase or by varying the residence time of ammonia in the gas phase above the liquid sample. The growth of the combined film structures is studied in situ by interfacial rheology, optical microscopy, and x-ray scattering experiments and ex situ by scanning electron microscopy. Different stages of iron oxide aggregation, from a very thin layer of amorphous iron oxide with thickness of a few nanometers up to micrometer thick coatings of crystalline maghemite (γ-Fe 2 O 3 ) were investigated. The specific interactions between the inorganic iron oxide and the polymer membranes cause the creation of new composite materials which are sensitive to magnetic forces. Figure  Magnetic switchable membranes should be achieved by the combination of an ultrathin polymer network with the in-situ formation of iron oxide at the interface. (Left) After completing the polymerization the creation of iron oxide was induced by adding NH3 gas. (Right) SEM investigations clearly approve the formation of a thin composite layer as well as the growth of iron-oxide under this layer Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2767-y Authors Patrick Degen, Physical Chemistry II, TU Dortmund, Otto Hahn Straße 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany D. C. Florian Wieland, Fakultät Physik/DELTA, TU Dortmund, Maria-Goeppert-Mayer Str.2, 44227 Dortmund, Germany Michael Paulus, Fakultät Physik/DELTA, TU Dortmund, Maria-Goeppert-Mayer Str.2, 44227 Dortmund, Germany Martin A. Schroer, Fakultät Physik/DELTA, TU Dortmund, Maria-Goeppert-Mayer Str.2, 44227 Dortmund, Germany Metin Tolan, Fakultät Physik/DELTA, TU Dortmund, Maria-Goeppert-Mayer Str.2, 44227 Dortmund, Germany Heinz Rehage, Physical Chemistry II, TU Dortmund, Otto Hahn Straße 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Ionic liquid (IL)-based ferrofluids have been prepared dispersing both bare and sterically stabilized CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles. The precipitated particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and vibrating sample magnetometry studies. The water-absorbing property of ferrofluids at ambient temperature was estimated by weight and viscosity measurements. Colloidal dispersion stability of the ferrofluids was evaluated by particle suspension percentage. Experimental results indicate that interparticle electrostatic repulsion is not effective in stabilizing bare magnetic particles in IL. There is no significant increase on the dispersion stability when the particles were coated with a monolayer of oleic acid. The reason could be caused by the incompatibility between the nonpolar tail of surfactant and carrier liquid. When excess oleic acid was added into IL, stable magnetic colloid was achieved by a steric stabilization layer coated to be compatible with the IL. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2773-0 Authors Wei Huang, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Yudao Street 29, Nanjing, 210016 People’s Republic of China Xiaolei Wang, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Yudao Street 29, Nanjing, 210016 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Acid-oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were introduced into a polyurethane (PU) matrix at low filler levels (0.01–0.25 wt%) through either van der Waals or covalent interactions, and their glass transition dynamics using dynamic mechanical analysis and laser-interferometric creep rate spectroscopy was investigated. The nanocomposites reveal substantial impact on the PU glass transition dynamics, which depends on the nanotube content and type of interfacial interactions. The pronounced dynamic heterogeneity within the glass transition covering 200 °C range and the displacement of main PU relaxation maxima from around 0 to 80–140 °C were registered. The results are treated in the framework of chemical inhomogeneity, constrained dynamics effects, and different motional cooperativities. The peculiariaties of the glass transition dynamics in the composites are reflected in their dynamic and static mechanical properties, in particular a two- to threefold increase in modulus and tensile strength for the covalent interfacial interaction of MWCNTs with PU. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2745-4 Authors Lyudmyla V. Karabanova, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, NAS, Kyiv, 02660 Ukraine Raymond L. D. Whitby, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Group, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN2 4GJ UK Vladimir A. Bershtein, Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute, RAS, St.-Petersburg, 194021 Russia Alina V. Korobeinyk, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Group, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN2 4GJ UK Pavel N. Yakushev, Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute, RAS, St.-Petersburg, 194021 Russia Oksana M. Bondaruk, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, NAS, Kyiv, 02660 Ukraine Andrew W. Lloyd, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Group, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN2 4GJ UK Sergey V. Mikhalovsky, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Group, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN2 4GJ UK Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    In this paper, the contact angle hysteresis (CAH) of nanodroplets on both rigid and flexible substrates with different wettabilities was studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The critical shear stress (CSS) that determines the motion of the contact line (CL) was investigated. A theoretical correlation between CAH and CSS was proposed. Both CAH and CSS reflect the energy dissipation at the CL of the droplet in response to the exerted force. MD results of CAH are qualitatively consistent with the theoretical model. Simulation results also show that, for the same liquid–solid interactions, CAH on the flexible substrate is larger than that on the rigid substrate. These findings aim to enhance our understanding of the mechanism of the CAH at the nanoscale. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2747-2 Authors Feng-Chao Wang, State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China Ya-Pu Zhao, State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    We present the synthesis and analysis of silica-coated Au/Ag bimetallic nanorods with controlled surface plasmon bands. Depending on the thickness of Ag shell deposited on the Au nanorod surface, there is a blue-shift on the longitudinal surface plasmon band of Au nanorods, which can be expressed by an approximate formula derived from the absorption profile of light in Ag films using finite difference time domain simulations. The subsequent coating of silica shell not only enhances the stability of the Au/Ag bimetallic nanorods but also provides a mesoporous host for optically active species. Minute red-shifts of the longitudinal resonance mode, induced by stepwise increased silica shell volumes, are shown. Application as carrier for fluorescent rhodamine B molecules is demonstrated by photoluminescence analysis. On the single-particle level, dark field microscopy of Au/Ag-silica nanorods was finally employed. This introduces a route towards revealing the relation between structure, shape, and optical (plasmonic) properties of complex composite metal particles as well as fabrication strategies for nanoassemblies of tailored structures in the field of nanoplasmonics. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2760-5 Authors Shuang Wu, Soft Matter and Functional Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, 14109 Berlin, Germany Andreas W. Schell, Nanooptik (NAO), Institut für Physik, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany Michael Lublow, Institute for Heterogeneous Materials Systems, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, 14109 Berlin, Germany Julian Kaiser, Soft Matter and Functional Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, 14109 Berlin, Germany Thomas Aichele, Nanooptik (NAO), Institut für Physik, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany Stefan Schietinger, Nanooptik (NAO), Institut für Physik, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany Frank Polzer, Institut für Physik, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany Sergei Kühn, Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy, 12489 Berlin, Germany Xuhong Guo, State-Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237 Shanghai, China Oliver Benson, Nanooptik (NAO), Institut für Physik, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany Matthias Ballauff, Soft Matter and Functional Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, 14109 Berlin, Germany Yan Lu, Soft Matter and Functional Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, 14109 Berlin, Germany Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The addition of montmorillonite clay modified with an alkylammonium salt surfactant (i.e., organoclay) to paraffin wax is found to reduce the decay in wetting properties associated with its heating in the melt. It was previously shown that holding wax in its molten form prior to characterization reduces crystallinity when the solid forms. This results in the development of microscale amorphous regions at wax surfaces, which appear to be more polar given the abundance of methylene linkages versus methyl groups. These regions are believed to impact the receding angles for more polar liquids almost exclusively. It is known that the introduction and exfoliation of a small amount of the organoclay greatly enhances the stiffness, strength, and toughness of paraffin wax. Here, it is shown that the organoclay also promotes the formation of coatings possessing fewer thermal cracks and helps maintain higher crystallinity levels. Fresh wax surfaces containing the clay are slightly rougher than those without, which produces a slight increase in hysteresis. However, the significant drops in receding angles found for paraffin wax samples cast from the melt subsequent to heating are absent. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2754-3 Authors Gang Pu, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2004 Folwell Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, USA Steven J. Severtson, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2004 Folwell Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, USA Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Head-to-head-type styrene and substituted styrene dimers bearing two fluoroalkyl end-groups have been efficiently synthesized by a simple reaction of perfluoroalkyl iodide with styrene under radical conditions as a mixture of meso and racemic forms. The meso form obtained from the mixture by recrystallization gave a crystal suitable for X-ray diffraction study and the crystal structure was found to be based on π-stacking of benzene rings and aggregation of fluoroalkyl chains. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed that meso -styrene dimers bearing two fluoroalkyl end-groups can form the nanometer size-controlled self-assemblies through the intermolecular π-stacking of benzene rings and aggregation of end-capped fluoroalkyl groups in methanol. Figure  Self-assembled meso -perfluorohexylated styrene dimer [C 6 F 13 –CH 2 CHPh–CHPh–CH 2 –C 6 F 13 ] based on π-stacking of benzene rings and aggregation of fluoroalkyl chains: Fluorous domains are constructed by self-assembly of fluoroalkyl chains. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2761-4 Authors Mari Iizuka, School of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Shimane 693-8501, Japan Shoju Fukushima, School of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Shimane 693-8501, Japan Yuki Goto, Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, 036-8561 Japan Masaaki Okazaki, Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, 036-8561 Japan Hideo Sawada, Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, 036-8561 Japan Masato Yoshida, School of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Shimane 693-8501, Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The influence of local and nonlocal transport processes of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) molecules on dynamic contact angles and contact angle hysteresis was studied in a rotating drum setup. The influence of long-range surfactant transport was analyzed by hindering selectively the surface or the bulk transport via movable barriers. With increasing hindrance of the surfactant transport, the receding contact angle decreased at all withdrawing velocities in the presence of CTAB. The control experiment with pure water was unaffected by the presence of the barriers. Dynamic contact angles are, therefore, not only influenced by short-range effects like Marangoni stresses close to the contact line, but also by long-range transport processes (like diffusion and advection) between the regions close to the receding and advancing contact lines. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2759-y Authors Daniela Fell, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany Ngamjarassrivichai Pawanrat, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany Elmar Bonaccurso, Center of Smart Interfaces, Technical University Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany Hans-Jürgen Butt, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany Günter K. Auernhammer, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The electrokinetic properties of commercial titania and TiO 2 -SiO 2 oxide composite, precipitated from an emulsion system with cyclohexane as the organic phase, are described. To extend the possible range of applications of the TiO 2 -SiO 2 oxide composite, its surface was modified with selected alkoxysilanes: N -2-(aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane and vinyltrimethoxysilane. Modification with selected alkoxysilanes leads to the introduction of new chemical groups on the TiO 2 -SiO 2 surface, which changes its initial properties and also the surface charge, manifested by the values of zeta potential. This study was undertaken to establish the effect of the type and amount of the modifier and type and ionic strength of the electrolyte on the zeta potential of the modified TiO 2 -SiO 2 oxide composite and thus on the stability of the colloidal system. The powders were characterised by FTIR and elemental analysis to confirm the effectiveness of the surface modification. The structure of TiO 2 -SiO 2 oxide composite was resolved by the wide-angle X-ray scattering method. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2762-3 Authors Magdalena Nowacka, Poznan University of Technology, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Poznan, Poland Katarzyna Siwińska-Stefańska, Poznan University of Technology, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Poznan, Poland Teofil Jesionowski, Poznan University of Technology, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Poznan, Poland Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Statistical copolymers of perfluoroalkyl ethyl methacrylate (Zonyl-TM) and methylmethacrylate were synthesized in CO 2 -expanded monomer mixture at a low pressure of 10–13 MPa for the first time. M w of the copolymers was found to decrease with the increase of Zonyl-TM content. Flat films of these copolymers were obtained by dip coating from their chloroform solutions and were characterized using contact angle measurements, optical microscopy, and 3D profilometry. The increase in the Zonyl-TM content of the copolymers resulted in a decrease of the total surface free energy. Superhydrophobic and oleophobic rough copolymer films were also prepared by applying a phase-separation process where THF was used as the solvent and ethanol as the non-solvent. Surface roughness increased with the increase in the nonsolvent ratio resulting in an increase in the water contact angle from 103° to 151° and hexadecane contact angle from 49° to 73°. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2766-z Authors Ugur Cengiz, Department of Chemical Engineering, Gebze Institute of Technology, Cayirova, Gebze, 41400 Kocaeli, Turkey Nevin A. Gengec, Department of Chemical Engineering, Gebze Institute of Technology, Cayirova, Gebze, 41400 Kocaeli, Turkey H. Yildirim Erbil, Department of Chemical Engineering, Gebze Institute of Technology, Cayirova, Gebze, 41400 Kocaeli, Turkey Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The interfacial composition ( n a i ) , thermodynamic properties and structural parameters of the stable water/(SDS + Brij-58 or Brij-78)/1-pentanol/heptane (or decane or isopropyl myristate) have been evaluated under various physicochemical environments by the dilution method. The results showed n a i values increase with increasing water content (ω = [water]/[surfactant]) for all the systems, whereas reverse trend was observed for (SDS/Brij-58)/heptane-derived system. The spontaneity of the transfer process of 1-pentanol from bulk oil to the interface [ - D G t 0 ] decreases with increase in ω for all the systems. The effective binding between 1-pentanol and surfactant(s) at the interface follows the order: SDS/Brij-78/IPM 〈 SDS/Brij-58/IPM 〈 SDS/Brij-78/Hp(or, Dc) 〈 SDS/Brij-58/Hp(or, Dc), which corroborates well with the degree of spontaneity of the transfer process. The Gibbs free energy change ( D G t 0 ) , standard enthalpy change ( D H t 0 ) and standard entropy change ( D S t 0 ) have been found to be dependent on ω, type of nonionic surfactant and its content (X nonionic ), oil and temperature, because of the interdependence of the partition equilibrium of Pn between bulk oil and the interface, and strong adsorption of both surfactants at the interface. Synergism in D G t 0 and [ ( - D C P 0 ) t ] (standard specific heat change) is evidenced at equimolar composition of SDS and Brij-58 in both oils at all temperatures and advocates more favorable applications for the synthesis of nanoparticles and the modulation of enzyme activity. The radius of water pool (R w ) was very sensitive to the increment of water content and tuned up by the addition of Brijs, which followed the order with decreasing size: IPM 〈 Dc 〈 Hp. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-20 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2763-2 Authors Kaushik Kundu, Surface and Colloid Science Laboratory, Geological Studies Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, 203, B.T.Road, Kolkata, 700108 India Bidyut K. Paul, Surface and Colloid Science Laboratory, Geological Studies Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, 203, B.T.Road, Kolkata, 700108 India Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Drying dissipative patterns of de-ionized suspensions (colloidal crystal-state at high concentrations) of the thermosensitive gels of poly ( N -isopropylacrylamide) with various sizes (ca. 400–1,500 nm in diameter at 20 °C) were observed at 20 and 45 °C on a cover glass, a watch glass, and a Petri glass dish. The broad rings were observed and their size decreased as gel concentration decreased. Formation of the monodispersed agglomerated particles and their ordered arrays were observed irrespective of gel size. The macroscopic flickering spoke-like patterns were observed for the gel spheres from 70 to 600 nm in diameter at 20 °C, but almost disappeared for extremely large spheres, poly( N -isopropylacrylamide)(1500-5). This work clarified the formation of the drying microscopic structures of (a) ordered rings , (b) flickering ordered spoke lines , (c) net structure, and (d) lattice -like ordered structures of the agglomerated particles. The ordered rings became rather vague as gel size increased. The large net structures formed so often for large gels. Size effect on the lattice patterns was not recognized so clearly. The role of the electrical double layers around the agglomerated particles and the interaction of the particles with the substrate surfaces during dryness are important for the ordering. The microscopic drying patterns of gel spheres were quite different from those of linear type polymers and also from typical colloidal hard spheres, though the macroscopic patterns such as broad ring formation at the edges of the dried film were similar to each other. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2727-6 Authors Tsuneo Okubo, Institute for Colloidal Organization, Hatoyama 3-1-112, Uji, Kyoto 611-0012, Japan Daisuke Suzuki, International Young Researchers Empowerment Center, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Ueda, Nagano, 386-8567 Japan Akira Tsuchida, Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University, Gifu, Gifu 501-1193, Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    In this work, a nonaqueous method is used to fabricate thin TiO 2 layers. In contrast to the common aqueous sol–gel approach, our method yields layers of anatase nanocrystallites already at low temperature. Raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy and charge extraction by linearly increasing voltage are employed to study the effect of sintering temperature on the structural and electronic properties of the nanocrystalline TiO 2 layer. Raising the sintering temperature from 120 to 600 °C is found to alter the chemical composition, the layer’s porosity and its surface but not the crystal phase. The room temperature mobility increases from 2 × 10 −6 to 3 × 10 −5  cm 2 /Vs when the sinter temperature is increased from 400 to 600 °C, which is explained by a better interparticle connectivity. Solar cells comprising such nanoporous TiO 2 layers and a soluble derivative of cyclohexylamino-poly( p -phenylene vinylene) were fabricated and studied with regard to their structural and photovoltaic properties. We found only weak polymer infiltration into the oxide layer for sintering temperatures up to 550 °C, while the polymer penetrated deeply into titania layers that were sintered at 600 °C. Best photovoltaic performance was reached with a nanoporous TiO 2 film sintered at 550 °C, which yielded a power conversion efficiency of 0.5 %. Noticeably, samples with the TiO 2 layer dried at 120 °C displayed short-circuit currents and open circuit voltages only about 15–20 % lower than for the most efficient devices, meaning that our nonaqueous route yields titania layers with reasonable transport properties even at low sintering temperatures. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2708-9 Authors Sylvia Schattauer, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany Beate Reinhold, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany Steve Albrecht, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany Christoph Fahrenson, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany Marcel Schubert, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany Silvia Janietz, Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung, 14476 Golm, Germany Dieter Neher, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Water is known to distribute within polymeric films in multiple states differentiable by the energy of association. Potentiometric swelling of carboxylated latex samples and subsequent differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis verified this distribution of water, specifically confined within colloidal nanoparticle dimensions. DSC cooling curves can delineate between the freezable bound and freezable unbound water at low total water content but become difficult to distinguish the freezable bound contribution at high total water content. Of note is that the ratio of weakly bound water in the secondary layer to the water strongly hydrogen-bound to the polymer is approximately constant regardless of carboxylic acid type and, in fact, is greater for the case of the hydrophobic base polymer. Aside from its distribution within the particles, the total water content also appeared to be more related to the hydroplasticized glass point of the polymer colloid as opposed to the polarity of the polymer. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2693-z Authors Yuxi Lei, Nanostructured Polymers Research Center, Materials Science Program, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA Jessica R. Child, Nanostructured Polymers Research Center, Materials Science Program, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA John G. Tsavalas, Nanostructured Polymers Research Center, Materials Science Program, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The dissociation behaviour of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(ethylene-alt-maleic acid) has been investigated by both classical potentiometric titration and colloid titration as an alternative way. In the case of colloid titration, the monovalent counterions are assumed to be replaced by the oppositely charged polycation in the course of titration, so that the total concentration of anionic groups of the polycarboxylic acid is determined. As a consequence the apparent dissociation constants determined by polyelectrolyte complex formation do not depend on the degree of dissociation. In contrast to this finding, potentiometric titration is known to result in apparent dissociation constants which decrease with increasing degree of dissociation. The release of protons from the acid groups of the polycarboxylic acids is promoted by the complex formation with the strong cationic polyelectrolyte. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2702-2 Authors Uwe Lappan, Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e. V., Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany Uwe Geißler, Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e. V., Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany Marina Oelmann, Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e. V., Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany Simona Schwarz, Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e. V., Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    We get ab initio-based force field between octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) and fluoropolymer. The HMX is a high-energy explosive, and fluoropolymer is a binder. By using this force field, the mechanical properties of mixture explosives are investigated. Nine kinds of polymers are considered: polyvinylidene fluoride, polychlorotrifluoroethene, polytetrafluoroethene, polyhexafluoropropene, F2311, F2312, F2313, F2314, and Viton-A. The deformation processes of explosives are simulated, the structure evolution and energy variation are calculated, and the coating and plasticizing properties of binders to HMX are obtained. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2705-z Authors Yao Long, Laboratory of Computational Physics, Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics, P. O. Box 8009, Beijing, 100088 China Yong-Gang Liu, Institute of Chemical Materials, CAEP, Mianyang, 621900 China Fu-De Nie, Institute of Chemical Materials, CAEP, Mianyang, 621900 China Jun Chen, Laboratory of Computational Physics, Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics, P. O. Box 8009, Beijing, 100088 China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The aggregation behavior of two silicone surfactants (monomeric and Gemini) was studied by surface tension measurements in a room temperature ionic liquid, ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), at various temperatures. A series of parameters, including critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface tension at the CMC ( γ CMC ), adsorption efficiency (p C 20 ), and effectiveness of surface tension reduction ( Π CMC ), were obtained. By comparing the silicone surfactants with traditional surfactants, we deduced that the surface activity of the silicone surfactants in EAN was superior to the activity of other surfactants. In addition, from the CMC values and their temperature dependence, we estimated the thermodynamic parameters of the micelle formation, D G m 0 , D H m 0 , and D S m 0 . It was revealed that the micellization of the silicone surfactants is entropy driven at low temperature and enthalpy driven at high temperature. Isothermal titration calorimetry measurements were also carried out to study the micellization of Gemini silicone surfactant. 1 H NMR was performed to study the silicone surfactant micelle formation mechanism in EAN. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2733-8 Authors Shaohua Zhang, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100 China Jie Liu, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059 China Na Li, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014 China Xiujie Yang, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100 China Liqiang Zheng, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100 China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Novel polymerizable red and yellow dyes, consisting of anthraquinone chromophore, alkyl spacer, and acryloyl group, were first synthesized and then used as comonomers in the semicontinuous emulsion copolymerization of styrene, butyl acrylate, and methacrylic acid to fabricate polymer latexes. The influences of the dye monomers on the emulsion polymerization process, the latex particle size and its distribution, the molecular weight of the latex polymer, as well as the light fastness of the polymer latex films, were investigated. Results indicated that, despite of the inhibition effect of the polymerizable dyes on polymerization, stable colored polymer latexes could be prepared with high conversion of total monomers, whereas the conversion of the polymerizable dye decreased as increasing the amount of dye. The light fastness of the covalently colored polymer latex films was proved to be much better than that of the noncovalently colored polymer latex films due to the covalent bond of dye and polymer chains. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2718-7 Authors Botian Li, Department of Chemical Engineering and Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials of Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 People’s Republic of China Jie Shen, Department of Chemical Engineering and Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials of Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 People’s Republic of China Ruibin Liang, Department of Chemical Engineering and Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials of Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 People’s Republic of China Wenjiao Ji, Department of Chemical Engineering and Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials of Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 People’s Republic of China Chengyou Kan, Department of Chemical Engineering and Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials of Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Silver–polypyrrole (PPy) core–shell nanoparticles have been fabricated by a facile one-step “green” synthesis using silver nitrate as an oxidant and soluble starch as an environmentally benign stabilizer and co-reducing agent. The morphology and optical properties of the particles were significantly affected by the reaction temperature, soluble starch concentration, and ratio of pyrrole monomer to AgNO 3 oxidant. The core–shell nanoparticles exhibited outstanding dispersive properties in deionized water due to residual starch, as compared with PPy nanoparticles in which starch was absent. The mechanism of core–shell nanoparticle formation was elucidated through TEM imaging vs. reaction time. The colloidal and chemical stability of the nanoparticles was demonstrated in a variety of solvents, including acids, bases, and ionic and organic solvents, through monitoring the localized surface plasmon resonance of the nanoparticles. Furthermore, the catalytic properties of these silver–PPy core–shell nanoparticles were also demonstrated. Figure  Schematic illustration of silver-PPy core-shell nanoparticle formation and methylene blue (MB) reduction using the core-shell nanoparticles as a catalyst. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2731-x Authors Mincheol Chang, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30332-0100, USA Elsa Reichmanis, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30332-0100, USA Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The effects of temperature and interfacial elasticity on nanostructured titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) microemulsions templated materials have been investigated. The aim was to establish a simple and rapid selection of the best experimental conditions for achieving some required material property. TiO 2 materials have been prepared through reactive microemulsion precipitation. The effect of microemulsion process parameters (temperature and oil phase density) on the final material characteristics has been investigated. The titania nanopowders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and N 2 adsorption–desorption isotherms. The results obtained by different process conditions show that the nonpolar phase density and temperature of microemulsions have a great influence on the final characteristics of the obtained material. A reduction of the microemulsion oil density causes a significant decrease in the particle agglomeration and an augment of the material-specific surface area and pore volume. At the same time, rutile is favored over anatase phase. The increase of template microemulsion temperature produces, in some systems, a morphology change from granular to a bicontinuous structure. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2798-4 Authors Paula V. Messina, Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, CONICET-INQUISUR, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina Valeria Verdinelli, Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, CONICET-INQUISUR, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina Olga Pieroni, Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, CONICET-INQUISUR, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina Juan Manuel Ruso, Soft Matter and Molecular Biophysics Group, Facultade de Física, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Three chromophores with tricyanofuran and tricyanopyrroline electron acceptors were synthesized and doped in high glass transition temperature ( T g ) polymer poly( N -(4-acetoxylphenyl)maleimide-co-styrene, NAPMI-co-ST). The electro-optic (EO), optical, and thermal properties of the doped poly(NAPMI-co-ST) were characterized and discussed. After being corona poled under 12 kV, this high T g polymer material showed excellent EO activity and thermal stability. The highest EO coefficient ( r 33 ) reached 48.2 pm V −1 (1,310 nm) and could remain 90 % of the original value for 100 h at 85 °C. The EO coefficient was relatively higher compared with other high T g EO polymers. The thermal stability was also very good and the manufacture process was convenient and applicable for device fabrication. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2764-1 Authors Rong Zhang, Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 People’s Republic of China Jialei Liu, Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 People’s Republic of China Shuhui Bo, Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 People’s Republic of China Guowei Deng, Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 People’s Republic of China Chengcheng Peng, Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 People’s Republic of China Xinhou Liu, Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 People’s Republic of China Zhen Zhen, Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Poly(alkyl methacrylate)/poly(thiophene) (PAMA/PTh) core/shell nanoparticles were synthesized using a one-pot dual initiation system. A ferric chloride/hydrogen peroxide mixture and sodium vinyl sulfonate were used as an initiator couple and a reactive surfactant, respectively. In the dual initiation, process variables such as the concentration of reactive surfactant, monomer ratio, and monomer type were adjusted to control the particle size of PAMA/PTh core/shell nanoparticles from 192 to 1,172 nm. The inner structure of the core/shell nanoparticles was confirmed in their morphological transition from spherical particles to a crumpled sheath using a solvent extraction method and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. From the spectroscopic data, it was found that the UV-adsorption and fluorescent emission intensity of PAMA/PTh latexes increased with a decrease in the average particle size. The quantum efficiency of all the samples was approximately 12 % and was unaffected by the particle size. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2791-y Authors Seung Mo Lee, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-Dong, Seodaemoon-Gu, Seoul, 120-749 South Korea Wonseok Cho, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-Dong, Seodaemoon-Gu, Seoul, 120-749 South Korea Subramani Sankaraiah, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-Dong, Seodaemoon-Gu, Seoul, 120-749 South Korea Sun Jong Lee, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-Dong, Seodaemoon-Gu, Seoul, 120-749 South Korea Jung Hyun Kim, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-Dong, Seodaemoon-Gu, Seoul, 120-749 South Korea In Woo Cheong, Department of Applied Chemistry, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu, 702-701 South Korea Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Poly(acrylic acid- b -styrene) (PAA- b -PS) amphiphilic block copolymers were synthesized by consecutive telomerization of tert -butyl acrylate, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene, and hydrolysis. The resulting block copolymers were characterized by 1 H NMR and GPC. These amphiphilic block copolymeric micelles were prepared by dialysis against water. Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) and laser particle sizer measurements were used to determine the morphology and size of these micelles. The results showed that these amphiphilic block copolymers formed spherical micelles with average size of 140–190 nm. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) and the kinetic stability of these micelles were investigated by fluorescence technique, using pyrene as a fluorescence probe. The observed CMC value was in the range of 0.075–0.351 mg/L. Kinetic stability studies showed that the stability of micelles increased with the decrease of the pH value of the solution. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2799-3 Authors Guang Hua Li, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Resource Processing and Process Intensification Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, No. 100 Daxue East Road, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, People’s Republic of China Ping Ping Yang, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Resource Processing and Process Intensification Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, No. 100 Daxue East Road, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, People’s Republic of China Zhen Sheng Gao, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Resource Processing and Process Intensification Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, No. 100 Daxue East Road, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, People’s Republic of China Yuan Qin Zhu, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Resource Processing and Process Intensification Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, No. 100 Daxue East Road, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    In this paper, we study equilibrium three-dimensional shapes of drops on hysteretic surfaces. We develop a function coupled with the publicly available surface energy minimization code Surface Evolver to handle contact angle hysteresis. The function incorporates a model for the mobility of the triple line into Surface Evolver. The only inputs to the model are the advancing and receding contact angles of the surface. We demonstrate this model’s versatility by studying three problems in which parts of the triple line advance while other parts either recede or remain stationary. The first problem focuses on the three-dimensional shape of a static pendant drop on a vertical surface. We predict the finite drop volume when impending sliding motion is observed. In the second problem, we examine the equilibrium shapes of coalescing sessile drops on hysteretic surfaces. Finally, we study coalescing puddles in which gravity plays a leading role in determining the equilibrium puddle shape along with hysteresis. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2774-z Authors Bharadwaj R. Prabhala, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38501, USA Mahesh V. Panchagnula, Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, TN 600036, India Srikanth Vedantam, Department of Engineering Design, Indian Institute, of Technology Madras, Chennai, TN 600036, India Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The wetting of solid surfaces is treated. The Young and receding contact angles are experimentally unattainable values for the majority of solid surfaces. Actually, we always observe the apparent contact angle. This makes the characterization of wetting of real surfaces problematic. It is proposed in this paper to characterize wetting of real surfaces with the advancing contact angle and the minimum work of adhesion calculated according to the Dupre equation. The advancing contact angle, which depends slightly on the experimental technique used for its measurement, corresponds to the maximal solid/liquid surface tension and correspondingly to the minimal work of adhesion, calculated according to the Dupre equation. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2778-8 Authors Edward Bormashenko, Physics Department, Ariel University Center of Samaria, P. O.B. 3, 40700 Ariel, Israel Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Static light-scattering measurements of deionized suspensions of the thermosensitive gels of poly( N -isopropylacrylamide) with various degrees of cross-linking and sizes were made at 20 and 40 °C. Sharp scattering peaks are observed in the scattering curve, and they were attributed to the face-centered cubic ( fcc ) and/or body-centered cubic lattices ( bcc ) in the distribution of gel spheres. The fcc and bcc crystal structures formed in the stable and unstable conditions, respectively, i.e., the former formed more favorably at high sphere concentrations and/or low temperatures. The closest intersphere distances were much longer than the hydrodynamic diameters of the gel spheres especially at low sphere concentrations. These experimental results emphasize the important role of the extended electrical double layers in the crystallization of gel spheres, though the contribution of the double layers in gel systems is weak compared with that in the typical colloidal spheres. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2770-3 Authors Tsuneo Okubo, Institute for Colloidal Organization, Hatoyama 3-1-112, Uji, Kyoto 611-0012, Japan Daisuke Suzuki, International Young Researchers Empowerment Center, Shinshu University, 3-15-1, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan Akira Tsuchida, Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University, Gifu, Gifu 501-1193, Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Irradiation of metallic surfaces using ultra-short pulse laser results in a dual-scale structure. While metallic surfaces are superhydrophilic immediately after laser irradiation, prolonged exposure to air renders surfaces superhydrophobic due to surface reactions and deposition of carbonaceous materials onto the surface. In this work, we have fabricated a paraboloid microstructure, which is analyzed thermodynamically through the use of the Gibbs free energy to obtain the equilibrium contact angle and contact angle hysteresis. The effects of the geometrical details on maximizing the superhydrophobicity of the nanopatterned surface are also discussed in an attempt to design surfaces with desired and/or optimum wetting characteristics. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2746-3 Authors Sona Moradi, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada Peter Englezos, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada Savvas G. Hatzikiriakos, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Thermo-responsive polymeric micelles of poly (ethylene glycol)- b -poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate- g -lactide)- b -poly( N -isopropylacrylamide) (PEG-P(HEMA-PLA)-PNIPAM) with core–shell–corona structure were fabricated for applications in controlled drug release. The graft copolymer of PEG-P(HEMA-PLA)-PNIPAM was self-assembled into core–shell micelles with a densely PLA core and mixed PEG/PNIPAM shells at 25 °C in aqueous media. By increasing the temperature above the lower critical solution temperature of PNIPAM, these core–shell micelles could be converted into core–shell–corona micelles because of the collapse of PNIPAM block on the PLA core as the inner shell and the soluble PEG block stretching outside as the outer corona. Anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded in the polymeric micelles as a model drug. Compared with polymeric micelles formed by liner PEG- b -PLA- b -PNIPAM triblock copolymer, these polymeric micelles exhibited higher loading capacity, and release of DOX from the polymeric micelles with core–shell–corona structure was well-controlled. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2794-8 Authors Chenglin Wu, School of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province 317000, People’s Republic of China Anguo Ying, School of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province 317000, People’s Republic of China Shibin Ren, School of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province 317000, People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Surface morphology of positively or negatively birefringent spherulites in melt-crystallized neat poly(ethylene adipate) (PEA) vs. PEA blend with phenoxy was examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy, polarizing optical microscopy, thermal analysis, and wide-angle X-ray techniques. Their top-surface morphology in thin film forms was analyzed to fully expounded the lamellar assembly responsible for the opposite birefringence. Top-surface lamellar assemblies in positive/negative types of ringless spherulites ( T c = 0, 15, 20, 40 °C) and also alternating birefringence of double-ring-banded spherulite ( T c = 28 °C) of PEA/phenoxy blend were examined with AFM. From the results, spherulite’s positive and negative birefringence differs only in interior lamellar arrangements but not lattice geometries. Negative spherulites are composed of radially oriented edge-on lamellae, while positive spherulites are composed of bending/coiling edge-on lamellae. By contrast, the ring-banded spherulites can exhibit both negative and positive birefringence depending on the alternating radial and tangential lamellar arrangement. The addition of phenoxy into PEA could disrupt the regular lamellar bending and promote the singularity of edge-on lamellae; owing to that, the amorphous phenoxy induces looser arrangement of edge-on lamellae with phenoxy being in interlamellar/interfibrillar regions. The bulky linking pendent group phenoxy, with H-bonding capacity interacting with PEA, also disrupts the regularity of tangential–radial PEA lamellae to display a more zigzag pattern. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2793-9 Authors Graecia Lugito, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701-01 Taiwan Eamor M. Woo, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701-01 Taiwan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    In this paper, a series of hybrid star PLLA (sPLLA) with different arm lengths was synthesized via the hydrosilylation between octakis(dimethylsiloxy) silsesquioxane (Q 8 M 8 ) and functionalized PLLA macromolecules with vinyl end groups (mPLLA). mPLLA was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of l -lactide using 2-hydroxyethylmethacryl as an initiator in the presence of stannous 2-ethylhexanoate as a catalyst. The obtained sPLLA has low polydispersity with polydispersity index values from 1.29 to 1.30. The arm numbers of sPLLA vary from 5 to 7 and decrease with the increase in the length of the mPLLA arm due to the steric hindrance, which are estimated by 1 H NMR analysis. The branched structure of sPLLA is also evidenced by the lower intrinsic viscosity when compared with the linear mPLLA with similar molecular weight. Both the glass transition temperatures ( T g ’s) and melting temperatures ( T m ’s) of sPLLAs are higher than those of the mPLLA arms. The incorporation of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) does not change the crystalline structure of PLLA, while the crystallinity of sPLLA is enhanced as the result that the POSS core acts as a heterogeneous nucleating agent in the matrix to promote the crystallization ability of PLLA. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy observation suggests that POSS disperses in the crystalline PLLA matrix as 5–20 nm aggregates. Microspheres of sPLLA with mean diameter 1 to 2 μm were prepared via emulsion solvent evaporation method. The sPLLA microspheres have higher loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency and lower drug release rate than mPLLA microspheres. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2790-z Authors Xiaojing Zhang, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science, Zhengzhou, 450002 People’s Republic of China Chaojun Wang, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science, Zhengzhou, 450002 People’s Republic of China Shaoming Fang, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science, Zhengzhou, 450002 People’s Republic of China Jiashu Sun, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science, Zhengzhou, 450002 People’s Republic of China Chong Li, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science, Zhengzhou, 450002 People’s Republic of China Yuelei Hu, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science, Zhengzhou, 450002 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Multi-walled carbon nanotubes were chemically functionalized with methacrylic acid and methacrylated bovine serum albumin by free radical grafting reaction to obtain novel nanocomposites. The nanotubes were synthesized by aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition, and then the monomers were directly grafted by the action of hydrogen peroxide/ascorbic acid redox pair which allows operating in water-compatible and eco-friendly environment without the generation of any toxic reaction by-product. A multi-technique approach was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the grafting process employing Fourier transform infrared, Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analyses. Considering the high importance of methacrylate polymers and bovine serum albumin, the proposed nanocomposites could be of great applicability in biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2779-7 Authors Giuseppe Cirillo, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università della Calabria, Edificio Polifunzionale, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy Tommaso Caruso, CNISM-Dipartimento di Fisica, Università della Calabria, Ponte Bucci, Cubo 33c, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy Silke Hampel, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, PF 270116, 01171 Dresden, Germany Diana Haase, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, PF 270116, 01171 Dresden, Germany Francesco Puoci, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università della Calabria, Edificio Polifunzionale, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy Manfred Ritschel, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, PF 270116, 01171 Dresden, Germany Albrecht Leonhardt, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, PF 270116, 01171 Dresden, Germany Manuela Curcio, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università della Calabria, Edificio Polifunzionale, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy Francesca Iemma, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università della Calabria, Edificio Polifunzionale, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy Vyacheslav Khavrus, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, PF 270116, 01171 Dresden, Germany Mandy Grobosch, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, PF 270116, 01171 Dresden, Germany Nevio Picci, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università della Calabria, Edificio Polifunzionale, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The coemulsification method suitable for the formulation of microcapsules of n -eicosane coated with a polysiloxane is developed. This method allows to synthesize core–shell microcapsules of paraffin which have the shape of spheres or distorted spheres and are designed for the use as phase change materials. The microcapsules are formed in aqueous phase by the precipitation of n -eicosane together with modified polyhydromethylsiloxane from a common solvent which is miscible with aqueous media. The polysiloxane is modified by the attachment of silylvinyl and alkoxy functions before coemulsification with the paraffin. It also contains the Pt(0) Karstedt catalyst. The microcapsules formed by coemulsification are stabilized by the in situ cross-linking of the polysiloxane shell. The shell is additionally modified by the in situ generation of silanol groups which provide colloidal stabilization of microspheres in aqueous phase. Microcapsules were studied by DSC, SEM, optical polarized microscope, and by thermooptical analysis (TOA). Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2782-z Authors Witold Fortuniak, Center of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Łódź, Poland Stanislaw Slomkowski, Center of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Łódź, Poland Julian Chojnowski, Center of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Łódź, Poland Jan Kurjata, Center of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Łódź, Poland Adam Tracz, Center of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Łódź, Poland Urszula Mizerska, Center of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Łódź, Poland Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Advancing and receding contact angles of water, formamide and diiodomethane were measured on 1,2-dipalmitoyl- sn -glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) layers deposited on three different solid supports—glass, mica and poly(methyl methacrylate). Up to five statistical monolayers were deposited on the surfaces by spreading DPPC solution. It was found that even on five statistical DPPC monolayers, the hysteresis of a given liquid depends on the kind of solid support. Also on the same solid support the contact angle hysteresis is different for each probe liquid used. The AFM images show that the heights of roughness of the DPPC films cannot be the primary cause of the observed hysteresis because the heights are too small to cause the observed hystereses. It is believed that the hysteresis is due to the liquid film present right behind the three-phase solid surface/liquid drop/gas (vapour) contact line and the presence of Derjaguin pressure. The value of contact angle hysteresis depends on both the solid surface and liquid properties as well as on intermolecular interactions between them. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2777-9 Authors Emil Chibowski, Department of Physical Chemistry-Interfacial Phenomena, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland Malgorzata Jurak, Department of Physical Chemistry-Interfacial Phenomena, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Contact angle hysteresis is an important physical phenomenon. It is omnipresent in nature and also plays a crucial role in various industrial processes. Despite its relevance, there is a lack of consensus on how to incorporate a description of contact angle hysteresis into physical models. To clarify this, starting from the basic definition of contact angle hysteresis, we introduce the formalism and models for implementing contact angle hysteresis into relevant physical phenomena. Furthermore, we explain the influence of the contact angle hysteresis in physical phenomena relevant for industrial applications such as sliding drops, coffee stain phenomenon (in general evaporative self-assembly), and curtain and wire coating techniques. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2796-6 Authors H. B. Eral, Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA D. J. C. M. ’t Mannetje, Physics of Complex Fluids, TNW, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands J. M. Oh, Physics of Complex Fluids, TNW, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Soap-free emulsion polymerizations of aromatic vinyl monomers using 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (AIBN) were investigated to clarify the origin of the negative charge of the synthesized particles. It was found that the zeta potential and size of the particles synthesized by soap-free emulsion polymerization using AIBN had a strong relationship with the pi electron cloud density in the aromatic vinyl monomer used in the polymerization. The effect of the position of the substituent atom in the phenyl ring on the synthesized particle properties was small. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-3 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2807-7 Authors Tetsuya Yamamoto, Department of Chemical Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1, Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, 739-8527 Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    In this paper, the icephobic properties of superhydrophobic surfaces are investigated under dynamic flow conditions using a closed-loop low-temperature wind tunnel. Superhydrophobic surfaces were prepared by coating aluminum and steel substrate plates with nano-structured hydrophobic particles. The superhydrophobic plates, along with uncoated controls, were exposed to a wind tunnel air flow of 12 m/s and −7 °C with deviations of ±1 m/s and ±2.5 °C, respectively, containing micrometer-sized (∼50 μm in diameter) water droplets. The ice formation and accretion were observed by CCD cameras. Results show that the superhydrophobic coatings significantly delay ice formation and accretion even under the dynamic flow condition of highly energetic impingement of accelerated supercooled water droplets. It is found that there is a time scale for this phenomenon (delay in ice formation) which has a clear correlation with contact angle hysteresis and the length scale of the surface roughness of the superhydrophobic surface samples, being the highest for the plate with the lowest contact angle hysteresis and finest surface roughness. The results suggest that the key for designing icephobic surfaces under the hydrodynamic pressure of impinging droplets is to retain a non-wetting superhydrophobic state with low contact angle hysteresis, rather than to only have a high apparent contact angle (conventionally referred to as a “static” contact angle). Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2753-4 Authors Mohammad Amin Sarshar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07050, USA Christopher Swarctz, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07050, USA Scott Hunter, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA John Simpson, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA Chang-Hwan Choi, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07050, USA Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Hydrophilic laser-textured silicon wafers with natural oxide surfaces were rendered hydrophobic by depositing electrostatically charged submicrometer Teflon particles, a process termed as triboelectric Teflon adhesion. Silicon surfaces were micro-textured (∼5 μm) by laser ablation using a nanosecond pulsed UV laser. By varying laser fluence, micro-texture morphology of the wafers could be reproduced and well controlled. Wetting properties of the triboelectrically charged Teflon-deposited surfaces were studied by measuring apparent static water contact angles and water contact angle hysteresis as a function of substrate roughness and the amount of Teflon deposited. A similar study was also performed on various micro-textured silicon carbide surfaces (sandpapers). If the average substrate roughness is between 15 and 60 μm, superhydrophobic surfaces can be easily formed by Teflon deposition with water contact angle hysteresis less than 8°. This environmentally benign solvent-free process is a highly efficient, rapid, and inexpensive way to render contact-charged rough surfaces hydrophobic or superhydrophobic. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2757-0 Authors Ilker S. Bayer, Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies@UNILE, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Barsanti 1, 73010 Arnesano, Lecce, Italy Fernando Brandi, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), via Morego 30, 16152 Genoa, Italy Roberto Cingolani, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), via Morego 30, 16152 Genoa, Italy Athanassia Athanassiou, Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies@UNILE, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Barsanti 1, 73010 Arnesano, Lecce, Italy Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Dispersion of fullerene, C 60 , by addition of polymethacrylate dispersant in methyl methacrylate (MMA) and incorporation of C 60 into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were investigated. Copolymers synthesized by radical copolymerization of MMA and 2-naphthyl methacrylate (NMA), poly(MMA- co -NMA), effectively dispersed C 60 in MMA to form clusters of 20 nm. In these cases, addition of minimal 110 naphthyl groups per unit C 60 molecule afforded to give clusters with minimum of 20 nm sizes. Furthermore, block copolymers, poly(MMA- b -NMA) with MMA/NMA mole ratio from 12:1 to 20:1, also efficiently dispersed C 60 to give formation of clusters of 20 nm size by addition of minimal 40 naphthyl groups per unit C 60 molecule, which was corresponding to approximate nine layers of naphthyl group in block copolymer adsorbed on the surface of the cluster. Hybrid films of C 60 /PMMA, prepared by casting of C 60 -dispersed solution containing PMMA, exhibited absorbance at 400 nm linearly increased with C 60 content. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2707-x Authors Kohji Yoshinaga, Division of Chemistry and Materials Science, Faculty of Engineering, Nagasaki University, 14-1 Bunkyo, Nagasaki, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan Suguru Motokucho, Division of Chemistry and Materials Science, Faculty of Engineering, Nagasaki University, 14-1 Bunkyo, Nagasaki, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan Ken Kojio, Division of Chemistry and Materials Science, Faculty of Engineering, Nagasaki University, 14-1 Bunkyo, Nagasaki, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan Akemi Nakai, Department of Human Living, Kyushu Women’s University, 1-1 Jiyugaoka, Yahatanishi, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8856, Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The use of magnetic latex particles as solid support in biomedical applications is favourable when homogeneous and well-defined core–shell polymer particles are used. Accordingly, this paper concerns with the synthesis of magnetic poly(styrene–divinylbenzene) latex particles using emulsion polymerization of styrene (St) and divinylbenzene (DVB) monomers in the presence of preformed oil in water organic ferrofluid emulsion droplets as seed. The key parameters which affect on formation and morphology of the prepared magnetic latexes were investigated, including type of magnetic emulsion, St/DVB monomers ratio, DVB amount, type of initiator and surfactant nature. In this study, two different magnetic emulsions were used, low and high octane content magnetic emulsions. The magnetic emulsions were stabilized using different types of surfactants including AP, Triton X 405 and SDS. In addition, four different initiators, including AIBN, V50, ACPA and KPS were examined. The morphology of the prepared magnetic latexes was investigated using transmission electron microscopy. In addition, particle size and size distribution, magnetic content and magnetic properties of the prepared magnetic latexes were also examined, using various techniques, e.g. dynamic light scattering, thermal gravimetric analysis and vibrating sample magnetometer, respectively. The results showed that the morphology type (Janus like, moon like and/or core–shell) of the prepared magnetic latex particles could be controlled depending mainly on the used formulation. In fact, the use of styrene monomer leads to anisotropic morphology. Whereas, the progressive use of DVB in presence of KPS intiator leads to a well-defined magnetic core and polymer shell structure. Figure    Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2700-4 Authors S. Braconnot, University of Lyon, F- 69622 Lyon, France M. M. Eissa, University of Lyon, F- 69622 Lyon, France A. Elaissari, University of Lyon, F- 69622 Lyon, France Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Encapsulation of ionic liquid, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)amide ([Hmim][TFSA]), was carried out by microsuspension polymerization of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDM) utilizing the self-assembling of phase-separated polymer method, which had been proposed by us for the preparation of hollow polymer particles. After the optimization of the polymerization conditions, ionic liquid-encapsulated polymer particles, which have smooth surface morphology and a single hollow structure, were successfully prepared. Encapsulation efficiency of [Hmim][TFSA] was significantly improved from about 20–70 % by changing the shell polymer from polyEGDM homopolymer to poly(EGDM-butyl methacrylate) (50/50, w / w ) copolymer, which was likely to have relatively low affinity for [Hmim][TFSA]. Additionally, ionic liquid-encapsulated polymer particles displaying ionic conductivity were successfully prepared using triethylene glycol dimethacrylate as divinyl monomer instead of EGDM. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2691-1 Authors Hideto Minami, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, Kobe, 657-8501 Japan Hiroki Fukaumi, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, Kobe, 657-8501 Japan Masayoshi Okubo, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, Kobe, 657-8501 Japan Toyoko Suzuki, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, Kobe, 657-8501 Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Graphene sheets can be effectively dispersed by a novel ionic liquid-based polyether, poly(1-glycidyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride) (PGMIC), in aqueous solution. The reduction of graphene oxide to graphene is confirmed by UV–Vis and Raman spectrum in aqueous solution of PGMIC. TEM image showed that the stable and uniform dispersion of graphene sheets were obtained. Both the TGA and AFM analysis indicated that the graphene sheet was covered by PGMIC. FTIR spectra demonstrated that n–π, cation–π interactions and electrostatic repulsions played important roles in the dispersion of graphene sheets. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2720-0 Authors Hejun Gao, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100 China Shaohua Zhang, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100 China Fei Lu, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100 China Han Jia, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100 China Liqiang Zheng, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100 China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    In this paper, hollow poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene-co-methacrylic acid) microparticles possessing various morphologies were synthesized by a combination of seeded polymerization and SPG membrane emulsification. Three families of polystyrene (PS) microspheres with various molecular weights but similar diameters were fabricated by SPG membrane emulsification. These PS microspheres were used as seeds to investigate the effect of their molecular weight on the phase separation between the PS seeds and microgel-like networks formed during seeded polymerization and on the morphologies of the resultant particles. Our study revealed that three resultant microparticles possessed diameters of ca. 10 μm and hollow cavities. The shell thickness of the particles became thinner as M w increased from 3.5 × 10 4 to 28.0 × 10 4 . The morphological evolution of the microparticles during seeded polymerization was monitored, and these results verified the influence of the molecular weight of the PS seeds on the phase separation behavior and hence the morphologies of the resultant particles. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2722-y Authors Gang Wang, The State Key Lab of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 People’s Republic of China Hongjing Dou, The State Key Lab of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 People’s Republic of China Kang Sun, The State Key Lab of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    A novel series of organic/inorganic/polymeric hybrid materials have been constructed from covalently bonding rare earth complexes into the inorganic matrix and polymer backbone. Among functional linkage, 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane is used to modify the hydroxyl group of p -hydroxycinnamic acid via substitution reaction to form the precursor, and the precursor is subsequently used to covalently bonding to acrylic acid, methyl acrylate, and vinyltriethoxysilane, respectively, through copolymerization reaction to form the organic/inorganic/polymeric network. In addition, we introduce the monomer 1,10-phenanthroline as the second reagent ligand for constructing the ternary luminescent hybrid material systems (abbreviated as HC-PMA-RE, HC =  p -hydroxycinnamic acid and 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane). The physical characterization and especially the photoluminescence property of ternary system are studied in detail, which present the regular microstructure and characteristic photoluminescence. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2713-z Authors Ying Li, School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Jungong Road 516, Shanghai, 200093 China Min Guo, Department of Chemistry, Tongji University, Siping Road 1239, Shanghai, 200092 China Bing Yan, Department of Chemistry, Tongji University, Siping Road 1239, Shanghai, 200092 China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Dynamic viscoelasticity measurements were carried out for concentrated solutions of linear d -glucans in BmimCl to examine the effect of the linkage between repeating units of glucose on the rheological properties. The values of molecular weight between entanglements ( M e ) were determined for four d -glucans: curdlan, pullulan, cellulose, and amylose. From the concentration dependence of M e , the value of M e in the molten state ( M e,melt ) for each d -glucan was estimated as a material constant. The order of M e,melt became cellulose 〈 pullulan 〈 curdlan 〈 amylose, indicating that the linkage is actually influential in M e,melt for the linear d -glucans. The relationship between M e,melt and the molecular structure of the d -glucans were discussed assuming that the values of M e,melt for the d -glucans primarily reflect the chain stiffness such as the characteristic ratio C ∞ on the analogy of synthetic polymers. Although the trend was not so clear, it was shown that N unit is a decreasing function of C ∞ . Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2728-5 Authors Jun-ichi Horinaka, Department of Material Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan Atsushi Okuda, Department of Material Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan Ryosuke Yasuda, Department of Material Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan Toshikazu Takigawa, Department of Material Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Combination of 1 H NMR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to investigate temperature-induced phase transition in D 2 O solutions of poly( N -isopropylmethacrylamide- co -acrylamide) random copolymers. Both the NMR and DSC data showed dependence on the acrylamide (AAm) content in the copolymer; with increasing AAm content, the phase transition is shifted to higher temperatures, and both phase-separated fractions determined by NMR and change of the enthalpy determined by DSC decrease faster than the content of thermosensitive N -isopropylmethacrylamide (NIPMAm) units in the copolymer. NMR data were used to construct van't Hoff plots, and changes of the enthalpy Δ H and entropy Δ S , characterizing the phase transition, were determined. As it follows from comparison of NMR and DSC thermodynamical parameters (Δ H values), the size of the cooperative units (domains), undergoing the transition as a whole, decreases with increasing AAm content in the copolymer since the NIPMAm collapsed domains are separated by regions with hydrated AAm and surrounding NIPMAm sequences. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2701-3 Authors Julie Šťastná, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, V Holešovičkách 2, 18000 Prague 8, Czech Republic Lenka Hanyková, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, V Holešovičkách 2, 18000 Prague 8, Czech Republic Jiří Spěváček, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovsky Sq. 2, 16206 Prague 6, Czech Republic Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Electrospun nylon-6 fibers were prepared from its polyelectrolyte solution in formic acid with different concentrtaions. In situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), wide-angle X-ray diffraction and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) were performed on the nylon-6 fibers heated to various temperatures until melting. For comparison, stepwise annealing of the solution-cast film having exclusively the α -form was also carried out to elucidate the structural evolution. Our results showed that Brill transition in the electrospun fibers occurs at a lower temperature than that in the solution-cast film due to the crystal size difference. Differential scanning calorimetry heating traces on the as-spun fibers exhibited a unique crystalline phase with a melting temperature of ∼235 °C, higher than the equilibrium melting temperature of nylon-6. The content of high melting temperature (HMT) phase increased with increasing nylon-6 concentration; a maximum of 30 % of the fiber crystallinity was reached for fibers obtained from the 22 wt.% solution regardless of the heating rates used. Based on the SAXS and FTIR results, we speculated that the HMT phase is associated with thick α -form crystals developed from the highly oriented nylon-6 chains that are preserved in the skin layer of the as-spun fibers. A plausible mechanism for the formation of the skin/core fiber morphology during electrospinning was proposed. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2724-9 Authors Chi Wang, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701 Taiwan Shih-Yung Tsou, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701 Taiwan Hsuan-Sheng Lin, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701 Taiwan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Micron-scale hollow spheres were successfully constructed with silica nanoparticles by templating of polymer spheres. Subsequently, the use of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) introduces carbon and oxygen defects in the silica nanoparticles resulting from calcination of the aminopropyl group. In this approach, the template of micron-scale polymer spheres was prepared from dispersion polymerization. Subsequent Stöber process results in the formation of a silica layer attached to the polymer sphere surfaces. After calcination, the obtained micron-scale hollow silica spheres were then studied on the relationship between the particle diameter and the surface morphology. The luminescence of hollow spheres was prepared through using APTES in Stöber process, and which of related the appearance of luminescence to the APTES concentration and calcination temperature. The results of this study can provide useful information for the structure of micron-scale hollow spheres and their application to luminescent materials. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2716-9 Authors Yi-Yu Liu, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, 300 Jhongda Road, Jhongli, 32001 Taiwan Shao-Liang Cheng, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, 300 Jhongda Road, Jhongli, 32001 Taiwan Hui Chen, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, 300 Jhongda Road, Jhongli, 32001 Taiwan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    A facile route was introduced to generate uniform raspberry-like gold@polyaniline (AuNP@PANI) particles in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). The surfactant SDS played an important role in both generating a uniform structure and stabilizing these particles. Upon addition of low-molecular weight organics, the regulation on the gold architecture was realized from a compact to stretched configuration owing to the change of surface tension and a possible swell process. The catalytic activity of the raspberry-like AuNP@PANI was investigated using the reduction of 4-nitrophenol by NaBH 4 and electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose as model reactions. It was found that the AuNP@PANI particles with the most stretched architecture presented the highest catalytic activity owing to their largest contact surface to the reactants. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2715-x Authors Xiaobin Xu, Faculty of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024 People’s Republic of China Xianchun Liu, Faculty of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024 People’s Republic of China Qun Yu, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 People’s Republic of China Wei Wang, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 People’s Republic of China Shuangxi Xing, Faculty of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Ionic semi-interpenetrating polymer networks composite hydrogels were synthesized by free-radical polymerization using dextran sulphate (DxS), acrylamide as monomer and N , N ′-methylene(bis)acrylamide as cross-linking agent. The viscoelastic properties of these composite hydrogels were investigated by oscillatory shear measurements under small deformation conditions comparative with those of polyacrylamide gels. Changes of the rheological properties of composite hydrogels have been studied in terms of polymerization temperature, cross-linker ratio, initial monomer concentration and molar mass of DxS. The results showed that the stability of the composite hydrogels obtained at room temperature (22 °C) was relatively low because the storage modulus ( G ′) was only eight times higher than the loss modulus ( G ″), while for those obtained by cryopolymerization (−18 °C), the stability was improved, the G ′ values being about 30 times higher than those of G ″. This behaviour indicated that, by conducting the synthesis of hydrogels below the freezing point of the reaction solutions, an enhancement of the hydrogels elasticity was achieved. The network parameters, i.e. the average molecular weight between two cross-links and the cross-link density of the composite hydrogels prepared at −18 °C, were estimated from rheological data. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2699-6 Authors Maria Valentina Dinu, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania Simona Schwarz, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden e. V., Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany Ionel Adrian Dinu, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania Ecaterina Stela Drăgan, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The electric conductivity is an important factor for reducing the switching voltage of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) films. The electric conductivity of polymer matrix is changed by doped nanographite which is uniform dispersed in polymer matrix in acid condition. The influence of doped nanographite to switching electric field is studied. With increasing of doped nanographite, the switching voltage is dramatically reduced. The effect of nanographite on the polymerization and electro-optic are discussed. The kinetic polymerization of the PDLCs is monitored in lights scattering by UV/VIS spectrometer. The polymerization speed is compared by the max scattering point in different samples which doped by nanographite. The electro-optic of PDLCs films is measured by Polarimeter (PerkinElmer Model 341) to determine the threshold voltage. Information gained from polarizing optical microscope and Fourier transform infrared image depict the morphology of the liquid crystal droplets dispersed in polymer matrix. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2698-7 Authors Jianhua Wang, The Science College of Shenyang University, Shenyang, 110044 People’s Republic of China Shuhui Shi, Shenyang Institute of Engineering, Shenyang, 110136 People’s Republic of China Xiao Han, The Science College of Shenyang University, Shenyang, 110044 People’s Republic of China Shiqi Zhou, The Science College of Shenyang University, Shenyang, 110044 People’s Republic of China Baoyan Zhang, The Centre for Molecular Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110004 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Preparation of natural rubber (NR) with a soft nanomatrix structure was made by graft-copolymerization of butyl acrylate (BA) onto deproteinized natural rubber with tert -butyl hydroperoxide/tetraetylenepentamine in latex stage. The resulting graft-copolymer of deproteinized natural rubber and poly (butyl acrylate) (DPNR- graft -PBA) was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Conversion and grafting efficiency of BA were dependent upon BA concentration, which were more than 90 mol% under a suitable condition of the graft-copolymerization. Morphology of DPNR- graft -PBA was observed by transmission electron microscopy after staining film specimens with I 2 vapor for 5 min. The NR particles of about 0.5 μm in diameter were dispersed in PBA matrix of about 15 nm in thickness. Storage modulus and loss tangent of DPNR- graft -PBA were measured, and they were related with the soft nanomatrix structure. The tensile strength and elongation at break decreased as monomer concentration increased. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2703-1 Authors Kenichiro Kosugi, Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan Ratchaniwan Sutthangkul, Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand Oraphin Chaikumpollert, Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan Yoshimasa Yamamoto, Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tokyo National College of Technology, 1220-2 Kunugida-machi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 193-0997 Japan Jitladda Sakdapipanich, Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand Yoshinobu Isono, Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan Seiichi Kawahara, Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Hierarchical mesostructures of poly(ε-caprolactone)- b -poly(ethylene oxide)- b -poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL-PEO-PCL) triblock copolymers have been grown from evaporation-induced self-assembly directed by alkali metal ions. The self-assembly process began with a dilute homogeneous solution of the triblock copolymers in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran (THF) and water. THF preferentially evaporated under reduced pressure and induced the formation of amphiphilic polymer micelles. The spherical polymer micelles formed both in deionized water and NaOH aqueous solution. However, different mesostructures were discovered during the film depositing process for scanning electron microscopy observation. The polymer micelles were observed for the deposition sample in deionized water while sisal-like hierarchical mesostructures resulted from the film deposition of polymer micelles in NaOH aqueous solution. The sisal-like mesostructures and their formation process were observed through scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fluorescent microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Detailed study revealed that during evaporation-induced self-assembly of PCL-PEO-PCL amphiphilic triblock copolymer directed by alkali metal ions, the sodium ions and polymer micelles increasingly concentrated in NaOH aqueous solution and the solvent quality for the diblock progressively decreased, which resulted in the stronger coordination between alkali metal ions and PEO ligands in the block copolymer and PEO segment crystallization. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2681-3 Authors Jun-Bing Fan, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China Feng Long, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China Zhi-Wu Liang, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China Matthew P. Aldred, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China Ming-Qiang Zhu, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    One-dimensional (ID) magnetic thermosensitive Fe 3 O 4 /poly( N -isopropylacrylamide– N , N ′-methylenebisacrylamide) (P(NIPAM-MBA)) peapod-like nanochains have been successfully synthesized by magnetic-field-induced precipitation polymerization using Fe 3 O 4 as building blocks and P(NIPAM-MBA) as linker. Fe 3 O 4 microspheres can be arranged with the direction of an external magnetic field in a line via the dipolar interaction between Fe 3 O 4 microspheres and linked permanently via P(NIPAM-MBA) coating during precipitation polymerization. 1D magnetic Fe 3 O 4 /P(NIPAM-MBA) peapod-like nanochains can be oriented and aligned along the direction of the external magnetic field. More interestingly, Fe 3 O 4 microspheres in each peapod were regularly arranged in a line and periodically separated through the P(NIPAM-MBA) layers with a visible interparticle spacing. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2696-9 Authors Mingliang Ma, Key Laboratory of Applied Physics and Chemistry in Space of Ministry of Education, School of Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, 710129 China Qiuyu Zhang, Key Laboratory of Applied Physics and Chemistry in Space of Ministry of Education, School of Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, 710129 China Jinbo Dou, Key Laboratory of Applied Physics and Chemistry in Space of Ministry of Education, School of Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, 710129 China Hepeng Zhang, Key Laboratory of Applied Physics and Chemistry in Space of Ministry of Education, School of Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, 710129 China Wangchang Geng, Key Laboratory of Applied Physics and Chemistry in Space of Ministry of Education, School of Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, 710129 China Dezhong Yin, Key Laboratory of Applied Physics and Chemistry in Space of Ministry of Education, School of Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, 710129 China Shaojie Chen, Key Laboratory of Applied Physics and Chemistry in Space of Ministry of Education, School of Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, 710129 China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Two novel soluble polyarylates with different nonlinear optical chromophores as the side chains were prepared and characterized by UV–visible spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance, and infrared spectroscopy. The titled polymers show us good thermal stability; the thermal decomposition temperature values were 201 and 253 °C, respectively, for polymer sPAR-CTCF and sPAR-CTCP. The glass transition temperatures were 139 and 122 °C for sPAR-CTCF and sPAR-CTCP, respectively. Chromophore FTC-wl was doped in these polymers as a guest chromophore to form binary chromophore electro-optic (EO) system. And super large EO coefficients (124 pm/V) were found from FTC-wl-doped sPAR-CTCP binary chromophore system at high chromophore loading density. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2695-x Authors Jialei Liu, Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 People’s Republic of China Liang Wang, Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 People’s Republic of China Zhen Zhen, Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 People’s Republic of China Xinhou Liu, Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Salt-induced fast aggregation of oil-in-water nano-emulsions stabilized by the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate was analyzed by employing dynamic and static light scattering techniques. Nano-emulsions with different ratios of dodecane/hexadecane were studied. The time evolution of the average size of all nano-emulsions collapsed in the same curve despite differences in the composition of the oil phase. A power law growing and a value of the homogeneity parameter similar to that typically found in model solid particle systems in diffusive aggregation regime were found. A value of 2.4 was estimated for the effective fractal dimension both from the scaling of scattered intensity with scattering wave vector modulus and from the kinetic scaling. This result indicates that the aggregates are more compact structures compared with model solid systems. It can be explained as a result of the effect of polydispersity in the primary droplet size and the coalescence events that occur inside the aggregates. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2680-4 Authors Aileen Lozsan, Centro de Estudios Interdisciplinarios de la Física, Laboratorio de Dispersiones e Interfases, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Apartado 20632, Caracas, 1020A Venezuela Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Thermoresponsive microgels consisting of poly( N -isopropylacrylamide) cores and poly( N -isopropylmethacrylamide) shells cross-linked with the hydrolytically degradable cross-linker N , O -dimethacryloyl hydroxylamine were synthesized. Their swelling and erosion properties were characterized using a variety of analytical tools including dynamic light scattering, asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation–multiangle light scattering, and atomic force microscopy. Shell addition leads to particle densification due to the added polymer and the mechanical, compressive force applied by the shell. Upon hydrolytic degradation of the shell cross-links, mechanical and chemical changes occur throughout the core and shell, leading to softer and more porous shells that permit greater core swelling. Such changes, which are triggered on exposure to physiologic conditions, are of potential utility within the realm of triggered drug delivery. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2692-0 Authors Jeffrey C. Gaulding, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA Antoinette B. South, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA L. Andrew Lyon, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Effects of some sodium salts (NaCl, NaClO 3 , and NaSCN) in the Hofmeister series on deswelling and temperature-induced aggregation behavior of microgels of poly( N -isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAM) and PNIPAAM- co -PAA with attached poly(acrylic acid) moieties were investigated with the aid of turbidimetry and dynamic light scattering. Addition of salt in the concentration range 0.1–0.5 M generated aggregation of the PNIPAAM microgel particles at elevated temperatures, but it was no distinct difference between chaotropic and kosmotropic anions. In contrast, the flocculation behavior at high temperatures for PNIPAAM- co -PAA revealed a prominent influence of salinity and type of anion on the formation of aggregates. The aggregation transition was shifted to the highest temperature for the most chaotropic anion (SCN − ), and the aggregation transition at the same salt concentration is consistent with the typical Hofmeister series. The turbidity results from the PNIPAAM- co -PAA microgels disclosed a two-step transition for the considered anions, and both a low and high temperature change in the turbidity data was observed. The high-temperature transition followed the Hofmeister series. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2689-8 Authors Shirin Fanaian, Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1033, Blindern, 0315 Oslo, Norway Nodar Al-Manasir, Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1033, Blindern, 0315 Oslo, Norway Kaizheng Zhu, Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1033, Blindern, 0315 Oslo, Norway Anna-Lena Kjøniksen, Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1033, Blindern, 0315 Oslo, Norway Bo Nyström, Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1033, Blindern, 0315 Oslo, Norway Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Dispersions of isotactic polypropylene (PP) particles in polystyrene (PS) were produced by interfacially driven breakup of nanolayers in multilayered systems that were fabricated by means of layer-multiplying coextrusion. The droplet size was controlled by the individual PP layer thickness ranging from 12 to 200 nm. In addition, PP was melt blended with PS to produce PP droplets larger than those formed by breakup of nanolayers. The dispersions of PP particles in the PS matrix were melted and annealed under high pressure of 200 MPa. Only the largest PP droplets, with average sizes of 170 μm, crystallized predominantly in the γ form. In the 42-μm droplets obtained by breakup of 200 nm layers, a minor content of the γ form was found whereas the smaller droplets obtained by breakup of the thinner nanolayers contained the α form and/or the mesophase. The results showed that the γ phase formed only in the droplets sufficiently large to contain the most active heterogeneities nucleating PP crystallization under atmospheric pressure. It is concluded that the presence of nucleating heterogeneities is necessary for crystallization of PP in the γ form under high pressure. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-012-2686-y Authors Kinga Zapala, Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90 363 Lodz, Poland Ewa Piorkowska, Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90 363 Lodz, Poland Anne Hiltner, Center for Applied Polymer Research, Department of Macromolecular Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-7202, USA Eric Baer, Center for Applied Polymer Research, Department of Macromolecular Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-7202, USA Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X