ALBERT

Description:    In this paper, multicolored micelles were prepared by coordination of lanthanide(III) (europium(III) (Eu(III)) and terbium(III) (Tb(III))) ions with block copolymer in different molar ratios of n Eu(III) / n Tb(III) . The micelles formed by polymer–Eu(III)/Tb(III) could emit higher quantum yield luminescence than the mixture of polymer–Eu(III) micelles and polymer–Tb(III) micelles. The micelles containing Eu(III) and Tb(III) could emit a yellow-green color, and the intensity varied with the molar ratios of n Eu(III) / n Tb(III) . In the constant concentrations of Eu(III) and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen), the intensity of 5 D 0 → 7 F 2 increased with the addition of Tb(III), and the intensity of 5 D 4 → 7 F 5 decreased with the increasing of Eu(III) in the constant concentrations of Tb(III) and Phen. All the multicolored micelles could be spin-coated as intensity-tunable films. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2434-8 Authors Zhaoye Li, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 China Rujiang Ma, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 China Ang Li, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 China Huan He, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 China Yingli An, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 China Linqi Shi, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    In this paper, the polyhedral Pt nanoparticles under control were prepared by polyol method using AgNO 3 and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) in the reduction of H 2 PtCl 6 with ethylene glycol (EG). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution (HR) TEM measurements were used to investigate their characterization. In the case of the previous removal of PVP by washing and heating at 300°C, the specific morphologies of polyhedral Pt nanoparticles were still observed. However, the removal of PVP only by heat treatment at 300°C without washing causes the significant variation of their morphology. The large Pt particles were observed in the self-aggregation and assembly of the as-prepared polyhedral Pt nanoparticles. The pure Pt nanoparticles by washing and heat treatment showed the electrocatalytic property better than PVP-Pt nanoparticles by heat treatment due to the incomplete removal of PVP and by-products from AgNO 3 . Therefore, the removal modes of PVP without changing their characterization are required to obtain the good catalytic performance. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2460-6 Authors Nguyen Viet Long, Department of Education and Training, Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology, Km 10 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, Vietnam Michitaka Ohtaki, Department of Molecular and Material Sciences, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University, 6-1 Kasugakouen, Kasuga, Fukuoka, 816-8580 Japan Masayuki Nogami, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8555 Japan Tong Duy Hien, Laboratory for Nanotechnology, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The phase behavior, structures, and rheological properties of lecithin/tetradecyltrimethylammonium hydroxide (TTAOH)/water system were investigated by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), polarization optical microscope, 1 H and 31 P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, surface tension, and rheological measurements. With the variation of mixing molar ratios and concentrations of lecithin and TTAOH, the system exhibits the phase transition from micelles (L 1 phase) to vesicles (L α phase) through a phase separation region. The rod-like micelles, uni- and multilamellar vesicles were determined by means of cryo-TEM observations. The surface tension and rheological measurements were performed to follow the phase transition. The samples of L 1 phase region behave as Newton fluids at low concentration of lecithin. With the increase of the lecithin concentration, a shear-thinning L 1 phase at the shearing rate 100 s −1 was found. The samples of \text L a phase region show viscoelastic properties of the typical vesicles. The interactions between lecithin and TTAOH were monitored by 1 H and 31 P NMR spectra. These results could contribute towards the understanding of the basic function of lecithin in biological membranes and membranous organelles. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2468-y Authors Xiangzhu Zhou, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100 People’s Republic of China Shuli Dong, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100 People’s Republic of China Jingcheng Hao, Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    We synthesized silica-coated soft magnetic carbonyl iron (CI) particles through a modified Stöber method, in which the CI particles were pretreated with a grafting agent to enhance the affinity of a precursor of silica. Synthesized magnetic microbeads were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and anti-acid test in HCl solution. Silica-coated CI shows not only improved wettability to silicone oil with a lower off-state shear viscosity as a better magnetorheological fluid under an applied magnetic field but also enhanced anti-acidic property. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2452-6 Authors Ying Dan Liu, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, 402–751 South Korea Fei Fei Fang, 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 dendritic unimolecular polymeric micelles with a hydrophobic dendritic polyester (Boltorn H40) as the core and the grafted biocompatible poly( N , N -diethylacrylamide)- b -poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDEAAM- b -PDMAEMA) as the shell were synthesized by successive reversible addition–fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization of N , N -diethylacrylamide (DEAAM) and 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) monomers. Laser light scattering studies indicated that the resulting unimolecular polymeric micelles H40–PDEAAM–PDMAEMA with double stimuli-responsive shells exhibited a reversible two-stage phase transition behavior. The effect of varying the block length of PDMAEMA on the thermosensitivity of unimolecular polymeric micelles was studied. With an increase in the outer corona length of PDMAEMA, the temperature range of phase transition for the inner shell PDEAAM would become broad. As pH decreased to 2, the high hydrophilic PDMAEMA blocks with high protonation were independent of temperature, and the size of unimolecular polymeric micelles increased due to the extended-chain conformation of outer layer. The internal core cavities of the unimolecular polymeric micelles exhibited a great potential of loading guest molecules according to the analysis of pyrene probe fluorescence spectra. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2448-2 Authors Shizhong Luo, Anhui Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China Mengcheng Han, Anhui Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China Yuehui Cao, Anhui Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China Congxiang Ling, Anhui Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China Yuanyuan Zhang, Anhui Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    P(1-VIm-co-MMA) copolymers with 4 or 44 wt.% 1-VIm (abbreviated PVM-4 and PVM-44) where polymerized from 1-VIm (1-vinylimidazole) and methylmethacrylate with azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator and reacted with either Cu 2+ or Zn 2+ . The resulting coordinated polymer complexes were studied using ICP-AES, CP/MAS 13 C NMR, conductivity measurements, vibrational spectroscopy (mid-FTIR and far-FTIR), DSC, and EPR. It was established by ICP-AES, CP/MAS 13 C NMR, conductivity, mid-FTIR and EPR measurements that the transition metal ions in the complexes were exclusively coordinated by the imidazole ligand. The coordination geometry is square planar with regard to Cu(II) complexes. The strong interaction between the polymeric imidazole ligand and the transition metal ion cross-links the system, resulting in augmentation of T g (the glass transition temperature), especially for copolymers with high relative amount of 1-VIm. The effect of changing metal ion is more complicated and depends on both the strength of the coordinate interaction as well as the coordination number. The solubility of the coordinate polymer complex in conventional solvents is low due to the coordinate cross-links. However, the coordinate polymer complexes are soluble in strongly coordinating solvents such as acetonitrile and dimethylsulfoxide. Figure  Toc P(1-vinylimidazole-co-methylmethacrylate) copolymers form strong coordinate bonds with the metal ions Cu2+ and Zn2+, subsequently cross-linking the system, which results in a significant augmentation of the glass transition temperature and low solubility in conventional solvents. The complex can be solubilized in strongly coordinating solvents. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2461-5 Authors Markus Andersson, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Applied Surface Chemistry, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden Örjan Hansson, Department of Chemistry, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530 Gothenburg, Sweden Lars Öhrström, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden Alexander Idström, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Applied Surface Chemistry, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden Magnus Nydén, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Applied Surface Chemistry, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    A definition of macromolecular science (as opposed to polymer science and engineering ) is given, from which the year 1930 is derived as the year of its birth. The scope of treatment of this paper will be limited to solid technical polymers. Some important discoveries of polymer technology in the nineteenth century are reviewed together with the reason why the concept of macromolecules and the theory of rubber elasticity did not emerge earlier. The role of chain backbones in structure formation and mechanical loading of technical polymers has been heavily discussed ever since and has attracted this author for most of his scientific work. He offers a personal perspective of the most important achievements in three domains of macromolecular science: the synthesis of well-designed chain molecules, structural characterization and the understanding of the micro-mechanics of (nano-structured) polymer materials. Progress is generally documented by citing individual references from the discussed periods—well knowing that the development of science is due to the contributions of many more people. In conclusion, a critical outlook will be attempted on future trends in the design and application of well-adapted—and frequently complex—polymer systems towards growing human needs. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-21 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2464-2 Authors Hans-Henning Kausch-Blecken von Schmeling, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    This article presents a novel route to prepare hollow silica microspheres with well-defined wall thickness by using cross-linked polystyrene (PS) microspheres as templates with the assistance of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO 2 ). In this approach, the cross-linked PS templates can be firstly prepared via emulsifier-free polymerization method by using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate or divinylbenzene as cross-linkers. Then, the silica shell from the sol–gel process of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) which was penetrated into the PS template with the assistance of SC-CO 2 was obtained. Finally, the hollow silica spheres were generated after calcinations at 600 °C for 4 h. The shell thickness of the hollow silica spheres could be finely tuned not only by adjusting the TEOS/PS ratio, which is the most frequently used method, but also by changing the pressure and aging time of the SC-CO 2 treatment. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscope were used to characterize these hollow silica spheres. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2470-4 Authors Guannan Sun, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 China Zhimin Chen, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 China Shanshan Wang, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 China Linmei Li, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 China Jianwei Fu, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 China Jiafu Chen, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 China Qun Xu, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Self-standing thiol-functionalized fibrous membrane with bimodal pore structure was successfully fabricated through the combination of electrospinning and surfactant-directing pore formation technique. We also found that the interference of electric field as well as the rapid solvent evaporation during the electrospinning process has a negative effect on the formation of ordered mesoporous structures. As high-performance adsorption-based filtration system, such hierarchically structured membrane is found to efficiently remove Cu (II) ions under high flux. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2455-3 Authors Yi-nan Wu, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Siping Rd 1239, 200092 Shanghai, China Fengting Li, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Siping Rd 1239, 200092 Shanghai, China Yiguang Wu, Department of Chemistry, Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronic and Molecular Engineering, Tsinghua University, 100084 Beijing, China Weijie Jia, Department of Chemistry, Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronic and Molecular Engineering, Tsinghua University, 100084 Beijing, China Phillip Hannam, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Siping Rd 1239, 200092 Shanghai, China Junlian Qiao, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Siping Rd 1239, 200092 Shanghai, China Guangtao Li, Department of Chemistry, Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronic and Molecular Engineering, Tsinghua University, 100084 Beijing, China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Hydrogels were prepared by the cross-linking reactions of carboxymethyl cellulose with di- or polyfunctional glycidyl ether to investigate the effects of different cross-linker’s chain length and the number of epoxy groups on the properties of the gels. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed a new peak at ν  = 1,740 cm −1 assigned to the absorption of carbonyl groups in the new ester structure formed by the cross-linking of –COONa with the epoxy compounds. The interior morphology data indicated microporous network structures which correlated with the swelling of hydrogels. The swelling data in water, urea, sucrose, urine and aspartame showed increases in swelling with an increase in chain length of the cross-linker but decreased with the number of epoxy groups on the cross-linker. Collectively, the gels were ionic strength sensitive. The rheology experiments showed that gel point ( t gel ) increased with the chain length of the cross-linker but reduced with increase in number of epoxy groups on the cross-linker. Dynamic oscillatory measurements indicated stronger material functions in gels prepared with polyfunctional epoxy cross-linkers. The hydrogels prepared with difunctional epoxy groups had higher loading capacity and faster release of bovine serum albumin compared with hydrogels based on polyfunctional epoxy group cross-linkers. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2458-0 Authors Olayide S. Lawal, Department of Chemical Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B 2002 Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria Miki Yoshimura, School of Human Science and Environment, University of Hyogo, 1-1-12 Shinzaike-honcho, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0092, Japan Ryohei Fukae, School of Human Science and Environment, University of Hyogo, 1-1-12 Shinzaike-honcho, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0092, Japan Katsuyoshi Nishinari, Graduate School of Human Life Science, Osaka City University, Sumiyoshi, Osaka, 558-8585 Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    In this study, we formed grafted polystyrene (PS) brushes possessing nanocluster structures through atom transfer radical polymerization from initiator cores presented on Si surfaces that had been generated using reactive ion etching (RIE). We established the surface grafting polymerization kinetics of the nanoclustered PS chains on the Si surfaces to fit their experimentally determined thickness (ellipsometry) and number-average molecular weight ( M n ) of “free” PS (gel permeation chromatography). The propagation rate ( k p ) and active grafting species deactivation rate ( k d ) were obtained from reactions involving styrene concentrations from 0.2 to 2 M. We also used scanning electron microscopy to observe the morphologies of the PS grafted to the surfaces after various reaction times at various styrene concentrations. The PS brushes grafted onto the Si surfaces under styrene concentrations of 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 M exhibited clustered structures having cluster diameters of 12, 28, 42, and 45 nm, respectively; from these observations, we calculated the critical grafting density. In addition, we generated highly dense, well-defined patterns of PS on patterned Si(100) surfaces through the use of a very-large-scale integration process involving electron beam lithography and RIE. We employed the RIE system to generate a high density of reactive species at the bottom of the trenches for graft polymerization. After 21 h of grafting, AFM imaging revealed dense line patterns of nanoclustered PS. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2450-8 Authors Jem-Kun Chen, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 43, Sec 4, Keelung Rd, Taipei, 106 Taiwan, Republic of China Ai-Ling Zhuang, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 43, Sec 4, Keelung Rd, Taipei, 106 Taiwan, Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Morphology, phase diagram, and reflection spectroscopy of the colloidal crystals of thermosensitive gel spheres, poly( N -isopropylacrylamide) ((200–0.5), 318 and 116 nm in the hydrodynamic diameter at 25°C and 45°C, and 0.5% in the degree of cross-linking) were studied. Giant colloidal single crystals formed at very low gel concentrations. Densities of the gel spheres were 0.030 and 0.61 at 25°C and 45°C, respectively. Critical concentration of melting of gel spheres (0.8 wt.% without ion-exchange resins) decreased sharply to 0.015 wt.% at 25°C as the gel suspension was deionized exhaustively with coexistence of the mixtures of cation and anion exchange resins. These results demonstrate that the colloidal crystallization takes place by the extended electrical double layers formed around the gel spheres in addition of the excluded volume effect of the gels. Extent of the contribution of the electrical double layers on the crystallization increased sharply when the degree of cross-linking increased, the gel spheres shrank, and/or the density of the gel spheres increased. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2459-z 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 Tomoyo Yamagata, Faculty of Textile Science & Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan Koji Horigome, Faculty of Textile Science & Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan Kiyoshi Shibata, Department of Applied Chemistry, Gifu University, Gifu, 501-1193 Japan Akira Tsuchida, Department of Applied Chemistry, Gifu University, Gifu, 501-1193 Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The effects of anionic and cationic nanoparticles (15 and 100 nm in diameter) on the stability of the secondary structure of DNA were studied in DNA denaturation and renaturation processes. The results showed that DNA denaturation is greatly inhibited in the presence of cationic nanoparticles. In contrast, in the presence of even large amounts of anionic nanoparticles, the DNA melting transition occurs at the original melting temperature. The effects of the size and concentration of nanoparticles on DNA denaturation are discussed. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2453-5 Authors Hiroyuki Kamata, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464–8601 Japan Anatoly Zinchenko, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464–8601 Japan Shizuaki Murata, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464–8601 Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    This study aims to evidence the influence of polyelectrolytes structure and the number of double layers on the properties of some new nanostructured architectures formed by layer-by-layer self-assembly of complementary weak polyelectrolytes on planar surfaces. For this purpose, we used chitosan and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) as polycations, and poly(acrylic acid) and poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid–co-acrylic acid) as polyanions. To get a direct image on the polyelectrolyte multilayers formation and properties, gravimetry, infrared spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy have been used. The capacity of the polyions to overcompensate the complementary polyions charges, and thus to influence the swelling degree in water of thin films, was strongly influenced by the chain structure and flexibility. A special attention was paid to the responsiveness of the new composite materials to the pH of the swelling environment. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2462-4 Authors Marcela Mihai, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Aleea Grigore Ghica Voda 41 A, 700487 Iasi, Romania Iuliana Stoica, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Aleea Grigore Ghica Voda 41 A, 700487 Iasi, Romania Simona Schwarz, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research, Hohe Strasse 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The polymerization of EDOT to PEDOT in miniemulsion with solid contents up to 10 wt.% is reported by using Fenton’s reagent, horseradish peroxidase type II, or sodium peroxodisulfate, respectively, as initiators. The resulting dispersions contain at most 50 wt.% of surfactant (PSS) with respect to solid and are stable at least for weeks. The structure of the polymers is determined by IR, NMR, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The doping level can be controlled by adopting the oxidation potential of the initiator system. Spin-coated films from the dispersions show conductivities up to 0.01 S cm −1 . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2456-2 Authors Marcel Ruppert, Institute of Organic Chemistry III—Macromolecular Chemistry and Organic Materials, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89075 Ulm, Germany Ulrich Ziener, Institute of Organic Chemistry III—Macromolecular Chemistry and Organic Materials, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89075 Ulm, Germany Katharina Landfester, Institute of Organic Chemistry III—Macromolecular Chemistry and Organic Materials, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89075 Ulm, Germany Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    This work aims to verify the impossibility mentioned in the literature of saturating the crystallization kinetics of pre-sheared metallocene polyethylene melts. Similarly to results reported for other materials, and contrary to other published works, an acceleration of crystallization kinetics with the increase of shear strain and its saturation at large strain values was found. Similar strain values, with the same temperature variation, were evaluated with independent experiments using different devices, which allowed us to identify the steady state as the melt state responsible for the saturation of crystallization kinetics. Since this is a partially disentangled melt state, with viscosity lower than that of fully entangled (relaxed) melts, we assign the acceleration of crystallization kinetics by application of shear, and its saturation, mainly to the facilitated diffusion of chain segments to the lamellae growth front. This conclusion is supported additionally with the experimental results of other authors. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2451-7 Authors Joanna Krakowiak, Departamento de Engenharia de Polímeros, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal José A. Martins, Departamento de Engenharia de Polímeros, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal Weidong Zhang, Departamento de Engenharia de Polímeros, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Giant liposomes are often used as models for studies on cell membranes. We embedded giant liposomes in agarose gel to fix them for assays. Giant liposomes of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine were embedded in 1% ( w / v ) agarose gel with a low melting temperature: While only 20–25% of giant liposomes survived embedment, their size distribution was unaffected. Using a confocal laser scanning microscope, we monitored dynamic changes in individual agarose gel-embedded giant liposomes induced by the addition of a surfactant (Triton X-100). The permeation and collapse could be clearly discriminated from each other. Invaginated buds on liposome membranes could also be captured as intermediate structures. Additionally, an enzymatic (β-glucosidase) reaction encapsulated within the target liposome was triggered by the external addition of a non-fluorescent substrate and successfully monitored. These results suggest that embedment in agarose gel is useful for the simple fixation of giant liposomes for biochemical and biophysical assays. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2463-3 Authors Kanta Tsumoto, Department of Chemistry for Materials, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan Masahiro Oohashi, Department of Chemistry for Materials, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan Masahiro Tomita, Department of Chemistry for Materials, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Colloid nanocrystals (NCs) mainly include metal nanocrystals, semiconductor nanocrystals, and insulator nanocrystals, exhibiting interesting size-dependent electrical, optical, magnetic, and chemical properties that cannot be achieved by their bulk counterparts. However, there’s a critical problem that NCs tend to aggregate, which induces degradation of their performance. Hyperbranched polymers (HPs) possess excellent attributes of three-dimensional topology, low viscosity, good solubility, and plenty of modifiable terminal groups. The combination of NCs and HPs to form nanohybrids cannot only endow NCs with multifunctionality, uniform dispersibility, and splendid solubility but also can impart extra properties to HPs. This article reviews the recent progress and state-of-the-art of the synthesis and applications of NCs-HPs nanohybrids (NHBs). NHBs can be obtained by three approaches: HPs first (i.e., NCs are formed with the stabilizer of HPs), NCs first (i.e., HPs are grafted on the surface of as-prepared NCs), and ligand exchange (the original ligand of NCs is replaced with HPs). Various HPs including hyperbranched poly(amidoamine), polyethylenimine, polyglycerol, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane, and poly(3-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetane), as well as sorts of NCs such as metals (e.g., Ag, Au, Pd, Pt, and Rh), quantum dots (e.g., ZnO, CdS, CdTe, CdSe, and SnO 2 ), magnetic oxides (e.g., Fe 3 O 4 ), rare earth compounds, and so forth, have been used to obtain NHBs. The NHBs can be applied in nanocatalysis, antimicrobia, biosensor, biological labeling, and other fields promising their bright future. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-22 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2457-1 Authors Xiaozhen Hu, MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027 People’s Republic of China Li Zhou, MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027 People’s Republic of China Chao Gao, MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    With the tremendous development of biosensors, there is a strong need in new biocompatible materials avoiding possible denaturing of biological species, which can be easily processed with already existing technologies. The scope of this study was to develop new hydrogels which could be nanostructured by common lithographic methods. Therefore, new methacrylate hydrogels are described, which include functionalized monomers bearing either neutral groups, such as saccharidic moieties, anionic, or cationic groups. The gels have been synthesized by redox or photochemical-initiated radical polymerization. Their porosity has been characterized by thermoporometry, AFM, and electronic microscopy. The kinetics of the photocross-linking has been analyzed by piezorheometry on some of the materials and has been shown to be compatible with technological process time range. Although the obtained hydrogels are soft, their nanostructuration into 500-nm patterns could be performed by nanoimprint photolithography process, and these patterns were observed to be stable for several months. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2465-1 Authors Seila Rodriguez Vilches, IMRCP, UMR CNRS 5623, Université de Toulouse, 118 Rte de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France Childérick Séverac, LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, 7 Av. du Colonel Roche, 31077 Toulouse, France Christophe Thibaut, LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, 7 Av. du Colonel Roche, 31077 Toulouse, France Loïc Laplatine, LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, 7 Av. du Colonel Roche, 31077 Toulouse, France Christophe Vieu, LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, 7 Av. du Colonel Roche, 31077 Toulouse, France Juliette Fitremann, IMRCP, UMR CNRS 5623, Université de Toulouse, 118 Rte de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France Anne-Françoise Mingotaud, IMRCP, UMR CNRS 5623, Université de Toulouse, 118 Rte de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France Philippe Martinoty, Institut Charles Sadron, UPR 22 CNRS, 23 rue du Loess, BP 84047, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex, France Dominique Collin, Institut Charles Sadron, UPR 22 CNRS, 23 rue du Loess, BP 84047, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex, France Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Polyimide–graphene composites (PIG) were prepared with variable amounts of graphene, and their thermal properties were analyzed in films on substrates or sheet states. The thermal conductivities of PIG composite sheets gradually moved upwards with increase of graphene loading. Coefficient of thermal expansion of composite sheet was higher in out-of-plane mode than in-plane mode. The residual stress of a composite film was monotonously changed in accordance with the variation of temperature and lowered with increase of graphene. In addition, the residual stress of a composite film reached to the initial stress value during cooling process after heating. The stress profiles on further heating and cooling runs closely followed the stress profile during the first cooing run. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2469-x Authors Minsoo Koo, Department of Materials and Components Engineering, Electronic Ceramics Center, Dong-Eui University, Busan, 614-714 South Korea Jong-Seong Bae, Busan Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Busan, 609-735 South Korea Seong Eun Shim, Department of Materials and Components Engineering, Electronic Ceramics Center, Dong-Eui University, Busan, 614-714 South Korea Dongmin Kim, Department of Chemistry, POSTECH, Pohang, 790-784 South Korea Dae-Geun Nam, Dongnam Regional Division, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Busan, 618-230 South Korea Jae-Won Lee, Energy Materials Center, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, Seoul, 1538-801 South Korea Gang-Woo Lee, R&D Center, Yoo Sung Co., Ltd., Ulsan, 689-892 South Korea Jeong Hyun Yeum, Department of Natural Fiber Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 702-701 South Korea Weontae Oh, Department of Materials and Components Engineering, Electronic Ceramics Center, Dong-Eui University, Busan, 614-714 South Korea Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Chitosan and N , N , N -trimethyl chitosan (TMC) were treated with heparin (HP) to produce polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs). The structures of PECs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and CP-MAS 13 C NMR spectroscopies. A thermal stability of TMC/HP complex was evaluated by thermogravimetric analyses, and morphology was investigated by SEM images. The ratio between the carbons bonded to noncharged nitrogen atoms ( C Φ) and the carbons bonded to positively charged nitrogen atoms ( C ω) in TMC was calculated through of the degree quaternization (DQ), being the DQ obtained through 1 H NMR data. Experiments of controlled release of HP were performed in distilled water at pH ∼7, using methylene blue/heparin system as solute. The release profiles of HP from TMC/HP complex are quite different each other. The value of C Φ/ C ω ratio was used for explaining such an effect. The C Φ/ C ω ratio tends to be constantly (∼0.69) as high as the pH of medium in which the PEC of TMC/HP was obtained. The change of C Φ/ C ω ratio on the pH was also considered to explain the improvement of thermal stability of PEC2 with increase of pH. Data show that PEC of TMC/HP formed at pH 8 is a promising material for uses in oral site-specific HP release systems. Figure  N , N , N -trimethyl chitosan (TMC) was synthesized from chitosan (CHT). PECS based on TMC and heparin at different pH values (5,8,10, and 12) and characterized through several techniques Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2437-5 Authors Alessandro F. Martins, Grupo de Materiais Poliméricos e Compósitos, GMPC, Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Av. Colombo 5790, 87020-900 Maringá, Brazil Juliana F. Piai, Grupo de Materiais Poliméricos e Compósitos, GMPC, Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Av. Colombo 5790, 87020-900 Maringá, Brazil Ivânia T. A. Schuquel, Grupo de Materiais Poliméricos e Compósitos, GMPC, Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Av. Colombo 5790, 87020-900 Maringá, Brazil Adley F. Rubira, Grupo de Materiais Poliméricos e Compósitos, GMPC, Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Av. Colombo 5790, 87020-900 Maringá, Brazil Edvani C. Muniz, Grupo de Materiais Poliméricos e Compósitos, GMPC, Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Av. Colombo 5790, 87020-900 Maringá, Brazil Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Analytical ultracentrifugation is one of the most powerful methods for the characterization of nanoparticles since the days of its invention due to its high resolution and statistical significance. Latexes with different sizes and their mixtures have been measured by sedimentation with the analytical ultracentrifuge (AUC) OPTIMA XL-I (Beckman Coulter, Palo Alto, CA, USA) with interference optics at λ 0  = 675 nm and absorption optics at λ 0  = 546 and 263 nm. Additionally, a blue pigment with high absorption characteristic at visible light has been investigated. A large influence of Mie scattering and Mie absorption on the particle size distribution with respect to absorption optics and samples with moderate or broad size distribution is observed. Therefore, the consideration of the Mie scattering effect is compulsory for most AUC measurements of nanoparticles with absorption optics. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2440-x Authors M. D. Lechner, Physical Chemistry, University of Osnabrueck, Barbarastrasse 7, 49069 Osnabrueck, Germany Helmut Cölfen, Physical Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany Vikas Mittal, Polymer Physics Research, BASF SE, 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany Antje Völkel, Physical Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany Wendel Wohlleben, Polymer Physics Research, BASF SE, 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The term microgel has been used to describe a variety of particles that differ substantially in structure, physicochemical properties, preparation and application and has been used interchangeably with terms such as nanogel, microsphere and macrogel. Many excellent and wide-ranging reviews have been published on the numerous particle types considered to fall within the broad sphere of nano-/microparticles. The aim of this review is to focus on applications of microgel particles that are synthesised by polymerisation, are of colloidal size and exhibit conformational changes in response to changes in environmental conditions. It is not the intention to attempt to cover every potential microgel application; instead, a selected range of areas will be covered and the commercial implications of scaling up the production of microgels for such purposes will be discussed. A brief description of the characteristics of microgel particles is followed by discussion of applications such as enhanced oil recovery, biomaterials and catalysis, before issues of commercialising microgel production are considered. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-22 DOI 10.1007/s00396-010-2369-5 Authors Joanna B. Thorne, School of Science, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB UK George J. Vine, School of Science, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB UK Martin J. Snowden, School of Science, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB UK Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The influence of the charge density of microgels on the binding of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes was investigated. The charge density in the microgels was varied via the amounts of charged comonomer (as e.g., methacrylic acid) during microgel synthesis and also by changing the reaction conditions in order to influence the distribution of the charged comonomer inside the poly- N -isopropylacrylamide-co-methacrylic acid microgel. The variation in charge density was monitored by taking advantage of the polyelectrolyte effect during acid–base titration. Data of titrations of several microgels were analyzed by a modified Henderson–Hasselbalch equation to monitor the influence of the charge density. The microgels contain either different amounts of cross-linker but same amounts of charged comonomer or the microgels were synthesized with same amounts of cross-linker but different functional monomers with different reactivities yielding different spatial distributions. Charge density and spatial distribution of charges in the microgel strongly influence swelling and interaction with polyelectrolytes. As expected, a highly charged microgel binds more polyelectrolyte than a microgel with low amount of charged groups. The amount, however, does not only scale with the number of charges per microgel but also with the charge density of the microgel. The lower the charge density of the microgel, the more polyelectrolyte per negative charge can bind. In addition, the charge density determines whether and at which composition charge reversal of the microgel–polyelectrolyte complexes occur. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2401-4 Authors Jochen Kleinen, Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52056 Aachen, Germany Walter Richtering, Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52056 Aachen, Germany Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The complex aggregation processes of dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTAC) have been studied in dilute solutions of sodium salicylate (NaSal) by isothermal titration calorimetry and electrical conductivity at temperatures between 278.15 K and 318.15 K. A structural transformation that was dependent on the concentrations of DTAC and NaSal was observed. The micellization process in dilute solutions of DTAC has been subjected to a detailed thermodynamic analysis and shown to occur at considerably lower critical micelle concentrations than reported for DTAC in water and NaCl solutions. Gibbs free energy, Δ mic G o , and entropy, Δ mic S o , were deduced by taking into account the degree of micelle ionization, β , estimated from conductivity measurements. From the temperature dependence of the enthalpy of micellization, Δ mic H o , the heat capacities of micellization, D mic c p o were determined and discussed in terms of the removal of large areas of non-polar surface from contact with water upon micellization. The process is exothermic at all temperatures, indicating, in addition to the hydrophobic effect, the presence of strong interactions between surfactant and salicylate ions. These were confirmed by 1 H NMR spectroscopy and diffusion NMR experiments. Salicylate ions not only interact with the headgroups but also insert further into the micelle core. At c NaSal / c DTAC  〉 2.5, the structural rearrangements occur even at relatively low concentrations of NaSal. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2480-2 Authors Bojan Šarac, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Aškerčeva 5, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Janez Cerkovnik, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Aškerčeva 5, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Bernard Ancian, UPMC Univ Paris 6–Laboratoire PECSA (UPMC–CNRS–ESPCI), case 51, 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France Guillaume Mériguet, UPMC Univ Paris 6–Laboratoire PECSA (UPMC–CNRS–ESPCI), case 51, 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France Gaëlle M. Roger, ANDRA, Parc de la Croix Blanche, 1-7 rue jean Monnet, F-92298 Châtenay-Malabry Cedex, France Serge Durand-Vidal, UPMC Univ Paris 6–Laboratoire PECSA (UPMC–CNRS–ESPCI), case 51, 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France Marija Bešter-Rogač, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Aškerčeva 5, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Colloidal crystals consisted of silica, polystyrene, and poly(methyl methacrylate) monodispersed suspensions; deionized sufficiently in water at the same condition; were formed; and their properties were compared changing sphere diameter and volume fraction systematically. The size of these colloidal crystals was maximized at their critical sphere concentration irrespective of their sphere size. The Bragg peak wavelengths of these colloidal crystals were uniquely determined only by the sphere diameter and volume fraction for all kinds of colloidal spheres used in this work. The larger the sphere volume fraction, the larger the crystal growth rates, and there were no significant differences among the colloidal spheres. The rigidity of colloidal crystals increased in proportion to the number density of spheres. Consequently, the crystallization mechanism and properties of colloidal crystals formed by these spheres are not dependent on the kind of spheres, but they are dependent only on the sphere diameter and number density. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2485-x Authors Junichi Okamoto, Department of Applied Chemistry, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193 Japan Akira Tsuchida, Department of Applied Chemistry, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193 Japan Tsuneo Okubo, Institute for Colloidal Organization, 3-1-112 Hatoyama, Uji, Kyoto 611-0012, Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    A simple hydrothermal route was developed to synthesis of rod-like manganese oxyhydroxide (MnOOH) and spindle-shaped manganese carbonate (MnCO 3 ) based on the redox reactions between potassium permanganate (KMnO 4 ) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) without extra surfactant or template. At the mass ratio between β-CD and KMnO 4 of 0.25, MnOOH nanorods with the diameter about 40–400 nm and the length in the range of 2–10 μm could be facilely prepared in high yield. However, spindle-shaped MnCO 3 microparticles were prepared when the mass ratio between β-CD and KMnO 4 was increased to 1.5. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The formation mechanisms of rod-like MnOOH and spindle-shaped MnCO 3 were preliminarily discussed. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2486-9 Authors Zhongchun Li, School of Chemistry and Environment Engineering, Jiangsu Teachers University of Technology, Changzhou, 213001 People’s Republic of China Jian Xu, School of Chemistry and Environment Engineering, Jiangsu Teachers University of Technology, Changzhou, 213001 People’s Republic of China Xiaoyan Chen, School of Chemistry and Environment Engineering, Jiangsu Teachers University of Technology, Changzhou, 213001 People’s Republic of China Quanfa Zhou, School of Chemistry and Environment Engineering, Jiangsu Teachers University of Technology, Changzhou, 213001 People’s Republic of China Tongming Shang, School of Chemistry and Environment Engineering, Jiangsu Teachers University of Technology, Changzhou, 213001 People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The crystal morphology, melting behavior, and mechanical properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) samples obtained via gas-assisted injection molding (GAIM) under different gas pressures were investigated. Moreover, the non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of HDPE under different cooling rates was also studied. The obtained samples were characterized via differential scanning calorimetry, two-dimensional wide-angle X-ray scattering (2D-WAXS), tensile testing, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and scanning electron microscopy techniques. It was found that the properties were intimately related to each other. Macroscopically, the flow-induced morphology of the various HDPE samples was characterized with a hierarchical crystalline structure, possessing oriented lamellar structure, shish–kebab structure, and common spherulites in the skin, sub-skin, and gas channel region, respectively. The 2D-WAXS results demonstrated that the degree of orientation of the high gas pressure sample was larger than that of the low pressure sample at the corresponding layer. The tensile testing results of GAIM parts showed that the mechanical properties of the GAIM parts were improved with an increase of the gas pressure. Furthermore, the DMA was utilized to obtain the dynamic mechanical properties of the GAIM samples, and the results indicated that significant improvement of the orientation was observed with an increase of the gas pressure. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2483-z Authors Long Wang, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 People’s Republic of China Bin Yang, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 People’s Republic of China Wei Yang, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 People’s Republic of China Nan Sun, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 People’s Republic of China Bo Yin, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 People’s Republic of China Jian-Ming Feng, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 People’s Republic of China Ming-Bo Yang, 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:    The influence of the filler loading and the kinetic aggregation process on the nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of the isotactic polypropylene/carbon black composite melts is studied. The limit of linearity decreases with increasing filler loading. The composite melt with a percolating rheological network has an additional strain-softening process at the low strains which is attributed to the breakdown of the filler network. The simultaneous measurement of the conductivity during the strain sweep demonstrates that the rheological network is more easy to be broken than the conductive network, and that some of the aggregated structures formed during melt annealing can be retained even after experiencing high strains. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2520-y Authors Shilin Huang, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 Sichuan, People’s Republic of China Zhengying Liu, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 Sichuan, People’s Republic of China Chaolu Yin, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 Sichuan, People’s Republic of China Yu Wang, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 Sichuan, People’s Republic of China Yongjuan Gao, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 Sichuan, People’s Republic of China Mingbo Yang, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065 Sichuan, People’s Republic of China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Two kinds of fluoroalkyl end-capped vinyltrimethoxysilane oligomer [R F -(VM) n -R F ] silica nanocomposites containing biphenylene units were prepared by the sol-gel reactions of the corresponding oligomer with biphenylene-bridged ethoxysilanes or 4,4′-biphenol under alkaline conditions, respectively. One is the fluorinated oligomer/silica nanocomposites containing biphenylene units [R F -(VM-SiO 2 ) n –R F / Ar-SiO 2 ], of whose biphenylene units were incorporated into nanocomposite cores through the siloxane bondings, and the other is the fluorinated oligomer/silica nanocomposites containing biphenylene units [R F -(VM-SiO 2 ) n –R F / Biphenol ], of whose biphenylene units were directly encapsulated into nanocomposite cores through the sol–gel process. Interestingly, the shape of R F -(VM-SiO 2 ) n –R F / Ar-SiO 2 nanocomposites is morphologically controlled cubic particles; although the shape of R F -(VM-SiO 2 ) n –R F / Biphenol nanocomposites is spherically fine particles. Thermogravimetric analyses 2 H magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, Ultraviolet visible, and fluorescent spectra showed that biphenylene units in R F -(VM-SiO 2 ) n –R F / Ar-SiO 2 nanocomposites have a flammable characteristic after calcinations at 800 °C; in contrast, biphenylene units in R F -(VM-SiO 2 ) n –R F / Biphenol nanocomposites have a nonflammable characteristic even after calcination at 800 °C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses of these two kinds of fluorinated nanocomposites showed that nonflammable characteristic toward biphenylene units in the silica gel matrices is due to the formation of ammonium hexafluorosilicate during the sol–gel process. Figure  Biphenylene Units Possessing Flammable and Non-flammable Characteristics in Flurinated Silica Gel Matrices Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2509-6 Authors Yuki Goto, Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, 036-8561 Japan Yusuke Matsuki, Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, 036-8561 Japan Masakazu Nishida, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Nagoya, 463-8560 Japan Shigeki Oyama, Chemical Research Laboratories, Nissan Chemical Industries, LTD, Funabashi, 247-8507 Japan Katsumi Chikama, Advanced Materials & Planning Division, Nissan Chemical Industries, LTD, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0054, Japan Hideo Sawada, Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, 036-8561 Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    WAXS, DSC and AFM methods were employed to compare phase structures of the coatings obtained from waterborne polyurethane cationomers which had been synthesised in the reaction of some diisocyanates (MDI, IPDI, TDI and HDI) with polyoxyethylene glycols ( M  = 600 and 2,000) and butane1,4-diol or N- methyl- or N -butyldiethanolamine and 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1,4-butanediol. The structures were also analysed of the coatings derived from linear polyurethanes which had been synthesised on the basis of similar raw materials. Better rigidity was found for generally amorphous cationomer coats. Changes were discussed in the surface free energy (SFE) values and in their components, as calculated independently with the use of the van Oss–Good and Owens–Wendt methods. Polyurethane coats turned out more hydrophobic as compared to cationomer ones. In both coat types, fluorine incorporated into cationomers contributed to lower SFE values: from 50 down to about 30 mJ/m 2 . Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2515-8 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 Kinga Pielichowska, Department of Biomaterials, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland Stanisław Pikus, Faculty of Chemistry, The Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Plac M.C.Skłodowskiej 3, 20-031 Lublin, Poland Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    Comb-like copolymer of N- phenyl maleimide and n- octadecyl vinyl ether was synthesized by conventional free radical solution polymerization. The molecular weight and molecular weight distribution were measured by GPC. The chemical composition of copolymer was characterized by FT-IR, 1 H NMR and 13 C NMR, and the results indicated that the obtained copolymer contained much more content of N- phenyl maleimide rather than equal molar ratio of monomer unit. The comb-like copolymer can exhibit upper critical solution temperature thermoresponsive phase behavior reversibly in N , N -dimethylformamide and some proper alcohols such as 1-butanol, 1-hexanol, etc. The effect of polymer concentration and co-solvent on thermoresponsive behavior of polymer solution was investigated, and the cloud point of polymer solution can be tuned conveniently. The high resolution 1 H NMR method was used to comprehend the reversible thermoresponsive behavior in molecular level, and the results revealed that as temperature decreased the pendent long alkyl side chain aggregated and phase separation occurred at cloud point temperature; however, the mobility of main polymer chain decreased at lower temperature. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2514-9 Authors Zhenjie Liu, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8555 Japan Katsuhiro Inomata, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8555 Japan Yongliang Guo, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8555 Japan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    In this study, we modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by grafting with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) using the “grafting to” method. The PEG-grafted CNT (CNT-g-PEG) was cast on indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode to investigate the electrocatalytic activity of CNT to the redox reactions of the Fe(CN) 6 3−/4− as a probe using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic activity of CNT was correlated with CNT dispersion in the cast film on ITO as a function of pH of aqueous solution from which the film was cast. The CNT dispersions in aqueous solutions of different pH and in the cast films were examined by visual observation and zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. At a pH in the range of 3–11 at which ITO electrode was modified, two functionalized CNT (fCNT and CNT-g-PEG) were both found to electrocatalyze the redox reactions of the Fe(CN) 6 3−/4− probe and the PEG grafts in CNT-g-PEG could help CNT adhere to the electrode to obtain durable modified electrode. The more uniform CNT dispersions in aqueous solutions and in the cast films appeared to have greater electrocatalytic acitivity. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2516-7 Authors Yeong-Tarng Shieh, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, 811 Taiwan Tzu-Yu Yu, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Douliou, Yunlin 640, Taiwan Tzong-Liu Wang, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, 811 Taiwan Chien-Hsin Yang, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, 811 Taiwan Wei-Tung Liao, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Southern Taiwan University, Tainan, 710 Taiwan Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The dynamic dilational properties of sodium 2-(2-(alkylaryloxy)-alkylamido)ethanesulfonates (12+nB-Ts) at the air–water interfaces were investigated by drop shape analysis, and their foam properties were also measured. The influences of time and bulk concentration on surface dilational properties were expounded. The results show that the molecular interaction controls the nature of adsorption film during lower concentration range, and the film behaves elastic in nature. During higher concentration range, the diffusion exchange process controls the dynamic dilational properties and the surface film shows remarkable viscoelasticity. An increase in hydrophobic chain length enhances the molecular interaction at low concentration and speeds up the diffusion exchange process at high concentration, which results in the different variations of modulus at different concentration regions. For 12+nB-Ts, too short a chain probably produces bad film elasticity, whereas too great a length produces too fast liquid drainage. Therefore the optimal length in the branched chain leads to the best foam stability. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2518-5 Authors Huan-Quan Sun, Shengli Oilfield Co. Ltd, SINOPEC, Dongying, 257015 Shandong, China Lei Zhang, Geological Scientific Research Institute of Shengli Oilfield Co. Ltd, SINOPEC, Dongying, 257015 Shandong, China Zhen-Quan Li, Geological Scientific Research Institute of Shengli Oilfield Co. Ltd, SINOPEC, Dongying, 257015 Shandong, China Xin-Wang Song, Geological Scientific Research Institute of Shengli Oilfield Co. Ltd, SINOPEC, Dongying, 257015 Shandong, China Xu-Long Cao, Geological Scientific Research Institute of Shengli Oilfield Co. Ltd, SINOPEC, Dongying, 257015 Shandong, China Lu Zhang, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China Sui Zhao, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China Jia-Yong Yu, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

Description:    The morphology control was attained in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2 ) for poly[2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl acrylate (POA)- co-tert -butyl acrylate (TBA)] random copolymers with POA/TBA molar ratios of 9:1, 8:2, 7:3, 6:4, 5:5, and 4:6. The copolymers showed a different solubility and morphology in scCO 2 depending on the POA/TBA ratio. There was a tendency that the copolymers with a lower TBA content, such as 9:1, 8:2, and 7:3, showed a higher solubility in scCO 2 and formed a fiber-like structure in the heterogeneous state below their cloud point. On the other hand, the copolymers with the higher TBA contents of 6:4, 5:5, and 4:6 provided micrometer-sized spherical particles. Furthermore, the morphology was controlled by the CO 2 pressure because the fiber-like morphology for the copolymer with the 6:4 ratio changed to spherical by decreasing the CO 2 pressure. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2536-3 Authors Eri Yoshida, Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Toyohashi University of Technology, Toyohashi, Japan Akiko Mineyama, Department of Materials Science, 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:    Laser ablation of a solid target material in a liquid environment provides with an easy, straightforward and environmentally friendly method for nanoparticles synthesis as well as with the unique possibility of directly controlling the type of the nanoparticles surface ligands through the liquid choice. In this paper, laser ablation (10.4 ps, 1064 nm and 50 kHz) of a bulk silver target in deionized water, was carried out for nanoparticles synthesis. The synthesised nanoparticles are either pure Ag or A 2 O 3 or a mixture of the two materials. Their size distribution follows log-normal function with a statistical median diameter of ≈5 nm. The nanoparticles colloidal solutions were directly mixed after synthesis, with the polymer solution poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) for the formation of polymer-nanoparticles nanocomposite. The nanoparticles readily form bonds with the sulphur atom of PEDOT which results in their uniform distribution within the polymer matrix as well as in a replacement by the nanoparticles of the PSS − as the counteranions to the PEDOT + . These effects result in the reduction of the effective insulation of the polymer blend particles by the insulating PSS and furthermore in the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite becoming higher (by ∼1.5 times) as compared with that of the pure polymer. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00396-011-2533-6 Authors N. G. Semaltianos, Department of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L69 3GH UK W. Perrie, Department of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L69 3GH UK S. Romani, Department of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L69 3GH UK R. J. Potter, Department of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L69 3GH UK G. Dearden, Department of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L69 3GH UK K. G. Watkins, Department of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L69 3GH UK Journal Colloid & Polymer Science Online ISSN 1435-1536 Print ISSN 0303-402X

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