U.S. patent application number 09/951125 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-10 for graft copolymers, methods for grafting hydrophilic chains onto hydrophobic polymers, and articles thereof.
Invention is credited to Akthakul, Ariya, Banerjee, Pallab, Hester, Jonathan F., Mayes, Anne M..
Application Number | 20020147282 09/951125 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22869909 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020147282 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mayes, Anne M. ; et
al. |
October 10, 2002 |
Graft copolymers, methods for grafting hydrophilic chains onto
hydrophobic polymers, and articles thereof
Abstract
The present invention relates to synthetic methods for grafting
hydrophilic chains onto polymers, particularly hydrophobic polymers
such as poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), poly(vinylidene fluoride)
(PVDF), and chlorinated polypropylene (cPP). Resulting polymers
include comb polymers which can have a microphase-separated
structure of hydrophilic domains provided by the hydrophilic
chains. Articles prepared from these comb polymers, particularly
derived from PVDF, include membranes for water filtration in which
the hydrophilic domains provide a pathway for water transport. PVC
can be plasticized by grafting the PVC with hydrophilic chains. In
addition, such articles, particularly articles having biomedical
applications, can display anti-thrombogenic properties.
Inventors: |
Mayes, Anne M.; (Waltham,
MA) ; Hester, Jonathan F.; (Hudson, WI) ;
Banerjee, Pallab; (Boston, MA) ; Akthakul, Ariya;
(Cambridge, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOLF GREENFIELD & SACKS, PC
FEDERAL RESERVE PLAZA
600 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BOSTON
MA
02210-2211
US
|
Family ID: |
22869909 |
Appl. No.: |
09/951125 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60231599 |
Sep 11, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
525/245 ;
525/276; 525/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 71/30 20130101;
B01D 71/52 20130101; B01D 69/02 20130101; B01D 2325/32 20130101;
B01D 69/141 20130101; B01D 71/78 20130101; B01D 2323/02 20130101;
C08G 81/021 20130101; B01D 67/0018 20130101; B01D 2325/28 20130101;
C08G 81/00 20130101; B01D 71/40 20130101; B01D 71/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
525/245 ;
525/276; 525/292 |
International
Class: |
C08F 259/00; C08F
259/04; C08F 259/06 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: providing a catalyst comprising a
transition metal halide coordinated to at least one ligand;
initiating, via the catalyst, a reaction between a vinyl group and
a parent polymer comprising a repeat unit including a secondary
halogen atom.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vinyl group is a portion of a
hydrophilic chain.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the reaction provides a graft
copolymer.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the graft copolymer includes a
hydrophilic side chain.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the graft copolymer comprises a
comb polymer.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the comb polymer comprises a
hydrophobic backbone.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein the graft copolymer is
microphase-separated.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the graft copolymer includes
hydrophilic domains provided by the hydrophilic side chains.
9. The method of claim 3, wherein the molecular weight of a
backbone of the graft copolymer is no smaller than a molecular
weight of a backbone of the parent polymer.
10. The method of claim 3, wherein products of the reaction are
essentially free of homopolymer.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the ligand comprises at least
one nitrogen-donor atom.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the halogen atom is a fluorine
atom.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the halogen atom is a chlorine
atom.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the halogen atom is a bromine
atom.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the parent polymer is selected
from the group consisting of poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinylidene
chloride), poly(vinyl bromide), poly(vinylidene fluoride),
poly(vinylidene chloride)-co-vinyl chloride, chlorinated poly(vinyl
fluoride), chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride), chlorinated
polyethylene, poly(vinyl fluoride), poly(tetrafluoroethylene),
poly(1,2 difluoroethylene), poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene), and
copolymers comprising combinations thereof.
16. The method of claim 4, wherein the hydrophilic chain further
comprises poly(ethylene oxide).
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the hydrophilic chain is
selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene methacrylate,
poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl
ether methacrylate, poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate),
poly(hydroxyethylacrylate), hydrolyzed poly(t-butyl methacrylate),
hydrolyzed poly(t-butyl acrylate), polyacrylamide, poly(N-vinyl
pyrrolidone), poly(aminostyrene), poly(methyl sulfonyl ethyl
methacrylate), and copolymers comprising combinations thereof.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the graft copolymer is selected
from the group consisting of poly(vinyl chloride)-g-polyoxyethylene
methacrylate, poly(vinylidene fluoride)-g-polyoxyethylene
methacrylate and chlorinated polypropylene-g-polyoxyethylene
methacrylate.
19. A membrane for water filtration, comprising a graft copolymer
prepared by the method of claim 1.
20. An article comprising: a microphase-separated comb polymer
comprising a backbone repeat unit including a secondary carbon
atom, a plurality of the secondary carbon atoms in the polymer
being directly bonded to a hydrophilic side chain and the polymer
having hydrophilic domains provided by the side chains.
21. The article of claim 20, the repeat unit further comprising a
halogen atom directly bonded to the secondary carbon atom.
22. The article of claim 20, wherein the backbone of the comb
polymer has a molecular weight no smaller than the a molecular
weight of a parent polymer backbone prior to adding the hydrophilic
side chain.
23. The article of claim 20, wherein the hydrophilic domains have a
mean diameter of less than about 2 nm.
24. The article of claim 20, wherein the hydrophilic chain is
selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene methacrylate,
poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl
ether methacrylate, poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate),
poly(hydroxyethylacrylate), hydrolyzed poly(t-butyl methacrylate),
hydrolyzed poly(t-butyl acrylate), polyacrylamide, poly(N-vinyl
pyrrolidone), poly(aminostyrene), poly(methyl sulfonyl ethyl
methacrylate), and copolymers comprising combinations thereof.
25. The article of claim 20, wherein the comb polymer is selected
from the group poly(vinyl chloride)-g-polyoxyethylene methacrylate,
poly(vinylidene fluoride)-g-polyoxyethylene methacrylate and
chlorinated polypropylene-g-polyoxyethylene methacrylate.
26. A membrane for water filtration, comprising the polymer of
claim 20.
27. An article comprising: a comb polymer having a hydrophobic
backbone, the backbone including a repeat unit comprising a
secondary carbon atom directly bonded to a halogen atom; a
plurality of hydrophilic side chains bonded to the secondary carbon
atoms of the backbone, wherein the comb polymer backbone has a
molecular weight no smaller than the molecular weight of a backbone
of the corresponding parent polymer.
28. The article of claim 27, wherein the polymer is
microphase-separated.
29. The article of claim 28, wherein the polymer comprises
hydrophilic domains provided by the hydrophilic side chains.
30. The article of claim 29, wherein the hydrophilic domains each
have a mean diameter of less than about 3 nm.
31. The article of claim 27, wherein the hydrophilic chain is
selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene methacrylate,
poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl
ether methacrylate, poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate),
poly(hydroxyethylacrylate), hydrolyzed poly(t-butyl methacrylate),
hydrolyzed poly(t-butyl acrylate), polyacrylamide, poly(N-vinyl
pyrrolidone), poly(aminostyrene), poly(methyl sulfonyl ethyl
methacrylate), and copolymers comprising combinations thereof.
32. The article of claim 31, wherein the corresponding parent
polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(vinyl
chloride), poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(vinyl bromide),
poly(vinylidene fluoride), poly(vinylidene chloride)-co-vinyl
chloride, chlorinated poly(vinyl fluoride), chlorinated poly(vinyl
chloride), chlorinated polyethylene, poly(vinyl fluoride),
poly(tetrafluoroethylene), poly(1,2 difluoroethylene),
poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene), and copolymers comprising
combinations thereof.
33. The article of claim 27, wherein the article is resistant to
cell and protein adsorption such that the article adsorbs less than
90% of protein adsorbed by the corresponding parent polymer.
34. The article of claim 27, wherein the plurality of side chains
comprise a plasticizer such that a glass transition temperature of
the comb polymer is at least 5.degree. C. less than that of the
corresponding parent polymer.
35. The article of claim 27, further comprising cell-binding
ligands attached to between 1 and 100% of the hydrophilic side
chains of the comb polymer.
36. The article of claim 35, wherein the cell-binding ligands are
cell-signaling ligands.
37. The article of claim 35, wherein the cell-binding ligands are
selected from the group consisting of adhesion peptides,
cell-signaling peptides, and growth factors.
38. A membrane for water filtration, comprising: a
microphase-separated polymer including hydrophilic domains having a
mean diameter of less than about 3 nm, the hydrophilic domains
providing transport pathways for water.
39. The membrane of claim 38, wherein the hydrophilic domains are
provided by hydrophilic side chains bonded to a backbone of the
polymer.
40. The membrane of claim 39, further comprising hydrophobic
domains provided by the backbone.
41. The membrane of claim 39, wherein each of the hydrophilic
chains comprises poly(ethylene oxide).
42. The membrane of claim 39, wherein each of the hydrophilic
chains the hydrophilic chain is selected from the group consisting
of polyoxyethylene methacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol)
methacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate,
poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly(hydroxyethylacrylate),
hydrolyzed poly(t-butyl methacrylate), hydrolyzed poly(t-butyl
acrylate), polyacrylamide, poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone),
poly(aminostyrene), poly(methyl sulfonyl ethyl methacrylate), and
copolymers comprising combinations thereof.
43. The membrane of claim 38, wherein the hydrophilic domains
provide at least 90% of the transport pathways for water.
44. The membrane of claim 38, wherein the hydrophilic domains
provide at least 95% of the transport pathways for water.
45. The membrane of claim 38, wherein the microphase-separated
polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(vinyl
chloride)-g-polyoxyethyl- ene methacrylate, poly(vinylidene
fluoride)-g-polyoxyethylene methacrylate and chlorinated
polypropylene-g-polyoxyethylene methacrylate.
46. The membrane of claim 38, wherein the membrane comprises a
blend of the microphase-separated polymer and at least one other
polymer.
47. The membrane of claim 46, wherein the at least one other
polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(vinylidene
fluoride), polyethylene, poly(vinyl fluoride),
poly(tetrafluoroethylene), poly(1,2 difluoroethylene),
poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene), polypropylene, halogenated
polyethylene, halogenated polypropylene, polysulfone, poly(ether
sulfone), poly(aryl sulfone), polyacrylonitrile, and copolymers
comprising combinations thereof.
48. The membrane of claim 46, wherein the microphase-separated
polymer is present in an amount of at least 5% by weight of the
blend.
49. The membrane of claim 48, wherein the microphase-separated
polymer is present in an amount from 5% to 10% by weight of the
blend.
50. The membrane of claim 38, wherein the membrane is spontaneously
wettable.
51. The membrane of claim 38, wherein the membrane is
self-supporting.
52. A membrane for water filtration, comprising a
microphase-separated polymer including hydrophilic domains, the
membrane being self-supporting.
53. The membrane of claim 52, wherein the membrane is free of a
mechanical support layer.
54. The membrane of claim 52, comprising a blend of the
microphase-separated polymer and at least one other polymer.
55. The membrane of claim 54, wherein the at least one polymer is
selected from the group consisting of poly(vinyl chloride),
poly(vinylidene fluoride) and chlorinated polypropylene.
56. A method for water filtration, comprising: providing a membrane
comprising a microphase-separated polymer including hydrophilic
domains; and allowing water to pass completely through the membrane
via the hydrophilic domains.
57. The method of claim 56, further comprising preventing targeted
species from passing completely through the membrane.
58. The method of claim 56, wherein the hydrophilic domains have a
mean diameter of less than about 2 nm.
59. The method of claim 56, wherein the microphase-separated
polymer comprises a comb polymer having hydrophilic side
chains.
60. An article comprising: a graft copolymer having a hydrophobic
backbone, the backbone including a repeat unit comprising a
secondary carbon atom directly bonded to a halogen atom; a
plurality of hydrophilic side chains bonded to the secondary carbon
atoms of the backbone, wherein the graft polymer backbone has a
molecular weight no smaller than the molecular weight of a backbone
of a corresponding parent polymer and the article is resistant to
cell and protein adsorption such that the article adsorbs less than
90% of protein adsorbed by the corresponding parent polymer.
61. The article of claim 60, wherein each hydrophilic side chain of
the graft copolymer comprises poly(ethylene oxide).
62. The article of claim 61, wherein each hydrophilic side chain of
the graft copolymer is polyoxyethylene methacrylate.
63. The article of claim 62, wherein the graft copolymer is
poly(vinyl chloride)-g-polyoxyethylene methacrylate.
64. The article of claim 60, wherein the graft copolymer has
hydrophilic side chains selected from the group poly(ethylene
glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol)
methacrylate, poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate),
poly(hydroxyethylacrylate), polyacrylamide, poly(N-vinyl
pyrrolidone), poly(vinyl alcohol), and copolymers comprising
combinations thereof.
65. The article of claim 64, wherein the backbone selected from the
group of poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinylidene fluoride),
chlorinated polyethylene, chlorinated polypropylene, poly(vinyl
fluoride), poly(tetrafluoroethylene), poly(1,2 difluoroethylene),
poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene), halogenated polypropylene,
halogenated polyethylene and copolymers comprising combinations
thereof.
66. The article of claim 60, wherein the graft copolymer is blended
with at least one other polymer.
67. The article of claim 66, wherein the graft copolymer is blended
with at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of
poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinylidene fluoride), polyethylene,
chlorinated polyethylene, poly(vinyl fluoride),
poly(tetrafluoroethylene), poly(1,2 difluoroethylene),
poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene), polypropylene, chlorinated
polypropylene, halogenated polypropylene, halogenated polyethylene,
and copolymers comprising combinations thereof.
68. An article comprising: a graft copolymer having a hydrophobic
backbone, the backbone including a repeat unit comprising a
secondary carbon atom directly bonded to a halogen atom; a
plurality of hydrophilic side chains bonded to secondary carbon
atoms, wherein the graft polymer backbone has a molecular weight no
smaller than the molecular weight of a corresponding parent polymer
backbone and the plurality of side chains comprising a plasticizer
such that a glass transition temperature of the comb polymer is at
least 5.degree. C. less than that of the corresponding parent
polymer.
69. The article of claim 68, wherein the hydrophilic side chain of
the graft copolymer comprises poly(ethylene oxide).
70. The article of claim 69, wherein the hydrophilic side chain of
the graft copolymer is polyoxyethylene methacrylate.
71. The article of claim 70, wherein the graft copolymer is
poly(vinyl chloride)-graft-polyoxyethylene methacrylate.
72. The article of claim 68, wherein the graft copolymer has
hydrophilic side chains selected from the group poly(ethylene
glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol)
methacrylate, poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate),
poly(hydroxyethylacrylate), polyacrylamide, poly(N-vinyl
pyrrolidone), poly(vinyl alcohol), and copolymers comprising
combinations thereof.
73. The article of claim 72, wherein the hydrophobic backbone is
selected from the group of poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinylidene
fluoride), chlorinated polyethylene, chlorinated polypropylene,
poly(vinyl fluoride), poly(tetrafluoroethylene), poly(1,2
difluoroethylene), poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene), halogenated
polypropylene, halogenated polyethylene and copolymers comprising
combinations thereof.
74. An article of claim 68, wherein the graft copolymer is blended
with at least one other polymer.
75. The article of claim 74, wherein the graft copolymer is blended
with at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of
poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinylidene fluoride), polyethylene,
chlorinated polyethylene, poly(vinyl fluoride),
poly(tetrafluoroethylene), poly(1,2 difluoroethylene),
poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene), polypropylene, chlorinated
polypropylene, halogenated polypropylene, halogenated polyethylene,
and copolymers comprising any of the above.
76. An article comprising: a graft copolymer having a hydrophobic
backbone, the backbone including a repeat unit comprising a
secondary carbon atom directly bonded to a halogen atom; a
plurality of hydrophilic side chains side chains bonded to
secondary carbon atoms of the backbone, wherein the graft polymer
backbone has a molecular weight no smaller than a molecular weight
of a corresponding parent polymer backbone; and cell-binding
ligands attached to between 1 and 100% of the hydrophilic side
chains of the graft copolymer.
77. The article of claim 76, wherein the cell-binding ligands
comprise cell-signaling ligands.
78. The article of claim 76, wherein the ligands are selected from
the group consisting of adhesion peptides, cell-signaling peptides,
and growth factors.
79. The article of claim 76, wherein the hydrophilic side chain of
the graft copolymer comprises poly(ethylene oxide).
80. The article of claim 76, wherein the hydrophilic side chain of
the graft copolymer is polyoxyethylene methacrylate.
81. The article of claim 80, wherein the graft copolymer is
poly(vinyl chloride)-graft-polyoxyethylene methacrylate.
82. The article of claim 76, wherein the graft copolymer has
hydrophilic side chains selected from the group poly(ethylene
glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol)
methacrylate, poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate),
poly(hydroxyethylacrylate), polyacrylamide, poly(N-vinyl
pyrrolidone), poly(vinyl alcohol), and copolymers comprising
combinations thereof.
83. The article of claim 82, wherein the hydrophobic backbone
selected from the group of poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinylidene
fluoride), chlorinated polyethylene, chlorinated polypropylene,
poly(vinyl fluoride), poly(tetrafluoroethylene), poly(1,2
difluoroethylene), poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene), halogenated
polypropylene, halogenated polyethylene and copolymers comprising
combinations thereof.
84. The article of claim 76, wherein the graft copolymer is blended
with at least one other polymer.
85. The article of claim 84, wherein the graft copolymer is blended
with at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of
poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinylidene fluoride), polyethylene,
chlorinated polyethylene, poly(vinyl fluoride),
poly(tetrafluoroethylene), poly(1,2 difluoroethylene),
poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene), polypropylene, chlorinated
polypropylene, halogenated polypropylene, halogenated polyethylene,
and copolymers comprising combinations thereof.
86. An article comprising a graft copolymer comprising: a backbone
comprising a polysulfone or polycarbonate derivative; hydrophilic
side chains directly bonded to oxyphenylene units of the backbone
and; wherein the graft copolymer backbone has a molecular weight no
smaller than a molecular weight of a corresponding parent polymer
backbone.
87. The article of claim 86, wherein the hydrophilic side chain
comprises poly(ethylene oxide).
88. The article of claim 87, wherein the hydrophilic side chain is
polyoxyethylene methacrylate.
89. The article of claim 88, wherein the graft copolymer is
poly(sulfone)-graft-polyoxyethylene methacrylate.
90. The article of claim 86, wherein the graft copolymer has
hydrophilic side chains selected from the group poly(ethylene
glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol)
methacrylate, poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate),
poly(hydroxyethylacrylate), polyacrylamide, poly(N-vinyl
pyrrolidone), poly(vinyl alcohol), and copolymers comprising
combinations thereof.
91. The article of claim 90, wherein the backbone is selected from
the group poly(sulfone), methyl bisphenol poly(sulfone), poly(ether
sulfone), poly(aryl sulfone), poly(aryl ether sulfone), poly(phenyl
sulfone), poly(carbonate), methyl bisphenol poly(carbonate),
poly(ether carbonate), poly(aryl carbonate), poly(aryl ether
carbonate), poly(phenyl carbonate) and copolymers comprising
combinations thereof.
92. The article of claim 86, wherein the article is resistant to
cell and protein adsorption such that the article adsorbs less than
90% of protein adsorbed by the corresponding parent polymer.
93. The article of claim 86, wherein the plurality of side chains
comprise a plasticizer such that a glass transition temperature of
the comb polymer is at least 5.degree. C. less than that of the
parent polysulfone derivative.
94. The article of claim 86, wherein cell-binding ligands are
attached to between 1 and 100% of the hydrophilic side chains of
the graft copolymer.
95. The article of claim 94, wherein the ligands are selected from
the group consisting of adhesion peptides, cell-signaling peptides,
and growth factors.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Serial No. 60/231,599, filed Sep. 11, 2000.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to new synthetic methods for
grafting hydrophilic chains onto polymers, particularly hydrophobic
polymers. Graft copolymers resulting from these synthetic methods
and articles prepared from these polymers, including membranes and
articles having plasticizing and anti-thrombogenic properties, are
also described herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Commercially available polymers having hydrophilic
properties are of great utility, particularly in areas such as such
as improved resistance to the adsorption of oils and proteins,
biocompatibility, reduced static charge build-up, and improved
wettability to materials such as glues, inks, paints and water.
Applications for such polymers include water filtration membranes
and biocompatible medical devices and articles.
[0004] In many applications, polymers having optimal mechanical,
thermal and chemical stability are hydrophobic. Because a
hydrophobic polymer or article is difficult to wet and is
susceptible to fouling, the article can be coated with a
hydrophilic species, either covalently or by adsorption, or
otherwise treated to provide hydrophilic properties. Articles
coated in this manner require additional processing steps, which
increase the manufacturing cost of the article. Where the article
has membrane applications, the coating may reduce pore size and
thus reduced permeability. In addition, coatings not covalently
attached may suffer from insufficient chemical or mechanical
stability. Even if the coatings are covalently attached coatings,
such as those prepared by surface graft polymerization, residual
reactants resulting from the reaction for covalent attachment
require extraction prior to use.
[0005] Moreover, surface coverage of graft-polymerized coatings is
difficult to control. Coating of the membrane separation surface
does not prevent fouling of internal pore channels.
[0006] The development of graft copolymers afforded a possibility
to overcome many of the disadvantages discussed above. A "graft
copolymer" is produced by covalently bonding a species to be
grafted, also referred to as a comonomer, to a parent polymer which
provides the backbone in the graft copolymer. Graft copolymers
derived from a parent polymer are typically used for providing a
material with specific properties while retaining desirable
properties of the parent polymer.
[0007] The synthesis of graft copolymers is most commonly
accomplished via free-radical reactions initiated by exposing the
polymer to ionizing radiation and/or a free-radical initiator in
the presence of the comonomer. Free radical syntheses in this
manner, however, can be an uncontrolled process. Numerous radicals
are present not only on the polymer but also on the comonomer,
which can undergo free-radical homopolymerization, resulting in a
mixture of homopolymers and graft copolymers. Thus, a significant
disadvantage of these free-radical techniques is that the product
is typically a mixture of graft copolymer and homopolymer.
Moreover, polymer backbone degradation and/or crosslinking can
occur as a result of uncontrolled free-radical production.
[0008] Thus, there exists a need to prepare graft copolymers via a
facile, inexpensive process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] One aspect of the present invention provides a method
comprising the steps of providing a catalyst comprising a
transition metal halide coordinated to at least one ligand, and
initiating, via the catalyst, a reaction between a vinyl group and
a parent polymer comprising a repeat unit including a secondary
halogen atom.
[0010] Another aspect of the invention provides an article
comprising a microphase-separated comb polymer having a backbone
repeat unit including a secondary carbon atom. A plurality of the
secondary carbon atoms in the polymer are directly bonded to a
hydrophilic side chain and the polymer has hydrophilic domains
provided by the side chains.
[0011] Another aspect of the present invention provides an article
comprising a comb polymer having a hydrophobic backbone in which a
backbone repeat unit comprises a secondary carbon atom directly
bonded to a halogen atom. A plurality of hydrophilic side chains
are bonded to secondary carbon atoms to the backbone. The comb
polymer backbone has a molecular weight no smaller than a molecular
weight of the backbone of a corresponding parent polymer.
[0012] Another aspect of the present invention provides a membrane
for water filtration. The membrane comprises a microphase-separated
polymer including hydrophilic domains having a mean diameter of
less than about 3 nm, in which the hydrophilic domains provide
transport pathways for water.
[0013] Another aspect of the present invention provides a membrane
for water filtration comprising a microphase-separated polymer
including hydrophilic domains. The membrane is self-supporting.
[0014] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method
for water filtration. The method comprises the steps of providing a
membrane comprising a microphase-separated polymer including
hydrophilic domains, and allowing water to pass completely through
the membrane via the hydrophilic domains.
[0015] Another aspect of the present invention provides an article
comprising a graft copolymer having a hydrophobic backbone. A
backbone repeat unit comprises a secondary carbon atom directly
bonded to a halogen atom. The article also comprises a plurality of
hydrophilic side chains bonded to the secondary carbon atoms of the
backbone. The comb polymer backbone has a molecular weight no
smaller than a molecular weight of the backbone of a corresponding
parent polymer. The article is resistant to cell and protein
adsorption such that the article absorbs less than 90% of protein
absorbed by a corresponding parent polymer. In another embodiment
the plurality of side chains comprises a plasticizer such that a
glass transition temperature of the comb polymer is at least
5.degree. C. less than that of a corresponding parent polymer. In
yet another embodiment, the article further comprises cell-binding
ligands attached to between 1 and 100% of the hydrophilic side
chains of the graft copolymer.
[0016] Another aspect of the present invention provides an article
comprising a graft copolymer. The graft copolymer comprises a
backbone comprising a polysulfone or polycarbonate derivative. The
article further comprises hydrophilic side chains directly bonded
to oxyphenylene units of the backbone. The graft copolymer backbone
has a molecular weight no smaller than a molecular weight of a
corresponding parent polymer backbone.
[0017] Other advantages, novel features, and objects of the
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention when considered in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, which are schematic and which are not
intended to be drawn to scale. In the figures, each identical or
nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures
is represented by a single numeral. For purposes of clarity, not
every component is labeled in every figure, nor is every component
of each embodiment of the invention shown where illustration is not
necessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a general scheme for preparing grafted
copolymers via ATRP according to the present invention, involving
addition of a vinyl monomer to a polymer repeat unit denoted as
"[R--X]", in which a transition metal halide catalyst is denoted as
M.sup.+zX.sub.n and a coordinating ligand is denoted as
"L.sub.m";
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a scheme for synthesis of PVDF-g-POEM via
ATRP;
[0020] FIG. 3 shows .sup.1H NMR spectra for (a) PVC and (b)
PVC-g-POEM.sup.b and chemical structure, in which resonances
labeled S.sub.n are solvent peaks due to deuterated
nitrobenzene;
[0021] FIG. 4 shows .sup.1H NMR spectra for (a) PVDF.sub.250K, and
(b) PVDF-g-POEM.sub.9 in which resonances labeled S.sub.n are
solvent peaks due to deuterated DMF, resonances labeled ht and hh
are due to head-to-tail and head-to-head PVDF repeat units,
respectively; one or both of the fluorine atoms on each PVDF repeat
unit may act as an initiation point for monomer addition (b, inset
chemical structure);
[0022] FIG. 5 shows GPC traces of (a) PVDF.sub.250K, the parent
polymer for (b) PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b; trace (c), offset for clarity,
is PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b following a subsequent 48-h extraction in a
large volume of water; the molecular weight scale was calibrated
using PMMA standards;
[0023] FIG. 6 shows differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) traces
for PVDF, PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b, and PVDF-g-PMAA;
[0024] FIG. 7 shows a TEM image of PVDF-g-POEM stained with
ruthenium tetroxide;
[0025] FIG. 8 shows .sup.1H NMR spectra for (a) PVDF.sub.250K, (b)
PVDF-g-PtBMA, and (c) PVDF-g-PMAA in which resonances S.sub.n are
solvent peaks due to deuterated DMF; quantitative hydrolysis of
PtBMA to PMAA is confirmed by the disappearance in (c) of the
t-butyl peak b and the appearance of the acid proton peak e;
[0026] FIG. 9 shows gel permeation chromatography (GPC) traces of
(a) PVDF .sub.250K, parent polymer of (b) PVDF-g-PMAA; the
molecular weight scale was calibrated using PMMA standards;
[0027] FIG. 10 shows surface atomic percent nitrogen as a function
of graft copolymer content detected by XPS on the surfaces of
as-cast PVC-based films (closed symbols) and PVDF-based membranes
(open symbols) for samples incubated in 10.0 g/L bovine serum
albumin solution for 24 h at 20.degree. C.;
[0028] FIG. 11 shows morphologies of cells incubated for 24 h on
as-cast films composed of (a) pure PVC, (b) PVC plus 10 wt %
PVC-g-POEM.sup.b , and (c) pure PVC-g-POEM.sup.b, and on autoclaved
films composed of (d) pure PVC, (e) PVC plus 10 wt %
PVC-g-POEM.sup.b , and (f) pure PVC-g-POEM.sup.b ; autoclaving was
done for 6 h at 121.degree. C., with the samples immersed in
deionized water; spread or spreading cells are indicated with
arrows; magnification is 10.times.;
[0029] FIG. 12 shows high-resolution C 1s XPS spectra for pure PVC
films in the (a) as-cast condition, and (b) after autoclaving for 6
h at 121.degree. C. while immersed in water;
[0030] FIG. 13 shows fitted C 1s envelopes for (a) pure PVDF
membrane, (b) evaporation cast film of pure PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b, (c)
membrane containing 5 wt % PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b, and (d) membrane
containing 10 wt % PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b; for (b), (c), and (d), the
computed bulk and surface compositions are noted in terms of weight
fraction of POEM; for (b), the surface composition is an average
from two samples;
[0031] FIG. 14 shows fitted C 1s envelopes for (a) pure PVDF
membrane, (b) evaporation cast film of pure PVDF-g-PMAA, and (c)
membrane containing 10 wt % PVDF-g-PMAA; for (b) and (c), the
computed bulk and surface compositions are noted in terms of weight
fraction of PMAA; for (b), the surface composition is an average
from two samples;
[0032] FIG. 15 shows pH-dependence of flux through membrane
containing PVDF-g-PMAA via a plot of buffer solution flux versus pH
for a pure PVDF membrane and membranes having a bulk composition of
10 wt % PVDF-g-PMAA, after autoclaving for 1 h in water at
121.degree. C.; and
[0033] FIG. 16 shows reversibility of pH-responsive flux of buffer
solution through an autoclaved pure PVDF membrane and autoclaved
membranes having a bulk composition of 10 wt % PVDF-g-PMAA, as the
pH of the feed was alternated between 8 and 2; each half-cycle
consisted of a 1-min. filtration period for equilibration, followed
by a gravimetric flux measurement taken over a second 1-min.
period.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] The present invention relates to a method for preparing
graft copolymers via a controlled free-radical process. In
addition, the preparation involves a single-step synthetic process.
The invention also provides articles comprising graft copolymers,
in which a hydrophilic species is grafted onto a hydrophobic
polymer, thus, providing a method for preparing biocompatible
biomedical devices. Other graft copolymers described herein are
microphase-separated, with hydrophilic domains provided by grafted
hydrophilic species. Such copolymers can be used to prepare novel
membrane materials for water filtration in which the hydrophilic
domains provide the primary mode of transport for water through the
membrane.
[0035] One aspect of the present invention provides a method for
the facile synthesis of grafted copolymers. "Grafting" involves the
provision of a parent polymer having reactive sites in some or all
of the repeat units, and adding a species to be grafted (also known
as a comonomer) to the parent polymer at the reactive sites. Graft
copolymers derived from a parent polymer allow generation of a
material with specific properties while retaining desirable
properties of the parent polymer.
[0036] The present invention advantageously provides a grafting
reaction which can be carried out in one synthetic step while
essentially eliminating the formation of undesired species such as
homopolymers and chain degradation products, which can result from
uncontrolled free-radical reactions. In one embodiment, the method
involves a reaction known as an atom transfer radical
polymerization (ATRP), which is a "controlled" free-radical
polymerization. This reaction is controlled because free radical
concentration is kept low and mainly centered on the parent
polymer, preventing the occurrence of numerous undesired reactions.
Evidence for eliminating homopolymer formation is noted, for
example, in the molecular weight discussions or Example 1.
[0037] Although ATRP techniques have been previously used for
preparing grafted copolymers, it was commonly believed that the
parent polymer required very reactive groups to serve as the
reactive sites. For many polymers, direct reaction of a vinyl group
with a halogen atom, such as chlorine or fluorine bonded to a
secondary carbon atom has not been feasible. Thus, previous ATRP
reactions for grafting involved the extra step of substituting
secondary halogen atoms with more reactive groups, such as a
chloroacetate group. For example, Paik et al. (Macromolecules Rapid
Communications 1998, 19, 47) reported grafting styrene and various
methyl methacrylate side chains onto a polyvinyl chloride-based
macroinitiator, in which the macroinitiator was modified to
incorporate reactive chloroacetate groups as reactive sites for
ATRP polymerization of the monomers. Indeed, Paik et al. stated
that "the secondary chlorine on the PVC backbone is too strongly
bonded to initiate the polymerization by reaction with Cu(I)
complex."
[0038] Advantageously, the method of the present invention involves
providing a catalyst comprising a transition metal halide
coordinated to at least one ligand. The method further involves
initiating, via the catalyst, a reaction between a vinyl group and
a parent polymer comprising a repeat unit including a secondary
halogen atom (i.e. a halogen atom bonded to a secondary carbon
atom). In one embodiment, the repeat unit includes the polymer
backbone. "Backbone" refers to the longest continuous bond pathway
of a polymer. In this embodiment, the repeat unit includes a
secondary carbon atom situated in the backbone in which the
secondary carbon atom is bonded to the halogen atom. Thus, the
present invention allows the direct use of polymer having secondary
halogen atoms without the extra step of substituting the halogen
atoms with more reactive leaving groups.
[0039] FIG. 1 shows a general scheme for preparing grafted
copolymers via ATRP according to the present invention, outlining
activation-propagation-deactivation processes for addition of a
vinyl monomer to a polymer repeat unit denoted as "[R--X]". "R" is
a secondary carbon atom and X is a halogen atom, i.e. X is a
secondary halogen atom. "R" can be bonded to two halogen atoms or
to a single halogen atom plus a second species. For clarity, only
one R--X bond is shown here. The vinyl monomer can be bonded to
another organic group, R.sup.1. The transition metal halide
catalyst is denoted as M.sup.+zX.sub.n and the coordinating ligand
is denoted as "L.sub.m" where the ligand, L, coordinated to the
transition metal halide can comprise a bi- or multi-dentate ligand
(m=1) or one or more monodentate ligands, depending on the
particular transition metal halide. In one embodiment, the ligand
comprises at least one nitrogen-donor atom, and preferably the
nitrogen-donor atom is capable of interacting with the transition
metal.
[0040] During the activation step, the R--X bond is activated to
yield a carbon-centered radical [R'] and an oxidized metal complex
[M.sup.+(z+1)X.sub.n+1]. During the propagation step, the radical
may react with a vinyl monomer. During the deactivation step, the
polymer is converted to have a dormant, halogen-endcapped
chain.
[0041] The advantages of ATRP synthesis with respect to standard
free-radical techniques arise from the fact that the equilibrium
between the dormant and activated chain end species strongly favors
the dormant species. Thus, the overall concentration of
free-radicals is controlled and remains very low throughout the
polymerization. Termination and chain transfer reactions, which
contribute to uncontrolled chain branching, crosslinking and
increased polydispersity in standard free-radical polymerizations,
are much less probable. But because polymerization proceeds by a
free-radical mechanism, ATRP can be carried out without the
stringent requirements of living ionic polymerizations with regard
to reagent purity.
[0042] The resulting product is a graft copolymer which comprises a
comonomer covalently attached to the parent polymer. In one
embodiment, the graft copolymer comprises the same backbone as the
parent polymer. The graft copolymer differs from the parent polymer
in that the graft copolymer has a plurality of side chains
protruding from the backbone at the reactive sites. If the reactive
sites were present in the parent at regular intervals, the graft
copolymer can result in side chains spaced at substantially regular
intervals. Such graft copolymers resemble a comb and are
accordingly termed "comb polymers." In one embodiment, the comb
polymers are amphiphilic, i.e. one portion of the polymer is
hydrophobic while another portion is hydrophilic. Preferably, the
graft copolymers have a Hydrophilic (polar) side chain and a
hydrophobic (nonpolar) backbone.
[0043] In one embodiment, the molecular weight of a backbone of the
graft copolymer is no smaller than a molecular weight of a backbone
of the parent polymer. Because previous graft co-polymers formed by
uncontrolled free-radical reactions resulted in chain degradation,
the products of the degradation have backbones of smaller length
(i.e. lower molecular weight) than the backbone of the parent
polymer. The method of the present invention is free of such
degradation products and typically the molecular weight of the
backbone of the graft copolymer is at least equal to that of the
parent polymer.
[0044] In one embodiment, the vinyl group is provided as a portion
of a hydrophilic chain, i.e. the vinyl group is covalently attached
to a hydrophilic species (e.g. R' of FIG. 1). Thus, the present
method provides a facile route to link a hydrophilic species
directly to a polymer, and particularly for attaching hydrophilic
chains to hydrophobic polymers or articles.
[0045] For example, the hydrophilic chain can comprise a
poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). PEO is well-known for its ability to
resist protein adsorption, which arises from its hydrophilicity,
its strong propensity to participate in hydrogen bonds, its large
excluded volume, and its unique coordination with surrounding water
molecules in aqueous solution. Surface-grafted PEO has been used to
render ultrafiltration membranes resistant to oil and protein
fouling. Preferably, the PEO has at least 5 ethylene oxide units.
The method allows small PEO oligomers or higher molecular weight
polymers to be added to the parent polymer backbone. Examples of
hydrophilic chain comprising a vinyl group attached to a PEO is
polyoxyethylene methacrylate (POEM), poly(ethylene glycol)
methacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate,
poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly(hydroxyethylacrylate),
hydrolyzed poly(t-butyl methacrylate), hydrolyzed poly(t-butyl
acrylate), polyacrylamide, poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone),
poly(aminostyrene), poly(methyl sulfonyl ethyl methacrylate), and
copolymers comprising combinations thereof.
[0046] FIG. 2 shows a scheme for synthesis of PVDF-g-POEM via ATRP.
The synthesis involves addition of POEM directly (i.e. no
intervening linker) to a parent polymer containing secondary
halogen atoms. Each repeat unit of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)
contains two fluorine atoms attached to a secondary carbon atom.
Reaction of PVDF with POEM is initiated by a transition metal
halide, CuCl coordinated to a bidentate nitrogen-donor ligand,
bipyridine (bpy). Extraction of a fluorine atom from PVDF results
in a radical centered on the secondary carbon, as the transition
metal is oxidized. POEM adds at the reactive carbon site to provide
POEM directly bonded to the secondary carbon atom.
[0047] In FIG. 2, the PVDF polymer grafted with POEM is referred to
as poly(vinylidene fluoride)-g-polyoxyethylene methacrylate
(PVDF-g-POEM) and encompasses copolymers where either one or both
fluorine atoms on at least some of the secondary carbon atoms are
replaced by POEM. Examples of other grafted polymers include
poly(vinyl chloride)-g-polyoxyethylene methacrylate (PVC-g-POEM),
and chlorinated polypropylene-g-polyoxyethylen- e methacrylate
(cPP-g-POEM). Every repeat unit need not necessarily be reacted
with a vinyl group. For many applications, however, a high density
of coverage by the grafted comonomer is desired.
[0048] Many polymers are produced in high volume commercially and
are used in the manufacture of numerous articles due to their
mechanical, thermal and chemical stability. These polymers, however
are hydrophobic which precludes their use in many applications
unless a pre-treatment process is carried out. Typically, the
pre-treatment involves coating the article with a species to render
the article compatible for use in a particular application. Thus,
it is a feature of the present invention that these polymers can be
rendered hydrophilic via the grafting methods described herein.
Other possible parent polymers include poly(vinyl chloride),
poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(vinyl bromide), poly(vinylidene
fluoride), poly(vinylidene chloride)-co-vinyl chloride ("-co-"
refers to a copolymer), chlorinated poly(vinyl fluoride),
chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride), chlorinated polyethylene,
poly(vinyl fluoride), poly(tetrafluoroethylene), poly(1,2
difluoroethylene), poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene), and copolymers
comprising combinations thereof, such as poly(vinyl chloride-co-iso
butyl vinyl ether), poly(vinyl chloride-co-vinyl acetate),
poly(vinylidene chloride-co-acrylonitrile), poly(vinyl
chloride-co-vinyl acetate-co-maleic acid), poly(vinylidene
chloride-co-methyl acrylate), and the like.
[0049] Another aspect of the present invention provides an article
comprising a microphase-separated comb polymer. The comb polymer
comprises a backbone repeat unit including a secondary carbon atom.
A plurality of the secondary carbon atoms in the polymer are
directly bonded to a hydrophilic side chain. As mentioned
previously, "directly bonded" refers to a bond free of any
intervening atoms or groups between the secondary carbon atom of
the backbone and the hydrophilic side chain. "Microphase separated"
refers to a phase separation of a first component (e.g. the
backbone of the comb polymer) from a chemically dissimilar second
component (e.g. side chains of the comb polymer). In the article of
the present invention, hydrophilic domains are provided by the side
chains, i.e. the resulting plurality of hydrophilic side chains can
aggregate to form hydrophilic domains interspersed with hydrophobic
domains comprising the backbone. Domain sizes are dictated by side
chain dimensions and spacing along the backbone and can be
determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, provided these
values are known. In one embodiment, the hydrophilic domains have a
mean diameter of less than about 3 nm, preferably less than about 2
nM, and more preferably less than about 1 nm.
[0050] Examples of comb polymers of the present invention include
the grafted polymers include any such graft copolymers previously
described herein, as derived from the parent polymers and
hydrophilic chains as previously discussed.
[0051] Another aspect of the invention provides an article
comprising a comb polymer having a hydrophobic backbone. A backbone
repeat unit comprises a secondary carbon atom directly bonded to a
halogen atom, i.e. the repeat unit includes a secondary halogen
atom. The comb polymer further comprises a plurality of hydrophilic
side chains in which each side chain is bonded to the secondary
carbon atom. In one embodiment, at least about 5 mol % of the
secondary carbon atoms in the comb polymer are bonded to a
hydrophilic side chain. Depending on the composition of the blend,
at least about 10 mol %, 25 mol %, 50 mol %, 75 mol %, 90 mol %, or
even substantially all of the secondary carbon atoms are bonded to
a hydrophilic side chain.
[0052] The comb polymer backbone has a molecular weight no smaller
than the molecular weight of a corresponding parent polymer
backbone. In one embodiment, this comb polymer backbone molecular
weight can be achieved by any method previously described,
preferably via ATRP synthesis on a parent polymer. A screening test
to determine if the comb polymer making up the article is
encompassed by the present invention, comprises determining an
absolute molecular weight of the polymer (e.g. by light scattering
techniques as known by those of ordinary skill in the art) and
subjecting the polymer to NMR methods to determine the overall
chemical composition and the chemical nature of the linkage between
the hydrophilic side chains bonded to the secondary carbon atom,
i.e. whether a direct linkage is present, as known by those of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0053] This aspect encompasses any backbone, hydrophilic side chain
and graft copolymers described herein. In one embodiment, the
polymer is microphase-separated and can have hydrophilic domains
comprising previously described compositions and dimensions.
[0054] The present invention also features the discovery that
membranes for water filtration can be prepared from the graft
copolymers of the invention. Water filtration membranes allow water
(permeant) to penetrate through the membrane while preventing
penetration of desired target (retentate) species. Solutes ranging
from bacteria or other microorganisms, to proteins to salts and
other ionic species can be filtered off.
[0055] Filtration membranes can be categorized into porous and
nonporous membranes. In porous membranes, a transport barrier posed
is based on differences between sizes of permeant and retentate
species. In nonporous membranes, such as those used for reverse
osmosis, species are separated by means of solubility and/or
diffusivity in the membrane material. For nonporous membranes and
porous membranes for nanofiltration, poor chemical affinity between
the membrane material and the permeant, i.e., water, may inhibit
permeability of the permeant. Hence, hydrophobic polymers having
the best mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties are not
useful for the fabrication of such membranes, since they are
non-wettable and thus do not allow water to permeate the membrane.
For this reason more hydrophilic polymers, such as cellulose
acetate and polyamide, are used for the preparation of reverse
osmosis and nanofiltration membranes. However, these materials
exhibit comparatively poor thermal and mechanical properties, and
are easily chemically degraded or hydrolyzed in aqueous
environments.
[0056] In an attempt to overcome these disadvantages, thin film
composite membranes have been prepared in which a hydrophilic
coating is applied to the surface of a hydrophobic porous membrane,
which acts as a mechanical support. Kim et al. (J. Membrane Sci.
2000, 165, pp. 189-199) prepared surface coatings comprising
poly(aminostyrene) via interfacial polymerization atop a porous
polysulfone membrane to obtain membranes useful for RO
applications. Nunes et al. (J. Membrane Sci. 1995, 106, 49)
solution-coated porous PVDF membranes with a polyether-b-polyamide
copolymer (b=block) to create a nonporous surface coating capable
of retaining solutes as small as 1500 g/mol. However, such thin
film composite membranes have the disadvantage that the effective
filtration area of the membrane separation surface is limited to
the surface area comprising pores in the supporting membrane
surface, typically less than 10 percent of the total area.
Moreover, the application of the coating entails multiple extra
processing steps beyond the preparation of the support membrane,
adding substantially to the fabrication cost. Finally, the coatings
of Nunes et al. were observed to degrade in acidic or alkaline
solutions.
[0057] Accordingly, another aspect of the invention provides a
membrane for water filtration, comprising a microphase-separated
polymer including hydrophilic domains of less than about 3 nm,
preferably less than about 2 nm (e.g. for reverse osmosis
applications) and more preferably less than about 1 nm. A feature
of the invention is that the hydrophilic domains provide transport
pathways for water due to the chemical affinity for water, which
facilitates water transport in preference to the retentate.
[0058] The present invention provides an advantage over thin film
composite membranes in that hydrophilic domains across the membrane
surface area participate in the transport of permeant, i.e., water.
Ideally, the hydrophilic domains provide all the transport
pathways, but in reality the membrane may have pinholes or other
defects that allow water to channel through. In one embodiment, the
hydrophilic domains provide the primary mode of transport for
water, i.e. at least 50% of the transport pathways, preferably at
least 90% of the transport pathways, more preferably at least 95%
of the pathways and more preferably still at least 99% of the
pathways.
[0059] The microphase-separated polymer can be a graft copolymer,
and preferably a comb polymer, prepared by methods described
herein. For example, the graft copolymer can be prepared by ATRP.
If residual quantities of transition metal halide catalyst remain
in the graft copolymer, crosslinking of the hydrophobic domains can
be readily achieved through heat treatment of the finished
membrane, providing additional stability.
[0060] Selectivity of water transport can be effectively controlled
through the membrane pore morphology and dimensions of the
hydrophilic domain. Optimal hydrophilic domain size for a given
filtration application can be achieved by varying side chain length
of a comb polymer and/or spacing along the graft copolymer
backbone. The present invention provides the additional advantage
that the entire membrane may be fabricated with a single-step,
conventional immersion precipitation process. The membranes of the
present invention provide the additional advantage of enhanced
stability over thin film composites prepared by solution coating
methods.
[0061] In one embodiment, the membrane further comprises
hydrophobic domains which provide mechanical, chemical and thermal
stability.
[0062] In one embodiment, the membrane is prepared entirely from
the microphase-separated polymer including hydrophilic domains,
i.e. it is "self-supporting" (see discussion of "self-supporting"
below). In another embodiment, the "self-supporting" membrane can
comprise a blend of the microphase-separated polymer and at least
one other polymer. Preferably, the other polymer is a hydrophobic
polymer, examples of which include poly(vinylidene fluoride) and
other suitable fluoropolymers, polysulfone, poly(ether sulfone),
poly(aryl sulfone), and the like, and polyolefin derivatives.
[0063] The blend can comprise any percentage of
microphase-separated polymer, so long as the fabricated membrane
has the graft copolymer as the majority component in the dense
surface layer of the membrane. It is a feature of the invention
that the graft copolymer may be a majority component in the dense
surface layer of the membrane even when it is a minority component
in the porous membrane sublayer, due to the capability of the
amphiphilic copolymer to localize preferentially at the surface
during membrane fabrication by immersion precipitation.
[0064] In one embodiment, the microphase-separated polymer is
present in an amount of at least 5% by weight of the blend. It is a
feature of the invention that the microphase-separated polymer can
be present in small amounts to render the desired surface
properties due to the capability of the blend to surface segregate.
Surface segregation of one component results from certain
thermodynamic driving forces, i.e. if reduction of interfacial free
energy between the two components more than compensates for the
loss of combinatorial entropy upon de-mixing and, in the case of
exothermic mixing, the loss of mixing enthalpy. Thus, even if a
small amount of the microphase-separated polymer is present, a
significant portion of the polymer can occupy the area near the
surface of the membrane. In another embodiment, the
microphase-separated polymer is present in an amount from 5% to 10%
by weight of the blend. This small percentage of polymer can have a
near surface concentration of at least about 20% by weight, more
preferably at least about 30%, and even more preferably at least
about 40% by weight.
[0065] Presently, many commercially available water filtration
membranes comprise an asymmetric structure with a relatively dense,
0.1 to 1 .mu.m surface layer overlaying a highly porous sublayer.
The separation characteristics of the membrane are determined by a
pore size distribution in the surface layer, while the porous
sublayer provides mechanical support. Separation is achieved at the
membrane surface while relatively high fluxes are allowed through
the large pore channels which comprise the bulk of the membrane
volume. A bydrophilic surface can be provided on this structure by
coating this surface layer with a bydrophilic groups. This coating,
however, may cause clogging of the pores. In addition, flux rates
may decrease as water has to penetrate through several layers.
[0066] Thus, another aspect of the present invention provides a
membrane for water filtration comprising a microphase-separated
polymer. The polymer includes hydrophilic domains. An advantageous
feature of the invention is that the membrane is "self-supporting",
i.e. the membrane does not require an additional mechanical
support, as discussed in Kim et al. (see above).
[0067] The microphase-separated polymer preferably resists the
adsorption of proteins and has sufficient wettability properties,
as described previously. Moreover, the polymer has sufficient
characteristics to convey the desired mechanical properties. In one
embodiment, the membrane can comprise a blend of the
microphase-separated polymer and at least one other polymer.
Preferably, the other polymer is a hydrophobic polymer and can
include any of the hydrophobic polymers described previously.
[0068] In certain embodiments, any article described herein is
resistant to fouling. Fouling can result by the deposition of
proteins, cells or other larger biological species such as
microorganisms. By the provision of hydrophilic surface chemistry,
the susceptibility to fouling is decreased significantly. In one
embodiment, the article is resistant to cell and protein adsorption
such that the article adsorbs less than 90% of protein adsorbed by
a corresponding parent polymer, and preferably less than 50%, 20%,
10% or 5% of the protein adsorbed by the corresponding parent
polymer. Typically, the corresponding parent polymer is hydrophobic
and allows deposition of proteins and cells. The extent an article
is resistant to cell and protein adsorption can be determined by
XPS. For example, immersing a membrane in a solution containing
bovine serum albumin (BSA) will allow detection of nitrogen due to
BSA adsorption (see Example 4). The adsorption of biological
species such as cells can be determined by microscopy.
[0069] While these embodiments encompass articles comprising any
graft copolymer previously, the invention can also comprise blends
including the graft copolymer blended with at least one other
polymer. One example includes the graft copolymer poly(vinyl
chloride)-g-POEM blended with PVC. This blend can result in
enhanced protein and cell resistance at the surface of the
article.
[0070] In one embodiment the present invention provides articles
comprising poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) resistant to the adsorption
of proteins. PVC is a polymer of great commercial importance for
the fabrication of medical devices, including IV and blood bags,
infusion tubes, circulation tubes, endotracheal tubes, stomach
feeding tubes, wound drainage tubes, catheters, and surgical
dressings. Due to its hydrophobic nature, however, PVC is
susceptible to the adsorption of proteins from aqueous solution. In
blood contacting applications, protein adsorption results in the
activation and aggregation of platelets followed by thrombosis, as
well as activation of the complement system leading to systemic
immune response, which can result in organ dysfunction. In other
applications, such as PVC endotracheal tubes, protein deposition
can lead to an increased risk of bacterial infection.
[0071] In certain other embodiments, any comb polymer described
herein comprise a covalently bound plasticizer. In one embodiment,
the comb polymer comprises a plurality of side chains, such as any
side chain described herein, which comprise a plasticizer such that
a glass transition temperature of the comb polymer is at least
5.degree. C. less than that of the corresponding parent polymer. In
other embodiments, the glass transition temperature is at least
about 10.degree. C., 20.degree. C., 50.degree. C. or 100.degree. C.
less than that of the corresponding parent polymer. For example,
PVC has insufficient mechanical properties for many applications
unless plasticizers are added. Plasticizers also improve
processability. Because plasticizers usually comprise small
molecule organic compounds, a problem with flexible PVC medical
devices, which may be composed of up to 45% additives including
plasticizers, is the extraction of small molecule plasticizers by
blood, digestive fluids, and other media which contact them. Aside
from potential toxic effects, plasticizer leaching from PVC devices
with long contact times, such as stomach feeding and wound drainage
tubes, can cause device hardening and consequent trauma to the
patient.
[0072] Another aspect of the present invention provides an article
comprising a comb polymer comprising a poly(vinyl chloride)
backbone and hydrophilic side chains. The hydrophilic side chains
can comprise groups exhibiting protein and cell resistant
properties. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrophilic side chains
comprise poly(ethylene oxide), in which a specific example of such
a side chain is polyoxyethylene methacrylate. Other examples of
hydrophilic side chains include poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate),
poly(hydroxyethylacrylate), polyacrylamide, poly(N-vinyl
pyrrolidone), poly(vinyl alcohol), and the like, and copolymers
comprising any of the above, and the like. The hydrophilic side
chains convey enhanced anti-thrombogenicity, as well as a
plasticizing effect. The graft copolymer can easily be processed
into the article of manufacture. Due to the covalent bonding of the
hydrophilic side chains to the PVC backbone, they cannot be easily
leached into the biological fluid.
[0073] While the invention encompasses articles substantially made
up of the graft copolymer of the invention, the invention can also
comprise blends including the graft copolymer blended with at least
one other polymer. One example includes the graft copolymer
poly(vinyl chloride)-g-POEM blended with PVC. This blend can result
in enhanced protein and cell resistance at the surface of the
article.
[0074] In certain other embodiments, any article described herein
is capable of being spontaneously wettable. Wettability is a
critical feature for a water filtration membrane. If the membrane
is incapable of being wetted, water cannot pass through the
membrane. Wettability of a surface can be quantified by adding
water droplets to the surface and measuring a contact angle between
a droplet of water and the surface. A hydrophobic surface, such as
pure PVDF, is incapable of wetting, and a droplet of water placed
on a pure PVDF membrane assumes a high contact angle, which changes
very little over time until the drop finally evaporates. A wettable
surface provides low contact angles, preferably having a value of
less than about The capability for "spontaneous" wetting can be
determined by measuring the time required for the contact angle of
the droplet to reach 0.degree.. A membrane of the present invention
is preferably wetted within a time of no more than about 5 min.,
preferably no more than about 3 min and preferably no more than
about 1 min.
[0075] Another aspect of the present invention provides articles
comprising graft copolymers, comprising a halogenated, hydrophobic
backbone and hydrophilic side chains, having nonspecific
protein-adsorption and cell resistant properties, and specific
cell-signaling capability through attached biological ligands. Such
ligands include adhesion peptides, cell-signaling peptides, and
growth factors. In one embodiment, the attached biological ligands
are attached through the hydrophilic side chains or side chain
ends, directly or indirectly, by covalent bonds. An example of such
an article comprises a graft copolymer having a halogenated,
hydrophobic backbone and hydrophilic side chains containing
reactive --OH groups which serve as sites for attachment of
biological ligands. Examples of hydrophilic side chains with
reactive --OH groups include poly(ethylene glycol methacrylate),
poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate), and poly(vinyl alcohol). Examples
of biological ligands of the present invention include RGD and
other adhesion peptides, EGF, TGF and other growth factors,
heparin, and the like. Hydrophobic backbones of the present
invention include poly(vinylidene fluoride), chlorinated
polyethylene, poly(vinyl fluoride), poly(tetrafluoroethylene),
poly(1,2-difluoroethylene), poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene),
halogenated polypropylene, halogenated polyethylene, halogenated
polysulfone, halogenated poly(ether sulfone), halogenated poly(aryl
sulfone), and the like, and copolymers comprising any of the
above.
[0076] The function and advantage of these and other embodiments of
the present invention will be more fully understood from the
examples below. The following examples are intended to illustrate
the benefits of the present invention, but do not exemplify the
full scope of the invention.
EXAMPLE 1
[0077] Synthesis of Graft Copolymers by ATRP with Initiation Via
Secondary Halogen Atoms
[0078] Materials. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) ({overscore
(M)}.sub.n ca. 107 000 g/mol, {overscore (M)}.sub.w ca. 250 000
g/mol), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) (inherent viscosity 0.51),
chlorinated polyethylene (cPE) (40 wt % C1), POEM ({overscore
(M)}.sub.n=475 g/mol), tert-butyl methacrylate (tBMA), copper(I)
chloride (CuCl), 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-dipyri- dyl (bpy),
1,1,4,7,10,10-hexamethyltriethylenetetramine (HMTA),
p-toluenesulfonic acid (TSA), 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), and
N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) were purchased from Aldrich Chemical
Co. (Milwaukee, Wis.). Deuterated solvents were purchased from VWR.
All reagents were used as received.
[0079] PVC-g-POEM. Synthesis Protocol. In a typical reaction, PVC
(5 g) was weighed into a conical flask containing a Teflon stir bar
and dissolved in DMF (40 ml). POEM (20 ml), CuCl (0.06 g), and HMTA
(0.42 g) were then added to the reaction mixture, after which the
conical flask was sealed with a rubber septum. Argon gas was
bubbled through the reaction mixture for 15 min. while stirring.
The reaction vessel was then placed immediately into an oil bath
preheated to 90.degree. C., and the reaction was allowed to proceed
for 24 h. The graft copolymer was precipitated into a mixture
containing 1 part methanol, 1-2 parts petroleum ether, and a small
amount of HCl and recovered by filtration. The polymer was purified
by redissolving in NMP and reprecipitating 3 times in similar
methanol/petroleum ether mixtures. Finally, the polymer was dried
under vacuum overnight at room temperature.
[0080] Characterization. Composition. PVC and its graft copolymers
were characterized by .sup.1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
spectroscopy in deuterated nitrobenzene using a Bruker DPX 400
spectrometer. The .sup.1H NMR spectra for PVC and PVC-g-POEM.sup.b
appear in FIG. 3. In the PVC-g-POEM spectrum, the POEM resonance c
at .about.4.3 ppm is convolved with PVC resonance a. The mole
fraction of grafted POEM was therefore estimated as, 1 X POEM ( PVC
) = 1 37 ( I d + I e + 2 3 I e ) 1 37 ( I d + I e + 2 3 I e ) + I (
a + c ) - 2 3 I e ( 1 )
[0081] where I.sub.x is the intensity of resonance x and the
relationship, 2 I c = 2 3 I e ( 2 )
[0082] was assumed from stoichiometry. The compositions of the
graft copolymers appear in Table 1.
1TABLE 1 Properties of Parent Polymers and Graft Copolymers Graft
Copolymer {overscore (M)}.sub.n Contact Angle (.degree.) Polymer
Composition (g/mol) .theta..sub.adv .theta..sub.rec PVC -- 71
700.sup..dagger. 90.2 82.3 PVC-g-POEM.sup.a 19 wt % POEM 88
000.sup..dagger-dbl. 73.0 42.9 PVC-g-POEM.sup.b 50 wt % POEM 143
200.sup..dagger-dbl. 42.6 32.4 PVDF -- 107 000.sup..dagger..dagger.
87.5 75.9 PVDF-g-POEM.sup.a 44 wt % POEM 189 400.sup..dagger-dbl.
65.0 28.5 PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b 67 wt % POEM 323 200.sup..dagger-dbl.
38.8 <5 PVDF-g-PMAA 49 wt % PMAA 211 300.sup..dagger-dbl. -- --
cPE -- -- 96.9 84.2 cPE-g-POEM 49 wt % POEM -- 26.3 16.5 cPP -- 254
200.sup..dagger. 96.2 93.7 cPP-g-POEM 48 wt % POEM 490
300.sup..dagger-dbl. 84.8 41.0 PSf -- 26 000.sup..dagger..dagger.
81.4 74.5 PSf-g-POEM 50 wt % POEM 30 600.sup..dagger-dbl. 72.1*,
53.2*, 52.4* 38.5** .sup..dagger.From GPC, based on polystyrene
standards .sup..dagger..dagger.From the manufacturer
.sup..dagger-dbl.Estimated based on composition from .sup.1H NMR
using Equation (3) *Contact angle measurements performed on PSf/10
wt % PSf-g-POEM blend **Contact angle measurements performed on
PSf/20 wt % PSf-g-POEM blend
[0083] Molecular Weight. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was
performed on the parent PVC and its PVC-g-POEM products in
tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 30.degree. C., using polystyrene standards
for calibration. GPC of PVC indicated that it had a polystyrene
standard molecular weight of {overscore (M)}.sub.n=71 700 g/mol and
{overscore (M)}.sub.w=131 500 g/mol. The GPC traces of
PVC-g-POEM.sup.a and PVC-g-POEM.sup.b exhibited monomodal
distributions shifted up in molecular weight to {overscore
(M)}.sub.n=80 900 g/mol, {overscore (M)}=177 000 g/mol, and to
{overscore (M)}.sub.n=105 100 g/mol, {overscore (M)}.sub.w=170 400
g/mol, respectively. The monomodal nature of the peaks rules out
any significant homopolymer contaminant. However, the molecular
weights obtained by GPC for the graft copolymer products are not
good estimates of their true molecular weights, due to the
difference in hydrodynamic volumes between linear and branched
polymers of equal molecular weight. Thus, the number-average
molecular weights of all graft copolymers were estimated from their
compositions as obtained from .sup.1H NMR, using the formula, 3 M _
n , graft = M _ n , base ( 1 + x M o POEM M o base ) ( 3 )
[0084] where {overscore (M)}.sub.n,base is the number-average
molecular weight of the base polymer, x is the molar ratio of POEM
units to base polymer repeat units in the copolymer as measured by
.sup.1H NMR, and M.sub.0.sup.POEM and M.sub.0.sup.base are the
molecular weights of POEM and the base polymer repeat unit,
respectively. The molecular weights of the graft copolymers so
calculated appear in Table 1. Aliquots of the copolymers taken
after the last two precipitations were indistinguishable by both
GPC and NMR.
[0085] PVDF-g-POEM. Synthesis Protocol. In a typical reaction, PVDF
(5 g), POEM (50 ml), CuCl (0.04 g), and bpy (0.23 g) were
co-dissolved in NMP in a conical flask, as above. The reaction
vessel was similarly purged with argon gas, after which the
reaction was performed at 90.degree. C. for 19 h. The polymer was
recovered and purified by successive precipitations in
methanol/petroleum ether mixtures, as above, and dried under vacuum
overnight at room temperature.
[0086] Characterization. Composition. PVDF and its POEM-grafted
copolymers were characterized by .sup.1H NMR in deuterated DMF. The
.sup.1H NMR spectra for PVDF and PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b appear in FIG.
4. The PVDF spectrum exhibits two well-known peaks due to
head-to-tail (ht) and head-to-head (hh) bonding arrangements.
Grafting of POEM to PVDF resulted in the appearance of peaks in the
region 3.2-4.3 ppm due to the O--CH.sub.x bonding environments in
the PEO side chains. The solvent peaks S.sub.2 and S.sub.3 were
subtracted from the spectra using their known intensities relative
to solvent peak S.sub.1 obtained by analysis of pure deuterated
DMF. The mole fraction of POEM in the PVDF copolymer was then
calculated as, 4 X POEM ( PVDF ) = 1 37 ( I c + I d + I e ) 1 37 (
I c + I d + I e ) + 1 2 ( I a ( ht ) + I a ( hh ) ) ( 4 )
[0087] where I.sub.x denotes the intensity of resonance x. The
compositions of PVDF and its graft copolymers appear in Table
1.
[0088] Molecular Weight. PVDF and PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b were
characterized by GPC in DMF containing 1% lithium nitrate at
30.degree. C., with the molecular weight scale calibrated using
PMMA standards. GPC traces for the two polymers appear in FIG. 5.
The grafting reaction resulted in a significant molecular weight
increase, from a PMMA standard molecular weight of {overscore
(M)}.sub.w=1 218 300 for PVDF.sub.250K to {overscore (M)}.sub.w=2
979 900 for PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b. The molecular weight distribution of
the graft copolymer is bimodal. The GPC trace is virtually
unchanged after a 48-h extraction in a large volume of dW, a good
solvent for poly(POEM), indicating that its bimodality is not due
to homopolymerization of POEM (FIG 5c). Rather, the bimodal
distribution is likely a result of radical-radical coupling of
chains during polymerization, which has been observed previously in
ATRP graft copolymerizations, and which can result in multi-modal
molecular weight distributions. While such termination reactions
are generally undesirable, it will be shown in Example 3 that they
do not compromise the ability of PVDF-g-POEM to surface segregate
during the fabrication of PVDF membranes, providing a highly
desirable surface chemistry.
[0089] Due to the differences in chain flexibility between the
PVDF-based graft copolymers and linear PMMA standards and
differences between the hydrodynamic radii of linear and branched
polymers of equal molecular weight, the PMMA standard molecular
weights are not accurate numerical estimates of the true graft
copolymer molecular weights. More accurate estimates of the
number-average molecular weights of PVDF-g-POEM were obtained from
the NMR data using Equation 3. The molecular weights so calculated
appear in Table 1.
[0090] Thermal Analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
analysis was performed using a Perkin Elmer Pyris 1 calorimeter.
All samples were preconditioned by holding at 210.degree. C. for 15
min., cooling to 130.degree. C. at 10.degree. C./min., holding at
that temperature for 15 min., and cooling to 50.degree. C. at
10.degree. C./min. DSC curves were then obtained by scanning from
50.degree. C. to 230.degree. C. at a heating rate of 10.degree.
C./min. DSC curves for PVDF and PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b are shown in FIG.
6. PVDF-g-POEMb is semicrystalline, with a depressed melting point
compared to pure PVDF.
[0091] Morphology. The morphology of PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b was
characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A bulk
polymer sample was equilibrated in a vacuum oven at 200.degree. C.
for 12 h. It was then cryomicrotomed into 50-nm thick sections at
-55.degree. C. using a RMC (Tucson, Ariz.) MT-XL ultramicrotome.
The sections were mounted on copper grids and stained with
ruthenium tetroxide for 20 min. at room temperature. It is well
known that ruthenium tetroxide selectively stains the ether
moieties in PEO. TEM images of the sections were obtained using a
JEOL 200CX microscope. FIG. 7 is one such image, in which the
stained PEO appears black. Black domains approximately 10-20 .ANG.
in size appeared throughout the sample. This is roughly the
expected size of a single 9 EO unit POEM side chain. These results
suggest that PVDF-g-POEM microphase separates, with individual POEM
side chains forming hydrophilic domains in a matrix of hydrophobic
PVDF.
[0092] PVDF-g-PMAA. Synthesis Protocol. PVDF (5 g) was dissolved in
NMP (40 mL) at 50.degree. C. The mixture was cooled to room
temperature, after which tBMA (50 mL), CuCl (0.041 g), and bpy
(0.23 g) were added and the reaction vessel was sealed with a
rubber septum. Argon gas was bubbled through the reaction mixture
for 15 min. while stirring. The reactor was then placed immediately
into an oil bath preheated to 90.degree. C., and the reaction was
allowed to proceed for 20 h. The graft copolymer was precipitated
into a 1:1 water/ethanol mixture. It was then purified by
redissolving it in NMP and reprecipitating it in a similar
water/ethanol mixture. The graft copolymer, PVDF-g-PtBMA, was
recovered by filtration and dried in a vacuum oven overnight.
PVDF-g-PtBMA (5.52 g) was cut into chunks .about.2 mm in size,
which were immersed in anhydrous toluene (300 mL). The polymer
swelled significantly in the solvent, although it did not dissolve.
TSA (31 g) was added to the reactor, after which the reactor was
immediately sealed with a rubber septum and the TSA dissolved by
vigorous stirring. Argon gas was then bubbled through the reaction
mixture for 15 min., after which the reactor was placed in an oil
bath preheated to 85.degree. C. After 7 h, the reaction mixture was
poured into excess methanol (a good solvent for TSA). Much of the
polymer remained in the form of "chunks," although some of it was
finely dispersed. The polymer was recovered by filtration,
redissolved in DMF, precipitated in a mixture containing 4 parts
hexane and 1 part ethanol, and again recovered by filtration. For
further purification, the polymer was stirred overnight in a large
volume of THF (in which it swelled but did not dissolve), and
precipitated again in a hexane/ethanol mixture. The graft
copolymer, PVDF-g-PMAA, was finally dried in a vacuum oven
overnight at room temperature.
[0093] Characterization. Composition. PVDF, PVDF-g-PtBMA, and
PVDF-g-PMAA were characterized by .sup.1H NMR in deuterated DMF.
NMR spectra for the polymers appear in FIG. 8. Grafting of tBMA to
PVDF resulted in the appearance of a peak at 1.5 ppm due to the
tert-butyl protons. Despite the heterogeneous nature of the
hydrolysis reaction, hydrolysis of the PtBMA side chains to PMAA
was quantitative, as indicated by the complete disappearance of the
tert-butyl peak. The spectrum for PVDF-g-PMAA also contained a
resonance at 12.6 ppm due to the carboxylic acid proton. The
compositions of both PVDF-g-PtBMA and PVDF-g-PMAA were calculated
from their NMR spectra. In both cases, the solvent resonance
S.sub.3 was subtracted using its known intensity relative to
solvent peak S.sub.1 established by NMR analysis of pure deuterated
DMF. The mole fraction of tBMA in PVDF-g-PtBMA was calculated from
FIG. 8b as, 5 X tBMA = I b 9 I b 9 + 1 2 ( I a ( ht ) + I a ( hh )
) ( 5 )
[0094] where I.sub.x denotes the intensity of resonance x in FIG.
8. The mole fraction of MAA in PVDF-g-PMAA was similarly calculated
from FIG. 8c as, 6 X MAA = I e I e + 1 2 ( I a ( ht ) + I a ( hh )
) ( 6 )
[0095] The calculated values were X.sub.tBMA=0.403 and
X.sub.MAA=0.438, respectively. The close agreement between the two
values provides strong evidence that the hydrolysis reaction was
selective and quantitative, and that most of the methacrylic acid
units of the hydrolyzed copolymer were protonated. The PVDF-g-PMAA
composition reported in Table 1 was computed from an average of the
two mole fractions above.
[0096] Molecular Weight. GPC of PVDF-g-PMAA was conducted in DMF
containing 1% lithium nitrate at 30.degree. C., using PMMA
standards. GPC traces of PVDF and PVDF-g-PMAA appear in FIG. 9,
where it can be seen that the grafting reaction results in a
significant molecular weight increase. Unlike PVDF-g-POEM, the
molecular weight distribution of PVDF-g-PMAA is monomodal,
providing evidence of neither homopolymerization nor
radical-radical coupling reactions. As with PVDF-g-POEM, above, a
more accurate estimate of the number-average molecular weight of
PVDF-g-PMAA was obtained from the NMR data using an equation
analogous to Equation 3. The molecular weight so calculated is
reported in Table 1.
[0097] Thermal Analysis. DSC measurements were performed on
PVDF-g-PMAA as described above for PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b. DSC curves
for pure PVDF and PVDF-g-PMAA appear in FIG. 6. PVDF-g-PMAA is
semicrystalline, with a melting point slightly depressed compared
to pure PVDF.
[0098] cPE-g-POEM. Synthesis Protocol. cPE (5 g), POEM (50 ml),
CuCl (0.04 g), and HMTA (0.23 g) were dissolved in NMP in a conical
flask, as above. The reaction vessel was similarly purged with
argon gas, after which the reaction was performed at 90.degree. C.
for 24 h. The polymer was recovered and purified by successive
precipitations in methanol/petroleum ether mixtures.
[0099] Characterization. cPE and its graft copolymer were
characterized by .sup.1H NMR in deuterated DMF. The .sup.1H NMR
spectrum for cPE exhibited multiplets in the region 0.8-2.3 ppm
(C--CH.sub.x). Grafting of POEM onto cPE resulted in the appearance
of well-defined peaks in the region 3.2-4.3 ppm (O--CH.sub.x)
entirely analogous to those observed for the POEM-grafted
copolymers of PVC and PVDF. After subtraction of the solvent peaks
according to the established by NMR spectrum of pure deuterated
DMF, the mole fraction of POEM in cPE-g-POEM was roughly estimated
from the ratio of the total intensities of the O--CH.sub.x and
C--CH.sub.x resonances. The estimated composition so obtained
appears in Table 1.
EXAMPLE 2
[0100] Thin Film Coatings
[0101] Materials. Chlorinated polypropylene (cPP) (isotactic, 26 wt
% Cl), polysulfone (PSf) ({overscore (M)}.sub.n ca. 26 000 g/mol),
zinc oxide (ZnO), and chloromethyl ether were purchased from
Aldrich Chemical Co. (Milwaukee, Wis.). Chloroform and deuterated
solvents were purchased from VWR.
(Tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)-1-dimethylchlorosilane was
obtained from Gelest, Inc. (Bristol, Pa.). Cell culture reagents
were purchased from Gibco. All reagents were used as received.
[0102] Synthesis of Additional Graft Copolymers. cPP-g-POEM.
Synthesis Protocol. cPP (5 g), POEM (50 ml), CuCl (0.04 g), and
HMTA (0.23 g) were dissolved in NMP in a conical flask, as above.
The reaction vessel was similarly purged with argon gas, after
which the reaction was performed at 90.degree. C. for 48 h. The
polymer was recovered and purified by successive precipitations in
methanol/petroleum ether mixtures.
[0103] Characterization. cPP and its graft copolymer were
characterized by .sup.1H NMR in deuterated benzene. The .sup.1H NMR
spectrum for cPP exhibited multiplets in the region 0.8-2.3 ppm
(--CH.sub.x) and in the region 3.3-4.5 (C--CH.sub.xCl). Grafting of
POEM onto cPP resulted in the appearance of well-defined peaks in
the region 3.2-4.3 ppm (O--CH.sub.x) entirely analogous to those
observed for the POEM-grafted copolymers of PVC and PVDF. For
cPP-g-POEM, the mole fraction of POEM was roughly estimated from
the ratio of the total intensities of the O--CH.sub.x and
C--CH.sub.x resonances. The estimated composition so obtained
appears in Table 1.
[0104] PSf-g-POEM. Synthesis Protocol. As-received PSf containing
oxyphenylene repeat units was first modified to incorporate pendant
chloromethyl groups via electrophilic substitution. A solution of
ZnO (1.2 g) in chloromethymethyl ether (12 g) was added
drop-by-drop to a solution of PSf (6 g) in chloroform (40 mL).
After refluxing for 3-5 hours at 40.degree. C., the polymer was
recovered and purified by successive precipitation in methanol and
water. The resulting polymer PSf-CH.sub.2Cl (5 g), POEM (50 ml),
CuCl (0.04 g), and HMTA (0.23 g) were then dissolved in NMP in a
conical flask, as above. The reaction vessel was similarly purged
with argon gas, after which the reaction was performed at
90.degree. C. for 19 h. The polymer was recovered and purified by
successive precipitations in methanol/petroleum ether mixtures.
[0105] Characterization. PSf, PSf-CH.sub.2Cl, and PSf-g-POEM were
characterized by 1H NMR in deuterated chloroform. The .sup.1H NMR
spectrum for PSf exhibited multiplets in the region 0.8-3.2 ppm
(C--CH.sub.x) and in the region 6.8-8.0 (aromatic C--H). Adding
chlorine to PSf gives rise to the peak around 4.5 (C--CH.sub.xCl)
in the .sup.1H NMR spectrum for PSf-CH.sub.2Cl. Grafting of POEM
onto PSf-CH.sub.2Cl resulted in the appearance of well-defined
peaks in the region 3.2-4.3 ppm (O--CH.sub.x) entirely analogous to
those observed for the POEM-grafted copolymers of PVC and PVDF. For
PSf-g-POEM, the mole fraction of POEM was roughly estimated from
the ratio of the peak intensities of the O--CH.sub.x and aromatic
C--H resonances. The estimated composition so obtained appears in
Table 1.
[0106] Thin Film Preparation. PVC, PVDF, cPE, cPP, PSf, and their
corresponding POEM-grafted derivatives were separately dissolved in
appropriate solvents to obtain solutions composed of 2-3 wt %
polymer. In addition, PVC and PVC-g-POEM were codissolved for the
preparation of polymer blends containing 5, 10, 20, 40, and 60 wt %
PVC-g-POEM. The solvents used were THF (PVC and cPP and their
copolymers), toluene (cPE and its copolymers), chloroform (PSf and
its copolymer), and methyl ethyl ketone (at 80.degree. C., PVDF and
its copolymer). Thin films were spin coated at 2000 rpm onto
silicon wafers (PVDF, PSf, cPE and cPP) or glass coverslips (PVC).
In order to promote adhesion of PVDF homopolymer to the silicon
oxide surface, it was necessary to surface-modify the substrate
using a fluorinated chlorosilane,
(tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)- -1-dimethylchlorosilane.
Covalent coupling of the chlorosilane to the surface was
accomplished by immersion of the substrates in a 2 wt % solution of
the chlorosilane in ethanol at 30.degree. C. for 10 min., followed
by a curing step for 10 min. at 110.degree. C. in air. Thin films
were held under vacuum overnight to remove all residual solvent.
Some of the PVC-based films were autoclaved at 121.degree. C. while
immersed in deionized water (dW, Millipore Milli-Q, 18.2 M.OMEGA.
cm). This treatment was intended to simulate the repeated autoclave
sterilizations to which some PVC medical devices are subjected.
[0107] Thin Film Characterization. Contact Angle Measurements.
Advancing and receding contact angle measurements (Advanced Surface
Technologies, Inc. VCA2000) were performed on thin films and using
dW.
[0108] X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. XPS was performed on thin
films to determine their near-surface compositions. XPS was
conducted on a Surface Science instruments SSX-100 spectrometer
(Mountain View, Calif.) using monochromatic A1 K.alpha. x-rays
(h.upsilon.=1486.7 eV) with an electron takeoff angle of 45.degree.
relative to the sample plane. Survey spectra were run in the
binding energy range 0-1000 eV, followed by high-resolution spectra
of the C 1s region. Peak fitting of the C 1s region was conducted
with a linearly subtracted background and with each component of
the C 1s envelope described by a Gaussian-Lorentzian sum function,
as detailed in a previous publication (Hester, J. F.; Banerjee, P.;
Mayes, A. M. Macromolecules 1999, 32, 1643).
[0109] Static Protein Adsorption Measurements. To investigate the
protein resistance of blends of PVC and PVC-g-POEM, PVC-based thin
films were immersed in a solution containing bovine serum albumin
(BSA Fraction V, Sigma). Films were washed with phosphate-buffered
saline (0.01 M PBS pH 7.4) for 1 h, then incubated in PBS
containing 10.0 g/l BSA for 24 h at room temperature, and washed
for 5 min. in three changes of PBS followed by three changes of dW.
Finally, samples were dried in a vacuum oven at room temperature.
Surface coverage of BSA was quantified using XPS, by detection of
nitrogen occurring in BSA. Survey spectra were run in the binding
energy range 0-1000 eV, and the near-surface atomic compositions
were determined using numerically integrated peak areas and
applying standard sensitivity coefficients.
[0110] Cell Culture Experiments. Cell attachment studies were
performed to evaluate the biocompatibility of PVC/PVC-g-POEM
blends. NR6 fibroblasts transfected with wild-type human epidermal
growth factor receptor (WT NR6) were cultured in modified Eagle's
medium (MEM-.alpha.) supplemented with 7.5% fetal bovine serum,
L-glutamine, non-essential amino acids, sodium pyruvate,
penicillin-streptomycin, and gentamycin antibiotic. Cell attachment
studies were performed on thin films by placing the samples in
tissue culture polystyrene wells and seeding .about.34,000
cells/cm.sup.2 onto each polymer surface in 1 ml of
serum-containing growth factor medium. Samples were incubated for
24 h at 37.degree. C., after which the adhesion and morphology of
cells were assessed using a Zeiss Axiovert 100 phase contrast
microscope.
[0111] Contact Angle Measurements on Pure Graft Copolymers. Water
contact angles for the pure parent halogenated polymers and their
POEM-grafted copolymers appear in Table 1. The standard deviations
of all water contact angles listed in Table 1 were <2.degree..
Both advancing and receding contact angles measured on films of the
pure graft copolymers were substantially reduced compared to the
corresponding parent polymers. PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b was particularly
notable, with a receding contact angle of .about.0.degree.. The
high degree of contact angle hysteresis exhibited by the graft
copolymers suggests that substantial surface reorganization occurs
upon contact of these materials with water. Though hydrophilic and
water-absorbent, none of the graft copolymers were
water-soluble.
[0112] Contact Angle Measurements on PVC-Based Blends. PVC-based
blend thin films containing 5-60 wt % PVC-g-POEM.sup.b were
optically clear, both in the as-cast condition and after
autoclaving for 6 h at 121.degree. C., indicating that no phase
separated structures larger than the wavelength of light exist in
these blends. Advancing and receding water contact angles for
as-cast PVC-based films containing 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 100 wt
% PVC-g-POEM.sup.b are listed in Table 2. The standard deviations
for all measurements were <2.degree.. Addition of the graft
copolymer additive significantly reduces both the advancing and
receding contact angles. The surface compositions of as-cast blends
were estimated based on the contact angles of the pure components
using the equation of Israelachvili and Gee (Israelachvili, J. N.;
Gee, M. L. Langmuir 1989, 5, 288):
(1+cos .theta..sub.eq).sup.2=.phi..sub.PVC(1+cos
.theta..sub.eq,PVC).sup.2- +.phi..sub.copolymer(1+cos
.theta..sub.eq,copolymer).sup.2 (7)
[0113] where .theta..sub.eq is the equilibrium contact angle on the
blend, .phi..sub.x is the near-surface volume fraction of component
x, and .theta..sub.eq,x is the equilibrium contact angle on pure
component x. In all cases, .theta..sub.eq was taken as the average
of .theta..sub.adv and .theta..sub.rec. The estimated surface
compositions are reported in Table 2. Equation 7 is expected to
provide only a very rough estimate of the surface composition,
particularly for a system with such large contact angle hysteresis.
Nevertheless, the results suggest that preferential surface
localization of PVC-g-POEM may occur in as-cast spin coated blends
with PVC, due to differences between the precipitation rates of the
two components from THF solution.
2TABLE 2 Properties of As-Cast PVC/PVC-g-POEM.sup.b Films Contact
Angle Apparent Bulk Composition (.degree.) Surface
Composition.sup..dagger. (wt % PVC-g-POEM.sup.b) .theta..sub.adv
.theta..sub.rec (wt %) 0 90.2 82.3 0 5 80.9 68.6 20 10 74.0 57.2 39
20 67.7 45.3 59 40 61.3 38.0 74 60 54.3 36.1 84 100 42.6 32.4 100
.sup..dagger.Estimated using Equation (5)
[0114] Protein Adsorption Resistance of PVC-Based Blends. The
near-surface compositions of as-cast PVC-based films exposed to BSA
solution for 24 h were obtained by integration of the following
peaks in the XPS spectrum: Cl 2p (201 eV), C 1s (285 eV), N 1s (399
eV), and O 1s (531 eV). The near-surface concentration of nitrogen
occurring in BSA is plotted as a function of blend composition in
FIG. 10. Considerable resistance to BSA adsorption is achieved in
blends containing as little as 10-20 wt % PVC-g-POEM.sup.b. BSA was
not detectable on pure PVC-g-POEM.sup.b films exposed to BSA
solution.
[0115] Cell Resistance of PVC-Based Blends. The morphologies of NR6
fibroblast cells cultured for 24 h on PVC-based films are shown in
FIG. 11. In all cases, cells were observed to be confluent on the
tissue culture polystyrene surrounding the samples, indicating no
evidence of toxicity. Cells cultured on pure PVC in the as-cast
condition (FIG. 11a) adhere, and many spread or begin to spread
(black arrows). On as-cast films containing between 10 wt % (FIG.
11b) and 100% (FIG. 11c) PVC-g-POEM.sup.b, very few cells adhere,
and those cells found on the surface are rounded or agglomerated,
indicating very weak adhesion. Thus, as little as 10% of the graft
copolymer additive results in a dramatic enhancement in the
bioinertness of the PVC surface.
[0116] On as-cast PVC films autoclaved for 6 h in water at
121.degree. C. (FIG. 11d), fibroblasts adhere at a high density and
spread strongly, indicating strong attachment. XPS analysis was
performed to elucidate any differences in surface chemistry between
as-cast and autoclaved pure PVC films which might explain the
significantly enhanced cell attachment after autoclaving. The
near-surface atomic compositions of the films, obtained by
integration of the C1s, Cl 2p, and O 1s peaks in the XPS survey
spectra, appear in Table 3. The as-cast film has a Cl/C atomic
ratio of nearly 0.5, as expected based on the stoichiometry of PVC.
Autoclaving results in a marked reduction in the Cl/C ratio, as
well as the appearance of a significant amount of oxygen.
3TABLE 3 Near-Surface Compositions of As-Cast and Autoclaved Pure
PVC Films Near-Surface at % Atomic Ratio C Cl O Cl/C As-Cast PVC
66.27 33.73 -- 0.51 Autoclaved PVC 69.10 20.93 9.97 0.30
[0117] High-resolution scans of the C 1s regions of the XPS spectra
appear in FIG. 12. The pure PVC spectrum (FIG. 12a) was fit (.+-.1
eV) with the two well-known peaks of equal area centered at 285.90
eV (CH.sub.2) and 287.00 eV (CHCl), as well as a peak at 285.00 eV
corresponding to a small amount of hydrocarbon contamination.
Fitting of the spectrum for autoclaved PVC (FIG. 12b) required an
additional peak to account for the obvious shoulder at high binding
energy. The best fit was obtained with the additional peak
positioned at 289.24 eV, consistent with the presence of carboxylic
acid, which has been assigned a position of .about.289.26 eV using
high-resolution equipment. The above results are consistent with
thermal degradation of PVC during autoclaving, resulting in
dehydrochlorination and the incorporation of oxygenated groups into
the film surface. Thermal, photo-induced, and radiation-induced
degradation of PVC in the presence of oxygen have been known to
result in the creation of polar hydroperoxy and carboxylic acid
groups, which might be expected to facilitate cell adhesion.
[0118] Fibroblasts exhibit a much lower affinity for autoclaved
films containing 10 wt % PVC-g-POEM.sup.b (FIG. 11e). On these
films, most cells appear rounded or agglomerated. An occasional
cell (arrow) spreads on these surfaces. As the concentration of
graft copolymer additive in autoclaved films is increased, the
density of cells observed on the surfaces decreases and the
occasional spreading is suppressed, such that no spreading is
observed on films composed of 40 to 100% (FIG. 11f)
PVC-g-POEM.sup.b. The fact that PVC blends containing the graft
copolymer additive appear to retain much of their bioinert
character after extensive oxidative degradation is significant, as
degradation is a potential issue during routine sterilization of
PVC medical devices.
EXAMPLE 3
[0119] Membranes
[0120] Materials. PVDF.sub.534K({overscore (M)}.sub.w ca. 534 000
g/mol), PVDF.sub.250K({overscore (M)}.sub.n ca. 107 000 g/mol,
{overscore (M)}.sub.w ca. 250 000 g/mol), and polysulfone (PSf)
({overscore (M)}.sub.n ca. 26 000 g/mol) were purchased from
Aldrich Chemical Co. (Milwaukee, Wis.) and used as received.
[0121] Membrane Preparation. Membranes were prepared from casting
solutions containing polymer(s), glycerol, and
N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) according to the compositions listed
in Table 4. After filtering and degassing, each solution was cast
onto a first-surface optical mirror (Edmund Scientific Co.,
Barrington, N.J.) under a casting bar having an 8-mil gate size.
The mirror was then immersed in a bath of dW at 90.degree. C. The
membrane was removed from the bath after complete separation from
the mirror and immersed overnight in a second dW bath at 20.degree.
C. Finally, membranes were dried in air at 20.degree. C. Membranes
of type I, II, and III contained 0, 5, and 10 wt % PVDF-g-POEM,
respectively. Membranes of type IV and V contained 0 and 10 wt %
PVDF-g-PMAA, respectively.
4TABLE 4 Compositions of Membrane Casting Solutions g / 100 g
casting solution I II III IV V VI VII PVDF.sub.534K 18.0 18.0 18.0
-- -- -- -- PVDF.sub.250K -- -- -- 18.0 18.0 -- -- PSf -- -- -- --
-- 20.0 18.0 PVDF-g-POEM -- 0.95 2.0 -- -- -- -- PVDF-g-PMAA -- --
-- -- 2.0 -- -- PSf-g-POEM -- -- -- -- -- -- 2.0 glycerol 3.3 1.0
1.0 10.0 10.0 -- -- DMAc 78.7 80.1 79.0 72.0 70.0 80.0 80.0
[0122] Membrane Characterization. Contact angle measurements, XPS
analysis, and static protein adsorption experiments were performed
on membranes as described above for thin film coatings.
[0123] Near-Surface Compositions of PVDF-Based Blend Membranes.
Membranes Containing PVDF-g-POEM. The near-surface compositions of
PVDF membranes containing 5-10 wt % PVDF-g-POEM.sup.a and
PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b , as well as a thin-film sample of pure
PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b , were determined by fitting the C 1s regions of
their XPS spectra. The pure graft copolymer film was prepared by
evaporation casting from a 5% solution in DMAc, and its surface
composition is expected to represent an equilibrium composition due
to the slow evaporation time. The peak centers of the component
peaks, referenced to the hydrocarbon peak at 285.0 eV, were
constrained (.+-.1 eV) as follows: C--COO, 285.72 eV; CH.sub.2
(PVDF), 286.44 eV; C--O, 281.50 eV; COO, 289.03 eV; and CF.sub.2,
290.90 eV. These values correspond to values obtained from pure
PVDF, PMMA, and PEO homopolymers using high-resolution
instrumentation. The areas of the CH.sub.2 and CF.sub.2 peaks of
the PVDF component were constrained to be equal as required by
stoichiometry, as were the C--COO and COO peaks of the methacrylate
environment. The ratio of the C--O and COO peak areas was
constrained to its stoichiometric value of 18. For all membranes,
XPS analysis was conducted on the side of the membrane facing the
water bath during the precipitation step of fabrication. In
membrane separations, it is this side of the membrane which
contacts the feed solution.
5TABLE 5 C 1s Component Peak Areas as Percentages of Total Area for
Pure PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b and for Membranes Containing PVDF-g-POEM
CH.sub.2 C--O Sample HC C--COO (PVDF) (PEO) COO CF.sub.2 Membrane,
Pure PVDF 3.77 -- 48.12 -- -- 48.12 Membrane, 10 wt %
PVDF-g-POEM.sup.a 5.52 1.57 31.52 28.29 1.57 31.52 Membrane, 5 wt %
PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b 7.42 2.26 23.60 40.86 2.26 23.60 Membrane, 10 wt
% PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b 8.64 3.23 13.31 58.27 3.23 13.31 Pure
PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b 11.48 3.30 11.19 59.54 3.30 11.19
[0124] Component peak area percentages for the membranes and for
pure PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b are listed in Table 5. Plots of the fitted C
1s spectra for membranes containing 0, 5, and 10 wt %
PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b appear in FIG. 13. The near-surface mole fraction
of POEM was calculated using the formula, 7 X s POEM = A COO A COO
+ A CF 2 ( 8 )
[0125] where A.sub.COO and A.sub.CF.sub..sub.2 are the areas of the
fitted COO and CF.sub.2 peaks, respectively. The near-surface POEM
contents, converted to weight percent, are listed in Table 6, along
with the bulk POEM contents. Clearly, significant surface
segregation of the amphiphilic graft copolymer in PVDF occurs
during the single-step fabrication of the membranes by immersion
precipitation, due to the relatively low interfacial energy between
the amphiphilic component and water. Thus, for membranes containing
5 and 10 wt % PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b, the graft copolymer additive is
the major component of the .about.60-.ANG. thick near-surface
region of the membrane analyzed by XPS, even though it is the minor
component of the membrane as a whole.
6TABLE 6 Properties of PVDF-Based Membranes Comonomer Content
Casting (wt %) Solution Type Membrane Composition Bulk Surface
.theta..sub.adv. initial Wetting Behavior I Pure PVDF 0 0 89.9 .+-.
4.1 nonwetting III 10 wt % PVDF-g-POEM.sup.a 4.4 27 76.5 .+-. 3.7
partial wetting.sup..dagger. II 5 wt % PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b 3.4 42
60.4 .+-. 2.3 wetting, 147 .+-. 83 s.sup..dagger-dbl. III 10 wt %
PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b 6.7 64 53.5 .+-. 7.0 wetting, 16 .+-. 10
s.sup..dagger-dbl. V 10 wt % PVDF-g-PMAA 4.9 29 75.6 .+-. 1.0
partial wetting.sup..dagger. .sup..dagger.Defined as partial
translucence of a previously dry membrane after immersion in water
for 12 h; .sup..dagger-dbl.Time required for a 1 .mu.l drop of
water placed on the membrane surface to reach a contact angle of
0.degree..
[0126] Membranes Containing PVDF-g-PMAA. The C 1s regions of the
XPS spectra for membranes containing PVDF-g-PMAA were fit with five
component peaks. The peak centers, referenced to the hydrocarbon
peak at 285.0 eV, were constrained (.+-.1 eV) as follows: C--COOH,
285.80 eV; CH.sub.2 (PVDF), 286.44 eV; COOH, 289.33 eV; and
CF.sub.2, 290.90 eV, according to previously determined peak
positions for PVDF and PMAA homopolymers. The areas of the CH.sub.2
and CF.sub.2 peaks of PVDF were constrained to be equal, as were
the areas of the C--COOH and COOH peaks. FIG. 14 shows fitted C 1s
envelopes for (a) a pure PVDF membrane, (b) a pure PVDF-g-PMAA film
evaporation cast from DMAc, and (c) an as-cast membrane with a bulk
composition of 10 wt % PVDF-g-PMAA. Component peak area percentages
for the samples are listed in Table 7. The near-surface mole
fraction of PMAA was calculated from the XPS fits as, 8 n s PMAA =
A C _ OOH A C _ H 2 ( PVDF ) + A C _ OOH . ( 9 )
[0127] Bulk and near-surface compositions for each sample appear in
FIG. 14.
7TABLE 7 C 1s Component Peak Areas as Percentages of Total Area for
Pure PVDF-g-PMAA and for Membrane Containing PVDF-g-PMAA C--
CH.sub.2 Sample HC COOH (PVDF) COOH CF.sub.2 Pure PVDF-g-PMAA film
21.83 5.41 33.68 5.41 33.68 10 wt % PVDF-g-PMAA 28.74 9.19 26.44
9.19 26.44 Membrane
[0128] The near-surface concentration of PMAA in the pure comb
films, which were evaporation cast under the same slow conditions
used in the preparation of the PVDF-g-POEM films, was significantly
lower than its bulk concentration as measured by .sup.1H NMR. This
result suggests that PMAA is grafted onto PVDF in the form of long
side chains capable of strong orientation away from the air surface
to maximize exposure of the low-energy fluorinated backbone. The
near-surface composition of the as-cast membrane (c) indicates
substantial surface localization of PVDF-g-PMAA as well as surface
expression of PMAA, such that the near-surface PMAA concentration
is over 6 times the bulk concentration.
[0129] Near-Surface Compositions of PSf-Based Blend Membranes
Containing PSF-g-POEM. The near-surface compositions of pure PSf
membranes and PSf membranes containing 10 wt % PSf-g-POEM were
determined by fitting the C 1s regions of their XPS spectra. The
peak centers of the component peaks, referenced to the hydrocarbon
peak at 285.0 eV, were constrained (.+-.1 eV) as follows: aromatic
C, 284.70 eV; aromatic C--SOO, 285.31 eV; C--COO, 285.72 eV;
aromatic C--O, 286.34 eV; CH.sub.2--O (PEO), 286.45 eV; and COO,
289.03 eV. These values correspond to values obtained from pure PSf
and PEO homopolymers using high-resolution instrumentation. The
areas of the aromatic C--SOO and aromatic C--O peaks of the PSf
component were constrained to be equal as required by
stoichiometry, as were the C--COO and COO peaks of the methacrylate
environment.
8TABLE 8 C 1s Component Peak Areas as Percentages of Total Area for
Membranes Containing PSf-g-POEM Aromatic Aromatic C-- Aromatic
CH.sub.2--O Sample C HC C--SOO COO C--O (PEO) COO Membrane, Pure
PSf 73.08 11.54 7.69 -- 7.69 -- -- Membrane, 10 wt % PSf-g- 54.81
14.55 5.63 2.49 5.63 14.94 1.95 POEM
[0130] Component peak area percentages for the membranes and for
pure PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b are listed in Table 8. The near-surface mole
fraction of POEM was calculated using the formula, 9 X s POEM = ( A
PEO / 2.96 ) ( A PEO / 2.96 ) + ( A aromaticC - O / 2 ) ( 10 )
[0131] where A.sub.COO and A.sub.aromaticC--O are the areas of the
fitted COO and Aromatic C--O peaks, respectively. The near-surface
POEM content of the blend membrane, converted to weight percent, is
59 wt % compared to the bulk POEM content of 5 wt %. Clearly,
significant surface segregation of the amphiphilic graft copolymer
in PSf occurs during the single-step fabrication of the membranes
by immersion precipitation, due to the relatively low interfacial
energy between the amphiphilic component and water. Thus, for
membranes containing 10 wt % PSf-g-POEM, the graft copolymer
additive is the major component in the .about.60-.ANG. thick
near-surface region of the membrane characterized by XPS, even
though it is the minor component in the membrane as a whole.
[0132] Wettability of PVDF-Based Membranes. PVDF membranes modified
with amphiphilic graft copolymers of PVDF exhibit enhanced
wettablity. A droplet of water placed on a pure PVDF membrane
assumes a high contact angle, which changes very little over time
until the drop finally evaporates. In contrast, a water droplet
placed on a membrane containing 5-10 wt % PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b assumes
a moderate initial contact angle (>50.degree.) which decreases
to zero over time and ultimately wets through the membrane. This
behavior is termed spontaneous wetting. Herein, the wettability of
a membrane was assessed based on the initial advancing contact
angle (.theta..sub.adv) of a 1 .mu.L droplet of dW placed on its
surface, as well as the time required for the contact angle of the
droplet to reach 0.degree.. These values are reported in Table 6.
The delayed wetting behavior of membranes modified with
PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b indicates local surface reorganization to express
POEM upon contact with water.
[0133] Most notable for their wetting behavior are membranes
prepared from blends containing PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b. A membrane
containing only 5 wt % of this additive (corresponding to a bulk
POEM concentration of only 3.4 wt %) is spontaneously wettable on a
time scale of 2-3 minutes. The time needed for complete wetting can
be reduced to just a few seconds with the incorporation of 10 wt %
PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b. Membranes containing 10 wt % PVDF-g-POEM.sup.a
(which has a lower POEM content than PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b) or
PVDF-g-PMAA do not spontaneously wet. When immersed in water for
several hours, however, some regions of these membranes become
translucent, indicating partial wetting. Pure PVDF membranes show
no such behavior. It is of interest to compare this observation
with results obtained previously from PVDF membranes containing the
comb additive P(MMA-r-POEM) (Hester, J. F.; Banerjee, P.; Mayes, A.
M. Macromolecules 1999, 32, 1643). This additive had a POEM content
of 50 wt % (greater than that of PVDF-g-POEM.sup.a), and the
membranes were fabricated under similar processing conditions.
Although PVDF membranes containing P(MMA-r-POEM) displayed
substantially enhanced fouling resistance, they exhibited neither
spontaneous nor "partial" wetting behavior.
[0134] Protein Adsorption Resistance of Membranes Containing
PVDF-g-POEM. The presence of POEM at the membrane surface results
in significant resistance to protein adsorption. The near-surface
nitrogen content of membranes exposed to BSA solution for 24 h was
obtained by integration of the following peaks in the XPS survey
spectra: C 1s (285 eV), N 1s (399 eV), O 1s (531 eV), and F 1s (685
eV). The near-surface concentration of nitrogen from adsorbed is
plotted as a function of bulk blend composition in FIG. 10.
Compared to PVC/PVC-g-POEM.sup.b blends of equal graft copolymer
content (see above), PVDF membranes containing PVDF-g-POEM.sup.b
are significantly more protein resistant. This result is likely due
to the high degree of surface segregation of PVDF-g-POEM which
occurs during membrane processing. Indeed, a dramatic reduction in
protein adsorption is achieved with a bulk graft copolymer
concentration of only 5 wt %.
[0135] pH-Dependent Filtration Characteristics of Membranes
Containing PVDF-g-PMAA. Control over pore size at the level of
.ANG.ngstroms is difficult during membrane fabrication by immersion
precipitation. Even worse, the separation characteristics of
membranes always change with time during operation due to fouling
and pore compaction. Thus, polymer membranes are currently not very
effective in applications such as the fractionation of
macromolecules (e.g., proteins). To address this issue, recent work
has opened an intriguing new avenue of research directed toward the
development of environmentally responsive (ER) membranes. These
so-called "intelligent" membranes can adjust their own pore sizes
in response to environmental stimuli. Thus, for protein separation,
one might envision the employment of an ER membrane in concert with
a feedback loop capable of continuously measuring the size of the
permeating solute and adjusting some feed solution attribute to
maintain the desired separation characteristics.
[0136] The most widely studied ER membranes are prepared by the
surface graft polymerization of weak polyacid chains onto a support
membrane (for example, Ito, et al., Journal of the American
Chemical Society 1997, 119, 1619-1623). Monomers commonly used in
this approach include acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. The weak
acid groups on the grafted chains become negatively charged through
the dissociation of a proton,
HA=A.sup.-+H.sup.+ (11)
[0137] and the degree of dissociation depends sensitively on the
local pH and ionic strength. At high pH, the degree of dissociation
is high, and mutual repulsion between neighboring like charges
causes the chains to assume an extended conformation, closing the
membrane pores. At low pH, the chains become essentially neutral
and assume a relatively more collapsed configuration, opening the
pores. Thus, the chains provide a mechanochemical "pore valve" by
which separation characteristics and trans-membrane flux can be
controlled simply through adjustment of the feed solution pH or
ionic strength. This effect is completely reversible and quite
dramatic--the difference in trans-membrane flux between the "open"
and "closed" pore conditions can be greater than an order of
magnitude. ER membranes sensitive to pH and to glucose
concentration have been evaluated for use as drug delivery
capsules, which would release a drug at appropriate times in
response to an environmental stimulus. Membranes having grafted
chains capable of photonically and thermally induced conformational
changes have also been fabricated.
[0138] Filtration measurements were performed on membranes
containing PVDF-g-PMAA to assess the pH-dependence of their
permeability. Membranes were autoclaved for 1 h in water at
121.degree. C. prior to these experiments. The purpose of this step
was to eliminate a small, irreversible pH-dependence of the flux
through as-cast pure PVDF membranes. This behavior may be a result
of pH-dependent swelling of amorphous PVDF. Heat treatment of the
membranes at 121.degree. C. (>0.7.multidot.T.sub.m) may
facilitate crystallization of PVDF quenched into the amorphous
state during coagulation. A 25-mm diameter circular membrane was
mounted in an Amicon 8010 stirred, dead-end UF cell (Millipore)
having an effective filtration area of 4.1 cm.sup.2. Delivery of
feed solution to the cell was provided by a stainless steel
dispensing pressure vessel (Millipore) pressurized by a nitrogen
cylinder. To simulate the flow conditions in an actual filtration
operation, a stir bar mounted above the membrane worked in
conjunction with a speed-adjustable stir plate (VWR) to provide a
constant and measured fluid velocity parallel to the membrane
surface. Each membrane was prewet with methanol, then immersed in
dW for 30 min. before it was loaded into the cell.
[0139] Buffered solutions of pH 2-8 were prepared by the addition
of prepackaged buffer salts (Hydrion.TM., Aldrich) to dW. After
mounting in the UF cell, the membrane was pre-compacted by
filtration of pH 8 buffer at an elevated compaction pressure
P.sub.c for 60 min., followed by filtration of pH 8 buffer at the
measurement pressure P.sub.m for 30 min. The values of P.sub.c and
P.sub.m, listed in Table 9, varied based on the membrane type.
9TABLE 9 Compaction and Measurement Pressures Used in pH Response
Studies P.sub.c P.sub.m Membrane (psig) (psig) Pure PVDF 70 50 10
wt % PVDF-g-PMAA 20 5
[0140] Following pre-compaction, the pressure vessel was emptied,
such that nitrogen gas was delivered directly to the UF cell. The
cell was then successively emptied and filled with buffers of
various pH, and the flux of each solution was measured
gravimetrically at pressure P.sub.m. Each measurement consisted of
a 1-min. equilibration period, followed by a gravimetric flux
measurement over a second 1-min. period. To assess the
reversibility of the pH response, the trans-membrane flux was first
measured during 10 cycles consisting of a pH 8 measurement followed
by a pH 2 measurement. Following this test, the pH dependence of
the trans-membrane flux was quantified through successive
measurements at pH 2-8, in intervals of one pH unit. All of the
compaction and filtration steps were performed at 20.degree. C.
with a stirring speed of 500 rpm.
[0141] FIG. 15 is a plot showing the pH dependence of the flux of
buffer solutions through autoclaved membranes having
surface-localized PVDF-g-PMAA. The data points for the blend are
averages of data taken from three different membranes. The
self-organizing membranes exhibit a flux variation of well over an
order of magnitude, from a flux of 506.5 L/m.sup.2h at pH 2 to 29.0
L/m.sup.2h at pH 8. An autoclaved pure PVDF membrane exhibits very
little flux variation with pH. The solid lines in FIG. 15 are
best-fit symmetric functions of the form, 10 J = C - D [ B x - A -
B - ( x - A ) B x - A + B - ( x - A ) ] ( 12 )
[0142] where x is the feed solution pH and A, B, C, and D are
fitting parameters. The purpose of this fit was not to suggest a
particular functional form for the data, but rather to obtain an
estimate of the apparent pK.sub.a, given by the pH at the
inflection point (the parameter A). The location of the inflection
point at pH .about.4.7 is comparable to results obtained by other
researchers from membranes modified by surface graft polymerization
of PMAA.
[0143] FIG. 16 shows the flux response of these self-organizing,
environmentally responsive membranes as the pH of the feed solution
was alternated between pH 8 and pH 2 over a 40-min. period. Again,
the data points for the blend are averages of data collected from
three separate membranes. After 1-2 equilibration cycles, during
which reorganization of the membrane surface to express the PMAA
side chains of the graft copolymer additive may have occurred, the
flux response is completely reversible over this time period. Each
half-cycle consisted of a 1-min. filtration period for
equilibration, followed by a flux measurement over a second 1-min.
period. Although no quantitative evaluation of the rapidity of the
flux response was attempted, the flux was observed to change
substantially within a few seconds following exchange of the
filtration buffers.
[0144] This example demonstrates the utility of PVDF-g-PMAA as a
blend component for the fabrication of PVDF membranes, wherein the
graft copolymer enables the preparation of membranes having
environmentally-responsive separation characteristics with no extra
processing steps.
[0145] Those skilled in the art would readily appreciate that all
parameters listed herein are meant to be exemplary and that actual
parameters will depend upon the specific application for which the
methods and apparatus of the present invention are used. It is,
therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are
presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the
appended claims and equivalents thereto, the invention may be
practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
* * * * *