Degradable Alternating Copolymers by Radical Copolymerization of 2-Methylen-1,3-dioxepane and Crotonate Esters.

Producing backbone degradable copolymers via free-radical copolymerization is a promising, yet challenging method to develop more sustainable materials for many applications. In this work, we present the copolymerization of 2-methylen-1,3-dioxepane (MDO) with crotonic acid derivative esters. MDO can copolymerize by radical ring-opening polymerization incorporating degradable ester moieties in the polymer backbone, although this can often be difficult due to the very unfavorable reactivity ratios.

Wavelength exponent based calibration for turbidity spectroscopy: Monitoring the particle size during emulsion polymerization reactions.

Particle size and particle size distribution (PSD) are important properties of polymer latexes because they strongly affect the film formation and the rheological properties of the latexes. Thus, monitoring the particle size is of paramount importance during the production of waterborne polymeric dispersions, for which online/inline measurements of the particle size are required. Herein, turbidity spectroscopy (TUS) is used to measure the particle size of nanoparticles in dispersed media.

Nanostructured bioactive glasses: A bird's eye view on cancer therapy.

Bioactive glasses (BGs) arewell known for their successful applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Recent experimental studies have shown their potential usability in oncology, either alone or in combination with other biocompatible materials, such as biopolymers. Direct contact with BG particles has been found to cause toxicity and death in specific cancer cells (bone-derived neoplastic stromal cells) in vitro.

Polymer Colloids: Current Challenges, Emerging Applications, and New Developments.

Polymer colloids are complex materials that have the potential to be used in a vast array of applications. One of the main reasons for their continued growth in commercial use is the water-based emulsion polymerization process through which they are generally synthesized. This technique is not only highly efficient from an industrial point of view but also extremely versatile and permits the large-scale production of colloidal particles with controllable properties.