Polyphilicity—An Extension of the Concept of Amphiphilicity in Polymers

Abstract

Recent developments in synthetic pathways as simple reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) techniques and quantitative post-polymerization reactions, most notoriously ‘click’ reactions, leading to segmented copolymers, have broadened the molecular architectures accessible to polymer chemists as a matter of routine. Segments can be blocks, grafted chains, branchings, telechelic end-groups, covalently attached nanoparticles, nanodomains in networks, even sequences of random copolymers, and so on. In this review, we describe the variety of the segmented synthetic copolymers landscape from the point of view of their chemical affinity, or synonymous philicity, in bulk or with their surroundings, such as solvents, permeant gases, and solid surfaces. We focus on recent contributions, current trends, and perspectives regarding polyphilic copolymers, which have, in addition to hydrophilic and lipophilic segments, other philicities, for example, towards solvents, fluorophilic entities, ions, silicones, metals, nanoparticles, and liquid crystalline moieties.

Compostable, fully biobased foams using PLA and micro cellulose for zero energy buildings

“…For the 1.5 wt.% MCF foam, the fibrils were located at the interface and their perforation of the cell wall led to a higher percentage open porosity and void fraction. This increased the volume of air in the foam, lowered its density and made it more thermally insulative 131 . However, as the concentration increased, the MCF started aggregating at the nodes 129 , 130 .…”

“…A subsequent increase in bulk foam density led to a corresponding increase in mean effective thermal conductivity for the 2.25 and 3 wt.% MCF foams (PLA-Bf and PLA-Cf). As it has been stated that the cell density, cell size, and size distribution contribute to the final bulk density of the foamed product 131 , and therefore, the effective thermal conductivity.…”

“…Due to their rod-like shape, they were able to form www.nature.com/scientificreports/ foams (PLA-Bf and PLA-Cf). As it has been stated that the cell density, cell size, and size distribution contribute to the final bulk density of the foamed product 131 , and therefore, the effective thermal conductivity. The aggregation of micro cellulose fibrils at the nodes and edges also increased the thickness of the foam skins and reduced the percentage porosity as shown in the skin thickness SEM images shown in Fig.…”

Hydrophilic Polymers

“…A frequently asked question arises from the term “hydrophilic polymer” as there are several ways to define it. Here the reader is also referred to the review by Kressler, et al that highlights this issue [12]. Notably, there is a broad variety of hydrophobic polymers that is not considered to be hydrophilic at all, e.g., poly(styrene) or poly(methyl methacrylate).…”

“…Notably, a distinction between the aggregation behavior of pure hydrophilic polymers and amphiphilic or even polyphilic polymers has to be made. This issue has been addressed by Kressler et al, who summarized the philicity concept in a review [12]. The review is a good way to get an insight into the spectrum of philicity of polymers, and the consequences for self-assembled structures in solution.…”