Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-soluble polymer complex that includes a water-soluble block copolymer and a magnetic nanoparticle, wherein the water-soluble polymer complex has a nonzero net magnetic moment in the absence of an applied magnetic field at ambient temperatures. The water-soluble block copolymer is preferably a diblock or triblock copolymer and the magnetic nanoparticle is preferably a ferrimagnetic or ferromagnetic nanoparticle. The water-soluble complexes may be derivatized with reactive groups and conjugated to biomolecules. Exemplary water-soluble polymer complexes covered under the scope of the invention include PEG112-b-PAA40 modified CoFe2O4; NH2-PEG112-b-PAA40 modified CoFe2O4; PNIPAM68-b-PAA28 modified CoFe2O4; and mPEG-b-PCL-b-PAA modified CoFe2O4.

Abstract: Provided is a method of depolymerizing polyesters from post-consumer products, such as beverage bottles, to produce a high purity reaction product. For the depolymerization reaction, the polyesters are reacted with an alcohol and an amine organocatalyst at a temperature of about 150° C. to about 250° C. In one application, the use of an organocatalyst with a boiling point significantly lower than the boiling point of the reactant alcohol allows for the ready recycling of the amine organocatalyst. In another application, performing the depolymerization reaction under pressure at a temperature above the boiling point of the alcohol allows for accelerated depolymerization rates and the recovery of the organocatalyst with no further heat input.

Abstract: Poly(ether sulfones) (PES) and poly(ether amide sulfones) (PEAS) were prepared from post-consumer polycarbonates and polyesters, respectively, using a single vessel in batch mode (all reactants present when heating was initiated). The depolymerization of the initial polymer occurs concurrently with step growth polymerization to form a product polymer having a number average molecular weight of at least 5000.

Abstract: Poly(ether sulfones) (PES) and poly(ether amide sulfones) (PEAS) were prepared from post-consumer polycarbonates and polyesters, respectively, using a single vessel in batch mode (all reactants present when heating was initiated). The depolymerization of the initial polymer occurs concurrently with step growth polymerization to form a product polymer having a number average molecular weight of at least 5000.

Abstract: Poly(ether sulfones) (PES) and poly(ether amide sulfones) (PEAS) were prepared from post-consumer polycarbonates and polyesters, respectively, using a single vessel in batch mode (all reactants present when heating was initiated). The depolymerization of the initial polymer occurs concurrently with step growth polymerization to form a product polymer having a number average molecular weight of at least 5000.

Abstract: Provided is a method of depolymerizing polyesters from post-consumer products, such as beverage bottles, to produce a high purity reaction product. For the depolymerization reaction, the polyesters are reacted with an alcohol and an amine organocatalyst at a temperature of about 150° C. to about 250° C. In one application, the use of an organocatalyst with a boiling point significantly lower than the boiling point of the reactant alcohol allows for the ready recycling of the amine organocatalyst. In another application, performing the depolymerization reaction under pressure at a temperature above the boiling point of the alcohol allows for accelerated depolymerization rates and the recovery of the organocatalyst with no further heat input.

Abstract: Provided is a method of depolymerizing polyesters from post-consumer products, such as beverage bottles, to produce a high purity reaction product. For the depolymerization reaction, the polyesters are reacted with an alcohol and an amine organocatalyst at a temperature of about 150° C. to about 250° C. In one application, the use of an organocatalyst with a boiling point significantly lower than the boiling point of the reactant alcohol allows for the ready recycling of the amine organocatalyst. In another application, performing the depolymerization reaction under pressure at a temperature above the boiling point of the alcohol allows for accelerated depolymerization rates and the recovery of the organocatalyst with no further heat input.

Abstract: Poly(ether sulfones) (PES) and poly(ether amide sulfones) (PEAS) were prepared from post-consumer polycarbonates and polyesters, respectively, using a single vessel in batch mode (all reactants present when heating was initiated). The depolymerization of the initial polymer occurs concurrently with step growth polymerization to form a product polymer having a number average molecular weight of at least 5000.

Abstract: Provided is a method of depolymerizing polyesters from post-consumer products, such as beverage bottles, to produce a high purity reaction product. For the depolymerization reaction, the polyesters are reacted with an alcohol having 2 to 5 carbons and an amine organocatalyst at a temperature of about 150° C. to about 250° C. In one application, the use an organocatalyst with a boiling point significantly lower than the boiling point of the reactant alcohol allows for the ready recycling of the amine organocatalyst. In another application, performing the depolymerization reaction under pressure at a temperature above that of the alcohol allows for accelerated depolymerization rates and the recovery of the organocatalyst with no further heat input.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-soluble polymer complex that includes a water-soluble block copolymer and a magnetic nanoparticle, wherein the water-soluble polymer complex has a nonzero net magnetic moment in the absence of an applied magnetic field at ambient temperatures. The water-soluble block copolymer is preferably a diblock or triblock copolymer and the magnetic nanoparticle is preferably a ferrimagnetic or ferromagnetic nanoparticle. The water-soluble complexes may be derivatized with reactive groups and conjugated to biomolecules. Exemplary water-soluble polymer complexes covered under the scope of the invention include PEG112-b-PAA40 modified CoFe2O4; NH2-PEG112-b-PAA40 modified CoFe2O4; PNIPAM68-b-PAA28 modified CoFe2O4; and mPEG-b-PCL-b-PAA modified CoFe2O4.

Abstract: Provided are inorganic-organic block copolymers that self assemble without the addition of a precursor. The inorganic block of the polymers includes silicon and the organic block may be any organic polymer. The inorganic-organic block copolymers self assemble to form a material in which the inorganic polymer block may be crosslinked to produce an organosilicate and/or silica matrix, and further thermal curing of the matrix results in the formation of a porous nanostructured film.