Polyelectrolytes materials development

Furthermore, porous CPs (e.g., polypyrrole, polyanUine) films have been used as host matrices for polyelectrolyte capsules developed from composite material, which can combine electric conductivity of the polymer with controlled permeability of polyelectrolyte shell to form controllable micro- and nanocontainers. A recent example was reported by D.G. Schchukin and his co-workers [21]. They introduced a novel application of polyelectrolyte microcapsules as microcontainers with a electrochemically reversible flux of redox-active materials into and out of the capsule volume. Incorporation of the capsules inside a polypyrrole (PPy) film resulted in a new composite electrode. This electrode combined the electrocatalytic and conducting properties of the PPy with the storage and release properties of the capsules, and if loaded with electrochemical fuels, this film possessed electrochemically controlled switching between open and closed states of the capsule shell. This approach could also be of practical interest for chemically rechargeable batteries or fuel cells operating on an absolutely new concept. However, in this case, PPy was just utilized as support for the polyelectrolyte microcapsules. 

The dense polyvinyl alcohol layer is supported by a porous PAN substrate membrane. Polyelectrolyte material [24] and chitosan [25], a natural product, are also potentially useful for dehydration by pervaporation. Sihcone rubber membranes developed for the removal of organic vapors from air can also be used for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water by pervaporation [23]. Because of the high hydrophobic nature of silicone rubber, VOCs are preferentially sorbed and transported through the membrane. 

For dense polymeric materials, a major setback in materials development is that highly selective materials are usually neither robnst nor flexible. For example, ionic polymer gels or polyelectrolytes have high water permeabiUties,... 

Interest in the chemistry of water-soluble polymers (polyelectrolytes) has been continually increasing during the past 45 years. The tremendous scope of utility for water-soluble polymers has led to a vigorous search for new materials and the rapid development of polyelectrolytes into a dynamic field of industrial research. Growth in this field has been especially rapid since 1960 and today, many companies are engaged in synthesis and applications research on polyelectrolytes that are primarily used in four main marketing areas water treatment, paper, textiles, and oil recovery [1]. Polyacrylamide gel was also used as soil conditioner [2-4]. 

The ability of the polyelectrolyte-based AB cements (Chapter 5) to bond to a variety of substrates, combined with their rapid development of strength - they can become load-bearing within minutes of preparation -suggests that they have applications as rapid-repair and handyman materials. 

Zinc polycarboxylate, the first polyelectrolyte dental material, was developed and used as early as 1968 [124]. These materials are formed by the reaction of a zinc oxide powder with an aqueous solution of poly(acrylic acid). The zinc ions cross-link the polyacid chains and form a cement. A few years after the development of zinc polycarboxylate cements, Wilson and Kent introduced the first glass-ionomer cement (GIC) [125]. Glass-ionomer cements are formed... 

Polyelectrolytes have been widely investigated as components of biocompatible materials. Biomaterials come into contact with blood when used as components in invasive instruments, implant devices, extracorporeal devices in contact with blood flow, implanted parts of hard structural elements, implanted parts of organs, implanted soft tissue substitutes and drug delivery devices. Approaches to the development of blood compatible materials include surface modification to give blood compatibility, polyelectrolyte-based systems which adsorb and/or release heparin as well as polyelectrolytes which mimic the biological activity of heparin. 

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