Quantum chemical calculations reveal that ozone is capable of instigating a series of degradative processes in poly(methyl methacrylate). The crux lies in the self-decomposition of 1,2,4-trioxolane, which undergoes a spin intersystem crossing process and O-O bond cleavage to unravel a triplet biradical intermediate that facilitates auto-degradation of the polymer chain.

A coplanar refractive-diffractive doublet array employing surface-relief diffractive phase elements embedded within poly(methyl methacrylate) microlenses is introduced as an optomechanical building block for optoelectronic integrated systems. The design method, fabrication technology, and results are described. Coplanarity of the quadratic- and linear-phase elements constituting the doublet can...

A series of bacterial cellulose-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) nanocomposite films was prepared by in situ radical polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), using variable amounts of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) as cross-linker. Thin films were obtained, and their physical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties were evaluated. The films showed improved transluc...

The incorporation of self-assembled nanoparticles, a.k.a. hydroxylated nanoballs, into poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)(PHEMA) gives rise to a cross-linked network/hydrogel with enhanced interfacial interaction, whereas its inclusion in poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) results in plasticization.

[This corrects the article on p. 396 in vol. 35.].

We report the case of a manicurist who developed an allergic skin reaction to acrylates, manifested by bullous lesions on fingertips and eczema of the hands and ears. Patch tests showed positive reactions to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, 1,6-hexandiol diacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate and triethylene...

A new graft copolymer, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-styrene) -graft-poly( -caprolactone), was prepared by combination of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) with coordination-insertion ringopening polymerization (ROP). The copolymerization of styrene (St) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was carried out at 60 °C in the presence of 2-phenylprop-2-y...

The aim of the present study is to develop new magnetic polymer microspheres with functional groups available for easy protein and antibody binding. Monodisperse macroporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA-COOH) microspheres ~4 µm in diameter and containing ∼1 mmol COOH/g were synthesized by multistep swelling polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), ethylene dimethacrylat...