General Description

Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) is a versatile polymer that has been used in various scientific applications. It has been shown to be effective in the determination of silicate using fluorescent probes, as well as in the preparation of platinum nanotubes with enhanced catalytic activity. In addition, it has been utilized in the synthesis of an anti-swelling and antibacterial hydrogel coating for medical goggles. While the benefits of this polymer are numerous, it is important to handle it with caution to ensure safety. Adhering to proper safety precautions will help mitigate potential risks associated with Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) exposure. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of polymeric stabilizers such as Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) to facilitate the fabrication of functional nanomaterials with improved properties for various applications.

Figure 1. Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate)

Applications

Assay of silicic acid

Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) plays a crucial role in the determination of silicate (SiO32-) using poly(styrene sulfonate)-assisted Ag nanoclusters as fluorescent probes. The Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate)-DPA-AgNCs exhibit strong fluorescence properties and are shown to be effective in determining 2-Mercapto-3-butanol (2-M-3-B), 3-Mercapto-2-butanone (3-M-2-B), and silicate. The fluorescence of PSS-DPA-AgNCs is quenched in the presence of SiO32-, primarily due to a static quenching process. The developed fluorometry method allows for the quantification of SiO32- in the concentration range of 3.33-100.0 μM, with a detection limit of 278 nM. This method has been successfully applied to detect silicate in mineral water samples. The Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate)-DPA-AgNCs can form stable complexes with SiO32- through electrostatic interactions, which contribute to the enhanced fluorescence quenching performance. This study demonstrates the potential of Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate)-DPA-AgNCs as a promising fluorescent probe for the sensitive detection of silicate in various environmental and biological samples. ¹

Preparation of nanotubes

Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) has been utilized in the preparation of platinum (Pt) porous nanotubes coated with interconnected dendrites for improved catalytic activity. Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was used as a template, and the surface-exposed arginine residues of TMV aided in the selective deposition of Pt seeds on its exterior surface. Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) was chosen as a stabilizer to enhance the dispersity of TMV coated with Pt seeds (TMV/SPt). The confined growth of Pt dendrites between the Pt seeds led to the formation of continuous dendritic platinum nanotubes (TMV/DPtNT). This innovative approach resulted in an increase in active sites and improved transport efficiency and long-distance electron transfer, ultimately leading to significant improvements in catalytic activity. The synergistic effects of the porous dendrites and anisotropic structures of the TMV/DPtNTs provide an ideal platform for the sensitive detection of H2O2. This study demonstrates the potential of polymeric stabilizers such as Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) to facilitate the fabrication of porous nanotubes with improved catalytic properties. ²

Synthesis of antibacterial hydrogel coat

Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) has been utilized in the synthesis of an anti-swelling and antibacterial hydrogel coating for medical goggles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hydrogel coatings are super hydrophilic and inhibit bacterial adhesion and fog, but they are also prone to swelling and lack intrinsic antibacterial properties. The hydrogel coating synthesized in this study consists of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), acrylamide (AM), dimethylaminoethyl acrylate bromoethane (IL-Br), and Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate). An ion cross-linking network is formed due to self-driven entropy reduction effect of polycation and polyanion, which endows the hydrogel coating with excellent anti-swelling performance. Additionally, because of the synergistic effect of highly hydrated surfaces and the active bactericidal effect from quaternary ammonium cations, the hydrogel coating exhibits outstanding antifouling performances. The work provides a new approach to fabricate multi-functional hydrogel coatings with anti-swelling, antifouling, and antifogging properties for various applications. ³

Safety

Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) should be handled with caution to ensure safety. It is important to avoid direct contact with the skin and eyes, as well as inhalation of dust particles. In case of ingestion, immediate medical help should be sought. The substance should be stored in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated area, and the container should be tightly closed. Additionally, it should be kept away from incompatible materials, particularly strong oxidizing agents. Adhering to these safety precautions will help mitigate potential risks associated with Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) exposure. ⁴

Reference

1. Hu Y, Li Y, Liao Y, Jiang X, Cheng Z. Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate)-enhanced fluorescent silver nanoclusters for the assay of two food flavors and silicic acid. Food Chem. 2020 Jul 15;318:126502.

2. Guo J, Lin Y, Wang Q. Development of nanotubes coated with platinum nanodendrites using a virus as a template. Nanotechnology. 2020 Jan 3;31(1):015502.

3. Yang Q, Zhou Q, Guo Z, Song L, Meng F, Tong Z, Zhan X, Liu Q, Ren Y, Zhang Q. A Facile Strategy to Construct Anti-Swelling, Antibacterial, and Antifogging Coatings for Protection of Medical Goggles. Macromol Biosci. 2023 Oct;23(10):e2300099.

4. SAFETY DATA SHEET: Poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate). Thermo Fisher SCIENTIFIC, 2021, Cat No. : AC222270000.