Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dawei Li, Shuo Sun, Kun Wang, Zahra Ahmadi, Jeffrey E. Shield, Stephen Ducharme, Xia Hong
Summary: This study presents a cost-effective route for large-scale processing of high-performance poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) nanowire films through interface-epitaxy, showing potential for flexible energy-efficient nanoelectronics.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Jia-Qi Hu, Wei-Pin Huang, Jing Wang, Ke-Feng Ren, Jian Ji
Summary: A new method for constructing stable polyelectrolyte coatings by in situ photopolymerization of acrylic acid in the PEI network is reported in this study. The in situ polymerized coating showed higher stability compared to layer-by-layer films, and porous structures could be constructed after acid treatment.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Cassia Lux, Thomas Tilger, Ramsia Geisler, Olaf Soltwedel, Regine von Klitzing
Summary: The study investigates tailored functionalization of cellulose based papers by preparing polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs), revealing that different polycations lead to PEMs with different surface topographies, and these PEMs exhibit high water uptake in humid environments.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dong Zhou, Meikang Han, Bchara Sidnawi, Qianhong Wu, Yury Gogotsi, Bo Li
Summary: The study demonstrates a rapid and eco-friendly assembly and regeneration of nanomaterial networks on a hydrophobic polymer substrate. The method is applicable to a wide range of hydrophobic nanomaterials and can be combined with other deposition methods to build heterostructures and integrated devices. The ultrafast withdrawal speed and insensitivity to substrate geometry make it a promising approach for high-throughput manufacturing of flexible electronics.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Seonjeong Lee, Won Seok Cho, Kyung Gook Cho, Jong-Lam Lee, Keun Hyung Lee, Kihyon Hong
Summary: Display textiles have great potential in various fields due to their advantages over classical rigid devices. However, it is challenging to continuously weave functional fibers with light-emitting devices using conventional textile technologies. To address this issue, we introduced fibrous modules that can be assembled like LEGO blocks to realize textile displays. The unique feature of this work is the generation of light-emitting pixels through the simple contact between modular electrochemiluminescent fibers.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Seonjeong Lee, Won Seok Cho, Kyung Gook Cho, Jong-Lam Lee, Keun Hyung Lee, Kihyon Hong
Summary: The development of display textiles has great potential for sensor technology, healthcare, and communication due to their advantages over traditional rigid devices. We introduced fibrous modules that can be assembled like LEGO blocks to create textile displays. By using modular electrochemiluminescent fibers, light-emitting pixels can be generated through simple physical contact, without the need for pressure or heating. This technique offers various options for designing the geometries of light-emitting pixels and can be applied to different electronic and optical textile applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Guangcheng Huang, Hanwen Lai, Jun Song, Yizhou Jiang, Shengxiang Ji
Summary: In this work, a universal and fab-compatible approach to fabricating 3D chemical patterns for DSA of BCPs with density multiplication is proposed by combining lithographic patterning and plasma treatment. The wetting behavior of BCP films can be controlled by tuning the surface energy of cross-linked polystyrene (XPS) mat through adjusting oxygen plasma treatment conditions. Non-preferential surfaces for various BCPs are obtained by oxygen plasma treatment, eliminating the use of random copolymer brushes in the LiNe flow.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maximilian Wagner, Cristian A. Strassert, Franziska Groehn
Summary: We demonstrated a versatile approach to fabricate functional multi-component nanostructures by utilizing hierarchical electrostatic nanotemplating and self-assembly. The CdS-polyelectrolyte-porphyrin structures formed in aqueous solution were investigated for their photocatalytic activity and the mechanisms upon excitation.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yu Zhu, Abash Sharma, Eric J. Spangler, Mohamed Laradji
Summary: The adhesion modes of spherical Janus nanoparticles on planar membranes were investigated through molecular dynamics simulations. It was found that the nanoparticles exhibited rich phase behavior depending on their adhesion energy density and areal number density. At intermediate densities and intermediate to high adhesion energy density, repulsive membrane-curvature-mediated interactions caused the nanoparticles to self-assemble into an ordered hexagonal superlattice.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Rajesh Kumar, Ambesh Dixit
Summary: A spectrally selective coating (SSC) with SiO2/(ZnO/Sn-In2O3)(n=4)/SS multilayer structure has been developed using a low-cost sol-gel assisted dip-coating process. The coating exhibits enhanced thermal stability, corrosion resistance, and desired optical properties.
Article
Electrochemistry
Shilin Mei, Andreas Siebert, Yaolin Xu, Ting Quan, Raul Garcia-Diez, Marcus Baer, Paul Haertel, Thomas Abendroth, Susanne Doerfler, Stefan Kaskel, Yan Lu
Summary: This study presents a method for synthesizing carbon-coated hollow titanium dioxide nanoparticles and discusses their application as a sulfur host in multilayer lithium-sulfur pouch cells. The unique nanostructure and chemical composition design can improve the performance of the battery under various working conditions.
BATTERIES & SUPERCAPS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Tuli Kang, Jingtian Zhu, Xiaojun Luo, Wenyu Jia, Ping Wu, Chenxin Cai
Summary: An SERS-based sensor was developed for quantitatively determining let-7a miRNA in exosomes, achieving single-base specificity with a broad linear range and low detection limit. The sensor has promising applications in cancer diagnostics and therapy.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Chen Wang, Hanying Zhao
Summary: Surface structures play a crucial role in the practical applications of materials. The synthesis of polymer brushes on a solid surface is an effective method for tuning surface properties. The fabrication of polymer brush-based surface nanostructures has greatly facilitated the development of materials with unique surface properties, such as spherical surface micelles and wormlike surface structures. However, there are still challenges in the synthesis and applications of these surface nanostructures.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ya-Ge Wu, Meng-Ying Jiang, Jing Zhao, Ya-Juan Cai, Xin-Zheng Li, Xu Yang, Han Jiang, Yi-Xing Sun, Nan-Jun Wei, Yang Liu, Yi-Bo Li, Zi-Hao Yang, Jing-Gang Gai
Summary: A sacrificial multilayer polyelectrolyte coating based on chitosan and tannic acid was fabricated to effectively clean the membrane surface and exhibit superior anti-fouling properties. The degradation performance of the coating also contributes to its long-term anti-fouling performance.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Matthew Rothpan, Nitin Chandra Teja Dadi Dadi, Geoffrey McKay, Michael Tanzer, Dao Nguyen, Adam Hart, Maryam Tabrizian
Summary: Bioactive surface coatings have great potential in orthopedics, especially in infection prevention. This research successfully applied a polyelectrolyte multilayer coating on a porous titanium implant using a layer-by-layer self-assembly technique, incorporating silver nanoparticles or titanium dioxide nanoparticles for antibacterial and osteoconductive properties.
Article
Polymer Science
Roman Schaller, Christian Hils, Matthias Karg, Holger Schmalz
Summary: This article introduces a unique method of preparing surface-compartmentalized micelles with a semi-crystalline stereocomplex core and a patch-like microphase separated corona, which shows potential applications in efficient emulsion stabilization and polymer blend compatibilization.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Robin Kueng, Anne Germann, Marcel Kruesmann, Louisa P. Niggemann, Jan Meisner, Matthias Karg, Robert Goestl, Bernd M. Schmidt
Summary: We have developed metal-organic cage-crosslinked polymer hydrogels by using bipyridine-functionalized polyethylene glycol chains. These hydrogels can encapsulate guest molecules and can be disassembled by ultrasound to release the cargo. The performance of the hydrogels was characterized by various techniques, including NMR, rheology, and SAXS experiments. The study also reveals the mechanism of cage-opening and demonstrates the enhanced drug-loading capacity of the hydrogels compared to non-crosslinked assemblies.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Larissa Braun, Regine von Klitzing
Summary: Foam films play a crucial role in determining the performance of macroscopic foams and can be used to study surface forces. This study investigates the effects of salt on the stability of foam films formed by mixtures of oppositely charged polyelectrolyte and surfactant. It is found that a small amount of salt weakens the electrostatic repulsion and decreases the film stability, while a large amount of salt unexpectedly increases the film stability due to additional steric stabilization provided by the polyelectrolyte/surfactant complexes in the film bulk.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Keumkyung Kuk, Vahan Abgarjan, Lukas Gregel, Yichu Zhou, Virginia Carrasco Fadanelli, Ivo Buttinoni, Matthias Karg
Summary: By combining a Langmuir trough with a custom-built small-angle light scattering setup, we investigated the structural properties of colloidal monolayers during compression. Comparisons with ex situ and in situ microscopy measurements revealed that Langmuir-Blodgett deposition can significantly alter the structural properties of colloidal monolayers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Max Hirschmann, Olaf Soltwedel, Philipp Ritzert, Regine von Klitzing, Christina M. Thiele
Summary: Two polyaspartates, PpFABLA (1) and co-polyaspartate PpFABLA-co-PBLA [11, 75% (n/n) PpFABLA content], bearing ortho-fluorinated azo-benzenes (pFAB) as photo-responsive groups, undergo reversible coil-helix transition in solution through the E/Z-isomerization of the side chain. The thermal stability of the Z-isomer is increased by pFAB, and the helix formation is effectively prevented. The helical polymer forms a lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) and orients unidirectionally inside a magnetic field, while the coil polymer results in an isotropic solution.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Victoria Davis, Nina Heidary, Amandine Guiet, Khoa Hoang Ly, Maximilian Zerball, Claudia Schulz, Norbert Michael, Regine von Klitzing, Peter Hildebrandt, Stefan Frielingsdorf, Oliver Lenz, Ingo Zebger, Anna Fischer
Summary: The oxygen tolerance of membrane-bound [NiFe] hydrogenase (MBH) from Cupriavidus necator makes it an attractive electrocatalyst for hydrogen energy conversion devices. By immobilizing MBH with affinity tags on a tin-rich indium tin oxide (ITOTR) electrode, hydrogen oxidation and an unusually high proton reduction current were observed, suggesting bidirectionality in unidirectional [NiFe] hydrogenases. The favorable enzyme-semiconductor interactions contribute to this behavior.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Eric Sidney Aaron Goerlitzer, Mario Zapata-Herrera, Ekaterina Ponomareva, Deborah Feller, Aitzol Garcia-Etxarri, Matthias Karg, Javier Aizpurua, Nicolas Vogel
Summary: Molecular chirality is transferred to plasmonic lattice modes, providing a effective and tunable means to control chirality. Non-close packed, periodic arrays of achiral gold nanoparticles embedded in a polymer film are used to demonstrate this chirality transfer. The surface lattice resonances become optically active in the presence of chiral molecules, showing handedness-dependent excitation. Numerical simulations and a semi-analytical model rationalize this chirality transfer.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Susanne Roehl, Lena Hohl, Sebastian Stock, Manlin Zhan, Tobias Kopf, Regine von Klitzing, Matthias Kraume
Summary: In this study, a first approach to model drop size distributions in agitated nanoparticle-stabilized liquid/liquid systems with population balance equations is presented. A novel modified coalescence efficiency is developed for the population balance framework, considering the effect of steric hindrance of nanoparticles at the liquid/liquid interface. The modified submodel is validated with experimental data of water-in-oil dispersions stabilized by silica nanoparticles.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Janine Birnbach, Peter Schmiedel, Matthias Karg
Summary: As sustainability awareness grows, there is an increasing demand for green formulations from the public. Glycolipid and lipopeptide biosurfactants (BS) are considered renewable, biodegradable, and gentle alternatives to conventional fossil-based surfactants. Understanding the phase behavior and physico-chemical characteristics of systems with BS is crucial for developing green formulations. This article reviews the different types of phase behavior in systems containing BS, including rhamnolipid, sophorolipid, mannosylerythritol lipid, cellobiose lipid, and surfactin.
CURRENT OPINION IN COLLOID & INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Larissa Braun, Max Hohenschutz, Olivier Diat, Regine von Klitzing, Pierre Bauduin
Summary: In recent research, it was found that the superchaotropic Keggin polyoxometalate alpha-SiW12O404 (SiW) can stabilize non-ionic surfactant foams through electrostatic repulsion. The precise mechanism of foam stabilization by SiW remained unresolved. Imaging and conductimetry were used to monitor the foam collapse, while small angle neutron scattering (SANS) tracked the evolution of film thickness. Thin film pressure balance (TFPB) measurements quantified the resistance of single foam films to external pressure and identified intra-film forces. The findings showed that SiW induces electrostatic repulsion within foam films at low SiW/surfactant ratios, and above a concentration threshold, excess SiW screens the electrostatic repulsion, resulting in thinner foam films. Despite this, the foam and single foam films remained stable due to an additional steric stabilizing force from trapped micelles inside the foam films, which acted as a surfactant reservoir and promoted self-healing of the interface, leading to more resilient foam films compared to bare surfactant foams/films.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Yanliang Ji, Simon Becker, Zichen Lu, Alexander Mezhov, Regine von Klitzing, Schmidt Wolfram, Dietmar Stephan
Summary: This study reveals the significant influence of resting time on the rheological properties of cement suspensions, which is closely related to non-absorbed polycarboxylate superplasticizers (PCEs) size variation. Adsorbed PCE during resting tends to bridge particles instead of dispersing them, leading to an increased yield stress.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Martina Schmidt, Matthias Karg, Mukundan Thelakkat, Johannes C. Brendel
Summary: Polythiophene-based conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPE) have become a focus of research in sensor and interface materials in chemistry and biology. Limited knowledge exists on the structure of anionic polythiophenes. Through controlled polymerization and substitution, regioregular and narrowly distributed poly(6-(thiophen-3-yl)hexane-1-sulfonate)s (PTHS) were synthesized with tailored chain length. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) analysis showed that all tested polymers exhibited a cylindrical conformation, with the length close to the contour length of the polymer chains. Furthermore, increasing the ionic strength of the solution led to a more coiled conformation of the polymer.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Adolfo Sepulveda, Deborah Feller, Matthias Karg, Denis Boudreau
Summary: In recent years, hydrogel-based soft materials have been widely used in tissue engineering, soft actuators, and flexible electronics. To implement these materials in real-world applications, a simple and cost-effective fabrication method is required. This study presents a compression- and colloid-based method to fabricate responsive Au-pNIPAM hybrid films, which show robust optical and mechanical properties even after repeated bending tests.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Max Hirschmann, Olaf Soltwedel, Philipp Ritzert, Regine von Klitzing, Christina M. Thiele
Summary: Two polyaspartates with ortho-fluorinated azo-benzenes (pFAB) as photo-responsive groups in the side chain were synthesized: PpFABLA (1) and co-polyaspartate PpFABLA-co-PBLA [11, 75%(n/n) PpFABLA content]. PpFABLA (1) undergoes a visible-light-induced reversible coil-helix transition in solution due to the E/Z-isomerization of the side chain. PpFABLA-co-PBLA (11) forms a helix independently of the E/Z-isomerization of the side chain and exhibits changes in the morphology and dipolar coupling.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
M. Hildebrandt, D. Pham Thuy, J. Kippenberger, T. L. Wigger, J. E. Houston, A. Scotti, M. Karg
Summary: This article mainly introduces the use of core-shell microgels as model colloids to study fluid-solid transitions induced by temperature changes. The structures of the liquid phase and the solid phase, as well as the osmotic deswelling phenomenon, are determined using methods such as absorbance spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering.