Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Higgins M. Wilson, Hyeong Woo Lim, Sang Joon Lee
Summary: The research team has achieved efficient solar desalination using a three-dimensional poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based hydrogel incorporated with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The hydrogel exhibited excellent mechanical strength, broadband light absorption, and the ability to reduce latent heat of vaporization, resulting in efficient seawater desalination with self-cleaning capability.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Paulina Gwardys, Kamil Marcisz, Damian Jagleniec, Jan Romanski, Marcin Karbarz
Summary: In this study, a thermoresponsive thin hydrogel layer based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) was developed for electrochemically controlled drug release. The layer demonstrated excellent drug accumulation and release control, making it potentially valuable for intrabody implants and transdermal delivery.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Hideaki Tokuyama, Haruka Mori, Ryosuke Hamaguchi, Gakuto Kato
Summary: This study investigated the LCST behavior of a novel thermosensitive NIPA-co-MTGA polymer in aqueous salt solution, finding that LCST depends on polymer composition and salt concentration, with the type of salt affecting the degree of decrease, successfully predicting LCST using SVR.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Momen S. A. Abdelaty
Summary: A new series of thermo-pH multi-responsive terpolymers were synthesized by free radical polymerization. The terpolymers were characterized using various techniques including H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, FT IR, DSC, TGA, XRD, GPC, contact angle measurement, UV/vis spectroscopy, and micro-DSC. The impact of pH solutions and different sodium salts on the properties and phase transition behavior of the terpolymers was investigated. The terpolymers were also used in post-polymerization reactions with biomolecules such as chitosan, protein, and amino acids.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Bingxin Liu, Jianzhi Liu, Yueqin Yu
Summary: The research team developed a smart window system based on PNIPAM thermo-responsive hydrogel, which exhibited a smooth thermo-response and comfortable indoor temperature/lightness balance through additional cross-linking materials. This method not only continuously shields dazzling sunlight, but also allows for personalized adjustment of response degree and response temperature, promising a broad prospect for the development of smart windows.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kai Wang, Guoqi Chen, Sen Weng, Linxi Hou, Dezhan Ye, Xiancai Jiang
Summary: A thermo-responsive PNIPAM/HPMC hydrogel was prepared using a simple one-step low-temperature polymerization method, achieving high transmittance, high solar modulation, low phase-transition temperature, and excellent high-temperature thermal stability simultaneously. The hydrogel exhibited high light transmittance (90.82%) and good mechanical properties and thermal stability. It also showed a low phase-transition temperature (about 32 degrees C) and high solar modulation (81.52%), making it an ideal material for thermochromic smart windows.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ljubisa Nikolic, Maja Urosevic, Vesna Nikolic, Ivana Gajic, Ana Dinic, Vojkan Miljkovic, Srdan Rakic, Sanja Dokic, Jelena Kesic, Snezana Ilic-Stojanovic, Goran Nikolic
Summary: This paper presents the formulation of a complex of curcumin with 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin in a thermosensitive hydrogel, characterized by various techniques. The release rate of curcumin from the gel complex formulation is constant over time, and a formulation that can release curcumin for more than 60 days can be designed. The Korsmeyer-Peppas model best describes the release of curcumin from the gel formulation, with diffusion as the mechanism of release.
Article
Polymer Science
Haniyeh Najafvand Drikvand, Mitra Golgoli, Masoumeh Zargar, Mathias Ulbricht, Siamak Nejati, Yaghoub Mansourpanah
Summary: Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) was introduced into a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nonwoven fabric to develop a novel support for polyamide (PA) thin-film composite (TFC) membranes without a microporous support layer. By adjusting the pore size of the nonwoven fabric using PNIPAAm hydrogel, a hydrophilic support was created. PA TFC membranes were fabricated on the PET-based support through interfacial polymerization. The resulting membrane exhibited good separation performance and temperature-responsive behavior.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Momen S. A. Abdelaty, Nidal Abu-Zahra
Summary: This study offers a comparison of three different types of thermoresponsive and thermo-pH-salt multiresponsive polymers and explores their properties in solutions with different concentrations and pH values. The results demonstrate the significant influence of DMAMCA on the behavior of TR copolymers and highlight the potential applications of these polymers in sensors and biomedical technology.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mengyan Yang, Xiao Tian, Tao Hua
Summary: With the aging society becoming more prominent, there is an increasing demand for elderly care and medical services, posing challenges to the existing elderly care and health systems. To address this issue, a smart elderly care system is crucial for real-time interaction between the elderly, the community, and medical personnel and to enhance the efficiency of elderly care. In this study, ionic hydrogels with stable properties were developed through a one-step immersion method and applied to self-powered sensors for smart elderly care systems. By optimizing the properties of the ionic hydrogel, a self-powered human-machine interaction system was designed to facilitate communication and alleviate the pressure on inadequate medical care in aging societies. This work highlights the value of self-powered sensors in the field of smart elderly care systems and has broad implications for human-computer interfaces.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tiantian Fang, Xifan Chen, Changyu Yang, Yaqi Cao, Junshi Zhang, WenChao Peng, Yang Li, Fengbao Zhang, Xiaobin Fan
Summary: In this study, a smart hydrogel was developed by combining poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) with two-dimensional (2D) silicene nanosheets. The resulting silicene/PNIPAM composite hydrogel exhibited dual thermal and near-infrared (NIR) responsive properties, with rapid, reversible, and repeatable NIR light-responsive behaviors. This smart hydrogel holds potential for applications in remote light-controlled devices.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Adolfo Sepulveda, Audrey Picard-Lafond, Andre Marette, Denis Boudreau
Summary: The study demonstrates the importance of controlling the concentration of gold cores in the seeded precipitation polymerization process to achieve precise tuning of the encapsulation process. This principle can be extended to encapsulating cores composed of other materials, potentially impacting the development of stimuli-responsive smart materials.
Article
Polymer Science
Qijun Wu, Chao Ma, Lian Chen, Ye Sun, Xianshuo Wei, Chunxin Ma, Hongliang Zhao, Xiuling Yang, Xiaofan Ma, Chunmei Zhang, Gaigai Duan
Summary: In this study, a light-responsive composite actuator was developed by combining inkjet-printed tissue paper with PNIPAM hydrogel. The mechanical property of the composite actuator was highly enhanced due to the high strength of tissue paper and the strong interaction within the interface of the bilayer structure. Furthermore, remote manipulation of light-responsive actuation was achieved using a stamping graphite electrode with high efficiency of photothermal conversion. Biomimetic actuating devices based on the near-infrared (NIR) light response of the composite actuator were also remotely controlled. This work provides a simple strategy for the construction of biomimetic anisotropic actuators and inspires the exploration of new intelligent materials.
Article
Polymer Science
Aliaksei Aliakseyeu, Parin Purvin Shah, John F. Ankner, Svetlana A. Sukhishvili
Summary: This study investigates the impact of salt on the diffusion properties of polyelectrolytes with different molecular structures in layer-by-layer films. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and neutron reflectivity (NR) techniques were used to analyze the diffusion behavior parallel and perpendicular to the substrate, respectively. The results reveal that the diffusion of star-shaped PMAA is lower than linear PMAA at salt concentrations below 0.22 M NaCl, but increases at higher salt concentrations. These findings provide valuable insights into the diffusion of polyelectrolyte chains in multilayer films and coacervates.
Article
Polymer Science
Shin-nosuke Nishimura, Kei Nishida, Tomoya Ueda, Shohei Shiomoto, Masaru Tanaka
Summary: Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) is a commonly used thermoresponsive polymer that has been widely applied in biological applications. However, due to the presence of a hydrogen-bond donor, PNIPAM often induces blood clot formation, making alternatives to PNIPAM with aprotic polar functional groups necessary. In this study, acrylate polymers containing the aprotic polar functional group pyrrolidone ring were synthesized, and their lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) could be precisely controlled. These polymers demonstrated good blood compatibility and cell affinity, and interestingly, could activate macrophages without cytotoxicity when their hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance was altered.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Panpan Zhang, Xu Wang, Yangyang Yang, Haifeng Yang, Chunsheng Lu, Mingru Su, Yu Zhou, Aichun Dou, Xiaowei Li, Xiaochuan Hou, Yunjian Liu
Summary: In this study, the influence of transition metal doping on the electronic and mechanical properties and electrochemical performance of 2HMoS2/NC was investigated using Cobalt (Co) as an example. Co doping was found to effectively improve the electronic conductivity and active site areas of 2H-MoS2/NC at different positions, optimizing the adsorption and diffusion capability of potassium ions. Furthermore, the study revealed the optimal roles of different types of nitrogen atoms in kinetic adsorption, diffusion, and interfacial stability of potassium ions. These findings provide guidance for the experimental design of high rate 2H-MoS2/NC electrode materials and the optimal design of other functional composite materials.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zeeshan Ajmal, Mahmood Ul Haq, Shahid Zaman, M. K. Al-Muhanna, Anuj Kumar, Mohammed M. Fadhali, Siwar Ben Hadj Hassine, Muhammas Qasim, K. F. Alshammari, Ghulam Abbas Ashraf, Abdul Qadeer, Adil Murtaza, Sulaiman Al-Sulaimi, Huaqiang Zeng
Summary: This study presents a novel heterojunction structure (SrTiO3/CN-TAL10.0) for enhanced photocatalytic water splitting (PWS). The incorporation of thiophenedicarboxaldehyde (TAL) through copolymerization significantly improves the photocatalytic activity of carbon nitride (CN) while maintaining its photostability performance. The optimized composition allows efficient isolation of photoinduced charge carriers and enhanced charge transport, resulting in a remarkable increase in overall photocatalytic efficiency.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Angela Arnosa-Prieto, Patricia Diaz-Rodriguez, Manuel A. Gonzalez-Gomez, Pelayo Garcia-Acevedo, Lisandra de Castro-Alves, Yolanda Pineiro, Jose Rivas
Summary: Macrophages can exhibit different phenotypes depending on the microenvironment and the characteristics of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs). This study demonstrates that the concentration and morphology of MNPs can influence the polarization of macrophages. The findings have implications for therapeutics targeting tissue regeneration and tumor progression.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yu Fang, Cheng-Ye Zhu, Hao-Cheng Yang, Chao Zhang, Zhi-Kang Xu
Summary: This study demonstrates the advantages of vacuum-assisted interfacial polymerization (VAIP) in fabricating polyimide nanofiltration membranes. By using vacuum filtration, aqueous solutions of PIP can be evenly distributed on different microfiltration substrates, leading to the fabrication of uniform and ultra-thin polyamide layers with excellent performance. The membranes exhibit high rejection rates and water permeance, as well as satisfactory long-term stability.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Isaac J. Gresham, Edwin C. Johnson, Hayden Robertson, Joshua D. Willott, Grant B. Webber, Erica J. Wanless, Andrew R. J. Nelson, Stuart W. Prescott
Summary: Understanding the interactions between polymers and surfactants is crucial for optimizing commercial systems. This study tested the behavior of polymer-surfactant systems, revealing that they do not behave like polyelectrolytes in the presence of salt. Additionally, the structure of polymer-surfactant complexes under confinement differs from that of polyelectrolytes.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yunxiao Xie, Cui Liu, Jie Zhang, Yan Li, Bin Li, Shilin Liu
Summary: This study aimed to improve the microstructure and rheological properties of W/W Pickering emulsions by crosslinking sodium alginate at the water-water interface, thereby enhancing the activity of encapsulated probiotics in simulated gastrointestinal digestion.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sang Ho Lee, Yige Sun, Patrick S. Grant
Summary: This research developed an effective approach to enhance the charging rates of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) by strategically incorporating carbon nanotube (CNT) conductivity boosters into Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) electrodes. Multi-layer architectures comprising CNT-rich and CNT-free LTO electrode layers were manufactured using a layer-by-layer spray coating method to promote charge transfer kinetics of high mass loading electrodes. The best performing multi-layer was paired with a spray-coated LiFePO4 (LFP) positive electrode, resulting in attractive power performance that outperformed conventional LTO || LFP combinations.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jingwei Liang, Shaobin Li, Fengbo Li, Li Zhang, Yufeng Jiang, Huiyuan Ma, Kun Cheng, Liang Qing
Summary: A molybdenum-regulated self-supporting electrode material with rich vacancy defects has been successfully synthesized and shows exceptional catalytic activities and stability for electrocatalytic overall water splitting. This study provides a new perspective for the design and synthesis of non-precious metal bifunctional electrocatalysts.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jonas Blahnik, Jennifer Schuster, Rainer Mueller, Eva Mueller, Werner Kunz
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between the morphology of PMMA monopolymers and PMMA-PHEMA copolymers with the expected nature of surfactant-free microemulsions (SFMEs) before polymerization. It is found that previously mesostructured, surfactant-free mixtures can produce porous polymers of different morphologies, while unstructured, oil-rich regions lead to solid, transparent polymers without nanostructured morphologies. Additionally, a surfactant-based reference system shows similar phase behavior and polymer morphologies as the comparable surfactant-free system, indicating the importance of the hydrotropic behavior of HEMA in this system.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zheng-Fen Pu, Wen-Zhi She, Rong Sheng Li, Qiu-Lin Wen, Bi-Chao Wu, Chun-Hua Li, Jian Ling, Qiue Cao
Summary: This study synthesized two framework-isomeric covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and discovered that the light scattering signal of COFs can be used for the analytical detection of lead ions. By controlling synthesis conditions and introducing regulators, the morphology of COFs could be controlled and framework-isomeric COFs could be precisely synthesized.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuchen Weng, Ying Hong, Jingyu Deng, Sicheng Cao, Li-Juan Fan
Summary: This paper reports the preparation of dynamic color-changing fluorescent polymer nanoparticles (PNPs) by constructing a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) pair. The PNPs show excellent anti-counterfeiting effects and reproducibility. The study demonstrates a promising encryption strategy that can achieve multiple outputs with simple operation.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guodong Liu, Zijian Wang, Jianing Wang, Hanbin Liu, Zhijian Li
Summary: This study investigates the combination of multicolor switchable polyaniline (PANI) electrode and 1-methyl-4,4'-bipyridyl iodide (MBI), which demonstrates superior optical properties in visible and near-infrared light modulation, as well as excellent electrochemical performances. This combination can be used to develop novel electrochromic devices for applications in smart packaging, smart labels, and flexible smart windows.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huying Yan, Yang Guo, Xingzhi Bai, Jiawei Qi, Haipeng Lu
Summary: By modifying Ti3C2Tx through heterogeneous interface engineering, optimized impedance matching is achieved, leading to enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption performance.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kehu Zhang, Yang Zhou, Silvia Moreno, Simona Schwarz, Susanne Boye, Brigitte Voit, Dietmar Appelhans
Summary: This article presents an advanced crosslinking strategy to fabricate clustered polymersomes using host-guest interactions. By controlling the input of crosslinker and environmental conditions, reversible aggregation and disassembly of these polymersomes can be achieved. The size and structure of these clustered polymersomes can be regulated and visualized through a fluorescent enzymatic cascade reaction.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Junjie Xu, Weixiong Huang, Ruiling Li, Li Li, Jinjin Ma, Jiaou Qi, Haiyan Ma, Min Ruan, Lilin Lu
Summary: In this study, a potassium doped palladium catalyst was developed for acetylene hydrogenation, showing excellent catalytic performance and durability. The doping of potassium effectively weakened the adsorption of ethylene, improved ethylene selectivity, and lowered the barriers of hydrogen activation and transfer reactions.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)