Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Niklas Blagojevic, Marcus Mueller
Summary: Block copolymer membranes offer a bottom-up approach for isoporous membrane formation, which is useful in ultrafiltration and water purification. This process involves the self-assembly of block copolymers in a volatile solvent to create a top layer with selectivity, followed by the exchange of solvents with a non-solvent to create a macroporous support layer. Simulation studies provide insights into the structure formation and the role of thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Rong Zhang, Jinfei Wei, Ning Tian, Weidong Liang, Junping Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrates a facile method to fabricate superamphiphobic coatings on complex substrates. The coatings feature a microscale dense and nanoscale rough texture, which enhances the stability and superamphiphobicity.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Salman Mirzadeh, Azadeh Asefnejad, Hossein Ali Khonakdar, Seyed Hassan Jafari
Summary: Polyurethane nanocomposite films were prepared by adding a proper nonsolvent and graphene nanoplatelets to modify the surface properties and enhance biocompatibility. Hydrophilic graphene showed better dispersion and higher cell viability, indicating a direct correlation between biocompatibility and polar groups enriching the surface.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
M. Rosario Cervellere, Xianghong Qian, David M. Ford, Christina Carbrello, Sal Giglia, Paul C. Millett
Summary: A phase-field model was developed to simulate the formation of porous polymeric membranes via non-solvent induced phase separation, showing good predictive capabilities. Experimental results indicated a correlation between the pore morphology of the membranes and the composition of the coagulation bath.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Huilin Zhu, Zheng Chen, Lanlan Qin, Lizhi Zhang, Jian Zhou
Summary: This study investigates the improvement of surface hydrophilicity of membranes for effectively dealing with membrane fouling in water treatment processes. The results show that the grafting ratio of zwitterionic polymer significantly affects the surface morphology and hydration ability of the membrane.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dongwei Ma, Xiangyue Ye, Zhuo Li, Jiemei Zhou, Dinglei Zhong, Chenxu Zhang, Sen Xiong, Jianzhong Xia, Yong Wang
Summary: Ultrafiltration membranes derived from block copolymers with tunable pore structures and intrinsic surface functions are prepared by a simple spray-coating method. The addition of water as a pore-forming agent leads to phase separation during spray coating, resulting in the formation of nanoscale pores in the composite membranes. The membranes exhibit good ultrafiltration performance and intrinsic fouling resistance, making them comparable or better than those prepared by more complicated processes.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Lu Wang, Ying Li, Liming Pu, Miao Yang, Hongsheng Lu, Xuehong Gu, Xuerui Wang
Summary: The asymmetric 6FDA-APAF0.5-Cardo0.5 copolyimide membranes with effective thickness of -200 nm showed excellent performance in helium extraction from natural gas. The membranes exhibited high permeance, good selectivity, and resistance to impurities, making them suitable for practical application.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jie Zhao, Jeng Yi Chong, Lei Shi, Rong Wang
Summary: A novel approach was developed to immobilize F127 in PVDF hollow fiber membranes using PTFE particles as a binding agent through the N-TIPS method. The dual functions of F127 in pore formation and surface hydrophilization for PVDF membranes were observed. The membranes showed excellent pure water permeability and tensile strength, demonstrating the potential of the N-TIPS method for tuning membrane pore structure and hydrophilicity using multifunctional additives.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Salman Mirzadeh, Azadeh Asefnejad, Hossein Ali Khonakdar, Seyed Hassan Jafari
Summary: Superhydrophobic and antibacterial polyurethane nanocomposite films loaded with TiO2 and graphene nanoparticles were fabricated via a spray coating technique. The combination of TiO2, graphene, and nonsolvent led to a hierarchical structure with high uniform surface roughness, resulting in superhydrophobic/roll-off behavior and increased antibacterial activity to around 99%. The presence of TiO2 and graphene nanoparticles in the nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) process played a significant role in promoting the surface properties of the films.
SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Haozhen Dou, Mi Xu, Leixin Yang, Baoyu Wang, Aiping Yu, Luhong Zhang, Zhongwei Chen, Zhongyi Jiang
Summary: Zwitterionic deep eutectic solvent membranes (ZDESMs) are novel membranes used for ethylene/ethane separation. These membranes possess structural nano-heterogeneity with discrete zwitterionic nanodomains and interconnected carrier channels, providing flexibility in regulating carrier distribution and enhancing carrier activity and stability. ZDESMs exhibit high ethylene permeability, ethylene/ethane selectivity, and long-term stability, outperforming most state-of-the-art separation membranes. This research expands the membrane family and offers valuable guidance for developing advanced membranes in energy-intensive gas separations.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Penggao Cheng, Mingxing Liu, Guiying Tian, Qinxin Tang, Jun Xiang, Lei Zhang, Na Tang
Summary: In this study, PP/POE blending membranes were prepared via thermal induced phase separation method for vacuum membrane distillation. The blending membranes showed improved tensile strength and adjustable porosity by varying polymer concentration and bidiluent ratio. Optimal permeate flux was achieved at a PP/POE blending ratio of 8:2, polymer concentration of 30 wt%, and bidiluent ratio of 5:5, with superior separation performance demonstrated in VMD application for seawater separation.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Wenlong Liu, Nanlan Huang, Junjie Yang, Lianxin Peng, Jing Li, Weijun Chen
Summary: The NIPS method was used to prepare PLA films with 10wt% NMP, which showed uniform porous structures and improved thermal stability, water vapor transmission, and oxygen permeability. The addition of NMP altered the crystalline properties of the films, but not their composition. The 10 wt% NMP/PLA film demonstrated a longer shelf life for pork compared to polyethylene film, indicating its potential in pork packaging.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Xiaopeng Xiong, Yugang Wang, Chengtang Zhong
Summary: This study presents the preparation of an asymmetric membrane using a vapor induced phase separation (VIPS) method, which shows great potential in direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). The asymmetric membrane, prepared by co-dissolving hydrophilic cellulose acetate (CA) and hydrophobic poly(styrene-block-butadiene-block-styrene) (SBS) in tetrahydrofuran, exhibits different wetting properties on the two sides. The membrane shows excellent resistance to wetting and fouling after deacetylation of CA.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jie Gao, Tai-Shung Chung
Summary: In this study, a novel membrane was developed for decellularization of blood in the dried plasma spot system. The membrane effectively removed red blood cells and allowed plasma permeation, with almost no retention of targeted amino acids.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Andrey Viktorovich Basko, Konstantin Vasilyevich Pochivalov, Mikhail Yurevich Yurov, Tatyana Nikolayevna Lebedeva, Alexey Alexandrovich Yushkin, Alexey Vladimirovich Volkov
Summary: The nonsolvent thermally induced phase separation (N-TIPS) method is used to prepare flat sheet polypropylene membranes. The morphology and performance of the membranes prepared by standard TIPS and N-TIPS are compared. The effect of some parameters of membrane preparation process such as polymer concentration in dope solutions, thermodynamic affinity between the polymer and cosolvent and gap height in the film-casting device on the membrane structure and properties is investigated. The membrane properties can be controlled over a range of permeability values from 0.3 to 48 m(3)m(-2)h(-1) bar(-1) and mean through pore size from 0.22 to 0.55 μm.
POLYMER-PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY AND MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fenghe Wu, Tinglu Chen, Zhaohong Miao, Lizhi Zhang, Jian Zhou
Summary: Dissipative particle dynamics simulations were used to study the mechanism of lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) formation and the synthesis process of silica nanowires by LLC template method. The study found that a one-dimensional LLC channel can be formed within a specific concentration range, and that the appropriate PEO: PPO ratio for Pluronic is 40:70 to minimize channel deformation and guide nanowire synthesis.
MOLECULAR SIMULATION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shengjiang Yang, Daohui Zhao, Zhiyong Xu, Hai Yu, Jian Zhou
Summary: In this study, the adsorption behavior of acetylcholinesterase on different nanomaterials was investigated using simulations. It was found that amino-functionalized carbon nanotubes (NH2-CNT) were more suitable for the immobilization of acetylcholinesterase.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Huilin Zhu, Zheng Chen, Lanlan Qin, Lizhi Zhang, Jian Zhou
Summary: This study investigates the improvement of surface hydrophilicity of membranes for effectively dealing with membrane fouling in water treatment processes. The results show that the grafting ratio of zwitterionic polymer significantly affects the surface morphology and hydration ability of the membrane.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hai Yu, Shengjiang Yang, Zheng Chen, Zhiyong Xu, Xuebo Quan, Jian Zhou
Summary: Hydrophobins are widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries as potential protein emulsifiers. This study employed molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the adsorption orientation and conformation change of hydrophobin HFBI at the oil-water interface. The results showed that HFBI adsorbed at the interface with a patch-up orientation towards the oil phase, maintaining its secondary structure intact. The driving force for adsorption was primarily determined by van der Waals interactions, while the adsorption orientation and conformation were regulated by hydrophobic patches and key residues.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liang Ding, Jinxiang Zeng, Muzhong Luo, Jian Zhou
Summary: Statherin (SN) is an important protein that can adsorb on enamel to maintain calcium ions balance and promote biomineralization. This study found that SN can adsorb on the hydroxyapatite (HAP) surface, but its conformation and activity change depending on the solution. Furthermore, SN can stabilize calcium and phosphorus clusters, preventing the dissolution of hydroxyapatite and the precipitation of calcium phosphate.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mingrui Liao, Haoning Gong, Xuebo Quan, Ziwei Wang, Xuzhi Hu, Zheng Chen, Zongyi Li, Huayang Liu, Lin Zhang, Andrew J. J. McBain, Thomas A. A. Waigh, Jian Zhou, Jian Ren Lu
Summary: This study characterizes the interaction of short cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with bacterial outer and inner membranes and their impact on antimicrobial efficacy. The results show that different AMPs form distinct intramembrane nanoaggregates, with smaller sizes and greater extent of insertion correlating with better antimicrobial efficacy and faster killing.
Article
Biophysics
Lanlan Qin, Gaobo Yu, Jian Zhou
Summary: Large-scale simulations were conducted to explore the formation of protein coronas, which are formed by proteins and nanomaterials. The study investigated the effects of protein concentration, size of silica nanoparticles, and ionic strength on the formation of lysozyme-SNP coronas. The findings provide insights into the formation of protein coronas and valuable guidelines for developing novel biomolecule-NP conjugates.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhiyong Xu, Jian Zhou
Summary: In this study, multiscale simulations were conducted to investigate the effect of Na+ and Ca2+ ions on the activation of CDH on differently charged SAM surfaces. The results showed that both Na+ and Ca2+ can induce a conformation switch of CDH from an open state to a closed state, with Ca2+ having a stronger effect than Na+. However, high ionic strength of Ca2+ caused the CYT domain of CDH to be away from the NH2-SAM with low surface charge density. On the other hand, regardless of the ionic strength, the NH2-SAM surface with high surface charge density not only enhanced the CYT-surface interaction, but also achieved a closed state conformation, similar to the effect of Ca2+. Overall, this study provides molecular-level insights into the role of ion species and surface charge in modulating the structure, conformation, and activity of CDH on the SAM surface.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Entong Ye, Zheng Chen, Yongyong Shi, Dan Zhang, Wenfei Li, Hong Qin, Ziming Luo, Quansheng Wu, Qian Lin, Hongyan Pan, Keliang Wang
Summary: By using polyelectrolyte membranes (SPE) as an electronic acceptor to anchor Pd catalyst, a H2O2 selectivity of 90.1% and productivity of 5764.4 mmol·gPd^-1·h^-1 were achieved. TEM, XRD, ICP-MS, XPS, CO-DRIFT, O2-TPD, synchrotron radiation, and density functional theory (DFT) simulations revealed that the electrons of Pd are transferred into polyelectrolyte membranes and Pd clusters are strongly chemisorbed on SPE, leading to enhanced H2O2 productivity and selectivity by promoting O2 adsorption and inhibiting O-O bond dissociation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Haokang He, Lin Li, Yongsheng Wu, Daohui Zhao, Jie Liu, Jian Zhou
Summary: This study investigates the adsorption behavior of enzymes on ZIF-8 surfaces and its impact on catalytic activity using simulation methods. The results demonstrate that charged ZIF-8 surfaces can achieve ordered adsorption for enhanced catalytic activity, with ZIF-8-NH2 being a promising candidate for immobilization.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhaohong Miao, Lanlan Qin, Zhaoxi Zhou, Meng Zhou, Heqing Fu, Lizhi Zhang, Jian Zhou
Summary: The self-assembly and stimuli-responsive properties of nanogel poly(n-isopropylacrylamide) (p(NIPAm)) and zwitterion-modified nanogel poly(n-isopropylacrylamide-co-sulfobetainemethacrylate) (p(NIPAm-co-SBMA)) were explored by dissipative particle dynamics simulations. The simulations revealed that both types of nanogel can form spherical structures at polymer concentrations of 5-10%. The p(NIPAm) nanogel showed thermoresponsiveness, while the p(NIPAm-co-SBMA) nanogel exhibited both thermoresponsiveness and ionic strength responsiveness. The sizes of the nanogels were found to enlarge with the elongation of chain length (L). Additionally, the salt-responsive property was reflected in the nanogel size, with the volumes of the nanogels in saline systems larger than those in salt-free systems.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hai Yu, Lanlan Qin, Jian Zhou
Summary: This study used molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the effect of oil polarity on the orientation and conformation of proteins at oil-water interfaces. It was found that the oil polarity can influence the protein adsorption orientation and conformation by modulating intermolecular interactions. Therefore, the stability and activity of proteins can be regulated by changing the oil polarity.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lanlan Qin, Haiou Huang, Jian Zhou
Summary: This study investigates the translation dynamics of ions through nanopores in the water desalination process. The results show that the shape of the nanopore affects the water permeability and resistance, while functionalization can improve the performance and selectivity of ion transport. This research provides insights into enhancing water desalination technologies.
MOLECULAR SIMULATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wei Tian, Yonggang Dong, Hong Qin, Ziming Luo, Qian Lin, Zheng Chen, Hongyan Pan, Yongyong Shi, Keliang Wang
Summary: This work reports the synthesis of bimetallic catalyst PdSn@Pd@HCS by adapting reversed-phase micellar and galvanic replacement reaction, which exhibits excellent catalytic performance with H2O2 selectivity of 98% and productivity of 4899 mmol/g(Pd)·h(-1). The presence of Sn in the bimetallic alloy enhances the ligand effect and optimizes the electronic structure of the surface Pd atoms, resulting in the enhancement of H2O2 selectivity and productivity. This work provides the groundwork for bimetallic yolk-shell structure catalysts to achieve efficient synthesis of H2O2.
MOLECULAR CATALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Chunlin Chen, Bin Wang, Guoqing Xiao, Min Cao, Fei Zhong, Jian Zhou, Zhengwei Yang, Mingtan Wang, Rui Zou
Summary: Carbon spheres were coated with polydopamine and adenosine triphosphate to obtain activated carbon spheres with C-N-P structure, which contributed to the formation of intumescent char layer. Zinc hydroxystannate was introduced to the surface of carbon phosphide spheres to create a composite functional hybrid reinforcement. The CS/PAP@ZHS-based EP exhibited the best fire and smoke suppression properties.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2023)
