Article
Polymer Science
Jordi Guardia, Marta Giamberini, Jose Antonio Reina, Xavier Montane
Summary: The synthesis of a family of side chain liquid crystalline (SCLC) poly(2-oxazoline)s from its oxazoline monomer precursor by cationic ring-opening polymerization (CROP) is reported for the first time. High molecular weight SCLC poly(2-oxazoline)s were obtained through the optimization of reaction parameters and the nature of CROP. NMR investigations and XRD studies confirmed the targeted molecular weights and columnar structures of the synthesized PTOx.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Naoki Hida, Tatsunaga Nakajima, Mitsuo Hara, Takahiro Seki, Shusaku Nagano
Summary: Two liquid crystalline polymers with azobenzene or cyanobiphenyl mesogenic side chains were mechanically mixed in equal proportions, resulting in a compatible polymer blend and a highly ordered liquid crystal phase.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Enjie He, Kai Tu, Jiannan Cheng, Yuxue Wang, Huanjun Lu, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: In this study, perfluorinated segments were introduced to increase the structural complexity of side-chain liquid crystalline polymers (SCLCP), and the interaction between the main chain and mesogens was investigated. By adjusting the length of spacers or perfluoroalkyl segments, different mesophases with complex chain packing structures were achieved.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kristin L. Lewis, Katie M. Herbert, Valentina M. Matavulj, Jonathan D. Hoang, Eric T. Ellison, Grant E. Bauman, Jeremy A. Herman, Timothy J. White
Summary: The synthesis of liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) with intra-mesogenic supramolecular bonds via direct free-radical chain transfer photopolymerization enables shape change under mechanical alignment, providing functional utility in robotics, medicine, consumer goods, and photonics.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Sakinah Mohd Alauddin, A. Ramadan Ibrahim, Nurul Fadhilah Kamalul Aripin, Thamil Selvi Velayutham, Osama K. Abou-Zied, Alfonso Martinez-Felipe
Summary: The authors synthesized a series of liquid crystalline polymers containing different substituents, sulfonic groups and methyl groups, and evaluated their phase behavior and conductivity. One of the terpolymers exhibited the highest conductivity, with light responsiveness, and shows promise for developing new light-responsive polymeric electrolytes.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoxiao Cheng, Tengfei Miao, Yafei Ma, Xiaoyan Zhu, Wei Zhang, Xiulin Zhu
Summary: By controlling the tail length and degree of polymerization of Azo blocks, the multiple chiroptical inversion of Azo-polymer supramolecular assemblies can be modulated.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ruixue Zhang, Hongwei Ma, Xuwen Li, Jiaxin Yang, Meng Lai, Xueli Zhang, Yu Wang, Yang Li, Li Han
Summary: Polystyrenes with photochemical stability were synthesized through anionically copolymerizing Si-H functionalized 1,1-diphenylethylene with isoprene/styrene. These PS-based materials were combined with liquid crystalline azobenzene-cholesterol moieties to achieve photo-responsiveness. The trans-cis isomerization efficiency under UV-light and Visible-light irradiation was evaluated, providing guidelines for the design of photo-responsive anisotropic materials.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mari Furuichi, Mitsuo Hara, Shusaku Nagano, Takahiro Seki
Summary: The nature of the topcoat affects the mesogen orientation and photoalignment behavior of SCLCP films. When a film with a homeotropic mesogen orientation is covered with a glass plate or polymer layer, the mesogens turn to a random planar orientation, enabling efficient in-plane photoalignment. Additionally, the liquid crystal phase shows significant stabilization above the isotropization temperature of the SCLCP. These findings are important for the fabrication of polymer LC devices.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lei Tao, He-Lou Xie, Xin Qi, Jun Song, Hong Xin, Zhen-Qiang Yu
Summary: In this study, a series of luminescent liquid crystalline polymers with special structures were successfully synthesized, and their photophysical properties were investigated. The results showed that although these polymers exhibited aggregation-induced emission, the emitted light was weak. Furthermore, the luminescent performance was influenced by the photothermal effect.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi-Xiong Hu, Xingtian Hao, Dan Wang, Zi-Cheng Zhang, Haitao Sun, Xing-Dong Xu, Xiaolin Xie, Xueliang Shi, Haiyan Peng, Hai-Bo Yang, Lin Xu
Summary: A system with spatially controlled fluorescence-resonance energy transfer has been built through the incorporation of a light-responsive liquid-crystalline metallacycle and a photochromic spiropyran derivative. This approach enables the realization of orthogonal multimode photopatterning including holographic, fluorescent, and photochromic patterning in one integrated system.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Gao-Wei Li, Xiao-Juan Wang, Xinxiang Lei, Na Liu, Zong-Quan Wu
Summary: This Mini-review highlights recent advances in the use of amino acid-based helical polymers and supramolecular oligomers as alignment media in the structure elucidation of organic molecules.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Chenxuan Sun, Xuekuan Ma, Lingling Ni, Mengru Ding, Jianfei Xia, Ying Zheng, Chengtao Yu, Bao Wang, Pengju Pan
Summary: Side substitution is an effective method for the chemical modification of linear polyesters, and the presence of side groups has a profound effect on the crystalline structure and phase transition of semicrystalline polyesters. This study synthesized polyesters with different side groups and investigated the effects of these groups on the crystal polymorph and phase transition of the substituted polyesters.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wenjie Bi, Zhiyuan Zheng, Yue Wang, Ziyang Shi, Kunlun Wang, Yingliang Liu, Shengang Xu, Shaokui Cao
Summary: This study successfully synthesized fluorinated triphenylene monomers and polymers with discotic liquid crystalline polymer structures, and investigated their structures and properties using various characterization methods. The polymers exhibited good thermal stability and showed different liquid crystalline phases. This research is important for structural modifications of discotic liquid crystalline polymers and has potential applications in organic optoelectronics.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Arpita Roy, Kalipada Manna, Shaon Dey, Sagar Pal
Summary: 8-CD is a cyclic oligosaccharide with a trunked cone like structure, which offers efficiency for various applications. However, native 8-CD faces challenges such as low solubility, insufficient functionalities, and limited complexation ability with guest molecules. Polycyclodextrins have been developed as a successful approach to enhance the efficiency of cyclodextrins. This perspective article summarizes recent advances in synthetic methods for modifying 8-CD and reviews the improvements in two types of 8-CD-centered supramolecular hydrogels, highlighting their applications in pollutant removal and bioactive agent delivery.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Masatoshi Hasegawa, Shunjiro Nagai, Seina Sokabe, Keita Ikeda, Junichi Ishii
Summary: A series of methacrylamides with benzoxazole mesogenic side groups and different alkyl unit lengths were synthesized, among which the n-dodecyl group-containing monomer and BO-containing polymethacrylamide exhibited excellent solubility and liquid crystallinity, leading to highly soluble polymer films with enhanced thermal conductivity. Additionally, a polyacrylate with BO mesogenic side groups showed enhanced thermal conductivity without fillers or external fields, making them promising candidates for novel heat-releasing materials.
POLYMER INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yiping Yin, Zhe Wang, Hua Zou
Summary: This study presents a novel method for preparing dimpled polymer-silica nanocomposite particles using interfacial swelling-based seeded polymerization. The optimized conditions allow for a relatively high percentage of dimpled particles to be achieved.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Brenden D. Hoehn, Elizabeth A. Kellstedt, Marc A. Hillmyer
Summary: Porous materials with nanometer-scale pores have important applications as nanoporous membranes. In this study, ABA triblock copolymers were used as precursors to produce nanoporous polymeric membranes (NPMs) in thin film form by degrading the end blocks. Polycyclooctene (PCOE) NPMs with tunable pore sizes were successfully prepared using solvent casting technique. Oxygen plasma etching was employed to improve the surface porosity and hydrophilicity of the membranes. This study provides a straightforward method to produce tough NPMs with high porosity and hydrophilic surface properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vladislav S. Petrovskii, Stepan I. Zholudev, Igor I. Potemkin
Summary: This article investigates the behavior of linear and ring polypeptide chains in aqueous solution and explores the properties of the complexes formed by these chains with oppositely charged surfactants. The results demonstrate that the complexes of linear supercharged unfolded polypeptides and the corresponding surfactants exhibit impressive adhesive properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Merve Cevik, Serkan Dikici
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death globally, and vascular grafts are a promising treatment option. This study focuses on tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) using decellularized parsley stems as a potential biomaterial. The decellularized parsley stems showed suitable properties for TEVGs, providing a suitable environment for human endothelial cells to form a pseudo endothelium. This study showcases the potential of using parsley stems for TEVGs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gustavo A. Vasquez-Montoya, Tadej Emersic, Noe Atzin, Antonio Tavera-Vazquez, Ali Mozaffari, Rui Zhang, Orlando Guzman, Alexey Snezhko, Paul F. Nealey, Juan J. de Pablo
Summary: The optical properties of liquid crystals are typically controlled by electric fields. In this study, we investigate the effects of microfluidic flows and acoustic fields on the molecular orientation and optical response of nematic liquid crystals. We identify several previously unknown structures and explain them through calculations and simulations. These findings hold promise for the development of new systems combining sound, flow, and confinement.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xinjun Wu, Xin Guan, Shushu Chen, Jiangpeng Jia, Chongyi Chen, Jiawei Zhang, Chuanzhuang Zhao
Summary: This research presents a novel shape memory hydrogel with a remodelable permanent shape and programmable cold-induced shape recovery behavior. The hydrogel is prepared using specific treatment methods to achieve shape fixation by heating and shape recovery by cooling. Additionally, deformable devices can be obtained by assembling hydrogel blocks with different concentrations.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rebecca Hengsbach, Gerhard Fink, Ulrich Simon
Summary: This study examines the properties of DNA functionalized pNipmam microgels and pure pNipmam microgels at different concentrations of sodium chloride and in PBS solutions using temperature dependent H-1-NMR measurements. The results show that DNA modification affects the volume phase transition temperature and the addition of salt and PBS further enhances this effect.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ningyi Li, Junhong Li, Lijingting Qing, Shicheng Ma, Yao Li, Baohui Li
Summary: This paper investigates the self-assembly behavior of colloids with competing interactions under spherical confinement and finds that different ordered structures can be formed under different sized spherical confinements. Moreover, more perforated structures are formed in smaller spheres.