Article
Polymer Science
Man-Hin Kwok, Betina Porto, Shadi Mohebi, Lei Zhu, Mark Hans
Summary: In this in-vitro experimental study, we evaluated the physical and chemical properties of five different thermoplastic transparent aligner materials, finding that C+ was not soluble in any tested solvents, while Ace and DX30 were soluble in chloroform. Additionally, SmartTrack showed a two-stage degradation according to TGA results.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shuang Wang, Qiong Li, Shujuan Sun, Kai Ge, Yi Zhao, Kai Yang, Zhiheng Zhang, Jiayu Cao, Jie Lu, Yongfang Yang, Yue Zhang, Mingwang Pan, Zhiqun Lin, Lei Zhu
Summary: This study presents a method for constructing heterostructured electrocatalysts using two-dimensional metal-organic framework nanoplatelets and ferroelectric nanoparticles, which achieves efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The localized electric field and high dielectric constant generated by the ferroelectric nanoparticles enhanced charge conductivity and catalytic activity.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Caleb A. Bohannon, Man-Hin Kwok, Jiahao Huang, Guanchun Rui, Ruipeng Li, Lei Zhu, Bin Zhao
Summary: In order to achieve advanced electrical applications for ferroelectric liquid crystalline polymers, researchers designed and synthesized a new type of polyether with sulfonylated methyl-branched alkyl side chains. They found that a crystalline structure is observed when both the main chain and the side chains have double chirality, while a liquid crystalline smectic C phase is obtained when either the backbone or the side chains have single chirality. However, the electric displacement-electric field study did not show typical ferroelectric switching, likely due to the strong dipole-dipole interactions among neighboring sulfonyl groups hindering the ferroelectric switching.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Wen Huang, Tianxiong Ju, Ruipeng Li, Yajun Duan, Yanan Duan, Junji Wei, Lei Zhu
Summary: In this study, a new class of dipolar glass polymers based on phenolphthalin poly(aryl ether)s were synthesized. These polymers exhibit high energy density, high temperature resistance, and low loss, making them suitable for applications in power electronic and pulsed power devices.
ADVANCED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Shuang Wang, Qiong Li, Kai Ge, Yongfang Yang, Yue Zhang, Mingwang Pan, Lei Zhu
Summary: In this study, a nanoheterojunction was prepared by mixing surface-carboxylated ferroelectric BaTiO3 nanoparticles (BTO NPs) and protonated graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), which showed efficient charge separation and transfer for photocatalytic degradation of hazardous organic compounds. The photocatalytic degradation rate of levofloxacin by the prepared nanoheterojunctions was significantly enhanced compared to the individual components, attributed to the synergistic effect of heterostructures and the local piezo-potential generated by the ferroelectric BTO NPs. This study provides a simple yet effective method for achieving highly efficient photocatalysts using the piezoelectric effect of ferroelectric BTO NPs.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liwei Zhang, Shuangfeng Li, Zhiwen Zhu, Guanchun Rui, Bin Du, Dazhu Chen, Yan-Fei Huang, Lei Zhu
Summary: Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based polymers have great potential for flexible and wearable electronics, but exhibit low piezoelectric coefficients. The improvement of PVDF's piezoelectricity involves modulating its semicrystalline structures, with debates on the primary contributor. Current methods for enhancing PVDF's piezoelectricity can be categorized as modulations of the amorphous phase, crystalline region, and crystalline-amorphous interface. This article discusses the principles, measurements, and strategies to improve PVDF's piezoelectric properties, emphasizing the crucial role of the oriented amorphous fraction at the crystalline-amorphous interface. Future developments in high-performance piezoelectric polymers are also discussed.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Elshad Allahyarov, Qiong Li, Tianxiong Ju, Yeu-Wei Harn, Hang Luo, Dou Zhang, Zhiqun Lin, Lei Zhu
Summary: Polymer nanodielectrics have shown high energy densities in film capacitors. The abnormal ferroelectric behavior observed in bipolar polarization-electric field (P-E) loops of polymer matrix/ceramic nanoparticle composites without intrinsic ferroelectricity is explained by the contributions from deformational polarization, slim paraelectric P-E loops of the ceramic nanoparticles, and strong particle-particle dipolar interactions. The knowledge gained from this study will contribute to the development of better strategies for polymer nanodielectrics in capacitive energy storage applications.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Man-Hin Kwok, Jiahao Huang, Guanchun Rui, Caleb A. Bohannon, Ruipeng Li, Honghu Zhang, Bin Zhao, Lei Zhu
Summary: In this work, mesogen-free comb-shaped LCPs based on isotactic polyepichlorohydrin were designed to increase dipole density and induce ferroelectric switching. By moving the sulfonyl groups away from the main chain and implementing methyl-branched alkyl side chains, these LCPs exhibited typical paraelectric behavior with a high dielectric constant in the range of 20-30.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaoshi Qian, Xin Chen, Lei Zhu, Q. M. Zhang
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nana Zhao, Jianlong Wang, Shaofeng Song, Chao Li, Juan Wang, Xin Li, Zhicheng Pan, Jinfeng Yuan, Lei Zhu, Mingwang Pan
Summary: Loading silver nanoparticles on the core surface of yolk-shell nanospheres can expose more active sites, leading to higher metal utilization rate, catalytic activity, and good recycle stability.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Hua-Dong Huang, Peng-Gang Ren, Gan-Ji Zhong, Andrew Olah, Zhong-Ming Li, Eric Baer, Lei Zhu
Summary: The growing interest in polymer films as packaging material is attributed to their lightweight, versatility, low cost, and ease of manufacturing. However, the poor barrier properties of single-component polymer films pose challenges for oxygen- or humidity-sensitive commodities, leading to spoilage, drug failure, and corrosion damage. This review discusses promising strategies such as surface coating, polymer blending, and polymer nanocomposites for developing high barrier polymer packaging films. It also highlights the importance of tailoring surface coatings, dispersed phase morphology, interfacial structure, and crystalline structure to maximize gas barrier performance.
PROGRESS IN POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guanchun Rui, Elshad Allahyarov, Honghu Zhang, Ruipeng Li, Shihai Zhang, Philip L. Taylor, Lei Zhu
Summary: This study investigates the effects of chemical defects and high-power ultrasonication on the piezoelectric performance of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). The results show that PVDF with a lower head-to-head and tail-to-tail (HHTT) content exhibits higher melting temperature (Tm) and better piezoelectric performance. Additionally, high-power ultrasonication effectively breaks relaxor-like secondary crystals off from PVDF, further enhancing its piezoelectric performance.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qiong Li, Tianxiong Ju, Ruipeng Li, Shuang Wang, Yongfang Yang, Hatsuo Ishida, Yeu-Wei Harn, Jihua Chen, Benjamin Hirt, Alp Sehirlioglu, Zhiqun Lin, Lei Zhu
Summary: The crystal structure-dielectric property relationship of combustion-made BaTiO3 nanocrystals was investigated. Nanocrystals with sizes below 100 nm exhibited a metastable paraelectric cubic phase, while sizes above 200 nm had a stable ferroelectric tetragonal phase. Annealing the tetragonal nanocrystals produced single crystals with higher dielectric constants. However, the absence of 90 degrees domains in the single crystals resulted in a low dielectric constant.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ce Mi, Yufei Dong, Shaojuan Wang, Huihui Li, Lei Zhu, Xiaoli Sun, Shouke Yan
Summary: A simple heating-cooling procedure is used to fabricate pure polar gamma-PVDF thin films. The pure gamma crystals are induced by controlling the relaxation state of the crystals, through self-seeding and self-nucleation mechanisms within 30 minutes. This methodology provides a new pathway for the application of PVDF homopolymers in flexible ferroelectric devices.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guanchun Rui, Elshad Allahyarov, Ruipeng Li, Philip L. Taylor, Lei Zhu
Summary: This report discusses how high-power ultrasonic processing was used to enhance the piezoelectric performance of PVDF by inducing a hard-to-soft piezoelectric transition and increasing the piezoelectric coefficient d(31). The research found that breaking secondary crystals in the oriented amorphous fraction through ultrasonication can lead to improved piezoelectricity in PVDF.
MATERIALS HORIZONS
(2022)