Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yu-Chen Huang, Qian-Pu Cheng, U-Ser Jeng, Shan-hui Hsu
Summary: The development of hydrogel-based actuators with programmable deformation has attracted much attention in both fundamental and applied research. In this study, a temperature-responsive and biodegradable gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel (GN hydrogel) was explored as the active layer of a bilayer actuator. The optimized bilayer hydrogel actuator exhibited large, reproducible, and anisotropic bending, and has potential applications in biomimetic devices, artificial muscles, and soft robotics for biomedical purposes.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Sina Ahmadi, Morteza Nasiri, Ali Pourrajab-Miandoab, Ali Jafari
Summary: Temperature-responsive cell culture substrates were prepared using poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-styrene) copolymers. The copolymer composition was found to be critical for harvesting contiguous cell sheets. This cost-effective fabrication method is applicable for large-scale cell culture investigations.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Qichen Tang, Shanhua Qian, Weiwei Chen, Xiaofei Song, Jianfeng Huang
Summary: In this study, Ca-alginate/PNIPAm hydrogels were prepared through physical crosslinking and chemical crosslinking, and their properties were characterized. The results showed that the pure PNIPAm hydrogel obtained using thermal initiation polymerization exhibited better swelling and temperature-responsive properties compared to the hydrogel using ultraviolet polymerization. The mechanical properties of the Ca/PNIPAm hydrogel were enhanced when the SA concentration exceeded 8 wt%.
POLYMER INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jung Gi Choi, Hocheol Gwac, Yongwoo Jang, Christopher Richards, Holly Warren, Geoffrey Spinks, Seon Jeong Kim
Summary: The diving and surfacing device fabricated from thermo-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) or a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-containing hydrogel can exhibit fast and reversible diving/surfacing cycles in response to changing temperature. Modulation of the interaction between poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) chains and water molecules at different temperatures allows for control of gel density through swelling and de-swelling, enabling the gel to surface in water when heated and sink when cooled. Reversible diving/surfacing cycles of the device can also be achieved when exposed to electrical and ultrasonic stimuli.
Article
Polymer Science
Parvaneh Gheysoori, Azin Paydayesh, Maryam Jafari, Hamed Peidayesh
Summary: This study focuses on the development of thermoresponsive nanocomposite hydrogels for minimally invasive drug delivery. Gelatin-based hydrogels with poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) were prepared using response surface methodology. The PNIPAM nanoparticles showed successful polymerization and a reversible sol-gel transition close to body temperature. These nanocomposite hydrogels demonstrated antibacterial activity and good potential for targeted drug delivery.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yiluo Hu, Younghyun Shin, Sohyun Park, Jae-pil Jeong, Yohan Kim, Seunho Jung
Summary: Self-healing and temperature/pH-responsive hydrogels were prepared by using oxidized succinoglycan (OSG) and a poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide-co-acrylamide) [P(NIPAM-AM)] copolymer. OSG, synthesized from succinoglycan (SG) isolated directly from soil microorganisms, showed improved elasticity, thermal stability, self-healing ability, and tensile strength compared to P(NIPAM-AM) hydrogels. The OSG/P(NIPAM-AM) hydrogels also exhibited effective temperature/pH-responsive drug release and non-toxicity, suggesting their potential for biomedical applications such as drug delivery systems, wound healing, scaffolds, and tissue engineering.
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Jinhong Tan, Qun Yang, Genghao Hu, Hongjuan Zhang, Liujun Pei, Jiping Wang
Summary: This study focused on the development and characterization of poly-n-isopropylacrylamide/graphene oxide composite (PNIPAM-GO) and its application to cotton fabrics to create flexible conductive materials. The results showed that PNIPAM-GO composites had temperature-sensitive response, and PNIPAM-rGO/cotton fabrics exhibited temperature-sensitive conductivity, making them potential materials for temperature control valves.
Article
Polymer Science
Yanrong Luo, Chunlan Lu, Xiaolin Zhang, Shiping Zhan
Summary: In this study, acylated chitosan macromolecular crosslinkers (MCS) were prepared and used as the cross-linking agent to synthesize a series of thermosensitive hydrogels. The hydrogels showed a homogeneous pore structure and a low critical solution temperature of 36.66 celcius, indicating good hydrophilicity. The results suggest that the P(NIPAM-co-MA)/MCS hydrogels have the potential to be applied in biomedical, drug delivery, or absorption fields.
IRANIAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
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
Polymer Science
Sina Hajibabazadeh, Hakimeh Ghaleh, Farhang Abbasi, Kamran Foroutani
Summary: The objective of this study was to fabricate cell sheets using a newly designed thermo-responsive polymer. Thermo-responsive diblock copolymers of PNIPAM-bPS with different ratios were synthesized and characterized. The PNIPAM-b-PS coatings showed a temperature-triggered phase transition in water due to the reversible hydration of PNIPAM segments. Human dermal fibroblasts were able to adhere to and detach from the coatings by adjusting the ratio of PNIPAM to PS segments.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sanwei Hao, Qingjin Fu, Lei Meng, Feng Xu, Jun Yang
Summary: Inspired by the nacre microstructure, a versatile MXene-based thermistor elastomer sensor platform has been developed to alleviate strain interference, improve thermosensitivity, and enhance mechanical durability. The underlying temperature and strain signal decoupling mechanism has been revealed, providing important insights for the fabrication of FTEE.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Alberto Guerron, Huu Trong Phan, Carolina Penaloza-Arias, Davide Brambilla, Valerie Gaelle Roullin, Suzanne Giasson
Summary: The attachment/detachment of cells on responsive polymer-coated surfaces is influenced by various factors including electrostatic interactions, wettability and swelling of the polymer coating. In this study, dual thermo- and pH-responsive cationic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgels, surface-functionalized with PEG or PDMAEMA, were used as substrates to investigate their impact on cell behavior. The results showed that microgels with PEG chains had comparable cell adhesion and proliferation rates to controls, while exhibiting the best thermo-triggered cell detachment performance, especially for MCF7 and U138 cells. The hydrophilic nature of the microgel surface remained unchanged regardless of temperature and pH, contributing to this behavior. Swelling behavior influenced by pH resulted in significant cell detachment only for U138 cells. However, detachment of bEnd.3 cells could not be triggered by either temperature or pH, regardless of the microgel surface coating.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Junta Sano, Shigeki Habaue
Summary: Novel interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (poly-NIPAM) and polyethers, including polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly(tetramethylene oxide), were synthesized with the presence of polysiloxane. A novel one-step method was developed for constructing the IPN structure using end-capped polyethers containing trimethoxysilyl moieties. The synthesized IPNs exhibited temperature-responsive volume changes in water and specific color-change responses to chemical stimuli when both poly-NIPAM and PEG components were present in gel form.
Article
Polymer Science
Murat Barsbay, Olgun Guven
Summary: The study successfully achieved grafting of PAAm on PS cell-culture Petri dishes through RAFT-mediated and radiation-induced methods, followed by chain extension with PNIPAAm; Controlled chain length of PAAm and PNIPAAm segments was achieved through RAFT polymerization, leading to control of hydrophilic and hydrophobic layer thickness within 100 nm; Ellipsometry measurements showed double polymeric layer grafting from PS dish surfaces, while PAAm-block-PNIPAAm brush-modified dishes exhibited significant temperature-dependent interfacial properties in aqueous media.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhibin Zhang, Xi Wang, Hongyan Li, Gengchen Liu, Kaiying Zhao, Yajun Wang, Zheng Li, Jianying Huang, Zhiwei Xu, Yuekun Lai, Xiaoming Qian, Songnan Zhang
Summary: In this study, an innovative atmospheric water harvester combining hydrogel and 3D raised-fabric was developed, which exhibited excellent photothermal conversion performance and adsorption capacity, making it effective for water collection and storage.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zengjie Fan, Xiaozhu Liao, Yu Tian, Xie Xuzhuzi, Yingying Nie
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hui Zhang, Haofei Huang, Guangrun Hao, Yongsheng Zhang, Hao Ding, Zengjie Fan, Luyi Sun
Summary: In this study, a 3D printed gradient hydrogel scaffold with nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) gradients was designed to promote osteochondral (OC) defect repair. The results showed that the bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs)-loaded gradient scaffolds demonstrated superior repair outcomes compared to other scaffolds, indicating great potential for future practical applications.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zengjie Fan, Zizi Chen, Hui Zhang, Yingying Nie, Shumei Xu
Summary: A porous and gradient mineralized double-network hydrogel was synthesized to induce BMSCs differentiation into complex osteochondral tissue. The hydrogel exhibited excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility, promoting the proliferation and growth of BMSCs. Histochemistry and gene expression analysis confirmed that the gradient mineralized hydrogel successfully induced the differentiation of BMSCs into chondrocytes and osteoblasts in different layers of hydrogels, facilitating the construction of osteochondral tissues.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zengjie Fan, Yuan Wei, Zhengrong Yin, Haofei Huang, Xiaozhu Liao, Luyi Sun, Bin Liu, Fengzhen Liu
Summary: A microneedle patch loaded with VEGF and NIR-triggered graphene oxide was designed for minimally invasive treatment of myocardial infarction (MI), showing promising application prospects in promoting neovascularization, reducing myocardial fibrosis, and restoring cardiac function.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yingying Nie, Zengjie Fan
Summary: This study developed a simple, environmentally friendly, and large-scale method to prepare N-aminomorpholine-modified graphene quantum dots. The modified quantum dots exhibited excellent optical properties, fluorescent stability, and good biocompatibility, with the ability to selectively target and image lysosome, showcasing their potential application in the diagnosis and treatment of lysosome-related diseases.
Article
Polymer Science
Zhilong Wang, Zongpu Han, Xiaozhu Liao, Xiao Zhang, Jiachen Liang, Zhe Xing, Zengjie Fan
Summary: An optimized mathematical model was used in this study to embed micro-nano copper particles into polycaprolactone scaffolds, and a highly efficient antibacterial material was fabricated through 3D printing. The results showed that the material exhibited 100% antibacterial efficiency against E. coli and S. aureus, and this antibacterial performance could be maintained during sewage filtration.
HIGH PERFORMANCE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiayu Wu, Zhenyuan Wu, Huajing Zeng, Desheng Liu, Zhongying Ji, Xin Xu, Xin Jia, Pan Jiang, Zengjie Fan, Xiaolong Wang, Feng Zhou
Summary: This study presents a big step towards biomechanically compatible hydrogel heart valves using RAFT-3D printing technology. These valves have favorable mechanical properties, long-term stability, and durability due to their wide and robust hydrogen-bonding networks. They also exhibit excellent biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. The hydrogel valves efficiently regulate blood flow and can withstand high levels of pressure.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
J. Liang, Z. Wang, Q. Ye, L. Qiao, H. Jiang, Y. Guo, Z. Fan
Summary: In this study, a new mask material with excellent performance, such as environmental friendliness, degradability, and good breathability, was developed to replace traditional melt-blown fabric. The mask material combines physical and mechanical filtration, adsorption of nano-silver, and antimicrobial purification for comprehensive air purification and filtration.
MATERIALS TODAY SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ruibin Qiang, Haofei Huang, Jia Chen, Xianzhe Shi, Zengjie Fan, Guowang Xu, Hongdeng Qiu
Summary: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by inflammation and pain in the joints, caused in part by a lack of lubrication and excessive proinflammatory proteins. Researchers have developed two potential nanoagents, derived from herbal medicine, that offer both improved joint lubrication and anti-inflammatory effects, showing promise for treating RA.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xiangli Zhang, Yuanya Ma, Ziyan Chen, Hong Jiang, Zengjie Fan
Summary: An advanced self-powered enzyme-linked microneedle (MN) nerve conduit is developed to address the challenge of peripheral nerve defects. This innovative conduit consists of anodic and cathodic MN arrays, which encapsulate glucose oxidase (GOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in ZIF-8 nanoparticles, respectively. Through an enzymatic cascade reaction, the MN nerve conduit generates microcurrents to stimulate regeneration of muscles, blood vessels, and nerve fibers, accelerating the repair of sciatic nerve injury. This self-powered MN nerve conduit is expected to revolutionize traditional treatment methods and find wide application in nerve tissue repair.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiangli Zhang, Zhilong Wang, Hong Jiang, Huajing Zeng, Nan An, Bin Liu, Luyi Sun, Zengjie Fan
Summary: A self-powered enzyme-linked microneedle (MN) patch was designed and fabricated, consisting of glucose oxidase (GOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) encapsulated in ZIF-8 nanoparticles within anode and cathode MN arrays. The enzymatic cascade reaction in the MN patch effectively reduced local hyperglycemia in diabetic wounds while generating stable microcurrents to promote rapid healing. Thus, the MN patch showed rapid, complete, and scar-preventative healing of diabetic wounds due to the synergistic actions of hypoglycemic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and bioelectrical stimulation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhengrong Yin, Xiangli Zhang, Yan Bai, Yanwei Yang, Bin Liu, Zengjie Fan
Summary: A dissolvable and layered hyaluronate (HA) microneedle (MN) patch loaded with recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (rbFGF) and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) was prepared for the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU). The MN patch showed favorable mechanical, dissolving, and antibacterial properties, as well as biocompatibility. Treatment with this MN patch resulted in better healing of chemical-induced RAU within five days compared to the control group and conventional treatment group.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhilong Wang, Xiaozhu Liao, Xusen Wang, Yan Bai, Haofei Huang, Kuangyu Shen, Luyi Sun, Bin Liu, Zengjie Fan
Summary: A 3D printed SGA filter was developed to effectively treat complex sewage and produce clean water. The filter demonstrated excellent structure and performance, making it suitable for various sewage treatment scenarios.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
XiaoHui Zhang, Zhengrong Yin, Yuqing Guo, Haofei Huang, JianYe Zhou, Ling Wang, JingYa Bai, Zengjie Fan
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2020)
