Article
Polymer Science
Thomas J. Neal, Robert D. Bradley, Martin W. Murray, Neal S. J. Williams, Simon N. Emmett, Anthony J. Ryan, Sebastian G. Spain, Oleksandr O. Mykhaylyk
Summary: A combination of statistical and triblock copolymer properties is explored to produce stable aqueous polymer dispersions suitable for film formation. Through the synthesis of a series of triblock copolymers and controlling the hydrophilicity of the stabilizer block, the structural characteristics of the copolymers in dissolved, dispersed, and solid states were investigated. Small-angle X-ray scattering and atomic force microscopy revealed different morphologies of the copolymers in solvent and water, which were closely related to the mechanical properties of the cast films.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Hui Peng, Tianyi Zhan, Jiali Jiang, Yaoli Zhang, Jinzhen Cao, Jianxiong Lu
Summary: This study investigated the effects of moisture and temperature on the creep behavior of Chinese fir, revealing that the time-moisture and time-temperature superposition principles can describe the evolution of creep and overlap under certain conditions. An equivalent relationship between moisture and temperature effects on creep behavior was assumed based on the results obtained.
WOOD MATERIAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Vincent Dorleans, Remi Delille, Delphine Notta-Cuvier, Franck Lauro, Eric Michau
Summary: The use of thermoplastics in the automotive industry is increasing, requiring the characterization of their thermo-mechanical behavior under various conditions. The time-temperature-superposition principle can be extended to the viscoplastic domain, reducing the number of required tests. A new approach using a limited number of tests enables the characterization of whole thermoplastic behavior with good correlation between numerical simulations and experiments.
Article
Polymer Science
Retno S. D. Jayanudin, Retno S. D. Lestari, Dhena Ria Barleany, Alia Badra Pitaloka, Meri Yulvianti, Dimas Prasetyo, Dendy Vito Anggoro, Adam Ruhiatna
Summary: This study investigated the use of superabsorbents to improve sandy soil for agricultural purposes. The results showed that increasing the concentration of chitosan can enhance the performance of gels but decrease water retention in sandy soils.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Osvaldo Carreno-Vega, Marlene Vargas-Zamarripa, Pedro Salas, Gonzalo Ramirez-Garcia
Summary: In this study, a new method was developed to sensitively detect salicylic acid (SA) in plant samples by utilizing upconversion nanoparticles decorated with poly(allylamine)-Cu(ii) complex. The method, based on a NIR-activated composite, allows for the determination of SA concentration, providing insights into the activity of SA in plants and contributing to crop yield improvement and food quality assessment.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Philipp Schroeder, Monika Schoenhoff, Cornelia Cramer
Summary: Complex coacervates of chitosan and gum arabic, two naturally abundant weak polyelectrolytes, were studied using oscillatory shear rheology. The results showed that the shear moduli scaled with temperature, salt concentration, and pH, indicating the applicability of time-temperature superposition (TTSP), time-salt superposition (TSSP), and time-pH superposition (TpHSP). However, a breakdown of superposition occurred in the low-frequency regime at high salt concentrations and pH values near the pK (a) of chitosan. This breakdown was attributed to gelation, likely due to the associative interaction of chitosan chains and the formation of a chitosan network.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Noelle Billon, Carlos Eloy Federico, Guilhem Rival, Jean Luc Bouvard, Alain Burr
Summary: This study investigated the principle of time-temperature superposition (TTS) under shearing conditions and compared it with results under tensile conditions. The results showed that TTS still applies under high strains in shearing conditions, and the determination of shift factors was discussed. The study suggested that the compressibility should be taken into account when determining shift factors for various complex mechanical loadings.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
James A. King, Xin Zhang, Michael E. Ries
Summary: This review focuses on the structure and properties of silk-based composites, with a particular emphasis on employing the time-temperature superposition principle to reveal the kinetics of the formation process. A variety of applications derived from silk-based composites will be explored, and the benefits and constraints of each application will be presented and discussed.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Maer Alanazi, Michael E. Ries, Peter J. Hine
Summary: Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXS) and mechanical testing techniques were used to investigate the dissolution process of a viscose rayon multifilament yarn in an ionic liquid. The dissolution involved the regeneration of cellulose fibres and the formation of a matrix phase. The growth of the dissolved matrix volume fraction and the decrease in Young's modulus followed a time-temperature superposition behavior. The results from WAXS measurements and mechanical testing were consistent with the Voigt upper bound parallel Rule of Mixtures.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Balan Lathika Anjali, Aravind Krishna Swamy
Summary: This study proposes a novel method to construct a master curve of the complex shear modulus of asphalt binder that takes into account the dosage of modifier. These master curves are constructed (after rotation and horizontal shifting) using the time-temperature superposed master curves. The proposed method's applicability is evaluated with three different asphalt binders modified at different dosages. Two expressions are also proposed to consider the rotation factor. The results show that the type, dosage, and aging conditions of the modifier affect the rotation factor. The proposed approach helps predict the complex shear modulus at different modifier dosages without actual testing.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Karin J. Bichler, Bruno Jakobi, Victoria Garcia Sakai, Alice Klapproth, Richard A. Mole, Gerald J. Schneider
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of separating different processes at and below the glass transition temperature using time- and length-scale information in neutron spectroscopy, to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of material properties.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Rong Luo, Qiang Hou
Summary: This study developed a time-temperature-humidity superposition principle for asphalt mixtures and demonstrated the significant effect of humidity on the viscoelastic properties. The humidity-dependency of the viscoelastic properties of asphalt mixtures was identified, and the study validated the developed model fit.
MECHANICS OF MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dixit Bhalani, Jaladhi S. Trivedi, Suresh K. Jewrajka
Summary: The study focuses on the grafting of polymer blend components to membranes, examining the impact of grafting time and membrane morphology on water wetting behavior and antifouling properties. Results show that surface roughness and morphology play crucial roles in inducing hydrophilic properties that reduce membrane fouling propensity.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhongkuan Sun, Yongyi Chen, Yan Liu, Bing Na, Cheng Meng, Shuang Zhang, Shufen Zou, Hesheng Liu
Summary: This study introduced a PAA supramolecular hydrogel with physical cross-linking, capable of efficiently removing uranyl ions from uranium-containing wastewater through hydrogen bonding interactions in an acidic environment. The PAA hydrogel exhibited outstanding uranium adsorption capacity and tolerance to high-concentration metal cations.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yu Cheng, Jiaxian Lin, Yuanyuan Zheng, Xinyi Chen, Chunhong Lu
Summary: Water-soluble synthetic poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polymers can be enhanced with lignin copolymers to improve their biodegradability and physical properties. By graft copolymerization of organosolv lignin and acrylic acid, hydrophilic lignin copolymers were obtained and successfully incorporated into PVA fibers. The modified lignin significantly improved the tensile strength, Young's modulus, and toughness of the composite fibers, indicating potential applications in industrial or technical textile fields.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maisa Vuorte, Susanna Kuitunen, Paul R. Van Tassel, Maria Sammalkorpi
Summary: An equilibrium state model is presented for the aggregation and adsorption of colloidal assemblies in apolar solvents, based on the step-wise aggregation response of fatty acids and monoglycerides in bio-oils. The model captures surface crowding and demonstrates the sensitivity of key observables to model parameters. Fits to molecular modelling data reveal that the model accurately reproduces chemically specific aggregate exponential distributions. The model provides an easily accessible means to estimate colloidal assembly and adsorption in oil environments.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Swarnima Athavale, Stefano Micci-Barreca, Kailash Arole, Vrushali Kotasthane, Jackson Blivin, Huaixuan Cao, Jodie L. Lutkenhaus, Miladin Radovic, Micah J. Green
Summary: This passage introduces the personal backgrounds and research areas of several graduate students, focusing on the study of MXenes materials.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Vrushali Kotasthane, Zeyi Tan, Junyeong Yun, Emily B. Pentzer, Jodie L. Lutkenhaus, Micah J. Green, Miladin Radovic
Summary: MXene synthesis often involves the use of toxic chemicals, limiting its scalability. To overcome this challenge, a safer method is proposed using a mixture of tetramethylammonium fluoride tetrahydrate and hydrochloric acid at room temperature for simultaneous etching and exfoliation. This method results in high MXene yields and MXenes with stable pseudocapacitive behavior and slower degradation rate.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Adam L. Harmat, Maria Morga, Jodie L. Lutkenhaus, Piotr Batys, Maria Sammalkorpi
Summary: Streaming potential and quartz crystal microbalance measurements were used to investigate the pH dependency of the adsorption of poly-L-lysine (PLL) and poly-L-arginine (PARG) on alpha-quartz surface, which was further supported by all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. The adsorption behavior was determined by the change in the number of peptide-surface ion pairs and the repulsive electrostatic interactions between the polypeptides. Low pH favored strong adsorption and stable monolayers, while high pH resulted in weakly bound but denser peptide films with limited stability. Electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and non-specific interactions played important roles in the adsorption process.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sousa Javan Nikkhah, Maria Sammalkorpi
Summary: Hypothesis: Multicore block copolymer aggregates undergo self-assembly, leading to the spontaneous phase separation of the polymer system into multiple droplet-like cores with different compositions. These multicore aggregates are highly versatile and find applications in drug transport, catalysis, controlled solvation, and chemical reactions. The study investigates the influence of polymer system composition on the self-assembly process and proposes guidelines for polymer system design to achieve desired multicore assemblies. Simulations: Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) simulations are used to study the self-assembly of a mixture of solvophobic homopolymers, an amphiphilic block copolymer, and a solvent. The assembly response and aggregate structure are analyzed in terms of block copolymer concentration, polymer component ratios, and chain length of the solvophobic homopolymer. Findings: The amount of block copolymer is crucial for controlling the formation of multicore or single core aggregates. A critical copolymer concentration specific to the polymer system is identified for multicore aggregation, and a minimum level of incompatibility between the solvent and the solvophobic component is required for multicore assembly. The study provides insights into tuning assembly from multicore aggregation to single core core-shell particles and offers guidelines for designing polymer systems to achieve multicore aggregates.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ting Ma, Cheng-Han Li, Ratul Mitra Thakur, Daniel P. Tabor, Jodie L. Lutkenhaus
Summary: Metal-free aqueous batteries are potential solutions to the shortages of strategic metals and safety issues in lithium-ion batteries. Redox-active non-conjugated radical polymers show promising properties for metal-free aqueous batteries, but their energy storage mechanism in an aqueous environment remains unclear.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Hossein Vahid, Alberto Scacchi, Maria Sammalkorpi, Tapio Ala-Nissila
Summary: Multivalent ions in polyelectrolyte solutions cause electrostatic correlations that can alter ion distributions and interactions. Our simulations demonstrate that ion shape and concentration, in addition to valency, can control rigid like-charged polyelectrolyte interactions. We show a correlation between the orientation of aspherical ions and the induced polyelectrolyte attraction through multivalency. This external control over interaction type, strength, and range can guide the self-assembly of like-charged polyelectrolytes.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yilin Li, Sohee Park, Kasturi Sarang, Hao Mei, Chia-Ping Tseng, Zhiqi Hu, Dongyang Zhu, Xiaoyi Li, Jodie Lutkenhaus, Rafael Verduzco
Summary: Conjugated polymers as battery electrodes have unique and useful properties, and recent research has shown that they can exhibit excellent rate performance due to electron transport. However, increasing the ionic conductivity of conjugated polymer electrodes is currently a challenge. In this study, we investigated a series of conjugated polynapthalene dicarboximide (PNDI) polymers containing oligo(ethylene glycol) (EG) side chains to enhance ion transport. We found that incorporating EG side chains improved both ionic and electronic conductivities, resulting in exceptional rate performance and cycling stability.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sakari Lepikko, Ygor Morais Jaques, Muhammad Junaid, Matilda Backholm, Jouko Lahtinen, Jaakko Julin, Ville Jokinen, Timo Sajavaara, Maria Sammalkorpi, Adam S. Foster, Robin H. A. Ras
Summary: This study challenges the traditional assumption of surface heterogeneity as the major factor that affects the motion of liquid droplets on solid surfaces. It reveals a counterintuitive mechanism of slipperiness that is not expected based on the chemical heterogeneity of the surface. This finding opens up new avenues for enhancing the mobility of droplets.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Swarnima Athavale, Stefano A. A. Micci-Barreca, Kailash Arole, Vrushali Kotasthane, Jodie L. L. Lutkenhaus, Miladin Radovic, Micah J. J. Green
Summary: MXenes, as 2D nanomaterials, have attracted significant attention since their discovery in 2011, but their degradation tendency affects their shelf life. While external factors affecting the degradation of MXenes have been extensively studied, the impact of internal factors such as terminal groups remains unclear. In this paper, we compare the degradation stability of MXenes using -Br and -Cl terminations as model terminal groups. Our experiments show that -Br terminated ML-Ti3C2Tz degrades faster than -Cl terminated ML-Ti3C2Tz. We confirm that terminal groups do affect the degradation rate of Ti3C2Tz. The differences in bond dissociation energy of the M-X bond are responsible for the variations in the degradation stability of MXenes. This model study can be generalized to compare the effect of terminal groups on the degradation stability of MXenes.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tuuva Kastinen, Dawid Lupa, Piotr Bonarek, Dmitrii Fedorov, Maria Morga, Markus B. Linder, Jodie L. Lutkenhaus, Piotr Batys, Maria Sammalkorpi
Summary: We demonstrate that pH significantly affects the assembly mechanism and properties of PLL and PGA complexes through a combination of experimental characterization and molecular simulations. Various techniques, including DLS, LDV, ITC, CD, and AUC, are employed to assess the complexation, charge state, thermodynamics, secondary structure, and molecular weights of the peptides. Molecular dynamics simulations provide insights into the binding changes and hydrogen bonding involved in the complex formation. Our findings reveal the pH dependency of PLL/PGA complexation and highlight the potential of pH control in designing peptide materials.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alexandra D. Easley, Khirabdhi Mohanty, Jodie L. Lutkenhaus
Summary: This study investigates the energy storage mechanism of a cross-linked viologen using electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (EQCM-D) and compares the effects of NaCl and Na2SO4 electrolytes. The results reveal that electrolyte design and ion valency significantly impact the mass transport properties of polymer-based electrodes. This work provides insights for improving the performance of next-generation polymer batteries through electrolyte selection.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Suyash S. Oka, Ratul Mitra Thakur, Alexandra D. Easley, Micah J. Green, Jodie L. Lutkenhaus
Summary: Structural batteries have gained attention due to their multifunctionality and potential for mass and volume savings. This study focuses on using a redox-active polymer as the active material for the cathode, resulting in high rate capabilities and excellent mechanical properties.
MATERIALS ADVANCES
(2023)
