Article
Chemistry, Applied
Meng Zhang, Yaxuan Wang, Kun Liu, Yang Liu, Ting Xu, Haishun Du, Chuanling Si
Summary: Hydrogels with flexibility, versatility, and high sensitivity are important in wearable sensor design. The preparation of high-performance hydrogel-based sensors that can withstand extreme cold conditions is challenging. This study constructs a novel anti-freezing composite hydrogel based on polyacrylamide (PAM), LiCl, and PEDOT:PSS coated cellulose nanofibrils (PAM/PEDOT:PSS/CNF). The addition of CNF improves the mechanical strength and conductivity of the hydrogel, while LiCl enhances freezing tolerance. The composite hydrogel is used to assemble flexible sensors with high sensitivity for detecting human movements and physiological activities.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yating Song, Li Niu, Peilin Ma, Xu Li, Jacko Feng, Zhiming Liu
Summary: In this study, a sodium lignosulfonate-Fe (SLS-Fe) strategy was proposed to prepare CMC/PAA/Fe3+/LiCl interpenetrating conductive hydrogels with self-healing properties, antifreezing properties, and a 6 fold increase in conductivity. The hydrogel-based sensors demonstrated a broad detection range, high sensitivity, and human motion detection capability. The hydrogel-based supercapacitor exhibited a specific capacitance of 122.36 F g-1 and successfully powered LEDs. The multifunctional performance of the CMC/PAA/Fe3+/LiCl hydrogel is expected to play a significant role in the development of flexible electronics.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Yanjun Pang, Xinxin Luan, Wei Shen, Baolong Zhu, Lixin Wang, Kefeng Zhang, Hongyun Cao, Congxia Xie, Jinhui Pang
Summary: The mechanical strength of traditional hydrogels is weak, limiting their application in sensors due to freezing and loss of characteristics. An organic hydrogel was prepared using a simple method, with good frost resistance and excellent mechanical properties. Cellulose-based hydrogels have gained attention as materials for flexible and wearable sensors due to their biocompatibility, flexibility, and mechanical strength.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Zhisen Wang, Zhengxin Ma, Shuaibing Wang, Menghan Pi, Xiaoyu Wang, Min Li, Honglang Lu, Wei Cui, Rong Ran
Summary: This study demonstrates a facile method to enhance and functionalize hydrogels using biomass-derived materials. By reinforcing polyacrylamide hydrogels with cellulose nanocrystal and phytic acid, the resulting hydrogels exhibit improved mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, anti-freezing, and antibacterial properties. This biomass-based strategy can potentially be applied to enhance various weak and insulating hydrogels.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xue Yao, Sufeng Zhang, Liwei Qian, Ning Wei, Valentin Nica, Sergiu Coseri, Fei Han
Summary: Ionic conductive hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties and versatile characteristics are proposed by incorporating cellulose nanofibrils into a phenylboronic acid-ionic liquid/acrylamide cross-linked network. These hydrogels exhibit remarkable stretchability, toughness, self-healing property, adhesiveness, and transparency, making them promising candidates for constructing gel-based strain sensor platforms.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mei Li, Meijie Xiao, Qunhao Wang, Jian Zhang, Xiaolin Xue, Jiangqi Zhao, Wei Zhang, Canhui Lu
Summary: In this study, a cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs)/few-layer graphene (FLG) hybrid was obtained from bamboo pulp and expanded graphene using a grinder, and used as a filler in a polyoxyethylene (PEO) matrix. The resulting nanocomposite film exhibited significantly improved mechanical and electrical properties, making it a promising candidate for future electronic devices.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Nayereh Dadoo, Sarah Zeitler, Ashlee D. McGovern, William M. Gramlich
Summary: The study focused on functionalizing cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) with norbornene groups, enabling the creation of robust CNF hydrogels through thiol-ene click reactions. By varying reaction conditions, the hydrogels exhibited compression modulus values up to 25 kPa, with stable aqueous suspensions and shear thinning behavior. This approach improved aqueous stability and could have applications in sustainable materials and biomaterials.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
You Zhou, Renai Li, Linguang Wan, Fengshan Zhang, Zhulan Liu, Yunfeng Cao
Summary: In this study, gallic acid was grafted onto microcrystalline cellulose through esterification to obtain a cellulose-based organogel with enhanced interfacial adhesion and excellent overall performance. The organogel could withstand compressive deformation, show rapid self-recovery, exhibit anti-freezing properties, solvent retention, and ionic conductivity. It was also utilized as a flexible sensor for human motion detection, suggesting its potential in the development of flexible bioelectronics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wanlin Wu, Zhixing Lu, Canhui Lu, Xunwen Sun, Bing Ni, Helmut Coelfen, Rui Xiong
Summary: This study investigated the influence of amorphous calcium carbonate on biomineralization and nanocellulose on the mechanical properties of biocomposites.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Caimei Zhao, Xinhu Gong, Lan Shen, Yang Wang, Chaoqun Zhang
Summary: Carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogels exhibited ultralow-temperature freezing resistance below -50 degrees C by immersing in a CaCl2 solution. The introduction of electrolyte ions endowed the hydrogels with electrical conductivity, showing stable and reversible sensitivity to human activity. These conductive hydrogels can even be assembled into a two-dimensional integrated array of contact sensors, successfully perceiving the contour and pressure distribution of an object.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wenjiao Ge, Shan Cao, Yang Yang, Orlando J. Rojas, Xiaohui Wang
Summary: The study proposes a double network hydrogel synthesized by one-step polymerization reaction, utilizing LiCl to enhance interactions between the colloidal phase and water molecules, ensuring water retention capability and freezing tolerance over a wide temperature range. The synergy between LiCl and CNF maintains mechanical strength and enables high stretchability and ionic conductivity in the system at low temperatures.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhangkang Li, Hitendra Kumar, Chijie Guo, Jaemyung Shin, Xiao He, Qingye Lu, Huiyu Bai, Keekyoung Kim, Jinguang Hu
Summary: In this paper, novel composite hydrogels were successfully synthesized via UV photo-cross-linking. The hydrogels combine various functionalities such as printability, antifreezing properties, adhesion, biocompatibility, and toughness. They can be rapidly printed with different shapes using visible light-based stereolithography printing and laser direct-writing. The hydrogels also show improved adhesive, antifreezing, mechanical properties, and water-binding capacity with increasing CNF contents. They have great potential for application in wound dressings and portable devices with specific requirements for shapes, adhesion, toughness, and tolerance in extreme environments.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuanchun Du, Guangfu Feng
Summary: The development of nanocellulose hydrogels has contributed to renewable smart material technologies. These materials combine the advantages of nanocellulose and hydrogels and have applications in medicine, electricity, sensor, environmental governance, food, and agriculture. This article provides a comprehensive classification and analysis of nanocellulose hydrogels, highlighting their design innovation advantages and addressing their shortcomings.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuanchun Du, Guangfu Feng
Summary: The rapid development of nanocellulose and hydrogels has significantly contributed to the progress of renewable smart material technologies. Nanocellulose hydrogels, which combine the advantages of both materials, have emerged as pioneering materials in the green chemistry revolution. This comprehensive study provides a systematic classification and analysis of nanocellulose hydrogels, focusing on their applications in medicine, electricity, sensors, environmental governance, food, and agriculture, as well as their design innovation advantages.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Huimin He, Yanran Li, Hongzhen Liu, Yoonseob Kim, Aixin Yan, Lizhi Xu
Summary: Recent research has shown the potential of conductive hydrogels for advanced soft bioelectronic devices, but the existing materials often lack strong mechanical properties. Aramid nanofiber-based hydrogels offer a combination of high elasticity, strength, and electrical conductivity, making them suitable for large-strain sensors and antimicrobial medical devices. These composites have the versatility for further functionalization and scalable fabrication in sophisticated bioelectronic systems.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yu-Xue Mo, Yi-Jin Wu, Zu-Wei Yin, Wen-Feng Ren, Zhen-Guang Gao, Peng-Fang Zhang, Jin-Xia Lin, Yao Zhou, Jun-Tao Li, Ling Huang, Shi-Gang Sun
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Wen-Feng Ren, Jun-Tao Li, Shao-Jian Zhang, Ai-Ling Lin, You-Hu Chen, Zhen-Guang Gao, Yao Zhou, Li Deng, Ling Huang, Shi-Gang Sun
JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Wen-Feng Ren, Jia-Bo Le, Jun-Tao Li, Yi-Yang Hu, Si-Yu Pan, Li Deng, Yao Zhou, Ling Huang, Shi-Gang Sun
Summary: In this study, hydrogen-bonding cross-linked thiourea-based polymeric binders (denoted CMC-co-SN) were designed and prepared for Si anodes. These binders, formed through in situ thermopolymerization, create a tight and physical interlocked layer with the Cu current collector, significantly improving the electrochemical performance of Si anodes by enhancing binding forces and maintaining electrode integrity. The results show high initial Coulomb efficiency and excellent cyclability for both micro- and nano-sized Si particles when using these binders.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Li Deng, Zhan-Yu Wu, Jin-Hai You, Zu-Wei Yin, Wen-Feng Ren, Peng-Fang Zhang, Bin-Bin Xu, Yao Zhou, Jun-Tao Li
Article
Electrochemistry
Ting-Ting Su, Wen-Feng Ren, Ke Wang, Jiang-Meng Yuan, Chang-You Shao, Ji-Liang Ma, Xiao-Hong Chen, Ling-Ping Xiao, Run-Cang Sun
Summary: The research developed three-dimensional polymeric binders with multiple hydrogen bonds to accommodate the huge volume change of Si anodes during lithiation and delithiation processes, improving the electrochemical properties of Si-based materials.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ting-Ting Su, Jia-Bo Le, Wen-Feng Ren, Shao-Jian Zhang, Jiang-Meng Yuan, Ke Wang, Chang-You Shao, Jun-Tao Li, Shi-Gang Sun, Run-Cang Sun
Summary: By covering the metallic Li surface with CMC/SN polymer layers, this study effectively controls the growth of Li and stabilizes the interface, leading to suppression of Li dendrite formation and improvement in the cycling stability of Li electrodes.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiang-Meng Yuan, Wen-Feng Ren, Ke Wang, Ting-Ting Su, Gao-Jie Jiao, Chang-You Shao, Ling-Ping Xiao, Run-Cang Sun
Summary: This study designed and synthesized three-dimensional lignin-polyacrylic acid copolymeric binders with ultrahigh elasticity, which can be applied in lithium-ion batteries, especially showing good performance for silicon-based electrodes.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ke Wang, Jia-Bo Le, Shao-Jian Zhang, Wen-Feng Ren, Jiang-Meng Yuan, Ting-Ting Su, Bing-Yu Chi, Chang-You Shao, Run-Cang Sun
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of renewable polymers as a surface coating layer to protect zinc anodes in zinc-iodine batteries, effectively suppressing triiodide ion shuttling and zinc dendrite formation. The results show that the introduction of renewable polymers significantly improves the stability and cycle life of the batteries.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dan Sun, Yufan Feng, Shaochao Sun, Jie Yu, Siyu Jia, Chao Dang, Xiang Hao, Jun Yang, Wenfeng Ren, Runcang Sun, Changyou Shao, Feng Peng
Summary: This study designs a facile and universal self-catalytic system based on alkali lignin to fabricate conductive and transparent organohydrogels. The organohydrogels exhibit extreme environment applicability, eligible stretchability, and robust self-adhesion. They can be used to construct triboelectric nanogenerators for mechanical energy harvesting and converting, as well as for applications in commercial electronics and human movement monitoring.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yufan Feng, Jie Yu, Dan Sun, Wenfeng Ren, Changyou Shao, Runcang Sun
Summary: The article introduces the development of lignin-based nanocomposite organogels with extreme temperature tolerance and long-lasting moisture, improving mechanical properties and preventing freezing and evaporation issues through the use of a binary-solvent system. These organogels have wide applications and can be used to prepare flexible strain sensors, among other uses.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ting-Ting Su, Wen-Feng Ren, Jiang-Meng Yuan, Ke Wang, Bing-Yu Chi, Run-Cang Sun
Summary: This study designs and develops a three-dimensional networked composite binder to improve the cyclic stability of silicon anodes. The composite binder shows stable cyclic performance when used in silicon nanoparticles.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jiang-Meng Yuan, Hang Li, Ling-Ping Xiao, Ti-Peng Wang, Wen-Feng Ren, Qiang Lu, Run-Cang Sun
Summary: Understanding the structure activity relationships of lignin is important for its thermochemical conversion. This study characterized lignins from different sources and evaluated their activities in fast pyrolysis. The results showed that herbaceous lignins produced more phenolic compounds, indicating the efficient cleavage of C-O linkages in these lignins.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ting-Ting Su, Ke Wang, Bing-Yu Chi, Wen-Feng Ren, Run-Cang Sun
Summary: In this study, stripy zinc array electrodes with preferential crystal plane were successfully designed and fabricated through a simple treatment with concentrated phosphoric acid. The electrode exhibited excellent electrochemical performance, achieving ultra-long lifespan and stable cycling by increasing the electroactive surface area, suppressing corrosion and hydrogen evolution, inducing horizontal growth, and inhibiting dendrite formation. This research provides a simple and effective strategy for improving the performance of metallic zinc anodes and promoting the commercial application of zinc ion batteries.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dongnv Jin, Gaojie Jiao, Wenfeng Ren, Jinghui Zhou, Jiliang Ma, Runcang Sun
Summary: This study successfully developed a novel photocatalyst, which efficiently and rapidly converted biomass-derived feedstocks into lactic acid by gradually transforming copper oxide species into copper and Cu2O. The obtained photocatalyst exhibited excellent stability and reusability, and its practicality was demonstrated in a laboratory-scale experiment.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2021)