Article
Polymer Science
Yun Liu, Lei Tao, Shichu Yang, Zhen-Qiang Yu, Zhihao Shen, Xing-He Fan, Qi-Feng Zhou
Summary: By connecting through hydrogen bonding, we synthesized a new series of fluorinated supramolecular liquid crystalline polymers with good thermal stability. We constructed a series of supramolecular hierarchically ordered self-assembled structures by introducing fluorinated molecules into commercially available copolymer chains. This approach provides a new method for constructing small-sized structures via hydrogen-bonded supramolecular systems.
Article
Polymer Science
Yun Liu, Shi-chu Yang, Zhi-hao Shen, Xing-he Fan, Qi-feng Zhou
Summary: A new type of supramolecular mesogen-jacketed liquid crystalline polymer (MJLCP) was constructed by hydrogen bonding, and the effect of molecular structures on the phase behaviors of supramolecular MJLCPs was studied. It was found that the minimum ratio for the appearance of liquid crystalline phases decreases with the increase in the complexing ratio, and the size and rigidity of the hydrogen-bonding donor molecules also affect the phase behaviors.
ACTA POLYMERICA SINICA
(2023)
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)
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Jordana K. Palacios, Rose Mary Michell, Alejandro J. Mueller
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the crystallization behavior and self-assembly of block copolymers with up to four potentially crystallizable phases. It discusses the factors affecting the development of crystalline structures and highlights recent advances in block copolymer crystallization. The article also explores the influence of different molecular architectures, as well as the role of nanofillers and additives in the crystallization process.
Article
Polymer Science
Yuhan Wei, Fujun Liu, Min Li, Zhibo Li, Jing Sun
Summary: The solubility effect on the self-assembly of PEG-b-PNPE block copolymer with a crystalline core-forming polypeptoid in aqueous solution was systematically investigated. It was found that the balance between the crystallization and solubility of the polymer dominates the nanostructures. Depending on the restriction of PNPE block crystallization, either 1D nanofibers or 2D nanosheets induced by CDSA were observed.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiangmin Ding, Dandan Liu, Xi Jiang, Xuesi Chen, Ronald N. Zuckermann, Jing Sun
Summary: The interplay between crystalline packing and hierarchical assembly is essential for the fabrication of complex superstructures from polymers. This study demonstrates the formation of distinct hierarchical superstructures by tuning the balance between surface energy and crystallization energy of a diblock copolymer containing an N-octylglycine peptoid block. The partially ordered micellar aggregates serve as key intermediates and template the formation of superstructures. The fiber-like branch of the superstructures exhibits living linear growth and shows promise for biomedical applications.
Review
Crystallography
Bartlomiej Czubak, Nicholas J. Warren, Mamatha Nagaraj
Summary: This paper reviews the recent key developments in steroid-based liquid crystal polymers and co-polymers, covering the structure-property relationship and the influence of chemical structure on liquid crystalline behavior. It also discusses the applications of liquid crystalline properties in nano-objects, drug delivery, and photonic and electronic devices.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bixin Jin, Qin Li, Lingjuan Hu, Qianwei Liu, Yiqi Chen, Yunjun Luo, Shumeng Chi, Xiaoyu Li
Summary: By incorporating additional polymers into liquid crystalline block copolymers, controllable supramolecular polymerization driven by mesogenic ordering effect can be achieved. The length of the resulting supramolecular polymers is controlled by tuning the ratio between nucleating and growing components.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yongqi Yang, Zhilong Yuan, Youjun Yan, Daixin Zhang, Xin Luo, Guangyao Liu
Summary: A one-pot approach combining polymerization-induced and crystallization-driven self-assembly (PISA-CDSA) was used to prepare well-defined SEFL-BCPs with various morphologies.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaona Cui, Hongmin Zhang, Yuwei Liu, Nan Jiang, Aixin Song, Hong-Guo Liu
Summary: Nanostructures based on polymers have been extensively studied due to their diverse morphologies, unique properties, and potential applications in various fields. Helical nanostructures, in particular, have received significant research attention in recent years. In this study, composite non-helical and helical nanowire arrays were successfully fabricated using the liquid/liquid interfacial adsorption and self-assembly approach without the addition of chiral inducers. The formation of helical nanowires involved a series of steps including adsorption of polymer molecules and inorganic species at the interface, protonation of pyridine groups, straightening of polymer chains, aggregation due to hydrophobic interactions, and ordered organization through specific interactions. The different formation mechanisms observed in atactic poly(2-vinylpyridine) and block copolymers (polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine)) highlighted the influence of molecular structure on polymer self-assembly. Additionally, the generated nanowires further organized into ordered arrays under increasing interfacial pressure. This study expands the knowledge on polymer self-assembly and demonstrates the application of liquid/liquid interfacial self-assembly techniques in obtaining highly ordered supramolecular nanostructures.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yusuke Hibi, Ulrich Wiesner
Summary: Surface segregation in blended polymer films has attracted significant interest, and a strategy to control this phenomenon in thin block-copolymer layers has been described in this study. By utilizing nonsolvent induced phase separation, solidified bilayer ultrafiltration membranes with self-assembled BCP top layers atop homopolymer substructures can be fabricated in a single casting step. Key factors for successful BCP surface segregation include careful selection of solvent systems and stabilization of micellar structures.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
R. Simonutti, D. Bertani, R. Marotta, S. Ferrario, D. Manzone, M. Mauri, M. Gregori, A. Orlando, M. Masserini
Summary: This study investigates the effect of using different common solvents on the self-assembly behavior of block copolymer nanoparticles, finding that the hydrogen bonding ability of the solvent strongly influences the size and shape of the particles, as well as their cytotoxicity.
Article
Polymer Science
Jun-feng Zheng, Yun-chong Ge, Xiao-fan Cheng, Ya-ting Wu, Peng Xu, Er-qiang Chen
Summary: This study aims to manipulate the molecular shapes and phase structures of mesogen-jacketed liquid crystalline polymers (MJLCPs). By designing MJLCP 1P with flexible benzene-benzyl ester-benzene units, a lamellar liquid crystalline phase with sheet-like conformation at low temperatures and a columnar liquid crystalline phase with rod-like conformation at high temperatures were achieved. This work successfully manipulated the molecular shapes and phase structures of the MJLCP, providing a new approach to tune the molecular shapes and phase structures of side-chain liquid crystalline polymers.
ACTA POLYMERICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yi-Qi Chen, Bi-Xin Jin, Qin Li, Yun-Jun Luo, Shu-Meng Chi, Xiao-Yu Li
Summary: Heavy metallic salts can induce supramolecular polymerization and fibrilization in liquid crystalline block copolymers. The block copolymer monomers can bind with the metallic salts to form small aggregates, which act as seeds to trigger the supramolecular polymerization of the rest of the monomers. The length of the resulting supramolecular polymer fibrils is linearly proportional to the ratios between the block copolymer and the metallic salts, and is influenced by the choice of metallic cations and counterions. This method can be used to polymerize different block copolymer monomers to produce pentablock supramolecular polymers in a one-pot manner.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Deborah Y. Liu, Daniel Krogstad
Summary: The study explores the use of ionic liquid as both a curing agent and a structure-directing agent in epoxy/BCP blends, achieving a wide range of self-assembled structures in the uncured blends, including hexagonally packed cylinders and lamellar structures. Many compositions undergo phase transitions during the curing process, with some transitions proving to be quite complex.
Article
Polymer Science
An-Qi Xiao, Xiao-Lin Lyu, Hong-Bing Pan, Zhe-Hao Tang, Wei Zhang, Zhi-Hao Shen, Xing-He Fan
CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Polymer Science
Xiaolin Lyu, Anqi Xiao, Dong Shi, Yujie Li, Zhihao Shen, Er-Qiang Chen, Shijun Zheng, Xing-He Fan, Qi-Feng Zhou
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhehao Tang, Xiaolin Lyu, Longfei Luo, Zhihao Shen, Xing-He Fan
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2020)
Article
Polymer Science
Longfei Luo, Xiaolin Lyu, Zhehao Tang, Zhihao Shen, Xing-He Fan
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaolin Lyu, Zhehao Tang, Yujie Li, Anqi Xiao, Zhihao Shen, Shijun Zheng, Xing-He Fan
Summary: Understanding the structural control of block copolymer particles is crucial for determining their properties and utilities. By selecting an appropriate selective solvent, spherical polymer particles with ordered network structures can be prepared through self-assembly. In an emulsion confined space, the relatively large particle size compared to periodicity ratio is essential for accurately controlling the internal structure.
Article
Polymer Science
Xiaolin Lyu, Hanlin Huang, Zhehao Tang, Longfei Luo, Wenjun Luo, Yan Yu, Zhihao Shen, Xing-He Fan, Zhigang Zou
Summary: This study successfully prepared three-dimensional hexagonal and hexagram prisms with uniform dimensions by crystallizing TPP and a block copolymer, and explored their growth mechanism. The results indicate that crystalline TPP plays an important role in the self-assembly process, and the faceted morphologies of the prisms are infrequent in the field of soft materials.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qiang Dang, Hanlin Huang, Liuyi Li, Xiaolin Lyu, Shenghong Zhong, Yan Yu, Dongsheng Xu
Summary: Yolk-shell-structured COF@MOF nanocomposites were successfully synthesized through a rational design, with COF as the external shell and MOF as the inner yolk, forming a hollow cavity under specific conditions. The study integrates the structural tunability and functionality of both COFs and MOFs, which can be regulated and optimized by metal ions and organic building blocks.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiaolin Lyu, Haoqi Zhang, Shichu Yang, Weiqing Zhan, Mingmao Wu, Yan Yu, Zhihao Shen, Zhigang Zou
Summary: Highly stretchable and conductive ionogels have great potential in flexible electronics and soft robotic skins, but currently, they cannot accurately replicate the mechanical behavior of real human skin. This study introduces a physically cross-linked ionogel (PCI) by combining ionic clusters with hydrogen bonds. The PCI exhibits strain-stiffening behavior similar to human skin and remains stable even in high temperatures. It also has high transparency, recyclability, good adhesion, and high conductivity, making it suitable for skin-like sensing in harsh environments for future bionic machines.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yue Gong, Li Yu, Xiaolin Lyu, Shixiang Zheng, Yan Yu, Piaopiao Zhou, Zhong-Zhen Luo, Zhigang Zou
Summary: The combination of hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions enables the fabrication of a solvent-free transparent poly(ionic liquid) elastomer (PILE). PILE possesses adjustable fracture strength, good elasticity, high stretchability, high toughness, fatigue resistance, underwater self-healing ability, underwater adhesion, and ionic conductivity. The transparent iontronic sensor generated from PILE can achieve multifunctional sensing, high sensitivity, and stability in human motion detection, and can transmit information underwater through stretching, pressing, and non-contact modes, showing great potential in underwater flexible iontronic devices.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhehao Tang, Dong Liu, Xiaolin Lyu, Yadi Liu, Yun Liu, Weilu Yang, Zhihao Shen, Xinghe Fan
Summary: A high-performance ion gel with excellent mechanical strength and other desirable properties was successfully fabricated, which can be produced on a large scale.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wei Zhang, Weilu Yang, Hongbing Pan, Xiaolin Lyu, Anqi Xiao, Dong Liu, Yun Liu, Zhihao Shen, Huai Yang, Xing-He Fan
Summary: Two novel organic-inorganic block molecules capable of forming sub-5-nm ordered structures were reported in this study. The sizes of the structures can be regulated by adjusting the number of chains. These block molecules have the potential for sub-5-nm nanopatterning.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Weilu Yang, Wei Zhang, Longfei Luo, Xiaolin Lyu, Anqi Xiao, Zhihao Shen, Xing-He Fan
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Polymer Science
Wei Xiong, Chong Zhang, Xiaolin Lyu, Hantao Zhou, Wenying Chang, Yu Bo, Erqiang Chen, Zhihao Shen, Hua Lu
Article
Polymer Science
Xiaolin Lyu, Zhehao Tang, Anqi Xiao, Wei Zhang, Hongbing Pan, Zhihao Shen, Xing-He Fan
Article
Polymer Science
Hongbing Pan, Wei Zhang, Anqi Xiao, Xiaolin Lyu, Pingping Hou, Zhihao Shen, Xinghe Fan
