Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel F. Sunday, Jacob L. Thelen, Chun Zhou, Jiaxing Ren, Paul F. Nealey, R. Joseph Kline
Summary: The study investigates how interactions between the substrate and block copolymers (BCPs) with varying substrate affinity affect the interfacial width between polymer components. The results show that strong adsorption of P2VP to the substrate significantly expands the interface width, while the PMMA block appears to be more mobile.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qilei Song, Hong Qiu, Lijun Liu, Guangzhao Zhang, Frederic Peruch, Stephane Carlotti, Junpeng Zhao
Summary: One-step sequence-selective block copolymerization requires strict catalytic control of monomer activity and enchainment order, especially for A(n)B(m)-type block copolymers from simple binary monomer mixtures. In this study, ethylene oxide (EO) and N-sulfonyl aziridine (Az) form a valid pair with a bicomponent metal-free catalyst. The optimal Lewis acid/base ratio allows the two monomers to block-copolymerize strictly in a reverse order (EO-first) compared to the conventional anionic route (Az-first). The livingness of the copolymerization enables the one-pot synthesis of multiblock copolymers by adding mixed monomers in batches. Calculation results suggest that the Janus effect of Lewis acid on the two monomers is crucial for enlarging the activity difference and reversing the enchainment order.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ofer Burg, Rajashekharayya A. Sanguramath, Elisheva Michman, Noga Eren, Inna Popov, Roy Shenhar
Summary: Alternating metallic nanostructures have hybrid properties, useful for photonics and catalysis. Block copolymer films serve as versatile templates for creating periodic nanowire arrays. By controlling the penetration depth of metal precursors, different layers of copolymer cylinders can be impregnated with different metals. This leads to the formation of nanowires with alternating compositions and periodic arrangement on substrates after plasma etching.
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
Engineering, Environmental
Kun Jia, Yao Ji, Xiaohong He, Junni Xie, Pan Wang, Xiaobo Liu
Summary: A double hydrophilic block co-polyarylene ether nitriles (dhPEN) with carboxyl and sulfonate groups was synthesized and co-assembled with lanthanide Tb3+ to form Tb3+ coordinated dhPEN (TbdhPEN) micro/nano-structures. The TbdhPEN exhibited high adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) and selective detection at trace concentrations, making it suitable for environmental sample analysis.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Physics, Particles & Fields
Chang-Zhong Guo, Wen-Cong Gan, Fu-Wen Shu
Summary: This study applies the quantum extremal surface construction to the step-function Vaidya model of evaporating black holes, and finds that the location of the entanglement island boundary depends on the value of 8M - vA + vI when cutoff surface A is in Minkowski region III. Moreover, it is observed that the entanglement island still exists and partial derivative I is located on an equal-time Cauchy surface of observer A when cutoff surface A is in Minkowski region III after the black hole completely evaporates.
JOURNAL OF HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Jun He, Dongni Lin, Ying Chen, Li Zhang, Jianbo Tan
Summary: A new method has been developed in this study to prepare PNIPAM-based block copolymer nanoparticles with different morphologies through aqueous photoinitiated polymerization-induced self-assembly, and it was found that the reaction temperature plays a crucial role in both morphology and polymerization kinetics of the nanoparticles.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rasha Ahmed Hanafy Bayomi, Takashi Aoki, Sono Sasaki, Shinichi Sakurai
Summary: This study reports the spontaneous dewetting of a sphere-forming block copolymer film and the formation of plateau-shaped islands with regularly ordered spherical microdomains. The degree of deformation of the hexagonal lattice in the dewetted islands increases with the degree of island shape deformation, leading to well-ordered arrangement of microdomains. However, the regular ordering is disrupted near the edges of the islands due to mismatch between the island's curvature and the ordered grain shape.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shangfei Yao, Ciyuan Huang, Qiuning Wang, Tao Yang, Shasha Shi, Yudie Liu, Chenfu Zhao, Ziyang Zhang, Xiaodong Shen, Tongzhou Li, Bin He, Wenchao Lin, Teng Zhang, Bingsuo Zou, Tao Liu
Summary: In this study, a two-step annealing method was used to achieve 15% efficiency in block copolymer-based organic solar cells. The enhancement of crystallite size, global crystallinity, and reduction of phase length scale and maintenance of phase purity were found to be the driving factors behind the improved device performance.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaolong He, Yan Xue, Jinfeng Dong, Xuefeng Li
Summary: The emulsification of amphiphilic block copolymers was studied, and it was found that under certain conditions, single-component block copolymer amphiphiles can generate multiple emulsions.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Rui Qu, Zhenyu Wei, Hongyi Suo, Yanan Gu, Xue Wang, Zhirong Xin, Yusheng Qin
Summary: Construction of CO2-based amphiphilic block copolymers (ABCs) through one-step strategies allows flexible control over the molecular weight and hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance of the ABCs. The ABCs can self-assemble into micelles with controllable diameters and exhibit reversible phase transformation behavior. This simple route to CO2-based ABCs has great potential in biomedical applications.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Taebin Kim, Jae Won Lee, Chanho Park, Kyuho Lee, Chang Eun Lee, Seokyeong Lee, Yeonji Kim, Sohee Kim, Seungbae Jeon, Du Yeol Ryu, Won-Gun Koh, Cheolmin Park
Summary: The self-powered motion-sensing display presented in this paper can detect and visualize finger motions, achieve triboelectrification at different humidity levels, and directly visualize humidity through the structural color of a photonic crystal. This innovation facilitates the development of a self-powered finger motion-sensing display capable of quantitatively recognizing various gestures of a finger under natural humidity conditions.
Article
Polymer Science
Husam Alkhodairi, Sanat K. Kumar
Summary: Surface-active particles can enhance the stability of immiscible polymer/polymer interfaces, but they may compromise the fracture toughness of the interfaces. By grafting silica nanoparticles with poly(styrene-r-methyl methacrylate) and utilizing the entanglement mechanism between the grafts and homopolymers, a particle-based system with improved fracture toughness is designed.
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Software Engineering
Yuriy Reznik
Summary: This paper investigates the quantization of a block of n samples by transmitting quantization step size information in the same bitstream. It is proven that such codes can be as efficient as block codes without embedded step-size information, which contradicts our initial expectation. The proof relies on results from the Diophantine approximations theory.
2023 DATA COMPRESSION CONFERENCE, DCC
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Tianya Wang, Yihong Wang, Guiyuan Zeng, Jianxiong Zhang, Dan Shi
Summary: The study showed that with the increase in the height-thickness ratio, the stability and compressive strength of interlocking compressed earth block (ICEB) masonry members decrease, while deformations increase. The overall damage was mainly caused by strength failure rather than instability failures.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Farihah M. Haque, Jacob S. A. Ishibashi, Claire A. L. Lidston, Huiling Shao, Frank S. Bates, Alice B. Chang, Geoffrey W. Coates, Christopher J. Cramer, Paul J. Dauenhauer, William R. Dichtel, Christopher J. Ellison, Ethan A. Gormong, Leslie S. Hamachi, Thomas R. Hoye, Mengyuan Jin, Julia A. Kalow, Hee Joong Kim, Gaurav Kumar, Christopher J. LaSalle, Stephanie Liffland, Bryce M. Lipinski, Yutong Pang, Riffat Parveen, Xiayu Peng, Yanay Popowski, Emily A. Prebihalo, Yernaidu Reddi, Theresa M. Reineke, Daylan T. Sheppard, Jeremy L. Swartz, William B. Tolman, Bess Vlaisavljevich, Jane Wissinger, Shu Xu, Marc A. Hillmyer
Summary: Transforming how plastics are made, unmade, and remade is crucial for a sustainable future. This review highlights important accomplishments in the field and discusses key themes including feedstocks, polymerization processes and techniques, intended use, and end of use.
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Joseph Schmidt, Saurabh Shenvi Usgaonkar, Satish Kumar, Karen Lozano, Christopher J. Ellison
Summary: Melt blowing is a widely used process for manufacturing nonwoven fiber products, where the structural features and properties of the final product are determined by a complex interplay of factors. Experimental investigations have advanced fundamental understanding in this area, but face challenges, prompting interest in mathematical models and computer simulations.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Bryan M. Cote, William R. Lenart, Christopher J. Ellison, Vivian E. Ferry
Summary: This study investigates the contributions of bulk and surface interactions on the circular dichroism spectra of silver-infilled Gyroid metamaterial films through simulations. It finds that surface interactions have a significant impact on circular dichroism and can be controlled by various factors.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Chola Bhargava Dandamudi, Muhammad Iqbal, Bonnie A. Lyon-Marion, Jae Jin Lisa Han, Yunping Fei, Joohyung Lee, Christopher J. Ellison, Kurt D. Pennell, Keith P. Johnston
Summary: This study successfully synthesized polymer-grafted nanoparticles with high colloidal stability and mobility, providing a new solution to the challenges of high magnetic susceptibility and harsh reservoir conditions of high salinity and temperature.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Saurabh Shenvi Usgaonkar, Christopher J. Ellison, Satish Kumar
Summary: In this study, thin liquid polymer films are patterned by surface-tension gradients induced by deformation of polymer/air interfaces. The researchers developed a method to pattern surface-tension gradients along a solid polymer film and observed the effect of various experimental parameters on the maximum film deformation. A model based on lubrication theory was used to gain additional insights into the phenomenon, and complementary experiments confirmed the model predictions. This research provides mechanistic detail and fundamental principles that can be applied to control the process of forming desired patterns.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthew M. Hausladen, Boran Zhao, Matthew S. Kubala, Lorraine F. Francis, Timothy M. Kowalewski, Christopher J. Ellison
Summary: The tip growth of natural organisms has inspired the development of synthetic systems, leading to the creation of a growing soft robot using the extrusion by self-lubricated interface photopolymerization (E-SLIP) method. This robot can exhibit growth at high speeds and lengths, while performing various tasks such as exploration, burrowing, and navigating complex paths.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yeonbae Lee, Minjun Kim, Heein Kim, Keun Hyung Lee, Sangwon Kim
Summary: The development of reversible nanostructural associations in graft copolymer architecture has enabled the fabrication of tough polymer electrolyte composites that exhibit autonomous self-healing properties at room temperature. Random copolymers were used to form network structures, achieving remarkable mechanical properties and enabling its application in strain sensors.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jason A. Weeks, Samantha Lauro, James N. Burrow, Han Xiao, Joshua P. Pender, Adrian K. Rylski, Hugh Daigle, Zachariah Page, Christopher J. Ellison, Buddie Mullins
Summary: This paper demonstrates a scalable method for fabricating free-standing electrodes (FSEs) with superior performance. These electrodes are porous, lightweight, and robust, and can increase the gravimetric and areal energy densities of batteries while improving rate performance and stability. The fabrication method can be used to tailor the morphology of the electrodes, optimizing the Li+ storage performance of lithium-ion batteries.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jeffrey L. Self, Han Xiao, Matthew M. Hausladen, Rafael A. Bramanto, Saurabh Shenvi Usgaonkar, Christopher J. Ellison
Summary: Porous structures are widely found in nature and have inspired the development of synthetic porous polymer technologies. The use of bio-derived terpene camphene as a solvent and porogen for freeze-casting of thermoplastic parts under mild conditions is introduced in this study. The results demonstrate the successful production of porous samples and 3D printed parts with complex structures, highlighting the advantages of camphene as a sustainable and non-toxic porogen.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Scott W. Spring, Jesse H. Hsu, Renee J. Sifri, Szu-Ming Yang, Chloe S. Cerione, Tristan H. Lambert, Christopher J. Ellison, Brett P. Fors
Summary: Creating strong and tough plastics from sustainable and biorenewable resources is a significant challenge. In this study, we synthesized a thermoplastic material, poly(2,3-dihydrofuran) (PDHF), using a metal-free cationic polymerization process. PDHF exhibited high tensile strength, toughness, optical clarity, and barrier properties, making it suitable for various applications.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Review
Polymer Science
Saptasree Bose, Victoria Padilla, Alexandra Salinas, Fariha Ahmad, Timothy P. Lodge, Christopher J. Ellison, Karen Lozano
Summary: Nanofibers have unique properties that have attracted significant interest, such as high specific surface area, high aspect ratio, and spatial interconnectivity. Design strategies, including core-sheath, concentric layers, and particle distribution, are being used to prescribe the internal structure of nanofibers. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the design strategies being used to produce the next generation of nanofiber systems, discussing processing methods and their effects on the nano- and microstructure, as well as physico-chemical effects on fiber morphology.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Boran Zhao, Charles J. McCutcheon, Kailong Jin, Illya Lyadov, Aristotle J. Zervoudakis, Frank S. Bates, Christopher J. Ellison
Summary: This study reports a method for producing polymer blend films with enhanced toughness in both the machine extrusion direction and transverse direction. The dominant deformation mechanism of the films varies with the stretching ratio. As the films age, the deformation mechanism in the machine extrusion direction changes, but the toughness is not compromised. This work provides a feasible route for the development of high-toughness films as sustainable alternatives to plastics.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Aristotle J. Zervoudakis, Caitlin S. Sample, Xiayu Peng, Davis Lake, Marc A. Hillmyer, Christopher J. Ellison
Summary: Polymer blend compatibilization using hydroxy-telechelic polyethylene (HOPEOH) reactive additives resulted in reduced dispersed phase particle sizes and increased ductility. The hydroxy ends of HOPEOH undergo transesterification reactions during melt mixing with PET to form PET-PE-PET triblock copolymers at the interface, enhancing compatibility by entangling the PE midblocks with LLDPE chains.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Liyang Shen, Gabriela Diaz Gorbea, Evan Danielson, Shuquan Cui, Christopher J. Ellison, Frank S. Bates
Summary: The management of the plastic industry is a significant challenge due to the accumulating waste and high costs of recycling. An alternative strategy has been developed to improve the mechanical properties of blended plastics using block copolymers, which can be produced inexpensively through industrial-scale polymerization methods. This approach provides a practical solution for recycling plastics.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jeffrey L. Self, Aristotle J. Zervoudakis, Xiayu Peng, William R. Lenart, Christopher W. Macosko, Christopher J. Ellison
Summary: Addressing the issue of plastic waste requires technological breakthroughs, and mechanical recycling into polymer blends is one potential solution. When an appropriately designed compatibilizer is used, the recycled blend can have competitive properties, but the current cost-effectiveness is a challenge that needs further technical development and optimization.
