Article
Polymer Science
Laura Schumacher, Katharina Siemsen, Clement Appiah, Sunil Rajput, Anne Heitmann, Christine Selhuber-Unkel, Anne Staubitz
Summary: Hydrogels are biomaterials that can mimic the properties of biological tissues. This study introduces a new strategy to functionalize hydrogels by synthesizing a polymerizable linker that directly connects the polymeric structure with cell adhesion proteins. This allows for a uniform distribution of attachment sites throughout the hydrogel, enabling effective biofunctionalization.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Mostafa Mabrouk, Hanan H. Beherei, Shohei Shiomoto, Yukiko Tanaka, Lamyaa Osama, Masaru Tanaka
Summary: This study prepared composite biomaterials of PHEMA/titanium-doped BGT for bone regeneration using the IW concept. The distribution and stability of the composites were confirmed, and the titanium doping improved the biomineralization properties. The IW level ranged from 10.4 wt% to 25.6 wt% with increasing titanium concentration. Cell viability tests showed that the growth rate increased with increasing titanium concentration, and an appropriate titanium concentration for cell adhesion was estimated to be 5%. Hydrated PHEMA gels with 5% BGT exhibited a high IW level of 19.3% and less hydrophilic wettability.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Junyi Du, Xixia Wang, Ruiyi Song, Hui Lv, Shiyu Zong, Qian Zhao, Jingyu Wu, Xiaolu Wen, Jianxin Jiang, Jiufang Duan
Summary: This study investigates the reversible adhesion of galactomannan hydrogels and develops a double network structure that exhibits conductivity for flexible sensors. The results provide a new approach for the design and development of advanced skin sensors.
REACTIVE & FUNCTIONAL POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ping Zhang, Ziyi Xu, Zhiying Wu, Ping Xu, Canhui Yang
Summary: This study presents a method to enhance the mechanical properties of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogels by incorporating biochar nanoparticles and hydrophobic aggregations. The resulting hydrogels exhibit superior mechanical properties and potential applications in various fields.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SMART AND NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaomin Luo, Changyu Yin, Lufeng Ji, Jianyan Feng, Peng Zhang, Xuechuan Wang, Yun Ma, Xinhua Liu
Summary: This study developed a simple and sustainable strategy for mask fabrication by coating masks with an antimicrobial polymer brush. The coating effectively inhibited bacterial growth, prevented bacterial adhesion, and killed viruses within a short contact time. It also improved the filtration performance of the masks for bacterial aerosols and solid particles. The masks exhibited high durability and a long service life.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhicheng Xu, Xuejiao Liang, Wencan Ma, Xiaoming An, Haomin Wu, Qiuhong Zhang, Xudong Jia
Summary: An integrated adhesive hydrogel with asymmetric underwater adhesion capability is developed by applying an electrostatic field. This hydrogel can be used in wound healing and organ repair, effectively preventing postoperative tissue adhesion.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yi Wang, Hongyan Ouyang, Yuanjie Xie, Yinan Jiang, Lijuan Zhao, Wanliu Peng, Junliang Wu, Ji Bao, Yong Liu, Jinrong Wu
Summary: This study develops a strategy to construct PHEMA-based hydrogels with exceptionally high tensile strength, elastic modulus, and toughness by introducing coordination interactions and suppressing phase separation. These hydrogels show comparable mechanical properties to human nasal and auricular cartilage, and exhibit outstanding self-recovery properties and fatigue resistance.
Article
Polymer Science
Xiao Chen, Mengfan Zhang, Di Zhu, Jing Zhang, Kai Shi, Hongjun Yang, Shaojin Gu, Pu Xiao, Yingshan Zhou
Summary: Carboxylated PVA nanocomposite hydrogels were fabricated by synthesizing carboxylated PVA with acrylate groups and UV-irradiating the mixture of PVAGMACOOH solution and nano-scale hydroxyapatite (HAP). The hydrogel exhibited excellent compressive and tensile strength, as well as enhanced cytocompatibility and cell adhesion, making it a potential candidate for biomedical applications.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xin Peng, Yuan Li, Menghui Liu, Zhuo Li, Xuemei Wang, Kunyu Zhang, Xin Zhao, Gang Li, Liming Bian
Summary: We report a hydrogel derived from polyethyleneimine/thioctic acid/titanium dioxide (PEI/TA/TiO2) coacervate, which exhibits robust and reversible wet bioadhesion as well as effective UV light-shielding ability. The hydrogel can protect the skin from UV-induced damage in wet and underwater environments.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Karen K. Gleason
Summary: Initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) is a dry method for designing organic and hybrid polymers, which provides conformal surface modification over intricate geometries. iCVD films can be grown with uniformity, high-purity, and pinhole-free properties, and can be applied onto flexible substrates, 2D materials, and liquids. The functional groups in iCVD polymers offer fine-tuning of surface energy, surface charge, and responsive behavior. iCVD polymers have various morphologies, such as nanostructured surfaces, nanoporosity, and shaped particles, and they are widely used in sensing, electronics, optics, electrochemical energy storage, and biotechnology applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Cholong Choi, Suntae Kim, Chaenyung Cha
Summary: By separately conjugating functional moieties for radical polymerization and cell adhesion to hydroxyl and carboxylate groups of alginate, the crosslinking density and cell adhesive properties of hydrogels can be independently controlled.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Won Hyeok Kim, Youngbae Han, In Soo Lee, Nam-Il Won, Yang Ho Na
Summary: The study investigated the adhesion between different hydrogels, optimizing the process to ensure stable adhered interface and demonstrating the potential of hydrogels for immobilizing living organisms. Through elemental analysis and experiments, the study confirmed the stability of the adhered interface between hydrogels in an aquatic environment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rui Zhang, An Yang, Yutong Yang, Yachong Zhu, Yongming Song, Yao Li, Jian Li
Summary: Flexible strain sensors have gained attention for their potential use in human-computer interaction and personal health monitoring. However, creating hydrogel strain sensors with desirable properties such as high tensile strength, excellent adhesion, self-healing, antimicrobial properties, and conductive stability is still challenging. In this study, a conductive hydrogel was developed by combining polydopamine-coated cellulose nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, and polyvinyl alcohol. The hydrogel showed improved conductivity and exhibited satisfactory tensile properties, good fatigue resistance, self-recovery, excellent antimicrobial activity, and increased adhesion strength. Additionally, it functioned as a strain sensor with excellent strain sensitivity, fast response time, and durability, making it suitable for personal health monitoring applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yujia Tong, Jinbo Chen, Wenlong Ding, Lijian Shi, Weixing Li
Summary: In this study, a one-step strategy based on a polyphenol netlike structure coating was developed to convert commercial membranes from hydrophobic to superhydrophilic, achieving effective separation of low-oil content semicoking wastewater with high oil rejection and stable permeation flux.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiao He, Zhangkang Li, Jia Li, Dinesh Mishra, Yuxuan Ren, Ian Gates, Jinguang Hu, Qingye Lu
Summary: An ultrastretchable hydrogel with strong antibacterial activity has been developed for manufacturing robust micro/nanofibers, showing promising mechanical properties suitable for applications such as nets and safety cords. Additionally, nanosized hydrogel fibers spun on personal protective equipment exhibit near 100% killing efficiency against airborne bacteria aerosols, indicating their potential in disinfection-related applications.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Afshin Dianatdar, Matteo Miola, Oreste De Luca, Petra Rudolf, Francesco Picchioni, Ranjita K. Bose
Summary: By carefully tuning the reaction parameters, highly conductive polypyrrole films with record conductivity can be produced using the solvent-free oCVD method. Various analysis techniques were utilized to gain insights into the relationship between different reaction conditions and the structure, defects, morphology, and physical properties of the oCVD-deposited polypyrrole.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhengtao Chen, Tien H. Nguyen, Shayna M. Rumrill, Kenneth K. S. Lau
Summary: This study demonstrates a bottom-up approach that achieves both low surface energy and hierarchically roughened topology in one step, using a liquid-free initiated chemical vapor deposition process. The resulting nano/microworm surfaces display super-liquid repellency.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Review
Polymer Science
Paul van den Tempel, Francesco Picchioni, Ranjita K. Bose
Summary: This review critically assesses the kinetic behavior of the furan/maleimide Diels-Alder click reaction and explores its application in forming thermoreversible crosslinks in polymer networks. The study finds differences in kinetics from various studies, potentially caused by chemical side groups, mass transfer limitations, and different analysis methods. The review offers a general guide to assess the feasibility of this reaction in real-life products.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Henky Muljana, Stefan Arends, Klaas Remerie, Gert Boven, Francesco Picchioni, Ranjita K. Bose
Summary: This work investigates the preparation of cross-linked polypropylene (PP) through Diels-Alder (DA) chemistry. The study confirms the occurrence of reversible cross-linking and the formation of a cross-linked network using spectroscopic characterization and rheology. Additionally, the cross-linked PP exhibits higher mechanical strength and thermal stability.
Article
Polymer Science
Henky Muljana, Klaas Remerie, Gert Boven, Francesco Picchioni, Ranjita K. Bose
Summary: This work introduces two novel routes to synthesis cross-linked polypropylene (PP) using different precursors and annealing temperatures. The reactivity of the precursors and the degree of cross-linking were compared. The study shows that imidazole has higher reactivity than thiophene, and higher annealing temperatures result in a higher degree of cross-linking.
Article
Polymer Science
Felipe Orozco, Alex Salvatore, Anchista Sakulmankongsuk, Diego Ribas Gomes, Yutao Pei, Esteban Araya-Hermosilla, Andrea Pucci, Ignacio Moreno-Villoslada, Francesco Picchioni, Ranjita K. Bose
Summary: This study investigated electroactive polymer composites based on MWCNT and CB, revealing that formulations with a higher CB content exhibited lower resistivities and better self-healing and shape memory responses. It provides the first systematic report on the cost-performance of MWCNT and CB as conductive fillers.
Article
Polymer Science
Valeria Graur, Adrivit Mukherjee, Khaled O. Sebakhy, Ranjita K. Bose
Summary: A solvent-free route of initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) was used to synthesize a bio-renewable poly(alpha-Methylene-gamma-butyrolactone) (PMBL) polymer. The resulting PMBL films exhibited high thermal stability and good optical characteristics.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Adrivit Mukherjee, Afshin Dianatdar, Magdalena Z. Gladysz, Hamoon Hemmatpour, Mart Hendriksen, Petra Rudolf, Malgorzata K. Wlodarczyk-Biegun, Marleen Kamperman, Ajay Giri Prakash Kottapalli, Ranjita K. Bose
Summary: This study successfully fabricated doped polypyrrole ultrathin nanostructured coatings on polyurethane films via oxidative chemical vapor deposition to develop stretchable and flexible resistance-based strain sensors. These nanocomposites exhibit excellent stretchability, fatigue resistance, and show a reversible change of electrical resistance when subjected to consecutive cycles of stretching and releasing. They also demonstrate biocompatibility towards human dermal fibroblasts, providing a promising path for wearable, skin-mountable flexible electronics in biomedical applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Paul van den Tempel, Emiel O. van der Boon, Jozef G. M. Winkelman, Antonina V. Krasnikova, Daniele Parisi, Peter J. Deuss, Francesco Picchioni, Ranjita K. Bose
Summary: The furan-maleimide Diels-Alder chemistry is a useful tool for designing thermo-reversible click networks. In this study, a new reaction in furan-maleimide click networks, called the Double-Diels-Alder reaction (DDA), was reported. This reaction forms extra linkages between Diels-Alder adducts and non-reacted furan groups, resulting in stronger materials but reducing thermal recycling efficiency. The study revealed that the DDA reaction can occur in both intramolecular and intermolecular fashion, and it exhibits reversibility like the regular Diels-Alder reaction. The importance of the DDA reaction in furan-maleimide click networks may be easily overlooked, leading to unexpected reactivity in these systems.
Article
Polymer Science
Arlina Prima Putri, Ranjita K. Bose, Mochamad Chalid, Francesco Picchioni
Summary: Alginate dialdehyde and l-lysine-functionalized alginate dialdehyde were synthesized and characterized. The NMR analysis confirmed the introduction of l-lysine functionality, and FTIR spectroscopy revealed the formation of Schiff base covalent linkage after crosslinking. The hydrogels with l-lysine-functionalized alginate dialdehyde exhibited higher modulus storage rate and showed shear-thinning and self-healing properties. The concentration and stoichiometric ratio of alginate dialdehyde, l-lysine-functionalized alginate dialdehyde, and gelatin played a fundamental role in the mechanical properties of the hydrogel.
Article
Robotics
Felipe Orozco, Diana Horvat, Matteo Miola, Ignacio Moreno-Villoslada, Francesco Picchioni, Ranjita K. Bose
Summary: Researchers have developed a gripper that operates based on the liquid-gas phase transition of ethanol and is coated with a self-healing polymer. It also includes a stainless steel wire for resistive heating. This approach offers the advantage of simplicity and autonomous self-healing compared to other self-healing soft grippers. However, there are still limitations to its implementation. This paper critically assesses the overpressure approach and provides a broader perspective on self-healing soft robotic grippers.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Afshin Dianatdar, Adrivit Mukherjee, Ranjita K. Bose
Summary: Polypyrrole is a promising conjugated polymer for use in electrochemical energy storage devices, thanks to its pseudocapacitive behavior and ability to hybridize with traditional carbon-based materials. The processing condition for hybridization is critical for long-term electrode performance. Depositing polypyrrole onto 3D carbon fiber fabric using oxidative chemical vapor deposition allows for uniform and controlled thickness deposition. The stability of the polypyrrole-carbon fiber electrode was tested, and the results showed that electrode stability is thickness-dependent and tuning it in the correct voltage window is crucial for optimal long-term performance.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Afshin Dianatdar, Ranjita K. Bose
Summary: Oxidative chemical vapor deposition (oCVD) has emerged as a solvent-free method for synthesizing and depositing thin films of conjugated polymers. This review compares the strengths and limitations of solvent-free and solvent-based methodologies for synthesis and thin film deposition, and provides guidelines for future research and development. It also evaluates the interfacial properties of conjugated polymer thin films and the effect of the substrate on coating properties and performance.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pablo Gonzalez Cortes, Rodrigo Araya-Hermosilla, Kerry Wrighton-Araneda, Diego Cortes-Arriagada, Francesco Picchioni, Feng Yan, Petra Rudolf, Ranjita K. Bose, Franck Quero
Summary: The thermal properties of polymers depend on their chemical structure and intermolecular forces. By chemically modifying polyketones and increasing the amount of supramolecular interactions, the glass transition temperature of polyketones can be tuned. The research shows that modification with aminomethyl benzoic acid and aminohexanoic acid introduces new hydrogen bonding possibilities and significantly increases the glass transition temperature, while modification with an imidazole derivative introduces new and stronger pi-pi interactions.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Esteban Araya-Hermosilla, Alessio Gabbani, Arianna Mazzotta, Marina Ruggeri, Felipe Orozco, Valentina Cappello, Mauro Gemmi, Ranjita K. Bose, Francesco Picchioni, Francesco Pineider, Virgilio Mattoli, Andrea Pucci
Summary: In this study, a thermo-responsive nanocomposite containing homogeneously dispersed indium tin oxide (ITO) nanocrystals was designed, which showed rapid heating and self-healing capabilities using an infrared photothermal source.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
