Article
Polymer Science
Dingfeng Shen, Yuan Yao, Qixin Zhuang, Shaoliang Lin
Summary: The study focuses on the design and synthesis of mainchain azopolymers for fast photo-induced reversible transitions, exhibiting distinct photo-switchable characteristics such as fast and effective trans to cis isomerization. This research provides insights into designing smart polymer materials with specific topology structures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pinar Akarsu, Stefan Reinicke, Anne-Catherine Lehnen, Marek Bekir, Alexander Boeker, Matthias Hartlieb, Martin Reifarth
Summary: The study demonstrates a feasible method to fabricate patchy silicon dioxide microspheres, which can be equipped with tailor-made polymeric materials as patches. The method relies on a solid-state supported microcontact printing (μCP) routine optimized for the transfer of functional groups to capillary-active substrates, introducing amino functionalities as patches to a monolayer of particles. Acting as anchor groups for polymerization, photo-iniferter reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) is used to graft polymer from the patch areas. The protocol promises a vast degree of freedom in engineering the surface properties of highly functional patchy particles, making it a platform technology for the fabrication of particles with locally precisely formed patches.
Article
Polymer Science
Zhongyuan Wan, Lee Wai Hin, Ataulla Shegiwal, David Haddleton
Summary: An addition-fragmentation monomer (AFM) is utilized in 3D printer resins to reduce shrinkage during polymerization. The AFM enables reversible network formation and improves mechanical performance. The AFM is synthesized via catalytic chain transfer polymerization (CCTP) and characterized using NMR and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The incorporation of AFM as a crosslinker allows for rapid reversible covalent bond formation and reduces both polymerization shrinkage and stress buildup.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Chengqiang Ding, Yuhan Yan, Yuhao Peng, Danming Wu, Hang Shen, Jiandong Zhang, Zhao Wang, Zhengbiao Zhang
Summary: In this study, a well-controlled piezoelectrically mediated reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization (piezoRAFT) was successfully conducted using piezoelectric ZnO nanoparticles as the mechanochemical transducer under ultrasonic agitation. The resulting polymer exhibited high end-group fidelity, low dispersity, and capacity for chain extension. The generation of alkyl radicals through electron transfer process from piezoelectric nanoparticles to alkyl bromide was confirmed by various characterization techniques.
Article
Polymer Science
Arne Wolpers, Florian Baffie, Vincent Monteil, Franck D'Agosto
Summary: In this study, a dithiocarbamate chain transfer agent was used to synthesize statistical and diblock copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate, achieving various polymer compositions through good chain growth control, including linear diblock copolymers and a three-arm star copolymer.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Joji Tanaka, Noel Edward Archer, Michael Jeffery Grant, Wei You
Summary: In this study, RAFT step-growth polymerization was achieved by combining RAFT and step-growth polymerization mechanisms, resulting in backbone repeat units with a pendant RAFT agent that can form molecular brush polymers in a second polymerization step. The cleavable backbone functionality allows the transformation of brushlike polymers into linear chains of uniform size under stimuli.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xiuxian Zhao, Junhua Sun, Jiachen Ma, Tongyao Liu, Zeyi Guo, Zhen Yang, Wei Yao, Xuchuan Jiang
Summary: Vanadium dioxide (VO2) is considered as a promising material for smart windows. However, its real application is hindered by several limitations. In this study, core-shell structured VO2@PMMA-b-PHFBMA nanoparticles with excellent properties were prepared using a RAFT polymerization method. The addition of a F-containing polymer shell improved the stability and compatibility of the VO2 nanoparticles. Furthermore, a photochromic and hydrophobic copolymer was synthesized and coated onto the VO2 nanoparticles to create an energy-saving composite film. The composite film showed high solar modulation efficiency, making it a highly promising application for smart windows.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Puja Das Karmakar, Aniruddha Pal, Subhadip Bodhak, Sagar Pal
Summary: The study synthesized nanocomposites consisting of magneto-responsive gamma-Fe2O3 NPs and copolymers, with a regular core-shell morphology where the magnetic NPs act as the core and the copolymer as the shell. This developed nanocarrier has been found to be highly efficient in carrying a hydrophobic drug (naproxen).
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Parker T. Boeck, Noel E. Archer, Joji Tanaka, Wei You
Summary: Commercially available N-aromatic substituted bismaleimides were used in RAFT step-growth polymerization with a bifunctional RAFT agent, resulting in polymers with moderate to high molecular weights. This advancement allows for the preparation of graft copolymers in a straightforward manner at a larger scale, increasing the accessibility of the previously reported methodology.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jiao Wang, Yunliang Qiu, Lianzhi Li, Xianghua Qi, Bin An, Kefeng Ma, Jinming Kong, Xueji Zhang
Summary: In this study, a novel amplification method based on thermally mediated surface initiated reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (SI-RAFT) and host-guest chemistry was developed for electrochemical analysis of cocaine. The method showed good detection sensitivity and linearity, making it suitable for illegal drug detection.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kalipada Manna, Priyapratim Patra, Arpita Roy, Rakesh Kumar Roy, Krishna Chaitanya Sunka, Santanu Dhara, Niladri Patra, Sagar Pal
Summary: Biopolymeric micelles derived from bioinspired amphiphilic polymers have attracted attention as carriers for hydrophobic drugs. In this study, a hydrophobic monomer was synthesized and grafted onto a hydrophilic polymer backbone to obtain an amphiphilic copolymer. The copolymer showed controlled polymerization and pH-responsive reversible micellization behavior. The micelle formed from the copolymer was able to uptake and release a hydrophobic drug in a controlled manner.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Nan Ma, Jingliang Liu, Bang Liu, Lianzhi Li, Jinming Kong, Xueji Zhang
Summary: The ultrasensitive detection of biomarkers is achieved by using NAD+ to control electro-RAFT polymerization, enabling the detection of a few molecules of target DNA. The methodology shows high sensitivity with detection limit down to 4.39 aM.
Article
Polymer Science
Qi Wang, Chen Wang, Lin Zhou, Bo Hu, Lin Lei
Summary: An economical g-C3N4 catalyzed photo-induced electron/energy transfer reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (PET-RAFT) system without any additives was proposed. The good catalytic ability of g-C3N4 is attributed to the increase in specific surface area through secondary calcination, which exposes more photocatalytic active sites. The g-C3N4 catalyzed PET-RAFT polymerization of methyl methacrylate under blue LEDs showed faster polymerization rates without prior deoxygenation, indicating good oxygen tolerance. The recoverability of g-C3N4 was demonstrated with little loss of catalytic performance after at least seven cycles.
Article
Polymer Science
Keigo Okamoto, Amato Igarashi, Hiroaki Imoto, Kensuke Naka
Summary: The study optimized the reaction conditions for reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer cyclopolymerization using 2-cyano-2-propyl dithiobenzoate, successfully obtaining polymers with relatively low polydispersity indices. After removal of end groups, the resulting polymers exhibited high transparency (>98%) in the visible range, with thermal stability affected by the content of unreacted vinyl groups controlled by monomer concentration. Additionally, the bifunctional cage-silsesquioxane monomer could be copolymerized with methyl methacrylate without cross-linking.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Zhiying Li, Qianjin Lian, Youwei Xu, Yichuan Zhang, Pengfei Zhang, Jin Geng
Summary: This study investigates the application of a robust aggregation-induced emission luminogen photocatalyst in PET-RAFT polymerization. Well-defined polymers with narrow polydispersities were successfully prepared using this photocatalyst under visible light, and the polymerization process was demonstrated in aqueous environments. Furthermore, the fluorescence intensity linearly increased with the degree of polymerization.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Xin Pan, Shubei Ma, Xiaowen Sui, Lili Xie, Furong Li, Zhengping Cheng, Li Cui, Hongling Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of intravenous thrombolytic therapy (ITT) for acute ischemic stroke patients in Dalian, China in 2020. The results showed an increase in the number of patients receiving ITT in 2021 compared to 2020, along with a decrease in door-to-needle time. It was also found that in 2020, a significant number of patients did not use ambulance transport, while in 2021, a higher percentage of patients used ambulance transport.
Article
Polymer Science
Jiannan Cheng, Xiang Xu, Qing Yu, Chaojie Li, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: We report a facile method to synthesize graft copolymers with a semi-fluorinated alternating backbone via simultaneous CuAAC reaction and ATRP. The synthesis of fluorinated backbone from START polymerization can be introduced to the graft copolymers due to the powerful tolerance and designability of semi-fluorinated alternating copolymers. This strategy provides a new and facile approach for the synthesis of fluorinated graft copolymers under mild conditions.
Article
Polymer Science
Xiang Xu, Haihui Li, Jiannan Cheng, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: We presented a near-infrared light-responsive hydrogel material composed of two monomers, an ionic liquid monomer (TVBP) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), with a diacrylate crosslinker containing poly(propylene glycol), all of which are temperature sensitive. The ionic liquid monomer TVBP demonstrated the ability to generate high osmotic pressure, enabling the hydrogel to extract fresh water from brackish water. By using photothermal conversion through irradiation with NIR LED light on croconaine dye-doped silica nanoparticles (NIR-800@SiO2 NPs), around 95% of fresh water could be skillfully recovered from the hydrogel. The proposal of this scheme is expected to be a significant reference for continuous water desalination.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bowen Zhao, Jiajia Li, Guangliang Li, Xinrui Yang, Shaopu Lu, Xiangqiang Pan, Jian Zhu
Summary: The application of reversible deactivation radical polymerization techniques in 3D printing allows for the creation of living polymer networks with various functionalities. However, the speed at which these systems can build objects is still limited. This article presents a digital light processing (DLP)-based 3D printing system that uses photoinduced free radical-promoted cationic reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of vinyl ethers to build living objects at a relatively fast speed (12.99 cm h(-1)) using a commercial DLP 3D printer. The polymerization behavior and printing conditions are studied, and the livingness of the printed objects is demonstrated through spatially controlled postmodification with a fluorescent monomer.
Article
Polymer Science
Jiyuan Sun, Shusu Ren, Haitao Zhao, Shunhu Zhang, Xiang Xu, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: To overcome the challenges of long wavelength-photocontrolled radical polymerization in aqueous solutions and the limitations of post-treatment of conventional near-infrared (NIR) photocatalysts (PCs), we developed and synthesized a series of beta-tetra-substituted water-soluble zinc phthalocyanines (beta-TS-Zns) as NIR PCs. These NIR PCs exhibited efficient reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization under NIR light irradiation, and could also be covalently loaded on polymer chains for permanent NIR photocatalysis. The polymerization could be conducted in water and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution, producing polymers with controlled molar mass and narrow dispersities (D = 1.03-1.25). This NIR-photocontrolled aqueous RAFT polymerization system holds promise for applications in tissue engineering biomaterials benefiting from the high penetration ability of NIR light.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qing Yu, Jinying Wang, Jiannan Cheng, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: Amphiphobic coating surfaces were fabricated by simple spin coating of fluorinated reversed micelles synthesized via a polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) strategy. The influence of reaction solvent and polymerization conditions on the wettability of the reversed micelles was investigated. The method showed high water contact angles (151.9 degrees) and low sliding angle (5.0 degrees), making it a promising approach for fabricating amphiphobic surfaces.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Qing Yu, Jiannan Cheng, Xiang Xu, Yu Li, Chaojie Li, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: In this study, fluorinated macromolecular coupling agents were prepared and decorated on the surface of silica nanoparticles to create superhydrophobic coatings. The coatings exhibited excellent stability against acidic, basic, and high salty solutions, and demonstrated self-cleaning and oil/water separation capabilities. The findings have promising implications for practical applications on a large scale.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Shuaijie Chen, Minghui Yang, Haihui Li, Haitao Zhao, Xiang Xu, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: This work presents a facile and efficient strategy for preparing block copolymers by combining near-infrared light-controlled bromine-iodine transformation reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (BIT-RDRP) and purple LED light induced ring-opening polymerization (ROP). The macroinitiator was first synthesized via NIR light-controlled BIT-RDRP, and then the block copolymers with narrow dispersity (as low as 1.06) were prepared by combining purple LED light induced ROP through two step or one pot process. Importantly, the one pot strategy greatly simplifies the operation process and improves the synthesis efficiency, facilitating the batch preparation of block copolymers.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Shusu Ren, Xiang Xu, Jiyuan Sun, Haitao Zhao, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: This study synthesized a series of cationic porphyrin-based star-shaped copolymers using photo-controlled bromine-iodine transformation reversible-deactivation radical polymerization. The effects of alkyl chain length, degree of polymerization, and hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance on the antibacterial activity of the polymers were investigated. The resulting copolymer Zn@P6 showed excellent photodynamic inhibition activity against both S. aureus and E. coli, with low cytotoxicity and promising biological application prospects.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Shunhu Zhang, Chun Tian, Xiaowu Jiang, Xiang Xu, Haitao Zhao, Jiyuan Sun, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: Two synthetic strategies were developed to improve the solubility and recyclability of NIR photocatalyst: living polymers with permanent NIR photocatalyst by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and non-living polymers with recyclable NIR macro-photocatalyst by conventional radical polymerization. The living macro-PCs obtained from RAFT polymerization showed permanent NIR photocatalysis, while the water-soluble non-living macro-PCs from conventional radical polymerization exhibited only NIR photocatalysis but could be easily recycled by centrifugation.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Haitao Zhao, Guoqing Bian, Xiang Xu, Ran Liu, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: In this study, a high-efficiency NIR-photocontrolled bromine-iodine transformation RDRP (BIT-RDRP) system was developed by using persistent radical anions (PRAs) as catalysts. The electron-deficient species NTCDA can be reduced to PRAs, which are activated by NIR light to initiate polymerizations. The catalytic system achieved a monomer conversion of over 97.0% within 180-240min, demonstrating controllable polymerization. Other types of PRA catalysts were also developed, confirming the catalytic mechanism. This study opens up a new direction for the further development of NIR-photocontrolled RDRP.
Article
Polymer Science
Sisi Chen, Mengyao Zhang, Qingyuan Li, Jiachen Li, Shengpeng Wu, Jian Zhou, Guoqing Jin, Zhengbiao Zhang, Xiangqiang Pan, Jian Zhu
Summary: Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are versatile polymer materials used in various applications, but the contradiction between reprogrammability and stable actuation performance remains a challenge. Introducing photoactivated dynamic covalent bonds (DCBs) into thermotropic LCEs can help address this issue. This study utilizes allyl selenide chemistry to achieve multiple network reconfigurations of LCEs under visible light conditions (405-450nm). The mild stimulation conditions and sustainable dynamic exchange capability offer great potential for the application and design of covalently adaptable LCEs.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiang Xu, Jiannan Cheng, Haitao Zhao, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: In this study, a hand-shaped actuator is developed by synthesizing near-infrared sensitive CR-vitrimers, which achieves local and sequential control under a uniform near-infrared light field.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Chaojie Li, Jiannan Cheng, Yi Zhang, Qing Yu, Zhiru Yuan, Weiwei He, Xiaoguang Bao, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: Fluorinated polymers, although fascinating, have not been widely applied in daily life due to restricted synthetic methodology and limited availability of monomers. In this work, main-chain-type semifluorinated alternating terpolymers (SFATs) were synthesized using a step transfer-addition and radical-termination (START) polymerization strategy. The synthesis was achieved by irradiation with visible light at room temperature using NaI as the catalyst. The work provides a guide for the synthesis of a broad range of fluorinated polymers by increasing participating monomers and facilitating the integration of desirable properties.
Article
Polymer Science
Xia Lin, Qianxi Gu, Jiajia Li, Jian Zhu
Summary: In this study, a facile and robust method for living cationic polymerization using zinc wire as a catalyst precursor was developed. Well-defined poly(vinyl ether)s with various molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions were obtained at room temperature. The in situ generation of trace zinc ions was found to be the key to the mild conditions of the polymerization. The utilization of zinc wire offered advantages of reusability, easy separation, and low metal residue. Moreover, the method was successfully applied in continuous flow polymerization, showing potential for scalable and efficient industrial production under mild conditions.
