Article
Polymer Science
Wenwen Xiao, Jiayao Wang, Xin Zheng, Yongjin Li
Summary: In this study, the phase behavior and properties of the PES/IL(BF4) binary blends were systematically investigated. It was found that the sulfone group on PES can form a hydrogen bond with the H atom at the C-2 position of the imidazole ring of ionic liquid, which contributes to the good compatibility between PES and IL(BF4). The blends undergo phase separation with increasing temperature, leading to the enrichment of IL(BF4) and enhanced hydrophilicity while decreasing electrical conductivity.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Xiaoxue Wu, Tiantian Song, Zizhen Wei, Lei Shen, Hanqiu Jiang, Yubin Ke, Chunyong He, Hua Yang, Weichao Shi
Summary: Studies have shown that even a small amount of lithium salt can significantly enhance the liquid-liquid phase separation of PEO/PS blends, with the effect of electrostatic interaction increasing with temperature.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yusuke Sato, Masahiro Takinoue
Summary: Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of biopolymer molecules forms liquid-like droplets, and the physical properties of these droplets are influenced by factors such as viscosity and surface tension. In this study, we investigated the effects of sticky end (SE) design in DNA nanostructures on the physical properties of DNA droplets. Our results showed that longer SEs in the Y-motifs led to a longer coalescence period in the assembled droplets. Additionally, Y-motifs with the same length but different sequence SEs exhibited slight variations in coalescence period. These findings enhance our understanding of the relationship between molecular design and the physical properties of droplets formed via LLPS.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pouria Dasmeh, Andreas Wagner
Summary: The study reveals that phosphorylation sites within the PLD of FUS are subject to stabilizing selection during evolution, with an exception seen in primates where the number of such sites has increased through positive selection. This work provides evidence that natural selection has stabilized the liquid forming potential of FUS and minimized the propensity of cytotoxic liquid-to-solid phase transitions during 160 million years of mammalian evolution.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Nadia Rostam, Soumyadeep Ghosh, Chi Fung Willis Chow, Anna Hadarovich, Cedric Landerer, Rajat Ghosh, HongKee Moon, Lena Hersemann, Diana M. M. Mitrea, Isaac A. A. Klein, Anthony A. A. Hyman, Agnes Toth-Petroczy
Summary: The discovery of biomolecular condensates has changed our understanding of how molecules are compartmentalized within cells. To gather interdisciplinary knowledge about the function and composition of biomolecular condensates, we created a crowdsourcing platform called CD-CODE. This platform includes a database of biomolecular condensates, an encyclopedia of related scientific terms, and a web application for community collaboration. By using CD-CODE, we aim to accelerate the research on biomolecular condensates, and enhance our understanding of their role in diseases and as potential therapeutic targets.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei Liu, Claudius Lupfer, Avik Samanta, Aritra Sarkar, Andreas Walther
Summary: Synthetic cell models help us understand living cells and the origin of life by studying the crowded interiors and the formation of secondary structures. The study introduces a crowded all-DNA protocell with a temperature-switchable DNA b-polymer block copolymer, which can form artificial organelle structures through thermoreversible phase segregation. The formation of hydrophobic compartments enhances the reactivity of bimolecular reactions. This study provides insights into phase segregation and the formation of organelles and microreactors in response to environmental stress.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Thomas Quail, Stefan Golfier, Maria Elsner, Keisuke Ishihara, Vasanthanarayan Murugesan, Roman Renger, Frank Julicher, Jan Brugues
Summary: Interactions between liquids and surfaces play a crucial role in various biological, physical, and engineering processes. Recent studies have shown that cells assemble biomolecular condensates through phase separation, which drives transcription, heterochromatin formation, nucleolus assembly, and DNA repair. The interaction between liquid-like condensates and DNA generates forces that could bring distant regions of DNA together, possibly serving as a general regulatory principle for chromatin organization.
Article
Polymer Science
Wenlin Zhang, Lingyi Zou
Summary: We used molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the crystallization of polymer blends consisting of high density polyethylene (PE) and impurity polymers. In strongly phase-separated blends, crystal nucleation occurs in the PE domain at a similar rate as pure samples. However, in well-mixed melts, the nucleation rate is dependent on the composition. By combining simulation results with a mean field theory, we found that the composition dependence arises from the mismatch in nematic interactions between PE and the impurities.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhiyuan Ruan, Shuni Li, Alexandra Grigoropoulos, Hossein Amiri, Shayna L. Hilburg, Haotian Chen, Ivan Jayapurna, Tao Jiang, Zhaoyi Gu, Alfredo Alexander-Katz, Carlos Bustamante, Haiyan Huang, Ting Xu
Summary: Proteins in biological fluids behave according to programmed interactions at the segmental level, and synthetic heteropolymers can replicate these interactions. By extracting chemical characteristics and sequential arrangements from natural proteins, heteropolymer ensembles can mimic the functions of biological fluids and be used in various applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Xi Luo, Xiao-Feng Liu, Xiao-Min Ding, Li Chen, Si-Chong Chen, Yu-Zhong Wang
Summary: The study focused on using different curing temperatures to regulate the phase structures of EP-PCL blends, resulting in various states of PCL and affecting the miscibility between EP matrix and PCL phase. At high curing temperatures, the formation of semi-interpenetrating networks led to improved mechanical properties in EPDDM-PCL blends, while at low curing temperatures, distinct phase separation resulted in improved toughness in EPDETA-PCL blends with island-shaped PCL particles bridging or pinning cracks. These findings provided insights into the toughening of thermosets by controlling phase morphologies at different curing temperatures.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anna Bratek-Skicki, Margot Van Nerom, Dominique Maes, Peter Tompa
Summary: Biomolecular condensates are membraneless organelles formed through liquid-liquid phase separation that can concentrate a variety of molecules in cells. They are highly dynamic and play crucial roles in cellular organization and physiology, with links to diseases like neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. This review discusses the mechanisms, dynamics, and evolution of these biological colloids, particularly focusing on their surface properties and interactions with other cellular components. Experimental approaches for characterizing the formation, interactions, and functions of these cellular colloidal organelles are also summarized.
ADVANCES IN COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dmitrii Fedorov, Nelmary Roas-Escalona, Dmitry Tolmachev, Adam L. Harmat, Alberto Scacchi, Maria Sammalkorpi, A. Sesilja Aranko, Markus B. Linder
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of weak interactions in the formation of condensates and provides a principle for rational protein design. By using a triblock approach, the propensity for condensate formation can be controlled by varying the weak dimerization of terminal blocks. The dissociation constants of the terminal domains directly correlate with the tendency for liquid-liquid phase separation. Additionally, differences in physical properties can be understood from the properties and interplay of constituent blocks.
Article
Polymer Science
Hannah Jones, Jake Mcclements, Dipa Ray, Colin S. Hindle, Michail Kalloudis, Vasileios Koutsos
Summary: This paper investigates the variability in thermal and mechanical properties of virgin and recycled polypropylene/high-density polyethylene blends, and finds differences in crystallinity, melting and crystallization temperatures between the two. The deterioration of these properties in the recycled blends is believed to be caused by contaminants and structural degradation during reprocessing. The tensile properties of the recycled blends are also affected by the recycling process.
Article
Polymer Science
Jeremy L. Swartz, Benjamin R. Elling, Ioannina Castano, Matthew P. Thompson, Daylan T. Sheppard, Nathan C. Gianneschi, William R. Dichtel
Summary: This study introduces a method to enhance the mechanical properties of a miscible blend of thermoplastic polyurethane and polycaprolactone by introducing a copolymer of the two corresponding monomers. The copolymers were generated through a solvent-free, ester/urethane bond-exchange process conducted during the coextrusion of the two polymers. The extrusion conditions affected the extent of bond exchange and the resulting properties of the blend.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chenyang Lan, Juhyeong Kim, Svenja Ulferts, Fernando Aprile-Garcia, Sophie Weyrauch, Abhinaya Anandamurugan, Robert Grosse, Ritwick Sawarkar, Aleks Reinhardt, Thorsten Hugel
Summary: This study quantifies the formation of NELF protein clusters in stressed cells and finds a broad distribution of pre-condensate cluster sizes. The formation of NELF protein clusters can be explained as non-classical nucleation with a surprisingly flat free-energy landscape.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yaqiong Zhang, Jiawei Chen, Qiang Peng, Lingzhi Song, Zhigang Wang, Zhongkai Wang
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Polymer Science
Shuangshuang Ding, Chu Fang, Xuehui Wang, Zhigang Wang
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qiaojiao Wang, Juan Zhang, Xuehui Wang, Zhigang Wang
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Polymer Science
Shuangshuang Ding, Chu Fang, Juan Zhang, Xuehui Wang, Zhigang Wang
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Juan Zhang, Andrew N. Keith, Sergei S. Sheiko, Xuehui Wang, Zhigang Wang
Summary: In order to mimic the mechanical behaviors of skin, a reprocessable bottlebrush copolymer elastomer was designed with renewable and rigid cellulose as backbones, while poly(n-butyl acrylate)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PBA-b-PMMA) diblocks were designed as grafted side chains. The resulting elastomers underwent a step-cyclic tensile deformation, leading to internal structures becoming oriented nanofibers and exhibiting stress-strain behaviors similar to real skin. Our current research work is expected to be important in the development of a series of biomimetic skinlike polymer materials.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Cui Xu, Juan Zhang, Jing Bai, Shuangshuang Ding, Xuehui Wang, Zhigang Wang
Summary: In this study, long-chain branched polylactide (LCB PLA)/poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA) blends with different low amounts of PDLA were prepared by a solution blending method. The formation of stereocomplex (SC) crystallites in the blends and their content increase with higher PDLA composition were confirmed through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic rheological frequency sweep. The morphological evolution during crystallization at 130 degrees C was traced by polarized optical microscopy (POM), revealing the separate growths of SC crystallites and PLA homocrystallites, and the crystallization kinetics were studied by rheometry, accelerated with increasing PDLA composition mainly due to nucleation density enhancement.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Hang Li, Juan Zhang, Feng Wei, Juan Yan, Zhen Da, Yijian Chu, Xuehui Wang, Zhigang Wang
Summary: The study examined the influence of different processing conditions on the glass transition of soft PVC compounds filled with calcium carbonate. It was found that using a one-step procedure for adding CaCO3 powder, increasing the discharge temperature, or using a higher mixing frequency can shift the glass transition temperature of the plasticized PVC component to lower values in soft PVC compounds. Additionally, the one-step procedure is preferred over the two-step procedure for preparing soft PVC compounds with lower glass transition temperatures.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yaqiong Zhang, Jiawei Chen, Shuangshuang Ding, Weiming Kong, Mingxin Xing, Mang Wu, Zhigang Wang, Zhongkai Wang
Summary: By blending PLA with EGMA and PUDA-co-BUDA, the impact strength of PLA can be significantly improved, along with enhanced stretchability. The unique particle microstructures in the ternary blend and interfacial adhesions between components play crucial roles in achieving these improvements.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Cui Xu, Shuangshuang Ding, Xin Liu, Feng Wang, Yulin Shi, Xuehui Wang, Zhigang Wang
Summary: This study found that mechanical tensile properties of thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) can be greatly improved by step-cycle tensile deformation, especially for PTMG-based and PCL-based TPUs. The formation of oriented microstructures at lower strains is crucial for achieving high strength TPUs.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xin Liu, Shuangshuang Ding, Feng Wang, Yulin Shi, Xuehui Wang, Zhigang Wang
Summary: The dependencies of energy dissipation during deformation on the microstructures of two typical commercial TPUs were investigated. The selection of suitable hard segment domains plays a key role in controlling the energy dissipation of TPUs during deformation.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Huanjuan Sun, Xuehui Wang, Quan Chen, Zhigang Wang
Summary: A series of cellulose-graft-diblockbottlebrushcopolymer elastomers with short side chains were synthesized to study the influence of composition and length of the graft diblock side chains on microphase morphologies and properties. The microphase-separated morphologies were observed by atomic force microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering. These elastomers possessed enhanced mechanical properties due to the self-assembly of the outer block into hard microdomains. The rheological behaviors were analyzed to establish the connection between microstructures and properties for high-performance thermoplastic elastomer applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Jia Wang, Cui Xu, Juan Zhang, Xue-hui Wang, Zhi-gang Wang
Summary: In this study, crosslinked PCL/SAN blends were prepared using electron beam irradiation, showing that PCL and SAN components were compatible. It was observed that crystallization kinetics slowed down with increasing SAN content, and also slowed down with increased degree of crosslinking.
ACTA POLYMERICA SINICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Juan Zhang, Zhongkai Wang, Xuehui Wang, Zhigang Wang
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2019)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Wentao Wang, Juan Zhang, Feng Jiang, Xuehui Wang, Zhigang Wang
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2019)
Article
Polymer Science
Chu Fang, Xuehui Wang, Xuesi Chen, Zhigang Wang
Article
Polymer Science
Yuanzhang Jiang, Xuyi Wang, Yanting Han, Dakai Gong, Yingchun Gu, Lin Tan
Summary: In this study, FeCl3 and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were doped into waterborne polyurethanes (WPUs) to create multifunctional materials with self-healing and antimicrobial properties. WPU/Fe/PAA-5.5, containing 5.5 wt % PAA, exhibited excellent mechanical properties, strong self-healing capabilities, and an impressive antimicrobial rate of over 90%. These supramolecular films were also highly recyclable through hot-pressing.
Article
Polymer Science
Longyu Tian, Min Wang, Guangming Liao, Baoliang Liu, Sujuan Zhang, Yucheng Sun, Zhen Meng, Jintao Zhang, Zaijun Lu
Summary: Two kinds of benzoxazine monomers were synthesized and used to prepare polybenzoxazine anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with quaternary ammonium functionalization. The LQPBZ AEM exhibited better ion conductivity and alkaline stability.
Article
Polymer Science
Claire A. Lemarchand
Summary: This study investigates the shock behavior of three different polymers through molecular dynamics simulations. The results reveal specificities in the shock behavior of polymers, including deviations from the linear relation between shock velocity and particle velocity, as well as differences in shear stress relaxation behind the shock front. It is found that the deviation of the Hugoniot locus is related to the change in the relative contribution of bonding and non-bonding potential energies, while polymers with higher glass transition temperatures exhibit slower shear stress relaxation.
Article
Polymer Science
Zengquan Liu, Xiaochun Yin, He Zhang, Shuo Gao, Qinglin Kuang, Yanhong Feng
Summary: A powder solid-state extension (PSSE) technology was proposed to address the high melt viscosity issue of UHMWPE. By uniaxial extension and sintering in the solid state, a highly self-reinforced material was prepared. X-ray diffraction and scattering techniques were used to study the structural evolution during the PSSE process, and a solid-phase induced transformation model was established.
Article
Polymer Science
Zhike Li, Anyu Luo, Rui Zhou, Xin Li, Haiyan Li
Summary: A novel high temperature resistance IL@SiO2 nanocapsules were successfully prepared and their friction and wear properties in PA6 composites were studied. The addition of IL@SiO2 nanocapsules reduced the friction coefficient and wear rate without affecting the mechanical properties of PA6. The synergy between the IL core and SiO2 wall in the nanocapsules improved the self-lubricating performance of the PA6 composites.
Article
Polymer Science
Xin Liu, Xuhong Guo, Qi Liao
Summary: In this study, an algorithm for accurately estimating viscosity is developed using molecular dynamics simulations and the Green-Kubo formula. This algorithm can be applied to complex systems with long correlations, such as macromolecular and biological simulation systems.
Article
Polymer Science
Hao Pu, Yun-Lei Hou, Jing -Zhou Chen, Dong -Lin Zhao
Summary: The use of modified graphene improves the interfacial adherence of carbon fibers to epoxy resin, resulting in enhanced interfacial and bending properties of CF and matrix in CF/EP composites, as well as increased interlaminar shear strength and flexural strength.
Article
Polymer Science
Wei-Chung Ke, Jin-Wei Lin, Manohar Reddy Busireddy, Yueh-Hsing Lee, Jiun-Tai Chen, Chain-Shu Hsu
Summary: This study introduces a crosslinkable monomer, TAIC, to synthesize three crosslinked polyimide films, which exhibit improved thermal, mechanical, and dielectric properties. The introduction of TAIC enhances the tensile strength, reduces the dielectric constant and dielectric loss, and decreases the coefficient of thermal expansion of the polyimide films.
Article
Polymer Science
Alex Kwasi Kumi, Ruiling Fan, Ye Chen, Yumei Zhang
Summary: The difference in leaching of amylopectin from cellulose/amylopectin/1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim][Cl]) blends during regeneration in water and aqueous ethanol has been studied. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the dissolution and regeneration mechanisms of amylopectin in [Bmim][Cl] are similar to cellulose in ionic liquids. Water regeneration leads to weak electrostatic interactions, resulting in high leaching of amylopectin. In contrast, ethanol-water interactions enhance electrostatic interactions among amylopectin chains, limiting amylopectin leaching in aqueous ethanol.
Article
Polymer Science
Xi Zeng, Junwei Zhou, Junbiao Peng, Chunsheng Zhang, Danling Wang, Yihu Song, Qiang Zheng
Summary: This study utilizes an oligomer deep eutectic solvent (DES) based on polyethylene glycol to regulate the vulcanization kinetics of rubber. The results show that the DES can accelerate vulcanization at low temperatures without affecting the crosslinking density and Mullins effect.
Article
Polymer Science
Qianqian Yue, Yongfei Peng, Xingjian Liu, Aihua He, Huarong Nie
Summary: The addition of metal deactivators can effectively suppress the aging of TBIR, prolong its lifespan, and have no negative effects on its physical and processing properties. These research findings are of great importance for improving the stability and aging resistance of polymers.
Article
Polymer Science
J. Gomez-Caturla, J. Ivorra-Martinez, R. Tejada-Oliveros, V Moreno, D. Garcia-Garcia, R. Balart
Summary: This work focuses on the development of environmentally friendly PLA formulations by using different esters derived from geraniol as plasticizers. The results show that these esters have good compatibility with PLA, and they can effectively enhance the elongation and plasticity of PLA, reduce its glass transition temperature, and slightly improve its water absorption capabilities.
Article
Polymer Science
Dandan Li, Zhaohui Lu, Zhao Ke, Ke Xu, Fengna Dai, Youhai Yu, Guangtao Qian, Chunhai Chen
Summary: In this study, cross-linked PI aerogel membranes with low dielectric constant and high moisture resistance were prepared by co-polymerization and scraping coating technology. The incorporation of fluorinated blocks and benzimidazole ring structures resulted in novel PI aerogel membranes with fascinating dielectric properties and outstanding moisture resistance.
Article
Polymer Science
Zhaoyang Chu, Qing Zhang, Haihua Luo, Han Zhou, Fapei Zhang, Wei Chen, Wenhua Zhang
Summary: Multi-physical fields solution processing strategy is a universal and facile method for preparing various conjugated polymer films and high-performance devices. In this study, we employed a combined microfluidic flow and ultrasonication strategy (FU) for processing CP solutions, and found a pronounced synergetic effect in promoting the pre-ordering of chains in solution. The conformation order and anisotropy of the solution were revealed through various characterizations. A non-classical nucleation model for polymer crystallization in non-equilibrium solution processing was confirmed. The roles of microfluidic flow and ultrasonication in chain aggregation and crystallization were addressed through multi-physical simulations. Compared to pristine solutions, the FU strategy showed improved solution anisotropy and crystallization kinetics, resulting in higher crystallinity in films and increased mobilities in OFET devices. The FU processing strategy provides a universal approach for regulating chain conformation and aggregation in conjugated polymer solutions.