Article
Polymer Science
Tianyu Zhu, Chunxiang Lu, Xiaoxuan Lu, Jieying Zhi, Yingjun Song
Summary: A new epoxy-terminated hyperbranched polyether sulfone (EHPES) was synthesized and modified in diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA), improving the comprehensive performance of the copolymer, especially the tensile, flexural, and impact strengths.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Kun Huang, Xuetong Fan, Richard Ashby, Helen Ngo
Summary: The study investigated the structure-activity relationship of antibacterial bio-based epoxy polymers made from phenolic branched fatty acids by preparing curing agents from phenolic BCFAs and polyamines. The bio-epoxy polymers, especially phenol-BCFA (EDA) and creosote BCFA (EDA), demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against a broad range of bacteria, indicating their potential as inherently antibacterial materials. The study also highlighted the importance of amphiphilicity in contributing to the antimicrobial activity of the bio-epoxy polymers.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Huawei Qiao, Mingfeng Chen, Bing Chen, Huagui Zhang, Botuo Zheng
Summary: This study systematically reveals the role of a hyperbranched polysiloxane (PBPS) with boron in the curing kinetics of epoxy resin. Boron efficiently reduces the induction time of curing and increases the reaction rate in the non-catalytic stage. The addition of PBPS also affects the activation energy of the viscous flow stage, resulting in excellent toughening effects. This study fills the knowledge gap regarding the mechanism and influence of hyperbranched polysiloxane in the curing of epoxy resin.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Wei Wang, Yuan Liu, Hui Wen, Qi Wang
Summary: A hyperbranched polyamide charring agent (HPCA) was synthesized and combined with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to achieve excellent flame retardant properties in epoxy resin, showing an apparent synergistic effect. The residual char at high temperature was analyzed by using spectroscopy to further explore the synergistic mechanisms. The introduced hyperbranched polyamide structure effectively improved the toughness of the original rigid crosslinking net of epoxy resin.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yanxin Hao, Liuyue Zhong, Tingcheng Li, Junheng Zhang, Daohong Zhang
Summary: An efficient strategy utilizing disulfide and imine dynamic covalent bonds in a vanillin-based hyperbranched epoxy resin is proposed for the development of recyclable biobased materials. The resin demonstrates high glass transition temperature, improved creep resistance, mechanical properties, and exhibits self-healing ability, reprocessability, and degradability. This represents a significant advancement in the design of high-performance epoxy covalent adaptable networks.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Liuyue Zhong, Tingcheng Li, Junheng Zhang, Junsheng Wang, Daohong Zhang
Summary: In this study, hyperbranched phosphorus-containing polysiloxane functionalized halloysite nanotubes were synthesized for the preparation of epoxy composites with improved mechanical strength and flame retardancy, without sacrificing the glass transition temperature.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nuo Liang, Xin Liu, Jiarui Hu, Yu Wu, Mengjie Peng, Yunke Ma, Yu Jiang, Juan Cheng, Sufang Chen, Daohong Zhang
Summary: Sustainability and high-performance of lightweight epoxy resin/carbon fiber composites are challenges in aerospace and wind power applications. The key is designing epoxy resins from non-petroleum-based materials, recycling carbon fibers, and improving interfacial interaction. This study presents the synthesis of bio-based degradable hyperbranched epoxy resins and investigates their topological properties and their effects on the mechanical and interfacial performance of the composites, leading to the discovery of interfacial improvement and carbon fiber recycling mechanisms. This work offers a promising approach for sustainable high-performance epoxy resin/carbon fiber composites.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xue Liang, Xiaojie Li, Yong Tang, Xiyu Zhang, Wei Wei, Xiaoya Liu
Summary: In this study, graphene oxide (GO) sheets were covalently linked with hyperbranched epoxy resin to enhance the properties of epoxy composites. The functionalized GO sheets showed better dispersion and interfacial compatibility, leading to significant improvements in mechanical and thermal properties. The results suggest that the functionalized composite is a promising, all-purpose modifier for epoxy resins.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Lin Li, Zhenpeng Zhang, Minhui Wang, Yanan Zhang, Xun Lu
Summary: A flexible and self-healing epoxy acrylic coating with super-hydrophobicity was prepared by introducing dynamic disulfide bond and dangling chain into the resin system and spraying nano-SiO2 to construct micro surface structure. The coating showed improved self-healing efficiency, reduced brittleness and enhanced wear-resistance. These results could serve as a reference for developing high-performance UV-curable coatings.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Adria Roig, Xavier Ramis, Silvia De la Flor, Angels Serra
Summary: A novel dual-curing procedure combining radical UV-initiated reaction and thermal thiol-epoxy reaction was developed in this work. Optimal thiol amount is essential for obtaining cross-linked materials with good mechanical performance and avoiding dripping of free monomers during storage. Glycidyl methacrylate in combination with trifunctional meth(acrylates) allows gelation in the 1st stage and acts as a covalent coupling between (meth)acrylates and epoxy networks.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Wanjing Liu, Pan Tian, Yisen Huang, Junhua Zhang
Summary: In this paper, a new UV-light-sensitive solid resist resin with high glass transition temperature, high double-bond conversion and low dielectric constant was successfully synthesized by using cholic acid to react with epoxy resin. It shows promising application potential for light-curing inks in high-frequency electronic packaging.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Renkun Xia, Jiaojiao Xi, Zhiyun Zhang, Yannan He, Zhiqiang Yu
Summary: In this study, nano-titanium dioxides were surface modified and mixed with bisphenol A epoxy resin, and then cured using a UV-normal temperature synergistic process. The addition of nano-TiO2 reduced the curing reaction rate constant k₁ and increased the k₂ of the prepolymer, while the activation energy of the curing reaction after UV irradiation E-a₁ decreased, and the activation energy in the middle and later periods E-a₂ increased. The mechanical and heat resistance properties of the composite material were improved due to the enhanced dispersibility of the coupling-agent-modified nano-TiO2 in the epoxy resin.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xu Han, Yu Wu, Haoran Han, Zejun Xu, Tingcheng Li, Yu Jiang, Sufang Chen, Daohong Zhang
Summary: A super-strong reusable thermoplastic hot melt adhesive (HEA) was synthesized by incorporating a hyperbranched epoxy resin (MHER) with traditional diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and a polyether amine bearing the ureidopyrimidinone motif. HEA-8 showed significantly improved adhesion strength, tensile strength, and tensile toughness compared to HEA-0, with approximately 10.7 MPa of adhesion strength and >82% adhesion strength retained after five cycles.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Chenglong Yu, Zejun Xu, Xu Ma, Junheng Zhang, Sufang Chen, Menghe Miao, Hongxiang Chen, Daohong Zhang
Summary: EHPI-n polymers can significantly improve the performance of composite materials, including toughness, mechanical properties, heat resistance, and cold resistance, with great potential for various applications.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Yuansheng Liu, Biwu Huang, Wenbin Zhou, Weiqing Chen, Yang Wu
Summary: The new photosensitive resin synthesized in the experiment demonstrated excellent photosensitivity, thermal stability, mechanical properties, and optical properties. The thermal stability of the resin reached up to 446 degrees C, with a tensile strength of 75.5 MPa and a bending strength of 49.5 MPa. The light transmittance remained above 98%.
Article
Polymer Science
Lorenzo Pezzana, Giuseppe Melilli, Nathanael Guigo, Nicolas Sbirrazzuoli, Marco Sangermano
Summary: This article investigates the use of furfuryl glycidyl ether (FGE) as a monomer to design a two-step cured coating. Linear polymer chains are produced using cationic UV technique, and the UV reactivity of FGE is evaluated using real-time Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). After a thermal treatment, the formation of cross-links in the UV-irradiated linear chains is confirmed using various techniques.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Elisabeth Rossegger, Rita Hoeller, Katja HrbiniC, Marco Sangermano, Thomas Griesser, Sandra Schloegl
Summary: Magnetoresponsive polymers are important materials in the design of soft actuators, allowing for controlled movement through an external magnetic field. By incorporating magnetoresponsiveness into photocurable resins, personalized and complex structures can be created and driven by a magnetic field using 3D printing technology.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Dora Straus, Maria Caballol, Francesc Serrado, Josep Oliveras, Xavier Ramis, Jonas Oliva
Summary: The decline of trees caused by exotic Phytophthora pathogens is a significant problem worldwide. This study found that forests with high recreational use are more susceptible to Phytophthora attack compared to forests with low recreational use in Catalonia. The presence of Phytophthora is associated with defoliation and low regeneration of trees.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Lorenzo Pezzana, Giuseppe Melilli, Marco Sangermano, Nicolas Sbirrazzuoli, Nathanael Guigo
Summary: In this work, a diglycidyl furfuryl amine (DGFA) was synthesized to produce a functional coating. A room temperature curing process, using bio-based itaconic acid (IA), was implemented to reduce energy consumption. The curing process was characterized using DSC, rheology, and real-time ATR FTIR, while the thermo-mechanical properties were analyzed using DMTA. Finally, the surface properties of the coating were modified via a UV-induced thiol-ene reaction between itaconic acid moieties and fluorine-based monomers. The surface functionalization was evaluated using contact angle measurements and XPS analysis.
REACTIVE & FUNCTIONAL POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
B. Pascual-Jose, S. De la Flor, A. Serra, A. Ribes-Greus
Summary: The dielectric spectra of the poly(thiourethane) network, HDI-S3, were analyzed to understand the nature and cooperativity of each observed dielectric process. The Y1, Y2, and fi dielectric relaxations at low temperatures were attributed to noncooperative local motions in the glassy state, with apparent activation energies of 30, 36, and 60 kJ/mol, respectively. At higher temperatures, three dielectric relaxations were observed (alpha Tg, alpha*, p), with alpha Tg being attributed to the glass transition and overlapping with the alpha* relaxation. The molecular origin of the alpha* relaxation was associated with a bond exchange reaction, while the p relaxation was ascribed to sample heterogeneity, although its origin remained uncertain. The DC conductivity (sigma DC) was found to be a suitable variable for analyzing the bond exchange reaction, indicating a molecular exchange mechanism of dissociative nature in HDI-S3.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
David Santiago, Dailyn Guzman, Jesu's Padilla, Pere Verdugo, Silvia De la Flor, Angels Serra
Summary: Epoxy-based vitrimers with high Tg values and a homogeneous network structure were developed as recyclable and reprocessable adhesives for automotive structural applications. The materials showed complete stress relaxation in just 3.6 minutes at 180 degrees C, with the presence of TBD catalyst resulting in the fastest relaxation. They were successfully recycled and reprocessed through alcoholysis and mechanical grinding, and demonstrated high single-lap shear stress values for mono- and multimaterial joints. Overall, this study presents a comprehensive investigation of recyclable and reprocessable epoxy-based vitrimers.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Osman Konuray, Xavier Fernandez-Francos, Xavier Ramis
Summary: In this work, a model is proposed to reproduce the stress relaxation dynamics of relaxation processes in covalent adaptable networks (CANs) produced by stepwise polymerization. The model captures the elastic response of the material under initial stress by simulating a network decrosslinking process. By using a combination of a recursive structural model and a kinetic model for the bond exchange reaction, the model can predict the stress relaxation profile in different CAN-based materials based on their network structure, bond exchange rate, and presence of permanent bonds. The model's prediction capabilities are validated through simulations of scenarios taken from the literature, demonstrating the flexibility in designing CAN-based materials through tailored network architecture.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Rossella Sesia, Silvia Spriano, Marco Sangermano, Sara Ferraris
Summary: Corrosion is a significant problem for steel, and research has focused on developing effective corrosion prevention strategies. Commonly used corrosion inhibitors can be harmful, so there is interest in finding natural alternatives. Polyphenols, derived from plants or agricultural by-products, have been investigated for their rust conversion and corrosion prevention properties. This review discusses the use of polyphenols as rust converters, in green anticorrosive coatings, and as active components in corrosion-inhibiting primers. Polyphenolic additives in coatings are also explored as sustainable systems to improve corrosion resistance.
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Michael Zanon, Raquel Cue-Lopez, Enrique Martinez-Campos, Paula Bosch, Davy-Louis Versace, Hassan Hayek, Nadia Garino, Candido Fabrizio Pirri, Marco Sangermano, Annalisa Chiappone
Summary: The importance of 3D printable hydrogels in tissue engineering is increasing due to their similarity with the human body's extracellular matrix. This study utilized Quinizarin-based bioderived photoactive dyes to enable 3D printing of methacrylated chitosan through vat photopolymerization. The use of these dyes improved printability and resolution while also acting as photosensitizers and fillers/crosslinkers. The study successfully achieved defined chitosan 3D structures with suspended features using Digital Light Processing, and also evaluated the mechanical and swelling properties of the hydrogels, as well as their potential application in tissue engineering through cell proliferation analysis.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sathiyaraj Subramaniyan, Matteo Bergoglio, Marco Sangermano, Minna Hakkarainen
Summary: In order to move towards a circular bioeconomy, a paradigm shift from traditional petroleum-based non-recyclable thermosets to biobased repeatedly recyclable materials is required. Two mechanically and chemically recyclable extended vanillin-derived epoxy thermosets were successfully fabricated by introducing Schiff-base/imine covalent dynamic bonds. These thermosets exhibited good thermal and mechanical properties, stability in common organic solvents, and the ability to be thermally reprocessed through compression molding. Furthermore, they could be rapidly and completely chemically recycled to water-soluble aldehydes and amines by imine hydrolysis in 0.1M HCl solution.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lazaros Papadopoulos, Lorenzo Pezzana, Natalia Maria Malitowski, Marco Sangermano, Dimitrios. N. N. Bikiaris, Tobias Robert
Summary: In the search for sustainable thermosets, research has been conducted on various polymer classes, including epoxy, benzoxazines, acryl-/methacrylates, etc. Itaconic acid-based unsaturated polyester resins are a particular group that can also be used as sustainable inks for additive manufacturing. This study synthesized a series of itaconic acid-based polyesters with different reactive diluent contents and evaluated their physicochemical properties and reactivity toward UV light. The same formulations were used for 3D printing and their thermomechanical properties were examined.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ines Cazin, Elisabeth Rossegger, Ignazio Roppolo, Marco Sangermano, Petra Granitzer, Klemens Rumpf, Sandra Schloegl
Summary: Additive manufacturing is a promising technique for fabricating customized 3D objects. Interest is growing in using magnetic materials for 3D printing functional devices. In this study, magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were introduced into a dynamic photopolymer network, which allowed for thermo-activated bond exchange reactions and the healing of 3D-printed structures. The magnetically responsive composites showed potential for use in healable soft devices activated by external magnetic fields.
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Cristian Mendes-Felipe, Riccardo Cofano, Ander Garcia, Marco Sangermano, Senentxu Lanceros-Mendez
Summary: The manufacturing industry is adopting plant-based and renewable resources to replace fossil fuel materials for a more environmentally friendly and sustainable economy. The combination of these materials with conductive fillers allows for the fabrication of conductive tracks and sensors essential for the implementation of the IoT and Industry 4.0 concepts.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Lorenzo Pezzana, Alice Emanuele, Raffaella Sesana, Cristiana Delprete, Eva Malmstrom, Mats Johansson, Marco Sangermano
Summary: The scientific community is actively researching bio-based derivatives to reduce the consumption of fossil-based materials and their environmental impact. Developing bio-based plastics is a significant challenge in achieving sustainability and a green economy. A study focused on using a bio-based monomer, isosorbide, for the production of bio-based resins used in coatings. They successfully functionalized isosorbide to introduce epoxy groups, which were then activated through UV radiation for cross-linking. The bio-based resin showed potential for UV-cationic curing, reaching conversion rates above 85%. Additionally, they added a bio-based filler, macadamia nutshell powder (MAC), to increase the surface hardness of the coating. The resulting coating with 30% MAC showed a significant increase in hardness compared to the pristine bio-based epoxy resin. Thermo-mechanical analysis revealed that the addition of MAC also increased the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the coating.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Amandine L. Flourat, Lorenzo Pezzana, Sabrina Belgacem, Abdouramane Dosso, Marco Sangermano, Sami Fadlallah, Florent Allais
Summary: In this study, tunable bis-allylated compounds were efficiently synthesized from cellulose-derived levoglucosenone via a chemo-enzymatic pathway, and then polymerized through photocuring, resulting in thermosets suitable for 3D printing.
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.
