Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Dingyifei Ma, Xiaoqing Tian, Jiang Han, Lian Xia
Summary: This research presents a modeling approach using parametric modeling to predict coiling patterns in open-cell foam material extrusion with the liquid rope coiling (LRC) effect. The model consists of three sub-models that consider various factors, including material properties, extrusion process, LRC, and device structure. By adjusting the process parameters, the model accurately predicts the geometric parameters of the coiling pattern, as validated through comparing the predicted and experimental values. The model has practical application value demonstrated through printing silicone open-cell foams and studying their compression properties.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Balchandar Navaneethan, Gnaneshwar Puvala Vijayakumar, Laiva Ashang Luwang, Stalin Karuppiah, Venugopal Jayarama Reddy, Seeram Ramakrishna, Chia-Fu Chou
Summary: This study introduced a novel self-directing single jet in electrospinning to alleviate challenges in the fabrication of bioscaffolds, providing a new approach for tissue engineering applications. By depositing fibers into circular and uniform scaffolds, the morphology and mechanical stability of the scaffolds were significantly improved.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Ranjana Rathaur, Liril D. Silvi, Sumana Ghosh
Summary: This paper compares the coiling characteristics of silicon oil and epoxy resin on static and moving base plates. Jetting, coiling, and dripping regimes are observed for silicon oil, while coiling and dripping are observed for epoxy resin. The flow regimes for epoxy resin are more viscous-dominated compared to silicon oil, which is inertia-gravity dominated. A critical height of the coil stack is observed before collapse for epoxy resin. As the base plate starts to move, translated coil, side-kick, and meandering are observed depending on the relative forces of shear and inertia. Translated coils are observed in the inertia-dominated regime, side-kick is observed when inertia and viscous forces are comparable, and meandering is observed in the viscous-dominated regime. Epoxy resin exhibits better control in terms of frequency and wavelength of pattern formation on the moving base surface.
EXPERIMENTAL THERMAL AND FLUID SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gianluca Viscusi, Elena Lamberti, Maria Rosaria Acocella, Giuliana Gorrasi
Summary: This paper focuses on fabricating hybrid materials using electrospun polyamide fibers reinforced with hemp fibers dissolved in an ionic liquid. The physical properties of the hybrid materials are evaluated, showing an interconnected structure between polyamide 6 and the dissolved hemp fibers. Analysis of X-ray, FTIR, DSC, TGA, and barrier properties suggests improvements in thermal stability, water sensitivity, water clustering phenomena, and mechanical properties. The enhanced antioxidant properties and surface energy distribution are also reported.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Yimeng Li, Yaya Gao, Lizhen Lan, Qian Zhang, Leqian Wei, Mengqi Shan, Lamei Guo, Fujun Wang, Jifu Mao, Ze Zhang, Lu Wang
Summary: This research addresses the challenge of achieving strain-insensitive conductivity in stretchable conductive fibers by using a conductive and elastic multifilament made of polyurethane monofilaments coated with buckled polypyrrole (PPy). The resulting parallel conductive monofilaments maintain their conductivity even under large deformation, making them suitable for wearable electronic devices.
NPJ FLEXIBLE ELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
P. Kianfar, H. Q. Nguyen Trieu, S. Dalle Vacche, L. Tsantilis, R. Bongiovanni, A. Vitale
Summary: A method for converting low molecular weight polybutadienes into crosslinked fibers and nonwoven mats without using heat or solvent was described. The method involved electrospinning liquid polybutadiene and polybutadiene-graft-maleic anhydride polymers at room temperature, with in-situ curing of the fibers triggered by irradiation. The addition of a thiol-based crosslinker and a photoinitiator further accelerated the reaction. The resulting membranes exhibited excellent morphology stability, high insolubility, good thermal properties, and a pronounced hydrophobic character.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinkun Sun, Wenjin Guo, Guangkai Mei, Songli Wang, Kai Wen, Meilin Wang, Danyang Feng, Dong Qian, Meifang Zhu, Xiang Zhou, Zunfeng Liu
Summary: Inspired by the skin structure, researchers have developed an artificial spider silk with a buckled sheath-core structure, which exhibits higher mechanical strength (1.61 GPa) and toughness (466 MJ m(-3)) than Caerostris darwini silk. The buckled structure is achieved by nano-pulley combing of polyrotaxane hydrogel fibers through cyclic stretch-release training, resulting in axial alignment of polymer chains in the fiber core and buckling in the fiber sheath. The artificial spider silk also demonstrates excellent supercontraction behavior, with a work capacity of 1.89 kJ kg(-1) and an actuation stroke of 82%. This work provides a new strategy for designing high-performance and intelligent fiber materials.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yongshi Guo, Jianhua Yan, John H. Xin, Lihuan Wang, Xi Yu, Longfei Fan, Peifeng Liu, Hui Yu
Summary: This paper presents a continuous spinning method using a microfluidic chip spinning device to engineer atypical helical microfibers with ultrahigh strain sensitivity, potentially serving as ideal strain sensors. The study also demonstrates the preparation of single- and double-hollow BT microfibers with high structural similarity to irregular blood vessels, showing promise for applications in blood vessel tissue engineering.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Antonios Keirouz, Zhe Wang, Vundrala Sumedha Reddy, Zsombor Kristof Nagy, Panna Vass, Matej Buzgo, Seeram Ramakrishna, Norbert Radacsi
Summary: Electrospinning has advanced rapidly, leading to the invention of new technologies and apparatuses. The revamping of conventional electrospinning focuses on achieving scalability, developing 3D nanofibrous macrostructures, and formulating novel fiber configurations. This review introduces a diverse group of electrospinning techniques and compares them based on apparatus type and output, assessing their advantages and limitations. Future developments of advanced electrospinning technologies are outlined with a focus on upscaling, translational research, sustainable manufacturing, and prospective solutions to current shortcomings.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yarong Lv, Xinyu Sang, Zhuang Tian, Shuangpeng Jiang, Chenxi Li, Quanyi Guo, Ce Wang, Ping Hu, Yong Liu
Summary: In this study, hydroxyapatite-incorporated polylactic acid (PLLA) aligned nanofibrous membranes were fabricated using electrospinning as a low-cost sustainable rotator cuff patch. The results showed that the nanofibrous membrane had good cell compatibility and the ability to induce bone formation, promoting tendon-bone healing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yan Xing, Jing Cheng, Heping Li, Dandan Lin, Yuting Wang, Hui Wu, Wei Pan
Summary: Ceramic fiber photocatalysts fabricated by electrospinning show great potential in addressing global environmental and energy issues. Various smart strategies have been developed to improve their photocatalytic efficiencies and prolong the carrier lifetime. The future directions of ceramic fiber photocatalysts involve further advancements in precursor composition design, electrospinning parameter control, and post heat-treatment processes.
Review
Polymer Science
Vigneshwaran Shanmugam, Karthik Babu, Thomas F. Garrison, Antonio J. Capezza, Richard T. Olsson, Seeram Ramakrishna, Mikael S. Hedenqvist, Shuvra Singha, Mattia Bartoli, Mauro Giorcelli, Gabriel Sas, Michael Forsth, Oisik Das, Agoston Restas, Filippo Berto
Summary: The global COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rapid increase in demand for facemasks, resulting in a spike in facemask waste. There is a strong interest in developing biodegradable facemasks made with natural polymer-based nanofibres to promote cleaner production.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Priya Bansal, Radhika Batra, Reetu Yadav, Roli Purwar
Summary: In this study, PAN/Mt nanofibrous nanocomposites with varying concentrations of Mt were fabricated and characterized. The nanocomposites showed reduced fiber diameters, high surface roughness, and excellent filtration efficiency for PM2.5 particles. Additionally, the materials demonstrated effective adsorption of Cu (II) ions, following pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir adsorption isotherm.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Shichen Li, Bong-Kee Lee
Summary: This study demonstrates the manipulation of electrospun polymer fiber morphology using a rotating water collector. Hydrodynamic interaction is found to be the dominant factor affecting fiber morphology, while electrical interaction mainly influences the area and density of the fiber mat. The findings offer a new approach for precise control of electrospun polymer fiber morphology with potential applications in various fields.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Sampathkumar Chrisolite Vanithakumari, Vijayan Athulya, Rani Pongachira George, John Philip
Summary: A superhydrophobic coating with self-cleaning property was fabricated on 304L SS samples using a simple one-step electrospinning process, followed by silane treatment. The coating exhibited dynamic bouncing of water droplets and excellent self-cleaning performance, while maintaining its surface properties in chloride solutions with different ionic strengths and pH levels.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sara Hanaei, Amirhossein Takian, Reza Majdzadeh, Christopher Ryan Maboloc, Igor Grossmann, Orlando Gomes, Milos Milosevic, Manoj Gupta, Alireza A. Shamshirsaz, Amine Harbi, Amer M. Burhan, Lucina Q. Uddin, Arutha Kulasinghe, Chi-Ming Lam, Seeram Ramakrishna, Abass Alavi, Jan L. Nouwen, Tommaso Dorigo, Michael Schreiber, Ajith Abraham, Natalya Shelkovaya, Wojtek Krysztofiak, Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani, Frank Sellke, Shuji Ogino, Francisco J. Barba, Serge Brand, Clara Vasconcelos, Deepak B. Salunke, Nima Rezaei
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on human life, leading to the postponement, cancellation, or virtualization of activities that require gatherings. While virtual settings offer increased inclusivity and accessibility and reduce carbon emissions, they cannot fully replace in-person scientific events. In-person meetings allow for socialization, collaboration, and idea sharing, providing novel opportunities. A hybrid model that combines in-person and virtual components may be a solution, allowing participants to choose their preferred mode of participation.
DISASTER MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS
(2022)
Review
Anatomy & Morphology
Sairish Malik, Subramanian Sundarrajan, Tanveer Hussain, Ahsan Nazir, Seeram Ramakrishna
Summary: Research on nanomaterials has led to the exploitation of their potential applications, with electrospinning being particularly noteworthy for its ability to synthesize novel nanostructures. Among these, polymers, especially block copolymers, are extensively studied due to their unique properties and behavior when varying composition ratio and molecular weight, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.
CELLS TISSUES ORGANS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Piya Kerdlap, Aloisius Rabata Purnama, Jonathan Sze Choong Low, Daren Zong Loong Tan, Claire Y. Barlow, Seeram Ramakrishna
Summary: The study compares the environmental performance of distributed and centralized sorting and recycling of plastic bottles and takeaway containers in Singapore, finding that distributed scenarios have higher environmental impacts in terms of climate change, water depletion, and terrestrial ecotoxicity by 7-30% compared to centralized scenarios.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Wanasinghe Arachchige Dumith Madushanka Jayathilaka, Amutha Chinnappan, Rituparna Ghosh, Chinnappan Baskar, Seeram Ramakrishna
Summary: Passive radiative cooling using metal oxide-doped fibers is an effective energy-saving method that achieves cooling without external energy input. These fibers have high reflectivity and emissivity within the atmospheric window, resulting in significant cooling effects below ambient temperatures.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Banafsheh Sadeghi, Peyman Sadeghi, Yousef Marfavi, Elaheh Kowsari, Ali Akbar Zareiyazd, Seeram Ramakrishna
Summary: This study introduces two solutions to improve the foaming of PLA: using the extrusion process and adding cellulose nanofibers. Experimental results showed a reduction in the molecular weight of original PLA after extrusion, and an enhancement in crystallization nucleation and cell density with the addition of cellulose nanofibers. The composition of cellulose nanofibers also improved the mechanical and dynamic properties of cellulose nanofiber-reinforced PLA based on the dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Manik Chandra Biswas, Bodiuzzaman Jony, Pranab Kumar Nandy, Reaz Ahmed Chowdhury, Sudipta Halder, Deepak Kumar, Seeram Ramakrishna, Masud Hassan, Md Ariful Ahsan, Md Enamul Hoque, Muhammad Ali Imam
Summary: Biopolymers have unique tunable characteristics such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, renewability, which are critically important for designing materials for biomedical applications. By changing the polymer components, smart biopolymers can be prepared for more targeted applications, showing a wide range of uses in drug delivery and wound healing, among others.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Alireza Behzadi, Ghodratollah Hashemi Motlagh, Erfan Rezvani Ghomi, Rasoul Esmaeely Neisiany, Iman Jafari, Amutha Chinnappan, Fatemeh Khosravi, Seeram Ramakrishna
Summary: Organic resorcinol formaldehyde (RF) aerogel was successfully modified by incorporating amine-functionalized graphene oxide (GO) during the synthesis process. The modified RF-GOA showed improved elimination amounts of antibiotics and a high absorption capacity for oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline. The optimal pH values for the modified aerogels were obtained, and the adsorption of antibiotics on the modified aerogels was found to be governed by chemical adsorption.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Impreet Kaur, Rajnish Tiwari, V. G. M. Naidu, Seeram Ramakrishna, Dinesh M. Tripathi, Savneet Kaur
Summary: This review highlights the role of bile acids and their signaling pathways in liver regeneration, as well as the potential of bile acid-based therapies in liver diseases. The expression of major bile acid receptors in both the liver and intestine contributes significantly to hepatocyte proliferation, and selective agonists of these pathways are being developed as new therapies for liver diseases. FXR/TGR5 agonists show promise in promoting liver regeneration and improving hepatic insufficiency in chronic liver diseases.
REGENERATIVE ENGINEERING AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Abd Rahim Aiman, Sevakumaran Vigneswari, Nur Athirah Amran, Vikneswaran Murugaiyah, Al-Ashraf Amirul, Seeram Ramakrishna
Summary: Regenerative medicine utilizes cellular and tissue regeneration principles to develop strategies that provide cures rather than treatment for complex diseases, through methods such as stem cells, gene therapy, and tissue engineering. Biomaterials play a crucial role in tissue engineering, and the development of smart biomaterials is the way forward for regenerative medicine applications in the future.
REGENERATIVE ENGINEERING AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hadi Rouhani, Fatola Farhadi, Mahsa Akbari Kenari, Seeram Ramakrishna
Summary: By optimizing the temperature range for clay treatment, the study achieved a longer service life for the clay and introduced a new process arrangement that significantly reduced operational costs in industrial production.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Heng-Shu Guan, Wei-Zhi Song, Lin-Peng Huang, Zhong Liu, Jun Zhang, Seeram Ramakrishna, Yun-Ze Long
Summary: Biofuel cell is a technology that converts renewable energy into electricity using biological enzymes. Researchers have successfully developed a biofuel cell based on a polyaniline/thermoplastic polyurethane fiber membrane, which can stably output voltage in simulated blood, showing potential applications in implantable devices and blood glucose monitoring.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Irshad Ahamad Khilji, Siti Nadiah Binti Mohd Safee, Sunil Pathak, Chaitanya Reddy Chilakamarry, Amiril Sahab Bin Abdul Sani, Venugopal Jayarama Reddy
Summary: This study presents a straightforward method for manufacturing copper particles without oxidation. The copper particles produced using electrical discharge machining have specific sizes and morphologies, and they do not undergo oxidation when coated with oleic acid.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Xue Pan, Lu Bai, Chengcheng Pan, Zhicheng Liu, Seeram Ramakrishna
Summary: This review discusses the fabrication methods and applications of SERS substrates based on electrospun nanofibers, and highlights the challenges and prospects.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Ashwini Vasudevan, Dinesh M. Tripathi, Subramanian Sundarrajan, Jayarama Reddy Venugopal, Seeram Ramakrishna, Savneet Kaur
Summary: The major goal of liver tissue engineering is to reproduce the phenotype and functions of liver cells. Nanofibrous scaffolds, produced using techniques such as electrospinning, have been widely used due to their resemblance with the native tissue extracellular matrix environment. Synthetic and natural electrospun polymers, as well as liver extracellular matrix, are utilized in the fabrication of these scaffolds, along with novel strategies such as galactosylation and matrix protein incorporation.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Masoud Sarraf, Erfan Rezvani Ghomi, Saeid Alipour, Seeram Ramakrishna, Nazatul Liana Sukiman
Summary: Commercially pure titanium and titanium alloys are widely used in biomedical applications due to their excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and antibacterial properties. Future research will focus on advanced manufacturing technologies, effects of alloying elements on biocompatibility, and the role of titanium in regenerative and nanomedicine applications.
BIO-DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING
(2022)
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.
