Article
Polymer Science
Mingmei Mi, Jing Yu, Xiangyang Li, Min Zhou, Hao Xiu, Hongwei Bai
Summary: Stereocomplex-type polylactide (SC-PLA) is a promising engineering bio-plastic that enhances heat resistance and hydrolytic stability through the crystallization between poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(D-lactide) (PDLA). By using dibenzoylhydrazide compound as a nucleating agent, the SC crystallization of PLLA/PDLA blends is promoted, leading to smaller crystal size.
Article
Polymer Science
Wenze Li, Mengyao Wang, Huan Luo, Yanhua Niu, Yajiang Huang, Guangxian Li
Summary: This study investigates the crystallization behaviors of stereocomplex and homochiral crystals by blending high molecular weight PLLA with low molecular weight PDLA and its diblock copolymers. It was found that the introduction of different sequences can inhibit the crystallization kinetics of the blends, with the formation of sc crystalites prior to hc ones. Additionally, micro phase separation between PLA and PDMS segments was observed to weaken the competition between sc and hc crystals.
Article
Polymer Science
Tien-Wei Shyr, Huan-Chieh Ko, Tzong-Ming Wu, Meifang Zhu
Summary: The study found that different storage conditions can lead to varying levels of hydrolysis and degradation in polylactide samples, affecting their thermal stability and crystallization behavior. Hydrolysis results in shortened molecular chains, increased nucleation, decreased melting points, and increased melting enthalpy, impacting the formation of homocrystals in the samples.
Article
Polymer Science
Yuhan Wei, Zhengyue Wang, Shuaining Zhou, Zhibo Li
Summary: A tough and transparent film of poly(L-lactic acid)/poly(D-lactide)-b-poly(butadiene)-b-poly(D-lactide) (PLLA/PDLA-PB-PDLA) with balanced strength was obtained. The film was achieved by synthesizing PDLA-PB-PDLA triblock copolymer using ring-opening polymerization and then blending it with PLLA. The blended films exhibited good transparency even with a high loading of PDLA-PB-PDLA. The enhanced mechanical properties were attributed to the synergistic effect of flexible PB chains and stereocomplex crystals formed between PLLA matrix and PDLA chains.
Article
Polymer Science
Suyang Dai, Ni Jiang, Zhenbo Ning, Zhihua Gan
Summary: The length of the PDLA block was found to have a significant impact on the degradation behavior of PLLA/4-DL-D blend films.
POLYMER INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Suyang Dai, Ziming Dai, Ni Jiang, Zhenbo Ning, Zhihua Gan
Summary: In this study, poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) was toughened by crosslinked polyurethane (CPU) through reactive blending. The resulting material exhibited significant increase in elongation at break, enhanced toughness, and shape memory capacity, showing great potential for applications in biodegradable green composites.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tiantang Fan, Jingwen Qin, Xiao Meng, Jiafeng Li, Qing Liu, Guannan Wang
Summary: PLPG membranes with sc-PLA improved the crystallizing behavior of PLLA segments, increased thermal stability and degradation ability, and showed low cytotoxicity.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Crystallography
Xingyuan Diao, Xiaonan Chen, Shihao Deng, Hongwei Bai
Summary: In this study, trace amounts of epoxy-functionalized small-molecule modifiers were introduced into enantiomeric blends during reactive melt-blending to enhance the formation of stereocomplex-type polylactide (SC-PLA). The results showed that the in situ generation of multi-arm stereo-block PLA copolymers significantly improved SC formation, even with only 0.5 wt% modifiers. The unique copolymers acted as compatibilizers, suppressing the separation of the alternately arranged PLLA/PDLA chain segments in the molten state. Furthermore, the generation of these copolymers did not significantly increase the melt viscosity of the blends, suggesting new opportunities for high-throughput processing of SC-PLA materials.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Vipin G. Krishnan, N. M. Praveena, R. B. Amal Raj, Kiran Mohan, E. Bhoje Gowd
Summary: In this study, a facile strategy was reported to enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of polylactide (PLA) aerogels through stereocomplexation. The crystalline pure stereocomplex (SC) aerogels showed improved melting temperature, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and sound absorption ability compared to homopolymer aerogels.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yi-Long Ju, Xiang-Li Li, Xing-Yuan Diao, Hong-Wei Bai, Qin Zhang, Qiang Fu
Summary: This research demonstrates a feasible method to enhance the SC crystallizability of Stereocomplex-type polylactide (SC-PLA) by incorporating small amounts of atactic poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) into PLLA/PDLA blends, improving chain mixing and melt stability while promoting SC crystallization. Increasing content and molecular weight of PDLLA lead to predominantly formed SC crystallites, with exclusive SC crystallization achieved in racemic blends with appropriate PDLLA content and molecular weight.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Naishun Guo, Mengen Zhao, Sijing Li, Jiahui Hao, Zhaoying Wu, Chao Zhang
Summary: This study developed a HA/PLA nanocomposite by surface modification of n-HA, which improved the dispersion of n-HA in the PLLA matrix and formed a stereocomplex crystal at the interface, leading to greatly enhanced mechanical performance. The composite material exhibited excellent mechanical properties and promoted osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells.
Article
Polymer Science
Chunhai Li, Yingying Gao, Lishen Wang, Jiang Li, Shaoyun Guo
Summary: The proposed strategy constructs PLA multilayers composed almost entirely of TC, and the oriented morphology of TC impacts the properties of PLA. This effort could be a useful reference for research on polymer TC.
Article
Polymer Science
Lidong Feng, Xinchao Bian, Gao Li, Xuesi Chen
Summary: By investigating the thermal properties, morphology, and thermal stability of PLLA/PDLA blends, a new stereoamorphous mesophase (sam-PLA) structure was discovered, and the relationship between different phases in the PLLA/PDLA blends was explored.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anthony V. Tuccitto, Andrew Anstey, Nello D. Sansone, Chul B. Park, Patrick C. Lee
Summary: The incorporation of poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) to form stereocomplex crystallites (SCs) within a poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) matrix is an effective strategy to overcome PLLA's drawbacks. In this study, PLLA/PDLA blends were manufactured using a low-cost fibrillation process, resulting in aligned chains and improved properties compared to neat PLLA and non-stretched blends. These improvements were attributed to topological variations caused by chain alignment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ju Yao, Zhen Zeng, Hongwei Bai, Qin Zhang, Qiang Fu
Summary: In asymmetric poly(L-lactide)/poly(D-lactide) blends, achieving high-efficient formation of finely dispersed stereocomplex crystallites can be challenging due to competition between stereocomplexation and chain mixing. Pre-mixing PLLA and PDLA chains can lead to decreased formation efficiency of SC particles, despite smaller particle size. Direct mixing at lower temperatures is more effective for constructing SCs with superior nucleation efficiency, compared to common melt-processing conditions.
MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Xunan Hou, Xuehong Lu, Chaobin He
Summary: The addition of PMMA to PLLA/PHB blends transforms the morphology of the blends by forming an interfacial nanolayer, leading to significantly increased elongation and toughness while maintaining high stiffness and strength. This generic strategy can be applied to design other mechanically robust biocomposites for advanced green devices.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xunan Hou, Siqi Liu, Chaobin He
Summary: This study successfully designed and prepared PLA/PHB biocomposites with excellent mechanical performance by mixing with a small amount of PEO, exhibiting extreme elongation and tensile fracture energy suitable for green flexible electronic devices. This design strategy opens ample opportunities for the preparation of biopolymer materials for future applications.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haiming Chen, Zaizheng Sun, Haohao Lin, Chaobin He, Dongsheng Mao
Summary: Developing high-performance polymeric elastomer with exceptional mechanical and physical properties is crucial for wide application, but challenging. In this study, a series of telechelic elastomers inspired by neurons were developed, achieving enormous energy dissipation, exceptional mechanical robustness, and rapid self-healing ability through hierarchical hydrogen-bonds networks and reversible dynamics.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Chaobin He, Xuehong Lu, Xunan Hou, Wen Sun, Zhibang Liu, Siqi Liu, Jayven Chee Chuan Yeo
Summary: The excessive use and disposal of plastic products pose a severe threat to the environment, animal welfare, and human health. Researchers have developed a ductile and flexible material based on polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by blending it with edible poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc). The blending process transforms fragile PHB crystals into ultrafine domains and prevents secondary crystal formation. The resulting biopolymer blends exhibit mechanical properties similar to commercial polyethylene plastics and demonstrate high degradation under composting conditions.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Tingting Wang, Xiaotong Fan, J. Justin Koh, Chaobin He, Chen-Hua Yeow
Summary: Soft robotics is a rapidly growing research field that focuses on developing robots with bioinspired mechanisms and flexible materials. In this study, a self-healing catalytic soft robot was developed using hydrogels and catalytic reactions. The robot's movement was driven by fluidic release resulting from reactions with hydrogen peroxide. The speed of the robot could be controlled by adjusting the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and the folding/unfolding of enzymes. The addition of iron oxide nanoparticles allowed for magnetic guidance, and different module combinations enabled different motion modes.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Siqi Liu, Hui Li, Jayven Chee Chuan Yeo, Junhua Kong, Patsaya Anukunwithaya, Chaobin He
Summary: A lightweight and flexible thermoelectric generator based on single-walled carbon nanotubes is developed, which can effectively harvest electricity from body heat and solar light with high energy output.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Haiming Chen, Haohao Lin, Zaizheng Sun, He Li, Chaobin He, Dongsheng Mao
Summary: An ion-terminated hyperbranched polymer is developed to overcome the contradiction between pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) and hot-melt adhesives (HMAs), resulting in a multipurpose adhesive with excellent bonding strength and stress-sensing capabilities. The adhesive also exhibits other functionalities such as fluorescence, water-proof characteristics, self-healing performance, and reversible dynamics.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Qi Feng Lim, Ray Chin Chong Yap, Choon Peng Teng, Jayven Chee Chuan Yeo, Ming Yan Tan, Jessica Pei Wen Toh, Qiang Zhu, Warintorn Thitsartarn, Chaobin He, Songlin Liu, Junhua Kong
Summary: The increasing emergence of infectious diseases like COVID-19 has created an urgent need for filtration/purification materials with multifunctional features. Polymer membranes and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have shown high effectiveness in air filtration and purification. In this work, an electrospray-on-electrospinning in situ process was used to integrate MOF nanoparticles into a nanofibrous membrane, resulting in advanced properties such as high mechanical strength, flexibility, breathability, particle filtration, and antimicrobial performance.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xunan Hou, Binting Huang, Lili Zhou, Siqi Liu, Junhua Kong, Chaobin He
Summary: This research demonstrates a hydrogel toughening strategy by introducing a hydrophobic polymer as reinforcement. The mechanical properties of the hydrogels are tunable and they can effectively encapsulate both hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chuanjiang Long, Zhen Dong, Feng Yu, Keqiang Wang, Chaobin He, Zhong-Ren Chen
Summary: In this study, the impact of bimodal molecular weight distribution (MWD) shape on the crystallization kinetics of semicrystalline polymers was investigated. It was found that polyethylenes (PEs) with a bimodal shape exhibited faster nucleation and crystallization rates with smaller lamellar width at low temperatures. The higher crystallization enthalpy of bimodal PEs was also demonstrated, and the mechanism behind this was explained.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Siqi Liu, Mingxia Zhang, Junhua Kong, Hui Li, Chaobin He
Summary: This study proposes a scalable fabrication strategy to produce flexible thermoelectric composite fabrics by simultaneous carbon nanotube electrospray and electrospinning on poly (lactic acid) textile. The optimized fabrics show excellent thermoelectric performance and durability, enabling electricity harvesting from the human body and self-powered sensing.
COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Deyu Niu, Pengwu Xu, Bo Liu, Hanghang Shao, Chaobin He, Tianxi Liu, Weijun Yang, Piming Ma
Summary: This study presents the preparation of robust and high-barrier PGA/PBAT films through reactive compatibilization, biaxial drawing, and constrained annealing processes. The nanocrystals formed during biaxial drawing and constrained annealing enhance the tensile strength and barrier properties. Reactive compatibilization plays a crucial role in improving the ductility and barrier properties of the films.
Article
Polymer Science
Xiaotong Fan, Ke Li, Siqi Liu, Tingting Wang, Yedong Ma, Zibiao Li, Chaobin He
Summary: Protein nanotubes were fabricated by coordinating imidazole-grafted horseradish peroxidase nanogels with Cu2+. The size of the nanotubes was adjustable by changing the amount of Cu2+ added, and a highly sensitive H2O2 detection system was established using these nanotubes. This work provides a facile method for constructing diverse and sophisticated functional protein nanomaterials.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaotong Fan, Siqi Liu, Zhenhua Jia, J. Justin Koh, Jayven Chee Chuan Yeo, Chen-Gang Wang, Nayli Erdeanna Surat'man, Xian Jun Loh, Jean Le Bideau, Chaobin He, Zibiao Li, Teck-Peng Loh
Summary: Ionic liquid-based gels (ionogels) have gained significant attention for their unique advantages in ionic conductivity and liquid-solid phase property. They have great potential in various biomedical applications including strain sensors, therapeutic delivery systems, wound healing, and biochemical detections. This review presents the recent achievements, design strategies, and fabrication methods of ionogels for biomedical applications.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xianglin Gao, Tong Su, Yilin Bao, Jipei Lu, Lei Zhang, Chaobin He, Jianyong Ouyang
Summary: An aerogel dry electrode with excellent skin compliance was prepared using an interesting foaming process. The resulting electrode showed impressive microscale shape moldability, enabling high-quality ECG signal detection.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
