Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zitang Wei, Xiaokang Wang, Bumjoon Seo, Xuyi Luo, Qixuan Hu, Jack Jones, Matthias Zeller, Kang Wang, Brett M. Savoie, Kejie Zhao, Letian Dou
Summary: This study conducted a systematic investigation into the side chain functionalization of the bis(indandione) derivative system, successfully achieving the production of high molecular weight and stereoregular single crystalline polymers. By precisely engineering the side chains, topochemical reactivity was maintained and the elastic modulus of the resulting polymer single crystals was greatly enhanced. Additionally, insoluble polymer single crystals were processed into robust free-standing thin films using ultrasonication.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Correction
Polymer Science
Madison Mooney, Audithya Nyayachavadi, Angela Awada, Ekaterini Iakovidis, Yunfei Wang, Mei-Nung Chen, Yuzi Liu, Jie Xu, Yu-Cheng Chiu, Xiaodan Gu, Simon Rondeau-Gagne
Summary: This article investigates the application of asymmetric side-chain engineering in semiconducting polymers, providing a new platform for greener processing and post-functionalization of organic electronics.
Article
Polymer Science
Jianhua Huang, Yun Zhou, Jin Zhang
Summary: The influence of the substrate on polymer films was studied using molecular dynamics simulations. The dynamic propagation depth of the substrate effect in nonadsorbed chains was estimated to be about 2.3Rg and 3.5Rg for weakly and strongly attractive substrates, respectively, much larger than the thickness of the adsorbed layer. The dynamics of adsorbed and nonadsorbed polymers located below the dynamic propagation depth strongly depended on the substrate attraction strength. The results revealed that the influence of the substrate on nonadsorbed polymer chains mainly came from the tails of adsorbed chains, providing new insights into the molecular mechanism of the substrate effect in polymer films.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Palraj Ranganathan, Yu-Hao Chen, Syang-Peng Rwei, Yi-Huan Lee
Summary: This study investigates the chemical depolymerization of PET waste to produce high-value biomass TPCPAs. The TPCPAs are then foamed using scCO2, resulting in microcellular foams with excellent shape recovery and recyclability properties. The TPCPAs also exhibit higher peel strength compared to commercial PA glues.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
St. John Whittaker, Merritt Mcdowell, Justin Bendesky, Zhihua An, Yongfan Yang, Hengyu Zhou, Yuze Zhang, Alexander Shtukenberg, Dilhan Kalyon, Bart Kahr, Stephanie Lee
Summary: Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) crystals grown as spherulites exhibit helicoidal fibrils that twist and grow radially, forming concentric bands when viewed on films. The exposure to methanol vapor causes reorganization of the crystal structure, leading to the growth of crystalline circles with determined orientations. Crystal twisting offers a way to pattern materials spontaneously, regardless of molecular or crystal structure.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hatice Gunes Yildiz, Berk Ayvaz, Ali Osman Kusakci, Muhammet Deveci, Harish Garg
Summary: In recent years, population growth and lifestyle changes have led to an increase in global energy consumption. Providing energy from fossil fuels has negative consequences, such as supply constraints and greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce reliance on fossil fuels and pollution, renewable energy sources, including biomass, are crucial. This study proposes a multi-objective goal programming model to optimize a sustainable biomass-based renewable energy supply chain network design, with a focus on economic, environmental, and social performance.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Xinlei Wu, Jun Yao, Yingjie Guo, Sijia Zheng, Zhihai Cao
Summary: This study presents a strategy that combines foulant-release property with synergistically bactericidal action to achieve long-term antibacterial surfaces. Quaternized fluoropolymer/Ag composite films (FP-Qx/Ag CFs) were fabricated via sequential miniemulsion polymerization and squeegeeing techniques. The crucial role of alkyl chain length of quaternary ammonium (QA) units on the antibacterial ability of quaternized fluoropolymer/Ag nanocomposite particles (FP-Qx/Ag NCPs) and FP-Qx/Ag CFs' surface properties, surface energy, underwater surface reconstruction, and antibacterial ability was investigated. The long-term antibacterial performance of FP-Qx/Ag CFs depended on the alkyl chain length of QA units. Surface energy, surface rearrangement, and synergistic bactericidal ability of FP-Qx/Ag CFs were decoupled to propose a comprehensive long-term antibacterial mechanism. This work provides guidance for the design of long-term antibacterial surfaces and an effective method to manipulate the properties and performance of antibacterial surfaces through alkyl side chain engineering.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peng Zhou, Yongyue Luo, Zhen Lv, Xunwen Sun, Yongqiang Tian, Xinxing Zhang
Summary: By incorporating corn starch and cellulose nanofibrils into biodegradable poly (vinyl alcohol) through melt-processing, mechanically robust and sustainable composites were successfully prepared. Analysis showed that this approach can improve the thermoplasticity and broaden the processing window of PVA composites, while enhancing their tensile strength, modulus, and elongation at break.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Angelica Avella, Alexander Idstrom, Rosica Mincheva, Koyuru Nakayama, Lars Evenas, Jean-Marie Raquez, Giada Lo Re
Summary: This study proposes a design for peroxide-initiated crosslinking of biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and renewable cellulose nanocrystals to replace non-biodegradable plastics. By utilizing a water-assisted reactive melt-processing method, targeted thermoplastic/thermoset bionanocomposites with improved properties and melt performance are achieved. The incorporation of cellulose nanocrystals in a percolating network enhances the crosslinked bionanocomposites' properties, while also providing heat-shrinkability and potential heat-triggered shape-memory.
COMPOSITES PART A-APPLIED SCIENCE AND MANUFACTURING
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Madison Mooney, Yunfei Wang, Audithya Nyayachavadi, Song Zhang, Xiaodan Gu, Simon Rondeau-Gagne
Summary: Semiconducting polymers with galactose-containing side chains were synthesized to improve solubilities in alcohol-based solvents for greener processing. The addition of carbohydrate-containing side chains had minimal detrimental impact on the electronic properties of the polymers when processed from green solvents. Incorporating natural product-inspired side chains can enhance the processability of semiconducting polymers in environmentally friendly solvents.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Brita Asikanius, Anna-Stiina Jaeaeskelaeinen, Hanna Koivula, Petri Oinonen, Monika OEsterberg
Summary: This study demonstrates how lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCCs) derived from pulp mill effluent can be valorized as valuable biopolymers for industrial polymer film applications. Increasing LCC content enhances the yield point and Young's modulus of the films, while significantly improving oxygen barrier properties. Therefore, LCCs from this effluent have the potential to be utilized as biopolymer materials for barrier films in paper and packaging applications.
FRONTIERS IN ENERGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Moheb Mottaghi, Samira Bairamzadeh, Mir Saman Pishvaee
Summary: This paper reviews the modeling and optimization of sustainable biomass supply chains, evaluating economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Through the classification and analysis of 178 relevant papers, factors such as sustainability dimensions, decision levels, and modeling approaches are discussed, and potential directions for future research are recommended.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenbo Lu, Zongbao Li, Mingjie Feng, Hui-Juan Yan, Bin Yan, Liyan Hu, Xing Zhang, Shunchang Liu, Jin-Song Hu, Ding-Jiang Xue
Summary: Elemental selenium has regained attention as a potential photovoltaic material due to its wide bandgap, non-toxic composition, and environmental stability. By modifying its wettability and understanding its air stability mechanism, researchers have successfully fabricated efficient selenium solar cells.
SCIENCE CHINA-CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Seyedhassan Fakourian, Matt Roberts, Jinze Dai
Summary: This study applies an original ash deposition model to simulate the combustion of pure coal and its blends with woody biomasses in a 1.5 MWTH combustor. The model has been validated with different solid fuels in a smaller scale combustor and this is the first study under industrially relevant conditions. The model considers four essential deposition mechanisms and employs a novel approach to determine sticking efficiency.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Jiale Zhang, He Cheng, Zihao Meng, Hao Zhang, Zhenyang Luo, Mohd. Muddassir, Xiang Li, Ye Sha
Summary: The controlled polymerization of the norbornene-functionaliz meta[6]cycloparaphenylene (m[6]CPP) monomer through ROMP is reported for the first time. The pendant m[6]CPP nanohoop is incorporated away from the main polymer backbone. The unique photophysical properties of m[6]CPP are retained in the polymer, demonstrating the convergence of precise organic synthesis and macromolecular chemistry for functional carbon-based materials.
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Amit Kumar Sonker, Soumyendu Roy, Hanoch Daniel Wagner, Alla Zak, XiaoMeng Sui, Reeti Bajpai
Summary: The study investigated the combined effect of crosslinking and dual reinforcement on the thermal and mechanical properties of PVA. It was found that using dual reinforcement led to significant improvements in tensile strength and toughness of the composite material.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2021)
Correction
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kumud Malika Tripathi, Anshu Bhati, Anupriya Singh, Amit Kumar Sonker, Sabyasachi Sarkar, Sumit Kumar Sonkar
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Parveen Kumar Deralia, Anders Jensen, Claus Felby, Lisbeth Garbrecht Thygesen
Summary: The analysis of plant cell walls in response to pretreatment revealed varying structural and chemical modifications in lignin and hemicellulose, impacting cellulose conversion. Different species exhibited distinct molecular changes, influencing their recalcitrance to bioconversion processes. This highlights the importance of understanding plant-specific responses for enzyme preparation and pretreatment optimization.
BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Deepika Saini, Ruchi Aggarwal, Amit Kumar Sonker, Sumit Kumar Sonkar
Summary: The study demonstrates an efficient method for the photodegradation of azo dyes using NSP-CD under sunlight, which is a sustainable light source with faster degradation rates compared to artificial light. NMR investigations confirm the photodegradation of the complex structural framework of azo dyes by NSP-CD. Sunlight-promoted photodegradation experiments show potential real-life applications in industrial samples.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ruchi Aggarwal, Deepika Saini, Sumit Kumar Sonkar, Amit Kumar Sonker, Gunnar Westman
Summary: A scalable synthetic procedure was developed to fabricate photoactive carbon dots from microcrystalline cellulose, which can efficiently remove toxic hexavalent chromium ions from wastewater through photocatalysis. The study demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale production of carbon dots using low-cost materials such as cellulose and sulfuric acid, showing promising industrial applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Parveen Kumar Deralia, Aline Maire du Poset, Anja Lund, Anette Larsson, Anna Strom, Gunnar Westman
Summary: Hemicelluloses have been modified through a one-step synthesis approach to create stretchable thermoplastic films, offering a new pathway for their application. The one-step synthesis method showed better structural and thermomechanical properties compared to the two-step method with pre-activation step.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Deepika Saini, Anjali Kumari Garg, Chumki Dalal, Satyesh Raj Anand, Sumit Kumar Sonkar, Amit Kumar Sonker, Gunnar Westman
Summary: This article summarizes the applications of carbon dots and carbon dot-based composites in photocatalysis, as well as their photocatalytic mechanisms and effects under visible light and sunlight-induced conditions. By doping and composite technologies, the light absorption ability is improved, leading to enhanced photocatalytic efficiency and stability.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ruchi Aggarwal, Anjali Kumari Garg, Deepika Saini, Sumit Kumar Sonkar, Amit Kumar Sonker, Gunnar Westman
Summary: Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with good adsorption capacity were synthesized by acid hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and characterized for their chemical composition and functionality. Sulfated CNCs showed effective removal of toxic dyes and high adsorption capacity, demonstrating potential for industrial application.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sylwia Wojno, Amit Kumar Sonker, Jelka Feldhusen, Gunnar Westman, Roland Kadar
Summary: Nonlinear material parameters are more sensitive than linear viscoelastic parameters to the onset of weakly interconnected networks in cellulose nanocrystal(CNC) isotropic suspensions. All surface-modified CNC suspensions resulted in isotropic gels. The length of the grafted chains and the degree of branching were the primary factors influencing the nonlinear material response.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ruchi Aggarwal, Anjali Kumari Garg, Vishrant Kumar, Harshita Jonwal, Sonia Sethi, Srushti Gadiyaram, Sumit Kumar Sonkar, Amit Kumar Sonker, Gunnar Westman
Summary: A two-step viable synthetic approach for quick and energy-efficient acid-based charring is explained to produce self-passivated fluorescent water-soluble CD (wsCD) from sustainable microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) materials. The wsCD solution exhibits blue emission under UV-light and has a fluorescence quantum yield of approximately 6%. The wsCD are used for selective sensing of ofloxacin (OFLX) and have shown mild antifungal activity.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Amit Kumar Sonker, Shizhao Xiong, Ruchi Aggarwal, Martina Olsson, Arnita Spule, Seyedehsan Hosseini, Sumit Kumar Sonkar, Aleksandar Matic, Gunnar Westman
Summary: This study presents an efficient method for exfoliating MoS2 in water and using it as an electrode material. The MoS2 is exfoliated through sonication with sulfated cellulose nanocrystals, resulting in a stable water suspension. The exfoliated MoS2 is then used in a zinc battery electrode, demonstrating a Coulombic efficiency of 90%. The success of exfoliation is confirmed by Raman and transmission electron microscopy.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Roland Kadar, Ann Terry, Kim Nygard, Tiina Nypelö, Gunnar Westman, Sylwia Wojno, Reza Ghanbari, Mina Fazilati, Marko Bek, Amit Kumar Sonker
Summary: Hierarchical biomaterials play a crucial role in developing sustainable novel material systems. The challenge lies in controlling their assembly into hierarchical orders at different scales, especially in understanding the orientation dynamics. This study focuses on water-based suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals, but the findings can be applied to other nanostructured fluids as well.
NOVEL TRENDS IN RHEOLOGY IX
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Parveen Kumar Deralia, Aline Maire du Poset, Anja Lund, Anette Larsson, Anna Strom, Gunnar Westman
Summary: Developing flexible materials for packaging and stretchable electronic applications from polysaccharide-based polymers contributes to the transition to a circular bioeconomy. By exploring the relationship between structural composition, thermal processing, and thermomechanical properties of arabinoxylan-based thermoplastics, this study provides insights into the development of bio-based products for various applications. The superior elongation of the AX thermoplastic films and the impact of molar substitution and T-g on the properties highlight the potential for utilizing polysaccharide-based polymers in engineering bio-based materials.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2021)
