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
Yodthong Baimark, Prasong Srihanam, Yaowalak Srisuwan, Theeraphol Phromsopha
Summary: The stereocomplex polylactide (scPLA) powder showed great potential as an effective nucleating agent for improving the crystallization properties of high-molecular-weight poly(L-lactide) (HMW-PLLA) bioplastic.
Article
Polymer Science
Hao Peng, Yucheng He, Zhiwei Fu, Jiancheng Zhou
Summary: This study reports for the first time that liquid metal (gallium) acts as a nucleating agent for plastic poly(l-lactide) (PLLA). LM-PLLA composites with different weight percentages of LM (0-10%) are fabricated using a twin screw extruder. The influence of LM content on non-isothermal and isothermal crystallization behavior is investigated systematically using calorimetry and Avrami's theory, revealing an optimal LM content of 2.5% for enhancing PLLA crystallization. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) analysis shows that excessive LM interferes with the crystal structure of X%LM-PLLA. Unlike previous solid nucleating agents, the nucleation mechanism of LM for PLLA is attributed to the production of carboxylate ion clusters through the reaction between carboxylic acid on the end group of the PLLA chain and gallium, rather than epitaxy mechanism.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Ji-Hong Liu, Ming-Lu Huang, Jun-Ru Tao, Yun-Xuan Weng, Ming Wang
Summary: The study demonstrates that using magnetic nanoparticles as nucleating agents can effectively improve the crystallinity, gas barrier properties, thermal performance, and mechanical performance of PLLA, while maintaining high recyclability.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Mingwei Guo, Weixin Wu, Wenjing Wu, Ruizhe Wang, Liming Huang, Qinwei Gao
Summary: In the past three decades, poly(lactide) (PLA) has been extensively studied as a replacement for oil-based thermoplastics in biomedical and industrial applications due to its excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, PLA homopolymers have limitations that hinder their commercial use, such as low mechanical properties and low crystallinity. The formation of stereo-complexation between enantiomeric poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(d-lactide) (PDLA) chains offers a solution to improve the properties of PLA-based materials. This review summarizes recent progress in enhancing the SC crystallization of PLA-based plastics through enantiomeric PLA homopolymers and copolymers, with a focus on improving interactions in the enantiomeric PLA-based copolymers.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Hideto Tsuji, Kazumasa Iguchi, Yuki Arakawa
Summary: The research studied the effects of different molecular weights of crystalline blocks but similar overall molecular weights on the crystallization behavior, structure, morphology, and thermal properties of PLLA-b-PDLLA/PDLA-b-PDLLA blends. It was found that the incorporated long amorphous PDLLA blocks facilitated unique SC crystallization in the blends with different crystalline block fractions.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xiaonan Chen, Ju Yao, Jing Yu, Mingmei Mi, Yichen Xu, Hongwei Bai
Summary: By utilizing EBH as a nucleating agent, the crystallization of PLLA was successfully controlled, leading to the fabrication of highly crystallized and heat-resistant, transparent PLLA materials.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
N. M. Praveena, Selvaraj Nagarajan, E. Bhoje Gowd
Summary: The cooling rate from the melt significantly influences the formation of stereocomplexes in equimolar blends of enantiomeric star-shaped poly(lactide)s with a dipyridamole core. Fast cooling leads to non-aggregated core molecules and antiparallel chain packing, favoring the formation of stereocomplexes, while slow cooling results in topological and geometric constraints due to possible core molecule aggregation, inhibiting crystallization of the poly(lactide) chains.
Article
Polymer Science
Stefan Siebert, Johannes Berghaus, Gunnar Seide
Summary: In this study, the effects of adding nucleating agent BHET on poly(l-lactide) (PLA) fibers were investigated. The results showed that the fiber draw ratio and take-up velocity were the most important factors affecting the fiber properties, and adding BHET reduced the mechanical performance of the fibers. Rapid quenching resulted in the formation of alpha '-crystals.
Article
Polymer Science
Xin Zhang, Biao Yang, Baomin Fan, Hui Sun, Huijuan Zhang
Summary: Using D-sorbitol as a nucleating agent via melt blending can enhance the crystallization and heat resistance of Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), with the crystallinity exceeding 50% and the heat deflection temperature elevated from 56 to 132 degrees C. The presence of polymorphic crystals during melt crystallization suggests that D-sorbitol promotes PLLA crystallization via a homogeneous nucleation mechanism.
Article
Polymer Science
Lidong Feng, Xinchao Bian, Gao Li, Xuesi Chen
Summary: The study shows that the compatibility between PLLA and PLDLA-m decreases as the L-lactate unit content in PLDLA-m decreases, impacting the crystallization and compatibility of the blends.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hans R. Kricheldorf, Steffen M. Weidner, Andreas Meyer
Summary: The alcohol-initiated ROPs of l-lactide at 160 degrees C for 72 hours produced high melting crystallites with melting temperatures of 189-193 degrees C, especially when using cyclic Sn(ii) compounds as catalysts. This suggests that the choice of catalyst can significantly impact the properties of the crystalline products.
Article
Polymer Science
Xing Li, Lingling Ni, Chenxuan Sun, Wenqing Xu, Ying Zheng, Guorong Shan, Yongzhong Bao, Pengju Pan
Summary: End-functionalization of oligomers with multiple H-bonding units is a feasible method to prepare supramolecular polymers. Competitive crystallization of H-bonding units and oligomeric blocks can drive supramolecular polymers to form long-range ordered structures. Thymine-monofunctionalized supramolecular poly(l-lactide) exhibits double-crystalline nature and controlled crystallization kinetics, providing insights into multi-step crystallization and crystallization-induced structural organization of semicrystalline supramolecular polymers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tiantang Fan, Jingwen Qin, Fen Dong, Xiao Meng, Yanqi Li, Ying Wang, Qing Liu, Guannan Wang
Summary: The blends of poly(l-lactide acid-p-dioxanone-glycolide) (PLPG) with poly(d-lactide) (PDLA) (PLPG/PDLA) were prepared, and the effects of PDLA on the properties of PLPG were studied. The addition of PDLA accelerated the crystallization process, changed the melting endotherm, and improved the biocompatibility of the samples, suggesting that PLPG/PDLA blends have great potential for biomedical applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Yodthong Baimark, Prasong Srihanam, Theeraphol Phromsopha, Yaowalak Srisuwan
Summary: This paper investigates the nucleation efficiency of stereocomplex poly(lactic acid) (scPLA) powder prepared from low-molecular-weight poly(L-lactic acid) (LMW-PLLA) and poly(D-lactic acid) (LMW-PDLA). The addition of scPLA powder improves the crystallization and crystallinity content of high-molecular-weight poly(L-lactide) (HMW-PLLA).
JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sheron Tavares, Kesong Yang, Marc A. Meyers
Summary: Heusler alloys have emerged as exciting materials for various functional applications due to their ordered structure and unique properties. This review article discusses the discovery, magnetic and electronic properties, mechanical properties, and computational design of Heusler alloys. It also explores the challenges and future directions in this field.
PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yan He, Lei Jing, Lanxiang Feng, Sifan Yang, Jiarui Yang, Xuewei Fu, Wei Yang, Yu Wang
Summary: In this study, a high-performance sol-binder based on propylene carbonate and poly(vinylidene fluoride) is designed to fabricate uniform slurry and optimize binder distribution, resulting in a robust and healthy active material microenvironment (ME@AM). The sol-to-gel transition of the sol-binder during high-temperature drying prevents component aggregation/separation and improves overall electrode performance.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhao Xu, Yong-Bo Liu, Dun-Wen Wei, Rui-Ying Bao, Yu Wang, Kai Ke, Wei Yang
Summary: Researchers have developed shape memory polymers (SMPs) with high force storage capacity by co-cross-linking polyolefin elastomer (POE) and paraffin wax (PW) using dynamic boronic ester bonds. The materials can achieve one-way force storage by programming at a low temperature (25 degrees C) with solid PW, and reversible force storage by programming at a high temperature (75 degrees C) with liquid PW. These SMPs show promising applications in soft robotic actuators.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xing Zhao, Li-Ya Wang, Chun-Yan Tang, Kai Li, Yan-Hao Huang, Yan-Ran Duan, Shu-Ting Zhang, Kai Ke, Bai-Hai Su, Wei Yang
Summary: A wireless localized stimulator composed of a piezo implant with high piezoelectric output has been developed as an anti-infective therapy patch to modulate the electro-microenvironment of biofilm around GI wounds for effective inhibition of bacterial infection when combined with ultrasound treatment. The piezo implant generates pulsed charges in response to ultrasound stimulation, which destroys the macromolecular components of bacterial biofilms and inhibits bacterial proliferation. The combination of the piezo implant and ultrasound stimulation also exhibits successful in vivo anti-infection efficacy in a rat model.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tao Gong, Jin Jia, Xiao-Rong Sun, Wu -Di Li, Kai Ke, Rui-Ying Bao, Wei Yang
Summary: A simple and scalable morphology-engineering strategy was reported to fabricate isotropic 3D continuous porous composite strain sensors by selectively locating carbon black (CB) in polyoxyethylene (PEO)/ethylene-alpha-octene random copolymer (ORC) blends via phase separation. The fabricated strain sensors showed distinguishable detection of both compressive and tensile strains with opposite resistance changes and exhibited linear response with high sensitivity and fast response/recovery time. These strain sensors allow for full-range body motion monitoring and Morse code communication.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lanxiang Feng, Zhiwei Zhu, Rui Yan, Xuewei Fu, Xuewei He, Dichen Wu, Hua Li, Zaiping Guo, Wei Yang, Yu Wang
Summary: By utilizing the frictional heating and dispersion capability of the nanostorm technology, sulfur-rich active particles can be coated with shell nanomaterials in seconds. This technology enables customizable nano-shell production in a super-efficient and solvent-free way.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ya-Jun Fu, Yi-Feng Shi, Li-Ya Wang, Yi-Fan Zhao, Rao-Kaijuan Wang, Kai Li, Shu-Ting Zhang, Xiang-Jun Zha, Wei Wang, Xing Zhao, Wei Yang
Summary: Macrophages in diabetic wounds can be divided into pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 types. Hydrogel dressings with the ability to regulate macrophage heterogeneity show potential in promoting diabetic wound healing. An all-natural hydrogel has been developed, which can convert M1 macrophages into M2 macrophages without additional ingredients or external intervention, providing a simple and safe approach for accelerating wound healing.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tianlong Du, Ganghong Zhang, Ruiying Bao, Jun Chen, Zhengying Liu, Wei Yang
Summary: This study focuses on the structure design of high-temperature electrothermal composites, using two types of high-density polyethylene-based composites filled with multi-walled carbon nanotubes as examples. The relationship between the molecular weight of the matrix and the electrothermal properties of the composites is investigated through the changes in microstructure and conductive network during heating-cooling cycles. The high molecular weight component in the composites contributes to improved electrothermal stability and repeatability, making them suitable for high-temperature electrical heating applications.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jin Jia, Yan Peng, Xiang-Jun Zha, Kai Ke, Rui-Ying Bao, Zheng-Ying Liu, Wei Yang
Summary: This article introduces a method for manufacturing highly conductive, porous, and stretchable composites. By seeding hydrophilic carbon nanotubes, a dual heterogeneous structure is formed in the elastomer film, which can maintain high electrical conductivity under large strains. The manufactured porous composites sustain high and stable electrical conductivity under various mechanical deformations.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xiang-Jun Zha, Jian-Bo Li, Guo-Peng Liang, Jun-Hong Pu, Zhong-Wei Zhang, Bo Wang, Ji-Gang Huang, Jin Jia, Xin Zhao, Kai-Qi Pan, Mei-Ling Dong, Kai Ke, Yan Kang, Wei Yang
Summary: The development of a one-step thermal stretching strategy to fabricate an anti-fatigue ionic gel sensor enables long-term and stable monitoring of respiratory abnormality. This sensor, integrated with a multimodal wearable respiratory monitoring system, allows continuous evaluation of respiratory status and compliance, making it suitable for both daily home care and clinical applications.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xin-Feng Wei, Mikael S. Hedenqvist
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yonghan Zhou, Zhongfeng Ji, Wenrui Cai, Xuewei He, Ruiying Bao, Xuewei Fu, Wei Yang, Yu Wang
Summary: By learning from the pencil-writing process, a solid-ink rubbing technology (SIR-tech) has been invented to develop durable metallic coatings on diverse substrates. The composite metallic skin by SIR-tech outperforms pure liquid-metal coating and shows great potential for various applications.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shuang-Zhu Li, Yi-Cun Zhou, Lu-Ning Wang, Shuai-Peng Wang, Lu Bai, Chang-Ping Feng, Rui-Ying Bao, Jie Yang, Ming-Bo Yang, Wei Yang
Summary: Thermal management technologies are important for maintaining stable working temperature for electronics. Organic solid-liquid phase change materials (PCMs) are widely used due to their high energy storage capacity and stable properties. However, achieving good flexibility, high thermal conductivity and complete leakage resistance simultaneously is still a challenge for organic PCMs. This study introduces boron nitride (BN) pre-attached to the surface of paraffin wax microcapsules (MCPW) and compounded with natural rubber (NR) to form flexible composite PCMs with thermally conductive pathways constructed by BN. The obtained flexible composite PCMs exhibit impressive balance in shape stability, energy storage density, mechanical flexibility, and thermal conductivity, showing great potential for thermal management of electronics.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yong-Bo Liu, Zhao Xu, Zheng-Min Zhang, Rui-Ying Bao, Ming-Bo Yang, Wei Yang
Summary: To overcome the limitations of polylactide (PLA) in terms of melt strength, processability, and brittleness, researchers have developed PLA covalent adaptive networks (CANs) with biobased epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) as dynamic crosslinks. By incorporating maleic anhydride (MA) and using Zn2+-catalyzed transesterification exchange, PLA CANs with enhanced melt strength and toughness were successfully produced. The resulting PLA CAN films show promising properties, including high elongation at break and lower environmental impacts compared to petroleum-based plastic films.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhao Xu, Yong-Bo Liu, Dun-Wen Wei, Rui-Ying Bao, Yu Wang, Kai Ke, Wei Yang
Summary: In this research, a polyolefin elastomer (POE) and paraffin wax (PW) were co-cross-linked by dynamic boronic ester bonds to enhance the network elasticity and stress transfer, enabling high force storage in shape memory polymers (SMPs). One-way force storage was achieved by programming at a low temperature (25 °C) through solid PW, while reversible force storage was achieved at a high temperature (75 °C) through liquid PW. The POE/PW vitrimers also exhibited mold-free self-healing and improved repair efficiency, making them suitable for soft robotic actuators.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abu Talha Aqueel Ahmed, Sankar Sekar, Shubhangi S. Khadtare, Nurul Taufiqu Rochman, Bathula Chinna, Abu Saad Ansari
Summary: In this study, MnCo2S4 nanosheet catalyst was successfully synthesized and found to exhibit superior performance in hydrogen evolution. Compared to MnCo2S4, MnCo2S4 showed low overpotentials, moderate Tafel slope, and excellent sustainability. The outstanding performance can be attributed to the increased number of electrochemically active sites and enhanced electronic conductivity on the catalyst surface.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Victor V. Maltsev, Elena A. Volkova, Elizaveta V. Koporulina, Diana D. Mitina, Vladimir L. Kosorukov, Anna I. Jiliaeva, Daniil A. Naprasnikov, Konstantin N. Gorbachenya, Viktor E. Kisel
Summary: The phase relationships, crystal properties and luminescence kinetics of two complex systems were studied, including unit cell parameters, segregation coefficients of impurities, and lifetimes of energy levels.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoman Zhang, Wangwang Xu, W. J. Meng, Andrew C. Meng
Summary: This study successfully grew high-quality single crystal AlScN nanowires through ultra-high vacuum reactive sputtering technique and characterized their structure and properties. The nanowires exhibit significantly reduced mosaic spread and predominantly single ferroelectric domains, as well as a high piezoelectric constant.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tom E. de Vries, Elias Vlieg, Rene de Gelder
Summary: Networks are important for describing relationships between people, roads between cities, reactions between chemicals, and other interactions. Bipartiteness, dividing the network into two groups, can facilitate the study of the network's structure. We have developed an algorithm that can find a near-optimal bipartisation within a reasonable time frame and used it to uncover the hidden structure of the CSD cocrystal network.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chuchu Han, Jing Yang, Xin Zhang, Aisen Li, Jiang Peng
Summary: An elastic crystal based on a photo-reactive acylhydrazone derivative is reported, which exhibits reversible bending behavior under UV irradiation and heating. The crystal undergoes reversible E<->Z isomerization under light and heating conditions. The crystal demonstrates excellent elastic properties and the bending can be controlled to control the output direction of red light.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lingfeng Zhang, Yu Wang, Yefeng Wang, Shuai Liu, Na Zhang, Mingmin Yang, Haixia Ma, Zhaoqi Guo
Summary: This study designs and synthesizes a series of high-energy salts compounds without heavy metal ions and azide groups. The molecular structures and stability of the compounds are confirmed through single-crystal X-ray diffraction and intermolecular interaction analysis. Furthermore, the thermal stability, energetic properties, and electrical initiation properties of the compounds are investigated, suggesting their potential as primary explosives.
