Article
Chemistry, Physical
Samuel Trevenen, Peter J. Beltramo
Summary: Developing reliable synthetic methods for producing shape-anisotropic polymer colloids is essential for their use in novel functional materials. The technique described in the study allows for the simultaneous production of a broad range of aspect ratio polymer ellipsoid samples from a single synthetic step, enabling rapid synthesis of variable aspect ratio particles for systematic studies of anisotropic particles.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
James Nicolas Pagaduan, Ayush Bhardwaj, Tailynn Y. McCarty, Stephan Kraemer, Cathal J. Kearney, James J. Watkins, Todd Emrick, Reika Katsumata
Summary: This study reports a simple and scalable method for fabricating porous carbon materials using low-cost chemical compounds while maintaining morphological and chemical control. Nitrogen and oxygen-doped porous carbon frameworks were synthesized by rapid thermal annealing and subsequent burning of degradable components. Introduction of boron-containing reagent resulted in boron doping and pore size reduction, enhancing material performance.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Trong Danh Nguyen, Thi Thu Trinh Phan, Jun Seop Lee
Summary: This study proposes a method for fabricating composite materials of carbon nanofibers and polydisulfide networks and analyzes their changes in properties. The composite materials exhibit excellent thermal conductivity, tensile performance, as well as self-healing and shape memory properties.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Fariha Khan, Tim Kowalchik, Shad Roundy, Roseanne Warren
Summary: This study investigates the combined effect of stretching and BaTiO3 addition on phase transformations in BaTiO3-PVDF composite films, revealing a different phase transformation mechanism during stretching of pure PVDF films compared to BaTiO3-PVDF composite films. Stretching BaTiO3-PVDF films is shown to be beneficial for increasing the beta phase content of PVDF.
SCRIPTA MATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
James Nicolas Pagaduan, Sadaki Samitsu, Jordan Varma, Todd Emrick, Reika Katsumata
Summary: This study introduces a rapid and robust freeze-burn process to fabricate porous carbon networks using polymer-templated rapid thermal annealing. This method allows for the quick preparation of porous materials with unique properties, and the process is simple and scalable.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zuocai Zhang, Shaorong Lu, Ren Cai, Weihong Tan
Summary: The study introduces a green approach to develop multi-functional water-sensitive memory films with excellent shape memory and rapid pH response. These films can be used to fabricate high-performance resistive bending sensors, mimicking human skin, and for various applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jose Martin-Roca, Manuel Horcajo-Fernandez, Chantal Valeriani, Francisco Gamez, Fernando Martinez-Pedrero
Summary: The quality of two-dimensional colloidal crystals can be improved by adjusting interparticle interactions through magnetic field pulses.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kshitij Sharma, Aman Agrawal, Ali Masud, Sushil K. Satija, John F. Ankner, Jack F. Douglas, Alamgir Karim
Summary: The kinetics and morphology of block copolymer films are influenced by the processing pathway, which affects the enthalpic and entropic forces driving the ordering processes. Understanding the free energy landscape and how processing procedures can move the system through this landscape is important for controlling the variability of block copolymer morphology. The authors demonstrate a method where a target low-energy structure can be quickly achieved by subjecting as-cast films to initial solvent annealing followed by a short period of thermal annealing.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Veronika Kozlovskaya, Eugenia Kharlampieva
Summary: The anisotropy in the shape of polymeric particles offers numerous advantages over spherical particles and has promising applications in biomedicine. The layer-by-layer assembly method allows for precise control over the chemical and physical properties of anisotropic particles, making them versatile and useful in various fields.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Qimeng Zhang, Xiaopeng Pei, Kepeng Hu, Yating Zhou, Ming-Liang Ma, Mingquan Wang, Huiyong An, Ying Tan
Summary: The study presents a facile, rapid, and cost-effective strategy for preparing starch-based microrods with tunable aspect ratios via shear-assisted antisolvent-induced nanoprecipitation and solidification. The resulting microrods have potential applications as drug carriers and biologically active materials.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ling Xu, Yuan Chen, Chun Xu, Hua-Dong Huang, Hao Lin, Gan-Ji Zhong, Zhong-Ming Li
Summary: Sustainable PLA films with superhydrophobicity and superior mechanical properties were prepared by combining annealing stretching and NIPS-based surface structuring. The films demonstrated low surface adhesion, excellent self-cleaning function, and resistance to chemical and mechanical damages. The stiffness-toughness balance of the PLA films was dramatically improved compared to the unstructured casting PLA film, making them potential candidates for self-cleaning and moisture-proof applications.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Zihan Shang, Yinan Yan, Jie Jiang, Jielin Wang, Xiaoying Yin
Summary: The incorporation of graphene oxide into the silk fibroin matrix resulted in improved mechanical properties and surface characteristics, as confirmed by a decrease in surface roughness and an increase in tensile modulus.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Kunpeng Ruan, Han Yan, Sijie Zhang, Xuetao Shi, Yongqiang Guo, Junwei Gu
Summary: Utilizing precipitation and high temperature calcination, hetero-structured fillers boron nitride nanosheets@alumina/silicone rubber composite films were fabricated with significantly improved thermal conductivity and excellent mechanical, insulation, and thermal properties.
COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Francesco D'Acierno, Ryutaro Ohashi, Wadood Y. Hamad, Carl A. Michal, Mark J. MacLachlan
Summary: Chiral nematic and iridescent cellulose nanocrystal films with different monovalent cations exhibit high thermal stability during annealing, yet experience reductions in iridescence, birefringence, and transparency, along with formation of degradation products. Despite these changes, the films show potential for applications as temperature indicators and photonic devices.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dineshkumar Mani, Minh Canh Vu, Choong-Sun Lim, Jun-Beom Kim, Tae-Hyeong Jeong, Hye Jin Kim, Md Akhtarul Islam, Jung-Hyurk Lim, Kyung-Min Kim, Sung-Ryong Kim
Summary: This study fabricates stretched GnP/PU films using the stretching-induced alignment method and finds that these films exhibit excellent thermal conductivity and EMI shielding performance, with improvements of 679% and 60% compared to unstretched samples. The outstanding performance can be attributed to the horizontal alignment of GnP sheets in the PU matrix, reducing interfacial thermal resistance and facilitating effective phonon and electron transfer.
Article
Polymer Science
Yi-Fan Chen, Chia-Ling Hsieh, Lin-Ruei Lee, Yu-Chun Liu, Min-Jie Lee, Jiun-Tai Chen
Summary: This paper develops a multi-stimuli-responsive polymer actuator that can respond to light and solvent through structural changes. The actuator is based on bilayer films of PDMS and AAZO-crosslinked PDAC, which can bend under UV light irradiation and solvent vapor annealing. The results demonstrate that the actuator has fast response and high reproducibility.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Chia-Chun Wei, Tung-Han Wu, Jun-Wei Huang, Ben-Li Young, Wen-Bin Jian, Yu-Liang Lin, Jiun-Tai Chen, Chain-Shu Hsu, Yuan-Ron Ma, Kazuhito Tsukagoshi
Summary: Green technologies are used to manufacture optical shutters. Electro-exploding wires and spray coating technologies are employed to deposit nanoparticulate (WO3)1-x(MoO3)x composite films. The addition of MoO3 enhances the electrochromic performance and energy storage capabilities of the films.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Chia-Wei Chang, Yu-Hsuan Tseng, Chain-Shu Hsu, Jiun-Tai Chen
Summary: Area-selective atomic layer deposition (AS-ALD) has gained significant attention in the past decade due to its potential applications in bottom-up processing. This study demonstrates highly effective AS-ALD of Al2O3 on patterned wafers using fluorinated thiol in both solution and vapor phase. The fluorinated-thiol SAMs show improved blocking ability against ALD precursors and shorter deposition times, enhancing processing throughput and selectivity.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Manohar Reddy Busireddy, Sheng-Ci Huang, Yi-Jia Su, Ze-Ye Lee, Chuan-Hsin Wang, Markus C. Scharber, Jiun-Tai Chen, Chain-Shu Hsu
Summary: In this work, three dithienosilicon-bridged carbazole-based small molecule acceptors were synthesized and applied in AM1.5G/indoor OPVs. The introduction of alkoxy chains improved the short-circuit current density and fill factor. Furthermore, the addition of a conjugated polymer donor significantly enhanced the photovoltaic efficiency through complementary absorption and optimized film morphology.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Min-Jie Lee, Yi-Fan Chen, Lin-Ruei Lee, Yu-Liang Lin, Sheng Zheng, Ming-Hsuan Chang, Jiun-Tai Chen
Summary: In this study, the permeability and conductivity control of ions confined in nanochannels of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates modified with thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) brushes are demonstrated. The PNIPAM brushes are successfully grafted onto the hexagonally packed cylindrical nanopores of AAO templates through surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). The reversible surface properties caused by the extended and collapsed states of the polymer chains are also demonstrated by dye release tests.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hsun-Hao Hsu, Tse-Yu Lo, Yu-Hsuan Tseng, Lin-Ruei Lee, Si-Rou Chen, Kai-Jie Chang, Tzu-Hsun Kao, Zong-Hong Lin, Ho-Hsiu Chou, Jiun-Tai Chen
Summary: Wearable electronics that can heal themselves have been extensively studied. Fabrics are often used as the base materials to provide comfort, but intrinsic healability is difficult to achieve due to the inability to maintain fibrous morphologies. This study presents a novel strategy for producing electrospun fabrics that are intrinsically healable through a careful balance of crystalline structural support and healing ability.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Lin-Ruei Lee, Min-Jie Lee, Yu-Liang Lin, Yi-Fan Chen, Sheng Zheng, Ming-Hsuan Chang, Jiun-Tai Chen
Summary: This study presents a method for detecting toxic agricultural pollutants, such as paraquat derivatives, using pyranine-grafted AAO (P-AAO) membranes. The P-AAO membranes exhibit high sensibility and immediacy in sensing paraquat derivatives through pi-pi electron stacking interactions, Coulombic attractions, and charge-transfer interactions. The changes in UV-vis spectra and impedance in Nyquist plots are observed during the detection process, with a limit of detection (LoD) of 0.9 mu M. This work demonstrates the potential of P-AAO membranes as an excellent choice for detecting pollutants in the environment and industry.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chia-Wei Chang, Chia-Ti Wu, Yu-Liang Lin, Lin-Ruei Lee, Huan-Wei Lin, Bhaskarchand Gautam, Yu-Hsuan Tseng, Chih-Wei Liao, Chun-Ting Chang, Jiun-Tai Chen
Summary: This study investigates the photo-regulated electrical conductivities of PIL films using [C(3)mim-MA]-[TFSI], azobisisobutyronitrile, and poly-(ethyleneglycol) dimethacrylate as an ionic liquid monomer, an initiator, and a crosslinker, respectively. The results show that stretchable and photo-responsive conductive PIL-SP films can be fabricated, which can be reversibly converted to PIL-merocyanine films under UV and visible light illuminations. This study expands the applications of PIL materials.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Huan-Wei Lin, Chia-Wei Chang, Hsun-Hao Hsu, Jiun-Tai Chen
Summary: This study presents highly stretchable and photomodulated PEDOT:PSS/PVA composite films with improved mechanical strength and controllable conductivity. By incorporating water-soluble PVA and physically cross-linking PEDOT:PSS and PVA using acetone as bad solvent for the polymers, the films achieve a maximum strain of nearly 770%. The addition of spiropyran as a secondary dopant enables the reversible control of PEDOT:PSS conductivity through photochromic properties. The findings highlight the potential of these composite films for various applications, offering stretchability and tunable conductivity.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Sheng Zheng, Yu-Liang Lin, Chun-Chi Chang, Min-Jie Lee, Yi-Fan Chen, Lin-Ruei Lee, Ming-Hsuan Chang, Jiun-Tai Chen
Summary: In this study, a distinctive photoresponsive ion-conductive device utilizing azobenzene-based ionic liquids confined in nanochannels of anodic aluminum oxide templates was demonstrated. The ionic liquids formed micelles in the nanochannels and exhibited high ion conductivities. In addition, reversible isomerization of the ionic liquids through UV/vis light irradiation led to changes in micelle sizes and ion conductivities.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi-Fan Chen, Chia-Ling Hsieh, Pei-Yu Lin, Yu-Chun Liu, Min-Jie Lee, Lin-Ruei Lee, Sheng Zheng, Yu-Liang Lin, Yen-Lin Huang, Jiun-Tai Chen
Summary: A versatile design is presented for fabricating guard cell-inspired photoswitchable ion channels by infiltrating azobenzene-cross-linked polymer (AAZO-PDAC) into nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes. By adding ionic liquids, the ion conductivity of the light-driven ion nanochannels can be controlled with good repeatability and fast responses (within seconds) in multiple cycles.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Lin-Ruei Lee, Yi-Fan Chen, Sheng Zheng, Ming-Hsuan Chang, Jiun-Tai Chen
Summary: This study focuses on the preparation and analysis of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes from discarded aluminum cans. The membranes exhibit promising properties and applications, such as polymer infiltration and the creation of self-cleaning surfaces. The research also suggests a feasible and eco-friendly approach for recycling and upcycling aluminum waste.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Ai-Ling Yan, Chia-Wei Chang, Tsung-Hung Tsai, Meng-Ru Huang, Kuan-Ting Lin, Vamsi Krishna Karapala, Jhih-Hao Ho, Wei-You Dai, Jiun-Tai Chen
Summary: The template wetting method is commonly used for preparing one-dimensional polymer nanostructures, which has wide applications. In this study, patterned and anti-patterned azopolymer (PAzo) nanoarrays are fabricated via the light-induced nanowetting method. By converting trans-PAzo to cis-PAzo using UV lights, the PAzo polymers can undergo reversible solid-liquid transitions. Patterned PAzo nanoarrays can be generated by covering PAzo films with photomasks and anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates, followed by shining UV lights. Anti-patterned PAzo nanoarrays are generated by selectively removing cis-PAzo films through solvents after covering PAzo films with photomasks and illuminating UV lights.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
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
Chin Han Chan, Jiun-Tai Chen, Wesley S. Farrell, Christopher M. Fellows, Daniel J. Keddie, Christine K. Luscombe, John B. Matson, Jan Merna, Graeme Moad, Gregory T. Russell, Patrick Theato, Paul D. Topham, Lydia Sosa Vargas
Summary: The terms step-growth polymerization and chain-growth polymerization are commonly used to describe the two main mechanisms of polymer growth. However, these terms are confusing and do not accurately describe the differences between these methods. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) has recommended alternative terms, but these also have shortcomings. Additionally, textbooks use a variety of terms to describe polymer synthesis methods, adding to the confusion. The synthesis of polymers one monomer unit at a time also poses a dilemma as it does not fit into either of the traditional growth mechanisms. The IUPAC's mission includes developing tools for clear communication of chemical knowledge, and this paper aims to address concerns with the commonly used terms for classifying polymer synthesis methods, inviting dialogue from the polymer community to resolve these issues.