Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zeqi Li, Shaoming Fu, Huaan Li, Bin Chen, Dazhi Xie, Dongmei Fu, Ye Feng, Chao Gao, Suyi Liu, Daniela A. Wilson, Yingfeng Tu, Fei Peng
Summary: This study reports the maneuverable swarming of micromotors induces targeted polymerization of dopamine, offering a synergistic photothermal strategy to eradicate tumors precisely and efficiently. The Au/Cu micromotors successfully swarm to the illumination area under NIR, inducing in situ polymerization of dopamine. The photothermal polydopamine binds to glioma cells, blocking cellular nutrient supply and generating heat, showing great potential in precise and efficient photothermal therapy.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Chi Zhang, Ke Jiang, Yong Zhang, Jirong Wang, Zhigang Xue
Summary: This article presents a facile method for the fabrication of a double network polymer electrolyte (DN-PE) with improved mechanical strength and interfacial compatibility for lithium-ion batteries. The DN-PE is formed in situ through a lithium salt-accelerated thiol-Michael addition and lithium salt-catalyzed radical polymerization. The DN-PE exhibits stable cycling performance and high discharge specific capacity in lithium-based cells.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Baoluo He, Qi Lu, Xiangyuan Zhao, Xiaozhi Zhang, Rong Mu, Wenbo Sheng, Bin Li, Shujuan Liu, Qian Ye, Feng Zhou
Summary: This study reports a facile method of gallium-based liquid metal (GLM) nanodroplets mediated surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) for preparing polymer brushes on GLM surfaces. The feasibility of GLM surface modified SI-ATRP is confirmed by UV-vis spectra, which also indicates that the thickness and density of polymer brushes are crucial for successful ATRP on GLM nanodroplets surfaces. Polymer brushes modified GLM nanodroplets show potential applications such as friction reduction and oil-water emulsion separation.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Parvaneh Eskandari, Zahra Abousalman-Rezvani, Hossein Roghani-Mamaqani, Mehdi Salami-Kalajahi
Summary: This review focuses on the synthesis of polymer-functionalized CNT via both the grafting from and grafting through methods based on FRP and CRP routes, commonly known as in situ polymerizations. The challenges and applications of the in situ polymer grafting methods are discussed, providing potential insights for future research.
ADVANCES IN COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Erika Yoshihara, Ahmed Nabil, Shinichi Mochizuki, Michihiro Iijima, Mitsuhiro Ebara
Summary: Temperature-responsive antibody-nanoparticles were prepared by introducing a chain transfer agent into immunoglobulin G and conducting precipitation polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide in an aqueous medium. The resulting particles showed stability below the LCST and resistance against enzymatic treatment, making them useful for enhancing therapeutic potential of antibody-drug conjugates or immunoassays.
Review
Polymer Science
Maneesh Kumar, Praveen Singh Gehlot, Deepika Parihar, Praveen K. Surolia, Gayatri Prasad
Summary: Cellulose is an abundant organic substance with various applications such as paperboard production, drug delivery, and food packaging due to its bio-renewable and bio-degradable properties. Radical polymerization is commonly used to create cellulose derivatives with improved properties, by reacting cellulose with small organic fragments like methacrylate and styrene. Initiators like Fenton's reagent and controlled radical polymerization methods are utilized to generate free radicals on the cellulose backbone for grafting purposes, allowing for the development of functional cellulose with enhanced physical and chemical properties.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Lorena Duarte-Pena, Emilio Bucio
Summary: This study proposes a modification method for PVC catheters using oxidative pre-irradiation, resulting in the development of pH-responsive catheters with antifouling capacity. The grafted materials showed an increased hydrophilic character and significantly decreased protein adsorption compared to unmodified catheters.
Article
Polymer Science
Jae Yong Kim, Shahzad Iqbal, Hyo Jun Jang, Eun Young Jung, Gyu Tae Bae, Choon-Sang Park, Heung-Sik Tae
Summary: An in-situ iodine (I-2)-doped atmospheric pressure plasma polymerization method is proposed using a newly designed plasma reactor, which enables low-voltage-driven plasma polymerization and successful deposition of PANI films with excellent electrical resistance. The developed plasma reactor is more advantageous for polymerization and in-situ doping of conductive polymer films compared to existing reactors.
Review
Polymer Science
Jingjing Liu, Bin Liu
Summary: This paper reviews the applications of synthetic polymers in biomedicine and discusses the method of cell-mediated in-situ polymerization. It also examines the biological effects of these polymers on living cells and animals.
PROGRESS IN POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Zhonghan Feng, Huining Wang, Maosheng Liu, Tao Chen, Yan Liu, Wenying Xu, Haiyan Wang, Jingquan Liu
Summary: A drug/polymer conjugate of MTX with PEG-A was developed to improve water solubility and biocompatibility, maintaining drug efficacy and reducing cytotoxicity compared to unmodified MTX. The conjugate can be hydrolyzed into pristine MTX by esterase in vivo for restored drug efficacy, making it suitable for anti-cancer drug administration and delivery.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wei Zhang, Lei Jin, Sungkwun Lee, Wansu Bae, Sungjun Park, Minhyuk Jeon, Whangi Kim, Hohyoun Jang
Summary: Currently, the industrial development of solid-state lithium batteries is hindered by lower ionic conductivity and interfacial issues. In this study, cross-linking solid polymer electrolytes (CSPEs) were prepared with an additive fluorosulfonamide (FSA) by catalyzing cationic ring-opening polymerization (CROP) using lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) as an initiator via an in-situ thermal strategy. The physiochemical properties and electrochemical performances of the CSPEs were investigated using various techniques. The CSPE-2 exhibited an ionic conductivity of 1.46 mS/cm at 25 degrees C, stable electrochemical anodic oxidation potential of 5.2 V, and a lithium transference number (tLi+) of 0.61 at room temperature (RT). The CSPE-2 also showed promising performance in LiFePO4/CSPE-2/Li and LiFePO4/CSPE-2/graphite half-cell and full cell configurations. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) analysis revealed good interface compatibility with the additive FSA. This study provides a strategy for designing and fabricating solid-state electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Nan Jiang, Ke-Xin Li, Wei Xie, Shu-Ran Zhang, Xin Li, Yue Hu, Yan-Hong Xu, Xing-Man Liu, Martin R. Bryce
Summary: In this study, clusters with different extents of aggregation were successfully prepared by heat-induced or light-triggered methods, and the multicolor fluorescence of a single polymeric material was controllably regulated. The luminescence behavior of the material varied with the microscopic control of the aggregation structure. This research provides a template for developing new materials for multicolor fluorescence and demonstrates the potential of PUE as a smart material through the construction of a pattern with encryption, anticounterfeiting, and information transmission functions.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jing Wei, Jing Deng, Yulei Ma, Zikang Qin, Bangda Wang, Liyuan Deng, Richard J. J. Spontak, Zhongde Dai
Summary: Membrane materials with high CO2 permeability and selectivity are important for CO2 capture to address global climate change. This study demonstrates that Nafion membranes can be optimized for CO2 transport by rearranging their nanostructure through the use of N-methylpyrrolidone and liquid water. The results show significantly increased CO2 permeability and selectivity, surpassing the Robeson upper bound. The influence of water vapor on CO2 transport and the sensitivity of Nafion membranes to water are also investigated.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Priyank Purohit, Akanksha Bhatt, Ravi K. Mittal, Magda H. Abdellattif, Thoraya A. Farghaly
Summary: Polymer grafting is a technique to improve the morphology and properties of polymers. By creating copolymers or grafting, the physicochemical properties of polymers can be further modified. This review discusses various chemical approaches for polymer grafting, such as free radical reactions, click reactions, amide formation, and alkylation. The review also covers the importance of the graft-to approaches and their application in different fields.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yungyeong Lee, Yonghwan Kwon, Youngmu Kim, Changhoon Yu, Siyang Feng, Jeehun Park, Junsang Doh, Reinhold Wannemacher, Byungjin Koo, Johannes Gierschner, Min Sang Kwon
Summary: A novel water-soluble and biocompatible organic photocatalyst was developed for visible-light-driven grafting-from polymerizations of proteins, allowing the preparation of well-defined protein-polymer conjugates without the need for sacrificial reducing agents or inert-gas purging processes.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Chao Lang, Elisabeth C. Lloyd, Kelly E. Matuszewski, Yifan Xu, Venkat Ganesan, Rui Huang, Manish Kumar, Robert J. Hickey
Summary: This study reports on the fabrication of nanostructured fibres using solution-phase block copolymer self-assembly and strain-programmed crystallization, which exhibit excellent mechanical properties, multi-trigger actuation, and high-performance rotation. The fibres possess highly aligned nanoscale structures with alternating crystalline and amorphous domains, resembling the pattern of mammalian skeletal muscle. Compared to current actuators, these nanostructured block copolymer muscles show superior efficiency, actuation strain, and mechanical properties, and can perform on/off rotary actuation and multi-trigger actuation.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Yifan Xu, Robert J. Hickey
Summary: Blending small molecule chromophore with block copolymer drives the formation of a bicontinuous cubic microstructure and enables selective partitioning and co-crystallization. The network templates the crystallization process and affects the chiral component of the sample.
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Vincent M. Torres, Erik Furton, Jensen N. Sevening, Elisabeth C. Lloyd, Masafumi Fukuto, Ruipeng Li, Darren C. Pagan, Allison M. Beese, Bryan D. Vogt, Robert J. Hickey
Summary: The tunable properties of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) allow them to be used in a wide range of applications. The design and synthesis of new macromolecules are necessary to control the mechanical properties of TPEs. In this study, in situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements reveal distinct deformation mechanisms between linear and grafted TPEs, leading to enhanced mechanical properties.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Wenwen Mei, Deyang Yu, Louis A. Madsen, Robert J. Hickey, Ralph H. Colby
Summary: Understanding the dielectric response and charge transport in ion-containing polymers is crucial for their application in energy-related fields. In this study, the impact of anion chemical composition on ion conduction in poly(ethylene oxide)-based lithium ionomers was investigated using a four-state model. DFT calculations with the cluster-continuum solvation model revealed low cluster dissociation energy and explained the weakly aggregated morphology, indicating rapid exchange of Li+ between different ion states. These findings offer new insights for promoting ion conduction and dielectric response in single-ion conducting ionomers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Robert J. Hickey
Summary: Living systems exhibit diverse materials properties due to their multiscale hierarchical structures, which can be achieved by driving phase transitions using kinetic principles and chemical reactions. This approach allows for the manipulation of material structure and properties through polymerizations or chemical binding, resulting in nano- and multiscale changes. Kinetically driven processes have applications in various fields, including separation membranes, biomolecular condensates, cell mobility, and the self-assembly of polymers and colloids.
ACCOUNTS OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jensen N. Sevening, Siyana Dottin, Vincent M. Torres, Robert J. Hickey
Summary: This study demonstrates a versatile method for preparing soft hybrid elastomers by synthesizing polymer grafted nanoparticles (PGNPs) covalently bound to a rubbery matrix using reaction-induced phase transitions (RIPT). The increase in nanoparticle loading leads to the formation of PGNP aggregates and an increase in modulus, while having minimal impact on elastic recovery. The RIPT process is easily adaptable to crosslinked rubbery matrices, highlighting its versatility.
Article
Polymer Science
Tylene Hilaire, Yifan Xu, Wenwen Mei, Robert A. Riggleman, Robert J. Hickey
Summary: This study demonstrates that the addition of BCF to a solution containing PDPPS can induce phase transitions. Macrophase separation occurs if PDPPS is a homopolymer, while micelles are formed if PDPPS is a block in a copolymer. The phase transition is hypothesized to be a result of the interaction between PDPPS and BCF. A modified Flory-Huggins model was used to predict the phase behavior of a ternary system, and the experimental results confirm the accuracy of the model.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Wenwen Mei, Deyang Yu, Christy George, Louis A. Madsen, Robert J. Hickey, Ralph H. Colby
Summary: Maximizing ion conduction in single-ion-conducting ionomers is crucial for energy-related technologies. Understanding the impact of anion chemical composition on ion conduction emphasizes the necessity of minimizing ion aggregation through the rational choice of anion chemical composition.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Houman Honaryar, Jacob A. LaNasa, Robert J. Hickey, Julian C. Shillcock, Zahra Niroobakhsh
Summary: In this study, a ternary phase diagram for a system of cationic surfactant cetylpyridinium chloride monohydrate (CPCl), a polar oil (oleic acid), and water is established using experiment and simulation. The phase behavior and properties of the self-assembled materials are investigated through visual inspection, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and rheological measurements. Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation is used to support the experimental results and predict the formation of different mesostructures. The findings provide insights into the self-assembly process of associating surfactant systems and offer new avenues for liquid-in-liquid 3D printing applications.
