Preparation and characterization of boronic acid- functionalized halloysite nanotube/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites

pH-Responsive Degradable Electro-Spun Nanofibers Crosslinked via Boronic Ester Chemistry for Smart Wound Dressings

Recent advances in the treatment of chronic wounds have focused on the development of effective strategies for cutting-edge wound dressings based on nanostructured materials, particularly biocompatible poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based electro-spun (e-spun) nanofibers. However, PVA nanofibers need to be chemically crosslinked to ensure their dimensional stability in aqueous environment and their capability to encapsulate bioactive molecules. Herein, a robust approach for the fabrication of pH-degradable e-spun PVA nanofibers crosslinked with dynamic boronic ester (BE) linkages through a coupling reaction of PVA hydroxyl groups with the boronic acid groups of a phenyl diboronic acid crosslinker is reported. This comprehensive analysis reveals the importance of the mole ratio of boronic acid to hydroxyl group for the fabrication of well-defined BE-crosslinked fibrous mats with not only dimensional stability but also the ability to retain uniform fibrous form in aqueous solutions. These nanofibers degrade in both acidic and basic conditions that mimic wound environments, leading to controlled/enhanced release of encapsulated antimicrobial drug molecules. More importantly, drug-loaded BE-crosslinked fibers show excellent antimicrobial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, suggesting that this approach of exploring dynamic BE chemistry is amenable to the development of smart wound dressings with controlled/enhanced drug release.

Stretchable Temperature-Responsive Multimodal Neuromorphic Electronic Skin with Spontaneous Synaptic Plasticity Recovery

Multimodal electronic skin devices capable of detecting multimodal signals provide the possibility for health monitoring. Sensing and memory for temperature and deformation by human skin are of great significance for the perception and monitoring of physiological changes of the human body. Electronic skin is highly expected to have similar functions as human skin. Here, by implementing intrinsically stretchable neuromorphic transistors with mechanoreceptors and thermoreceptors in an array, we have realized stretchable temperature-responsive multimodal neuromorphic electronic skin (STRM-NES) with both sensory and memory functions, in which synaptic plasticity can be modulated by multiple modalities, in situ temperature variations, and stretching deformations. Temperature-responsive functions, spontaneous recovery, and temperature-dependent multitrial learning are proposed. Furthermore, a stretchable temperature neuromorphic array composed of multiple fully functional subcells is demonstrated to identify temperature distributions and variations at different regions and conditions after various strains of skin. The STRM-NES has temperature- and strain-responsive neuromorphic functions, excellent self-healing, and reusable capability, showing similar abilities as human skin to sense, transmit, memory, and recovery from external stimuli. It is expected to facilitate the development of wearable electronics, intelligent robotics, and prosthetic applications.

Cross-Linked PVA/HNT Composite Separator Enables Stable Lithium-Organic Batteries under Elevated Temperature

Li-organic batteries (LOBs) are promising advanced battery systems because of their unique advantages in capacity, cost, and sustainability. However, the shuttling effect of soluble organic redox intermediates and the intrinsic dissolution of small-molecular electrodes have hindered the practical application of these cells, especially under high operating temperatures. Herein, a cross-linked membrane with abundant negative charge for high-temperature LOBs is prepared via electrospinning of poly(vinyl alcohol) containing halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). The translocation of negatively charged organic intermediates can be suppressed by the electronic repulsion and the cross-linked network while the positively charged Li⁺ are maintained, which is attributed to the intrinsic electronegativity of HNTs and their well-organized and homogeneous distribution in the PVA matrix. A battery using a PVA/HNT composite separator (EPH-10) and an anthraquinone (AQ) cathode exhibits a high initial discharge capacity of 231.6 mAh g^-1 and an excellent cycling performance (91.4% capacity retention, 300 cycles) at 25 °C. Even at high temperatures (60 and 80 °C), its capacity retention is more than 89.2 and 80.4% after 100 cycles, respectively. Our approach demonstrates the potential of the EPH-10 composite membrane as a separator for high-temperature LOB applications.

A Novel Synergistic Flame Retardant of Hexaphenoxycyclotriphosphazene for Epoxy Resin

Hexaphenoxycyclotriphosphazene (HPCP) is a common flame retardant for epoxy resin (EP). To improve the thermostability and fire safety of HPCP-containing EP, we combined UiO66-NH₂ (a kind of metal-organic frame, MOF) with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) by hydrothermal reaction to create a novel synergistic flame retardant (H-U) of HPCP for EP. For the EP containing HPCP and H-U, the initial decomposition temperature (T_5%) and the temperature of maximum decomposition rate (T_max) increased by 11 and 17 °C under nitrogen atmosphere compared with those of the EP containing only HPCP. Meanwhile, the EP containing HPCP and H-U exhibited better tensile and flexural properties due to the addition of rigid nanoparticles. Notably, the EP containing HPCP and H-U reached a V-0 rating in UL-94 test and a limited oxygen index (LOI) of 35.2%. However, with the introduction of H-U, the flame retardant performances of EP composites were weakened in the cone calorimeter test, which was probably due to the decreased height of intumescent residual char.