1
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Wang H, Lin G, Lin Y, Cui Y, Chen G, Peng Z. Developing excellent plantar pressure sensors for monitoring human motions by using highly compressible and resilient PMMA conductive iongels. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 668:142-153. [PMID: 38669992 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.04.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Based on real-time detection of plantar pressure, gait recognition could provide important health information for rehabilitation administration, fatigue prevention, and sports training assessment. So far, such researches are extremely limited due to lacking of reliable, stable and comfortable plantar pressure sensors. Herein, a strategy for preparing high compression strength and resilience conductive iongels has been proposed by implanting physically entangled polymer chains with covalently cross-linked networks. The resulting iongels have excellent mechanical properties including nice compliance (young's modulus < 300 kPa), high compression strength (>10 MPa at a strain of 90 %), and good resilience (self-recovery within seconds). And capacitive pressure sensor composed by them possesses excellent sensitivity, good linear response even under very small stress (∼kPa), and long-term durability (cycles > 100,000) under high-stress conditions (133 kPa). Then, capacitive pressure sensor arrays have been prepared for high-precision detection of plantar pressure spatial distribution, which also exhibit excellent sensing performances and long-term stability. Further, an extremely sensitive and fast response plantar pressure monitoring system has been designed for monitoring plantar pressure of foot at different postures including upright, forward and backward. The system achieves real-time tracking and monitoring of changes of plantar pressure during different static and dynamic posture processes. And the characteristics of plantar pressure information can be digitally and photography displayed. Finally, we propose an intelligent framework for real-time detection of plantar pressure by combining electronic insoles with data analysis system, which presents excellent applications in sport trainings and safety precautions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifei Wang
- Center for Stretchable Electronics and NanoSensors, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Guanhua Lin
- Strait Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE, Future Technologies), Fujian Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics, Fujian Normal University and Strait Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (SLoFE), Fuzhou 350117, China.
| | - Yang Lin
- Center for Stretchable Electronics and NanoSensors, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yang Cui
- Center for Stretchable Electronics and NanoSensors, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Strait Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE, Future Technologies), Fujian Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics, Fujian Normal University and Strait Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (SLoFE), Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Zhengchun Peng
- Center for Stretchable Electronics and NanoSensors, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
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2
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Liu X, Kong K, Wang J, Liu Z, Tang R. Molecular Weight-Dependent Physiochemical Behaviors of Calcium Carbonate Chains. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:5905-5913. [PMID: 38809103 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c01026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
The regulation of physiochemical behaviors by changing molecular weights is an important cornerstone of polymer physics. However, similar correlations between molecular weights and properties have not been discovered in inorganic ionic compounds. In this work, we prepared a calcium carbonate specimen with a semiflexible chain topology analogous to those of polymers. The molecular weights of the calcium carbonate chains, which ranged from 3400 to 54 100 Da, were directly correlated to their physiochemical behaviors, including gel point, zero shear viscosity, and plateau modulus. The calcium carbonate chains showed similar polymeric characteristics, including shear thinning, thixotropy, entropic elasticity, and viscoelasticity. These features agreed with recent theories and formulas in polymer physics textbooks. On the basis of this understanding, the mechanical properties of calcium carbonate-based gels could be altered by changing their molecular weights. This study could represent a fusion of inorganic chemistry and polymer physics with similar molecular weight-dependent behaviors and material properties, establishing an alternative pathway for designing future inorganic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Kangren Kong
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhaoming Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- State Key Laboratory of Silicon and Advanced Semiconductor Materials, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Ruikang Tang
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- State Key Laboratory of Silicon and Advanced Semiconductor Materials, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
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3
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Zeng X, Liang T, Cheng X, Fan J, Pang Y, Xu J, Sun R, Xia X, Zeng X. Design of Soft/Hard Interface with High Adhesion Energy and Low Interfacial Thermal Resistance via Regulation of Interfacial Hydrogen Bonding Interaction. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:6386-6394. [PMID: 38743576 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c01409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Adhesion ability and interfacial thermal transfer capacity at soft/hard interfaces are of critical importance to a wide variety of applications, ranging from electronic packaging and soft electronics to batteries. However, these two properties are difficult to obtain simultaneously due to their conflicting nature at soft/hard interfaces. Herein, we report a polyurethane/silicon interface with both high adhesion energy (13535 J m-2) and low thermal interfacial resistance (0.89 × 10-6 m2 K W-1) by regulating hydrogen interactions at the interface. This is achieved by introducing a soybean-oil-based epoxy cross-linker, which can destroy the hydrogen bonds in polyurethane networks and meanwhile can promote the formation of hydrogen bonds at the polyurethane/silicon interface. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of enhancing adhesion energy and reducing interfacial thermal resistance at soft/hard interfaces, which offers a promising perspective to tailor interfacial properties in various material systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangliang Zeng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Lushan South Road, Yuelu District, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials for Integrated Circuits, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Materials Science and Technology Research Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR 999077, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaxia Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Materials for Integrated Circuits, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfeng Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Materials for Integrated Circuits, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunsong Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials for Integrated Circuits, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianbin Xu
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Materials Science and Technology Research Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR 999077, People's Republic of China
| | - Rong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Materials for Integrated Circuits, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinnian Xia
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Lushan South Road, Yuelu District, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoliang Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Materials for Integrated Circuits, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
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4
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Fan J, Zhou Y, Ding S, Pang Y, Zeng X, Guo S, Xu J, Ren L, Sun R, Zeng X. Thermally Conductive Elastomer Composites with High Toughness, Softness, and Resilience Enabled by Regulating Interfacial Structure and Dynamics. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2402265. [PMID: 38757418 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202402265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
The emerging applications of thermally conductive elastomer composites in modern electronic devices for heat dissipation require them to maintain both high toughness and resilience under thermomechanical stresses. However, such a combination of thermal conductivity and desired mechanical characteristics is extremely challenging to achieve in elastomer composites. Here this long-standing mismatch is resolved via regulating interfacial structure and dynamics response. This regulation is realized both by tuning the molecular weight of the dangling chains in the polymer networks and by silane grafting of the fillers, thereby creating a broad dynamic-gradient interfacial region comprising of entanglements. These entanglements can provide the slipping topological constraint that allows for tension equalization between and along the chains, while also tightening into rigid knots to prevent chain disentanglement upon stretching. Combined with ultrahigh loading of aluminum-fillers (90 wt%), this design provides a low Young's modulus (350.0 kPa), high fracture toughness (831.5 J m-2), excellent resilience (79%) and enhanced thermal conductivity (3.20 W m-1 k-1). This work presents a generalizable preparation strategy toward engineering soft, tough, and resilient high-filled elastomer composites, suitable for complex environments, such as automotive electronics, and wearable devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Materials for Integrated Circuits, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Technique and Equipment for Macromolecular Advanced Manufacturing, Key Laboratory of Polymer Processing Engineering, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Materials for Integrated Circuits, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Shengchang Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Materials for Integrated Circuits, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yunsong Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials for Integrated Circuits, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xiangliang Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Materials for Integrated Circuits, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Shifeng Guo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Smart Sensing and Intelligent Systems, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Robotics and Intelligent System, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jianbin Xu
- Department of Electronics Engineering, the Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Linlin Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Materials for Integrated Circuits, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Rong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Materials for Integrated Circuits, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xiaoliang Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Materials for Integrated Circuits, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
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5
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Van Lijsebetten F, Maes S, Winne JM, Du Prez FE. Thermoswitchable catalysis to inhibit and promote plastic flow in vitrimers. Chem Sci 2024; 15:7061-7071. [PMID: 38756803 PMCID: PMC11095380 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc00417e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Acid-base catalysis is a common strategy to induce covalent bond exchanges in dynamic polymer networks. Strong acids or strong bases can promote rapid network rearrangements, and are simultaneously preferred catalysts for chemical reactions where maximum efficiency at the lowest possible temperature is aimed for. However, within the context of dynamic polymer networks, the incorporation of highly active catalysts can negatively affect the longer term application potential. Network dynamicity can diminish through catalyst ageing or quenching and highly active catalysts may prematurely activate bond exchanges, leading to dimensional instability and thus low creep resistance of the polymer networks. Herein, we present several examples where we explicitly explored weak acids (carboxylic acids) as catalysts for dynamic bond exchanges, using vinylogous urethanes (VU) as a well-understood protic acid catalysed vitrimer chemistry. Surprisingly, we have found that the sought-after long-term stability offered by a weak acid does not necessarily bring lower activity at high temperature. In fact, the weak acids show a remarkable thermoswitchable catalytic behaviour, going from an inactive hydrogen bonded state to an active state where the polymer matrix is protonated, with a profound impact on the network reactivity and rheology. Carboxylic acids with different electronic or steric environments show clear reactivity trends and their fine-tuning resulted in the most thermally responsive VU vitrimers studied to date. Our findings point out that catalyst choice and design for vitrimers is only poorly informed by catalyst performance in more traditional chemical reactions (in solvent), and that a more tailored catalyst design holds great promise for the field of vitrimers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Van Lijsebetten
- Polymer Chemistry Research Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC) and Laboratory of Organic Synthesis, Departement of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281-S4 Ghent 9000 Belgium
| | - Stephan Maes
- Polymer Chemistry Research Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC) and Laboratory of Organic Synthesis, Departement of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281-S4 Ghent 9000 Belgium
| | - Johan M Winne
- Polymer Chemistry Research Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC) and Laboratory of Organic Synthesis, Departement of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281-S4 Ghent 9000 Belgium
| | - Filip E Du Prez
- Polymer Chemistry Research Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC) and Laboratory of Organic Synthesis, Departement of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281-S4 Ghent 9000 Belgium
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6
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Rajawasam CWH, Tran C, Sparks JL, Krueger WH, Hartley CS, Konkolewicz D. Carbodiimide-Driven Toughening of Interpenetrated Polymer Networks. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202400843. [PMID: 38517330 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202400843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Recent work has demonstrated that temporary crosslinks in polymer networks generated by chemical "fuels" afford materials with large, transient changes in their mechanical properties. This can be accomplished in carboxylic-acid-functionalized polymer hydrogels using carbodiimides, which generate anhydride crosslinks with lifetimes on the order of minutes to hours. Here, the impact of the polymer network architecture on the mechanical properties of transiently crosslinked materials was explored. Single networks (SNs) were compared to interpenetrated networks (IPNs). Notably, semi-IPN precursors that give IPNs on treatment with carbodiimide give much higher fracture energies (i.e., resistance to fracture) and superior resistance to compressive strain compared to other network architectures. A precursor semi-IPN material featuring acrylic acid in only the free polymer chains yields, on treatment with carbodiimide, an IPN with a fracture energy of 2400 J/m2, a fourfold increase compared to an analogous semi-IPN precursor that yields a SN. This resistance to fracture enables the formation of macroscopic complex cut patterns, even at high strain, underscoring the pivotal role of polymer architecture in mechanical performance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Corvo Tran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Jessica L Sparks
- Department of Chemical Paper and Biomedical Engineering, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - William H Krueger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - C Scott Hartley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Dominik Konkolewicz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
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7
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Barney CW, Berezvai S, Chau AL, Kwon Y, Pitenis AA, McMeeking RM, Valentine MT, Helgeson ME. Experimental observation of near-wall effects during the puncture of soft solids. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:3806-3813. [PMID: 38646972 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01216f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Performing conventional mechanical characterization techniques on soft materials can be challenging due to issues such as limited sample volumes and clamping difficulties. Deep indentation and puncture is a promising alternative as it is an information-rich measurement with the potential to be performed in a high-throughput manner. Despite its promise, the method lacks standardized protocols, and open questions remain about its possible limitations. Addressing these shortcomings is vital to ensure consistent methodology, measurements, and interpretation across samples and labs. To fill this gap, we examine the role of finite sample dimensions (and by extension, volume) on measured forces to determine the sample geometry needed to perform and unambiguously interpret puncture tests. Through measurements of puncture on a well-characterized elastomer using systematically varied sample dimensions, we show that the apparent mechanical response of a material is in fact sensitive to near-wall effects, and that additional properties, such as the sliding friction coefficient, can only be extracted in the larger dimension case where such effects are negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W Barney
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
| | - Szabolcs Berezvai
- Department of Applied Mechanics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3., H-1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Allison L Chau
- Materials Department, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Younghoon Kwon
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
| | - Angela A Pitenis
- Materials Department, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Robert M McMeeking
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
- Materials Department, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Megan T Valentine
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
| | - Matthew E Helgeson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
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8
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Li Y, Zhao W, Cheng Z, Sun ZY, Liu H. Structural heterogeneity in tetra-armed gels revealed by computer simulation: Evidence from a graph theory assisted characterization. J Chem Phys 2024; 160:144902. [PMID: 38591682 DOI: 10.1063/5.0198388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Designing homogeneous networks is considered one typical strategy for solving the problem of strength and toughness conflict of polymer network materials. Experimentalists have proposed the hypothesis of obtaining a structurally homogeneous hydrogel by crosslinking tetra-armed polymers, whose homogeneity was claimed to be verified by scattering characterization and other methods. Nevertheless, it is highly desirable to further evaluate this issue from other perspectives. In this study, a coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation coupled with a stochastic reaction model is applied to reveal the topological structure of a polymer network synthesized by tetra-armed monomers as precursors. Two different scenarios, distinguished by whether internal cross-linking is allowed, are considered. We introduce the Dijkstra algorithm from graph theory to precisely characterize the network structure. The microscopic features of the network structure, e.g., loop size, dispersity, and size distribution, are obtained via the Dijkstra algorithm. By comparing the two reaction scenarios, Scenario II exhibits an overall more idealized structure. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of the Dijkstra algorithm for precisely characterizing the polymer network structure. We expect this work will provide a new insight for the evaluation and description of gel networks and further help to reveal the dynamic process of network formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, People's Republic of China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenbo Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyuan Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao-Yan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, People's Republic of China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
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9
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Ahmadi M, Ehrmann K, Koch T, Liska R, Stampfl J. From Unregulated Networks to Designed Microstructures: Introducing Heterogeneity at Different Length Scales in Photopolymers for Additive Manufacturing. Chem Rev 2024; 124:3978-4020. [PMID: 38546847 PMCID: PMC11009961 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Photopolymers have been optimized as protective and decorative coating materials for decades. However, with the rise of additive manufacturing technologies, vat photopolymerization has unlocked the use of photopolymers for three-dimensional objects with new material requirements. Thus, the originally highly cross-linked, amorphous architecture of photopolymers cannot match the expectations for modern materials anymore, revealing the largely unanswered question of how diverse properties can be achieved in photopolymers. Herein, we review how microstructural features in soft matter materials should be designed and implemented to obtain high performance materials. We then translate these findings into chemical design suggestions for enhanced printable photopolymers. Based on this analysis, we have found microstructural heterogenization to be the most powerful tool to tune photopolymer performance. By combining the chemical toolbox for photopolymerization and the analytical toolbox for microstructural characterization, we examine current strategies for physical heterogenization (fillers, inkjet printing) and chemical heterogenization (semicrystalline polymers, block copolymers, interpenetrating networks, photopolymerization induced phase separation) of photopolymers and put them into a material scientific context to develop a roadmap for improving and diversifying photopolymers' performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Ahmadi
- Institute
of Materials Science and Technology, Technische
Universität Wien, Getreidemarkt 9BE, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Ehrmann
- Institute
of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Technische
Universität Wien, Getreidemarkt 9/163, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Koch
- Institute
of Materials Science and Technology, Technische
Universität Wien, Getreidemarkt 9BE, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert Liska
- Institute
of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Technische
Universität Wien, Getreidemarkt 9/163, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jürgen Stampfl
- Institute
of Materials Science and Technology, Technische
Universität Wien, Getreidemarkt 9BE, 1060 Vienna, Austria
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10
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Meng Z, Löser L, Saalwächter K, Gasser U, Klok HA. Disulfide-Cross-Linked Tetra-PEG Gels. Macromolecules 2024; 57:3058-3065. [PMID: 38616809 PMCID: PMC11008237 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.3c02514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The preparation of polymer gels via cross-linking of four-arm star-shaped poly(ethylene glycol) (Tetra-PEG) precursors is an attractive strategy to prepare networks with relatively well-defined topologies. Typically, Tetra-PEG gels are obtained by cross-linking heterocomplementary reactive Tetra-PEG precursors. This study, in contrast, explores the cross-linking of self-reactive, thiol-end functional Tetra-PEG macromers to form disulfide-cross-linked gels. The structure of the disulfide-cross-linked Tetra-PEG gels was studied with multiple-quantum NMR (MQ-NMR) spectroscopy and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments. In line with earlier simulation studies, these experiments showed a strong dependence of the relative fractions of the different network connectivities on the concentration of the thiol-end functional Tetra-PEG macromer that was used for the synthesis of the networks. Disulfide-cross-linked Tetra-PEG gels prepared at macromer concentrations below the overlap concentration (c = 0.66c*) primarily feature defect connectivity motifs, such as primary loops and dangling ends. For networks prepared at macromer concentrations above the overlap concentration, the fraction of single-link connectivities was found to be similar to that in amide-cross-linked Tetra-PEG gels obtained by heterocomplementary cross-linking of N-hydroxysuccinimide ester and amine functional Tetra-PEG macromers. Since disulfide bonds are susceptible to reductive cleavage, these disulfide-cross-linked gels are of interest, e.g., as reduction-sensitive hydrogels for a variety of biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Meng
- Institut
des Matériaux and Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie
Chimiques, Laboratoire des Polymères, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Bâtiment MXD, Station 12, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss
National Center for Competence in Research (NCCR) Bio-inspired Materials, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Löser
- Institut
für Physik - NMR, Martin-Luther Universität
Halle-Wittenberg, Betty-Heimann-Str. 7, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Kay Saalwächter
- Institut
für Physik - NMR, Martin-Luther Universität
Halle-Wittenberg, Betty-Heimann-Str. 7, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Urs Gasser
- Laboratory
for Neutron Scattering and Imaging (LNS), Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Harm-Anton Klok
- Institut
des Matériaux and Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie
Chimiques, Laboratoire des Polymères, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Bâtiment MXD, Station 12, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss
National Center for Competence in Research (NCCR) Bio-inspired Materials, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
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11
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Fricke SN, Haber S, Hua M, Salgado M, Helms BA, Reimer JA. Magnetic resonance insights into the heterogeneous, fractal-like kinetics of chemically recyclable polymers. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl0568. [PMID: 38569038 PMCID: PMC10990270 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl0568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Moving toward a circular plastics economy is a vital aspect of global resource management. Chemical recycling of plastics ensures that high-value monomers can be recovered from depolymerized plastic waste, thus enabling circular manufacturing. However, to increase chemical recycling throughput in materials recovery facilities, the present understanding of polymer transport, diffusion, swelling, and heterogeneous deconstruction kinetics must be systematized to allow industrial-scale process design, spanning molecular to macroscopic regimes. To develop a framework for designing depolymerization processes, we examined acidolysis of circular polydiketoenamine elastomers. We used magnetic resonance to monitor spatially resolved observables in situ and then evaluated these data with a fractal method that treats nonlinear depolymerization kinetics. This approach delineated the roles played by network architecture and reaction medium on depolymerization outcomes, yielding parameters that facilitate comparisons between bulk processes. These streamlined methods to investigate polymer hydrolysis kinetics portend a general strategy for implementing chemical recycling on an industrial scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia N. Fricke
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Shira Haber
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Mutian Hua
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Mia Salgado
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Brett A. Helms
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jeffrey A. Reimer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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12
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Muñoz-Sánchez S, Barrios-Gumiel A, de la Mata FJ, García-Gallego S. Fine-Tuning the Amphiphilic Properties of Carbosilane Dendritic Networks towards High-Swelling Thermogels. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:495. [PMID: 38675156 PMCID: PMC11054174 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16040495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Dendritic hydrogels based on carbosilane crosslinkers are promising drug delivery systems, as their amphiphilic nature improves the compatibility with poorly water-soluble drugs. In this work, we explored the impact of the complementary polymer on the amphiphilic properties of the dendritic network. Different polymers were selected as precursors, from the highly lipophilic propylene glycol (PPG) to the hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG), including amphiphilic Pluronics L31, L35 and L61. The dithiol polymers reacted with carbosilane crosslinkers through UV-initiated thiol-ene coupling (TEC), and the resultant materials were classified as non-swelling networks (for PPG, PLUL31 and PLUL61) and high-swelling hydrogels (for PEG and PLUL35). The hydrogels exhibited thermo-responsive properties, shrinking at higher temperatures, and exhibited an intriguing drug release pattern due to internal nanostructuring. Furthermore, we fine-tuned the dendritic crosslinker, including hydroxyl and azide pendant groups in the focal point, generating functional networks that can be modified through degradable (ester) and non-degradable (triazol) bonds. Overall, this work highlighted the crucial role of the amphiphilic balance in the design of dendritic hydrogels with thermo-responsive behavior and confirmed their potential as functional networks for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Muñoz-Sánchez
- University of Alcala, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, and Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. Del Río” (IQAR), 28805 Madrid, Spain; (S.M.-S.); (A.B.-G.); (F.J.d.l.M.)
| | - Andrea Barrios-Gumiel
- University of Alcala, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, and Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. Del Río” (IQAR), 28805 Madrid, Spain; (S.M.-S.); (A.B.-G.); (F.J.d.l.M.)
| | - Francisco Javier de la Mata
- University of Alcala, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, and Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. Del Río” (IQAR), 28805 Madrid, Spain; (S.M.-S.); (A.B.-G.); (F.J.d.l.M.)
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Institute Ramón y Cajal for Health Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra García-Gallego
- University of Alcala, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, and Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. Del Río” (IQAR), 28805 Madrid, Spain; (S.M.-S.); (A.B.-G.); (F.J.d.l.M.)
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Institute Ramón y Cajal for Health Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
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13
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Beech HK, Wang S, Sen D, Rota D, Kouznetsova TB, Arora A, Rubinstein M, Craig SL, Olsen BD. Reactivity-Guided Depercolation Processes Determine Fracture Behavior in End-Linked Polymer Networks. ACS Macro Lett 2023; 12:1685-1691. [PMID: 38038127 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
The fracture of polymer networks is tied to the molecular behavior of strands within the network, yet the specific molecular-level processes that determine the mechanical limits of a network remain elusive. Here, the question of reactivity-guided fracture is explored in otherwise indistinguishable end-linked networks by tuning the relative composition of strands with two different mechanochemical reactivities. Increasing the substitution of less mechanochemically reactive ("strong") strands into a network comprising more reactive ("weak") strands has a negligible impact on the fracture energy until the strong strand content reaches approximately 45%, at which point the fracture energy sharply increases with strong strand content. This aligns with the measured strong strand percolation threshold of 48 ± 3%, revealing that depercolation, or the loss of a percolated network structure, is a necessary criterion for crack propagation in a polymer network. Coarse-grained fracture simulations agree closely with the tearing energy trend observed experimentally, confirming that weak strand scissions dominate the failure until the strong strands approach percolation. The simulations further show that twice as many strands break in a mixture than in a pure network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley K Beech
- NSF Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Shu Wang
- NSF Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Devosmita Sen
- NSF Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Dechen Rota
- NSF Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Tatiana B Kouznetsova
- NSF Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Akash Arora
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Michael Rubinstein
- NSF Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, and Physics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Stephen L Craig
- NSF Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Bradley D Olsen
- NSF Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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14
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Yosefi G, Eliraz N, Kolusheva S, Rapaport H, Bitton R. Self-assembly at the interface of λ-carrageenan and amphiphilic and cationic peptides: More than meets the eye. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 652:1897-1907. [PMID: 37690297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembly of macroscopic membranes at the interface between self-assembling peptides and aqueous polymer solutions of opposite charge has been explored mostly due to the membranes' unique hierarchical structure of three distinct regions, including a layer of perpendicular fibers. We report here on the formation and characterization of self-assembled membranes made with λ-carrageenan and the cationic β-sheet peptides, Pro-Lys-(Phe-Lys)5-Pro (PFK). Using SAXS, SEM, ITC, and rheology, we compared these membranes' morphology and physical properties to membranes made with alginate. We recognized that the polysaccharide's single chain conformation, its solution's viscosity, the potential of hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions between the polysaccharides and the peptides charged groups, and the strength of these interactions all affect the properties of the resulting membranes. As a result, we identified that an interplay between the polymer-peptide strength of interactions and the stiffness of the polysaccharide's single chain could be used as a route to control the structure-function relationship of the membranes. These results provide valuable information for creating guidelines to design self-assembly membranes with specific properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gal Yosefi
- Department of Chemical Engineering Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Nitsan Eliraz
- Department of Chemical Engineering Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Sofiya Kolusheva
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (IKI), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Hanna Rapaport
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel; Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (IKI), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Ronit Bitton
- Department of Chemical Engineering Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel; Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (IKI), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel.
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15
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Dobrynin AV, Tian Y, Jacobs M, Nikitina EA, Ivanov DA, Maw M, Vashahi F, Sheiko SS. Forensics of polymer networks. NATURE MATERIALS 2023; 22:1394-1400. [PMID: 37749314 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-023-01663-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Our lives cannot be imagined without polymer networks, which range widely, from synthetic rubber to biological tissues. Their properties-elasticity, strain-stiffening and stretchability-are controlled by a convolution of chemical composition, strand conformation and network topology. Yet, since the discovery of rubber vulcanization by Charles Goodyear in 1839, the internal organization of networks has remained a sealed 'black box'. While many studies show how network properties respond to topology variation, no method currently exists that would allow the decoding of the network structure from its properties. We address this problem by analysing networks' nonlinear responses to deformation to quantify their crosslink density, strand flexibility and fraction of stress-supporting strands. The decoded structural information enables the quality control of network synthesis, comparison of targeted to actual architecture and network classification according to the effectiveness of stress distribution. The developed forensic approach is a vital step in future implementation of artificial intelligence principles for soft matter design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey V Dobrynin
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michael Jacobs
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Dimitri A Ivanov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Institut de Sciences des Matériaux de Mulhouse (IS2M), CNRS UMR 7361, Université de Haute-Alsace, Mulhouse, France
| | - Mitchell Maw
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Foad Vashahi
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sergei S Sheiko
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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16
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Lang M. Deciphering polymer networks. NATURE MATERIALS 2023; 22:1283-1284. [PMID: 37891266 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-023-01696-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lang
- Leibniz Institut für Polymerforschung, Dresden, Germany.
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17
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He X, Tian Y, O’Neill RT, Xu Y, Lin Y, Weng W, Boulatov R. Coumarin Dimer Is an Effective Photomechanochemical AND Gate for Small-Molecule Release. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:23214-23226. [PMID: 37821455 PMCID: PMC10603814 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Stimulus-responsive gating of chemical reactions is of considerable practical and conceptual interest. For example, photocleavable protective groups and gating mechanophores allow the kinetics of purely thermally activated reactions to be controlled optically or by mechanical load by inducing the release of small-molecule reactants. Such release only in response to a sequential application of both stimuli (photomechanochemical gating) has not been demonstrated despite its unique expected benefits. Here, we describe computational and experimental evidence that coumarin dimers are highly promising moieties for realizing photomechanochemical control of small-molecule release. Such dimers are transparent and photochemically inert at wavelengths >300 nm but can be made to dissociate rapidly under tensile force. The resulting coumarins are mechanochemically and thermally stable, but rapidly release their payload upon irradiation. Our DFT calculations reveal that both strain-free and mechanochemical kinetics of dimer dissociation are highly tunable over an unusually broad range of rates by simple substitution. In head-to-head dimers, the phenyl groups act as molecular levers to allow systematic and predictable variation in the force sensitivity of the dissociation barriers by choice of the pulling axis. As a proof-of-concept, we synthesized and characterized the reactivity of one such dimer for photomechanochemically controlled release of aniline and its application for controlling bulk gelation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun He
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| | - Yancong Tian
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K.
| | - Robert T. O’Neill
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K.
| | - Yuanze Xu
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| | - Yangju Lin
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| | - Wengui Weng
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| | - Roman Boulatov
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K.
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18
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Lei H, Ma Q, Wang Z, Zhang D, Huang X, Qin M, Ma H, Wang W, Cao Y. Ester Bond: Chemically Labile Yet Mechanically Stable. ACS NANO 2023; 17:16870-16878. [PMID: 37646337 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c03807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Due to the dynamic nature of ester linkages, ester-bond-containing materials are well known for their outstanding degradability and stimuli responsiveness. However, whether ester hydrolysis is affected by mechanical forces remains unclear. Here, we develop a single-molecule assay to quantitatively study the force-dependent ester hydrolysis using an engineered circular permutant protein with a caged ester bond as a model. Our single-molecule force spectroscopy results show that the ester hydrolysis rate is surprisingly insensitive to forces, with a ∼7 s-1 dissociation rate that remains almost unchanged in the force range of 80 to 200 pN. Quantum calculations reveal that the ester hydrolysis involves an intermediate state formed by either H3O+- or OH--bonded tetrahedral intermediates. The measured ester-hydrolysis kinetics at the single-molecule level may primarily correspond to the rupture of these intermediate states. However, the rate-limiting step appears to be the formation of the tetrahedral intermediates, which cannot be quantitatively characterized in our experiments. Nonetheless, based on the quantum calculations, this step is also insensitive to applied forces. Altogether, our study suggests that the ester bond is chemically labile yet mechanically stable, serving as the basis for the design of responsive materials using ester bonds as mechanically inert units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Lei
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- School of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Institute for Advanced Study in Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Quan Ma
- Zhejiang Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Zhangxia Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Di Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Xiaoyu Huang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Meng Qin
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Haibo Ma
- Qingdao Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences, Qingdao Institute of Frontier and Interdisciplinary Science, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan 250021, China
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19
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Cerullo AR, McDermott MB, Pepi LE, Liu ZL, Barry D, Zhang S, Yang X, Chen X, Azadi P, Holford M, Braunschweig AB. Comparative mucomic analysis of three functionally distinct Cornu aspersum Secretions. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5361. [PMID: 37660066 PMCID: PMC10475054 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41094-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Every animal secretes mucus, placing them among the most diverse biological materials. Mucus hydrogels are complex mixtures of water, ions, carbohydrates, and proteins. Uncertainty surrounding their composition and how interactions between components contribute to mucus function complicates efforts to exploit their properties. There is substantial interest in commercializing mucus from the garden snail, Cornu aspersum, for skincare, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and composite materials. C. aspersum secretes three mucus-one shielding the animal from environmental threats, one adhesive mucus from the pedal surface of the foot, and another pedal mucus that is lubricating. It remains a mystery how compositional differences account for their substantially different properties. Here, we characterize mucus proteins, glycosylation, ion content, and mechanical properties that could be used to provide insight into structure-function relationships through an integrative "mucomics" approach. We identify macromolecular components of these hydrogels, including a previously unreported protein class termed Conserved Anterior Mollusk Proteins (CAMPs). Revealing differences between C. aspersum mucus shows how considering structure at all levels can inform the design of mucus-inspired materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio R Cerullo
- The Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY, 10031, USA
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Maxwell B McDermott
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Lauren E Pepi
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Zhi-Lun Liu
- The Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY, 10031, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The City College of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | - Diariou Barry
- The Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | - Sheng Zhang
- The Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | - Xu Yang
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- The Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY, 10031, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The City College of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA
- The PhD Program in Chemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- The PhD Program in Physics, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Parastoo Azadi
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Mande Holford
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- The PhD Program in Chemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- The PhD Program in Biology, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, The American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, 10024, USA
| | - Adam B Braunschweig
- The Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY, 10031, USA.
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- The PhD Program in Chemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
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20
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Foreman K, Tran-Ba KH. Single-Particle Tracking in Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Diacrylate: Probe Size Effect on the Diffusion Behaviors of Nanoparticles in Unentangled Polymer Solutions. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:7091-7102. [PMID: 37527454 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c03499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
A thorough understanding of the relevant factors governing the transport of nanoparticles in poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) is crucial for many applications utilizing this polymer. Here, single-particle tracking (SPT) was used to systematically investigate the role of the probe size (3-200 nm) on the diffusion behaviors of individual fluorescent nanoparticles in semidilute and unentangled PEGDA solutions. The quantitative assessment of the SPT data via the recorded single-particle trajectories and diffusion coefficients (D) not only showed that the observed probe dynamics in PEGDA were temporally and spatially heterogeneous, but more importantly that the measured D were observed to be significantly reduced (vs in solvent) and strongly size-dependent. We explained these results based on a modified multiscale model for particle diffusion, built upon well-established hydrodynamics and obstruction theories. We furthermore showed that the presence of steric interactions and probe confinement effects in highly crowded, unentangled PEGDA microstructures can lead to deviations in the single-particle displacements from the expected Gaussian behavior, as revealed by the van Hove displacement distributions and the associated non-Gaussian parameters. This study has demonstrated the power of SPT methods in offering an advanced characterization of the transport characteristics in complex polymer structures, overcoming challenges posed by traditional characterization techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Foreman
- Department of Chemistry, Towson University, Towson, Maryland 21252, United States
| | - Khanh-Hoa Tran-Ba
- Department of Chemistry, Towson University, Towson, Maryland 21252, United States
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21
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Du K, Liao P, Yang S, von Trentini D, Sharma K, Shi X, Murray CB, Li D, Dmochowski IJ. Chelate-functionalized magnetic micelles for sequestration of cisplatin. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 5:3955-3963. [PMID: 37496616 PMCID: PMC10367963 DOI: 10.1039/d3na00290j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Many cancer patients suffer permanent hearing loss due to accumulation of ototoxic cisplatin in the inner ear. In this study, two types of 100 nm magnetic micelles were developed to sequester cisplatin from aqueous solutions, with the goal of eliminating cochlear ototoxins via magnetic microsurgery. The micellar surface was quantitatively functionalized with anionic S-rich ligands and the micelle core encapsulated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Exceptionally effective sequestration is demonstrated, with removal of greater than 95 and 50% of solution Pt, by means of centrifugal filtration and magnetic extraction. Attraction between negatively charged micellar surfaces and cationic Pt-species played a critical role and was only partially screened by physiologic salt solution. Importantly, magnetic micelles introduce negligible impact on the integrity of inner ear hair cells, demonstrating excellent biocompatibility. This study showcases successful magnetic sequestration of Pt-based ototoxins using highly applicable nano-micellar materials. More generally, these examples highlight features of the micelle-water interfacial environment that are important in developing nanomaterials for metallo-medicinal applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Du
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA 19104 USA
| | - Pan Liao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA 19104 USA
| | - Shengsong Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA 19104 USA
| | - Dora von Trentini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA 19104 USA
| | - Kushal Sharma
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University Portland OR 97239 USA
| | - Xiaorui Shi
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University Portland OR 97239 USA
| | - Christopher B Murray
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA 19104 USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA 19104 USA
| | - Daqing Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA 19104 USA
| | - Ivan J Dmochowski
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA 19104 USA
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22
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Duarte LKR, Rizzi LG. On the origin of the negative energy-related contribution to the elastic modulus of rubber-like gels. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2023; 46:52. [PMID: 37433977 DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-023-00312-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
We consider a coarse-grained polymer model in order to investigate the origin of a recently discovered negative energy-related contribution to the elastic modulus G(T) of rubber-like gels. From this model, we are able to compute an exact expression for the free energy of the system, which allows us to evaluate a stress-strain relationship that displays a non-trivial dependence on the temperature T. We validate our approach through comparisons between the theoretical results and the experimental data obtained for tetra-PEG hydrogels, which indicate that, although simple, the present model works well to describe the experiments. Importantly, our approach unveiled aspects of the experimental analysis which turned out to be different from the conventional entropic and energetic analysis broadly used in the literature. Also, in contrast to the linear dependence predicted by the traditional, i.e., purely entropic, models, our results suggest that the general expression of the elastic modulus should be of the form [Formula: see text], with w(T) being a temperature-dependent correction factor that could be related to the interaction between the chains in the network and the solvent. Accordingly, the correction factor allows the expression found for the elastic modulus to describe both rubber and rubber-like gels.
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Affiliation(s)
- L K R Duarte
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Viçosa, 36570-900, Brazil
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Minas Gerais, Pç. José Emiliano Dias, 87, Ponte Nova, 35430-034, Brazil
| | - L G Rizzi
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Viçosa, 36570-900, Brazil.
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23
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Mousavifard SM, Ghermezcheshme H, Mirzaalipour A, Mohseni M, de With G, Makki H. PolySMart: a general coarse-grained molecular dynamics polymerization scheme. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023; 10:2281-2296. [PMID: 37022310 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh00088e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of simulation methods to study the structure and dynamics of a macroscopically sized piece of polymer material is important as such methods can elucidate structure-property relationships. Several methods have been reported to construct initial structures for homo- and co-polymers; however, most of them are only useful for short linear polymers since one needs to pack and equilibrate the far-from-equilibrium initial structures, which is a tedious task for long or hyperbranched polymers and unfeasible for polymer networks. In this method article, we present PolySMart, i.e., an open-source python package, which can effectively produce fully equilibrated homo- and hetero-polymer melts and solutions with no limitation on the polymer topology and size, at a coarse-grained resolution and through a bottom-up approach. This python package is also capable of exploring the polymerization kinetics through its reactive scheme in realistic conditions so that it can model the multiple co-occurring polymerization reactions (with different reaction rates) as well as consecutive polymerizations under stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric conditions. Thus, the equilibrated polymer models are generated through correct polymerization kinetics. A benchmark and verification of the performance of the program for several realistic cases, i.e., for homo-polymers, co-polymers, and crosslinked networks, is given. We further discuss the capability of the program to contribute to the discovery and design of new polymer materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyyed Mohammad Mousavifard
- Department of Polymer and Color Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, 424 Hafez Ave., Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Ghermezcheshme
- Department of Polymer and Color Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, 424 Hafez Ave., Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Mirzaalipour
- Department of Polymer and Color Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, 424 Hafez Ave., Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Mohseni
- Department of Polymer and Color Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, 424 Hafez Ave., Tehran, Iran
| | - Gijsbertus de With
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, POB 513, NL-5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Hesam Makki
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Innovation Factory, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, UK.
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24
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Zeng X, Xia X, Fan J, Sun R, Zeng X. How chemical cross-linking and entanglements in polybutadiene elastomers cope with tearing. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:14463-14470. [PMID: 37184830 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp01398g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
New applications of elastomers, such as flexible electronics and soft robotics, have brought great attention to tear resistance since elastomers are prone to shear failure. Most elastomers contain chemical cross-links and entanglements. The effects of both on their mechanical properties have been intensively studied, while how they cope with tearing remains elusive. Here, in polybutadiene elastomers, we find that the energy release rate of tearing (Gtearing), often employed as a measure of tear resistance, is influenced synergistically by chemical cross-linking and entanglements, while its threshold (G0) is only related to the chemical cross-linking. At a low tear speed, the polybutadiene elastomers with low cross-linking density have Gtearing up to 4 times higher than their G0 compared to highly cross-linked ones. Different from conventional reinforcement due to volume dissipation of a polymer network, enhancement of Gtearing significantly depends on the degree of cross-linking. The enhancement of Gtearing at low cross-linking degrees may be related to a novel mechanism, the friction-strengthening phenomenon, which was possibly caused by the pull-out of the chains at a high degree of orientation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangliang Zeng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Lushan South Road, Yuelu District, Changsha 410082, China.
| | - Xinnian Xia
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Lushan South Road, Yuelu District, Changsha 410082, China.
| | - JianFeng Fan
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Rong Sun
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Xiaoliang Zeng
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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25
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Kureha T, Takahashi K, Kino M, Kida H, Hirayama T. Controlling the mechanical properties of hydrogels via modulating the side-chain length. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:2878-2882. [PMID: 37060153 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00134b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Even though the toughness of hydrogels is usually adjusted by changing the cross-linking density and structure, or the polymer concentration, we have discovered a new strategy to control the toughness via modulating the side-chain length. In this study, this strategy was applied to biocompatible poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) with long ethylene-oxide side chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuma Kureha
- Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki 036-8561, Japan.
| | - Kazuma Takahashi
- Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki 036-8561, Japan.
| | - Mion Kino
- Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki 036-8561, Japan.
| | - Hikaru Kida
- Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki 036-8561, Japan.
| | - Takuto Hirayama
- Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki 036-8561, Japan.
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26
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Zeng X, Xu L, Xia X, Bai X, Zhong C, Fan J, Ren L, Sun R, Zeng X. The Synergy of Hydrogen Bond and Entanglement of Elastomer Captures Unprecedented Flaw Insensitivity Rate. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2207409. [PMID: 36683211 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202207409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Elastomers are regarded as one of the best candidates for the matrix material of soft electronics, yet they are susceptible to fracture due to the inevitable flaws generated during applications. Introducing microstructures, sacrificial bonds, and sliding cross-linking has been recognized as an effective way to improve the flaw insensitivity rate (Rinsen ). However, these elastomers still prone to failure under tensile loads with the presence of even small flaws. Here, this work reports a polybutadiene elastomer with unprecedented Rinsen via the synergy of hydrogen bond and entanglement. The resulting polybutadiene elastomer exhibits a Rinsen ≈1.075, which is much higher than those of reported elastomers. By molecular chain interaction and molecular chain conformation analysis, this work demonstrates that the synergistic effect of hydrogen bond dissociation and entanglement slip in the polybutadiene elastomers during stretching leads to the high Rinsen . Using polybutadiene elastomer as matrix of thermal interface materials, this work demonstrates effective heat transfer for strain sensor and electronic devices. In addition, cytocompatibility of the elastomers is verified by cell proliferation and live/dead viability assays. The combination of outstanding biocompatible and excellent mechanical properties of the elastomers creates new opportunities for their applications in electronic skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangliang Zeng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Lushan South Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Lu Xu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory, Hematology Institution of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan AVE 1098, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Xinnian Xia
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Lushan South Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Xue Bai
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Cheng Zhong
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jianfeng Fan
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Linlin Ren
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Rong Sun
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xiaoliang Zeng
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
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27
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Kammerer JA, Feist F, Ryklin D, Sarkar A, Barner-Kowollik C, Schröder RR. Direct Visualization of Homogeneous Chemical Distribution in Functional Polyradical Microspheres. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2211074. [PMID: 36639825 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202211074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
It is demonstrated that the postfunctionalization of solid polymeric microspheres can generate fully and throughout functionalized materials, contrary to the expectation that core-shell structures are generated. The full functionalization is illustrated on the example of photochemically generated microspheres, which are subsequently transformed into polyradical systems. Given the all-organic nature of the functionalized microspheres, characterization methods with high analytical sensitivity and spatial resolution are pioneered by directly visualizing the inner chemical distribution of the postfunctionalized microspheres based on characteristic electron energy loss signals in transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Specifically, ultrasonic ultramicrotomy is combined successfully with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI) during TEM. These findings open a key avenue for analyzing all-organic low-contrast soft-matter material structures, while the specifically investigated system concomitantly holds promise as an all-radical solid-state functional material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen A Kammerer
- 3DMM2O, Cluster of Excellence (EXC-2082/1-390761711) and Cryo Electron Microscopy, BioQuant, Heidelberg University and University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Florian Feist
- 3DMM2O, Cluster of Excellence (EXC-2082/1-390761711) and Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Daniel Ryklin
- 3DMM2O, Cluster of Excellence (EXC-2082/1-390761711) and Cryo Electron Microscopy, BioQuant, Heidelberg University and University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Abhishek Sarkar
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- KIT-TUD Joint Research Laboratory Nanomaterials-Technische Universität Darmstadt, Otto-Berndt-Str. 3, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Christopher Barner-Kowollik
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- 3DMM2O, Cluster of Excellence (EXC-2082/1-390761711) and Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Rasmus R Schröder
- 3DMM2O, Cluster of Excellence (EXC-2082/1-390761711) and Cryo Electron Microscopy, BioQuant, Heidelberg University and University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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28
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Polanowski P, Jeszka JK, Matyjaszewski K. Crosslinking and Gelation of Polymer Brushes and Free Polymer Chains in a Confined Space during Controlled Radical Polymerization─A Computer Simulation Study. Macromolecules 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c02342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
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29
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Simulating Stress–Strain Behavior by Using Individual Chains: Uniaxial Deformation of Amorphous Cis- and Trans-1,4-Polybutadiene. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15061441. [PMID: 36987221 PMCID: PMC10058179 DOI: 10.3390/polym15061441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This work develops a probability-based numerical method for quantifying mechanical properties of non-Gaussian chains subject to uniaxial deformation, with the intention of being able to incorporate polymer–polymer and polymer–filler interactions. The numerical method arises from a probabilistic approach for evaluating the elastic free energy change of chain end-to-end vectors under deformation. The elastic free energy change, force, and stress computed by applying the numerical method to uniaxial deformation of an ensemble of Gaussian chains were in excellent agreement with analytical solutions that were obtained with a Gaussian chain model. Next, the method was applied to configurations of cis- and trans-1,4-polybutadiene chains of various molecular weights that were generated under unperturbed conditions over a range of temperatures with a Rotational Isomeric State (RIS) approach in previous work (Polymer 2015, 62, 129–138). Forces and stresses increased with deformation, and further dependences on chain molecular weight and temperature were confirmed. Compression forces normal to the imposed deformation were much larger than tension forces on chains. Smaller molecular weight chains represent the equivalent of a much more tightly cross-linked network, resulting in greater moduli than larger chains. Young’s moduli computed from the coarse-grained numerical model were in good agreement with experimental results.
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30
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Treherne JM, Miller AF. Novel hydrogels: are they poised to transform 3D cell-based assay systems in early drug discovery? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:335-346. [PMID: 36722285 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2175813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Success in drug discovery remains unpredictable. However, more predictive and relevant disease models are becoming pivotal to demonstrating the clinical benefits of new drugs earlier in the lengthy drug discovery process. Novel hydrogel scaffolds are being developed to transform the relevance of such 3D cell-based in vitro assay systems. AREAS COVERED Most traditional hydrogels are still of unknown composition and suffer significant batch-to-batch variations, which lead to technical constraints. This article looks at how a new generation of novel synthetic hydrogels that are based on self-assembling peptides are poised to transform 3D cell-based assay systems by improving their relevance, reproducibility and scalability. EXPERT OPINION The emerging advantages of using these novel hydrogels for human 3D screening assays should enable the discovery of more cost-effective drugs, leading to improved patient benefits. Such a disruptive change could also reduce the considerable time lag from obtaining in vitro assay data to initiating clinical trials. There is now a sufficient body of data available in the literature to enable this ambition to become a reality by significantly improving the predictive validity of 3D cell-based assays in early drug discovery. Novel hydrogels are key to unlocking the full potential of these assay systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Mark Treherne
- Talisman Therapeutics Ltd, Jonas Webb Building and Cell Guidance Sysyems Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Aline F Miller
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
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31
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Watabe T, Otsuka H. Swelling-induced Mechanochromism in Multinetwork Polymers. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202216469. [PMID: 36524463 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202216469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
We report a novel and versatile approach to achieving swelling-induced mechanochemistry using a multinetwork (MN) strategy that enables polymer networks to repeatedly swell with monomers and solvents. The isotropic expansion of the first network (FN) provides sufficient force to drive the mechanochemical scission of a radical-based mechanophore, difluorenylsuccinonitrile (DFSN). Although prompt recombination generally occurs in such highly mobile environments, the resulting pink radicals are kinetically stabilized in the gels, probably due to limited diffusion in the extended polymer chains. Moreover, the DFSN embedded in the isotropically strained chain exhibits increased thermal reactivity, which can be reasonably explained by an entropic contribution of the FN to the dissociation. The utility of the MN polymers is demonstrated not only in terms of swelling-force-induced network modification, but also in the context of tunable reactivity of the dissociative unit through proper design of the hierarchical network architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuma Watabe
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Otsuka
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan.,Living Systems Materialogy (LiSM) Research Group, International Research Frontiers Initiative (IRFI), Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
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32
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Phosphorescent extensophores expose elastic nonuniformity in polymer networks. Nat Commun 2023; 14:537. [PMID: 36725874 PMCID: PMC9892573 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36249-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Networks and gels are soft elastic solids of tremendous technological importance that consist of cross-linked polymers whose structure and connectivity at the molecular level are fundamentally nonuniform. Pre-failure local mechanical responses are not understood at the level of individual crosslinks, despite the enormous attention given to their macroscopic mechanical responses and to developing optical probes to detect their loci of mechanical failure. Here, introducing the extensophore concept to measure nondestructive forces using an optical probe with continuous force readout proportional to deformation, we show that the crosslinks in an elastic polymer network extend, fluctuate, and deform with a wide range of molecular individuality. Requiring little specialized equipment, this foundational single-molecule phosphorescence approach, applied here to polymer science and engineering, can be useful to a broad science and engineering community.
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33
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Patra I, Abdul Rida Musa D, Solanki R, Fakri Mustafa Y, Ziyatovna Yakhshieva Z, Hadi JM, Kazemnejadi M. Introduction of versatile and recyclable network poly (ionic liquid)s as an efficient solvent with desired properties for application in C-C cross-coupling reactions. J IND ENG CHEM 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2023.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
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34
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The Influence of Constraints on Gelation in a Controlling/Living Copolymerization Process. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032701. [PMID: 36769024 PMCID: PMC9916906 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We developed a simple model of the copolymerization process in the formation of crosslinked macromolecular systems. A living copolymerization was carried out for free chains, in bulk and in a slit, as well as for grafted chains in a slit. In addition, polymer 2D brushes were placed in a slit with initiator molecules attached to one of the confining walls. Coarse-grained chains were embedded in the vertices of a face-centered cubic lattice with the excluded volume interactions. The simulations of the copolymerization processes were performed using the Dynamic Lattice Liquid algorithm, a version of the Monte Carlo method. The influence of the initial initiator to cross-linker ratio, slit width and grafting on the polymerization and on the gelation was examined. It was also shown that the influence of a confining slit was rather small, while the grafting of chains affected the location of the gel pint significantly.
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35
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Lloyd EM, Vakil JR, Yao Y, Sottos NR, Craig SL. Covalent Mechanochemistry and Contemporary Polymer Network Chemistry: A Marriage in the Making. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:751-768. [PMID: 36599076 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c09623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, the field of polymer mechanochemistry has amassed a toolbox of mechanophores that translate mechanical energy into a variety of functional responses ranging from color change to small-molecule release. These productive chemical changes typically occur at the length scale of a few covalent bonds (Å) but require large energy inputs and strains on the micro-to-macro scale in order to achieve even low levels of mechanophore activation. The minimal activation hinders the translation of the available chemical responses into materials and device applications. The mechanophore activation challenge inspires core questions at yet another length scale of chemical control, namely: What are the molecular-scale features of a polymeric material that determine the extent of mechanophore activation? Further, how do we marry advances in the chemistry of polymer networks with the chemistry of mechanophores to create stress-responsive materials that are well suited for an intended application? In this Perspective, we speculate as to the potential match between covalent polymer mechanochemistry and recent advances in polymer network chemistry, specifically, topologically controlled networks and the hierarchical material responses enabled by multi-network architectures and mechanically interlocked polymers. Both fundamental and applied opportunities unique to the union of these two fields are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan M Lloyd
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina27708, United States
| | - Jafer R Vakil
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina27708, United States.,NSF Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina27708, United States
| | - Yunxin Yao
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina27708, United States.,NSF Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina27708, United States
| | - Nancy R Sottos
- NSF Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina27708, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois61801, United States
| | - Stephen L Craig
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina27708, United States.,NSF Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina27708, United States
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36
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Wang J, Zhang L, Hu H, Li J, Qi D. In situ nanofibrillar composite fiber: A model system for understanding the structural evolution of crosslinked nanofibrils. J Appl Polym Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/app.53627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jicheng Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Research Center for Green and Low‐carbon Dyeing & Finishing Zhejiang Sci‐Tech University Hangzhou Zhejiang China
| | - Luotao Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Research Center for Green and Low‐carbon Dyeing & Finishing Zhejiang Sci‐Tech University Hangzhou Zhejiang China
| | - Haibin Hu
- Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Research Center for Green and Low‐carbon Dyeing & Finishing Zhejiang Sci‐Tech University Hangzhou Zhejiang China
| | - Jiawei Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Research Center for Green and Low‐carbon Dyeing & Finishing Zhejiang Sci‐Tech University Hangzhou Zhejiang China
| | - Dongming Qi
- Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Research Center for Green and Low‐carbon Dyeing & Finishing Zhejiang Sci‐Tech University Hangzhou Zhejiang China
- Laboratory of Functional Coating Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center of Advanced Textile Technology Shaoxing Zhejiang China
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37
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Xu J, Jiang Y, Gao L. Synthetic strain-stiffening hydrogels towards mechanical adaptability. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:221-243. [PMID: 36507877 DOI: 10.1039/d2tb01743a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Living organisms are made of wet, soft tissues. However, there is only one candidate to simultaneously replicate the mechanical and composition features of load-bearing tissues, that is, strain-stiffening hydrogels. The conventional mechanical match design principle is mostly limited to stiffness matching. However, this strategy cannot sufficiently and necessarily lead to mechanical matching over the whole physiologic deformation period for tissues and damages the tissues over time. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive summary of the reported synthetic strain-stiffening hydrogels and particularly focus on the relationship between their structure and performance. Initially, we present a brief introduction on the significance of strain-stiffening hydrogels in mimicking the mechanics of tissues, and then we discuss the qualitative evaluation of the strain-stiffening behaviors to guide the design of materials towards mimicking soft tissue. After distinguishing the mechanical testing methods, we focus on the methods for the preparation of typical strain-stiffening hydrogels based on categories, such as network without strand entanglement, semiflexible network, and anisotropic networks. Subsequently, we discuss the structural evolution of strain-stiffening hydrogels. We hope that this review will serve as an updated introduction and reference for researchers who are interested in exploring strain-stiffening hydrogels as tissue-mimics for addressing the societal needs at various frontiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Xu
- School of Light Industry and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Yin Jiang
- School of Light Industry and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Liang Gao
- School of Light Industry and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China. .,Jieyang Branch of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Rongjiang Laboratory), Jieyang 515200, China
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38
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Cohen E, Avram L, Poverenov E. Formation of Robust and Adaptive Biopolymers via Non-Covalent Supramolecular Interactions. Macromol Rapid Commun 2023; 44:e2200579. [PMID: 36153845 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Biomass-originated materials are the future's next-tier polymers. This work suggests improving mechanical and barrier properties of nature-sourced polymers using non-covalent supramolecular interactions. Polysaccharide chitosan is modified with amino acids via an esterification pathway using a systematic variation of hydrogen bond and aromatic domains (Degrees of substitution 12-49%). These controlled modifications improve stability due to non-covalent interactions, resulting in biopolymers with tailored thermal (decomposition temperature 232-275 °C), mechanical (Young's modulus 540-2667 MPa), and surface properties (roughness 4-40 nm). Chitosan and natural amino acids that are already manufactured at scale are purposely selected. The facile synthesis, controlled properties, stimuli-responsive potential, and inexhaustible origin of the raw materials provide the presented findings with the potential to become the method for the formation of high-performance biodegradable alternatives to petroleum-based polymers that can be used in packaging, food, agriculture, and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erez Cohen
- Agro-Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Center, Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences, Agriculture Research Organization, The Volcani Center, 68 HaMacabim Road, Rishon LeZion, 7505101, Israel.,Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 229 Herzl Street, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Liat Avram
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, 234 Herzl Street, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Elena Poverenov
- Agro-Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Center, Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences, Agriculture Research Organization, The Volcani Center, 68 HaMacabim Road, Rishon LeZion, 7505101, Israel
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39
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Zhang V, Kang B, Accardo JV, Kalow JA. Structure-Reactivity-Property Relationships in Covalent Adaptable Networks. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:22358-22377. [PMID: 36445040 PMCID: PMC9812368 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c08104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Polymer networks built out of dynamic covalent bonds offer the potential to translate the control and tunability of chemical reactions to macroscopic physical properties. Under conditions at which these reactions occur, the topology of covalent adaptable networks (CANs) can rearrange, meaning that they can flow, self-heal, be remolded, and respond to stimuli. Materials with these properties are necessary to fields ranging from sustainability to tissue engineering; thus the conditions and time scale of network rearrangement must be compatible with the intended use. The mechanical properties of CANs are based on the thermodynamics and kinetics of their constituent bonds. Therefore, strategies are needed that connect the molecular and macroscopic worlds. In this Perspective, we analyze structure-reactivity-property relationships for several classes of CANs, illustrating both general design principles and the predictive potential of linear free energy relationships (LFERs) applied to CANs. We discuss opportunities in the field to develop quantitative structure-reactivity-property relationships and open challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois60208, United States
| | - Boyeong Kang
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois60208, United States
| | - Joseph V Accardo
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois60208, United States
| | - Julia A Kalow
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois60208, United States
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40
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Farasati Far B, Naimi-Jamal MR, Safaei M, Zarei K, Moradi M, Yazdani Nezhad H. A Review on Biomedical Application of Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogels with a Focus on Drug Delivery Systems. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14245432. [PMID: 36559799 PMCID: PMC9784417 DOI: 10.3390/polym14245432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last years of research on drug delivery systems (DDSs), natural polymer-based hydrogels have shown many scientific advances due to their intrinsic properties and a wide variety of potential applications. While drug efficacy and cytotoxicity play a key role, adopting a proper DDS is crucial to preserve the drug along the route of administration and possess desired therapeutic effect at the targeted site. Thus, drug delivery technology can be used to overcome the difficulties of maintaining drugs at a physiologically related serum concentration for prolonged periods. Due to their outstanding biocompatibility, polysaccharides have been thoroughly researched as a biological material for DDS advancement. To formulate a modified DDS, polysaccharides can cross-link with different molecules, resulting in hydrogels. According to our recent findings, targeted drug delivery at a certain spot occurs due to external stimulation such as temperature, pH, glucose, or light. As an adjustable biomedical device, the hydrogel has tremendous potential for nanotech applications in involved health areas such as pharmaceutical and biomedical engineering. An overview of hydrogel characteristics and functionalities is provided in this review. We focus on discussing the various kinds of hydrogel-based systems on their potential for effectively delivering drugs that are made of polysaccharides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahareh Farasati Far
- Research Laboratory of Green Organic Synthesis and Polymers, Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran 1684613114, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Naimi-Jamal
- Research Laboratory of Green Organic Synthesis and Polymers, Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran 1684613114, Iran
- Correspondence: (M.R.N.-J.); (H.Y.N.); Tel.: +98-21-7724-0289 (M.R.N.-J); +44-(0)20-7040-5060 (H.Y.N.)
| | - Maryam Safaei
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta 99628, Turkey
| | - Kimia Zarei
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 1916893813, Iran
| | - Marzieh Moradi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717443, Iran
| | - Hamed Yazdani Nezhad
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics, City University of London, London EC1V 0HB, UK
- Correspondence: (M.R.N.-J.); (H.Y.N.); Tel.: +98-21-7724-0289 (M.R.N.-J); +44-(0)20-7040-5060 (H.Y.N.)
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41
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Van Lijsebetten F, De Bruycker K, Van Ruymbeke E, Winne JM, Du Prez FE. Characterising different molecular landscapes in dynamic covalent networks. Chem Sci 2022; 13:12865-12875. [PMID: 36519055 PMCID: PMC9645389 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc05528g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Dynamic covalent networks present a unique opportunity to exert molecular-level control on macroscopic material properties, by linking their thermal behaviour to the thermodynamics and kinetics of the underlying chemistry. Yet, existing methods do not allow for the extraction and analysis of the influence of local differences in chemical reactivity caused by available reactants, catalysts, or additives. In this context, we present a rheological paradigm that allows us to correlate the composition of a reactive polymer segment to a faster or slower rate of network rearrangement. We discovered that a generalised Maxwell model could separate and quantify the dynamic behaviour of each type of reactive segment individually, which was crucial to fully comprehend the mechanics of the final material. More specifically, Eyring and Van 't Hoff analysis were used to relate possible bond catalysis and dissociation to structural changes by combining statistical modelling with rheology measurements. As a result, precise viscosity changes could be measured, allowing for accurate comparison of various dynamic covalent network materials, including vitrimers and dissociative networks. The herein reported method therefore facilitated the successful analysis of virtually any type of rate-enhancing effect and will allow for the design of functional and fast (re)processable materials, as well as improve our ability to predict and engineer their properties for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Van Lijsebetten
- Polymer Chemistry Research Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC) and Laboratory of Organic Synthesis, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281-S4 Ghent 9000 Belgium
| | - Kevin De Bruycker
- Polymer Chemistry Research Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC) and Laboratory of Organic Synthesis, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281-S4 Ghent 9000 Belgium
| | - Evelyne Van Ruymbeke
- Bio and Soft Matter, Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences, Université Catholique de Louvain Croix du Sud 1 Louvain-la-Neuve 1348 Belgium
| | - Johan M Winne
- Polymer Chemistry Research Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC) and Laboratory of Organic Synthesis, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281-S4 Ghent 9000 Belgium
| | - Filip E Du Prez
- Polymer Chemistry Research Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC) and Laboratory of Organic Synthesis, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281-S4 Ghent 9000 Belgium
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42
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Grignon E, An SY, Battaglia AM, Seferos DS. Catechol Homopolymers and Networks through Postpolymerization Modification. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eloi Grignon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Lash Miller Chemical Laboratories, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - So Young An
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Lash Miller Chemical Laboratories, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Alicia M. Battaglia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Lash Miller Chemical Laboratories, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Dwight S. Seferos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Lash Miller Chemical Laboratories, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada
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43
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Munteanu IG, Grădinaru VR, Apetrei C. Sensitive Detection of Rosmarinic Acid Using Peptide-Modified Graphene Oxide Screen-Printed Carbon Electrode. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:nano12193292. [PMID: 36234420 PMCID: PMC9565883 DOI: 10.3390/nano12193292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Peptides have been used as components in biological analysis and fabrication of novel sensors due to several reasons, including well-known synthesis protocols, diverse structures, and acting as highly selective substrates for enzymes. Bio-conjugation strategies can provide a simple and efficient way to convert peptide-analyte interaction information into a measurable signal, which can be further used for the manufacture of new peptide-based biosensors. This paper describes the sensitive properties of a peptide-modified graphene oxide screen-printed carbon electrode for accurate and sensitive detection of a natural polyphenol antioxidant compound, namely rosmarinic acid. Glutaraldehyde was chosen as the cross-linking agent because it is able to bind nonspecifically to the peptide. We demonstrated that the strong interaction between the immobilized peptide on the surface of the sensor and rosmarinic acid favors the addition of rosmarinic acid on the surface of the electrode, leading to an efficient preconcentration that determines a high sensitivity of the sensor for the detection of rosmarinic acid. The experimental conditions were optimized using different pH values and different amounts of peptide to modify the sensor surface, so that its analytical performances were optimal for rosmarinic acid detection. By using cyclic voltammetry (CV) as a detection method, a very low detection limit (0.0966 μM) and a vast linearity domain, ranging from 0.1 µM to 3.20 µM, were obtained. The novelty of this work is the development of a novel peptide-based sensor with improved performance characteristics for the quantification of rosmarinic acid in cosmetic products of complex composition. The FTIR method was used to validate the voltammetric method results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Georgiana Munteanu
- Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galaţi, 47 Domneasca Street, 800008 Galaţi, Romania
| | | | - Constantin Apetrei
- Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galaţi, 47 Domneasca Street, 800008 Galaţi, Romania
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-727-580-914
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44
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Yao H, Song Y, Huang W, Jiang L, Jiang Q, Xue X, Jiang B, Yang H. Preparing Degradable Polymers with Promising Mechanical Properties by Hydrogen Transfer Polymerization. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hongxin Yao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Centre of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China 213164
| | - Yiye Song
- Changzhou University Huaide College, Jingjiang, Jiangsu, P. R. China 214500
| | - Wenyan Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Centre of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China 213164
| | - Li Jiang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Centre of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China 213164
| | - Qimin Jiang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Centre of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China 213164
| | - Xiaoqiang Xue
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Centre of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China 213164
| | - Bibiao Jiang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Centre of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China 213164
| | - Hongjun Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Centre of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China 213164
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45
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Michael C, Apostolides DE, Patrickios CS, Sakai T. Dually-dynamic covalent tetraPEG hydrogels end-linked with boronate ester and acylhydrazone groups. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:5966-5978. [PMID: 35916607 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00594h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Well-defined dually dynamic hydrogels were prepared by end-linking four-armed poly(ethylene glycol) stars (tetraPEG stars) through two different types of dynamic covalent cross-links, boronates and acylhydrazones, leading to robust, self-healable materials. This required the prior end-functionalization of tetraPEG stars, originally bearing four hydroxyl terminal groups, with glucoronate, acylhydrazide and benzaldehyde groups, resulting in three differently end-functional star polymers. A first type of dually dynamic hydrogel resulted from the combination of the first two differently end-functionalized tetraPEG stars, cross-linked by 4-formylphenyl boronic acid, a small molecule bearing both an aldehyde and a boronic acid group, respectively complementary to the acylhydrazide and glucoronate end-groups of the two above-mentioned tetraPEG stars. For comparison, a singly-dynamic hydrogel cross-linked with only acylhydrazone groups was also prepared, as well as a double-like hydrogel combining the constituents of both of the above-mentioned hydrogels. All three types of hydrogels were prepared at three different pH values, 8.5, 10.5 and 12.5, leading to a total number of nine samples. All nine samples were investigated for their self-healing, mechanical, viscoelastic and aqueous swelling/degradation properties. This study sets the basis for the development of well-defined polymeric dynamic covalent hydrogels where their self-healing and stability can be readily tuned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalambos Michael
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, 1 University Avenue, Aglanjia, 2109 Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Demetris E Apostolides
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, 1 University Avenue, Aglanjia, 2109 Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Costas S Patrickios
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, 1 University Avenue, Aglanjia, 2109 Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Takamasa Sakai
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
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46
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47
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Hughes MD, Cussons S, Mahmoudi N, Brockwell DJ, Dougan L. Tuning Protein Hydrogel Mechanics through Modulation of Nanoscale Unfolding and Entanglement in Postgelation Relaxation. ACS NANO 2022; 16:10667-10678. [PMID: 35731007 PMCID: PMC9331141 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c02369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Globular folded proteins are versatile nanoscale building blocks to create biomaterials with mechanical robustness and inherent biological functionality due to their specific and well-defined folded structures. Modulating the nanoscale unfolding of protein building blocks during network formation (in situ protein unfolding) provides potent opportunities to control the protein network structure and mechanics. Here, we control protein unfolding during the formation of hydrogels constructed from chemically cross-linked maltose binding protein using ligand binding and the addition of cosolutes to modulate protein kinetic and thermodynamic stability. Bulk shear rheology characterizes the storage moduli of the bound and unbound protein hydrogels and reveals a correlation between network rigidity, characterized as an increase in the storage modulus, and protein thermodynamic stability. Furthermore, analysis of the network relaxation behavior identifies a crossover from an unfolding dominated regime to an entanglement dominated regime. Control of in situ protein unfolding and entanglement provides an important route to finely tune the architecture, mechanics, and dynamic relaxation of protein hydrogels. Such predictive control will be advantageous for future smart biomaterials for applications which require responsive and dynamic modulation of mechanical properties and biological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt D.
G. Hughes
- School of
Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Sophie Cussons
- Astbury Centre
for Structural Molecular Biology, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
- School of
Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Najet Mahmoudi
- ISIS
Neutron
and Muon Spallation Source, STFC Rutherford
Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, U.K.
| | - David J. Brockwell
- Astbury Centre
for Structural Molecular Biology, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
- School of
Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Lorna Dougan
- School of
Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
- Astbury Centre
for Structural Molecular Biology, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
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48
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Elliss H, Dawson F, Nisa QU, Bingham NM, Roth PJ, Kopeć M. Fully Degradable Polyacrylate Networks from Conventional Radical Polymerization Enabled by Thionolactone Addition. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Harry Elliss
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
| | - Frances Dawson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
| | - Qamar un Nisa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Surrey, Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, U.K
| | | | - Peter J. Roth
- Department of Chemistry, University of Surrey, Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, U.K
| | - Maciej Kopeć
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
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49
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Munteanu IG, Apetrei C. Assessment of the Antioxidant Activity of Catechin in Nutraceuticals: Comparison between a Newly Developed Electrochemical Method and Spectrophotometric Methods. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158110. [PMID: 35897695 PMCID: PMC9329966 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The analysis of antioxidants in different foodstuffs has become an active area of research, which has led to many recently developed antioxidant assays. Many antioxidants exhibit inherent electroactivity, and, therefore, the use of electrochemical methods could be a viable approach for evaluating the overall antioxidant activity of a matrix of nutraceuticals without the need for adding reactive species. Green tea is believed to be a healthy beverage due to a number of therapeutic benefits. Catechin, one of its constituents, is an important antioxidant and possesses free radical scavenging abilities. The present paper describes the electrochemical properties of three screen-printed electrodes (SPEs), the first one based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the second one based on gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and the third one based on carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles (CNTs-GNPs). All three electrodes were modified with the laccase (Lac) enzyme, using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linking agent between the amino groups on the laccase and aldehyde groups of the reticulation agent. As this enzyme is a thermostable catalyst, the performance of the biosensors has been greatly improved. Electro-oxidative properties of catechin were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and these demonstrated that the association of CNTs with GNPs significantly improved the sensitivity and selectivity of the biosensor. The corresponding limit of detection (LOD) was estimated to be 5.6 × 10−8 M catechin at the CNT-Lac/SPE, 1.3 × 10−7 M at the GNP-Lac/SPE and 4.9 × 10−8 M at the CNT-GNP-Lac/SPE. The biosensors were subjected to nutraceutical formulations containing green tea in order to study their catechin content, using CNT-GNP-Lac/SPE, through DPV. Using a paired t-test, the catechin content estimated was in agreement with the manufacturer’s specification. In addition, the relationship between the CNT-GNP-Lac/SPE response at a specific potential and the antioxidant activity of nutraceuticals, as determined by conventional spectrophotometric methods (DPPH, galvinoxyl and ABTS), is discussed in the context of developing a fast biosensor for the relative antioxidant activity quantification.
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50
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Hiei Y, Ohshima I, Hara M, Seki T, Hoshino T, Takeoka Y. Shrinking rates of polymer gels composed of star-shaped polymers of N-isopropylacrylamide and dimethylacrylamide copolymers: the effect of dimethylacrylamide on the crosslinking network. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:5204-5217. [PMID: 35766519 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00402j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Thermoresponsive polymer gels can be applied as culture beds for cell sheets, drug release agents for drug delivery, and sensing materials. In general, the shrinkage behavior of thermoresponsive polymer gels is complex, and they may require much longer times than swelling to reach thermodynamically stable shrinkage states. This slow volume change during shrinkage is often a drawback in using reversible changes in polymer gel volumes with changing temperature for applications such as those described above, and attempts have been made to improve the shrinkage rates of polymer gels. However, using the conventional method results in a low density of the three-dimensional crosslinked network comprising the polymer gel, which weakens the mechanical properties of the polymer gel. In this study, we investigated the effects of monomer arrangement and composition for star-shaped polymers composed of N-isopropylacrylamide and N,N-dimethylacrylamide on the shrinkage behavior of gels comprising star-shaped polymers with the aim of increasing their shrinkage rates without reducing the network densities of the temperature-responsive polymer gels. Based on selective network decomposition by methanolysis and SAXS measurements, the network structures of the obtained spherical gels were found to be more homogeneous than those of polymer gels obtained by conventional free radical polymerization. These gels exhibited reversible volume changes in water, with low-temperature swelling and high-temperature shrinkage. The rates of volume changes from a high temperature shrunken state to a low temperature swollen one were almost the same for all gels. However, the rates of volume changes from low-temperature swollen states to high-temperature shrunken states varied greatly depending on the compositions and sequences of monomers that made up the polymer networks. We confirmed that the introduction of more than 20% DMA as a block copolymer in the network suppressed phase separation and formation of a skin layer and the water inside the polymer gel drained smoothly to the outside, which resulted in an increase in the shrinkage speed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Hiei
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.
| | - Ikuya Ohshima
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.
| | - Mitsuo Hara
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.
| | | | - Yukikazu Takeoka
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.
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