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Li C, Zhang G, Wang Y, Lin L, Ken Ostrikov K. Rational synthesis of methylsilsesquioxane aerogels addressing thermal load and compression recovery issues in Li-ion batteries. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 669:157-174. [PMID: 38713955 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.007] [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: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Li-ion batteries suffer from two key safety issues: thermal overload and compression recovery, which may lead to flammability and mechanical failure. Silica aerogels are promising solutions to both these issues owing to their excellent thermal stability and tailored mechanical properties. However, finding the optimum sol composition in sol-gel-based aerogel synthesis is needed to address these issues at industry-relevant scales. Here, we propose an innovative approach to determine the optimum sol composition for methylsilsesquioxane (MSQ) aerogel sheets, which is based on the mechanisms of the effects of molar ratios of hydrolysis water and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) on the physical properties of MSQ aerogel sheets and according to the ternary contour distribution of their properties. The synthesized MSQ aerogels exhibited a soft, light, and powderless texture and featured superhydrophobic properties (150.2°), low thermal conductivity of 33.6 mW/(m·K), high thermal stability temperature in nitrogen atmosphere at 479.3 °C and moderate short-term (<6 h) service temperature of 120.0 °C. Significantly, the structural stability and elasticity of the aerogels surpassed the current state-of-the-art, showing recovery to 81.3 % of the original thickness and 85.2 % of the original stress after being subjected to 400 cycles of high-speed and high-strain consecutive compression, respectively. These excellent properties make the MSQ aerogel sheets promising for applications in thermal load and compression recovery management of diverse energy storage devices, including batteries for next-generation electric vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengdong Li
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; International Joint Research Center for Photoresponsive Molecules and Materials, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
| | - Guihua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; International Joint Research Center for Photoresponsive Molecules and Materials, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Yuxiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; International Joint Research Center for Photoresponsive Molecules and Materials, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Liangliang Lin
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; International Joint Research Center for Photoresponsive Molecules and Materials, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Kostya Ken Ostrikov
- School of Chemistry and Physics and QUT Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
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Zemke F, Scoppola E, Simon U, Bekheet MF, Wagermaier W, Gurlo A. Springback effect of ambient-pressure-dried silica aerogels: nanoscopic effects of silylation revealed by in situ synchrotron X-ray scattering. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 6:111-125. [PMID: 38125596 PMCID: PMC10729877 DOI: 10.1039/d3na00584d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Ambient pressure drying (APD) allows for synthesizing aerogels without expensive and sophisticated equipment for achieving supercritical conditions. Since APD does not eliminate the capillary stress that is induced by the liquid/vapour phase boundary, the shrinkage during drying needs to be prevented or reversed. The re-expansion of the silylated silica gels during drying is commonly referred to as the springback effect (SBE). The SBE is not only important for producing aerogels via APD, but is also a fascinating phenomenon, since it is accompanied by a significant volume change unusual for rigid ceramics. Synchrotron X-ray scattering has proven to be especially effective for the investigation of the volume change of these fractal silica structures on different length scales. In this work, we follow the drying, shrinkage, and (partial) re-expansion of various monolithic samples in situ to explore the occurrence of the SBE. For this purpose, various silylation agents, i.e., hexamethyldisilazane, trimethylchlorosilane, and triethylchlorosilane were used to investigate different shrinkage and re-expansion behavior. A scattering model was used to extract additional information of the evolving primary particle size, correlation length, fractal dimension, and other intensity contributions of the silica network and the hexane. While the primary particles pointed towards a relaxation at near molecular size, they were likely not involved in the SBE. However, structures near the size of the correlation length could be essential for the occurrence of this phenomenon. These findings may lead to the origin of this interesting phenomenon, as well as a better understanding of the production of APD aerogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Zemke
- Technische Universität Berlin, Faculty III Process Sciences, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Chair of Advanced Ceramic Materials Straße des 17. Juni 135 10623 Berlin Germany https://www.tu.berlin/ceramics +49 30 314 22653
| | - Ernesto Scoppola
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces Am Mühlenberg 1 14476 Potsdam Germany https://www.mpikg.mpg.de/biomaterials +49 331 567 9259
| | - Ulla Simon
- Technische Universität Berlin, Faculty III Process Sciences, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Chair of Advanced Ceramic Materials Straße des 17. Juni 135 10623 Berlin Germany https://www.tu.berlin/ceramics +49 30 314 22653
| | - Maged F Bekheet
- Technische Universität Berlin, Faculty III Process Sciences, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Chair of Advanced Ceramic Materials Straße des 17. Juni 135 10623 Berlin Germany https://www.tu.berlin/ceramics +49 30 314 22653
| | - Wolfgang Wagermaier
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces Am Mühlenberg 1 14476 Potsdam Germany https://www.mpikg.mpg.de/biomaterials +49 331 567 9259
| | - Aleksander Gurlo
- Technische Universität Berlin, Faculty III Process Sciences, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Chair of Advanced Ceramic Materials Straße des 17. Juni 135 10623 Berlin Germany https://www.tu.berlin/ceramics +49 30 314 22653
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Javan Nikkhah S, Vandichel M. Modeling Polyzwitterion-Based Drug Delivery Platforms: A Perspective of the Current State-of-the-Art and Beyond. ACS ENGINEERING AU 2022; 2:274-294. [PMID: 35996394 PMCID: PMC9389590 DOI: 10.1021/acsengineeringau.2c00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Drug delivery platforms are anticipated to have biocompatible and bioinert surfaces. PEGylation of drug carriers is the most approved method since it improves water solubility and colloid stability and decreases the drug vehicles' interactions with blood components. Although this approach extends their biocompatibility, biorecognition mechanisms prevent them from biodistribution and thus efficient drug transfer. Recent studies have shown (poly)zwitterions to be alternatives for PEG with superior biocompatibility. (Poly)zwitterions are super hydrophilic, mainly stimuli-responsive, easy to functionalize and they display an extremely low protein adsorption and long biodistribution time. These unique characteristics make them already promising candidates as drug delivery carriers. Furthermore, since they have highly dense charged groups with opposite signs, (poly)zwitterions are intensely hydrated under physiological conditions. This exceptional hydration potential makes them ideal for the design of therapeutic vehicles with antifouling capability, i.e., preventing undesired sorption of biologics from the human body in the drug delivery vehicle. Therefore, (poly)zwitterionic materials have been broadly applied in stimuli-responsive "intelligent" drug delivery systems as well as tumor-targeting carriers because of their excellent biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, insignificant immunogenicity, high stability, and long circulation time. To tailor (poly)zwitterionic drug vehicles, an interpretation of the structural and stimuli-responsive behavior of this type of polymer is essential. To this end, a direct study of molecular-level interactions, orientations, configurations, and physicochemical properties of (poly)zwitterions is required, which can be achieved via molecular modeling, which has become an influential tool for discovering new materials and understanding diverse material phenomena. As the essential bridge between science and engineering, molecular simulations enable the fundamental understanding of the encapsulation and release behavior of intelligent drug-loaded (poly)zwitterion nanoparticles and can help us to systematically design their next generations. When combined with experiments, modeling can make quantitative predictions. This perspective article aims to illustrate key recent developments in (poly)zwitterion-based drug delivery systems. We summarize how to use predictive multiscale molecular modeling techniques to successfully boost the development of intelligent multifunctional (poly)zwitterions-based systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sousa Javan Nikkhah
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Republic of Ireland
| | - Matthias Vandichel
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Republic of Ireland
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Yang M, Sheng Q, Zhang H, Tang G. Water molecular bridge undermines thermal insulation of Nano-porous silica aerogels. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.118176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Xia H, Fan X, Zhang J, He H, Guo Q. Theoretical Studies on the Oligomerization of Silicate Species in Basic Solution. J Phys Chem A 2021; 125:8827-8835. [PMID: 34587739 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.1c06203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The possible reaction pathways of silicate species to linear- and ring-structure oligomers up to silicate hexamers in the basic medium have been studied using the density functional theory. The calculations were performed at the ωB97XD/6-31+G(d,p) level, and the integral equation formalism polarizable continuum model was employed to simulate the solvent effects, and it was found that they are appropriate in exploring the reaction mechanism of silicate species condensation. There are two steps in the anionic silicate condensation reactions: the SiO-Si bond formation step and the dehydration step. Moreover, the latter is the rate-limiting step for most of the reaction pathways except for the cyclization reaction of the linear pentamer to the 5-ring. The short linear oligomers would be likely formed from the reaction between monomers and oligomers, while the longer ones are easily formed through the reactions between short oligomers. The 4-ring and branched 5-ring oligomers are found to be formed very favorable both in kinetic and thermodynamic and could have great influences on the initial stage of zeolite synthesis. The intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bond effect of silicate species is an important factor affecting the reaction mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- HongQiang Xia
- State Key Laboratory of High-efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, P. R. China
| | - Xiyu Fan
- State Key Laboratory of High-efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, P. R. China
| | - Jianli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of High-efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, P. R. China
| | - Haiming He
- State Key Laboratory of High-efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, P. R. China
| | - Qingjie Guo
- State Key Laboratory of High-efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, P. R. China
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Cellular Automata Modeling of Silica Aerogel Condensation Kinetics. Gels 2021; 7:gels7020050. [PMID: 33919198 PMCID: PMC8167578 DOI: 10.3390/gels7020050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The formation of silica aerogels and the kinetics of condensation were investigated numerically. The influence of the reaction-limited to the diffusion-limited aggregation (RLA to DLA) transition on the reaction kinetics curves and the evolution of the aggregate size distribution during condensation were examined. The 2D cellular automaton was developed and applied to reflect the process of secondary particle aggregation. Several tendencies were observed due to the adjustment of the model parameters: the probability of condensation reaction and the particles' concentration. The final wet-gel structures' visualizations proves that the structure becomes more dense and compact due to entering the RLA regime. The simulation time (associated with the gelation time) decreased along with the increase in both model parameters. The lower the collision probability, the slower reaction becomes, and particles are more likely to penetrate the structure deeper until they finally join the aggregate. The developed model reflects the condensation process's nature and its mechanisms properly and indicates a significant potential for further aerogel synthesis investigations and for the prediction of wet-gel properties according to condensation parameters.
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Javan Nikkhah S, Thompson D. Molecular Modelling Guided Modulation of Molecular Shape and Charge for Design of Smart Self-Assembled Polymeric Drug Transporters. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:141. [PMID: 33499130 PMCID: PMC7912381 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13020141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanomedicine employs molecular materials for prevention and treatment of disease. Recently, smart nanoparticle (NP)-based drug delivery systems were developed for the advanced transport of drug molecules. Rationally engineered organic and inorganic NP platforms hold the promise of improving drug targeting, solubility, prolonged circulation, and tissue penetration. However, despite great progress in the synthesis of NP building blocks, more interdisciplinary research is needed to understand their self-assembly and optimize their performance as smart nanocarriers. Multi-scale modeling and simulations provide a valuable ally to experiment by mapping the potential energy landscape of self-assembly, translocation, and delivery of smart drug-loaded NPs. Here, we highlight key recent advances to illustrate the concepts, methods, and applications of smart polymer-based NP drug delivery. We summarize the key design principles emerging for advanced multifunctional polymer topologies, illustrating how the unusual architecture and chemistry of dendritic polymers, self-assembling polyelectrolytes and cyclic polymers can provide exceptional drug delivery platforms. We provide a roadmap outlining the opportunities and challenges for the effective use of predictive multiscale molecular modeling techniques to accelerate the development of smart polymer-based drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sousa Javan Nikkhah
- Department of Physics, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland;
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Montecarlo Simulation and HAXPES Analysis of Organosilane Segregation in Titania Xerogel Films; Towards a Generic Surface Chemofunctionalization Process. SURFACES 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/surfaces3030026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The formation of xerogels implies a sequence of hydrolysis and condensation reactions, which are intricate to analyze in heteromolecular sols. We analyze by probabilistic Montecarlo methods the development of hybrid organosilane–titania xerogels and illustrate how partial charges of the reacting molecules can help estimating relative probabilities for the condensation of the molecules. Since the condensation rate of Ti alkoxides is much higher than the corresponding rate of Si alkoxides (especially if bearing a non-hydrolizable group), by imposing a fast condensation process in agreement with low pH kinetics, the process leads to a surface segregation of the organosilane. The simulation results are compared with results of characterization of thin condensates of two different organosilanes within a titanium–isopropoxide matrix. Non-destructive in-depth profiles were obtained by hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which can resolve through estimation of Si and specific moieties of the organosilane molecules the progress of the condensation. These results are relevant for the generalization of chemo-functionalization processes by kinetic demixing of organosilanes, which have myriad applications in biomedicine and biotechnology.
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