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Wang L, Meng Y, Wang X. Sustainable Supramolecular Polymers. Chempluschem 2024; 89:e202300694. [PMID: 38355904 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202300694] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Polymer waste is a pressing issue that requires innovative solutions from the scientific community. As a beacon of hope in addressing this challenge, the concept of sustainable supramolecular polymers (SSPs) emerges. This article discusses challenges and efforts in fabricating SSPs. Addressing the trade-offs between mechanical performance and sustainability, the ultra-tough and multi-recyclable supramolecular polymers are fabricated via tailoring mismatched supramolecular interactions. Additionally, the healing of kinetically inert polymer materials is realized through transient regulation of the interfacial reactivity. Furthermore, a possible development trajectory for SSPs is proposed, and the transient materials can be regarded as the next generation in this field. The evolution of SSPs promises to be a pivotal stride towards a regenerative economy, sparking further exploration and innovation in the realm of sustainable materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luping Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Yuwen Meng
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Xu Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
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2
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Katke C, Korevaar PA, Kaplan CN. Diffusiophoretic Fast Swelling of Chemically Responsive Hydrogels. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2024; 132:208201. [PMID: 38829102 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.208201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Acid-induced release of stored ions from polyacrylic acid hydrogels (with a free surface fully permeable to the ion and acid) was observed to increase the gel osmotic pressure that leads to rapid swelling faster than the characteristic solvent absorption rate of the gel. The subsequent equilibration of the diffusing ion concentration across the gel surface diminishes the osmotic pressure. Then, the swollen gel contracts, thereby completing one actuation cycle. We develop a continuum poroelastic theory that explains the experiments by introducing a "gel diffusiophoresis" mechanism: Steric repulsion between the gel polymers and released ions can induce a diffusio-osmotic solvent intake counteracted by the diffusiophoretic expansion of the gel network that ceases when the ion gradient vanishes. For applications ranging from drug delivery to soft robotics, engineering the gel diffusiophoresis may enable stimuli-responsive hydrogels with amplified strain rates and power output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinmay Katke
- Department of Physics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
- Center for Soft Matter and Biological Physics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Peter A Korevaar
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - C Nadir Kaplan
- Department of Physics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
- Center for Soft Matter and Biological Physics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
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3
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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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4
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van den Akker WP, van Benthem RATM, Voets IK, van Hest JCM. Dampened Transient Actuation of Hydrogels Autonomously Controlled by pH-Responsive Bicontinuous Nanospheres. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:19642-19650. [PMID: 38569110 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c02643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
The fabrication of a soft actuator with a dampened actuation response is presented. This was achieved via the incorporation into an actuating hydrogel of urease-loaded pH-responsive bicontinuous nanospheres (BCNs), whose membrane was able to regulate the permeability and thus conversion of fuel urea into ammonia. The dampened response of these nanoreactors to the enzymatically induced pH change was translated to a pH-responsive soft actuator. In hydrogels composed of a pH-responsive and nonresponsive layer, the transient pH gradient yielded an asymmetric swelling behavior, which induced a bending response. The transient actuation profile could be controlled by varying the external fuel concentrations. Furthermore, we showed that the spatial organization of the BCNs within the actuator had a great influence on the actuation response. Embedding the urease-loaded nanoreactors within the active, pH-responsive layer resulted in a reduced response due to local substrate conversion in comparison to embedding them within the passive layer of the bilayer hydrogel. Finally, we were able to induce transient actuation in a hydrogel comprising two identical active layers by the immobilization of the BCNs within one specific layer. Upon addition of urea, a local pH gradient was generated, which caused accelerated swelling in the BCN layer and transient bending of the device before the pH gradient was attenuated over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter P van den Akker
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Bio-Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Helix, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Self-Organizing Soft Matter, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Rolf A T M van Benthem
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Shell Energy Transition Center Amsterdam, Grasweg 31, 1031 HW Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ilja K Voets
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Self-Organizing Soft Matter, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Jan C M van Hest
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Bio-Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Helix, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Nan M, Guo K, Jia T, Wang G, Liu S. Novel Acid-Driven Bioinspired Self-Resettable Bilayer Hydrogel Actuator Mimicking Natural Muscles. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:9224-9230. [PMID: 38335011 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c16500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Soft robots have great potential applications in manufacturing, disaster rescue, medical treatment, etc. Artificial muscle is one of the most important components of a soft robot. In previous years, hydrogel actuators that can be controllably deformed by the stimuli of external signals have been developed as good candidates for muscle-like materials. In this article, we successfully prepared a chemical fuel-driven self-resettable bilayer hydrogel actuator mimicking natural muscles with the aid of a new negative feedback reaction network. The actuator can temporarily deform upon the addition of H+ (chemical fuel). Subsequently, H+ accelerated the reaction between BrO3- and Fe(CN)64-, which consume H+. It resulted in the spontaneous recovery of the pH as well as the shape of the actuator. Such an actuator exhibits a great similarity with natural muscles in actuation mechanisms and automaticity in the manipulation compared to the widely reported stimuli-responsive hydrogel actuators. This illustrates that fuel-driven self-resettable hydrogel is a promising dynamic material for mimicking the functions of living creatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Nan
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150040 People's Republic of China
| | - Kangle Guo
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150040 People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Jia
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150040 People's Republic of China
| | - Guangtong Wang
- School of Medicine and Health, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150080, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaoqin Liu
- School of Medicine and Health, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150080, People's Republic of China
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Puza F, Thiel MC, Wagner Y, Marx M, Motz C, Lienkamp K. Polymer Hydrogel Sheets with Perpendicular Cross-Linking Gradient: Non-Monotonic Actuation and Ion-Specific Effects on the Actuation Kinetics. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024; 45:e2300539. [PMID: 37985952 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202300539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Non-monotonous actuation, that is, different kinds of motion in response to a single stimulus, is observed in some natural materials but difficult to implement in synthetic systems. Herein, polymer hydrogel sheets made from polyacrylamide (PAAm) or poly(dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAA) with a cross-linking gradient along the sheet thickness are reported. These are obtained by thermally initiated free radical polymerization using a specially designed Teflon mold with a glass lid. The resulting PAAm hydrogels undergo non-monotonous actuation (rolling into a tube and re-opening) when exposed to aqueous media as a single external stimulus. Their actuation kinetics is tuned with anions that have specific ion effects in their interaction with the surrounding solvent and the polymer itself: structure-breaking chloride enhances the hydration of the polymer backbone, structure-making sulfate decreases it, and is thus slowing down the actuation kinetics of the PAAm hydrogels. The PDMAA gel rolls up instantaneously in aqueous NaCl and only re-opens after 24 h. PDMAA actuation in aqueous Na2 SO4 is only moderate as the gel did not swell in that solvent. Bilayer hydrogels made from PAAm and PDMAA (without gradient) show monotonic actuation, closing in NaCl solution and re-opening in Na2 SO4 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatih Puza
- Professur für Polymerwerkstoffe, Fachrichtung Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik, Universität des Saarlandes, Campus, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Marc Christopher Thiel
- Professur für Polymerwerkstoffe, Fachrichtung Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik, Universität des Saarlandes, Campus, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Yannic Wagner
- Professur für Polymerwerkstoffe, Fachrichtung Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik, Universität des Saarlandes, Campus, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Michael Marx
- Professur für Experimentelle Methodik der Werkstoffwissenschaften, Fachrichtung Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik, Universität des Saarlandes, Campus, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Christian Motz
- Professur für Experimentelle Methodik der Werkstoffwissenschaften, Fachrichtung Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik, Universität des Saarlandes, Campus, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Karen Lienkamp
- Professur für Polymerwerkstoffe, Fachrichtung Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik, Universität des Saarlandes, Campus, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
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Shandilya E, Bains AS, Maiti S. Enzyme-Mediated Temporal Control over the Conformational Disposition of a Condensed Protein in Macromolecular Crowded Media. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:10508-10517. [PMID: 38052045 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c07074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Temporal regulation between input and output signals is one of the hallmarks of complex biological processes. Herein, we report that the conformational disposition of a protein in macromolecularly crowded media can be controlled with time using enzymes. First, we demonstrate the pH dependence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) condensation and conformational alteration in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) as a crowder. However, by exploiting the strength of pH-modulatory enzymatic reactions (glucose oxidase and urease), the conversion time between the condensed and free forms can be tuned. Additionally, we demonstrate that the trapping of intermediate states with respect to the overall system at a particular α-helix or β-sheet composition and rotational mobility can be possible simply by altering the substrate concentration. Finally, we show that the intrinsic catalytic ability of BSA toward the Kemp elimination (KE) reaction is inhibited in the aggregated form but regained in the free form. In fact, the rate of KE reaction can also be actuated enzymatically in a temporal fashion, therefore demonstrating the programmability of a cascade of biochemical events in crowded media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekta Shandilya
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Manauli 140306, India
| | - Arshdeep Singh Bains
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Manauli 140306, India
| | - Subhabrata Maiti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Manauli 140306, India
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Wang Z, Xiao J, Zhao T, Zhang C, Wang L, He N, Kong Q, Wang X. Transient regulation of gel properties by chemical reaction networks. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:9818-9831. [PMID: 37497715 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc02479b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Transient regulation of gel properties by chemical reaction networks (CRNs) represents an emerging and effective strategy to program or temporally control the structures, properties, and functions of gel materials in a self-regulated manner. CRNs provide significant opportunities to construct complex or sustainable gels with excellent dynamic features, thus expanding the application scope of these materials. CRN-based methods for transiently regulating the gel properties are receiving increasing attention, and the related fields are worth further studying. This feature article focuses on the CRN-mediated transient regulation of six properties of gels, which are transient gelation, transient liquefaction of gels, transient assembly of macroscopic gels, temporary actuation of gels, transient healing ability of kinetically inert gels, and cascade reaction-based self-reporting of external stimuli. Recent advances that showcase the six properties of gels controlled by CRNs are featured, the characterization and structural elucidation of gels are detailed, and the significance, achievements, and expectations of this field are discussed. The strategy of transient regulation of gel properties via CRNs is potentially useful for building the next generation of adaptive functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongrui Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials and Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China.
| | - Jing Xiao
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials and Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China.
| | - Ting Zhao
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials and Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China.
| | - Chunxiao Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials and Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China.
| | - Luping Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials and Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China.
| | - Nan He
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials and Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China.
| | - Qingming Kong
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials and Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China.
| | - Xu Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials and Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China.
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Long S, Huang J, Xiong J, Liu C, Chen F, Shen J, Huang Y, Li X. Designing Multistimuli-Responsive Anisotropic Bilayer Hydrogel Actuators by Integrating LCST Phase Transition and Photochromic Isomerization. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15030786. [PMID: 36772087 PMCID: PMC9918905 DOI: 10.3390/polym15030786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive hydrogel actuators have attracted tremendous interest in switches and microrobots. Based on N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) monomers with LCST phase separation and photochromic molecule spiropyran which can respond to ultraviolet light and H+, we develop a novel multistimuli-responsive co-polymer anisotropic bilayer hydrogel, which can undergo complex deformation behavior under environmental stimuli. Diverse bending angles were achieved based on inhomogeneous swelling. By controlling the environmental temperature, the bilayer hydrogels achieved bending angles of 83.4° and -162.4° below and above the critical temperature of PNIPAM. Stimulated by ultraviolet light and H+, the bilayer hydrogels showed bending angles of -19.4° and -17.3°, respectively. In addition, we designed a strategy to enhance the mechanical properties of the hydrogel via double network (DN). The mechanical properties and microscopic Fourier transform infrared (micro-FTIR) spectrum showed that the bilayer hydrogel can be well bonded at the interfaces of such bilayers. This work will inspire the design and fabrication of novel soft actuators with synergistic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijun Long
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Green Materials for Light Industry, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
- New Materials and Green Manufacturing Talent Introduction and Innovation Demonstration Base, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Jiacheng Huang
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Green Materials for Light Industry, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
- New Materials and Green Manufacturing Talent Introduction and Innovation Demonstration Base, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Jiaqiang Xiong
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Green Materials for Light Industry, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
- New Materials and Green Manufacturing Talent Introduction and Innovation Demonstration Base, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Green Materials for Light Industry, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
- New Materials and Green Manufacturing Talent Introduction and Innovation Demonstration Base, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Fan Chen
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Green Materials for Light Industry, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
- New Materials and Green Manufacturing Talent Introduction and Innovation Demonstration Base, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Hubei Research and Design Institute of Chemical Industry, Wuhan 430073, China
- Correspondence: (J.S.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
| | - Yiwan Huang
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Green Materials for Light Industry, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
- New Materials and Green Manufacturing Talent Introduction and Innovation Demonstration Base, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
- Correspondence: (J.S.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
| | - Xuefeng Li
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Green Materials for Light Industry, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
- New Materials and Green Manufacturing Talent Introduction and Innovation Demonstration Base, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
- Correspondence: (J.S.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
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