A review of stimuli-responsive polymer-based gating membranes

The formation and properties of smart (stimuli-responsive) membranes are reviewed, with a special focus on temperature and pH triggering of gating to water, ions, polymers, nanoparticles, or other molecules of interest. The review is organized in two parts, starting with all-smart membranes based on intrinsically smart materials, in particular of the poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) family and similar polymers. The key steps of membrane fabrication are discussed, namely the deposition into thin films, functionalization of pores, and the secondary crosslinking of pre-existing microgel particles into membranes. The latter may be free-standing and do not necessitate the presence of a porous support layer. The temperature-dependent swelling properties of polymers provide a means of controlling the size of pores, and thus size-sensitive gating. Throughout the review, we highlight "positive" (gates open) or "negative" (closed) gating effects with respect to increasing temperature. In the second part, the functionalization of porous organic or inorganic membranes of various origins by either microgel particles or linear polymer brushes is discussed. In this case, the key steps are the adsorption or grafting mechanisms. Finally, whenever provided by the authors, the suitability of smart gating membranes for specific applications is highlighted.

In-situ Spontaneous Fabrication of Tough and Stretchable Polyurethane-Polyethyleneimine Hydrogels Selectively Triggered by CO2

We develop CO₂ -triggered in-situ hydrogels from waterborne poly(ε-caprolactone)-based polyurethane (PU) dispersion and aqueous polyethyleneimine (PEI) solution without any other chemicals and apparatus (e.g., UV light). In our approach, non-toxic CO₂ in air is used as a selective trigger for the hydrogel formation. CO₂ adsorption onto PEI results in the formation of ammonium cations in PEI and the subsequent multiple ionic crosslinking between PU and PEI chains. Besides the amount of CO₂ in air, the rate of hydrogel formation can be controlled by NaHCO₃ in the PU-PEI mixture, which serves as a CO₂ supplier. The PU hydrogels exhibit tough and stretchable properties with high tensile strength (2.05 MPa) and elongation at break (438.24%), as well as biocompatibility and biodegradability. In addition, the PU hydrogels exhibit high adhesion strength on skin and injectability due to the in-situ formation. We believe that these PU hydrogels have the ideal features for various future applications, such as tissue adhesion barriers, wound dressing, artificial skin, and injectable fillers. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Dual Gas-responsive Fluorescent Diblock Copolymer Synthesized via RAFT Polymerization

Stimulus-responsive polymers with luminescence properties have a wide range of applications in the fields of controlled drug release, fluorescent probes, and biological stents. In this paper, carbon dioxide (CO₂)/oxygen (O₂) dual-responsive fluorescent diblock copolymers were synthesized by the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization method with two fluorescent monomers synthesized as its luminescence source, DEAEMA (CO₂ responsive monomer) and tFMA (O₂ responsive monomer). An experimental study demonstrated that the synthesized stimulus-responsive fluorescent polymer had a high sensitivity to CO₂; the double-responsive fluorescent diblock copolymer could form and achieve the reversal of polymer micelles in the aqueous solution when it was sequentially subjected to the introduction of CO₂ and O₂.

CO2-Responsive Spherical Polyelectrolyte Brush with Multi-Stimulation for Reversible Protein Immobilization and Release

Multi-responsive materials have received extensive interest in many areas due to their smart characteristics. This paper presents rationally designed multi-responsive spherical polyelectolyte brushes composed of a solid polystyrene (PS) core and a poly (2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) shell synthesized by photoemulsion polymerization. Based on dynamic light scattering, Zeta potential, turbidity measurements, isothermal titration calorimetry, and UV-vis spectroscopy, PS-PDMAEMA works as a good potential adsorbent for bovine serum albumin (BSA) for which the maximum adsorption capability could reach up to 5190mg g−1. Moreover, the immobilization and release of protein on the polymer brush could be adjusted with different triggers, including the pH, ionic strength, and temperature. Furthermore, the green gas triggers, CO2 and N2, could be employed in the BSA@ PS-PDMAEMA system by easily bubbling over many cycles without any salt accumulation. The main reason for the observed actions is the brushes could be switched alternately between extended and collapsed states with different stimulations. Upon comparing the circular dichroism spectra of original and released BSA after many cycles of adsorption and release, it’s clear that the protein can retain its initial biological activity after release from the PS-PDMAEMA. This work provides an effective and green way to immobilize and release proteins in biotechnology.

A CO2-gated anodic aluminum oxide based nanocomposite membrane for de-emulsification

A carbon-dioxide-responsive organic-inorganic nanocomposite membrane based on a through-hole anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template was constructed. The composite was prepared via a surface-initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (SI-RAFT) polymerization strategy to achieve the grafting of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) brushes on the AAO membrane. The grafted polymer chain length could be controlled based on the feed ratio between the free chain transfer agent (CTA) and reactive monomer, e.g., methyl methacrylate and 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, resulting in a membrane that features adjustable water permeability. Importantly, the membrane pore size and surface wettability could be switched from hydrophobic to hydrophilic upon the introduction of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases. This allowed for the nanocomposite membrane to be utilized for controlled water flux and oil/water emulsion separation. The simple fabrication methodology as well as sustainable gaseous stimulus will be useful for the construction of future smart membranes.

Preparation of Gas-Responsive Imprinting Hydrogel and Their Gas-Driven Switchable Affinity for Target Protein Recognition

Novel gas-responsive imprinting hydrogels were fabricated by combining N,N'-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate gas-sensitive monomers, N,N'-methylenebis(acrylamide) cross-linkers, and human serum albumin (HSA) template proteins via a free radical polymerization. The hydrogel exhibited a reversible gas-responsive property upon N₂/CO₂ exchange. This result was supported by the evidences from hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. By applying this property to sensing application, a CO₂-responsive imprinted biosensor was originally designed on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode. The biosensor exhibited unique self-clean and self-recognition properties toward HSA proteins based on reversible conformational changes driven by N₂/CO₂ stimuli. Moreover, the proposed imprinted biosensor favored HSA proteins by showing satisfactory sensitivity and selectivity and a wider detection range with a low detection limit. As a rare example in imprint sensing, the biosensor was successfully applied to the HSA extraction from complex serum samples. With gas stimuli, the whole process was efficient, controllable, and harmless to the proteins. Thus, the developed biosensor may provide a new prospect in molecularly imprinted sensing applications.

The Pathway to Intelligence: Using Stimuli-Responsive Materials as Building Blocks for Constructing Smart and Functional Systems

Systems that are intelligent have the ability to sense their surroundings, analyze, and respond accordingly. In nature, many biological systems are considered intelligent (e.g., humans, animals, and cells). For man-made systems, artificial intelligence is achieved by massively sophisticated electronic machines (e.g., computers and robots operated by advanced algorithms). On the other hand, freestanding materials (i.e., not tethered to a power supply) are usually passive and static. Hence, herein, the question is asked: can materials be fabricated so that they are intelligent? One promising approach is to use stimuli-responsive materials; these "smart" materials use the energy supplied by a stimulus available from the surrounding for performing a corresponding action. After decades of research, many interesting stimuli-responsive materials that can sense and perform smart functions have been developed. Classes of functions discussed include practical functions (e.g., targeting and motion), regulatory functions (e.g., self-regulation and amplification), and analytical processing functions (e.g., memory and computing). The pathway toward creating truly intelligent materials can involve incorporating a combination of these different types of functions into a single integrated system by using stimuli-responsive materials as the basic building blocks.

Protein⁻Polyelectrolyte Interaction: Thermodynamic Analysis Based on the Titration Method †

This review discussed the mechanisms including theories and binding stages concerning the protein⁻polyelectrolyte (PE) interaction, as well as the applications for both complexation and coacervation states of protein⁻PE pairs. In particular, this review focused on the applications of titration techniques, that is, turbidimetric titration and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), in understanding the protein⁻PE binding process. To be specific, by providing thermodynamic information such as pHc, pHφ, binding constant, entropy, and enthalpy change, titration techniques could shed light on the binding affinity, binding stoichiometry, and driving force of the protein⁻PE interaction, which significantly guide the applications by utilization of these interactions. Recent reports concerning interactions between proteins and different types of polyelectrolytes, that is, linear polyelectrolytes and polyelectrolyte modified nanoparticles, are summarized with their binding differences systematically discussed and compared based on the two major titration techniques. We believe this short review could provide valuable insight in the understanding of the structure⁻property relationship and the design of applied biomedical PE-based systems with optimal performance.

Intelligent CO2- and photo-dual-responsive polymer vesicles with tunable wall thickness

CO₂- and photo-dual-responsive polymer vesicles with tunable wall thickness were explored and used as a potential “smart” platform for drug release.

Reconfiguring surface functions using visible-light-controlled metal-ligand coordination

Most surfaces are either static or switchable only between “on” and “off” states for a specific application. It is a challenge to develop reconfigurable surfaces that can adapt to rapidly changing environments or applications. Here, we demonstrate fabrication of surfaces that can be reconfigured for user-defined functions using visible-light-controlled Ru–thioether coordination chemistry. We modify substrates with Ru complex Ru-H₂O. To endow a Ru-H₂O-modified substrate with a certain function, a functional thioether ligand is immobilized on the substrate via Ru–thioether coordination. To change the surface function, the immobilized thioether ligand is cleaved from the substrate by visible-light-induced ligand dissociation, and then another thioether ligand with a distinct function is immobilized on the substrate. Different thioethers endow the surface with different functions. Based on this strategy, we rewrite surface patterns, manipulate protein adsorption, and control surface wettability. This strategy enables the fabrication of reconfigurable surfaces with customizable functions on demand.

Configuring surfaces on-demand for desired functionalities is an ongoing challenge. Here, diverse and tailorable modifications of quartz and porous silica surfaces that are rapidly and reversibly switchable by the use of visible light are achieved via ruthenium-thioether coordination.

Controlled Movement of a Smart Miniature Submarine at Various Interfaces

Smart miniaturized aquatic devices have many important applications, but their locomotion at different interfaces remains a challenge. Here, we report a smart miniaturized submarine moving at various air/liquid or oil/water interfaces. The microsubmarine is fabricated by a CO₂-responsive superhydrophobic copper mesh and is driven by the Marangoni effect. The microsubmarine can not only transfer among different interfaces reversibly but also move horizontally at the interfaces freely. The unique locomotion of the device is attributed to a CO₂-triggered switch between superhydrophobicity and underwater superoleophobicity. Moreover, the microsubmarine exhibits good stability and excellent oil repellence at the oil/water interface. Our study provides a strategy for fabricating smart aquatic devices that have potential applications in environment monitoring, water purification, channel-free microfluidics, and so on.

A CO2-tunable plasmonic nanosensor based on the interfacial assembly of gold nanoparticles on diblock copolymers grafted from gold surfaces

A general stepwise strategy for the fabrication of CO₂-tunable plasmonic nanosensors was described for the first time, based on gold surface functionalization by CO₂-responsive poly(N,N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDEAEMA) brushes via a surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) method, then the extremity of PDEAEMA was functionalized by linking the polyacrylamide (PAAm) brushes via ATRP, where they were assembled with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) efficiently by altering the deposition time. The swelling–shrinking states of the PDEAEMA brushes can be tuned just by passing CO₂ and N₂ through a solution alternately. The unique plasmonic surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing properties of these stimulable substrates were investigated using 4-mercaptophenol (4MPh) as a molecular probe. When alternating CO₂ and N₂ bubbling in the water solution, the reversible switching of the SERS signals was complete. By in situ contact-mode atomic force microscopy, the thickness of the polymer layer was observed to be 26 nm in CO₂ saturated water, and after N₂ bubbling to remove CO₂ it decreased to 15 nm, causing the AuNPs to move near to the gold surface. Meanwhile, the distance between the nearby AuNPs becomes smaller, and the surface coverage (φ) of the AuNPs increased from 27% to 35%. The reported CO₂-responsive plasmonic nanosensor provided a dynamic SERS platform, with reversible regulation for electromagnetic coupling between the AuNPs and the gold surface, and between nearby AuNPs.

A CO₂-tunable plasmonic nanosensor: just by passing CO₂ and N₂ through a water solution alternately, the swelling–shrinking states of PDEAEMA brushes can be tuned, and reversible switching of SERS signals can be obtained.

Response of a Permanently Charged Polyelectrolyte Brush to External Ions: The Aspects of Structure and Dynamics

Structure and dynamics inside permanently charged polyelectrolyte brushes, sodium polystyrene sulfonate brushes, during their response to the introduction of external ions (NaCl) are investigated by neutron reflectivity and dielectric spectroscopy. Neutron reflectivity measurements show that the segmental density of the inner part of the brushes decreases and that of the outer part increases when the salt level is tuned from the salt-free condition to a moderate level (<10^-2 M)-the brushes swell further compared with the salt-free condition. This is attributed to the breakup of the multiplets formed by dipole-dipole pairs, and by this process, the previously constrained chain segments by the multiplets are released. Dielectric spectroscopy discovers a giant dipole by the charge separation of the adsorbed counterions and the PSS^- chains, induced by electric field. The dynamics of the induced giant dipole is accelerated with the increase of external salt, as a result of the charge regularization by elevated salt level. At high-enough salt level, the screening effect reduces the electrostatic repulsion between the neighboring chains and makes the brushes shrink.

Facile Fabrication of CO2-Responsive Nanofibers from Photo-Cross-Linked Poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate) Nanofibers

CO₂-responsive nanofibers were facilely prepared from photo-cross-linked poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate) (PPFPA) nanofibers via "amine-active ester" chemical modification. Photo-cross-linked PPFPA nanofibers were modified with histamine under mild conditions to generate cross-linked poly(histamine acrylamide) (PHAAA) nanofibers featuring a CO₂ responsiveness. As expected, the prepared cross-linked PHAAA nanofibers can exhibit a CO₂-responsive behavior to induce a reversible transition from hydrophobic to hydrophilic upon alternating addition and removal of CO₂ on the surface of nanofibrous membranes. Based on this finding, we could demonstrate that cross-linked PHAAA nanofibers can be employed for reversible absorption and release of protein using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model.

Polymers and biopolymers at interfaces

This review updates recent progress in the understanding of the behaviour of polymers at surfaces and interfaces, highlighting examples in the areas of wetting, dewetting, crystallization, and 'smart' materials. Recent developments in analysis tools have yielded a large increase in the study of biological systems, and some of these will also be discussed, focussing on areas where surfaces are important. These areas include molecular binding events and protein adsorption as well as the mapping of the surfaces of cells. Important techniques commonly used for the analysis of surfaces and interfaces are discussed separately to aid the understanding of their application.

Polymer brush on surface with tunable hydrophilicity using SAM formation of zwitterionic 4-vinylpyridine-based polymer

A zwitterionic vinylpyridine-based polymeric SAM was assembled on different surfaces to obtain tunable hydrophilicity.

Dopamine assisted PMOXA/PAA brushes for their switchable protein adsorption/desorption

PMOXA/PAA mixed brushes with switchable protein adsorption/desorption properties were prepared by sequentially grafting PMOXA-NH₂ and PAA-SH onto PDA-coated substrates.

Multifunctional gold nanoparticle layers for controllable capture and release of proteins

Protein modified functional surfaces have been applied extensively in the field of biomaterials and medicine. Regulation of the amount and activity of proteins on the material surface is always a challenge and a key research issue. A multifunctional micro/nano-composite based surface system for efficient controllable capture and release of proteins is proposed and studied in the present paper. This novel system contains (1) gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) co-modified with an enzyme and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), e.g., AuNP-pyrophosphatase (PPase)-PMAA, as nanostructured protein carriers; (2) gold nanoparticle layers (GNPLs) modified with poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA), i.e., GNPL-PDMAEMA, as a micro/nano-structured support platform for surface bioactivity regulation. The capture-release of proteins and the regulation of surface bioactivity in this composite surface system were investigated under different conditions. The results showed that the proposed system is capable of protein capture and release with simple adjustment of the pH value from neutral pH to basic pH. When the pH of the system is stabilized at 7.0, the GNPL-PDMAEMA surface could adsorb plenty of AuNP-PPase-PMAA conjugates and maximum surface bioactivity occurred, but when the pH of the system is adjusted to 10.0, the GNPL-PDMAEMA surface could liberate almost all the AuNP-PPase-PMAA conjugates and thus surface bioactivity disappeared. Meanwhile, by cyclical variations between pH 7.0 and pH 10.0, this surface protein capture/release system could realize recycling and reuse of one certain protein multiple times, a series of proteins acting sequentially in accordance with pre-designed procedures, and a functional combination of multiple proteins. This recyclable multifunctional surface with the capability of protein capture/release has great potential in many applications, such as biomonitoring and biomolecule immobilization.

An eco-friendly approach for heavy metal adsorbent regeneration using CO2-responsive molecular octopus

Perennial problems of adsorption in wastewater treatment include adsorbent recycling, generation of waste sludge and secondary pollution because harmful concentrated acids, bases or strong chelators are often used for adsorbent regeneration and adsorbate recovery. We report, for the first time, an eco-friendly regeneration concept demonstrated with a CO₂-responsive octopus-like polymeric adsorbent. Various heavy metals can be scavenged at very high Q_e by such adsorbent through coordination. Most importantly, the rapid and complete regeneration of the adsorbent and recovery of the heavy metal ions can be readily achieved by CO₂ bubbling within a few minutes under mild conditions, i.e., room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The adsorbent can then be restored to its adsorptive state and reused upon removal of CO₂ by simply bubbling another gas. This eco-friendly, effective, ultra-fast and repeatable CO₂-triggered regeneration process using CO₂-responsive adsorbent with versatile structure, morphology or form can be incorporated into a sustainable closed-loop wastewater treatment process to solve the perennial problems.

Fabrication of Micropatterned Self-Oscillating Polymer Brush for Direction Control of Chemical Waves

The propagation control of chemical waves via a pentagonal patterned structure in a self-oscillating polymer brush composed of N-isopropylacrylamide and a metal catalyst for the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction is reported. The patterned self-oscillating polymer brush is prepared by combining surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization and maskless photolithography. Surface modification is confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 3D measuring laser microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. The polymer brush patterns are fabricated with gaps between the pentagonal regions, and investigations on the effect of the gap distance on the BZ reaction reveal that at the appropriate distance, chemical waves propagate across the array from the plane to the corner between the patterns. Unidirectional control is achieved not only in the 1D array, but also in a 2D curved array. This patterned self-oscillating polymer brush is a novel and advantageous approach for creating an autonomous dynamic soft interface.

Gas-Responsive Polymers

Gas-responsive polymers have inspired much interest over the past ten years. Gas triggers can interact with functionalities on polymer chains and, thus, modulate their chain structures, architectures, and aggregation states. This review summarizes the latest research progresses in the theme of developing different gas triggers for fine control over some critical properties of polymers, as well as their potential applications in various areas. We focus on the interactions/reactions between gases and gas-responsive functionalities of polymers and highlight some state-of-art developments, which provided good insight and understanding of each particular gas-responsive polymer. We also offer a perspective point of view on future research directions on gas-responsive polymers, both in fundamental studies and in potential application developments.

Dual Thermoresponsive Aggregation of Schizophrenic PDMAEMA-b-PSBMA Copolymer with an Unrepeatable pH Response and a Recycled CO2/N2 Response

A dual thermoresponsive block copolymer of poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]-block-poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (PDMAEMA-b-PSBMA) exhibited reversible schizophrenic aggregation behavior in water because of the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) of the PSBMA block and the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the PDMAEMA block. Both the UCST and LCST shifted to lower values with increasing DMAEMA/SBMA block ratios, which was ascribed to the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance of both blocks. Because of the salt-sensitive PSBMA and pH-responsive PDMAEMA, the UCST and LCST values of PDMAEMA-b-PSBMA were codetermined by varying the salt concentrations and pH. Specifically, increasing the salt concentration resulted in a notable decrease in the UCST and a slight increase in the LCST due to the salt-induced screening of the electrostatic attractions of the PSBMA and salt-enhanced solubility of the PSBMA blocks, respectively. The LCST decreased with increasing pH because of the deprotonation of PDMAEMA, and the UCST first increased and then decreased with increasing pH. Besides, the copolymer with larger PDMAEMA content was more sensitive to pH. For the repetitive adjustment to thermoresponsive aggregation, repeated addition of acids and bases induced salt accumulation and diminished the switchability of pH, whereas repeated switching cycles were achieved by CO₂/N₂ bubbling without introducing salt enrichment. The difference in HCl/NaOH titration and CO₂/N₂ bubbling also existed in the switching cycles when PDMAEMA-b-PSBMA served as a stimulus-responsive emulsifier.

Surface-Initiated Controlled Radical Polymerization: State-of-the-Art, Opportunities, and Challenges in Surface and Interface Engineering with Polymer Brushes

The generation of polymer brushes by surface-initiated controlled radical polymerization (SI-CRP) techniques has become a powerful approach to tailor the chemical and physical properties of interfaces and has given rise to great advances in surface and interface engineering. Polymer brushes are defined as thin polymer films in which the individual polymer chains are tethered by one chain end to a solid interface. Significant advances have been made over the past years in the field of polymer brushes. This includes novel developments in SI-CRP, as well as the emergence of novel applications such as catalysis, electronics, nanomaterial synthesis and biosensing. Additionally, polymer brushes prepared via SI-CRP have been utilized to modify the surface of novel substrates such as natural fibers, polymer nanofibers, mesoporous materials, graphene, viruses and protein nanoparticles. The last years have also seen exciting advances in the chemical and physical characterization of polymer brushes, as well as an ever increasing set of computational and simulation tools that allow understanding and predictions of these surface-grafted polymer architectures. The aim of this contribution is to provide a comprehensive review that critically assesses recent advances in the field and highlights the opportunities and challenges for future work.

pH-Responsive magnetic metal-organic framework nanocomposites for selective capture and release of glycoproteins

Novel magnetic metal-organic framework nanocomposites with 1,4-phenylenebisboronic acid as both an organic ligand and a functional molecule are proposed for the first time as a new type of intelligent nanomaterial to selectively capture and release glycoproteins via pH-stimulus-response, and would be of great potential for use in bio-separation.

CO2-Responsive fluorescent hyperbranched poly(ether amine)s

Hyperbranched polymers bearing a fluorophore display gas-controlled fluorescence switching as a result of reversible protonation/deprotonation of amino groups in their structure.

Temperature-/CO2-dual-responsiveness of a zwitterionic “schizophrenic” copolymer

A zwitterionic “schizophrenic” copolymer with dual-responsiveness to temperature and carbon dioxide self-assembles to undergo a reversible phase transition in a weakly alkaline borate buffer solution.

CO2-Responsive polymer materials

This paper reviews the chemical fundamentals of CO₂-responsive polymers as well as the latest reported “smart” material systems switched by CO₂.

CO2-responsive self-healable hydrogels based on hydrophobically-modified polymers bridged by wormlike micelles

A versatile and simple strategy is proposed to design CO₂-responsive self-healable hydrogels based on hydrophobically-modified polymers bridged by worm like micelles.

Grafting well-defined CO2-responsive polymers to cellulose nanocrystals via nitroxide-mediated polymerisation: effect of graft density and molecular weight on dispersion behaviour

Tertiary polyamines and polyamides were grafted to cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) via Nitroxide-Mediated Polymerisation to yield well-defined CNC, which were examined for their CO₂-responsive dispersibility in water and oil.

Gas-switchable carbon nanotube/polymer hybrid membrane for separation of oil-in-water emulsions

A gas responsive hybrid membrane is fabricated by surface-grafting PDEAEMA on carbon nanotubes.

Dynamic electrical behaviour of a thermoresponsive polymer in well-defined poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-grafted semiconductor devices

Herein, we found that the phase transition behaviour from swelling state to deswelling state in response to temperature change was electrically detected in real time by using the poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-grafted gate field effect transistor.

A CO2-switchable amidine monomer: synthesis and characterization

Smart system employed CO2 gas as new trigger has been attracting enormous attention in recent years, but few monomers that are capable of switching their hydrophobicity/hydrophility upon CO2 stimulation have been reported. A novel CO2 responsive monomer, 4-vinylbenzyl amidine, is designed and synthesized in this work with N,N-dimethylacetamide dimethyl acetal and 4-vinylbenzyl amine that is prepared through the Gabriel reaction. In bi-phase solvent of n-hexane and water, the monomer dissolves in n-hexane first and then transforms into water upon the CO2 treatment, indicating a hydrophobic to hydrophilic transition. This transformation is demonstrated as reversible by monitoring the conductivity variation of its wet dimethyl formamide solution during alternate bubbling/removing CO2. The protonation of 4-vinylbenzyl amidine upon CO2 treatment is demonstrated by 1H NMR which also accounts for the dissolubility change. The reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization of this monomer is also performed, finding the reaction only occurs in glacial acetic acid. The reason can be ascribed to the different radical structure produced in different solvent.

CO2-responsive polymeric materials: synthesis, self-assembly, and functional applications

CO2 is an ideal trigger for switchable or stimuli-responsive materials because it is benign, inexpensive, green, abundant, and does not accumulate in the system. Many different CO2-responsive materials including polymers, latexes, solvents, solutes, gels, surfactants, and catalysts have been prepared. This review focuses on the preparation, self-assembly, and functional applications of CO2-responsive polymers. Detailed discussion is provided on the synthesis of CO2-responsive polymers, in particular using reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP), formerly known as controlled/living radical polymerization (CLRP), a powerful technique for the preparation of well-defined (co)polymers with precise control over molecular weight distribution, chain-end functional groups, and polymer architectural design. Self-assembly in aqueous dispersed media is highlighted as well as emerging potential applications.