Visible light-induced surface grafting polymerization of perfluoropolyether brushes as marine low fouling materials

Controlled grafting of perfluoropolyether brushes from polymer substrates as low fouling marine coatings. ITX coupled to OTS-monolayers was used as dormant group and activated by visible light to induce the polymerization reaction.

Ultraviolet In Situ Polymerized Binders with Polysulfide-Trapping Properties for Long-Cycle-Life Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) represent a promising energy storage system due to the high theoretical energy density of the cathode; however, the high temperature and long-time drying required for electrode production result in high energy consumption and low efficiency. Ultraviolet (UV)-curing technology is an effective strategy to solve the abovementioned problems. However, carbon black and other conductive agents used in the production of the battery industry show strong absorption of UV light; thus, a single photoinitiator cannot absorb enough light intensity to realize initiation, limiting its application in the battery industry. In this work, the concept of full-band absorption is introduced into the manufacturing process of the LSB cathode to solve the abovementioned problems. The full-band absorption of photoinitiators in the UV band is successfully realized by combining the photoinitiators 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-1-(4-morpholinylphenyl)-1-butanone, 2-isopropyl thioxanthone, and bis (2,4,6-trimethyl benzoyl)-phenoxyphosphine. An ultraviolet in situ polymerized polyurethane acrylate (PUA) binder is successfully prepared by the combination of photoinitiators. PUA is used as the binder of LSBs and exhibits an excellent long-cycle performance of 1500 cycles with a low decay rate of 0.04% per cycle at 0.5 C. Thus, UV-curing technology provides a new prospect and possibility of industrialization for battery manufacturing.

Heparinized anticoagulant coatings based on polyphenol-amine inspired chemistry for blood-contacting catheters

Blood-contacting catheters occupy a vital position in modern clinical treatment including but not limited to cardiovascular diseases, but catheter-related thrombosis associated with high morbidity and mortality remains a major health concern. Hence, there is an urgent need for functionalized catheter surfaces with superior hemocompatibility that prevent protein adsorption and thrombus formation. In this work, we developed a strategy for constructing a kind of polyphenol-amine coating on the TPU surface (TLA) with tannic acid and lysine via simple dip-coating, inspired by dopamine adhesion. Based on the long-term stability and modifiable properties of TLA coatings, heparin was introduced by an amide reaction to provide anticoagulant activity (TLH). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and surface zeta potential measurements fully indicated the successful immobilization of heparin. Water contact angle measurements demonstrated good hydrophilicity and stability for 15 days of TLH coatings. Furthermore, the TLH coatings exhibited significant hemocompatibility and no cytotoxicity. The good antithrombotic properties of the functionalized surfaces were confirmed by an ex vivo blood circulation model. The present work is supposed to find potential clinical applications for preventing surface-induced thrombosis of blood-contacting catheters.

End-functionalized polymers by controlled/living radical polymerizations: synthesis and applications

This review focuses on end-functionalized polymers synthesized by controlled/living radical polymerizations and the applications in fields including bioconjugate formation, surface modification, topology construction, and self-assembly.