Regulation of the microphase-separated structure is critical for high-performance thermoplastic polyurethanes(TPUs).To address the limitations of poor heat resistance and reliance on petrochemical resources in traditi...Regulation of the microphase-separated structure is critical for high-performance thermoplastic polyurethanes(TPUs).To address the limitations of poor heat resistance and reliance on petrochemical resources in traditional TPUs,bio-based TPUs were engineered using rigid 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate and bio-based poly(trimethylene ether)glycol.The results demonstrate that microstructural evolution,hydrogen bonding network formation,and tailoring of macroscopic properties in TPUs can be realized by varying the hard segment content.Increasing the hard segment content enhanced microstructural ordering,boosting the tensile strength from 6.1 MPa to 22.6 MPa while maintaining an elongation at break above 600%.Crucially,the robust crystalline network enhanced thermal stability of the TPUs,resulting in a maximum 5%thermal deformation temperature of 230.2℃for TPUs.This work elucidates the structure-property relationships governing microphase separation,empowering the rational design of bio-based materials with exceptional toughness and thermal resistance.展开更多
Developing advanced polymeric materials with enhanced mechanical properties and functionalities has been a long-standing goal in materials science.Recently,supramolecular polymeric materials (SPMs) have drawn increase...Developing advanced polymeric materials with enhanced mechanical properties and functionalities has been a long-standing goal in materials science.Recently,supramolecular polymeric materials (SPMs) have drawn increased attention due to their unique properties and potential applications in self-healing,shape memory,sensors,and flexible electronics.Here,we develop an ionic cluster-optimized microphase separation strategy to enhance the toughening and energy dissipation capabilities of polydisulfide-based supramolecular polymers.The mechanical properties,including Young’s modulus and toughness,are significantly improved by integrating the quadruple H-bonding 2-ureido-4-pyrimidone (UPy) induced microphase separation with iron(Ⅲ)-to-carboxylate ionic clusters.By combining established chemical approaches with adjustable polymer phase ratios,it is revealed that the synergistic effect of these factors expands the interchain spacing,facilitates the formation of microphase domains,and enhances the tolerance of polythioctic acid-based polymers to external mechanical and thermal stimuli,meeting the practical requirements for industrial plastic applications.Moreover,the UPy-functionalized polymers incorporating iron carboxylate clusters exhibit good one-way shape memory behavior with practical applicability at a relatively low recovery temperature.Our work demonstrates a novel strategy for constructing industrially viable shape memory dynamic SPMs and paves the way for future innovations in developing SPMs.展开更多
Incorporating antibacterial agent into biomimetic coating inspired by natural organisms with micronano structure surface has generated more interest for antifouling applications.In this work,poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDM...Incorporating antibacterial agent into biomimetic coating inspired by natural organisms with micronano structure surface has generated more interest for antifouling applications.In this work,poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS)-based triblock copolymers and sub-20 nm nanoparticles Ag and heterogeneous Fe3O4-coated Ag(Fe3O4@Ag)were used to construct microphase separation topography with oriented copolymer blocks structure.The artificial surface was verified by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images.Meanwhile,the surface exhibited relative stable hydrophobic property,which was demonstrated by the water contact angle and dynamic air-bubble contact angle measurements.Consequently,after immersed in BSA solution 24 h and 720 h,the actual BSA absorption amount of the surface with Fe3O4@Ag nanoparticles was as low as 10%and 27%that of the initial BSA amount,respectively.Moreover,the surface also showed remarkable antibacterial performance,which effectively suppressed the growth rate of Escherichia coli.The strategy of constructing the flexible micro p hase separation structure by introducing heterogeneous inorganic antibacterial nanoparticles into a block copolymer substrate opens up a new way to create an antifouling surface coating.展开更多
Acid loss and plasticization of phosphoric acid(PA)-doped high-temperature polymer electrolyte membranes(HT-PEMs)are critical limitations to their practical application in fuel cells.To overcome these barriers,poly(te...Acid loss and plasticization of phosphoric acid(PA)-doped high-temperature polymer electrolyte membranes(HT-PEMs)are critical limitations to their practical application in fuel cells.To overcome these barriers,poly(terphenyl piperidinium)s constructed from the m-and p-isomers of terphenyl were synthesized to regulate the microstructure of the membrane.Highly rigid p-terphenyl units prompt the formation of moderate PA aggregates,where the ion-pair interaction between piperidinium and biphosphate is reinforced,leading to a reduction in the plasticizing effect.As a result,there are trade-offs between the proton conductivity,mechanical strength,and PA retention of the membranes with varied m/p-isomer ratios.The designed PA-doped PTP-20m membrane exhibits superior ionic conductivity,good mechanical strength,and excellent PA retention over a wide range of temperature(80–160°C)as well as satisfactory resistance to harsh accelerated aging tests.As a result,the membrane presents a desirable combination of performance(1.462 W cm-2 under the H2/O2condition,which is 1.5 times higher than that of PBI-based membrane)and durability(300 h at 160°C and 0.2 A cm-2)in the fuel cell.The results of this study provide new insights that will guide molecular design from the perspective of microstructure to improve the performance and robustness of HT-PEMs.展开更多
The microphase-separating behaviors of two types of star-diblock copolymers (Ax)4(By)4 and (A^Bg)4 in thin films are studied using the simulation technique of dissipative particle dynamics. A variety of ordered ...The microphase-separating behaviors of two types of star-diblock copolymers (Ax)4(By)4 and (A^Bg)4 in thin films are studied using the simulation technique of dissipative particle dynamics. A variety of ordered mesostructures have been observed and the simulated phase diagrams show obvious symmetries for the (Ax)4(By)a films and asymmetries for the (AxBy)4 films, besides, it is easier for the (Ax)4(By)4 than for the (A^By)4 to carry out microphase separation under the same conditions, which has been recognized in bulk and can be ascribed to the structural difference between the two types of star copolymers. There are some correspondences between the mesostructures formed in the film and those formed in bulk at the same composition fraction. Decreasing the thickness of film and strengthening the A-B repulsion both help the mesostructures enhance the degree of order. Composition fraction dependences of the mean-square radius of gyration in the two types of star copolymer films are almost contrary, which can be attributed to the differences in their respective structures. These findings can provide a guide to designing novel microstructures involving star-diblock copolymers via geometrical confinement.展开更多
Solid-state electrolytes(SSEs)with high ionic conductivity,mechanical stability,and high thermal stability,as well as the stringent requirement of application in high-temperature fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries i...Solid-state electrolytes(SSEs)with high ionic conductivity,mechanical stability,and high thermal stability,as well as the stringent requirement of application in high-temperature fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries is receiving increasing attention.Polymer nanocomposites(PNCs),combining the advantages of inorganic materials with those of polymeric materials,offer numerous opportunities for SSEs design.In this work,we report a facile and general one-pot approach based on polymerization-induced microphase separation(PIMS)to generate PNCs with bi-continuous microphases.This synthetic strategy transforms a homogeneous liquid precursor consisting of polyoxometalates(POMs,H3PW12O40,Li7[V15O36(CO3)]),poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG)macro-chain-transfer agent,styrene and divinylbenzene monomers,into a robust and transparent monolith.The resulting POMs are uniformly dispersed in the PEG block(PEG/POM)to form a conducting pathway that successfully realizes the effective transfer of protons and lithium ions,while the highly cross-linked polystyrene domains(P(S-co-DVB))as mechanical support provide outstanding mechanical properties and thermal stability.As the POM loading ratio up to 35 wt%,the proton conductivity of nanocomposite reaches as high as 5.99×10-4 S/cm at 100℃ in anhydrous environment,which effectively promotes proton transfer under extreme environments.This study broadens the application of fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries in extreme environments.展开更多
We investigated the effects of molecular weight and film thickness on the crystallization and microphase separation in semicrystalline block copolymer polystyrene-block-poly(L-lactic acid)(PS-b-PLLA)thin films,at the ...We investigated the effects of molecular weight and film thickness on the crystallization and microphase separation in semicrystalline block copolymer polystyrene-block-poly(L-lactic acid)(PS-b-PLLA)thin films,at the early stage of film evolution(when Tg〈T〈TODT)by in situ hot stage atomic force microscopy.For PS-b-PLLA 1 copolymer which had lower molecular weight and higher PLLA fraction,diffusion-controlled break-out crystallization started easily.For PS-b-PLLA 2 with higher molecular weight,crystallization in nanometer scales occurs in local area.After melting of the two copolymer films,islands were observed at the film surface:PS-b-PLLA 1 film was in a disordered phase mixed state while PS-b-PLLA 2 film formed phase-separated lamellar structure paralleling to the substrate.Crystallization-melting and van der Waals forces drove the island formation in PS-b-PLLA 1 film.Film thickness affected the crystallization rate.Crystals grew very slowly in much thinner film of PS-b-PLLA 1 and remained almost unchanged at long time annealing.The incompatibility between PS and PLLA blocks drove the film fluctuation which subsequently evolved into spinodal-like morphology.展开更多
A series of mixed, random cylindrical brush copolymers bearing polystyrene(PS) and poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL) side chains were synthesized via the combination of ring-opening polymerization(ROP) and atom trans...A series of mixed, random cylindrical brush copolymers bearing polystyrene(PS) and poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL) side chains were synthesized via the combination of ring-opening polymerization(ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP). These novel cylindrical brush copolymers have been characterized by means of nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography(GPC) and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC). It was found that the mikto-armed cylindrical brush copolymers were microphase-separated in bulks and that the morphologies were dependent on the mass ratios of PS to PCL side chains. One of the cylindrical brush copolymers was employed to incorporate into epoxy thermoset to investigate effect of the mikto-armed cylindrical brush architecture on the reaction-induced microphase separation behavior. Depending on the concentration of the cylindrical brush in epoxy, the thermosets can display the morphologies with the spherical, worm-like and lamellar PS microdomains dispersing in continuous thermosetting matrices.展开更多
The rational design of mechanically robust gel-based moisture-electric generators(MEGs)with broad environmental adaptability is of great significance for the construction of self-powered wearable systems,addressing cr...The rational design of mechanically robust gel-based moisture-electric generators(MEGs)with broad environmental adaptability is of great significance for the construction of self-powered wearable systems,addressing critical challenges in sustainable energy harvesting for practical applications.In this study,we report a high-energy-output MEG based on a microphase-separated double-network ionogel,which contains a physically crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol network,chemically crosslinked poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid)and hygroscopic ionic liquid(BMIMCl).The introduction of ionic liquids leads to microphase separation,resulting in the formation of a solvent-rich phase and a polymer-rich phase within ionogels.In this structure,the solvent-rich phase facilitates stretching and ionic conduction,whereas the polymer-rich phase contributes to the improvement of mechanical strength.The resultant ionogels demonstrate exceptional mechanical robustness featuring a tensile strength of 4.63MPa,501.02%elongation at break,10.81MJm−3 fracture toughness,and<5%hysteresis.More importantly,benefit from the intrinsic wide-temperature tolerance of ionic liquids,the ionogel-based MEGs can operate over a wide humidity(30%-90%relative humidity)and temperature range(−25℃to 55℃),delivering a stabilized output voltage of 0.9-1.25 V and a record short-circuit current density of 539.42μA cm−2,outperforming most reported gelbased MEGs.The electricity generation arises from synergistic coupling of humidity-gradient-driven H⁺migration(major output current contribution)and Al electrode oxidation(major output voltage contribution).Through modular integration,50 series-connected units achieved an output of up to 60 V,directly powering commercial electronics,such as smartwatches and calculators.This finding provides a feasible strategy for designing all-weather,mechanically robust,and scalable self-powered systems.展开更多
In recent years,anion exchange membrane water electrolysis(AEMWE)has garnered significant attention as an efficient technology for hydrogen production.However,anion exchange membranes(AEMs),which are fundamental compo...In recent years,anion exchange membrane water electrolysis(AEMWE)has garnered significant attention as an efficient technology for hydrogen production.However,anion exchange membranes(AEMs),which are fundamental components of AEMWE,continue to face challenges in achieving a balance between ionic conductivity and dimensional integrity.This study successfully synthesized a series of poly(p-terphenyl isatin)-based AEMs,featuring fluorinated main chains and long alkyl side chains(FPTI-N-x-pip),through superacid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation,Menshutkin,and nucleophilic substitution reactions.A comparison was also made with poly(p-terphenyl isatin)AEMs containing non-fluorinated main chains(PTI-pip).The incorporation of hydrophobic fluorinated groups into the main chain,coupled with hydrophilic side chains,results in a distinct microphaseseparated structure that enhances both ionic conductivity and dimensional stability.Furthermore,the dual-cation synergistic effect improves the membrane's resistance to alkaline conditions.At 80℃,FPTI-N-50-pip exhibited a maximum ionic conductivity of(158.7±5)mS·cm-1,significantly surpassing that of PTI-pip,which lacks fluorinated groups(80±5)mS·cm-1.Additionally,the introduction of hydrophobic fluorinated groups effectively reduced water uptake,yielding a swelling ratio of only 28.5%at 80℃.After being exposed to 1 mol·L-1 KOH at 80℃for 500 h,the membrane retained 96.3%of its initial conductivity,indicating excellent alkaline stability.Moreover,the AEMWE cell utilizing FPTI-N-50-pip achieved a current density of 1.14 A·cm-2at 2.6 V and 60℃.The characterization results suggest that the synthesized FPTI-N-x-pip membranes hold great potential for applications in AEMWE.展开更多
The performance of anion exchange membrane fuel cells(AEMFCs)is severely constrained by the low OHconductivity of anion-conductive polymers.Although increasing the ion exchange capacity of these polymers through micro...The performance of anion exchange membrane fuel cells(AEMFCs)is severely constrained by the low OHconductivity of anion-conductive polymers.Although increasing the ion exchange capacity of these polymers through microstructural design effectively improves the OHconductivity,it often compromises the mechanical strength.To address this issue,we report enhanced microphaseseparated structures in poly(styrene-b-(ethylene-cobutylene)-b-styrene)(SEBS)-based anion-conductive polymers,achieved through the synergy of hydrophilic quaternary ammonium(QA)groups and hydrophobic fluorinated side chains.Specifically,by precisely tuning the fluorine grafting degree of the polymer side chains,highly interconnected nanoscale ion-conducting domains are created,forming a three-dimensional(3D)pathway for efficient ion transport in anion exchange membranes(AEMs).Additionally,the mechanical stability of AEMs is strengthened by minimizing swelling.As a result,the QA-and fluorine-grafted AEM with a molar proportion of 4-fluorophenethylamine-modified blocks to styrene blocks of 30%(denoted as QSEBS-FPh30)achieves a high OHconductivity of 100.86 mS/cm at 80℃and a moderate tensile strength of 19.89 MPa in a fully hydrated state.The AEMFC utilizing QSEBS-FPh30 exhibits a peak power density of 204.31 mW/cm2at a current density of 737.29 mA/cm2and 80℃,which is 1.4 times that of QA-grafted SEBS(QSEBS).These findings underscore the significant role of microphase separation coupled with maximized ionic domain connectivity in enhancing the OH-conductivity of anion-conductive polymers,offering valuable insights for the rational design of high-performance AEMs.展开更多
The development of degradable and chemically recyclable polymers is a promising strategy to address pressing environmental and resource-related challenges.Despite significant progress,there is a need for continuous de...The development of degradable and chemically recyclable polymers is a promising strategy to address pressing environmental and resource-related challenges.Despite significant progress,there is a need for continuous development of such recyclable polymers.Herein,PPDOPLLA-PU copolymers were synthesized from poly(p-dioxanone)-diol(PPDO-diol)and poly(L-lactide)-diol(PLLA-diol)by chain extension reaction.The chemical structures and microphase structures of PPDO-PLLA-PU were characterized,and their crystalline properties,mechanical properties,and degradation behaviors were further investigated.Significantly,the distribution of PLLA phase in the copolymer matrix showed a rod-like microstructure with a slight orientation,despite the thermodynamic incompatibility of PPDO and PLLA segments.Moreover,on the basis of this microphase separation,PPDO spherulites can crystallize using the interface of the two phases as nucleation sites.Accordingly,the combined effect of above two contributes to the enhanced mechanical properties.In addition,PPDO-PLLA-PU copolymers have good processability and recyclability,making them valuable for a wide range of applications.展开更多
Airless tires are essential for enhancing the safety,reliability,and convenience of maintenance of electric bicycles.Polyurethane(PU)is considered a promising candidate for such applications owing to its versatile pro...Airless tires are essential for enhancing the safety,reliability,and convenience of maintenance of electric bicycles.Polyurethane(PU)is considered a promising candidate for such applications owing to its versatile properties.However,their use is limited by insufficient heat resistance and excessive dynamic heat generation under cyclic loading.In this study,star-shaped trifunctional polypropylene glycerol(PPG3)was incorporated into conventional poly(tetramethylene glycol)(PTMG)and 4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate(MDI)-based systems to construct microporous star-shaped casting polyurethanes(SCPU),with water serving as a green foaming agent.Unlike conventional small-molecule trifunctional crosslinkers that create junctions within hard segment domains,PPG3 introduces long flexible arms between the hard segments,anchoring the crosslinking points at its molecular core.The large steric hindrance of PPG3 effectively suppresses soft segment crystallization and lowers the degree of microphase separation,whereas the crosslinked network restricts chain mobility,thereby reducing dynamic heat generation.These structural features also enhance the heat resistance,yielding a softening temperature of 183℃,which is 30.9%higher than that of polyurethane without PPG3.When applied to airless tires by casting SCPU into rubber treads,the fabricated hybrid airless tires achieved a rolling distance of over 3000 km under a load of 65 kg at 25km/h without structural failure,satisfying practical performance requirements.This strategy offers a simple,solvent-free,and environmentally friendly process,underscoring the potential of SCPU for scalable production of high-performance airless tires.展开更多
With the acceleration of urban renewal and social development, the safety hazards of old houses have gradually drawn attention. Problems such as structural aging, material deterioration and environmental erosion urgen...With the acceleration of urban renewal and social development, the safety hazards of old houses have gradually drawn attention. Problems such as structural aging, material deterioration and environmental erosion urgently need comprehensive assessment and reasonable repair. From the perspective of building structural safety and durability, this paper designs a comprehensive inspection system including external erosion detection, overall structural assessment and internal damage identification. With the help of on-site investigation and related technical tests, detailed inspections were carried out on important parts such as walls, foundations and roofs to ensure that the entire inspection process was complete, accurate and reliable. Based on the data obtained from the inspection, this paper also proposes many repair methods, such as reinforcement treatment, compensatory repair and protective installation, which make full use of the rich experience accumulated in traditional craftsmanship and integrate the cutting-edge ideas of current engineering technology. The findings clearly show that problems in each part require corresponding repair strategies to deal with, and the full implementation of these strategies does indeed improve the safety level of the building structure and the comfort of daily use, while also reducing future repair costs. This study not only enriches the theoretical framework in the field of inspection, identification and repair of old houses, but also provides practical references for relevant management departments to formulate safety assessment standards and repair regulations. Through systematic research on inspection and repair, the occurrence of safety hazards in old houses has been successfully prevented, providing reliable technical support for urban renewal, promoting the standardization and modernization of traditional building renovation, and laying a solid foundation for the long-term planning of urban construction.展开更多
Acryloyl terminated Poly (ethyleneoxide)macromonomers (PEO-A) with different PEO chain lengths have been prepared by deactivation of PEO alkoxide with acryloyl chloride. A new kind of amphiphilic polystyrene-g-poly (e...Acryloyl terminated Poly (ethyleneoxide)macromonomers (PEO-A) with different PEO chain lengths have been prepared by deactivation of PEO alkoxide with acryloyl chloride. A new kind of amphiphilic polystyrene-g-poly (ethylene oxide)graft copolymer containing both microphase separated and PEO side chain structures has been synthesized from radical copolymerization of PEO-A macromonomer with styrene. After careful purification by a newly-developed method called 'selective dissolution', the well-defined structure of the purified copolymers was confirmed by IR, ~1H-NMR and GPC. Various experimental parameters controlling the copolymerization were studied in detail. The results indicated that the feed ratio of styrene to macromonomer(S/M) was the most important determining factor for the composition of the copolymers. A detailed 'comb- model' was proposed to describe the molecular structure of the graft copolymers. Finally, this amphiphilic graft copolymers may readily form microphase separated structures as clearly indicated by transmission electron microscopy.展开更多
Understanding working principles and thermodynamics behind phase separations,which have significant influences on condensed molecular structures and their performances,can inspire to design and fabricate anomalously a...Understanding working principles and thermodynamics behind phase separations,which have significant influences on condensed molecular structures and their performances,can inspire to design and fabricate anomalously and desirably mechanoresponsive hydrogels.However,a combination of techniques from physicochemistry and mechanics has yet been established for the phase separation in hydrogels.In this study,a thermodynamic model is firstly formulated to describe solvent-aided phase and microphase separations in the hydrogels,which present significantly improved mechanoresponsive strengths.Flory-Huggins theory and interfacial energy equation have further been applied to model the thermodynamics of concentration-dependent and temperature-dependent phase separations.An intricately detailed phase map has finally been formulated to explore the working principle.The thermodynamic methodology of phase separations,combined with the constitutive stress-strain relationships,has a great potential to explore the working mechanisms in mechanoresponsive hydrogels.展开更多
A series of transparent,intrinsically flame-retardant,and impact-resistant poly(carbonates-b-siloxanes)were synthesized by incorporating Schiff-base modified polysiloxanes(DMS-Schiff)and naphthalene-sulfonate units in...A series of transparent,intrinsically flame-retardant,and impact-resistant poly(carbonates-b-siloxanes)were synthesized by incorporating Schiff-base modified polysiloxanes(DMS-Schiff)and naphthalene-sulfonate units into the polycarbonate(PC)chain.In addition to high transparency,the resultant copolymers(SS-co-PC5,SS-co-PC9,SS-co-PC14,and SS-co-PC20)exhibited remarkable improvements in fire safety and mechanical performance.Compared to pure PC,these copolymers demonstrated significantly enhanced limiting oxygen index(LOI,up to 34.5%)and a UL-94 V-0 rating under a thickness of only 1.6 mm.The incorporation of the polysiloxane blocks not only improved flame retardancy but also enhanced the impact strength,with SS-co-PC9 showing a 48%increase in elongation at break and a 38%rise in impact toughness compared to pure PC.In addition,SS-co-PC9 presented high mechanical strength.The synergistic effects between the naphthalene-sulfonate and polysiloxane blocks,along with the well-controlled polysiloxane phase separation(sulfonate units enabled lower processing viscosity of copolymers),led to superior comprehensive performance.These findings provide a promising pathway to create high-performance copolycarbonates for real-world applications.展开更多
Proton exchange membranes(PEMs)are widely employed in energy conversion and storage devices including fuel cells(FCs),redox flow batteries(RFBs)and PEM water electrolysis(PEMWE).As one of the main components of these ...Proton exchange membranes(PEMs)are widely employed in energy conversion and storage devices including fuel cells(FCs),redox flow batteries(RFBs)and PEM water electrolysis(PEMWE).As one of the main components of these devices,a high-performance PEM is always desirable considering the cost challenges from both energy utilization efficiency and production cost.From this century,governments of countries worldwide have introduced PFAS(per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances)restriction related policies,which facilitate the extensive research on non-fluorinated PEMs.Besides,non-fluorinated PEMs become hot topics of all kinds of PEMs due to the advantages including excellent conductivity,high mechanical property,reduced swelling,low cost and reduced ion permeation of electrochemically active species.In this review,various types of non-fluorinated PEMs including main-chain-type hydrocarbon membranes,microphase separation membranes and membranes with rigid-twisted structure are comprehensively summarized.The basic properties of different types of non-fluorinated PEMs including water uptake,swelling ratio,oxidative stability,tensile strength and conductivity are compared and the corresponding application performance in FCs,RFBs and PEMWE are discussed.The state-of-the-art of the structural design in both monomers and polymers is reviewed for the construction of fast ion transport channels and high resistance of free radical attacks.Also,future challenges and possibilities for the development of non-fluorinated PEMs are comprehensively forecasted.展开更多
Developing advanced ion-conductive networks is crucial for anion exchange membranes(AEMs).A flexible molecular structure facilitates the formation of ion clusters,resulting in enhanced ionic conductivity.Polyacrylates...Developing advanced ion-conductive networks is crucial for anion exchange membranes(AEMs).A flexible molecular structure facilitates the formation of ion clusters,resulting in enhanced ionic conductivity.Polyacrylates,known for their outstanding flexibility and chemical stability,hold significant potential as polymer electrolyte membranes.In this work,we innovatively constructed a series of polyacrylate-based AEMs decorated with pendant zwitterions(designated as PSBPA-X,BSBPA-X,where X=20,30,40).Specifically,the spacer length between the zwitterions is strategically optimized to enhance the ionic conductivity.Atomic force microscopy reveals that a longer spacer length between the zwitterions promotes the microphase separation and the formation of advanced water channels,which facilitates the OH-transport in the BSBPA-40 membrane.Moreover,the stronger electrostatic potential and lower interaction energy between the BSBPA-40 and OH-further contribute to efficient OH-hopping transmission.Consequently,the BSBPA-40 membrane demonstrates the highest OH-conductivity,achieving 102.1 mS cm-1at 80℃ and 90% relative humidity,significantly surpassing that of the PSBPA-40 membrane(75.2 mS cm-1).Additionally,the BSBPA-40 membrane exhibits remarkable flexibility with an improved breaking elongation of 480.5%due to the ionic cross-linking between the zwitterions.Notably,the BSBPA-40 membrane-based zinc-air battery achieves an outstanding power density of 156.7 mW cm-2at room temperature,while its water electrolysis performance reaches 2.1 A cm-2at 2.0 V.These results indicate that the developed membranes hold great promise for applications in sustainable and clean energy technologies.展开更多
A series of poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS)-4,4′-diphenylmethanediisocyanate(MDI)-poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG)multiblock copolymers were synthesized by employing two-step growth polymerization and investigated by AFM,XPS....A series of poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS)-4,4′-diphenylmethanediisocyanate(MDI)-poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG)multiblock copolymers were synthesized by employing two-step growth polymerization and investigated by AFM,XPS.contact angle system,protein adsorption and platelets adhesion measurements,respectively.It was found that as the molecular weight of PDMS increased,the surface of copolymers had increasing phase separation,while the increase in the molecular weight of PEG decreased the phase separation extents of the copolymer surface.XPS and contact angle measurements showed that the greater the phase separation extent was,the lower both the surface enrichment of PDMS and the surface free energy of the copolymer film were.The protein adsorption experiments indicated that the best phase separation did not exhibit the best biocompatibility.展开更多
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2024YFB3713000)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52203003 and 52250357)。
摘要Regulation of the microphase-separated structure is critical for high-performance thermoplastic polyurethanes(TPUs).To address the limitations of poor heat resistance and reliance on petrochemical resources in traditional TPUs,bio-based TPUs were engineered using rigid 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate and bio-based poly(trimethylene ether)glycol.The results demonstrate that microstructural evolution,hydrogen bonding network formation,and tailoring of macroscopic properties in TPUs can be realized by varying the hard segment content.Increasing the hard segment content enhanced microstructural ordering,boosting the tensile strength from 6.1 MPa to 22.6 MPa while maintaining an elongation at break above 600%.Crucially,the robust crystalline network enhanced thermal stability of the TPUs,resulting in a maximum 5%thermal deformation temperature of 230.2℃for TPUs.This work elucidates the structure-property relationships governing microphase separation,empowering the rational design of bio-based materials with exceptional toughness and thermal resistance.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22375063)Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(No.23JC1401700)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.
摘要Developing advanced polymeric materials with enhanced mechanical properties and functionalities has been a long-standing goal in materials science.Recently,supramolecular polymeric materials (SPMs) have drawn increased attention due to their unique properties and potential applications in self-healing,shape memory,sensors,and flexible electronics.Here,we develop an ionic cluster-optimized microphase separation strategy to enhance the toughening and energy dissipation capabilities of polydisulfide-based supramolecular polymers.The mechanical properties,including Young’s modulus and toughness,are significantly improved by integrating the quadruple H-bonding 2-ureido-4-pyrimidone (UPy) induced microphase separation with iron(Ⅲ)-to-carboxylate ionic clusters.By combining established chemical approaches with adjustable polymer phase ratios,it is revealed that the synergistic effect of these factors expands the interchain spacing,facilitates the formation of microphase domains,and enhances the tolerance of polythioctic acid-based polymers to external mechanical and thermal stimuli,meeting the practical requirements for industrial plastic applications.Moreover,the UPy-functionalized polymers incorporating iron carboxylate clusters exhibit good one-way shape memory behavior with practical applicability at a relatively low recovery temperature.Our work demonstrates a novel strategy for constructing industrially viable shape memory dynamic SPMs and paves the way for future innovations in developing SPMs.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51706166 and 51773163)the Joint Funds of the Equipment Pre-Research of Ministry of Education of China(No.6141A02022225)+1 种基金Sanya Science and Education Innovation Park of Wuhan University of Technology(2020KF0025)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(WUT:2020III038GX)。
摘要Incorporating antibacterial agent into biomimetic coating inspired by natural organisms with micronano structure surface has generated more interest for antifouling applications.In this work,poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS)-based triblock copolymers and sub-20 nm nanoparticles Ag and heterogeneous Fe3O4-coated Ag(Fe3O4@Ag)were used to construct microphase separation topography with oriented copolymer blocks structure.The artificial surface was verified by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images.Meanwhile,the surface exhibited relative stable hydrophobic property,which was demonstrated by the water contact angle and dynamic air-bubble contact angle measurements.Consequently,after immersed in BSA solution 24 h and 720 h,the actual BSA absorption amount of the surface with Fe3O4@Ag nanoparticles was as low as 10%and 27%that of the initial BSA amount,respectively.Moreover,the surface also showed remarkable antibacterial performance,which effectively suppressed the growth rate of Escherichia coli.The strategy of constructing the flexible micro p hase separation structure by introducing heterogeneous inorganic antibacterial nanoparticles into a block copolymer substrate opens up a new way to create an antifouling surface coating.
基金supported by The National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFB4001204)National Natural Science Foundation of China(22379143)。
摘要Acid loss and plasticization of phosphoric acid(PA)-doped high-temperature polymer electrolyte membranes(HT-PEMs)are critical limitations to their practical application in fuel cells.To overcome these barriers,poly(terphenyl piperidinium)s constructed from the m-and p-isomers of terphenyl were synthesized to regulate the microstructure of the membrane.Highly rigid p-terphenyl units prompt the formation of moderate PA aggregates,where the ion-pair interaction between piperidinium and biphosphate is reinforced,leading to a reduction in the plasticizing effect.As a result,there are trade-offs between the proton conductivity,mechanical strength,and PA retention of the membranes with varied m/p-isomer ratios.The designed PA-doped PTP-20m membrane exhibits superior ionic conductivity,good mechanical strength,and excellent PA retention over a wide range of temperature(80–160°C)as well as satisfactory resistance to harsh accelerated aging tests.As a result,the membrane presents a desirable combination of performance(1.462 W cm-2 under the H2/O2condition,which is 1.5 times higher than that of PBI-based membrane)and durability(300 h at 160°C and 0.2 A cm-2)in the fuel cell.The results of this study provide new insights that will guide molecular design from the perspective of microstructure to improve the performance and robustness of HT-PEMs.
摘要The microphase-separating behaviors of two types of star-diblock copolymers (Ax)4(By)4 and (A^Bg)4 in thin films are studied using the simulation technique of dissipative particle dynamics. A variety of ordered mesostructures have been observed and the simulated phase diagrams show obvious symmetries for the (Ax)4(By)a films and asymmetries for the (AxBy)4 films, besides, it is easier for the (Ax)4(By)4 than for the (A^By)4 to carry out microphase separation under the same conditions, which has been recognized in bulk and can be ascribed to the structural difference between the two types of star copolymers. There are some correspondences between the mesostructures formed in the film and those formed in bulk at the same composition fraction. Decreasing the thickness of film and strengthening the A-B repulsion both help the mesostructures enhance the degree of order. Composition fraction dependences of the mean-square radius of gyration in the two types of star copolymer films are almost contrary, which can be attributed to the differences in their respective structures. These findings can provide a guide to designing novel microstructures involving star-diblock copolymers via geometrical confinement.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.21961142018,22101086 and 51873067)Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province(Nos.2021A1515012024 and 2021A1515010271)。
摘要Solid-state electrolytes(SSEs)with high ionic conductivity,mechanical stability,and high thermal stability,as well as the stringent requirement of application in high-temperature fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries is receiving increasing attention.Polymer nanocomposites(PNCs),combining the advantages of inorganic materials with those of polymeric materials,offer numerous opportunities for SSEs design.In this work,we report a facile and general one-pot approach based on polymerization-induced microphase separation(PIMS)to generate PNCs with bi-continuous microphases.This synthetic strategy transforms a homogeneous liquid precursor consisting of polyoxometalates(POMs,H3PW12O40,Li7[V15O36(CO3)]),poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG)macro-chain-transfer agent,styrene and divinylbenzene monomers,into a robust and transparent monolith.The resulting POMs are uniformly dispersed in the PEG block(PEG/POM)to form a conducting pathway that successfully realizes the effective transfer of protons and lithium ions,while the highly cross-linked polystyrene domains(P(S-co-DVB))as mechanical support provide outstanding mechanical properties and thermal stability.As the POM loading ratio up to 35 wt%,the proton conductivity of nanocomposite reaches as high as 5.99×10-4 S/cm at 100℃ in anhydrous environment,which effectively promotes proton transfer under extreme environments.This study broadens the application of fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries in extreme environments.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.20621401,50773080,20834005)the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(No.2009CB930603)
摘要We investigated the effects of molecular weight and film thickness on the crystallization and microphase separation in semicrystalline block copolymer polystyrene-block-poly(L-lactic acid)(PS-b-PLLA)thin films,at the early stage of film evolution(when Tg〈T〈TODT)by in situ hot stage atomic force microscopy.For PS-b-PLLA 1 copolymer which had lower molecular weight and higher PLLA fraction,diffusion-controlled break-out crystallization started easily.For PS-b-PLLA 2 with higher molecular weight,crystallization in nanometer scales occurs in local area.After melting of the two copolymer films,islands were observed at the film surface:PS-b-PLLA 1 film was in a disordered phase mixed state while PS-b-PLLA 2 film formed phase-separated lamellar structure paralleling to the substrate.Crystallization-melting and van der Waals forces drove the island formation in PS-b-PLLA 1 film.Film thickness affected the crystallization rate.Crystals grew very slowly in much thinner film of PS-b-PLLA 1 and remained almost unchanged at long time annealing.The incompatibility between PS and PLLA blocks drove the film fluctuation which subsequently evolved into spinodal-like morphology.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51133003,21274091 and 21774078)the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility under the projects(Nos.10sr0260 and 10sr0126)
摘要A series of mixed, random cylindrical brush copolymers bearing polystyrene(PS) and poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL) side chains were synthesized via the combination of ring-opening polymerization(ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP). These novel cylindrical brush copolymers have been characterized by means of nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography(GPC) and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC). It was found that the mikto-armed cylindrical brush copolymers were microphase-separated in bulks and that the morphologies were dependent on the mass ratios of PS to PCL side chains. One of the cylindrical brush copolymers was employed to incorporate into epoxy thermoset to investigate effect of the mikto-armed cylindrical brush architecture on the reaction-induced microphase separation behavior. Depending on the concentration of the cylindrical brush in epoxy, the thermosets can display the morphologies with the spherical, worm-like and lamellar PS microdomains dispersing in continuous thermosetting matrices.
基金the Cultivation Project for Basic Research and Innovation of Yanshan University(No.2022LGQN006)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22305014).
摘要The rational design of mechanically robust gel-based moisture-electric generators(MEGs)with broad environmental adaptability is of great significance for the construction of self-powered wearable systems,addressing critical challenges in sustainable energy harvesting for practical applications.In this study,we report a high-energy-output MEG based on a microphase-separated double-network ionogel,which contains a physically crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol network,chemically crosslinked poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid)and hygroscopic ionic liquid(BMIMCl).The introduction of ionic liquids leads to microphase separation,resulting in the formation of a solvent-rich phase and a polymer-rich phase within ionogels.In this structure,the solvent-rich phase facilitates stretching and ionic conduction,whereas the polymer-rich phase contributes to the improvement of mechanical strength.The resultant ionogels demonstrate exceptional mechanical robustness featuring a tensile strength of 4.63MPa,501.02%elongation at break,10.81MJm−3 fracture toughness,and<5%hysteresis.More importantly,benefit from the intrinsic wide-temperature tolerance of ionic liquids,the ionogel-based MEGs can operate over a wide humidity(30%-90%relative humidity)and temperature range(−25℃to 55℃),delivering a stabilized output voltage of 0.9-1.25 V and a record short-circuit current density of 539.42μA cm−2,outperforming most reported gelbased MEGs.The electricity generation arises from synergistic coupling of humidity-gradient-driven H⁺migration(major output current contribution)and Al electrode oxidation(major output voltage contribution).Through modular integration,50 series-connected units achieved an output of up to 60 V,directly powering commercial electronics,such as smartwatches and calculators.This finding provides a feasible strategy for designing all-weather,mechanically robust,and scalable self-powered systems.
基金financially supported by the"QingChuang Science and Technology Plan"Project of Colleges and Universities in Shandong Province(2020KJC005)。
摘要In recent years,anion exchange membrane water electrolysis(AEMWE)has garnered significant attention as an efficient technology for hydrogen production.However,anion exchange membranes(AEMs),which are fundamental components of AEMWE,continue to face challenges in achieving a balance between ionic conductivity and dimensional integrity.This study successfully synthesized a series of poly(p-terphenyl isatin)-based AEMs,featuring fluorinated main chains and long alkyl side chains(FPTI-N-x-pip),through superacid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation,Menshutkin,and nucleophilic substitution reactions.A comparison was also made with poly(p-terphenyl isatin)AEMs containing non-fluorinated main chains(PTI-pip).The incorporation of hydrophobic fluorinated groups into the main chain,coupled with hydrophilic side chains,results in a distinct microphaseseparated structure that enhances both ionic conductivity and dimensional stability.Furthermore,the dual-cation synergistic effect improves the membrane's resistance to alkaline conditions.At 80℃,FPTI-N-50-pip exhibited a maximum ionic conductivity of(158.7±5)mS·cm-1,significantly surpassing that of PTI-pip,which lacks fluorinated groups(80±5)mS·cm-1.Additionally,the introduction of hydrophobic fluorinated groups effectively reduced water uptake,yielding a swelling ratio of only 28.5%at 80℃.After being exposed to 1 mol·L-1 KOH at 80℃for 500 h,the membrane retained 96.3%of its initial conductivity,indicating excellent alkaline stability.Moreover,the AEMWE cell utilizing FPTI-N-50-pip achieved a current density of 1.14 A·cm-2at 2.6 V and 60℃.The characterization results suggest that the synthesized FPTI-N-x-pip membranes hold great potential for applications in AEMWE.
摘要The performance of anion exchange membrane fuel cells(AEMFCs)is severely constrained by the low OHconductivity of anion-conductive polymers.Although increasing the ion exchange capacity of these polymers through microstructural design effectively improves the OHconductivity,it often compromises the mechanical strength.To address this issue,we report enhanced microphaseseparated structures in poly(styrene-b-(ethylene-cobutylene)-b-styrene)(SEBS)-based anion-conductive polymers,achieved through the synergy of hydrophilic quaternary ammonium(QA)groups and hydrophobic fluorinated side chains.Specifically,by precisely tuning the fluorine grafting degree of the polymer side chains,highly interconnected nanoscale ion-conducting domains are created,forming a three-dimensional(3D)pathway for efficient ion transport in anion exchange membranes(AEMs).Additionally,the mechanical stability of AEMs is strengthened by minimizing swelling.As a result,the QA-and fluorine-grafted AEM with a molar proportion of 4-fluorophenethylamine-modified blocks to styrene blocks of 30%(denoted as QSEBS-FPh30)achieves a high OHconductivity of 100.86 mS/cm at 80℃and a moderate tensile strength of 19.89 MPa in a fully hydrated state.The AEMFC utilizing QSEBS-FPh30 exhibits a peak power density of 204.31 mW/cm2at a current density of 737.29 mA/cm2and 80℃,which is 1.4 times that of QA-grafted SEBS(QSEBS).These findings underscore the significant role of microphase separation coupled with maximized ionic domain connectivity in enhancing the OH-conductivity of anion-conductive polymers,offering valuable insights for the rational design of high-performance AEMs.
基金financially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2021YFB3801901)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52403138 and U19A2095)+1 种基金Institutional Research Fund from Sichuan University(No.2020SCUNL205)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,and 111 Project(No.B20001)。
摘要The development of degradable and chemically recyclable polymers is a promising strategy to address pressing environmental and resource-related challenges.Despite significant progress,there is a need for continuous development of such recyclable polymers.Herein,PPDOPLLA-PU copolymers were synthesized from poly(p-dioxanone)-diol(PPDO-diol)and poly(L-lactide)-diol(PLLA-diol)by chain extension reaction.The chemical structures and microphase structures of PPDO-PLLA-PU were characterized,and their crystalline properties,mechanical properties,and degradation behaviors were further investigated.Significantly,the distribution of PLLA phase in the copolymer matrix showed a rod-like microstructure with a slight orientation,despite the thermodynamic incompatibility of PPDO and PLLA segments.Moreover,on the basis of this microphase separation,PPDO spherulites can crystallize using the interface of the two phases as nucleation sites.Accordingly,the combined effect of above two contributes to the enhanced mechanical properties.In addition,PPDO-PLLA-PU copolymers have good processability and recyclability,making them valuable for a wide range of applications.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52303063)Hubei Provincial Department of Education Guided Scientific Research Project(No.B2024056)。
摘要Airless tires are essential for enhancing the safety,reliability,and convenience of maintenance of electric bicycles.Polyurethane(PU)is considered a promising candidate for such applications owing to its versatile properties.However,their use is limited by insufficient heat resistance and excessive dynamic heat generation under cyclic loading.In this study,star-shaped trifunctional polypropylene glycerol(PPG3)was incorporated into conventional poly(tetramethylene glycol)(PTMG)and 4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate(MDI)-based systems to construct microporous star-shaped casting polyurethanes(SCPU),with water serving as a green foaming agent.Unlike conventional small-molecule trifunctional crosslinkers that create junctions within hard segment domains,PPG3 introduces long flexible arms between the hard segments,anchoring the crosslinking points at its molecular core.The large steric hindrance of PPG3 effectively suppresses soft segment crystallization and lowers the degree of microphase separation,whereas the crosslinked network restricts chain mobility,thereby reducing dynamic heat generation.These structural features also enhance the heat resistance,yielding a softening temperature of 183℃,which is 30.9%higher than that of polyurethane without PPG3.When applied to airless tires by casting SCPU into rubber treads,the fabricated hybrid airless tires achieved a rolling distance of over 3000 km under a load of 65 kg at 25km/h without structural failure,satisfying practical performance requirements.This strategy offers a simple,solvent-free,and environmentally friendly process,underscoring the potential of SCPU for scalable production of high-performance airless tires.
摘要With the acceleration of urban renewal and social development, the safety hazards of old houses have gradually drawn attention. Problems such as structural aging, material deterioration and environmental erosion urgently need comprehensive assessment and reasonable repair. From the perspective of building structural safety and durability, this paper designs a comprehensive inspection system including external erosion detection, overall structural assessment and internal damage identification. With the help of on-site investigation and related technical tests, detailed inspections were carried out on important parts such as walls, foundations and roofs to ensure that the entire inspection process was complete, accurate and reliable. Based on the data obtained from the inspection, this paper also proposes many repair methods, such as reinforcement treatment, compensatory repair and protective installation, which make full use of the rich experience accumulated in traditional craftsmanship and integrate the cutting-edge ideas of current engineering technology. The findings clearly show that problems in each part require corresponding repair strategies to deal with, and the full implementation of these strategies does indeed improve the safety level of the building structure and the comfort of daily use, while also reducing future repair costs. This study not only enriches the theoretical framework in the field of inspection, identification and repair of old houses, but also provides practical references for relevant management departments to formulate safety assessment standards and repair regulations. Through systematic research on inspection and repair, the occurrence of safety hazards in old houses has been successfully prevented, providing reliable technical support for urban renewal, promoting the standardization and modernization of traditional building renovation, and laying a solid foundation for the long-term planning of urban construction.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the State Education Committee of China
摘要Acryloyl terminated Poly (ethyleneoxide)macromonomers (PEO-A) with different PEO chain lengths have been prepared by deactivation of PEO alkoxide with acryloyl chloride. A new kind of amphiphilic polystyrene-g-poly (ethylene oxide)graft copolymer containing both microphase separated and PEO side chain structures has been synthesized from radical copolymerization of PEO-A macromonomer with styrene. After careful purification by a newly-developed method called 'selective dissolution', the well-defined structure of the purified copolymers was confirmed by IR, ~1H-NMR and GPC. Various experimental parameters controlling the copolymerization were studied in detail. The results indicated that the feed ratio of styrene to macromonomer(S/M) was the most important determining factor for the composition of the copolymers. A detailed 'comb- model' was proposed to describe the molecular structure of the graft copolymers. Finally, this amphiphilic graft copolymers may readily form microphase separated structures as clearly indicated by transmission electron microscopy.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China NSFC(Grant 11725208)Newton Mobility(Grant IE161019)through Royal SocietyNSFC.
摘要Understanding working principles and thermodynamics behind phase separations,which have significant influences on condensed molecular structures and their performances,can inspire to design and fabricate anomalously and desirably mechanoresponsive hydrogels.However,a combination of techniques from physicochemistry and mechanics has yet been established for the phase separation in hydrogels.In this study,a thermodynamic model is firstly formulated to describe solvent-aided phase and microphase separations in the hydrogels,which present significantly improved mechanoresponsive strengths.Flory-Huggins theory and interfacial energy equation have further been applied to model the thermodynamics of concentration-dependent and temperature-dependent phase separations.An intricately detailed phase map has finally been formulated to explore the working principle.The thermodynamic methodology of phase separations,combined with the constitutive stress-strain relationships,has a great potential to explore the working mechanisms in mechanoresponsive hydrogels.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52403117,52173083,51991355,and 52173082)the 2024 Ningbo Yongjiang Talent Programme,the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province(No.LY24E030007)the Australian Research Council(No.DE230100616).
摘要A series of transparent,intrinsically flame-retardant,and impact-resistant poly(carbonates-b-siloxanes)were synthesized by incorporating Schiff-base modified polysiloxanes(DMS-Schiff)and naphthalene-sulfonate units into the polycarbonate(PC)chain.In addition to high transparency,the resultant copolymers(SS-co-PC5,SS-co-PC9,SS-co-PC14,and SS-co-PC20)exhibited remarkable improvements in fire safety and mechanical performance.Compared to pure PC,these copolymers demonstrated significantly enhanced limiting oxygen index(LOI,up to 34.5%)and a UL-94 V-0 rating under a thickness of only 1.6 mm.The incorporation of the polysiloxane blocks not only improved flame retardancy but also enhanced the impact strength,with SS-co-PC9 showing a 48%increase in elongation at break and a 38%rise in impact toughness compared to pure PC.In addition,SS-co-PC9 presented high mechanical strength.The synergistic effects between the naphthalene-sulfonate and polysiloxane blocks,along with the well-controlled polysiloxane phase separation(sulfonate units enabled lower processing viscosity of copolymers),led to superior comprehensive performance.These findings provide a promising pathway to create high-performance copolycarbonates for real-world applications.
基金funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2022YFB3805300)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.22125801,22005010).
摘要Proton exchange membranes(PEMs)are widely employed in energy conversion and storage devices including fuel cells(FCs),redox flow batteries(RFBs)and PEM water electrolysis(PEMWE).As one of the main components of these devices,a high-performance PEM is always desirable considering the cost challenges from both energy utilization efficiency and production cost.From this century,governments of countries worldwide have introduced PFAS(per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances)restriction related policies,which facilitate the extensive research on non-fluorinated PEMs.Besides,non-fluorinated PEMs become hot topics of all kinds of PEMs due to the advantages including excellent conductivity,high mechanical property,reduced swelling,low cost and reduced ion permeation of electrochemically active species.In this review,various types of non-fluorinated PEMs including main-chain-type hydrocarbon membranes,microphase separation membranes and membranes with rigid-twisted structure are comprehensively summarized.The basic properties of different types of non-fluorinated PEMs including water uptake,swelling ratio,oxidative stability,tensile strength and conductivity are compared and the corresponding application performance in FCs,RFBs and PEMWE are discussed.The state-of-the-art of the structural design in both monomers and polymers is reviewed for the construction of fast ion transport channels and high resistance of free radical attacks.Also,future challenges and possibilities for the development of non-fluorinated PEMs are comprehensively forecasted.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFE0138900)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21972017)the“Scientific and Technical Innovation Action Plan”Basic Research Field of Shanghai Science and Technology Committee(19JC1410500).
摘要Developing advanced ion-conductive networks is crucial for anion exchange membranes(AEMs).A flexible molecular structure facilitates the formation of ion clusters,resulting in enhanced ionic conductivity.Polyacrylates,known for their outstanding flexibility and chemical stability,hold significant potential as polymer electrolyte membranes.In this work,we innovatively constructed a series of polyacrylate-based AEMs decorated with pendant zwitterions(designated as PSBPA-X,BSBPA-X,where X=20,30,40).Specifically,the spacer length between the zwitterions is strategically optimized to enhance the ionic conductivity.Atomic force microscopy reveals that a longer spacer length between the zwitterions promotes the microphase separation and the formation of advanced water channels,which facilitates the OH-transport in the BSBPA-40 membrane.Moreover,the stronger electrostatic potential and lower interaction energy between the BSBPA-40 and OH-further contribute to efficient OH-hopping transmission.Consequently,the BSBPA-40 membrane demonstrates the highest OH-conductivity,achieving 102.1 mS cm-1at 80℃ and 90% relative humidity,significantly surpassing that of the PSBPA-40 membrane(75.2 mS cm-1).Additionally,the BSBPA-40 membrane exhibits remarkable flexibility with an improved breaking elongation of 480.5%due to the ionic cross-linking between the zwitterions.Notably,the BSBPA-40 membrane-based zinc-air battery achieves an outstanding power density of 156.7 mW cm-2at room temperature,while its water electrolysis performance reaches 2.1 A cm-2at 2.0 V.These results indicate that the developed membranes hold great promise for applications in sustainable and clean energy technologies.
基金supported by the Shanghai Special Nano Foundation and Shanghai Sci.&Tech.Foundation.
摘要A series of poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS)-4,4′-diphenylmethanediisocyanate(MDI)-poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG)multiblock copolymers were synthesized by employing two-step growth polymerization and investigated by AFM,XPS.contact angle system,protein adsorption and platelets adhesion measurements,respectively.It was found that as the molecular weight of PDMS increased,the surface of copolymers had increasing phase separation,while the increase in the molecular weight of PEG decreased the phase separation extents of the copolymer surface.XPS and contact angle measurements showed that the greater the phase separation extent was,the lower both the surface enrichment of PDMS and the surface free energy of the copolymer film were.The protein adsorption experiments indicated that the best phase separation did not exhibit the best biocompatibility.