1
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Li Y, Zhao W, Cheng Z, Sun ZY, Liu H. Structural heterogeneity in tetra-armed gels revealed by computer simulation: Evidence from a graph theory assisted characterization. J Chem Phys 2024; 160:144902. [PMID: 38591682 DOI: 10.1063/5.0198388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Designing homogeneous networks is considered one typical strategy for solving the problem of strength and toughness conflict of polymer network materials. Experimentalists have proposed the hypothesis of obtaining a structurally homogeneous hydrogel by crosslinking tetra-armed polymers, whose homogeneity was claimed to be verified by scattering characterization and other methods. Nevertheless, it is highly desirable to further evaluate this issue from other perspectives. In this study, a coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation coupled with a stochastic reaction model is applied to reveal the topological structure of a polymer network synthesized by tetra-armed monomers as precursors. Two different scenarios, distinguished by whether internal cross-linking is allowed, are considered. We introduce the Dijkstra algorithm from graph theory to precisely characterize the network structure. The microscopic features of the network structure, e.g., loop size, dispersity, and size distribution, are obtained via the Dijkstra algorithm. By comparing the two reaction scenarios, Scenario II exhibits an overall more idealized structure. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of the Dijkstra algorithm for precisely characterizing the polymer network structure. We expect this work will provide a new insight for the evaluation and description of gel networks and further help to reveal the dynamic process of network formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, People's Republic of China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenbo Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyuan Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao-Yan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, People's Republic of China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
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2
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Zhang Y, Pan Y, Chang R, Chen K, Wang K, Tan H, Yin M, Liu C, Qu X. Advancing homogeneous networking principles for the development of fatigue-resistant, low-swelling and sprayable hydrogels for sealing wet, dynamic and concealed wounds in vivo. Bioact Mater 2024; 34:150-163. [PMID: 38225944 PMCID: PMC10788230 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Effective sealing of wet, dynamic and concealed wounds remains a formidable challenge in clinical practice. Sprayable hydrogel sealants are promising due to their ability to cover a wide area rapidly, but they face limitations in dynamic and moist environments. To address this issue, we have employed the principle of a homogeneous network to design a sprayable hydrogel sealant with enhanced fatigue resistance and reduced swelling. This network is formed by combining the spherical structure of lysozyme (LZM) with the orthotetrahedral structure of 4-arm-polyethylene glycol (4-arm-PEG). We have achieved exceptional sprayability by controlling the pH of the precursor solution. The homogeneous network, constructed through uniform cross-linking of amino groups in protein and 4-arm-PEG-NHS, provides the hydrogel with outstanding fatigue resistance, low swelling and sustained adhesion. In vitro testing demonstrated that it could endure 2000 cycles of underwater shearing, while in vivo experiments showed adhesion maintenance exceeding 24 h. Furthermore, the hydrogel excelled in sealing leaks and promoting ulcer healing in models including porcine cardiac hemorrhage, lung air leakage and rat oral ulcers, surpassing commonly used clinical materials. Therefore, our research presents an advanced biomaterial strategy with the potential to advance the clinical management of wet, dynamic and concealed wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Material Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yanjun Pan
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1678 Dong Fang Road, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Ronghang Chang
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Material Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kangli Chen
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Material Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Material Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Haoqi Tan
- Suzhou Innovation Center of Shanghai University, Shanghai University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Meng Yin
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1678 Dong Fang Road, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Changsheng Liu
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Material Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xue Qu
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Material Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Wenzhou Institute of Shanghai University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
- Shanghai Frontier Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism Shanghai, 200237, China
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3
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Anan S, Kokado K, Sada K. Predictable Synthesis of 3D Polymer Networks Using Crystal Component-Linking. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024:e2400058. [PMID: 38555523 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202400058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Controlled synthesis of 3D polymer networks presents a significant challenge because of the complexity of the polymerization reaction in solution. In this study, a polymerization system that facilitates the prediction of a polymer network structure via percolation simulations is realized. The most significant difference between general percolation simulations and experimental polymerization systems is the mobility of the molecules during the reaction. A crystal component-linking method that connects the precisely arranged monomer as a supramolecular crystalline state to imitate the simple percolation theory is adopted. The percolation simulation based on the crystal structure of the arranged monomers is used to accurately calculate the gelation point, gel fraction, degree of swelling, and atomic formula, which correspond with the experimental results. This suggests that the network structures polymerized via the crystal component-linking method can be predicted precisely by a simple percolation simulation. Further, the percolation simulation predicts the structures of the loop, branched polymer, and crosslinking point, which are difficult to measure experimentally. The polymerization of precisely-arranged immobilized monomers in supramolecular structures is promising in synthesizing precisely controlled polymer networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizuka Anan
- Department of Advanced Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Toyota Technological Institute, 2-12-1 Hisakata, Tempaku-ku, Nagoya, 468-8511, Japan
| | - Kenta Kokado
- Department of Advanced Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Toyota Technological Institute, 2-12-1 Hisakata, Tempaku-ku, Nagoya, 468-8511, Japan
| | - Kazuki Sada
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Kita10 Nishi8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0810, Japan
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita13 Nishi8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8628, Japan
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4
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Wang XQ, Xie AQ, Cao P, Yang J, Ong WL, Zhang KQ, Ho GW. Structuring and Shaping of Mechanically Robust and Functional Hydrogels toward Wearable and Implantable Applications. Adv Mater 2024:e2309952. [PMID: 38389497 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202309952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Hydrogels possess unique features such as softness, wetness, responsiveness, and biocompatibility, making them highly suitable for biointegrated applications that have close interactions with living organisms. However, conventional man-made hydrogels are usually soft and brittle, making them inferior to the mechanically robust biological hydrogels. To ensure reliable and durable operation of biointegrated wearable and implantable devices, mechanical matching and shape adaptivity of hydrogels to tissues and organs are essential. Recent advances in polymer science and processing technologies have enabled mechanical engineering and shaping of hydrogels for various biointegrated applications. In this review, polymer network structuring strategies at micro/nanoscales for toughening hydrogels are summarized, and representative mechanical functionalities that exist in biological materials but are not easily achieved in synthetic hydrogels are further discussed. Three categories of processing technologies, namely, 3D printing, spinning, and coating for fabrication of tough hydrogel constructs with complex shapes are reviewed, and the corresponding hydrogel toughening strategies are also highlighted. These developments enable adaptive fabrication of mechanically robust and functional hydrogel devices, and promote application of hydrogels in the fields of biomedical engineering, bioelectronics, and soft robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Qiao Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - An-Quan Xie
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Pengle Cao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Jian Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Wei Li Ong
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Ke-Qin Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Ghim Wei Ho
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
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5
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Gao Y, Huang C, Ge D, Liao Y, Chen Y, Li S, Yu HY. Highly efficient dissolution and reinforcement mechanism of robust and transparent cellulose films for smart packaging. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:128046. [PMID: 37956816 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The packaging of fresh foods increasingly focuses on renewable and eco-friendly cellulose films, but their low dissolution efficiency and weak mechanical strength greatly limit their wide application, which also cannot be used for smart packaging. Here, a highly efficient synergistic chloride-salt dissolution method was proposed to fabricate robust, transparent, and smart cellulose films. Cellulose films with appropriate Ca2+ concentration exhibited robust mechanical strength, better thermal stability, high transparency and crystallinity. The metal chelation of Ca2+ with cellulose chains could induce cellulose chain arrangement during the cellulose regeneration process. Particularly, compared to pure cellulose films, the tensile strength and elongation at break of cellulose films with suitable Ca2+ were increased by 167 % and 200 %, respectively. Moreover, optimal cellulose films can be used to reflect the quality of the fruit by detecting changes in ethanol gas. Hence, a novel strategy is presented to fabricate robust and transparent cellulose films with great potential application for smart packaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjie Gao
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Textile and Flexible Interconnection of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928 Second Avenue, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Chengling Huang
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Textile and Flexible Interconnection of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928 Second Avenue, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Dan Ge
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Textile and Flexible Interconnection of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928 Second Avenue, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Yiqi Liao
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Textile and Flexible Interconnection of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928 Second Avenue, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Textile and Flexible Interconnection of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928 Second Avenue, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Shenghong Li
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Textile and Flexible Interconnection of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928 Second Avenue, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Hou-Yong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Textile and Flexible Interconnection of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928 Second Avenue, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou 310018, China.
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6
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Suga K, Yamakado T, Saito S. Dual Ratiometric Fluorescence Monitoring of Mechanical Polymer Chain Stretching and Subsequent Strain-Induced Crystallization. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 38051032 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c09175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Tracking the behavior of mechanochromic molecules provides valuable insights into force transmission and associated microstructural changes in soft materials under load. Herein, we report a dual ratiometric fluorescence (FL) analysis for monitoring both mechanical polymer chain stretching and strain-induced crystallization (SIC) of polymers. SIC has recently attracted renewed attention as an effective mechanism for improving the mechanical properties of polymers. A polyurethane (PU) film incorporating a trace of a dual-emissive flapping force probe (N-FLAP, 0.008 wt %) exhibited a blue-to-green FL spectral change in a low-stress region (<20 MPa), resulting from conformational planarization of the probe in mechanically stretched polymer chains. More importantly, at higher probe concentrations (∼0.65 wt %), the PU film showed a second spectral change from green to yellow during the SIC growth (20-65 MPa) due to self-absorption of scattered FL in a short wavelength region. The reversibility of these spectral changes was demonstrated by load-unload cycles. With these results in hand, the degrees of the polymer chain stretching and the SIC were quantitatively mapped and monitored by dual ratiometric imaging based on different FL ratios (I525/I470 and I525/I600). Simultaneous analysis of these two mappings revealed a spatiotemporal gap in the distribution of the polymer chain stretching and the SIC. The combinational use of the dual-emissive force probe and the ratiometric FL imaging is a universal approach for the development of soft matter physics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensuke Suga
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamakado
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shohei Saito
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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7
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Ishikawa S, Iwanaga Y, Uneyama T, Li X, Hojo H, Fujinaga I, Katashima T, Saito T, Okada Y, Chung UI, Sakumichi N, Sakai T. Percolation-induced gel-gel phase separation in a dilute polymer network. Nat Mater 2023; 22:1564-1570. [PMID: 37903925 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-023-01712-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Cosmic large-scale structures, animal flocks and living tissues can be considered non-equilibrium organized systems created by dissipative processes. Replicating such properties in artificial systems is still difficult. Herein we report a dissipative network formation process in a dilute polymer-water mixture that leads to percolation-induced gel-gel phase separation. The dilute system, which forms a monophase structure at the percolation threshold, spontaneously separates into two co-continuous gel phases with a submillimetre scale (a dilute-percolated gel) during the deswelling process after the completion of the gelation reaction. The dilute-percolated gel, which contains 99% water, exhibits unexpected hydrophobicity and induces the development of adipose-like tissues in subcutaneous tissues. These findings support the development of dissipative structures with advanced functionalities for distinct applications, ranging from physical chemistry to tissue engineering.
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Grants
- JPMJCR1992 MEXT | JST | Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST)
- JPMJCR1852 MEXT | JST | Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST)
- JPMJCR20E2 MEXT | JST | Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST)
- Moon-shot R&D 1125941 MEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
- JPMJMS2025-14 MEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
- JPMXP1122714694 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- 21H04688 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- 20H05733 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- 19H05794 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- 19H05795 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- 19K14672 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- 22H01187 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- 20J01344 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JPMJPR1992 MEXT | JST | Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO)
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohei Ishikawa
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhide Iwanaga
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Uneyama
- Department of Materials Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Xiang Li
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hironori Hojo
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ikuo Fujinaga
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Katashima
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taku Saito
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Okada
- Laboratory for Cell Polarity Regulation, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Suita, Japan
- Department of Cell Biology, Department of Physics, Universal Biology Institute (UBI) and International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ung-Il Chung
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Sakumichi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Takamasa Sakai
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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8
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Nakagawa S, Aoki D, Asano Y, Yoshie N. Module-Assembled Elastomer Showing Large Strain Stiffening Capability and High Stretchability. Adv Mater 2023; 35:e2301124. [PMID: 36929528 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202301124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Elastomers are indispensable materials due to their flexible, stretchable, and elastic nature. However, the polymer network structure constituting an elastomer is generally inhomogeneous, limiting the performance of the material. Here, a highly stretchable elastomer with unprecedented strain-stiffening capability is developed based on a highly homogeneous network structure enabled by a module assembly strategy. The elastomer is synthesized by efficient end-linking of a star-shaped aliphatic polyester precursor with a narrow molecular-weight distribution. The resulting product shows high strength (≈26 MPa) and remarkable stretchability (stretch ratio at break ≈1900%), as well as good fatigue resistance and notch insensitivity. Moreover, it shows extraordinary strain-stiffening capability (>2000-fold increase in the apparent stiffness) that exceeds the performance of any existing soft material. These unique properties are due to strain-induced ordering of the polymer chains in a uniformly stretched network, as revealed by in situ X-ray scattering analyses. The utility of this great strain-stiffening capability is demonstrated by realizing a simple variable stiffness actuator for soft robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shintaro Nakagawa
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
| | - Daisuke Aoki
- Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Yuki Asano
- Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Naoko Yoshie
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
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9
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Lee WS, Enomoto T, Akimoto AM, Yoshida R. Capsule self-oscillating gels showing cell-like nonthermal membrane/shape fluctuations. Mater Horiz 2023; 10:1332-1341. [PMID: 36722870 DOI: 10.1039/d2mh01490d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A primary interest in cell membrane and shape fluctuations is establishing experimental models reflecting only nonthermal active contributions. Here we report a millimeter-scaled capsule self-oscillating gel model mirroring the active contribution effect on cell fluctuations. In the capsule self-oscillating gels, the propagating chemical signals during a Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction induce simultaneous local deformations in the various regions, showing cell-like shape fluctuations. The capsule self-oscillating gels do not fluctuate without the BZ reaction, implying that only the active chemical parameter induces the gel fluctuations. The period and amplitude depend on the gel layer thickness and the concentration of the chemical substrate for the BZ reaction. Our results allow for a solid experimental platform showing actively driven cell-like fluctuations, which can potentially contribute to investigating the active parameter effect on cell fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Seok Lee
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Takafumi Enomoto
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Aya Mizutani Akimoto
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Ryo Yoshida
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
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10
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Ohira M, Nakagawa S, Sampei R, Noritomi T, Sakai T, Shibayama M, Li X. Effects of network junctions and defects on the crystallization of model poly(ethylene glycol) networks. Soft Matter 2023; 19:1653-1663. [PMID: 36756772 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01036d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Polymer crystallization drastically changes the physical properties of polymeric materials. However, the crystallization in polymer networks has been little explored. This study investigated the crystallization behavior of a series of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) networks consisting of well-defined branched precursors. The PEG networks were prepared by drying gels synthesized at various conditions. The PEG networks showed slower crystallization with lower final crystallinity than uncrosslinked PEGs with amine end groups. Surprisingly, the effect of network formation was not as significant as that of the relatively bulky end-groups introduced in the uncrosslinked polymer. The molecular weight of the precursor PEG, or equivalently the chain length between neighboring junctions, was the primary parameter that affected the crystallization of the PEG networks. Shorter network chains led to lower crystallization rates and final crystallinity. This effect became less significant as the network chain length increased. On the other hand, the spatial and topological defects formed in the gel synthesis process did not affect the crystallization in the polymer networks at all. The crystallization in the polymer networks seems insensitive to these mesoscopic defects and can be solely controlled by the chain length between junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Ohira
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8685, Japan
| | - Shintaro Nakagawa
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Ryotaro Sampei
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Takako Noritomi
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Takamasa Sakai
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8685, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Shibayama
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
- Neutron Science and Technology Center, Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society (CROSS), 162-1 Shirakata, Tokai, Naka, Ibaraki, 319-1106, Japan
| | - Xiang Li
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan.
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11
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de Miguel-Jiménez A, Ebeling B, Paez JI, Fink-Straube C, Pearson S, Del Campo A. Gelation Kinetics and Mechanical Properties of Thiol-Tetrazole Methylsulfone Hydrogels Designed for Cell Encapsulation. Macromol Biosci 2023; 23:e2200419. [PMID: 36457236 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogel precursors that crosslink within minutes are essential for the development of cell encapsulation matrices and their implementation in automated systems. Such timescales allow sufficient mixing of cells and hydrogel precursors under low shear forces and the achievement of homogeneous networks and cell distributions in the 3D cell culture. The previous work showed that the thiol-tetrazole methylsulfone (TzMS) reaction crosslinks star-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels within minutes at around physiological pH and can be accelerated or slowed down with small pH changes. The resulting hydrogels are cytocompatible and stable in cell culture conditions. Here, the gelation kinetics and mechanical properties of PEG-based hydrogels formed by thiol-TzMS crosslinking as a function of buffer, crosslinker structure and degree of TzMS functionality are reported. Crosslinkers of different architecture, length and chemical nature (PEG versus peptide) are tested, and degree of TzMS functionality is modified by inclusion of RGD cell-adhesive ligand, all at concentration ranges typically used in cell culture. These studies corroborate that thiol/PEG-4TzMS hydrogels show gelation times and stiffnesses that are suitable for 3D cell encapsulation and tunable through changes in hydrogel composition. The results of this study guide formulation of encapsulating hydrogels for manual and automated 3D cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián de Miguel-Jiménez
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.,Chemistry Department, Saarland University, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Bastian Ebeling
- Kuraray Europe GmbH, Advanced Interlayer Solutions, Competence Center for Innovation & Technology, Mülheimer Str. 26, 53840, Troisdorf, Germany
| | - Julieta I Paez
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.,Current address: Department of Developmental BioEngineering, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia Fink-Straube
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Samuel Pearson
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Aránzazu Del Campo
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.,Chemistry Department, Saarland University, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
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12
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Park HJ, Choi JY, Jin SW, Lee SH, Choi YJ, Kim DB, Chung CM. Preparation of a Crosslinked Poly(imide-siloxane) for Application to Transistor Insulation. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14. [PMID: 36559758 DOI: 10.3390/polym14245392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) is an important power device for the conversion, control, and transmission of semiconductor power, and is used in various industrial fields. The IGBT module currently uses silicone gel as an insulating layer. Since higher power density and more severe temperature applications have become the trend according to the development of electronic device industry, insulating materials with improved heat resistance and insulation performances should be developed. In this study, we intended to synthesize a new insulating material with enhanced thermal stability and reduced thermal conductivity. Poly(imide-siloxane) (PIS) was prepared and crosslinked through a hydrosilylation reaction to obtain a semi-solid Crosslinked PIS. Thermal decomposition temperature, thermal conductivity, optical transparency, dielectric constant, and rheological property of the Crosslinked PIS were investigated and compared to those of a commercial silicone gel. The Crosslinked PIS showed high thermal stability and low thermal conductivity, along with other desirable properties, and so could be useful as an IGBT-insulating material.
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13
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Han J, Osugi M, Ikeda N, Fujii K. Lithium salt-concentrated organogels prepared via one-step polymer network formation in acetonitrile-based solutions. POLYMER 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2022.125426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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14
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Lin W, Wei X, Liu S, Zhang J, Yang T, Chen S. Recent Advances in Mechanical Reinforcement of Zwitterionic Hydrogels. Gels 2022; 8:gels8090580. [PMID: 36135292 PMCID: PMC9498500 DOI: 10.3390/gels8090580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
As a nonspecific protein adsorption material, a strong hydration layer provides zwitterionic hydrogels with excellent application potential while weakening the interaction between zwitterionic units, leading to poor mechanical properties. The unique anti-polyelectrolyte effect in ionic solution further restricts the application value due to the worsening mechanical strength. To overcome the limitations of zwitterionic hydrogels that can only be used in scenarios that do not require mechanical properties, several methods for strengthening mechanical properties based on enhancing intermolecular interaction forces and polymer network structure design have been extensively studied. Here, we review the works on preparing tough zwitterionic hydrogel. Based on the spatial and molecular structure design, tough zwitterionic hydrogels have been considered as an important candidate for advanced biomedical and soft ionotronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weifeng Lin
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xinyue Wei
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Sihang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks, Key Laboratory for Thin Film and Microfabrication of the Ministry of Education, UM-SJTU Joint Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Correspondence: (S.L.); (S.C.)
| | - Juan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Zhejiang Poly Pharm Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 311199, China
| | - Tian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks, Key Laboratory for Thin Film and Microfabrication of the Ministry of Education, UM-SJTU Joint Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Shengfu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Correspondence: (S.L.); (S.C.)
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15
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Wang Z, Valenzuela C, Wu J, Chen Y, Wang L, Feng W. Bioinspired Freeze-Tolerant Soft Materials: Design, Properties, and Applications. Small 2022; 18:e2201597. [PMID: 35971186 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202201597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In nature, many biological organisms have developed the exceptional antifreezing ability to survive in extremely cold environments. Inspired by the freeze resistance of these organisms, researchers have devoted extensive efforts to develop advanced freeze-tolerant soft materials and explore their potential applications in diverse areas such as electronic skin, soft robotics, flexible energy, and biological science. Herein, a comprehensive overview on the recent advancement of freeze-tolerant soft materials and their emerging applications from the perspective of bioinspiration and advanced material engineering is provided. First, the mechanisms underlying the freeze tolerance of cold-enduring biological organisms are introduced. Then, engineering strategies for developing antifreezing soft materials are summarized. Thereafter, recent advances in freeze-tolerant soft materials for different technological applications such as smart sensors and actuators, energy harvesting and storage, and cryogenic medical applications are presented. Finally, future challenges and opportunities for the rapid development of bioinspired freeze-tolerant soft materials are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Cristian Valenzuela
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Jianhua Wu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Yuanhao Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Ling Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Composite and Functional Materials, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Wei Feng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Composite and Functional Materials, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China
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16
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Hiei Y, Ohshima I, Hara M, Seki T, Hoshino T, Takeoka Y. Shrinking rates of polymer gels composed of star-shaped polymers of N-isopropylacrylamide and dimethylacrylamide copolymers: the effect of dimethylacrylamide on the crosslinking network. Soft Matter 2022; 18:5204-5217. [PMID: 35766519 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00402j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Thermoresponsive polymer gels can be applied as culture beds for cell sheets, drug release agents for drug delivery, and sensing materials. In general, the shrinkage behavior of thermoresponsive polymer gels is complex, and they may require much longer times than swelling to reach thermodynamically stable shrinkage states. This slow volume change during shrinkage is often a drawback in using reversible changes in polymer gel volumes with changing temperature for applications such as those described above, and attempts have been made to improve the shrinkage rates of polymer gels. However, using the conventional method results in a low density of the three-dimensional crosslinked network comprising the polymer gel, which weakens the mechanical properties of the polymer gel. In this study, we investigated the effects of monomer arrangement and composition for star-shaped polymers composed of N-isopropylacrylamide and N,N-dimethylacrylamide on the shrinkage behavior of gels comprising star-shaped polymers with the aim of increasing their shrinkage rates without reducing the network densities of the temperature-responsive polymer gels. Based on selective network decomposition by methanolysis and SAXS measurements, the network structures of the obtained spherical gels were found to be more homogeneous than those of polymer gels obtained by conventional free radical polymerization. These gels exhibited reversible volume changes in water, with low-temperature swelling and high-temperature shrinkage. The rates of volume changes from a high temperature shrunken state to a low temperature swollen one were almost the same for all gels. However, the rates of volume changes from low-temperature swollen states to high-temperature shrunken states varied greatly depending on the compositions and sequences of monomers that made up the polymer networks. We confirmed that the introduction of more than 20% DMA as a block copolymer in the network suppressed phase separation and formation of a skin layer and the water inside the polymer gel drained smoothly to the outside, which resulted in an increase in the shrinkage speed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Hiei
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.
| | - Ikuya Ohshima
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.
| | - Mitsuo Hara
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.
| | | | - Yukikazu Takeoka
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.
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17
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Han Z, Yue X, Shao J. The adsorption characteristics of 2D fibril and 3D hydrogel aggregates at the O/W interface combining molecular dynamics simulation. Food Hydrocoll 2022; 128:107537. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2022.107537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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18
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Lin X, Zhao X, Xu C, Wang L, Xia Y. Progress in the mechanical enhancement of hydrogels: Fabrication strategies and underlying mechanisms. Journal of Polymer Science 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20220154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Bio‐Fibers and Eco‐Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Marine Biomass Fibers, Materials and Textiles of Shandong Province Institute of Marine Biobased Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University Qingdao China
| | - Xianwei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bio‐Fibers and Eco‐Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Marine Biomass Fibers, Materials and Textiles of Shandong Province Institute of Marine Biobased Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University Qingdao China
| | - Chongzhi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bio‐Fibers and Eco‐Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Marine Biomass Fibers, Materials and Textiles of Shandong Province Institute of Marine Biobased Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University Qingdao China
| | - Lili Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bio‐Fibers and Eco‐Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Marine Biomass Fibers, Materials and Textiles of Shandong Province Institute of Marine Biobased Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University Qingdao China
| | - Yanzhi Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Bio‐Fibers and Eco‐Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Marine Biomass Fibers, Materials and Textiles of Shandong Province Institute of Marine Biobased Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University Qingdao China
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19
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Nakagawa S, Yoshie N. Linking microscopic structural changes and macroscopic mechanical responses in a near-ideal bottlebrush elastomer under uniaxial deformation. Soft Matter 2022; 18:4527-4535. [PMID: 35670222 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00492e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Bottlebrush (BB) elastomers, in which load-bearing network strands are densely grafted with side chains, are gaining much attention due to their unique mechanical properties. Herein, we used in situ small-angle X-ray scattering coupled with tensile tests to investigate the microscopic structural changes induced in a model BB elastomer with a controlled network structure under uniaxial deformation. The model BB elastomer was synthesized by end-linking a monodisperse star-shaped BB polymer, which ensured a controlled network structure. The BB elastomer exhibited both significant strain stiffening and backbone chain alignment under uniaxial loading, and these properties were not observed in an analogous side chain-free elastomer and gel. It was also found that the side chains in the BB elastomer did not show any sign of chain orientation even when the attached backbone chain was aligned in the stretching direction. These observations highlighted the roles of side chains: they were structurally disordered at the segment level but their steric repulsion made the backbone chain aligned and overstretched.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shintaro Nakagawa
- Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo, Komaba 4-6-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan.
| | - Naoko Yoshie
- Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo, Komaba 4-6-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan.
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20
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Ghaffari Z, Rezvani H, Khalilnezhad A, Cortes FB, Riazi M. Experimental characterization of colloidal silica gel for water conformance control in oil reservoirs. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9628. [PMID: 35688917 PMCID: PMC9187666 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13035-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
High water production in oil fields is an area of concern due to economic issues and borehole/wellhead damages. Colloidal gels can be a good alternative to polymers to address this as they can tolerate harsh oil reservoir conditions. A series of bottle tests with different silica and NaCl concentrations were first conducted. The gelation time, cation valence, rheology, and viscosity were investigated to characterize the gels. The applicability of solid gels in porous media was finally inspected in a dual-patterned glass micromodel. Bottle test results showed that increasing NaCl concentration at a constant silica concentration can convert solid gels into two-phase gels and then viscous suspensions. Na+ replacement with Mg2+ resulted a distinctive behaviour probably due to higher coagulating ability of Mg2+. Rheology and viscosity results agreed with gelation times: gel with shortest gelation time had the highest viscosity and storage/loss modulus but was not the most elastic one. Water injection into glass micromodel half-saturated with crude oil and solid gel proved that the gel is strong against pressure gradients applied by injected phase which is promising for water conformance controls. The diverted injected phase recorded an oil recovery of 53% which was not feasible without blocking the water zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Ghaffari
- Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Research Centre, IOR/EOR Research Institute, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.,Faculty of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hosein Rezvani
- Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Research Centre, IOR/EOR Research Institute, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.,Department of Chemistry, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Ali Khalilnezhad
- Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Research Centre, IOR/EOR Research Institute, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.,Faculty of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Farid B Cortes
- Grupo de Investigación en Fenómenos de Superficie-Michael Polanyi, Departamento de Procesos y Energía, Facultad de Minas, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Medellín, 050034, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Masoud Riazi
- Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Research Centre, IOR/EOR Research Institute, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. .,Department of Petroleum Engineering, School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
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21
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Katashima T, Kudo R, Naito M, Nagatoishi S, Miyata K, Chung UI, Tsumoto K, Sakai T. Experimental Comparison of Bond Lifetime and Viscoelastic Relaxation in Transient Networks with Well-Controlled Structures. ACS Macro Lett 2022; 11:753-759. [PMID: 35594190 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.2c00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate an experimental comparison of the bond lifetime, estimated using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and the viscoelastic relaxation time of transient networks with well-controlled structures (dynamically cross-linked Tetra-PEG gel). SPR and viscoelastic measurements revealed that the temperature dependences of the two characteristic times are in agreement, while the viscoelastic response is delayed with respect to the lifetime by a factor of 2-3, dependent on the network strand length. Polymers cross-linked by temporary interactions form transient networks, which show fascinating viscoelasticity with a single relaxation mode. However, the molecular understanding of such simple viscoelasticity has remained incomplete because of the difficulty of experimentally evaluating bond lifetimes and heterogeneous structures in conventional transient networks. Our results suggest that bond dissociation and recombination both contribute to the macromechanical response. This report on direct bond-lifetime-viscoelastic-relaxation time comparison provides important information for the molecular design of transient network materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Katashima
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Ryota Kudo
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Naito
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Satoru Nagatoishi
- Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Kanjiro Miyata
- Department of Materials Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Ung-il Chung
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Kouhei Tsumoto
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
- Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takamasa Sakai
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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22
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Zhang X, Xiang J, Hong Y, Shen L. Recent Advances in Design Strategies of Tough Hydrogels. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2200075. [PMID: 35436378 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogels are a fascinating class of materials popular in numerous fields, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, soft robotics, and sensors, attributed to their 3D network porous structure containing a significant amount of water. However, traditional hydrogels exhibit poor mechanical strength, limiting their practical applications. Thus, many researchers have focused on the development of mechanically enhanced hydrogels. This review describes the design considerations for constructing tough hydrogels and some of the latest strategies in recent years. These tough hydrogels have an up-and-coming prospect and bring great hope to the fields of biomedicine and others. Nonetheless, it is still no small challenge to realize hydrogel materials that are tough, multifunctional, intelligent, and zero-defect. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojia Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200, Road Cailun, Pudong District, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jinxi Xiang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200, Road Cailun, Pudong District, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yanlong Hong
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine Health Services, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lan Shen
- School of Pharmacy, 1200, Road Cailun, Pudong District, Shanghai, 201203, China
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23
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Ohira M, Katashima T, Naito M, Aoki D, Yoshikawa Y, Iwase H, Takata SI, Miyata K, Chung UI, Sakai T, Shibayama M, Li X. Star-Polymer-DNA Gels Showing Highly Predictable and Tunable Mechanical Responses. Adv Mater 2022; 34:e2108818. [PMID: 35034389 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202108818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Dynamically crosslinked gels are appealing materials for applications that require time-dependent mechanical responses. DNA duplexes are ideal crosslinkers for building such gels because of their excellent sequence addressability and flexible tunability in bond energy. However, the mechanical responses of most DNA gels are complicated and unpredictable. Here, a DNA gel with a highly homogeneous gel network and well predictable mechanical behaviors is demonstrated by using a pair of star-polymer-DNA precursors with presimulated DNA sequences showing the two-state transition. The melting curve analysis of the DNA gels reveals the good correspondence between the thermodynamic potentials of the DNA crosslinkers and the presimulated values by DNA calculators. Stress-relaxation tests and dissociation kinetics measurements show that the macroscopic relaxation time of the DNA gels is approximately equal to the lifetime of the DNA crosslinkers over 4 orders of magnitude from 0.1-2000 s. Furthermore, a series of durability tests find the DNA gels are hysteresis-less and self-healable after the applications of repeated temperature and mechanical stimuli. These results demonstrate the great potential of star-polymer-DNA precursors for building gels with predictable and tunable viscoelastic properties, suitable for applications such as stress-response extracellular matrices, injectable solids, and soft robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Ohira
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8685, Japan
| | - Takuya Katashima
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8685, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Naito
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Daisuke Aoki
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan
| | - Yusuke Yoshikawa
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8581, Japan
| | - Hiroki Iwase
- Neutron Science and Technology Center, Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society (CROSS), 162-1 Shirakata, Tokai, Naka, Ibaraki, 319-1106, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Takata
- Materials and Life Science Division, J-PARC Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai, Ibaraki, 319-1195, Japan
| | - Kanjiro Miyata
- Department of Materials Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Ung-Il Chung
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8685, Japan
| | - Takamasa Sakai
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8685, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Shibayama
- Neutron Science and Technology Center, Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society (CROSS), 162-1 Shirakata, Tokai, Naka, Ibaraki, 319-1106, Japan
| | - Xiang Li
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 001-0021, Japan
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24
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Abstract
Polymer gels have recently attracted attention for their application in flexible devices, where mechanically robust gels are required. While there are many strategies to produce tough gels by suppressing nanoscale stress concentration on specific polymer chains, it is still challenging to directly verify the toughening mechanism at the molecular level. To solve this problem, the use of the flapping molecular force probe (FLAP) is promising because it can evaluate the nanoscale forces transmitted in the polymer chain network by ratiometric analysis of a stress-dependent dual fluorescence. A flexible conformational change of FLAP enables real-time and reversible responses to the nanoscale forces at the low force threshold, which is suitable for quantifying the percentage of the stressed polymer chains before structural damage. However, the previously reported FLAP only showed a negligible response in solvated environments because undesirable spontaneous planarization occurs in the excited state, even without mechanical force. Here, we have developed a new ratiometric force probe that functions in common organogels. Replacement of the anthraceneimide units in the flapping wings with pyreneimide units largely suppresses the excited-state planarization, leading to the force probe function under wet conditions. The FLAP-doped polyurethane organogel reversibly shows a dual-fluorescence response under sub-MPa compression. Moreover, the structurally modified FLAP is also advantageous in the wide dynamic range of its fluorescence response in solvent-free elastomers, enabling clearer ratiometric fluorescence imaging of the molecular-level stress concentration during crack growth in a stretched polyurethane film.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Yamakado
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shohei Saito
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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25
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Meng X, Qiao Y, Do C, Bras W, He C, Ke Y, Russell TP, Qiu D. Hysteresis-Free Nanoparticle-Reinforced Hydrogels. Adv Mater 2022; 34:e2108243. [PMID: 34837255 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202108243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The elastic storage and release of mechanical energy has been key to many developments throughout the history of mankind. Resilience, absent hysteresis, has been an elusive goal to achieve, particularly at large deformations. Using a low-crosslink-density polyacrylamide hydrogel at 96% water content having hyperbranched silica nanoparticles (HBSPs) as the major junction points, a hysteresis-free material is realized. The fatigue-free characteristic of these composite hydrogels is evidenced by the invariance of the stress-strain curves at strain ratios of 4, even after 5000 cycles. At a strain ratio of 7, only a 1.3% hysteresis is observed. A markedly increased strain-ratio-at-break of 11.5 is observed. The unique attributes of these resilient hydrogels are manifested in the high-fidelity detection of dynamic deformations under cyclic loading over a broad range of frequencies, difficult to achieve with other materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Meng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yan Qiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Changwoo Do
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Neutron Scattering Division, One Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Wim Bras
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Chemical Sciences Division, One Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Chunyong He
- Spallation Neutron Source Science Center, Dongguan, 523803, China
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yubin Ke
- Spallation Neutron Source Science Center, Dongguan, 523803, China
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Thomas P Russell
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Dong Qiu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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26
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Vashahi F, Martinez MR, Dashtimoghadam E, Fahimipour F, Keith AN, Bersenev EA, Ivanov DA, Zhulina EB, Popryadukhin P, Matyjaszewski K, Vatankhah-Varnosfaderani M, Sheiko SS. Injectable bottlebrush hydrogels with tissue-mimetic mechanical properties. Sci Adv 2022; 8:eabm2469. [PMID: 35061528 PMCID: PMC8782458 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm2469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Injectable hydrogels are desired in many biomedical applications due to their minimally invasive deployment to the body and their ability to introduce drugs. However, current injectables suffer from mechanical mismatch with tissue, fragility, water expulsion, and high viscosity. To address these issues, we design brush-like macromolecules that concurrently provide softness, firmness, strength, fluidity, and swellability. The synthesized linear-bottlebrush-linear (LBL) copolymers facilitate improved injectability as the compact conformation of bottlebrush blocks results in low solution viscosity, while the thermoresponsive linear blocks permit prompt gelation at 37°C. The resulting hydrogels mimic the deformation response of supersoft tissues such as adipose and brain while withstanding deformations of 700% and precluding water expulsion upon gelation. Given their low cytotoxicity and mild inflammation in vivo, the developed materials will have vital implications for reconstructive surgery, tissue engineering, and drug delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Foad Vashahi
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA
| | - Michael R. Martinez
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Erfan Dashtimoghadam
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA
| | - Farahnaz Fahimipour
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA
| | - Andrew N. Keith
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA
| | - Egor A. Bersenev
- Phystech School of Electronics, Photonics, and Molecular Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Institutskiy per. 9, Dolgoprudny 141700, Russia
- Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka 142432, Russia
| | - Dimitri A. Ivanov
- Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka 142432, Russia
- Institut de Sciences des Matériaux de Mulhouse-IS2M, CNRS UMR 7361, 15 rue Jean Starcky, F-68057 Mulhouse, France
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/51, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Ekaterina B. Zhulina
- Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg 199004, Russia
| | - Pavel Popryadukhin
- Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg 199004, Russia
| | - Krzysztof Matyjaszewski
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Corresponding author. (S.S.S.); (M.V.-V.); (K.M.)
| | - Mohammad Vatankhah-Varnosfaderani
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA
- Corresponding author. (S.S.S.); (M.V.-V.); (K.M.)
| | - Sergei S. Sheiko
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA
- Corresponding author. (S.S.S.); (M.V.-V.); (K.M.)
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27
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Kotani R, Yokoyama S, Nobusue S, Yamaguchi S, Osuka A, Yabu H, Saito S. Bridging pico-to-nanonewtons with a ratiometric force probe for monitoring nanoscale polymer physics before damage. Nat Commun 2022; 13:303. [PMID: 35027559 PMCID: PMC8758707 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-27972-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the transmission of nanoscale forces in the pico-to-nanonewton range is important in polymer physics. While physical approaches have limitations in analyzing the local force distribution in condensed environments, chemical analysis using force probes is promising. However, there are stringent requirements for probing the local forces generated before structural damage. The magnitude of those forces corresponds to the range below covalent bond scission (from 200 pN to several nN) and above thermal fluctuation (several pN). Here, we report a conformationally flexible dual-fluorescence force probe with a theoretically estimated threshold of approximately 100 pN. This probe enables ratiometric analysis of the distribution of local forces in a stretched polymer chain network. Without changing the intrinsic properties of the polymer, the force distribution was reversibly monitored in real time. Chemical control of the probe location demonstrated that the local stress concentration is twice as biased at crosslinkers than at main chains, particularly in a strain-hardening region. Due to the high sensitivity, the percentage of the stressed force probes was estimated to be more than 1000 times higher than the activation rate of a conventional mechanophore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Kotani
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Soichi Yokoyama
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shunpei Nobusue
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, 611-0011, Japan
| | | | - Atsuhiro Osuka
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yabu
- WPI-Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan.
| | - Shohei Saito
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
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28
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Abstract
The synthesis of precisely controlled polymer networks has been a long-cherished dream of polymer scientists. Traditional random cross-linking strategies often lead to uncontrolled networks with various kinds of defects. Recent...
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29
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Sakai T, Ito N, Hara M, Seki T, Uchiyama M, Kamigaito M, Satoh K, Hoshino T, Takeoka Y. One-pot synthesis of structure-controlled temperature-responsive polymer gels. Polym Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2py00554a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The simultaneous use of metal Lewis acids and photo-radical generators for dithioesters, which are the common dormant species for cationic and radical polymerization, made it possible to convert a cationic species into a radical by photoirradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoki Sakai
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Nagisa Ito
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Hara
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Mineto Uchiyama
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Masami Kamigaito
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Kotaro Satoh
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering School of Material Chemical Technology Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | | | - Yukikazu Takeoka
- Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
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30
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Abstract
Gels of DNA nanostars, besides providing a compatible scaffold for biomedical applications, are ideal model systems for testing the physics of equilibrium colloidal gels. Here, using dynamic light scattering and photon correlation imaging (a recent technique that, by blending light scattering and imaging, provides space-resolved quantification of the dynamics), we follow the process of gel formation over 10 orders of magnitude in time in a model system of tetravalent DNA nanostars in solution, a realization of limited-valence colloids. Such a system, depending on the nanostar concentration, can form either equilibrium or phase separation gels. In stark contrast to the heterogeneity of concentration and dynamics displayed by the phase separation gel, the equilibrium gel shows absence of aging and a remarkable spatially uniform dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Lattuada
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Debora Caprara
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Roberto Piazza
- Department of Chemistry, Materials Science, and Chemical Engineering (CMIC), Politecnico di Milano, Edificio 6, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Sciortino
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy
- Corresponding author.
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31
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Thipwimonmas Y, Thiangchanya A, Phonchai A, Thainchaiwattana S, Jomsati W, Jomsati S, Tayayuth K, Limbut W. The Development of Digital Image Colorimetric Quantitative Analysis of Multi-Explosives Using Polymer Gel Sensors. Sensors (Basel) 2021; 21:s21238041. [PMID: 34884043 PMCID: PMC8659919 DOI: 10.3390/s21238041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Polymer gel sensors on 96-well plates were successfully used to detect four different multi-explosives, including 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), nitrite, and perchlorate. The products of reactions between the explosives and the polymer gel sensors were digitally captured, and the images were analyzed by a developed Red–Green–Blue (RGB) analyzer program on a notebook computer. RGB color analysis provided the basic color data of the reaction products for the quantification of the explosives. The results provided good linear range, sensitivity, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, specificity, interference tolerance, and recovery. The method demonstrated great potential to detect explosives by colorimetric analysis of digital images of samples on 96-well plates. It is possible to apply the proposed method for quantitative on-site field screening of multi-explosives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudtapum Thipwimonmas
- Division of Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (Y.T.); (A.T.); (A.P.)
- Forensic Science Innovation and Service Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
| | - Adul Thiangchanya
- Division of Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (Y.T.); (A.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Apichai Phonchai
- Division of Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (Y.T.); (A.T.); (A.P.)
- Forensic Science Innovation and Service Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
| | - Sittipoom Thainchaiwattana
- Police Forensic Science Center 9, M.1, Chalung, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (S.T.); (W.J.); (S.J.)
| | - Wachirawit Jomsati
- Police Forensic Science Center 9, M.1, Chalung, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (S.T.); (W.J.); (S.J.)
| | - Sunisa Jomsati
- Police Forensic Science Center 9, M.1, Chalung, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (S.T.); (W.J.); (S.J.)
| | - Kunanunt Tayayuth
- Science Park, Hat Yai Campus of Extension Southern Institute of Science Park, Prince of Songkla University, Moo 6, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand;
| | - Warakorn Limbut
- Division of Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (Y.T.); (A.T.); (A.P.)
- Forensic Science Innovation and Service Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Trace Analysis and Biosensors (TAB-CoE), Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +66-74-288563
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32
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Baba Y, Gao G, Hara M, Seki T, Satoh K, Kamigaito M, Hoshino T, Urayama K, Takeoka Y. Mechanical Properties of Homogeneous Polymer Networks Prepared by Star Polymer Synthesis Methods. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Baba
- Department of Molecular & Macromolecular Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Guohao Gao
- Department of Molecular & Macromolecular Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Hara
- Department of Molecular & Macromolecular Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Department of Molecular & Macromolecular Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Kotaro Satoh
- Department of Molecular & Macromolecular Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Masami Kamigaito
- Department of Molecular & Macromolecular Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Taiki Hoshino
- RIKEN Spring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-51982, Japan
| | - Kenji Urayama
- Department of Macromolecular Science & Engineering, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Yukikazu Takeoka
- Department of Molecular & Macromolecular Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
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33
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Yokochi H, Ohira M, Oka M, Honda S, Li X, Aoki D, Otsuka H. Topology Transformation toward Cyclic, Figure-Eight-Shaped, and Cross-Linked Polymers Based on the Dynamic Behavior of a Bis(hindered amino)disulfide Linker. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hirogi Yokochi
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Masashi Ohira
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Minami Oka
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Satoshi Honda
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Daisuke Aoki
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Otsuka
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
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34
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Chremos A, Horkay F, Douglas JF. Structure and conformational properties of ideal nanogel particles in athermal solutions. J Chem Phys 2021; 155:134905. [PMID: 34624976 PMCID: PMC8637729 DOI: 10.1063/5.0064835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigate the conformational properties of "ideal" nanogel particles having a lattice network topology by molecular dynamics simulations to quantify the influence of polymer topology on the solution properties of this type of branched molecular architecture. In particular, we calculate the mass scaling of the radius of gyration (Rg), the hydrodynamic radius, as well as the intrinsic viscosity with the variation of the degree of branching, the length of the chains between the branched points, and the average mesh size within these nanogel particles under good solvent conditions. We find competing trends between the molecular characteristics, where an increase in mesh size or degree of branching results in the emergence of particle-like characteristics, while an increase in the chain length enhances linear polymer-like characteristics. This crossover between these limiting behaviors is also apparent in our calculation of the form factor, P(q), for these structures. Specifically, a primary scattering peak emerges, characterizing the overall nanogel particle size. Moreover, a distinct power-law regime emerges in P(q) at length scales larger than the chain size but smaller than Rg of the nanogel particle, and the Rg mass scaling exponent progressively approaches zero as the mesh size increases, the same scaling as for an infinite network of Gaussian chains. The "fuzzy sphere" model does not capture this feature, and we propose an extension to this popular model. These structural features become more pronounced for values of molecular parameters that enhance the localization of the branching segments within the nanogel particle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Chremos
- Section on Quantitative Imaging and Tissue Sciences, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Ferenc Horkay
- Section on Quantitative Imaging and Tissue Sciences, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Jack F. Douglas
- Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA
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35
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Horkay F, Chremos A, Douglas JF, Jones R, Lou J, Xia Y. Comparative experimental and computational study of synthetic and natural bottlebrush polyelectrolyte solutions. J Chem Phys 2021; 155:074901. [PMID: 34418934 DOI: 10.1063/5.0061649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We systematically investigate model synthetic and natural bottlebrush polyelectrolyte solutions through an array of experimental techniques (osmometry and neutron and dynamic light scattering) along with molecular dynamics simulations to characterize and contrast their structures over a wide range of spatial and time scales. In particular, we perform measurements on solutions of aggrecan and the synthetic bottlebrush polymer, poly(sodium acrylate), and simulations of solutions of highly coarse-grained charged bottlebrush molecules having different degrees of side-branch density and inclusion of an explicit solvent and ion hydration effects. While both systems exhibit a general tendency toward supramolecular organization in solution, bottlebrush poly(sodium acrylate) solutions exhibit a distinctive "polyelectrolyte peak" in their structure factor, but no such peak is observed in aggrecan solutions. This qualitative difference in scattering properties, and thus polyelectrolyte solution organization, is attributed to a concerted effect of the bottlebrush polymer topology and the solvation of the polymer backbone and counterions. The coupling of the polyelectrolyte topological structure with the counterion distribution about the charged polymer molecules along with direct polymer segmental hydration makes their solution organization and properties "tunable," a phenomenon that has significant ramifications for biological function and disease as well as for numerous materials applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Horkay
- Section on Quantitative Imaging and Tissue Sciences, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Alexandros Chremos
- Section on Quantitative Imaging and Tissue Sciences, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Jack F Douglas
- Material Measurement Laboratory, Material Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA
| | - Ronald Jones
- Material Measurement Laboratory, Material Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA
| | - Junzhe Lou
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Yan Xia
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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38
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Kwon D, Jochi Y, Okaya Y, Seki T, Satoh K, Kamigaito M, Hoshino T, Urayama K, Takeoka Y. Nonturbid Fast Temperature-Responsive Hydrogels with Homogeneous Three-Dimensional Networks by Two Types of Star Polymer Synthesis Methods. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c00446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- DoWoo Kwon
- Department of Molecular & Macromolecular Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Yuto Jochi
- Department of Molecular & Macromolecular Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Yuumi Okaya
- Department of Molecular & Macromolecular Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Department of Molecular & Macromolecular Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Kotaro Satoh
- Department of Molecular & Macromolecular Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Masami Kamigaito
- Department of Molecular & Macromolecular Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Taiki Hoshino
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-51982, Japan
| | - Kenji Urayama
- Department of Macromolecular Science & Engineering, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Yukikazu Takeoka
- Department of Molecular & Macromolecular Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
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Abstract
Epoxy resin is indispensable for modern industry because of its excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and excellent moldability. To date, various methods have been used to investigate the physical properties of the cured product and the kinetics of the curing process, but its microscopic dynamics have been insufficiently studied. In this study, the microscopic dynamics in the curing process of a catalytic epoxy resin were investigated under different temperature conditions utilizing X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy. Our results revealed that the temperature conditions greatly affected the dynamical heterogeneity and cross-linking density of the cured materials. An overview of the microscopic mechanism of the curing process was clearly presented through comparison with the measurement results of other methods, such as 1H-pulse nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The quantification of such heterogeneous dynamics is particularly useful for optimizing the curing conditions of various materials to improve their physical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiki Hoshino
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1, Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo, 679-5148, Japan.
| | - Yasushi Okamoto
- DENSO CORPORATION, 1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya, Aichi, 448-8661, Japan
| | - Atsushi Yamamoto
- DENSO CORPORATION, 1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya, Aichi, 448-8661, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Masunaga
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute/SPring-8, 1-1-1, Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo, 679-5198, Japan
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40
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Huang
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Shintaro Nakagawa
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Hirohiko Houjou
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Naoko Yoshie
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
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41
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Abstract
A structurally controlled polymer gel was synthesized by end-linking a monodisperse star polymer in which each arm was a bottlebrush (BB) polymer densely grafted with side chains. The combination of atom transfer radical polymerization and postpolymerization modification yielded a four-arm star-shaped BB polymer with a controlled polymerization degree of the backbone and side chains. The reactive end groups introduced at the end of each arm reacted with small bifunctional linkers in solution, leading to the formation of a BB polymer gel. The elasticity study on the BB polymer gel suggested its uniform network structure. Our method enables precise and uniform tuning of essential structural parameters across the entire BB polymer network, which will be beneficial for developing soft materials with desired mechanical responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shintaro Nakagawa
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 4-6-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Naoko Yoshie
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 4-6-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
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42
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlong Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, P.R. China
- Beijing Engineering and Technology Research Center of Food Additives, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xin Jia
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Lijun Yin
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
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43
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Song X, Ma J, Long T, Xu X, Zhao S, Liu H. Mechanochemical Cellular Membrane Internalization of Nanohydrogels: A Large-Scale Mesoscopic Simulation. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2021; 13:123-134. [PMID: 33307670 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c16688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
By combining large-scale dissipative particle dynamics and steered molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate the mechanochemical cellular internalization pathways of homogeneous and heterogeneous nanohydrogels and demonstrate that membrane internalization is determined by the crosslink density and encapsulation ability of nanohydrogels. The homogeneous nanohydrogels with a high crosslink density and low encapsulation ability behave as soft nanoparticles partially wrapped by the membrane, while those with a low crosslink density and high encapsulation ability permeate into the membrane. Regardless of the crosslink density, the homogeneous nanohydrogels undergo typical dual morphological deformations. The local lipid nanodomains are identified at the contacting region between the membrane and nanohydrogels because of different diffusion behaviors between lipid and receptor molecules during the internalization process. The yolk@shell heterogeneous nanohydrogels present a different mechanochemical cellular internalization pathway. The yolk with strong affinity is directly in contact with the membrane, resulting in partial membrane wrapping, and the contacting area is much reduced when compared to homogenous nanohydrogels, leading to a smaller lipid nanodomain and thus avoiding related cellular toxicity. Our findings provide a critical mechanism understanding of the biological pathways of nanohydrogels and may guide the molecular design of the hydrogel-based materials for controlled release drug delivery, tissue engineering, and cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianyu Song
- Key Laboratory of Water Environment Evolution and Pollution Control in Three Gorges Reservoir, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Chongqing 404100, China
| | - Jule Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Ting Long
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xiaofei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Shuangliang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Resource Processing and Process Intensification Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Honglai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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44
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Takashima R, Ohira M, Yokochi H, Aoki D, Li X, Otsuka H. Characterization of N-phenylmaleimide-terminated poly(ethylene glycol)s and their application to a tetra-arm poly(ethylene glycol) gel. Soft Matter 2020; 16:10869-10875. [PMID: 33210675 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01658f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tetra-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (TetraPEG) gels are tough materials whose toughness originates from their uniform network structure. They can be formed by combining the termini of tetra-arm polymers via chemical reactions with high conversion efficiency, such as the Michael addition, condensations using an active ester group, and alkyne-azide cycloadditions. Herein, we report the synthesis of a tetra-PEG gel using a tetra-arm polymer with N-phenylmaleimide moieties at the polymer ends (tetra-N-aryl MA PEG) as a scaffold. Tetra-N-aryl MA PEG can be obtained via a simple maleimidation using the modification agent p-maleimidophenyl isocyanate (PMPI), which directly transforms the hydroxy groups at the polymer ends into reactive N-aryl maleimide groups in a one-pot reaction. The thus-obtained tetra-N-aryl MA PEG was fully characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. HPLC analysis not only demonstrated the high purity of tetra-N-aryl MA PEG and the full conversion of the hydroxy groups, but also provided an effective characterization method for N-aryl maleimide-based PEG using a simple protocol, which enables us quantitative analysis of functionalized polymers with different N-aryl maleimide numbers. Furthermore, we fabricated a TetraPEG gel via Michael addition of the obtained tetra-N-aryl MA and thiol-terminated TetraPEGs. Thus, this report presents the application of tetra-N-aryl MA PEG as an effective precursor to obtain a uniform network structure and a method for its characterization; these results should provide support for the development of functional molecules, soft materials, and further functional materials based on the uniform-network-structure concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikito Takashima
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
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Ali SM, Sovuthy C, Imran MA, Socheatra S, Abbasi QH, Abidin ZZ. Recent Advances of Wearable Antennas in Materials, Fabrication Methods, Designs, and Their Applications: State-of-the-Art. Micromachines (Basel) 2020; 11:E888. [PMID: 32987793 DOI: 10.3390/mi11100888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The demand for wearable technologies has grown tremendously in recent years. Wearable antennas are used for various applications, in many cases within the context of wireless body area networks (WBAN). In WBAN, the presence of the human body poses a significant challenge to the wearable antennas. Specifically, such requirements are required to be considered on a priority basis in the wearable antennas, such as structural deformation, precision, and accuracy in fabrication methods and their size. Various researchers are active in this field and, accordingly, some significant progress has been achieved recently. This article attempts to critically review the wearable antennas especially in light of new materials and fabrication methods, and novel designs, such as miniaturized button antennas and miniaturized single and multi-band antennas, and their unique smart applications in WBAN. Finally, the conclusion has been drawn with respect to some future directions.
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46
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Cho HW, Kim H, Sung BJ, Kim JS. Tracer Diffusion in Tightly-Meshed Homogeneous Polymer Networks: A Brownian Dynamics Simulation Study. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2067. [PMID: 32932910 PMCID: PMC7569880 DOI: 10.3390/polym12092067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
We report Brownian dynamics simulations of tracer diffusion in regularly crosslinked polymer networks in order to elucidate the transport of a tracer particle in polymer networks. The average mesh size of homogeneous polymer networks is varied by assuming different degrees of crosslinking or swelling, and the size of a tracer particle is comparable to the average mesh size. Simulation results show subdiffusion of a tracer particle at intermediate time scales and normal diffusion at long times. In particular, the duration of subdiffusion is significantly prolonged as the average mesh size decreases with increasing degree of crosslinking, for which long-time diffusion occurs via the hopping processes of a tracer particle after undergoing rattling motions within a cage of the network mesh for an extended period of time. On the other hand, the cage dynamics and hopping process are less pronounced as the mesh size decreases with increasing polymer volume fractions. The interpretation is provided in terms of fluctuations in network mesh size: at higher polymer volume fractions, the network fluctuations are large enough to allow for collective, structural changes of network meshes, so that a tracer particle can escape from the cage, whereas, at lower volume fractions, the fluctuations are so small that a tracer particle remains trapped within the cage for a significant period of time before making infrequent jumps out of the cage. This work suggests that fluctuation in mesh size, as well as average mesh size itself, plays an important role in determining the dynamics of molecules and nanoparticles that are embedded in tightly meshed polymer networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Woo Cho
- Department of Chemistry, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Korea;
| | - Haein Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea;
| | - Bong June Sung
- Department of Chemistry, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Korea;
| | - Jun Soo Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea;
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48
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Tsuji Y, Nakagawa S, Gupit CI, Ohira M, Shibayama M, Li X. Selective Doping of Positive and Negative Spatial Defects into Polymer Gels by Tuning the Pregel Packing Conditions of Star Polymers. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c01208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yui Tsuji
- Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Shintaro Nakagawa
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Caidric Indaya Gupit
- Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Masashi Ohira
- Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Shibayama
- Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society, 162-1 Shirakata, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1106, Japan
| | - Xiang Li
- Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
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49
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Tosa M, Hashimoto K, Kokubo H, Ueno K, Watanabe M. Effect of network homogeneity on mechanical, thermal and electrochemical properties of solid polymer electrolytes prepared by homogeneous 4-arm poly(ethylene glycols). Soft Matter 2020; 16:4290-4298. [PMID: 32309837 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00289e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mechanically tough solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are required to meet the demand for flexible and stretchable electrochemical devices for diverse applications, especially for wearable devices. It is well known that the inhomogeneity of a polymer network greatly affects its mechanical properties, but the evaluation of its effect on electrolyte properties including mechanical properties has not been accomplished yet because of the coexistence of various inhomogeneities (e.g., dangling bonds, loops, chain entanglements, and inhomogeneous distribution of cross-linking points). Herein, we discuss the effect of distribution of cross-linking densities in SPEs on its electrolyte properties by employing a model polymer network composed of a homogeneous 4-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (tetra-PEG) network and Li[TFSA] ([TFSA]: bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide). Tetra-PEGs having different molecular weights (Mn = 5, 10, 20, and 40 kDa) are subjected to the Michael addition reaction to induce network inhomogeneity while the average cross-linking densities are matched. It was found that thermal and ion transport properties of tetra-PEG SPEs do not depend on network inhomogeneity but on the average network size, which indicates that these properties reflect the averaged thermal fluctuation of polymer chains in terms of spatial and temporal dimensions. On the other hand, the mechanical toughness was largely dependent on the network homogeneity, and fracture strain, energy, and Young's modulus decreased by introducing network inhomogeneity. Rheological measurements showed that a transient cross-linking between Li cations and oxygens of tetra-PEG as well as the homogeneous distribution of the chemical cross-linking points contribute to the excellent mechanical properties of SPEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monami Tosa
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan.
| | - Kei Hashimoto
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan.
| | - Hisashi Kokubo
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan.
| | - Kazuhide Ueno
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan.
| | - Masayoshi Watanabe
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan.
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Mariani G, Colard-Itté JR, Moulin E, Giuseppone N, Buhler E. Structural properties of contractile gels based on light-driven molecular motors: a small-angle neutron and X-ray study. Soft Matter 2020; 16:4008-4023. [PMID: 32267287 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00031k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The detailed structure of active polymer gels built by integrating light-driven rotary molecular motors as reticulation units in polymer networks is discussed as a function of gel composition. Upon light-irradiation, the collective rotation of molecular motors is translated into the macroscopic contraction of the gels through polymer chains twisting. The major role of the characteristic ratio c/c* (c* being the overlap concentration of the polymer-motor conjugates before crosslinking) on the contraction efficiency is exploited. Combined small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering experiments reveal the importance of heterogeneities in the macroscopic contraction process: the mesh size of the network increases under irradiation in the whole range of c/c*, an increase that is maximal for c/c* = 1; i.e. at higher contraction efficiency. Furthermore, the mesh size of the network reaches equilibrium within a short period of time, while the heterogeneities increase in size untill the end of the contraction process. Finally, the significant motorized twisting of polymer chains within the network allows to foresee the design of new storage energy systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Mariani
- Matière et Systèmes Complexes Laboratory (MSC), UMR CNRS 7057, Université de Paris, Bâtiment Condorcet, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France.
| | - Jean-Rémy Colard-Itté
- Institut Charles Sadron, UPR CNRS 22, Université de Strasbourg, 23 rue du Loess, BP 84047, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex 2, France.
| | - Emilie Moulin
- Institut Charles Sadron, UPR CNRS 22, Université de Strasbourg, 23 rue du Loess, BP 84047, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex 2, France.
| | - Nicolas Giuseppone
- Institut Charles Sadron, UPR CNRS 22, Université de Strasbourg, 23 rue du Loess, BP 84047, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex 2, France.
| | - Eric Buhler
- Matière et Systèmes Complexes Laboratory (MSC), UMR CNRS 7057, Université de Paris, Bâtiment Condorcet, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France.
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