The molar segment mass, weight-average molar mass, and molar mass distribution of a poly-(ethylene terephthalate)-poly (tetramethylene ether) multiblock copolymer sample were determined by the methods of proton nuclea...The molar segment mass, weight-average molar mass, and molar mass distribution of a poly-(ethylene terephthalate)-poly (tetramethylene ether) multiblock copolymer sample were determined by the methods of proton nuclear magnetic resonance, low angle laser light scattering, and gel permeation chromatography.展开更多
The compositional homogeneity of a poly (ethylene terephthalate)-poly (tetramethylene ether) multiblock copolymer sample with low content of hard segment was examined by GPC, TLC, and solubility method. The copolymer ...The compositional homogeneity of a poly (ethylene terephthalate)-poly (tetramethylene ether) multiblock copolymer sample with low content of hard segment was examined by GPC, TLC, and solubility method. The copolymer sample was found to have a uniform composition as a function of elution volume over the major portion of sample from GPC method. However within one elution fraction, the copolymer chains, although having the same hydrodynamic volume, may have some difference in composition. Two fractions with different composition were obtained by precipitation in ethanol. Some low molar mass copolymers were also separated by a TLC technique from the copolymer sample.展开更多
We investigated the phase behavior of diblock copolymer AB/homopolymer C blends in concentrated aqueous solutions using a simulated annealing method.Phase diagrams were constructed as a function of the concentration o...We investigated the phase behavior of diblock copolymer AB/homopolymer C blends in concentrated aqueous solutions using a simulated annealing method.Phase diagrams were constructed as a function of the concentration of all polymers(Φ)and the volume fraction of homopolymer(fC).Rich phase transition sequences were observed,especially reentrant phase transitions,such as lamellae→inverted cylinders→gyroids→lamellae→disorder,for a givenΦwith increasing fC.By analyzing the variations in the average contact numbers between different components and the effective volume fractions of B-domains,we elucidated the mechanisms of the reentrant phase transitions.We found that the strong attraction between B and C leads to the swelling of B-domains upon addition of homopolymer.Concurrently,the solvent preferentially swells the A-domains over the B+C-domains.The competing swelling effects of the solvent and homopolymer on the A-domains and B-domains,respectively,triggered the reentrant phase behavior in the symmetric AB copolymer system upon addition of homopolymer.展开更多
Cyclic olefin copolymers(COCs)are highly valuable optical resins,but their productions on industry are fully limited by the monomer norbornene.Although ethylene/dicyclopentadiene(E/DCPD)copolymers provide a cost-effec...Cyclic olefin copolymers(COCs)are highly valuable optical resins,but their productions on industry are fully limited by the monomer norbornene.Although ethylene/dicyclopentadiene(E/DCPD)copolymers provide a cost-effective alternative to commercially available COCs because of using low-cost DCPD as cyclic olefin monomer,these inherent unsaturated double bonds on E/DCPD copolymers cause low heat resistance,oxidation,and crosslinking during processing and storage.And E/DCPD copolymers usually showed lower glass-transition temperature(T_(g))compared with commercially available COCs.In this study,we studied the E-DCPD copolymerization catalyzed by a scandium complex and the sequential hydrogenation catalyzed by a nickel compound to prepare saturated copolymers H-(E/DCPD).The polymerization activities are high up to 5.86×10^(6)g/(molSc·h),and the resultant H-(E/DCPD)copolymers showed narrow polymer dispersity index(PDI=1.5–2.0).By changing the polymerization conditions,a series of H-(E/DCPD)copolymers with tunable DCPD incorporation(28.4 mol%–44.9 mol%)and a wide range of T_(g)(123–171°C)were obtained.H-(E/DCPD)copolymers exhibited excellent optical properties(transparency>90%,refractive index of 1.543),similar to those of commercial COCs,making them an alternative for high-performance optical applications.This method solves the problems of traditional E/DCPD copolymers and provides a practical way to produce stable and low-cost COCs,and is comparable with commercially available COC resins.展开更多
The preparation and functionalization of polymeric capsules attract intense attention due to their application in various areas.Herein we presented an amphiphilic alternating copolymer(ACP)-based microcapsule which is...The preparation and functionalization of polymeric capsules attract intense attention due to their application in various areas.Herein we presented an amphiphilic alternating copolymer(ACP)-based microcapsule which is both robust and readily-functionalized through interfacial click polymerization.A water-in-oil emulsion was constructed to act as the reaction medium,the hydrophilic 1,3-butadiene diepoxide(BDE)in water phase reacted with the oleophilic 1,4-dibutanedithiol(BDT)in oil phase at the water-oil interface to form the amphiphilic ACP named poly(2,3-dihydroxy butylene-alt-butylene dithioether)(abbreviated as P(DHB-a-BDT)below),which would deposite in situ to form the micro-sized capsules.Significantly,the dried capsules are robust enough to be rehydrated once the water was added and almost restored their original morphologies.Further elucidation showed that the Young's modulus of these capsules exceeded 1 GPa.As long as we know,it is the first time for the mechanical properties of the ACP-based microstructures being investigated.Besides,functionalization could be achieved simultaneously with the formation process.As a proof of concept,positive-charged capsules were successfully obtained through click copolymerization.Stemming from the unique characteristics of amphiphilic ACPs which combined both merits of click chemistry and interfacial reactions,all these features of the current method as well as the resultant capsules may promote the application of the polymeric capsules.展开更多
Switchable polymerization is emerging as a powerful tool to construct block copolymers directly from mixtures of monomers.However,current achievements typically iterate between two polymerization cycles to afford prod...Switchable polymerization is emerging as a powerful tool to construct block copolymers directly from mixtures of monomers.However,current achievements typically iterate between two polymerization cycles to afford products with fixed sequences and compositions.Herein,we report the triethylborane/1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene(Et_3B/DBU)pair-mediated four-component switchable polymerization of propylene oxide(PO),CO_(2),phthalic anhydride(PA),and racemic lactide(rac-LA),which enables the on-demand synthesis of four different block copolymers,i.e.,poly(propylene phthalate)-b-polylactide(PPE-b-PLA),PPE-b-PLA-b-poly(propylene carbonate)(PPC),PPE-b-PPC-b-PLA,and PPE-b-PPCb-poly(propylene oxide)(PPO),through rationally modulating the Lewis pair(LP)ratio.Core to this protocol is that increasing the loading of Et_(3)B accelerates the ring-opening of PO while impeding the reactivity of rac-LA,thus allowing for fine-tuning of the thermodynamic and kinetic of the switchable polymerization.Therefore,the four polymerization cycles involving PO/PA ring-opening copolymerization(ROCOP),PO/CO_(2) ROCOP,rac-LA ring-opening polymerization(ROP),and PO ROP can be connected and discriminated in precisely programmed manners.展开更多
Star-shaped six-arm polymers with hexaaza[2_(6)]orthoparacyclophane core and arms of block copolymers of poly-2-ethyl-5,6-dihydrooxazine with poly-2-isopropyl-5,6-dihydrooxazine were synthesized successfully using cat...Star-shaped six-arm polymers with hexaaza[2_(6)]orthoparacyclophane core and arms of block copolymers of poly-2-ethyl-5,6-dihydrooxazine with poly-2-isopropyl-5,6-dihydrooxazine were synthesized successfully using cationic ring-opening polymerization.The ratio of blocks,the order of their attachment to the core,and arm length were varied.Conformation of synthesized stars was determined by methods of molecular hydrodynamics and optics.It has been shown that star-shaped molecules were characterized by high intramolecular density,and the arm folding increased with their lengthening.The influence of the structure of block copolymers and their molar mass on the critical micelle concentration has been established.Complexes of synthesized star-shaped block copolymers with curcumin were obtained and the efficient binding of curcumin to polymer molecules was demonstrated.The behavior of the aqueous solutions of the prepared polymer stars and their complexes with curcumin was investigated by light scattering and turbidimetry methods.The influence of the structure and molar mass of star polymers on their thermoresponsiveness and the phase separation temperatures in aqueous solutions was analyzed.A slight increase in the phase separation temperature was found on passage from polymer solutions to solutions of polymer complexes with hydrophobic curcumin.展开更多
Nanoporous polymers are extensively coated on various substrates to deliver optical,permselective,or other functions.However,it remains desired to fast produce uniform nanoporous polymer coatings on substrates with co...Nanoporous polymers are extensively coated on various substrates to deliver optical,permselective,or other functions.However,it remains desired to fast produce uniform nanoporous polymer coatings on substrates with complex surfaces.Herein,by manipulating the interactions between block copolymers and selective solvents,we prepare repairable nanoporous polymers on arbitrary substrates.This is realized by an extremely simple sequential coating process:sequential coating of block copolymers and their swelling agents on substrate surfaces.The swelling agents are comprised of two solvents that swell the constituent blocks of the copolymers to different degrees,rapidly producing polymer coatings with uniform,interconnected,sub-50 nm pores.This sequential coating process is able to conformally build nanoporous polymers on nonplanar substrates with large lateral sizes and complex surface features,and also to in situ repair defects arising during usages.We further demonstrate that the nanoporous coatings show excellent antireflective and membrane separation performances.This sequential coating process is dictated by polymer–solvent interactions,and is expected to find applications in diverse fields for its simplicity,adaptability,and the capability to produce well-defined nanoporosities.展开更多
The diagnostic efficacy of contemporary bioimaging technologies remains constrained by inherent limitations of conventional imaging agents,including suboptimal sensitivity,off-target biodistribution,and inherent cytot...The diagnostic efficacy of contemporary bioimaging technologies remains constrained by inherent limitations of conventional imaging agents,including suboptimal sensitivity,off-target biodistribution,and inherent cytotoxicity.These limitations have catalyzed the development of intelligent stimuli-responsive block copolymers-based bioimaging agents,which was engineered to dynamically respond to endogenous biochemical cues(e.g.,p H gradients,redox potential,enzyme activity,hypoxia environment) or exogenous physical triggers(e.g.,photoirradiation,thermal gradients,ultrasound(US)/magnetic stimuli).Through spatiotemporally controlled structural transformations,stimuli-responsive block copolymers enable precise contrast targeting,activatable signal amplification,and theranostic integration,thereby substantially enhancing signal-to-noise ratios of bioimaging and diagnostic specificity.Hence,this mini-review systematically examines molecular engineering principles for designing p H-,redox-,enzyme-,light-,thermo-,and US/magnetic-responsive polymers,with emphasis on structure-property relationships governing imaging performance modulation.Furthermore,we critically analyze emerging strategies for optical imaging,US synergies,and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).Multimodal bioimaging has also been elaborated,which could overcome the inherent trade-offs between resolution,penetration depth,and functional specificity in single-modal approaches.By elucidating mechanistic insights and translational challenges,this mini-review aims to establish a design framework of stimuli-responsive block copolymersbased for high fidelity bioimaging agents and accelerate their clinical translation in precise diagnosis and therapy.展开更多
Construction of electron donor-acceptor(D-A)conjugated system is an established strategy for achieving reverse saturable absorption(RSA)and broadband optical limiting(OL).Nevertheless,organic materials exhibit OL abil...Construction of electron donor-acceptor(D-A)conjugated system is an established strategy for achieving reverse saturable absorption(RSA)and broadband optical limiting(OL).Nevertheless,organic materials exhibit OL ability across the visible to near-infrared-II spectra range remain scarce.Herein,a series of D-A typeπ-conjugated copolymers with ultra-narrow bandgaps(0.62-0.76 e V)and strong ICT absorption were synthesized by coupling electron-withdrawing block[1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-g]quinoxaline(TQ)with various electron-donating groups(thiophene,selenophene,bithiophene,di(thiophen-2-yl)ethene,and thienothiophene for P1-P5,respectively).Z-scan experiments reveal that all copolymers exhibit RSA behaviours at both 532 and 1064 nm,while P1,P3 and P4 maintain RSA performance extending to 1600 nm.Among all copolymers,P5 exhibits the strongest RSA performance upon both 532 and 1064 nm laser pulses,with the highest nonlinear absorption coefficient(β_(eff))of 51.5 and 49.4 cm·GW^(-1),respectively,and the lowest OL onset fluence(Fon)of 0.31 and 0.38 J·cm^(-2),respectively.In contrast,P4 shows optimal RSA property at 1600 nm laser pulse,withβeff of 13.1 cm·GW^(-1)and Fon of 1.43 J·cm^(-2),respectively.Combining the results of Z-scan and UV-Vis-NIR experiments,it can be speculated that moderate ground-state absorption,rather than excessively strong absorption,favors superior RSA properties.This work offers valuable insights for designing copolymers with excellent RSA behavior,as well as presents a class of candidate material systems for ultrabroadband optical limiting.展开更多
In this study,a series of poly(ethylene succinate)-b-poly(butylene carbonate)(PES-b-PBC)multiblock copolymers were prepared through the chain-extension reaction of hydroxyl-terminated PES(PES-OH)and hydroxyl-terminate...In this study,a series of poly(ethylene succinate)-b-poly(butylene carbonate)(PES-b-PBC)multiblock copolymers were prepared through the chain-extension reaction of hydroxyl-terminated PES(PES-OH)and hydroxyl-terminated PBC(PBC-OH)prepolymers with 1,6-hexmethylene diisocyanate(HDI)as a chain extender.The effects of the prepolymer molecular weight and content on the structure and application properties of the PES-b-PBC copolymers were systematically investigated using various techniques.It was found that the compatibility of PES and PBC blocks in PES-b-PBC copolymers can be greatly enhanced by lowering the length of the prepolymers,and the amorphous phase of the PES and PBC chain segments in the PES-b-PBC copolymer would transform from immiscibility and partial miscibility to miscibility when the number-average molecular weight(M_(n))of the PES-OH and PBC-OH prepolymers is less than 2000 g/mol.Only the crystal structure of bare PES can be observed in the wide-angle X-ray diffraction(WAXD)spectrum of the PES-b-PBC copolymers,but their crystallinity degrees were found to decrease with increasing PBC fraction.The thermal behavior,crystallization performance,rheological properties,mechanical properties,and degradation properties of the PES-b-PBC multiblock copolymers can be easily modulated by altering the block length and composition of the prepolymers,offering potential applications in biodegradable materials.展开更多
An effective strategy for enhancing the heat resistance of polystyrene(PS)with regard to its glass transition temperature(T_(g))involves the anionic solution copolymerization of a-methylstyrene(AMS)with styrene(St),ty...An effective strategy for enhancing the heat resistance of polystyrene(PS)with regard to its glass transition temperature(T_(g))involves the anionic solution copolymerization of a-methylstyrene(AMS)with styrene(St),typically requires much lower temperature(-25℃)and multistep monomer feeding to achieve higher number-average molecular weight(M_(n))block copolymers.However,the anionic copolymerization of AMS and St under the mild temperature remains largely unexplored.This study systematically investigated the anionic copolymerization of AMS and St using n-BuLi in nonpolar solvent(-25℃ to 25℃)through both one-step and two-step approaches.We demonstrated that one-step copolymerization at 25℃ yielded only 1-3 terminal AMS units,with higher feed ratios(5 wt%-20 wt%)increasing AMS incorporation but reducing the exact molecular weight(MW)due to enhanced depolymerization,as evidenced by MALDI-TOF MS.Temperature-controlled AMS conversion at-15℃ achieved 98%AMS conversion(5 wt% feed)by suppressing side reactions and lowering the[M]_(e),while 50℃(near T_(C))almost prevented incorporation.Despite t-BuOK regulation induced broader PDI(1.24)via reactive[(polymer-Li)OR]K intermediates,while other systems showed narrow distributions,t-BuOK outperformed THF in enhancing AMS incorporation via efficient ion pair dissociation.In comparison,the two-step polymerization approach demonstrated superior performance,achieving both higher AMS conversion efficiency and preferential incorporation at the initiation end.At a 20 wt%AMS feed ratio,this method yielded copolymer chains containing up to 6 AMS units on average.Thermal analysis revealed a composition-dependent single T_(g),which exhibited a systematic increase with higher AMS incorporation content.These results collectively demonstrate the precise control over AMS incorporation and heat resistance achievable through the manipulation of polymerization conditions.展开更多
The strategic dispersion of carbon nanotubes(CNTs)within triblock copolymer matrix is key to fabricating nanocomposites with the desired electrical properties.This study investigated the self-assembly and electrical b...The strategic dispersion of carbon nanotubes(CNTs)within triblock copolymer matrix is key to fabricating nanocomposites with the desired electrical properties.This study investigated the self-assembly and electrical behavior of a polystyrene-polybutadiene-polystyrene(SBS)matrix with CNTs of different aspect ratios using hybrid particle-field molecular dynamics simulations.Structural factor analysis of the nanocomposites indicated that CNTs with higher aspect ratios promoted the transition of the SBS matrix from a bicontinuous to a lamellar phase.The resistor network algorithm method showed that the electrical conductivity of SBS and CNTs nanocomposites was influenced by the interplay between the CNTs aspect ratios,concentrations,and domain sizes of the triblock copolymer SBS.Our research sheds light on the relationship between CNTs dispersion and the electrical behavior of SBS/CNTs nanocomposites,guiding the engineering of materials to achieve desired electrical properties through the modulation of CNTs aspect ratios and tailored sizing of triblock copolymer domains.展开更多
Increasing environmental concerns about limiting harmful emissions has necessitated sulfur-and phosphorus-free green lubricant additives.Although boron-containing compounds have been widely investigated as green lubri...Increasing environmental concerns about limiting harmful emissions has necessitated sulfur-and phosphorus-free green lubricant additives.Although boron-containing compounds have been widely investigated as green lubricant additives,their macromolecular analogs have been rarely considered yet to develop environmentally friendly lubricant additives.In this work,a series of boron-containing copolymers have been synthesized by free-radical copolymerization of stearyl methacrylate and isopropenyl boronic acid pinacol ester with different feeding ratios(S_(n)-r-B_(m),n=1,m=1/3,1,2,3,5,9).The resulting copolymers of S_(n)-r-B_(m)(n=1,m=1/3,1,2,3,5)are readily dispersed in the PAO-10 base oil and form micelle-like aggregates with hydrodynamic diameters ranging from 9.7 to 52 nm.SRV-IV oscillating reciprocating tribological tests on ball-on-flat steel pairs show that compared with the base oil of PAO-10,the friction coefficients and wear volumes of the base oil solutions of S_(n)-r-B_(m)decrease considerably up to 62%and 97%,respectively.Moreover,the base oil solution of S_(1)-r-B_(1)exhibits an excellent load-bearing capacity of(850±100)N.These superior lubricating properties are due to the formation of protective tribofilms comprising S_(n)-r-B_(m),boron oxide,and iron oxide compounds on the lubricated steel surface.Therefore,the boron-containing copolymers can be regarded as a novel class of environmentally friendly lubricating oil macroadditives for efficient friction and wear reduction without sulfur and phosphorus elements.展开更多
High-voltage LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_(2)(NCM811)cathodes are critical for enhancing the energy density of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).The development of binders compatible with high-voltage NCM811 cathode material...High-voltage LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_(2)(NCM811)cathodes are critical for enhancing the energy density of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).The development of binders compatible with high-voltage NCM811 cathode materials is crucial to enhance the electrochemical performance of LIBs.However,the traditional fluoropolymer binder,poly(vinylidene difluoride)(PVDF),can potentially leach components or break down into poly(fluoroalkyl substances)(PFAS)chemicals,thereby contributing to PFAS contamination.A novel fluorine-free polymer,polysulfone-polyamide-polyimide(SPIO),was designed and synthesized as a binder for NCM811 cathodes.The SPIO binder exhibits exceptional mechanical properties and superior electrochemical characteristics.The cathode film fabricated with SPIO demonstrated a remarkable delamination force of 8 N(390 N·m^(-1)),indicating robust adhesion.The Li‖NCM811 cell incorporating the SPIO binder retained 80%of its initial capacity after 300 cycles at a current density of 0.2 C.In comparison,the control cells assem bled with the PVDF binder retained only 52%of their capacities under the same cycling conditions.Furthermore,the SPIO binder exhibited improved compatibility with the electrolyte.Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the cathode films after 100 cycles revealed the formation of a unifo rm,dense,and continuous chemical-electrochemical interface(CEI)by the SPIO binder on the surface of the NCM811 particles,which significantly contributed to the enhancement of the electrochemical performance.These results highlight the potential of SPIO as an advanced binder material for high-perfo rmance lithium-ion batteries.展开更多
Smart low-solid drilling fluids(SLSDFs)with thermo-controllable rheological properties and attractive thickening characteristics have recently captivated profound attention due to their low formation damage and enhanc...Smart low-solid drilling fluids(SLSDFs)with thermo-controllable rheological properties and attractive thickening characteristics have recently captivated profound attention due to their low formation damage and enhanced cuttings lifting capacity.However,their applications to deep hole drilling at high temperatures have remained limited because of the thermal instability and environmental constraints of the thermo-associating polymers as additives.This work explored the synergistic benefits of thermo-associating polymer and biogenic nano-silica(B-SiNP)extracted from rice husk to improve the thermo-stability of SLSDF.This study shows that the nano-hybrid,TAP-S based on vinyl-terminated B-SiNP could potentially mitigate the limiting performance of conventional LSDF(F-2)caused by the failure of thermo-associating copolymers under elevated temperatures.TAP-S bearing drilling fluid(F-3)could preserve more than 5.6-fold of its initial properties(ca.apparent viscosity,plastic viscosity,yield point,and gel strength)with a nearly flat-gel profile in the temperature range of 25-230℃,which was higher than those of the counterpart F-2 and base fluid according to the results of rheological tests analysis.In addition,TAP-S exhibited an abrupt thermo-thickening characteristic with a magnitude declining by only 1.05-fold and the activation Gibbs free energy of 1339 kJ/mol above the plateau(ca.130℃),reflecting its less sensitivity compared to F-2 under a continuous heating process.As a result,a lower temperature was required to drive the dehydration of the residual fraction of lower critical solution temperature(LCST)in nano-hybrid structures than TAP according to the results of DSC analysis.Thus,lower energy was expected to disintegrate the residual hydrogen bonds formed between the LCST chains and surrounding water molecules at elevated temperatures.Moreover,TAP-S formed a solid-micro-crosslinking structure network which exhibited a more stable hydrodynamic diameter as revealed by DLS analysis.Compared with TAP,TAP-S consisted of a larger composite B-SiNP-TAP integrated spatial network structure based on the results of environmental scanning electron microscope,which conferred a degree of thermal conductivity characteristic for improved temperature resistance.This contributed to the effective binding onto bentonite particles for protection and maintained a relatively stable bentonite particle dispersion according to the results of EPM and particle size distribution analyses.Consequently,TAP-S fortified drilling fluid demonstrates improved rheological and filtration performance under severe downhole conditions.Therefore,TAP-S,the thermo-associating copolymer integrated with B-SiNP could find potential application as an eco-friendly viscosifier in LSDFs for deep-well drilling operations.展开更多
The optimization of polymer structures aims to determine an optimal sequence or topology that achieves a given target property or structural performance.This inverse design problem involves searching within a vast com...The optimization of polymer structures aims to determine an optimal sequence or topology that achieves a given target property or structural performance.This inverse design problem involves searching within a vast combinatorial phase space defined by components,se-quences,and topologies,and is often computationally intractable due to its NP-hard nature.At the core of this challenge lies the need to evalu-ate complex correlations among structural variables,a classical problem in both statistical physics and combinatorial optimization.To address this,we adopt a mean-field approach that decouples direct variable-variable interactions into effective interactions between each variable and an auxiliary field.The simulated bifurcation(SB)algorithm is employed as a mean-field-based optimization framework.It constructs a Hamiltonian dynamical system by introducing generalized momentum fields,enabling efficient decoupling and dynamic evolution of strongly coupled struc-tural variables.Using the sequence optimization of a linear copolymer adsorbing on a solid surface as a case study,we demonstrate the applica-bility of the SB algorithm to high-dimensional,non-differentiable combinatorial optimization problems.Our results show that SB can efficiently discover polymer sequences with excellent adsorption performance within a reasonable computational time.Furthermore,it exhibits robust con-vergence and high parallel scalability across large design spaces.The approach developed in this work offers a new computational pathway for polymer structure optimization.It also lays a theoretical foundation for future extensions to topological design problems,such as optimizing the number and placement of side chains,as well as the co-optimization of sequence and topology.展开更多
Spatial confinement of block copolymers can induce frustrations,which can further be utilized to regulate self-assembled structures,thus providing an efficient route for fabricating novel structures.We studied the sel...Spatial confinement of block copolymers can induce frustrations,which can further be utilized to regulate self-assembled structures,thus providing an efficient route for fabricating novel structures.We studied the self-assembly of AB di-block copolymers(di-BCPs)confined in Janus spherical nanocavities using simulations,and explained the structure formation mechanisms.In the case of a strongly selective cavity wall,all the lamella-forming,gyroid-forming,and cylinder-forming di-BCPs can form interfacial frustration-induced Janus concentric perforated lamellar nanoparticles,whose outermost is a Janus spherical shell and the internal is a sphere with concentric perforated lamellar structure.In particular,Janus concentric perforated lamellar nanoparticles with holes distributed only near the equatorial plane were obtained in both lamella-forming and gyroid-forming di-BCPs,directly reflecting the effect of interfacial frustration.The minority-block domain of the cylider-forming di-BCPs may form hemispherical perforated lamellar structures with holes distributed in parallel layers with a specific orientation.For symmetric di-BCPs,both the A and B domains in each nanoparticle are continuous,interchangeable,and have rotational symmetry.While for gyroid-forming and cylinder-forming di-BCPs,only the majority-block domains are continuous in each nanoparticle,and holes in the minority-block domains usually have rotational symmetry.In the case of a weakly selective cavity wall,the inhomogeneity of the cavity wall results in structures having a specific orientation(such as flower-like and branched structures in gyroid-forming and cylinder-forming di-BCPs)and a perforated wetting layer with uniformly distributed holes.The novel nanoparticles obtained may have potential applications in nanotechnology as functional nanostructures or nanoparticles.展开更多
The self-assembly of block copolymers serves as an effective approach for fabricating various periodic ordered nanostructures. By employing self-consistent field theory (SCFT) to calculate the phase diagrams of block ...The self-assembly of block copolymers serves as an effective approach for fabricating various periodic ordered nanostructures. By employing self-consistent field theory (SCFT) to calculate the phase diagrams of block copolymers, one can accurately predict their self-assembly behaviors, thus providing guidance for the fabrication of various novel structures. However, SCFT is highly sensitive to initial conditions because it finds the free energy minima through an iterative process. Consequently, constructing phase diagrams using SCFT typically requires predefined candidate structures based on the experience of researchers. Such experience-dependent strategies often miss some structures and thus result in inaccurate phase diagrams. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have demonstrated significant potential across diverse fields of science and technology. By leveraging AI methods, it is possible to reduce reliance on human experience, thereby constructing more robust and reliable phase diagrams. In this work, we demonstrate how to combine AI with SCFT to automatically search for self-assembled structures of block copolymers and construct phase diagrams. Our aim is to realize automatic construction of block copolymer phase diagrams while minimizing reliance on human prior knowledge.展开更多
Polymers that exhibit both biodegradability and chemical recyclability offer a promising solution to environmental pollution and resource scarcity. Poly(glycolic acid)(PGA) is a promising chemically recyclable polymer...Polymers that exhibit both biodegradability and chemical recyclability offer a promising solution to environmental pollution and resource scarcity. Poly(glycolic acid)(PGA) is a promising chemically recyclable polymer, characterized by its seawater degradability and high mechanical strength. In this study, aliphatic polycarbonates were synthesized through melt polycondensation and subsequently copolymerized with glycolide(GL) to produce chemically recyclable PGA based triblock copolymers with well-defined structures. The properties of these copolymers, including their thermal properties, crystallization behavior, and mechanical performance, can be effectively adjusted by modifying the structure and content of the middle block. Furthermore, an in-depth investigation reveals that the pyrolysis process involves ester exchange, radical, and back-biting reactions. In addition, the high-efficiency "Monomer↔Copolymer" chemical recycling loop has been established, achieving a remarkable yield exceeding 88% along with a purity greater than 99%.展开更多
文摘The molar segment mass, weight-average molar mass, and molar mass distribution of a poly-(ethylene terephthalate)-poly (tetramethylene ether) multiblock copolymer sample were determined by the methods of proton nuclear magnetic resonance, low angle laser light scattering, and gel permeation chromatography.
文摘The compositional homogeneity of a poly (ethylene terephthalate)-poly (tetramethylene ether) multiblock copolymer sample with low content of hard segment was examined by GPC, TLC, and solubility method. The copolymer sample was found to have a uniform composition as a function of elution volume over the major portion of sample from GPC method. However within one elution fraction, the copolymer chains, although having the same hydrodynamic volume, may have some difference in composition. Two fractions with different composition were obtained by precipitation in ethanol. Some low molar mass copolymers were also separated by a TLC technique from the copolymer sample.
基金financially supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(Nos.ZR2023QA136,ZR2021MA073 and ZR2024QA235)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22173051).
文摘We investigated the phase behavior of diblock copolymer AB/homopolymer C blends in concentrated aqueous solutions using a simulated annealing method.Phase diagrams were constructed as a function of the concentration of all polymers(Φ)and the volume fraction of homopolymer(fC).Rich phase transition sequences were observed,especially reentrant phase transitions,such as lamellae→inverted cylinders→gyroids→lamellae→disorder,for a givenΦwith increasing fC.By analyzing the variations in the average contact numbers between different components and the effective volume fractions of B-domains,we elucidated the mechanisms of the reentrant phase transitions.We found that the strong attraction between B and C leads to the swelling of B-domains upon addition of homopolymer.Concurrently,the solvent preferentially swells the A-domains over the B+C-domains.The competing swelling effects of the solvent and homopolymer on the A-domains and B-domains,respectively,triggered the reentrant phase behavior in the symmetric AB copolymer system upon addition of homopolymer.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52273017 and 52273016)Strategic Priority Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.ZDRW-CN-2023-1)Natural Science Foundation of Jilin Province(No.SKL202302033).
文摘Cyclic olefin copolymers(COCs)are highly valuable optical resins,but their productions on industry are fully limited by the monomer norbornene.Although ethylene/dicyclopentadiene(E/DCPD)copolymers provide a cost-effective alternative to commercially available COCs because of using low-cost DCPD as cyclic olefin monomer,these inherent unsaturated double bonds on E/DCPD copolymers cause low heat resistance,oxidation,and crosslinking during processing and storage.And E/DCPD copolymers usually showed lower glass-transition temperature(T_(g))compared with commercially available COCs.In this study,we studied the E-DCPD copolymerization catalyzed by a scandium complex and the sequential hydrogenation catalyzed by a nickel compound to prepare saturated copolymers H-(E/DCPD).The polymerization activities are high up to 5.86×10^(6)g/(molSc·h),and the resultant H-(E/DCPD)copolymers showed narrow polymer dispersity index(PDI=1.5–2.0).By changing the polymerization conditions,a series of H-(E/DCPD)copolymers with tunable DCPD incorporation(28.4 mol%–44.9 mol%)and a wide range of T_(g)(123–171°C)were obtained.H-(E/DCPD)copolymers exhibited excellent optical properties(transparency>90%,refractive index of 1.543),similar to those of commercial COCs,making them an alternative for high-performance optical applications.This method solves the problems of traditional E/DCPD copolymers and provides a practical way to produce stable and low-cost COCs,and is comparable with commercially available COC resins.
基金financially supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities(No.24D110627)。
文摘The preparation and functionalization of polymeric capsules attract intense attention due to their application in various areas.Herein we presented an amphiphilic alternating copolymer(ACP)-based microcapsule which is both robust and readily-functionalized through interfacial click polymerization.A water-in-oil emulsion was constructed to act as the reaction medium,the hydrophilic 1,3-butadiene diepoxide(BDE)in water phase reacted with the oleophilic 1,4-dibutanedithiol(BDT)in oil phase at the water-oil interface to form the amphiphilic ACP named poly(2,3-dihydroxy butylene-alt-butylene dithioether)(abbreviated as P(DHB-a-BDT)below),which would deposite in situ to form the micro-sized capsules.Significantly,the dried capsules are robust enough to be rehydrated once the water was added and almost restored their original morphologies.Further elucidation showed that the Young's modulus of these capsules exceeded 1 GPa.As long as we know,it is the first time for the mechanical properties of the ACP-based microstructures being investigated.Besides,functionalization could be achieved simultaneously with the formation process.As a proof of concept,positive-charged capsules were successfully obtained through click copolymerization.Stemming from the unique characteristics of amphiphilic ACPs which combined both merits of click chemistry and interfacial reactions,all these features of the current method as well as the resultant capsules may promote the application of the polymeric capsules.
基金financially supported by National Key R&D Program Young Scientists Project(No.2023YFC3903100)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22322503)analytical and testing assistance from the Analysis and Testing Center of HUST。
文摘Switchable polymerization is emerging as a powerful tool to construct block copolymers directly from mixtures of monomers.However,current achievements typically iterate between two polymerization cycles to afford products with fixed sequences and compositions.Herein,we report the triethylborane/1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene(Et_3B/DBU)pair-mediated four-component switchable polymerization of propylene oxide(PO),CO_(2),phthalic anhydride(PA),and racemic lactide(rac-LA),which enables the on-demand synthesis of four different block copolymers,i.e.,poly(propylene phthalate)-b-polylactide(PPE-b-PLA),PPE-b-PLA-b-poly(propylene carbonate)(PPC),PPE-b-PPC-b-PLA,and PPE-b-PPCb-poly(propylene oxide)(PPO),through rationally modulating the Lewis pair(LP)ratio.Core to this protocol is that increasing the loading of Et_(3)B accelerates the ring-opening of PO while impeding the reactivity of rac-LA,thus allowing for fine-tuning of the thermodynamic and kinetic of the switchable polymerization.Therefore,the four polymerization cycles involving PO/PA ring-opening copolymerization(ROCOP),PO/CO_(2) ROCOP,rac-LA ring-opening polymerization(ROP),and PO ROP can be connected and discriminated in precisely programmed manners.
基金financially supported by the Russian Science Foundation(No.23-13-00205)。
文摘Star-shaped six-arm polymers with hexaaza[2_(6)]orthoparacyclophane core and arms of block copolymers of poly-2-ethyl-5,6-dihydrooxazine with poly-2-isopropyl-5,6-dihydrooxazine were synthesized successfully using cationic ring-opening polymerization.The ratio of blocks,the order of their attachment to the core,and arm length were varied.Conformation of synthesized stars was determined by methods of molecular hydrodynamics and optics.It has been shown that star-shaped molecules were characterized by high intramolecular density,and the arm folding increased with their lengthening.The influence of the structure of block copolymers and their molar mass on the critical micelle concentration has been established.Complexes of synthesized star-shaped block copolymers with curcumin were obtained and the efficient binding of curcumin to polymer molecules was demonstrated.The behavior of the aqueous solutions of the prepared polymer stars and their complexes with curcumin was investigated by light scattering and turbidimetry methods.The influence of the structure and molar mass of star polymers on their thermoresponsiveness and the phase separation temperatures in aqueous solutions was analyzed.A slight increase in the phase separation temperature was found on passage from polymer solutions to solutions of polymer complexes with hydrophobic curcumin.
基金support from National Science Foundation of China(22438005)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(BE2022056-3)is gratefully acknowledged.
文摘Nanoporous polymers are extensively coated on various substrates to deliver optical,permselective,or other functions.However,it remains desired to fast produce uniform nanoporous polymer coatings on substrates with complex surfaces.Herein,by manipulating the interactions between block copolymers and selective solvents,we prepare repairable nanoporous polymers on arbitrary substrates.This is realized by an extremely simple sequential coating process:sequential coating of block copolymers and their swelling agents on substrate surfaces.The swelling agents are comprised of two solvents that swell the constituent blocks of the copolymers to different degrees,rapidly producing polymer coatings with uniform,interconnected,sub-50 nm pores.This sequential coating process is able to conformally build nanoporous polymers on nonplanar substrates with large lateral sizes and complex surface features,and also to in situ repair defects arising during usages.We further demonstrate that the nanoporous coatings show excellent antireflective and membrane separation performances.This sequential coating process is dictated by polymer–solvent interactions,and is expected to find applications in diverse fields for its simplicity,adaptability,and the capability to produce well-defined nanoporosities.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.22208218,22078196,and 22278268)the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai (No.22ZR1460400)Collaborative Innovation Center of Fragrance Flavour and Cosmetics,and Collaborative Innovation Project of Shanghai Institute of Technology (No.XTCX2023-07)。
文摘The diagnostic efficacy of contemporary bioimaging technologies remains constrained by inherent limitations of conventional imaging agents,including suboptimal sensitivity,off-target biodistribution,and inherent cytotoxicity.These limitations have catalyzed the development of intelligent stimuli-responsive block copolymers-based bioimaging agents,which was engineered to dynamically respond to endogenous biochemical cues(e.g.,p H gradients,redox potential,enzyme activity,hypoxia environment) or exogenous physical triggers(e.g.,photoirradiation,thermal gradients,ultrasound(US)/magnetic stimuli).Through spatiotemporally controlled structural transformations,stimuli-responsive block copolymers enable precise contrast targeting,activatable signal amplification,and theranostic integration,thereby substantially enhancing signal-to-noise ratios of bioimaging and diagnostic specificity.Hence,this mini-review systematically examines molecular engineering principles for designing p H-,redox-,enzyme-,light-,thermo-,and US/magnetic-responsive polymers,with emphasis on structure-property relationships governing imaging performance modulation.Furthermore,we critically analyze emerging strategies for optical imaging,US synergies,and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).Multimodal bioimaging has also been elaborated,which could overcome the inherent trade-offs between resolution,penetration depth,and functional specificity in single-modal approaches.By elucidating mechanistic insights and translational challenges,this mini-review aims to establish a design framework of stimuli-responsive block copolymersbased for high fidelity bioimaging agents and accelerate their clinical translation in precise diagnosis and therapy.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52102013)。
文摘Construction of electron donor-acceptor(D-A)conjugated system is an established strategy for achieving reverse saturable absorption(RSA)and broadband optical limiting(OL).Nevertheless,organic materials exhibit OL ability across the visible to near-infrared-II spectra range remain scarce.Herein,a series of D-A typeπ-conjugated copolymers with ultra-narrow bandgaps(0.62-0.76 e V)and strong ICT absorption were synthesized by coupling electron-withdrawing block[1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-g]quinoxaline(TQ)with various electron-donating groups(thiophene,selenophene,bithiophene,di(thiophen-2-yl)ethene,and thienothiophene for P1-P5,respectively).Z-scan experiments reveal that all copolymers exhibit RSA behaviours at both 532 and 1064 nm,while P1,P3 and P4 maintain RSA performance extending to 1600 nm.Among all copolymers,P5 exhibits the strongest RSA performance upon both 532 and 1064 nm laser pulses,with the highest nonlinear absorption coefficient(β_(eff))of 51.5 and 49.4 cm·GW^(-1),respectively,and the lowest OL onset fluence(Fon)of 0.31 and 0.38 J·cm^(-2),respectively.In contrast,P4 shows optimal RSA property at 1600 nm laser pulse,withβeff of 13.1 cm·GW^(-1)and Fon of 1.43 J·cm^(-2),respectively.Combining the results of Z-scan and UV-Vis-NIR experiments,it can be speculated that moderate ground-state absorption,rather than excessively strong absorption,favors superior RSA properties.This work offers valuable insights for designing copolymers with excellent RSA behavior,as well as presents a class of candidate material systems for ultrabroadband optical limiting.
基金financially supported by the Science and Technology Projects of Changji Prefecture(No.2023112258)Shihezi Coal Chemical Industry Common Technology Research Institute Project(No.MGJY0104)the Program for Young Innovative Talents of Shihezi University(No.CXFZ202302).
文摘In this study,a series of poly(ethylene succinate)-b-poly(butylene carbonate)(PES-b-PBC)multiblock copolymers were prepared through the chain-extension reaction of hydroxyl-terminated PES(PES-OH)and hydroxyl-terminated PBC(PBC-OH)prepolymers with 1,6-hexmethylene diisocyanate(HDI)as a chain extender.The effects of the prepolymer molecular weight and content on the structure and application properties of the PES-b-PBC copolymers were systematically investigated using various techniques.It was found that the compatibility of PES and PBC blocks in PES-b-PBC copolymers can be greatly enhanced by lowering the length of the prepolymers,and the amorphous phase of the PES and PBC chain segments in the PES-b-PBC copolymer would transform from immiscibility and partial miscibility to miscibility when the number-average molecular weight(M_(n))of the PES-OH and PBC-OH prepolymers is less than 2000 g/mol.Only the crystal structure of bare PES can be observed in the wide-angle X-ray diffraction(WAXD)spectrum of the PES-b-PBC copolymers,but their crystallinity degrees were found to decrease with increasing PBC fraction.The thermal behavior,crystallization performance,rheological properties,mechanical properties,and degradation properties of the PES-b-PBC multiblock copolymers can be easily modulated by altering the block length and composition of the prepolymers,offering potential applications in biodegradable materials.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52373052)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.DUT24MS011)。
文摘An effective strategy for enhancing the heat resistance of polystyrene(PS)with regard to its glass transition temperature(T_(g))involves the anionic solution copolymerization of a-methylstyrene(AMS)with styrene(St),typically requires much lower temperature(-25℃)and multistep monomer feeding to achieve higher number-average molecular weight(M_(n))block copolymers.However,the anionic copolymerization of AMS and St under the mild temperature remains largely unexplored.This study systematically investigated the anionic copolymerization of AMS and St using n-BuLi in nonpolar solvent(-25℃ to 25℃)through both one-step and two-step approaches.We demonstrated that one-step copolymerization at 25℃ yielded only 1-3 terminal AMS units,with higher feed ratios(5 wt%-20 wt%)increasing AMS incorporation but reducing the exact molecular weight(MW)due to enhanced depolymerization,as evidenced by MALDI-TOF MS.Temperature-controlled AMS conversion at-15℃ achieved 98%AMS conversion(5 wt% feed)by suppressing side reactions and lowering the[M]_(e),while 50℃(near T_(C))almost prevented incorporation.Despite t-BuOK regulation induced broader PDI(1.24)via reactive[(polymer-Li)OR]K intermediates,while other systems showed narrow distributions,t-BuOK outperformed THF in enhancing AMS incorporation via efficient ion pair dissociation.In comparison,the two-step polymerization approach demonstrated superior performance,achieving both higher AMS conversion efficiency and preferential incorporation at the initiation end.At a 20 wt%AMS feed ratio,this method yielded copolymer chains containing up to 6 AMS units on average.Thermal analysis revealed a composition-dependent single T_(g),which exhibited a systematic increase with higher AMS incorporation content.These results collectively demonstrate the precise control over AMS incorporation and heat resistance achievable through the manipulation of polymerization conditions.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52273019,62173065,22133002,22273031,and 12274056)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.04442024074)+2 种基金NationalKey R&D Program of China(No.2022YFB3707300)Beijing Natural Science Foundation(No.4242040)Scientific Research Funds Project of Liaoning Provincial Department of Education(No.LJKZ0034)。
文摘The strategic dispersion of carbon nanotubes(CNTs)within triblock copolymer matrix is key to fabricating nanocomposites with the desired electrical properties.This study investigated the self-assembly and electrical behavior of a polystyrene-polybutadiene-polystyrene(SBS)matrix with CNTs of different aspect ratios using hybrid particle-field molecular dynamics simulations.Structural factor analysis of the nanocomposites indicated that CNTs with higher aspect ratios promoted the transition of the SBS matrix from a bicontinuous to a lamellar phase.The resistor network algorithm method showed that the electrical conductivity of SBS and CNTs nanocomposites was influenced by the interplay between the CNTs aspect ratios,concentrations,and domain sizes of the triblock copolymer SBS.Our research sheds light on the relationship between CNTs dispersion and the electrical behavior of SBS/CNTs nanocomposites,guiding the engineering of materials to achieve desired electrical properties through the modulation of CNTs aspect ratios and tailored sizing of triblock copolymer domains.
文摘Increasing environmental concerns about limiting harmful emissions has necessitated sulfur-and phosphorus-free green lubricant additives.Although boron-containing compounds have been widely investigated as green lubricant additives,their macromolecular analogs have been rarely considered yet to develop environmentally friendly lubricant additives.In this work,a series of boron-containing copolymers have been synthesized by free-radical copolymerization of stearyl methacrylate and isopropenyl boronic acid pinacol ester with different feeding ratios(S_(n)-r-B_(m),n=1,m=1/3,1,2,3,5,9).The resulting copolymers of S_(n)-r-B_(m)(n=1,m=1/3,1,2,3,5)are readily dispersed in the PAO-10 base oil and form micelle-like aggregates with hydrodynamic diameters ranging from 9.7 to 52 nm.SRV-IV oscillating reciprocating tribological tests on ball-on-flat steel pairs show that compared with the base oil of PAO-10,the friction coefficients and wear volumes of the base oil solutions of S_(n)-r-B_(m)decrease considerably up to 62%and 97%,respectively.Moreover,the base oil solution of S_(1)-r-B_(1)exhibits an excellent load-bearing capacity of(850±100)N.These superior lubricating properties are due to the formation of protective tribofilms comprising S_(n)-r-B_(m),boron oxide,and iron oxide compounds on the lubricated steel surface.Therefore,the boron-containing copolymers can be regarded as a novel class of environmentally friendly lubricating oil macroadditives for efficient friction and wear reduction without sulfur and phosphorus elements.
基金supported by the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program(No.JCYJ20220818100407016)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22275059)+1 种基金Guangdong Special Support Program(No.2021TX06L775)high-level special funds(No.G03050K002)。
文摘High-voltage LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_(2)(NCM811)cathodes are critical for enhancing the energy density of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).The development of binders compatible with high-voltage NCM811 cathode materials is crucial to enhance the electrochemical performance of LIBs.However,the traditional fluoropolymer binder,poly(vinylidene difluoride)(PVDF),can potentially leach components or break down into poly(fluoroalkyl substances)(PFAS)chemicals,thereby contributing to PFAS contamination.A novel fluorine-free polymer,polysulfone-polyamide-polyimide(SPIO),was designed and synthesized as a binder for NCM811 cathodes.The SPIO binder exhibits exceptional mechanical properties and superior electrochemical characteristics.The cathode film fabricated with SPIO demonstrated a remarkable delamination force of 8 N(390 N·m^(-1)),indicating robust adhesion.The Li‖NCM811 cell incorporating the SPIO binder retained 80%of its initial capacity after 300 cycles at a current density of 0.2 C.In comparison,the control cells assem bled with the PVDF binder retained only 52%of their capacities under the same cycling conditions.Furthermore,the SPIO binder exhibited improved compatibility with the electrolyte.Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the cathode films after 100 cycles revealed the formation of a unifo rm,dense,and continuous chemical-electrochemical interface(CEI)by the SPIO binder on the surface of the NCM811 particles,which significantly contributed to the enhancement of the electrochemical performance.These results highlight the potential of SPIO as an advanced binder material for high-perfo rmance lithium-ion batteries.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation for International Young Scientists of China(Grant No.52150410427)funding of Scientific Research Startup Project for High-Level Talents of Shandong Institute of Petroleum and Chemical Technology(Grant No.DJB2023020 and Grant No.2023SS019).
文摘Smart low-solid drilling fluids(SLSDFs)with thermo-controllable rheological properties and attractive thickening characteristics have recently captivated profound attention due to their low formation damage and enhanced cuttings lifting capacity.However,their applications to deep hole drilling at high temperatures have remained limited because of the thermal instability and environmental constraints of the thermo-associating polymers as additives.This work explored the synergistic benefits of thermo-associating polymer and biogenic nano-silica(B-SiNP)extracted from rice husk to improve the thermo-stability of SLSDF.This study shows that the nano-hybrid,TAP-S based on vinyl-terminated B-SiNP could potentially mitigate the limiting performance of conventional LSDF(F-2)caused by the failure of thermo-associating copolymers under elevated temperatures.TAP-S bearing drilling fluid(F-3)could preserve more than 5.6-fold of its initial properties(ca.apparent viscosity,plastic viscosity,yield point,and gel strength)with a nearly flat-gel profile in the temperature range of 25-230℃,which was higher than those of the counterpart F-2 and base fluid according to the results of rheological tests analysis.In addition,TAP-S exhibited an abrupt thermo-thickening characteristic with a magnitude declining by only 1.05-fold and the activation Gibbs free energy of 1339 kJ/mol above the plateau(ca.130℃),reflecting its less sensitivity compared to F-2 under a continuous heating process.As a result,a lower temperature was required to drive the dehydration of the residual fraction of lower critical solution temperature(LCST)in nano-hybrid structures than TAP according to the results of DSC analysis.Thus,lower energy was expected to disintegrate the residual hydrogen bonds formed between the LCST chains and surrounding water molecules at elevated temperatures.Moreover,TAP-S formed a solid-micro-crosslinking structure network which exhibited a more stable hydrodynamic diameter as revealed by DLS analysis.Compared with TAP,TAP-S consisted of a larger composite B-SiNP-TAP integrated spatial network structure based on the results of environmental scanning electron microscope,which conferred a degree of thermal conductivity characteristic for improved temperature resistance.This contributed to the effective binding onto bentonite particles for protection and maintained a relatively stable bentonite particle dispersion according to the results of EPM and particle size distribution analyses.Consequently,TAP-S fortified drilling fluid demonstrates improved rheological and filtration performance under severe downhole conditions.Therefore,TAP-S,the thermo-associating copolymer integrated with B-SiNP could find potential application as an eco-friendly viscosifier in LSDFs for deep-well drilling operations.
基金supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.2024JBZX029)Shijiazhuang High Level Science and Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talent Project(No.08202307)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(No.22173004).
文摘The optimization of polymer structures aims to determine an optimal sequence or topology that achieves a given target property or structural performance.This inverse design problem involves searching within a vast combinatorial phase space defined by components,se-quences,and topologies,and is often computationally intractable due to its NP-hard nature.At the core of this challenge lies the need to evalu-ate complex correlations among structural variables,a classical problem in both statistical physics and combinatorial optimization.To address this,we adopt a mean-field approach that decouples direct variable-variable interactions into effective interactions between each variable and an auxiliary field.The simulated bifurcation(SB)algorithm is employed as a mean-field-based optimization framework.It constructs a Hamiltonian dynamical system by introducing generalized momentum fields,enabling efficient decoupling and dynamic evolution of strongly coupled struc-tural variables.Using the sequence optimization of a linear copolymer adsorbing on a solid surface as a case study,we demonstrate the applica-bility of the SB algorithm to high-dimensional,non-differentiable combinatorial optimization problems.Our results show that SB can efficiently discover polymer sequences with excellent adsorption performance within a reasonable computational time.Furthermore,it exhibits robust con-vergence and high parallel scalability across large design spaces.The approach developed in this work offers a new computational pathway for polymer structure optimization.It also lays a theoretical foundation for future extensions to topological design problems,such as optimizing the number and placement of side chains,as well as the co-optimization of sequence and topology.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(Nos.22173051,21829301,21774066)College Discipline Innovation and Intelligence Introduction Program(111 Project(B16027)+1 种基金the International Cooperation Base(2016D01025)Tianjin International Joint Research and Development Center。
文摘Spatial confinement of block copolymers can induce frustrations,which can further be utilized to regulate self-assembled structures,thus providing an efficient route for fabricating novel structures.We studied the self-assembly of AB di-block copolymers(di-BCPs)confined in Janus spherical nanocavities using simulations,and explained the structure formation mechanisms.In the case of a strongly selective cavity wall,all the lamella-forming,gyroid-forming,and cylinder-forming di-BCPs can form interfacial frustration-induced Janus concentric perforated lamellar nanoparticles,whose outermost is a Janus spherical shell and the internal is a sphere with concentric perforated lamellar structure.In particular,Janus concentric perforated lamellar nanoparticles with holes distributed only near the equatorial plane were obtained in both lamella-forming and gyroid-forming di-BCPs,directly reflecting the effect of interfacial frustration.The minority-block domain of the cylider-forming di-BCPs may form hemispherical perforated lamellar structures with holes distributed in parallel layers with a specific orientation.For symmetric di-BCPs,both the A and B domains in each nanoparticle are continuous,interchangeable,and have rotational symmetry.While for gyroid-forming and cylinder-forming di-BCPs,only the majority-block domains are continuous in each nanoparticle,and holes in the minority-block domains usually have rotational symmetry.In the case of a weakly selective cavity wall,the inhomogeneity of the cavity wall results in structures having a specific orientation(such as flower-like and branched structures in gyroid-forming and cylinder-forming di-BCPs)and a perforated wetting layer with uniformly distributed holes.The novel nanoparticles obtained may have potential applications in nanotechnology as functional nanostructures or nanoparticles.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52394272,22333002,22203018,22303017).
文摘The self-assembly of block copolymers serves as an effective approach for fabricating various periodic ordered nanostructures. By employing self-consistent field theory (SCFT) to calculate the phase diagrams of block copolymers, one can accurately predict their self-assembly behaviors, thus providing guidance for the fabrication of various novel structures. However, SCFT is highly sensitive to initial conditions because it finds the free energy minima through an iterative process. Consequently, constructing phase diagrams using SCFT typically requires predefined candidate structures based on the experience of researchers. Such experience-dependent strategies often miss some structures and thus result in inaccurate phase diagrams. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have demonstrated significant potential across diverse fields of science and technology. By leveraging AI methods, it is possible to reduce reliance on human experience, thereby constructing more robust and reliable phase diagrams. In this work, we demonstrate how to combine AI with SCFT to automatically search for self-assembled structures of block copolymers and construct phase diagrams. Our aim is to realize automatic construction of block copolymer phase diagrams while minimizing reliance on human prior knowledge.
基金financially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2021YFB3801901)the Institutional Research Fund from Sichuan University(No.2020SCUNL205)+1 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universitiesthe Higher Education Discipline Innovation Project(No.B20001)。
文摘Polymers that exhibit both biodegradability and chemical recyclability offer a promising solution to environmental pollution and resource scarcity. Poly(glycolic acid)(PGA) is a promising chemically recyclable polymer, characterized by its seawater degradability and high mechanical strength. In this study, aliphatic polycarbonates were synthesized through melt polycondensation and subsequently copolymerized with glycolide(GL) to produce chemically recyclable PGA based triblock copolymers with well-defined structures. The properties of these copolymers, including their thermal properties, crystallization behavior, and mechanical performance, can be effectively adjusted by modifying the structure and content of the middle block. Furthermore, an in-depth investigation reveals that the pyrolysis process involves ester exchange, radical, and back-biting reactions. In addition, the high-efficiency "Monomer↔Copolymer" chemical recycling loop has been established, achieving a remarkable yield exceeding 88% along with a purity greater than 99%.
