Ionic liqids for the control of the morphology in poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) membranes

The development of polymer membranes with tailored micro-morphology and wettability is a demand in the areas of filtration, sensors, and tissue engineering, among others. The thermoplastic copolymer poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP), is one of the most widely used polymers for these applications due to its good mechanical and thermal properties, biocompatibility and low density. Although the control of the PVDF-HFP morphology is a complicated task, the introduction of ionic liquids (ILs) in the PVDF-HFP matrix opens news perspectives in this area. This work consists on a systematic study of three different protic ionic liquids ([dema][TfO], [MIm][NTf2] and [MIm][Cl]) in the control of PVDF-HFP membranes properties. Different preparation conditions are also analysed. These results demonstrate how several parameters such as morphology, water absorption capacity and mechanical properties vary depending on the production methodology employed and on the choice of incorporated IL. Pores of different sizes, spherulites, and compact structures have been obtained, as well hydrophilic and highly hydrophobic structures. These results show that ILs play a key role in the optimization of polymer properties, and given the huge number of ILs available, they open up new possibilities for the development of polymer membranes suitable for applications where specific morphologies are desirable.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, MAT2016-76739R Gobierno Vasco, IT-630-13 European Union's Horizon 2020 Programme, MSCA-IF-2015, grant agreement 70185

Ionic liquids in the control of the poly(vinylidene fluoride-co- hexafluoropropylene) membranes morphology [Poster]

Poster presentado en: New Materials for a Better life! 2017 Workshop, 27/10/2017, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País VascoThe development of polymer membranes with tailored micro-morphology and wettability are a demand in the areas of filtration, sensors or tissue engineering, among others. Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) is a thermoplastic copolymer and one of the most interesting polymers to be used in these areas due to its good mechanical and thermal properties, biocompatibility and low density. The control of the morphology on this material is crucial for its performance. However, for the moment this is a complicated task and is mostly restricted to the use of solvent evaporation (SE) and non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) techniques. In this way, this work consists in a systematic study of the use of ionic liquids in the control of these membranes properties. Ionic liquids are molten salts with melting points lower than 100 °C, which stand out for their good properties, such as high good thermal stability, low vapor pressure, nonflammability and their ability to act as solvents of various materials and they have already been studied for the control of morphology in certain materials. In this work, the production and the characterization of PVDF-HFP@ionic liquid composite membranes using different ionic liquids (Diethylmethylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-Methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and 1-Methylimidazolium chloride) and methodologies (solvent evaporation temperature) are described in detail. The results demonstrate how aspects such as morphology, wettability or mechanical properties change depending on the production methodology employed and on the type of used ionic liquid. In view of the results, it is concluded that the morphology of a polymer composite can be tuned by use ILs and this control of the morphology could open up new possibilities for their use in different applications.“Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad” (MAT2016-76739-R(AEI/FEDER, UE)). “Gobierno Vasco” ( KK-2016/00095-LISOL, program Elkartek)

Ionic liquids in the control of the poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) membranes morphology

Presentada en NALS 2017 Conference on Nanomaterials applied to Lifesciences in Gijón, Spain, 13-15 December 2017The development of polymer membranes with tailored micro-morphology and wettability are a demand in the areas of filtration, sensors or tissue engineering, among others. Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) is a thermoplastic copolymer and one of the most interesting polymers to be used in these areas due to its good mechanical and thermal properties, biocompatibility and low density. The control of the morphology on this material is crucial for its performance [1]. However, for the moment this is a complicated task and is mostly restricted to the use of solvent evaporation (SE) and non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) techniques. In this way, this work consists in a systematic study of the use of ionic liquids in the control of these membranes properties. Ionic liquids are molten salts with melting points lower than 100 °C, which stand out for their good properties, such as high good thermal stability, low vapor pressure, nonflammability and their ability to act as solvents of various materials and they have already been studied for the control of morphology in certain materials [2-3]. In this work, the production and the characterization of PVDF-HFP@ionic liquid composite membranes using different ionic liquids (Diethylmethylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-Methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and 1-Methylimidazolium chloride) and methodologies (solvent evaporation temperature) are described in detail. The results demonstrate how aspects such as morphology, wettability or mechanical properties change depending on the production methodology employed and on the type of used ionic liquid. In view of the results, it is concluded that the morphology of a polymer composite can be tuned by use ILs and this control of the morphology could open up new possibilities for their use in different applications

Ionic liquids in the control of the poly(vinylidene fluoride-co- hexafluoropropylene) membranes morphology [Poster]

Poster presentado en: New Materials for a Better life! 2017 Workshop, 27/10/2017, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País VascoThe development of polymer membranes with tailored micro-morphology and wettability are a demand in the areas of filtration, sensors or tissue engineering, among others. Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) is a thermoplastic copolymer and one of the most interesting polymers to be used in these areas due to its good mechanical and thermal properties, biocompatibility and low density. The control of the morphology on this material is crucial for its performance. However, for the moment this is a complicated task and is mostly restricted to the use of solvent evaporation (SE) and non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) techniques. In this way, this work consists in a systematic study of the use of ionic liquids in the control of these membranes properties. Ionic liquids are molten salts with melting points lower than 100 °C, which stand out for their good properties, such as high good thermal stability, low vapor pressure, nonflammability and their ability to act as solvents of various materials and they have already been studied for the control of morphology in certain materials. In this work, the production and the characterization of PVDF-HFP@ionic liquid composite membranes using different ionic liquids (Diethylmethylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-Methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and 1-Methylimidazolium chloride) and methodologies (solvent evaporation temperature) are described in detail. The results demonstrate how aspects such as morphology, wettability or mechanical properties change depending on the production methodology employed and on the type of used ionic liquid. In view of the results, it is concluded that the morphology of a polymer composite can be tuned by use ILs and this control of the morphology could open up new possibilities for their use in different applications.“Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad” (MAT2016-76739-R(AEI/FEDER, UE)). “Gobierno Vasco” ( KK-2016/00095-LISOL, program Elkartek)

Room-temperature optically detected magnetic resonance of single defects in hexagonal boron nitride

Optically addressable spins in materials are important platforms for quantum technologies, such as repeaters and sensors. Identification of such systems in two-dimensional (2d) layered materials offers advantages over their bulk counterparts, as their reduced dimensionality enables more feasible on-chip integration into devices. Here, we report optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) from previously identified carbon-related defects in 2d hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). We show that single-defect ODMR contrast can be as strong as 6% and displays a magnetic-field dependence with both positive or negative sign per defect. This bipolarity can shed light into low contrast reported recently for ensemble ODMR measurements for these defects. Further, the ODMR lineshape comprises a doublet resonance, suggesting either low zero-field splitting or hyperfine coupling. Our results offer a promising route towards realising a room-temperature spin-photon quantum interface in hexagonal boron nitride

A quantum coherent spin in a two-dimensional material at room temperature

Quantum networks and sensing require solid-state spin-photon interfaces that combine single-photon generation and long-lived spin coherence with scalable device integration, ideally at ambient conditions. Despite rapid progress reported across several candidate systems, those possessing quantum coherent single spins at room temperature remain extremely rare. Here, we report quantum coherent control under ambient conditions of a single-photon emitting defect spin in a a two-dimensional material, hexagonal boron nitride. We identify that the carbon-related defect has a spin-triplet electronic ground-state manifold. We demonstrate that the spin coherence is governed predominantly by coupling to only a few proximal nuclei and is prolonged by decoupling protocols. Our results allow for a room-temperature spin qubit coupled to a multi-qubit quantum register or quantum sensor with nanoscale sample proximity

Ionic liquids in the control of the poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) membranes morphology

Presentada en NALS 2017 Conference on Nanomaterials applied to Lifesciences in Gijón, Spain, 13-15 December 2017The development of polymer membranes with tailored micro-morphology and wettability are a demand in the areas of filtration, sensors or tissue engineering, among others. Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) is a thermoplastic copolymer and one of the most interesting polymers to be used in these areas due to its good mechanical and thermal properties, biocompatibility and low density. The control of the morphology on this material is crucial for its performance [1]. However, for the moment this is a complicated task and is mostly restricted to the use of solvent evaporation (SE) and non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) techniques. In this way, this work consists in a systematic study of the use of ionic liquids in the control of these membranes properties. Ionic liquids are molten salts with melting points lower than 100 °C, which stand out for their good properties, such as high good thermal stability, low vapor pressure, nonflammability and their ability to act as solvents of various materials and they have already been studied for the control of morphology in certain materials [2-3]. In this work, the production and the characterization of PVDF-HFP@ionic liquid composite membranes using different ionic liquids (Diethylmethylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-Methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and 1-Methylimidazolium chloride) and methodologies (solvent evaporation temperature) are described in detail. The results demonstrate how aspects such as morphology, wettability or mechanical properties change depending on the production methodology employed and on the type of used ionic liquid. In view of the results, it is concluded that the morphology of a polymer composite can be tuned by use ILs and this control of the morphology could open up new possibilities for their use in different applications

Research data in support of: A modular, dynamic, DNA-based platform for regulating cargo distribution and transport between lipid domains

Confocal micrographs of phase-separated Giant Unilamellar Vesicles functionalised with DNA nanostructures featuring different anchoring platforms. Data analysis platform (MATLAB Codes and function)R.R.S also acknowledges funding support from the Mexican National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT, Grant No. 472427) and the Cambridge Trust. L.D.M. also acknowledges funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (ERC-STG No 851667 NANOCELL