5 research outputs found
UV-curable polyurethane acrylate–Ag/TiO<sub>2</sub> nanocomposites with superior UV light antibacterial activity
<p>Polyurethane acrylate (PUA)–Ag/TiO<sub>2</sub> nanocomposites were synthesized through in situ polymerization. The well-dispersed Ag/TiO<sub>2</sub> nanorods serve as photoinitiator. Meanwhile, the PUA–Ag/TiO<sub>2</sub> nanocomposite films exhibit superior activity toward the photocatalytic degradation of <i>Escherichia coli</i> under UV light. The excellent UV curing and antibacterial activities can be ascribed to the synergistic effect of Ag and TiO<sub>2</sub>, which promotes the effective electron/hole separation and thus generates various reactive species. Thin films with these nanoparticles are more hydrophilic after UV illumination. And the antibacterial mechanism of the UV-curable PUA–Ag/TiO<sub>2</sub> nanocomposites was proposed.</p
Effects of Surface Structure and Morphology of Nanoclays on the Properties of Jatropha Curcas Oil-Based Waterborne Polyurethane/Clay Nanocomposites
Three kinds of nanoclays with different
structure and morphology were modified by γ-aminoÂpropylÂtriethoxysilane
(APTES) and then incorporated into Jatropha oil-based waterborne polyurethane
(WPU) matrix via in situ polymerization. The effects of surface structure
and morphology of nanoclay on the degree of silylation were characterized
by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetry
analysis (TGA). The results showed that the montmorillonite (MT) with
abundant hydroxyl group structure and platelet-like morphology had
the highest degree of silylation, while the modified halloysite nanotubes
(HT) had the lowest grafting ratio. The effects of different silylated
clays on the properties of WPU/clay nanocomposites were characterized
by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), TGA,
dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile testing machine.
SEM images showed that all silylated clays had good compatibility
with WPU and were uniformly dispersed into the polymer matrix. WPU/SMT
exhibited the best thermal properties owing to its intercalated structure.
Dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMA), atomic force microscope (AFM),
and water contact angle results demonstrated that the silylated nanoclays
enhanced the degree of microphase separation, surface roughness, and
hydrophobicity of WPU/clay nanocomposites
Zwitterion-Modified Nanogel Responding to Temperature and Ionic Strength: A Dissipative Particle Dynamics Simulation
The self-assembly and stimuli-responsive properties of
nanogel
poly(n-isopropylacrylamide) (p(NIPAm)) and zwitterion-modified
nanogel poly(n-isopropylacrylamide-co-sulfobetainemethacrylate) (p(NIPAm-co-SBMA)) were
explored by dissipative particle dynamics simulations. Simulation
results reveal that for both types of nanogel, it is beneficial to
form spherical nanogels at polymer concentrations of 5–10%.
When the chain length (L) elongates from 10 to 40,
the sizes of the nanogels enlarge. As for the p(NIPAm) nanogel, it
shows thermoresponsiveness; when it switches to the hydrophilic state,
the nanogel swells, and vice versa. The zwitterion-modified nanogel
p(NIPAm-co-SBMA) possesses thermoresponsiveness and
ionic strength responsiveness concurrently. At 293 K, both hydrophilic
p(NIPAm) and superhydrophilic polysulfobetaine methacrylate (pSBMA)
could appear on the outer surface of the nanogel; however, at 318
K, superhydrophilic pSBMA is on the outer surface to cover the hydrophobic
p(NIPAm) core. As the temperature rises, the nanogel shrinks and remains
antifouling all through. The salt-responsive property can be reflected
by the nanogel size; the volumes of the nanogels in saline systems
are larger than those in salt-free systems as the ionic condition
inhibits the shrinkage of the zwitterionic pSBMA. This work exhibits
the temperature-responsive and salt-responsive behavior of zwitterion-modified-pNIPAm
nanogels at the molecular level and provides guidance in antifouling
nanogel design
Highly Flexible, Freezing-Resistant, Anisotropically Conductive Sandwich-Shaped Composite Hydrogels for Strain Sensors
Anisotropically conductive hydrogels have promising applications
in artificial intelligence and wearable flexible electronics. However,
for conductive hydrogels, the integration of comprehensive properties,
such as high electrical conductivity, strong moisture retention, and
high mechanical properties, is very important. In this article, sandwich-shaped
anisotropically conductive hydrogels were constructed with a conductivity
of up to 1.5 S/m. The difference in conductivity along the different
directions is about a factor of 6. The formation of dynamic coordination
bonding enhances the cross-linked network between poly(acrylic acid)
and Nd3+, which causes the hydrogels to have excellent
self-healing properties and fatigue resistance, with a self-healing
efficiency of up to 90%. The middle layer of the hydrogels is compounded
with nanographene, which cuases the hydrogels to have good mechanical
properties, such as ultrastretchability (∼1930%) and high strength
(∼0.7 MPa). The binary solvent consisting of glycerin and water
gives the hydrogels an excellent moisturizing and antifreezing function.
It maintains good flexibility and conductivity even at −18
°C. Based on the rapid response and high sensitivity, the sandwich-shaped
hydrogel strain sensors can detect human motion (such as knuckle motion,
wrist movement, etc.), showing great application potential in flexible
sensors
Zwitterion-Modified Nanogel Responding to Temperature and Ionic Strength: A Dissipative Particle Dynamics Simulation
The self-assembly and stimuli-responsive properties of
nanogel
poly(n-isopropylacrylamide) (p(NIPAm)) and zwitterion-modified
nanogel poly(n-isopropylacrylamide-co-sulfobetainemethacrylate) (p(NIPAm-co-SBMA)) were
explored by dissipative particle dynamics simulations. Simulation
results reveal that for both types of nanogel, it is beneficial to
form spherical nanogels at polymer concentrations of 5–10%.
When the chain length (L) elongates from 10 to 40,
the sizes of the nanogels enlarge. As for the p(NIPAm) nanogel, it
shows thermoresponsiveness; when it switches to the hydrophilic state,
the nanogel swells, and vice versa. The zwitterion-modified nanogel
p(NIPAm-co-SBMA) possesses thermoresponsiveness and
ionic strength responsiveness concurrently. At 293 K, both hydrophilic
p(NIPAm) and superhydrophilic polysulfobetaine methacrylate (pSBMA)
could appear on the outer surface of the nanogel; however, at 318
K, superhydrophilic pSBMA is on the outer surface to cover the hydrophobic
p(NIPAm) core. As the temperature rises, the nanogel shrinks and remains
antifouling all through. The salt-responsive property can be reflected
by the nanogel size; the volumes of the nanogels in saline systems
are larger than those in salt-free systems as the ionic condition
inhibits the shrinkage of the zwitterionic pSBMA. This work exhibits
the temperature-responsive and salt-responsive behavior of zwitterion-modified-pNIPAm
nanogels at the molecular level and provides guidance in antifouling
nanogel design