Amine-Acrylate Michael Addition: A Versatile Platform for Fabrication of Polymer Electrolytes with Varied Cross-Linked Networks

Compared to the design of polymer electrolytes (PEs) using a strictly controlled copolymerization approach, the cross-linking polymerization method is more flexible and efficient and ensures the film-forming properties of the copolymer with strong mechanical strength. However, conventional cross-linked methods are difficult for structural modulation, thus limiting the further application of PEs in lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Herein, we report the amine-acrylate Michael addition for fabricating PEs with varied cross-linked networks. By adjustment of the molar ratios of the reacting monomers, PEs with different topologies were prepared. Notably, an excess of the amine monomer endowed the polymer electrolyte with a self-healing ability. In addition, the gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) was fabricated by the introduction of a deep eutectic solvent and showed a high ionic conductivity (1.44 × 10–4 S cm–1 at 30 °C), high oxidation voltage (>5.0 V vs Li+/Li), and excellent interface stability with the electrodes. The Li|GPE|Li cell can work for 1000 h at a current density of 0.1 mA cm–2. Moreover, Li|GPE|LiFePO4 cells could be cycled for 200 cycles at 0.5C with a capacity retention rate of 94.3%

Facile Fabrication of Polymer Electrolytes with Branched Structure via Deep Eutectic Electrolyte-Enabled <i>In Situ</i> Polymerizations

The demand for higher energy density in energy storage devices drives further research on lithium metal batteries (LMBs) because of the high theoretical capacity and low voltage of lithium metal anode. Polymer electrolytes (PEs) exhibit obvious advantages in combating volatilization and leakage compared with liquid electrolytes, which improves the safety of LMBs. However, it is still difficult to construct PEs with a stable electrolyte–electrode interface for high-performance and long-term life LMBs. Herein, the gel polymer electrolyte (GPE-SL) containing deep eutectic electrolyte (DEE) and branchlike polymer skeleton are designed and prepared by the DEE-induced in situ cationic and radical polymerizations. The DEE provides a smooth Li+ migration pathway to ensure the electrochemical properties, and the multibrominated polymer matrix formed in situ enables a LiBr-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on lithium metal anode and prolongs the life span of LMBs. Hence, the Li|GPE-SL|LiFePO4 battery displays an excellent cycling stability with 84% capacity retention after 1200 cycles at 1C. This simple deep eutectic electrolyte-induced polymerization method provides a promising direction for high-performance LMBs with improved anode–electrolyte compatibility through the construction of a stable SEI layer in situ

Hierarchical Hybrids of Carbon Nanotubes in Amphiphilic Poly(ethylene oxide)-<i>block</i>-polyaniline through a Facile Method: From Smooth to Thorny

A facile approach was developed to synthesize conjugated block copolymer (BCP) poly­(ethylene oxide)-<i>b</i>-polyaniline (PEO–PANI). Aldehyde group-terminated PEO was prepared by an esterification reaction of <i>p</i>-formylbenzoic acid and PEO and then reacted with PANI from chemical oxidative polymerization. FT-IR, ¹H NMR, and GPC results indicated that BCPs with different PEO block lengths were successfully synthesized. Moreover, the BCPs were employed to noncovalently modify multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) through either the direct or indirect method. In the former method, transmission electron microscopy images showed that a core–shell MWNT@BCP hybrid with a shell thickness of gyration diameter of PEO block (2<i>R</i>_g,PEO) was obtained in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). These hybrids can be well dispersed in many common solvents and poly­(vinyl alcohol) matrix. With the increase of PEO block length, the stability of the MWNT dispersion would be highly improved. Interestingly, in the indirect method where deionized water was added to the NMP solution of BCP/MWNT mixture, the surface of the hybrid micelles encapsulated with MWNTs changed from smooth into hierarchically thorny with the increase of BCP/MWNT weight ratio. In this case, the water contact angle had a minimum value of ∼70° at the ratio of 1/8, indicating that the hierarchical thorns followed a Cassie–Baxter regime rather than a Wenzel one. A possible formation mechanism of the unique structure was also proposed

Holographic Plastics with Liquid Crystals

Holography via laser interference is a powerful technique for precise processing of plastics by creating ultrafine structures down to the nanometer level. As all of the information from the laser can be reconstructed in these ultrafine structures by periodic refractive index modulation, the produced holographic plastics have been recognized to be indispensable for flexible and lightweight three-dimensional displays, augmented/virtual reality, high-density data storage, advanced anticounterfeiting, etc. Particularly, the marriage of liquid crystals (LCs) with holographic plastics not only is profitable for facile holographic processing but also can impart versatile stimuli-response functions. However, despite extensive research on this interdisciplinary field, several fundamental questions are still unclear. (1) Is there any simple form to illustrate how the refractive index modulation manipulates light propagation? (2) Does the refractive index modulation work in the same way for different types of holograms? (3) What are the big challenges for future practical applications? With these questions in mind, this perspective presents several important equations for both transmission and reflection holograms, summarizes updated advances in the field, and finally calls for endeavors to meet the urgent needs in rapidly growing information technology

Synergetic Improvement in Thermal Conductivity and Flame Retardancy of Epoxy/Silver Nanowires Composites by Incorporating “Branch-Like” Flame-Retardant Functionalized Graphene

The significant fire hazards on the polymer-based thermal interface materials (TIM) used in electronic devices are but often neglected. Also, high filler loading with the incident deterioration of mechanical, thermal, and processing properties limits the further application of the traditional polymer-based TIMs. In this work, a ternary TIMs with epoxy resin (EP) matrix, silver nanowires (AgNWs), and a small amount of flame-retardant functionalized graphene (GP-DOPO) were proposed to address the above questions. Briefly, a facile “branch-like” strategy with a polymer as the backbone and flame-retardant molecule as the branch was first used to functionalize reduced graphene oxide (RGO) toward increasing the flame-retardant grafting ratio and RGO’s compatibility in matrix, and the resulted GP-DOPO was then in situ introduced into the EP/AgNW composites. As expected, the incorporation of GP-DOPO (2 wt %) can increase the thermal conductivity to 1.413 W/(m K) at a very low AgNW loading (4 vol %), which is 545 and 56% increments compared to pure EP and EP/AgNW, respectively. The prominent improvement in thermal conductivity was put down to the synergetic effect of AgNW and GP-DOPO, i.e., the improving dispersion and bridging effect for AgNWs by adding GP-DOPO. Moreover, the high flame-retardant grafting amount and the excellent compatibility of GP-DOPO resulted in a strong catalytic charring effect on EP matrix, which further formed a robust protective char layer by combining the AgNW and graphene network. Therefore, the flame retardancy of EP/AgNW was significantly improved by introducing GP-DOPO, i.e., the peak heat release rate, total heat release and total smoke production reduced by 27.0, 32.4, and 30.9% reduction compared to EP/AgNW, respectively

Monochromatic Visible Light “Photoinitibitor”: Janus-Faced Initiation and Inhibition for Storage of Colored 3D Images

Controlling the kinetics and gelation of photopolymerization is a significant challenge in the fabrication of complex three-dimensional (3D) objects as is critical in numerous imaging, lithography, and additive manufacturing techniques. We propose a novel, visible light sensitive “photoinitibitor” which simultaneously generates two distinct radicals, each with their own unique purpose–one radical each for initiation and inhibition. The Janus-faced functions of this photoinitibitor delay gelation and dramatically amplify the gelation time difference between the constructive and destructive interference regions of the exposed holographic pattern. This approach enhances the photopolymerization induced phase separation of liquid crystal/acrylate resins and the formation of fine holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) gratings. Moreover, we construct colored 3D holographic images that are visually recognizable to the naked eye under white light

Monochromatic Visible Light “Photoinitibitor”: Janus-Faced Initiation and Inhibition for Storage of Colored 3D Images

Controlling the kinetics and gelation of photopolymerization is a significant challenge in the fabrication of complex three-dimensional (3D) objects as is critical in numerous imaging, lithography, and additive manufacturing techniques. We propose a novel, visible light sensitive “photoinitibitor” which simultaneously generates two distinct radicals, each with their own unique purpose–one radical each for initiation and inhibition. The Janus-faced functions of this photoinitibitor delay gelation and dramatically amplify the gelation time difference between the constructive and destructive interference regions of the exposed holographic pattern. This approach enhances the photopolymerization induced phase separation of liquid crystal/acrylate resins and the formation of fine holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) gratings. Moreover, we construct colored 3D holographic images that are visually recognizable to the naked eye under white light

Additional file 1 of Thrombospondin 1 enhances systemic inflammation and disease severity in acute-on-chronic liver failure

Additional file 1: Table S1. Clinical characteristics of enrolled subjects from the COSSH prospective multicenter cohort. Table S2. Clinical characteristics of ACLF patients in the ELISA validation group from the COSSH prospective multicenter cohort. Table S3. Primers used for real-time PCR. Table S4. Antibodies used for immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Table S5. Clinical characteristics of ACLF patients with different THBS1 relative expression in the validation group. Table S6. Clinical characteristics of ACLF patients in the low-risk group and high-risk group of the ELISA validation cohort. Table S7. The enriched biological processes for the top 200 genes which were both differentially expressed in the comparisons of ACLF vs. LC and ACLF vs. NC. Table S8. The immune-related biological processes for top 200 DEGs which were both differentially expressed in the comparisons of ACLF vs. LC and ACLF vs. NC. Table S9. The apoptosis-related biological processes for top 200 DEGs which were both differentially expressed in the comparisons of ACLF vs. LC and ACLF vs. NC