Robust Superhydrophobic Fabric for Durability,Self-Cleaning,and Oil/Water Separation via Thiol–Acrylate Polymerization

In recent years, highly efficient oil/water separation materials have brought much attention. It requests superhydrophobic surfaces with a rapid and facile separation process, excellent durability, and large-scale fabrication. Herein, a facile vapor-liquid sol-gel, and free radical polymerization reaction method to prepare the durable and robust superhydrophobic cotton fabric is proposed. Moreover, the fabric can be used for highly efficient and various oil/water separation. It is prepared via a simple two-step process, including a vapor-liquid sol-gel process to deposit with thiols particles, and then followed a free radical polymerization reaction to graft 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry prove that the rough structures are generated from the hydrolysis condensation reaction between tetraethyl orthosilicate and 3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane. As a result, the synthetic chemical composition provided by the natural fabric and silica nanoparticles synergistically construct a superhydrophobic surface with water contact angles and shedding angle of 158° and 9°, respectively. Additionally, the treated fabric exhibits excellent chemical resistance and self-cleaning ability. Remarkably, the fabric still retains superhydrophobic and excellent mechanical robustness after 30 cycles of various oil/water separation. In summary, the resultant fabrics with excellent chemical resistance, remarkable mechanical robustness, and versatile separation abilities have potential applications in various oil/water separations.     

Induction of Tertiary Phase Epileptiform Discharges after Postasphyxial Infusion of a Toll-Like Receptor 7 Agonist in Preterm Fetal Sheep

Background: Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are key immunomodulatory factors that can markedly ameliorate or exacerbate hypoxic–ischemic brain injury. We recently demonstrated that central infusion of the TLR7 agonist Gardiquimod (GDQ) following asphyxia was highly neuroprotective after 3 days but not 7 days of recovery. We hypothesize that this apparent transient neuroprotection is associated with modulation of seizure-genic processes and hemodynamic control. Methods: Fetuses received sham asphyxia or asphyxia induced by umbilical cord occlusion (20.9 ± 0.5 min) and were monitored continuously for 7 days. GDQ 3.34 mg or vehicle were infused intracerebroventricularly from 1 to 4 h after asphyxia. Results: GDQ infusion was associated with sustained moderate hypertension that resolved after 72 h recovery. Electrophysiologically, GDQ infusion was associated with reduced number and burden of postasphyxial seizures in the first 18 h of recovery (p < 0.05). Subsequently, GDQ was associated with induction of slow rhythmic epileptiform discharges (EDs) from 72 to 96 h of recovery (p < 0.05 vs asphyxia + vehicle). The total burden of EDs was associated with reduced numbers of neurons in the caudate nucleus (r² = 0.61, p < 0.05) and CA1/2 hippocampal region (r² = 0.66, p < 0.05). Conclusion: These data demonstrate that TLR7 activation by GDQ modulated blood pressure and suppressed seizures in the early phase of postasphyxial recovery, with subsequent prolonged induction of epileptiform activity. Speculatively, this may reflect delayed loss of early protection or contribute to differential neuronal survival in subcortical regions.     

Preparation of High Strength and Toughness Aramid Fiber by Introducing Flexible Asymmetric Monomer to Construct Misplaced-Nunchaku Structure

High performance fibers with high strength and toughness have great potential in composites, but contradiction between tensile strength and elongation at break makes the preparation to become a current challenge. Herein, an asymmetric structure of more flexible diamine, 3,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether (3,4′-ODA), is introduced into heterocyclic aramid (PBIA) fibers to replace rigid symmetric p-phenylenediamine (PDA). By studying the properties of copolymer (mPEBA) fibers with different ratios of diamine, it is found that the mPEBA fiber reached the optimal mechanical properties with the 30% content of 3,4′-ODA. Compared with homopolymerized heterocyclic aramid fibers, the tensile strength and elongation at break of mPEBA fiber are improved by 26.2% and 38.7%, respectively. Results of X-ray diffraction show that the introduction of 3,4′-ODA structure can increase stretchability of mPEBA fibers, improving the orientation degree during hot-drawing. Molecular dynamics simulations confirm that 3,4′-ODA structure undergoes a conformation transformation to form a straightened chain during hot-drawing, while symmetrical 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether (4,4′-ODA) cannot form the same conformation. The misplaced-nunchaku structure is formed based on the special meta-para position of 3,4′-ODA, achieving the synergy of high strength and high toughness.     

Ultra-Stretchable Monofilament Flexible Sensor with Low Hysteresis and Linearity based on MWCNTs/Ecoflex Composite Materials

Wearable human–computer interaction equipment is a common technology, which can improve the comfort, convenience, and safety of the human body, and also can monitor human health. The flexible and wearable tensile sensor can be conveniently installed on clothes or directly connected to the body. This provides a convenient, timely, and portable solution for the detection of human motion. Therefore, wearable electronic equipment is gaining more attention. In this paper, a highly stretchable, flexible, and sensitive strain sensor which is based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes/Ecoflex nanocomposites is reported. A monofilament tensile sensor obtains good linearity (10.77%), low hysteresis (1.63%), good stability (6000 cycles under 100% strain), and ultra-high strain range (ε = 1300%). This ultra-stretchable sensor has potential applications in human motion monitoring, medical rehabilitation, health monitoring, human–computer interaction, and soft robots.     

Zirconium-Embedded Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Containing Phosphaphenanthrene-Substituent Group Used as Flame Retardants for Epoxy Resin Composites

A zirconium hybrid polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane derivative (Zr–POSS–bisDOPO) is synthesized by the corner-capping and Kabachnik–Fields reactions. It is characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and then used as a flame retardant in diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) to endow epoxy resin (EP) with flame retardancy. The flame retardancy, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the cured EP/Zr–POSS–bisDOPO composites are investigated. The results show that when Zr–POSS–bisDOPO is added by 5–7 wt%, the EP/Zr–POSS–bisDOPO composites pass the UL-94 V-0 rating test. In addition, they have a better flame-retardant effect than pure EP. The combination of Zr atom embedded in the Si O cubic cage and the two phosphaphenanthrene substituent groups in one corner of cubic cage is expected to realize the Zr/Si/P ternary intramolecular hybrid synergistic effect and achieve the possibility of dispersing metal–POSS cages at a sub-micrometer-scale level into polymer matrix. It also proves that Zr–POSS–bisDOPO produces phosphorus-containing free radicals and terminates the chain reactions in gas phase. Meanwhile the Si O Si and Zr O units are retained in the solid phase, which promote the char formation and enhance the flame retardancy. This kind of Zr-doped POSS will be helpful for developing the new metal–POSS hybrid flame-retardant and polymer composites.     

Preparation of Iron Filler-Based Photocomposites and Application in 3D Printing

The introduction of metallic fillers to polymers via the photopolymerization approach can endow the composite materials with some unique properties, but the relevant research is still scarce due to the issue of light penetration and inner filter effect. Herein, for the first time the fabrication of photocomposites based on fine iron powder (i.e., a typical kind of metallic filler) is reported in this work. The free radical polymerization of two different acrylate monomers, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and trimethylolpropane triacrylate, is performed in the presence of iron filler under mild conditions (i.e., light emitting diode (LED)@405 nm irradiation at room temperature under air). And the real-time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy reveals remarkable photopolymerization kinetics of acrylates with high final conversions and fast polymerization rates despite the increasing contents of iron filler in the composites. Interestingly, the 3D printing technique is applied to the iron filler-based composites to produce tridimensional patterns with excellent spatial resolution. This work not only paves the way for the investigation of photocomposites based on metallic fillers through photochemical methods, but also broadens the potential application prospects.     

Dissipative Particle Dynamics Simulation: A Review on Investigating Mesoscale Properties of Polymer Systems

Polymer systems have typical multiscale characteristics, both in space and time. The mesoscopic properties of polymers are difficult to describe through traditional experimental approaches. Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) is a simulation method used for solving mesoscale problems of complex fluids and soft matter. The mesoscopic properties of polymer systems, such as conformation, dynamics, and transport properties, have been studied extensively using DPD. This paper briefly summarizes the application of DPD to research involving microchannel flow, electrospinning, free-radical polymerization, polymer self-assembly processes, polymer electrolyte fuel cells, and biomedical materials. The main features and possible development avenues of DPD are described as well.     

Supplementation with Docosahexaenoic Acid and Vitamin E Improves Hepatic Triglyceride Accumulation Induced by High-Fat Diet in Mice

The study aims to investigate the effect of combined supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n-3, DHA) and vitamin E (VE) on the oxidative stress and liver triglycerides (TG) accumulation induced by high-fat diet (HFD) in mice. C57BL/6J mice are fed either a control diet or an HFD for 8 weeks. Animals are supplemented with DHA, VE, or DHA + VE, respectively. Supplementation with DHA alone shows significant improvement in oxidative stress and hepatic steatosis in mice. Supplementation with DHA significantly reduces the liver TG and total cholesterol contents, and the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, compared with the HFD. Supplementation with DHA also significantly decreases the mRNA expression level of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1C. However, supplementation with VE alone does not show improvement in oxidative stress and hepatic steatosis. DHA + VE supply obtains a superior effect in alleviation of hepatic steatosis than DHA supplementation alone in mice fed by HFD. The efficacy of DHA potentiated by VE can be due to that VE enhances the effect of DHA in decrease of ALT and AST levels and increase of antioxidant enzyme activity and glutathione level in mice fed by HFD. Practical Applications: Supplementation with DHA significantly improves the oxidative stress and hepatic steatosis induced by HFD in mice. The efficacy of DHA in the alleviation of hepatic steatosis induced by HFD is potentiated by VE. These findings may provide a rational basis for the use of DHA and VE co-supplementation in patients with liver steatosis.     

Effect of Bio-Based Cobalt Alginate on the Fire Safety and Mechanical Properties for Epoxy Resin

There is a growing demand to develop epoxy resins (EP) with smoke suppression as well as satisfactory flame retardancy. Herein, bio-based cobalt alginate is successfully fabricated and incorporated into EP to prepare EP/Cobalt Alginate composites with better fire safety performance. The addition of cobalt alginate reduces the thermal-decomposition rate, temperature at maximum weight-loss rate of EP, whereas obviously improves the thermal stabilities at a higher temperature range. Furthermore, the addition of cobalt alginate substantially reduces the fire hazard of EP, resulting in 56.2% reduction in peak heat release rate, as well as 17.8% and 56.3% reduction in total smoke production and peak smoke production rate, respectively, compared with EP matrix. Moreover, the presence of cobalt alginate increases smoke-suppressant properties, according to the smoke density test. Additionally, the incorporation of cobalt alginate has no obviously destructive effect on the mechanical properties of EP, while EP/Cobalt Alginate-3 exhibits a 27.0% improvement in impact strength. In prospective, this study may provide a significant method for producing eco-friendly flame retardant EP.     

Effect of SiC nanowhisker addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of regenerated cemented carbides by low-pressure sintering

The hardness and toughness of regenerated cemented carbides, in general, are contradictory. Therefore, it is critical to explore regenerated cemented carbides with both high hardness and high toughness. In this study, regenerated WC-8-wt% Co cemented carbide with SiC nanowhisker were prepared by low-pressure sintering. The influence of SiCw contents on the microstructure and mechanical properties of regenerated WC-8-wt% Co cemented carbide was investigated. The results indicated that the hardness, density, flexural strength, and fracture toughness of regenerated cemented carbide first increased and then decreased with the addition of SiCw. The Vickers hardness, density, flexural strength, and fracture toughness could reach 1575 HV, 14.6 g/cm³, 2204 MPa, 16.85 MPa·m^1/2, respectively, with SiCw content 0.5 wt%, which were increased by 14.4%, 0.7%, 12.2%, and 17.3%, respectively, when compared with the regenerated cemented carbide without SiCw. The lowest friction coefficient and the best wear resistance could be also reached when 0.5-wt% SiCw was added. The fracture mechanism of the regenerated cemented carbide contained both transgranular and intergranular fracture through the microscopic observation of fracture surface via scanning electron microscope.