Dual-responsive shape memory hydrogels with self-healing and dual-responsive swelling behaviors

Shape memory hydrogels (SMHs) can fix the hydrogels in a provisional shape and restore the initial shape under external stimulation. Herein, a dual-responsive shape memory hydrogel with dual-responsive swelling and self-healing properties is presented in this work. The SMHs were fabricated by one-step emulsion copolymerization of acrylic acid (AAc), acrylamide (AAm) and stearyl methacrylate (SMA). Sodium alginate (SA) was introduced as an interpenetrating polymer in the network. With ionic cross-linking between -COO⁻ and Fe³⁺ or saline-reinforced hydrophobic association, the hydrogels can be fixed in a provisional shape, which can be restored by immersing the hydrogels in vitamin C solution or pure water, respectively. When the as-prepared hydrogels were immersed in FeCl₃ solutions, additional ionic cross-linking between Fe³⁺ and -COO⁻ could be formed, thus constructing the dual physically cross-linked (DPC) network, which endows the hydrogels with excellent fracture stress (2.6 MPa) and toughness (5.47 MJ/m³). Besides, the reversible physical cross-linkings endowed the hydrogel with outstanding self-healing capability. Furthermore, the pH and saline responsive swelling properties of the SMHs are additional fantastic properties. Therefore, we believe that this simple strategy provides a great opportunity for the preparation of SMHs with multiple intellectual performances.     

Low surface energy self-polishing polymer grafted MWNTs for antibacterial coating and controlled-release property of Cu2O

Marine biofouling had been a headache when engaging in marine activities. The most effective and convenient method for dealing with this problem was to apply antifouling coatings. But now a single anti-fouling system was hard to satisfy the requirement of anti-fouling simultaneously. Therefore, it was particularly important to develop novel multi-system anti-fouling technology. In the work, a novel polymer coatings with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) segments in the main chain and hydrolysable side chain was designed and synthesized which showed low surface energy and self-polishing performance, and then we creatively covalently immobilized the polyurethane on the surface of multi-carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) to form multisystem antifouling coating. The results showed that the polymer coating would produce hydrolysable regions in the hydrophobic PDMS segment to endure the polymer coating hydrophobic and hydrolysis properties when contacted with water. In addition, the self-polishing rate and the surface energy could be regulated by varying its copolymerization, and the addition of MWNTs could kill the microorganisms and endowed the polymer coating itself enhanced antibacterial effect. Furthermore, considering the high specific surface area and physicochemical characteristics of MWNTs, it could be combined with antifoulant Cu₂O through a polar or non-polar combination as a carrier to control the release rate of Cu₂O in coatings.     

Hybrid anion exchange membranes with adjustable ion transport channels designed by compounding SEBS and homo-polystyrene

Hybrid anion exchange membranes (AEMs) were prepared via chemically functionalizing and crosslinking poly(styrene-b-[ethylene-co-butylene]-b-styrene) (SEBS) copolymers and low molecular weight homo-polystyrene (hPS). Via sequential chloromethylation, crosslinking, quaternization, and alkalization, a series of hPS/SEBS AEMs were obtained with varying content of hPS. Systematic structural, morphological, mechanical, absorption, and transport measurements reveal that these properties depend on the total PS content in the membranes. Particularly, increasing total PS content causes (a) PS domains in the AEMs transition the cylindrical morphology to lamella-like morphology with comparable correlation length; (b) Young's modulus, water uptake, swelling ratio, ionic exchange capacity and ionic conductivity of the AEMs, and T_g of PS phase increase. In addition, the alkaline stability of the hPS/SEBS AEMs is also improved by addition of hPS. These findings suggest that the proposed method can develop high performance SEBS AEMs that are suitable for fuel cell applications.     

Effect of particle size on flame retardancy and mechanical properties of hydroxyethyl diphosphate modified aluminum hydroxide intrinsic polyethylene terephthalate

Organic–inorganic hybrid flame retardant was obtained by modifying aluminum hydroxide with different particle size with 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid. The structure of the organic–inorganic hybrid flame retardant is characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy, while ¹H-NMR spectroscopy only characterizes specific samples. The thermal stability and flame retardancy of the samples were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis, limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical combustion of UL-94 and cone calorimeter. The results show that the modified 10 μm aluminum hydroxide has a better effect than the 25 μm aluminum hydroxide and 100 nm aluminum hydroxide. Compared with pure polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the LOI value of the best sample is increased by 24.4%, and UL-94 V reaches V-0 level. Heat release rate, total heat release rate, and carbon monoxide production rate decreased by 45.8%, 33.2%, and 41.5%, respectively, compared to pure PET. The results showed that the aluminum hydroxide with a particle size of 10 μm exhibited the best flame retardant effect, which could be attributed to the decomposition of organic phosphoric acid and the dehydration of aluminum hydroxide, yielding a higher amount of residual carbon.     

Hydrogen bonding induced enhancement for constructing anisotropic sugarcane composite hydrogels

Anisotropic hydrogels are appealing with their merits of similar biochemical and structural properties to the biological tissues. However, the mechanical properties of current anisotropic hydrogels need to be further improved. Herein, three kinds of novel anisotropic poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA), poly(acrylamide) (pAM), and poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (p[AM-co-AA]) sugarcane composite hydrogels were prepared successfully by filling the hydrogel monomer precursor into porous aligned sugarcane nanofibers network and then performing subsequent free radical polymerization. The hydrogel matrix and sugarcane nanofibers network were combined closely together through hydrogen bonding interaction. The anisotropic sugarcane composite hydrogels exhibit good flexibility and elastic recovery properties upon encountering mechanical crimping and twisting. In typical case, the as-prepared pHEMA sugarcane composite hydrogel can exhibit high anisotropic tensile strength of 2.37 and 0.54 MPa, while differential tear strength of 0.36 and 0.78 N/mm, along the parallel and vertical nanofibers directions. Finally, anisotropic lubrication behaviors were found and investigated systematically for those three kinds of sugarcane composite hydrogels when water was used as lubricant. Our current work proposes a simple and universal strategy for developing bioinspired anisotropic functional composite matters such as artificial skin, flexible sensor, and cartilage lubrication materials.     

Supercritical carbon dioxide assisted fabrication of biomimetic sodium alginate/silk fibroin nanofibrous scaffolds

In this study, biomimetic sodium alginate (SA)/silk fibroin (SF) scaffolds were successfully fabricated by supercritical CO₂ technology. The SA/SF scaffolds exhibited an interconnected porous and extracellular matrix (ECM)-like nanofibrous structures. Moreover, the SA microparticles were embedded in the SF scaffolds. Increasing the content of SA microparticles could improve tensile strength and compressive strength of the SF scaffolds and reduce the porosity of the SF scaffolds. The addition of the SA microparticles could also regulate the degradation rate of the SA/SF scaffolds. Furthermore, the results of in vitro biocompatibility evaluation, indicated that the SA/SF scaffolds exhibited no obvious cytotoxicity and higher cell adhesion ability and were more favorable for L929 fibroblasts proliferation than pure SF scaffolds. Therefore, the SA/SF scaffolds with ECM-like nanofibrous and interconnected porous structure have potential application in skin tissue engineering.     

Effect of characteristic scale on the extrudate swelling behavior of polypropylene melt in a micro-extrusion process

The swelling behavior in micro-extrusion has a significant effect on the dimensional and shape accuracy of microproducts. In this study, the effect of characteristic scale, defined as the gap of die land in an annular micro-extrusion die, on the extrudate swelling behavior of viscoelastic melt is analyzed through numerical simulations and micro-extrusion experiments. The results show that the swelling behavior displays an obvious dependence on the characteristic scale. An increase in the characteristic scale reduces the swell ratio and retards the process to reach the equilibrium state. In contrast, a decrease in the characteristic scale results in a larger magnitude of change in velocity field and faster relaxation development of stress field. The location of the maximum velocity layer for the laminar flow gradually deviates from the geometric center of channel toward the wall of mandrel with the increase in the characteristic scale. Moreover, an increase in the flow rate results in a larger swell ratio for a constant characteristic scale. The elastic effect plays a more dominant role than the viscous effect in determining the viscoelastic swell behavior. It is imperative to consider the complicated swelling behavior and remarkable viscoelastic effect simultaneously in micro-extrusion process.     

基于PSO-Powell混合算法的软磁复合材料二维矢量磁滞特性模拟

针对经典矢量Preisach模型仅能模拟各向同性磁滞特性的缺陷,提出改进的矢量磁滞模型.通过引入幅值与方向角的关联参数改善磁场强度的曲线形态,使模型能够考虑软磁材料的各向异性特征.利用矢量磁特性实验平台对软磁复合材料(SMC)在二维旋转磁化激励下的磁特性进行测量,根据测量的极限磁滞回线,分别构造标量和矢量Everett函数.提出基于粒子群(PSO)和Powell方向加速的组合优化策略,显著改善PSO的局部寻优能力,提高计算效率和精度,进而实现矢量Preisach磁滞模型的高效参数辨识.矢量磁滞特性的仿真结果与测量结果相吻合,验证了该文所提改进矢量磁滞模型及其参数辨识方法的有效性.     

改进互联通信荷电状态下垂控制及功率均衡优化

作为直流微电网中不可或缺的组成部分,分布式直流储能系统起着平抑系统能量波动、维持系统功率平衡的重要作用.为了提高储能系统工作的可靠性,该文对互联通信荷电状态(SOC)下垂控制策略进行深入研究.首先,对传统互联通信SOC下垂控制的系统性能及存在的问题进行分析,为之后控制策略的改进奠定基础;其次,提出改进互联通信SOC下垂控制策略,即在传统互联通信SOC下垂控制基础上引入变化系数;再次,通过对改进互联通信SOC下垂控制系统性能的分析,得到变化系数参数设计方法,在提高系统功率收敛速度的同时,限制功率输出最大值,从而提高系统可靠性;最后,对由两台储能模块构成的储能系统进行仿真和实验,实验结果验证了改进策略的快速性及对输出功率的限制.     

家用冰箱储藏室内挥发性有机物检测及分析

为研究家用冰箱储藏室中挥发性有机化合物(VOCs)的释放量及主要来源,采用气相色谱–质谱法对工作状态下冰箱储藏室的VOCs含量进行检测;利用傅里叶变换红外光谱仪对冷藏室的物料进行成分分析,同时用密封舱法探究冷藏室不同物料对VOCs含量贡献。结果表明,冰箱冷藏室物料中发泡聚苯乙烯风道泡沫释放的总挥发性有机化合物(TVOC)、正戊烷及异戊烷最多,是造成异味的关键性物料,而正戊烷、异戊烷是冰箱异味的主要成分。聚氯乙烯门封条对异味的贡献也较大,通用聚苯乙烯抽屉体贡献的VOCs种类最多;在工作状态下,随着密闭时间的增加,冰箱储藏室的VOCs的种类及含量增加,但苯、甲苯、二甲苯、TVOC及戊烷类的含量均未超过国家标准。储藏室异戊烷含量较高,是冰箱的异味的主要来源。