Long-Lasting Hydrogen Evolution and Efficient Dew Harvest Realized via Electrospinning Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membrane on Hybrid Hydrogels.

Long-lasting hydrogen evolution and efficient dew harvest is realized via electrospinning a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane on hybrid hydrogels embedded with photocatalytic g-CN/Pt nanosheets. Due to the hindrance of water evaporation by the hydrophobic PVDF membrane, the drying process of the hybrid hydrogels significantly slows down. Hence, the g-CN/Pt nanosheets can continue working on photocatalytic splitting of the water molecules in the hydrogels.

Sandwich-like Hybrid Electrospun Membrane-Based Efficient Hydrogen Evolution System by the Push-Pull Double Piezoelectric Effect Driven by Water Flow.

An efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is realized by a push-pull effect from the piezoelectricity of a flexible hybrid membrane introduced via the water flow energy. The flexible hybrid membrane possesses a sandwich-like structure, prepared by sequentially electrospinning poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), depositing graphitic carbon nitride with Pt atoms (g-CN@Pt), and again electrospinning PVDF. Due to the piezoelectric property of PVDF, the deformation of the obtained sandwich-like hybrid PVDF/g-CN@Pt/PVDF membrane triggers two electric fields with the same direction in the top and bottom PVDF membranes.

Enhancement of mechanical properties in reactive polyurethane film via in-situ assembly of embedded cellulose nanocrystals.

Comparing to the solvent-based and waterborne polyurethanes (PU), the solvent-free reactive PU (RPU) is prepared via in-situ polymerization and film-formation of isocyanate-capped prepolymers and macromolecular polyols in solvent-free system. Thus, the carbon emissions and environmental pollutions are significantly reduced. However, the rapid polymerization also challenges the well control of structure and properties, especially the ordered microstructures.

Enhanced anti-bacterial properties and thermal regulation via photothermal conversion with localized surface plasmon resonance effect in cotton fabrics.

Enhanced anti-bacterial properties and thermal regulation are realized in cotton fabrics cross-linked with hybrid poly(di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate-co-oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol methacrylate) nanogels containing gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), denoted as hybrid P(MA-co-MA-co-EGMA)/Au nanogels. Pure P(MA-co-MA-co-EGMA) nanogels are synthesized by emulsion polymerization as carriers and then embedded with Au NPs via in-situ reduction. By applying 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid as a cross-linker and changing the amount of hybrid P(MA-co-MA-co-EGMA)/Au nanogels in solution, the weight gain ratios of hybrid nanogels on cotton fabrics are set as 10 % (CHN-10) and 20 % (CHN-20).

Surface-assisted synthesis of biomass carbon-decorated polymer carbon nitride for efficient visible light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Template is frequently studied as a structure-directing agent to tune the nanomorphology of photocatalysts. However, the influences of template on the polymerization of precursors and compositions of the resulting samples are rarely considered. Herein, a biomass carbon-modified graphitic carbon nitride (CCNx) with a thin-layer morphology is synthesized via one-pot surface-assisted polymerization of melamine precursor on organic yeast.

High efficiency of in-situ cross-linking and acid triggered drug delivery by introducing tobramycin into injectable and biodegradable hydrogels.

High efficiency of in-situ cross-linking and acid triggered drug delivery is realized by introducing tobramycin into the hydrogels. Injectable and biodegradable hydrogels are prepared through two steps: First generation of reactive aldehyde groups in the sodium alginate (A-Alg) and then introduction of antibiotic tobramycin as cross-linker. Due to the formation of dynamic Schiff base bonds between the amino groups in tobramycin and aldehyde groups in A-Alg, the gelation of hydrogels can be realized immediately.

Effect of Thermal Stimulus on Kinetic Rehydration of Thermoresponsive Poly(diethylene glycol monomethyl ether methacrylate)--poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) Thin Films Probed by In Situ Neutron Reflectivity.

The kinetic rehydration of thin di-block copolymer poly(diethylene glycol monomethyl ether methacrylate)--poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (PO--PO) films containing two thermoresponsive components is probed by in situ neutron reflectivity (NR) with different thermal stimuli in the DO vapor atmosphere. The transition temperatures (TTs) of PO and PO blocks are 25 and 60 °C, respectively. After the one-step stimulus (rapid decrease in temperature from 60 to 20 °C), the film directly switches from a collapsed to a fully swollen state.

Hydration and Thermal Response Kinetics of a Cross-Linked Thermoresponsive Copolymer Film on a Hydrophobic PAN Substrate Coating Probed by Neutron Reflectivity.

The hydration and thermal response kinetics of the cross-linked thermoresponsive copolymer poly((diethylene glycol monomethyl ether methacrylate)--poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate), abbreviated as P(MEOMA--OEGMA), thin film on a hydrophobic polyacrylonitrile (PAN) substrate coating, which resembles a synthetic fabric, is probed by neutron reflectivity (NR). The PAN and monomer (MEOMA and OEGMA) solutions are sequentially spin-coated onto a silicon (Si) substrate. Afterward, plasma treatment is applied to realize the cross-linking of PAN and monomers.

Wearable Bracelet Monitoring the Solar Ultraviolet Radiation for Skin Health Based on Hybrid IPN Hydrogels.

The risk of extensive exposure of the human epidermis to solar ultraviolet radiation is significantly increased nowadays. It not only induces skin aging and solar erythema but also increases the possibility of skin cancer. Therefore, a simply prepared, highly sensitive, and optically readable device for monitoring the solar ultraviolet radiation is highly desired for the skin health management.

Impact of Thermal History on the Kinetic Response of Thermoresponsive Poly(diethylene glycol monomethyl ether methacrylate)--poly(poly(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate) Thin Films Investigated by In Situ Neutron Reflectivity.

The impact of thermal history on the kinetic response of thin thermoresponsive diblock copolymer poly(diethylene glycol monomethyl ether methacrylate)--poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate), abbreviated as PMEOMA--POEGMA, films is investigated by in situ neutron reflectivity. The PMEOMA and POEGMA blocks are both thermoresponsive polymers with a lower critical solution temperature. Their transition temperatures (TTs) are around 25 °C (TT, PMEOMA) and 60 °C (TT, POEGMA).