This Review focuses on noncovalent functionalization of graphene and graphene oxide with various species involving biomolecules, polymers, drugs, metals and metal oxide-based nanoparticles, quantum dots, magnetic nanostructures, other carbon allotropes (fullerenes, nanodiamonds, and carbon nanotubes), and graphene analogues (MoS2, WS2). A brief description of π–π interactions, van der Waals forces, ionic interactions, and hydrogen bonding allowing noncovalent modification of graphene and graphene oxide is first given. The main part of this Review is devoted to tailored functionalization for applications in drug delivery, energy materials, solar cells, water splitting, biosensing, bioimaging, environmental, catalytic, photocatalytic, and biomedical technologies. A significant part of this Review explores the possibilities of graphene/graphene oxide-based 3D superstructures and their use in lithium-ion batteries. This Review ends with a look at challenges and future prospects of noncovalently modified graph...

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Noncovalent Functionalization of Graphene and Graphene Oxide for Energy Materials, Biosensing, Catalytic, and Biomedical Applications

Renewable resources are used increasingly in the production of polymers. In particular, monomers such as carbon dioxide, terpenes, vegetable oils and carbohydrates can be used as feedstocks for the manufacture of a variety of sustainable materials and products, including elastomers, plastics, hydrogels, flexible electronics, resins, engineering polymers and composites. Efficient catalysis is required to produce monomers, to facilitate selective polymerizations and to enable recycling or upcycling of waste materials. There are opportunities to use such sustainable polymers in both high-value areas and in basic applications such as packaging. Life-cycle assessment can be used to quantify the environmental benefits of sustainable polymers.

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Sustainable polymers from renewable resources

Physical and mechanical properties of PLA, and their functions in widespread applications - A comprehensive review.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), so far, is the most extensively researched and utilized biodegradable aliphatic polyester in human history. Due to its merits, PLA is a leading biomaterial for numerous applications in medicine as well as in industry replacing conventional petrochemical-based polymers. The main purpose of this review is to elaborate the mechanical and physical properties that affect its stability, processability, degradation, PLA-other polymers immiscibility, aging and recyclability, and therefore its potential suitability to fulfill specific application requirements. This review also summarizes variations in these properties during PLA processing (i.e. thermal degradation and recyclability), biodegradation, packaging and sterilization, and aging (i.e. weathering and hygrothermal). In addition, we discuss up-to-date strategies for PLA properties improvements including components and plasticizer blending, nucleation agent addition, and PLA modifications and nanoformulations. Incorporating better understanding of the role of these properties with available improvement strategies is the key for successful utilization of PLA and its copolymers/composites/blends to maximize their fit with worldwide application needs.

Physical and mechanical properties of PLA, and their functions in widespread applications — A comprehensive review

Supramolecular materials, dynamic materials by nature, are defined as materials whose components are bridged via reversible connections and undergo spontaneous and continuous assembly/disassembly processes under specific conditions. On account of the dynamic and reversible nature of noncovalent interactions, supramolecular polymers have the ability to adapt to their environment and possess a wide range of intriguing properties, such as degradability, shape-memory, and self-healing, making them unique candidates for supramolecular materials. In this critical review, we address recent developments in supramolecular polymeric materials, which can respond to appropriate external stimuli at the fundamental level due to the existence of noncovalent interactions of the building blocks.

Stimuli-responsive supramolecular polymeric materials.

Polylactide (PLA)-based nanocomposites

Thermosetting (bio)materials derived from renewable resources: A critical review

From interfacial ring-opening polymerization to melt processing of cellulose nanowhisker-filled polylactide-based nanocomposites.

THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS OF RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION Introduction Thermodynamics of the Ring-Opening Polymerization Kinetics of Ring-Opening Polymerization GENERAL MECHANISMS IN RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION Introduction Anionic Ring-Opening Polymerization Cationic Ring-Opening Polymerization Radical Ring-Opening Polymerization SILOXANE-CONTAINING POLYMERS Introduction Polydimethylsiloxanes Functional Silicones Polycarbosiloxanes SULFUR-NITROGEN-PHOSPHOROUS-CONTAINING POLYMERS Introduction Mechanism and Methods in Ring-Opening Polymerization (ROP) of Halogenated Cyclotriphosphazanes Ring-Opening Polymerization and Chemistry of Nonhalogenated Phosphazane Rings Incorporation of Sulfur into Phosphazane Ring Systems and Their Polymerization Chemistry POLYMERIZATION OF CYCLIC DEPSIPEPTIDES, UREAS AND URETHANES Introduction Polydepsipeptides Monomers Ring-Opening Polymerization Enzymatic Polymerization Ring Expansion Polyureas Polyurethanes POLYETHERS AND POLYOXAZOLINES Introduction Polyethers Polyoxazolines POLYAMIDES Introduction Mechanism of the Anionic Polymerization of Lactams Initiators for the Anionic Polymerization of Lactams Activators for Anionic Polymerization of Lactams Nonactivated Polymerization Cyclic Oligomers of Epsilon-Caprolactam Block Copolymers of Lactams Anionic Copolymerization of Epsilon-Caprolactam with Omega-Laurolactam Copolymerization of Lactams with Lactones (Epsilon-Caprolactone) Powdered Polyamide Nanocomposites Anionic Polymerization of 2-Pyrrolidone RING-OPENING METATHESIS POLYMERIZATION General Introduction Introduction to Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) Well-Defined Catalysts for ROMP 'Living? ROMP Selected Recent Applications and Developments POLYESTERS FROM BETA-LACTONES Introduction Beta-Lactones Preparation Ionic Polymerization Coordination Process Carbene-Based Polymerization Enzymatic Polymerization Illustrative Experimental Section POLYESTERS FROM DILACTONES Introduction General Concepts and ROP Promoted by Metallic Recent Advances in ROP Macromolecular Engineering Applications POLYESTERS FROM LARGE LACTONES Introduction Controlled Synthesis of Linear Polyesters Physical Properties of Polymers POLYCARBONATES Introduction Polymerization of Cyclic Carbonates: Homopolymers and Block Copolymers POLYMERIZATION OF CYCLOALKANES Introduction General Overview and Thermodynamic Requirements Structure-Reactivity Relationships Based on a Comprehensive Survey of the Current Literature METAL-FREE CATALYSIS IN RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION Introduction Nucleophilic ROP Metal-Free Ionic ROP ENZYME-MEDIATED RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION Introduction Characteristics of Enzymatic ROP Classes of Monomer Polymer Architectures Employing Enzymatic ROP

Jean-Marie Raquez

Papers

Polylactide (PLA)-based nanocomposites

Thermosetting (bio)materials derived from renewable resources: A critical review

From interfacial ring-opening polymerization to melt processing of cellulose nanowhisker-filled polylactide-based nanocomposites.

Handbook of ring-opening polymerization

Shape-memory polymers for multiple applications in the materials world