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Showing papers on "Polymer published in 2016"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, state-of-the-art polymer electrolytes are discussed with respect to their electrochemical and physical properties for their application in lithium polymer batteries, and the incorporation of inorganic fillers into GPEs to improve their mechanical strength as well as their transport properties and electrochemical properties is discussed.
Abstract: In this review, state-of-the-art polymer electrolytes are discussed with respect to their electrochemical and physical properties for their application in lithium polymer batteries. We divide polymer electrolytes into the two large categories of solid polymer electrolytes and gel polymer electrolytes (GPE). The performance requirements and ion transfer mechanisms of polymer electrolytes are presented at first. Then, solid polymer electrolyte systems, including dry solid polymer electrolytes, polymer-in-salt systems (rubbery electrolytes), and single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes, are described systematically. Solid polymer electrolytes still suffer from poor ionic conductivity, which is lower than 10−5 S cm−1. In order to further improve the ionic conductivity, numerous new types of lithium salt have been studied and inorganic fillers have been incorporated into solid polymer electrolytes. In the section on gel polymer electrolytes, the types of plasticizer and preparation methods of GPEs are summarized. Although the ionic conductivity of GPEs can reach 10−3 S cm−1, their low mechanical strength and poor interfacial properties are obstacles to their practical application. Significant attention is paid to the incorporation of inorganic fillers into GPEs to improve their mechanical strength as well as their transport properties and electrochemical properties.

969 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A cross-linked polymer containing pendant molecules attached to the polymer framework is shown to form flexible and low-cost membranes, and all-solid-state Li/LiFePO4 cells showed a notably high Coulombic efficiency of 99.8-100% over 640 cycles.
Abstract: A cross-linked polymer containing pendant molecules attached to the polymer framework is shown to form flexible and low-cost membranes, to be a solid Li+ electrolyte up to 270 °C, much higher than those based on poly(ethylene oxide), to be wetted by a metallic lithium anode, and to be not decomposed by the metallic anode if the anions of the salt are blocked by a ceramic electrolyte in a polymer/ceramic membrane/polymer sandwich electrolyte (PCPSE). In this sandwich architecture, the double-layer electric field at the Li/polymer interface is reduced due to the blocked salt anion transfer. The polymer layer adheres/wets the lithium metal surface and makes the Li-ion flux at the interface more homogeneous. This structure integrates the advantages of the ceramic and polymer. With the PCPSE, all-solid-state Li/LiFePO4 cells showed a notably high Coulombic efficiency of 99.8–100% over 640 cycles.

774 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Much stronger chemical/mechanical interactions between monodispersed 12 nm diameter SiO2 nanospheres and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chains were produced by in situ hydrolysis, which significantly suppresses the crystallization of PEO and thus facilitates polymer segmental motion for ionic conduction.
Abstract: High ionic conductivity solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) has long been desired for the next generation high energy and safe rechargeable lithium batteries. Among all of the SPEs, composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) with ceramic fillers has garnered great interest due to the enhancement of ionic conductivity. However, the high degree of polymer crystallinity, agglomeration of ceramic fillers, and weak polymer–ceramic interaction limit the further improvement of ionic conductivity. Different from the existing methods of blending preformed ceramic particles with polymers, here we introduce an in situ synthesis of ceramic filler particles in polymer electrolyte. Much stronger chemical/mechanical interactions between monodispersed 12 nm diameter SiO2 nanospheres and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chains were produced by in situ hydrolysis, which significantly suppresses the crystallization of PEO and thus facilitates polymer segmental motion for ionic conduction. In addition, an improved degree of LiClO4 dissociati...

702 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A new approach to designing crosslinked, rigid polymer nanofilms with enhanced microporosity by manipulating the molecular structure is reported, showing outstanding separation performance in organic solvents.
Abstract: Here it is shown how ultrathin and microporous polymer membranes, fabricated using sterically contorted monomers, can achieve enhanced performance for solvent-based separations.

543 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Three novel solution-processable small molecules, which contain π-bridges with gradient-decreased electron density and end acceptors substituted with various fluorine atoms, exhibit excellent inverted device performance and an average power conversion efficiency of 11.08% are reported.
Abstract: Solution-processable small molecules for organic solar cells have attracted intense attention for their advantages of definite molecular structures compared with their polymer counterparts. However, the device efficiencies based on small molecules are still lower than those of polymers, especially for inverted devices, the highest efficiency of which is <9%. Here we report three novel solution-processable small molecules, which contain π-bridges with gradient-decreased electron density and end acceptors substituted with various fluorine atoms (0F, 1F and 2F, respectively). Fluorination leads to an optimal active layer morphology, including an enhanced domain purity, the formation of hierarchical domain size and a directional vertical phase gradation. The optimal morphology balances charge separation and transfer, and facilitates charge collection. As a consequence, fluorinated molecules exhibit excellent inverted device performance, and an average power conversion efficiency of 11.08% is achieved for a two-fluorine atom substituted molecule.

530 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The structural modifications applied to DPP polymers are focused on and rationalize and explain the relationships between chemical structure and organic photovoltaic performance are rationalized.
Abstract: ConspectusConjugated polymers have been extensively studied for application in organic solar cells. In designing new polymers, particular attention has been given to tuning the absorption spectrum, molecular energy levels, crystallinity, and charge carrier mobility to enhance performance. As a result, the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of solar cells based on conjugated polymers as electron donor and fullerene derivatives as electron acceptor have exceeded 10% in single-junction and 11% in multijunction devices. Despite these efforts, it is notoriously difficult to establish thorough structure–property relationships that will be required to further optimize existing high-performance polymers to their intrinsic limits.In this Account, we highlight progress on the development and our understanding of diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) based conjugated polymers for polymer solar cells. The DPP moiety is strongly electron withdrawing and its polar nature enhances the tendency of DPP-based polymers to crystalliz...

426 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is reported that the ROP of γ-BL can, with a suitable catalyst, proceed smoothly to high conversions under ambient pressure to produce PγBL materials with a number-average molecular weight up to 30 kg mol(-1) and with controlled linear and/or cyclic topologies.
Abstract: Ring-opening polymerization (ROP) is a powerful synthetic methodology for the chemical synthesis of technologically important biodegradable aliphatic polyesters from cyclic esters or lactones. However, the bioderived five-membered γ-butyrolactone (γ-BL) is commonly referred as ‘non-polymerizable’ because of its low strain energy. The chemical synthesis of poly(γ-butyrolactone) (PγBL) through the ROP process has been realized only under ultrahigh pressure (20,000 atm, 160 °C) and only produces oligomers. Here we report that the ROP of γ-BL can, with a suitable catalyst, proceed smoothly to high conversions (90%) under ambient pressure to produce PγBL materials with a number-average molecular weight up to 30 kg mol–1 and with controlled linear and/or cyclic topologies. Remarkably, both linear and cyclic PγBLs can be recycled back into the monomer in quantitative yield by simply heating the bulk materials at 220 °C (linear polymer) or 300 °C (cyclic polymer) for one hour, which thereby demonstrates the complete recyclability of PγBL. Bio-derived γ-butyrolactone (γ-BL) is commonly referred to as ‘non-polymerizable’ due to its low strain energy. Now it has been shown that ring-opening polymerization of γ-BL can in fact proceed to high conversions under ambient pressure with a suitable catalyst, producing high-molecular-weight polymers with controlled topologies and complete recyclability.

394 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work demonstrates a rational design for fine-tuned crystallinity of polymer acceptors, and reveals the high potential of all-PSCs through structure and morphology engineering of semicrystalline polymer:polymer blends.
Abstract: Growing interests have been devoted to the design of polymer acceptors as potential replacement for fullerene derivatives for high-performance all polymer solar cells (all-PSCs). One key factor that is limiting the efficiency of all-PSCs is the low fill factor (FF) (normally <0.65), which is strongly correlated with the mobility and film morphology of polymer:polymer blends. In this work, we find a facile method to modulate the crystallinity of the well-known naphthalene diimide (NDI) based polymer N2200, by replacing a certain amount of bithiophene (2T) units in the N2200 backbone by single thiophene (T) units and synthesizing a series of random polymers PNDI-Tx, where x is the percentage of the single T. The acceptor PNDI-T10 is properly miscible with the low band gap donor polymer PTB7-Th, and the nanostructured blend promotes efficient exciton dissociation and charge transport. Solvent annealing (SA) enables higher hole and electron mobilities, and further suppresses the bimolecular recombination. As expected, the PTB7-Th:PNDI-T10 solar cells attain a high PCE of 7.6%, which is a 2-fold increase compared to that of PTB7-Th:N2200 solar cells. The FF of 0.71 reaches the highest value among all-PSCs to date. Our work demonstrates a rational design for fine-tuned crystallinity of polymer acceptors, and reveals the high potential of all-PSCs through structure and morphology engineering of semicrystalline polymer:polymer blends.

385 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: By regulating the mobility of classic −EO− based backbones, an innovative polymer electrolyte system can be architectured and allows the construction of all solid lithium-based polymer cells having outstanding cycling behaviour in terms of rate capability and stability over a wide range of operating temperatures.
Abstract: Here we demonstrate that by regulating the mobility of classic −EO− based backbones, an innovative polymer electrolyte system can be architectured. This polymer electrolyte allows the construction of all solid lithium-based polymer cells having outstanding cycling behaviour in terms of rate capability and stability over a wide range of operating temperatures. Polymer electrolytes are obtained by UV-induced (co)polymerization, which promotes an effective interlinking between the polyethylene oxide (PEO) chains plasticized by tetraglyme at various lithium salt concentrations. The polymer networks exhibit sterling mechanical robustness, high flexibility, homogeneous and highly amorphous characteristics. Ambient temperature ionic conductivity values exceeding 0.1 mS cm−1 are obtained, along with a wide electrochemical stability window (>5 V vs. Li/Li+), excellent lithium ion transference number (>0.6) as well as interfacial stability. Moreover, the efficacious resistance to lithium dendrite nucleation and growth postulates the implementation of these polymer electrolytes in next generation of all-solid Li-metal batteries working at ambient conditions.

291 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is found that the high optical absorption of a diketopyrrolopyrrole-thienothiophene copolymer can be explained by the high persistence length of the polymer, and high absorption in other polymers with high theoretical persistence length is demonstrated.
Abstract: The specific optical absorption of an organic semiconductor is critical to the performance of organic optoelectronic devices. For example, higher light-harvesting efficiency can lead to higher photocurrent in solar cells that are limited by sub-optimal electrical transport. Here, we compare over 40 conjugated polymers, and find that many different chemical structures share an apparent maximum in their extinction coefficients. However, a diketopyrrolopyrrole-thienothiophene copolymer shows remarkably high optical absorption at relatively low photon energies. By investigating its backbone structure and conformation with measurements and quantum chemical calculations, we find that the high optical absorption can be explained by the high persistence length of the polymer. Accordingly, we demonstrate high absorption in other polymers with high theoretical persistence length. Visible light harvesting may be enhanced in other conjugated polymers through judicious design of the structure.

283 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Fluorescence spectroscopy on a series of aqueous solutions of poly(acrylic acid) containing a luminescent label showed that polymers with molar mass, Mn < 16.5 kDa did not exhibit a pH responsive conformational change, which is typical of higher molarMass poly(Acrylic acid), while large molarmass polymers did exhibit pH-dependent diffusion.
Abstract: Fluorescence spectroscopy on a series of aqueous solutions of poly(acrylic acid) containing a luminescent label showed that polymers with molar mass, Mn < 16.5 kDa did not exhibit a pH responsive conformational change, which is typical of higher molar mass poly(acrylic acid). Below this molar mass, polymers remained in an extended conformation, regardless of pH. Above this molar mass, a pH-dependent conformational change was observed. Diffusion-ordered nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy confirmed that low molar mass polymers did not undergo a conformational transition, although large molar mass polymers did exhibit pH-dependent diffusion.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that poly(ethylene glycol) bis(3-aminopropyl) with 1,3,5-triformylbenzene with an equal molar ratio of amine and aldehyde functionalities in organic solvents with varying polarity and in neat condition exhibits malleability and self-healing characteristics.
Abstract: Covalent polymeric networks composed of imine cross-linkages have been prepared by condensation polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) bis(3-aminopropyl) with 1,3,5-triformylbenzene with an equal molar ratio of amine and aldehyde functionalities in organic solvents with varying polarity and in neat condition. The polymer networks exhibit malleability and self-healing characteristics. Rheological measurements revealed that longer reaction time is required to reach the gel point (i.e., crossover of G′ and G″) in polar solvents than in nonpolar solvents. The malleability of the solvent-swelled polymer network is also strongly dependent on the solvent polarity. Polymer gels in polar solvents are more malleable than those in nonpolar solvents, as supported by the dynamic mechanical analysis. These results are consistent with faster dynamic imine bond exchange in the polar solvents relative to the nonpolar solvents, thus requiring higher functionality conversion to form an elastic network in the polar solvent ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review discusses the synthesis and properties of thermosets and thermoplastic polymers prepared from vanillin, ferulic acid, guaiacol, syringaldehyde, or 4-hydroxybenzoic acid.
Abstract: Nowadays, the synthesis of (semi)aromatic polymers from lignin derivatives is of major interest, as aromatic compounds are key intermediates in the manufacture of polymers and lignin is the main source of aromatic biobased substrates. Phenols with a variety of chemical structures can be obtained from lignin deconstruction; among them, vanillin and ferulic acid are the main ones. Depending on the phenol substrates, different chemical modifications and polymerization pathways are developed, leading to (semi)aromatic polymers covering a wide range of thermomechanical properties. This review discusses the synthesis and properties of thermosets (vinyl ester resins, cyanate ester, epoxy, and benzoxazine resins) and thermoplastic polymers (polyesters, polyanhydrides, Schiff base polymers, polyacetals, polyoxalates, polycarbonates, acrylate polymers) prepared from vanillin, ferulic acid, guaiacol, syringaldehyde, or 4-hydroxybenzoic acid.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review focuses on the synthesis of CO2-responsive polymers using reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP), a powerful technique for the preparation of well-defined (co)polymers with precise control over molecular weight distribution, chain-end functional groups, and polymer architectural design.
Abstract: CO2 is an ideal trigger for switchable or stimuli-responsive materials because it is benign, inexpensive, green, abundant, and does not accumulate in the system. Many different CO2-responsive materials including polymers, latexes, solvents, solutes, gels, surfactants, and catalysts have been prepared. This review focuses on the preparation, self-assembly, and functional applications of CO2-responsive polymers. Detailed discussion is provided on the synthesis of CO2-responsive polymers, in particular using reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP), formerly known as controlled/living radical polymerization (CLRP), a powerful technique for the preparation of well-defined (co)polymers with precise control over molecular weight distribution, chain-end functional groups, and polymer architectural design. Self-assembly in aqueous dispersed media is highlighted as well as emerging potential applications.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a systematic study was conducted for the analysis of polymer backbone chemical stability in alkaline media, including poly(arylene ethers, poly(biphenyl alkylene)s, and polystyrene block copolymers.
Abstract: Anion exchange membranes are an important component in alkaline electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices, and their alkaline stability plays a crucial role for the long-term use of these devices. Herein, a systematic study was conducted for the analysis of polymer backbone chemical stability in alkaline media. Nine representative polymer structures including poly(arylene ether)s, poly(biphenyl alkylene)s, and polystyrene block copolymers were investigated for their alkaline stability. Polymers with aryl ether bonds in their repeating unit showed poor chemical stability when treated with KOH and NaOCH3 solutions, whereas polymers without aryl ether bonds [e.g., poly(biphenyl alkylene)s and polystyrene block copolymers] remained stable. Additional NMR studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations of small molecule model compounds that mimic the chemical structures of poly(arylene ether)s confirmed that electron-withdrawing groups near to the aryl ether bonds in the repeating unit acc...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An overview of the chemistry that is used in interfacial polymerization, discusses the (dis)advantages of derived material types, and assesses the future prospects for synthesis of ultrathin functional materials via interfacial polymers.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown that proper and precise tuning of both donor and acceptor polymer Mns is critical for optimizing APSC performance and the importance of optimizing Mn for both polymer components to realize the full potential of AP SC performance is highlighted.
Abstract: The influence of the number-average molecular weight (Mn) on the blend film morphology and photovoltaic performance of all-polymer solar cells (APSCs) fabricated with the donor polymer poly[5-(2-hexyldodecyl)-1,3-thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione-alt-5,5-(2,5-bis(3-dodecylthiophen-2-yl)thiophene)] (PTPD3T) and acceptor polymer poly{[N,N′-bis(2-octyldodecyl)naphthalene-1,4,5,8-bis(dicarboximide)-2,6-diyl]-alt-5,5′-(2,2′-bithiophene)} (P(NDI2OD-T2); N2200) is systematically investigated. The Mn effect analysis of both PTPD3T and N2200 is enabled by implementing a polymerization strategy which produces conjugated polymers with tunable Mns. Experimental and coarse-grain modeling results reveal that systematic Mn variation greatly influences both intrachain and interchain interactions and ultimately the degree of phase separation and morphology evolution. Specifically, increasing Mn for both polymers shrinks blend film domain sizes and enhances donor–acceptor polymer–polymer interfacial areas, affording increased...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reviewed the literature on moisture barrier properties of polymer/clay and polymer/graphene-based nanocomposites and proposed various models to predict the effects of nanofillers in reducing water vapour permeability through polymers.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide an overview of recent progress towards the performance enhancement of polymer/polymer blend solar cells, and discuss the future outlook and challenges regarding PCEs beyond 10%.
Abstract: Polymer/polymer blend solar cells based on a blend of two types of conjugated polymers acting as an electron donor (hole transport) and acceptor (electron transport) have recently attracted considerable attention, because they have numerous potential advantages over conventional polymer/fullerene blend solar cells. The highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) was slightly above 2% five years ago, whereas PCEs of beyond 8% are the state-of-the-art today, and the efficiency gap between polymer/polymer and polymer/fullerene systems has closed very rapidly. In this review, we provide an overview of recent progress towards the performance enhancement of polymer/polymer blend solar cells. In addition, we discuss the future outlook and challenges regarding PCEs beyond 10%.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a bio-based, high molecular weight poly(limonene carbonate) (PLimC) with attractive thermal (glass transition temperature, Tg = 130 °C) and optical properties (transmission 94%, haze 0.75%) was prepared by coupling bio-base limonene oxide (LO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) using a β-diiminate zinc catalyst (bdi)Zn(OAc).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a room temperature ionic liquid (IL) [bmim][Tf2N] was restrained by a water-washing process, confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectra.

01 Jan 2016
TL;DR: The introduction to polymers is universally compatible with any devices to read and is available in the digital library an online access to it is set as public so you can get it instantly.
Abstract: Thank you very much for downloading introduction to polymers. As you may know, people have look hundreds times for their favorite readings like this introduction to polymers, but end up in infectious downloads. Rather than reading a good book with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, instead they are facing with some infectious virus inside their desktop computer. introduction to polymers is available in our digital library an online access to it is set as public so you can get it instantly. Our digital library saves in multiple countries, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Kindly say, the introduction to polymers is universally compatible with any devices to read.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the methods for dynamic loading of polymers is presented, where the high strain rate mechanical properties of several polymers, i.e. glassy and rubbery amorphous polymers and semi-crystalline polymers are reviewed.
Abstract: The mechanical properties of polymers are becoming increasingly important as they are used in structural applications, both on their own and as matrix materials for composites. It has long been known that these mechanical properties are dependent on strain rate, temperature, and pressure. In this paper, the methods for dynamic loading of polymers will be briefly reviewed. The high strain rate mechanical properties of several classes of polymers, i.e. glassy and rubbery amorphous polymers and semi-crystalline polymers will be reviewed. Additionally, time–temperature superposition for rate dependent large strain properties and pressure dependence in polymers will be discussed. Constitutive modeling and shock properties of polymers will not be discussed in this review.

Journal ArticleDOI
Ruyan Zhao1, Chuandong Dou1, Zhiyuan Xie1, Jun Liu1, Lixiang Wang1 
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that polymer electron acceptors with excellent all-polymer solar-cell (all-PSC) device performance can be developed from polymer electron donors by using B←N units by alleviating the steric hindrance effect of the bulky pendant moieties on the conjugated polymers that contain B→N units.
Abstract: We demonstrate that polymer electron acceptors with excellent all-polymer solar-cell (all-PSC) device performance can be developed from polymer electron donors by using B←N units. By alleviating the steric hindrance effect of the bulky pendant moieties on the conjugated polymers that contain B←N units, the π–π stacking distance of polymer backbones is decreased and the electron mobility is consequently enhanced by nearly two orders of magnitude. As a result, the power conversion efficiency of all-PSCs with the polymer acting as the electron acceptor is greatly improved from 0.12 % to 5.04 %. This PCE value is comparable to that of the best all-PSCs with state-of-the-art polymer acceptors.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a series of α-diimine ligands and corresponding palladium catalysts bearing both the dibenzhydryl moiety and with systematically varied ligand sterics were described.
Abstract: In the Brookhart type α-diimine palladium catalyst system, it is highly challenging to tune the polymer branching densities through ligand modifications or polymerization conditions. In this contribution, we describe the synthesis and characterization of a series of α-diimine ligands and the corresponding palladium catalysts bearing both the dibenzhydryl moiety and with systematically varied ligand sterics. In ethylene polymerization, it is possible to tune the catalytic activities ((0.77–8.85) × 105 g/(mol Pd·h)), polymer molecular weights (Mn: (0.2–164.7) × 104), branching densities (25–116/1000C), and polymer melting temperatures (amorphous to 98 °C) over a very wide range. In ethylene–methyl acrylate (E–MA) copolymerization, it is possible to tune the catalytic activities ((0.3–8.8) × 103 g/(mol Pd·h)), copolymer molecular weights (1.1 × 103–79.8 × 103), branching densities (30–119/1000C), and MA incorporation ratio (0.4–13.8%) over a very wide range. The molecular weights and branching densities coul...

Journal ArticleDOI
17 Jun 2016-Langmuir
TL;DR: The data show that the properties of the nanoparticles are governed by the type of lignin used and the presence of polyelectrolyte surface coating, and how the colloidal stability and dispersion properties of these two types of nanoparticles vary as a function of pH and salinities.
Abstract: Lignin nanoparticles can serve as biodegradable carriers of biocidal actives with minimal environmental footprint. Here we describe the colloidal synthesis and interfacial design of nanoparticles with tunable surface properties using two different lignin precursors, Kraft (Indulin AT) lignin and Organosolv (high-purity lignin). The green synthesis process is based on flash precipitation of dissolved lignin polymer, which enabled the formation of nanoparticles in the size range of 45-250 nm. The size evolution of the two types of lignin particles is fitted on the basis of modified diffusive growth kinetics and mass balance dependencies. The surface properties of the nanoparticles are fine-tuned by coating them with a cationic polyelectrolyte, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride). We analyze how the colloidal stability and dispersion properties of these two types of nanoparticles vary as a function of pH and salinities. The data show that the properties of the nanoparticles are governed by the type of lignin used and the presence of polyelectrolyte surface coating. The coating allows the control of the nanoparticles' surface charge and the extension of their stability into strongly basic regimes, facilitating their potential application at extreme pH conditions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The synthesis of phenolic azo-polymers with hierarchical porous structures based on diazo-coupling reaction in aqueous solution under mild conditions is reported, with excellent performance for catalyzing the reaction of CO2 with epoxide and the oxidation of alcohol.
Abstract: The synthesis of hierarchically mesoporous polymers with multiple functionalities is challenging. Herein we reported a template-free strategy for synthesis of phenolic azo-polymers with hierarchical porous structures based on diazo-coupling reaction in aqueous solution under mild conditions. The resultant polymers have surface areas up to 593 m2 g−1 with the mesopore ratio of >80 %, and a good ability to complex with metal ions, such as Cu2+, Zn2+,Ni2+, achieving a metal loading up to 26.24 wt %. Moreover, the polymers complexed with Zn showed excellent performance for catalyzing the reaction of CO2 with epoxide, affording a TOF of 2570 h−1 in the presence of tetrabutyl ammonium bromide (7.2 mol %). The polymer complexed with Cu could catalyze the oxidation of alcohol with high efficiency.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Synthetic routes are shown to demonstrate that poly(limonene carbonate) is the perfect green platform polymer, from which many functional materials can be derived.
Abstract: Completely bio-based poly(limonene carbonate) is a thermoplastic polymer, which can be synthesized by copolymerization of limonene oxide (derived from limonene, which is found in orange peel) and CO2. Poly(limonene carbonate) has one double bond per repeating unit that can be exploited for further chemical modifications. These chemical modifications allow the tuning of the properties of the aliphatic polycarbonate in nearly any direction. Here we show synthetic routes to demonstrate that poly(limonene carbonate) is the perfect green platform polymer, from which many functional materials can be derived. The relevant examples presented in this study are the transformation from an engineering thermoplastic into a rubber, addition of permanent antibacterial activity, hydrophilization and even pH-dependent water solubility of the polycarbonate. Finally, we show a synthetic route to yield the completely saturated counterpart that exhibits improved heat processability due to lower reactivity.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR) and the generation and detection of longitudinal and surface acoustic waves, to study the thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and elastic properties of thin films of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(acrylic acid)(PAA), polyacrylamide (PAM), polyvinylpyrrolidone), methyl cellulose (MC), poly4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PSS), polyN-acryloylpiperidine
Abstract: We use time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR), and the generation and detection of longitudinal and surface acoustic waves, to study the thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and elastic properties of thin films of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), polyacrylamide (PAM), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), methyl cellulose (MC), poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PSS), poly(N-acryloylpiperidine) (PAP), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and a polymer blend of PVA/PAA. The thermal conductivity of six water-soluble polymers in the dry state varies by a factor of ≈2, from 0.21 to 0.38 W m–1 K–1, where the largest values appear among polymers with a high concentration of hydrogen bonding (PAA, PAM, PSS). The longitudinal elastic constants range from 7.4 to 24.5 GPa and scale linearly with the shear elastic constants, suggesting a narrow distribution of Possion’s ratio 0.35 < ν < 0.40. The thermal conductivity increases with the average sound velocity, as expected based on the model of the minimum thermal c...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review on the mechanical properties of hybrid fibers-reinforced polymer composite is presented, which shows that mechanical properties increase due to incorporation of comparably high elongation fibers.
Abstract: A review on the mechanical properties of hybrid fibers-reinforced polymer composite is presented in this article. Fiber-reinforced polymer composite has a lot of advantages such as high strength, low density, and ease of processing. Fiber-reinforced polymer composite has been used in many areas such as aerospace, automotive, and construction. Incorporation of two or more fibers into a single polymer matrix leads the development of hybrid composite. Hybridization can improve the mechanical properties of single fiber-reinforced polymer composite. This study shows that mechanical properties of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite increase due to incorporation of comparably high elongation fibers.