Co-reporter:Yanlong Tai, Tao Chen, and Gilles Lubineau
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces September 20, 2017 Volume 9(Issue 37) pp:32184-32184
Publication Date(Web):August 30, 2017
DOI:10.1021/acsami.7b05467
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based flexible films have substantiated advantages in various sensing applications. Here, we demonstrate the highly sensitive and programmable thermal-sensing capability (thermal index, B, up to 126 × 103 K) of flexible films with tunable sandwiched microstructures (PDMS/cracked single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) film/PDMS) when a thermal stimulus is applied. We found that this excellent performance results from the following features of the film’s structural and material design: (1) the sandwiched structure allows the film to switch from a three-dimensional to a two-dimensional in-plane deformation and (2) the stiffness of the SWCNT film is decreased by introducing microcracks that make deformation easy and that promote the macroscopic piezoresistive behavior of SWCNT crack islands and the microscopic piezoresistive behavior of SWCNT bundles. The PDMS layer is characterized by a high coefficient of thermal expansion (α = 310 × 10–6 K–1) and low stiffness (∼2 MPa) that allow for greater flexibility and higher temperature sensitivity. We determined the efficacy of our sandwiched, cracked, flexible films in monitoring and switching flexible devices when subjected to various stimuli, including thermal conduction, thermal radiation, and light radiation.Keywords: electronic skin; flexible monitoring or switching devices; piezoresistive behavior; temperature sensing; thermal switches; tunable cracked microstructures;
Co-reporter:Yaru Jia, Lei Zhang, Liping Song, Liwei Dai, Xuefei Lu, Youju Huang, Jiawei Zhang, Zhiyong Guo, and Tao Chen
Langmuir November 21, 2017 Volume 33(Issue 46) pp:13376-13376
Publication Date(Web):October 23, 2017
DOI:10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b03261
Sensitivity and reproducibility are two major concerns to improve the performance and extend the range of practical applications of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). A theoretical report reveals that hot spots formed by gold nanoparticles with a tip-to-tip configuration would generate the maximum electric field enhancement because of the lightning rod effect. In our present study, we constructed a giant vesicle consisting of anchored tiny gold nanowires to provide a high density of sharp tip-to-tip nanogaps for SERS application. The tiny gold nanowires were directly grown and anchored onto the surfaces of polystyrene (PS) microspheres by a seed-mediated method. Then, the removal of PS microspheres by tetrahydrofuran led to the formation of the giant gold vesicles with hierarchical cage structures, providing the sharp tips and high density of hot spots for improving SERS performance. Compared with the nonwire structure (island and inhibited nanoparticle), giant gold vesicles with tiny wires showed a higher SERS enhancement factor (9.90 × 107) and quantitative SERS analysis in the range of 10–4 to 10–7 M. In addition, the large-scale giant gold vesicle array on the silica substrate resulted in a high reproducibility of SERS signals with the variation of intensities less than 7.6%.
Co-reporter:Liwei Dai, Liping Song, Youju Huang, Lei Zhang, Xuefei Lu, Jiawei Zhang, and Tao Chen
Langmuir June 6, 2017 Volume 33(Issue 22) pp:5378-5378
Publication Date(Web):May 15, 2017
DOI:10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b00097
Due to the larger surface area and the synergistic effects between two noble metals, the bimetallic superstructures exhibit enhanced distinctive optical, catalytic, and photothermal performances and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) “hot-spot” effect, and thus have attracted great interest in various applications. Compared with the common Pd, Pt hierarchical structures coated onto Au nanoparticles (NPs), easily synthesized via fast autocatalytic surface growth arising from intrinsic properties of Pd and Pt metals, precisely controlling the hierarchical Ag growth onto Au NPs is rarely reported. In our present study, the reducing agent dopamine dithiocarbamate (DDTC) was covalently capped onto the first metal core (Au) to delicately control the growth model of the second metal (Ag). This results in heterogeneous nucleation and growth of Ag precursor on the surface of Au nanorods (NRs), and further formation of cornlike bimetallic Au/Ag core–shell superstructures, which usually cannot be achieved from traditional epitaxial growth. The thickness of the hierarchical Ag shell was finely tuned in a size range from 8 to 22 nm by simply varying the amount of the ratio between Ag ions and DDTC capped on Au NR core. The tunable Ag shell leads to anisotropic bimetallic Au/Ag core–shell superstructures, displaying two distinctive plasmonic resonances in the near-infrared region (NIR). In particular, the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance exhibits a broadly tunable range from 840 to 1277 nm. Additionally, the rich hot spots from obtained Au/Ag superstructures significantly enhance the SERS performance.
Co-reporter:Wei Lu, Jiawei Zhang, Youju Huang, Patrick Théato, Qing Huang, and Tao Chen
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces July 19, 2017 Volume 9(Issue 28) pp:23884-23884
Publication Date(Web):June 26, 2017
DOI:10.1021/acsami.7b08826
Development of fluorescent film probes for toxic nitroaromatic compound pollutants (NACs) such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in real water samples implies broad applications in environmental and industrial safety control. Despite many recent advances, there are still some difficult challenges facing this area, for example, the restricted sensitivity and long response time caused by hindered and slow diffusion of aqueous NACs samples inside a dense, solid film. Hence, we report herein a robust fluorescent paper sensor with improved sensing abilities, which is prepared by absorbing hydrophilic pyrene-functionalized polymer uniformly into cellulose-based filter papers. Thanks to the numerous oxygen-containing groups grafted on cellulose papers, they allow passive and ultrafast capillary force driving diffusion of aqueous NACs samples into their hydrophilic matrix. Specifically speaking, these paper sensors can offer efficient self-diffusion paths inside the test strips and immediately bring the pyrene fluorophores and NACs quenchers into close proximity. Therefore, the developed paper-based test strips enable both naked-eye detection of low-ppm-level TNT and ultrafast fluorescence quenching with a response time of only a few seconds, which are difficult to be achieved by conventional film probes.Keywords: aqueous phase; fluorescence quenching; nitroaromatic pollutants; paper sensor; self-diffusion; ultrafast detection;
Co-reporter:Peng Xiao;Peng Chen;Liwei Dai;Jincui Gu;Lei Zhang;Hanlin Wang;Liping Song;Youju Huang;Jiawei Zhang
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces February 22, 2017 Volume 9(Issue 7) pp:5968-5973
Publication Date(Web):January 30, 2017
DOI:10.1021/acsami.6b13547
Although the construction of superwettability materials for oil/water separation has been developed rapidly, the postprocess of the used separation materials themselves is still a thorny problem due to their nondegradation in the natural environment. In this work, we reported the functionalization of polylactic acid (PLA) nonwoven fabric as superoleophilic and superhydrophobic material for efficient treatment of oily wastewater with eco-friendly post-treatment due to the well-known biodegradable nature of PLA matrix.Keywords: biodegradable; oil absorption; oil/water separation; PLA nonwoven fabric; superoleophilicity and superhydrophobicity;
Co-reporter:Yun Rong, Liping Song, Peng Si, Lei Zhang, Xuefei Lu, Jiawei Zhang, Zhihong Nie, Youju Huang, and Tao Chen
Langmuir December 5, 2017 Volume 33(Issue 48) pp:13867-13867
Publication Date(Web):November 11, 2017
DOI:10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b03538
Two-dimensional or three-dimensional highly ordered arrays of anisotropic nanoparticles provide attracting properties that are highly desired by the industry. Traditional assembly methods such as evaporation usually produces the nanostructure arrays only up to the millimeter scale with poor control of nanoparticle orientation, making them hardly applicable for industrial needs. Here, we report a facile method to assemble centimeter-scale gold nanorod (Au NR) arrays with highly controlled nanoparticle orientation and high reproducibility. We selectively functionalized the transverse or longitudinal facets of Au NRs with polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules and utilized the interfacial polymeric affinity between the PEG domains on Au NRs and the PEGylated substrate to achieve the anisotropic self-assembly. The side-PEGylated Au NRs formed closely packed horizontal arrays, whereas the end-PEGylated Au NRs formed vertically standing arrays on the substrate, respectively. The obtained Au NR arrays with different orientations showed anisotropic surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance. We showed that the vertically ordered Au NR arrays exhibited 3 times higher SERS signals than the horizontally ordered arrays.
Co-reporter:Lei Zhang;Yingzhou Tao;Peng Xiao;Liwei Dai;Liping Song;Youju Huang;Jiawei Zhang;Shiao-Wei Kuo
Advanced Materials Interfaces 2017 Volume 4(Issue 6) pp:
Publication Date(Web):2017/03/01
DOI:10.1002/admi.201601105
Tiny gold nanoparticles without any surfactant are synthesized via air/water interfacial reaction to be anchored in suit on the surfaces of supported carbon nanotubes in high density. The resultant 2D Janus freestanding composite films exhibit efficient electrocatalytic ability for alcohol oxidation, mainly due to abundant active sites and facile electron transfer.
Co-reporter:Peng Xiao;Nianxiang Qiu;Jincui Gu;Shuai Wang;Jiang He;Chih-Feng Huang;Jiawei Zhang;Youju Huang
Chemical Communications 2017 vol. 53(Issue 12) pp:1949-1952
Publication Date(Web):2017/02/07
DOI:10.1039/C6CC09845B
Graphene oxide (GO), which is structurally analogous to graphene, was used as the ink to precisely tune the surface activity of graphene, without diminishing the outstanding properties of the 2D sp2 network, via microcontact printing-induced multiple π–π stacking interactions. The GO/graphene hybrids, thus, provide a robust platform for chemical/photo-active GO for further chemical modification with multifunctionality.
Co-reporter:Wei Lu;Xiaoxia Le;Jiawei Zhang;Youju Huang
Chemical Society Reviews 2017 vol. 46(Issue 5) pp:1284-1294
Publication Date(Web):2017/03/06
DOI:10.1039/C6CS00754F
Supramolecular shape memory hydrogels (SSMHs) refer to shape memory polymers, in which temporary shapes are stabilized by reversible crosslinks such as supramolecular interactions and dynamic covalent bonds. Following a brief introduction of the conventional shape memory polymers (SMPs), this tutorial review is focused to summarize the recent advancement in various reversible crosslinks employed to construct SSMHs (supramolecular interactions and dynamic covalent bonds) and different shape memory behaviors (dual and triple shape memory effects). In addition, current challenges and future perspectives in this field are also discussed to suggest a new developing direction.
Co-reporter:Peng Xiao, Jincui Gu, Changjin Wan, Shuai Wang, Jiang He, Jiawei Zhang, Youju Huang, Shiao-Wei Kuo, and Tao Chen
Chemistry of Materials 2016 Volume 28(Issue 19) pp:7125
Publication Date(Web):September 18, 2016
DOI:10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b03420
The Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique has been demonstrated as the most popular way to achieve freestanding two-dimensional (2D) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) thin films on the surface of liquid, yet still suffers some limitations, such as the need of expensive instruments with complicated surface pressure detection and time-consuming processes, and thus is inaccessible to a large number of researchers. Here, we present a cheap, reliable, and ultrafast strategy to fabricate free-standing 2D CNTs networks on an air/water interface by a highly simplified LB method free of instruments, yet only with porous materials assisted capillary force driving compression. The formation of free-standing 2D CNTs networks with controlled thickness, transmittance, and conductivity could be further transferred to other various substrates. Growing polymer from one side of the flexible CNTs network allows us to achieve 2D hybrid Janus materials of polymer grafted CNTs thin films. This endows the conductive 2D CNTs hybrid networks with responsive chemical functionality, which is highly important for scalable developments as next generation flexible electronics in chemical sensing.
Co-reporter:Lei Zhang, Jincui Gu, Liping Song, Lu Chen, Youju Huang, Jiawei Zhang and Tao Chen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2016 vol. 4(Issue 28) pp:10810-10815
Publication Date(Web):23 Jun 2016
DOI:10.1039/C6TA04362C
A hierarchical composite membrane, consisting of an underwater superoleophobic carbon nanotube film and core–shell polystyrene@Au nanoparticle-assembled membrane, is fabricated to achieve simultaneous flow-through degradation of water-miscible toxic organic molecules and effective separation of oil/water emulsion. This multifunctional composite membrane allows continuous treatment of polluted oily wastewater, making it a promising candidate for water purification.
Co-reporter:Wei Lu, Peng Xiao, Zhenzhong Liu, Jincui Gu, Jiawei Zhang, Youju Huang, Qing Huang, and Tao Chen
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2016 Volume 8(Issue 31) pp:20100
Publication Date(Web):July 15, 2016
DOI:10.1021/acsami.6b06472
The detection of highly toxic CS2, which is known as a notorious occupational hazard in various industrial processes, is important from both environmental and public safety perspectives. We describe here a robust type of chemical-reaction-based supramolecular fluorescent nanoprobes for ratiometric determination of CS2 with high selectivity and sensitivity in water medium. The micellar nanoprobes self-assemble from amphiphilic pyrene-modified hyperbranched polyethylenimine (Py-HPEI) polymers with intense pyrene excimer emission. Selective sensing is based on a CS2-specific reaction with hydrophilic amino groups to produce hydrophobic dithiocarbamate moieties, which can strongly quench the pyrene excimer emission via a known photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. Therefore, the developed micellar nanoprobes are free of the H2S interference problem often encountered in the widely used colorimetric assays and proved to show high selectivity over many potentially competing chemical species. Importantly, the developed approach is capable of CS2 sensing even in complex tap and river water samples. In addition, in view of the modular design principle of these powerful micellar nanoprobes, the sensing strategy used here is expected to be applicable to the development of various sensory systems for other environmentally important guest species.Keywords: carbon disulfide; dithiocarbamate; excimer emission; ratiometric fluorescent probe; self-assembled micellar nanoprobe
Co-reporter:Youju Huang, Liwei Dai, Liping Song, Lei Zhang, Yun Rong, Jiawei Zhang, Zhihong Nie, and Tao Chen
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2016 Volume 8(Issue 41) pp:27949
Publication Date(Web):September 26, 2016
DOI:10.1021/acsami.6b05258
We present the uniform and high-yield synthesis of a novel gold nanostructure of compass shape composed of a Au sphere at the central and two gradually thinning conical tips at the opposed poles. The Au compass shapes were synthesized through a seed-mediated growth approach employing a binary mixture of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium oleate (NaOL) as the structure-directing agents. Under the condition of single surfactant (CTAB), the spherical seeds tend to grow into larger spherical Au nanoparticles (NPs); while the spherical seeds favor the formation of Au compass shaped NPs using two mixed surfactants (CTAB/NaOL). The reaction kinetics clearly shows a growth mechanism of Au compass shaped NPs. Interestingly, due to their anisotropic structure, Au compass shaped NPs show two distinctive plasmonic resonances, similar to those from Au nanorods. Particularly, the longitudinal surface plasmon resonances of Au compass shaped NPs exhibit a broadly tunable range from 600 to 865 nm. In addition, the obtained Au compass shaped NPs can be self-assembled into a two-dimensional monolayer with closely packed and highly aligned NPs, which results in periodic arrays of overlapped Au tips, generating hot spots for high-performance surface-enhanced Raman scattering.Keywords: compass shape; gold nanoparticles; plasmon resonances; seed-mediated growth; self-assemble; surface-enhanced Raman scattering
Co-reporter:Jiaming Chen, Youju Huang, Palanisamy Kannan, Lei Zhang, Zhenyu Lin, Jiawei Zhang, Tao Chen, and Longhua Guo
Analytical Chemistry 2016 Volume 88(Issue 4) pp:2149
Publication Date(Web):January 25, 2016
DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.5b03735
The efficient extraction of targets from complex surfaces is vital for technological applications ranging from environmental pollutant monitoring to analysis of explosive traces and pesticide residues. In our present study, we proposed a proof-of-concept surface enhance Raman scattering (SERS) active substrate serving directly to the rapid extraction and detection of target molecules. The novel substrate was constructed by decorating the commercial tape with colloidal gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), which simultaneously provides SERS activity and “sticky” of adhesive. The utility of SERS tape was demonstrated by directly extracting pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables via a simple and viable “paste and peel off” approach. The obtained strong and easily distinguishable SERS signals allow us to detect various pesticide residues such as parathion-methyl, thiram, and chlorpyrifos in the real samples with complex surfaces including green vegetable, cucumber, orange, and apple.
Co-reporter:Zhaowen Li, Wei Lu, To Ngai, Xiaoxia Le, Jing Zheng, Ning Zhao, Youju Huang, Xiufang Wen, Jiawei Zhang and Tao Chen
Polymer Chemistry 2016 vol. 7(Issue 34) pp:5343-5346
Publication Date(Web):04 Aug 2016
DOI:10.1039/C6PY01112H
A novel multifunctional supramolecular hydrogel with self-healing, shape memory and adhesive properties is successfully developed on the basis of dynamic phenylboronic acid (PBA)–catechol interactions. The reversible nature of PBA–catechol bonds renders the hydrogel with outstanding self-healing and shape memory behavior, and the mussel-inspired catechol moieties generate fascinating adhesive properties.
Co-reporter:Jing Zheng;Peng Xiao;Wei Liu;Jiawei Zhang;Youju Huang
Macromolecular Rapid Communications 2016 Volume 37( Issue 3) pp:265-270
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/marc.201500571
Co-reporter:Lei Zhang;Peng Xiao;Wei Lu;Jiawei Zhang;Jincui Gu;Youju Huang
Advanced Materials Interfaces 2016 Volume 3( Issue 15) pp:
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/admi.201600170
2D Janus thin films have received increasing attentions due to their unique asymmetric structures and fantastic applications. Herein, a macroscopic 2D freestanding Janus carbon nanotubes/gold nanoparticles (CNTs/AuNPs) hybrid ultrathin film is successfully constructed at the air/liquid interface, using polydopamine modified unilaterally CNTs ultrathin network film as an asymmetrical 2D interfacial reactor for in situ selective growth of AuNPs on the unilateral water-side (the side facing water) of CNTs film. The resultant macroscopic 2D freestanding Janus CNTs/AuNPs ultrathin film could be used directly as electrode materials and modify stably electrode with improved stability and operation feasibility. More importantly, the convenient and clean modification of Janus CNTs/AuNPs film on electrode is favorable to the electrons transmission in the electrode and remarkably improves the electrochemical sensitivity of glassy carbon, showing the ability of really exerting asymmetrical functionality of Janus 2D materials in a collaborative strategy.
Co-reporter:Liming Chen, Anirban Dandapat, Youju Huang, Liping Song, Lei Zhang, Jiawei Zhang, Yoel Sasson, Linxi Hou and Tao Chen
RSC Advances 2016 vol. 6(Issue 37) pp:31301-31307
Publication Date(Web):21 Mar 2016
DOI:10.1039/C6RA03348B
Icosahedral nanocatalysts (NCs) have shown very interesting physical and chemical properties owing to their multiply twinned nanostructures. Herein, we introduce a novel heterogemini surfactant (C10OhpNC8) assisted seed mediated growth approach for the synthesis of monodisperse icosahedral gold (Au) NCs in aqueous solution at room temperature. Very small shape impurities were observed in the resultant icosahedral Au NCs. Significantly improved monodispersity (relative standard deviation (RSD) of <10%) has been achieved by using a binary mixture of C10OhpNC8 and PVP as structure directing agents. Interestingly, the size of icosahedral Au NCs can be tuned ranging from 40 nm to 190 nm, which guides the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak to be tuned throughout the whole visible region and even to the near infrared (NIR) region. Furthermore, the developed icosahedral Au NCs specific probe has been designed to be applied as an easy electrochemical biosensor and successfully used to detect the bacteria Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) with a detection limit of ∼10 colony forming units (CFU) mL−1. Notably, a much higher sensitivity of these icosahedral Au NCs probes has been achieved compared to the traditional colloidal gold immunochromatography (detection limit ∼103 CFU mL−1).
Co-reporter:Jiang He;Peng Xiao;Jiawei Zhang;Zhenzhong Liu;Wenqin Wang;Liangti Qu;Qing Ouyang;Xuefei Wang;Yousi Chen
Advanced Materials Interfaces 2016 Volume 3( Issue 14) pp:
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/admi.201600169
Co-reporter:Wei Lu, Peng Xiao, Jincui Gu, Jiawei Zhang, Youju Huang, Qing Huang, Tao Chen
Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical 2016 Volume 228() pp:551-556
Publication Date(Web):2 June 2016
DOI:10.1016/j.snb.2016.01.096
A polymer-based visible and quantitative fluorometric assay for CO2 gas is constructed using branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) covalently modified with tetraphenylethylene (TPE). The sensing mechanism relies on the reaction of CO2 with alkylamines of PEI to induce the “solution-to-precipitation” phase transition of the sensory polymer (TPE–PEI), thus resulting in strong aggregation-induced fluorescent emission of TPE–PEI. It works in a relatively environmental benign ethanol medium and avoids the use of toxic amine compounds with unpleasant odor. More importantly, this system is proved to be highly tolerant to possibly coexisting water, carbon monoxide, acid SO2 and H2S gases as well as many common volatile organic compounds. These characteristics make the presently developed fluorescent chemosensor hold great potential for many real-world applications.
Co-reporter:Yingzhou Tao, Anirban Dandapat, Liming Chen, Youju Huang, Yoel Sasson, Zhenyu Lin, Jiawei Zhang, Longhua Guo, and Tao Chen
Langmuir 2016 Volume 32(Issue 34) pp:8557-8564
Publication Date(Web):August 2, 2016
DOI:10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b01382
We report a very easy and effective approach for synthesizing unique palladium-on-gold supra-nanostructure (Au@Pd-SprNS)-decorated graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets. The SprNSs comprising Au nanorods as core and a unique close-packed assembly of tiny anisotropic Pd nanoparticles (NPs) as shell were homogeneously distributed on the GO surface via electrostatic self-assembly. Compared with the traditional one-pot method for synthesis of metal NPs on GO sheets, the size and shape of core–shell Au@Pd SprNSs can be finely controlled and uniformly distributed on the GO carrier. Interestingly, this Au@Pd-SprNSs/GO nanocomposite displayed high electrocatalytic activities toward the oxidation of methanol, ethanol, and formic acid, which can be attributed to the abundance of intrinsic active sites including high density of atomic steps, ledges and kinks, Au–Pd heterojunctions and cooperative action of the two metals of the SprNSs. Additionally, uniform dispersion of the SprNSs over the GO nanosheets prevent agglomeration between the SprNSs, which is of great significance to enhance the long-term stability of catalyst. This work will introduce a highly efficient Pd-based nanoelectrocatalyst to be used in fuel cell application.
Co-reporter:Peng Xiao;Changjin Wan;Jincui Gu;Zhenzhong Liu;Yonghong Men;Youju Huang;Jiawei Zhang;Liqiang Zhu
Advanced Functional Materials 2015 Volume 25( Issue 16) pp:2428-2435
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adfm.201404624
Ultrathin, freestanding polymer hybrid film with macroscopic sizes and molecular thicknesses have received significant interest due to their applications as functional devices, microsensors or nanoactuators. Herein, a 2D Janus hybrid of polymer-grafted carbon nanotubes/graphene oxide (CNTs/GO) thin film is fabricated using microcontact printed CNTs/GO as photo active surface to grow polymer brushes by self-initiated photografting and photopolymerization selectively from one side of CNTs/GO film. This achieved 2D Janus hybrid materials with grafted polymer layer as insulative carpet and supported CNTs/GO thin film as conductive element have the potential application as flexible and miniature electric carpet for heating micro-/nano devices locally.
Co-reporter:Jincui Gu, Peng Xiao, Youju Huang, Jiawei Zhang and Tao Chen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 vol. 3(Issue 8) pp:4124-4128
Publication Date(Web):14 Jan 2015
DOI:10.1039/C4TA07173E
A robust strategy for fabricating superhydrophobic carbon nanotube (CNT)-based hybrid materials as a separation membrane through the covalent attachment of the fluorine-bearing organosilane 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PFDTS) onto –OH functionalized CNTs is proposed. This method resulted in PFDTS/CNT superhydrophobic materials with controlled functionalization that could be used to effectively separate various surfactant-stabilized water-in-oil emulsions with high separation efficiency and high flux. It maintains stable superhydrophobicity and high separation efficiency under extreme conditions, including high or low temperature and strongly acidic or alkaline solutions, and shows fire-retardant properties.
Co-reporter:Meiwen Peng, Peng Xiao, Youju Huang, Mujin Cai, Yanshan Hou, Jiaming Chen, Zhenzhong Liu, Zhidong Xiao and Tao Chen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 vol. 3(Issue 33) pp:8659-8664
Publication Date(Web):20 Jul 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5TC01576F
Multifunctional patterned polymeric surfaces are of significant importance to numerous surface-based researches. We demonstrated that a commercial polymer of polyethylenimine (PEI) with rich amino groups can be used as a versatile ink for the direct fabrication of patterned PEI surfaces via a supramolecular interaction between amino groups in PEI and –OH on a silicon wafer induced by microcontact printing (μCP). The thicknesses and shapes of the formed PEI surfaces can be finely tuned by changing the molecular weight and/or the concentration of PEI. The obtained patterned polymeric surfaces could be amplified further to grow other polymer brushes, or explored as novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active materials by electrostatic adsorption with negatively charged gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).
Co-reporter:Jing Chen, Ke Chen, Dingyi Tong, Youju Huang, Jiawei Zhang, Jianming Xue, Qing Huang and Tao Chen
Chemical Communications 2015 vol. 51(Issue 2) pp:314-317
Publication Date(Web):06 Nov 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4CC07220K
A robust strategy is explored to graft poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) brushes on two-dimensional vanadium carbide (V2C) materials through self-initiated photografting and photopolymerization (SIPGP). CO2 and temperature dual-responsive properties of PDMAEMA allow this hybrid to be used as a smart system for tuning the transmittance and conductivity of V2C.
Co-reporter:Zhenzhong Liu, Gongjun Zhang, Wei Lu, Youju Huang, Jiawei Zhang and Tao Chen
Polymer Chemistry 2015 vol. 6(Issue 34) pp:6129-6132
Publication Date(Web):14 Jul 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5PY00907C
Unlike conventional polymerization induced self-assembly (PISA) trigged by thermal stimuli, reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) PISA initiated by UV light, as an environmentally friendly and easily manipulated method, is exploited as a new strategy to prepare polymeric micelles at room temperature.
Co-reporter:Hao Meng;Jing Zheng;Xiufang Wen;Zhiqi Cai;Jiawei Zhang
Macromolecular Rapid Communications 2015 Volume 36( Issue 6) pp:533-537
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/marc.201400648
Co-reporter:Youju Huang, Palanisamy Kannan, Lei Zhang, Yun Rong, Liwei Dai, Rongqin Huang and Tao Chen
RSC Advances 2015 vol. 5(Issue 115) pp:94849-94854
Publication Date(Web):28 Oct 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5RA18195J
Bimetallic nanocatalysts often display enhanced physical and chemical properties compared to those of their monometallic counterparts. Herein, we introduce a simple method to fabricate an island like array of tiny Ag nanoparticles bounded on triangular Au nanoplates as the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate. The surface morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles was characterized via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Rhodamine 6G (R6G) is used as a model analyte to evaluate the performance of the tiny Ag nanoparticle bounded triangular Au nanoplates as a SERS-active substrate and validate the SERS effect. The fabricated SERS substrate showed drastically enhanced intensity with a SERS enhancement factor as high as 107, which is enough to detect a single molecule, and excellent reproducibility (less than ±5%) of the signal intensity. This is because of the island-like tiny Ag nanoparticle bounded triangular Au nanoplates and their large number of “hot spots”. This substrate could also be used for label-free immunoassays, biosensing, and nanoscale optical antennas and light sources.
Co-reporter:Qun Ye, Peng Xiao, Wulong Liu, Ke Chen, Tao Chen, Jianming Xue, Shiyu Du and Qing Huang
RSC Advances 2015 vol. 5(Issue 86) pp:70339-70344
Publication Date(Web):13 Aug 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5RA09227B
Since the discovery of graphene, two-dimensional (2D) materials have been receiving increased attention. The quest for new 2D materials with unique structure and special properties has become urgent. Herein we report on the preparation of a new kind of ternary 2D material, Ti4AlN3 nanosheets, by liquid exfoliation of the corresponding laminated MAX phase. The obtained Ti4AlN3 nanosheets, bearing abundant surface groups, can be further used to fabricate micro-patterns via micro-contact printing (μCP) and subsequently functionalized through self-initiated photografting and photopolymerization (SIPGP) to achieve MAX-based hybrid patterned polymer brushes. Our work opens a door to explore the synthesis of 2D hybrid materials for functional applications based on the traditional MAX phases.
Co-reporter:Yanshan Hou, Peng Xiao, Jiawei Zhang, Meiwen Peng, Wei Lu, Youju Huang, Chunfa Ouyang and Tao Chen
RSC Advances 2015 vol. 5(Issue 75) pp:60990-60992
Publication Date(Web):09 Jul 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5RA10829B
A robust and simple strategy of microcontact printing is provided to fabricate micro-patterned polydopamine (PDA) films with tunable morphology achieved by altering the concentration of PDA “ink” solution. Photoactive sites on the surface of patterned PDA films allow the further growth of polymer brushes by self-initiated photografting and photopolymerization (SIPGP) endowing the bio-inspired PDA films with various functionalities.
Co-reporter:Xi Cui, Youju Huang, Jingyun Wang, Lei Zhang, Yun Rong, Weihua Lai and Tao Chen
RSC Advances 2015 vol. 5(Issue 56) pp:45092-45097
Publication Date(Web):08 May 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5RA06237C
Because of the distinctive features of ease-of-use, low cost and portable detection, a gold nanoparticle (AuNP) based lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) is an effective and currently used method for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7; however, its low sensitivity limits its practical use. In the present study, the size and uniformity of AuNPs have been systematically optimized to maximally amplify both the visual inspection signals (the color of test line) and the quantitative data (light intensity) recorded using a bioassay reader. The remarkable enhancement of detection sensitivity can be increased to 102 colony forming units per mL by taking advantage of the optimized AuNPs and the separated incubation of the AuNPs/antibody/E. coli O157:H7 complex. Quantitative detection of E. coli O157:H7 was partially obtained in a wide concentration range with good repeatability. The new, optimized AuNPs-based LFA is well suited to fast quantitative and qualitative food analysis.
Co-reporter:Yonghong Men, Wenqin Wang, Peng Xiao, Jincui Gu, Aihua Sun, Youju Huang, Jiawei Zhang and Tao Chen
RSC Advances 2015 vol. 5(Issue 40) pp:31519-31524
Publication Date(Web):27 Mar 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5RA02160J
High fidelity and regularity structures of nanoscale materials has opened up new opportunities for developing miniaturized devices. A simple yet robust approach of magnetic field assisted controlled evaporative self-assembly (CESA) is developed to achieve Fe3O4 nanoparticle (NP) micro- and nano-patterns in a two dimensional (2D) direction. In the magnetic field assisted CESA process, the self-assembly morphology can be well controlled by varying extrinsic and intrinsic variables such as temperature, external magnetic field, and concentration of Fe3O4 NPs. Under the optimized magnetic field rotation frequency and temperature, 2D self-assembly of Fe3O4 NPs can be well realized. In addition, as photoactive sites, double bonds on the surface of Fe3O4 NPs allow the growth of polymer brushes by self-initiated photografting and photopolymerization (SIPGP), and the further achievement of free-standing magnetic composite films with well-defined patterns.
Co-reporter:Lei Zhang, Youju Huang, Jingyun Wang, Yun Rong, Weihua Lai, Jiawei Zhang, and Tao Chen
Langmuir 2015 Volume 31(Issue 19) pp:5537-5544
Publication Date(Web):April 28, 2015
DOI:10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b00592
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) labeled lateral-flow test strip immunoassay (LFTS) has been widely used in biomedical, feed/food, and environmental analysis fields. Conventional ILFS assay usually uses spherical AuNPs as labeled probes and shows low detection sensitivity, which further limits its widespread practical application. Unlike spherical AuNP used as labeled probe in conventional ILFS, in our present study, a hierarchical flowerlike AuNP specific probe was designed for LFTS and further used to detect Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7). Three types of hierarchical flowerlike AuNPs, such as tipped flowerlike, popcornlike, and large-sized flowerlike AuNPs were synthesized in a one-step method. Compared with other two kinds of Au particles, tipped flowerlike AuNPs probes for LFTS particularly exhibited highly sensitive detection of E. coli O157:H7. The remarkable improvement of detection sensitivity of tipped flowerlike AuNPs probes can be achieved even as low as 103 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL by taking advantages of its appropriate size and hierarchical structures, which is superior over the detection performance of conventional LFTS. Using this novel tipped flower AuNPs probes, quantitative detection of E. coli O157:H7 can be obtained partially in a wide concentration range with good repeatability. This hierarchical tipped flower-shaped AuNPs probe for LFTS is promising for the practical applications in widespread analysis fields.
Co-reporter:Lei Zhang, Liwei Dai, Yun Rong, Zhenzhong Liu, Dingyi Tong, Youju Huang, and Tao Chen
Langmuir 2015 Volume 31(Issue 3) pp:1164-1171
Publication Date(Web):December 25, 2014
DOI:10.1021/la504365b
A photoresponsive amphiphilic gold nanoparticle (AuNP) is achieved through the decoration of AuNP with hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and hydrophobic photoresponsive polymethacrylate containing spiropyran units (PSPMA). Owing to the photoresponsive property of spiropyran units, the amphiphilic AuNPs can easily achieve the controllable assembly/disassembly behaviors under the trigger by light. Under visible light, spiropyran units provide weak intermolecular interactions between neighbored AuNPs, leading to isolated AuNPs in the solution. While under UV light irradiation, spiropyran units in the polymer brushes transform into merocyanine isomer with conjugated structure and zwitterionic state, promoting the integration of adjacent AuNPs through π–π stacking and electrostatic attractions, further leading to the formation of Au oligomers. The smart reversible AuNP oligomers exhibited switchable plasmonic coupling for tuning surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity, which is promising for the application of SERS based sensors and optical imaging.
Co-reporter:Wenqin Wang, Guohong Ren, Yanqiong Yang, Wujin Cai, and Tao Chen
Langmuir 2015 Volume 31(Issue 1) pp:105-109
Publication Date(Web):December 16, 2014
DOI:10.1021/la504227q
A facile method to prepare the nonspherical amphiphilic random copolymer of poly(styrene-co-methacrylic acid) (poly(St-co-PMAA)) latex particles with well-defined shapes and high yields by one-step batch emulsifier-free polymerization was demonstrated. In our strategy, only varying the molar ratio of styrene (St) to methacrylic acid (MAA), no seed-particles, no cross-linker, and no multistep control procedures were needed. Due to the presence of carboxyl groups on the surface of (poly(St-co-PMAA) latex particles, these latex particles can be used as templates for fabricating core–shell nonspherical functional materials, such as poly(St-co-PMAA)@SiO2 and poly(St-co-PMAA)@polypyrrole). The corresponding nonspherical hollow structures (SiO2 and polypyrrole) could be obtained after removal of the templates. In addition, poly(St-co-PMAA) latex particles exhibit interesting morphologies in ethanol.
Co-reporter:Jincui Gu, Peng Xiao, Jing Chen, Fu Liu, Youju Huang, Gaiye Li, Jiawei Zhang and Tao Chen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 vol. 2(Issue 37) pp:15268-15272
Publication Date(Web):07 Jul 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4TA01603C
A facile and robust strategy for fabricating superhydrophobic polymer/carbon nanotube hybrid membranes via covalent attachment of hydrophobic polymer, such as polystyrene onto carbon nanotube membrane is proposed. The as-prepared hybrid membranes can selectively remove a wide range of organic solvents from water with high absorption capacity and good recyclability. Moreover, the obtained membrane shows excellent separation properties for surfactant-stabilized water in oil emulsions with separation efficiency as high as 99.94% and high flux (5000 L m−2 h−1 bar−1). Therefore, the superhydrophobic hybrid membranes enable an efficient separation for various oil/water emulsions, showing attractive potential for practical oil/water separation.
Co-reporter:Hao Meng, Peng Xiao, Jincui Gu, Xiufang Wen, Jie Xu, Chuanzhuang Zhao, Jiawei Zhang and Tao Chen
Chemical Communications 2014 vol. 50(Issue 82) pp:12277-12280
Publication Date(Web):05 Aug 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4CC04760E
A simple strategy is provided to construct novel supramolecular hydrogels with both self-healing and shape memory properties. Starting from achieving self-healable hydrogel based on the dynamic interactions of phenylboronic acid modified sodium alginate (Alg-PBA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), further formation of a complex of alginate with Ca2+ renders this hydrogel with the capability of shape memory at the macro-/microscopic scales.
Co-reporter:Jing Chen, Peng Xiao, Jincui Gu, Di Han, Jiawei Zhang, Aihua Sun, Wenqin Wang and Tao Chen
Chemical Communications 2014 vol. 50(Issue 10) pp:1212-1214
Publication Date(Web):22 Nov 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3CC47386D
A smart hybrid system was prepared by introducing the temperature responsive PDMAEMA brushes and Au NPs into silica NPs through self-initiated photografting and photopolymerization (SIPGP) and reduction of HAuCl4. The obtained SiO2@PDMAEMA–Au hybrid system was investigated to have a thermally adjustable catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol.
Co-reporter:Jincui Gu, Peng Xiao, Jing Chen, Jiawei Zhang, Youju Huang, and Tao Chen
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2014 Volume 6(Issue 18) pp:16204
Publication Date(Web):August 26, 2014
DOI:10.1021/am504326m
A robust and simple method is provided to fabricate Janus polymer/carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid membranes for oil/water separation. Starting from CNT membranes formed by dispensing, hydrophobic poly(styrene) (PS) and hydrophilic poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) were grated from different sides of the photoactive CNT membranes via self-initiated photografting and photopolymerization (SIPGP) to achieve Janus polymer/CNTs hybrid membranes. The obtained membranes have excellent oil/water selectivity in the removal of oil from water. Moreover, they can effectively separate both surfactant-stabilized oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions because of the anisotropic wettability of the membranes.Keywords: hydrophilic; Janus polymer/CNT membrane; oil/water separation; SIPGP; superhydrophobic
Co-reporter:Jing Chen, Peng Xiao, Jincui Gu, Youju Huang, Jiawei Zhang, Wenqin Wang and Tao Chen
RSC Advances 2014 vol. 4(Issue 84) pp:44480-44485
Publication Date(Web):03 Sep 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4RA05592F
A novel smart catalytic system was successfully constructed by using poly[(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA) brush grafted graphene oxide (GO) to load gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). The catalytic activity of the Au NPs was finely tuned by temperature, which can control the inclusion and ‘exposure’ of Au NPs inside the PDMAEMA brushes via the phase transition of the grafted PDMAEMA chain triggered by a temperature above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PDMAEMA.
Co-reporter:Di Han, Peng Xiao, Jincui Gu, Jing Chen, Zhiqi Cai, Jiawei Zhang, Wenqin Wang and Tao Chen
RSC Advances 2014 vol. 4(Issue 43) pp:22759-22762
Publication Date(Web):13 May 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4RA02826K
A robust and simple method is reported to prepare polymer brush functionalized Janus graphene oxide (GO)/chitosan hybrid membranes via the combination of interface self-assembly of GO and chitosan, with subsequent self-initiated photografting and photopolymerization (SIPGP) from both sides of the GO/chitosan composite membrane.
Co-reporter:Wujin Cai, Wenqin Wang, Yanqiong Yang, Guohong Ren and Tao Chen
RSC Advances 2014 vol. 4(Issue 5) pp:2295-2299
Publication Date(Web):18 Nov 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3RA46210B
Traditional silver-mirror reaction at low temperature has been explored to prepare a uniform, complete hollow silver sphere with controlled thickness, using sulfonated polystyrene (PS) spheres as template. This robust strategy for fabricating hollow compact silver spheres, avoiding complex chemical or physical process, overcomes the difficulties for preparation of hollow metal spheres by removing the organic core using an appropriate solvent only. Such hollow silver spheres are potential candidates for application in plasmonic and in other energy fields.
Co-reporter:Yonghong Men, Peng Xiao, Jing Chen, Jun Fu, Youju Huang, Jiawei Zhang, Zhengchao Xie, Wenqin Wang, and Tao Chen
Langmuir 2014 Volume 30(Issue 16) pp:4863-4867
Publication Date(Web):2017-2-22
DOI:10.1021/la500996a
A simple yet robust approach was exploited to fabricate large-scaled patterned polymer brushes by combining controlled evaporative self-assembly (CESA) in a confined geometry and self-initiated photografting and photopolymerization (SIPGP). Our method was carried out without any sophisticated instruments, free of lithography, overcoming current difficulties in fabricating polymer patterns by using complex instruments.
Co-reporter:Peng Xiao, Jincui Gu, Jing Chen, Di Han, Jiawei Zhang, Hongtao Cao, Rubo Xing, Yanchun Han, Wenqin Wang and Tao Chen
Chemical Communications 2013 vol. 49(Issue 95) pp:11167-11169
Publication Date(Web):09 Oct 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3CC46037A
A facile and robust strategy for creating micropatterned polymer brushes via the combination of a micro-contact printing (μCP) induced supramolecular self-assembled photoactive surface with subsequent self-initiated photografting and photopolymerization (SIPGP) is reported. The results contribute to polymeric functionalization on a wide range of hydroxylated surfaces or graphene based materials.
Co-reporter:Wenqin Wang, Wujin Cai, Yanqiong Yang, Haiqian Li, Min Cong, Tao Chen
Materials Chemistry and Physics 2013 Volume 142(2–3) pp:756-762
Publication Date(Web):15 November 2013
DOI:10.1016/j.matchemphys.2013.08.040
•The amino-terminated polystyrene (PS-NH2) microspheres were prepared.•The gold (silver) shell was fabricated via a seed-mediated growth technique.•PS-NH2 core/gold (silver) shell composites exhibited excellent SERS ability.This report describes the fabrication and application of the polystyrene (PS) core/metal (gold and silver) shell composites. The PS core microspheres were functionalized with terminal amino groups which endowed the PS microspheres with positively charged surface, and then seeded with negatively charged gold nanoparticles (NPs) via electrostatic force. The gold-seeded PS microspheres were coated completely with gold (silver) shell via reduction of the appropriate metal ions. The morphology of gold (silver) shell composed of numerous close-packed gold (silver) NPs could be tailored easily by altering amounts of metallic precursor. The as-prepared PS core/metal shell composites can be used as substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). They exhibited excellent surface enhancement ability when 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) was used as a molecule probe.
Co-reporter:Wei Lu, Chunxin Ma, Zhaowen Li, Jiawei Zhang, Youju Huang, Qing Huang, Tao Chen
Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical (July 2017) Volume 246() pp:631-637
Publication Date(Web):July 2017
DOI:10.1016/j.snb.2017.02.091
Co-reporter:Peng Xiao, Nianxiang Qiu, Jincui Gu, Shuai Wang, Jiang He, Chih-Feng Huang, Jiawei Zhang, Youju Huang and Tao Chen
Chemical Communications 2017 - vol. 53(Issue 12) pp:NaN1952-1952
Publication Date(Web):2017/01/13
DOI:10.1039/C6CC09845B
Graphene oxide (GO), which is structurally analogous to graphene, was used as the ink to precisely tune the surface activity of graphene, without diminishing the outstanding properties of the 2D sp2 network, via microcontact printing-induced multiple π–π stacking interactions. The GO/graphene hybrids, thus, provide a robust platform for chemical/photo-active GO for further chemical modification with multifunctionality.
Co-reporter:Jincui Gu, Peng Xiao, Jing Chen, Fu Liu, Youju Huang, Gaiye Li, Jiawei Zhang and Tao Chen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 - vol. 2(Issue 37) pp:NaN15272-15272
Publication Date(Web):2014/07/07
DOI:10.1039/C4TA01603C
A facile and robust strategy for fabricating superhydrophobic polymer/carbon nanotube hybrid membranes via covalent attachment of hydrophobic polymer, such as polystyrene onto carbon nanotube membrane is proposed. The as-prepared hybrid membranes can selectively remove a wide range of organic solvents from water with high absorption capacity and good recyclability. Moreover, the obtained membrane shows excellent separation properties for surfactant-stabilized water in oil emulsions with separation efficiency as high as 99.94% and high flux (5000 L m−2 h−1 bar−1). Therefore, the superhydrophobic hybrid membranes enable an efficient separation for various oil/water emulsions, showing attractive potential for practical oil/water separation.
Co-reporter:Jincui Gu, Peng Xiao, Youju Huang, Jiawei Zhang and Tao Chen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 - vol. 3(Issue 8) pp:NaN4128-4128
Publication Date(Web):2015/01/14
DOI:10.1039/C4TA07173E
A robust strategy for fabricating superhydrophobic carbon nanotube (CNT)-based hybrid materials as a separation membrane through the covalent attachment of the fluorine-bearing organosilane 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PFDTS) onto –OH functionalized CNTs is proposed. This method resulted in PFDTS/CNT superhydrophobic materials with controlled functionalization that could be used to effectively separate various surfactant-stabilized water-in-oil emulsions with high separation efficiency and high flux. It maintains stable superhydrophobicity and high separation efficiency under extreme conditions, including high or low temperature and strongly acidic or alkaline solutions, and shows fire-retardant properties.
Co-reporter:Lei Zhang, Jincui Gu, Liping Song, Lu Chen, Youju Huang, Jiawei Zhang and Tao Chen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2016 - vol. 4(Issue 28) pp:NaN10815-10815
Publication Date(Web):2016/06/23
DOI:10.1039/C6TA04362C
A hierarchical composite membrane, consisting of an underwater superoleophobic carbon nanotube film and core–shell polystyrene@Au nanoparticle-assembled membrane, is fabricated to achieve simultaneous flow-through degradation of water-miscible toxic organic molecules and effective separation of oil/water emulsion. This multifunctional composite membrane allows continuous treatment of polluted oily wastewater, making it a promising candidate for water purification.
Co-reporter:Peng Xiao, Jincui Gu, Jing Chen, Di Han, Jiawei Zhang, Hongtao Cao, Rubo Xing, Yanchun Han, Wenqin Wang and Tao Chen
Chemical Communications 2013 - vol. 49(Issue 95) pp:NaN11169-11169
Publication Date(Web):2013/10/09
DOI:10.1039/C3CC46037A
A facile and robust strategy for creating micropatterned polymer brushes via the combination of a micro-contact printing (μCP) induced supramolecular self-assembled photoactive surface with subsequent self-initiated photografting and photopolymerization (SIPGP) is reported. The results contribute to polymeric functionalization on a wide range of hydroxylated surfaces or graphene based materials.
Co-reporter:Hao Meng, Peng Xiao, Jincui Gu, Xiufang Wen, Jie Xu, Chuanzhuang Zhao, Jiawei Zhang and Tao Chen
Chemical Communications 2014 - vol. 50(Issue 82) pp:NaN12280-12280
Publication Date(Web):2014/08/05
DOI:10.1039/C4CC04760E
A simple strategy is provided to construct novel supramolecular hydrogels with both self-healing and shape memory properties. Starting from achieving self-healable hydrogel based on the dynamic interactions of phenylboronic acid modified sodium alginate (Alg-PBA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), further formation of a complex of alginate with Ca2+ renders this hydrogel with the capability of shape memory at the macro-/microscopic scales.
Co-reporter:Jing Chen, Ke Chen, Dingyi Tong, Youju Huang, Jiawei Zhang, Jianming Xue, Qing Huang and Tao Chen
Chemical Communications 2015 - vol. 51(Issue 2) pp:NaN317-317
Publication Date(Web):2014/11/06
DOI:10.1039/C4CC07220K
A robust strategy is explored to graft poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) brushes on two-dimensional vanadium carbide (V2C) materials through self-initiated photografting and photopolymerization (SIPGP). CO2 and temperature dual-responsive properties of PDMAEMA allow this hybrid to be used as a smart system for tuning the transmittance and conductivity of V2C.
Co-reporter:Wei Lu, Xiaoxia Le, Jiawei Zhang, Youju Huang and Tao Chen
Chemical Society Reviews 2017 - vol. 46(Issue 5) pp:NaN1294-1294
Publication Date(Web):2017/01/31
DOI:10.1039/C6CS00754F
Supramolecular shape memory hydrogels (SSMHs) refer to shape memory polymers, in which temporary shapes are stabilized by reversible crosslinks such as supramolecular interactions and dynamic covalent bonds. Following a brief introduction of the conventional shape memory polymers (SMPs), this tutorial review is focused to summarize the recent advancement in various reversible crosslinks employed to construct SSMHs (supramolecular interactions and dynamic covalent bonds) and different shape memory behaviors (dual and triple shape memory effects). In addition, current challenges and future perspectives in this field are also discussed to suggest a new developing direction.
Co-reporter:Jing Chen, Peng Xiao, Jincui Gu, Di Han, Jiawei Zhang, Aihua Sun, Wenqin Wang and Tao Chen
Chemical Communications 2014 - vol. 50(Issue 10) pp:NaN1214-1214
Publication Date(Web):2013/11/22
DOI:10.1039/C3CC47386D
A smart hybrid system was prepared by introducing the temperature responsive PDMAEMA brushes and Au NPs into silica NPs through self-initiated photografting and photopolymerization (SIPGP) and reduction of HAuCl4. The obtained SiO2@PDMAEMA–Au hybrid system was investigated to have a thermally adjustable catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol.
Co-reporter:Meiwen Peng, Peng Xiao, Youju Huang, Mujin Cai, Yanshan Hou, Jiaming Chen, Zhenzhong Liu, Zhidong Xiao and Tao Chen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 - vol. 3(Issue 33) pp:NaN8664-8664
Publication Date(Web):2015/07/20
DOI:10.1039/C5TC01576F
Multifunctional patterned polymeric surfaces are of significant importance to numerous surface-based researches. We demonstrated that a commercial polymer of polyethylenimine (PEI) with rich amino groups can be used as a versatile ink for the direct fabrication of patterned PEI surfaces via a supramolecular interaction between amino groups in PEI and –OH on a silicon wafer induced by microcontact printing (μCP). The thicknesses and shapes of the formed PEI surfaces can be finely tuned by changing the molecular weight and/or the concentration of PEI. The obtained patterned polymeric surfaces could be amplified further to grow other polymer brushes, or explored as novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active materials by electrostatic adsorption with negatively charged gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).
![D-GLUCOSE, 2-DEOXY-2-[(1-OXO-2-PROPENYL)AMINO]-](http://img.cochemist.com/ccimg/55600/55511-61-0.png)
![D-GLUCOSE, 2-DEOXY-2-[(1-OXO-2-PROPENYL)AMINO]-](http://img.cochemist.com/ccimg/55600/55511-61-0_b.png)
