Co-reporter:Lingli Duan, Min Chen, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Langmuir March 17, 2009 Volume 25(Issue 6) pp:3467-3472
Publication Date(Web):February 17, 2009
DOI:10.1021/la8041617
In this paper, stable poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)/silica composite microspheres are successfully synthesized via inverse Pickering suspension polymerization using various sizes of silica particles as stabilizers. The droplets of N-isopropylacrylamide aqueous solution were first dispersed in toluene and stabilized by silica particles, and then polymerized to obtain poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)/silica composite microspheres. Preliminary studies show that these PNIPAm/silica composite microspheres have similar thermal-responsive behavior as pure microgels with the LCST of 32 °C. The releasing property of the composite microspheres can be either controlled by the particle size of the silica or the temperature.
Co-reporter:Yi Wu, Shuxue Zhou, Bo You, and Limin Wu
ACS Nano August 22, 2017 Volume 11(Issue 8) pp:8265-8265
Publication Date(Web):July 26, 2017
DOI:10.1021/acsnano.7b03433
Hydro- and oleophobic (namely, omniphobic) coatings or surfaces have many important applications, but tremendous challenges in fabrication aspects still remain. Herein, we report a bioinspired design and nanofabrication of three-dimensional (3D) tribrachia-post arrays with re-entrant geometry (3D TPARG) for superhydrophobic and oleophobic polymer films or surfaces. By simply controlling the temperatures and time to treat silica colloidal templates, we can readily fabricate 3D ordered polymer arrays of tribrachia-posts or hexagonal tribrachia-posts with re-entrant geometries that resemble the skin of a springtail insect after the template is removed. These polymer surfaces exhibit excellent and self-healing superhydrophobicity and oleophobicity even against temperature, acids, alkalis, and mechanical damage. Moreover, their liquid-infused nanostructured surfaces still display very good liquid-sliding ability for water and oils. Our 3D TPARG design strategy may help the development of omniphobic polymer coatings or surfaces for practical applications in self-cleaning surfaces, liquid transport, antifouling materials, and many other important fields.Keywords: coatings; colloidal spheres; omniphobic; re-entrant geometry; tribrachia-post arrays;
Co-reporter:Qiuju Li, Anan Sun, Yinsong Si, Min Chen, and Limin Wu
Chemistry of Materials August 22, 2017 Volume 29(Issue 16) pp:6758-6758
Publication Date(Web):July 21, 2017
DOI:10.1021/acs.chemmater.7b01649
Glutathione (GSH) plays a crucial role in various physiological processes. Therefore, efficient detection of GSH is of great importance. In this study, we present a new and highly efficient ratiometric fluorescent biosensor through one-pot synthesis of coupling the self-assembly of polysaccharide (alginate dialdehyde, ADA)-dipeptide (diphenylalanine, FF) and in situ reduction of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) simultaneously encapsulating a dye (5-aminofluorescein, FI-NH2) inside to form ADA-Au-FF-dye nanospheres. Because the fluorescence of the dye can be quenched by Au NPs and linearly recovered following the introduction of different GSH concentrations owing to nanometal surface energy transfer on and off, this new ADA-Au-FF-dye hybrid nanosphere-based sensor allows label-free and ratiometric detection of intracellular GSH and other biothiols in a wide linear range, which is of great significance for cancer diagnostics and therapy.
Co-reporter:Zhen Chen;Min Chen;Yanlei Yu
Chemical Communications 2017 vol. 53(Issue 12) pp:1989-1992
Publication Date(Web):2017/02/07
DOI:10.1039/C6CC09763D
A new polymerization strategy based on Sonogashira–Hagihara reaction and Schiff-base reaction at oil–water interfaces is developed to synthesize free-standing and thickness controllable conjugated microporous polymer (CMP) nanofilms.
Co-reporter:Zhen Chen;Huiqi Xie;Linfeng Hu;Min Chen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2017 vol. 5(Issue 43) pp:22726-22734
Publication Date(Web):2017/11/07
DOI:10.1039/C7TA07136A
Microporous organic polymers have special structures and important properties, but their hard processability severely limits their practical applications. In this study, we synthesize nitrogen-containing microporous organic polymer nanofilms by using an interfacial polymerization strategy and then use them as a template to fabricate novel nitrogen-doped microporous carbon nanofilm/molybdenum disulfide (NMC-nanofilm@MoS2) composites. Owing to the surfaces of NMC nanofilms homogenously covered by MoS2 nanosheets to form an alternating layer-by-layer nanostructure of MoS2 and NMC nanofilms, the obtained composite-based electrodes exhibit superior electrochemical performances to the previously reported MoS2-based composites, with a specific capacity of as high as 1190 mA h g−1 after the 500th cycle at a current density of 1.0 A g−1, and 908 mA h g−1 after the 2000th cycle at a current density of 2.0 A g−1.
Co-reporter:Haie Zhu, Min ChenShuxue Zhou, Limin Wu
Macromolecules 2017 Volume 50(Issue 2) pp:
Publication Date(Web):January 6, 2017
DOI:10.1021/acs.macromol.6b02626
A conventional optical microscope fails to resolve features with sizes smaller than 200 nm due to the Abbe diffraction limit. Herein, we synthesize two kinds of high refractive index and shape controllable colloidal polymer microspheres, poly(9,9′-bis[4-(2-acryloyloxyethyloxy)phenyl]fluorene) (poly(BAEPF)) and poly(2-phenylphenoxyethyl acrylate) (poly(OPPEA)), used for solid immersion lens. It is the high refractive index and close contact with the surface features that can make the colloidal polymer microsphere-based microlens effectively collect evanescent information on the substrate and form a clear and magnified virtual image at certain position below the substrate surface. Thus, as small as 60 nm feature size on the substrate can be clearly resolved through the microlens under a visible light optical microscope, which is far beyond the resolution limit of a visible light microscope.
Co-reporter:Yinsong Si, Min Chen and Limin Wu
Chemical Society Reviews 2016 vol. 45(Issue 3) pp:690-714
Publication Date(Web):11 Dec 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5CS00695C
Hollow micro-/nano-spheres with large-through-holes in shells (denoted as HMLS) have demonstrated great potential in biomedical applications owing to the combination of hollow structure and their porous shells. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of synthesis methods of HMLS obtained from the template-directed approach, shell-breaking method, Ostwald ripening and galvanic replacement primarily based on the formation mechanism of the large-through-holes in the shell. We further discuss the biomedical applications of HMLS including guest adsorption and encapsulation of proteins, drug/gene delivery, biomedical imaging, and theranostics. We conclude this review with some perspectives on the future research and development of the HMLS with desired morphologies and properties.
Co-reporter:Yan Zhao;Linfeng Hu;Shuyan Zhao
Advanced Functional Materials 2016 Volume 26( Issue 23) pp:4085-4093
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adfm.201600494
Supercapacitors have attracted much interest in the past decades owing to their important applications, but most of them are focused on solitary or simple metal oxides. Here, a novel supercapacitor electrode composed of multicomponent MnCo2O4@Ni(OH)2 belt-based core–shell nanoflowers is reported by a facile and cost-effective method. This hybrid electrode exhibits a significantly enhanced specific capacitance. An asymmetric supercapacitor based on this unique hybrid nanoflowers as anode and an activated carbon film as cathode demonstrates high energy density, high power density, and long cycling lifespan.
Co-reporter:Shunsheng Cao, Jun Chang, Long Fang, and Limin Wu
Chemistry of Materials 2016 Volume 28(Issue 16) pp:5596
Publication Date(Web):August 1, 2016
DOI:10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b02209
Co-reporter:Qiuju Li, Min Chen, Daoyong Chen, and Limin Wu
Chemistry of Materials 2016 Volume 28(Issue 18) pp:6584
Publication Date(Web):August 25, 2016
DOI:10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b02604
Nano drug delivery systems have attracted much research and clinical interest but they remain challenging with respect to developing controllable, nontoxic, biocompatible and biodegradable nanocarriers. Herein, we report the first pH- and glutathione (GSH)-responsive diphenylalanine (FF)-based hybrid spheres using natural alginate dialdehyde (ADA) as the cross-linker to induce self-assembly of FF and an in situ reducer of Au3+ ions into Au nanoparticles (Au NPs). Not only is the synthesis simple and high-yielding, but also these biocompatible hybrid spheres can encapsulate more than 95% of hydrophobic drug (camptothecin, CPT). Moreover, the CPT-loaded carriers are stable under normal physiological environments, and have excellent pH- and GSH-responsive release at pH 5.0 with 10 mM GSH, which is similar to the tumor microenvironment. Also, these nanocarriers can be taken up by cancer cells and have greater cytotoxicity than free drugs. These attributes make nanospheres very promising for drug loading and delivery, and the method may be used for synthesis of other natural nanospheres as delivery systems.
Co-reporter:Kunlin Chen;Yi Wu;Shuxue Zhou
Macromolecular Rapid Communications 2016 Volume 37( Issue 6) pp:463-485
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/marc.201500591
Co-reporter:Huijing Li, Junjie Yuan, He Qian, Limin Wu
Progress in Organic Coatings 2016 Volume 97() pp:65-73
Publication Date(Web):August 2016
DOI:10.1016/j.porgcoat.2016.03.027
•Siloxanes have been introduced into the shell of SiO2/Polyacrylate core–shell latex via in-situ emulsion polymerization.•SiO2/Polyacrylate core–shell latex with siloxanes are stable even in high loading SiO2 and high solid content.•Addition of siloxanes can further increase weathering durability of the nanocomposite latex film.In this study, we have successfully introduced siloxane monomer, 2,4,6,8-Tetravinyl-2,4,6,8-tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (V4) into the shell of silica/poly(methyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate) (SiO2/P(MMA-BA)) core–shell nanocomposite colloids via in-situ emulsion copolymerization. The obtained nanocomposite films with 50% silica content all show excellent transparency (nearly 100% transmittance in visible range) and film-forming property (Tg under 30 °C). More importantly, the addition of V4 can significantly increase the weathering durability of the film by improving the water repellency, cross-linking degree and UV-blocking property of the film.
Co-reporter:Haie Zhu, Wen Fan, Shuxue Zhou, Min Chen, and Limin Wu
ACS Nano 2016 Volume 10(Issue 10) pp:9755
Publication Date(Web):October 4, 2016
DOI:10.1021/acsnano.6b06236
The optical microscope is a widely used real-time investigation tool, but usually suffers from low resolution due to the Abbe diffraction limit. Herein, we design and successfully synthesize ZrO2/polymer hybrid colloidal microspheres with as high as 47.5 wt % inorganic nanoparticles by suspension polymerization of 9,9′-bis[4-(2-acryloyloxyethyloxy)phenyl]fluorene (BAEPF). Owing to the homogeneous dispersion, high density, and high refractive index of inorganic nanoparticles and deformability of polymers, the obtained ZrO2/poly(BAEPF) hybrid colloidal microspheres have a high refractive index, optical transparency, and controllable curvature and thus can be directly used as a hybrid solid immersion lens (hSIL) for the optical microscope, achieving super-resolution imaging of 50 nm and even 45 nm under a standard white light or blue light optical microscope, which is far beyond the diffraction limit for visible light optical microscopes. Our hSIL design concept and strategy demonstrate efficient, fast, and solid practical potentials for optical super-resolution imaging and may also create another application possibility for polymer colloidal spheres.Keywords: colloidal spheres; optical imaging; optical microscopes; solid immersion lens
Co-reporter:Kunlin Chen, Shuxue Zhou, and Limin Wu
ACS Nano 2016 Volume 10(Issue 1) pp:1386
Publication Date(Web):December 21, 2015
DOI:10.1021/acsnano.5b06816
Marine biofouling has been plaguing people for thousands of years. While various strategies have been developed for antifouling (including superoleophobic) coatings, none of these exhibits self-healing properties because the bestowal of a zoetic self-repairing function to lifeless artificial water/solid interfacial materials is usually confronted with tremendous challenges. Here, we present a self-repairing underwater superoleophobic and antibiofouling coating through the self-assembly of hydrophilic polymeric chain modified hierarchical microgel spheres. The obtained surface material not only has excellent underwater superoleophobicity but also has very good subaqueous antibiofouling properties. More importantly, this surface material can recover the oil- and biofouling-resistant properties once its surface is mechanically damaged, similar to the skins of some marine organisms such as sharks or whales. This approach is feasible and easily mass-produced and could open a pathway and possibility for the fabrication of other self-healing functional water/solid interfacial materials.Keywords: antibiofouling; coatings; microgel spheres; self-healing; surface materials; underwater superoleophobic;
Co-reporter:Wen Fan;Bing Yan;Zengbo Wang
Science Advances 2016 Vol 2(8) pp:e1600901
Publication Date(Web):12 Aug 2016
DOI:10.1126/sciadv.1600901
TiO2 nanoparticles are demonstrated to assemble low-loss three-dimensional all-dielectric metamaterials working at visible frequencies.
Co-reporter:Kunlin Chen;Shuxue Zhou;Shu Yang
Advanced Functional Materials 2015 Volume 25( Issue 7) pp:1035-1041
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adfm.201403496
Superhydrophobic coatings that are also self-healing have drawn much attention in recent years for improved durability in practical applications. Typically, the release of the self-healing agents is triggered by temperature and moisture change. In this study, UV-responsive microcapsules are successfully synthesized by Pickering emulsion polymerization using titania (TiO2) and silica (SiO2) nanoparticles as the Pickering agents to fabricate all-water-based self-repairing, superhydrophobic coatings. These coatings are environmentally friendly and can be readily coated on various substrates. Compared to conventional superhydrophobic coatings, these coatings can regenerate superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning ability under UV light, mimicking the outdoor environment, after they are mechanically damaged or contaminated with organics. They can maintain the superhydrophobicity after multiple cycles of accelerated weathering tests.
Co-reporter:Yan Zhao;Linfeng Hu;Shangpeng Gao;Meiyong Liao;Liwen Sang
Advanced Functional Materials 2015 Volume 25( Issue 21) pp:3256-3263
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adfm.201500071
A series of high quality NixMg1-xO bowl-shaped array films are successfully prepared by a simple one-step assembly of polystyrene colloidal spheres and metal oxide precursors at oil–water interface, and further used to fabricate nanodevices. The doping of Mg2+ can greatly enhance the current and spectrum responsivity of NiO film-based nanodevice. The maximum Rλ value of these bowl-shaped NixMg1-xO film-based devices measured in the study shows 4–5 orders of enhancement than the previously reported NixMg1-xO film at equal doping.
Co-reporter:Haie Zhu, Bing Yan, Shuxue Zhou, Zengbo Wang and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 vol. 3(Issue 41) pp:10907-10915
Publication Date(Web):14 Sep 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5TC02310F
Microspheres can function as optical superlenses for nanoscale super-resolution imaging. The imaging performance is mainly affected by the size and refractive index of the microsphere. Precise control of these parameters is a challenging task but of fundamental importance to the further development of the technique. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time a nanoparticle-hybrid suspension polymerization approach to chemically synthesize high-quality microspheres (ZrO2/polystyrene) with optical properties that are highly controllable. Microspheres of different sizes (d: 2–20 μm) and refractive indexes (np: 1.590–1.685) were synthesized and their super-resolution imaging performances were evaluated and compared. Our results show that continuously increasing the refractive index of microspheres can enhance the imaging resolution and quality. A 60 nm resolution has been obtained in the wide-field imaging mode and a 50 nm resolution has been obtained in the confocal mode imaging of semiconductor chip samples. The obtained 50–60 nm resolutions have significantly gone beyond the conventional 200 nm resolution limit for visible light optical microscopes; the super-resolution mechanism has been discussed. The synthesized microsphere superlenses may find applications in many other areas as well, including nanolithography, nano-sensing, nano-diagnosis, nano-spectroscopy and ultra-high density optical data storage.
Co-reporter:Ying Cong, Kunlin Chen, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 vol. 3(Issue 37) pp:19093-19099
Publication Date(Web):2015/08/07
DOI:10.1039/C5TA04986E
Multi-stimuli responsive polymer microcapsules are attracting much interest owing to their multiple and tunable functionalities, but it still remains a great challenge to develop facile and cost-efficient strategies for fabrication of these microcapsules. In this study, we report a simple and facile method to synthesize pH and UV dual-responsive microcapsules by UV-initiated polymerization of Pickering emulsions stabilized with SiO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles. Because the UV-initiated polymerization is gentle and fast, the as-obtained microcapsules can encapsulate as high as 30 wt% of a hydrophobic compound based on the total mass of the capsules. When these microcapsules are used in waterborne coatings, these coatings exhibit not only quick responses to pH and UV stimuli, but also very good self-repairing performance.
Co-reporter:Bing Huang, Min Chen, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Polymer Chemistry 2015 vol. 6(Issue 21) pp:4048-4048
Publication Date(Web):09 Apr 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5PY90061A
Correction for ‘Synthesis and properties of clickable A(B-b-C)20 miktoarm star-shaped block copolymers with a terminal alkyne group’ by Bing Huang et al., Polym. Chem., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5py00338e.
Co-reporter:Bing Huang, Min Chen, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Polymer Chemistry 2015 vol. 6(Issue 21) pp:3913-3917
Publication Date(Web):31 Mar 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5PY00338E
Star-shaped polymers have some unique physicochemical properties and important applications, but almost all of them obtained so far are unreactive homopolymers. Here we successfully synthesize a novel A(B-b-C)20 miktoarm star-shaped block copolymer consisting of a polystyrene arm with a reactive terminal alkyne group and 20 arms of poly(tert-butyl acrylate)-block-polystyrene (PtBA-b-PS) or poly(tert-butyl acrylate)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PtBA-b-PEO) with a β-cyclodextrin unit as a core through atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) combined with click reactions. The as-obtained A(B-b-C)20 star-shaped block copolymers can be further chemically bonded onto other surfaces due to their special terminal alkyne groups to form various hierarchical structures with high stability.
Co-reporter:Yangyi Sun, Min Chen, Shuxue Zhou, Jing Hu, and Limin Wu
ACS Nano 2015 Volume 9(Issue 12) pp:12513
Publication Date(Web):November 13, 2015
DOI:10.1021/acsnano.5b06051
Synthesis of hybrid colloidal particles with complex and hierarchical structures is attracting much interest theoretically and technically in recent years, but still remains a tremendous challenge. Here, we present a mild and controllable wet-chemical method for the synthesis of silver nanocube (Ag NC)-organosilica hybrid particles with finely tuned numbers (with one, two, three, four, five, or six) and sizes of organosilica petals, by simply controlling the affinity with Ag NC/nature, amount, and prehydrolysis process of alkoxysilanes. The morphologies of hybrid colloidal particles have an obvious influence on the surface wettability of the hybrid particle-based films. More and larger organosilica petals can increase the surface hydrophobicity of the hybrid particle-based films.Keywords: Ag NC-organosilica hybrids; controllable; flower-shaped particles; surface wettability;
Co-reporter:Hao Chen;Linfeng Hu;Min Chen;Yan Yan
Advanced Functional Materials 2014 Volume 24( Issue 7) pp:934-942
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adfm.201301747
A facile and novel one-step method of growing nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide (Ni-Co LDH) hybrid films with ultrathin nanosheets and porous nanostructures on nickel foam is presented using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as nanostructure growth assisting agent but without any adscititious alkali sources and oxidants. As pseudocapacitors, the as-obtained Ni-Co LDH hybrid film-based electrodes display a significantly enhanced specific capacitance (2682 F g−1 at 3 A g−1, based on active materials) and energy density (77.3 Wh kg−1 at 623 W kg−1), compared to most previously reported electrodes based on nickel-cobalt oxides/hydroxides. Moreover, the asymmetric supercapacitor, with the Ni-Co LDH hybrid film as the positive electrode material and porous freeze-dried reduced graphene oxide (RGO) as the negative electrode material, exhibits an ultrahigh energy density (188 Wh kg−1) at an average power density of 1499 W kg−1 based on the mass of active material, which greatly exceeds the energy densities of most previously reported nickel or cobalt oxide/hydroxide-based asymmetric supercapacitors.
Co-reporter:Jing Hu, Xuge Wang, Liqin Liu and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 vol. 2(Issue 46) pp:19771-19777
Publication Date(Web):24 Oct 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4TA03856H
This paper presents a facile and general method for fabrication of organic silica hollow spheres by co-hydrolysis and condensation reactions of TEOS and other silane coupling agents under the catalysis of ammonia. Silane coupling agents were first pre-hydrolyzed to form micelles. When TEOS was added, a sol–gel reaction takes place between TEOS and the Si–OH and methoxy groups, at the surfaces of the micelles to form porous silica shells, producing organic silica hollow spheres. Taking vinyl silica hollow spheres as an example, the as-obtained hollow spheres exhibited considerably high adsorption properties for Pb2+ and other heavy metal ions.
Co-reporter:Wei Sun, Min Chen, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 vol. 2(Issue 34) pp:14004-14013
Publication Date(Web):01 Jul 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4TA02191F
TiO2 has several important applications but its structures and morphologies are usually difficult to tune because of the uncontrollable and fast sol–gel reactions of current TiO2 precursors. This paper presents a facile and general method for the fabrication of hierarchically nanostructured TiO2 spheres with controllable morphologies based on a novel amphiphilic polymeric TiO2 precursor. By adjusting the conditions of hydrolysis and condensation reactions of this precursor, TiO2 spheres with various morphologies, including hierarchical porous, hollow, and raspberry-like structures, can be easily produced. The as-obtained spheres have hierarchical structures with specific surface areas larger than 200 m2 g−1 and mean pore sizes of several nanometers. The mechanism study indicates that the amphiphilic polymer assists the aggregation, abruption, migration, and crystallization of certain TiO2 units during hydrolysis and condensation and contributes to the formation of TiO2 spheres with various morphologies. The as-obtained specific hierarchically nanostructured TiO2 spheres exhibit a considerably higher adsorption capability for Cr(VI) anions in aqueous solution compared with the previously reported TiO2 nanomaterials, showing a high potential for heavy metal ion sequestration applications.
Co-reporter:Xiaolong Wang, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 vol. 2(Issue 29) pp:5752-5758
Publication Date(Web):30 Apr 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4TC00437J
Fe3+ doped Mg/Al layered double hydroxides (Mg/Al + Fe LDHs) were prepared by a facile solvothermal method. Incorporation of Fe3+ into Mg/Al LDHs can efficiently shift their UV-absorption to cover the entire UV range, allowing them to qualify as a candidate for blocking the whole UV light region (200–400 nm). The as-obtained Mg/Al + Fe LDHs possess intrinsic dispersibility in water, and, moreover, they can be dispersed in an organic solvent (xylene) after being sequentially washed with water/ethanol and then acetone. Accordingly, highly transparent and whole UV-blocking coatings were readily fabricated by incorporating Mg/Al + Fe LDHs into waterborne or solvent-based polysiloxane coatings, or merely using an aqueous Mg/Al + Fe LDH dispersion due to its self-supporting behavior. More importantly, the Mg/Al + Fe LDH-based coatings exhibited long-term UV-shielding performance even after accelerated weathering tests for as long as 800 h.
Co-reporter:Hao Chen, Shuxue Zhou, and Limin Wu
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2014 Volume 6(Issue 11) pp:8621
Publication Date(Web):May 5, 2014
DOI:10.1021/am5014375
This paper reports the first nickel hydroxide–manganese dioxide–reduced graphene oxide (Ni(OH)2-MnO2-RGO) ternary hybrid sphere powders as supercapacitor electrode materials. Due to the abundant porous nanostructure, relatively high specific surface area, well-defined spherical morphology, and the synergetic effect of Ni(OH)2, MnO2, and RGO, the electrodes with the as-obtained Ni(OH)2-MnO2-RGO ternary hybrid spheres as active materials exhibited significantly enhanced specific capacitance (1985 F·g–1) and energy density (54.0 Wh·kg–1), based on the total mass of active materials. In addition, the Ni(OH)2-MnO2-RGO hybrid spheres-based asymmetric supercapacitor also showed satisfying energy density and electrochemical cycling stability.Keywords: graphene; manganese dioxide; nickel hydroxide; supercapacitor; ternary hybrid spheres;
Co-reporter:Yangyi Sun, Min Chen, Zengbo Wang and Limin Wu
Chemical Communications 2014 vol. 50(Issue 43) pp:5767-5770
Publication Date(Web):08 Apr 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4CC02137A
This study reports a simple and novel wet-chemical method for synthesizing asymmetric Ag–organosilica hybrid nanoparticles with finely-tuned morphologies and optical properties.
Co-reporter:Yong Wu, Dan Hu, Yu-Huei Su, Yu-Lin Hsiao, Bo You, Limin Wu
Progress in Organic Coatings 2014 Volume 77(Issue 6) pp:1015-1022
Publication Date(Web):June 2014
DOI:10.1016/j.porgcoat.2014.03.001
•Core–shell structured latex with as high as 60 wt% of SiO2 nanoparticles have been synthesized.•The nanocomposite film presents >90% transmittance in visible range.•The nanocomposite film displays significantly improved mechanical property.•The nanocomposite film exhibits obviously UV weathering resistant property.In this study, we have successfully synthesized silica/poly(methyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate) (SiO2/P(MMA-BA)) core–shell nanocomposite colloids via in situ emulsion copolymerization using cationic 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride (AIBA) as the initiator and the 3-Glycidoxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (GPTMS)-modified SiO2 nanoparticles as the seeds. The SiO2 nanoparticles embedded can reach as high as 60 wt%. The nanocomposite film presents almost the same high transparency as the pure polymer film (>90% transmittance in visible range), and displays significantly improved mechanical and UV weathering resistant properties over its pure polymer film.
Co-reporter:Wei Sun, Min Chen, Shuxue Zhou, and Limin Wu
Langmuir 2014 Volume 30(Issue 40) pp:12011-12017
Publication Date(Web):September 30, 2014
DOI:10.1021/la5026476
This study presents a facile and general method for fabrication of carbon spheres with tunable morphologies based on the sol–gel reaction of a novel polymeric carbon precursor. The carbon precursor was fabricated by the synthesis of resole, a low-molecular weight polymer of phenol and formaldehyde, and then the modification with poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (PEG). By turning the modification degree of resole with different amounts of PEG and the hydrolysis and condensation reactions of this precursor, carbon spheres with various morphologies, including regular spheres, hollow spheres of different pore sizes, and raspberry- and peanut-like spheres, were produced easily. This should be attributed to the condensation, self-assembly, and phase separation of the new polymeric carbon precursors during the sol–gel process.
Co-reporter:Bing Huang, Shuxue Zhou, Min Chen, and Limin Wu
Macromolecules 2014 Volume 47(Issue 6) pp:1914-1921
Publication Date(Web):March 6, 2014
DOI:10.1021/ma500006j
Polymeric nanocapsules with cross-linked poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and polystyrene blocks (PS-b-(c-PHEMA) nanocapsules) were synthesized via the surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization and atom transfer nitroxide radical coupling reactions. With alkoxyamine bonds as the cross-linkers, the nanocapsules exhibited unique responsive behavior: When PBS and oxygen existed, these nanocapsules were broken down into pieces, which self-assembled into nanocapsules again when ascorbic acid was added. When PBS, ascorbic acid, and oxygen existed together, these nanocapsules self-assembled into larger capsules. However, both the nanocapsules and capsules would finally disintegrate into pieces as the time extended.
Co-reporter:Min Chen;Chenyu Ye;Shuxue Zhou
Advanced Materials 2013 Volume 25( Issue 37) pp:5343-5351
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adma.201301911
Abstract
Inorganic hollow spheres have wide, important applications due to their unique structure, controllable morphology, and composition. Recent developments in the application and performance of inorganic hollow spheres in solar cells, UV photodectors, gas sensors, and supercapacitors are discussed. For each inorganic hollow sphere based device, a critical comment is given based on knowledge and related research experience. Some perspectives on the future research and development of these inorganic-hollow-sphere devices are given.
Co-reporter:Hao Chen;Linfeng Hu;Yan Yan;Renchao Che;Min Chen
Advanced Energy Materials 2013 Volume 3( Issue 12) pp:1636-1646
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/aenm.201300580
A facile one-step hydrothermal co-deposition method for growth of ultrathin Ni(OH)2-MnO2 hybrid nanosheet arrays on three dimensional (3D) macroporous nickel foam is presented. Due to the highly hydrophilic and ultrathin nature of hybrid nanosheets, as well as the synergetic effects of Ni(OH)2 and MnO2, the as-fabricated Ni(OH)2-MnO2 hybrid electrode exhibits an ultrahigh specific capacitance of 2628 F g−1. Moreover, the asymmetric supercapacitor with the as-obtained Ni(OH)2-MnO2 hybrid film as the positive electrode and the reduced graphene oxide as the negative electrode has a high energy density (186 Wh kg−1 at 778 W kg−1), based on the total mass of active materials.
Co-reporter:Wei Sun, Shuxue Zhou, Bo You and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2013 vol. 1(Issue 36) pp:10646-10654
Publication Date(Web):11 Jul 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3TA12367G
This paper presents the first fabrication of smart films with unique reversible double-stimulus responsive wettability. In this method, the ABC-type triblock copolymers synthesized through the sequential living radical polymerizations of 2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DPAEMA), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and (4-(2-methylacryloyloxy) ethyloxy-4′-trifluoromethoxy) azobenzene (MAAZO) mediated by a reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process, were grafted onto the surfaces of SiO2 films through the reactions between the hydroxyl groups of the PHEMA middle segments and the acyl chloride groups of the SiO2 film surfaces to form specific V-shaped polymer brushes, leaving highly free PDPAEMA and PMAAZO chains. The as-obtained V-shaped polymer brush-functionalized film exhibited a peculiar reversible double-stimulus responsive wettability, which was triggered only by the joint action of pH and UV light irradiation rather than either single stimulus. This unique wettability should be attributed to the changes of the chemical state of functional groups and the distribution of surface polymer brushes under different stimuli.
Co-reporter:Wei Sun, Shuxue Zhou, Bo You and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2013 vol. 1(Issue 9) pp:3146-3154
Publication Date(Web):07 Jan 2013
DOI:10.1039/C2TA01293F
This paper presents a facile method of fabricating smart film surfaces with multiresponsive, reversibly tunable wettability. In this method, when poly(styrene-n-butyl acrylate-acrylic acid) (P(S-BA-AA)) was mixed with TiO2 nanoparticles in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and then simply cast onto glass substrates, followed by drying at room temperature, intelligent films were formed. The as-obtained nanocomposite films not only exhibited very fast response to UV light, heat and pH, but also showed excellent reversibility. The formation mechanisms of the superhydrophobic films and their multiresponse were investigated in detail using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total (internal) reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
Co-reporter:Rui Gao, Min Chen, Wei Li, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2013 vol. 1(Issue 6) pp:2183-2191
Publication Date(Web):07 Dec 2012
DOI:10.1039/C2TA00837H
This paper presents a general and feasible method for the fabrication of polymer/inorganic bilayer hybrid hollow spheres, such as PSAA/ZrO2, PSAA/Nb2O5, PSAA/Ta2O5 and PSAM/TiO2. The formation process of these hybrid hollow spheres could be elucidated using a mechanism similar to the Kirkendall effect. With PSAM/TiO2 hybrid hollow spheres, the as-obtained hybrid hollow spheres showed tunable surface properties, high UV-Vis-NIR reflectance, low thermal conductivity and good compatibility to polymers, which gives them some interesting applications like solar-reflective heat-insulating coatings.
Co-reporter:Xiaolong Wang, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2013 vol. 1(Issue 45) pp:7547-7553
Publication Date(Web):26 Sep 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3TC31479K
This paper presents a facile method for encapsulation of a SiO2 layer on the surfaces of ZnO quantum dots (ZnO QDs) to fabricate ZnO QD@SiO2 nanoparticles. Coating of a SiO2 layer can effectively improve the dispersion of ZnO QDs in an aqueous phase, insulate the photocatalytic activity of ZnO QDs and increase the photoluminescent quantum yield. When the as-obtained ZnO QD@SiO2 nanoparticles were introduced into acrylic latex, highly transparent, excellent UV-shielding and durable waterborne polymer coatings were easily fabricated. Moreover, the polymer coatings can convert UV into blue light effectively, which is beneficial for their application as agricultural films.
Co-reporter:Wenguang Leng, Min Chen, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Chemical Communications 2013 vol. 49(Issue 65) pp:7225-7227
Publication Date(Web):19 Jun 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3CC43762K
This study reports novel water dispersable organic nanowires based on the assembly of aniline oligomers. Due to their unique properties, these nanowires can be used as templates for fabrication of various kinds of freestanding and open-ended oxide nanotubes.
Co-reporter:Jing Hu, Liqin Liu, Yuyao Xie and Limin Wu
Polymer Chemistry 2013 vol. 4(Issue 11) pp:3293-3299
Publication Date(Web):13 Mar 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3PY00186E
In this paper, thermal-responsive poly(n-isopropyl acrylamide-co-styrene) (P(NIPAM-S))/SiO2 hybrid hollow spheres were successfully synthesized via a one-step method. In this approach, when P(NIPAM-S) colloidal particles were used as templates and encapsulated by SiO2 nanoparticles derived from the sol–gel reaction of tetraethoxysilane under alkaline conditions, P(NIPAM-S)/SiO2 hybrid hollow spheres were directly obtained. Neither calcinations nor an etching process was needed. Very interestingly, the as-obtained hybrid hollow spheres didn't exhibit typical thermal-responsive properties in aqueous solutions but rather in ethanol solutions, and thus could be used as controllable releasing systems in some specific environments.
Co-reporter:Yangyi Sun, Yuyong Yin, Min Chen, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Polymer Chemistry 2013 vol. 4(Issue 10) pp:3020-3027
Publication Date(Web):01 Mar 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3PY21155J
This paper presents a one-step procedure for the facile synthesis of monodisperse raspberry-like polymer colloidal particles by soap-free emulsion polymerization of styrene (S), acrylic acid (AA), and 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MPS). In this method, when S, AA, and MPS are mixed with water and stirred at a certain temperature, raspberry-like P(S–MPS–AA) colloidal particles with uniform shapes and sizes could be obtained in a reliable manner. Both the core particles and the smaller corona particles of core surfaces were formed in situ. A mechanism of formation based on the second nucleation induced by MPS-enriched segments on the core surfaces is proposed.
Co-reporter:Jing Hu, Shuxue Zhou, Yangyi Sun, Xiaosheng Fang and Limin Wu
Chemical Society Reviews 2012 vol. 41(Issue 11) pp:4356-4378
Publication Date(Web):24 Apr 2012
DOI:10.1039/C2CS35032G
Although the concept of Janus particles was raised in the early 1990s, the related research has not attracted considerable interest until recently due to the special properties and applications of these colloidal particles as well as the advances in new fabrications. Janus particles can be divided into three categories: polymeric, inorganic, and polymeric–inorganic, and each kind of Janus particles can be spherical, dumbbell-like, half raspberry-like, cylindrical, disk-like, or any of a variety of other shapes. Different Janus particles may share common preparation principles or require specific fabrication processes, and may have different assembly behaviours and properties. This critical review discusses the main fabrication methods of the three kinds of Janus particles, and then highlights the important properties and applications of these Janus particles developed in recent years, and finally proposes some perspectives on the future of Janus particle research and development.
Co-reporter:Linfeng Hu, Min Chen, Xiaosheng Fang and Limin Wu
Chemical Society Reviews 2012 vol. 41(Issue 3) pp:1350-1362
Publication Date(Web):11 Nov 2011
DOI:10.1039/C1CS15189D
How to integrate individual nanostructures into macroscopic thin films has become one of the most intriguing fields in nanoscience and nanotechnology due to the unique properties and important applications of these functional films. Since being discovered in 2004, oil–water interfacial self-assembly of nanostructures has become a novel strategy for fabrication of nanofilms. It is a powerful bottom-up approach for film fabrication due to the low cost and high efficiency, and is simple and universal for almost all low-dimensional nanostructures. In this article, we provide a critical review of the state-of-the-art research activities in this burgeoning self-assembly strategy. We first discuss the thermodynamic mechanism of the oil–water interfacial self-assembly, then the self-assembly of various low-dimensional nanostructures including nanoparticles, one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures, two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures at an oil–water interface developed so far to fabricate high-quality nanofilms. Finally, we present some progress on the construction of functional nanofilm-based nanodevices from this novel strategy based on our research. We conclude this review with critical comments on advantages and the experimental challenges, and further propose the future research and development of this self-assembly strategy for nanodevice construction (105 references).
Co-reporter:Linfeng Hu;Min Chen;Wenze Shan;Tianrong Zhan;Meiyong Liao;Xiaosheng Fang;Xinhua Hu
Advanced Materials 2012 Volume 24( Issue 43) pp:5872-5877
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adma.201202749
Co-reporter:Ziwei Tang ; Hao Chen ; Xiaowei Chen ; Limin Wu ;Xuebin Yu
Journal of the American Chemical Society 2012 Volume 134(Issue 12) pp:5464-5467
Publication Date(Web):March 14, 2012
DOI:10.1021/ja300003t
The recyclable dehydrogenation of ammonia borane (AB) is achievable within a graphene oxide (GO)-based hybrid nanostructure, in which a combined modification strategy of acid activation and nanoconfinement by GO allows AB to release more than 2 equiv of pure H2 at temperatures below 100 °C. This process yields polyborazylene (PB) as a single product and, thus, promotes the chemical regeneration of AB via reaction of PB with hydrazine in liquid ammonia.
Co-reporter:Linfeng Hu;Meiyong Liao;Xinhua Hu;Xiaosheng Fang
Advanced Functional Materials 2012 Volume 22( Issue 5) pp:998-1004
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adfm.201102155
Abstract
Understanding the electrical transport properties of individual semiconductor nanostructures is crucial to advancing their practical applications in high-performance nanodevices. Large-sized individual nanostructures with smooth surfaces are preferred because they can be easily made into nanodevices using conventional photolithography procedures rather than having to rely on costly and complex electron-beam lithography techniques. In this study, micrometer-sized NiCo2O4 nanoplates are successfully prepared from their corresponding hydroxide precursor using a quasi-topotactic transformation. The Co/Ni atomic arrangement shows no changes during the transformation from the rhombohedral LDH precursor (space group Rm) to the cubic NiCo2O4 spinel (space group Fdm), and the nanoplate retains its initial morphology during the conversion process. In particular, electrical transport within an individual NiCo2O4 nanoplate is further investigated. The mechanisms of electrical conduction in the low-temperature range (T < 100 K) can be explained in terms of the Mott's variable-range hopping model. At high temperatures (T > 100 K), both the variable-range hopping and nearest-neighbor hopping mechanisms contribute to the electrical transport properties of the NiCo2O4 nanoplate. These initial results will be useful to understanding the fundamental characteristics of these nanoplates and to designing functional nanodevices from NiCo2O4 nanostructures.
Co-reporter:Hao Chen;Linfeng Hu;Xiaosheng Fang
Advanced Functional Materials 2012 Volume 22( Issue 6) pp:1229-1235
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adfm.201102506
Abstract
A facile approach for the fabrication of monolayer SnO2 nanonet is presented using polymer colloid monolayer nanofilms from oil–water interface self-assembly as sacrificial templates. The hole size of the nanonets can be adjusted easily by the mean diameter of polymer colloidal spheres. This method can be extended to the fabrication of a series of monolayer nanonets of semiconducting oxides such as TiO2, ZnO, and CeO2. Furthermore, the first photoresponse nanodevice based on monolayer SnO2 nanonet is fabricated. This device presents ultrahigh photocurrent and sensitivity, excellent stability, and reproducibility.
Co-reporter:Wei Sun, Shuxue Zhou, Bo You, and Limin Wu
Chemistry of Materials 2012 Volume 24(Issue 19) pp:3800
Publication Date(Web):September 27, 2012
DOI:10.1021/cm302464g
This paper presents the first successful fabrication of hierarchically ordered porous (HOP) TiO2. Poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) colloidal spheres and triblock copolymer P123 were used as macro- and mesoporous structure-directing agents, and titanium chloride and titanium tetraisopropoxide were used as sources of titania. When the mixture of polymer spheres, P123, and titania precursors were cast on substrates, and conducted for complete solvent evaporation, followed by thermal treatment, large-scale HOP TiO2 can be directly fabricated. The in situ chelate effect between the titania precursors and the poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) plays a key role in the fabrication of HOP TiO2. The as-obtained HOP TiO2 exhibits 50% and 70% greater the highest photocurrent under UV and visible lights, respectively, and far higher photoelectrocatalytic property than commercial TiO2 (P-25).Keywords: hierarchically ordered porous structure; photoelectric properties; TiO2;
Co-reporter:Hao Chen, Shuxue Zhou, Min Chen and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2012 vol. 22(Issue 48) pp:25207-25216
Publication Date(Web):11 Oct 2012
DOI:10.1039/C2JM35054H
This paper presents the first successful fabrication of reduced graphene oxide (RGO)–MnO2 hollow sphere (HS) hybrid electrode materials through a solution-based ultrasonic co-assembly method. The porous structure of these MnO2 hollow spheres and the excellent dispersion of active materials give the as-fabricated RGO–MnO2 HS hybrid electrodes excellent specific capacitance and energy density, which can reach up to 578 F g−1 and 69.8 W h kg−1, respectively. These values are considerably larger than those of most reported graphene–MnO2 based hybrid electrochemical capacitors. This solution-processed method can also be used for the hybridization of graphene with other metal oxides in the fabrication of high-performance electrochemical capacitors.
Co-reporter:Yuyong Yin, Min Chen, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2012 vol. 22(Issue 22) pp:11245-11251
Publication Date(Web):03 Apr 2012
DOI:10.1039/C2JM31138K
This paper presents a general and feasible method for the fabrication of uniform hollow mesoporous nanocomposite silica spheres (HMNSs) loaded with functional nanoparticles (Au, Pt, Fe3O4, etc.) on their inner walls. In this approach, carboxylic-capped polystyrene (PS) spheres were first synthesized by a soap-free emulsion polymerization and then deposited on a layer of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA). Next, the functional nanoparticles were self-assembled onto the surfaces of the PS spheres through electrostatic interactions between the negatively-charged citrate groups and the positively-charged PDDA layer. After encapsulation of the hybrid shell derived from the sol–gel process of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and n-octadecyltrimethoxysilane (C18TMS), followed by calcination, various HMNSs loaded with functional nanoparticles such as Au@SiO2, Pt@SiO2, Fe3O4@SiO2, etc. could be fabricated. This approach allows the control of the numbers of functional nanoparticles loaded into the hollow spheres very easily and prevents nanoparticle aggregation effectively. As a prototype, the as-obtained Au@SiO2 HMNSs displayed very good catalytic reusability.
Co-reporter:Yuan Ren, Min Chen, Linfeng Hu, Xiaosheng Fang and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2012 vol. 22(Issue 3) pp:944-950
Publication Date(Web):15 Nov 2011
DOI:10.1039/C1JM13381K
This paper presents an oil/water interface self-assembly strategy for the fabrication of hydrophobic nanoparticles into mono- and multi-layered nanofilms with NaYF4:Yb,Er nanoplatelets as a prototype. In this approach, hydrophobic β-NaYF4:Yb,Er nanoplatelets dispersed in chloroform solvent are used as the sub-phase, then a certain amount of water is added to produce a chloroform/water interface. When ethanol is added, the up-conversion NaYF4:Yb,Er nanoplatelets are found to readily self-assemble at the oil/water interface into a closely-packed mono- or multi-layer nanofilm with a preferred [001] orientation. Compared with the previous water/oil interface self-assembly strategy, the present method is not only used for fabrication of hydrophobic nanoparticles into high quality nanofilms, but also is environmentally friendly and is safe to the operator.
Co-reporter:Zhehong Shen, Lei Shi, Bo You, Limin Wu and Dongyuan Zhao
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2012 vol. 22(Issue 16) pp:8069-8075
Publication Date(Web):22 Feb 2012
DOI:10.1039/C2JM30546A
The self-assembly of colloidal spheres into ordered nanostructures is one of the most common methods of fabricating crystal films, but the resulting films usually have small areas, muted structural colors, and weak mechanical properties. This paper presents a simple method for the large-scale fabrication of polymer crystal films with vivid structural colors and robust mechanical properties. In this approach, when aqueous polymer colloids, colloidal silica particles, and a small quantity of carbon black are blended and then cast on substrates by the casting method to evaporate water, three-dimensional ordered structures are produced, directly forming large-scale polymer crystal films with intense and tunable structural colors and strong mechanical properties.
Co-reporter:Rui Gao, Shuxue Zhou, Wei Li, Min Chen and Limin Wu
CrystEngComm 2012 vol. 14(Issue 20) pp:7031-7035
Publication Date(Web):02 Aug 2012
DOI:10.1039/C2CE25520K
Uniform and well-defined single-crystal NaTaO3 cubes were successfully synthesized through a solvothermal method using monodisperse meso-microporous Ta3N5 hollow spheres as precursors. The structure and morphology of NaTaO3 cubes were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resoluition transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The results show that the formation of NaTaO3 cubes follows the dissolution-recrystallization mechanism, and use of monodisperse Ta3N5 hollow spheres with a thin shell thickness as precursors is critical to obtain the uniform cube morphology of the products. The size of the NaTaO3 cubes can be tunable by adjusting the ratio of ethanol to water. Due to the highly monodisperse size and shape, the cubes can be further self-assembled into a high quality monolayer nanofilm.
Co-reporter:Jing Hu, Min Chen, Xiaosheng Fang and Limin Wu
Chemical Society Reviews 2011 vol. 40(Issue 11) pp:5472-5491
Publication Date(Web):29 Jul 2011
DOI:10.1039/C1CS15103G
Inorganic hollow spheres have attracted considerable interest due to their singular properties and wide range of potential applications. In this critical review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the preparation and applications of inorganic hollow spheres. We first discuss the syntheses of inorganic hollow spheres by use of polymers, inorganic nonmetals, metal-based hard templates, small-molecule emulsion, surfactant micelle-based soft-templates, and the template-free approach. For each method, a critical comment is given based on our knowledge and related research experience. We go on to discuss some important applications of inorganic hollow spheres in 0D, 2D, and 3D arrays. We conclude this review with some perspectives on the future research and development of inorganic hollow spheres (235 references).
Co-reporter:Xiaosheng Fang, Tianyou Zhai, Ujjal K. Gautam, Liang Li, Limin Wu, Yoshio Bando, Dmitri Golberg
Progress in Materials Science 2011 Volume 56(Issue 2) pp:175-287
Publication Date(Web):February 2011
DOI:10.1016/j.pmatsci.2010.10.001
Zinc sulfide (ZnS) is one of the first semiconductors discovered. It has traditionally shown remarkable versatility and promise for novel fundamental properties and diverse applications. The nanoscale morphologies of ZnS have been proven to be one of the richest among all inorganic semiconductors. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art research activities related to ZnS nanostructures. We begin with a historical background of ZnS, description of its structure, chemical and electronic properties, and its unique advantages in specific potential applications. This is followed by in-detail discussions on the recent progress in the synthesis, analysis of novel properties and potential applications, with the focus on the critical experiments determining the electrical, chemical and physical parameters of the nanostructures, and the interplay between synthetic conditions and nanoscale morphologies. Finally, we highlight the recent achievements regarding the improvement of ZnS novel properties and finding prospective applications, such as field emitters, field effect transistors (FETs), p-type conductors, catalyzators, UV-light sensors, chemical sensors (including gas sensors), biosensors, and nanogenerators. Overall this review presents a systematic investigation of the ‘synthesis-property-application’ triangle for the diverse ZnS nanostructures.
Co-reporter:Linfeng Hu;Meiyong Liao;Xiaosheng Fang
Advanced Materials 2011 Volume 23( Issue 17) pp:1988-1992
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adma.201004109
Co-reporter:Rui Gao, Shuxue Zhou, Min Chen and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2011 vol. 21(Issue 43) pp:17087-17090
Publication Date(Web):30 Sep 2011
DOI:10.1039/C1JM13756E
Monodisperse meso-microporous Ta3N5 hollow spheres have been synthesized by a novel and feasible method based on a capillary force induced hollow mechanism and subsequent thermal nitridation. The hollow spheres exhibit an obvious improvement in visible light-driven photocatalytic activity.
Co-reporter:Lingli Duan, Bo You, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2011 vol. 21(Issue 3) pp:687-692
Publication Date(Web):08 Nov 2010
DOI:10.1039/C0JM02484H
This paper presents a facile and novel method for fabrication of solvent-responsive polymer crystal films. In this approach, when monodisperse poly(styrene-butyl acrylate) polymer colloidal particles containing hydrophilic monomers were film formed on a glass substrate, the polymer colloidal particles could self-assemble into a periodic arrangement as water evaporated producing a colorless and transparent crystal film. When this film was wetted by water or some other polar solvents, a brilliant color appeared; when this wetted film was completely dried again, this color disappeared and the film reverts to the original colorless and transparent state. This approach can not only be used for rapid and large-scale production of a reversible solvatochrom-responsive polymer films, but also the obtained films are robust due to the “soft” polymer particles.
Co-reporter:Xiaofeng Ding, Shuxue Zhou, Guangxin Gu and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2011 vol. 21(Issue 17) pp:6161-6164
Publication Date(Web):25 Mar 2011
DOI:10.1039/C0JM04546B
A long-term superhydrophobic self-cleaning coating was first fabricated by simply blending ambient-cured fluorinated polysiloxane binder with TiO2 nanoparticles. The obtained coating has excellent durability in various environments, and this method can be used for large-scale fabrication of self-cleaning coatings for practical applications.
Co-reporter:Dan Hu, Min Chen, Yuan Gao, Fuyou Li and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2011 vol. 21(Issue 30) pp:11276-11282
Publication Date(Web):28 Jun 2011
DOI:10.1039/C1JM11172H
This paper presents a facile method for the fabrication of core-shell-structured NaYF4:Yb, Er/Tm@SiO2@Fe3O4 nanocomposite particles (NCPs). In this approach, when the EDTA-capped NaYF4:Yb, Er/Tm nanoparticles were mixed with the oleic acid-modified magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles in isopropyl alcohol, followed by addition of TEOS and ammonium hydroxide, core-shell NaYF4:Yb, Er/Tm@SiO2@Fe3O4 NCPs were directly yielded; neither surface modification nor high temperature was needed. The obtained NCPs have very good superparamagnetic and luminescent properties. Preliminary investigation of incubating with HeLa cells displays that the NCPs are easily swallowed and can be used in bioimaging.
Co-reporter:Jing Hu, Min Chen and Limin Wu
Polymer Chemistry 2011 vol. 2(Issue 4) pp:760-772
Publication Date(Web):15 Nov 2010
DOI:10.1039/C0PY00284D
Miniemulsion polymerization, a kind of heterogeneous polymerization method, is being more and more used for synthesis of various novel organic-inorganic hybrid materials. In this review, we would seek to highlight the recent development of organic-inorganic nanocomposites synthesized viaminiemulsion polymerization. The examples demonstrate that the inorganic nanoparticles, such as oxide magnets, clays, carbon, silica, titanium dioxide, etc., can be embedded inside the polymers or as armor on the surfaces of polymer particles viaminiemulsion polymerization to form organic-inorganic nanocomposites with various morphologies.
Co-reporter:Lingli Duan, Bo You, Limin Wu, Min Chen
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 2011 Volume 353(Issue 1) pp:163-168
Publication Date(Web):1 January 2011
DOI:10.1016/j.jcis.2010.09.044
This paper presents a simple approach to fabricate a reversible mechanochromic-responsive crystal film based on the room-temperature film-formation of monodisperse polymer latex by the aid of nanosilica particles. In this approach, when the “soft” colloidal polymer spheres were blended with colloidal silica particles and then cast on a substrate, followed by drying at room temperature for self-assembly, an elastic crystal film was directly obtained. This crystal film has not only reversible and repeatable mechanochromic-responsive property, but also tunable color and peak position covering almost entire visible spectral region, depending upon the sizes of polymer spheres and strains. This optical response is attributed to the variation of lattice spacing during deformation.Graphical abstractA reversible mechanochromic-responsive crystal film are successfully fabricated based on the room-temperature film-formation of monodisperse polymer latex by the aid of nanosilica particles.Research highlights► The elastic crystal films with mechanochromic-responsive property can be constructed through binary assembly of film-forming polymer spheres and nanosilica particles. ► This crystal film has reversible and repeatable mechanochromic-responsive property. ► The color and peak position can be tuned across almost entire visible spectral region.
Co-reporter:Wenguang Leng;Shuxue Zhou
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics 2011 Volume 212( Issue 17) pp:1900-1909
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/macp.201100150
Co-reporter:Wenguang Leng;Shuxue Zhou
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics 2011 Volume 212( Issue 17) pp:
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/macp.201190038
Co-reporter:Yuyong Yin;Shuxue Zhou;Bo You
Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry 2011 Volume 49( Issue 15) pp:3272-3279
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/pola.24762
Abstract
This study presents a very simple method to fabricate organic–inorganic asymmetric colloid spheres. In this approach, when silica particles are used as the Pickering emulsifier to stabilize the monomer droplets (styrene) in water via acid–base interaction between silica particles and auxiliary monomer (1-vinylimidazole), the exposed surfaces of silica particles are very easy to be locally modified with 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate. When water-based initiator is added, polystyrene–silica asymmetric colloid spheres are highly yielded. The sizes of silica and polymer particles can be tunable. These organic–inorganic anisotropic colloid spheres can self-assemble into an interesting thickness-dependent film. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Co-reporter:Shiling Zhang, Ling Chen, Shuxue Zhou, Dongyuan Zhao and Limin Wu
Chemistry of Materials 2010 Volume 22(Issue 11) pp:3433
Publication Date(Web):May 12, 2010
DOI:10.1021/cm1002274
This article presents a one-pot method to synthesize hierarchically ordered porous carbons with interconnected macropores and mespores, via in situ self-assembly of colloidal polymer and silica spheres with sucrose as the carbon source. Compared with other techniques, this procedure is veritably simple; neither presynthesis of the macropore/mesopore or crystal templates nor additional infiltration is needed, and the self-assembly of polymer spheres into the crystal template and the infiltration are finished in situ in the same system. The sizes of macropores and mesopores can be independently tuned by the sizes of polymer and silica spheres, respectively. The obtained bimodal porous carbons have large BET surface areas, large pore volumes, and partially graphitized frameworks. They show very good support of the Pt−Ru alloy catalyst in a direct methanol fuel cell.
Co-reporter:Min Chen, Lin Xie, Fuyou Li, Shuxue Zhou, and Limin Wu
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2010 Volume 2(Issue 10) pp:2733
Publication Date(Web):September 9, 2010
DOI:10.1021/am100726w
This paper presents a “one-pot” procedure to synthesize polystyrene/(rare-earth-doped nanoparticles) (PS/REDNPs) hybrid hollow spheres via the in situ diffusion of organic core into inorganic shell under strong capillary force. In this approach, when carboxyl-capped PS colloids were deposited by different REDNPs in aqueous medium, such as LaF3:Eu3+, LaF3:Ce3+-Tb3+, and YVO4:Dy3+, PS/REDNPs inorganic−organic hybrid hollow spheres could be directly obtained via the in situ diffusion of core PS chains into the voids between rare-earth-doped nanoparticles through the strong capillary force. Not only is the synthetic procedure versatile and very simple, but also the obtained hybrid hollow spheres are hydrophilic and luminescent and could be directly used in chemical and biological fields.Keywords: capillarity force; hollow spheres; hybrid; hydrophilic; luminescence; rare-earth-doped nanoparticles
Co-reporter:Wenguang Leng, Shuxue Zhou, Bo You, and Limin Wu
Langmuir 2010 Volume 26(Issue 23) pp:17836-17839
Publication Date(Web):October 29, 2010
DOI:10.1021/la103833x
Styrene−acrylic acid copolymer was synthesized via solution polymerization and then sulfonated by concentrated sulfuric acid. This sulfonated copolymer displays an obvious pH-responsive color change in aqueous solutions (1 g/L) from yellow (pH <6) to khaki (pH 6 to 7)/red (pH 7 to 8) to purple (pH >8). This response is as quick as for small-molecule pH indicators such as methyl orange and phenolphthalein within 1 s and can be reversible. The lowest critical concentration of this pH-responsive copolymer solution is around 0.1 g/L, which is about 50−500 times the necessary amount used for conventional small-molecule pH indicators. An intramolecular cyclization mechanism between a neighboring carboxyl group and a benzene ring to form a sulfonated aromatic ketone is proposed to explain this pH-responsive color change behavior. The molar ratio of 1:1 for styrene to acrylic acid is the most favorable for forming neighboring benzene and carboxyl group pairs in the copolymer chains and subsequently yields sulfonated aromatic ketone chromophores at full capacity.
Co-reporter:Zhehong Shen, Yue Zhu, Limin Wu, Bo You and Jian Zi
Langmuir 2010 Volume 26(Issue 9) pp:6604-6609
Publication Date(Web):December 7, 2009
DOI:10.1021/la903938s
This paper presents a novel and facile approach to fabricate robust crystal balls directly through the self-assembly of soft colloidal polymer spheres by the aid of nano silica using an electrospraying technique. In this approach, soft colloidal polymer spheres are synthesized by emulsion polymerization and then blended with colloidal silica to obtain nanocomposite dispersion. When this dispersion is loaded into an injector and forced to flow through the nozzle under direct electric field, the detached droplets are collected by an oil solvent. As water and solvent evaporate, the colloidal polymer spheres and silica beads can directly self-assemble into robust crystal balls. Neither soft matrix nor post-treatment is needed. The obtained crystal balls have not only excellent mechanical properties to withstand external forces such as cutting, puckering, and bending, but also reversible deformation.
Co-reporter:Yichen Cao, Bo You and Limin Wu
Langmuir 2010 Volume 26(Issue 9) pp:6115-6118
Publication Date(Web):April 9, 2010
DOI:10.1021/la100450y
This letter reports a novel, facile method of fabricating hollow polymer microspheres based on the phase-inversion method. In this approach, when hydrophobic chlorinated polypropylene was grafted with methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, and acrylic acid via free-radical polymerization and then neutralized by triethylamine and gradually diluted with deionized water, phase inversion happened, directly yielding hollow polymer microspheres. SEM, TEM, and optical images confirmed the hollow structure. A formation mechanism of the hollow polymer microspheres was proposed.
Co-reporter:Wenguang Leng, Min Chen, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Langmuir 2010 Volume 26(Issue 17) pp:14271-14275
Publication Date(Web):August 2, 2010
DOI:10.1021/la102256t
This paper presents a “one-spot” procedure to fabricate polystyrene/silica (PS/SiO2) hybrid hollow spheres. In this approach, when poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-stabilized PS colloids were deposited by sol−gel derived silica layer under acidic medium, it was interesting to find that the PS/SiO2 core−shell colloids gradually changed to hollow structure spontaneously in the same medium as reaction went on. The formation of this hollow structure should be attributed to the diffusion of PS macromolecular chains from core particles into the voids between silica nanoparticles driven by the strong capillary force.
Co-reporter:Yuan Ren, Min Chen, Yang Zhang and Limin Wu
Langmuir 2010 Volume 26(Issue 13) pp:11391-11396
Publication Date(Web):June 10, 2010
DOI:10.1021/la1008413
Rattle-type TiO2@void@SiO2 particles, with commercial TiO2 particles encapsulated into hollow SiO2 shell, were fabricated by successive coating of multilayer polyelectrolytes and SiO2 shell onto TiO2 particles and then treatment by UV irradiation to remove the polyelectrolyte layers. TEM observation showed that the composite particles had a unique rattle-type structure in which there existed void space between TiO2 core and SiO2 shell. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B indicated that these composite particles with larger void space tended to have higher photoactivity. The polyurethane films doped with rattle-type TiO2@void@SiO2 composite particles had very good UV-shielding property.
Co-reporter:Zhenxuan Wang ; Limin Wu ; Min Chen ;Shuxue Zhou
Journal of the American Chemical Society 2009 Volume 131(Issue 32) pp:11276-11277
Publication Date(Web):July 24, 2009
DOI:10.1021/ja903246e
A very simple strategy for the synthesis of superparamagnetic and fluorescent Fe3O4/ZnS hollow nanospheres is presented. These hollow nanospheres are not only nontoxic with a highly porous shell and have diameters of <100 nm but also exhibit very good magnetic resonance and fluorescence.
Co-reporter:Bo You, Nangeng Wen, Lei Shi, Limin Wu and Jian Zi
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2009 vol. 19(Issue 22) pp:3594-3597
Publication Date(Web):06 May 2009
DOI:10.1039/B906293A
Three-dimensional colloidal crystal films with large-area and robust mechanical properties can be successfully fabricated via the room-temperature film-formation of “soft” polymer spheres latex with the aid of nanosilica particles.
Co-reporter:Xiao Zhao, Shuxue Zhou, Min Chen, Limin Wu
Dyes and Pigments 2009 Volume 80(Issue 2) pp:212-218
Publication Date(Web):February 2009
DOI:10.1016/j.dyepig.2008.07.003
Co-reporter:Songwei Chen;Bo You;Shuxue Zhou
Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2009 Volume 112( Issue 6) pp:3634-3639
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/app.29865
Abstract
Colloidal nano-silica particles were used to improve the scratch and mar resistance of waterborne epoxy coatings by directly blending. To enhance the compatibility of nano-silica particles within polymer matrix, nano-silica particles were first modified with 3-glycidoxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The modified nano-silica particles were found to have a better dispersion and compatibility in the polymer matrix than the unmodified nano-silica particles. Macro-scratch and nano-scratch testers were employed to characterize the scratch and mar resistances of the nanosilica-reinforced epoxy coatings. Relative to unmodified nano-silica, GPTMS-modified nano-silica particles can improve the scratch and mar resistance more significantly and reduce the transparency and gloss of waterborne epoxy coatings less seriously. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Co-reporter:Chengfu Pi Dr.;José Elguero Dr.;Li Wan Dipl.-Chem.;Ibon Alkorta Dr.;Wenjun Zheng Dr.;Linhong Weng;Zhenxia Chen Dr.
Chemistry - A European Journal 2009 Volume 15( Issue 27) pp:6581-6585
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/chem.200900867
Co-reporter:Shiling Zhang, Shuxue Zhou, Bo You and Limin Wu
Macromolecules 2009 Volume 42(Issue 10) pp:3591-3597
Publication Date(Web):April 22, 2009
DOI:10.1021/ma900055f
In this paper, a series of colloidal polymers with various Tg, composition, and sphere size were synthesized by surfactant-free emulsion polymerization and dispersion polymerization methods and then blended with colloidal silica particles to obtain polymer/silica nanocomposite latexes. When these nanocomposite latexes were forced dry at high temperature (e.g., 110 °C) for 2 h, a three-dimensional ordered porous structure was directly obtained. Neither complex processes nor removal of any templates like in a templating method is needed. These ordered pores should form from the top surface and then propagate layer by layer from the top surface to substrate.
Co-reporter:Zhenxuan Wang, Xiaobing Chen, Min Chen and Limin Wu
Langmuir 2009 Volume 25(Issue 13) pp:7646-7651
Publication Date(Web):April 6, 2009
DOI:10.1021/la9002934
Hollow Ag/SiO2 double-shelled spheres with silver nanoparticle coating onto the interior wall of hollow silica have been successfully prepared via a novel and facile approach. In this method, negatively charged polystyrene (PS) beads were first modified by Sn2+ ions via electrostatic interaction, and then by Ag+ ions, which were reduced by Sn2+ ions and sodium−potassium tartrate to obtain PS/Ag composite spheres. When these spheres were coated by silica nanoparticles as shells from the hydrolysis and condensation reaction of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in isopropanol/ammonia mixture at 15 °C, the PS beads were “dissolved” in the same medium subsequently even synchronously, directly forming hollow Ag/SiO2 double-shelled spheres. Neither additional dissolution nor calcination process was used to remove polymer templates. This structure of hollow spheres not only has high catalytic activity, but also will decrease the loss of Ag nanoparticles due to frictional and/or other mechanical forces and the possible aggregations, and have controllable and selective catalytic activity compared to these common nanocomposite spheres with noble metal nanoparticles coating on the surfaces of supporting beads.
Co-reporter:Shiling Zhang, Bo You, Guangxin Gu, Limin Wu
Polymer 2009 50(26) pp: 6235-6244
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1016/j.polymer.2009.11.003
Co-reporter:Lingli Duan, Min Chen, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Langmuir 2009 Volume 25(Issue 6) pp:3467-3472
Publication Date(Web):February 17, 2009
DOI:10.1021/la8041617
In this paper, stable poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)/silica composite microspheres are successfully synthesized via inverse Pickering suspension polymerization using various sizes of silica particles as stabilizers. The droplets of N-isopropylacrylamide aqueous solution were first dispersed in toluene and stabilized by silica particles, and then polymerized to obtain poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)/silica composite microspheres. Preliminary studies show that these PNIPAm/silica composite microspheres have similar thermal-responsive behavior as pure microgels with the LCST of 32 °C. The releasing property of the composite microspheres can be either controlled by the particle size of the silica or the temperature.
Co-reporter:Xiao Zhao;Shuxue Zhou;Min Chen
Colloid and Polymer Science 2009 Volume 287( Issue 8) pp:969-977
Publication Date(Web):2009 August
DOI:10.1007/s00396-009-2053-9
In this study, polystyrene (PS)/Sudan black B (SDB) latex particles were prepared using a miniemulsion polymerization technique in the presence of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). Effects of the weight ratio of MIBK/styrene (St) and the SDB load on the morphology of latex particles and encapsulation efficiency were studied. It was found that the encapsulation efficiency of SDB with PS increased as the weight ratio of MIBK/St rose. The PS/SDB latex particles have a perfect core-shell structure and as high as more than 90% of encapsulation efficiency at 1:1 of MIBK/St. UV irradiation experiments and dynamic light scattering tests indicated that the obtained PS/SDB latexes exhibited excellent photostability and storage stability.
Co-reporter:Zhenxuan Wang, Min Chen and Limin Wu
Chemistry of Materials 2008 Volume 20(Issue 10) pp:3251
Publication Date(Web):May 1, 2008
DOI:10.1021/cm8001223
Co-reporter:Nangeng Wen, Qinqiong Tang, Min Chen, Limin Wu
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 2008 Volume 320(Issue 1) pp:152-158
Publication Date(Web):1 April 2008
DOI:10.1016/j.jcis.2007.11.059
This paper presents a method for the preparation of raspberry-like organic–inorganic composite spheres with poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) as core and nanosilica particles as shell. A small amount of anionic reactive surfactant, 3-allyloxy-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonic acid sodium salt (HAPS), was used as co-stabilizer and nanosilica particles were adsorbed onto the growing latex core in aqueous medium via the formation of hydrogen bonds between nanosilica particles and PVAc particles. TEM indicated that the hydrogen bonds between nanosilica particles and PVAc were strong enough for the formation of long-stable composite spheres with raspberry-like morphology. Influences of some synthetic parameters, for instance, type of silica sol, initial silica amount, and different kinds of low-molecular-weight surfactant, on the morphology of the composite spheres and properties of the latex films were studied in detail. A possible formation mechanism of the composite spheres was also proposed.PVAc/SiO2 organic–inorganic composite spheres were prepared via the formation of hydrogen bonds between silica nanoparticles and PVAc particles.
Co-reporter:Bo Peng, Min Chen, Shuxue Zhou, Limin Wu, Xiaohua Ma
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 2008 Volume 321(Issue 1) pp:67-73
Publication Date(Web):1 May 2008
DOI:10.1016/j.jcis.2007.12.044
Hollow silica spheres have been successfully fabricated by means of a miniemulsion technique, in which miniemulsion droplets of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and octane were prepared with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a surfactant and hexadecane as a costabilizer and used as templates. As the TEOS diffused out from the droplets, it was hydrolyzed and condensed to form a silica shell at the oil/water interface. In this way, hollow silica spheres could be obtained directly since the miniemulsion droplets of octane could be evaporated very easily during the reaction process or the drying process; neither an additional dissolution nor a calcination process or additional surface modification of the templates were needed.Hollow silica spheres have been synthesized by a miniemulsion technique by using the oil droplet (mixture of TEOS and octane) as template at room temperature.
Co-reporter:Wei Lu, Min Chen, Limin Wu
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 2008 Volume 324(1–2) pp:220-224
Publication Date(Web):August 2008
DOI:10.1016/j.jcis.2008.04.059
CdS hollow spheres with well-controlled morphology and uniform size were successfully prepared using a miniemulsion technique, in which miniemulsion droplets of isooctane prepared with dodecylmercaptane as a co-stabilizer were employed as templates. The SH groups of dodecylmercaptane generated S− ions under alkaline conditions, and further reacted with Cd2+ ions to form cadmium thiolate around the droplets. The cadmium thiolate then reacted with S2− ions, stemming from Na2S⋅9H2O, to directly form CdS hollow spheres owing to the evaporation of isooctane during the reaction and/or the subsequent drying process. No additional dissolution, calcination or additional surface modification of the templates was needed. The size of the hollow spheres could be tuned by altering the molar ratio of the anionic and non-ionic surfactants, while their shell thickness could be adjusted by changing the amount of co-stabilizer.The diagram of a possible formation mechanism of CdS hollow spheres and the TEM image of CdS hollow spheres.
Co-reporter:Bo You, Lei Shi, Nangeng Wen, Xiaohan Liu, Limin Wu and Jian Zi
Macromolecules 2008 Volume 41(Issue 18) pp:6624-6626
Publication Date(Web):August 29, 2008
DOI:10.1021/ma801417c
Co-reporter:Min Chen, Yanfei Wu, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 2008 Volume 112(Issue 21) pp:6536-6541
Publication Date(Web):May 6, 2008
DOI:10.1021/jp711932h
This article presents a simple method for the fabrication of shape-controllable Ni complex particles via an AOT-based single microemulsion. In this approach, Ni2+/N2H4/EG solution is used as the dispersed phase, and cyclohexane is used as the continuous phase to obtain a microemulsion by the aid of the anionic surfactant AOT. The primary Ni complex particles with diameters of 20−30 nm were first formed in the reverse micelles and then self-organized into spindle-like, ellipse-like, cuboid, and cubic morphologies, depending on the reaction conditions. When aged at 100 °C for 24 h, these Ni complex particles changed into crystalline Ni. A possible evolution mechanism of the Ni complex particles with different morphologies is also discussed.
Co-reporter:Bo You, Nangen Wen, Shuxue Zhou, Limin Wu and Dongyuan Zhao
The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 2008 Volume 112(Issue 26) pp:7706-7712
Publication Date(Web):June 11, 2008
DOI:10.1021/jp802812e
This paper presents a novel and facile method for the fabrication of nanocomposite films with ordered porous surface structures. In this approach, a water-borne poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid)/silica nanocomposite dispersion was synthesized in situ by surfactant-free emulsion polymerization by using 3-allyloxy-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonate as a polymerizable surfactant. When this dispersion was dried to form a film at a certain temperature, an ordered porous structure could be directly obtained on the surface of the nanocomposite film. SEM, TEM, and AFM were employed to observe the morphology, and XPS and particle analyzer were used to analyze the surface composition of the ordered porous nanocomposite film and the particle size, respectively.
Co-reporter:Z. Wang;S. Zhou;L. Wu
Advanced Functional Materials 2007 Volume 17(Issue 11) pp:
Publication Date(Web):12 JUL 2007
DOI:10.1002/adfm.200790037
The synthesis of WO3 · H2O nanotubes under mild conditions is reported by Limin Wu and co-workers, of Fudan University, P.R. China on p. 1790. The synthesis is carried out with the aid of polyaniline (PANI). The PANI molecules are intercalated into tungsten oxide layers to provide a driving force for the formation of nanotubes from nanosheets. By this approach, the nanosheets can be directly rolled into nanotubes. This method could be applied to many other materials that possess layered/lamellar structures for forming nanotubes.
WO3·H2O nanotubes are successfully synthesized with the aid of intercalated polyaniline (PANI) under relatively mild conditions. More interestingly, the WO3·H2O nanotubes have a rectangular cross-section structure formed through a rolling mechanism. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared analysis, UV-vis-near-IR spectroscopy, selected-area electron diffraction, and vibrating-sample magnetometry analysis are employed to characterize the morphology, structure, and properties of the nanotubes.
Co-reporter:Z. Wang;S. Zhou;L. Wu
Advanced Functional Materials 2007 Volume 17(Issue 11) pp:
Publication Date(Web):26 JUN 2007
DOI:10.1002/adfm.200601195
WO3·H2O nanotubes are successfully synthesized with the aid of intercalated polyaniline (PANI) under relatively mild conditions. More interestingly, the WO3·H2O nanotubes have a rectangular cross-section structure formed through a rolling mechanism. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared analysis, UV-vis-near-IR spectroscopy, selected-area electron diffraction, and vibrating-sample magnetometry analysis are employed to characterize the morphology, structure, and properties of the nanotubes.
Co-reporter:Shuxue Zhou;Yijing Yin;Bo You;Min Chen
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics 2007 Volume 208(Issue 24) pp:2677-2685
Publication Date(Web):2 OCT 2007
DOI:10.1002/macp.200700333
Europium(III) (Eu3+)-doped polyurethane films were prepared by mixing Eu-methacrylic acid complex (Eu(MA)3) with aliphatic polyurethane oligomer and subsequently curing under UV irradiation. Transmission electron microscopy photos and the appearance of the resulting hybrid films showed that phase separation occurred only at an Eu(MA)3 content above 20 wt.-%. Fluorescence spectra indicated that the fluorescence of Eu3+ was barely influenced by the polyurethane matrix and its intensity increased with an Eu(MA)3 content in the range of approximately 0 to 10 wt.-%. An obvious applied external-field-dependent magnetization (M) of polyurethane/Eu(MA)3 films, namely, an increasing M at low field and a decreasing M at high field, was observed at room temperature from the hysteresis loops, which was influenced by both the Eu(MA)3 content and the ultrasonication imposed on the coatings before curing. It seems that ultrasonication leads to a thermodynamically-unstable structure of Eu3+ in hybrid films, which can be fixed by UV curing but gradually rearranges to its original form during the thermal-curing process, and enhances the diamagnetic part of the hybrid film. Thus, the magnetic property of Eu3+-doped polyurethane film at room temperature can be adjusted by simply changing the preparation method and the Eu(MA)3 content instead of the type of Eu3+-organic complex.
Co-reporter:Min Chen;Xiaoguang Qiao;Juan Zhou
Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry 2007 Volume 45(Issue 6) pp:1028-1037
Publication Date(Web):6 FEB 2007
DOI:10.1002/pola.21857
Organic–inorganic hybrid particles have many potential applications, but almost all research has been focused on hybrid particles with one kind of inorganic nanoparticle. This article presents a novel and facile preparation approach for raspberry-like silica/polystyrene/silica multilayer hybrid particles via miniemulsion polymerization. In this method, larger, surface-modified silica particles are first dispersed into monomer droplets to form a miniemulsion, and then raspberry-like silica/polystyrene/silica multilayer hybrid particles are directly obtained when miniemulsion polymerization is performed in the presence of smaller, unmodified silica particles with 4-vinylpyridine as an auxiliary monomer. Influential parameters such as the amount of 4-vinylpyridine, the surfactant concentration, and the pH value of the system have been investigated. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1028–1037, 2007
Co-reporter:Hongxia Fang;Libang Feng;Bo You
Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics 2007 Volume 45(Issue 2) pp:208-217
Publication Date(Web):1 DEC 2006
DOI:10.1002/polb.21034
A model multiblock copolymer based on (Poly dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS),–4, 4′-diphenylmethanediisocyanate (MDI)–(poly ethylene glycol) (PEG) was synthesized by employing two step growth polymerization technique. The effect of annealing on microphase separation of the copolymer surface and bulk, surface composition, hydrogen-bonding and some properties was investigated by AFM, SAXS, XPS, FTIR, contact angle measurement, and protein adsorption experiment, respectively. It was found that increasing the annealing temperature availed formation of microphase separation and surface enrichment of PDMS, which was accompanied by increase in average interdomain spacing, long period, and the crystallizing degree in the hard domains. But the best microphase separated structure seemed to occur at the annealing temperature of 140 °C; exorbitant annealing temperature might demolish the ordered structure. The annealing temperature dependence of microphase separation was further confirmed by the changes in urea hydrogen-bonding and melting points characterized by FTIR and DSC, respectively. Protein adsorption experiments revealed that all annealed copolymer films possessed the low protein adsorption. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 208–217, 2007
Co-reporter:Libang Feng;Hongxia Fang;Shuxue Zhou
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics 2006 Volume 207(Issue 17) pp:1575-1583
Publication Date(Web):24 AUG 2006
DOI:10.1002/macp.200600247
Summary: This paper presents a facile one-step method for the synthesis of macroazoinitiator (MAI) by direct polycondensation of hydroxyalkyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with 4,4′-azobis-4-cyanopentanoic acid (ACPA) under mild conditions. The PDMS-based MAI was characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, GPC, and UV spectroscopy, and further used as an initiator for polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) to obtain PMMA-co-PDMS block copolymer. TEM observation and DSC analysis demonstrated that the PMMA-co-PDMS block copolymer had a microphase-separated structure.
Co-reporter:Juan Zhou;Xiaoguang Qiao;Xiaoqin Li;Shengwen Zhang
Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry 2006 Volume 44(Issue 10) pp:3202-3209
Publication Date(Web):27 MAR 2006
DOI:10.1002/pola.21434
A series of SiO2/poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate) nanocomposite microspheres with various morphologies (e.g., multicore–shell, normal core–shell, and raspberry-like) were synthesized via miniemulsion polymerization. The results showed that the morphology of the composite latex particles was strongly influenced by the presence or absence of the soft monomer (butyl acrylate), the particle sizes of the silica, and the emulsifier concentrations. The incorporation of the soft monomer helped in forming the multicore–shell structure. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3202–3209, 2006
Co-reporter:Zhen Chen, Min Chen, Yanlei Yu and Limin Wu
Chemical Communications 2017 - vol. 53(Issue 12) pp:NaN1992-1992
Publication Date(Web):2017/01/16
DOI:10.1039/C6CC09763D
A new polymerization strategy based on Sonogashira–Hagihara reaction and Schiff-base reaction at oil–water interfaces is developed to synthesize free-standing and thickness controllable conjugated microporous polymer (CMP) nanofilms.
Co-reporter:Yinsong Si, Min Chen and Limin Wu
Chemical Society Reviews 2016 - vol. 45(Issue 3) pp:NaN714-714
Publication Date(Web):2015/12/11
DOI:10.1039/C5CS00695C
Hollow micro-/nano-spheres with large-through-holes in shells (denoted as HMLS) have demonstrated great potential in biomedical applications owing to the combination of hollow structure and their porous shells. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of synthesis methods of HMLS obtained from the template-directed approach, shell-breaking method, Ostwald ripening and galvanic replacement primarily based on the formation mechanism of the large-through-holes in the shell. We further discuss the biomedical applications of HMLS including guest adsorption and encapsulation of proteins, drug/gene delivery, biomedical imaging, and theranostics. We conclude this review with some perspectives on the future research and development of the HMLS with desired morphologies and properties.
Co-reporter:Linfeng Hu, Min Chen, Xiaosheng Fang and Limin Wu
Chemical Society Reviews 2012 - vol. 41(Issue 3) pp:NaN1362-1362
Publication Date(Web):2011/11/11
DOI:10.1039/C1CS15189D
How to integrate individual nanostructures into macroscopic thin films has become one of the most intriguing fields in nanoscience and nanotechnology due to the unique properties and important applications of these functional films. Since being discovered in 2004, oil–water interfacial self-assembly of nanostructures has become a novel strategy for fabrication of nanofilms. It is a powerful bottom-up approach for film fabrication due to the low cost and high efficiency, and is simple and universal for almost all low-dimensional nanostructures. In this article, we provide a critical review of the state-of-the-art research activities in this burgeoning self-assembly strategy. We first discuss the thermodynamic mechanism of the oil–water interfacial self-assembly, then the self-assembly of various low-dimensional nanostructures including nanoparticles, one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures, two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures at an oil–water interface developed so far to fabricate high-quality nanofilms. Finally, we present some progress on the construction of functional nanofilm-based nanodevices from this novel strategy based on our research. We conclude this review with critical comments on advantages and the experimental challenges, and further propose the future research and development of this self-assembly strategy for nanodevice construction (105 references).
Co-reporter:Wei Sun, Shuxue Zhou, Bo You and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2013 - vol. 1(Issue 9) pp:NaN3154-3154
Publication Date(Web):2013/01/07
DOI:10.1039/C2TA01293F
This paper presents a facile method of fabricating smart film surfaces with multiresponsive, reversibly tunable wettability. In this method, when poly(styrene-n-butyl acrylate-acrylic acid) (P(S-BA-AA)) was mixed with TiO2 nanoparticles in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and then simply cast onto glass substrates, followed by drying at room temperature, intelligent films were formed. The as-obtained nanocomposite films not only exhibited very fast response to UV light, heat and pH, but also showed excellent reversibility. The formation mechanisms of the superhydrophobic films and their multiresponse were investigated in detail using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total (internal) reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
Co-reporter:Zhehong Shen, Lei Shi, Bo You, Limin Wu and Dongyuan Zhao
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2012 - vol. 22(Issue 16) pp:NaN8075-8075
Publication Date(Web):2012/02/22
DOI:10.1039/C2JM30546A
The self-assembly of colloidal spheres into ordered nanostructures is one of the most common methods of fabricating crystal films, but the resulting films usually have small areas, muted structural colors, and weak mechanical properties. This paper presents a simple method for the large-scale fabrication of polymer crystal films with vivid structural colors and robust mechanical properties. In this approach, when aqueous polymer colloids, colloidal silica particles, and a small quantity of carbon black are blended and then cast on substrates by the casting method to evaporate water, three-dimensional ordered structures are produced, directly forming large-scale polymer crystal films with intense and tunable structural colors and strong mechanical properties.
Co-reporter:Xiaolong Wang, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 - vol. 2(Issue 29) pp:NaN5758-5758
Publication Date(Web):2014/04/30
DOI:10.1039/C4TC00437J
Fe3+ doped Mg/Al layered double hydroxides (Mg/Al + Fe LDHs) were prepared by a facile solvothermal method. Incorporation of Fe3+ into Mg/Al LDHs can efficiently shift their UV-absorption to cover the entire UV range, allowing them to qualify as a candidate for blocking the whole UV light region (200–400 nm). The as-obtained Mg/Al + Fe LDHs possess intrinsic dispersibility in water, and, moreover, they can be dispersed in an organic solvent (xylene) after being sequentially washed with water/ethanol and then acetone. Accordingly, highly transparent and whole UV-blocking coatings were readily fabricated by incorporating Mg/Al + Fe LDHs into waterborne or solvent-based polysiloxane coatings, or merely using an aqueous Mg/Al + Fe LDH dispersion due to its self-supporting behavior. More importantly, the Mg/Al + Fe LDH-based coatings exhibited long-term UV-shielding performance even after accelerated weathering tests for as long as 800 h.
Co-reporter:Xiaolong Wang, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2013 - vol. 1(Issue 45) pp:NaN7553-7553
Publication Date(Web):2013/09/26
DOI:10.1039/C3TC31479K
This paper presents a facile method for encapsulation of a SiO2 layer on the surfaces of ZnO quantum dots (ZnO QDs) to fabricate ZnO QD@SiO2 nanoparticles. Coating of a SiO2 layer can effectively improve the dispersion of ZnO QDs in an aqueous phase, insulate the photocatalytic activity of ZnO QDs and increase the photoluminescent quantum yield. When the as-obtained ZnO QD@SiO2 nanoparticles were introduced into acrylic latex, highly transparent, excellent UV-shielding and durable waterborne polymer coatings were easily fabricated. Moreover, the polymer coatings can convert UV into blue light effectively, which is beneficial for their application as agricultural films.
Co-reporter:Xiaofeng Ding, Shuxue Zhou, Guangxin Gu and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2011 - vol. 21(Issue 17) pp:NaN6164-6164
Publication Date(Web):2011/03/25
DOI:10.1039/C0JM04546B
A long-term superhydrophobic self-cleaning coating was first fabricated by simply blending ambient-cured fluorinated polysiloxane binder with TiO2 nanoparticles. The obtained coating has excellent durability in various environments, and this method can be used for large-scale fabrication of self-cleaning coatings for practical applications.
Co-reporter:Dan Hu, Min Chen, Yuan Gao, Fuyou Li and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2011 - vol. 21(Issue 30) pp:NaN11282-11282
Publication Date(Web):2011/06/28
DOI:10.1039/C1JM11172H
This paper presents a facile method for the fabrication of core-shell-structured NaYF4:Yb, Er/Tm@SiO2@Fe3O4 nanocomposite particles (NCPs). In this approach, when the EDTA-capped NaYF4:Yb, Er/Tm nanoparticles were mixed with the oleic acid-modified magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles in isopropyl alcohol, followed by addition of TEOS and ammonium hydroxide, core-shell NaYF4:Yb, Er/Tm@SiO2@Fe3O4 NCPs were directly yielded; neither surface modification nor high temperature was needed. The obtained NCPs have very good superparamagnetic and luminescent properties. Preliminary investigation of incubating with HeLa cells displays that the NCPs are easily swallowed and can be used in bioimaging.
Co-reporter:Wei Sun ; Shouxue Zhou ; Bo You
Macromolecules () pp:
Publication Date(Web):August 26, 2013
DOI:10.1021/ma401416k
This paper is the first to present a facile method of fabricating intelligent surfaces with reversible, precisely controllable, two-way responsive wettability. The ABC-type block copolymers of tert-butyl methacrylate (tBMA), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and 2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DPAEMA) were synthesized through living radical polymerization mediated by a reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process and then grafted onto acyl chloride group-functionalized SiO2 films to produce V-shaped PDPAEMA-b-PHEMA-b-PtBMA brush-grafted SiO2 films. After hydrolysis, V-shaped polymer brushes with two arms of PDPAEMA and PMAA were produced. Because the PMAA and PDPAEMA segments were highly and independently responsive to pH values, the as-obtained films not only exhibited reversible, one-to-one, precisely controllable wettability but also two-way response behavior as pH value increased.
Co-reporter:Bo You, Nangeng Wen, Lei Shi, Limin Wu and Jian Zi
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2009 - vol. 19(Issue 22) pp:NaN3597-3597
Publication Date(Web):2009/05/06
DOI:10.1039/B906293A
Three-dimensional colloidal crystal films with large-area and robust mechanical properties can be successfully fabricated via the room-temperature film-formation of “soft” polymer spheres latex with the aid of nanosilica particles.
Co-reporter:Rui Gao, Shuxue Zhou, Min Chen and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2011 - vol. 21(Issue 43) pp:NaN17090-17090
Publication Date(Web):2011/09/30
DOI:10.1039/C1JM13756E
Monodisperse meso-microporous Ta3N5 hollow spheres have been synthesized by a novel and feasible method based on a capillary force induced hollow mechanism and subsequent thermal nitridation. The hollow spheres exhibit an obvious improvement in visible light-driven photocatalytic activity.
Co-reporter:Lingli Duan, Bo You, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2011 - vol. 21(Issue 3) pp:NaN692-692
Publication Date(Web):2010/11/08
DOI:10.1039/C0JM02484H
This paper presents a facile and novel method for fabrication of solvent-responsive polymer crystal films. In this approach, when monodisperse poly(styrene-butyl acrylate) polymer colloidal particles containing hydrophilic monomers were film formed on a glass substrate, the polymer colloidal particles could self-assemble into a periodic arrangement as water evaporated producing a colorless and transparent crystal film. When this film was wetted by water or some other polar solvents, a brilliant color appeared; when this wetted film was completely dried again, this color disappeared and the film reverts to the original colorless and transparent state. This approach can not only be used for rapid and large-scale production of a reversible solvatochrom-responsive polymer films, but also the obtained films are robust due to the “soft” polymer particles.
Co-reporter:Hao Chen, Shuxue Zhou, Min Chen and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2012 - vol. 22(Issue 48) pp:NaN25216-25216
Publication Date(Web):2012/10/11
DOI:10.1039/C2JM35054H
This paper presents the first successful fabrication of reduced graphene oxide (RGO)–MnO2 hollow sphere (HS) hybrid electrode materials through a solution-based ultrasonic co-assembly method. The porous structure of these MnO2 hollow spheres and the excellent dispersion of active materials give the as-fabricated RGO–MnO2 HS hybrid electrodes excellent specific capacitance and energy density, which can reach up to 578 F g−1 and 69.8 W h kg−1, respectively. These values are considerably larger than those of most reported graphene–MnO2 based hybrid electrochemical capacitors. This solution-processed method can also be used for the hybridization of graphene with other metal oxides in the fabrication of high-performance electrochemical capacitors.
Co-reporter:Yuyong Yin, Min Chen, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2012 - vol. 22(Issue 22) pp:
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1039/C2JM31138K
Co-reporter:Haie Zhu, Bing Yan, Shuxue Zhou, Zengbo Wang and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 - vol. 3(Issue 41) pp:NaN10915-10915
Publication Date(Web):2015/09/14
DOI:10.1039/C5TC02310F
Microspheres can function as optical superlenses for nanoscale super-resolution imaging. The imaging performance is mainly affected by the size and refractive index of the microsphere. Precise control of these parameters is a challenging task but of fundamental importance to the further development of the technique. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time a nanoparticle-hybrid suspension polymerization approach to chemically synthesize high-quality microspheres (ZrO2/polystyrene) with optical properties that are highly controllable. Microspheres of different sizes (d: 2–20 μm) and refractive indexes (np: 1.590–1.685) were synthesized and their super-resolution imaging performances were evaluated and compared. Our results show that continuously increasing the refractive index of microspheres can enhance the imaging resolution and quality. A 60 nm resolution has been obtained in the wide-field imaging mode and a 50 nm resolution has been obtained in the confocal mode imaging of semiconductor chip samples. The obtained 50–60 nm resolutions have significantly gone beyond the conventional 200 nm resolution limit for visible light optical microscopes; the super-resolution mechanism has been discussed. The synthesized microsphere superlenses may find applications in many other areas as well, including nanolithography, nano-sensing, nano-diagnosis, nano-spectroscopy and ultra-high density optical data storage.
Co-reporter:Wei Sun, Shuxue Zhou, Bo You and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2013 - vol. 1(Issue 36) pp:NaN10654-10654
Publication Date(Web):2013/07/11
DOI:10.1039/C3TA12367G
This paper presents the first fabrication of smart films with unique reversible double-stimulus responsive wettability. In this method, the ABC-type triblock copolymers synthesized through the sequential living radical polymerizations of 2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DPAEMA), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and (4-(2-methylacryloyloxy) ethyloxy-4′-trifluoromethoxy) azobenzene (MAAZO) mediated by a reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process, were grafted onto the surfaces of SiO2 films through the reactions between the hydroxyl groups of the PHEMA middle segments and the acyl chloride groups of the SiO2 film surfaces to form specific V-shaped polymer brushes, leaving highly free PDPAEMA and PMAAZO chains. The as-obtained V-shaped polymer brush-functionalized film exhibited a peculiar reversible double-stimulus responsive wettability, which was triggered only by the joint action of pH and UV light irradiation rather than either single stimulus. This unique wettability should be attributed to the changes of the chemical state of functional groups and the distribution of surface polymer brushes under different stimuli.
Co-reporter:Rui Gao, Min Chen, Wei Li, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2013 - vol. 1(Issue 6) pp:NaN2191-2191
Publication Date(Web):2012/12/07
DOI:10.1039/C2TA00837H
This paper presents a general and feasible method for the fabrication of polymer/inorganic bilayer hybrid hollow spheres, such as PSAA/ZrO2, PSAA/Nb2O5, PSAA/Ta2O5 and PSAM/TiO2. The formation process of these hybrid hollow spheres could be elucidated using a mechanism similar to the Kirkendall effect. With PSAM/TiO2 hybrid hollow spheres, the as-obtained hybrid hollow spheres showed tunable surface properties, high UV-Vis-NIR reflectance, low thermal conductivity and good compatibility to polymers, which gives them some interesting applications like solar-reflective heat-insulating coatings.
Co-reporter:Jing Hu, Xuge Wang, Liqin Liu and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 - vol. 2(Issue 46) pp:NaN19777-19777
Publication Date(Web):2014/10/24
DOI:10.1039/C4TA03856H
This paper presents a facile and general method for fabrication of organic silica hollow spheres by co-hydrolysis and condensation reactions of TEOS and other silane coupling agents under the catalysis of ammonia. Silane coupling agents were first pre-hydrolyzed to form micelles. When TEOS was added, a sol–gel reaction takes place between TEOS and the Si–OH and methoxy groups, at the surfaces of the micelles to form porous silica shells, producing organic silica hollow spheres. Taking vinyl silica hollow spheres as an example, the as-obtained hollow spheres exhibited considerably high adsorption properties for Pb2+ and other heavy metal ions.
Co-reporter:Ying Cong, Kunlin Chen, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 - vol. 3(Issue 37) pp:NaN19099-19099
Publication Date(Web):2015/08/07
DOI:10.1039/C5TA04986E
Multi-stimuli responsive polymer microcapsules are attracting much interest owing to their multiple and tunable functionalities, but it still remains a great challenge to develop facile and cost-efficient strategies for fabrication of these microcapsules. In this study, we report a simple and facile method to synthesize pH and UV dual-responsive microcapsules by UV-initiated polymerization of Pickering emulsions stabilized with SiO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles. Because the UV-initiated polymerization is gentle and fast, the as-obtained microcapsules can encapsulate as high as 30 wt% of a hydrophobic compound based on the total mass of the capsules. When these microcapsules are used in waterborne coatings, these coatings exhibit not only quick responses to pH and UV stimuli, but also very good self-repairing performance.
Co-reporter:Jing Hu, Min Chen, Xiaosheng Fang and Limin Wu
Chemical Society Reviews 2011 - vol. 40(Issue 11) pp:NaN5491-5491
Publication Date(Web):2011/07/29
DOI:10.1039/C1CS15103G
Inorganic hollow spheres have attracted considerable interest due to their singular properties and wide range of potential applications. In this critical review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the preparation and applications of inorganic hollow spheres. We first discuss the syntheses of inorganic hollow spheres by use of polymers, inorganic nonmetals, metal-based hard templates, small-molecule emulsion, surfactant micelle-based soft-templates, and the template-free approach. For each method, a critical comment is given based on our knowledge and related research experience. We go on to discuss some important applications of inorganic hollow spheres in 0D, 2D, and 3D arrays. We conclude this review with some perspectives on the future research and development of inorganic hollow spheres (235 references).
Co-reporter:Jing Hu, Shuxue Zhou, Yangyi Sun, Xiaosheng Fang and Limin Wu
Chemical Society Reviews 2012 - vol. 41(Issue 11) pp:NaN4378-4378
Publication Date(Web):2012/04/24
DOI:10.1039/C2CS35032G
Although the concept of Janus particles was raised in the early 1990s, the related research has not attracted considerable interest until recently due to the special properties and applications of these colloidal particles as well as the advances in new fabrications. Janus particles can be divided into three categories: polymeric, inorganic, and polymeric–inorganic, and each kind of Janus particles can be spherical, dumbbell-like, half raspberry-like, cylindrical, disk-like, or any of a variety of other shapes. Different Janus particles may share common preparation principles or require specific fabrication processes, and may have different assembly behaviours and properties. This critical review discusses the main fabrication methods of the three kinds of Janus particles, and then highlights the important properties and applications of these Janus particles developed in recent years, and finally proposes some perspectives on the future of Janus particle research and development.
Co-reporter:Wenguang Leng, Min Chen, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Chemical Communications 2013 - vol. 49(Issue 65) pp:NaN7227-7227
Publication Date(Web):2013/06/19
DOI:10.1039/C3CC43762K
This study reports novel water dispersable organic nanowires based on the assembly of aniline oligomers. Due to their unique properties, these nanowires can be used as templates for fabrication of various kinds of freestanding and open-ended oxide nanotubes.
Co-reporter:Yangyi Sun, Min Chen, Zengbo Wang and Limin Wu
Chemical Communications 2014 - vol. 50(Issue 43) pp:NaN5770-5770
Publication Date(Web):2014/04/08
DOI:10.1039/C4CC02137A
This study reports a simple and novel wet-chemical method for synthesizing asymmetric Ag–organosilica hybrid nanoparticles with finely-tuned morphologies and optical properties.
Co-reporter:Wei Sun, Min Chen, Shuxue Zhou and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 - vol. 2(Issue 34) pp:NaN14013-14013
Publication Date(Web):2014/07/01
DOI:10.1039/C4TA02191F
TiO2 has several important applications but its structures and morphologies are usually difficult to tune because of the uncontrollable and fast sol–gel reactions of current TiO2 precursors. This paper presents a facile and general method for the fabrication of hierarchically nanostructured TiO2 spheres with controllable morphologies based on a novel amphiphilic polymeric TiO2 precursor. By adjusting the conditions of hydrolysis and condensation reactions of this precursor, TiO2 spheres with various morphologies, including hierarchical porous, hollow, and raspberry-like structures, can be easily produced. The as-obtained spheres have hierarchical structures with specific surface areas larger than 200 m2 g−1 and mean pore sizes of several nanometers. The mechanism study indicates that the amphiphilic polymer assists the aggregation, abruption, migration, and crystallization of certain TiO2 units during hydrolysis and condensation and contributes to the formation of TiO2 spheres with various morphologies. The as-obtained specific hierarchically nanostructured TiO2 spheres exhibit a considerably higher adsorption capability for Cr(VI) anions in aqueous solution compared with the previously reported TiO2 nanomaterials, showing a high potential for heavy metal ion sequestration applications.
Co-reporter:Yuan Ren, Min Chen, Linfeng Hu, Xiaosheng Fang and Limin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2012 - vol. 22(Issue 3) pp:NaN950-950
Publication Date(Web):2011/11/15
DOI:10.1039/C1JM13381K
This paper presents an oil/water interface self-assembly strategy for the fabrication of hydrophobic nanoparticles into mono- and multi-layered nanofilms with NaYF4:Yb,Er nanoplatelets as a prototype. In this approach, hydrophobic β-NaYF4:Yb,Er nanoplatelets dispersed in chloroform solvent are used as the sub-phase, then a certain amount of water is added to produce a chloroform/water interface. When ethanol is added, the up-conversion NaYF4:Yb,Er nanoplatelets are found to readily self-assemble at the oil/water interface into a closely-packed mono- or multi-layer nanofilm with a preferred [001] orientation. Compared with the previous water/oil interface self-assembly strategy, the present method is not only used for fabrication of hydrophobic nanoparticles into high quality nanofilms, but also is environmentally friendly and is safe to the operator.
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