Strong and Ultra-tough Ionic Hydrogel Based on Hyperbranched Macro-Cross-linker: Influence of Topological Structure on Properties

The application of hydrogels often suffers from their inherent limitation of poor mechanical properties. Here, a carboxyl-functionalized and acryloyl-terminated hyperbranched polycaprolactone (PCL) was synthesized and used as a macro-cross-linker to fabricate a super strong and ultra-tough ionic hydrogel. The terminal acryloyl groups of hyperbranched PCL are chemically incorporated into the network to form covalent cross-links, which contribute to robust networks. Meanwhile, the hydrophobic domains formed by the spontaneous aggregation of PCL chains and coordination bonds between Fe³⁺ and COO⁻ groups serve as dynamic non-covalent cross-links, which enhance the energy dissipation ability. Especially, the influence of the hyperbranched topological structure of PCL on hydrogel properties has been well investigated, exhibiting superior strengthening and toughening effects compared to the linear one. Moreover, the hyperbranched PCL cross-linker also endowed the ionic hydrogel with higher sensitivity than the linear one when used as a strain sensor. As a result, this well-designed ionic hydrogel possesses high mechanical strength, superior toughness, and well ionic conductivity, exhibiting potential applications in the field of flexible strain sensors.     

聚苯基硅氧烷与聚甲基苯基硅氧烷改性环氧树脂的合成与性能比较

热熔法制备了一系列聚苯基甲氧基硅氧烷(PPMS)、聚甲基苯基甲氧基硅氧烷(PMPS)改性环氧树脂,通过环氧值、红外光谱(IR)分析表明聚硅氧烷接枝了E-20环氧树脂且环氧基保持不变.探讨了有机硅含量对改性树脂固化体系耐热性能及韧性的影响.实验表明,当E-20环氧树脂与PPMS、PMPS的质量比为7∶3时,改性树脂固化体系的耐热性能明显提高,玻璃化转变温度(Tg)为95.8、88.3℃,分别比改性前提高了9.0℃和1.5℃;质量损失50%时的热分解温度(Td)为476.5、487.8℃,分别比改性前提高了58.3℃和69.5℃.与ED-30固化体系相比,EPMS-30固化物的耐热性能,韧性等力学性能提高的更加明显,并且还具有优良的涂膜性能.     

On 2-walks in chordal planar graphs

A 2-walk is a closed spanning trail which uses every vertex at most twice. A graph is said to be chordal if each cycle different from a 3-cycle has a chord. We prove that every chordal planar graph G with toughness has a 2-walk.     

聚氨酯改性TDE-85/MeTHPA环氧树脂的力学性能研究

 采用自制的聚氨酯预聚体(PUP)制备聚氨酯(PU)改性TDE-85/ MeTHPA环氧树脂体系,探讨了聚醚二元醇(PPG)分子量的大小、PUP加入量等因素对PU改性TDE-85/ MeTHPA环氧树脂体系力学性能的影响。研究结果表明,PU改性TDE-85/ MeTHPA环氧树脂的拉伸强度和冲击强度随着合成的PUP加入量的增加先呈上升趋势,达到最大值后又开始下降。采用的PPG分子量不同,得到的改性材料的力学性能相差悬殊。当PPG分子量为1 000,PUP质量分数为15%时,改性材料的拉伸强度达到69.39 MPa,冲击强度达到23.56 kJ/m²,力学综合性能显著提高。     

Controllable One-Step Assembly of Uniform Liquid Crystalline Block Copolymer Cylindrical Micelles by a Tailored Nucleation-Growth Process and Their Application as Tougheners

The fabrication of uniform cylindrical nanoobjects from soft materials has attracted tremendous research attention from both fundamental research and practical application points of view but has also posed outstanding challenges in terms of their preparation. Herein, we report a one-step method to assemble cylindrical micelles (CMs) with highly controllable lengths from a single liquid crystalline block copolymer by an in situ nucleation-growth strategy. By adjusting the assembly conditions, the lengths of the CMs are controlled from hundreds of nanometers to micrometers. Several influencing factors are systematically investigated to comprehensively understand the process. Particularly, the solvent quality is found determinative in either enhancing or suppressing the nucleation process to produce shorter and longer CMs, respectively. Taking advantage of this strategy, the lengths of CMs can be nicely controlled over a wide concentration range of four orders of magnitude. Lastly, CMs are produced on decent scales and applied as additives to dramatically toughen glassy plastic matrix, revealing an unprecedented length-dependent toughening effect.