Novel alternating copolyoxamides with high crystallinity and heat resistance

Two series of novel alternating copolyoxamides (PAnT-alt-n2 and PAn2-alt-62) are synthesized via solution/solid-state polycondensation (SSP). The alternating structures are analyzed carefully with ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra. The melting behaviors, thermal stabilities, crystal structures and crystallinities are systematically evaluated by DSC, TGA and WAXD. The results reveal that these alternating copolyoxamides possess almost perfect alternating chain structures and have high melting temperature (T_m > 270 °C), high crystallinity (X_c > 32%) and high decomposition temperature (T₅ > 405 °C) as well as low saturated water absorption (<3.5 wt%), which suggests that they have high potential as engineering plastic of high heat resistant.     

Electro-assisted Molecular Assembly Giving Atomic-Scale Catalytic Active-Site Detection

The artificially accurate design of nonmetal electrocatalysts’ active site has been a huge challenge because no pure active species with the specific structure could be strictly controlled by traditional synthetic methods. Species with a multiconfiguration in the catalyst hinder identification of the active site and the subsequent comprehension of the reaction mechanism. We have developed a novel electro-assisted molecular assembly strategy to obtain a pure pentagon ring on perfect graphene avoiding other reconstructed structures. More importantly, the active atom was confirmed by the subtle passivation process as the topmost carbon atom. Recognition of the carbon-defect electrocatalysis reaction mechanism was first downsized to the single-atom scale from the experimental perspective. It is expected that this innovative electro-assisted molecular assembly strategy could be extensively applied in the active structure-controlled synthesis of nonmetal electrocatalysts and verification of the exact active atom.     

A microfluidics-dispensing-printing strategy for Janus photonic crystal microspheres towards smart patterned displays

From the implementation point of view, the printable magnetic Janus colloidal photonic crystals (CPCs) microspheres are highly desirable. Herein, we developed a dispensing-printing strategy for magnetic Janus CPCs display via a microfluidics-automatic printing system. Monodisperse core/shell colloidal particles and magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles precursor serve as inks. Based on the equilibrium of three-phase interfacial tensions, Janus structure is successfully formed, followed by UV irradiation and self-assembly of colloid particle to generate magnetic Janus CPCs microspheres. Notably, this method shows distinct superiority with highly uniform Janus CPCs structure, where the TMPTA/Fe₃O₄ hemisphere is in the bottom side while CPCs hemisphere is in the top side. Thus, by using Janus CPCs microspheres with two different structural colors as pixel points, a pattern with red flower and green leaf is achieved. Moreover, 1D linear Janus CPCs pattern encapsulated by hydrogel is also fabricated. Both the color and the shape can be changed under the traction of magnets, showing great potentials in flexible smart displays. We believe this work not only offers a new feasible pathway to construct magnetic Janus CPCs patterns by a dispensing-printable fashion, but also provides new opportunities for flexible and smart displays.     

A Novel Ternary Composite of Polyurethane/Polyaniline/Nanosilica with Antistatic Property and Excellent Mechanical Strength: Preparation and Mechanism

Chinese Journal of Polymer Science - Antistatic and strength properties are of vital importance for polyurethane rubber used in moving parts of many industrial instruments. Herein, polyurethane was...     

Flow-induced shear stress and deformation of a core–shell-structured microcapsule in a microchannel

A numerical model was developed and validated to investigate the fluid–structure interactions between fully developed pipe flow and core–shell-structured microcapsule in a microchannel. Different flow rates and microcapsule shell thicknesses were considered. A sixth-order rotational symmetric distribution of von Mises stress over the microcapsule shell can be observed on the microcapsule with a thinner shell configuration, especially at higher flow rate conditions. It is also observed that when being carried along in a fully developed pipe flow, the microcapsule with a thinner shell tends to accumulate stress at a higher rate compared to that with a thicker shell. In general, for the same microcapsule configuration, higher flow velocity would induce a higher stress level over the microcapsule shell. The deformation gradient was used to capture the microcapsule's deformation in the present study. The effect of Young's modulus on the microcapsule shell on the microcapsule deformation was investigated as well. Our findings will shed light on the understanding of the stability of core–shell-structured microcapsule when subjected to flow-induced shear stress in a microfluidic system, enabling a more exquisite control over the breakup dynamics of drug-loaded microcapsule for biomedical applications.     

Optimal parameter selection for constraint-following control for mechanical systems based on Stackelberg game

Nonlinear Dynamics - This paper proposes an optimal parameter design of control scheme for mechanical systems by adopting the Stackelberg game theory. The goal of the control is to drive the...     

Majorana Representation for a Composite System

International Journal of Theoretical Physics - The Majorana representation, which provides an intuitive way to represent the quantum state by stars on the Bloch sphere, has drawn considerable...     

A note on statistical analysis of factor models of high dimension

Science China Mathematics - Linear factor models are familiar tools used in many fields. Several pioneering literatures established foundational theoretical results of the quasi-maximum likelihood...