Phase separation: Bridging polymer physics and biology

Significant parallels exist between the phase separation behavior of polymers in solution and the types of biomolecular condensates, or ‘membraneless organelles,’ that are of increasing interest in living systems. Liquid–liquid phase separation allows for compartmentalization and the sequestration of materials and can be harnessed as a sensitive strategy for responding to small changes in the environment. Here, I review many of the parallels and synergies between ongoing efforts to study and take advantage of phase separation in living versus synthetic materials.     

Influence of spacer in the formation of nanorings by templateless electropolymerization

In this original work, we want to control the shape of the resulting porous structures by templateless electropolymerization, by adjusting the spacer (flexible alkyl chains or rigid aromatic groups) between thieno[3,4-b]thiophene and carbazole used as the monomer and the substituent, respectively. A huge change is especially observed from ribbon-like structures to nanorings as the alkyl spacer increases. The presence of a significant amount of water is necessary for the formation of these porous structures because it allows releasing a high amount of gas bubbles. The size and number of nanorings are dependent on both the alkyl spacer and electrochemical parameters such as the number of deposition scans. These surfaces could be used in the future in various potential applications such as in water harvesting, oil/water separation membranes, optical devices, sensors or photocatalysis.     

仿鲍鱼壳石墨烯多功能纳米复合材料

石墨烯具有力学性能高、电导率优异等特点,然而单层石墨烯纳米片在组装成为宏观纳米复合材料的过程中,往往会出现片层团聚、界面作用弱、无规取向等问题,导致宏观石墨烯纳米复合材料性能远低于单片石墨烯。因此,如何将微观石墨烯纳米片层的高性能在宏观纳米复合材料中体现出来,是目前研究的热点和难点。本专论结合目前石墨烯纳米复合材料的研究现状,简要讨论了受天然鲍鱼壳的“砖-泥”结构的启发,仿生构筑高性能石墨烯纳米复合材料的最新研究进展。并对本课题组在仿鲍鱼壳石墨烯多功能纳米复合材料领域近年来的工作进行介绍,包括石墨烯纤维、薄膜和块材等多种宏观石墨烯纳米复合材料,系统总结构筑仿鲍鱼壳结构和反鲍鱼壳结构两种策略,在一定程度上解决了石墨烯在组装过程中的科学问题。同时,详细阐述了仿鲍鱼壳石墨烯多功能纳米复合材料的增强增韧机制和功能化策略,分析了今后研究工作中可能遇到的问题,并展望了未来的发展趋势。     

High‐Strength and Tough Crystalline Polysaccharide‐Based Materials†

Due to the increasing public awareness of environmental issues and the shortage of resources, the focus on products made from renewable sources to fulfill the sustainable development of modern society has intensified. Natural crystalline polysaccharides have been studied for a long time and are among the most abundant renewable resources in the world. High‐performance materials have been fabricated using crystalline polysaccharides such as cellulose and chitin. For practical applications, the mechanical performance of polysaccharide‐based materials is critical. In this review, we focus on the methods for constructing high‐strength and high‐toughness crystalline polysaccharide‐based materials. This review elucidates the three approaches of aggregate structure regulation, bioinspiration and mineralization, and the use of crystalline polysaccharides as matrices for reinforcing the mechanical properties of nanocomposites.