Appropriate deciphering and translation of sequence-dependent function inproteins is inspired by the cation-π interaction that is increasingly implicated in marine adhesives and membraneless organelles. A simplified cation-methylene-phenyl (C-M-P) sequence which enables triggerable poly(ionic liquid) coacervation is reported for the first time. Synthesis of the C-M-P structure motif requires only a one-step quaternization, which is facile compared to the linear sequence of distinct repeating units in model proteins and sequencecontrolled polymers. The C-M-P code confers modular coacervation and advanced wet adhesion to task-specific copolymers. It allows for exceptional underwater adhesion to various submerged substrates including glass (≈1 MPa) and porcine skins (140 KPa), paving the way for prospective adhesive applications in physiological saline and underwater marine salvage. This work introduces a powerful code that, in addition to combining the advantageous adaptive adhesive and phase properties of proteins, reduces the complexity in sequence design for programmable coacervates.
Polymer crosslinking is crucial for the preparation and consolidation of hierarchical nano- and microstructures, hybrid interfaces, and collective assembly. Here for the first time we show that a “cation–methylene–nitrile” functionality...
The water nanofluidics in confined channels has endowed pressure-driven separation membranes with superior permeability. However, nanofluidic effect in solar-thermal steaming materials is hindered by discrete heat absorbers and nanochannels. Here...
Abstract:The present study aims to improve the mechanical properties of epoxy composite by incorporating supported ionic liquid silica (IL-silica). The IL-silica not only showed improved interfacial interaction and reinforcement, but also served as cure agent of epoxy composites. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed that epoxy composites could be successfully cured with IL-silica without any routine curing agents. IL-silica/epoxy composites presented higher mechanical and thermal properties compared with epoxy composite containing un-functionalized silica (u-silica). The dynamic mechanical analysis showed that the storage modulus of composites significantly increased with the addition of IL-silica in comparison to that with added u-silica, as well as the variation of Tg parameter. The incorporation of IL-silica simultaneously enhanced the tensile strength, toughness, and thermal stability of the epoxy composites. The considerable improvements in mechanical and thermal properties are ascribed to the improved dispersion of IL-silica and the enhanced interfacial interactions between epoxy matrix and IL-silica by strong covalent bonding, which results in an effective load transfer.
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