Phys.org November 6, 2024 Aquatic environments host various living organisms with active molecular systems that realize photosynthesis. Researchers in Japan addressed the significant challenges in using polymer networks as active mediators for photoinduced water splitting. They incorporated various features offered by artificial chloroplasts polymer networks for stepwise synthesis and integration during the hierarchical construction. The constituent molecules were closely arranged to smoothly operate forward reactions by polymer networks. The quantum efficiency of photoinduced H2 generation in gel systems was higher than that of conventional solution systems. Additionally, a thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) network of microgels could be used to integrate catalytic […]
Tag Archives: Hydrogels
‘Gluing’ soft materials without glue
Science Daily May 3, 2023 Electroadhesion can involve chemical bonds, like ionic bonds, or more physical connections, like ensnaring polymer chains together. Researchers at the University of Maryland have demonstrated a universal, ‘electroadhesion’ technique that can adhere any soft materials to each other just by running electricity through them. They tested a gel in addition to three types of capsules made of alginate or chitosan that were either positively or negatively charged. When attached to graphite electrodes and exposed to a 10-V electric field for around 10 seconds, the oppositely charged materials stuck together strong enough to withstand gravity. By […]
‘Super jelly’ can survive being run over by a car (with Video)
Phys.org November 25, 2021 The way materials behave is dependent upon the way molecules are joined by crosslinkers. Researchers in the UK used barrel-shaped molecules called cucurbiturils as crosslinking molecule, like molecular handcuff, which hold two guest molecules that prefer to stay inside the cavity for longer than normal keeping the polymer network tightly linked, allowing for it to withstand compression even at 80% water content. They found that the compressive strength could be easily controlled by simply changing the chemical structure of the guest molecule inside the cavity. To make their glass-like hydrogels, the team chose specific guest molecules […]