Organization of A2-Type Active Composite Nanorods.

Nanorods as building blocks are promising to construct functional superstructures. A paramagnetic FeO-based composite nanorod is large-scale synthesized from the poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) side chain grafted polymer bottlebrush by electrostatics-mediated intramolecular crosslinking via metallic coordination. Ultrasonication-assisted fracturing of the composite nanorod derives the corresponding A2-type composite nanorods whose two ends are active with the metallic coordinated P2VP exposed.

Utilization of composite particles with customizable cross-linked lignin patches for dental cleansing.

Lignin, a natural polyphenol polymer, is a biocompatible, cost-effective and accessible material. To fully utilize the benefits of lignin, it is crucial to transform its complex macromolecules into nanoscale particles in a single solvent. In this research, an assembly-mediated internal cross-linking method in single solvent was proposed to manufacture cross-linked lignin colloidal particles with nanoscale particle size controlled to be around 50 nm.

Nanoscale Composite Lignin Colloids with Tunable Visible Colors Used for Anti-UV Cosmetics.

Nanoscale composite lignin colloids were prepared on a large scale with a process of assembly-mediated internal cross-linking in a good solvent, thus possessing absolutely nanoscale dimensions, excellent robustness, and less aggregation. The therefore prime UV resistance and various natural visible colors contribute to the preservation and beautification of skin.

Janus Composite Particles and Interfacial Catalysis Thereby.

Janus composite particles (JPs) with distinct compartmentalization of varied components thus performances and anisotropic shape display a variety of properties and have demonstrated great potentials in diversify practical applications. Especially, the catalytic JPs are advantageous for multi-phase catalysis with much easier separation of products and recycling the catalysts. In the first section of this review, typical methods to synthesize the JPs with varied morphologies are briefly surveyed in the category of polymeric, inorganic and polymer/inorganic composite.

Supramolecular nanofibers protrusion budding interfacial membrane.

We have proposed an approach to achieve nanofibers or composite nanofibers with functional nanoparticles the protrusion of the budding interfacial membrane in an oil-water emulsion droplet stabilized with copolymers. The nanofibers were formed by the wrapping of the monolayer of the copolymers. The length is tunable with the copolymer concentration and water/oil ratio of the emulsion.

Orientation-Controlled Ultralong Assembly of Janus Particles Induced by Bubble-Driven Instant Quasi-1D Interfaces.

Constructing precisely oriented assemblies and exploring their orientation-dependent properties remain a challenge for Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) due to their asymmetric characteristics. Herein, we propose a bubble-driven instant quasi-1D interfacial strategy for the oriented assembly of JNP chains in a highly controllable manner. It is found that the rapid formation of templated bubbles can promote the interfacial orientation of JNPs kinetically, while the confined quasi-1D interface in the curved liquid bridge can constrain the disordered rotation of the particles, yielding well-oriented JNP chains in a long range.

Self-assembled/composited lignin colloids utilizing for therapy, cosmetics and emulsification.

Lignin, the most abundant source of renewable aromatic compounds on the planet, is attracting more scholarly attention due to its possibility of replacing petroleum-based chemicals and products. However, it remains underutilized because of the heterogeneity of its multi-level structure that prevents homogenization and standardization of derived products. The key to solving these problems lies in finding a general preparation method to achieve the integrated utilization of lignin molecules at all levels.

Scalable Synthesis of Photoluminescent Single-Chain Nanoparticles by Electrostatic-Mediated Intramolecular Crosslinking.

We report the large-scale synthesis of photoluminescent single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) by electrostatic-mediated intramolecular crosslinking in a concentrated solution of 40 mg mL by continuous addition of the free radical initiator. Poly(vinyl benzyl chloride) was charged by quaternization with vinyl-imidazolium for the intramolecular crosslinking by using 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMAP) as the radical initiator. Under the electrostatic repulsion thus interchain isolation, the intrachain crosslinking experiences the transition from coil through pearl-necklace to globular state.

Cellulose I nanocrystals (CNCs I) prepared in mildly acidic lithium bromide trihydrate (MALBTH) and their application for stabilizing Pickering emulsions.

This study proposed a sustainable method to prepare cellulose I nanocrystals (CNCs I) from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) in a mildly acidic lithium bromide trihydrate (MALBTH) system, a concentrated (50 wt%) solution of LiBr in water with recyclable formic acid (FA). First, the MCC was treated in the MALBTH system to generate CNCs with a uniform size, yield higher than 68.49% and crystallinity of 84.

The stepwise organization of nanoparticles into a Pickering emulsion.

Core/shell PVSt-b-PS@FeO composite nanoparticles (NPs) are achieved by grafting living cationic block copolymer chains onto the surface of amine-capped FeO NPs via fast termination. The number of chains grafted can be tuned via the molecular weight of PVSt-b-PS. Upon grafting PEG onto the PVSt block via a click reaction, the resulting (PVSt-g-PEG)-b-PS@FeO composite NPs become highly dispersible in water.

Responsive polymeric Janus cage.

A robust thermo-responsive polymeric Janus cage with a PNIPAM-cPVBC-PEO sandwiched shell is synthesized. The Janus cage provides a general method of thermally triggered separation of oil/water emulsions independent of the type of surfactant and emulsion. It can selectively capture organic compounds at a higher temperature and release them at a lower temperature.

Poly(ionic liquid)-Modified Magnetic Janus Particles for Dye Degradation.

The FeO@SiO paramagnetic Janus particles with phenyl groups and amino groups segmented on two different sides were fabricated by the Pickering emulsion method. Then, the poly(ionic liquid)s were selectively modified onto the amino side via in situ induced ATRP polymerization. Different anions were introduced onto the poly(ionic liquid)s region by exchanging anions to adjust the wettability of the side.

Emulsion Interfacial Synthesis of Polymer/Inorganic Janus Particles.

We report a method to prepare polymer/inorganic Janus particles by transferring self-assembled membranes of copolymers such as PS- b-PAA at an emulsion interface when the amine-capped particles such as paramagnetic FeO@SiO core/shell particles are preferentially adsorbed by specific interactions. While the particles are protected, the exposed side can be further modified to conjugate aldehyde-capped polyethylene oxide (PEO). Both connections become robust by covalent bonds.

Bi-continuous emulsion using Janus particles.

Bi-continuous emulsion stabilized with amphiphilic Janus particles was achieved. Phase inversion of the as-formed emulsion was driven by increasing water content. The orientated Janus particle monolayer at the bi-continuous emulsion interface is interconnected by interfacial polymerization to form robust materials with amphiphilic channels.

Ultrathin NiS/Ni(OH) Nanosheets Filled within Ammonium Polyacrylate-Functionalized Polypyrrole Nanotubes as an Unique Nanoconfined System for Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensors.

Ultrathin two-dimensional NiS/Ni(OH) nanosheets (NiS/Ni(OH) NSs) were successfully filled within the hollow interiors of ammonium polyacrylate-functionalized polypyrrole nanotubes (NHPA/PPyNTs) by a simple solvothermal method. This kind of novel hierarchical nanostructures with typical structural features of a nanoconfined system, denoted by NiS/Ni(OH)/NHPA/PPyNTs, were prepared by two main sections: polyacrylic acid (PAA) was first polymerized on PPyNTs containing vinyl groups, and the obtained PAA/PPyNTs exhibited a typical Janus structure, whose external surface was covered with carboxyl groups and the internal surface was still covered with PPy chains; second, Ni ions as a precursor were facilely combined with -NH- segments in PPy chains by the coordination interaction under the solvothermal environment; therefore, NiS/Ni(OH) NSs (<1 nm) were well distributed on the internal surface of NHPA/PPyNTs by the in situ growth. Because of the synergistic effects of ionizable NHPA, PPy with good conductivity, NiS and Ni(OH) with electrocatalytical activity, as well as the nanoconfinement effect, the obtained NiS/Ni(OH)@NHPA/PPyNTs exhibited excellent electrocatalytic performance for detecting glucose.