Carbohydrate gel beads as model probes for quantifying non-ionic and ionic contributions behind the swelling of delignified plant fibers.

Macroscopic beads of water-based gels consisting of uncharged and partially charged β-(1,4)-d-glucan polymers were developed to be used as a novel model material for studying the water induced swelling of the delignified plant fiber walls. The gel beads were prepared by drop-wise precipitation of solutions of dissolving grade fibers carboxymethylated to different degrees. The internal structure was analyzed using Solid State Cross-Polarization Magic Angle Spinning Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Small Angle X-ray Scattering showing that the internal structure could be considered a homogeneous, non-crystalline and molecularly dispersed polymer network.

Strong and tuneable wet adhesion with rationally designed layer-by-layer assembled triblock copolymer films.

In this study the wet adhesion between Layer-by-Layer (LbL) assembled films of triblock copolymer micelles was investigated. Through the LbL assembly of triblock copolymer micelles with hydrophobic, low glass transition temperature (T) middle blocks and ionic outer blocks, a network of energy dissipating polymer chains with electrostatic interactions serving as crosslinks can be built. Four triblock copolymers were synthesized through Atom Transfer Radical Polymerisation (ATRP).

Nanometer smooth, macroscopic spherical cellulose probes for contact adhesion measurements.

Cellulose spheres were prepared by dissolving cellulose fibers and subsequently solidifying the solution in a nonsolvent. Three different solution concentrations were tested and several nonsolvents were evaluated for their effect on the formation of spheres. Conditions were highlighted to create cellulose spheres with a diameter of ∼1 mm and a root-mean-square surface roughness of ∼1 nm.

Robust and tailored wet adhesion in biopolymer thin films.

Model layer-by-layer (LbL) assemblies of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were fabricated in order to study their wet adhesive behavior. The film characteristics were investigated to understand the inherent structures during the assembly process. Subsequently, the adhesion of these systems was evaluated to understand the correlation between the structure of the film and the energy required to separate these LbL assemblies.

Enhancing adhesion of elastomeric composites through facile patterning of surface discontinuities.

Patterning interfaces can provide enhanced adhesion over a projected area. However, careful consideration of the material properties and geometry must be applied to provide successful reversible adhesives. We present a simple method to use patterned, elastomeric fabric composites to enhance the shear adhesion strength by nearly 40% compared to a non-patterned sample.

Facile colloidal lithography on rough and non-planar surfaces for asymmetric patterning.

Free-standing colloidal arrays can be easily transferred to supported fibers. These films conform and provide the template to have consistent submicrometer and nanometer features transferred to the periphery of rough, 7 μm diameter fibers. This technique is adjustable to a number of fiber surfaces and colloidal template sizes.

Opportunities with fabric composites as unique flexible substrates.

Flexible substrates enable new capabilities in applications ranging from electronics to biomedical devices. To provide a new platform for these applications, we investigate a composite material consisting of rigid fiber fabrics impregnated with soft elastomers, offering the ability to create load bearing, yet flexible substrates. We demonstrate an integrated and facile one-step imprint lithographic patterning method on a number of fabrics and resins.

Conjugated Polymers Atypically Prepared in Water.

Processability remains a fundamental issue for the implementation of conducting polymer technology. A simple synthetic route towards processable precursors to conducting polymers (main chain and side chain) was developed using commercially available materials. These soluble precursor systems were converted to conjugated polymers electrochemically in aqueous media, offering a cheaper and greener method of processing.

Gold nanoparticles with externally controlled, reversible shifts of local surface plasmon resonance bands.

We have achieved reversible tunability of local surface plasmon resonance in conjugated polymer functionalized gold nanoparticles. This property was facilitated by the preparation of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) containing polynorbornene brushes on gold nanoparticles via surface-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization. Reversible tuning of the surface plasmon band was achieved by electrochemically switching the EDOT polymer between its reduced and oxidized states.