论文成果
Liquid sculpture and curing of bio-inspired polyelectrolyte aqueous two phase systems
发布时间：2024-08-25 点击次数：
论文类型：期刊论文
论文编号：2456
第一作者：Chongrui Zhang
通讯作者：Qiang Zhao
合写作者：Xufei Liu,Jiang Gong
发表刊物：Nature Communications
收录刊物：SCI、EI
学科门类：工学
一级学科：材料科学与工程
文献类型：J
卷号：14
发表时间：2023-04-28
摘要：Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) provide imperative interfaces and compartments in biology, but the sculpture and conversion of liquid structures to functional solids is challenging. Here, inspired by phase evolution of mussel foot proteins ATPS, we tackle this problem by designing poly(ionic liquids) capable of responsive condensation and phase-dependent curing. When mixed with poly(dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride), the poly(ionic liquids) formed liquid condensates and ATPS, which were tuned into bicontinuous liquid phases under stirring. Selective, rapid curing of the poly(ionic liquids)-rich phase was facilitated under basic conditions (pH 11), leading to the liquid-to-gel conversion and structure sculpture, i.e., the evolution from ATPS to macroporous sponges featuring bead-and-string networks. This mechanism enabled the selective embedment of carbon nanotubes in the poly(ionic liquids)-rich phase, which showed exceptional stability in harsh conditions (10 wt% NaCl, 80 oC, 3 days) and high (2.5 kg/m2h) solar thermal desalination of concentrated salty water under 1-sun irradiation.
发布期刊链接：https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-38236-8