Small metal nanoparticles that are also highly crystalline have the potential for showing enhanced catalytic activity. We describe preparation of single nanocrystals platinum 2 to 3 nanometers in diameter. These particles were generated and immobilized on spherical polyelectrolyte brushes consisting a polystyrene core (diameter approximately 100 nanometers) onto which long chains cationic affixed. In first step, nanoalloy gold (a solid solution) was within layer chains. second slowly...

Many creatures have the ability to traverse challenging environments by using their active muscles with anisotropic structures as motors in a highly coordinated fashion. However, most artificial robots require multiple independently activated actuators achieve similar purposes. Here we report hydrogel-based, biomimetic soft robot capable of multimodal locomotion fueled and steered light irradiation. A muscle-like poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) nanocomposite hydrogel is prepared electrical...

Abstract Steering soft robots in a self-regulated manner remains grand challenge, which often requires continuous symmetry breaking and recovery steps for persistent motion. Although structural morphology is found significant robotic functions, geometric topology has rarely been considered appreciated. Here we demonstrate series of knotbots, namely hydrogel-based with knotted structures, capable autonomous rolling spinning/rotating motions. With broken by external stimuli restored...

Abstract Self‐sustained motions are widespread in biological systems by harvesting energy from surrounding environments, which inspire scientists to develop autonomous soft robots. However, most‐existing robots require dynamic heterogeneous stimuli or complex fabrication with different components. Recently, control of topological geometry has been promising afford physical intelligence and thus life‐like motions. Reported here a series closed twisted ribbon robots, exhibit self‐sustained...

We reported on the in situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles onto polystyrene (PS) core−poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) polyelectrolyte brush particles. The these composite particles proceeds through a photoemulsion polymerization aqueous dispersion using functional monomer acrylate. In this way layer chains poly(acrylic surface and Ag are formed at same time. Dynamic light-scattering (DLS) measurement demonstrates formation brushes PS core surface. TEM cryo-TEM images show that well-dispersed (d =...

Ultralight polymer sponges are prepared by freeze‐drying of dispersions short electrospun fibers. In contrast to many other highly porous materials, these show extremely low densities (<3 mg cm −3 ) in combination with specific surface areas. The resulting hierarchical pore structure the gives basis for soft and reversibly compressible materials hydrophobic behavior excellent uptake liquids. Owing their large porosity, cell culturing is successful after hydrophilic modification sponges.

Applying a combination of melt synthesis followed by long-term annealing fluorohectorite is obtained which unique with respect to homogeneity, purity, and particle size. Counterintuitively, the hectorite undergoes disorder-to-order transition upon swelling level bilayer hydrate. Alkylammonium-exchanged samples show at any chain length only single basal spacing corroborating nicely homogeneous layer charge density. Its intracrystalline reactivity improves greatly annealing, making it capable...

Abstract Living organisms use musculatures with spatially distributed anisotropic structures to actuate deformations and locomotion fascinating functions. Replicating such structural features in artificial materials is of great significance yet remains a big challenge. Here, facile strategy reported fabricate hydrogels elaborate ordered nanosheets (NSs) oriented under electric field. Multiple electrodes are various arrangements the precursor solution containing NSs gold nanoparticles. A...

We report the synthesis and characterization of core-degradable core–shell cylindrical polymer brushes (CPBs) that can be used as a molecular soft template for fabrication uniform one-dimensional silica nanostructures with tunable dimensions morphologies. The were templated from CPBs consisting densely grafted poly(ε-caprolactone) core poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA) shell. According to degree polymerization both backbone side chains, varying lengths diameters obtained....

Reported here is a multi-response anisotropic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel developed by using rotating magnetic field to align double stacks (MDSs) that are fixed polymerization. The magneto-orientation of MDSs originates from the unique structure with γ-Fe

Suitable for light-emitting diodes or as pH sensors, the difluoroboradiaza-s-indacenes of type 1 luminesce after electrochemical excitation (X = H) show on/off switching fluorescence sensitivity depending on NMe2). R1 Me, H, CO2Et; R2 Et, H; R3 Me.

Within the wider context of water behavior in soils, and with a particular emphasis on clays surrounding underground radioactive waste packages, we present here translational dynamics low hydrated states as studied by coupling molecular (MD) simulations quasielastic neutron scattering experiments spin echo (NSE). A natural montmorillonite clay interest is modeled synthetic which allows us to understand determining parameters from MD comparison experimental values. We focus temperatures...

A polymer-layered silicate nanocomposite coating is prepared by combining a novel synthetic lithium-hectorite and an UV-curable, cationic polyurethane. Oxygen transmission measurements clearly indicate the supremacy of as compared to standard montmorillonite. In addition, very high degree optical transparency achieved, rendering this material highly interesting for flexible packaging encapsulation applications.

Delamination is a key step to obtain individual layers from inorganic layered materials needed for fundamental studies and applications. For van der Waals such as graphene, the adhesion forces are small, allowing mechanical exfoliation, whereas ionic silicates, energy separate adjacent considerably higher. Quite counterintuitively, we show synthetic silicate (Na0.5-hectorite) that scalable quantitative delamination by simple hydration possible high homogeneous charge density, even aspect...

Transparency, flexibility, and especially ultralow oxygen (OTR) water vapor (WVTR) transmission rates are the key issues to be addressed for packaging of flexible organic photovoltaics light-emitting diodes. Concomitant optimization all essential features is still a big challenge. Here we present thin (1.5 μm), highly transparent, at same time nanocomposite coating with an exceptionally low OTR WVTR (1.0 × 10(-2) cm(3) m(-2) day(-1) bar(-1) <0.05 g 50% RH, respectively). A commercially...

We present a quantitative study of the catalytic activity well-defined faceted gold–palladium nanoalloys which are immobilized on cationic spherical polyelectrolyte brushes. The brush particles used as carriers for consist solid polystyrene core onto chains 2-aminoethyl methacrylate attached. Au/Pd nanoalloy with sizes in range from 1 to 3 nm have been generated homogeneously distributed surface reduction 4-nitrophenol has chosen well-controlled model reaction allowing us determine function...

Nanomaterial-based FET sensors represent an attractive platform for ultrasensitive, real-time, and label-free detection of chemical biological species. Nevertheless, because their response is screened by mobile ions, it remains a challenge to use them sense in physiological ionic strength solutions. In this work, demonstrated, both experimentally theoretically, that polyelectrolyte multilayers are capable increasing the sensing range graphene-based FETs. Potential shifts at graphene surfaces...

Abstract Anisotropic structures are ubiquitous in nature, affording fascinating morphing behaviors. Biomimetic materials can be developed by spatially controlling the orientations of molecules or nanofillers that produce anisotropic responses and internal stresses under external stimuli. However, it remains a serious challenge to fabricate with sophisticated architectures. Here, facile strategy hydrogels elaborately ordered nanosheets, which oriented distributed electric field immobilized...

Abstract Creatures, such as Venus flytrap and hummingbirds, capable of rapid predation through snap‐through transition, provide paradigms for the design soft actuators robots with fast actions. However, these artificial “snappers” usually need contact stimulations to trigger flipping. Reported here is a constrained anisotropic poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel showing snapping upon light stimulation. This prepared by flow‐induced orientation nanosheets (NSs) within rectangular tube. The...

Due to phase separation in the silicate melt, synthesis of fluorosmectites ([Na0.5]inter[Mg2.5Li0.5]oct[Si4]tetO10F2) from melt without mechanical mixing yields an inhomogeneous material. Because solid solution capability 2:1 layer structure, nonuniformity chemical and mineral composition inevitably will lead that adopt a range charge densities. This be detrimental many possible applications due large influence on properties clay minerals. The problem can circumvented by rotating crucible...

We present a quasi-elastic neutron scattering study of water dynamics confined in model clay system, synthetic hectorite with Na+ compensating counterions. As shown by adsorption gravimetry and neutron/X-ray diffraction, the system has, unlike its natural counterparts, very well-defined swelling characteristics, clear appearance monohydrated bihydrated state. This simplifies to great extent analysis interpretation. Initially, microscopic relaxation times as well long-range self-diffusion...

A third form of benzamide has been characterized 175 years after the first report polymorphism in benzamide; metastable silky needlelike described by Wöhler and Liebig was "hidden" for so long owing to similarities between metrics its unit cell those stable I (the H-bonding motif is depicted). Selective crystallization techniques taking advantage modern online sensors were crucial this work. Supporting information article available on WWW under...

We demonstrate the synthesis of uniform one-dimensional (1D) titania hybrid nanotubes using core–shell–corona cylindrical polymer brushes (CPBs) as soft templates. The CPBs consist a polymethacrylate backbone with densely grafted poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) core, poly(2-(dimethlamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) cationic shell, and poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (POEGMA) corona. weak polyelectrolyte shell complexed an oppositely charged precursor, namely titanium(IV) bis(ammonium...