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An efficient ambipolar organic transistor (A-OFET) based on the bilayer architecture of p-type poly(benzodithiophene(2-thienyl)-pyrrolopyrrole-dione) (PBDTTPPD) and n-type [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) was demonstrated. The A-OFET exhibits clear bipolar transport and operates as an n-type and a p-type transistor in a single device.
Polylactide (PLA) formed an extended-chain crystal (ECC) and an extended-chain stereocomplex (ECSC) in Langmuir monolayers. Therefore, the chain packings in crystals and SCs could be identified by simply evaluating their sizes. A mixture of a high-molecular-weight (HMW) PDLA and a low-molecular-weight (LMW) PDLA was found to crystallize separately, while a mixture of an HMW-PLLA and an LMW-PDLA was found to form an SC composed of the extended LMW-PDLA chains and the folded HMW-PLLA chains. Furthermore, the molecular structure of SC was successfully visualized at the molecular level by AFM.
The results of this investigation indicate that, compared with the high-molecular-weight amorphous polystyrene, the two low-molecular-weight amorphous polystyrenes studied herein have excess heat capacity below the glass-transition temperature. These results were obtained by analyzing the molecular vibrations of the high-molecular-weight polystyrene. The excitation energy obtained by regression analysis of the excess heat capacity determined by using the Schottky model is consistent with the excitation energy obtained by inelastic neutron scattering. This evidence strongly suggests that the excess heat capacity is due to vibrations of methyl end groups.
Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were utilized as nanofillers to improve mechanical properties of polysaccharide composite films made of polyion complexes (PICs) of chondroitin sulfate C (CS) and chitosan (CHI). Nonionic CNFs were homogeneously incorporated in the PIC gels, constructed by multiple electrostatic interactions, and the resulting free-standing films. The filler effects of CNFs were observed, especially in the Young’s modulus of the films in the wet state. Results indicated that CNFs in the films formed a rigid network structure with polysaccharides, contributing the reinforcement of the film strength.
The graphical abstract shows that the kinesin-driven quantum dot transport along microtubule immobilized on a substrate using glutaraldehyde concentration ≤0.10% (v/v) remain unaltered, whereas, at higher glutaraldehyde concentration, >0.10% (v/v), the quantum dot transportation is slowed down.
We evaluated the biocompatibility and biodegradability of implants made of pure PLA and a PLA/PCL blend compatibilized with poly(ɛ-caprolactone-b-tetrahydrofuran) in horses by physical examination, plasma fibrinogen, thermographic, mechanical nociceptive threshold, and ultrasound tests. We also conducted histopathological and surface morphology analyses. Pure PLA and PLA/PCL blends subcutaneously implanted stimulated a minimal inflammatory response and supported cellular infiltration, being biocompatible and biodegradable in horses, with potential for use in equine medicine.
Polypyrrole and poly(N-alkyl pyrrole) grains were synthesized by aqueous chemical oxidative polymerization in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate as both a dopant and a hydrophobizing agent. The dried polypyrrole and poly(N-ethyl pyrrole) grains showed hydrophobic character and can act as a light-responsive liquid marble stabilizer. Locomotion of the liquid marble can be driven by near-infrared laser irradiation-induced Marangoni flow on a planar air–water surface. Furthermore, the release of internal liquid can be achieved by controlled disruption of liquid marbles via external stimulus application.
We here demonstrate the importance of ligand–ligand distance on physical property tuning of metallosupramolecular materials by utilizing model-like polyesters bearing pyridine ligands at the side groups with a controlled ligand-distance. The ligand distance is treated as the pyridine group equivalent molecular weight (MPy) and takes values of 900, 750, 550, and 420. The metal salt ZnCl2 forms coordination bonds with the pyridine ligands, generating a metallosupramolecular network. DSC and rheological measurements revealed that the glass transition temperatures and apparent activation energy (Ea) of segmental motion changes in a close correlation with 1/MPy.
TA–Fe@PS-c-PAN NPs were synthesized via a typical FNP procedure. During the process, the water solution containing Fe3+ and the organic solution containing polymer and TA diffused into each other under turbulent mixing. As a result, the hydrophobic TA–Fe complex quickly formed and co-assembled into TA–Fe@PS-c-PAN NPs. After carbonization, carbon materials with uniformly dispersed metal NPs were finally and used as effective catalysts for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions.
This article describes the self-assembly of Fmoc-dipeptides comprising α-methyl-L-phenylalanine. The position and number of methyl groups introduced onto the α carbons of the Fmoc-dipeptides as α-methyl-L-phenylalanine have a marked influence on the morphology of supramolecular nanostructures and the hydrogel formation ability.
