Nanocomposites

3D printing allows the macroscopic structure of objects to be easily controlled but controlling the nanostructure of 3D printed materials has rarely been reported. Here, the authors report an efficient and versatile process for fabricating 3D printed materials with controlled nano-scale structural features.

Reverse osmosis (RO) membranes composed of polyamides and cellulose acetates are used as separation layers in pure-water production. However, improving the separation performance and antifouling properties of RO membranes is necessary. This focus review described the composite reverse osmosis membranes with optimal amounts of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS), which are cage-shaped, subnanosized molecules exhibiting organic–inorganic hybrid structures, showed improved water flux, NaCl rejection, antichlorine and antifouling properties, and mechanical strength.

An approach inspired by biomineralization has allowed us to develop various organic/inorganic hybrid materials with environmental benignity. In the present study, we have achieved the orientation control of zinc hydroxide carbonate (ZHC) thin-film crystals through the chemical structures and morphologies of the templates. After the thermal treatment of the ZHC thin films, the crystal orientations of the resultant zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films are maintained. The effects of the thickness and annealing time for the polymer templates on the formation of ZnO thin films have been examined.

Encapsulation of bioactive peptides in slow-release particles is complex and relies on organic solvents. Here, the authors absorb peptides in a polymer phase from water, creating a simple low-cost encapsulation process in a class of polymer depot.

We demonstrate the preparation of composite vitrimer-like materials containing silica nanoparticles (SNPs), where the matrix is composed of polyacrylate-based polymers crosslinked via a pyridine–bromo quaternization reaction. The quaternized pyridine at the crosslinking point exchanges the bond pair via trans-N-alkylation at high temperatures. Thermal and mechanical investigations first reveal the formation of the bound rubber phase around the SNP, which eventually affects the relaxation behaviors at high temperatures. In the final section, some useful functions owing to the bond exchange nature, such as reprocessability and recyclability, are exhibited.