Key progresses of MOE key laboratory of macromolecular synthesis and functionalization in 2021

In 2021,The MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization in Zhejiang University had achieved several important results.First,a series of versatile organoboron catalysts were synthesized for ring-opening(co)polymerizations.Second,a catalyst-free polycondensation mechanism was proposed for the production of polyesters with high molecular weights.Third,a co-assembly method that can fabricate films and coatings with controllable structures and properties on various substrates was demonstrated,providing a platform for the construction of novel surface coatings.Forth,facile methods for producing high-productivity poly(propylene carbonate)and semicrystalline polyester have been discovered.And linear non-conjugated polyesters exhibiting yellow-green clusteroluminescence were developed for the first time.Fifth,a supramolecular prodrug nano-assembly strategy has been developed for reactive nitrogen species potentiated chemotherapy.Sixth,a series of tough and stiff supramolecular hydrogels with shape memory properties have been used for information encryption.Seventh,reversible fusion and fission of wet-spun graphene oxide fibers has been successfully achieved.Eighth,three non-conjugated polypeptides were synthesized and the mechanism of clusteroluminescence was studied.Ninth,a series of conducting covalent organic frameworks with high electrical conductivity and carrier mobility have been used as high-performance chemiresistor,electrocatalyst,and organic field-effect transistor.Tenth,the exploration of non-fused electron acceptors,and their photostable mechanism are exemplified for developing high-performance,low-cost and eco-friendly polymer solar cells.Finally,gel-grown long-range ordering bulk-heterojunctions has achieved improved X-ray detector performance.

Alternating Copolymerization of Epoxides and Isothiocyanates to Diverse Functional Polythioimidocarbonates and Related Block Polymers

Synthesis of diverse polythioimidocarbonates via ring-opening copolymerization of epoxides and isothiocyanates catalyzed by organoboron catalyst was reported herein.Both aromatic and aliphatic isothiocyanates underwent successful copolymerization with terminal and internal epoxides,allowing for the precise tuning of the performance of the resultant copolymers over a broad range.The wide scope of available isothiocyanates and epoxides enables the direct construction of sulfur-containing functional polymers featuring both high glass transition temperature and refractive index.Additionally,it was observed that aromatic isothiocyanates polymerize much faster than aliphatic ones,and the reactivity difference facilitated the one-step synthesis of block polymers from mixed aromatic isothiocyanates,aliphatic isothiocyanates and epoxides due to the preferential incorporation of aromatic isothiocyanates over the aliphatic analogues during their alternating copolymerization with epoxides.The produced polythioimidocarbonates can be used as positive resists for electron beam lithography(sensitivity of 130μC/cm^(2) and contrast of 1.53 for poly(CHO-alt-EITC)).Coupling with their high refractive index(1.58—1.68),polythioimidocarbonates might find functional applications in optics.These results render ring-opening copolymerization of epoxides and isothiocyanates a facile route to enrich functional polymer library.

Polypropylene Separators with Robust Mussel-inspired Coatings for High Lithium-ion Battery Performances

The performances of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)are dependent on the wettability and stability of porous separators.Musselinspired coatings seem to be useful to improve the surface wettability of commercialized polyolefin separators.However,it is still a challenge to guarantee their stability under polar electrolytes.Herein,we report a facile and versatile way to enhance the wettability and stability of polypropylene separators by constructing robust polydopamine(PDA)coatings triggered with CuSO4/H2O2.These coatings were conveniently deposited on the polypropylene separator surfaces and the PDA-coated separators exhibited the improved surface wettability and thermal stability.The electrolyte uptake increased nearly two folds from the pristine separator to the modified ones.Correspondingly,the ionic conductivity also rose from 0.82 mS·cm^-1 to 1.30 mS·cm^-1.Most importantly,the CuSO4/H2O2-triggered PDA coatings were very stable under strong polar electrolytes,endowing the cells with excellent cycle performance and enhanced C-rate capacity.Overall,the results unequivocally demonstrate that application of PDA coatings on polyolefin separator triggered by CuSO4/H2O2 is a facile and efficient method for improving the wettability and stability of separators for high LIBs performance.

Reaction between Ti–6Al–4V and Y_2O_3–SiO_2 based face shell for investment casting

The pH value and viscosity of Y2O3-SiO2 （Y-Si） slurry made by Y2O3 powders and silica sol for the face coat of Ti-6Al-4V investment casting were measured. The thermal behavior of the shell made by the Y-Si face coat system was investigated by differential scanning calorimeter （DSC）, thermal gravimetric （TG） analysis combined with mass spectrometry （MS）, and the phase transformations were determined by X-ray diffraction （XRD）. Hot strength, residual strength, linear expansion coefficient, and wearing resistance performance of the shell were also tested. The microstructure and elements distri- bution of the interaction layer were studied by scanning electron microscope （SEM） and energy-dispersive spectrometer （EDS）, respectively. The microhardness tester was applied for the microhardness. The results showed that the slurry was stable for at least 60 h. A very small amount of YZrO3 was formed below 1050℃ and Y2SiO5 was formed around 1450℃. The shell made by Y-Si system had good mechanical property which could reduce cracks during the procedure of dewaxing and inclusions during pouring. Some Al volatilized from the melt, permeated the surface of the face coat shell, and formed the black reaction layer, which blocked the permeation of O so that O penetration was limited to 5μm. The depth of Si penetration was about 60 μm. The hard layer was also around 60 μm.