Ions have shown extraordinary abilities to regulate the polymer - water interaction by perturbing the hydrogen bonding network of water depending on their kosmotropicity or chaotropicity, and in consequence controlling the physical properties of polymers. Utilizing the extreme kosmotropic ions, polymer chains in a weak matrix can spontaneously phase separate to yield tough hydrogels with hierarchical structures.
Contrarily, harnessing highly chaotropic ions, polymer chains in a dense matrix can increase their solvation levels to promote the level of bond activation and network strain, which can be used to assist the closed-loop recycling of sustainable polymers. In this research theme, the applications of Specific-ion effect in solving material challenges are revealed as a combined effort of advanced synthesis, characterization, and modeling.
Additive manufacturing has revolutionized the way we fabricate materials, enabling the creation of sophisticated structures across scales. Polymers in particular, can be photochemically printed with high spatial precision, enabling fast prototyping of intricate structures and devices. However, the produced material quality degrades with dilution of precursors when fabricating solvent infused polymers and elastomers.
Their mechanical robustness and functional properties suffer from high degrees of permanent cross-linking. Combining Digital Light Processing (DLP) printing and a engineered macromolecular precursor, mechanically robust polymers can be printed with high resolution while retaining their originally design responsive, conductive and degradation properties.
