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Stimuli-adaptive (bio)polymers and composites

The non-equilibrium natural systems interact with the environment in response to external stimuli, exhibiting intriguing adaptive properties (such as shape-changing, growth, self-healing, degradation, responding, cell-instruction, etc). We focus on the non-equilibrium network (bio)polymer design and understanding the multiscale structure-property relationship to achieve integrated multifunctionalities in engineered (bio)systems. We establish the relationship between molecular structures (such as reaction dynamics, network topology, and self-assembling micromorphology) with macroscale properties (such as viscoelasticity, self-healing rate, degradation rate, and cellular functions) of adaptive (bio)polymers by (high-throughput) experiments, theoretical analysis, and computation tools. The fundamental understanding and design of adaptive (bio)polymer composites with multifunctionalities are promising for sustainable manufacturing and minimally invasive healthcare.

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Colorless, Transparent, Robust, and Fast Scratch-Self-Healing Elastomers via a Phase-Locked Dynamic Bonds Design, Advanced Materials (2018). 

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The novel phase-locked dynamic bonds design, i.e., kinetically trapping the weak bonds in the viscoelastic hard microphase, allows to decouple mechanical robustness and dynamic functions (such as fast healing rate). This provided a versitile molecular design approach to develop fully transparent, mechanically robust , and fast healable materials. 

Magnetic Dynamic Polymers for Modular Assembling and Reconfigurable Morphing Architectures, Advanced Materials (2021)

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The magnetic dynamic polymer composite composes of hard-magnetic microparticles in thermally reversible dynamic polymer networks. The temperature dependent reversible elastic-plastic-viscous transition of the composites, exhibiting integrated multifunctionalities of targeted welding, magnetization reprogramming, and structural reconfiguration.

Magnetic Shape Memory Polymers with Integrated Multifunctional Shape Manipulations, Advanced Materials (2020)

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The magnetic shape memory polymer composite consisting of composite consisting of hard and soft magnetic particles in an amorphous shape memory polymer matrix. It shows integrated multifunctionalities, such as untethered rapid reversible shape change, sequential actuation, reprogrammability, and shape locking.

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Reaction-Diffusion Model for Thermosetting Polymer Dissolution through Exchange Reactions Assisted by Small-Molecule Solvents, Macromolecules  (2019); Recycling of Epoxy Thermoset and Composites via Good Solvent Assisted and Small Molecules Participated Exchange Reactions, ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.  (2018).

 

Diffusion-reaction model by coupling diffusion-based mass transport and catalyzed dynamic reaction was developed to guide the design of efficient mild chemical recycling methods for thermosets composites.

Relevant publications (# equal contribution,* corresponding authorship) (Selected)

  1. Y. Lai#, X. Kuang#, P. Zhu, M. Huang, X. Dong*, and D. Wang, Colorless, Transparent, Robust, and Fast Scratch-Self-Healing Elastomers via a Phase-Locked Dynamic Bonds Design, Adv. Mater. 0, 1802556 (2018).

  2. X. Kuang#, S. Wu#, Q. Ze#, L. Yue, Y. Jin, S. M. Montgomery, F. Yang, H. J. Qi*, and R. Zhao*, Magnetic Dynamic Polymers for Modular Assembling and Reconfigurable Morphing Architectures, Adv Mater 33, e2102113 (2021), DOI: 10.1002/adma.202102113.

  3. X. Kuang, G. Liu, L. Zheng, C. Li, and D. Wang*, Functional Polyester with Widely Tunable Mechanical Properties: The Role of Reversible Cross-linking and Crystallization, Polymer 65, 202 (2015). DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2015.03.074. 

  4. X. Kuang, G. Liu, X. Dong, and D. Wang*, Correlation Between Stress Relaxation Dynamics and Thermochemistry for Covalent Adaptive Networks Polymers, Mater. Chem. Front. 1, 111 (2017) DOI: 10.1039/c6qm00094k. 

  5. X. Kuang, M. O. Arıcan, Vidal R. R., L. Lian, M. Wang, S. Maharjan, Y. Wu, R. S. Flores, W. Li, X. Mei, M. Xie, J. J. Fitzgibbon, P. V. Heindel, C. K. Ozaki, and Y. S. Zhang*, Biomaterialomics-Based Design of Microstructured Cell-Instructive Tough Hydrogels (To be Submitted)

  6. Q. Mu*, L. An, Z. Hu, and X. Kuang*, Fast and Sustainable Recycling of Epoxy and Composites Using Mixed Solvents. Polymer Degradation and Stability. 199, 109895(2022). 

  7. Y. Lai#, X. Kuang#, W.-H. Yang, Y. Wang, P. Zhu, J.P. Li, X. Dong*, and D.J. Wang, Dynamic Bonds Mediate π-π Interaction via Phase Locking Effect for Enhanced Heat Resistant Thermoplastic Polyurethane, Chin. J. Polym. Sci. 39, 154 (2020).

  8. C. M. Hamel#, X. Kuang#, and H. J. Qi*, Modeling the Dissolution of Thermosetting Polymers and Composites via Solvent Assisted Exchange Reactions, Composites Part B: Engineering, 108363 (2020). 

  9. X. Kuang, Q. Mu, D. J. Roach, and H. J. Qi*, Shape-programmable and healable materials and devices using thermo-and photo-responsive vitrimer, Multifunctional Materials 3, 045001 (2020).

  10. X. Kuang, H. J. Qi*, Modular 4D Printing Assisted by Dynamic Chemical Bonds, Matter 2, 1080 (2020).

  11. J. Deng#, X. Kuang#, R. Liu#, W. Ding, A.C. Wang, Y.C. Lai, K. Dong, Z. Wen, Y. Wang, L. Wang, H.J. Qi*, T. Zhang*, Z.L*. Wang, Vitrimer Elastomer-Based Jigsaw Puzzle-Like Healable Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Self-Powered Wearable Electronics, Adv. Mater. 30, 1705918, 1705918 (2018).

  12. C. M. Hamel#, X. Kuang#, K. Chen, and H. J. Qi*, Reaction-Diffusion Model for Thermosetting Polymer Dissolution through Exchange Reactions Assisted by Small-Molecule Solvents, Macromolecules 52, 3636 (2019)

  13. X. Kuang, Y. Zhou, Q. Shi, T. Wang, and H. J. Qi*, Recycling of Epoxy Thermoset and Composites via Good Solvent Assisted and Small Molecules Participated Exchange Reactions, ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 6, 9189 (2018).

  14. X. Kuang, G. Liu, X. Dong, and D. Wang*, Triple-shape Memory Epoxy Based on Diels–Alder Adduct Molecular Switch, Polymer 84, 1 (2016). 

  15. X. Kuang, G. Liu, X. Dong, and D. Wang*, Enhancement of Mechanical and Self-Healing Performance in Multiwall Carbon Nanotube/Rubber Composites via Diels–Alder Bonding, Macromol. Mater. Eng. 301, 535 (2016).

  16. X. Kuang, G. Liu, X. Dong, X. G. Liu, J. Xu, and D. Wang*, Facile Fabrication of Fast Recyclable and Multiple Self-healing Epoxy Materials through Diels-Alder Adduct Cross-linker, J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 53, 2094 (2015).

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