A structural and electrochemical study of perfluoropolyether-poly(ethylene oxide) solid polymer electrolytes

Ga and Si co-doped Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3-enhanced poly(ethylene oxide) solid composite electrolyte for high-performance all-solid-state lithium-ion battery

Fabrication of resorcin[4]arenes/poly(ethylene oxide) chain-ring interpenetrating structure membrane for efficient CO2 separation

Clinical hollow-fiber artificial lungs are prone to clotting, necessitating the use of systemic anticoagulation and thus increasing the risk of bleeding events. This study seeks to address these limitations by creating hemocompatible and biomimetic 3D-printed artificial lungs. This study investigates the nonthrombogenic effects of imbuing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS or silicone elastomer)-based 3D-printable resin with hydrophilic molecules with the goal of reducing the body's natural coagulation response to foreign materials, increasing device lifetime, and reducing systemic anticoagulation, thereby coming closer to mimicking the native in vivo blood interface. First, contact angle (hydrophilicity) tests were done to narrow down the number of candidate modifications for the development of a high-resolution PDMS resin for vat photopolymerization (VPP). Then, dynamic blood flow-through testing was performed using a high-resolution PDMS base resin modified by (1) adding 1% 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) to the base resin; (2) adding 1.8% poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) to the base resin; or (3) infusing the neat PDMS devices with 2% dimethylsiloxane-[60-70% ethylene oxide] (PEO-PDMS) in ethanol post printing. Biomimetic microfluidic capillary devices designed in SOLIDWORKS were 3D-printed via VPP, cleared of uncured resin, and tested for coagulation with freshly drawn ovine whole blood. Devices (n ≥ 12 per group) were exposed to blood for 10 min at 0.8 mL/min and evaluated for clotting via fluorescent confocal microscopy, percent clotting area analyses, pressure data, and flow cytometry. The 1% MPC, 1.8% PEGMA, and 2% PEO-PDMS infusion resin groups demonstrated a significant decrease in clotting area and fluorescence intensity when compared to the unmodified base resin and a commercially available resin (FTD Nano Clear). The top-performing modification (PEO-PDMS infusion) decreased the clotting area by 57.5 and 65.2% and fluorescence intensity by 84.6 and 88.3% relative to the unmodified base resin and FTD Nano Clear resin, respectively.

We directly quantified bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate (BEDA) isomers with molecular weights up to approximately 1000 by 13C NMR spectroscopy without prior separation. BEDA is a complex mixture of oligomers, comprising homologues that differ in the sum of the degrees of polymerization (SDP) of the two poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains, each of which, in turn, consists of isomers with different combinations of PEG chain lengths for the same SDP. Although isomers with SDPs of 4 and 5 have been quantified by gas chromatography, the separation of the isomers by liquid chromatography has not been reported, owing to numerous species and their similar physicochemical properties. 13C NMR spectra of BEDAs with average SDPs of 3, 4, and 10 were acquired in toluene-d8 at a digital resolution of 0.1 Hz/point. The signal of quaternary aromatic carbon attached to the isopropylidene group in the 143 ppm region was resolved depending on the specific PEG chain length combination, revealing over 50 distinct signals for the BEDA with an average SDP of 10. Signals were assigned on the basis of the additivity of chemical shifts and the relative signal intensities, which varied with the degree of polymerization. Spectral deconvolution of this 143 ppm region for the average SDP 10 sample enabled the quantification of 39 individual molecular species with SDPs of up to 16. This NMR method extends the quantifiable range for BEDA isomers by approximately 10 ethylene oxide units beyond that of conventional gas chromatography.

Solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) are key materials for next-generation high-energy batteries because of their enhanced chemical and mechanical stabilities. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) exhibit great physical contact with electrodes, electrochemical compatibility with lithium (Li) metal anodes, as well as easy processibility and high economic efficiency, having become the pioneer and one frontrunner for developing all-solid-state high-energy batteries. However, PEO-based SPEs also suffer from a trade-off between ionic conductivity and mechanical strength, an insufficient cationic transference number, and a weak high-voltage stability, limiting their practical achievement in desirable power and energy density. Herein, we present a comprehensive overview on the intramolecular design strategies of PEO, which has the potential to fundamentally tackle above challenges compared to the intermolecular plasticizer or ceramic blending approaches. Topological and chemical designs for target mechano-electro-chemical performance are classified and summarized in detail. On this basis, a perspective on the unconquered issues and future directions is proposed, providing guidance for the design and application of high-performance SSEs for next-generation high-energy batteries, with special emphasis on the rational integration of intramolecular and intermolecular methods and the development of advanced manufacture techniques for flexible yet robust thin films.

The electrophoretic velocity of a charged dielectric particle is independent of its size and shape in a Newtonian fluid under the thin Debye layer limit in the weak-field regime. Our previous paper (Bentor and Xuan, Analytical Chemistry 2024, 96, 3186-3191) reported particle size-dependent electrophoresis in viscoelastic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) solutions. We demonstrate herein that the fluid elasticity also induces the particle shape dependence of electrophoretic velocity likely because the polymer stress around a particle varies with its shape. Specifically, altering the shape of a particle from sphere to pear and peanut enhances the electrophoretic velocity in a viscoelastic fluid as the particle becomes slenderer. This phenomenon, which is found absent from a Newtonian fluid, becomes stronger in higher-concentration PEO solutions because of the enhanced fluid elasticity effect. It may be utilized for the label-free electrophoretic separation of particles and cells in non-Newtonian microfluidic devices.

Perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) are promising candidates for next-generation displays owing to their exceptional color purity, solution processability, and spectral tunability. However, blue PeLEDs still suffer from inferior efficiency and stability, primarily due to energy level misalignment, imbalanced charge injection, and severe nonradiative recombination. To tackle these challenges, we propose a dual-interface synergistic regulation strategy employing P═O-functionalized small molecules. At the bottom interface, the P═O-functionalized small molecule [2-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)ethyl]phosphonic acid (2PACz) is incorporated, enabling precise phase distribution management and reducing hole injection barriers via hydrogen bonding. Simultaneously, at the top interface, bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]ether oxide, another P═O-containing molecule is introduced, which coordinates with uncoordinated Pb2+ ions to passivate surface defects. Encapsulating the all-bromine quasi-2D perovskite emissive layer with these high-triplet-energy molecules further suppresses exciton energy loss. This dual-interface engineering strategy optimizes the phase distribution. Consequently, the photoluminescence quantum yield rises dramatically from 31% to 68%, while the surface roughness decreases to 3.1 nm. The optimized blue PeLEDs achieve a peak external quantum efficiency of 15.12% at 490 nm and a maximum luminance of 2948 cd m-2, alongside improved spectral stability and operational lifetime. This work provides a robust interface engineering strategy for high-performance blue PeLEDs.

Solar thermal fuel materials are promising for light-energy storage and on-demand heat release. However, simultaneously balancing energy-storage capacity, storage lifetime, and condensed-state heat-release behavior is challenging for these materials. Herein, azopyridine was used as a core photoresponsive unit to design and synthesize a series of monomers with different flexible alkyl chain lengths (M-Cn), followed by the synthesis of block copolymers with different azopyridine block lengths (E114-Mn). The effects of the molecular structure, block composition, and aggregated-state behavior on photothermal energy storage and heat release performance were systematically investigated. The designed monomers exhibited pronounced photoinduced phase-transition behavior, among which M-C8 favorably balanced between the photoisomerization behavior, energy-storage performance, and storage lifetime. With an increasing azopyridine block length, the photochemical energy-storage capability and storage lifetime of the block copolymers were significantly enhanced, while poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) crystallization was progressively suppressed. E114-M49 exhibits the highest total energy density, reaching 108 J g-1, and shows a markedly enhanced heat-release response under visible-light stimulation. This study provides new insights into the design and application of flexible solar thermal fuel materials.

Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs), due to their unique physicochemical properties, are considered as promising nanomaterials for multiple biomedical applications. However, the development of novel strategies for surface modification and coating of Fe3O4 NPs is needed to fabricate Fe3O4 NPs with improved biocompatibility. In the present study, two polymers, namely, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), were applied to produce PCL/PEO microfibers containing Fe3O4 NPs (PCL/PEO/Fe3O4 MFs) using the electrospinning method. Their physicochemical properties, especially magnetically induced hyperthermia effects, were compared to Fe3O4 NPs. The biocompatibility and immunocompatibility of PCL/PEO/Fe3O4 MFs were then tested using four types of human immune cells, namely, CD14+ monocytes, CD4+ helper, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, and CD56+ NK cells. Monocytes were the most sensitive to PCL/PEO/Fe3O4 MFs as judged by the induction of cell death (apoptosis and necrosis) and micronuclei production, whereas other immune cells were less or not affected by the stimulation with PCL/PEO/Fe3O4 MFs. PCL/PEO/Fe3O4 MFs also did not lower the viability of normal human fibroblasts. Furthermore, a mild immunogenic response was revealed in PCL/PEO/Fe3O4 MF-treated helper T cells based on the analysis of transcriptional activity of 92 genes involved in the NFκB pathway. Observed elevated mRNA levels of NFKB2, TNF, TNFAIP3, TRAF1, and TBK1 may have context-dependent immunomodulatory effects in PCL/PEO/Fe3O4 MF-stimulated helper T cells that should be taken into account while designing novel drug-delivery systems based on PCL/PEO and Fe3O4 NPs.

Direct electrochemical ethylene epoxidation using water as the oxygen source offers a sustainable alternative to conventional thermal processes, but practical implementation is constrained by insufficient ethylene adsorption and the inherent instability of the critical OO* intermediate. Here we show that a CuO/Ag catalyst engineered with coupled strain and electronic properties promotes exposure of metastable Ag(111) facets to strengthen ethylene adsorption and establishes a dual-reagent confinement system that enriches H2O and C2H4 at respective interfacial domains. Characterization and simulation reveal that dynamic charge oscillations at the interface induce an electron flow from Ag to CuO, which facilitates C=C bond activation and stabilizes the OO* intermediate by suppressing O-O bond cleavage. In a membrane electrode assembly reactor, a stable ethylene oxide production rate of 345 μmol·cm-2·h-1 is achieved at 50 mA·cm-2 over 60 hours, with a Faradaic efficiency of 45.6% and a selectivity of 92.8%. This work validates interfacial strain and electronic properties as a viable strategy for sustainable electrified synthesis, as exemplified by the continuous direct epoxidation of ethylene.

Five-year Prospective Microbiological Evaluation of Sterilized Operating Room Supplies Stored Under Event-related Sterility Maintenance Conditions: A Single-Centre Study with Molecular Characterization of a Fungal Contaminant.

Aerosol-assisted plasma deposition (AAPD) is a promising technique for the immobilization of delicate biomolecules, such as enzymes, on a variety of substrates. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the single-step deposition of glucose oxidase (GOx) in a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) matrix by AAPD with an atmospheric pressure plasma jet. The resulting biocomposite GOx/PEO films retain enzymatic activity, show excellent sensitivity, and allow glucose sensing in cell culture medium with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). We show that water evaporation during aerosol transport governs film morphology: enzymes precipitate in droplets reaching the substrate with a small volume fraction of water (ϕH2O), leading to a solid-like behavior when impacting on the substrate and formation of (hemi)spherical particles in/on the GOx/PEO films. In contrast, droplets retaining a high ϕH2O can spread upon impaction, leading to the formation of disk-like features in the GOx/PEO films and increased sensitivity of the films for glucose. The optimized films show a sensitivity for glucose of 4 μA cm-2 mM-1 in cell culture medium with 10% FBS and a linear range between 0.5 and 8 mM, which is comparable with typical values reported in the literature for a first-generation glucose biosensor. Furthermore, the films preserve 87% of their sensitivity after 4 weeks of dry storage. These findings demonstrate the potential of AAPD as a scalable, environmentally friendly method for the immobilization of biomolecules in a biocompatible matrix with tunable morphology and properties. The insights presented here can serve as a basis for further film optimization and for extending the process to other biomolecules.

Alginate-based mucoadhesive nanofibrous system embedding resveratrol-loaded vesicles as a therapeutic platform for nasal disorders.

2-Butoxyethanol is an important glycol ether widely used as a solvent, wetting agent, emulsifier, and chemical intermediate, and is commonly produced via the ethoxylation of n-butanol with ethylene oxide. The selection of an appropriate catalyst plays a crucial role in controlling product distribution and facilitating downstream purification. In this study, mixed metal oxide catalysts were evaluated for the selective ethoxylation of n-butanol, and a vanadium-promoted Mg-Sr-Al mixed metal oxide (AMSV) was developed as a highly efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst. Under mild reaction conditions (125°C and 0.3MPa), the AMSV catalyst achieved 71.27% n-butanol conversion with 67.93% selectivity toward 2-butoxyethanol, significantly outperforming the unmodified Mg-Sr-Al oxide (AMS; 54.26% conversion and 62.67% selectivity) as well as the conventional homogeneous KOH catalyst. The catalysts were synthesized via a controlled co-precipitation method, calcined at 550°C, and comprehensively characterized using FESEM, XRD, FTIR, CO2-TPD, and BET analyses. Quantitative product analysis was performed by GC-FID (Agilent 7890A, HP-INNOWAX column, split ratio 50:1, n-hexanol internal standard), yielding calibration coefficients with R2 values exceeding 0.999. The superior catalytic performance of AMSV is attributed to its enhanced textural and surface properties, including a 7.2-fold increase in BET surface area (92.88m2 g-1), a higher density of moderate-strength basic sites (≈ 900 µmol g-1, desorption at 400-600°C), and the presence of Lewis basic V5+=O surface species, as evidenced by an FTIR band at approximately 995cm-1. Reusability tests demonstrated that the AMSV catalyst retained its initial activity and selectivity over consecutive reaction cycles, confirming its excellent structural stability and recyclability. These findings highlight the potential of vanadium-promoted mixed metal oxides as sustainable heterogeneous catalysts for narrow-range alcohol ethoxylation.

Abstract. The Gulf Coast region of Louisiana hosts one of the highest concentrations of petrochemical industries in the United States, contributing substantially to national economic output while simultaneously posing severe environmental and public health risks. Among the hazardous pollutants released from these facilities is ethylene oxide (EtO), a highly toxic and carcinogenic gas associated with elevated risks of leukemia, lymphoma, and respiratory disorders. Communities surrounding industrial corridors, commonly referred to as “Cancer Alley”, experience disproportionate exposure due to historical land-use patterns and environmental injustice. This study evaluates the spatial extent and severity of health risks associated with a hypothetical worst-case release of ethylene oxide from the ExxonMobil Port Allen Lube Plant in West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. The Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA) dispersion model was employed to simulate atmospheric transport under defined meteorological conditions using Gaussian plume theory. Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGL-1, AEGL-2, and AEGL-3) were applied to delineate threat zones representing mild, serious, and potentially lethal exposure thresholds. Results indicate that outdoor EtO concentrations exceeding 200 ppm (AEGL-3) extend up to approximately 1,750 yards from the release source, posing immediate life-threatening risks. Indoor concentrations reaching 45 ppm (AEGL-2) affect areas up to 2.3 miles from the facility, exposing sensitive populations to long-term carcinogenic risks. Several critical facilities, including residential areas, logistics centers, and public institutions, fall within these impact zones. The findings highlight the urgent need for stricter emission control, continuous monitoring, emergency preparedness, and environmental justice-driven policy interventions to protect vulnerable communities in Louisiana’s industrial corridor.

ABSTRACT In recent decades, ethylene oxide (EtO) has been a widely used industrial sterilant and chemical intermediate that has faced increasing scrutiny related to its carcinogenic potential. This study evaluated residential and occupational exposure to EtO in a valley surrounding two point-source emissions in close proximity (~11 m apart). Air samples were collected in residential and industrial areas. Eight locations, ranging from 100 to 1,700 m from the center of the point-sources in varying directions, had average concentrations between 0.290 and 3.212 µg/m3 (0.16 to 1.8 ppb) with peak levels reaching 26.4 µg/m3 (15 ppb). Exposure scenarios were developed based on daily activity patterns, long-term residency, and estimates derived from historical emissions data. Under the most conservative assumptions, including 40 years of occupational exposure during the periods of highest recorded emissions around the facility, the maximum estimated cumulative lifetime exposure was 591 ppm-days. When compared with epidemiology studies of EtO-exposed workers from similar facilities (studies used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in their cancer risk assessments), the highest cumulative exposures observed (13,500+ ppm-days) were at least 23-fold higher than our maximum estimated lifetime exposure value (591 ppm-days). Importantly, these high-exposure groups showed no statistically significant cancer incidence, particularly for breast and lymphohematopoietic cancers. When compared to regulatory values and health-based benchmarks adjusted to cumulative exposures, estimated exposures were substantially below levels associated with increased cancer incidence in epidemiological cohorts for the community surrounding the sterilization facility, even to the most susceptible populations. Implications: This study presents a site-specific, data-driven framework for evaluating long-term human health risks from ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions using ambient monitoring, historical emissions, and conservative EPA-aligned assumptions. Even at one of the highest-emitting U.S. sterilization facilities, estimated exposures were well below levels associated with increased cancer risk. The findings challenge proximity-based risk assumptions and support more proportionate, risk-based air quality policies. The approach offers regulators a transparent, scientifically grounded method for EtO risk characterization under the Clean Air Act, TSCA, and state air toxics programs.

This study examines the impact of alkaline treatment on hydrogels composed of acrylic acid (AAc), sodium alginate (SA), and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), produced via 5.5 MeV electron beam irradiation, emphasizing swelling behavior and functional performance. Hydrogels were treated with NaOH (0.25 M and 0.50 M) to modulate biodegradability, water retention capacity, and water retention ratio. The materials were characterized in terms of structural, morphological, thermal, and physicochemical properties using FTIR, SEM, and TGA/DSC, along with evaluations of gel fraction, cross-linking density, mesh size, porosity, swelling kinetics, and water retention. FTIR confirmed carboxyl group ionization and polymer chain reorganization, while SEM revealed structural changes, rougher surfaces, and larger pores that facilitate water uptake. Thermal stability of the hydrogels increased, with the T-onset rising from 236 °C in the untreated samples to 451 °C after alkaline treatment. Treatment with 0.25 M NaOH enhanced mesh size (127.97 ± 4.05 nm), porosity (99.74 ± 0.05%), and swelling capacity (428 ± 14 g/g), whereas 0.50 M induced partial degradation and reduced swelling. Despite a significant increase in degradability (>39.49 ± 1.94% after 28 days), treated hydrogels maintained functional performance, showing accelerated water uptake and improved rainwater retention. Overall, alkaline treatment enables tunable structural and functional modifications, optimizing hydrogel performance for agricultural water management.

Poly (ɛ-caprolactone)/poly (ethylene oxide)/hydroxyapatite nanofibrous composite scaffolds used for bone tissue regeneration, potentially: effect of chamomile extract

Future Li-based batteries require electrolytes with high safety, thermal stability, and performance, yet poly(ethylene oxide)-based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) remain limited by crystallinity-induced low ionic conductivity and stability at room temperature (RT). In this study, a UV-crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(ethylene carbonate) (PEO-PEC) salt-in-polymer matrix is developed through dry melt compounding by a mini twin-screw extruder, followed by hot-pressing and UV-induced photopolymerization(crosslinking). The solvent-free manufacturing is designed to mitigate crystallinity and improve mechanical robustness. Resulting SPEs are further modified with cyclic carbonate plasticizers, namely ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), and 1,2-butylene carbonate (BC), to enhance ionic mobility and electrochemical stability, thereby addressing the challenge of fabricating next-generation lithium metal batteries (LMBs) with sufficient ion transport at RT. The influence of these additives, individually and in combination, is investigated through a comprehensive set of electrochemical, thermal, and mechanical characterizations. BC-containing SPEs exhibit reduced glass transition temperatures and stable compatibility with lithium metal for over 2300 h at a capacity of 0.2 mAh cm −2 . In addition, laboratory-scale solid-state Li metal cells with LFP show remarkable performance, delivering almost full practical specific capacity even at RT, despite the presence of immobilized carbonate plasticizers within the crosslinked polymer matrix. This work presents an effective strategy to tailor SPEs for ambient temperature operation through rational additive design, offering insights into the structure-property relationships critical for practical LMB development. • Solvent-free UV-crosslinked PEO–PEC room-temperature solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs). • Cyclic carbonates unlock high ionic transport and suppress crystallinity. • Butylene carbonate delivers enhanced Li-metal interfacial stability. • Dendrite-free Li|SPE|Li cycling sustained for >2300 h at 25 °C. • Solid-state Li|SPE|LFP cells reach near-theoretical capacity at room temperature.