Poly Acrylic Acid Research Articles

Functional Separator with Poly(Acrylic Acid)-Enabled Li2CO3-Free Garnet Coating for Long-Cycling Lithium Metal Batteries.

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) possess a theoretical energy density far surpassing that of commercial lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), positioning them as one of the most promising next-generation energy storage systems. Modifying separators with composite coatings comprising oxide solid-state electrolyte (SSE) particles and polymers can improve the cycling stability and safety of LMBs. However, exposure to air forms Li2CO3 on oxide SSE particles, diminishing their ion flux regulation at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Utilizing the reaction of Li2CO3 with polyacrylic acid (PAA) to form lithium polyacrylate (LiPAA), an ultra-thin composite coating on polyethylene (PE) separator with Li2CO3-free Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) particles and LiPAA binder is fabricated in one step. The exposed Li2CO3-free LLZTO surface increases the ionic conductivity and lithium ion (Li+) transference number of the functional separator, resulting in small resistance and uniform Li deposition of the Li metal anode. Consequently, the Li//LiCoO2 cell with the functional separator exhibits a significantly improved life of 980 cycles with 80.9% capacity retention under lean-electrolyte conditions. Both the Li//LiCoO2 coin cell and pouch cell using thin Li foil anode demonstrate good cycling stability and high mechanical robustness. This study provides a green and scalable approach for fabricating advanced separators for LMBs.

Nanoceria-induced variations in leaf anatomy and cell wall composition drive the increase in mesophyll conductance of salt-stressed cotton leaves

Nanomaterials as an emerging tool are being used to improve plant′s net photosynthetic rate (AN) when suffering salt stress, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To clarify this, a hydroponic experiment was conducted to study the effects of polyacrylic acid coated nanoceria (PNC) on the AN of salt-stressed cotton and related intrinsic mechanisms. Results showed that the PNC-induced AN enhancement of salt-stressed leaves was strongly facilitated by the mesophyll conductance to CO2 (gm). Further analysis showed that the PNC-induced improvement of gm was related to the increased chloroplast surface area exposed to intercellular airspaces, which was attribute to the increased mesophyll surface area exposed to intercellular airspaces and chloroplast number due to the increased K+ content and decreased reactive oxygen species level in salt-stressed leaves. Interestingly, our results also showed that PNC-induced variations in cell wall composition of salt-stressed cotton leaves strongly influenced gm, especially, hemicellulose and pectin. Moreover, the proportion of pectin in cell wall composition played a more important role in determining gm. Our study demonstrated for the first time that nanoceria, through alterations to anatomical traits and cell wall composition, drove gm enhancement, which ultimately increased AN of salt-stressed leaves.

Development of Polymer Composite Membrane Electrolytes in Alkaline Zn/MnO2, Al/MnO2, Zinc/Air, and Al/Air Electrochemical Cells

This paper reports on the novel composite membrane electrolytes used in Zn/MnO2, Al/MnO2, Al/air, and zinc/air electrochemical devices. The composite membranes were made using poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(acrylic acid), and a sulfonated polypropylene/polyethylene separator to enhance the electrochemical characteristics and dimensional stability of the solid electrolyte membranes. The ionic conductivity was improved significantly by the amount of acrylic acid incorporated into the polymer systems. In general, the ionic conductivity was also enhanced gradually as the testing temperature increased from 20 to 80 °C. Porous zinc gel electrodes and pure aluminum plates were used as the anodes, while porous carbon air electrodes or porous MnO2 electrodes were used as the cathodes. The cyclic voltammetry properties and electrochemical impedance characteristics were investigated to evaluate the cell behavior and electrochemical properties of these prototype cells. The results showed that these prototype cells had a low bulk resistance, a high cell power density, and a unique device stability. The Al/MnO2 cell achieved a density of 110 mW cm−2 at the designated current density for the discharge tests, while the other cells also exhibited good values in the range of 70–100 mW cm−2. Furthermore, the Zn/air cell consisting of the PVA/PAA = 10:5 composite membrane revealed an excellent discharge capacity of 1507 mAh. This represented a very high anode utilization of 95.7% at the C/10 rate.

A Wide‐Temperature Adaptive Electrochromic Device Based on a Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Poly(acrylic acid) Gel Electrolyte

AbstractAs a promising energy‐saving technology, electrochromic technology has been widely investigated for practical applications. However, there is relatively few research about the applications under certain extreme climatic conditions since gel electrolytes often occur freezing and volatilizing. In this work, a poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid) (PVA/PAA) gel electrolyte with good anti‐freezing and heat‐resistance performance is developed. Utilizing hydrated tungsten oxide (WO3·xH2O) and polyaniline (PANI) as electrochromic materials and the PVA/PAA gel as electrolyte, a WO3·xH2O/PVA/PAA‐ethylene glycol (EG)‐H2O/PANI electrochromic device (WO3·xH2O/PAEH/PANI ECD) is obtained, which can work efficiently at wide operating temperatures from −20 to 60 °C. The device has multiple reversible color changes, a large optical modulation of 66.2% at 600 nm, high coloration efficiency of 386.0 cm2 C−1, fast responses (with coloration/bleaching times of 1.3/1.1 s), as well as excellent cyclic stability (82.0% of the initial optical modulation is still retained after 2100 cycles). This work reveals the potential application prospects of PAEH gel electrolyte in practical extreme operating conditions.

3D Graphene-like Carbon Structures from Poly(Acrylic Acid): A Novel Synthetic Route.

Emerging contaminants, such as the hormone 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE), in aquatic environments pose a serious risk to both human and environmental health, making efficient removal essential. This study evaluated the effectiveness of three-dimensional porous carbon structures derived from poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc, Carbopol 990) as adsorbents for removing EE from aqueous solutions. Activated carbon materials were prepared using varying ratios of KOH as an activating agent (PAAc:KOH; 1:0 AAC, 1:1 AC1, 1:2 AC2, and 1:3 AC3). Adsorption tests were conducted by adding 10 mg of the adsorbent to 40 mL of an EE solution (100 ppm, 20% acetonitrile in water). Analyses including TGA, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy were performed to evaluate the materials' structural properties and adsorption capacities. Among the materials, AC3 exhibited the highest adsorption capacity for EE (238 mg g-1), followed by AC2 (153 mg g-1) and AC1 (82 mg g-1). The superior efficiency of AC3 can be attributed to its larger surface area and pore volume, enabling greater interaction with EE molecules. These materials demonstrated higher adsorption capacities compared to commercial activated carbons and single-walled carbon nanotubes. This work opens new possibilities for developing efficient adsorbents, contributing to more effective and sustainable solutions for water purification and environmental protection.

Poly(Acrylic Acid)-Based Polymer Binders for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries: From Structure to Properties.

Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and its derivatives have emerged as promising candidates for enhancing the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) as binder materials. Recent research has focused on evaluating their ability to improve adhesion with silicon (Si) particles and facilitate ion transport while maintaining electrode integrity. Various strategies, including mixing modifications and copolymerization methods, are highlighted and the structural and physicochemical properties of these binders are examined. Additionally, the interaction mechanisms between PAA-based binders and active materials and their impact on key electrochemical properties such as initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and cycle stability are discussed. The findings underscore the efficacy of tailored PAA-based binders in enhancing the electrochemical properties of LIBs, offering insights into the design principles and practical implications for advanced battery materials. These advancements hold promise for developing high-performance lithium batteries capable of meeting future energy storage demands.

Mn3O4 Nanoenzyme Seed Soaking Enhanced Salt Tolerance in Soybean Through Modulating Homeostasis of Reactive Oxygen Species and ATPase Activities

Soybean, an important cash crop, is often affected by soil salinity, which is one of the important types of abiotic stress that affects its growth. Poly (acrylic) acid coated Mn3O4 (PMO) has been reported to play a vital role in defending against a variety of abiotic stresses in plants. To date, the effects of PMOs on soybean have not been reported; this study explored the mechanism of PMO-enhanced soybean germination under salt stress. In this experiment, 100 mg/L PMO was used as an immersion agent with a salt treatment of 150 mM NaCl. The results showed that when compared with the PMO treatment, salt stress significantly decreased the germination rate, fresh weight, carbohydrate content, and antioxidant enzyme activity of soybean and significantly increased the contents of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and osmoregulatory substances. However, PMO treatment enhanced the antioxidant defense system and significantly reduced the malondialdehyde content of soybean. Moreover, the activities of H+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase were significantly higher in treated soybean than in the control, and the content of ATP was also higher in treated soybean than in the control. Generally, PMO regulates the homeostasis of reactive oxygen species and reduces ATP consumption, thereby improving the ability of soybeans to germinate under salt stress. This study provides new insights into how nanomaterials improve plant salt tolerance.

Development of Technology for Providing Antimicrobial Properties to Medical Disposable Masks

Wearing masks to protect against communicable diseases is an effective tool used in many countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The antibacterial activity, antibacterial efficiency, microbial purity, and breathability properties of medical disposable masks are very important. Ag is most commonly applied to antimicrobial textiles. In this work, three antimicrobial additives were used. Four compositions of the binders with antimicrobial additives were prepared and applied to one-layer non-woven PP material. The influence of the binder antimicrobial polymer coating on the breathability and antibacterial activity of the non-woven PP material was evaluated. The results show that the composition of the polyacrylic acid binder had the least effect on their breathability and samples with the silver chloride formulation showed the best antimicrobial response. Based on the microbiological and air permeability results of the samples of the one-layer non-woven material with coating, the samples of two layers and three layers of the medical mask model were prepared. Microbiological studies have shown that a three-layered medical mask model with silver chloride composition in the middle layer, on both sides of the model, has antibacterial efficiency against three pathogens (E. Coli, K. Pneumoniae, and S. Aureus). The performance of this medical mask model has been found to meet the requirements for type I medical masks according to the EN 14863 standard. Studies have shown that the microbial purity of the mask model is CFU/g < 3.

Construction of a Fluorescence/Phase-Change Dual-Mode Sensor Based on Carbon Dots/Poly(acrylic acid) for Highly Selective and Sensitive Detection of Ferric Ions.

Fe3+ is one of the crucial metal ions in biological systems, and its excess or deficiency in the body can trigger various diseases, posing a serious threat to human health. Moreover, improper handling or disposal of Fe3+ can lead to water pollution, thereby harming the environment. Therefore, the development of highly selective and sensitive Fe3+ detection probes is particularly urgent. In this paper, a dual-mode sensor based on sol-gel and fluorescence signal responses was developed for the visual detection of Fe3+. The visual sensing method based on the simultaneous response of Fe3+-triggered dual signals can minimize the interference from false-positive signals and enhance detection accuracy. The dual-mode sensor, denoted as PAA@CDs, was constructed by incorporating high-brightness (high fluorescence emission intensity) green-yellow carbon dots (CDs) into poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), which possesses a large number of carboxyl functional groups. Based on the interaction of Fe3+ with the surface functional groups of CDs, nonfluorescent complexes are formed, leading to nonradiative electron transfer, which induces fluorescence quenching and produces a fluorescence signal visible to the naked eye. Additionally, the interaction of Fe3+ with the carboxyl groups of PAA triggers the cross-linking of PAA, causing a sol-gel phase change signal. Consequently, the PAA@CDs exhibit a dual-response signal in Fe3+ detection. Based on the fluorescence method, the linear detection range of PAA@CDs for Fe3+ is 0.05-2.60 mM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 5.14 μM. Meanwhile, using the sol-gel method, the linear detection range is 0.02-2.20 mM, and the LOD is 42.5 μM. Furthermore, the PAA@CDs probes can be successfully applied to the detection of Fe3+ in real water samples, demonstrating their potential value in the analysis of real samples containing multiple ions.

Optimization, experimental and theoretical investigation of modified guar-gum and poly(acrylic acid) based smart hydrogel for controlled release applications in the agricultural field

A series of smart polymer hydrogels with good uptake and controlled release characteristics were synthesized free-radically by growing poly(acrylic acid) on allylated guar gum using ammonium persulfate as an initiator and trimethylolpropane triacrylate as the crosslinker. The synthesized hydrogels were evaluated using FT-IR and NMR for their structure, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TG) to measure thermal stability, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze surface morphology and swellability by gravimetric method under different pH and temperature conditions. The soil moisture content and gel fractions were measured using gravimetric methods. Additionally, a theoretical investigation was also performed to assess the urea-holding capacity of the synthesized hydrogel matrix using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The uptake study revealed that the hydrogel with optimized monomer feed composition absorbed 851 g/g of water, 78 % and 67 % of urea from 0.5 % and 1 % urea solutions respectively under ambient conditions. The release study showed that 56 and 47 % of absorbed urea were released over 15 days from the urea-loaded hydrogels (0.5 % and 1 % urea solutions respectively). The uptake mechanism obeyed the non-Fickian and first-order kinetics models. The experimental evaluation and DFT calculations conveyed that the synthesized hydrogel could act as a candidature matrix for the controlled release of water and fertilizer in the agricultural field.

Gel polymer electrolytes containing SiO2 spheres with tuned sizes to increase rechargeability of quasi-solid-state Zn-air batteries

Rechargeable zinc–air batteries (RZABs) with high energy densities and low costs have attracted tremendous interest for meeting the ever-growing demand for flexible and portable applications. In these batteries, the quasi-solid/solid-state electrolyte plays a critical role in the battery performance, such as the cycling performance rate and power output. In this study, porous poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) composite gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) were modified by incorporating SiO2 as a water retainer. For this reason, SiO2 spheres of different sizes were synthesized by varying the temperature (5, 20, 60, and 80 °C) and reaction time (2, 6, 18, and 24 h). According to the SEM micrographs, the average size ranged from 107 to 710 nm depending on the conditions. The porous PVA/PAA–SiO2 GPEs obtained by selecting three SiO2 sizes (107, 425, and 630 nm) exhibited higher water retention capability than the unmodified GPE. Among them, the GPE with SiO2–630 nm displayed the highest battery performance (1.46 V, 85 mWcm−2 @ 0.8 V). This was achieved using CoMn2O4 spinel as a bifunctional electrocatalyst, with a catalyst loading of 2 mg cm−2. The quasi-solid-state RZAB displayed twice the rechargeability of the RZAB assembled with Pt/C+IrO2/C (120 vs. 62 cycles). According to post-mortem tests, this can be related to the improved water retention, the decrease in the size of the formed Zn dendrites, and the stability of the bifunctional material. Thus, fine-tuning of the electrocatalyst/electrolyte interface strongly affects the rechargeability.

A Novel Hydrogel Sponge for Three-Dimensional Cell Culture

Background/Objectives: Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture technologies allow us to overcome the constraints of two-dimensional methods in different fields like biochemistry and cell biology and in pharmaceutical in vitro tests. In this study, a novel 3D hydrogel sponge scaffold, composed of a crosslinked polyacrylic acid forming a porous matrix, has been developed and characterized. Methods: The scaffold was obtained via an innovative procedure involving thermal treatment followed by a salt-leaching step on a matrix-containing polymer along with a gas-forming agent. Based on experimental design for mixtures, a series of formulations were prepared to study the effect of the three components (polyacrylic acid, NaHCO3 and NaCl) on the scaffold mechanical properties, density, swelling behavior and morphological changes. Physical appearance, surface morphology, porosity, molecular diffusion, transparency, biocompatibility and cytocompatibility were also evaluated. Results: The hydrogel scaffolds obtained show high porosity and good optical transparency and mechanical resistance. The scaffolds were successfully employed to culture several cell lines for more than 20 days. Conclusions: The developed scaffolds could be an important tool, as such or with a specific coating, to obtain a more predictive cellular response to evaluate drugs in preclinical studies or for testing chemical compounds, biocides and cosmetics, thus reducing animal testing.

Supramolecular Luminescent Copper-Nanocluster-Based Dough with Excellent Electrical Conductivity Sensing Properties.

In recent years, the rapid advancement of flexible conductive materials has significantly increased the demand for dough materials that offer high flexibility and conductivity for diverse applications. Here, we developed a flexible, stretchable, and self-healing dough utilizing hydrogen-bonding interactions between glutathione-stabilized copper nanoclusters (GSH-Cu NCs) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). The dough materials can be kneaded, readily reshaped, and further processed to create bulk materials of arbitrary form factors. The incorporation of PAA not only preserved the vibrant blue emission of GSH-Cu NCs but also enhanced their electrical conductivity and stretchability. The dough can be stretched up to 25 times its initial length and achieves complete self-healing in a short time. Moreover, the dough can automatically repair physical damage and return to its initial conductivity levels after healing. Surprisingly, the electrical conductivity of the dough can reach as high as 2.97 S/m, which is relatively superior compared to that of conventional conductive materials. This study presents a dough that serves as a highly sensitive strain sensor, capable of effectively monitoring human movement across a broad range of strains.

The e-Flower: A hydrogel-actuated 3D MEA for brain spheroid electrophysiology.

Traditional microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are limited to measuring electrophysiological activity in two dimensions, failing to capture the complexity of three-dimensional (3D) tissues such as neural organoids and spheroids. Here, we introduce a flower-shaped MEA (e-Flower) that can envelop submillimeter brain spheroids following actuation by the sole addition of the cell culture medium. Inspired by soft microgrippers, its actuation mechanism leverages the swelling properties of a polyacrylic acid hydrogel grafted to a polyimide substrate hosting the electrical interconnects. Compatible with standard electrophysiology recording systems, the e-Flower does not require additional equipment or solvents and is ready to use with preformed 3D tissues. We designed an e-Flower achieving a curvature as low as 300 micrometers within minutes, a value tunable by the choice of reswelling media and hydrogel cross-linker concentration. Furthermore, we demonstrate the ability of the e-Flower to detect spontaneous neural activity across the spheroid surface, demonstrating its potential for comprehensive neural signal recording.

Bio-Inspired Self-Healing Silicon Anodes: Harnessing Tea Polyphenols to Enhance Lithium-Ion Battery Performance.

This study introduces an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, achieved by integrating tea polyphenols (TP) with the widely utilized polyacrylic acid (PAA) binder. The composite material capitalizes on the intrinsic self-healing properties of TP, enhancing the anode's durability and adhesiveness without the need for additional organic synthesis. The incorporation of TP has been demonstrated to significantly elevate ionic conductivity and expedite lithium ion diffusion, thereby reducing interfacial resistance and decelerating the rate of capacity fade due to electrolyte decomposition and silicon particle expansion. Employing a comprehensive analytical toolkit, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, peel strength measurements, and density functional theory calculations, we elucidated the physicochemical properties of the Si@PAA-TP anode. The anode's electrochemical performance was systematically assessed through galvanostatic charge-discharge, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, with scanning electron microscopy providing insights into postcycling mechanical property alterations. This research advances a cost-effective, high-performance adhesive strategy for silicon anodes and contributes to the development.

Stabilizing the Bilateral Interfaces by a PVDF-Based Double-Layer Solid Composite Electrolyte with a Relieved Dehydrofluorination Effect for Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries.

The dehydrofluorination effect of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) induced by ceramic fillers with an alkaline surface compromises the comprehensive properties of the solid composite electrolyte (SCE) and leads to the deficient performance of the solid-state lithium metal batteries (SLMBs). In this work, a unique PVDF-based double-layer solid electrolyte was fabricated, which consisted of a Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO)-filled SCE with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) as an alkalinity-scavenging agent in contact with the Li anode, and another SCE with lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiDFOB) as a film-formation additive facing the cathode. It is found that a moderate amount of PAA relieves the dehydrofluorination degree of the PVDF matrix and improves the Li plating/stripping reversibility, and the addition of LiDFOB is involved in the formation of a stable passivation film on the cathode. Consequently, the resultant double-layer SCE holds favorable overall properties, especially being well-compatible with both electrodes, endowing the SLMBs with superior cycle and rate performance at room temperature.

Effect of Surface Treatments on Shear-bond Strength of Glass Ionomer Cements to Silver Diamine Fluoride-treated Simulated Carious Dentin.

This study investigated the effect of different surface treatments on the shear bond strength (SBS) and failure modes of self-cured (SC) and light-cured (LC) high-viscosity glass ionomer cements (HVGICs) to silver diamine fluoride (SDF)-treated simulated carious dentin (SCD). Extracted human premolars were sectioned and pH cycled for 10 days to simulate carious dentin. The demineralized specimens were treated with 38% SDF (Riva Star) for 2 minutes, washed, stored in deionized distilled water at 37°C for 2 weeks, and subjected to the following surface treatments (n=14): T1 - no treatment (control); T2 - 10 seconds polyacrylic acid (PAA); T3 - 5 seconds phosphoric acid (PPA); T4 - 5 seconds PPA plus universal adhesive (Zipbond); and T5 - 5 seconds PPA plus resin-modified GIC adhesive (Riva bond LC). SC (Riva Self-cure HV) and LC (Riva Light-cure HV) HVGICs were applied to the conditioned specimens and stored in artificial saliva at 37°C for 1 week. SBS and failure modes were subsequently determined. Statistical analyses were performed using Kruskal-Wallis/post-hoc Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square tests (α=0.05). The highest SBS was observed when SC and LC were restored with T2 and T5, respectively. Significant differences in SBS were as follows: SC - T2, T1 > T5, T3; LC - T5, T4, T3 > T2. SC generally exhibited adhesive failures, while LC presented both adhesive and mixed failures. The preferred method for preparing SDF-treated carious dentin before restoration application is PAA for SC and PPA plus RMGIC adhesive for LC HVGICs.

Polymer‐Assisted Nucleation for Stable Single‐Crystal Perovskite Thin Films

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite single crystals have emerged as a strong candidate in photovoltaic and general optoelectronic applications. However, the high supersaturation of the precursor solution leads to the rapid formation of a significant number of nuclei and a diminished concentration of perovskite solute. Consequently, the inadequate availability of precursors poses challenges in sustaining the subsequent crystal growth phase, culminating in the development of small‐sized single crystals. In this work, we report a controlled nucleation process to foster the growth of large‐size single crystals. This method through the coordination interaction between polyacrylic acid and Pb2+ ions, and substitution of the coordination with I‐ ions. This reduces the formation of the Pb‐I6 complex, which promptly emerges in a state of supersaturation and acts as a nucleus, thereby effectively reducing the number of nuclei formed. The single crystals produced using this method exhibit a lateral size exceeding 5 mm, an extended absorption range, a longer carrier lifetime of 10.93 ns, and enhanced stability. These crystals demonstrate the ability to remain stable even after storage in an ambient environment (T = 20 ± 5 °C, RH = 60 ± 5 %) for a period of 20 days.

Accelerated Nanocomposite Hydrogel Gelation Times Independent of Gold Nanoparticle Ligand Functionality.

The expansive use of hydrogels in healthcare relies on carefully tuned properties in dynamic environments with predictable behavior, including time sensitive biological systems and biomedical applications. To meet demands in these settings, nanomaterials are often introduced to a hydrogel matrix which simultaneously elevates potential applications while adding complexity to fundamental characteristics. With respect to drug delivery, gold nanoparticles have modifiable surfaces to carry an array of targeted drug treatments. However, different molecules acting as capping ligands possess different chemical structures that can impact gelation times. To understand the influence of capping ligand chemistry on polyacrylamide (PAM) based nanocomposite hydrogel radical gelation time, gold nanoparticle (Au NP) capping ligands were selected to encompass varying functional groups and molecular weights: citrate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and poly(acrylic acid). Gelation times were quantified as the storage-loss moduli crossover point in rheological time sweeps at constant strain and frequency. The dominating factor for gelation time was the presence of Au NPs, independent of a diverse range of capping ligand structures. The gelation times were also markedly faster than the same capping ligand structures used as stand-alone molecular additives. The accelerated Au NP gelation times, under 2 min, are attributed to the Au NPs acting as a cross-linker, promoting gelation. These results bolster the potential implementation of Au NP nanocomposite hydrogels in time-sensitive biomedical applications as robust drug carriers.

Highly Asymmetric Lamellar Structure in Blends of Polystyrene-b-Poly(acrylic acid) Block Copolymers and Poly(4-vinylpyridine) Homopolymers Facilitated by Polyelectrolyte Complexation

Highly Asymmetric Lamellar Structure in Blends of Polystyrene-<i>b</i>-Poly(acrylic acid) Block Copolymers and Poly(4-vinylpyridine) Homopolymers Facilitated by Polyelectrolyte Complexation