Highly Strong and Tough Supramolecular Polymer Networks Enabled by Cryptand-Based Host-Guest Recognition.

Supramolecular polymer networks (SPNs) demonstrate great potential in the development of smart materials owing to their attractive dynamic properties. However, as they suffer from the inherent weak bonding of most noncovalent cross-links, it remains a significant challenge to construct SPNs with outstanding mechanical performance. Herein, we exploit the cryptand/paraquat host-guest recognition motifs as cross-links to prepare a class of highly strong and tough SPNs. Unlike those supramolecular cross-links with relatively weak binding abilities, the cryptand-based host-guest interactions have a high association constant and steady complexing structure, which effectively stabilizes the network and resists mechanical deformation under external force. Such favorable structural stability endows our SPNs with greatly enhanced mechanical performance, compared with the control-1 cross-linked by the weakly complexed crown ether/secondary ammonium salt motif (tensile strength: 21.1±0.5 vs 2.8±0.1 MPa; Young's modulus: 102.6±4.8 vs 2.1±0.3 MPa; toughness: 90.4±2.0 vs 10.8±0.6 MJ m-3 ). Moreover, our SPNs also retain abundant dynamic properties including good abilities in energy dissipation, reprocessability, and stimuli-responsiveness. These findings provide novel insights into the preparation of SPNs with enhanced mechanical properties, and promote the development of high-performance intelligent supramolecular materials.

Influence of surface scattering on the anomalous conductance plateaus in an asymmetrically biased InAs/In(0.52)Al(0.48)As quantum point contact.

We study of the appearance and evolution of several anomalous (i.e., G < G(0) D 2e(2)/h) conductance plateaus in an In(0.52)Al(0.48)As/InAs quantum point contact (QPC). This work was performed at T = 4:2 K as a function of the offset bias ΔV(G) between the two in-plane gates of the QPC. The number and location of the anomalous conductance plateaus strongly depend on the polarity of the offset bias. The anomalous plateaus appear only over an intermediate range of offset bias of several volts. They are quite robust, being observed over a maximum range of nearly 1 V for the common sweep voltage applied to the two gates. These results are interpreted as evidence for the sensitivity of the QPC spin polarization to defects (surface roughness and impurity (dangling bond) scattering) generated during the etching process that forms the QPC side walls. This assertion is supported by non-equilibrium Green function simulations of the conductance of a single QPC in the presence of dangling bonds on its walls. Our simulations show that a spin conductance polarization as high as 98% can be achieved despite the presence of dangling bonds. The maximum in is not necessarily reached where the conductance of the channel is equal to 0:5G(0).

Weldable and closed-loop recyclable monolithic dynamic covalent polymer aerogels.

Owing to their low density, high porosity and unique micro-nanostructures, aerogels are attractive for application in various fields; however, they suffer from shrinkage and/or cracking during preparation, mechanical brittleness, low production efficiency and non-degradation. Herein, we introduce the concept of dynamic covalent polymer chemistry to produce a new class of aerogels-referred to as DCPAs. The resulting lightweight DCPAs have the potential to be prepared on a large scale and feature high porosity (90.7%-91.3%), large degrees of compression (80% strain) and bending (diametral deflection of 30 mm) without any cracks, as well as considerable tensile properties (an elongation with a break at 32.7%). In addition, the DCPAs showcase the emergent characteristics of weldability, repairability, degradability and closed-loop recyclability that are highly desirable for providing versatile material platforms, though hardly achieved by traditional aerogels. Taking advantage of their robust porous structures, we demonstrate the potential of DCPAs for applications in thermal insulation and emulsion separation. These findings reveal that the dynamic covalent bond strategy would be generalized for the production of a new generation of aerogels with customized features for functioning in the field of intelligent and sustainable materials.

Synergistic covalent-and-supramolecular polymers connected by [2]pseudorotaxane moieties.

Synergistic covalent-and-supramolecular polymers, in which covalent polymers and supramolecular polymers connect with each other through [2]pseudorotaxane moieties, are designed and synthesized. The unique topological structure effectively enhances the synergistic effect between these two polymers, thereby generating a novel class of mechanically adaptive materials.