Multifunctional 3D shape-memory materials

17-Sep-2013 - China

Chinese scientists have found a simple way to produce multifunctional 3D materials by developing a polymer scaffold that ‘remembers’ its shape and can be used as a host for functional nanoparticles.

The shape-memory polymer scaffold can host a wide range of functional nanoparticles, enabling the formation of materials with many different functions. The robust sponge-like scaffold is formed from chitosan by ice-templating. Chitosan regains its shape when placed into water after it has been compressed or dried. When placed in a nanoparticle solution, the compressed scaffold becomes coated in the nanoparticles as it swells, through electrostatic interactions with the chitosan. Synergistic functions can be created by adding two different types of nanoparticles at the same time. This simple method can be used with a wide variety of nanoparticles to create 3D shape-memory materials with properties ranging from magnetism to antibacterial activity and fluorescence.

Original publication

H-L Gao et al, Mater. Horiz., 2013

Other news from the department science

These products might interest you

NANOPHOX CS

NANOPHOX CS by Sympatec

Particle size analysis in the nano range: Analyzing high concentrations with ease

Reliable results without time-consuming sample preparation

particle analyzers
Eclipse

Eclipse by Wyatt Technology

FFF-MALS system for separation and characterization of macromolecules and nanoparticles

The latest and most innovative FFF system designed for highest usability, robustness and data quality

DynaPro Plate Reader III

DynaPro Plate Reader III by Wyatt Technology

Screening of biopharmaceuticals and proteins with high-throughput dynamic light scattering (DLS)

Efficiently characterize your sample quality and stability from lead discovery to quality control

particle analyzers
Loading...

Most read news

More news from our other portals

So close that even
molecules turn red...