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Mechanically robust shape‐morphing materials that can transform from miniaturization into complex structures are highly desirable for real‐world device applications. However, fabricating mechanically robust yet geometrically complex 3D shape‐morphing structures with excellent functionality and high load‐bearing capacity remains a challenge. Inspired by drum tower buildings, a simple, rapid, and universal method is presented for fabricating multifunctional shape‐memory smart devices with complex and rigid 3D kirigami geometry in the two‐stage epoxy‐amine‐acrylate photopolymer systems. In the first‐stage reaction, transparent polymer films with a Tg of 29–49 °C are obtained by the epoxy‐amine chemistry. The shape‐memory programming process allows the first‐stage film with a drum tower‐inspired 2D kirigami pattern to be manipulated into an unsupported 3D structure. In the second‐stage reaction, UV‐induced free‐radical polymerization of methacrylate groups in the first‐stage network is employed to rapidly lock the programmed 3D kirigami structure with a Tg of 66–138 °C. The drum tower‐inspired 3D kirigami structure withstands 1000 times its own weight. The shape memory fluorescent 3D device and shape memory electronic 3D device are engineered by combining the two‐stage photopolymer system and a 3D kirigami structure. This work represents a versatile method to create multifunctional shape‐memory devices with rigid 3D geometry for potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and CO2, two chemical wastes that urgently need to be transformed in the environment, are converted simultaneously in a one‐pot catalytic process through the synergistic coupling of three reactions: CO2 hydrogenation, PET methanolysis and dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) hydrogenation. More interestingly, the chemical equilibria of both reactions were shifted forward due to a revealed dual‐promotion effect, leading to significantly enhanced PET depolymerization. The overall methanol yield from CO2 hydrogenation exceeded the original thermodynamic equilibrium limit since the methanol was in situ consumed in the PET methanolysis. The degradation of PET by a stoichiometric ratio of methanol was significantly enhanced because the primary product, DMT was hydrogenated to dimethyl cyclohexanedicarboxylate (DMCD) or p‐xylene (PX). This synergistic catalytic process provides an effective way to simultaneously recycle two wastes, polyesters and CO2, for producing high‐value chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT With a shell of poly (methyl methacrylate-co-hydroxyl ethyl acrylate) (PMMA-HA), microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (MHAPP) is prepared by in situ polymerization. The core-shell structure of the reactive flame retardant (FR) is characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). The results of water leaching rate and water contact angle measurements show that ammonium polyphosphate (APP) is well coated by a hydrophobic shell. Due to the presence of active groups (-OH) and hydrophobic groups (-CH3) in shell, MHAPP exhibits better compatibility, flame retardancy, and water resistance compared with neat ammonium polyphosphate (APP) in rigid polyurethane foam (PU). Compression strength of PU/MHAPP with suitable loading is higher than that of PU/APP and PU, the reason is that the active groups in shell can improve the compatibility of MHAPP in PU composite. From thermal stability and residue analysis, it can be seen that the presence of reactive flame retardant shows positive effect on thermal stability of PU composite at high temperature, results also indicate that MHAPP can promote the carbonization formation efficiency of PU composite during combustion process compared with APP. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42800. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In this work, novel thermoresponsive shape memory composites based on glass fiber and nanosilica-modified liquid crystalline epoxies (LCEs) with lateral substituent were prepared and characterized. According to the comprehensive analysis of polarized optical microscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction measurements, and tan δ data, the orientation of mesogen units were hindered by the introduction of nanosilica and lateral substituents of liquid crystalline epoxies, so that additional physical cross-links except for similar chemical cross-links emerged with the introduction of surface-treated nanosilica. And the increased cross-links could enhance the shape memory properties of the composites which could recover to their original state quickly in a time shorter than 30 s with high shape fixing ratios (>96%) and high shape recovery ratios (>98%), which indicated the composites could be applied into self-deployable structural materials. Moreover, the reinforcement in the dynamic storage moduli, tensile modulus, and the tensile strength and shape memory properties indicated that glass fiber and nanosilica-modified shape memory liquid crystalline epoxy composites could be high-performance composites and could be used as new candidates for aerospace smart materials. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42616. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Phenol formaldehyde reaction solution (PFS) was used to synthesize urea-formaldehyde resins (PFSUF resins) with low formaldehyde content. In addition, the prepared PFSUF resins were used as adhesives to bond bamboo particleboards. Mechanical properties, fracture morphology, water absorption ratio, and dimensional stability of bamboo particleboards have been studied by tensile tests, SEM tests, water absorption analysis, and swelling ratio analysis, respectively. The results demonstrate that the main ingredient of PFS is phenol formaldehyde intermediate 2,4,6-trimethylolphenate and proper amount of PFS can be used to reduce the formaldehyde content of UF resins effectively. The results also show that bamboo particleboards bonded with PFSUF resins exhibit better mechanical properties, water resistance, and dimensional stability than that bonded with pure UF resin. However, the results of TG and mechanical properties analysis exhibit that alternative curing agents to ammonium chloride should be studied to improve the curing properties of the PFSUF resins with low formaldehyde content. Taken together, this work provides a method of preparing environment-friendly PFSUF resins with low phenol and low formaldehyde content and the prepared resins have potential application in wood industry. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42280. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]