Wei Zhai

Wei Zhai


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

14Years (2013-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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13 January 2023 in Science Advances
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
XGXiao Guo
Xiao Guo
XDXinyu Dong
Xinyu Dong
GZGuijin Zou
Guijin Zou
HGHuajian Gao
Huajian Gao
WZWei Zhai
Wei Zhai
Tough natural materials such as nacre, bone, and silk exhibit multiscale hierarchical structures where distinct toughening mechanisms occur at each level of the hierarchy, ranging from molecular uncoiling to microscale fibrillar sliding to macroscale crack deflection. An open question is whether and how the multiscale design motifs of natural materials can be translated to the development of next-generation biomimetic hydrogels. To address this challenge, we fabricate strong and tough hydrogel with architected multiscale hierarchical structures using a freeze-casting–assisted solution substitution strategy. The underlying multiscale multimechanisms are attributed to the gel’s hierarchical structures, including microscale anisotropic honeycomb–structured fiber walls and matrix, with a modulus of 8.96 and 0.73 MPa, respectively; hydrogen bond–enhanced fibers with nanocrystalline domains; and cross-linked strong polyvinyl alcohol chains with chain-connecting ionic bonds. This study establishes a blueprint of structure-performance mechanisms in tough hierarchically structured hydrogels and can inspire advanced design strategies for other promising hierarchical materials.

1 August 2019 in Engineering
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
BNBalasubramanian Nagarajan
Balasubramanian Nagarajan
ZHZhiheng Hu
Zhiheng Hu
XSXu Song
Xu Song
WZWei Zhai
Wei Zhai
JWJun Wei
Jun Wei

1 August 2020 in Materials & Design
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
XSXu Song
Xu Song
SFStefanie Feih
Stefanie Feih
WZWei Zhai
Wei Zhai
CSChen-Nan Sun
Chen-Nan Sun
FLFeng Li
Feng Li
AKAlexander M. Korsunsky
Alexander M. Korsunsky

8 October 2019 in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
JOJin An Sam Oh
Jin An Sam Oh
LHLinchun He
Linchun He
APAnna Plewa
Anna Plewa
MMMasato Morita
Masato Morita
YZYue Zhao
Yue Zhao
Li LuLi Lu
Li Lu

17 May 2022 in Advanced Functional Materials
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
XDXinyu Dong
Xinyu Dong
XGXiao Guo
Xiao Guo
QLQuyang Liu
Quyang Liu
YZYijing Zhao
Yijing Zhao
HQHaobo Qi
Haobo Qi
WZWei Zhai
Wei Zhai
High strength, toughness, and conductivity are among the most sought‐after properties of flexible electronics. However, existing engineering materials find it difficult to achieve both excellent mechanical properties and high conductivity. To address this challenge, this study proposes a facile yet versatile strategy for preparing super‐tough conductive organo‐hydrogels via freeze‐casting assisted solution substitution (FASS). This FASS strategy enables the formation of organo‐hydrogels in one step with exquisite hierarchical anisotropic structures coupled with synergistic strengthening and toughening effects across multiple length scales. As an exemplary material, the prepared polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) organo‐hydrogel with solvent content up to 87 wt% exhibits a combination of high strength (6.5 MPa), high stretchability (1710% in strain), ultra‐high toughness (58.9 MJ m−3), as well as high ionic conductivity up to 6.5 S m−1 with excellent strain sensitivity. The exceptional combination of mechanical properties and conductivity makes the PVA organo‐hydrogel a promising flexible electronics material. In addition, the FASS strategy can also endow hydrogels with multi‐functions, including thermo‐healability, freezing tolerance and shape recoverability, and can be applied to various hydrogel materials, such as carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium alginate, and chitosan. Hence, this work provides an all‐around solution for preparing advanced strong and tough conductive soft materials for a multitude of applications.

29 December 2022 in International Journal of Mechanical Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MZMiao Zhao
Miao Zhao
Xinwei LiXinwei Li
Xinwei Li
DZDavid Z. Zhang
David Z. Zhang
WZWei Zhai
Wei Zhai