Research & PUBLICATIONs 

Biodegradable and compostable polyesters receive great attention as sustainable alternatives to conventional nondegradable polymers for single-use plastic products. The durability and service life prediction of polymeric materials has never been more important to guide the circular design and the responsible production and consumption of biodegradable polymer-based consumer goods, as well as to enhance the safety of biomedical polymer products. My research focus in this area has been on multiscale events that govern the performance, degradation, and reliability of semicrystalline polyesters-based materials, from the molecular level (chain behavior), microscopic level (formulation, laboratory processing, and morphology), to macroscopic level physicochemical properties, as well as their impact on the product’s performance and durability. Variable space for the polyester-based systems investigated by Li and co-authors is shown below. 

Selected Publications

• B. Li* and A. Esker “Surface pressure-induced morphological transition of poly(ε-caprolactone) dendrites at the Air/Water Interface”, In Preparation. 

• A. Bauer and B. Li*, “Enzymatic degradation of poly(ϵ-caprolactone)/poly(ethylene oxide) blend films,” In Preparation. 

• B. Li*, A. Esker, “Surface pressure-induced crystallization of poly(ε-caprolactone) in PCL/polystyrene oligomers blends coupled with phase separation at the Air/Water Interface,” In Preparation. 

• D. Han, R. A. Ghubayra, T. Jiao, B. Li*, “Crystallization and phase separation behavior of poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) blends under non-equilibrium processing conditions”, Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2022, 644, 128896. 

• Q. Xie, B. Li*, A. R. Esker* “Phase behavior of poly (ε-caprolactone)-b-poly (tert-butyl acrylate) block copolymer at the air/water interface”, Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects 2020, 587, 124346.

• X. Huang, T. Jiao, Q. Liu, L. Zhang, J. Zhou, B. Li, Q. Peng “Hierarchical electrospun nanofibers treated by solvent vapor annealing as air filtration mat for high-efficiency PM2. 5 capture” Science China Materials 2019, 62 (3), 423-436.

• B. Li,* T. Jiao “Nano/micro-structured materials for energy and biomedical applications - latest developments, challenges, and future directions”, Springer Book 2018, ISBN 978-981-10-7787-6.

• L. Wang, R. A. Ghubayra, A. J. P. Bauer, H. R. Kondelaji, Z. B. Grim, B. Li* “Recent advances in electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)-based materials and their biomedical applications”, Chapter in “Nano/micro-structured materials for energy and biomedical applications -latest developments, challenges, and future directions”, Book Chapter, Springer 2018, ISBN 978-981-10-7787-6. 

• A. J. P. Bauer, Z. B. Grim, B. Li* “Hierarchical polymer blend fibers of high structural regularity prepared by facile solvent vapor annealing treatment”, Macromolecular Materials and Engineering 2018, 303. 1700489.

• J. Zhou, Y. Liu, T. Jiao, R. Xing, Z. Yang, J. Fan, J. Liu, B. Li*, Q. Peng, “Preparation and enhanced structural integrity of electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)−based fibers by freezing amorphous chains through thiol-ene click reaction”, Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects 2018, 538, 7.

• Z. B. Grim, A. J. P. Bauer, L. Li, B. Li* “Molecular architecture and enhanced thermal stability of electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)/aminopropyl isobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane hybrid fibers”, Macromolecular Materials and Engineering 2017, 5, 302, 1600452.

• A. Bauer, Y. Wu, B. Li* “Electrospun Poly(ϵ-caprolactone)/Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane-based Copolymer Blends: Evolution of Fiber Internal Structures”, Macromolecular Bioscience 2016, 16, 705.

• A. Bauer, Y. Wu, J. Liu, and B. Li* “Visualizing the Inner Architecture of Poly(ϵ-caprolactone)-Based Biomaterials and Its Impact on Performance Optimization.” Macromolecular Bioscience 2015, 15, 1554.

• J. Liu, A. Bauer, B. Li*, “Solvent vapor annealing: an efficient approach for inscribing secondary nanostructures onto electrospun fibers”. Macromolecular Rapid Communications 2014, 35, 1503. [Back Cover]

• J. Fan, J. Liu, A. Bauer, M. Zhang, C. Wang, T. Zeng, A. Esker, R. Moore, B. Li*, “Hybrid fibers with substantial filler contents through kinetically arrested phase separation of the liquid jet”. RSC Advances 2014, 4, 27683.  

• A. Bauer, T. Zeng, J. Liu, C. Uthaisar, B. Li*, “The enhanced encapsulation capacity of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-based copolymers for the fabrication of electrospun core/shell fibers.” Macromolecular Rapid Communications 2014, 35, 715. [Front Cover]

• K. Greenman, A. Bauer, D. Kool, J. Liu, B. Li*, “Morphological regimes of poly(ϵ-caprolactone)/octaisobutyl polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane composite films in relation to film composition and thickness”. Colloid and Polymer Science 2014, 292, 2227.

• M. Nelson, J. P. Keith, B. Li, D. Stocum, and J. Li, “Electrospun composite poly(ϵ-caprolactone) scaffolds for optimized tissue regeneration”, Journal of Nanoengineering and Nanosystem 2012, 226, 111. 

• B. Li, H. Marand, and A. R. Esker, “Dendritic growth of poly(ϵ-caprolactone) crystals from compatible blends with poly(t-butyl acrylate) at the air/water interface”, Journal of Polymer Sciences B: Polymer Physics 2007, 45, 3300. 

• B. Li, A. R. Esker, “Molar mass dependent growth of poly(ϵ-caprolactone) crystals in Langmuir films”, Langmuir 2007, 23, 2546. 

• B. Li, A. R. Esker, “Blends of poly(ϵ-caprolactone) and intermediate molar mass polystyrene as Langmuir films at the air/water interface”, Langmuir 2007, 23, 574. 

• B. Li, Y. Wu, M. Liu, and A. R. Esker, “Brewster angle microscopy study of poly(ϵ-caprolactone) crystal growth in Langmuir films at the air/water interface”, Langmuir 2006, 22, 4902. 

• S. Ni, W. Lee, B. Li, and A. R. Esker, “Thermodynamics of the liquid expanded to condensed phase transition of poly(L-lactic acid) in Langmuir monolayers”, Langmuir 2006, 22, 3672.

In our early study, poly[(propylmethacryl-heptaisobutyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane)-co-(methylmethacrylate)] (POSS-MMA), among other POSS-based molecules, were electrospun into a wide range of nano/microstructure. The nano/microstructured POSS-MMA substrates reveal superhydrophobic nature, with contact angles greater than 160°. The architectures and the sizes of these POSS-MMA nano/microstructures influence the energy barrier for the triple-line motion during water droplet evaporation and therefore the contact angle hysteresis. My research group later becomes the pioneer in utilizing POSS-based hybrid molecules to tune the interfacial instabilities (at the air/liquid jet interface) during the electrospinning process. The air/liquid interfacial instability governs the formation of the liquid jet and its stability during the spinning process. For POSS-MMA/PCL blend system, by controlling the phase separation of the blends, we were able to fabricate bicontinuous core/shell fibers with a PCL core and a POSS-MMA shell. When the POSS-MMA/PCL mass ratios were controlled between 60:40 and 40:60, the resultant fibers were bicontinuous, stretchy, and of enhanced thermal stability. The study was then extended to other POSS-based hybrid systems. For instance, hybrid fibers with sufficiently high (aminopropyl-heptaisobutyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane) (AMPOSS) loadings (e.g., 20 and 30 wt%) exhibit significantly enhanced thermal stability, due mainly to the formation of a structurally intact AMPOSS-rich shell that acts as insulation for the PCL-rich core. The 70/30 by mass PCL/AMPOSS fibers were found to be thermally stable even up to 90 °C, which is almost 30 °C higher than the melting temperature of PCL. Altogether, our work in this area has demonstrated the impact of the non-equilibrium electrospinning process on the kinetically controlled phase separation process, as well as how such a concept can be utilized to fabricate nano/microstructures that otherwise cannot be made using conventional laboratory processing routes. 

Selected Publications

• K. Greenman, D. Cool, and B. Li*, “Morphological Evolution of Poly(ϵ-caprolactone)/Methacrylisobutyl Polyhedral Oligosilsesquioxane Composite Films,” In Preparation.  

• J. Liu, C. Wang, A. Esker, and B. Li*, “Polyhedral Oligosilsesquioxane Copolymer Based Composite Films: Morphological Regime in Relation to Internal Phase Separation Structure,” In Preparation.

• Z. B. Grim, A. J. P. Bauer, L. Li, B. Li* “Molecular architecture and enhanced thermal stability of electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)/aminopropyl isobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane hybrid fibers”, Macromolecular Materials and Engineering 2017, 5, 302, 1600452.

• X. Luo, K. Ma, T. Jiao*, R. Xing, L. Zhang, J. Zhou, B. Li* “Graphene oxide-polymer composite langmuir films constructed by interfacial thiol-ene photopolymerization” Nanoscale Research Letters 2017, 12, 99.

• A. Bauer, Y. Wu, B. Li* “Electrospun Poly(ϵ-caprolactone)/Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane-based Copolymer Blends: Evolution of Fiber Internal Structures”, Macromolecular Bioscience 2016, 16, 705.

• J. Fan, J. Liu, A. Bauer, M. Zhang, C. Wang, T. Zeng, A. Esker, R. Moore, B. Li*, “Hybrid fibers with substantial filler contents through kinetically arrested phase separation of liquid jet”. RSC Advances 2014, 4, 27683.  

• A. Bauer, T. Zeng, J. Liu, C. Uthaisar, B. Li*, “The enhanced encapsulation capacity of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-based copolymers for the fabrication of electrospun core/shell fibers.” Macromolecular Rapid Communications 2014, 35, 715. [Front Cover]

• K. Greenman, A. Bauer, D. Kool, J. Liu, B. Li*, “Morphological regimes of poly(ϵ-caprolactone)/octaisobutyl polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane composite films in relation to film composition and thickness”. Colloid and Polymer Science 2014, 292, 2227.

• J. Fan, J. Spreitzer, K. Greenman, J. Liu, B. Li*, “Hybrid biphasic microparticles based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes”. Materials Letters 2014, 115, 279.

• J. Liu, J. Fan, Z. Zhang, T. Y. Zeng, H. Qin, and B. Li*, “Nano/microstructured polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes-based hybrid copolymers: Morphology evolution and surface characterization”. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 2013, 394, 386.

• A. Umar, T. Jiao, L. Zang, Z. Liu, B-S. Kim, B. Li* “A Special Issue on New Trends in Functional Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Materials” Science of Advanced Materials 2015, 7(9), DOI: 10.1166/sam.2015.2473. (Editorial)

Selected Publications

• T. Jiao, B. Li, P. Guo, “Chemical Design and Environmental/Energic Applications of Self-Assembled Nanocomposites and Nanostructures”, Journal of Chemistry, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9759542 (editorial)

•  X. Huang, T. Jiao, Q. Liu, L. Zhang, J. Zhou, B. Li, Q. Peng “Hierarchical electrospun nanofibers treated by solvent vapor annealing as air filtration mat for high-efficiency PM2. 5 capture” Science China Materials 2019, 62 (3), 423-436.

• L. Wang, N. Wang, H. Yang, Q. An, B. Li, S. Ji “Facile fabrication of mixed matrix membranes from simultaneously polymerized hyperbranched polymer/modified graphene oxide for MTBE/MeOH separation”, Journal of Membrane Science 2018, 559, 8.

• A. J. P. Bauer, Z. B. Grim, B. Li* “Hierarchical polymer blend fibers of high structural regularity prepared by facile solvent vapor annealing treatment”, Macromolecular Materials and Engineering 2018, 303. 1700489.

• W. Wang, T. Jiao*, Q. Zhang, J. Hu, Y. Chen, Q. Peng, X. Yan, B. Li*, “Hydrothermal synthesis of hierarchical core–shell manganese oxide nanocomposites as efficient dye adsorbents for wastewater treatment”, RSC Advances 2015, 5, 56279.

• T. Jiao, Y. Liu, Y. Wu, Q. Zhang, X. Yan, F. Gao, A. Bauer, J. Liu, B. Li*, “Facile and Scalable Preparation of Graphene Oxide-Based Magnetic Hybrids for Fast and Highly Efficient Removal of Organic Dyes”, Scientific Reports (NPG) 2015, 5, 12451.

• T. Jiao*, H. Guo, Q. Zhang, Q. Peng*, Y. Tang, X. Yan, B. Li*, “Reduced Graphene Oxide-Based Silver Nanoparticle-Containing Composite Hydrogel as Highly Efficient Dye Catalysts for Wastewater Treatment”, Scientific Reports (NPG) 2015, 5, 11873.

• Q. Zhang, Z. Zhang, J. Teng, H. Huang, Q. Peng, T. Jiao, L. Hou, B. Li, “Highly Efficient Phosphate Sequestration in Aqueous Solutions Using Nanomagnesium Hydroxide Modified Polystyrene Materials”, ACS Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2015, 54, 2940.  

Other Research Publications

• J. Guo, L. Guan, H. Wei, M. A Khan, X. Zhang, B. Li, Q. Wang, B. L. Weeks, D. P. Young, T. Shen, S. Wei, and Z. Guo “Enhanced Negative Magnetoresistance with High Sensitivity of Polyaniline Interfaced with Nanotitania”, Journal of the Electrochemical Society 2016, 163, 664. 

• A. Bauer, J. Liu, J. Windsor, F. Song, B. Li*, “Collagen-based biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine”. Soft Materials 2014, 12, 359.

• N. Rao, F. Song, D. Jhamb, M. Wang, N. M. Price, T. L. Belecky-Adams, D. J. Milner, M. Palakal, J. A. Cameron, B. Li, X. Chen, and D. L. Stocum, "Proteomic analysis of fibroblastema formation in regenerating hindlimbs of xenopus laevis froglets and comparison to axolotl". BMC-Development Biology 2014, 14, 32.

• N. Santosh, L. J. Windsor, B. S. Mahmoudi, B. Li, W. Zhang, E. A. Chernoff, N. Rao, D. L. Stocum, and F. Song, ­­­­“Matrix metalloproteinase expression during blastema formation in regeneration-competent versus regeneration-deficient amphibian limbs”. Developmental Dynamics 2011, 240, 1127.

•  F. Song B. Li, and D. Stocum, “Engineering toward functional tissues and organs: amphibians as research models for regenerative medicine”, Organogenesis 2010, 6, 141.

• N. Rao, D. Jhamb, D. Milner, B. Li, F. Song, M. Wang, R. Voss, M. King, M. Palakal, B. Saranjami, H. Nye, J. A. Cameron, and D. Stocum, “Proteomic analysis of blastema formation in regenerating axolotl limbs”, BMC-Biology 2009, 7, 1.  

• Y. Wu, B. Li, W. Wang, F. Bai, and M. Liu, “Coordination assisted molecular assemblies of perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid with Copper (II) ion at the air/water interface”, Materials Sciences and Engineering: C: Biomimetic and Supramolecular Systems 2003, 23, 605.

• L. Jiang, F. Zhao, J. Tang, J. Li, and B. Li, “Determination of interface (surface) dilation rheological properties”, Chinese Science Bulletin 2001, 46, 737.

• T. Zhang, R. A. Bubeck, T. A. Joffre, G. A. Bremmer, L. P. McNamara, A. M. Heydenburg, B. Li* Promoting Materials Science and Engineering Education Through 3-D Printing Technology, Conference Proceeding, 2020 ASEE Annual National Conference, Virtual Online, 10.18260/1-2-35106.

•  L. Arnold, Z. Zhang, T. Kaya, B. Li, Q. Hu “Incorporating Engineering into the High School Chemistry Classroom”, The 120th American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference and Exposition, ASEE Conference Proceeding June 23-26, 2013, Atlanta, Georgia.  

• S. H. Maison, A. Bauer S. Shapardanis, T. S. White. Z. Zhang, B. Li, Q. Hu, T. Kaya “Cell Di-Electrorotation: Studying of Rotation to Characterize Biological Cells and the Connections in Engineering to the Next Generation Standards”, The 120th American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference and Exposition, ASEE Conference Proceeding June 23-26, 2013, Atlanta, GA.

• J. Fan, K. Greenman, and B. Li*, “Characterization of electrospun poly(ϵ-caprolactone) fibers reinforced with methacrylIsobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes”, The 244th ACS National Meeting, Conference Preprint August 19-23, 2012, Philadelphia, PA.

• J. Liu, B. Li*, “Dynamics of water droplet evaporation on nano/microstructured polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane surfaces”, The 244th ACS National Meeting, Conference Preprint August 19-23, 2012, Philadelphia, PA.

• A. Bauer, J. Liu, J. Fan, K. M Greenman, and B. Li*, “Current development of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-based hybrid nanocomposites and block co-polymers for biomedical applications”, International Conference on Materials, Energy and Environment (ICMEE), Conference Preprint May 9-11, 2012, Toledo, OH.

• K. M. Greenman, B. Li*, “Morphological study of poly(ε-caprolactone)/polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane composite thin films”, International Conference on Materials, Energy and Environment (ICMEE), Conference Preprint May 9-11, 2012, Toledo, OH.

• J. Fan, J. Liu, and B. Li*, “Preparation and surface characterization of methacrylisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-based composite membranes”, International Conference on Materials, Energy and Environment (ICMEE), Conference Preprint, May 9-11, 2012. Toledo, OH.

• J. Liu, J. Fan, and B. Li*, “Electohydrodynamic preparation of poly[(propylmethacryl-heptaisobutyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane)-co-(methylmethacrylate)]–based nano/microstructured membranes”, International Conference on Materials, Energy and Environment (ICMEE), Conference Preprint May 9-11, 2012. Toledo, OH. 

• J. Spreitzer, J. Fan, K. Klynstra, and B. Li*, “Electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)/octaisobutyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane hybrid nanocomposites” The 242nd ACS National Meeting, August 28-September 1, 2011, Denver, CO. Polymer Preprints 2011, 52, 7.

• B. Li, Q. Xie, H. Marand, and A. R. Esker, “Morphological transitions of poly(ε-caprolactone) crystals at the air/water interface”, The 238th ACS National Meeting, August 16-20, 2009, Washington, DC. Polymer Preprints 2009, 50, 527.

• B. Li, Y. Wu, M. Liu, and A. R. Esker, “Brewster angle microscopy study of poly (ε-caprolactone) crystal growth in Langmuir films at the air/water interface”, The 231st ACS National Meeting, March 26-30, 2006, Atlanta, GA. Polymer Preprints 2006, 47, 73.

• B. Li, A. R. Esker, “Blends of polystyrene and poly (ε-caprolactone) at the air/water interface”, The 230th ACS National Meeting, August 28-September 1, 2005, Washington, DC. Polymer Preprints 2005, 46, 718.