Lu Bai, Sina Ghiassinejad, Yinghui Zhang, Xuesong Wu, Feili Lai, He Jia, Jean-François Gohy
{"title":"Solid Polymer Electrolytes Based on Statistical Polyurethanes","authors":"Lu Bai, Sina Ghiassinejad, Yinghui Zhang, Xuesong Wu, Feili Lai, He Jia, Jean-François Gohy","doi":"10.1002/macp.70324","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.70324","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) is one of the most widely used materials for solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs). However, the high crystallinity and low ionic transference numbers of conventional PEOs are hindering their utilization in lithium metal batteries, except at temperatures above the melting point of PEO at ca. 60°C. Different strategies have thus been examined over the years to decrease the crystallinity of PEO. Here, we use α,ω-dihydroxy PEO of low molar mass and a diol containing an aromatic pyridine group as comonomers in a step-growth polymerization with a diisocyanate to obtain statistical polyurethanes. SPEs are obtained by mixing the polyurethanes with different amounts of LiTFSI. We thoroughly characterize the different investigated combinations by differential scanning calorimetry to determine crystallinity, rheology to assess mechanical properties, and temperature-dependent ionic conductivity, linear sweep voltammetry, and lithium-ions transference number measurements to discriminate the best candidates for SPEs. We demonstrate that the statistical distribution of the comonomers in the PUs effectively decreases the crystallization degree of PEO segments, while the presence of urethanes and aromatic amine functional groups allows better transport of lithium ions.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":18054,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics","volume":"227 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148753044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Polymorphic Crystalline Structure and Properties of Polyamides","authors":"Zhihao Lin, Weihong Zeng, Yunqi Xu, Kejian Yang, Wanding Chen, Xuyi Fan, Zhongke Yuan, Cheng Wang, Xudong Chen","doi":"10.1002/macp.70323","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.70323","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The polymorphic supermolecular structure of semicrystalline polymers exerts a decisive influence on their macroscopic properties, which is particularly pronounced in polyamide systems dominated by hydrogen bonding. This paper collates the formation mechanisms, regulation strategies and structure-property relationships between polymorphic structures and macroscopic properties of polyamide systems reported in recent years. The regulation methods for the polymorphic crystalline structure of polyamides, based on polymorphism and Brill transition behavior, are categorized into three types: chemical methods involving random copolymerization and block copolymerization; physical methods including polymer blending, nucleating agent incorporation and solution induction; and processing methods such as stretching, shear fields, temperature fields and their coupled fields. The comprehensive properties of polyamides, especially mechanical, thermal, barrier and optical properties, can be effectively tailored via the regulation of their crystalline structures. By systematically reviewing the existing research progress, this review aims to deepen the understanding of the evolution mechanism of polyamide polymorphism and provide novel insights for the development of high-performance polyamide materials.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":18054,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics","volume":"227 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148696282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Functionalization of Dual-Stimuli Responsive Double-Network Hydrogels With Silver Nanoparticles for Antibacterial Performance","authors":"Himanshi Chaurasia, Akansha Dixit, Neha Yadav, Sourabh Singh, Santosh Kumar Misra, Ramkrishna Sarkar","doi":"10.1002/macp.70315","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.70315","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In this report, hydrogels were combined with silver nanoparticles to impart antibacterial properties, yielding robust materials that prevent bacterial infections while maintaining stimulus responsiveness. The antibacterial hydrogel was based on double-network (DN) hydrogels and prepared via in situ reduction of silver nitrate to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The DN hydrogel consists of polyvinyl alcohol-<i>co</i>-glutaraldehyde and poly(acrylamide-<i>co</i>-sodium acrylate-<i>co</i>-N-isopropylacrylamide), serving as the first and second networks, respectively. The FT-IR, x-ray diffraction, and TEM analysis revealed the successful incorporation of silver nanoparticles within the DN hydrogel. The stimulus responsiveness of these hydrogels was assessed through temperature- and pH-dependent swelling, and their thermal properties were also evaluated. The antibacterial efficacy of AgNPs embedded in DN hydrogels was validated by optical density (OD<sub>600</sub>) measurements in suspension culture, which confirmed significant growth inhibition of both <i>Escherichia coli</i> (Gram-negative) and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (Gram-positive) bacteria. Interestingly, the assessment of antibacterial activity using an agar diffusion assay with silver nanoparticle-loaded hydrogels also revealed excellent bacterial growth inhibition against both <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (p < 0.0001). Hydrogels also showed notable cytocompatibility. These findings highlight the potential of AgNPs-embedded stimuli-responsive DN nanocomposite hydrogels, which may serve as promising materials for various biomedical products that require an antibacterial microenvironment.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":18054,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics","volume":"227 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148696116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Dynamic Vulcanization and Structure-Property Relationship of High-Performance Fluoroelastomer/Polyamide-12 Thermoplastic Elastomeric Blends","authors":"Kartikeya Dubey, Chirag Sonagara, Jotin Singh Malhan, Subhan Salaeh, Bhabani K. Satapathy, Shib Shankar Banerjee","doi":"10.1002/macp.70310","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.70310","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>High-performance thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) from fluorinated elastomers are constrained by intrinsic immiscibility, inadequate interfacial adhesion, and restricted melt-processability. In this study, these challenges are addressed by designing novel fluoroelastomer (FKM)/polyamide-12 (PA12) (60/40 w/w) TPVs via dynamic vulcanization using a diamine curing agent. This study thoroughly investigates the relationship between dynamic vulcanization, microstructural development, and the resulting mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and oil swelling resistance properties. Torque-time curves show that elastic resistance grows as the curative loading increases from 0.5 to 2 php, suggesting the gradual formation of rubbery networks within the FKM domains and enhanced melt cohesion of the TPVs. Frequency-sweep test revealed shear-thinning behavior at low frequency, aligning with an elastically linked rubber phase dispersed in a continuous PA12 matrix. Controlled dynamic vulcanization substantially improved phase morphology, reducing FKM domain size from ∼3.6 µm in the uncured (neat blend) to ∼2.0 µm at 2.0 php. Interestingly, upon dynamic vulcanization, the glass transition temperature (<i>T<sub>g</sub>)</i> values of FKM and PA12 shifted toward each other, indicating improved interdomain interactions between the phases. The microstructural changes and interdomain interactions significantly improved the mechanical properties, showing a twofold increase in tensile strength and a sixfold rise in elongation at break compared to the uncured specimen (neat blend) at the highest curative level (2 php). The developed TPVs showed outstanding oil swelling resistance, with only 0.5–2.5% volume swell in ASTM oil #3 at 150°C over 72 h, among the lowest reported for this type of TPVs and enhanced thermal stability, both increasing with vulcanization level.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":18054,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics","volume":"227 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148695939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ultra-Tough Physically Cross-Linked PVA Eutectogels via Mild Alkaline-Assisted One-Step Strategy","authors":"Yutao Huang, Jiajie Gong, Pinhan Feng, Yazhen Guo, Sui Wang, Xuejun Zhou","doi":"10.1002/macp.70320","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.70320","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Physically crosslinked poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based eutectogels are promising for diverse applications due to their good electrical conductivity, low cost, and excellent mechanical properties. However, improving their compatibility with deep eutectic solvents (DES) has often required complex procedures or biologically risky reagents. Here, we prepared a DES from choline chloride (ChCl) and ethylene glycol (EG) at a 1:2 molar ratio and employed a mild alkaline system to enhance PVA–DES compatibility without crosslinking agents, enabling one‑pot synthesis of a high‑strength physically crosslinked eutectogel (PCD). This approach increased the solubility of PVA in the DES to 60% (relative to the total mass of PVA and DES). The resulting gel exhibited outstanding mechanical properties and excellent thermal stability over a wide temperature range, with a tensile strength up to 9.66 MPa, toughness up to 110 MJ/m<sup>3</sup>, and stable performance from −80°C to 90°C. It also showed good ionic conductivity (0.22 S/m) and produced stable, reliable resistance signals in response to various human motions, temperature changes, and pressure, highlighting its potential as a strain, temperature, and pressure sensor. This work lays a solid foundation for developing high‑performance physically crosslinked PVA‑based eutectogels.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":18054,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics","volume":"227 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148695936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correction to “Silk Sericin Protein: Turning Discarded Biopolymer into Ecofriendly and Valuable Reducing, Capping, and Stabilizing Agent for Nanoparticles Synthesis Using Sonication”","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/macp.70316","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.70316","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Muhammad Summer, Shaukat Ali, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir, Rimsha Abaidullah, Hunaiza Tahir, Shumaila Mumtaz, Samaira Mumtaz, Samima Asad Butt, Muniba Tariq. Silk Sericin Protein: Turning Discarded Biopolymer into Ecofriendly and Valuable Reducing, Capping, and Stabilizing Agent for Nanoparticles Synthesis Using Sonication. <i>Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics</i> 2023; 224 (17): 2300124, https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.202300124.</p><p>We apologize for this error.</p>","PeriodicalId":18054,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics","volume":"227 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/macp.70316","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148696259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Baihu Dong, Haoyuan Sun, Xiang Wang, Yunqi Chen, Xinqiang Wang, Yingfeng Tu, Shaohui Lin, Qinmin Pan, Xianshe Feng, Flora T. T. Ng
{"title":"Polystyrene-Supported Salen-Cobalt Catalyst for the Copolymerization of CO2 and Propylene Oxide","authors":"Baihu Dong, Haoyuan Sun, Xiang Wang, Yunqi Chen, Xinqiang Wang, Yingfeng Tu, Shaohui Lin, Qinmin Pan, Xianshe Feng, Flora T. T. Ng","doi":"10.1002/macp.70321","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.70321","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A novel polystyrene-supported Salen-cobalt(III) complex (PS-Salen-Co(III)-OAc) is prepared via covalent immobilization onto functionalized polystyrene microspheres. The catalyst is comprehensively characterized by FT-IR, XPS, SEM-EDS, and ICP-OES, confirming successful immobilization and preservation of the catalyst sites. This heterogeneous system is applied in the alternating copolymerization of carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) and propylene oxide (PO), achieving high polycarbonate yields (up to 76%), excellent chemoselectivity (up to 99%), and narrow molecular weight distributions in the presence of a chain transfer agent (<i>Ð</i> as low as 1.04) under mild conditions (30°C, 500 psi). The introduction of 1,2-propanediol as a chain transfer agent further enhances the control over molecular weights. However, catalyst reuse is hindered by substantial mass gain due to covalent grafting of the polycarbonate product onto the supporting polystyrene matrix via the surface hydroxyl groups. Attempts to mitigate this grafting through hydroxyl capping and reduction are partially effective. A degradation-recycling strategy, based on controlled depolymerization of surface-grafted polymer chains via a back-biting mechanism, significantly reduces mass gain and restores catalytic activity in subsequent cycles. This study provides a practical and efficient platform for sustainable CO<sub>2</sub> utilization through regenerable heterogeneous catalysis.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":18054,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics","volume":"227 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148695935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"α-Methyl-Induced Hydrophobic Shielding and Polymer Microphase Separation Stabilize Interpolymer Complexation in Tough Eutectogels","authors":"Jianxiong Cheng, Rui Wang, Ziqian Xu, Xiaofeng Ma, Qiang Dou, Linlin Wu","doi":"10.1002/macp.70322","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.70322","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Developing mechanically robust eutectogels with stable ionic conductivity in highly polar deep eutectic solvents (DESs) remains challenging due to strong solvation effects that weaken interpolymer interactions. Here, a P(MAA-<i>co</i>-NIPA)/Choline chloride–ethylene glycol (ChCl–EG) copolymer eutectogel is developed via one-step photopolymerization, in which microphase separation and localized hydrophobic shielding synergistically stabilize interpolymer hydrogen bonding. The limited solubility of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) in the DES induces phase separation, forming polymer-rich domains that enrich carboxyl and amide groups and promote interchain hydrogen bonding. Meanwhile, the α-methyl groups along the PMAA backbone create localized hydrophobic microenvironments that reduce solvent accessibility and suppress solvation screening, thereby stabilizing interpolymer complexation. This combined mechanism enables a balance between mechanical reinforcement and energy dissipation. As a result, the eutectogel exhibits high tensile strength (0.91 MPa), high toughness (3.11 MJ m<sup>−3</sup>), and large extensibility (721%), along with high optical transparency (∼90%). It also demonstrates tunable ionic conductivity (1.29 mS cm<sup>−1</sup> at room temperature), wide temperature tolerance, self-healing ability, and reliable strain-sensing performance. This work provides a molecular-level design strategy for stabilizing noncovalent interactions in highly polar media and offers insights into the development of robust and multifunctional soft ionic conductors.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":18054,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics","volume":"227 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148695937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Othmane Dardari, Nadia Katir, Mohamed Koubaa, Abdelkrim El Kadib
{"title":"Toward Circular Bioplastics: A Holistic Reinforcement Strategy for Functional Chitosan Films Using Lignin, Cellulose, and Chitin Nanocrystals","authors":"Othmane Dardari, Nadia Katir, Mohamed Koubaa, Abdelkrim El Kadib","doi":"10.1002/macp.70318","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.70318","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The development of biodegradable packaging from renewable resources has become a central focus for both academia and industry. Marine crustacean waste constitutes an abundant source of chitin for the production of sustainable packaging materials. However, designing chitosan-based bioplastics that are simultaneously multifunctional, mechanically robust, water-resistant, and environmentally compatible remains a significant challenge. Herein, we explore the use of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), chitosan nanocrystals (ChNCs), and lignin nanoparticles (LNPs), as reinforcement agents for violacein-containing chitosan bioplastics. All nanofillers improved the dispersion of violacein within the chitosan matrix, with CNC markedly enhancing mechanical properties (tensile strength of 68 MPa), ChNC promoting antibacterial activity (significant reductions of ∼2.01 log(CFU/mL) for <i>Staphylocossus aureus</i> and ∼2.11 log(CFU/mL) for <i>Esherichia coli</i>), and LNP imparting strong antioxidant properties (up to 57.7% antioxidant activity). Building on these findings, we next crafted ternary-reinforced nanocomposite films incorporating all three nanofillers. The resulting holistic bioplastic, referred to as <b>CS@Vio<sup>3%</sup>-(CNC_ChNC_LNP)-<i>f</i></b>, exhibited a complementary combination of properties, with concurrent improvements in mechanical strength, antibacterial efficacy, and antioxidant activity. Beyond supporting circular economy principles through the valorization of bio-based resources, this work provides a holistic strategy for designing high-performance chitosan-based packaging materials.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":18054,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics","volume":"227 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148696263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}