Polymer Journal最新文献

{"title":"Special issue: Biocompatible polymers: fundamentals and applications","authors":"Chie Kojima, Ayae Sugawara-Narutaki, Takeshi Serizawa, Keiji Tanaka","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01137-2","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01137-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 4","pages":"301-302"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01137-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147618180","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}

{"title":"Synergistic effects of hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions in the self-assembly of sodium lauroyl glutamate","authors":"Dongfang Liu, Di Zhang, Awai Jibamo, Yuanyuan Zhang, Liqin Huang, Di Zhang, Yuan Zhao","doi":"10.1038/s41428-026-01149-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41428-026-01149-6","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147381821","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":"Dimensional characterization of isolated ethylcellulose in tetrahydrofuran","authors":"Kenji Fukuda, Moriya Kikuchi, Seigou Kawaguchi","doi":"10.1038/s41428-026-01145-w","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-026-01145-w","url":null,"abstract":"The dimensional characterization of ethylcellulose (cellulose ethyl ether, ECx, where x is the degree of substitution based on the number of hydroxyl groups in a repeating unit (in this study, x = 3.0 and 2.5)) with a weight-averaged molar mass (Mw) ranging from 6.32 × 103 to 3.83 × 105 g mol–1 and a relatively narrow molar mass distribution (Mw/Mn < 1.2) was studied in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 25 °C using static light and small-angle X-ray scattering and intrinsic viscosity ([η]) measurements. Eleven fully substituted EC3.0 samples with Mw/Mn values ranging from 1.05 to 1.22 were prepared by reacting commercially available EC2.5 with ethyl iodide in THF at 55 °C in the presence of sodium hydride, followed by fractionation using recycling preparative size exclusion chromatography (SEC) in CHCl3. Furthermore, eight EC2.5 samples with Mw/Mn values ranging from 1.04 to 1.19 were obtained by applying the same fractionation technique to EC2.5. Afterward, the z-averaged root-mean-squared radius of gyration (< S2 > z1/2) and [η] for the isolated EC3.0 and EC2.5 chains were measured and tabulated as functions of Mw. Furthermore, their Mw dependencies were analyzed using cylindrical wormlike chain and wormlike touched-bead models. The chain stiffness parameter (Kuhn segment length, λ–1), molar mass per unit contour length (ML), and hydrodynamic bead diameter (dB) were determined to be 23.1 nm, 491 g mol–1 nm–1, and 1.8 nm for EC3.0 and 16.5 nm, 467 g mol–1 nm–1, and 1.1 nm for EC2.5, respectively. These results indicate that both EC3.0 and EC2.5 form semiflexible chains with moderate stiffness, primarily because of steric hindrance arising from the ethyl groups in the cellulose backbone. The monomer counter length (lM) was estimated to be 0.50 nm for both EC3.0 and EC2.5, suggesting that the local conformation of the EC chain remains largely unaffected by x between 2.5 and 3.0. In addition, the lM value was almost equal to that (0.51–0.52 nm) of crystalline cellulose but considerably greater than that (0.33 nm) of α-1,4-linked amylose derivatives. In contrast, λ–1 and dB were influenced by x, likely because of greater steric hindrance in the main chain and desolvation around the hydroxyl groups. The dimensional characterization of ethylcellulose (ECx, x = 3.0 or 2.5) with a weight-averaged molar mass (Mw) of 6.32 × 103 to 3.83 × 105 g mol−1 and narrow dispersity (Mw/Mn < 1.22) was performed in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 25 °C using static light scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering, and intrinsic viscosity measurements. Eleven fully substituted EC3.0 samples were prepared by the ethylation of EC2.5 in THF and fractionated by recycling preparative SEC in CHCl3. Eight EC2.5 fractions were obtained similarly. The z-averaged radius of gyration and intrinsic viscosity were measured and analyzed using a wormlike chain model. The Kuhn length, molar mass per contour length, and bead diameter were 23.1 nm, 491 g mol−1 nm−1, and 1.8 nm (EC3.0) and 16.5","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 5","pages":"563-573"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-026-01145-w.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147827738","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}

{"title":"Synthesis of long-chain branched multiblock polyolefin composed of isotactic polypropylene and ethylene-propylene copolymers via polymer cross-metathesis","authors":"Yuta Yanagi, Takumitsu Kida, Ryo Tanaka, Yuushou Nakayama, Takeshi Shiono","doi":"10.1038/s41428-026-01144-x","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-026-01144-x","url":null,"abstract":"Multiblock copolymers consisting of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and ethylene–propylene rubber (EPM) were successfully synthesized by cross-metathesis between these polymers bearing a small number of C = C bonds in the main chain. The C = C bonds for metathesis were incorporated into the polyolefins by copolymerization with butadiene. This polymerization rate was greatly improved by the coexistence of a small amount of ethylene with the butadiene, probably because π-allyl metal species were rapidly converted to alkyl metal species by the insertion of ethylene. The cross-metathesis reaction occurred not only at the in-chain C = C bonds but also at the vinyl groups formed by the 1,2-insertion of butadiene, resulting in the formation of a long-chain branched polyolefin. Compared with the polymer blend of iPP and EPM, the obtained product showed excellent physical properties because of the partial compatibilization of the two phases. In particular, the tensile absorption energy was improved by a factor of 50 by block formation (2.8 ± 1.9 MJ/m3 vs. 141 ± 28 MJ/m3), successfully demonstrating the potential of this material as a polyolefin-based elastomer. Multiblock copolymers of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and ethylene–propylene rubber (EPM) were synthesized via cross-metathesis of polyolefins containing a small number of in-chain C = C bonds. The precursor polymers were prepared with high activity using a typical isospecific zirconocene catalyst, with butadiene serving as the comonomer. Metathesis occurred at both the in-chain C = C bonds and the vinyl groups formed via 1,2-butadiene insertion, yielding long-chain-branched structures. The resulting materials exhibited significantly improved mechanical properties compared with simple iPP/EPM blends, including an approximately 50-fold increase in tensile absorption energy, demonstrating their strong potential as polyolefin-based elastomers.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 5","pages":"539-549"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-026-01144-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147827737","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}

{"title":"Correction: Ionotropic gelation of polymers containing bisphosphonate groups crosslinked with divalent cations","authors":"Binru Han, André J. van der Vlies, Yuguo Lei, Carlos G. Lopez, Urara Hasegawa","doi":"10.1038/s41428-026-01151-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-026-01151-y","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 4","pages":"483-483"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-026-01151-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147618160","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}

{"title":"Heat-induced structural changes in poly(γ-glutamic acid) and the effects of alkaline conditions on its thermal stability and morphology in aqueous solution","authors":"Akari Mizushima, Kazuki Kobayashi, Yuki Matsumoto, Yoshihiro Yamaguchi, Ryoji Masui, Akira Ogita, Shinichi Kitamura, Masao Inoue, Ken-ichi Fujita","doi":"10.1038/s41428-026-01148-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-026-01148-7","url":null,"abstract":"Poly(γ-glutamic acid) (PGA), a naturally occurring biopolymer, is a highly viscous polyamide. PGA is nontoxic and biodegradable and is employed as a safe material in industrial applications. However, reductions in its molar mass and viscosity have been observed upon storage for long periods, even at temperatures of 4–25 °C. Although a decrease in the molar mass of PGA was observed after treatment at 100 °C for 24 h in aqueous solution, this reduction was suppressed upon increasing the pH from 7.0 to 11.0 in the analyses of agarose gel electrophoresis and size exclusion chromatography with multiangle light scattering. The morphology and particle size of PGA treated at 4 and 100 °C were compared using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering, respectively. The structure of the PGA treated at 4 °C was similar to that of anionic polysaccharides with fibril networks. Heat treatment induced the loss of the reticular structure and the appearance of spherical particles. Meanwhile, alkaline conditions restricted the spheroidization of PGA to maintain a fibril network structure according to the AFM images. The findings of this study can be applied to the development of novel technologies to prevent PGA deterioration. A naturally occurring biopolymer, poly(γ-glutamic acid) (PGA), is a highly viscous polyamide. Heat treatment induced the loss of the reticular structure and the appearance of spherical particles in atomic force microscopy images. Although a decrease in the molar mass of PGA was observed after heat treatment in aqueous solution, this reduction was suppressed upon increasing the pH from 7.0 to 10.0. Such alkaline conditions restricted the spheroidization of PGA to maintain a fibril network structure.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 5","pages":"593-603"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147827746","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":"Self-assembled nanogels from polysaccharides grafted with short oligonucleotides: control of size and thermoresponsiveness","authors":"Shin-ichi Sawada, Hirokazu Iwamoto, Yoshihiro Sasaki, Kazunari Akiyoshi","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01132-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01132-7","url":null,"abstract":"Pullulan, a water-soluble polysaccharide, was grafted with short (4-mer and 6-mer) oligonucleotides containing bridged nucleic acids (BNAs) to produce self-assembled nanogels through the formation of oligonucleotide double chains. Dynamic light scattering measurements and transmission electron microscopy images revealed that oligonucleotide-grafted pullulans containing oligonucleotides with different chain lengths, sequences, and numbers of BNA substituents in water formed nanogels and that their aggregation behavior changed with temperature. Gel electrophoresis revealed that the complexation of fluorescently labeled oligonucleotides with these nanogels was possible, and flow cytometry measurements indicated that the cellular uptake of oligonucleotides was significantly enhanced when the oligonucleotides were complexed with the nanogels. Therefore, self-assembled nanogels derived from oligonucleotide-grafted polysaccharides can be applied as carriers of nucleic acids and nucleic acid-conjugated molecules for intracellular delivery. The construction of self-assembled nanogels with oligonucleotide double strands as the association points was achieved by grafting short-chain (4-mer and 6-mer) oligonucleotides containing bridged nucleic acids (BNA), an artificial nucleic acid, onto polysaccharides. The oligonucleotide-grafted polysaccharides, composed of oligonucleotides with varying chain lengths, sequences, and BNA substitution numbers, formed nanogels in water, and their aggregation behavior was found to change with temperature.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 4","pages":"451-460"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01132-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147618166","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}

{"title":"Study on the modification effects of metal salt addition on the brittle–ductile transition of poly(methyl methacrylate)","authors":"Asae Ito","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01135-4","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01135-4","url":null,"abstract":"Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a transparent, amorphous polymer widely employed in optical and structural components because of its excellent transparency, light weight, and ease of processing. However, its relatively low thermal stability and intrinsic brittleness limit its broader applicability, especially in load-bearing or high-temperature environments. In recent years, lithium salt doping has emerged as a powerful strategy to overcome these limitations without altering the chemical structure of PMMA. Through ion–dipole interactions between lithium ions and the carbonyl groups on PMMA chains, significant improvements in the glass transition temperature (Tg), viscoelastic response, and mechanical performance have been observed. Additionally, the hygroscopic nature of lithium salts enables dynamic control of ductility via environmental humidity, allowing reversible brittle-to-ductile transitions. This review summarizes recent experimental findings and introduces a nonequilibrium constitutive model to describe the strain-induced redistribution of water in salt-doped PMMA systems. These insights provide a comprehensive foundation for the rational design of PMMA materials with tunable thermal and mechanical properties for advanced applications. Thermal and mechanical properties of PMMA were modified through lithium-salt doping, which induces ion–dipole interactions with carbonyl groups. Localized water spots are formed around the ions of the hygroscopic salts in PMMA, and their strain-driven redistribution governs the humidity-responsive ductility. This review integrates these findings with a nonequilibrium constitutive model that captures water migration during deformation, providing a framework for designing PMMA with tunable properties.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 5","pages":"511-517"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147827732","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":"Orange-peel-derived carbon dots embedded in polyvinyl alcohol films for transparent and flexible UV-blocking applications","authors":"Akshay S. Patil, Ravindra D. Waghmare, Minjeong Kang, Sooji Park, Jungju Ryu, Omkar S. Nille, Vaibhav M. Naik, Gopi Kalaiyarasan, Anil H. Gore, Govind B. Kolekar, Daewon Sohn","doi":"10.1038/s41428-026-01142-z","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-026-01142-z","url":null,"abstract":"The development of sustainable UV-shielding materials with balanced optical transparency is crucial for advanced packaging and surface protection applications. In this work, we report a green and cost-effective approach for preparing flexible poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composite films embedded with carbon dots derived from waste-orange peels (OP-CDs). The OP-CDs synthesized via a simple pyrolysis route exhibited strong UV absorption and bright blue fluorescence originating from π–π* and n–π* transitions associated with surface carbonyl and amine groups. When incorporated into the PVA matrix, the resulting PVA@OP-CDs-9 (OP-CDs: 9 mg/mL) composite films effectively blocked 100% of the UV-C (230–280 nm) and UV-B (280–315 nm) radiation and more than 90% of the UV-A (315–400 nm) light while maintaining moderate visible-light transparency with 25–30% transmittance at 550 nm. The films also displayed good mechanical flexibility, thermal stability, and antioxidant activity, significantly reducing fruit browning under UV light exposure. Furthermore, the films were recyclable and reusable with minimal performance loss. This study provides a sustainable route for the transformation of biomass waste into efficient, flexible, and biodegradable UV-blocking films suitable for food packaging and protective coatings. Orange-peel-derived carbon dots (OP-CDs) were synthesized via a green pyrolysis route and embedded into poly(vinyl alcohol) to fabricate transparent and flexible UV-blocking films. The PVA@OP-CD films effectively block 100% of UV-C and UV-B radiation while converting the absorbed UV light into visible fluorescence. The composite films exhibit good mechanical flexibility, antioxidant activity, and food preservation performance, demonstrating a sustainable approach for biomass-derived UV-shielding materials suitable for food packaging and protective coatings.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 5","pages":"551-561"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-026-01142-z.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147827745","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}

{"title":"Protein separation using a chitin monolith with a continuous flow system","authors":"Armeida D. R. Madjid, Hikaru Matsumoto, Yoshinori Kawabe, Masanori Nagao, Yoshiko Miura","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01134-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01134-5","url":null,"abstract":"Chitin, the second most abundant biomaterial after cellulose, has attracted attention because of its biocompatibility and environmental friendliness, making it suitable for biomedical applications. This study explores the use of chitin monoliths, which are fabricated via thermally induced phase separation (TIPS), for protein separation in a flow system. The chitin monoliths were prepared by modifying chitin into butyryl chitin (BC) and hydrolyzing it to restore its properties. The monoliths were characterized using various techniques, including FE–SEM, ATR FT–IR, and mercury intrusion porosimetry, which revealed pore structures that were tunable on the basis of the quenching temperature. The monoliths exhibited permeability in a flow system and affinity for lysozyme. The monolith efficiently separated lysozyme from ovalbumin in the flow system, and it was able to separate a mixture of artificial sample and diluted hen egg white. The system’s stability was shown through numerous adsorption/desorption cycles, indicating very effective recovery with negligible capacity loss. This flow system was not prone to leakage and was properly dispersed, representing an improvement over a previous system. This study highlights the potential of chitin monoliths as efficient and sustainable tools for protein separation in continuous flow systems, offering improvements over traditional batch methods. Chitin monoliths were developed as sustainable separation media for continuous-flow protein purification by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS). FE-SEM, ATR-FTIR, and mercury intrusion porosimetry confirmed adjustable pore structures controlled by quenching temperature. The monoliths showed good permeability and selective affinity toward lysozyme, enabling efficient separation of lysozyme from ovalbumin under flow conditions. Reusability was demonstrated through multiple adsorption–desorption cycles with high recovery and negligible capacity loss, highlighting the potential of chitin monoliths for efficient and robust protein purification in continuous systems.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 4","pages":"395-405"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01134-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147618165","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}