Polymer Journal最新文献

{"title":"PJ ZEON Award for outstanding papers in Polymer Journal 2024","authors":"Keiji Tanaka","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01027-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01027-7","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 6","pages":"601-603"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01027-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144214280","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":"Special issue: Molecular picture of heterogeneity in polymer networks: from thermosetting polymers to elastomers and gels","authors":"Keiji Tanaka, Kenji Urayama, Tasuku Nakajima, Takeshi Serizawa","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01014-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01014-y","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 4","pages":"341-342"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01014-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143787372","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":"Preparation and application of flexible carbon nanofiber membranes via electrospinning: from stress dispersion to multifunctionality","authors":"Jianghao Wang, Shuyan Yu, Congju Li","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01024-w","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01024-w","url":null,"abstract":"The ongoing surge in portable and smart device technology drives the need for materials that are both flexible and conductive. Owing to their high surface area and stability, carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are ideal for these applications. Electrospinning is a superior method for producing uniform CNFs with adjustable sizes, allowing for precise property control. The focus of this concise review is on enhancing the stress distribution and flexibility of electrospun CNFs, and the importance of optimizing pre-oxidation and carbonization to improve crystallinity and performance is emphasized. Physical stretching techniques and the addition of nanoparticles to create heterogeneous phases within the carbon matrix are discussed as the methods used to increase the mechanical properties of CNFs and develop porous structures. Additionally, the broad applications of flexible CNFs are outlined, and insights into current research and future prospects are provided, with an emphasis on the significance of CNFs in flexible material development. This review highlights key strategies to enhance the flexibility of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and their applications. The preparation strategies encompass pore creation, nanoparticle doping, reaction process regulation, and tension stretching. These approaches are designed to refine the reaction process and bolster the physical characteristics of CNFs. The applications extend across supercapacitors to lithium-ion batteries, underscoring the versatile potential of flexible CNFs.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 6","pages":"605-622"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144214283","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":"Stress transfer analyses of poly(L-lactic acid)/hydroxyapatite composites by synchrotron radiation","authors":"Chenyue He, Takuya Matsumoto, Takashi Nishino","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01016-w","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01016-w","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, the stress transfer behaviors of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA)/hydroxyapatite (HAp) composites during tensile tests were investigated by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction. When tensile stress was applied to the composite, a diffraction peak assigned to the (211) plane of HAp shifted to a lower angle, and the stress was transferred through the interface between the PLLA matrix and HAp fillers. The stress distributed to the HAp fillers was several times greater than the applied stress. The dependence of the stress transfer on the fraction ratio of the HAp filler to the filler size was attained. Furthermore, the correlation between the macroscopic mechanical properties and stress transfer behaviors of the composites during tensile deformation and fracture was revealed using in situ X-ray diffraction measurements with synchrotron radiation. At the yielding points, interfacial failure between PLLA and HAp was determined. In situ X-ray diffraction measurements were shown to be reliable and provided a practical analysis method to obtain an understanding of the dynamic process of the mechanical deformation of composites. In this study, the stress transfer behaviors of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA)/hydroxyapatite (HAp) composites during tensile tests were investigated by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The effects of HAp fillers and their size on the stress transfer behaviors were discussed. Furthermore, the correlation between the macroscopic mechanical properties and stress transfer behaviors of the composites during tensile deformation and fracture was revealed. At the yielding points, interfacial failure between PLLA and HAp was determined.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 6","pages":"653-664"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144214240","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":"The effect of degumming conditions on the functionality of silk fibroin films","authors":"Masaya Harada, Wei Xu, Yusuke Kambe, Tsunenori Kameda, Shoji Nagaoka, Makoto Sasaki, Takuro Niidome","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01019-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01019-7","url":null,"abstract":"Degumming with an aqueous alkaline solution, such as sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), is the initial step in purifying a silk fibroin (SF) aqueous solution from Bombyx mori silkworm cocoons. While essential for sericin removal, this process affects the molecular state of the SF, impacting factors such as the molecular chain length and weight distribution. In this study, we aimed to investigate the physical and biological properties of films prepared from different aqueous SF solutions obtained through degumming with Na2CO3 at various concentrations, followed by water solubilization and dialysis. Higher concentrations of Na2CO3 resulted in broader distributions of molecular weights in the purified SF aqueous solutions. An SF film containing a greater proportion of low-molecular-weight chains (below 100 kDa) exhibited a faster degradation rate and lower fibroblast adhesion compared with a film containing predominantly high-molecular-weight chains. In a rat abdominal adhesion model, the former inhibited postoperative adhesion, whereas the latter promoted adhesion at wound sites. These results highlight the importance of the initial degumming process in regulating the functionality of resulting SF products for medical applications. Aqueous SF solution is purified through degumming with Na2CO3 aqueous solution, followed by water solubilization and dialysis. In the preparation of SF film, the aqueous SF solution is cast into a mold and subjected to a drying process. Throughout this process, intermolecular interactions played a crucial role in film formation. The molecular state of the SF, including its chain length and molecular weight distribution, affected the properties of the resulting film.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 6","pages":"689-697"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144214239","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":"Development of composite electrolyte membranes with functional polymer nanofiber frameworks","authors":"Hiroyoshi Kawakami","doi":"10.1038/s41428-024-01007-3","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-024-01007-3","url":null,"abstract":"Solid electrolyte membranes based on polymers have shown promise owing to their high-energy demand and the sustainable and cost-effective nature of these materials. However, polymer electrolyte membranes composed of a polymer matrix have not progressed for the following reasons: (1) the low ion conductivity of polymer materials cannot achieve the level required for practical use, and (2) it is difficult to satisfy both battery performance and membrane durability simultaneously because of the trade-offs between ion conductivity and membrane stability. In recent years, research on composite electrolyte membranes composed of polymer nanofibers and a polymer matrix has attracted significant interest because of their improved ion conductivity, excellent membrane durability, and ability to fabricate thinner membranes. Polymeric nanofiber-containing polymer electrolyte membranes are expected to be applied not only to electrolyte membranes for fuel cells and water electrolysis, including alkaline-type electrolyte membranes for water electrolysis, but also to all-solid-state Li-ion batteries and all-solid-state Li-air batteries. This focus review presents the latest information on these topics. Research on composite electrolyte membranes composed of polymer nanofibers and a polymer matrix has attracted significant interest because of their improved ion conductivity, excellent membrane durability, and ability to fabricate thinner membranes. Polymeric nanofiber-containing polymer electrolyte membranes are expected to be applied not only to electrolyte membranes for fuel cells and water electrolysis but also to all-solid-state Li-ion batteries. This focus review presents the latest information on these topics.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 6","pages":"623-633"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-01007-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144214281","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":"Adhesive properties of low-cross-linking density cured epoxy resin","authors":"Kakeru Obayashi, Ken Kojio","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01023-x","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01023-x","url":null,"abstract":"Cured epoxy resin (CER) adhesives are known to have excellent properties due to their strong strength and ability to interact with adherends. The high chemical cross-linking density structure of CERs plays an important role in their properties. In this study, a low cross-linking density cured epoxy resin (CER-L) was prepared with diglycidyl ether bisphenol A (average degree of polymerization (n = 1.1) (EPON) and phenyl ethyl amine (PEA)), and a high cross-linking density cured epoxy resin (CER-H) was prepared with diglycidyl ether bisphenol A (n = 1) (DGEBA) and 4,4’-diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM). Then, the mechanical properties of the bulk and adhesive properties of the single-lap joint (SLJ) were investigated, and the internal structure was evaluated. The resulting CER-L and CER-H showed similar Young’s moduli and yield stresses, whereas the elongation at break of CER-L was ten times larger than that of CER-H. The shear modulus and strength of the SLJs with CER-L were also comparable to those with CER-H. The failure modes of the SLJs with CER-L and CER-H were cohesive failure and interfacial failure, respectively. In situ small-angle X-ray scattering measurements at various positions in the adhesive during deformation revealed that crazes formed in CER-L during both uniaxial deformation and shear deformation and that plastic deformation occurred at the submillimeter scale. The stress concentration portion at the edge of the adhesive in the SLJ sample was relaxed by the plastic deformation of CER-L; this resulted in a comparable adhesive strength with CER-H. These novel results showed excellent adhesive strength even for the SLJ with CER-L and could be used to provide new guidelines for the design of adhesive materials. The adhesive properties of single-lap joint (SLJ) with low and high cross-linking density cured epoxy resin (CER-L and CER-H) were investigated and the internal structures during shear deformation were evaluated. Failure modes of the SLJs with CER-L and CER-H were cohesive failure and interfacial failure, respectively. Small-angle X-ray scattering measurements at various positions in adhesive revealed that crazes were formed for CER-L during shear deformation. The stress concentration portion at the edge of adhesive in the SLJ sample was relaxed by plastic deformation of CER-L, resulting in preventing interfacial failure.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 6","pages":"679-687"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01023-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144214286","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":"1-octene polymerization catalyzed by titanium and zirconium complexes supported by [PN] or [NPN] ligands","authors":"Jin Iwasaki, Yuzuki Kasahara, Tomoyuki Toda, Katsuhiko Takenaka","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01018-8","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01018-8","url":null,"abstract":"Ligands in homogeneous complex polymerization catalysts are crucial not only for influencing polymerization activity but also for controlling the stereoselectivity of the resulting polymers. We designed ligands on the basis of the dibenzophosphole skeleton and investigated the structure and ethylene polymerization activity of titanium and zirconium complexes activated by dried modified methylaluminoxane. In this investigation, we selected 1-octene as an α-olefin monomer and polymerized it using five types of titanium and zirconium complexes. Then, we obtained information regarding the ligand structure, polymerization activity toward 1-octene, and tacticity control. The [NPN]-Zr complex, which exhibited the highest activity for ethylene polymerization, demonstrated negligible polymerization activity for 1-octene. Conversely, titanium and zirconium complexes with [PN] ligands as auxiliary ligands exhibited activity toward 1-octene, yielding isotactic-rich polyoctene. The [PN] and [NPN] Ligands with a dibenzophosphole backbone were investigated in titanium and zirconium complexes for their roles in 1-octene polymerization. The [NPN]-Zr complex showed low activity toward 1-octene. In contrast, [PN]-ligated complexes demonstrated catalytic activity for 1-octene polymerization, with the [PN]-Zr and [PN]2Zr complexes producing oligomers at 70 °C and the [PN]2Ti complex yielding isotactic-rich polyoctene ([mm] = 66%) at −20 °C. These results highlight the critical role of ligand design in tuning polymerization activity and stereoselectivity, advancing the development of α-olefin polymerization catalysts.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 6","pages":"635-643"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01018-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144214284","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":"Anionic ring-opening polymerization of a 5-membered cyclic carbonate with a myo-inositol structure","authors":"Yuto Oshima, Hiroshi Katagiri, Osamu Haba, Tatsuro Toda, Hisanari Yoneda","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01021-z","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01021-z","url":null,"abstract":"Five-membered cyclic carbonate 5 was synthesized from myo-inositol via a four-step reaction. The structures of the obtained single crystals of 5 were investigated via X-ray structural analysis. The results showed that 5 has torsional and angular strains similar to those of previously reported 5-membered carbonates that undergo ring-opening polymerization. However, the anionic homopolymerization of 5 did not produce any polymeric products. On the other hand, the copolymerization of 5 with some lactones yielded polymeric products. Among the lactones used, ε-caprolactone (CL) produced a homogeneous mixture with 5 at a mole fraction of 5 (f5) up to 30 mol%. The copolymerization of the homogeneous mixtures produced copolymers with a mole fraction of 5 (F5) similar to that of f5. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the copolymers was determined by a differential scanning calorimetory (DSC). The copolymer with F5 = 0.14 had a Tg of −26.1 °C, which increased with increasing F5 and reached a value of 0.65 °C at F5 = 0.29. 5-membered cyclic carbonate (5) was synthesized via 4-steps from myo-inositol which is mainly contained from grains. X-ray crystallographic analysis of 5 showed that 5 is largely twisted compared to non-polymerizable ethylene carbonate. However, the homopolymerization of 1 did not proceed. The copolymerization of 5 with CL, on the other hand, proceeded successfully to yield methanol-insoluble products. By changing the feed ratio, the content of 5 in the resulting copolymers increased up to 29%.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 6","pages":"645-652"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01021-z.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144214282","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":"Smectic liquid crystalline poly(ester imide)s with low dielectric dissipation factors for high-frequency applications","authors":"Hayato Maeda, Yucheng Liang, Ryohei Hosoya, Rika Marui, Erina Yoshida, Yuqian Chen, Kan Hatakeyama-Sato, Yuta Nabae, Shiori Nakagawa, Junko Morikawa, Masatoshi Tokita, Ririka Sawada, Shinji Ando, Yoshihiro Hayashi, Ryo Yoshida, Hidemine Furuya, Teruaki Hayakawa","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01020-0","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01020-0","url":null,"abstract":"High-frequency electronic applications increasingly require polymer-based insulators with low dielectric constants (Dk) and dissipation factors (Df). Reducing molecular mobility effectively decreases the Df of polyimides (PIs), which are widely used as interlayer dielectrics in semiconductor integrated circuits. In this study, we reduced molecular mobility by synthesizing smectic liquid crystalline polyimides (LC-PIs) via the use of diamines with phenyl benzoate structures and alkyl chains, and promoting mesogen stacking in LC structures. Self-supporting films were fabricated, and their dielectric properties were evaluated, revealing significantly lower Df values than those of conventional PI. The functional groups responsible for increasing Df are visualized via molecular dynamics simulations performed by applying a virtual alternating electric field to 3D models of the LC-PIs whose structure was confirmed via wide-angle X-ray diffraction. This study highlights the potential of smectic LC-PIs in the molecular design of polymeric materials with lower Df. This study demonstrates the synthesis of smectic liquid crystalline polyimides (LC-PIs) with reduced dissipation factors (Df) by incorporating phenyl benzoate units and alkyl chains into the polyimide backbone to promote mesogen stacking. Compared to conventional polyimides derived from pyromellitic dianhydride and 4,4′-oxydianiline, the LC-PIs exhibited significantly lower Df. The functional groups responsible for increasing Df were visualized via molecular dynamics simulations, applying a virtual alternating electric field to 3D models of the LC-PIs, the structures of which were confirmed using wide-angle X-ray diffraction.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"57 6","pages":"665-677"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01020-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144214285","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}