Polymer Journal最新文献

{"title":"Powderization of gallium-indium eutectic alloy with small-molecule surfactants for the simple preparation of liquid metal-polymer composites","authors":"Christopher Hiromi Shimamura, Shunichiro Ito, Kazuo Tanaka","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01130-9","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01130-9","url":null,"abstract":"Gallium-based liquid metals are promising materials for fabricating polymer composites with electrical and thermal conductivities because of their intrinsic deformability and metallic properties. However, their high surface tension often prevents the easy preparation of uniformly dispersed composites. Herein, we propose the “powderization” method for the preparation of eutectic gallium–indium alloys by using a small-molecule dispersant, such as 1-dodecanethiol, affording powdery samples that can be treated like a solid-state powder. Mechanical shear forces can induce the recovery of the liquid metal bulk through the coalescence of microparticles in the powdery samples. Several types of polymer composites based on these powdered liquid metals are prepared simply by manual mixing and exhibit stimulus-responsive electrical conductivity and microwave heating. Surface modification of liquid metal microparticles of the eutectic gallium–indium alloy afforded a liquid metal powder containing a small amount of organic components, which can be returned to the bulk liquid metal form by applying mechanical forces. Liquid metal–polymer composites with stimuli-responsive electrical conductivity were readily prepared by manual mixing of the liquid metal powder with polymer precursors. In addition, the liquid metal powder acted as a microwave absorber in the composite materials, thereby inducing microwave heating.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 5","pages":"583-591"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01130-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147827744","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":"Terminal end groups of poly(ethylene glycol) reduce antigenicity","authors":"Kouichi Shiraishi","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01128-3","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01128-3","url":null,"abstract":"The presence of antibodies against poly(ethylene glycol)s (anti-PEG Abs) has gained increasing attention with the expanded use of mRNA-lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Anti-PEG Abs have been detected not only in patients who have received PEGylated therapeutics but also in healthy individuals. Concerns regarding the reduction in therapeutic efficacy of PEGylated therapeutics, as well as complement-related adverse effects caused by PEGylated therapeutic–anti-PEG Ab complexes, have been raised. PEG itself, however, has been classified as a hapten and is not inherently immunogenic. This suggests that anti-PEG Abs recognize PEG; however, anti-PEG Abs do not strongly bind to PEG. The methoxy group at the terminal end of PEG plays a critical role in its recognition. In the current study, we aimed to reduce the antigenicity of PEG by synthesizing different terminal structures of PEG. Evaluating the binding behaviors of terminal-methoxy- or main-chain-specific anti-PEG Abs revealed that increasing the hydrophobicity of the PEG terminus improves anti-PEG Ab recognition. Conversely, introducing hydrophilic groups at the PEG terminus worsens anti-PEG IgG recognition. These findings suggest that rational design of PEG terminal structures can potentially evade recognition by anti-PEG Abs, thereby improving the safety and efficacy of PEGylated therapeutics. Modification of terminal end groups of PEG altered its antigenicity. Polar terminal end groups effectively reduced recognition by both main-chain-specific and terminal-methoxy-specific anti-PEG IgG antibodies, whereas the nonpolar nC4H9 terminal end group was recognized by both types of anti-PEG IgGs. Based on these results, this study proposes a strategy for designing PEG chains that minimize recognition by anti-PEG antibodies and the resulting stable binding.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 4","pages":"461-469"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01128-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147618184","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 of hydrogel and xerogel nanoparticles composed of methylcellulose: possible use in drug delivery and polymer composites","authors":"Yuuka Fukui, Kaho Wada, Keiji Fujimoto","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01127-4","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01127-4","url":null,"abstract":"To improve the water resistance of products prepared from water-soluble cellulose derivatives, we prepared cellulose-based nanoparticles without chemical modifications such as crosslinking. We employed a W/O (water-in-oil) miniemulsion as a nanoreactor to prepare cellulose-based particles. Methylcellulose (MC) was selected as the cellulose-derived biomass polymer. Aqueous nanodroplets, including MC, were suspended in corn oil by homogenization and ultrasonication. MC hydrogel nanoparticles (MC-H) were subsequently obtained via the gelation of MC within the nanodroplets with increasing temperature. Next, to obtain MC xerogel nanoparticles (MC-X), we carried out water evaporation from MC-H. Furthermore, MC-X with different inner structures could be obtained by tuning the temperature and pressure of the evaporation conditions. MC-H and MC-X showed high water resistance because of the strong association of MC chains, which was promoted in confined vessels such as nanodroplets and nanoparticles. In addition, the release of water-soluble substances from MC-H was promoted at 4 °C below the dissolution temperature of MC, whereas MC-X exhibited suppressed release because of the strong association of MC chains. To explore the utility of MC-X as a biomass-derived filler, it was embedded in the polymer film. MC-X was slightly aggregated but evenly distributed within the film without compromising its transparency. By using a water nanodroplet in a W/O miniemulsion as a nanoreactor, we prepared cellulose-based nanoparticles without chemical modifications such as crosslinking. Gelation of the MC aqueous solution in water nanodroplets was conducted by increasing temperature to create methylcellulose (MC) hydrogel nanoparticles (MC-H). Next, water evaporation from MC-H was performed to prepare MC xerogel nanoparticles (MC-X). The obtained MC-X showed high water resistance and suppressed release of substances due to the strong association of MC chains. In addition, MC-X could be embedded as a biomass-derived filler in the polymer film, maintaining its transparency.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 3","pages":"287-299"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147352884","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":"Aqueous microphase separation of double hydrophilic diblock copolymers with zwitterionic and pyranose units","authors":"Yuji Higaki, Miyuka Tateyama, Saya Maeda, Yoshiko Miura","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01126-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01126-5","url":null,"abstract":"Aqueous microphase-separated systems endowed with biomolecular functionalities offer a promising platform featuring mesoscopic compartments. In this study, we investigated the microphase separation of concentrated aqueous solutions of a double hydrophilic block copolymer composed of a zwitterionic polymer, poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (PSB4), and a glycopolymer, poly(galactose methacrylate) (PGalM), denoted as PSB4n-b-PGalMm. A series of PSB4n-b-PGalMm with varying volume fractions were synthesized through reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization. In dilute aqueous solutions, PSB4n-b-PGalMm formed micellar aggregates only when the PGalM block length was short. In concentrated aqueous solutions, PSB4n-b-PGalMms that aggregated under dilute conditions exhibited disordered structures, whereas those remaining dissolved under dilute conditions yielded an ordered lattice. While the PSB4/PGalM/water ternary blends exhibited substantial compatibility under superconcentrated conditions, the corresponding PSB4n-b-PGalMm aqueous solutions underwent microphase separation. These distinctive miscibility inversions were attributed to the concentration-dependent χeff and solution-specific driving forces. Aqueous systems with periodically arranged zwitterionic and pyranose units represent a novel class of molecular assemblies resembling cell membranes, featuring arrays of zwitterions and glycocalyxes, and hold promise for the interfacial design of biomaterials. Double-hydrophilic diblock copolymers, PSB4n-b-PGalMm, comprising a polymethacrylate bearing galactose units and a polymethacrylate bearing sulfobetaine groups, exhibited unique miscibility inversions between dilute and concentrated regimes and between block copolymers and blends. These inversions were attributed to concentration-dependent χeff and solution-specific driving forces. Aqueous systems with periodically arranged zwitterionic and pyranose units represent a novel class of molecular assemblies resembling cell membranes, featuring arrays of zwitterions and glycocalyxes, and hold promise for the interfacial design of biomaterials.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 3","pages":"277-286"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147352890","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":"Phase-separated structure and optical properties of simultaneously polymerized polymethacrylate/polyurethane blends","authors":"Shiho Kuwashiro, Kosaku Tao, Hajime Kishi, Masashi Nakamura","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01120-x","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01120-x","url":null,"abstract":"Simultaneous polymerization of methacrylate monomers and urethane prepolymers enables diverse structures to form within the polymer blend, resulting in a tough polymer blend. In this study, a polymer blend with a salami structure with dimensions of several tens of microns was obtained by simultaneously polymerizing polymethacrylate and polyurethane containing polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG). In addition, the methacrylate component of the polymer blend was co-polymerized with hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), which contains a hydroxyl group that can then react with the urethane component. The effects of HEMA copolymerization on the structure and composition of each area, as well as on the viscoelastic and optical properties, were investigated. The HEMA copolymerization increased the compatibility between the polyurethane and polymethacrylate regions. Consequently, the hard areas within the spherical domains decreased in size, accompanied by a decrease in the differences in composition and refractive index between regions. A copolymerized polymer blend containing 5.42 mol% HEMA exhibited the same transparency (total transmittance and haze) as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). In this study, a polymer blend with a salami structure with dimensions of several tens of microns was obtained by simultaneously polymerizing polymethacrylate and polyurethane. The methacrylate component of the polymer blend was co-polymerized with hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), which contains a hydroxyl group. The HEMA copolymerization increased the compatibility between the polyurethane and polymethacrylate regions. Consequently, the hard areas within the spherical domains decreased in size, accompanied by a decrease in the differences in composition and refractive index between regions.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 3","pages":"235-243"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01120-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147352883","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":"Block-copolymer-based coacervates enabling constant and sustained release of siRNA-containing polyion complex micelles","authors":"Ziwei Ma, Hiroshi Kamizawa, Rento Ota, Bing Jhang Li, Fadlina Aulia, Teruki Nii, Takeshi Mori, Yoshiki Katayama, Akihiro Kishimura","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01124-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01124-7","url":null,"abstract":"Effective siRNA therapy requires efficient delivery systems. However, sustained-release technologies remain poorly developed. A novel coacervate-based formulation that enables the controlled release of siRNA-loaded polyion complex micelles was developed in this study. An ABA-type triblock copolymer (catiomer–polyethylene glycol–catiomer) and an AB-type diblock copolymer were blended at defined ratios (fTri) and complexed with siRNA/aniomer mixtures (fsiRNA) to form polyion complex assemblies. Certain formulations generated micelles at ambient temperature, which thermally transitioned into coacervated microparticles (transition temperature: 45 °C at fTri = fsiRNA = 0.4) and reverted to micelles upon cooling. At 37 °C, the coacervates released siRNA and micelles at a constant rate. Cytotoxicity was negligible after 24 h but increased after 72 h. Early-stage uptake (≤3 d), assessed using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, revealed superior internalization for coacervates versus micelles, primarily via small PIC species, considering the release behavior of the initial stage. Luciferase knockdown assays confirmed enhanced gene silencing for the coacervate-treatment groups, as compared to the micelle-treated groups, although the overall efficiency remained modest. These findings demonstrate that coacervate-based formulations enable sustained siRNA release and improved cellular uptake, as compared with micelles, highlighting their potential as next-generation delivery systems. A thermoresponsive coacervate enabling the sustained release of micelles and siRNA was developed using an appropriate blend of ABA/AB block copolymers. At room temperature, siRNA-loaded polyion complex (PIC) micelles were dispersed in solution. Upon mild heating ( ≈ 45 °C), they assembled into coacervate microparticles through a reversible phase transition. When maintained at 37 °C, the coacervates continuously and constantly release siRNA and micelles. Biological activities were evaluated using living cells, and cellular uptake and gene knockdown effects were confirmed. This concept highlights a coacervate-based depot platform for siRNA delivery system.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 4","pages":"439-450"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01124-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147618183","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":"Ring-expansion cationic cyclopolymerization of divinyl ethers: synthesis of macrocyclic cyclopolymers with 8- and 13-membered rings","authors":"Takeshi Namikoshi, Takafumi Yamamoto, Tamotsu Hashimoto, Michio Urushisaki, Toshikazu Sakaguchi","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01122-9","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01122-9","url":null,"abstract":"Herein, a ring-expansion cationic cyclopolymerization leading to the formation of macrocyclic cyclopolymers is reported. 4,4-Bis(vinyloxymethyl)cyclohexene (1), 5,5-bis(vinyloxymethyl)-2-bicyclo[2,2,1]heptane (2), 1,2-bis(vinyloxyethoxy)benzene (3) and 1,2-bis(2-vinyloxyethoxy)-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzene (4) were polymerized in toluene at 0 °C. A hemiacetal ester-incorporated cyclic initiator was used in conjunction with SnBr4 as a Lewis acid activator in the presence of 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine (DTBP) and 1,4-dioxane was used to suppress uncontrolled initiation by adventitious proton impurities. All synthesized cyclopolymers (Cyclic-Poly(1), Cyclic-Poly(2), Cyclic-Poly(3) and Cyclic-Poly(4)) were ring-shaped, with number-average molecular weights of 5000–13,000 and respective degrees of cyclization of 98.2%, 98.9%, 96.0% and 98.0%. Except for Cyclic-Poly(3), all the macrocyclic cyclopolymers had a high degree of cyclization exceeding 98%. Cyclic-Poly(1), Cyclic-Poly(2) and Cyclic-Poly(4) were soluble in solvents up to 100% monomer conversion, whereas Cyclic-Poly(3) was partially insoluble in the later stages of polymerization (>65% monomer conversion). The glass transition temperature (Tg) was 127, 178, 98 and 136 °C for Cyclic-Poly(1), Cyclic-Poly(2), Cyclic-Poly(3) and Cyclic-Poly(4), respectively. The Tgs of the cyclic cyclopolymers were higher than those of the corresponding linear cyclopolymers. Divinyl ethers 1, 2, 3 and 4 caused ring-expansion cationic cyclopolymerization with a hemiacetal ester-incorporated cyclic initiator in conjunction with SnBr4 to yield cyclic Poly(1), Poly(2), Poly(3) and Poly(4), respectively. High degree of cyclization of cyclopolymerization (>~98%) was necessary to obtain these macrocyclic cyclopolymers of well-defined structure quantitatively. The Tgs of these macrocyclic cyclopoly(divinyl ether)s were higher than those of the corresponding linear cyclopoly(divinyl ether)s.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 3","pages":"207-220"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147352885","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":"Fabrication of noncrosslinked poly(N-dodecyl acrylamide) monolayer-thick sheets by exfoliation using poor solvents","authors":"Mizuki Ohke, Yuya Ishizaki-Betchaku, Shusaku Nagano, Hinako Ebe, Jun Matsui","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01121-w","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01121-w","url":null,"abstract":"Two-dimensional polymeric materials (2DPMs) have attracted increasing attention from researchers owing to their unique structural and functional properties. Most reported 2DPMs are composed of covalently crosslinked polymer networks to ensure structural integrity. Herein, we demonstrate the exfoliation of large-area noncrosslinked 2DPMs from stacked lamellar films composed of poly(N-dodecyl acrylamide) (pDDA). Generally, pDDA forms a well-oriented lamellar structure via nanophase segregation of the hydrophilic main chain and hydrophobic alkyl side chains. In this work, monolayers were exfoliated from the stacked lamellae using poor solvents. Systematic solvent-dependent exfoliation studies revealed that hexane, ethyl acetate, and 2-propanol effectively exfoliated micrometer-scale monolayer sheets, whereas the polar methanol solvent induced polymer dissolution into random coils. Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses confirmed the formation of nanosheets with sizes of a few micrometers and lateral dimensions approximately equal to the monolayer thickness. Furthermore, spin-transferred 2DPMs exhibited unique dendritic or spider web-like network morphologies, which were influenced by the solvent choice and centrifugal forces. Thus, this study provides a simple and scalable approach for preparing large-area noncrosslinked 2DPMs and offers insights into controlling their morphology through solvent selection. Two-dimensional polymeric materials (2DPMs) with unique structural and functional properties are typically crosslinked for stability. Here, large-area noncrosslinked 2DPMs were exfoliated from lamellar films of poly(N-dodecyl acrylamide) (pDDA), which forms nanophase-separated lamellae via segregation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments. Poor-solvent exfoliation using hexane, ethyl acetate, or 2-propanol produced micrometer-scale monolayer nanosheets, whereas methanol dissolved the polymer. AFM and TEM confirmed nanosheet morphology, and spin-transferred films displayed dendritic or spiderweb-like networks dependent on solvent and centrifugal forces, offering a simple, scalable route to morphology-controlled noncrosslinked 2DPMs.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 3","pages":"269-276"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01121-w.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147352889","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":"Innovative bioseparation technologies employing thermoresponsive polymer interfaces","authors":"Kenichi Nagase","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01117-6","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01117-6","url":null,"abstract":"An array of medical treatments is currently advancing, including biopharmaceuticals, such as antibody medications, and cellular therapies, such as stem cells. However, the separation and purification processes required to fabricate these treatments are inherently costly, prompting the need for innovative methods. A bioseparation technique using poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), a functional polymer whose hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties change with temperature, was developed in this study. The adsorption and desorption of antibodies was regulated by adjusting the temperature of a column filled with temperature-sensitive polymer-coated silica beads to achieve separation and purification of the contaminants. A polymer-treated glass substrate facilitated the temperature-regulated adhesion and release of stem cells. Thermoresponsive polymer-modified microfibers and columns enabled the temperature-controlled separation of large quantities of stem cells. These columns also allowed the temperature-regulated purification of viral vectors used in gene therapy. The temperature-controlled separation and purification of extracellular vesicles (exosomes) was achieved by combining peptides with an affinity for these vesicles and thermoresponsive polymers. Consequently, these temperature-sensitive polymers enabled the temperature-regulated separation and purification of antibodies, cells, viral vectors, and extracellular vesicles. This cost-effective approach safely preserves the activity of the target, offering potential utility in medical analysis, pharmaceutical production, and drug discovery. A temperature-responsive bioseparation method using poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) has been developed to reduce the high cost of purifying biopharmaceuticals and cellular therapies. By adjusting temperature, antibodies were adsorbed and desorbed on polymer-coated silica beads. Stem cells adhered to and detached from polymer-treated glass substrates and microfibers. Viral vectors and exosomes were purified using thermoresponsive columns and peptide-polymer combinations. This approach enables efficient, temperature-controlled separation and purification of antibodies, cells, viral vectors, and exosomes, preserving biological activity and offering cost-effective applications in medical diagnostics, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and drug development.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 3","pages":"181-205"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01117-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147352882","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":"Self-organized structures at polymer gel surfaces: Mechanisms, controlled design, and perspectives","authors":"Aya M. Akimoto","doi":"10.1038/s41428-025-01123-8","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-025-01123-8","url":null,"abstract":"Polymer gels are widely utilized in biomedical applications such as drug delivery, tissue engineering scaffolds, and wound dressings, where their surfaces directly interface with living systems. While extensive research has been devoted to solid polymer surfaces with nanoscale control, systematic investigations of gel surfaces have been relatively limited. This review highlights self-organized structures emerging at gel surfaces, including skin layers, shrinkage- and wrinkle-type patterns, and phase-separated structures, which critically influence both interfacial and bulk properties. Historical studies from the 1980s and 1990s revealed diverse structural phenomena, yet uncertainties in their occurrence, often depending on chemical composition and systematic regulation, remain unresolved. Recent advances, particularly surface grafting techniques employing living radical polymerization, have enabled enforced induction and controlled design of such structures at multiple spatial scales. These insights establish a new perspective on the structure–property relationships of gels, emphasizing the interplay between the surface and bulk. Beyond fundamental understanding, this concept has broad implications for the rational design of advanced biomaterials. Self-organized structures that emerge on gel surfaces across diverse spatiotemporal scales. This review introduces classical studies on these structures and further discusses recent advances and future perspectives.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 4","pages":"365-372"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-025-01123-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147618164","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}