Polymer Journal最新文献

{"title":"Synthesis and biodegradation behavior of polyelectrolytes based on poly(vinyl alcohol) and 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid","authors":"Yantian Jiao, Yijie Jin, Atsushi Isobe, Masaya Fujita, Takuma Araki, Yuzo Suzuki, Yuichiro Otsuka, Naofumi Kamimura, Eiji Masai, Tsuyoshi Michinobu","doi":"10.1038/s41428-026-01193-2","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-026-01193-2","url":null,"abstract":"2-Pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC), a lignin-derived dicarboxylic acid, has been recognized as an attractive biomass-based building block because of its strong acidity and biodegradability. Although various polymers incorporating PDC units into the main chain have been reported, polymers bearing PDC moieties as pendant side groups have not been explored. In this study, we report the synthesis of a novel side-chain-type PDC polymer through selective esterification of only one of the two carboxylic acid groups of PDC with the hydroxyl groups of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The resulting polymer contained 5–7 mol% PDC units. Notably, even this low degree of incorporation significantly altered the thermal properties and mechanical strength, indicating that the pendant PDC units strongly influence intermolecular interactions and chain packing. Acid‒base titration revealed that the polymer behaves as an effective polyelectrolyte, exhibiting higher acidity than poly(acrylic acid). Biodegradation tests under composting conditions demonstrated degradability comparable to that of pristine PVA. These results highlight a new structural design strategy for incorporating lignin-derived PDC into side-chain architectures and demonstrate its potential as a functional motif for biomass-derived polyelectrolytes. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) side-chain was substituted with 5–7 mol% lignin-derived 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) units. Even this low incorporation markedly improved thermal and mechanical properties, indicating strong effects on intermolecular interactions and chain packing. Acid–base titration showed higher acidity than poly(acrylic acid), demonstrating effective polyelectrolyte behavior. Composting tests confirmed biodegradability comparable to pristine PVA. These findings present a new strategy for introducing lignin-derived PDC into side-chain architectures and highlight its potential as a functional biomass-based polyelectrolyte material.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 9","pages":"1197-1203"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-026-01193-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148904453","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":"Active filament dynamics as a manifestation of microtubule mechanics","authors":"Douglas Kagoiya Ng’ang’a, Jane Wanja Karanja, Takahiro Nitta","doi":"10.1038/s41428-026-01201-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-026-01201-5","url":null,"abstract":"Cytoskeletal filaments may be actively driven by motor proteins and subjected to thermal fluctuations. Active filaments are self-propelling polymers inspired by cytoskeletal filaments and exhibit a rich spectrum of behaviors that are absent in their passive counterparts, posing challenges and opportunities for polymer physics. Microtubule-based active filaments under constraints show movements reminiscent of biological motions, arising from the interplay between filament mechanics and motor activity and mechanics. However, the significant variability in experimentally determined microtubule bending rigidities complicates the interpretation and prediction of their behaviors. Here, using computer simulations of overdamped mechanics, we investigate how the bending rigidity of microtubules influences their behaviors when the leading ends are pinned and subsequently released from the pinning. By systematically varying the preset bending rigidities, we found that distinct behaviors emerge depending on the bending rigidity, which are visible manifestations of the mechanical properties of microtubules. These differences originated from the local dynamics near the pinned ends of the microtubules. This study suggests a novel methodology based on active filament dynamics for probing the mechanical properties of microtubules, where conventional methodologies face challenges in terms of accuracy and throughput. In addition, this study provides insight into the reliable operation of active filament-based devices. Microtubule-based active filaments driven by kinesin motors were studied using computer simulations to investigate how microtubule mechanics governs the filament behaviors under pinning and subsequent depinning at their leading ends. Stiff filaments maintained nearly straight conformations upon depinning, whereas flexible ones exhibited buckling and spiraling prior to depinning, revealing that the distinct behaviors were visible manifestations of microtubule mechanics. The underlying mechanisms were elucidated with a mechanistic scenario. These findings conversely suggest that microtubule mechanics can be inferred via active filament dynamics.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 10","pages":"1319-1328"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148928139","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":"Vibration-based detection of spalling initiation in polymer composites using a custom ball-on-disc tribometer","authors":"Takayuki Hiramoto, Takeshi Murakami, Keisuke Yokoyama, Kenji Urayama","doi":"10.1038/s41428-026-01200-6","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-026-01200-6","url":null,"abstract":"We report a custom-designed ball-on-disc tribometer that enables quantitative detection of the onset of surface damage in polymer composites under continuous sliding contact. Conventional tribometers primarily monitor friction coefficients; however, they often fail to detect the precise initiation of surface damage. In contrast, the system developed in this study continuously monitors vibration signals during sliding and identifies the initiation of surface damage—such as crack formation and material detachment—as a sudden and pronounced increase in the vibration signal. Optical microscopy confirms that this abrupt increase in vibration coincides with the onset of spalling and surface cracking. Using this approach, we quantitatively evaluated the effects of the glass-fiber (GF) content and surface roughness on the damage onset time in GF-reinforced polyamide 66 composites. The proposed methodology provides a sensitive and robust tool for characterizing early-stage spalling in polymer composites under continuous sliding contact. We report a custom ball-on-disc tribometer to quantitatively detect the onset of surface damage in polymer composites under continuous sliding contact. Conventional tribometers primarily monitor friction coefficients but often fail to the detect the precise surface damage initiation. In contrast, our system continuously monitors vibration signals and identifies surface damage as a sudden increase in vibration signals. Using this approach, we evaluate the effects of glass-fiber (GF) content and surface roughness on the damage onset time in GF-reinforced polyamide 66. The proposed methodology enables sensitive, robust early-stage spalling characterization.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 10","pages":"1345-1349"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148928140","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":"Effects of dynamic crosslinking and static crosslinking on the mechanical properties of dual-crosslinked elastomers","authors":"Zhengyuan Liu, Shintaro Nakagawa, Kanyou Shin, Fumito Yatsuyanagi, Naoko Yoshie","doi":"10.1038/s41428-026-01197-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-026-01197-y","url":null,"abstract":"Elastomers with high mechanical performance are indispensable in engineering applications, although traditional covalent crosslinking faces an inherent trade-off between stretchability and stiffness. The introduction of dynamic crosslinks in addition to covalent (static) crosslinks, i.e., the dual-crosslinking strategy, has been explored as a promising way to overcome this trade-off. However, the optimal balance between dynamic and static crosslinking remains unclear. In this study, we systematically investigated the effects of static and dynamic crosslinking on the mechanical properties of dual-crosslinked elastomers based on styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR). The metal‒ligand coordination of the pyridine-functionalized SBR with Zn2+ ions served as dynamic crosslinks, and static crosslinks were induced through simple thermal treatments. The contents of dynamic crosslinks and static crosslinks were systematically varied, and various mechanical properties, such as tensile properties, strain rate–dependent tensile properties, energy dissipation efficiency, and recoverability, were examined. Increasing the dynamic crosslink density effectively increased the stiffness without sacrificing stretchability because of efficient energy dissipation. The dynamic crosslinks were also superior to the static crosslinks in terms of fatigue recoverability. These findings offer a promising strategy for designing high-performance elastomers with tailored mechanical properties. The mechanical properties of dual-crosslinked elastomers containing both dynamic and static crosslinks were systematically investigated. The contents of dynamic and static crosslinks were varied, and the resulting mechanical properties were examined. For tensile properties, static crosslinks contribute to structural integrity and stiffness at the expense of stretchability, whereas dynamic crosslinks increase stiffness and stretchability at the same time.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 10","pages":"1307-1318"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-026-01197-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148928143","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":"Light-switchable LCST windows in an ionic liquid solution of azobenzene copolymers","authors":"Tsubasa Naka, Takeshi Ueki","doi":"10.1038/s41428-026-01195-0","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-026-01195-0","url":null,"abstract":"Photo-induced tuning of lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior is an attractive route for reversible phase control, yet the achievable cloud-point shift is often modest in conventional solvent systems. Here, we demonstrate a composition-amplified, light-tunable LCST in ionic liquid polymer solutions using random copolymers of 4-phenylazophenyl methacrylate and phenethyl methacrylate (P(AzoMA-r-PhEtMA)) dissolved in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethylsulfonylimide ([C2mim][TFSI]), a medium in which the azobenzene-containing monomer is readily compatible. Turbidity measurements reveal opposite cloud-point shifts under UV (cis-type) and visible-light (trans-type) conditions, enabling a bistable temperature window that widens monotonically with azobenzene composition. At 37 °C, the solution is reversibly switched between one-phase and two-phase states by light alone and maintains stable cycling for more than ~40,500 s. These results provide a practical molecular design guideline for targeting ambient-to-physiological light-controlled phase separation in nonvolatile ionic liquid media. Random copolymers of 4-phenylazophenyl methacrylate and phenethyl methacrylate in a typical ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethylsulfonylimide, [C2mim][TFSI] exhibit reversible, light-controlled LCST-type phase transitions. Photoisomerization of the azobenzene units shifts the cloud-point temperature, creating a bistable temperature window between 25 and 37 °C, where UV light induces dissolution and visible light restores phase separation. This simple molecular design enables non-volatile, light-switchable thermoresponsive polymer systems.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 10","pages":"1337-1344"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-026-01195-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148928186","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 and functions of π-conjugated poly(acetylene)s and poly(aryleneethynylene)s with controlled higher-order structures","authors":"Fumio Sanda","doi":"10.1038/s41428-026-01190-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-026-01190-5","url":null,"abstract":"π-Conjugated polymers constitute an important class of materials for photoelectronic applications. Among them, systems in which higher-order structures are deliberately controlled have attracted increasing attention; as such, structural regulation often leads to refined morphologies and enhanced photoelectronic and chiroptical functions. Poly(acetylene)s bearing optically active substituents are representative examples, as they commonly adopt helical conformations with a predominantly one-handed screw sense, driven by cooperative intramolecular interactions at the side chains. In a related manner, poly(aryleneethynylene)s can form helical architectures by adjusting the hydrophobic–hydrophilic balance between the main chain and side chains, with these conformations being stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding, van der Waals interactions, and other noncovalent forces. In some systems, such structural regulation further promotes the formation of well-defined aggregated states. Moreover, poly(aryleneethynylene)s incorporating platinum complex moieties represent a distinctive subclass in which higher-order structures can be modulated through coordination chemistry. In these materials, the effective conjugation length and the resulting optical properties, including absorption and emission characteristics, are governed not only by the polymer backbone but also by the nature of the coordinating ligands, highlighting the versatility of π-conjugated polymers as platforms for structure–function engineering. π-Conjugated polymers are key materials for photoelectronic applications, particularly when their higher-order structures are precisely controlled to achieve improved morphologies and functions. Optically active poly(acetylene)s typically form one-handed helical conformations through cooperative side-chain interactions, while poly(aryleneethynylene)s adopt helices regulated by hydrophobic–hydrophilic balance and stabilized by noncovalent forces. Incorporation of platinum complexes further enables structural modulation via coordination chemistry, allowing control over conjugation length and optical properties. These features highlight π-conjugated polymers as versatile platforms for advanced structure–function engineering.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 8","pages":"827-852"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-026-01190-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148667622","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 and functions of π-conjugated poly(acetylene)s and poly(aryleneethynylene)s with controlled higher-order structures","authors":"Fumio Sanda","doi":"10.1038/s41428-026-01190-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-026-01190-5","url":null,"abstract":"π-Conjugated polymers constitute an important class of materials for photoelectronic applications. Among them, systems in which higher-order structures are deliberately controlled have attracted increasing attention; as such, structural regulation often leads to refined morphologies and enhanced photoelectronic and chiroptical functions. Poly(acetylene)s bearing optically active substituents are representative examples, as they commonly adopt helical conformations with a predominantly one-handed screw sense, driven by cooperative intramolecular interactions at the side chains. In a related manner, poly(aryleneethynylene)s can form helical architectures by adjusting the hydrophobic–hydrophilic balance between the main chain and side chains, with these conformations being stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding, van der Waals interactions, and other noncovalent forces. In some systems, such structural regulation further promotes the formation of well-defined aggregated states. Moreover, poly(aryleneethynylene)s incorporating platinum complex moieties represent a distinctive subclass in which higher-order structures can be modulated through coordination chemistry. In these materials, the effective conjugation length and the resulting optical properties, including absorption and emission characteristics, are governed not only by the polymer backbone but also by the nature of the coordinating ligands, highlighting the versatility of π-conjugated polymers as platforms for structure–function engineering. π-Conjugated polymers are key materials for photoelectronic applications, particularly when their higher-order structures are precisely controlled to achieve improved morphologies and functions. Optically active poly(acetylene)s typically form one-handed helical conformations through cooperative side-chain interactions, while poly(aryleneethynylene)s adopt helices regulated by hydrophobic–hydrophilic balance and stabilized by noncovalent forces. Incorporation of platinum complexes further enables structural modulation via coordination chemistry, allowing control over conjugation length and optical properties. These features highlight π-conjugated polymers as versatile platforms for advanced structure–function engineering.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 8","pages":"827-852"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-026-01190-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148667550","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":"All-solid-state rechargeable air batteries using anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid as the negative electrode active material","authors":"Kenji Miyatake, Hirotaka Yazawa, Fang Xian, Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Mahmoud, Vikrant Yadav","doi":"10.1038/s41428-026-01194-1","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-026-01194-1","url":null,"abstract":"We developed all-solid-rechargeable air batteries (SSABs) using a redox-active organic molecule, anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid (AQC), as the negative electrode. We investigated the effects of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane thickness and cathode active material concentration on the charge/discharge characteristics, rate performance, and cyclability of the resulting SSABs. Because of the low redox potential, compared with other previously tested redox-active materials, the AQC-based SSABs exhibited a high cell voltage. The use of a thicker proton conductive membrane as a solid electrolyte resulted in a higher discharge capacity and Coulombic efficiency. All-solid-rechargeable air batteries (SSABs) were developed using a redox active organic molecule (anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid, AQC) in the negative electrode, proton conductive polymer (Nafion) membrane as solid electrolyte, and gas-diffusion oxygen electrode. The effects of Nafion membrane thickness (50 and 175 μm) and oxygen partial pressure in the cathode on charge/discharge characteristics, discharge rate performance, and cyclability of the resulting SSABs were investigated.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 9","pages":"1237-1241"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-026-01194-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148904452","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":"Supramolecular polymer-functionalized graphene oxide membranes: a potential approach to sustainable and efficient nanofiltration","authors":"Gefayehu Tameru Yeserah, Wei-Song Hung, Juin-Yih Lai, Chih-Chia Cheng","doi":"10.1038/s41428-026-01179-0","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-026-01179-0","url":null,"abstract":"This study presents a simple supramolecular polymer functionalization strategy to enhance the filtration efficiency, structural stability, and anti-fouling ability of graphene oxide (GO) membranes in nanofiltration. We synthesized water-soluble adenine-grafted poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride) (PE-A) through a one-step method. Owing to its strong affinity, PE-A stably adsorbs to GO and promotes exfoliation into more disordered, isolated nanosheet structures in aqueous environments. Subsequently, a GO/PE-A membrane was fabricated via pressure-assisted filtration on a nylon 6,6 support. The membrane exhibited a uniformly smooth macroscopic morphology, excellent surface wettability, and high structural compatibility. In the nanofiltration assessments, the GO/PE-A membrane significantly outperformed the GO membrane in terms of both water permeability and contaminant removal efficiency. More importantly, in continuous cycles of filtration/washing and anti-fouling tests, the GO/PE-A membrane exhibited excellent structural stability, reusability, and anti-fouling capabilities, demonstrating that the incorporation of PE-A into the GO matrix functionalizes the structural characteristics of GO and effectively improves the overall filtration performance of the membrane. This newly developed supramolecular GO composite membrane holds great potential for water treatment, environmental protection, and advanced separation technologies and may offer a breakthrough solution for current challenges in membrane technology to advance the development of nanofiltration membranes. The supramolecular PE-A polymer-functionalized GO membrane system effectively enhances the structural characteristics and surface physical properties of GO nanosheets to achieve desirable nanofiltration performance.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 9","pages":"1185-1196"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-026-01179-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148904469","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":"Noncovalently polymer-grafted carbon nanotube-enhanced PEDOT: PSS composite films: electrical properties and electrically driven actuation","authors":"Zhu Mingze, Eisuke Honda, Norio Tsubokawa, Takeshi Yamauchi","doi":"10.1038/s41428-026-01184-3","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41428-026-01184-3","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, pyrene-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was synthesized and noncovalently grafted onto the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (mwCNTs) via π–π stacking interactions between the pyrene groups and the mwCNTs. The grafted CNTs exhibited excellent water dispersibility and could be stably incorporated into the aqueous dispersion of the conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS), enabling the fabrication of uniform composite conductive films. These films exhibit rapid actuation in response to temperature changes induced by an applied electric field, and are characterized by volumetric contraction. The results indicated that the incorporation of grafted CNTs significantly improved the electrical conductivity, decreased the mechanical shrinkage stress, and improved the applied voltage/temperature response performance of the composite films. In addition, considering the potential applications in low-voltage-driven electrochemical actuators and capacitive energy storage, the energy storage capability and interfacial charge transfer behavior of the composite film electrodes were investigated via electrochemical characterization. On the basis of the aforementioned properties, flexible polyethylene substrates with electrically driven physical actuators and composite film origami design actuators were fabricated, which demonstrated a fast response. Pyrene-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was noncovalently grafted onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes (mwCNTs) via π–π stacking interactions, enabling stable aqueous dispersion with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) and fabrication of uniform conductive composite films. The films exhibited enhanced electrical conductivity, reduced mechanical shrinkage stress, and rapid electrothermal actuation, showing reversible bending deformation of flexible actuators under applied voltage (ON/OFF). Electrochemical characterization further demonstrated energy storage capability and interfacial charge transfer behavior, highlighting potential applications in low-voltage-driven flexible electrochemical actuators.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"58 8","pages":"975-985"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148667549","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}