Jifei Zhang, Hongmei Zhang, Wenfeng Ren, Ling-Ping Xiao, Sanwei Hao, Changyou Shao, Jun Yang
{"title":"Self-Driven Rapid Gelation Technologies for Hydrogels: Synthesis Strategies, Mechanisms, and Applications.","authors":"Jifei Zhang, Hongmei Zhang, Wenfeng Ren, Ling-Ping Xiao, Sanwei Hao, Changyou Shao, Jun Yang","doi":"10.1002/marc.202401052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202401052","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rapid gelation hydrogels have garnered significant attention due to their simple synthesis, high efficiency, low cost, and environmental sustainability, which enable to meet critical demands for scalability and green chemistry for unlocking opportunities across diverse application fields. This review synthesizes current advancements in the mechanisms driving rapid gelation, encompassing self-assembly processes, MXene-triggered gelation, redox-driven reactions, coordination chemistry, Schiff base reactions, and other innovative strategies. The discussion extends to their far-reaching applications, from advanced therapeutic platforms and high-performance energy devices to precision sensors and adaptive soft actuators. By critically evaluating recent progress and addressing existing challenges, this review not only deepens the understanding of rapid gelation mechanisms, but also provides scientific insights and practical guidance to foster interdisciplinary integration and drive material innovation in green synthesis technologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e2401052"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143707945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Wearable Hydrogels for Personal Protection Applications.","authors":"Yaru Li, Xueyan Hu, Jin Xue, Jin Wang","doi":"10.1002/marc.202400960","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202400960","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence technologies have advanced, wearable technology has attracted significant attention from academia and industry. Hydrogel has already received much attention as an emerging candidate material for wearable devices due to its unique 3D network structure, excellent biocompatibility, and soft stretchability. It is aimed here to provide a comprehensive overview of the development of hydrogels for wearable applications. Here, the synthetic methods currently employed in wearable hydrogels are reviewed first, including physical crosslinking, chemical crosslinking, and multiple crosslinking. Then, strategies for optimizing the performance of wearable hydrogels are summarized from the perspectives of mechanical properties, electrical properties, thermal properties, and other characteristics such as biocompatibility, self-healing, and self-adhesion. The final section discusses the latest advances in the application of wearable hydrogels in personal protection, and the current shortcomings and challenges. Here, it is aimed to provide innovative insights for further development in this field by summarizing the current research hotspots and cutting-edge issues in wearable hydrogels.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e2400960"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143707948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Muhammad Y Razzaq, Kshitij S Shinde, Harald Rupp, Maria Balk, Anke Schadewald
{"title":"Vitrimeric Shape-Memory Polymers with Intrinsic Flame Retardancy and Self-Healing Capabilities.","authors":"Muhammad Y Razzaq, Kshitij S Shinde, Harald Rupp, Maria Balk, Anke Schadewald","doi":"10.1002/marc.202401101","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202401101","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This work introduces a vitrimeric shape-memory polymer (SMP) with inherent flame retardancy and self-healing capability. The multifunctional system is achieved by crafting a dynamic network through the strategic imination and methacrylation of a polyether diamine (PED). This strengthens PED with, both, dynamic imine bonds for reshaping and functional methacrylate groups for network formation. Further reaction with phosphorus-based acrylate allows precise tailoring of the network's mechanical and thermal properties along with flame retardancy. The key lies in the dynamic imine bonds, enabling SMP to exhibit remarkable vitrimeric behavior and self-healing functionality. The networks are deformed at high temperature (≈150 °C) for permanent shape change, providing exceptional reprogrammability. The inherent flame retardancy stems from the high phosphorus content, achieving an impressive limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 29% and a V-1 rating in the UL 94 vertical burning test. This groundbreaking research paves the way for a new generation of sustainable materials with exceptional multi-functionalities like flame retardancy, self-healing, and shape-memory.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e2401101"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143707947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Absolute Helix-Sense-Selective Polymerization Using Circularly Polarized Light in One-Handed Helical Channels.","authors":"Shuaishuai Huang, Masahiro Teraguchi, Takashi Kaneko, Toshiki Aoki","doi":"10.1002/marc.202500185","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202500185","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Absolute helix-sense-selective polymerization of an achiral acetylene monomer (1) in one-handed helical channels created with helix-sense-selective decomposition of (±)-poly1 using circularly polarized light is realized with no chiral compounds. In addition, the relative optical yield (%ee) of the formed oligomers is controlled by those of the one-handed helical channels.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e2500185"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143699266","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent Progress In Dinuclear Transition Metal Catalysts For Olefin Polymerization.","authors":"Yanhong Xing, Shaofeng Liu, Zhibo Li","doi":"10.1002/marc.202500091","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202500091","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The emergence of dinuclear catalysts marks a significant milestone in the advancement of high-performance polyolefin materials. Featuring two active sites, these dinuclear catalysts dramatically enhance catalytic performances and the resultant properties of polyolefins when compared to their mononuclear alternatives. Such differences arise from pronounced cooperative effects, which include steric hindrance, influences from heteroatoms, agostic interactions, and the spatial arrangement of metal centres within dinuclear catalysts. This review summarizes the progress made in the design of dinuclear metal catalysts specifically for olefin polymerization over the past decade. It further delves into the mechanisms underlying these cooperative effects by drawing comparisons with mononuclear analogues, thereby illuminating how these interactions drive distinctive catalytic behaviors. The insights presented herein are intended to inform the future development of dinuclear metal catalysts, proposing practical strategies for their optimisation and application. Additionally, this review addresses the challenges associated with the development of dinuclear catalysts for olefin polymerization, highlighting areas for further exploration.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e2500091"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143699268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kjetil Baglo, Laurent Remy, Kai Mundsinger, Jan Torgersen, Christopher Barner-Kowollik
{"title":"α-Methoxy Benzaldehyde Based Photopolymers as a Promising Toolbox for Architected Carbon.","authors":"Kjetil Baglo, Laurent Remy, Kai Mundsinger, Jan Torgersen, Christopher Barner-Kowollik","doi":"10.1002/marc.202500175","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202500175","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Stable carbonized microspheres can readily be obtained with highly efficient char yields of close to 60% from photopolymers based on photo-induced Diels-Alder step growth polymerizations of α-methoxy benzaldehyde and bismaleimide precursors. The current study carefully elucidates the chemical decomposition pathways during the pyrolysis of the microspheres that yield excellent char yields via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The high char yield and low shrinkage of close to 33% make Diels-Alder-type photopolymers a promising system for the next generation of additively manufactured carbon (AMcarbon) precursors.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e2500175"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143699269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"One-Component Degradable High-Thermal-Conductivity Liquid Crystal Epoxy Resins and Their Composites Based on Self-Curing Strategy.","authors":"Changbo Zhao, Guohua Huang, Hui Xie, Xiyan Li, Lukun Feng, Yuxin Liu, Mingliang Wang, Feng Bao, Zhiyong Xue, Caizhen Zhu, Jian Xu","doi":"10.1002/marc.202500114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202500114","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>High thermal conductivity liquid crystal epoxy resins (LCERs) and their composites are essential for efficient thermal management in electronic devices. The production of LCERs currently depends on combining epoxy monomers and hardeners or catalysts. However, these curing agents or catalysts destroy the liquid crystal phase in the crosslinked network, thereby limiting the thermal conductivity of LCERs. Here, a novel self-curing strategy is developed by incorporating a Schiff base into liquid crystal epoxy monomers, enabling the curing of monomers without additional agents or catalysts. This self-curing method effectively retains the ordered liquid crystal phase in the LCERs. Therefore, the self-cured LCEP-SC resin achieves a thermal conductivity of 0.36 W mK<sup>-1</sup>, 133% higher than amine-cured LCEP-DDM, ≈1.8 times higher than that of general bisphenol A epoxy resin (E51-DDM, 0.2 W mK<sup>-1</sup>). LCEP-SC-BN composites with 10 wt.% BN further exhibit a thermal conductivity of 0.61 W mK<sup>-1</sup>, surpassing LCEP-DDM-BN composites by 42%. Additionally, the dynamic Schiff base structure allows LCERs degradation in acidic DMF/water solutions, enabling efficient recovery of BN fillers. This self-curing strategy provides a sustainable pathway for developing high thermal conductivity LCERs and their composites, offering enhanced thermal conductivity and recyclability for advanced electronic applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e2500114"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143699267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Robust Self-Healing PDMS-Based Elastomers Featuring Tunable Mechanical Properties Enabled by Dual Non-Covalent Interactions.","authors":"Peiyang Dong, Zifeng Xu, Chi Lv, Junping Zheng","doi":"10.1002/marc.202401096","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202401096","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>It is desirable to develop highly efficient self-healing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomers with excellent mechanical properties, which can be solved by introducing dual non-covalent interactions. However, most of the self-healing PDMS elastomers reported so far require harsh conditions, while the improvement of self-healing ability often compromises the mechanical properties. Moreover, hydrogen bonds of traditional urea derivatives tend to crystallize excessively, adversely affecting the stretchability and toughness of elastomers. In this work, strong Zn<sup>2+</sup> coordination is introduced into a thiourea hydrogen bond network, which is unlikely to crystallize, resulting in a series of robust and efficient self-healing elastomers. By changing the content of Zn<sup>2+</sup> ions, the mechanical properties of materials can be strategically tuned from superior stretchability (≈6000%) to high strength (≈4.2 MPa). In addition, the elastomers also possess favorable self-healing ability. The surface scratches can be completely healed at room temperature for 24 h, and the self-healing efficiency of mechanical properties under mild conditions (60 °C, 6 h) generally reached more than 90%. In addition, the applications of PDMS-BDTI-Zn on hydrophobic coatings are tentatively explored in view of the remarkable hydrophobicity of PDMS.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e2401096"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143676701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Javier Martin-Martin, Miriam Abad, Xabier Lopez de Pariza, Tiberio A Ezquerra, Aurora Nogales, Haritz Sardon, Víctor Sebastián, Luis Oriol, Milagros Piñol
{"title":"Degradable Ureido-Polycarbonate Block Copolymers with a Complex UCST Thermoresponse.","authors":"Javier Martin-Martin, Miriam Abad, Xabier Lopez de Pariza, Tiberio A Ezquerra, Aurora Nogales, Haritz Sardon, Víctor Sebastián, Luis Oriol, Milagros Piñol","doi":"10.1002/marc.202500029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202500029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this work, amphiphilic block copolymers (BCs) consisting of a hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (PEG) and a degradable polycarbonate block derived from 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (bis-MPA) with pendant ureido units, along with corresponding homopolycarbonates are described. Polymers are synthesized by combining ring opening polymerization (ROP) and thiol-ene/yne functionalization to incorporate UCST-promoting ureido groups. For homopolycarbonates, increasing the ureido groups density along the polymer chain facilitates the upper critical solution temperature (UCST)-type thermoresponse in water. Because of their amphiphilic character, BCs form stable self-assemblies either by direct dispersion in water, co-solvent method or microfluidics. Upon heating, these self-assemblies swell, and collapse due to extensive hydration of the polycarbonate block, rather than becoming solubilized. Thermoresponsiveness is analyzed in terms of the number of ureido groups in the polycarbonate for a given polycarbonate block length as well as the length of polycarbonate block. As a proof of concept, the potential of these self-assemblies as thermoresponsive drug nanocarriers is evaluated, using curcumin as a hydrophobic model drug.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e2500029"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143676633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Multicolor Mechanochromic Polymer Blends That Can Distinguish between Tensile–Stress States","authors":"Kuniaki Ishizuki, Akira Takahashi, Hideyuki Otsuka","doi":"10.1002/marc.202570021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202570021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><b>Back Cover</b>: Multicolor mechanochromic polymer blends based on a bulk system with multiple mechanochromophores introduced into polymers with different mobilities are studied. The introduction of different mechanochromophores into segmented polyurethanes (SPU) and polycaprolactones (PCL) followed by the mixing of these polymers leeds to a series of polymer blends that show different colors during and after stretching. More details can be found in article 2400812 by Hideyuki Otsuka and co-worker.\u0000\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure></p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":"46 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/marc.202570021","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143689111","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}