Qinghua Meng , Nan Zhang , Miaomiao Xiao , Luxing Zhou, Hongshuai Leng, Chunyu Bao
{"title":"Hydrogel-based treatment of ACL injuries: mechanisms, applications and prospects","authors":"Qinghua Meng , Nan Zhang , Miaomiao Xiao , Luxing Zhou, Hongshuai Leng, Chunyu Bao","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114222","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114222","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Competitive sports impose exceptionally high loads on the knee joint, requiring athletes to perform frequent jumps, rapid directional changes, and abrupt stops. These complex dynamic stresses significantly increase the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Hydrogels, as biodegradable and biocompatible biomaterials, offer excellent mechanical properties and structural tunability, making them highly suitable for various therapeutic strategies. However, a comprehensive review of functional hydrogels for ACL injury treatment remains lacking. This work systematically reviews the key pathological mechanisms underlying ACL injuries and highlights the advantages of hydrogels in their treatment, including their natural biocompatibility and drug delivery potential. Finally, emerging developments in hydrogel-based ACL treatments are discussed, providing insights into future therapeutic approaches and clinical applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 114222"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144864844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Van-Sieu Luc , Li-An Wang , Yu-Hung Chen , Shao-Hua Yu , Ruei-Hung Juang , Lian-Ming Lyu , Chiao-Hsuan Pai , Chang-Bo Liu , Yi-Tsu Chan , Chun-Hong Kuo , Chia-Chih Chang
{"title":"Photoinduced controlled radical polymerization mediated by BiOCl nanosheets under simulated solar light","authors":"Van-Sieu Luc , Li-An Wang , Yu-Hung Chen , Shao-Hua Yu , Ruei-Hung Juang , Lian-Ming Lyu , Chiao-Hsuan Pai , Chang-Bo Liu , Yi-Tsu Chan , Chun-Hong Kuo , Chia-Chih Chang","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114217","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114217","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Photochemically active bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) nanosheets are evaluated for photoinduced controlled radical polymerization under simulated sunlight irradiation, demonstrating that BiOCl-mediated reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is feasible. The benefit of using heterogeneous photocatalysts includes easy removal of the catalyst after polymerization. A variety of vinyl monomers including methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, <em>N,N</em>-dimethylacrylamide, oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, and 4-acryloylmorpholine are successfully polymerized in the presence of trithiocarbonate- and dithiobenzoate-based chain transfer agents at ambient temperature, affording polymers with Mn in the range of 3.8–52 kDa and polymer dispersities (Đ) of 1.11–1.26. Successful chain extension experiments further support that high-end-group fidelity is achieved during sunlight-driven BiOCl-mediated RAFT polymerization. In addition, temporal control is demonstrated through intermittent light and dark cycles, where a substantial polymer growth is observed exclusively under sunlight irradiation. BiOCl-mediated RAFT polymerization can also impart excellent control over controlled radical polymerization of water-soluble monomers in water without the need of degassing with nitrogen. Kinetic study of BiOCl-mediated RAFT polymerization of <em>N,N</em>-dimethylacrylamide shows that the apparent rate constants are comparable with and without degassing. This study showcases the utility of heterogeneous photocatalyst BiOCl nanosheets for RAFT polymerization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 114217"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144892177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gege Liu, Yuanqi Ou, Jinqian Zhang, Qingqing Wang, Youliang Zhao
{"title":"Synthesis and multi-tunable thermoresponsive behaviors of hyperbranched Y-junction-bearing copolymers","authors":"Gege Liu, Yuanqi Ou, Jinqian Zhang, Qingqing Wang, Youliang Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114218","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114218","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chain architecture and chemical composition can play crucial roles in affecting thermoresponsive behaviors. To enrich molecular engineering of hyperbranched polymers and reveal the topology effect, thermo/pH-responsive hyperbranched Y-junction-bearing polymers (HYJPs) comprising 2-(<em>N,N</em>-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and <em>N</em>-(1-(pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl)hydroxyalkoxycarbonylethylthioethyl) methacrylamide units are designed in this study. The increase of chain length of hydroxyalkyl groups endowed HYJP aqueous solutions with “on/off” LCST transition, decreased cloud point (<em>T</em><sub>c</sub>), and shape shift of copolymer assemblies from spheres to mixed nanostructures and vesicles, revealing the pivotal role of chemical composition. With increasing pH, <em>T</em><sub>c</sub> was usually liable to exhibit the evolution trend of first decreasing and then increasing due to improved hydrophilicity resulting from hydrolysis of ester groups. Compared with linear analogues, HYJPs in water showed distinct nano-object shape, lowered <em>T</em><sub>c</sub> and enhanced fluorescence intensity, revealing pronounced topology effect. Sphere/vesicle-to-nanoribbon/lamella transitions occurred during thermally induced self-assembly, and the formation of nanoribbons and lamellae led to elevated fluorescence intensity, corresponding to morphology transition enhanced emissions. With the incorporation of asymmetric heterofunctional Y junctions, the initial temperatures for varying transmittance, nano-object size and fluorescence emission were usually distinct due to complex conformational adjustment upon heating. The success of this study underlies multi-tunable properties and promising applications of HYJPs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 114218"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144852152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Phenacyl pyridinium salt-benzoxazine: a photocation generator for benzoxazine ring opening polymerization","authors":"Mina Kati, Zeynep Deliballi, Baris Kiskan","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114219","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114219","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study reports a novel photoactive benzoxazine monomer containing a phenacyl pyridinium salt moiety (P-Pyr_PA-SbF<sub>6</sub>), which is designed to initiate cationic ring-opening of benzoxazines upon light exposure. For the purpose, the synthesis of the precursor pyridine-functionalized benzoxazine (P-Pyr) and its subsequent conversion to phenacyl pyridinium salts were successfully achieved. The chemical structures of benzoxazines were confirmed by spectroscopic analyses (<sup>1</sup>H NMR, <sup>13</sup>C NMR, FTIR). Photophysical studies demonstrated the photoactivity of P-Pyr_PA-SbF<sub>6</sub>, evidenced by UV photobleaching and NMR analysis. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) showed that UV irradiation (360 nm) significantly reduced the self-curing temperature and enthalpy of P-Pyr_PA-SbF<sub>6</sub> itself. Furthermore, P-Pyr_PA-SbF<sub>6</sub> exhibited effective thermal and photo-assisted catalytic activity for polymerizing a conventional monofunctional benzoxazine monomer (P-a). Light pre-treatment of P-a blends containing P-Pyr_PA-SbF<sub>6</sub> substantially lowered the curing onset temperatures (e.g., from 222 °C for neat P-a to 146 °C with 10 mol% salt) and reduced the activation energy (<em>E</em><sub>a</sub>) for P-a polymerization. These findings reveal P-Pyr_PA-SbF<sub>6</sub> as a promising system for achieving controlled, lower-energy curing of polybenzoxazines via light induction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 114219"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144852151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shahad M. Sulaimani, Viko Ladelta, Nikos Hadjichristidis
{"title":"Well-defined 3, 4 and 6-arm star-shaped poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(D or L-lactide) and their stereocomplexes","authors":"Shahad M. Sulaimani, Viko Ladelta, Nikos Hadjichristidis","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114220","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114220","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Star-shaped poly(ethylene oxide)-<em>b</em>-poly(D or L-lactide) block copolymers, [PEO-<em>b</em>-PD/L-LA]<sub>x</sub>, and their corresponding stereocomplexes (SC) are amphiphilic materials with many potential applications. However, the one-pot synthesis of well-defined [PEO-<em>b</em>-PD/L-LA]<sub>x</sub> remains challenging due to the incompatibility between the polymerization of EO and D/L-LA. In addition, the effect of PLA molecular weights and the number of arms on their thermal and micellar properties has yet to be investigated. Herein, we report the synthesis of [PEO-<em>b</em>-PD/L-LA]<sub>x</sub> (x = 3, 4, 6) in one pot by using ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and a catalyst switch strategy to obtain star [PEO-<em>b</em>-PD/L-LA]<sub>x</sub> block copolymers with multifunctional initiators with narrow molecular weight distributions. ROP of EO was initiated by using multifunctional initiators (containing 3, 4, and 6 primary OH groups) and phosphazene base <em>t</em>-BuP<sub>4</sub> as the catalyst. The base was neutralized by the addition of diphenyl phosphate, and Sn(Oct)<sub>2</sub> was added to promote the ROP of LA from [PEO]<sub>x</sub> macroinitiators to afford [PEO-<em>b</em>-PLA]<sub>x</sub> in one pot. Polylactide stereocomplexes were prepared by mixing equal amounts of [PEO-<em>b</em>-PDLA]<sub>x</sub> and [PEO-<em>b</em>-PLLA]<sub>x</sub> having similar molecular weights and numbers of arms in dichloromethane (DCM), followed by slow evaporation of DCM at room temperature. The molecular structure, thermal and micelle properties of the [PEO-<em>b</em>-PD/L-LA]<sub>x</sub> and their SCs were characterized using <sup>1</sup>H NMR, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), circular dichroism (CD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Small Angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and Polarized Light Optical Microscopy (PLOM). The molecular weights of PLA and the number of arms play significant roles in the thermal and micellar properties of the SC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 114220"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144892178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ruilong Xu , Feng Zhao , Guanyu Chen , Yiting Jiang , Wei Liu , Shuai Zhao , Lin Li
{"title":"Dynamic transesterification network toughening polylactic acid based on epoxidized soybean oil","authors":"Ruilong Xu , Feng Zhao , Guanyu Chen , Yiting Jiang , Wei Liu , Shuai Zhao , Lin Li","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114215","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114215","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To improve the toughness of PLA without loss of biodegradability. In this study, a reversible ester exchange network (VEC) based on bio-based materials—epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and anhydrous citric acid (CA)—was generated in situ during the extrusion molding process of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) via a simple and efficient preparation method. Focusing on the toughening performance of VEC on PLA, it was found that the R-value of VEC (the equivalent ratio of CA carboxyl groups to ESO epoxy groups), catalytic system, polymerization time, and VEC content were the key parameters influencing the mechanical enhancement. The results demonstrated that VEC acted not only as a nucleating agent to promote PLA crystallization but also as a plasticizer facilitating molecular chain mobility. Rheological analysis showed that VEC enhanced the melt strength of PLA and intensified shear thinning behavior, thereby enriching the structural complexity and broadening the processing versatility of PLA-based products. More importantly, PLA and VEC chemically interacted to improve phase compatibility. Notably, the addition of only 5 wt% VEC resulted in the formation of a complete internal toughening network, yielding elongation at break and impact strength values that were 49.1 times and 2.27 times greater, respectively, than those of neat PLA. PLA/VEC waste products can be effectively recycled via re-extrusion. During the recycling and remodeling process, a relatively complete dynamic VEC network is re-established within the composite, with the elongation at break reaching 38.4 times that of neat PLA, indicating significant application potential. PLA/VEC can undergo complete degradation under alkaline conditions within 30 days.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 114215"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144841772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sequential reaction of monomer synthesis and subsequent electrochemical polymerization in liquid crystal to yield electro-optically active conjugated polymers","authors":"Ryo Kawakami, Ryo Miyashita, Aoi Tokutake, Hiromasa Goto","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114216","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114216","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polythiophene, and poly[1,4-bis(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene-2-yl)benzene] films with liquid crystal (LC) morphology were synthesized via a sequential two−step polymerization method, combining the Migita−Kosugi−Stille coupling reaction and electrochemical polymerization in a liquid crystal medium. Molecular structures were confirmed using infrared absorption measurements. We conducted surface observations using polarizing optical microscopy, which revealed optical textures corresponding to the liquid crystal (LC) morphology of the polymers formed through molecular assembly imprinting. Cyclic voltammetry measurements were performed to assess the electroactivity of the resultant polymers. Optical properties were evaluated using ultraviolet and visible (UV−vis) and circular dichroism (CD) absorption spectroscopies. The polymers thus obtained in cholesteric LC exhibited electro-chiroptical activities. Electron spin resonance and the CD spectroscopy confirmed the presence of charge carriers in asymmetric environment. The synthesis from monomer to polymer in a liquid crystal can be effectively performed to yield well-formed liquid crystal-imprinted electro-optically active polymers. We achieved a doping driven change in the optical activity of helical conjugated polymers prepared in an asymmetric liquid crystal. In other words, electronic tuning of the optical activity for the polymer atropisomers was achieved.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 114216"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144890025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Counteranion effect on the RAFT polymerization of methacrylate-g-pentaarginine and its UCST-type thermoresponsive behavior","authors":"Amélie Augé , Tetiana Dorosh , Ayoub Rachdi , Quentin Bievelot , Alain Chaumont , Fouzia Boulmedais , Delphine Chan-Seng","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114202","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114202","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Poly(methacrylate-<em>g</em>-pentaarginine) prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization exhibits an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) behavior with a sharp transition in pure water that can be affected by the presence of salts. In this work after optimizing the conditions for the synthesis of methacylate-<em>g</em>-pentaarginine (MA–hR5) and its RAFT polymerization, the effect of kosmotropic anions on the polymerization and the thermoresponsive behavior of these polymers in aqueous solutions was investigated experimentally and computationally. The use of chloride, phosphate, and sulfate anions lowered the phase transition temperature, while citrate ones increased it. The latter phenomenon was attributed to the ability of citrate anions to form bridges with the guanidinium groups present on the polymers according the protonation state of the citrate anions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 114202"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144879862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dula Daksa Ejeta, Meng-Hsuan Li, Meng-Yuan Chang, Ching-Hsuan Lin
{"title":"Synthesis of high-performance telechelic oligo(2,6-dimethylphenylene ether)s from limonene-based bis(2,6-dimethylphenol) core","authors":"Dula Daksa Ejeta, Meng-Hsuan Li, Meng-Yuan Chang, Ching-Hsuan Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114208","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114208","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As the global demand for high-frequency communication materials grows alongside increasing environmental awareness, the need for low-dissipation polymers derived from renewable resources becomes ever more urgent. In this study, a novel limonene-derived bis(2,6-dimethylphenol) (LN-core) was synthesized via Friedel–Crafts alkylation and employed as a bio-based building block for oligo(phenylene oxide) (LN-OPE). The resulting oligomer was further functionalized with different crosslinkable end groups, yielding a series of telechelic OPEs: LN-PM (phenyl methacrylate), LN-VB (vinylbenzyl ether), and LN-VBz (vinylbenzoate). After thermal curing, these materials were evaluated in terms of thermal stability, hydrophobicity, moisture uptake, and dielectric performance, and benchmarked against commercial telechelic OPEs (SA9000 and OPE-2St). Notably, the LN-PM thermoset achieved a glass transition temperature (<em>T</em><sub>g</sub>) of 228 °C, 5 % weight-loss temperature (<em>T</em><sub>d5%</sub>) of 478 °C, a water contact angle (WCA) of ∼90.3°, water absorption (A<sub>w</sub>) of ∼0.37 %, a dielectric constant (<em>D</em><sub>k</sub>) of 2.59, and a dissipation factor (<em>D</em><sub>f</sub>) of 0.0031, which closely matches the performance of SA9000. While the current bio-based content is modest, the introduction of a limonene-based core offers a unique molecular structure that avoids existing patent restrictions from major producers such as SABIC and MGC. This work sets the stage for future development of high-performance telechelic OPEs with significantly higher renewable content.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 114208"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144852150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zilin Zhong , Meifen Wu , Jinye Wang , Wei Song , Liang Ding
{"title":"Light-responsive ionic azo-homopolymer assemblies driven by the synergy of electrostatic force and aromatic–aromatic interaction","authors":"Zilin Zhong , Meifen Wu , Jinye Wang , Wei Song , Liang Ding","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114210","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114210","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The precisely adjusting the morphology and size of self-assembled structures has attracted considerable interest but still challenging. Herein, we develop to fabricate the assemblies with controllable sizes based on the synergistic effect of electrostatic force and aromatic–aromatic interaction. Two kinds of homopolymers with pyridinium cation moiety and alkyl azobenzene pendant were systematically designed and synthesized via acyclic diene metathesis polymerization, and can further self-assemble into the spherical micelles and hollow vesicles by varying the alkyl chain length between two functional pendants. Upon alternating irradiation of UV-light and Vis-light, the micelle with reversible shape transition and the vesicle with recoverable size variation were ultimately formed through the different <em>trans</em> → <em>cis</em> isomerization efficiency of azobenzene chromophore to control π–π interaction within an appropriate range. The formation of uniform assemblies and the morphological evolution process confirmed that the relatively strong non-covalent interaction was essential for the self-assembly of homopolymer system. More importantly, the size of these spherical morphologies can be optionally adjusted by changing the self-assembly concentration. We expect that the importance of synergy and regulation multiple non-covalent interactions in reinforcing each other will offer a new avenue to induce self-assembly of homopolymer to produce the controlled morphology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 114210"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144827093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}