European Polymer Journal最新文献

{"title":"Water-based polyimide binders with dual functional groups for enhanced electrochemical performance of silicon anodes","authors":"Minji Choi ,&nbsp;Nam-Ho You ,&nbsp;Hee Jeung Oh ,&nbsp;Youngjae Yoo","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114474","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114474","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Silicon-based anodes are promising materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries due to their high theoretical capacity. However, their practical application is hindered by drastic volume expansion during cycling, which leads to particle fracture, capacity fading, and instability of the electrode structure. In addition, most conventional binders require toxic organic solvents, raising environmental and safety concerns. To address these issues, a water-based polyimide binder with high mechanical robustness was synthesized through an aqueous process by combining 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid (DABA) and 4,7,10-trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine (TTDDA) in different ratios. The –COOH groups in DABA enhanced adhesion and structural stability, while the –O– linkages in TTDDA improved flexibility and Li⁺ transport. Among the synthesized binders, D8T2-PI exhibited the best balance between mechanical strength and elasticity, achieving superior cycling performance and higher capacity compared with conventional PAA and CMC binders. The flexible polymer network improved electrode–electrolyte interfacial contact and facilitated Li⁺ diffusion, thereby enhancing electrochemical performance. These results demonstrate that a sustainable, water-processable polyimide binder can effectively enhance both the mechanical and electrochemical stability of silicon anodes, providing a practical and design strategy for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 114474"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145882469","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":"Redox-Responsive and mucoadhesive nanoparticles: An overlooked synergy in modern drug delivery","authors":"Sibel Küçükertuğrul Çelik ,&nbsp;Sema Şentürk ,&nbsp;Kevser Bal ,&nbsp;Özlem Kaplan ,&nbsp;Mehmet Koray Gök","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114475","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114475","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The continuous advancement of therapeutic technologies has intensified the pursuit of drug delivery systems that respond intelligently to physiological and pathological stimuli, thereby enabling precise, localized, and sustained therapeutic outcomes. Among redox-based approaches, systems responsive to intracellular glutathione (GSH) have attracted particular attention due to their ability to trigger disulfide bond cleavage and controlled release within diseased tissues. Mucoadhesive systems, on the other hand, prolong residence time on mucosal surfaces through non-covalent interactions and covalent bond formation, thereby facilitating increased absorption and decreased clearance. Despite their individual successes, the integration of these two mechanisms remains underexplored. This review critically examines the coupling of redox sensitivity and mucoadhesion, highlighting how disulfide-based bonds can simultaneously function as both redox-cleavable and mucoadhesive moieties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 114475"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145882474","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":"Shape memory polymers: From materials to emerging biomedical applications","authors":"Nusrat Hassan Khan ,&nbsp;Mohamed Sultan Mohamed Ali ,&nbsp;Mohammed Nazibul Hasan","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114460","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114460","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) have emerged as adaptable and promising biomaterials in biomedical engineering, enabling innovative solutions for minimally invasive procedures and personalized therapies. This review presents a comprehensive overview of SMPs, focusing on their unique shape memory effects, tuneable material properties, and emerging biomedical applications. Unlike previous reviews that primarily focused on performance enhancement through conductive fillers or crosslinking strategies, this work highlights both the tailored modification of SMP characteristics and their functional integration within biomedical contexts. Key SMP types, such as poly(lactic acid), polycaprolactone, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) and bile acid-based polymers are critically evaluated with respect to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and responsiveness to external stimuli. Moreover, biomedical applications such as controlled drug delivery, vascular stenting, dental devices, and tissue engineering are also discussed, with particular attention to recent advances and persisting challenges. Furthermore, the review identifies essential considerations for SMP selection, including mechanical robustness, physiological compatibility, and regulatory requirements. By synthesizing current developments and outlining emerging research directions, this article provides a framework to guide both researchers and clinicians in leveraging the full potential of SMPs for next-generation biomedical devices and therapeutic platforms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 114460"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839549","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":"Advancing periodontitis treatment with hydrogels: Mechanisms and future trends in polymer design and material synergy","authors":"Shuai Wang ,&nbsp;Fazhan Ren ,&nbsp;Lili Ren ,&nbsp;Jiale Zhang ,&nbsp;Wei Song ,&nbsp;Qingzhu Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2026.114502","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2026.114502","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Periodontitis, a disease triggered by bacterial infection, not only destroys periodontal tissues but may also lead to tooth loss, severely impacting patients’ quality of life and well-being. Traditional treatments such as pharmacological therapy and surgery face challenges due to their significant side effects, suboptimal efficacy, high costs, and the complexity of pathogenic mechanisms, making safe and effective management of periodontitis difficult. Hydrogels, as cross-linked polymeric networks, have emerged as a novel therapeutic option for periodontitis owing to their outstanding biocompatibility, biodegradability, tunable properties, and multifunctionality. This review summarizes recent advances in hydrogel-based strategies for periodontitis treatment, categorizing their applications based on raw materials for hydrogel fabrication. Furthermore, it delves into their roles in antibacterial action, tissue repair, and bone regeneration. The aim is to provide insights for optimizing hydrogel-based therapies and to promote their broader development in managing periodontitis and other oral diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 114502"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973175","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":"A review on regulating the mechanical properties and phase transition temperature of UCST hydrogels","authors":"Mengqi Chen ,&nbsp;Rong Liu ,&nbsp;Yongyi Yang ,&nbsp;Qihao Bai ,&nbsp;Li Xie ,&nbsp;Huang Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114482","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114482","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hydrogels formed by polymers with upper critical solution temperature (UCST) exhibit delicate thermos- responsiveness, being highly susceptible to subtle variations in chain structures and environmental conditions, which are particularly suitable for precision-demanding applications. This unique characteristic has consequently garnered significant interdisciplinary research attention in recent years. UCST hydrogels exhibit the advantageous property of tunable phase transition temperatures, however, their practical applications are often constrained by inadequate mechanical strength. Here, this review systematically explores the mechanical property and phase transition temperature modulation strategies, as well as underlying regulatory mechanisms of UCST hydrogels, while critically assessing their emerging commercial applications. Through this comprehensive analysis, we aim to advance the rational design of UCST-based hydrogel systems and thereby facilitate their commercial transformation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 114482"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973750","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":"Isosorbide-based copolymers poly(isosorbide carbonate-co-alkylene naphthalate): Synthesis, properties and fluorescence Regulation","authors":"Ming-Xuan Du,&nbsp;Chang-Hao Han,&nbsp;Hong-Jian Lv,&nbsp;Kai-Xuan Li,&nbsp;Yao-Nan Xiao,&nbsp;Shao-Hua Wu,&nbsp;Jia-Jian Liu,&nbsp;Chun-Cheng Li","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114477","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114477","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Driven by growing environmental concerns, bio-based polymers have been extensively investigated in recent years. In this work, a series of poly(carbonate-ester)s were synthesized via a two-step polycondensation of bio-based monomer isosorbide (Is) with aliphatic diols (1,4-butanediol (BDO), 1,6-hexanediol (HDO), or 1,8-octanediol (ODO)), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and dimethyl 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate (DMN). The synthesized poly(isosorbide carbonate-co- alkylene naphthalate) (PICANs) are intrinsically fluorescent in the bulk state and possess a tunable emission wavelength spanning from 387 nm to 455 nm. Besides, the PICANs copolymers also demonstrate robust thermal stability and substantial stretchability, positioning them as attractive materials for bio-based fluorescent flexible plastics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 114477"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145882471","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":"Modern theoretical and practical approaches to development, research and processing of thermoplastic elastomers and their filled composites. review","authors":"Kh.V. Allahverdiyeva ,&nbsp;N.T. Kakhramanov ,&nbsp;F.A. Mustafayeva ,&nbsp;A.A. Hasanova ,&nbsp;L.M. Afandiyeva ,&nbsp;R.V. Gurbanova ,&nbsp;H.B. Bafadarova ,&nbsp;E.I. Suleymanova ,&nbsp;A.G. Habibova ,&nbsp;T.M. Babayeva ,&nbsp;O.M. Guliyeva","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114463","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114463","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The article considers current trends in the development of relatively new types of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) with a unique combination of structure and properties. The fundamental principles of selecting compatibilizers that improve the compatibility of thermoplastics with an elastomer component are shown. Using polyolefins and polar synthetic elastomers as an example, the possibilities of obtaining TPE with an improved set of physical, mechanical-physical and chemical properties are considered. The use of such modern physical methods for analyzing TPE and its modifications as SEM and X-ray phase analysis, derivatography, step dilatometry made it possible to obtain information on the structure–property relationship in the polymer–polymer and polymer-filler systems. Much attention is paid to studying the influence of various types of dispersed and fibrous fillers, as well as nanoparticles, on the main physical, mechanical and thermal characteristics of filled TPE. The use of the integral thermo-deformation method of analysis (Kanavets), as well as the stress–strain dependence made it possible to determine the content of the elastomer component, at which phase inversion occurs and a region of highly elastic deformation characteristic of rubbers is formed. For the first time, the influence of a cross-linking agent (sulfur and dicumyl peroxide (DCP)) on the pattern of changes in the physical and mechanical properties of filled and cross-linked TPE composites is considered. Attention is paid to problems associated with the technology of obtaining dynamically vulcanized TPE, studying the influence of the temperature regime and pressure of reaction extrusion and injection molding on the quality of the composite.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 114463"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145882475","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":"Synergistic integration of photoacid and acid-cleavable groups in polymers: An alternative approach to photo-responsive micelles for photo-switchable drug release","authors":"Yangyang Hu ,&nbsp;Ammara Aslam ,&nbsp;Runsha Zhai ,&nbsp;Yinan Zeng ,&nbsp;Silu Wang ,&nbsp;Haofei Yang ,&nbsp;Anjie Dong ,&nbsp;Jianhua Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2026.114496","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2026.114496","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Due to the advantages of precisely spatiotemporal control and noninvasive manner, the photo-activated micelles derived from photo-responsive block copolymers have found extensive applications in controllable drug delivery systems. However, their practical utility is often constrained, due to the commercial unavailability and high difficulty in synthesis of polymerizable photosensitive monomers, tough challenge in integration of robust blood circulation ability, high toxicity of the metabolite of conventional photo-sensitive O-nitrobenzyl and azobenzene molecules. Herein, a methacryloyl-carrying, polymerizable photoacid generator (MAPDST) was synthesized and used as monomer to prepare amphiphilic photo-responsive block copolymers (PPMT) by RAFT copolymerization with acid-cleavable monomer (TTMA) in the presence of hydrophilic PEGlyated macro-RAFT agent. The structure and physicochemical characteristics of PPMT and corresponding photo-responsive micelles (PPMT NPs) were characterized. The results demonstrated that the PPMT NPs can not only have a high stability for storage and blood circulation as well as good biocompatibility, but also can quickly generate protons and thus strong acidity under UV irradiation, leading to a significant swelling and disassembly by hydrolysis of acid-cleavable TTMA segment and thus achieving a photo-switchable on–off drug release profile. This study indicated the synergistic integration of photoacid and acid-cleavable groups in polymers can provide a facile and promising strategy to endow acid-sensitive polymers and corresponding nanocarriers with desirable photo-responsiveness by photo-triggered cascade reactions. Apparently, considering the multifarious acid-sensitive groups, this new strategy can expand the substrate range of photo-responsive polymer materials and offer alternatives to develop photo-sensitive materials without the limitations associated with conventional photosensitive reagents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 114496"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939772","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":"Synthesis and vat-photopolymerization of hydrogen bonding-rich eugenol-based benzoxazine resins for 4D printing of shape memory polymers","authors":"Nuttinan Boonnao ,&nbsp;Minwook Jeon ,&nbsp;Krittapas Charoensuk ,&nbsp;Ibrahim Lawan ,&nbsp;Cheol-Hee Ahn ,&nbsp;Sarawut Rimdusit","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114465","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114465","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work presents a novel strategy for developing a UV-curable bio-based eugenol-derived benzoxazine resin for 4D printing of shape-memory polymers (SMPs) via vat photopolymerization (VPP). The methacrylate group of 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (IEM) was grafted onto the benzoxazine monomer through an isocyanate–hydroxyl reaction, introducing urethane linkages and a methacrylate functional group that enhances hydrogen bonding, improves chain segmental mobility, and imparts UV-reactive functionality. The resulting photoreactive resin exhibits moderate viscosity (25.0 Pa·s at 25 °C and at a shear rate of 30 s⁻¹) and high UV reactivity. After dual UV/thermal curing, the polymer shows high stiffness (storage modulus 2.2 GPa), thermal stability (T_d5 = 256 °C), and excellent shape memory performance, with shape fixity and shape recovery ratios ∼ 99 % over 30 cycles. In comparison with conventional benzoxazine-based SMPs, the developed 4D printing SMPs polymer also supports larger temporary shape deformation. Structure–property analyses using solubility testing and DMA indicate a relatively low crosslink density (gel content 56.6 %), suggesting that the thermo-mechanical and shape memory performance primarily arises from the dense hydrogen bonding network within the dual-cured polymer. This study establishes a molecular-design strategy for hydrogen-bonding-rich UV-curable benzoxazine systems and demonstrates the critical role of hydrogen bonding in governing the thermo-mechanical and shape memory properties. The 4D-printed structures produced in this work exhibit large deformation capability and excellent shape memory stability, highlighting their potential for durable and flexible high-performance 4D printing applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 114465"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839546","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":"Naphthoxazine outperforms benzoxazine: carbazole-based polymers with enhanced blue luminescence and high thermal stability","authors":"Osama Younis ,&nbsp;Faten M. Taher ,&nbsp;Marwa M. Sayed,&nbsp;Mostafa Sayed,&nbsp;Mostafa Ahmed","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114471","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114471","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents the design, synthesis, and characterization of two novel carbazole-based oxazine monomers, <strong>Mono-BenzOx</strong> and <strong>Mono-NaphthOx</strong>, and their corresponding polymers. The monomers, featuring an N-ethyl carbazole moiety, were synthesized through a sequential process of condensation, reduction, and Mannich cyclization, with structures confirmed by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Photoluminescence analysis revealed that both monomers exhibit concentration-independent blue emission in solution due to steric hindrance preventing excimer formation. In the solid state, however, a stark difference emerged upon polymerization. While <strong>Poly-BenzOx</strong> showed residual excimer emission, <strong>Poly-NaphthOx</strong> displayed intense, high-purity blue photoluminescence (CIE: 0.16, 0.05) due to the effective isolation of chromophores within its rigid cross-linked network. Thermogravimetric analysis further established the superiority of the naphthalene-based system compared to the benzoxazine analogue, with <strong>Poly-NaphthOx</strong> exhibiting a higher decomposition temperature (T_d5 = 275 °C) and a significantly greater char yield (27 %) than <strong>Poly-BenzOx</strong> (T_d5 = 233 °C, char yield: 4 %). The unique combination of efficient solid-state blue emission, exceptional thermal stability, and high char yield puts <strong>Poly-NaphthOx</strong> as a premier multifunctional material for advanced optoelectronic and high-performance applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 114471"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839548","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}