PolymerPub Date : 2025-10-08DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129199
Jorge L. Olmedo-Martínez, Marián Prada-Cortés, Alberto Peinador Veiga, Matteo Sanviti, Jaime Martín
{"title":"Measuring the equilibrium melting enthalpy (ΔH0) and the equilibrium melting temperature (Tm0) of high molecular weight Poly(3-hexylthiophene)","authors":"Jorge L. Olmedo-Martínez, Marián Prada-Cortés, Alberto Peinador Veiga, Matteo Sanviti, Jaime Martín","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129199","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129199","url":null,"abstract":"The close correlation between device operation and the degree of crystallinity in semicrystalline semiconducting polymers, e.g. poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), highlights the need for correct values of the crystal-related thermodynamic parameters from which reliable values of the degree of crystallinity can be calculated. The objective of this work is to provide an overview of the methods used and the equilibrium melting temperature (<em>T</em><sub><em>m</em></sub><sup><em>0</em></sup>) and equilibrium melting enthalpy (Δ<em>H</em><sup><em>0</em></sup><em>)</em> values obtained to date, as well as to attempt to reach an agreement on these values. To this end, we investigate the thermodynamic parameters needed to calculate the degree of crystallinity of P3HT by calorimetry. For that, the crystallization behavior and thermodynamics of blends of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C<sub>61</sub>-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), a prototypical electron acceptor molecule, are investigated. The miscibility of the two components in the liquid state was confirmed by the depression of the P3HT melting temperature and the composition-dependent single glass transition temperature (<em>T</em><sub><em>g</em></sub>), which follows the Fox equation. <em>T</em><sub><em>m</em></sub><sup><em>0</em></sup> were determined for neat P3HT and its blends via Hoffman–Weeks extrapolation. These values enabled the application of the Flory–Huggins model, resulting in an Δ<em>H</em><sup><em>0</em></sup> of 68 J g<sup>-1</sup> for P3HT. This thermodynamic parameter was subsequently used to quantify the degree of crystallinity of P3HT blends. Our approach provides a robust and internally consistent framework for determining the degree of crystallinity in semicrystalline semiconducting polymer systems.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"83 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145241396","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}
PolymerPub Date : 2025-10-08DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129198
Tiberio A. Ezquerra, Oscar Gálvez, Mari Cruz García-Gutiérrez, Marc Malfois, Aurora Nogales, Esther Rebollar, Igors Šics
{"title":"Development of polar phases in poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)/Expanded Graphite composites during 3-D printing as revealed by “operando” small and wide angle X-ray scattering","authors":"Tiberio A. Ezquerra, Oscar Gálvez, Mari Cruz García-Gutiérrez, Marc Malfois, Aurora Nogales, Esther Rebollar, Igors Šics","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129198","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129198","url":null,"abstract":"Here we present a research work about the crystallization of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) and of one PVDF-HFP composite with expanded graphite (EG) as nanoadditive during 3D printing Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). Simultaneous Small and Wide Angle X-ray Scattering experiments (SAXS and WAXS) were performed <em>“in situ”</em> under “<em>operando</em>” conditions. The X-ray experiments clearly reveal the presence of a polar phase in the PVDF-HFP/EG while for PVDF-HFP its presence is not obvious. Complementary Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy experiments corroborate the presence of the polar phase for both materials. For PVDF-HFP crystallization is faster at the interfaces (polymer-air and polymer-polymer) than in other points within a printed line, being the crystallinity lower at the interfaces. However, for the PVDF-HF composite, neither crystallization rate nor crystallinity is dependent on position. The effect of EG, acting as nucleating agent, has been discussed as being the reason for this behavior.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"105 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145241497","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}
PolymerPub Date : 2025-10-08DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129195
Mônica Rufino Senra, Maria de Fátima Vieira Marques
{"title":"Crystallization kinetics of PEEK nanocomposites with hydroxyapatite and zinc oxide: influence of nanoparticle morphology and hybridization","authors":"Mônica Rufino Senra, Maria de Fátima Vieira Marques","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129195","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129195","url":null,"abstract":"This study explores the isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization behavior of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) nanocomposites reinforced with hydroxyapatite (HA) and zinc oxide (ZnO), with emphasis on the role of filler morphology and hybridization. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) combined with Avrami analysis was employed to investigate crystallization kinetics at multiple temperatures. While conventional nanofillers generally delay crystallization due to hindered chain mobility, the incorporation of 2.5 wt.% flower-like ZnO (fZnO) significantly mitigated this effect, showing crystallization behavior comparable to neat PEEK. In contrast, spherical ZnO (cZnO), HA, and their hybrid systems led to extended crystallization times. Despite variations in crystallization rate, melting temperature (T<sub>m</sub>) and equilibrium melting temperature (T<sub>m</sub><sup>0</sup>) remained nearly unchanged, indicating preserved lamellar thickness. The results highlight that nanoparticle morphology strongly influences nucleation dynamics, and fZnO offers a promising strategy to tailor crystallization without compromising crystalline structure. These findings provide key insights for designing high-performance PEEK-based materials for structural and biomedical applications.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145241392","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}
PolymerPub Date : 2025-10-07DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129185
Chunying Min, Yaxiang Su, Hongyu Liang, Xuezhong Zhang
{"title":"Molecular design of Carborane-containing Polyimide copolymers: enhanced high-temperature resistance and tribological performance","authors":"Chunying Min, Yaxiang Su, Hongyu Liang, Xuezhong Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129185","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129185","url":null,"abstract":"Conventional polyimides (PI) suffer significant mass loss and performance degradation under prolonged high temperature exposure, limiting their utility in extreme thermal environments. This study employs a molecular-level design strategy to synthesize carborane-containing polyimide copolymer (BMCB/PI) via copolymerization of 1,7-bis(aminophenyl)-meta-carborane (BMCB) with 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) and the flexible diamine 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene (TPE-Q). The 30BMCB/PI film demonstrates remarkable improvements in thermomechanical properties (<em>T</em><sub><em>d5%</em></sub> = 552.6 °C, Young's modulus = 2.17 GPa) compared to pure PI (494.6 °C, 1.63 GPa). Moreover, its unique high-temperature resistance mechanism enables an ultrahigh char yield (<em>R</em><sub><em>w</em></sub>) of 65.9% at 800 °C in air, indicating exceptional thermal stability. Notably, the 30BMCB/PI film also exhibited particularly excellent tribological properties, with a 54% reduction in specific wear rate under dry sliding conditions compared to pure PI. It can maintain excellent tribological properties even in high-temperature (100-400 °C) environments. This study achieves synergistic enhancement of thermal stability, mechanical properties, and tribological performance in polyimide materials through covalent incorporation of carborane structural units into the polyimide backbone, providing novel insights for designing high-performance polymers for high-temperature tribological applications.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145234960","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}
PolymerPub Date : 2025-10-07DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129174
Hamidreza Akrami, Ali Reza Monfared, Mohamad Kheradmandkeysomi, Sasan Rezaei, Iman Soltani, Chul B. Park
{"title":"Elevating Polycarbonate Performance: Exploiting In-situ Nanofibrillated and Crosslinked Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Networks to Achieve Superior Material Properties","authors":"Hamidreza Akrami, Ali Reza Monfared, Mohamad Kheradmandkeysomi, Sasan Rezaei, Iman Soltani, Chul B. Park","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129174","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129174","url":null,"abstract":"The incorporation of an elastomer into polymer composites is a widely employed method to enhance toughness; however, this often results in the sacrificed crucial matrix properties, such as stiffness and strength. In this study, an efficient composite technology is presented for enhancing the toughness of polycarbonate (PC) with a marginal sacrificing of stiffness and strength. Initially, PC-spherical ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) blends were prepared using a twin-screw extruder (TSE), followed by a hot stretching process in a spunbond system. The produced PC microfibers containing EPDM nanofibrils were exposed to gamma radiation to effectively crosslink EPDM through ethylidene norbornene (ENB) and thereby preserve the nanofibril geometry, while crosslinking the PC phase slightly. Morphological observations of the reheated blends revealed a well-dispersed, crosslinked nanofibrillar EPDM network within the PC matrix, featuring an average diameter of 40-80 nm. Our study investigates the influence of EPDM nanofibril size and content on PC composites. We found that incorporating nanofibril EPDM significantly improves toughness compared to spherical EPDM phases, with over 300% increase in elongation at break and over 200% increase in Izod impact strength. These findings highlight the efficacy of nanofibril EPDM in advancing PC's mechanical properties, offering promising prospects for polymer engineering. The transparency of PC was maintained with the presence of nanofibril EPDM, making it suitable for various transparent applications.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145234961","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":"Underwater self-healing of microphase-separated PLLA–b–PTMC biocompatible elastomers","authors":"Xin Hu, Shibo Luo, Zhen Zhang, Peijie Hou, Jun Wang, Lifang Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129180","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129180","url":null,"abstract":"Waterproof and self-healing materials are crucial for preventing leakage in implantable devices subjected to cyclic mechanical stress. Herein, we investigate how block composition governs the underwater self-healing behavior of biodegradable elastomers composed of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC). By tuning the PLLA/PTMC ratio, we modulated crystallinity and segmental mobility, with soft PTMC domains disrupting PLLA ordering and enhancing chain dynamics. Molecular dynamics simulations and thermal analysis revealed increased diffusivity and looser chain packing in PTMC-rich regions. In parallel, electrostatic potential mapping and surface energy analysis indicated reduced interfacial polarity, favoring hydrophobic polymer–polymer interactions under wet conditions. This work demonstrates a design strategy that integrates segmental dynamics and interfacial modulation to achieve water-tolerant self-healing in biodegradable polyesters, offering promise for biomedical sealing and tissue repair.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"30 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145234966","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":"Enhanced performance of PVC-based electromagnetic shielding composite films via solvent swelling-induced and microstructure optimization","authors":"Qingqing Qin, Shuhao Qin, Yingmo Hu, Ting Lei, Xiao Wu, Jingkui Yang, Zhenyu Cui, Yuanyuan Yang, Mingze An","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129179","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129179","url":null,"abstract":"With the growing severity of electromagnetic interference (EMI), developing efficient and more environmentally friendly shielding materials has become crucial. Traditional evaporation-induced phase separation (EIPS) methods suffer from long preparation cycles, significant solvent evaporation posing flash explosion hazards, and issues of filler sedimentation. Although non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) is greener, its electrical conductivity and EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) remains limited. To address these challenges, this study proposes an innovative strategy: first preparing polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/carbon black (CB)/carbon nanotube (CNT) composite films via NIPS, followed by a solvent swelling-thermal drying process to reconstruct the conductive network. The NIPS method rapidly immobilizes fillers to prevent sedimentation, while subsequent immersion in a DMAc/H<sub>2</sub>O mixed solvent (8:2 mass ratio) induces PVC swelling, promoting filler redistribution and densification. During thermal drying, solvent evaporation induces film shrinkage, further optimizing filler connectivity. Under optimized conditions (60 °C drying temperature, 20 minutes soaking), the film thickness decreases from 0.24 mm to 0.04 mm, while electrical conductivity dramatically increases from 16.5 S/m to 567.6 S/m, and EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) improves from 5.3 dB to 18.1 dB. When the film thickness is increased to 0.2 mm, the EMI SE reaches 32.9 dB, outperforming films prepared by conventional EIPS. This study not only overcomes the electrical conductivity limitations of the NIPS method but also avoids the safety risks of the EIPS method, providing a novel, greener, and safer approach for the fabrication of lightweight, high-performance EMI shielding materials. The proposed strategy shows significant potential for applications in flexible electronics and communication devices.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"74 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145234962","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}
PolymerPub Date : 2025-10-06DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129190
Sitao Wang, Eric Euchler, Konrad Schneider, Sven Wießner
{"title":"Characterization of the Deformation and Fracture of Tough Double-Network Hydrogels","authors":"Sitao Wang, Eric Euchler, Konrad Schneider, Sven Wießner","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129190","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129190","url":null,"abstract":"The remarkable toughness of double-network hydrogels (DNHs) arise from the energy dissipation due to the deformation-induced failure of the stiffer first network, while the softer second network maintains the sample’s overall integrity. In this study, a new approach for strain field analysis suitable for DNHs has been developed by introducing lycopodium spores to create robust speckle patterns on the slippery hydrogel surface. Thus, digital image correlation (DIC) method was feasible for localized strain field analysis during mechanical deformation, i.e. tensile testing, exhibiting inhomogeneous deformation, e.g. during necking. Further, strain field analysis during re-swelling experiments, a straightforward and effective technique to visualize and characterize pre-stretched zones formed during necking in DNHs, has been improved. This DIC-based analysis, performed in a liquid, offers an innovative and complementary approach for internal fracture analysis of DNHs, without requiring complex post-processing, expensive instrumentation or sophisticated chemistry, and provides a deeper understanding of fracture resulting from irreversible damage in DNHs, which is dominated by first-network fracture.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"58 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145234965","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":"Temperature and pH responsive raspberry-like hollow nanoparticles prepared by seed photopolymerization under green LED irradiation","authors":"Siyuan Yu, Ying Liu, Zichang Lu, Yuanyuan Gu, Jingbao Wang, Boxuan Peng, Junxia Deng, Baoliang Liu, Jinfeng Xing","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129193","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129193","url":null,"abstract":"Hollow polymer nanoparticles have garnered significant attention in sensing, catalysis, and biomedical applications due to their unique structural properties. To develop a novel synthetic approach of dual-responsive hollow nanoparticles, a visible-light-initiated photopolymerization strategy under green LED irradiation was established. First, monodisperse poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoparticles were synthesized via dispersion photopolymerization. These nanoparticles served as seeds for subsequent seed photopolymerization, enabling the formation of raspberry-like core-shell structures with different sizes and surface morphologies by adding different dosages of secondary stimuli-responsive monomers N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). Finally, solvent etching was employed to remove the PMMA seeds, producing hollow polymer nanoparticles with controllable temperature and pH responsiveness.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"53 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145234967","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}
PolymerPub Date : 2025-10-06DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129186
Xiaomei Zhao, Ruonan Zhao, Peng Liu
{"title":"Facile design of amphiphilic multi-functional copolyprodrug for pH/GSH dual-responsive tumor chemotherapy and self-enhanced ferroptosis","authors":"Xiaomei Zhao, Ruonan Zhao, Peng Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129186","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129186","url":null,"abstract":"Ferroptosis has been widely recognized as a promising anticancer therapy. However, its anticancer efficiency is still restricted by the low level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tumor cells. Here, an amphiphilic multi-functional copolyprodrug (P(DSH-DOX-Fc)-PEG) was synthesized via facile polycondensation for synergistic tumor chemotherapy and self-enhanced ferroptosis. By incorporating both active ingredients, doxorubicin (DOX, 65.5%) and ferrocene (Fc, 14.0%), as structural units in the polyprodrug main chain via bioreducible disulfide bond, acid-sensitive hydrazone and imine bonds alternatively, pH/GSH dual-triggered complete drug release was achieved within 56 h in the simulated tumor intracellular microenvironment, while maintaining low premature leakage (7.2%). Moreover, the Fc-induced ferroptosis could be double-enhanced by the up-regulation of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> level by DOX and depletion of GSH concentration by disulfide bond, resulting in a synergistic effect with combination index (CI) of 0.68.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145229316","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}