PolymerPub Date : 2026-03-06Epub Date: 2026-01-31DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129684
Yu Fang , Qi Shi , Jinping Qu , Xiang Lu
{"title":"Single molecule coupling of light and thermal for programmable energy storage","authors":"Yu Fang , Qi Shi , Jinping Qu , Xiang Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129684","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129684","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Efficiently integrating solar and ambient thermal energy within a single molecular system remains a significant challenge. Here we systematically construct a family of azobenzene-based molecules in which photoisomerizable cores are covalently coupled with thermally active alkyl and alkenyl segments. Unlike previous studies focusing on isolated examples, our approach establishes a homologous molecular series that enables direct correlation between structural parameters and dual-mode energy storage behavior. Upon ultraviolet irradiation, the <em>trans</em>-cis isomerization induces lattice disorder and photo‐liquefaction, allowing simultaneous capture of photon energy and latent heat. The reverse process triggered by light or heat releases both chemical and phase-change enthalpies in a single synergistic step. The system exhibits a gravimetric energy density exceeding 300 J g<sup>−1</sup>, demonstrating a competitive performance among reported materials. Combined density functional theory and calorimetric analyses quantitatively link the isomerization energetics with crystal packing variations, establishing a predictive relationship between molecular design and thermophysical performance. This systematic strategy provides a data-driven framework for designing programmable photothermal materials and paves the way for high-throughput molecular energy computation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"347 ","pages":"Article 129684"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146095661","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 : 2026-03-06Epub Date: 2026-01-31DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129682
Manuel Gomez-Menendez , Vasiliki Maria Stavropoulou , Isabel Asenjo-Sanz , José A. Pomposo , Ester Verde-Sesto , Silvia Arrese-Igor , Jon Maiz
{"title":"Tuning segmental dynamics of PVDF in blends with linear precursors and single-chain nanoparticles: Insights from broadband dielectric spectroscopy","authors":"Manuel Gomez-Menendez , Vasiliki Maria Stavropoulou , Isabel Asenjo-Sanz , José A. Pomposo , Ester Verde-Sesto , Silvia Arrese-Igor , Jon Maiz","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129682","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129682","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The dynamic behavior of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) in blends with either a PMMA-based linear precursor copolymer or its single-chain nanoparticle (SCNP) counterpart was investigated using broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) over 125–500 K. Structural and thermal characterization revealed that both the precursor and SCNP components remain glassy under these conditions, while PVDF exhibits active segmental mobility near its α-relaxation. In PVDF-rich blends, SCNPs induce phase separation, preserving the intrinsic α- and β-relaxations of PVDF, whereas the linear precursor promotes partial mixing, attenuating the α-relaxation and lowering the apparent glass transition temperature (<em>T</em><sub>g</sub>) due to the surrounding glassy component. At intermediate and low PVDF contents, both blend types exhibit more complex relaxation spectra, reflecting enhanced interfacial interactions and confinement effects. Analysis of the characteristic relaxation times shows that the activation energy (<em>E</em><sub>a</sub>) of the secondary relaxation increases with the fraction of precursor or SCNPs, indicating hindered local motions due to interfacial constraints or nanoconfinement. Overall, the precursor and SCNP components modulate PVDF dynamics via distinct mechanisms: partial miscibility and dynamic coupling for the precursor, and nanoscale confinement with phase separation for SCNPs, providing strategies to tune segmental dynamics in hybrid glassy polymer systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"347 ","pages":"Article 129682"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146095955","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":"Regulation of mechanical properties and intrinsic self-healing performance of polyurethane via crystalline locked dynamic bonds","authors":"Shuai Li , Linying Zhao , Jiang Zhong, Zhihao Deng, Fangfei Wang, Zhenhua Xiong, Liang Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129681","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129681","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The synthesis of polymers that demonstrate excellent mechanical properties and the capacity for effective, rapid repair at moderate temperatures remains a significant challenge. Inspired by rapid recovery of water and superior hardness of ice, this study designs a polyurethane material based on crystalline locked dynamic bonds with excellent mechanical properties at room temperature and efficient self-healing capabilities at mild temperatures. Dynamic disulfide bonds are locked within crystalline flexible chains, restricting polymeric flexibility below the melting temperature to ensure high mechanical properties. Upon the attainment of melting temperature, there is a release of the flexible chains and dynamic disulfide bonds. Molecular dynamics simulations have suggested that the molecular chains in the crystalline locked disulfide bond polyurethane system exhibit stronger diffusion capability compared to polyurethane systems without disulfide bonds. The synergistic effect of chain diffusion and dynamic bond exchange reactions results in highly efficient self-healing performance. The prepared polyurethane displays a tensile strength of 9.37 MPa and an elongation at break 479% at room temperature, with a self-healing efficacy of 92% at 60 °C. This crystalline locked dynamic offers a promising solution to the inherent trade-off between mechanical properties and self-healing ability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"347 ","pages":"Article 129681"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146095960","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 : 2026-03-06Epub Date: 2026-02-03DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129688
Xiao-Yuan Lin , Dhananjay S. Nipate , Zhi-You Hong , Syang-Peng Rwei , Tomoyuki Akutagawa , Hsiu-Hui Chen
{"title":"Thermally deblockable waterborne polyurethane–dye conjugates for durable textile coloration and digital deposition feasibility","authors":"Xiao-Yuan Lin , Dhananjay S. Nipate , Zhi-You Hong , Syang-Peng Rwei , Tomoyuki Akutagawa , Hsiu-Hui Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129688","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129688","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, a solvent-free strategy is developed for preparing waterborne polyurethane (<strong>WPU</strong>) dispersions incorporating commercial dyes, including Direct Yellow 142 (<strong>Y142</strong>), Direct Red 224 (<strong>R224</strong>), and Reactive Blue 198 (<strong>B198</strong>). The dyes are covalently integrated into the polyurethane backbone, and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (DMP) is employed to block terminal isocyanate groups, yielding thermally deblockable blocked WPU (<strong>BWPU</strong>) systems. This DMP-based isocyanate blocking and deblocking strategy defines the central chemical framework of this work. The <strong>BWPU</strong> dispersions form stable micellar nanoparticles with diameters below 100 nm without the use of organic solvents or additional surfactants, providing colloidal stability together with latent reactivity. Upon thermal activation at approximately 120 °C, deblocking of the isocyanate groups enables covalent reactions with hydroxyl or amine functionalities on textile substrates. This deblocking-triggered fixation mechanism governs the durability of textile coloration obtained via coating and pad-dyeing, resulting in excellent rubbing fastness (grade 5) and enhanced washing durability, while reducing dye release during laundering. The <strong>BWPU</strong> dispersions also exhibit sufficient colloidal stability for inkjet deposition, allowing inkjet printing to be evaluated under thin-film conditions. In comparison with pad-dyed fabrics, inkjet-printed samples show lower washing durability, reflecting the intrinsic limitations of ultrathin, water-permeable polymer films rather than deficiencies in the DMP-based fixation chemistry. Overall, the proposed method adheres to green chemistry principles by reducing hazardous reagents and improving material efficiency, while establishing a reprocessable polyurethane–dye platform in which fixation chemistry and application modality can be decoupled, thereby defining pad-dyeing/coating as the current performance benchmark and inkjet printing as a promising yet currently constrained direction for future development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"347 ","pages":"Article 129688"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146111012","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 : 2026-03-06Epub Date: 2026-01-29DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129621
Sisi Cheng , Xuequan Ma , Meishan Fu , Dongqi Wang , Zhihong Wang , Xiaojing Dai , Jiacheng Xu , Jianwei Chen , Lijing Han , Ruoyu Zhang
{"title":"Non-solvent preparation of polyurethane adhesive with capabilities of shape adaptive, harsh environment resistance and cryogenic durability","authors":"Sisi Cheng , Xuequan Ma , Meishan Fu , Dongqi Wang , Zhihong Wang , Xiaojing Dai , Jiacheng Xu , Jianwei Chen , Lijing Han , Ruoyu Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129621","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129621","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Adhesives that can be used in harsh environments are usually prepared via complicate synthesis route and using of organic solvents, and they usually lack immediate adhesion and shape adaptive. In this work, non-isocyanate polyurethane using PDMS as the sole soft segment is prepared via a non-solvent route, and it was then crosslinked by the dynamic boronic ester bonds. The shape of the resulting adhesive can be quickly molded by hand, which facilitate its usage in sealing irregular damages. It also demonstrates long-term effectiveness after in-situ adhesion on various substrate types under harsh environmental conditions, including exposure to simulated seawater, pH = 1 hydrochloric acid, pH = 10 sodium hydroxide solution, and ethylene glycol. Its in-situ adhesion strength in liquid nitrogen (LN) can reach 7.1 MPa. When adhered in air and then stored in LN for 15 days, the adhesion strength was as high as ∼14 MPa. Moreover, the adhesive exhibited remarkable toughness at approximately −90 °C, as shown by its ability to support a 200 g weight dropped from a height of 180 cm, corresponding to an impact energy of 3.5 J. These tough and adhesive UD-BAs show high potential in damage sealing and aerospace travelling etc.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"347 ","pages":"Article 129621"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146072855","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 : 2026-03-06Epub Date: 2026-01-31DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129686
Wei Zhao , Jian-wu Zhang , Yin You , Jin-hui Song , Ao Zhang , Xu Li , Bo Song
{"title":"Redshift phenomenon in the electroluminescence spectrum of nanodot matrix OLEDs","authors":"Wei Zhao , Jian-wu Zhang , Yin You , Jin-hui Song , Ao Zhang , Xu Li , Bo Song","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129686","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129686","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>OLEDs with light-emitting scales as small as hundreds of nanometers represent one of the future challenges in display technology. Here, through the introduction of an innovative structural design utilizing the polymer Poly (methyl methacrylate (PMMA), we have successfully designed and fabricated the nanodot matrix OLEDs (NMOLEDs) with individual light-emitting diameters reaching the hundreds of nanometers scale. It is observed that the light-emitting phenomenon of such small-sized OLEDs is examined under optical microscopy, and their micro-nano structures at key locations are analyzed using electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. We discovered a significant red shift in the electroluminescence spectrum as the emission diameter decreased from 10 μm to 160 nm, experimentally ruling out microcavity effects. By simplifying the NMOLED structure into step-index fibers, we calculated the longitudinal and transverse electromagnetic field components and characteristic equations using Maxwell's equations. Finally, finite-difference time-domain simulations revealed that the nanostructures within the NMOLEDs absorb visible light at specific wavelengths, reducing or even blocking transmission. The transmission wavelength shifts toward the red end of the spectrum as the emission diameter decreases. This study further confirms the pivotal role of polymer PMMA in novel optoelectronic devices, providing technical guidance and theoretical support for the future development and application of nanoscale OLEDs. It also reveals the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"347 ","pages":"Article 129686"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146095657","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 : 2026-03-06Epub Date: 2026-02-02DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129689
Ziyu Xing , Xiaodong Wang , Xiaoling Hu , Rongguo Zhao
{"title":"Exploring the elastic-plastic behavior of hydrogen bond cross-linked polymers, based on the principle of minimum energy and the slide of non-covalent cross-linking","authors":"Ziyu Xing , Xiaodong Wang , Xiaoling Hu , Rongguo Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129689","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129689","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hydrogen bond cross-linked polymers exhibit remarkable toughening, yet the molecular origin of their sliding and plasticity remains unclear. The changes in the mechanical behavior of polymers caused by the sliding of microscopic polymer chains have not yet been effectively understood. We develop a minimum free energy model for forced sliding of non-covalent cross-links and derive a closed-form expression for sliding free energy density by treating electrostatic and repulsive contributions on equal footing. This model predicts two distinct sliding states governed by the ratio of initial electrostatic energy to repulsive energy. The strong electrostatic interaction manifests as a conventional resistance-dependent sliding process, whereas the weak electrostatic interaction under applied load initially promotes hydrogen bond formation. We couple this sliding energy with conformational free energy obtained from Langevin chain statistics and the tube model to yield a total stress–strain response. Uniaxial tensile data for three material families are predicted with correlation coefficients. The theory quantitatively captures yield, necking, strain hardening, and the transition from entropy-dominated elasticity to slide-governed plasticity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"347 ","pages":"Article 129689"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146098192","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 : 2026-03-06Epub Date: 2026-02-03DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129692
Mengyu Cao , Shanmei Luo , Xiaolong Yang , Jijie Li , Xiuping Liu , Jinhou Fang , Honglei Liu , Jingquan Liu
{"title":"Composition-directed fabrication of dual cross-linked bifunctional composites on fabrics for chemical removal of formaldehyde and amine air-pollutants","authors":"Mengyu Cao , Shanmei Luo , Xiaolong Yang , Jijie Li , Xiuping Liu , Jinhou Fang , Honglei Liu , Jingquan Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129692","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129692","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the advent of industrialization, urbanization, and the widespread use of chemicals, formaldehyde and ammonia have become typical indoor pollutants that pose a threat to human health and ecological safety. This study reports a “dual cross-linking” functionalized system based on polypropylene nonwoven fabric (NWF), which can efficiently remove formaldehyde and ammonia at room temperature through highly selective nucleophilic addition reactions between aminooxy/amino and aldehyde groups, with water as the sole by-product and no secondary pollutants. Initially, an OB-GA cross-linking network is achieved through the nucleophilic addition reaction between O,O'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis(hydroxylamine) dihydrochloride (OB) and glutaraldehyde (GA). Then, the OB-GA cross-linked polymer is stably loaded onto the surface of the fibers by the sodium alginate (SA)-calcium ion (Ca<sup>2+</sup>) crosslink mechanism, thereby successfully constructing NWF/SA/OB-GA composite. This dual cross-linking structure endows the material with high selectivity and high-capacity adsorption properties. More importantly, the composite can be regenerated under weakly acidic conditions, enabling reuse and reducing usage costs. Additionally, by adjusting the OB/GA molar ratio, the application of the composites can be customized. Under the N<sub>2</sub> flow rate of 1.0 L/min at 25 °C, 1 g of SA/OB-GA/8-2 composite (rich in aminooxy group) can remove 137 mg of formaldehyde within 24 h, while 1 g of SA/OB-GA/2–8 composite (rich in aldehyde group) can remove 123 mg of NH<sub>3</sub> within 24 h. This technology offers a controllable, efficient solution for air pollution purification applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"347 ","pages":"Article 129692"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146111006","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 : 2026-03-06Epub Date: 2026-02-02DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129687
Mohamed Gouda , Mai M. Khalaf , Manal F. Abou Taleb , Mahmoud A. Abdelaziz , Hany M. Abd El-Lateef
{"title":"Structural, optical, and electrical Studies of cobalt oxide incorporated chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) composite films","authors":"Mohamed Gouda , Mai M. Khalaf , Manal F. Abou Taleb , Mahmoud A. Abdelaziz , Hany M. Abd El-Lateef","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129687","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129687","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Flexible, lightweight, and low-cost polymer-based materials are increasingly important for emerging electronic and optoelectronic technologies with reduced environmental impact. In this study, chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) (Cs/PVA) composite films incorporating different concentrations of cobalt oxide (Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>) were fabricated. The novelty of this work lies in the systematic correlation between Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> content and the combined structural, optical, dielectric, electric modulus, and electrical conductivity responses of Cs/PVA composite films. Structural and morphological features were analyzed using XRD, FTIR, and SEM, confirming the successful incorporation of Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> within the polymer matrix. Optical measurements revealed a gradual reduction in the indirect band gap and an increase in the Urbach energy with increasing Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> content, indicating the formation of localized states and enhanced light absorption. Dielectric studies demonstrated a significant enhancement in permittivity and dielectric loss at low frequencies due to interfacial and space-charge polarization, while electric modulus analysis revealed concentration-dependent relaxation behavior. In addition, electrical conductivity increased progressively with increasing Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> loading, reflecting improved charge-transport pathways. These findings demonstrate that Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-loaded Cs/PVA composite films are promising candidates for flexible dielectric devices, charge-storage components, sensors, and lightweight electronic systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"347 ","pages":"Article 129687"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146111007","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 : 2026-03-06Epub Date: 2026-01-30DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129679
Katarzyna Mituła-Chmielowiec , Rafał Januszewski , Marek Nowicki , Beata Dudziec
{"title":"When flexibility meets rigidity: Unlocking the potential of polysiloxane–silsesquioxane hybrids","authors":"Katarzyna Mituła-Chmielowiec , Rafał Januszewski , Marek Nowicki , Beata Dudziec","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129679","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129679","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hybrid polysiloxanes (PS) incorporating silsesquioxane (SQ) cages offer promising opportunities for advanced materials design. However, the influence of SQ structure on PS properties remains underexplored. In this study, we investigated how the inert substituent type on the SQ core (iBu <em>vs.</em> Ph) and the length of the linker connecting the cage and PS backbone govern thermal, mechanical, and morphological behavior of the resulting materials. Microscopic, thermogravimetric, and nanomechanical analyses revealed clear structure-properties relationships. Short linkers provided superior thermal stability, while phenyl-substituted SQs outperform iBu analogues, owing to aromatic rigidity and oxidative resistance. Nanoindentation confirmed that Ph-substituted SQs affect exceptional stiffness and hardness, with 1-PhT<sub>8</sub>@PS1 achieving a Young's modulus of 10.35 GPa and a hardness of 162 MPa. These values are among the highest reported for SQ-modified polysiloxanes. Surface and swelling studies further highlighted the role of linker flexibility and SQ architecture in controlling morphology, network density, and solvent uptake (up to <em>ca.</em> 1240% in CHCl<sub>3</sub> and 840% in THF). Building on current knowledge in the field, this work presents a systematic evaluation of SQ architecture in polysiloxane hybrids and lays the groundwork for the rational design of application-tailored, high-performance hybrid materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"347 ","pages":"Article 129679"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146089801","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}