{"title":"Backbone Degradable Polymers via Chain-growth Radical Polymerization","authors":"Hai-Wang Lai, Makoto Ouchi","doi":"10.1007/s10118-025-3278-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10118-025-3278-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Chain-growth radical polymerization of vinyl monomers is essential for producing a wide range of materials with properties tailored to specific applications. However, the inherent resistance of the polymer’s C—C backbone to degradation raises significant concerns regarding long-term environmental persistence, which also limits their potential in biomedical applications. To address these challenges, researchers have developed strategies to either degrade preexisting vinyl polymers or incorporate cleavable units into the backbone to modify them with enhanced degradability. This review explores the various approaches aimed at achieving backbone degradability in chain-growth radical polymerization of vinyl monomers, while also highlighting future research directions for the development of application-driven degradable vinyl polymers.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":517,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Polymer Science","volume":"43 6","pages":"887 - 907"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145169009","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":"Accessing Degradable Polyethylene Materials with In-chain Ester Units via Mechanochemical Backbone Editing","authors":"Xiao-Hui Zhang, Ya-Jun Zhao, Can Wang, Shan Tang","doi":"10.1007/s10118-025-3285-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10118-025-3285-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Incorporating a low density of ester units into the backbone of polyethylene materials enhances their sustainability and recyclability while maintaining the main material properties of polyethylenes. Here we report a new way to access degradable polyethylene materials with a low content of in-chain ester units <i>via</i> mechanochemical backbone editing. Initially, ester groups are incorporated as side groups through catalytic copolymerization of ethylene with a cyclobutene-fused lactone monomer (CBL), yielding polyethylene materials with high molecular weights and adjustable thermomechanical properties. Subsequent solid-state ball-milling treatment selectively introduces side-chain ester groups into the main chain of the polyethylene materials <i>via</i> force-induced cycloreversion of the cyclobutane units. Under acidic conditions, hydrolysis of the resultant polyethylene materials with in-chain ester units facilitates further degradation into oligomers.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":517,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Polymer Science","volume":"43 6","pages":"952 - 957"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145169008","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":"Dynamic Structural Colors in Helical Superstructures: from Supramolecules to Polymers","authors":"Bo Ji, Lang Qin, Yan-Lei Yu","doi":"10.1007/s10118-025-3279-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10118-025-3279-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) exhibit unique helical superstructures that selectively reflect circularly polarized light, enabling them to dynamically respond to environmental changes with tunable structural colors. This dynamic color-changing capability is crucial for applications that require adaptable optical properties, positioning CLCs as key materials in advanced photonic technologies. This review focuses on the mechanisms of dynamic color tuning in CLCs across various forms, including small molecules, cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs), and cholesteric liquid crystal networks (CLCNs), and emphasizes the distinct responsive coloration each structure provides. Key developments in photochromic mechanisms based on azobenzene, dithienylethene, and molecular motor switches, are discussed for their roles in enhancing the stability and tuning range of CLCs. We examine the color-changing behaviors of CLCEs under mechanical stimuli and CLCNs under swelling, highlighting the advantages of each form. Following this, applications of dynamic color-tuning CLCs in information encryption, adaptive camouflage, and smart sensing technologies are explored. The review concludes with an outlook on current challenges and future directions in CLC research, particularly in biomimetic systems and dynamic photonic devices, aiming to broaden their functional applications and impact.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":517,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Polymer Science","volume":"43 3","pages":"406 - 428"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10118-025-3279-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143594539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mechanically Robust and Degradable Poly(urethane-urea) Plastics Derived from Tannic Acid and Castor Oil for Enhanced Fruit Preservation","authors":"Hong-Yu Pan, Xu Fang, Yi-Xuan Li, Si-Heng Li, Xiang Li, Jun-Qi Sun","doi":"10.1007/s10118-025-3290-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10118-025-3290-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Traditional packaging plastics derived from fossil fuels for perishable foods have caused severe environmental pollution and resource depletion. To promote sustainable development and reduce wastage of perishable products, there is a significant challenge in developing bio-based packaging plastics that offer excellent preservation, satisfactory mechanical performance, and inherent degradability. In this study, poly(urethane-urea) (PUU) plastics are fabricated using a one-pot polyaddition reaction involving castor oil (CO), tannic acid (TA), lysine-derived ethyl 2,6-diisocyanatohexanoate (LDI), and H<sub>2</sub>O. The resulting PUU plastics demonstrate a high breaking strength of about 32.7 MPa and a strain at break of <i>ca.</i> 102%. Due to the reversibility of hydrogen bonds, PUU plastics can be easily shaped into various forms. They are non-cytotoxic and suitable for food packaging. With a high TA content of <i>ca.</i> 38.2 wt%, PUU plastics exhibit excellent antioxidant capacity. Consequently, PUU plastics show outstanding freshness preservation performance, extending the shelf life of cherry tomatoes and winter jujubes for at least 8 days at room temperature. Importantly, PUU plastics can autonomously degrade into non-toxic substances within <i>ca.</i> 298 days when buried in soil.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":517,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Polymer Science","volume":"43 3","pages":"447 - 456"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143594537","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}
Wen-Jie Fan, Meng Xie, Jin-Feng Tian, Yan He, Shuang Xia, Wen-Xin Fu
{"title":"Topological Design of Low Dielectric Ladder-like Polysilsesquioxane and Copolymers","authors":"Wen-Jie Fan, Meng Xie, Jin-Feng Tian, Yan He, Shuang Xia, Wen-Xin Fu","doi":"10.1007/s10118-025-3296-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10118-025-3296-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Low dielectric constant (low-<i>k</i>) materials are critical for advanced packaging in high-density microelectronic devices and high-frequency communication technologies. Ladder polysiloxanes, which are characterized by their unique double-chain structure and intrinsic microporosity, offer remarkable advantages in terms of thermal stability, oxidation resistance, and dielectric performance. However, structural defects in ladder polysiloxanes, such as cage-like and irregular oligomers, and their effects on dielectric properties remain underexplored. In this study, a series of ladder-like polysiloxanes (<b>X-TMS</b>) with diverse side groups weresynthesized <i>via</i> a one-step base-catalyzed method. The influence of the benzocyclobutene (BCB) side groups on the formation of regular ladder structures was systematically investigated. Notably, BCB incorporation disrupted the structural regularity, favoring the formation of cage-like and irregular topologies, which were extensively characterized using <sup>29</sup>silicon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (<sup>29</sup>Si-NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). These structural defects were beneficial for improving the hydrophobicity and thermal stability. Copolymerization of X-TMS with commercial DVS-BCB resins further enhanced the mechanical properties, with the elastic modulus increasing from 3.6 GPa to 4.4 GPa and water absorption reduced from 0.33 wt% to 0.06 wt%. This study establishes a clear correlation between topological structures and material properties. These findings not only advance the understanding of the structure-property relationships in ladder polysiloxanes but also provide a novel approach for designing high-performance interlayer dielectric materials for next-generation microelectronics.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":517,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Polymer Science","volume":"43 3","pages":"477 - 487"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143594528","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}
Lian-Jie Zhao, Ning Tang, Xiao-Ting Wang, Min-Hui Li, Jun Hu
{"title":"Conductive Polyaniline Hydrogel Featuring High Toughness and Low Hysteresis","authors":"Lian-Jie Zhao, Ning Tang, Xiao-Ting Wang, Min-Hui Li, Jun Hu","doi":"10.1007/s10118-025-3283-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10118-025-3283-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Polyaniline (PANi) hydrogels have a wide range of applications in artificial skin, flexible robotics, and movement monitoring. Nevertheless, limited by the modulus mismatch between rigid PANi and the soft hydrogel matrix, the high strength and toughness of the PANi hydrogel are mutually exclusive. Although the introduction of sacrificial bonds into the hydrogel network can alleviate this contradiction to a certain extent, it always causes pronounced energy hysteresis during hydrogel deformation. Inspired by the energy storage and release of macroscopic springs, in this work, we propose a molecular entanglement approach for the fabrication of PANi hydrogels featuring high toughness and low hysteresis, where flexible poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is entangled with chemically cross-linked poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) as a hydrogel matrix, and rigid PANi as a conductive filler. The resultant PAA/PEG/PANi hydrogel exhibited high mechanical properties (fracture strength of 0.75 MPa and toughness of 4.81 MJ·m<sup>−3</sup>) and a low energy dissipation ratio (28.2% when stretching to 300%). Moreover, the PAA/PEG/PANi hydrogel possesses a good electrical response to external forces and can be employed as a strain sensor to monitor human joint movements by producing specific electrical signals. This work provides a straightforward strategy for preparing tough conductive PANi hydrogels with low hysteresis, showing potential for the development of healthcare devices.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":517,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Polymer Science","volume":"43 4","pages":"581 - 587"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143861201","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":"Dynamics of Charged Ring Polymers under Gel Confinement","authors":"Lu-Jie Huo, Kai-Ru Qu, Zhen-Zhong Yang, Di Jia","doi":"10.1007/s10118-025-3291-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10118-025-3291-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Ring polymers are ubiquitous in various fields including biomaterials, drug release and gene therapy. All of these applications involve the dynamics and diffusion process of ring polymers in a confined environment. By using dynamic light scattering (DLS), we discovered a dynamical transition for charged ring polymers with increasing ring concentration in the gel matrix from a diffusive state to a non-diffusive topological frustrated state with a more compact conformation. When the ring polymer size is smaller than the mesh size of the gel matrix, the rings are diffusive at low concentration of 5 g/L. The ring diffusion coefficient in the gel matrix is an order of magnitude smaller than that of rings in solution, obeying the Ogston’s model. At high ring concentration of 40 g/L, the collective dynamical behavior of the charged rings exhibits a topologically frustrated non-diffusive state, which may originate from the inter-ring threading with the external confinement from the gel matrix. Based on our previous theoretical work, we also conjectured that in such a non-diffusive state, the ring polymers might adopt a more compact conformation with the overall size exponent <i>v</i>=1/3.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":517,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Polymer Science","volume":"43 3","pages":"399 - 405"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143594529","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":"An Advanced Hydrogel-based Facial Mask for Skin Quality Testing","authors":"Yan-Fang Meng, Yu-Liao Dong, Man-Li Na, Lin Xu","doi":"10.1007/s10118-025-3287-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10118-025-3287-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In the event of the ever-increasing growth of the beauty industry and the burgeoning market for facial masks, high-performance and high-safety mask products have emerged. Among these, light-cured collagen peptide-based hydrogels, which are non-toxic, photocurable natural materials, exhibit significant potential for use in facial masks. We developed a novel collagen peptide-lithium chloride hydrogel-based facial mask. Light-cured collagen peptide hydrogel is a non-toxic, light-activated natural material that holds considerable promise for application in facial masks. Nonetheless, there is a significant lack of effective methodologies for real-time assessment of skin quality currently available in the market. To address this deficiency, we have developed an innovative collagen peptide-lithium chloride hydrogel mask, which is characterized by exceptional transparency (98% within the visible spectrum of 400–800 nm), commendable tensile properties (tensile strength of 428.6±2.1 kPa, with a tensile strength increase of 123.9%), substantial water retention capacity (61%), and favorable antimicrobial efficacy (89%). The incorporation of lithium chloride enhances ionic conduction at the interface between the human body and hydrogel, thereby enabling quantitative evaluation of skin quality through impedance analysis. Our collagen peptide-lithium chloride hydrogel facial mask demonstrated effectiveness in distinguishing various skin types, including D<sup>+</sup> (severely dry), D (mildly to moderately dry), N (moderate), O (mildly to moderately oily), and O<sup>+</sup> (severely oily). This study presents significant opportunities for the advancement of hydrogel masks and provides a new application platform for polymer hydrogels.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":517,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Polymer Science","volume":"43 3","pages":"495 - 508"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143594526","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}
Hao Peng, Lin Liu, Qiao Zhang, Shuhao Liu, Man Lin, Hao Li, Yonghong Deng, Chuanlai Jiao, Chaoyang Wang, Hongli Xu
{"title":"A Fluorine-free Polysulfone-Polyamide-Polyimide Copolymer Binder for LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 Cathode in Lithium-ion Battery","authors":"Hao Peng, Lin Liu, Qiao Zhang, Shuhao Liu, Man Lin, Hao Li, Yonghong Deng, Chuanlai Jiao, Chaoyang Wang, Hongli Xu","doi":"10.1007/s10118-025-3281-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10118-025-3281-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>High-voltage LiNi<sub>0.8</sub>Co<sub>0.1</sub>Mn<sub>0.1</sub>O<sub>2</sub> (NCM811) cathodes are critical for enhancing the energy density of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The development of binders compatible with high-voltage NCM811 cathode materials is crucial to enhance the electrochemical performance of LIBs. However, the traditional fluoropolymer binder, poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF), can potentially leach components or break down into poly(fluoroalkyl substances) (PFAS) chemicals, thereby contributing to PFAS contamination. A novel fluorine-free polymer, polysulfone-polyamide-polyimide (SPIO), was designed and synthesized as a binder for NCM811 cathodes. The SPIO binder exhibits exceptional mechanical properties and superior electrochemical characteristics. The cathode film fabricated with SPIO demonstrated a remarkable delamination force of 8 N (390 N·m<sup>−1</sup>), indicating robust adhesion. The Li∥NCM811 cell incorporating the SPIO binder retained 80% of its initial capacity after 300 cycles at a current density of 0.2 C. In comparison, the control cells assembled with the PVDF binder retained only 52% of their capacities under the same cycling conditions. Furthermore, the SPIO binder exhibited improved compatibility with the electrolyte. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the cathode films after 100 cycles revealed the formation of a uniform, dense, and continuous chemical-electrochemical interface (CEI) by the SPIO binder on the surface of the NCM811 particles, which significantly contributed to the enhancement of the electrochemical performance. These results highlight the potential of SPIO as an advanced binder material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":517,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Polymer Science","volume":"43 7","pages":"1146 - 1154"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145163893","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":"Photonic Fibrous Liquid Crystal Elastomer Actuators","authors":"Yun-Long Li, Kai Liu, Hui-Min Wu, Jiu-An Lv","doi":"10.1007/s10118-025-3286-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10118-025-3286-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Photonic fibrous soft actuators that can modulate light and produce responsive deformation would have broad technological implications in areas, ranging from smart textiles and intelligent artificial muscles to medical devices. However, creating such multifunctional soft actuators has proved tremendously challenging. Here, we report novel cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer (CLCE) based photonic fibrous soft actuators (PFSAs). CLCE can serve as chiral photonic soft active material and allow for multiresponse in shapes and colors. We leveraged a tubular-mold-based processing technology to prepare fibrous CLCE actuators, and the prepared actuators exhibit the capabilities to dynamically switch structural colors and geometrical shapes by mechanical, temperature, or light stimuli. CLCE-based PFSAs demonstrate diverse functionalities, including visual weight feedback, optically driven object manipulation, and light driven locomotion. It is anticipated that our PFSAs would offer many new possibilities for developing advanced soft actuators.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":517,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Journal of Polymer Science","volume":"43 4","pages":"597 - 604"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143861164","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}