Sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS) is emerging as an important method for generating novel hybrid inorganic–polymer materials and is predicted to have numerous applications in technologies such as robust thin film materials for lithography, and preparation of materials with specific optical properties. Characterization of the mechanisms of SIS remains a challenge due to the nature of the materials

Chain shuttling copolymerisation (CSP) is a synthetic strategy allowing the one-pot, one-step formation of block copolymers. Initially developed in the frame of coordinative polymerisation of olefins and conjugated dienes, it was recently transferred to the ring-opening polymerisation of cyclic esters. In this contribution, we report six new catalytic systems able to perform the chain shuttling copolymerisation

The aliphatic polyesters prepared by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters have shown great promise as sustainable polymers due to the potential bio-renewable feedstock, biodegradability and good material performance. The recently developed base/(thio)urea binary catalysts have achieved great successes for the “living”/controlled ROP of cyclic esters due to their high catalytic activity

The present report describes the first use of unprotected and "free" N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), such as IMes, IPr and air-stable Cl-IPr carbenes, as single component initiators for the alternating ring-opening co-polymerization (ROCOP) of cyclic anhydrides (phthalic anhydride, PA; succinic anhydride, SA) and various epoxides to efficiently and selectively access the corresponding polyesters in

Poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(γ-benzyl glutamate) block copolymer was synthesized by noncovalent protection of hetero-initiator 2-aminoethanol in the presence of triethylborane using an organo catalyst. The copolymers could be prepared directly with high efficiency and under mild conditions, avioding the tedious protection and deprotection processes for designing amino-terminated PLA via traditional routes

The use of bifunctional catalysts (bifunctional initiators) to achieve controllable alternating copolymerization of epoxides and anhydrides is an attraction field worthy for exploring. Herein, we discussed a type of metal-free, structural diverse and efficient bifunctional thiourea-quaternary ammonium salt catalysts to prepare perfectly alternating copolymers of polyester. The structural framework

The control of macromolecular architecture is key to tailoring polymers, with cross-linked and branched topologies conferring useful bulk properties. However, conventional methods to produce topologically diverse polymers typically rely on fossil-fuel derived starting materials and non-degradable backbones. This work reports a facile approach to produce both cross-linked and branched polyesters, using

The synthesis and characterization of four ethylene-bridged bisisoindigo (NCCN and NNNN)-based conjugated polymers are reported. In these polymers, 2,2'-bithiophene or (E)-1,2-di(thiophen-2-yl)ethene (DTE) is used as the electron donor. Compared to NCCN, NNNN has two additional sp2-nitrogen atoms adjacent to its vinyl group. The sp2-nitrogen atoms endow the two NNNN-based polymers PNNNN-BT and PNNNN-DTE

Recently, carbon dots (CDs) have been recognized to be efficient catalysts for photo activated reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) under visible light. However, CDs catalyzed near infrared (NIR) light induced RDRP was still a challenge. Here we prepared phosphorus and nitrogen codoped carbon dots (PN-CDs) with citric acid，L-tryptophan and diammonium hydrogen phosphate as the precursor

Thermally expandable microspheres (TEMs) with different foaming temperatures were utilized to develop bimodal polypropylene (PP)/TEM composite foams through injection molding. The introduction of TEMs significantly enhanced the crystallization process of PP and optimized its viscoelastic behavior. As the TEM content increased, the foam density decreased. An optimal state where the cell structure remained

Shell-Sheddable (ShS) nanoassemblies based on well-defined amphiphilic block copolymers (ABPs) exhibiting stimuli-responsive degradation (SRD) have been extensively investigated for the detachment of poly(ethylene glycol) corona as tumor-targeting drug delivery systems. They are designed to respond to triggers found in the cellular environment, while being stable in physiological conditions. Particular

Malleability and reprocessability of cross-linked polymers can be achieved via exchange reactions of the boronic ester crosslinking. Herein, we report a facile strategy to fabricate and modulate vitrimers by introducing intermolecular boron-nitrogen coordinated boronic ester crosslinking. Using a one-pot reaction, a series of boronic ester vitrimers based on polybutyl acrylate (PBA) was synthesized

Nowadays, single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes for high efficiency, stable, safe and dendrite-free Li-metal batteries are in great need to protect lithium metal anode. In this work, a boron-containing single-ion polymer electrolyte (BSPE), prepared by the copolymerization of allyl diglycol carbonate (ADC), lithium bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)amide (LiTFSI), and diisopropyl allylboronate (DPAB)

Chemical cross-linking is commonly used to prevent slippage between molecular chains in shape memory polymers (SMPs) to improve shape return. However, chemical cross-linking makes SMPs less stretchable, and the disordered network structure reduces the ability of SMPs to maintain temporary shapes. To obtain ultra-high stretchability and better shape memory properties, a cyclic polymer (C-PTHF-OH) was

In this work, lactose-based adhesive with excellent boiling water resistance was prepared by the Maillard reaction, free radical polymerisation and multiple cross-linking network strategy using lactose and biomass polyamino compound (MP) as raw materials. On the other hand, the branched P-N synergistic flame retardant coating was constructed using the developed MP reacted with aminotrimethylene phosphonic

Nonlinear supramolecular polymers (NLSPs) exhibit the merits of reversibility and tunability, along with a unique topological structure. These features contribute to the creation of novel supramole...

In this study, the monomer –(ethyl–4–hydroxyphenyl)maleimide (TyHPMI) was synthesized from tyramine and maleic anhydride. Subsequently, free radical copolymerization was used to prepare the poly(S––TyHPMI) alternating copolymer by reacting TyHPMI with styrene. We confirmed the chemical structure using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), H and C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The sequence distribution

A series of novel carbonized polymer dots have been synthesized and characterized via the condensation reaction between curcumin and various amino acids with the assistance of microwave. More strikingly, both CPDs prepared from curcumin and L/D-aspartic acid can emit strong white light in aqueous solution and in doped polyvinylpyrrolidone. The white light emitting diodes based on L-Asp-CPD/PVP and

Hydrogen bonding, glass transition, water absorption, and plasticization are studied as a function of hydrogen bond donor concentration in the chain of a non-isocyanate polyhydroxyurethane system, synthesized by solvent-free aminolysis of a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) based cyclic carbonate. The concentration of hydrogen bond donors is controlled by varying the ratio of diaminobutane (DAB) and triethylenetetramine

Para-aramid nanofiber membranes (ANFMs) have gained significant attention owing to their excellent properties. However, the preparation of ANFM remains a challenge. The amount of entanglement in the ANF dispersion is insufficient, which is why the ANFM cannot be prepared directly through conventional spinning methods. Therefore, we proposed an airflow-assisted coaxial spinning (AFAS) method. A flexible

The membrane, a core element in pervaporation technology, is of utmost importance for its advancement. Membrane modification is one of the most effective means of achieving an efficient membrane, w...

It has been a challenge to improve the performance of epoxy insulation in the whole life cycle by achieving the reduction of residual stress during manufacturing, the healing of damages during application, and the recycling after decommissioning. In this paper, a novel recyclable epoxy resin (SEP) with releasable residual stress and synergistically enhanced dielectric properties and healing ability

Reprocessable, repairable, and recyclable (“3R”) vitrimers have experienced rapid development over the past decade and demonstrate significant potential for diverse applications. The creep performance of vitrimers is crucial for their dimensional stability under load-bearing conditions at relatively low temperatures and serves as a key metric for evaluating their reprocessability at high temperatures

The rough contact plays an important role in the adhesion of carbon fiber/polymer matrix interface and interface modeling techniques are integral to quantify the effects of roughness factors on material properties. Taking the popular CF/PEEK materials as the object, an atomic method is proposed to construct CF/PEEK rough interfaces in this paper, which adopts a sinusoidal form to change the roughness

To address the issues of poor thermal stability and thermal conductivity in polyurethane (PU) shell microencapsulated phase change materials (MEPCMs), this study prepared PU/SiO-MEPCMs using an interfacial polymerization method combined with electrostatic self-assembly technology. First, the PU shell was synthesized via an interfacial polymerization reaction between isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and