Article
Polymer Science
Guofei Feng, Ximin Feng, Xiong Liu, Wenqi Guo, Chengjian Zhang, Xinghong Zhang
Summary: This article introduces a method to convert the pollutant CS2 into valuable sulfur-containing polymers using a cooperative organocatalyst system. The copolymerization reaction is highly efficient, avoids small-molecule byproducts, and produces polythiocarbonates with highly regular sequences. The polythiocarbonates demonstrate desirable thermal and mechanical properties.
Article
Polymer Science
Chao Chen, Yves Gnanou, Xiaoshuang Feng
Summary: This research describes the design and synthesis of organoboron catalysts for the alternating ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of CO2 with cyclic ethers. The performance of these catalysts was assessed by considering various parameters, such as the type of boron center, the distance between the boron center and the ammonium cation, and the size of the substituents of the cation. Among all the boron-based catalysts, borinane-based catalyst 5 showed the highest productivity in the copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides. Additionally, catalyst 5 could be easily recycled and used as a difunctional initiator. Density Functional Theory computation provided insights into the mechanism of the bifunctional catalyst-mediated CO2 copolymerization and highlighted the importance of the type of boron centers in the overall performance.
Article
Polymer Science
Molin Wang, Shunjie Liu, Xuesi Chen, Xianhong Wang, Fosong Wang
Summary: Aldehyde end-capped polycarbonates have high functionalization degree and can be used in drug delivery, diagnosis, and surface modification. A strategy to synthesize aldehyde end-capped CO2-based polycarbonates was developed, which resulted in well-defined polycarbonates with controllable properties. The aldehyde end groups of the polymers allow for further post-polymerization reactions, enabling diverse functionalities.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Andres Castro-Ruiz, Lea Grefe, Esteban Mejia, Sigridur G. G. Suman
Summary: Arguably one of the largest research areas involving carbon dioxide (CO2) fixation is the coupling of CO2 to epoxides to form cyclic carbonates and polycarbonates. In this study, a series of Co(iii) amino acid catalysts operating in a binary system demonstrated outstanding performance in the coupling reaction of epoxides and CO2. The structure-activity relationship influenced by the complex outer coordination sphere and its effect on the catalytic activity were explored using nine new complexes.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Jiaxin Liang, Shuxian Ye, Siyuan Wang, Shuanjin Wang, Dongmei Han, Sheng Huang, Zhiheng Huang, Wei Liu, Min Xiao, Luyi Sun, Yuezhong Meng
Summary: The copolymerization of epoxides and carbon dioxide with cyclic anhydrides provides a facile route to obtain biodegradable polymers with diverse structures. Metal-free Lewis acid-base pairs, such as triethylborane (TEB) and triethylamine (TEA), exhibit high catalytic activity in the reaction. The properties and structures of the copolymers can be adjusted by using different reactants.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Vijay Gupta, Iwona Justyniak, Elzbieta Chwojnowska, Vadim Szejko, Janusz Lewinski
Summary: This study presents the synthesis and structural characterization of a zinc-magnesium benzoate framework, which forms stable Lewis acid-base adducts and exhibits high copolymerization activity at elevated temperatures.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Thomas M. McGuire, Ella F. Clark, Antoine Buchard
Summary: In this study, a D-xylose 3,5-anhydrosugar derivative was used as an oxetane co-monomer in the ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) with cyclic anhydrides to synthesize a family of seven novel sugar-derived polyesters with up to 100% renewable content. These polyesters are thermally robust and exhibit a broad range of glass-transition temperatures, allowing for further postpolymerization functionalization. The living character of the ROCOP process was also utilized to synthesize block copolymers through sequential co-monomer addition experiments.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Kaijie Ni, Louise N. Dawe, Amy A. Sarjeant, Christopher M. Kozak
Summary: In this study, a chromium(III) complex has been reported, which can effectively copolymerize carbon dioxide and cyclohexene oxide into a polycarbonate diol, and then be used to polymerize lactide to produce polycarbonate-block-polyester copolymers.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Chen-Yen Tsai, Min-Chia Huang, Mei-Ling Lin, Yu-Chia Su, Chu-Chieh Lin
Summary: A series of Ni complexes supported by SNO Schiff-base derivatives were synthesized in this study. The highest performing catalyst, complex 3, showed excellent efficiency and selectivity in the ring-opening copolymerization of phthalic anhydride (PA) and cyclohexene oxide (CHO).
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Yu-Tong Li, Hui-Ying Yu, Wen-Bing Li, Ye Liu, Xiao-Bing Lu
Summary: This study introduced a novel biodegradable polymer, beta-CPL, synthesized through ring-expansive carbonylation reaction, which can achieve regioselective growth through acyl cleavage. The polymer features high melting temperature and molecular weight, and its monomers can be recycled through thermal decomposition.
Article
Polymer Science
Peng Du, Yao Li, Xiao-Bing Lu
Summary: This article presents a metal-free asymmetric catalytic copolymerization method for synthesizing enantioenriched and perfectly alternating copolymers. By using a chiral organoboron and a binary catalyst system, polycarbonates with controlled molecular weights and narrow dispersities can be efficiently synthesized at low catalyst loading over a broad temperature range.
Article
Polymer Science
Peng Du, Yao Li, Xiao-Bing Lu
Summary: Asymmetric organocatalysis has been widely used in the synthesis of small chiral molecules, but its application in the synthesis of enantioenriched polymers is limited. This study presents a metal-free asymmetric catalytic copolymerization of meso-epoxides with CO2 using chiral organoboron-based bifunctional and binary catalysts. Although the enantioselectivities of the resulting copolymers are lower than those of metal-based catalyst systems, it is the first example of organocatalyzed synthesis of enantioenriched and perfectly alternating copolymers via asymmetric polymerization.
Article
Polymer Science
Anjaneyulu Kummari, Sreenath Pappuru, Sourav Singha Roy, Debashis Chakraborty
Summary: A new environmentally benign synthesis of polyesters has been developed using molecular iodine and alkali metal alkoxides as dual catalytic systems for the ring-opening alternating copolymerization of phthalic anhydride and various epoxides. The reaction showed high conversion, good regioselectivity, and respectable TOF values. This methodology allows the regioselective fabrication of polyesters with diverse structures.
Article
Polymer Science
Yao Chen, Wenchuan Wang, Dong Xie, Lili Wu, Chaocan Zhang
Summary: The binary catalyst of TPPAlCl-PPN+Cl- can effectively initiate the copolymerization of CO2, lactide, and epoxide, leading to the formation of multiblock poly(carbonate-co-lactide) products. The functionality and glass-transition temperature of the products can be easily adjusted by varying the copolymerization variables.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Tao Li, Zhijian Liu, Yao Chen, Na Sun, Haozhou Shu, Lili Wu, Chaocan Zhang, Dong Xie
Summary: Two-component catalysts were discovered to initiate the polymerization of propylene oxide (PO) and react with rac-lactide (LA) in the presence of PO, resulting in isotactic polylactide (PLA) chains. These catalysts also displayed different catalytic activities in the copolymerization of CO2 and PO, producing poly(carbonate-co-ether) copolymers with varying carbonate unit content (CU%). Additionally, they could initiate one-pot regio- and stereo- selective terpolymerization of rac-LA, CO2, and rac-PO, yielding multi-blocky poly(carbonate-co-lactide) with trace polyether segment.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yuanzhang Jiang, Xuyi Wang, Yanting Han, Dakai Gong, Yingchun Gu, Lin Tan
Summary: In this study, FeCl3 and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were doped into waterborne polyurethanes (WPUs) to create multifunctional materials with self-healing and antimicrobial properties. WPU/Fe/PAA-5.5, containing 5.5 wt % PAA, exhibited excellent mechanical properties, strong self-healing capabilities, and an impressive antimicrobial rate of over 90%. These supramolecular films were also highly recyclable through hot-pressing.
Article
Polymer Science
Longyu Tian, Min Wang, Guangming Liao, Baoliang Liu, Sujuan Zhang, Yucheng Sun, Zhen Meng, Jintao Zhang, Zaijun Lu
Summary: Two kinds of benzoxazine monomers were synthesized and used to prepare polybenzoxazine anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with quaternary ammonium functionalization. The LQPBZ AEM exhibited better ion conductivity and alkaline stability.
Article
Polymer Science
Claire A. Lemarchand
Summary: This study investigates the shock behavior of three different polymers through molecular dynamics simulations. The results reveal specificities in the shock behavior of polymers, including deviations from the linear relation between shock velocity and particle velocity, as well as differences in shear stress relaxation behind the shock front. It is found that the deviation of the Hugoniot locus is related to the change in the relative contribution of bonding and non-bonding potential energies, while polymers with higher glass transition temperatures exhibit slower shear stress relaxation.
Article
Polymer Science
Zengquan Liu, Xiaochun Yin, He Zhang, Shuo Gao, Qinglin Kuang, Yanhong Feng
Summary: A powder solid-state extension (PSSE) technology was proposed to address the high melt viscosity issue of UHMWPE. By uniaxial extension and sintering in the solid state, a highly self-reinforced material was prepared. X-ray diffraction and scattering techniques were used to study the structural evolution during the PSSE process, and a solid-phase induced transformation model was established.
Article
Polymer Science
Zhike Li, Anyu Luo, Rui Zhou, Xin Li, Haiyan Li
Summary: A novel high temperature resistance IL@SiO2 nanocapsules were successfully prepared and their friction and wear properties in PA6 composites were studied. The addition of IL@SiO2 nanocapsules reduced the friction coefficient and wear rate without affecting the mechanical properties of PA6. The synergy between the IL core and SiO2 wall in the nanocapsules improved the self-lubricating performance of the PA6 composites.
Article
Polymer Science
Xin Liu, Xuhong Guo, Qi Liao
Summary: In this study, an algorithm for accurately estimating viscosity is developed using molecular dynamics simulations and the Green-Kubo formula. This algorithm can be applied to complex systems with long correlations, such as macromolecular and biological simulation systems.
Article
Polymer Science
Hao Pu, Yun-Lei Hou, Jing -Zhou Chen, Dong -Lin Zhao
Summary: The use of modified graphene improves the interfacial adherence of carbon fibers to epoxy resin, resulting in enhanced interfacial and bending properties of CF and matrix in CF/EP composites, as well as increased interlaminar shear strength and flexural strength.
Article
Polymer Science
Wei-Chung Ke, Jin-Wei Lin, Manohar Reddy Busireddy, Yueh-Hsing Lee, Jiun-Tai Chen, Chain-Shu Hsu
Summary: This study introduces a crosslinkable monomer, TAIC, to synthesize three crosslinked polyimide films, which exhibit improved thermal, mechanical, and dielectric properties. The introduction of TAIC enhances the tensile strength, reduces the dielectric constant and dielectric loss, and decreases the coefficient of thermal expansion of the polyimide films.
Article
Polymer Science
Alex Kwasi Kumi, Ruiling Fan, Ye Chen, Yumei Zhang
Summary: The difference in leaching of amylopectin from cellulose/amylopectin/1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim][Cl]) blends during regeneration in water and aqueous ethanol has been studied. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the dissolution and regeneration mechanisms of amylopectin in [Bmim][Cl] are similar to cellulose in ionic liquids. Water regeneration leads to weak electrostatic interactions, resulting in high leaching of amylopectin. In contrast, ethanol-water interactions enhance electrostatic interactions among amylopectin chains, limiting amylopectin leaching in aqueous ethanol.
Article
Polymer Science
Xi Zeng, Junwei Zhou, Junbiao Peng, Chunsheng Zhang, Danling Wang, Yihu Song, Qiang Zheng
Summary: This study utilizes an oligomer deep eutectic solvent (DES) based on polyethylene glycol to regulate the vulcanization kinetics of rubber. The results show that the DES can accelerate vulcanization at low temperatures without affecting the crosslinking density and Mullins effect.
Article
Polymer Science
Qianqian Yue, Yongfei Peng, Xingjian Liu, Aihua He, Huarong Nie
Summary: The addition of metal deactivators can effectively suppress the aging of TBIR, prolong its lifespan, and have no negative effects on its physical and processing properties. These research findings are of great importance for improving the stability and aging resistance of polymers.
Article
Polymer Science
J. Gomez-Caturla, J. Ivorra-Martinez, R. Tejada-Oliveros, V Moreno, D. Garcia-Garcia, R. Balart
Summary: This work focuses on the development of environmentally friendly PLA formulations by using different esters derived from geraniol as plasticizers. The results show that these esters have good compatibility with PLA, and they can effectively enhance the elongation and plasticity of PLA, reduce its glass transition temperature, and slightly improve its water absorption capabilities.
Article
Polymer Science
Dandan Li, Zhaohui Lu, Zhao Ke, Ke Xu, Fengna Dai, Youhai Yu, Guangtao Qian, Chunhai Chen
Summary: In this study, cross-linked PI aerogel membranes with low dielectric constant and high moisture resistance were prepared by co-polymerization and scraping coating technology. The incorporation of fluorinated blocks and benzimidazole ring structures resulted in novel PI aerogel membranes with fascinating dielectric properties and outstanding moisture resistance.
Article
Polymer Science
Zhaoyang Chu, Qing Zhang, Haihua Luo, Han Zhou, Fapei Zhang, Wei Chen, Wenhua Zhang
Summary: Multi-physical fields solution processing strategy is a universal and facile method for preparing various conjugated polymer films and high-performance devices. In this study, we employed a combined microfluidic flow and ultrasonication strategy (FU) for processing CP solutions, and found a pronounced synergetic effect in promoting the pre-ordering of chains in solution. The conformation order and anisotropy of the solution were revealed through various characterizations. A non-classical nucleation model for polymer crystallization in non-equilibrium solution processing was confirmed. The roles of microfluidic flow and ultrasonication in chain aggregation and crystallization were addressed through multi-physical simulations. Compared to pristine solutions, the FU strategy showed improved solution anisotropy and crystallization kinetics, resulting in higher crystallinity in films and increased mobilities in OFET devices. The FU processing strategy provides a universal approach for regulating chain conformation and aggregation in conjugated polymer solutions.