Journal of Polymer Science最新文献

Highly refractive index polymers (HRIPs) have emerged as essential materials in the field of optics. According to the Lorentz–Lorenz equation, the refractive index of polymers is influenced by the molecular structure of their constituent chain segments. In this study, a series of poly(binaphthyl thioether carbonate)s (PBNSC_S) were synthesized through melt transesterification of diphenyl carbonate (DPC) with monomers featuring high-molar-refractivity naphthalene rings and highly polarizable thioether structures. The structural characteristics and property profiles of the resulting PBNSC_S were systematically investigated. The results demonstrate that the obtained co-polycarbonates exhibit outstanding optical performance, with refractive indices ranging from 1.656 to 1.665, thereby surpassing conventional bisphenol-A polycarbonate (BPA-PC). Furthermore, these materials display favorable thermal stability and hydrophobicity, evidenced by glass-transition temperatures (T _g) between 105.95°C and 124.22°C, maximum thermal decomposition temperatures (T _dmax) from 393°C to 405.8°C, and water contact angles varying between 98.85° and 111.08°. This work thus presents a promising strategy for the development of advanced co-polycarbonates, offering new insights and opportunities for the design of high-performance optical materials.

This study investigates the microstructure of solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) films designed for magnesium-ion conduction, utilizing pullulan as the polymer matrix. The traditional solution casting method was used for developing the electrolyte films, which were then thoroughly characterized. Examining the electrolyte systems using FTIR and XRD takes into account the complexation of the polymer matrix and the enhancement of its amorphous character. The examination of the electrolyte systems indicates that the electrical characteristics are enhanced by the addition of salt to the matrix. The maximal ionic conductivity at room temperature in an electrolyte system containing 20 wt.% salt is found to be in the range of 10⁻⁵ S/cm. With an activation energy of 1.143 eV/mol, the film containing 20 wt.% magnesium nitrate salt, the highest conducting electrolyte system, exhibits Arrhenius behavior. The electrolyte system with the highest conductivity exhibits an ion transference number of 0.993, indicating that ionic transport dominates the conduction mechanism. A primary battery utilizing this highly conductive electrolyte film demonstrates outstanding discharge performance.

This study explores the development of a silk fibroin (SF) hydrogel patch for transdermal cannabidiol (CBD) delivery. The CBD-loaded SF (CBD-SF) patches, with concentrations ranging from 0.5% w/v to 1.5% w/v, exhibited uniform thickness (~0.33 mm) and demonstrated high stability under simulated skin conditions. The incorporation of ethanol facilitated the formation of CBD microencapsulation with an optimal size range of 0.59–58.90 μm, exhibiting a bimodal particle size distribution. This dual functionality enhances skin permeation through smaller particles while enabling controlled release through bigger particles. The addition of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), a gas-generating agent, accelerated the release profile by creating a hollow structure within the matrix, promoting efficient CBD diffusion. This mechanism enabled effective CBD release over an 8-h period. Safety evaluations based on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines (No. 402, 403, 406) confirmed the patch was non-toxic, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing to animal skin. Overall, the CBD-SF patch demonstrates potential as a safe and effective transdermal delivery system for sustained CBD release and enhanced skin absorption.

A new polyurethane with unsaturated pendent chains is described and chemically derivatized. By employing the palladium-catalyzed 1,3-butadiene telomerization reaction with solketal followed by a deprotection step of the ketal group using sulfonic acid resins, a diol derived from glycerol was prepared in pure form. The resulting diol was used as a comonomer and polymerized with either toluene diisocyanate (TDI) or hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) under controlled conditions in DMF, yielding polyurethanes (PUs) with molecular weights ranging from 6500 to 34,000 g/mol. The study shows that the PUs' characteristics are significantly influenced by the NCO/OH ratio, catalyst loading, and reaction medium. Thermal analyses indicate that TDI-based PUs exhibit higher glass transition temperatures compared to HMDI-based PUs. Furthermore, hydroformylation reactions were performed to convert the double bonds of the PU side chains introduced thanks to the telomerization reaction into pending aldehyde groups. The newly synthesized PUs were characterized using ¹H NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy, confirming the successful formation and functionalization of the polymers.

While organogel adsorbent resins demonstrate excellent performance in organic pollutant separation, their limited reusability and high carbon footprint significantly restrict further development and application. Addressing the urgent environmental challenge of CO₂ emissions, we leveraged the inherent biodegradability and eco-compatibility of CO₂-derived poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) to synthesize a series of highly crosslinked PPCG materials by incorporating glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)—a monomer featuring carbon–carbon double bonds, ester groups, and epoxy functionalities—during terpolymerization. The introduced ester groups facilitate chemisorption and enhanced diffusion of lipophilic organics. Studies confirmed PPCG's exceptional adsorption capacity for chloroform, benzene, toluene, and tetrahydrofuran (THF), achieving a remarkable 977% swelling ratio for chloroform. After 8 adsorption–desorption cycles, all PPCG variants (PPCG1–PPCG5) retained > 95% adsorption efficiency. Thermal and mechanical analyses further validated that increased crosslinking density improved material stability. This green, reusable organogel adsorbent addresses the critical gap in applying CO₂-based polycarbonates to separation technologies, establishing a novel functionalization strategy for next-generation adsorbent design.

This work is the first to describe an electrically conductive phthalonitrile (PN) polymer, extending novel properties to this class of high-performance polymers. This novel resin was synthesized by integrating a conductive oligoaniline backbone with phthalonitrile termini, resulting in modest electrical conductivity (10⁻⁶–10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹) in both uncured (heated only to 175°C) and cured (heated to 350+°C) states when doping with ≥ 25 mol% of a Lewis acid (e.g., CuCl₂·2H₂O). The oligoaniline backbone imparts exceptional curing rates while retaining the thermal robustness associated with conventional phthalonitrile resins. Thermal analyses demonstrate excellent thermo-oxidative stability with a char yield of 76% at 1000°C and good processability of the pre-cured resin. The synergistic combination of electrical conductivity and superior thermal stability not only expands the scope of PN materials but also positions this new phthalonitrile resin as a promising candidate for next-generation aerospace, military, and energy storage applications where both thermal stability and efficient electron transport are critical.

The development of bio-derived polymer electrolytes with enhanced ionic conduction is crucial for sustainable energy technologies. This study examines the influence of ethylene carbonate (EC) as a plasticizer on proton transport within alginate–polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer blends doped with ammonium iodide (NH₄I). Electrolyte films were fabricated via solution casting, and the impact of EC composition on structural, thermal, and ionic properties was systematically evaluated. FTIR analysis confirmed that EC promotes H⁺ dissociation by interacting with the OH and COO⁻ groups of the polymer matrix. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analyses revealed improved thermal properties and reduced glass transition temperature with increasing EC. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed a maximum ionic conductivity of 2.42 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm at 4 wt% EC, consistent with Arrhenius-type thermally activated behavior. The proton transference number (t _H ⁺ = 0.57) indicated dominant cationic conduction. These findings demonstrate the potential of EC-plasticized bio-based polymer blends as efficient proton-conducting electrolytes for next-generation electrochemical applications.

Epoxy resin (EP) exhibits remarkable mechanical properties and notable chemical stability, making it suitable for widespread industrial applications. However, its inherent flammability limits its use in high-safety environments. To address this limitation, a novel organophosphate flame retardant (DSZ) containing vinylsilazane flexible chains was synthesized for EP modification. The incorporation of 3 wt% DSZ enabled the flame-retardant EP (FREP) to achieve a vertical combustion (UL-94) V-0 rating with a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 32.4%, confirming high flame-retardant efficiency. Cone calorimetry tests (CCT) demonstrated a 32.4% decrease in total smoke production for the 5 wt% DSZ formulation, which can be attributed to the synergistic effects of P–N–Si, which also enhanced smoke suppression. These improvements demonstrate the effectiveness of DSZ in elevating the fire safety of EP. Furthermore, the FREP exhibited a 78% increase in impact strength while its flexural and tensile properties remained unchanged. Collectively, DSZ enables simultaneous flame retardancy, smoke suppression, and mechanical reinforcement, significantly expanding the application scope of EP.