Pub Date : 2025-12-24DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114461
Ruijia Wang , Xijia Fu , Yibo Sun , Zhuang Li
Hydrogel sensors as an emerging representative of flexible electronic devices, have demonstrated significant application potential in fields such as biomedicine, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. However, the existing hydrogel sensors have the problem of bacterial growth while maintaining high sensitivity. This not only may pose an infection risk, but also significantly shortens the lifespan of the devices. Herein, a conductive antibacterial hydrogel sensor based on a polyvinyl alcohol-carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) double-network structure was prepared by the freeze–thaw method. By introducing Polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride (PHMB), the hydrogel is endowed with antibacterial properties and long-term stability against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Hydrogels possess remarkable toughness and elasticity, enabling the construction and printing of complex three-dimensional structures. The hydrogel sensor can accurately capture human movement signals such as finger bending as well as vocalization, and sensitively detect weak electromyographic signals. The hydrogel sensors with antibacterial properties, anti-fatigue performance and rapid response capabilities provide important theoretical support for the research and development of new generation intelligent medical devices and their applications in health monitoring.
{"title":"3D printing, biocompatibility and long-lasting antibacterial hydrogel with recognizing stimuli for electromyographic signal","authors":"Ruijia Wang , Xijia Fu , Yibo Sun , Zhuang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114461","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114461","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hydrogel sensors as an emerging representative of flexible electronic devices, have demonstrated significant application potential in fields such as biomedicine, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. However, the existing hydrogel sensors have the problem of bacterial growth while maintaining high sensitivity. This not only may pose an infection risk, but also significantly shortens the lifespan of the devices. Herein, a conductive antibacterial hydrogel sensor based on a polyvinyl alcohol-carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) double-network structure was prepared by the freeze–thaw method. By introducing Polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride (PHMB), the hydrogel is endowed with antibacterial properties and long-term stability against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Hydrogels possess remarkable toughness and elasticity, enabling the construction and printing of complex three-dimensional structures. The hydrogel sensor can accurately capture human movement signals such as finger bending as well as vocalization, and sensitively detect weak electromyographic signals. The hydrogel sensors with antibacterial properties, anti-fatigue performance and rapid response capabilities provide important theoretical support for the research and development of new generation intelligent medical devices and their applications in health monitoring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 114461"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145824178","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114460
Nusrat Hassan Khan , Mohamed Sultan Mohamed Ali , Mohammed Nazibul Hasan
Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) have emerged as adaptable and promising biomaterials in biomedical engineering, enabling innovative solutions for minimally invasive procedures and personalized therapies. This review presents a comprehensive overview of SMPs, focusing on their unique shape memory effects, tuneable material properties, and emerging biomedical applications. Unlike previous reviews that primarily focused on performance enhancement through conductive fillers or crosslinking strategies, this work highlights both the tailored modification of SMP characteristics and their functional integration within biomedical contexts. Key SMP types, such as poly(lactic acid), polycaprolactone, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) and bile acid-based polymers are critically evaluated with respect to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and responsiveness to external stimuli. Moreover, biomedical applications such as controlled drug delivery, vascular stenting, dental devices, and tissue engineering are also discussed, with particular attention to recent advances and persisting challenges. Furthermore, the review identifies essential considerations for SMP selection, including mechanical robustness, physiological compatibility, and regulatory requirements. By synthesizing current developments and outlining emerging research directions, this article provides a framework to guide both researchers and clinicians in leveraging the full potential of SMPs for next-generation biomedical devices and therapeutic platforms.
{"title":"Shape memory polymers: From materials to emerging biomedical applications","authors":"Nusrat Hassan Khan , Mohamed Sultan Mohamed Ali , Mohammed Nazibul Hasan","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114460","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114460","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) have emerged as adaptable and promising biomaterials in biomedical engineering, enabling innovative solutions for minimally invasive procedures and personalized therapies. This review presents a comprehensive overview of SMPs, focusing on their unique shape memory effects, tuneable material properties, and emerging biomedical applications. Unlike previous reviews that primarily focused on performance enhancement through conductive fillers or crosslinking strategies, this work highlights both the tailored modification of SMP characteristics and their functional integration within biomedical contexts. Key SMP types, such as poly(lactic acid), polycaprolactone, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) and bile acid-based polymers are critically evaluated with respect to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and responsiveness to external stimuli. Moreover, biomedical applications such as controlled drug delivery, vascular stenting, dental devices, and tissue engineering are also discussed, with particular attention to recent advances and persisting challenges. Furthermore, the review identifies essential considerations for SMP selection, including mechanical robustness, physiological compatibility, and regulatory requirements. By synthesizing current developments and outlining emerging research directions, this article provides a framework to guide both researchers and clinicians in leveraging the full potential of SMPs for next-generation biomedical devices and therapeutic platforms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 114460"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839549","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114469
Ivan A. Strelkov , Tatiana P. Gerasimova , Sergey A. Katsyuba , Artemiy G. Shmelev , Elmira A. Vasilieva , Ayrat R. Khamatgalimov , Radis R. Gainullin , Kirill V. Kholin , Almaz A. Zagidullin
Unconventional luminescence caused by hindered intra- and intermolecular mobility of molecules is of great research interest in science and technology. However, the lack of data on the effect of the structure of such compounds on the process of aggregation-induced emission and the underdevelopment of existing synthetic approaches make these studies difficult. We have developed new non-classical luminophores based on amidophosphonate and amidophosphate containing polysilsesquioxanes obtained by a simple two-stage synthetic route: monomers were obtained by nucleophilic substitution reactions at the P(V) atom, and the corresponding polymers were obtained by hydrolytic polymerization. Luminescent properties of both monomers and polymers were described, and it was shown that luminescence by cluster aggregation is also characteristic of low-molecular luminophores.
{"title":"Triethoxysilyl group containing amidophosphonates and amidophosphates and polysilsesquioxanes based on them: synthesis and non-conventional luminescent properties","authors":"Ivan A. Strelkov , Tatiana P. Gerasimova , Sergey A. Katsyuba , Artemiy G. Shmelev , Elmira A. Vasilieva , Ayrat R. Khamatgalimov , Radis R. Gainullin , Kirill V. Kholin , Almaz A. Zagidullin","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114469","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114469","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Unconventional luminescence caused by hindered intra- and intermolecular mobility of molecules is of great research interest in science and technology. However, the lack of data on the effect of the structure of such compounds on the process of aggregation-induced emission and the underdevelopment of existing synthetic approaches make these studies difficult. We have developed new non-classical luminophores based on amidophosphonate and amidophosphate containing polysilsesquioxanes obtained by a simple two-stage synthetic route: monomers were obtained by nucleophilic substitution reactions at the P(V) atom, and the corresponding polymers were obtained by hydrolytic polymerization. Luminescent properties of both monomers and polymers were described, and it was shown that luminescence by cluster aggregation is also characteristic of low-molecular luminophores.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 114469"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145882468","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114452
Zhi Li , Jincheng Xia , Yilun Hu , Wenjing Zhao , Wei Hong , Weizhong Yuan
Solvent-free solid-state fabrication of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) products with high strength and modulus properties such as fibers or films has emerged as a significant research area. Commonly, solvent-free preparation of high-performance UHMWPE films relies on low entanglement UHMWPE resins. To date, low-entanglement UHMWPE (LE-UHMWPE) could only be synthesized through single-site catalysts or specially modified Ziegler-Natta catalysts; however, these approaches remain limited in commercial viability due to elevated production costs associated with their low catalytic activity. In this study, LE-UHMWPE resin was successfully prepared using a conventional Ziegler-Natta catalyst combined with a post-polymerization extraction process. The LE-UHMWPE resin, serving as the core component of the original UHMWPE (O-UHMWPE) resin, was successfully isolated through a process analogous to peeling an egg. The normalized molecular chain entanglement density of the resin was reduced from 74.2% prior to treatment to 40.7% after the extraction procedure. Experimental results demonstrated that LE-UHMWPE extracted under a 10% solid content exhibited higher crystallinity (74.7%) compared to O-UHMWPE (66.8%). Compared to O-UHMWPE resin, LE-UHMWPE resin demonstrated the ability to undergo solid-state processing at temperatures below its melting point. Through solid-state stretching molding conducted below the melting temperature, the processed LE-UHMWPE tapes achieved a crystallinity of 91.5%, along with tensile strength and modulus values of 1.3 GPa and 68.0 GPa, respectively. These findings indicate that the combination of conventional high-activity Ziegler-Natta slurry polymerization with a straightforward post-treatment methodology enables efficient production of low-entanglement UHMWPE resin. The continuous integration of Ziegler-Natta catalytic polymerization with extraction treatment for UHMWPE could offer a cost-effective approach to the large-scale production of high-performance UHMWPE. Furthermore, this study contributes to challenging the long-held belief that conventional Ziegler-Natta catalysts are unsuitable for the synthesis of LE-UHMWPE.
{"title":"Facile synthesis and high-efficient separation of low-entanglement fraction from heterogeneous entangled ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene for solvent-free fabrication of high-performance tapes","authors":"Zhi Li , Jincheng Xia , Yilun Hu , Wenjing Zhao , Wei Hong , Weizhong Yuan","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114452","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114452","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Solvent-free solid-state fabrication of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) products with high strength and modulus properties such as fibers or films has emerged as a significant research area. Commonly, solvent-free preparation of high-performance UHMWPE films relies on low entanglement UHMWPE resins. To date, low-entanglement UHMWPE (LE-UHMWPE) could only be synthesized through single-site catalysts or specially modified Ziegler-Natta catalysts; however, these approaches remain limited in commercial viability due to elevated production costs associated with their low catalytic activity. In this study, LE-UHMWPE resin was successfully prepared using a conventional Ziegler-Natta catalyst combined with a post-polymerization extraction process. The LE-UHMWPE resin, serving as the core component of the original UHMWPE (O-UHMWPE) resin, was successfully isolated through a process analogous to peeling an egg. The normalized molecular chain entanglement density of the resin was reduced from 74.2% prior to treatment to 40.7% after the extraction procedure. Experimental results demonstrated that LE-UHMWPE extracted under a 10% solid content exhibited higher crystallinity (74.7%) compared to O-UHMWPE (66.8%). Compared to O-UHMWPE resin, LE-UHMWPE resin demonstrated the ability to undergo solid-state processing at temperatures below its melting point. Through solid-state stretching molding conducted below the melting temperature, the processed LE-UHMWPE tapes achieved a crystallinity of 91.5%, along with tensile strength and modulus values of 1.3 GPa and 68.0 GPa, respectively. These findings indicate that the combination of conventional high-activity Ziegler-Natta slurry polymerization with a straightforward post-treatment methodology enables efficient production of low-entanglement UHMWPE resin. The continuous integration of Ziegler-Natta catalytic polymerization with extraction treatment for UHMWPE could offer a cost-effective approach to the large-scale production of high-performance UHMWPE. Furthermore, this study contributes to challenging the long-held belief that conventional Ziegler-Natta catalysts are unsuitable for the synthesis of LE-UHMWPE.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 114452"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839619","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114468
Miao Yin , Munan Qiu , Youmeng Yuan , Chuxuan Zhu , Wenqi Zou , Biao Yang
The rapid advancement of 5G communication, artificial intelligence, and high-power electronics highlights the critical importance of efficient thermal management for reliable device operation. In this context, thermal interface materials (TIMs) perform the critical function of displacing microscopic air pockets at interfaces, thereby establishing an efficient pathway for heat dissipation. Polymer-based TIMs have attracted considerable interest owing to the excellent interfacial conformity, electrical insulation, and ease of processing. However, their development is constrained by a fundamental conflict between the intrinsically low thermal conductivity of polymers and the requirement for low modulus, which is often compromised by the high filler loadings to enhance heat transport ability. This review systematically surveys recent advances aimed at resolving this challenge. We first introduce the heat transfer mechanism and simulation method of polymer-based TIMs, followed by a summary of the classification according to physical state. The core discussion is then articulated through two pivotal, complementary approaches: polymer matrix optimization and filler engineering. Matrix optimization focuses on improving thermal conductivity and tailoring mechanical properties via molecular design, while also covering innovative processing techniques and sustainable material development. In parallel, filler engineering is explored through surface modification, hybrid systems, and the construction of two-dimensional oriented fillers and three-dimensional filler networks to establish efficient thermal pathways. Finally, key challenges and future research opportunities for the development of advanced polymer-based TIMs are highlighted. It is anticipated that this review can provide guidance for the design of high-performance polymer-based TIMs suitable for a wide range of applications in high-density integration and flexible electronics.
{"title":"Advanced polymer-based thermal interface materials: A review on matrix optimization and filler engineering for superior performance","authors":"Miao Yin , Munan Qiu , Youmeng Yuan , Chuxuan Zhu , Wenqi Zou , Biao Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114468","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114468","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid advancement of 5G communication, artificial intelligence, and high-power electronics highlights the critical importance of efficient thermal management for reliable device operation. In this context, thermal interface materials (TIMs) perform the critical function of displacing microscopic air pockets at interfaces, thereby establishing an efficient pathway for heat dissipation. Polymer-based TIMs have attracted considerable interest owing to the excellent interfacial conformity, electrical insulation, and ease of processing. However, their development is constrained by a fundamental conflict between the intrinsically low thermal conductivity of polymers and the requirement for low modulus, which is often compromised by the high filler loadings to enhance heat transport ability. This review systematically surveys recent advances aimed at resolving this challenge. We first introduce the heat transfer mechanism and simulation method of polymer-based TIMs, followed by a summary of the classification according to physical state. The core discussion is then articulated through two pivotal, complementary approaches: polymer matrix optimization and filler engineering. Matrix optimization focuses on improving thermal conductivity and tailoring mechanical properties <em>via</em> molecular design, while also covering innovative processing techniques and sustainable material development. In parallel, filler engineering is explored through surface modification, hybrid systems, and the construction of two-dimensional oriented fillers and three-dimensional filler networks to establish efficient thermal pathways. Finally, key challenges and future research opportunities for the development of advanced polymer-based TIMs are highlighted. It is anticipated that this review can provide guidance for the design of high-performance polymer-based TIMs suitable for a wide range of applications in high-density integration and flexible electronics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 114468"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836391","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-21DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114466
Jige Yuan , Yi Wang , Xiaoxia Kang , Conglin Guo , Haiwei ji , Li Wu , Yuling Qin
Hydrogels have garnered substantial attention in biomedical and public health applications due to their high water content, tunable physicochemical properties, excellent biocompatibility, and capacity for functional modification. Among them, pH-responsive hydrogels represent a notably promising category of “smart” materials, which can undergo significant physical or chemical changes in response to slight variations in environmental pH. This inherent responsiveness allows for their application in real-time monitoring and targeted therapy, thereby addressing the key limitations of conventional diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, including poor sensitivity, lack of real-time feedback, non-specific drug release, and systemic side effects. In the field of public health, alterations in pH often serve as critical indicators of pathological states, such as wound infection, food spoilage, and the acidic tumor microenvironment. While traditional methods for pH detection or pH-triggered drug delivery face challenges in terms of portability, continuous monitoring, selectivity, and adaptability to dynamic physiological conditions, pH-responsive hydrogels offer a versatile platform that can be engineered for specific public health scenarios. However, their broader application is constrained by several challenges, including the need for precise response range tuning, stability under physiological conditions, long-term biocompatibility, and scalable fabrication. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the design and application of pH-responsive hydrogels in public health, with a focus on diagnostic tools (e.g., wound pH monitoring, food freshness detection, disease biomarker sensing) and therapeutic strategies (e.g., antimicrobial wound dressings, tumor-targeted drug delivery, tissue engineering). Unlike prior reviews that often emphasize material synthesis or single applications, this work uniquely integrates public health perspectives, highlighting how hydrogel design can be tailored to address real-world detection and treatment challenges. We further discuss current limitations and future directions, aiming to provide insightful guidance for the rational development of pH-responsive hydrogels that can be effectively translated into public health practice.
{"title":"Smart pH-responsive hydrogels: A versatile tool for addressing public health challenges in diagnostic and therapeutic applications","authors":"Jige Yuan , Yi Wang , Xiaoxia Kang , Conglin Guo , Haiwei ji , Li Wu , Yuling Qin","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114466","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114466","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hydrogels have garnered substantial attention in biomedical and public health applications due to their high water content, tunable physicochemical properties, excellent biocompatibility, and capacity for functional modification. Among them, pH-responsive hydrogels represent a notably promising category of “smart” materials, which can undergo significant physical or chemical changes in response to slight variations in environmental pH. This inherent responsiveness allows for their application in real-time monitoring and targeted therapy, thereby addressing the key limitations of conventional diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, including poor sensitivity, lack of real-time feedback, non-specific drug release, and systemic side effects. In the field of public health, alterations in pH often serve as critical indicators of pathological states, such as wound infection, food spoilage, and the acidic tumor microenvironment. While traditional methods for pH detection or pH-triggered drug delivery face challenges in terms of portability, continuous monitoring, selectivity, and adaptability to dynamic physiological conditions, pH-responsive hydrogels offer a versatile platform that can be engineered for specific public health scenarios. However, their broader application is constrained by several challenges, including the need for precise response range tuning, stability under physiological conditions, long-term biocompatibility, and scalable fabrication. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the design and application of pH-responsive hydrogels in public health, with a focus on diagnostic tools (e.g., wound pH monitoring, food freshness detection, disease biomarker sensing) and therapeutic strategies (e.g., antimicrobial wound dressings, tumor-targeted drug delivery, tissue engineering). Unlike prior reviews that often emphasize material synthesis or single applications, this work uniquely integrates public health perspectives, highlighting how hydrogel design can be tailored to address real-world detection and treatment challenges. We further discuss current limitations and future directions, aiming to provide insightful guidance for the rational development of pH-responsive hydrogels that can be effectively translated into public health practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 114466"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836397","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}
This work presents a novel strategy for developing a UV-curable bio-based eugenol-derived benzoxazine resin for 4D printing of shape-memory polymers (SMPs) via vat photopolymerization (VPP). The methacrylate group of 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (IEM) was grafted onto the benzoxazine monomer through an isocyanate–hydroxyl reaction, introducing urethane linkages and a methacrylate functional group that enhances hydrogen bonding, improves chain segmental mobility, and imparts UV-reactive functionality. The resulting photoreactive resin exhibits moderate viscosity (25.0 Pa·s at 25 °C and at a shear rate of 30 s−1) and high UV reactivity. After dual UV/thermal curing, the polymer shows high stiffness (storage modulus 2.2 GPa), thermal stability (Td5 = 256 °C), and excellent shape memory performance, with shape fixity and shape recovery ratios ∼ 99 % over 30 cycles. In comparison with conventional benzoxazine-based SMPs, the developed 4D printing SMPs polymer also supports larger temporary shape deformation. Structure–property analyses using solubility testing and DMA indicate a relatively low crosslink density (gel content 56.6 %), suggesting that the thermo-mechanical and shape memory performance primarily arises from the dense hydrogen bonding network within the dual-cured polymer. This study establishes a molecular-design strategy for hydrogen-bonding-rich UV-curable benzoxazine systems and demonstrates the critical role of hydrogen bonding in governing the thermo-mechanical and shape memory properties. The 4D-printed structures produced in this work exhibit large deformation capability and excellent shape memory stability, highlighting their potential for durable and flexible high-performance 4D printing applications.
{"title":"Synthesis and vat-photopolymerization of hydrogen bonding-rich eugenol-based benzoxazine resins for 4D printing of shape memory polymers","authors":"Nuttinan Boonnao , Minwook Jeon , Krittapas Charoensuk , Ibrahim Lawan , Cheol-Hee Ahn , Sarawut Rimdusit","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114465","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114465","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work presents a novel strategy for developing a UV-curable bio-based eugenol-derived benzoxazine resin for 4D printing of shape-memory polymers (SMPs) via vat photopolymerization (VPP). The methacrylate group of 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (IEM) was grafted onto the benzoxazine monomer through an isocyanate–hydroxyl reaction, introducing urethane linkages and a methacrylate functional group that enhances hydrogen bonding, improves chain segmental mobility, and imparts UV-reactive functionality. The resulting photoreactive resin exhibits moderate viscosity (25.0 Pa·s at 25 °C and at a shear rate of 30 s<sup>−1</sup>) and high UV reactivity. After dual UV/thermal curing, the polymer shows high stiffness (storage modulus 2.2 GPa), thermal stability (T<sub>d5</sub> = 256 °C), and excellent shape memory performance, with shape fixity and shape recovery ratios ∼ 99 % over 30 cycles. In comparison with conventional benzoxazine-based SMPs, the developed 4D printing SMPs polymer also supports larger temporary shape deformation. Structure–property analyses using solubility testing and DMA indicate a relatively low crosslink density (gel content 56.6 %), suggesting that the thermo-mechanical and shape memory performance primarily arises from the dense hydrogen bonding network within the dual-cured polymer. This study establishes a molecular-design strategy for hydrogen-bonding-rich UV-curable benzoxazine systems and demonstrates the critical role of hydrogen bonding in governing the thermo-mechanical and shape memory properties. The 4D-printed structures produced in this work exhibit large deformation capability and excellent shape memory stability, highlighting their potential for durable and flexible high-performance 4D printing applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 114465"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839546","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-20DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114457
Pei Su , Tiantian Chai , Zhenning Wang , Mengtong Zhang , Chichong Lu , Guofan Jin
The aim of this study is to provide a way to create new drug delivery strategies for the poor bioavailability and stability of curcumin. Distearyl phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) and cerebroprotein hydrolysate were employed to facilitate curcumin administration. Abundant experimental results demonstrate that the synthesized polymer exhibits favorable fluorescence properties. The polymer prepared in this research presents as spherical nanoparticles. Precise measurements reveal that its optimal particle size is 392.3 nm, and the surface is densely populated with negative charges. Such a surface charge distribution effectively promotes the release of drugs within the organism. Through in − depth in vitro release experiments and comprehensive mouse gastrointestinal tract studies, it has been clearly demonstrated that the polymer is in full compliance with the intestinal release and absorption characteristics essential for oral drugs. Through cell imaging techniques, it was observed that in the in vivo environment, the target substance presents a high level of exposure. The cytotoxicity test results showed that the prepared polymer had a remarkable inhibition effect on cancer cells, and the inhibition rate reached about 70 %. In-vivo and gastrointestinal imaging in mice showed that after oral administration, the synthesized polymer was released in the stomach, then enriched at the colon tumor site via the intestine and stayed in the tumor microenvironment for long. Therefore, this innovative design has important prospects in drug delivery mechanism research and cancer treatment.
{"title":"Self-assembling nanoscale platforms for curcumin delivery using cerebroprotein hydrolysate/crown ether/quaternary ammonium salts/phospholipid: pH-responsive release, in vivo targeting real-time monitoring and visualization analysis","authors":"Pei Su , Tiantian Chai , Zhenning Wang , Mengtong Zhang , Chichong Lu , Guofan Jin","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114457","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114457","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of this study is to provide a way to create new drug delivery strategies for the poor bioavailability and stability of curcumin. Distearyl phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) and cerebroprotein hydrolysate were employed to facilitate curcumin administration. Abundant experimental results demonstrate that the synthesized polymer exhibits favorable fluorescence properties. The polymer prepared in this research presents as spherical nanoparticles. Precise measurements reveal that its optimal particle size is 392.3 nm, and the surface is densely populated with negative charges. Such a surface charge distribution effectively promotes the release of drugs within the organism. Through in − depth in vitro release experiments and comprehensive mouse gastrointestinal tract studies, it has been clearly demonstrated that the polymer is in full compliance with the intestinal release and absorption characteristics essential for oral drugs. Through cell imaging techniques, it was observed that in the in vivo environment, the target substance presents a high level of exposure. The cytotoxicity test results showed that the prepared polymer had a remarkable inhibition effect on cancer cells, and the inhibition rate reached about 70 %. In-vivo and gastrointestinal imaging in mice showed that after oral administration, the synthesized polymer was released in the stomach, then enriched at the colon tumor site via the intestine and stayed in the tumor microenvironment for long. Therefore, this innovative design has important prospects in drug delivery mechanism research and cancer treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 114457"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836865","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}
Colon-specific drug delivery systems (CTDDS) have gained much more attention for treating local and systemic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis, and colorectal cancer with their ability to improve therapeutic efficacy and outcomes. This review highlights the importance of natural polymers (polysaccharides and proteins) for the development of an attractive delivery system for CTDD. Natural polymers are the ideal choice for targeted drug delivery as they show better biocompatibility, biodegradability, and responsiveness to colon stimuli. In this review, the current challenges are colonic environment variability and drug stability, as well as the opportunities for innovative design through intelligent materials. The various advanced colon-targeting approaches include pH-microbiota combination systems, pH-time combination systems, and microbiota-sensitive coating approaches that are systematically discussed. The formulation approaches utilizing hydrogels, biofilms, microparticles, and nanoparticles based on polysaccharides are also examined. Moreover, innovative inventions like MOFs (metal–organic frameworks), 3D printing technologies, and the optimization of polymer blends by AI are described as the upcoming promising avenues to make CTDD more precise and personalized. This review provides the current scenario, prospects, and highlights the requirements of an interdisciplinary approach to overcome current challenges and to fully achieve the potential of natural polymer-based colon-targeted therapies.
{"title":"Advancing colon targeting: Natural polymer systems for drug delivery","authors":"Abhishek Kumar, Nilesh Kumar Singh, Sheetu Wadhwa, Rajesh Kumar, Sharfuddin Mohd, Vancha Harish","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114459","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114459","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Colon-specific drug delivery systems (CTDDS) have gained much more attention for treating local and systemic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis, and colorectal cancer with their ability to improve therapeutic efficacy and outcomes. This review highlights the importance of natural polymers (polysaccharides and proteins) for the development of an attractive delivery system for CTDD. Natural polymers are the ideal choice for targeted drug delivery as they show better biocompatibility, biodegradability, and responsiveness to colon stimuli. In this review, the current challenges are colonic environment variability and drug stability, as well as the opportunities for innovative design through intelligent materials. The various advanced colon-targeting approaches include pH-microbiota combination systems, pH-time combination systems, and microbiota-sensitive coating approaches that are systematically discussed. The formulation approaches utilizing hydrogels, biofilms, microparticles, and nanoparticles based on polysaccharides are also examined. Moreover, innovative inventions like MOFs (metal–organic frameworks), 3D printing technologies, and the optimization of polymer blends by AI are described as the upcoming promising avenues to make CTDD more precise and personalized. This review provides the current scenario, prospects, and highlights the requirements of an interdisciplinary approach to overcome current challenges and to fully achieve the potential of natural polymer-based colon-targeted therapies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 114459"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836396","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-19DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114458
Jakub Wlodarczyk, Mateusz Stojko
Hernia repair remains one of the most common surgical procedures worldwide, with synthetic polymer meshes widely used to support damaged tissues. Despite their clinical success, current implants are still associated with complications such as inflammation, adhesion, mechanical mismatch and postoperative pain. This review explores the evolution of hernia mesh implants, focusing on material selection, design strategies, mechanical requirements and clinical limitations of commercial solutions. Special attention is given to the electrospinning technique as a promising approach for fabricating nanofibrous scaffolds that mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) and allow the integration of therapeutic agents. The fundamental principles, equipment configuration and process parameters of electrospinning are discussed, along with recent innovations in drug-releasing and bioactive meshes. Advances in polymer science have enabled the fabrication of partially biodegradable meshes combining synthetic and natural materials, which aim to enhance tissue regeneration while minimizing adverse foreign body responses. Comparative analyses of mechanical properties between electrospun nonwovens, native soft tissues and commercial meshes highlight the potential of nanofibrous materials to provide sufficient mechanical strength and improved isotropy. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate the biocompatibility and regenerative capacity of electrospun implants. While no universal solution has yet been achieved, electrospun meshes represent a promising direction in the design of next-generation implants for hernia treatment. Their ability to combine tunable mechanical performance, controlled drug release and ECM-like morphology may ultimately lead to improved clinical outcomes and reduced complication rates.
{"title":"The evolution of surgical meshes and the emerging role of electrospun nonwovens in hernia repair: A review","authors":"Jakub Wlodarczyk, Mateusz Stojko","doi":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114458","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114458","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hernia repair remains one of the most common surgical procedures worldwide, with synthetic polymer meshes widely used to support damaged tissues. Despite their clinical success, current implants are still associated with complications such as inflammation, adhesion, mechanical mismatch and postoperative pain. This review explores the evolution of hernia mesh implants, focusing on material selection, design strategies, mechanical requirements and clinical limitations of commercial solutions. Special attention is given to the electrospinning technique as a promising approach for fabricating nanofibrous scaffolds that mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) and allow the integration of therapeutic agents. The fundamental principles, equipment configuration and process parameters of electrospinning are discussed, along with recent innovations in drug-releasing and bioactive meshes. Advances in polymer science have enabled the fabrication of partially biodegradable meshes combining synthetic and natural materials, which aim to enhance tissue regeneration while minimizing adverse foreign body responses. Comparative analyses of mechanical properties between electrospun nonwovens, native soft tissues and commercial meshes highlight the potential of nanofibrous materials to provide sufficient mechanical strength and improved isotropy. Furthermore, <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> studies demonstrate the biocompatibility and regenerative capacity of electrospun implants. While no universal solution has yet been achieved, electrospun meshes represent a promising direction in the design of next-generation implants for hernia treatment. Their ability to combine tunable mechanical performance, controlled drug release and ECM-like morphology may ultimately lead to improved clinical outcomes and reduced complication rates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":315,"journal":{"name":"European Polymer Journal","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 114458"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836394","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}
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