Developing bio-based and biodegradable polymer materials is an important solution to address fossil crisis and microplastic pollution. As a unique bio-based and biodegradable polyamide, polybutyrolactam (PBY) exhibits commendable environmentally friendly and green sustainability, however, its controllable synthesis and application still face certain challenges. Here, by optimizing the catalytic system (the selection of alkaline catalysts, sodium hydroxide, sodium methoxide, and sodium hydride), a high molecular weight (Mη=49000) with narrow molecular weight distribution (PDI =1.92) was yielded by the ring-opening polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone, which presents excellent thermal stability. Further, the prepared PBY was fabricated into the porous membrane via the non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. The membrane structure can be tuned by the adjustable amount of the pore-forming agent polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). When the PVP content was 5 wt%, the resulting PBY membrane is appropriate for rough beer filtration and clarification. The optimal beer permeance of 335.2 L·m-2·h-1·bar-1 can be reached, and the turbidity removal rate for rough beer filtration is as high as 98.3%. Also, a normalized permeance recovery rate of 80% can be achieved, demonstrating excellent anti-fouling performance. This study provides a green synthesis route for bio-based and biodegradable PBY and its separation membranes, showing potential for sustainable and friendly processes in fields such as the food industry.
{"title":"Advances in bio-based and biodegradable polybutyrolactam: from synthesis to membrane application","authors":"Jian Zhao, Wenli Ai, Xutong Han, Yifei Tang, Hongwei Piao, Feng Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129866","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129866","url":null,"abstract":"Developing bio-based and biodegradable polymer materials is an important solution to address fossil crisis and microplastic pollution. As a unique bio-based and biodegradable polyamide, polybutyrolactam (PBY) exhibits commendable environmentally friendly and green sustainability, however, its controllable synthesis and application still face certain challenges. Here, by optimizing the catalytic system (the selection of alkaline catalysts, sodium hydroxide, sodium methoxide, and sodium hydride), a high molecular weight (<em>Mη</em>=49000) with narrow molecular weight distribution (PDI =1.92) was yielded by the ring-opening polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone, which presents excellent thermal stability. Further, the prepared PBY was fabricated into the porous membrane via the non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. The membrane structure can be tuned by the adjustable amount of the pore-forming agent polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). When the PVP content was 5 wt%, the resulting PBY membrane is appropriate for rough beer filtration and clarification. The optimal beer permeance of 335.2 L·m<sup>-2</sup>·h<sup>-1</sup>·bar<sup>-1</sup> can be reached, and the turbidity removal rate for rough beer filtration is as high as 98.3%. Also, a normalized permeance recovery rate of 80% can be achieved, demonstrating excellent anti-fouling performance. This study provides a green synthesis route for bio-based and biodegradable PBY and its separation membranes, showing potential for sustainable and friendly processes in fields such as the food industry.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"50 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147492602","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 : 2026-03-20DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129888
Ying Xue, Yang Yu, Qing Liu, Xiaonan Hao, Yue Wu, Shulin Sun
Membrane separation technology has been widely used in the purification of dye wastewater. In this study, PVDF/CNT-COOH@TA (PC) separation membrane was fabricated by non-solvent induced phase separation method for integrated treatment of dye wastewater. Tannic acid (TA) was immobilized on carboxylated carbon nanotubes (CNT-COOH) through π-π interactions to enhance the dispersibility and hydrophilicity. The incorporation of CNT-COOH@TA promoted phase transformation from α to β crystalline phase of PVDF and accelerated phase separation, yielding a hierarchical pore structure with enlarged average pore size and high porosity. The optimized PC3 membrane achieved a pure water flux of 335.2 L·m-2·h-1 (2.7-fold higher than pure PVDF) and >99% rejection of cationic dyes (methylene blue and rhodamine B). The negatively charged surface (Zeta potential: -32.1 mV) and hydration layer formed by hydrophilic groups (-OH/-COOH) endowed the membrane with superior antifouling properties, as evidenced by a flux recovery rate (FRR) of over 85% and a dye rejection of 98.2% maintained after 5 cycles. Additionally, the membrane showed an adsorption capacity of 53 mg·g-1 for dyes, with adsorption kinetics following the pseudo-second-order model. This study provides a simple and feasible strategy for preparing separation membranes for the purification treatment of dye wastewater.
{"title":"Tannic Acid-Coated Carbon Nanotubes Modified Polyvinylidene fluoride Membrane for Dye Wastewater Treatment","authors":"Ying Xue, Yang Yu, Qing Liu, Xiaonan Hao, Yue Wu, Shulin Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129888","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129888","url":null,"abstract":"Membrane separation technology has been widely used in the purification of dye wastewater. In this study, PVDF/CNT-COOH@TA (PC) separation membrane was fabricated by non-solvent induced phase separation method for integrated treatment of dye wastewater. Tannic acid (TA) was immobilized on carboxylated carbon nanotubes (CNT-COOH) through π-π interactions to enhance the dispersibility and hydrophilicity. The incorporation of CNT-COOH@TA promoted phase transformation from α to β crystalline phase of PVDF and accelerated phase separation, yielding a hierarchical pore structure with enlarged average pore size and high porosity. The optimized PC3 membrane achieved a pure water flux of 335.2 L·m<sup>-2</sup>·h<sup>-1</sup> (2.7-fold higher than pure PVDF) and >99% rejection of cationic dyes (methylene blue and rhodamine B). The negatively charged surface (Zeta potential: -32.1 mV) and hydration layer formed by hydrophilic groups (-OH/-COOH) endowed the membrane with superior antifouling properties, as evidenced by a flux recovery rate (FRR) of over 85% and a dye rejection of 98.2% maintained after 5 cycles. Additionally, the membrane showed an adsorption capacity of 53 mg·g<sup>-1</sup> for dyes, with adsorption kinetics following the pseudo-second-order model. This study provides a simple and feasible strategy for preparing separation membranes for the purification treatment of dye wastewater.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"47 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147492607","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 : 2026-03-20DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129885
Ruihua Zhou, Na Li, Hao Zhang, Yutong Cao, Junrong Yu, Yan Wang, Zuming Hu
Aramid fibers are valued for their high strength, modulus, thermal stability, and chemical resistance, finding broad applications in aerospace, protection, and composites. However, the improper disposal of waste aramid products results in resource loss and environmental concerns, while achieving efficient and high-value recycling remains challenging. Herein, we propose a recycling strategy through dissolution in methanesulfonic acid (MSA) and wet spinning. An optimized dissolution process enables rapid dissolution of waste poly (p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) fibers under mild conditions. By systematically regulating the THF/H2O coagulation bath composition and spinning-stretching parameters, the condensed-state structure of the regenerated fibers is effectively tailored. Under an optimal draw ratio of 8.5, the fibers attain a crystallinity of 67.3%, an orientation factor of 0.73, a tensile strength of 5.84 cN/dtex, and a Young’s modulus of 279.83 cN/dtex. Moreover, the same spinning dope can be further processed into composites or free-standing films, demonstrating potential for diversified recycling. This work provides a viable pathway for recycling of waste aramid fibers.
{"title":"From Waste to Value: Towards High-Performance Regeneration of PPTA Fibers Using Methanesulfonic Acid","authors":"Ruihua Zhou, Na Li, Hao Zhang, Yutong Cao, Junrong Yu, Yan Wang, Zuming Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129885","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129885","url":null,"abstract":"Aramid fibers are valued for their high strength, modulus, thermal stability, and chemical resistance, finding broad applications in aerospace, protection, and composites. However, the improper disposal of waste aramid products results in resource loss and environmental concerns, while achieving efficient and high-value recycling remains challenging. Herein, we propose a recycling strategy through dissolution in methanesulfonic acid (MSA) and wet spinning. An optimized dissolution process enables rapid dissolution of waste poly (p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) fibers under mild conditions. By systematically regulating the THF/H<sub>2</sub>O coagulation bath composition and spinning-stretching parameters, the condensed-state structure of the regenerated fibers is effectively tailored. Under an optimal draw ratio of 8.5, the fibers attain a crystallinity of 67.3%, an orientation factor of 0.73, a tensile strength of 5.84 cN/dtex, and a Young’s modulus of 279.83 cN/dtex. Moreover, the same spinning dope can be further processed into composites or free-standing films, demonstrating potential for diversified recycling. This work provides a viable pathway for recycling of waste aramid fibers.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"85 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147492604","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 : 2026-03-20DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129851
Erta Petsi, Franceska Gojda, Fanourios Krasanakis, Abeer Shaalan, Minas M. Stylianakis, Lucy Di Silvio, Kiriaki Chrissopoulou, Spiros H. Anastasiadis
Fluorine-free superhydrophobic and water-repellent polymer nanocomposite coatings are developed on different substrates, like stainless steel, glass and polypropylene, utilizing a fluorine-free, silicone-based aqueous polymer emulsion (Protectosil® WS 610), to provide the appropriate hydrophobicity, and silica nanoparticles, to introduce the appropriate roughness; the coatings are prepared by a straightforward dip-coating process. The surface structure and topography of the resulting coatings were investigated using appropriate characterization techniques, while their wettability was evaluated with contact angle measurements. After thermal annealing of the polymer / silica nanocomposite films, the treated surfaces exhibited water contact angles exceeding 150° and very low contact angle hysteresis and roll-off angles, confirming their superhydrophobicity and water-repellence, respectively. Furthermore, the mechanical and chemical durability of the coatings was evaluated, revealing excellent stability under both highly acidic and highly alkaline conditions, as well as sustained performance during abrasion testing, while, more importantly, cytotoxicity testing confirmed the cytocompatibility of the coatings5 with the human skin. These findings demonstrate that Protectosil® WS 610 / silica nanocomposites provide an effective and environmentally friendly route for developing fluorine-free superhydrophobic surfaces.
{"title":"Development of Non-Fluorinated Superhydrophobic and Cytocompatible Polymer Coatings","authors":"Erta Petsi, Franceska Gojda, Fanourios Krasanakis, Abeer Shaalan, Minas M. Stylianakis, Lucy Di Silvio, Kiriaki Chrissopoulou, Spiros H. Anastasiadis","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129851","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129851","url":null,"abstract":"Fluorine-free superhydrophobic and water-repellent polymer nanocomposite coatings are developed on different substrates, like stainless steel, glass and polypropylene, utilizing a fluorine-free, silicone-based aqueous polymer emulsion (Protectosil® WS 610), to provide the appropriate hydrophobicity, and silica nanoparticles, to introduce the appropriate roughness; the coatings are prepared by a straightforward dip-coating process. The surface structure and topography of the resulting coatings were investigated using appropriate characterization techniques, while their wettability was evaluated with contact angle measurements. After thermal annealing of the polymer / silica nanocomposite films, the treated surfaces exhibited water contact angles exceeding 150° and very low contact angle hysteresis and roll-off angles, confirming their superhydrophobicity and water-repellence, respectively. Furthermore, the mechanical and chemical durability of the coatings was evaluated, revealing excellent stability under both highly acidic and highly alkaline conditions, as well as sustained performance during abrasion testing, while, more importantly, cytotoxicity testing confirmed the cytocompatibility of the coatings5 with the human skin. These findings demonstrate that Protectosil® WS 610 / silica nanocomposites provide an effective and environmentally friendly route for developing fluorine-free superhydrophobic surfaces.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147492575","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 : 2026-03-20DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129861
Shion Kitabatake, Masayuki Yamaguchi
{"title":"Shear-induced crystallization and chain orientation of polypropylene in immiscible blends","authors":"Shion Kitabatake, Masayuki Yamaguchi","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129861","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129861","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147496516","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 : 2026-03-20DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129884
Ji Yang, Zhaoxu Meng
Chitosan (CS) is a biodegradable, biocompatible, and low-cost biopolymer with broad applications; however, its intrinsic backbone rigidity severely limits its processability. While small-molecule plasticizers have been explored to enhance the flexibility of CS, polymeric blending strategies using bio-based components remain less understood at the molecular scale. In particular, the role of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), a biodegradable biopolymer, as a blending modifier in PHBV/CS blends remains insufficiently understood, particularly at the molecular level. In this study, we employ atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to systematically investigate the miscibility behavior and mechanical modulation mechanisms of PHBV/CS blends. Molecular-level miscibility of CS and PHBV is quantified using the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter across a series of blend compositions at both 300 K and 500 K, revealing favorable miscibility at both temperature regimes, particularly at extreme compositions. Steered molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that CS chains possess substantially higher backbone stiffness and torsional resistance compared to PHBV, underscoring the mechanical modulation potential of PHBV. Two representative compositions (10:90 and 90:10 PHBV/CS) are further examined to evaluate chain mobility, mechanical response, and conformational energetics. Results show that incorporation of PHBV enhances the mobility and ductility of CS under tensile deformation, while CS imposes modest confinement on the dynamics of PHBV. Conformational energetic analysis further confirms that PHBV facilitates conformational transitions in CS chains, lowering the energetic barriers for deformation. Notably, these softening and mobility-enhancing effects persist in phase-separated morphologies. Overall, our findings provide molecular-level insights into how contrast in polymer stiffness and conformational flexibility governs mechanical tunability in PHBV/CS blends. The findings offer mechanistic guidance for the design of fully biodegradable, mechanically adaptable polymer materials.
{"title":"Molecular Insights into Miscibility and Mechanical Modulation in PHBV/Chitosan Blends via Atomistic Simulations","authors":"Ji Yang, Zhaoxu Meng","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129884","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129884","url":null,"abstract":"Chitosan (CS) is a biodegradable, biocompatible, and low-cost biopolymer with broad applications; however, its intrinsic backbone rigidity severely limits its processability. While small-molecule plasticizers have been explored to enhance the flexibility of CS, polymeric blending strategies using bio-based components remain less understood at the molecular scale. In particular, the role of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), a biodegradable biopolymer, as a blending modifier in PHBV/CS blends remains insufficiently understood, particularly at the molecular level. In this study, we employ atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to systematically investigate the miscibility behavior and mechanical modulation mechanisms of PHBV/CS blends. Molecular-level miscibility of CS and PHBV is quantified using the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter across a series of blend compositions at both 300 K and 500 K, revealing favorable miscibility at both temperature regimes, particularly at extreme compositions. Steered molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that CS chains possess substantially higher backbone stiffness and torsional resistance compared to PHBV, underscoring the mechanical modulation potential of PHBV. Two representative compositions (10:90 and 90:10 PHBV/CS) are further examined to evaluate chain mobility, mechanical response, and conformational energetics. Results show that incorporation of PHBV enhances the mobility and ductility of CS under tensile deformation, while CS imposes modest confinement on the dynamics of PHBV. Conformational energetic analysis further confirms that PHBV facilitates conformational transitions in CS chains, lowering the energetic barriers for deformation. Notably, these softening and mobility-enhancing effects persist in phase-separated morphologies. Overall, our findings provide molecular-level insights into how contrast in polymer stiffness and conformational flexibility governs mechanical tunability in PHBV/CS blends. The findings offer mechanistic guidance for the design of fully biodegradable, mechanically adaptable polymer materials.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147492576","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 : 2026-03-20DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129867
Ruye Cheng, Shuang Liu, Qian Huang
Nonlinear shear rheology of entangled poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PnBA), and poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (PnBMA), which have similar number of entanglements per chain (Z), is compared to investigate the influence of α-methyl substitution on nonlinear dynamics. The tacticity of all samples is accurately determined through the analysis of isotactic (mm), atactic (mr), and syndiotactic (rr) triads using carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) spectra. During nonlinear startup shear flow, a slower stress decay following the stress overshoot is observed in PMMA and PnBMA compared to PMA and PnBA, respectively. This might be due to the α-methyl substitution which effectively disturbs the chain packing, thereby resulting in a slower retraction of the flow-induced partly disentangled chains. Nevertheless, the nonlinear damping response in step strain flow is not sensitive to the α-methyl substitution, as reflected on an identical damping function for all samples. This damping function is consistent with the Doi-Edwards model, which is also observed for other linear polymers and star polymers particularly at moderate Z values, suggesting that the stress relaxation response is not significantly influenced by the chemical structures or molecular architectures.
{"title":"Nonlinear Shear Rheology of Entangled Poly(n-alkyl acrylate) and Poly(n-alkyl methacrylate): Effect of α-Methyl Substitution","authors":"Ruye Cheng, Shuang Liu, Qian Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129867","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129867","url":null,"abstract":"Nonlinear shear rheology of entangled poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PnBA), and poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (PnBMA), which have similar number of entanglements per chain (<em>Z</em>), is compared to investigate the influence of α-methyl substitution on nonlinear dynamics. The tacticity of all samples is accurately determined through the analysis of isotactic (mm), atactic (mr), and syndiotactic (rr) triads using carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (<sup>13</sup>C NMR) spectra. During nonlinear startup shear flow, a slower stress decay following the stress overshoot is observed in PMMA and PnBMA compared to PMA and PnBA, respectively. This might be due to the α-methyl substitution which effectively disturbs the chain packing, thereby resulting in a slower retraction of the flow-induced partly disentangled chains. Nevertheless, the nonlinear damping response in step strain flow is not sensitive to the α-methyl substitution, as reflected on an identical damping function for all samples. This damping function is consistent with the Doi-Edwards model, which is also observed for other linear polymers and star polymers particularly at moderate <em>Z</em> values, suggesting that the stress relaxation response is not significantly influenced by the chemical structures or molecular architectures.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147492606","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}
The built-in vinylene fused perylene diimide (FPDI)-based polymeric acceptors has gained growing interest because of the distinctive twisted structure which could balance the exciton dissociation and charge transfer. Herein, two donor-acceptor (D-A) type FPDI-based polymeric acceptors, namely, PFPDI-2T and PFPDI-TT, utilizing the 2,2′-bithiophene (2T) and/or thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (TT) as D unit and four 2-hexyldecyl (HD) side chains modified FPDI-HD as A moiety, were synthesized via Stille polycondensation reaction in order to probe into the role electron-rich moiety. Two resulting FPDI-based polymeric acceptors featured the outstanding thermal stability and high photostability. The similar absorption profile spanning from 300 to 700 nm with an increased absorption coefficient, the more planar configuration and stronger molecular aggregation, and the slightly deepened ELUMO of ‒3.92 eV were obtained after substituting the electron-rich moiety of 2T with TT. Consequently, PTB7-Th:PFPDI-TT-based solar cell yielded the 0.01 V reduced VOC of 0.70 V, the 40.06% increased JSC of 10.56 mA cm‒2, the commensurate FF of 43.86% and hence 46.82% elevated PCE of 3.23% in comparison with PFPDI-2T. This improved PCE was mainly attributed to the increase in JSC, which was benefited from the improved absorption, the increased exciton dissociation and charge collection probabilities, the suppressed bimolecular recombination and the higher electron charge mobility as a result of the decreased miscibility and enlarged phase separation. Moreover, the relatively higher device storage stability under illumination was observed in the PTB7-Th:PFPDI-TT-based device. This work demonstrates that adjusting the electron-rich moiety was an effect strategy for uplifting the photovoltaic efficiency via tuning the absorption, molecular configuration, aggregation, exciton dissociation, charge recombination and transport as well as the microstructural morphology.
{"title":"Donor-acceptor type build-in vinylene fused perylene diimide-based polymeric acceptors: synthesis and role of electron-rich moiety","authors":"Luxin Liu, Zheyu Li, Lili An, Mingyuan Liu, Fengyuan Yan, Bobo Li, Zezhou Liang, Chunyan Yang, Junfeng Tong","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129887","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129887","url":null,"abstract":"The built-in vinylene fused perylene diimide (FPDI)-based polymeric acceptors has gained growing interest because of the distinctive twisted structure which could balance the exciton dissociation and charge transfer. Herein, two donor-acceptor (D-A) type FPDI-based polymeric acceptors, namely, PFPDI-2T and PFPDI-TT, utilizing the 2,2′-bithiophene (2T) and/or thieno[3,2-<em>b</em>]thiophene (TT) as D unit and four 2-hexyldecyl (HD) side chains modified FPDI-HD as A moiety, were synthesized via Stille polycondensation reaction in order to probe into the role electron-rich moiety. Two resulting FPDI-based polymeric acceptors featured the outstanding thermal stability and high photostability. The similar absorption profile spanning from 300 to 700 nm with an increased absorption coefficient, the more planar configuration and stronger molecular aggregation, and the slightly deepened <em>E</em><sub>LUMO</sub> of ‒3.92 eV were obtained after substituting the electron-rich moiety of 2T with TT. Consequently, PTB7-Th:PFPDI-TT-based solar cell yielded the 0.01 V reduced <em>V</em><sub>OC</sub> of 0.70 V, the 40.06% increased <em>J</em><sub>SC</sub> of 10.56 mA cm<sup>‒2</sup>, the commensurate <em>FF</em> of 43.86% and hence 46.82% elevated PCE of 3.23% in comparison with PFPDI-2T. This improved PCE was mainly attributed to the increase in <em>J</em><sub>SC</sub>, which was benefited from the improved absorption, the increased exciton dissociation and charge collection probabilities, the suppressed bimolecular recombination and the higher electron charge mobility as a result of the decreased miscibility and enlarged phase separation. Moreover, the relatively higher device storage stability under illumination was observed in the PTB7-Th:PFPDI-TT-based device. This work demonstrates that adjusting the electron-rich moiety was an effect strategy for uplifting the photovoltaic efficiency via tuning the absorption, molecular configuration, aggregation, exciton dissociation, charge recombination and transport as well as the microstructural morphology.","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147492605","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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