This review provides a conceptual framework unveiling several principles and rules of conformational entropy in governing structures and properties of polymers, from the perspective of fundamental physics and statistical mechanics.

This work develops a fluorinated block copolymer electrolyte that disrupts poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) crystallinity to enhance ion transport and in situ forms a LiF-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) for stable lithium metal cycling.

This work proposes an iron-aldehyde cooperative dynamic covalent anchoring strategy and develops a MEPH dual-network hydrogel. It simultaneously achieves low water evaporation enthalpy (732 J·g^–1) and high photothermal conversion performance (95%), demonstrating significant potential for applications in seawater and wastewater purification as well as sustainable agriculture water management.

The sequential copolymerization-hydrogenation process produces saturated H-(E/DCPD) copolymers, which possess high glass-transition temperature (up to 171 °C) and optical properties comparable to commercial cyclic olefin copolymers (COCs), offering a practical route for the large-scale production of thermally stable and low-cost COCs.

Here, a mild ring-opening copolymerization strategy for the efficient synthesis of high molecular weight poly(butylene succinate-co-glycolate) (PBSGL) copolymers with narrow dispersion and controllable sequence structure was reported, and PBSGL possesses high thermal stability and rapid degradation in seawater.

Screening of six pyzPhen-based photocatalysts identified two thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) derivatives that facilitated organocatalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP) with an ultralow loading of 50 ppm, offering precise temporal control under visible light and broad applicability.

By employing the reactive processing, a facile approach was developed in this work to overcome the performance trade-off between toughness and rigidity of all-polymer alloys via constructing elastomeric salami particles within engineering plastic matrix.

Herein, the synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONs) functionalized with the multidentate thioether polymer ligand PTMP-PMAA is reported. The obtained biocompatible, low toxic MIONs@PTMP-PMAA exhibit strong negative contrast enhancement and present great potential as T₂-weighted contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Iodine-containing comonomers were introduced into a polypropylene backbone and functionalized via iodine group conversion to prepare various ionomers. The resulting ionic groups enhanced the thermal properties, melt rheology, and mechanical performance of the materials. The ionomers also exhibited excellent antibacterial efficacy against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Cotton fiber-based functional aerogel is prepared and shows excellent elasticity and steady resistance value evolution at cryogenic temperature (77 K), enabling great potential for being used as strain sensor in low temperature environment.

A nanohybrid flame retardant (NRP@MSN) was fabricated by in situ loading nanoscale red phosphorus onto mesoporous silica. Incorporated into epoxy, it simultaneously enhanced fire safety (52.8% lower PHRR) and impact toughness (165% higher char yield), demonstrating a synergistic nano-barrier and char-forming mechanism.

Rigid dianhydride–contorted diamine microporous polyimides (PIM-PIs) generate high microporosity and sub-5 Å pores, enabling polyimide membranes with high CO₂ permeability and selectivity.

Poly(ethylene succinate)-b-poly(butylene carbonate) (PES-b-PBC) multiblock copolymers were synthesized via chain extension. When prepolymer molecular weight is below 2000 g/mol, PES and PBC become fully miscible, enhancing compatibility. Incorporating PBC tunes crystallinity, mechanical properties, and degradation, yielding tough, biodegradable materials with promising applications.

Reactive compatibilization typically suppresses crystallization in polymer blends by reducing chain mobility and regularity, but this study reveals that under shear flow it instead significantly enhances the crystallization rate.

A novel strategy of “blending reinforcement in the viscoelastoplastic state and structural fixation in the viscoelastic state” was developed to fabricate poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/silica composite hydrogels. This approach results in enhanced interfacial strength and a high-density polymer network, thereby endowing the hydrogels with outstanding mechanical properties and long-term stability.

This work reveals that D-mannitol exhibits a dual mechanism (epitaxial templating and intermolecular interactions) to boost poly(ethylene succinate) (PES) crystallization, outperforming xylitol and D-sorbitol, offering key guidance for exploring efficient nucleating agents.

The PPAS-Al³⁺ zwitterionic gel exhibits excellent antibacterial and anti-swelling properties. It demonstrates high conductivity and stretchability, while its integrated wireless sensing system enables underwater motion monitoring, communication, and intelligent writing applications. The multi-functional anti-swelling zwitterionic gels provide a high-performance material platform for underwater wearable devices and soft robotics.

An architecture featuring a gradient conductive network and three-dimensional dual-continuous network structure is constructed in carbon nanotubes/cellulose-boron nitride/poly(vinyl alcohol) (CNT/cellulose-BN/PVA) composite, which presents excellent electromagnetic interference shielding and recyclable Joule heating performance.

This study investigates a polymer BT-Cl with a “bridging” structure. As the third component, it effectively reduces large phase separation in D18/N3 binary blend films, proving that the bridging polymer strategy is an effective strategy to reduce phase separation in binary blend films.

This study reveals the decisive role of surface chemistry in aqueous stability. Using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as an amphiphilic bridge, methyl-modified aerogels were stably integrated into rubber latex, yielding composites with exceptional thermal and chemical resistance.

The hierarchical design integrates high hardness, excellent abrasion resistance, anti-graffiti, transparency, and long-term operational durability into a single intelligent thermal insulation window system.

This study presents a chemically assembled rubber based on a dynamic hydrogen bonding network. This structure promotes intermolecular interactions, strain-induced crystallization and nanofiller dispersion, resulting in superior modulus, tensile and tear strength, as well as reduced heat build-up during dynamic loading.

The phase behavior of diblock copolymer AB/homopolymer C blends in concentrated aqueous solutions was investigated using a simulated annealing method. The studies reveal reentrant phase behavior in the system with increasing homopolymer content, driven by the competing swelling effects of the solvent and homopolymer.

A novel phenolphthalein-based poly(aryl ether sulfone) (PPES-TA) reactive epoxy toughener with rigid-flexible segments is proposed. Fatty acid chains and physical entanglement synergistically create optimal free volume, while the combined physical entanglement and chemical crosslinking network markedly enhances toughness and strength.

A hydrogel with high stretchability, strong adhesion, fatigue resistance and high electrical conductivity can be applied to flexible strain sensing and physiological signal monitoring.

Hybrid blends of inorganic and organic polymers are obtained by the extrusion mixing method. When the melt cools, phase decay occurs. The oxygen index of the flexible hybrid is 55.