A new type of polymers whose backbones are composed of metal atoms has been designed, synthesized, and studied, opening up a new avenue to design new functional polymers in the future.

Chain flexibility and connectivity are two peculiar characteristics of polymers. For chain connectivity, entanglement free energy theory makes a step forward in bridging crystallization with entanglement network. How entanglement affect nucleation in polymer network and why interlamellar amorphous layer always accompany the formation of crystal layer may be better understood.

In this work, a solid-state drawing process after melt extrusion was carried out on poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) to form oriented crystal structures and tightly arranged rigid amorphous fraction which strongly improved the mechanical properties and the resistance to hydrolysis of PGA.

The synthesis of dual photo/thermo-responsive polypeptoid via ring-opening polymerization of a NNCA monomer bearing both Azo group and OEG segment.

A redox-responsive R848-Gel was obtained by emulsion polymerization of HSEMA and R848 prodrug (R848-HSEMA). The R848-Gel reprograms M2-type macrophages to M1-type and stimulates dendritic cells (DCs) activation, reverses the immunosuppression of the tumor microenvironment and finally induces robust anti-tumor immune response.

A novel cell-free hydrogel scaffold with macroporous structure and enhanced mechanical properties is designed and fabricated by using two gelatin derivatives to regenerate osteochondral defect in situ.

The pseudo-color SEM image shows a calcified bovine pericardial valve with collagen fibrils in blue and calcium nodules in yellow. The calcification shortens the life of the bioprosthetic valve. A two-step decellularization (TSD) strategy was put forward for anticalcification. The in vivo biomineralization extent was reduced two orders of magnitude.

We report a novel photoresist system with adjustable mechanical performance based on thiol-ene polymerization. With 350-fold exposure dose change, the stiffness of the thiol-ene photoresin reached more that 700-fold change compared to 14-fold of the conventional acrylate photoresin. We developed a photoresist for two-photon lithography based on our results.

The potential deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for cellulose dissolution and regeneration must be hydrogen-bond basic DESs that satisfy the criterion of ΔαΔβ < 0.

An approach was developed for in situ preparation of core-shell micelles by combination of hydrolysis and self-assembly at interface of hexane/water. The giant supramolecular aggregates are formed by hydrogen bonding or O-Si-O chemical bonds between the micellar surfaces. The cis-PB-Si(OH)3-based elastomer exhibit strong adhesion property for glass and excellent self-healing property.

Polyacrylic acid crosslinked by cationic hydroxypropyl polyrotaxane via dynamically reversible boronic ester bonds is used as a novel binder in sulfur cathode. The self-healable binder can effectively maintain structural integrity of the sulfur cathode and suppress the shuttle effect, and hence endows the sulfur cathode with superior electrochemical properties.

Based on double B←N bridged bipyridine (BNBP) unit and oligomeric thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione (TPD) units, three acceptor-acceptor type organoboron polymers with different backbone configuration were developed. The pseudo-straight backbone configuration imparts the resultant polymer with much enhanced crystallinity and electron mobility, and thus leading to a superior thermolelectric power factor.

Hyperbranched polymer modified fluorinated multi-walled carbon nanotube (HPMCNT-F) was prepared and used to composite with PI foams, resulting in the enhancement of the PI bulk and the optimization of the foam’s cellular structure. The obtained composite foam has great compression performance and heat-insulating property due to optimized structure.

Poly(ethylene succinamide), PA24, is synthesized through solid phase polycondensation. PA24 is highly emissive as solid and in its solution, and emission mechanism is ascribed to cluster-triggered emission (CTE). Red-shift emissions are occurring with λ_ex≤270 and ≥320 nm. Blue-shift is observed with 270<λ_ex<320 nm, and is interpreted through FRET effect.

Physical aging enhances the microscopic Young’s modulus and its distribution of PLA matrix, resulting in a highly heterogeneous response of the PLA/PCL blend to external stress and affecting the mechanical properties of the PLA phase under different extensions.

A model study was performed to investigate the Payne effect of rubbers by using styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) copolymers. It was found that the normalized critical softening stress scales with density of elastic active strands (EANS) for copolymers rubbers and rubber nanocomposites.

The nanostructures of ABC linear triblock copolymers confined in spherical cavities are investigated by self-consistent field theory, and we design a Janus adsorption field to explore unpredictable microphase behavior. Results show that the confinement disrupts the influence of adsorption on the complexity and transformation activity of self-assembled structures.