Themed collection Editor-in-Chief’s choice – recent review articles
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Post-polymerization functionalization of aliphatic polycarbonates using click chemistry
Presently there is much interest in the synthesis of degradable, more sustainable polymers from resources that minimize the use of petroleum-based feedstocks.
Polym. Chem., 2024,15, 1803-1820
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4PY00174E
Solid-state polymer electrolytes in lithium batteries: latest progress and perspective
This review provides a comprehensive overview of solid-state polymer electrolytes performance characteristics of various chemical structures such as ethers, esters, nitrile and vinylidene fluoride.
Polym. Chem., 2024,15, 473-499
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3PY01311A
Photopolymerization activated by photobase generators and applications: from photolithography to high-quality photoresists
Light-induced polymerization has become a very attractive technology for advanced manufacturing of polymers.
Polym. Chem., 2024,15, 248-268
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3PY00992K
From vanillin to biobased aromatic polymers
This review highlights the recent advances and synthetic routes for the development of different vanillin-based polymers, including thermosets, thermoplastics, and covalent adaptable networks (CANs), and their properties.
Polym. Chem., 2023,14, 4255-4274
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3PY00767G
A review on the application of molecular descriptors and machine learning in polymer design
Molecular descriptors and machine learning are useful tools for extracting structure–property relationships from large, complex polymer data, and accelerating the design of novel polymers with tailored functionalities.
Polym. Chem., 2023,14, 3325-3346
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3PY00395G
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Photopolymerization shrinkage: strategies for reduction, measurement methods and future insights
Herein, a review of the literature on polymerization shrinkage occurring in dental composites was presented.
Polym. Chem., 2023,14, 2145-2158
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3PY00261F
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A tutorial review of linear rheology for polymer chemists: basics and best practices for covalent adaptable networks
This tutorial review of linear viscoelasticity is targeted at polymer chemists working with covalent adaptable networks. It provides an overview of concepts, analysis, misconceptions, and best practices for rheological experiments.
Polym. Chem., 2024,15, 815-846
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3PY01367G
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Educational series: characterizing crosslinked polymer networks
Characterization of polymer networks presents unique challenges due to the insolubility of the materials, but this also enables characterization by new techniques that take advantage of the bulk network structure.
Polym. Chem., 2024,15, 219-247
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3PY00914A
Polymer characterization by size-exclusion chromatography with multi-angle light scattering (SEC-MALS): a tutorial review
We describe the theory and application of SEC-MALS with minimal equations and a focus on synthetic polymer characterization.
Polym. Chem., 2024,15, 127-142
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3PY01181J
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Educational series: turning monomers into crosslinked polymer networks
Multifunctional monomers enable the synthesis of polymer networks by adapting the polymerization methods used for conventional linear polymer synthesis.
Polym. Chem., 2023,14, 4503-4514
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3PY00912B
About this collection
To mark Professor Christine Luscombe’s appointment of Editor-in-Chief of Polymer Chemistry, she has curated this collection of recent reviews published in the journal which she has found particularly interesting or insightful.
The review papers collectively focus on different aspects of polymerization techniques, materials, and applications with an emphasis on polymer networks, photopolymerization, and characterization methods. They explore advanced polymerization processes to control various aspects including crosslinking density and polymer shrinkage to control properties.
We hope you enjoy reading these papers and will join us in welcoming Christine as Editor-in-Chief as she guides the journal to continued success.