Themed collection Polymer Chemistry Most Popular 2021
![](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/Ajax-GA-Loader.gif)
Tannin polymerization: an overview
This review critically addresses the most relevant and innovative techniques for obtaining polymers from tannins.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 4272-4290
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00542A
Self-healing elastomers based on conjugated diolefins: a review
The introduction of dynamic covalent and physical crosslinks into diolefin-based elastomers improves mechanical and self-healing properties. The presence of dynamic crosslinks also helps in the reprocessing of elastomers.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 1598-1621
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0PY01458C
Strategies for the synthesis of block copolymers with biodegradable polyester segments
Oxygenated block copolymers with biodegradable polyester segments can be prepared in one-pot through sequential or simultaneous addition of monomers. This review highlights the state of the art in this area.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 783-806
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0PY01534B
Sustainable synthesis of CO2-derived polycarbonates from D-xylose
Synthetic transformation of D-xylose into a four-membered cyclic ether allows for reactions with CO2 leading to linear polycarbonates by either ring-opening copolymerisation directly or by isolation of a six-membered cyclic carbonate followed by ring-opening polymerisation.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 5271-5278
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00784J
Digital light processing 3D printing with thiol–acrylate vitrimers
The customized fabrication of soft active devices with self-healing function is demonstrated by 3D printing with vitrimeric thiol–acrylate photopolymers.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 639-644
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0PY01520B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Identifying and mapping chemical bonding within phenolic resin using secondary electron hyperspectral imaging
“Secondary electron hyperspectral imaging (SEHI) is an innovative SEM-based analysis tool allowing spatially-resolved chemical analysis beyond elemental composition”.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 177-182
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0PY01220C
RAFT agent symmetry and the effects on photo-growth behavior in living polymer networks
Here we describe how different symmetries of RAFT agent act after growth. Asymmetric networks showed a pore-filling behaviour, while symmetric networks underwent mesh-expansion.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 5017-5026
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00796C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Synthesis and melt-spinning of partly bio-based thermoplastic poly(cycloacetal-urethane)s toward sustainable textiles
Partly bio-based thermoplastic poly(cycloacetal-urethane)s synthesized and melt-spun into textile fibres that can be potentially chemically recycled.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 4942-4953
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00450F
Achieving molecular weight distribution shape control and broad dispersities using RAFT polymerizations
Metered additions of chain transfer agents are used to control molecular weight distribution (MWD) features in reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerizations, giving polymers with tailored MWD shapes and dispersities as high as 6.2.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 4910-4915
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00399B
Crystallization and self-assembly of shape-complementary sequence-defined peptoids
Shape complementarity between polymers is a hallmark of biological systems (e.g. DNA base pairing and protein binding interactions). Here we explore the role of shape complementarity between sequence-defined N-alkyl peptoids in crystal lattices.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 4770-4777
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00426C
Photo-liberated amines for N-carboxyanhydride (PLANCA) ring-opening polymerization
Photo-liberated amines for N-carboxyanhydride (PLANCA) ring-opening polymerization affords narrow molecular weights, chain-end retention, and the formation of block copolypeptides.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 4104-4110
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00781E
Biocompatible graft copolymers from bacterial poly(γ-glutamic acid) and poly(lactic acid)
Biocompatible graft copolymers from bacterial poly(γ-glutamic acid) and poly(lactic acid) are realized using a “grafting to” approach combined with click chemistry.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 3784-3793
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00737H
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
New horizons for carbon dots: quantum nano-photoinitiating catalysts for cationic photopolymerization and three-dimensional (3D) printing under visible light
Citric acid-based carbon dots (CDs) as nano-photoinitiating catalysts for 3D printing.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 3661-3676
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00228G
A machine-readable online database for rate coefficients in radical polymerization
An online database created and curated by an IUPAC subcommittee is introduced.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 3688-3692
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00544H
In situ cross-linking polymerization-induced self-assembly not only generates cross-linked structures but also promotes morphology transition by the cross-linker
Not only cross-linked structures but also a promoting effect on morphology transition has been observed during the in situ cross-linking PISA by RAFT dispersion copolymerization of 2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate and cystaminebismethacrylamide.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 1768-1775
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00046B
Tunable branching and living character in ethylene polymerization using “polyethylene glycol sandwich” α-diimine nickel catalysts
The key effects of polyethylene glycol units as a unique secondary coordination sphere in α-diimine Ni(II)-mediated ethylene polymerization are comprehensively disclosed.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 1236-1243
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0PY01689F
Machine learning glass transition temperature of polyacrylamides using quantum chemical descriptors
Polyacrylamides glass transition temperature predictions from different models, where the GPR model is from the current study. The GPR model based on quantum chemical descriptors shows a high degree of accuracy.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 843-851
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0PY01581D
Sulfonated perylene-based conjugated microporous polymer as a high-performance adsorbent for photo-enhanced uranium extraction from seawater
A sulfonated perylene-based adsorbent is prepared for photo-enhanced uranium extraction from seawater. Owing to the photo-enhanced effect, the uranium extraction capacity of PyB-SO3H in seawater reaches 1989 mg g−1, with 90% extraction efficiency.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 867-875
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0PY01656J
Synthesis of thioamide containing polybenzoxazines by the Willgerodt–Kindler reaction
Benzoxazines with thioamide linkages were successfully prepared by the Willgerodt–Kindler route.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 534-544
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0PY01381A
Sequence-regulated vinyl polymers via iterative atom transfer radical additions and acyclic diene metathesis polymerization
Iterative ATRAs and ADMET polymerization enabled the synthesis of sequence-regulated vinyl polymers without statistical distribution of monomer compositions and sequences.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 423-431
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0PY01564D