Themed collection Editor’s Choice: Christopher Barner-Kowollik
Main chain selective polymer degradation: controlled by the wavelength and assembly
A pair of cyclic monomers enables selective photocleavage at different wavelengths and self-assembly into photoreactive micelles, which alter depolymerization products.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 12410-12419
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC02172J
Aqueous photo-RAFT polymerization under ambient conditions: synthesis of protein–polymer hybrids in open air
A photoinduced reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (photo-RAFT) polymerization technique in the presence of sodium pyruvate (SP) and pyruvic acid derivatives was developed.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 9742-9755
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC01409J
Förster resonance energy transfer within single chain nanoparticles
We introduce a methodology based on Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) to evidence the folding of single polymer chains into single chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) via fluorescence readout.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 5218-5224
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC06651G
Stretchable, recyclable thermosets via photopolymerization and 3D printing of hemiacetal ester-based resins
We develop a platform for recyclable polyurethane-based thermosets fabricated by photopolymerization. Tunable mechanical properties and 3D printing are demonstrated, with mild acid-catalyzed degradation enabled by hemiacetal linkages.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 12535-12540
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC03623E
Alternating styrene–propylene and styrene–ethylene copolymers prepared by photocatalytic decarboxylation
We developed a straightforward approach to alternating styrene–propylene and styrene–ethylene copolymers by combining radical polymerizations and powerful post-polymerization modification reactions.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 11228-11236
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC03827K
About this collection
To celebrate Christopher Barner-Kowollik’s recent appointment to the Editorial Board of Chemical Science as an Associate Editor, we are delighted to present Christopher’s selections of recent Chemical Science papers that he has found inspiring. Christopher highlights papers that combine interesting photochemistry with polymer synthesis. We hope you enjoy reading his selection and check out the Chemical Science LinkedIn page (https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/100176675) for his comments about why he chose these papers!
Christopher’s research focuses on the fundamentals of highly wavelength-resolved photochemical transformations and their application to macromolecular synthesis based on the precision photochemistry paradigm. He handles submissions in the areas of polymer chemistry, photochemistry, and soft materials.