Themed collection Pioneering Investigators
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Pioneering investigators 2019
This themed issue of Polymer Chemistry highlights the work of pioneering investigators in the polymer chemistry field. Associate Editors Emily Pentzer and Holger Frey introduce the issue.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 2896-2905
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY90078K
Layer-by-layer assembly of nanofilms to control cell functions
Control of cell functions by layer-by-layer assembly has a great challenge in tissue engineering and biomedical applications. We summarize current hot approaches in this review.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 2960-2974
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00305C
Functional protein materials: beyond elastomeric and structural proteins
In the past two decades researchers have shown great interest in mimicking biological structures and their complex structure–property relationships. Herein we highlight examples of hydrogels and bioelectronic materials that illustrate the rational design of material properties and function.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 2952-2959
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00337A
Polymer brush interfaces for protein biosensing prepared by surface-initiated controlled radical polymerization
This article discusses protein-binding polymer brushes and the various strategies that can be used to immobilize proteins on these films.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 2925-2951
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00163H
Recent advances in colloidal nanocomposite design via heterogeneous polymerization techniques
Recent advances in colloidal nanocomposite design by heterogeneous polymerization are reviewed, with a specific focus on encapsulation and particle-based stabilization for specific materials applications.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 2906-2924
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00097F
Multi-stimuli responsive trigger for temporally controlled depolymerization of self-immolative polymers
The design and development of a multi-stimuli trigger enables temporal control over trigger cleavage and subsequent depolymerization of self-immolative polymer.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 4914-4919
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00301K
Improved malleability of miniemulsion-based vitrimers through in situ generation of carboxylate surfactants
Vitrimer particles with excellent osmotic and hydrolytic stability were synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization thanks to in situ generation of surfactants.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3001-3005
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00644C
Ring-opening metathesis polymerization-induced self-assembly (ROMPISA) of a cisplatin analogue for high drug-loaded nanoparticles
We report the one-pot aqueous phase synthesis of cisplatin drug loaded micellar nanoparticles using Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly (ROMPISA).
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 2996-3000
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PY01539B
Self-amplified depolymerization of oligo(thiourethanes) for the release of COS/H2S
Herein we report the self-amplified depolymerization of an aryl oligo(thiourethane) (OTU) for the release of COS/H2S.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 2991-2995
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00354A
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Site-specific conjugation of antifreeze proteins onto polymer-stabilized nanoparticles
Antifreeze proteins are site-specifically conjugated onto polymer-stabilised gold nanoparticles, resulting in hybrid materials capable of modulating ice growth processes.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 2986-2990
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PY01719K
Integration of metal-free ring-opening metathesis polymerization and organocatalyzed ring-opening polymerization through a bifunctional initiator
We demonstrate the first integration of metal-free ROMP and organocatalyzed ROP to provide entirely metal-free syntheses of block copolymers.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 2975-2979
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PY01417E
A fluorescent pillarene coordination polymer
A fluorescent pillarene-based coordination polymer was constructed from dicarboxylic acid-functionalized copillar[5]arene and Cr3+, for sensing of Fe3+, acetone, and nitrophenols.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 2980-2985
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PY01497C
Copper-based ionic liquid-catalyzed click polymerization of diazides and diynes toward functional polytriazoles for sensing applications
An efficient copper-based ionic liquid-catalyzed azide–alkyne click polymerization was developed, and functional polytriazoles were produced which could be used as sensors.
Polym. Chem., 2020,11, 2006-2014
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY01443H
Rate-based approach for controlling the mechanical properties of ‘thiol–ene’ hydrogels formed with visible light
Visible light was used as a tool to control hydrogel mechanical properties via defect formation, and subsequently dangling end defects generated with this approach were reacted for temporal stiffening.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 4428-4440
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00447E
Bottom-up design of model network elastomers and hydrogels from precise star polymers
Well-defined high-molecular weight star polymers based on low-Tg water-soluble polymers enable bottom-up design of model network elastomers and functional hydrogels.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3740-3750
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00731H
Accelerated hydrolytic degradation of ester-containing biobased epoxy resins
Biobased epoxy resins, derived from lignin, phenolic acids, and vegetable oils, exhibited rapid degradation through hydrolysis in basic solution.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3217-3229
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00240E
Hierarchical patterns with sub-20 nm pattern fidelity via block copolymer self-assembly and soft nanotransfer printing
We describe the development of a technique to transfer micrometer patterns of organic thin films with sub-50 nm edge resolution and sub-20 nm pattern fidelity.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3194-3200
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00335E
Mechanically robust photodegradable gelatin hydrogels for 3D cell culture and in situ mechanical modification
Highly conjugated, hydrophobically modified gelatin hydrogels were synthesized, polymerized and degraded with orthogonal wavelengths of light.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3180-3193
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00308H
Surface modification of self-assembled isoporous polymer membranes for pressure-dependent high-resolution separation
Polymer membranes with narrow pore size distribution demonstrate great performance in high-resolution and high-efficiency separation.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3201-3209
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00560A
Cooperative supramolecular polymerization of phosphorescent alkynyl-gold(I)–isocyanide complexes
In this work, coil–rod–coil organogold(I) complexes have been successfully assembled into supramolecular polymers with green phosphorescent emission signal.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3210-3216
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00548J
Shape modulation of squaramide-based supramolecular polymer nanoparticles
We report the synthesis and self-assembly of a library of squaramide-based bolaamphiphiles with variable hydrophobic and hydrophilic domain sizes to understand their effect on the formation of supramolecular polymer nanoparticles.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3146-3153
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00310J
Tuning photosensitized singlet oxygen production from microgels synthesized by polymerization in aqueous dispersed media
Miniemulsion copolymerization of vinyl acetate, N-vinylcaprolactam, vinyl benzyl Rose Bengal and divinyl adipate to synthesize switchable photosensitizer-grafted polymer colloids for interfacial photooxygenation reactions.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3170-3179
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00157C
Structure and luminescence properties of supramolecular polymers of amphiphilic aromatic thioether–peptide conjugates in water
We present the preparation of luminophore–peptide conjugates that self-assemble into phosphorescent supramolecular polymers in neutral buffer.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3163-3169
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PY01712C
Topochemical polymerization of hierarchically ordered diacetylene monomers within the block copolymer domains
Effect of annealing conditions on the hierarchical ordering of PCDA monomers within the block copolymer supramolecules and their subsequent topochemical polymerization.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3154-3162
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00156E
Spatial control of the topography of photo-sensitive block copolymer thin films
Spatially controlling self-assembly of block copolymer thin films through photoinduced molecular interactions that significantly impact on the glass transition temperature.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3135-3145
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00200F
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Self-assembly of oppositely charged polyelectrolyte block copolymers containing short thermoresponsive blocks
The assembly of oppositely charged block copolymers, containing small thermoresponsive moieties, was investigated as a function of salt concentration and temperature.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3127-3134
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00250B
Transformation of polyethylene into a vitrimer by nitroxide radical coupling of a bis-dioxaborolane
This work reports the synthesis and characterization of HDPE vitrimers obtained via reactive extrusion in the presence of bis-nitroxide dioxaborolanes.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3107-3115
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00253G
Ferulic acid-based reactive core–shell latex by seeded emulsion polymerization
A recently revisited biobased styrenic monomer, acetyl-protected 4-vinylguaiacol (AC4VG), was used for the synthesis of partially biobased, functional core–shell polymers.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3116-3126
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00079H
Selective or living organopolymerization of a six-five bicyclic lactone to produce fully recyclable polyesters
A ring-fused γ-butyrolactone can be selectively ring-open polymerized at room temperature by N-heterocyclic carbenes to cyclic polyester or by bifunctional (thio)urea and base pairs in a living fashion to high molecular weight linear polyester that can be organocatalytically and quantitatively recycled at 120 °C.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3097-3106
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00190E
Transition metal-free thiol–yne click polymerization toward Z-stereoregular poly(vinylene sulfide)s
An efficient K3PO4-mediated thiol–yne click polymerization was established, and regio- and stereoregular poly(vinylene sulfide)s with Z-isomers were produced.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3088-3096
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00161A
The effect of chain architecture on the phase behavior of A4B4 miktoarm block copolymers
Well-defined miktoarm (polystyrene)4-(polylactic acid)4 ((PS)4-(PLA)4) block copolymers were synthesized and their phase behaviors were compared with linear PS-b-PLA block copolymers, in which the miktoarm architecture enhanced the phase segregation.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3079-3087
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00162J
Design and synthesis of a dual imageable theranostic platinum prodrug for efficient cancer therapy
Platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents are considered first-line treatments for various cancers but their application is limited by the lack of site specificity and severe side effects.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3066-3078
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PY01535J
Precision design of vinyl amine and vinyl alcohol-based copolymers via cobalt-mediated radical polymerization
Controlling the amount and the distribution of vinyl amine and vinyl alcohol units within a copolymer is attractive to modulate the properties of the parent major industrial homopolymers, i.e. poly(vinyl amine) and poly(vinyl alcohol).
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3055-3065
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY00020H
Understanding the ring-opening polymerisation of dioxolanones
Eliminating small molecules from dioxolane rings affords isotactic poly(mandelic acid), with competing chain transfer overcome through dynamic vacuum polymerisation.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3048-3054
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PY01695J
Metal–organic insertion light initiated radical (MILRad) polymerization: photo-initiated radical polymerization of vinyl polar monomers with various palladium diimine catalysts
The photoinitiated radical polymerization pathway of MILRad polymerization towards its ability to polymerize a variety of vinyl polar functional monomers is investigated.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3040-3047
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PY01556B
Synthesis and crystallization behavior of regioregular-block-regiorandom poly(3-hexylthiophene) copolymers
Regioregular–regiorandom poly(3-hexylthiophene) copolymers, synthesized by chain-transfer polycondensation, show strong crystallinity due to their one-sided distribution of regiodefects.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3030-3039
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PY01545G
Evolution of diverse higher-order membrane structures of block copolymer vesicles
An evolutionary route to polymer vesicles with diverse higher-order membrane structures has been discovered.
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3020-3029
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PY01463A
Polyampholytic graft copolymers based on polydehydroalanine (PDha) – synthesis, solution behavior and application as dispersants for carbon nanotubes
We herein introduce a versatile platform of graft copolymers featuring a polyampholytic backbone and side chains of varying length and polarity using post-polymerization modification of polydehydroalanine (PDha).
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3006-3019
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PY01390J
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Correction: Polyampholytic graft copolymers based on polydehydroalanine (PDha) – synthesis, solution behavior and application as dispersants for carbon nanotubes
Polym. Chem., 2019,10, 3230-3230
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9PY90029B
About this collection
Polymer Chemistry is proud to present this 2019 Pioneering Investigators collection. This collection gathers the very best work from mid-career researchers who have firmly established themselves in the field of polymer chemistry and continuously publish creative, innovative work. The 2019 Polymer Chemistry Pioneering Investigators were individually nominated by members of the journal Editorial and Advisory Boards, and previous Pioneering Investigators, in recognition of their achievements as pioneers of the field.
Accompanying this collection is the Pioneering Investigators special issue, in which these articles will be formally published. This issue is scheduled for publication in mid 2019.