Themed collection Chalcogen-containing polymers
![](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/Ajax-GA-Loader.gif)
Introduction to Chalcogen-containing polymers
Justin M. Chalker, Rongrong Hu and Jeffrey Pyun introduce the Polymer Chemistry themed issue on Chalcogen-containing polymers.
Polym. Chem., 2023,14, 4252-4254
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3PY90102E
Organosulfur polymer-based cathode materials for rechargeable batteries
Organosulfur polymer cathode materials have shown promising electrochemical performances in rechargeable batteries. This review covers recent developments of the polymer cathodes and the remaining challenges and future prospects are discussed.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 5676-5690
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00823H
Sulfur-containing polymers derived from SO2: synthesis, properties, and applications
Synthesis of degradable sulfur-containing polymers via the copolymerization of SO2 with epoxides or olefines.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 5282-5299
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00685E
Polymers from S-vinyl monomers: reactivities and properties
This review summarises the work of several decades on the polymerisation of S-vinyl monomers, ranging from the early reports of suitable polymerisation techniques for these monomers to their recent renaissance in various applications.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 5019-5041
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00850E
Thiolactone chemistry, a versatile platform for macromolecular engineering
This review covers the extensive use of γ-thiolactone chemistry as a versatile and powerful tool for macromolecular engineering and the preparation of various polymer architectures, such as functional, alternating, or sequence-controlled (co)polymers.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 4592-4614
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00731B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Straightforward synthesis of aliphatic polydithiocarbonates from commercially available starting materials
Herein, a novel 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) mediated polymerization methodology that complements ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and unlocks a greater synthetic window to less-recognized polydithiocarbonates is presented.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 5965-5973
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00990K
Hyperbranched vs. linear poly(disulfide) for intracellular drug delivery
This communication reports comparative studies between amphiphilic hyperbranched and linear poly(disulfide) with regard to their aggregation and glutathione-responsive intracellular drug delivery.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 5188-5192
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00896C
Economical synthesis of functional aromatic polythioamides from KOH-assisted multicomponent polymerizations of sulfur, aromatic diamines and dialdehydes
A series of aromatic polythioamides with high gold extraction efficiency and high refractive index have been synthesized through the KOH-assisted multicomponent polymerization of elemental sulfur, aromatic diamines and aromatic dialdehydes.
Polym. Chem., 2023,14, 2617-2623
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY01560A
Enhancement of thermomechanical properties of sulfur-rich polymers by post-thermal treatment
A simple and facile processing strategy to enhance the thermomechanical properties of sulfur-rich polymers has been reported.
Polym. Chem., 2023,14, 943-951
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY01390H
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Variations around the presence and position of sulfur in sugar-derived cyclic monomers: influence on polymerisation thermodynamics, polymer sequence and thermal properties
The number and position of sulfur atoms in cyclic (thio)carbonate monomers from D-glucal are varied, and their influence on polymerisability, polymer sequence and thermal properties is discussed.
Polym. Chem., 2023,14, 623-632
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY01366E
Direct heteroarylation polymerization of a π-conjugated polymer with degradable 1,2,4-oxadiazole linkers
The synthesis of π-conjugated polymers containing a degradable 1,2,4-oxadiazole linker by direct heteroaryl polymerization (DHAP) is reported.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 6386-6392
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00984F
Molecular level understanding of the chalcogen atom effect on chalcogen-based polymers through electrostatic potential, non-covalent interactions, excited state behaviour, and radial distribution function
Multi-dimensional modelling was used to study the effect of chalcogen atoms on the non-covalent interactions, structural and electronic properties of polymer materials. Their bulk properties were also studied at the molecular level.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 5993-6001
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00960A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Inverse vulcanization of trimethoxyvinylsilane particles
Inverse vulcanization of trimethoxyvinylsilane microparticles and their application as heavy metal adsorbents for environmentally hazardous Hg2+ and Cu2+ ions.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 5852-5860
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00773H
Magnetic responsive composites made from a sulfur-rich polymer
A magnetic responsive composite was made from a sulfur-rich polymer and iron nanoparticles. Diverse applications in mercury remediation, microwave curing, and magnetic responsive actuators were demonstrated.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 5659-5665
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00903J
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Degradable thioester core-crosslinked star-shaped polymers
Degradable polymers are considered to present a promising solution to combat plastic pollution.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 5579-5589
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00901C
Mechanical properties and structures under the deformation of thiophene copolymers with cyclic siloxane units
The control of cross-linking of polythiophene with cyclic siloxane was achieved and provided to their mechanical properties and elastic recovery. The cross-links led to high recovery of crystallite orientation under stretching.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 5536-5544
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00765G
Tracking side reactions of the inverse vulcanization process and developing monomer selection guidelines
Various olefin monomers were inverse-vulcanized. The structural analysis and evaluation of the thermal stability of the products revealed that aliphatic internal olefins are suitable monomers for suppressing side reactions.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 5486-5493
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00774F
Chemoselective ring-opening copolymerization of five-membered cyclic carbonates and carbonyl sulfide toward poly(thioether)s
A novel method for the preparation of poly(thioether)s by copolymerizing PC with COS is reported, which also expands the application of PC.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 5397-5403
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY01014C
Diselenide–yne chemistry for selenium-containing linear polymer modification
Selenium-containing brush polymers with diverse functional segments were easily prepared through diselenide–yne chemistry.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 5073-5081
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00621A
Vinyl mercaptoethanol as a reactive monomer for the preparation of functional homo- and copolymers with (meth)acrylates
Vinyl mercaptoethanol is a scalable vinyl thioether monomer, which can readily be polymerized in a free radical process or by controlled methods. It tends to form alternating copolymers if copolymerized with acrylates and methacrylates.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 4934-4943
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00598K
Tributylphosphine-catalyzed aziridine-based cycloaddition polymerization toward thiacyclic polymers
Cycloaddition polymerization of bis(N-sulfonyl aziridine)s with diisocyanates in the presence of tributylphosphine allows the facile synthesis of poly(thiazolidin-2-imine)s.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 4809-4816
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00569G
A comparison of adhesive polysulfides initiated by garlic essential oil and elemental sulfur to create recyclable adhesives
Sulfur and garlic essential oil can initiate polymerization with a variety of natural monomers to form sustainable adhesives. The sulfur source has a substantial impact on the adhesion strength and material properties.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 4634-4640
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00418F
Synthesis and optoelectronic properties of air-stable π-conjugated polymers containing both thiophene-2,5-diyl and fused titanacycle units
π-Conjugated poly(arylene ethynylene)s containing both thiophene-2,5-diyl and fused metallacycles units in their alternating sequence were synthesized and their optoelectronic features were studied by the UV-vis spectra.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 4446-4452
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00452F
Fabrication of multi-responsive photonic crystals based on selenium-containing copolymers
Responsive photonic crystals (PCs) have attracted great interest due to their adjustable structure color.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 4290-4297
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00654E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Incorporation of fillers to modify the mechanical performance of inverse vulcanised polymers
Inverse vulcanisation stabilises polymeric sulfur to synthesise high sulfur content polymers. Inverse vulcanised polymers were reinforced with carbon black, cellulose microfibres and nanoclay to increase tensile strength.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 3930-3937
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00321J
Facile construction of functional poly(monothiocarbonate) copolymers under mild operating conditions
Functional poly(monothiocarbonate)-based copolymers are easily prepared by terpolymerization of a CO2-sourced bis(cyclic carbonate) with dithiols and diamines under ambient conditions.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 3076-3090
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00307D
The copolymerization of SO2 with propylene oxide mediated by organic ammonium salts: a comprehensive study of the main-chain structure, living polymerization character and regioselectivity
The copolymerization of SO2 with PO mediated by PPNCl was comprehensively studied with reference to main-chain structure analysis, living polymerization character, regioselectivity, and cyclic byproducts.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 3136-3143
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00185C
About this collection
This themed collection on Chalcogen-containing polymers is Guest Edited by Professor Justin Chalker (Flinders University, Australia), Professor Rongrong Hu (South China University of Technology, China) and Professor Jeffrey Pyun (University of Arizona, USA). Chalcogen-based polymers have seen a resurgence in interest over the last several years. Due to the versatile and intriguing chemistry of sulfur, selenium and tellurium, polymers containing these elements have found diverse applications in polymer and material science. This collection includes studies on the synthesis and applications of these polymers, as well as fundamental theoretical and mechanistic studies.