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Kunlin Wu, Jingcheng Xiao, Junwei Li, Yifan Wang^*
Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 277-305, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.065269 - 14 July 2025
Abstract The integration of 3D-printed hydrogels in soft robotics enables the creation of flexible, adaptable, and biocompatible systems. Hydrogels, with their high-water content and responsiveness to stimuli, are suitable for actuators, sensors, and robotic systems that require safe interaction and precise manipulation. Unlike traditional techniques, 3D printing offers enhanced capabilities in tailoring structural complexity, resolution, and integrated functionality, enabling the direct fabrication of hydrogel systems with programmed mechanical and functional properties. In this perspective, we explore the evolving role of 3D-printed hydrogels in soft robotics, covering their material composition, fabrication techniques, and diverse applications. We highlight More >

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218

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Jiefei Huang¹, Hao Zhou¹, Mengying Chen¹, Lei Yang^1,2,*
Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 307-338, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.062620 - 14 July 2025
Abstract Vibration isolation is vital in engineering machinery, as it not only seriously affects the service life of machine components but also reduces the operating efficiency. Recently, metamaterials have been proposed for customized vibration-isolation needs through various functional designs. As a synthetic material, polymer materials have the advantages of good elasticity, low density, high specific strength, good corrosion resistance and easy processing, making it an ideal raw material for vibration-isolation metamaterials. At the same time, the rapid development of additive manufacturing (AM) provides a feasible method for preparing polymeric vibration-isolation metamaterials with complex structures. In this More >

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377

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Hanyi Zou^1,2,#, Xinye Xu^1,3,#, Mutian Yao¹, Baoyang Lu^1,*
Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 339-358, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2024.057955 - 14 July 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Multifunctional Conductive Hydrogels and Their Applications)
Abstract The global scarcity of clean water is an escalating issue due to climate change, population growth, and pollution. Traditional water purification technologies, while effective, often require significant energy input and complex infrastructure, limiting their accessibility. This review explores the use of conjugated polymer hydrogels as a promising solution for solar water purification. Conjugated polymer hydrogels offer unique advantages, including high photothermal conversion efficiency, effective heat management, and rapid water transport, which are crucial for efficient solar-driven water evaporation. By leveraging the properties of these hydrogels, it is possible to significantly reduce the energy required for More >

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426

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Zhen-Yu Chen¹, Yue-RU Wang¹, De-Yi Teng¹, Yan-Fang Xue¹, Gui-Chang Jiang^1,2,*
Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 359-377, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.063342 - 14 July 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Development of Polyurethane and Composites)
Abstract PU, or polyurethane, features a repeating urethane group (-NH-COO-) in its molecular structure. Traditionally, PUs are synthesized from isocyanate and polyol compounds derived from fossil resources through polymerization reactions. The depletion of fossil fuels and the increasing climate problems call for the expansion of more renewable sources of chemicals, such as modern biomass. However, the conversion of biomass into chemicals is challenging due to the inherent molecular complexity of its composition. In recent years, advances in green chemistry have led researchers to focus on developing bio-based polyurethanes by sourcing polyols, isocyanates, and chain extender precursors More >

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739

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Haoquan Xue¹, Yujie Zhang¹, Zhuang Zhao¹, Haoran Gao¹, Wanlin Bao¹, Jiaxuan Li², Zhiheng Zhang², Qi Wang¹, Qiang He^1,*
Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 379-409, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.066695 - 14 July 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Sustainable Development and Multifunctional Application of Cellulose Composites)
Abstract Nanocellulose, derived from abundant lignocellulosic biomass, has emerged as a transformative material with unparalleled versatility across industries. This review systematically analyzes its sources, extraction methods, and multidimensional applications. Key findings include: (1) Plant fiber hierarchy dictates nanocellulose properties, with wood-derived cellulose offering high crystallinity and agricultural waste enabling cost-effective production. (2) Acid hydrolysis remains dominant for cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), while mechanical methods yield high-aspect-ratio cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). (3) Nanocellulose’s mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and tunable surface chemistry drive innovations in energy storage (e.g., supercapacitors), biosensors (e.g., glucose monitoring), and biomedical engineering (e.g., 3D-printed scaffolds). Challenges in More >

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329

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REVIEW

Bandana Padhan^1,#, Rajkumar Patel^2,#, Priyanka Bhowmik³, Ananya Roy¹, Joyjyoti Das^1,*, Yong Yu^4,5, Madhumita Patel^6,*
Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 411-433, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2024.059156 - 14 July 2025
Abstract The food industry prioritizes food safety throughout the entire production process. This involves closely monitoring and evaluating all potential sources of biological or chemical contamination, starting from entering raw materials into the production chain and continuing to the final product. Biofilms on food surfaces or containers can harbor dangerous pathogens, such as Listeria monocytogenes. Therefore, it is essential to continuously manage microbial contamination on food contact surfaces to prevent foodborne infections. Recently, there has been increasing interest in using nanomaterials as surface coatings with antimicrobial properties in the food industry, especially since traditional disinfectants or antibiotics… More >

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312

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Jingli Li, Xianting Fu, Yuheng Wen, Hailang Xu, Qian Liao, Deng-Guang Yu^*, Wenliang Song^*
Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 435-448, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.064290 - 14 July 2025
Abstract Porous organic polymers are remarkably versatile materials with porous and carefully designed structures. They complement traditional preservation methods by overcoming their limitations and significantly extending the shelf life of preserved products. Notably, porous hollow nanospheres (PHNs), with their unique hollow structures capable of adsorbing and releasing organic molecules, have garnered considerable attention in food preservation. However, most PHNs are challenging to synthesize in one step, and PHNs are usually in powder form, which makes it challenging to apply them directly. In this study, we successfully synthesized PHNs in one step using the Friedel–Crafts reaction. The… More >

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175

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Zhihong Wang^1,#, Wei Wei^1,2,#, Song Wang¹, Bingli Zhou², Yingle Chen¹, Liu Yang¹, Qiaoguang Li², Lei Zeng^1,*
Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 449-462, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.066668 - 14 July 2025
Abstract In this study, 3,4-Epoxycyclohexylmethyl 3,4-epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate (ECC) and refined Camellia oleifera seed oil (RCOSO) obtained from saponification and acidified hydrolysis has been used as raw materials to perform ring-opening reactions for the preparation of cyclohexyl acrylate derivative (CAR). The structure of the synthesized product was characterized using infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. CAR was employed as a plasticizer to produce modified polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films, dioctyl phthalate plasticizer (DOP) used in reference samples to investigate the influence of different plasticizer molecular structures on the properties of PVC films. Observation suggested that (1) CAR More >

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128

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Qizhi Chen^1,2, Wensheng Cheng^1,2, Baoping Zou^1,2,*, Bowen Kong^1,2, Yansheng Deng^1,2, Xu Long^3,*
Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 463-475, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.064257 - 14 July 2025
Abstract The rapid development of urban rail transit has posed increasing construction and operational challenges for metro tunnels, often leading to structural damage. Grouting technology using cement-based materials is widely applied to address issues such as seepage, leakage, and alignment correction in shield tunnels. This study investigates the additional stress induced by grouting in silty soil layers, using cement-based grouts with different water-to-cement ratios and polyurethane-modified cement-based materials. Results show that additional stress decreases with depth and is more influenced by horizontal distance from the grouting point. In staged grouting, the first injection phase contributes about More >

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602

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197

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Kartikey Shahi, Velmurugan Ramachandran^*, Ranjith Mohan, Boomurugan Ramachandran
Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 477-496, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.062481 - 14 July 2025
Abstract A Shape Memory Polymer Composite (SMPC) is developed by reinforcing an epoxy-based polymer with randomly oriented short glass fibers. Diverging from previous research, which primarily focused on the hot programming of short glass fiber-based SMPCs, this work explores the potential for programming below the glass transition temperature (Tg) for epoxy-based SMPCs. To mitigate the inherent brittleness of the SMPC during deformation, a linear polymer is incorporated, and a temperature between room temperature and Tg is chosen as the deformation temperature to study the shape memory properties. The findings demonstrate an enhancement in shape fixity and More >

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274

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Haoliang Ding^1,2, Han Yu², Yunfeng Zhao², Chunze Yan¹, Yusheng Shi^1,*, Binling Chen^3,*
Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 497-516, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.063324 - 14 July 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Functional Polymer Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)
Abstract Polyether ether ketone (PEEK)-based continuous glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite offers advantages such as high strength, electrical insulation, and heat insulation. Parts manufactured using this composite and 3D printing have promising applications in aerospace, automobile, rail transit, etc. In this paper, a high-temperature melt impregnation method was used to successfully prepare the 3D printing prepreg filaments of the aforementioned composite. In the FDM 3D printing equipment, a nozzle of high thermal conductivity and wear-resistant copper alloy and a PEEK-based carbon fiber thermoplastic composite build plate with uniform temperature control were innovatively introduced to effectively improve… More >

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268

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Xuan Huo¹, Bingchen Wu¹, Yuanmeng Lou¹, Junlin Zhu¹, Cui Li¹, Lili Ma¹, Ye-Tang Pan², Chuncheng Hao^1,*, Xin Wen^1,*
Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 517-530, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.065320 - 14 July 2025
Abstract Power cables are important pieces of equipment for energy transmission, but achieving a good balance between flame retardancy and mechanical properties of cable sheaths remains a challenge. In this work, a novel intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system containing silicone-containing macromolecular charring agent (Si-MCA) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was designed to synergistically improve the flame retardancy and mechanical properties of ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymer (EBA) composites. The optimal mass ratio of APP/Si-MCA was 3/1 in EBA composites (EBA/APP-Si-31), corresponding to the best flame retardancy with 31.2% of limited oxygen index (LOI), V-0 rating in UL-94 vertical burning More >

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153

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Yanbei Hou^1,2, Xu Chang¹, Shuming Liu¹, Huimin Zhang³, Jianwei Fu³, Jianbin Wu³, Zhiyong Li³, Guoqiang Tang³, Weizhao Hu^1,*
Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 531-548, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.065040 - 14 July 2025
Abstract Silicone rubber (SR) exhibits superior breathability and high-temperature resistance. However, SR is prone to degradation under extreme heat or combustion, limiting its effectiveness in mitigating secondary hazards. In this study, phosphate glass powder was used to calcinate zinc borate, lanthanum oxide, and cerium oxide. Methylphenyl polysiloxane was then grafted onto the surface of the glass powder, resulting in the modified powders designated as Methylphenyl polysiloxane-grafted zinc borate-modified phosphate glass powder (GF-ZnBM), Methylphenyl polysiloxane-grafted lanthanum oxide-modified phosphate glass powder (GF-LaM), and Methylphenyl polysiloxane-grafted cerium oxide-modified phosphate glass powder (GF-CeM). The modified powders were subsequently incorporated into… More >

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139

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Hanbo Zheng, Yue Peng, Enpeng Qin, Yi Li^*
Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 549-568, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.064866 - 14 July 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advanced Modification Methods for Polymers)
Abstract Fluorination is a critical surface modification technique for enhancing the electrical performance of composite insulators. This study employs molecular simulations to examine the microstructure and space charge behavior of fluorinated and non-fluorinated silicone rubber under an electric field, with experimental validation. The results show that fluorinated silicone rubber exhibits lower total energy, higher polarization, and stronger dipole moments compared to its non-fluorinated counterpart, shifting the material from an insulating to a conductive state. Under lower electric field strengths, the carbon-silicon bonds in fluorinated silicone rubber are longer, but it maintains geometric stability under higher fields.… More >

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160

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Bandana Padhan¹, Rajkumar Patel², Priyanka Bhowmik³, Ananya Roy¹, Joyjyoti Das^1,*, Yong Yu^4,5, Madhumita Patel^6,*
Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 569-570, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.069514 - 14 July 2025
Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

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