Polymer Journal, Published online: 05 April 2024; doi:10.1038/s41428-023-00882-6 Special issue: Polymer degradation for a sustainable future ..read more

Polymer Journal, Published online: 29 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00911-y The surface properties of the star polymer coating were evaluated with their resistance to protein adsorption and surface zeta (ζ)-potential to clarify the mechanism for inhibition of cell adhesion. The surface of the star polymer coating with a high density of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) formed an electrically neutral diffuse brush structure in water and showed high resistance to protein adsorption. Considering the data obtained in the study, the surface ζ-potential and antibiofouling properties were correl ..read more

Polymer Journal, Published online: 27 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00909-6 Developing fluorescence anion sensors is important because anions play a significant role in various biological phenomena. Herein, we evaluated the anion binding properties of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) derivative with eight urea groups and a 3D structure. The results revealed that the POSS derivative with urea groups can bind to sulfate ions and exhibits a greater binding ability than that of the model compound because multiple urea groups exhibit cooperative effects. Through the introduction o ..read more

Polymer Journal, Published online: 25 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00904-x Surface amino groups (SAGs) on nanochitin materials were quantified using three amino-labeling reagents and two cationic dyes. After binding to SAGs, the excess labeling reagents or generated molecules were assessed by spectrophotometry. The dyes were adsorbed onto SAGs, and the excess was similarly quantified. The obtained values were compared with the titration values. Although the values by labeling reagents were underestimated, some of the values were proportional to those by titration. Reliable results were a ..read more

Polymer Journal, Published online: 21 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00907-8 The morphology and physical properties of polyisoprene ionomers co-neutralized with Na+ and Mg2+ in different ratios have been studied. The mechanical and self-healing properties of the ionomer were reinforced and disturbed, respectively, at over 25 % of the Mg2+ ratio, where linkage via Mg2+ in the network is pervasive throughout the material ..read more

Polymer Journal, Published online: 14 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00899-5 a Column separation under black light illumination. b Calculated overlap of dπ-pπ orbitals demonstrating conjugation ..read more

Polymer Journal, Published online: 07 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00897-7 Water-insoluble micropatterned films were prepared from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) (or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH)) and poly(methacrylic acid) (poly(MAAc)). The carboxy groups in poly(MAAc) underwent dehydration reactions with the hydroxy groups in the vinyl alcohol units during heating at 135 °C, which resulted in the introduction of a crosslinked structure with ester bonds into the polymeric network of the micropatterned films. The micropatterns could be peeled off from the films after decomposition a ..read more

Polymer Journal, Published online: 06 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00898-6 A novel block copolymer, poly(3-hexylthiophene)-b-poly(vinyl catechol) (P3HT-b-PVC) was successfully synthesized via a Click reaction between chain-endfunctionalized P3HT with an alkyne group (P3HT-Alkyne) and chain-end-functionalized poly(3,4-di-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxystyrene) with an azide group (PSVC-Azide), followed by deprotection of tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy groups from the PSVC-Azide segment. Tape test results showed that the adhesion property of the P3HT-b-PVC film was considerably better than that of ..read more

Polymer Journal, Published online: 06 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00903-y Side-chain typed POSS-based polynorbornenes connecting with a short spacer exhibiting optical transparency owing to prevention of POSS crystallization to provide amorphous character. In addition, the resulting amorphous polymers exhibited excellent thermal stability ..read more

Polymer Journal, Published online: 05 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00901-0 A new peptide carrier that mimics the basic leucine zipper domain (bZIP) of DNA-binding proteins was designed, in which (LU)4 is the leucine zipper motif and (KUA)3 is the basic DNA-binding motif (U = α-aminoisobutyric acid). When mixed with pDNA, (KUA)3-(LU)4 peptide condensed DNA molecules to form nanoparticles. Furthermore, when complexes of the (KUA)3-(LU)4 peptide and pDNA were introduced into the leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana), the reporter protein was expressed in plant cells. Thus, (KUA)3-(LU ..read more