摘要:Forming a multiphase material system through blending is one of the effective ways to prepare new materials and improve comprehensive performance. The formation of polymer nanocomposite foams through nanoscale dispersion can effectively achieve synergistic enhancement of multi-component properties, representing an important development direction for lightweight functional materials. However, achieving nanoscale dispersion of components in polymer foam materials has always been a challenge in the preparation of high-performance lightweight polymer foam materials. This feature article focuses on two types of polymer nano-blend systems: "thermoplastic/thermoplastic" polymer blend and "thermoplastic/thermosetting" polymer blend. It systematically reviews the research development trajectory and frontier progress in this field, and highlights the "plasticization-foaming-reinforcement" (PFR) strategy proposed by our team in recent years from the perspective of phase structure regulation coupled with supercritical foaming technology. Additionally, it introduces the latest advancements using this strategy in creating high-performance polymer nano-blend foams. Finally, an analysis and outlook were conducted on the challenges and future development trends faced in this field.
摘要:To address the growing demands of modern society for polymer materials with high mechanical performance and stability, it is imperative to develop sustainable polymers that combine dynamic functionalities with properties comparable to or exceeding those of traditional polymers. Here, we propose a new concept of reversibly crosslinked polymers (RCPs). RCPs are three-dimensional polymer networks in which polymer chains are reversibly crosslinked through noncovalent interactions and/or dynamic covalent bonds. By constructing RCPs from polymeric building blocks, the fraction of stable covalent bonds relative to reversible interactions is increased, thereby ensuring satisfactory strength and stability. This feature article comprehensively summarizes our advances in designing and fabricating high-performance RCPs. Using a layer-by-layer assembly strategy, we fabricated a series of self-healing/healable RCP films and elucidated their healing mechanisms. Inspired by this method, we further developed an efficient solution-based polymer complexation approach to produce bulk RCPs, extending healability from films to plastics, elastomers, and hydrogels/ionogels. Moreover, we demonstrate that high-performance RCPs can be achieved by combining multiple types of reversible interactions with reinforcement from carefully engineered in situ-formed phase-separated nanostructures. By tailoring the rigidity, deformability, and dynamic dissociability of these nanostructures, we obtained RCPs with strengths comparable to or exceeding those of conventional polymers, as well as materials with unique mechanical properties rarely achieved in traditional systems, such as high-strength, low-hysteresis hydrogels/ionogels, damage-resistant elastomers, and ultra-tough plastics with superior low-temperature impact resistance. Importantly, the dynamic nature of the crosslinking network imparts excellent healing, reprocessing, and recycling capabilities to these RCPs. We believe that RCPs open a new avenue for the development of high-performance sustainable polymers.
摘要:Biodegradable polymers have garnered significant attention due to the controllable cleavage of their backbone via chemical or biological processes, offering diverse and environmentally friendly end-of-life management options for plastic waste, and holding great promise for advancing a sustainable circular plastics economy. However, the widespread application of these materials has long been hindered by limitations in their processability and mechanical properties. In recent years, the introduction of dynamic bonding interactions into polymer networks has opened new avenues for enhancing the performance and recyclability of biodegradable polymers. Dynamic cross-linking strategies have not only improved processability, mechanical properties, and interfacial compatibility but have also significantly increased their potential for closed-loop recycling. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in dynamic network strategies for regulating processing behavior (such as extensional flow properties of biodegradable polyesters and thermoplastic processing of natural polysaccharides), enhancing mechanical performance, optimizing interfacial interactions in multiphase/composite systems, as well as enabling efficient recycling and reuse of biodegradable polymers. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives and challenges in this emerging field are discussed.
摘要:High-filled polymer composites hold significant potential in electronics packaging, biomedical applications, and other fields. The incorporation of functional fillers can substantially enhance the electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, flame retardancy, and electromagnetic shielding performance of polymer materials; however, high filler content often compromises the mechanical properties and processability of the composites. This review summarizes recent advances in the thermoplastic processing and structural design of high-filled polymer composites, with a focus on controlling filler packing density and its influence on processing, the design of filler networks under thermoplastic processing conditions, and the application of reversible dynamic chemical bonds for tuning matrix viscosity. Additionally, the structural evolution during thermoplastic processing and corresponding control strategies are elucidated, aiming to provide theoretical guidance for the optimization of processing techniques and the enhancement of performance in high-filled polymer composites.
摘要:Polymer nanocomposites have significant applications in strategic national sectors such as transportation (e.g., high-performance tires), aerospace, and defense. The macroscopic properties of these composites are closely related to the interfacial interactions between nanofillers and polymers, as well as the dispersion structure of the fillers within the matrix. However, conventional characterization techniques are limited by insufficient resolution, making it difficult to clearly elucidate the relationship between nanoscale microstructures (interfacial properties, dispersion morphology) and the macroscopic performance of composites, thereby failing to provide clear guidance for the design and fabrication of high-performance polymer nanocomposites. This article focuses on leveraging the high-resolution advantages of Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping Technique of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM nanomechanics) to achieve quantitative characterization of the interfacial structure (interfacial thickness and nanomechanical properties) in polymer nanocomposites. Furthermore, it discusses the integration of three-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (3D-STEM), which offers nanometer-scale resolution, with Synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) that provides micrometer-scale field of view to detailed characterization of the 3D dispersion structure of nanofillers within the polymer matrix. This includes the uniformity of filler aggregate dispersion, size distribution, internal compactness, as well as the branching and connectivity of filler network structures. The influence of the physical and chemical properties of both polymers and fillers on the multiscale microstructure of nanocomposites is also summarized.
摘要:Shape memory polymer aerogels (SMPAs) are a class of intelligent materials that combine a porous structure with stimuli-responsive properties, enabling reversible deformation under external stimuli such as heat, humidity, and electric fields. By integrating the lightweight porous characteristics of aerogels with the stimulus-responsive behavior of shape-memory polymers, SMPAs demonstrate significant potential in various fields including aerospace, smart electronics, and environmental energy applications. In recent years, substantial progress has been made in the design of material systems and performance optimization. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the structure, mechanisms, properties, and applications of SMPAs and their composite materials. Based on material composition, SMPAs are categorized into synthetic-based and bio-based types, with discussions on their preparation methods and strategies for performance enhancement. Representative applications of SMPAs and their composite materials in different domains are also highlighted. This review aims to provide readers with insights into the current development trends, applications, and existing challenges of SMPAs and their composite materials, thereby inspiring further exploration in this promising field.
摘要:Dynamically crosslinked synthetic rubber represents an emerging class of green, high-performance materials. These materials effectively resolve the trade-off between the superior properties of traditional thermosets and the facile processing and recyclability characteristic of thermoplastics. This review first systematically elucidates the core chemical mechanisms of dynamic covalent networks (DCNs) and categorizes the various dynamic bonds involved. A central focus is the in-depth analysis of the fundamental differences and interconversion between dissociative and associative exchange mechanisms. Subsequently, the discussion highlights tailored design strategies for dynamic crosslinking and their applications across synthetic rubbers with diverse chemical backbones. Finally, the challenges and prospective solutions for the continuous industrial processing of these materials are analyzed. Ultimately, this review seeks to establish a cohesive framework connecting fundamental chemistry with material design and processing applications. The goal is to provide a theoretical reference and valuable insights for developing the next generation of high-performance, multifunctional, and sustainable dynamic synthetic rubbers.
摘要:Fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRP) have become key materials in aerospace, defense and military, automotive and rail transportation, energy, infrastructure and other fields due to the light weight, high-strength, excellent corrosion resistance, thermal stability and insulation, as well as flexible design and processing. This review first systematically summarizes the advantages of representative high-performance inorganic and organic fibers from structural characteristics, performance and application fields, points out the common problem of poor compatibility with the resin interface caused by high surface chemical inertness. In response to the above challenges, the interface regulation mechanism and corresponding solutions are discussed. Advanced interface treatment technologies and research progress are reviewed. The future development trends of FRP are prospected from several aspects, including the development of new resin materials, low-cost and intelligent manufacturing technologies, the design and application of structure-function integration, the development of new recycling and reuse technologies, and the deep coupling of artificial intelligence and composite materials, to provide new ideas for promoting the further development of composites material system.
摘要:Poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) films is a key component of safety glass. Owing to its outstanding adhesion, impact resistance, and optical properties, it is widely used in the automotive, architectural, and photovoltaic industries, serving as a critical material for realizing both safety and intelligence. The performance of PVB films is intimately linked to the molecular structure formed during synthesis and the aggregate structure developed during processing. Elucidating the multi-scale aggregate structures and their dynamic evolution under processing and service conditions is therefore essential for establishing reliable structure-property relationships for PVB films. This review comprehensively summarizes recent research on PVB films for laminated glass, covering the chemical synthesis of PVB resin, the processing technologies of PVB films, and the correlations between microstructure and macroscopic properties. We also highlight the central role of PVB in laminated glass and survey the latest advances in functional and smart glazing applications such as sound insulation, thermal insulation, and UV protection. The aim of this review is to provide a theoretical foundation for the molecular design, process optimization, and multifunctional innovation of PVB films in laminated glass.
摘要:Intelligent adaptive materials constitute a vital component of modern advanced material systems. Compared to other stimuli such as temperature and pH, light exhibit advantageous characters including cleanliness, renewability, and high spatiotemporal resolution. As a result, light-responsive intelligent adaptive materials have witnessed significant development in recent years, both in fundamental research and technological applications. They are now widely applied in frontier fields such as manufacturing, optoelectronics, and bio-nano applications. Polymer topology network, as a decisive factor in material properties, directly influences the material intelligence level through its dynamic reconfiguration capability. This review begins with systematically summarizing the photochemical/physical reaction mechanisms of commonly used photosensitive moieties in light-responsive materials. It then focuses on the multi-level response processes involved in light-controlled topological transformations: through analysis of representative cases, the review elucidates the modulation mechanisms of photo-induced behaviours in photosensitive groups (including isomerization, dissociation/recombination) on material topological structures across multiple molecular-scale aspects—including polymer chain segments (e.g., alteration of crosslinking density), network architecture (e.g., three-dimensional topological reconfiguration), network integrity (e.g., chain scission and degradation), and interface engineering. Finally, the review analyzes current bottlenecks in light-controlled topology reconfigurable materials—such as insufficient response rates, low efficiency, and challenges in mitigating phototoxicity and biotoxicity, and envision their applications in fields like adaptive coatings and programmable soft robotics.
摘要:Novel thermal interface materials (TIMs) have to possess soft elasticity and high thermal conductivity to realize efficient interfacial connections and thermal evacuation. Extremely high and low temperature conditions also put new demands on TIMs. How to maintain the excellent soft elasticity and structural stability of TIMs at low temperature is the key to determining their thermal conductivity properties. The formation of brush polymers within the side chains of polysiloxane main link branches has been demonstrated to modulate flexibility and low-temperature crystallization phenomena. Hydrogen-bonded and low-temperature resistant polysiloxane ionic liquids (PIL) were prepared by grafting terminal hydroxyimidazoles ionic liquids partly. Polysiloxane ionic gels (PIL-GEL) were prepared by further grafting of hexyl acrylate. The PIL-GEL has a low elastic modulus, and the compressive strength of 50% compression ratio is 2.75 kPa at -80 ℃, and the self-healing efficiency at -40 ℃ for 30 min reaches 42.2%. Continuous preparation of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN)/polymer thin films was successfully achieved using a dual-roll curing integrated device. And using stacking, cold pressing, and vertical cutting techniques, PIL-GEL@h-BN TIMs with excellent properties were prepared with high through-plane thermal conductivity (5.851 W·m-1·K-1) at low filler content (30 wt%), low compression modulus (9.8 kPa), and contact thermal resistance (63.26 K·mm2·W-1). Under 50% dynamic compression, the interfacial temperature change is only 0.64 ℃, providing excellent interfacial thermal management.
摘要:The trend toward high-power, miniaturized electronic components has intensified challenges related to heat accumulation and electromagnetic wave pollution, creating an urgent demand for phase change composites that simultaneously offer high thermal conductivity and excellent wave-absorption properties. In this work, porous polyimide (PI) fibers were fabricated via blend electrospinning coupled with phase separation. Heterostructured BN@FeCo particles, serving as dual-functional fillers for thermal conduction and microwave absorption, were synthesized using an "electrostatic spray-high-temperature sintering" method. These particles were then uniformly deposited onto the porous PI fiber skeleton via electrostatic spraying, thereby establishing efficient thermally conductive pathways within the fiber network. Subsequently, the resulting BN@FeCo/PI framework was impregnated with paraffin wax (PW) to produce the BN@FeCo/PW/PI composites. Results demonstrated that the BN@FeCo/PW/PI composites with a BN@FeCo mass fraction of 55% and a thickness of 2.1 mm exhibited optimal wave absorption performance, achieving a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of -33.1 dB, alongside a thermal conductivity of 3.22 W/(m·K). This combination of effective electromagnetic wave attenuation and significant heat dissipation capability positions the composite as a promising solution for thermal management in advanced electronic systems.
摘要:This study investigates how the shape of nanoparticles affects interfacial chain confinement and entanglement in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs). Specifically, different types of PNCs were fabricated by incorporating spherical silica, short-rod-shaped silica, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix. The results revealed that the glass transition temperature and the maximum loss tangent during the glass transition depended on multiple factors, including the specific surface area, the surface curvature, and the interfacial interaction strength. On a larger length scale, the chain entanglements in all nanocomposites still follow the tube model, while the specific area and surface curvature are the key factors controlling the interfacial entanglement density, with lower surface curvature significantly enhancing the topological constraints in the interfacial area.
摘要:The introduction of nucleating agents is an important approach to improve product quality and production efficiency in the polymer industry. Interestingly, it has been observed that the addition of the nucleating agent Hyperform® HPN-20E into linear low-density polyethylene results in a decrease in the overall crystallization rate. Although this reduction is commonly explained by the decreased crystal growth rate at higher crystallization temperatures, it contradicts the general behavior observed in most nucleated polymer systems, where both crystallization temperature and crystallization rate increase. To further elucidate this unusual behavior, the active component of HPN-20E, calcium hexahydrophthalate (Ca-HHPA), was synthesized, and its influence on the crystallization behavior of a linear low-density polyethylene prepared by metallocene catalyst (mLLDPE) was systematically investigated. Our results reveal that Ca-HHPA promotes nucleation of these segments with high crystallization ability, while the increase in nucleation density contributes less to the crystallization rate than the reduction in growth rate caused by the elevated crystallization temperature. Meanwhile, the Ca-HHPA addition inhibits nucleation of segments with lower crystallization ability, leading to their crystallization at a greater undercooling. The combination of these two effects results in the observed decrease in the overall crystallization rate.
摘要:Hydrogen bonds are widely utilized in self-healing rubber elastomers due to their dynamic nature. However, single hydrogen-bond crosslinked self-healing rubbers reported to date generally exhibit low tensile strength (<3 MPa) due to the low binding energy of hydrogen bonds. While the hydrogen/covalent dual-network improves tensile strength to some extent, the introduction of covalent bonds sacrifices self-healing capability and reprocessability. In this work, we constructed multiple hydrogen-bond crosslinks containing rigid segments within epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and systematically investigated the relationship between rigid hydrogen-bond crosslinker content and mechanical properties, self-healing behavior, and crack resistance of ENR. The results demonstrate that the resulting rubber achieves an elongation exceeding 1200%, a tensile strength of up to 10.38 MPa, and a fracture energy of 46.26 MJ/m3, while retaining self-healing performance. Moreover, these hydrogen-bond crosslinks substantially enhance the crack resistance of ENR. This design strategy based on the synergistic rigid segments and multiple hydrogen bonds not only provides insights for developing strong and tough self-healing elastomers but also offers insights for designing crack-resistant materials.
关键词:Epoxidized natural rubber;Hydrogen bond;Rigid group;High strength and toughness;Self-healing
摘要:Cross-linked polymers exhibit excellent properties and have broad applications. However, owing to their highly stable three-dimensional cross-linked structures, cross-linked polymers exhibit poor repair and recycling behavior. Dynamic polysulfide bond is a type of dynamic covalent bond with a relatively fast exchange rate. Incorporating it into cross-linked polymers to construct dynamic polysulfide polymers can endow the material with properties such as rapid self-healing and recyclability. In this study, we developed a strategy to synthesize cross-linked polymers containing dynamic polysulfide bonds via an organic base-catalyzed reaction between thiols and elemental sulfur. The chemical structures of the model molecules and their polysulfide metathesis behaviors were investigated using 1H-NMR. The fundamental properties of polysulfide-containing polymers were studied using Raman spectroscopy, XRD, tensile test, and stress relaxation. The results showed that polysulfide bonds were successfully incorporated and exhibited good dynamic exchange behavior. Based on polysulfide metathesis, the cross-linked polymers exhibited excellent self-healing and reprocessing behavior. Furthermore, polysulfide polymers could be degraded by excess thiols and upcycled into polythiourethanes via the reaction between thiols and isocyanates. Additionally, the dynamic polysulfide polymers could be gently degraded in a sodium sulfide solution. This simple and efficient dynamic chemical design concept provides new ideas and inspiration for the development of new recyclable, repairable, eco-friendly, and smart materials.
关键词:Sulfur-containing polymer;Dynamic polysulfide bonds;Dynamic polymer;Dynamic covalent bond
摘要:The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a key electrode process in fuel cells and metal-air batteries, but its sluggish kinetics severely restricts device performance. In this work, we proposed a molecularly mediated polydopamine (PDA) interface assembly strategy. By the cooperative assembly of Pluronic F127 (F127) and dopamine hydrochloride (DA) under the regulation of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (TMB), a PDA coating layer was constructed on the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNT), yielding CNT@PDA. After pyrolysis, a hierarchical porous carbon shell layer (CNT@HPC) was obtained. Furthermore, the bidentate ligand 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) was employed to chelate cobalt precursors, and a second pyrolysis step stabilized cobalt single atoms anchored within the carbon matrix, forming a core-shell structured hierarchical porous carbon confined cobalt single-atom catalyst (CNT@HPC-Co). The unique electronic structure of the cobalt single-atom sites markedly accelerated ORR kinetics, while the hierarchical channels composed of the CNT core and porous carbon shell effectively promoted electron transport and oxygen intermediate diffusion. Electrochemical tests revealed that CNT@HPC-Co delivered a half-wave potential of 0.88 V (versus RHE) in 0.1 mol/L KOH, outperforming commercial Pt/C and previously reported non-precious metal catalysts. In addition, the catalyst exhibited high power density and excellent cycling stability in both aqueous and flexible quasi-solid-state zinc-air batteries. This study demonstrated a synergistic design strategy that integrates interfacial assembly and single-atom coordination chemistry, offering a new pathway for the development of low-cost and high-performance ORR electrocatalysts.
摘要:Flexible thermal conductive materials are critical functional components in electronics, energy, and aerospace applications. However, their practical utility is severely limited by issues such as the inability to self-repair after damage and a tendency for crack propagation. To address these challenges, this study successfully fabricated a flexible thermal conductive composite with integrated high tear resistance and self-healing capability by incorporating hydroxylated boron nitride nanosheets into a self-healing polyurethane matrix and constructing an ordered layered structure through a lamination process. The resulting material exhibited an in-plane thermal conductivity of 5.8 W·m-1·K-1 and a fracture energy of 341.1 kJ·m-2. Moreover, it achieved complete recovery of both surface scratches and mechanical properties at 60 ℃ with a healing efficiency of 91.03%. This work provides a novel design strategy and experimental foundation for developing high-performance thermal management materials.
摘要:Preparation of a recyclable bio-based epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) Vitrimer using natural polysaccharide as a macromolecular crosslinker is an effective strategy to address resource waste and high carbon emissions caused by the difficulty in recycling vulcanized rubber. However, natural polysaccharides struggle to undergo interfacial reactions with rubber and exhibit poor compatibility. In this study, maleic anhydride-modified chitin (MCh) was used as a macromolecular crosslinker to construct a dynamic crosslinking network based on β-hydroxy ester bonds with ENR through thermal processing interfacial reactions. The structure was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), equilibrium swelling, and vulcanization curve tests. Mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical properties, and reprocessability were evaluated through uniaxial tensile testing, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), stress relaxation, and strain recovery tests. The results showed that the β-hydroxy ester bonds crosslinking structure formed at the MCh-ENR interface enhances interfacial compatibility. When 30 phr of MCh was added, the tensile strength of the ENR Vitrimer was 8.4 times that of neat ENR. Moreover, its ester exchange activation energy was only 61.8 kJ/mol, and after two processing cycles (180 ℃, 15 MPa vulcanization for 30 min), the tensile strength retention rate was ≥88%, demonstrating the advantages of the dynamic crosslinking network's rearrangement for repeated processability. These findings provide new insights for preparing high-performance, recyclable ENR Vitrimers and offer a novel approach for enhancing interfacial compatibility in composite materials.
摘要:In the 5G era, the high integration and miniaturization of high-power electronic devices require packaging materials to possess excellent thermal conductivity, strong adhesion, and efficient stress release capabilities. However, traditional epoxy resins suffer from the problem of internal stress accumulation due to their highly cross-linked network, which leads to device failure and severely restricts the development of high-end equipment. To address this issue, based on the dynamic topological rearrangement characteristics of covalent adaptive networks (CANs), we designed a high thermal conductivity epoxy resin packaging material with efficient stress release capabilities starting from the molecular structure design. By synergistically matching one-dimensional carbon nanotubes with two-dimensional aluminum oxide microspheres, a three-dimensional thermal conduction network was successfully constructed, significantly enhancing the thermal conductivity of the material. The dynamic covalent bonds and multiple hydrogen bonds introduced in the system produced a synergistic effect, effectively releasing the internal stress of the epoxy resin while significantly enhancing its interface bonding strength and reprocessing performance. The results of high overload tests and environmental aging experiments demonstrated that this material still exhibits excellent service reliability under harsh conditions. This research provides a new design concept for the development of a new generation of high-performance electronic packaging materials.
关键词:Covalent adaptable networks;Epoxy resin;Stress relief;Electronic packaging;Heat conduction and dissipation
摘要:With the miniaturization and high-frequency development of electronic devices, polymer-based composites with high thermal conductivity and excellent mechanical properties have become a research priority in thermal management. Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), with its layered structure and ultrahigh in-plane thermal conductivity, is considered an ideal filler; however, its agglomeration and poor interface compatibility severely limit its practical applications. This study proposed a synergistic exfoliation-adsorption strategy to fabricate h-BN/LC epoxy composites via in situ ball milling, aiming to enhance the aspect ratio, specific surface area, and interfacial compatibility of h-BN. The experimental results demonstrated that ball-milling exfoliation significantly enhanced the aspect ratio and specific surface area of h-BN, improving its dispersion and promoting the ordered adsorption of liquid crystal molecules. At 20 wt% h-BN loading, the composites achieved in-plane and through-plane thermal conductivities of 7.30 and 1.64 W·m-1·K-1, representing 22.7% and 82.2% improvements over conventional blended samples, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations and finite element analysis further revealed the enhancement mechanisms: at low filler content, exfoliation amplified interfacial adsorption and constructs thermal pathways by increasing the surface area and aspect ratio, whereas spontaneous h-BN stacking at high content diminished these benefits. Additionally, the strengthened interfacial interactions endowed the ball-milled composites with superior flexural strength and modulus at 20 wt% loading. This study provides theoretical guidance for developing h-BN/LC epoxy composites with high thermal conductivity and mechanical strength.