Polymer Journal Polymer Journal is the official journal of the Society of Polymer Science, Japan (SPSJ) and promotes research from all aspects of polymer science from anywhere in the world, The journal aims to provide an integrated platform for scientific communication that assists the advancement of polymer science and related fields. http://feeds.nature.com/pj/rss/current Nature Publishing Group en © 2024 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature. All rights reserved. Polymer Journal © 2024 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature. All rights reserved. permissions@nature.com Polymer Journal https://www.nature.com/uploads/product/pj/rss.gif http://feeds.nature.com/pj/rss/current <![CDATA[Development of fluorescence sensors for quantifying anions based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane that contains flexible side chains with urea structures]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00909-6 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 of naphthyl urea groups, the POSS derivative can be used as a fluorescence sensor for quantifying sulfate ions.]]>
Hayato NarikiyoMasayuki GonKazuo TanakaYoshiki Chujo doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00909-6 Polymer Journal, Published online: 2024-03-27; | doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00909-6 2024-03-27 Polymer Journal 10.1038/s41428-024-00909-6 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00909-6
<![CDATA[Design of functional soft interfaces with precise control of the polymer architecture]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00908-7 Polymer Journal, Published online: 26 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00908-7

Soft interfaces formed by polymer materials are important interfaces for biological systems (biointerfaces). Controlled radical polymerization (CRP) is highly suited for designing biointerfaces composed of polymer chains because it enables precise control of the polymer architecture at the nanoscale. This focus review describes the design of functional soft interfaces based on investigations of the structure-property relationships of CRPs. In particular, polymer brush surfaces showing autonomous property changes, comb-type copolymer-driven 2D/3D transformations of lipid bilayers, and molecular interactions in bactericidal cationic polymer brushes are depicted.]]>
Tsukuru Masuda doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00908-7 Polymer Journal, Published online: 2024-03-26; | doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00908-7 2024-03-26 Polymer Journal 10.1038/s41428-024-00908-7 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00908-7
<![CDATA[Rapid and facile quantification of surface amino groups on chitin nanowhiskers and nanofibers via spectrophotometry]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00904-x 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 attained using the two labeling reagents with conversion equations or using Acid Orange 7 adsorption.]]>
Jun ArakiShiori YodaRiku Kudo doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00904-x Polymer Journal, Published online: 2024-03-25; | doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00904-x 2024-03-25 Polymer Journal 10.1038/s41428-024-00904-x https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00904-x
<![CDATA[Effect of the Mg<sup>2+</sup> ratio on the mechanical and self-healing properties of polyisoprene ionomers co-neutralized with Na<sup>+</sup> and Mg<sup>2+</sup>]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00907-8 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.]]>
2+ ratio on the mechanical and self-healing properties of polyisoprene ionomers co-neutralized with Na+ and Mg2+]]> Rina TakahashiTaro UdagawaKei HashimotoShoichi KutsumizuYohei Miwa doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00907-8 Polymer Journal, Published online: 2024-03-21; | doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00907-8 2024-03-21 Polymer Journal 10.1038/s41428-024-00907-8 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00907-8
<![CDATA[Conjugation in polysiloxane copolymers via unexpected Si-O-Si dπ-pπ overlap, a second mechanism?]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00899-5 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]]>
Jose Jonathan Rubio AriasZijing ZhangManae TakahashiParamasivam MahalingamPimjai PimbaothamNuttapon YodsinMasafumi UnnoYujia LiuSiriporn JungsuttiwongJason AzoulayMatt RammoAleksander RebaneRichard M. Laine doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00899-5 Polymer Journal, Published online: 2024-03-14; | doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00899-5 2024-03-14 Polymer Journal 10.1038/s41428-024-00899-5 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00899-5
<![CDATA[Three representative types of WAXD/SAXS patterns to establish the bimodal structure concept of stacked lamellae in <i>isotactic</i> polypropylene spherulites]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00893-x Polymer Journal, Published online: 14 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00893-x

The in situ wide-angle (WAXD) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements have been performed using a synchrotron microbeam technique for the melt-isothermally-growing iPP spherulites. The thus-collected data were found to be classified into three sets of totally different WAXD/SAXS patterns, from which the three different orientation modes of the stacked lamellae and related crystallographic axes were deduced. These structural information allowed us to discuss the growth mechanism of stacked lamellae in the iPP spherulites from the microscopic point of view.]]>
isotactic polypropylene spherulites]]> Kohji TashiroHiroko YamamotoKen-ichi FunakiHiroyasu MasunagaYuichi Miyake doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00893-x Polymer Journal, Published online: 2024-03-14; | doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00893-x 2024-03-14 Polymer Journal 10.1038/s41428-024-00893-x https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00893-x
<![CDATA[Micropatterned microplastic generation via degradation of polymeric films with micropatterned structures]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00897-7 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 and maintained their patterned shapes.]]>
Haruki UchidaWakako UchiyamaErika KuritaMasayuki KiriharaYohei Kotsuchibashi doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00897-7 Polymer Journal, Published online: 2024-03-07; | doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00897-7 2024-03-07 Polymer Journal 10.1038/s41428-024-00897-7 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00897-7
<![CDATA[Cage octasilsesquioxane-pendant polynorbornenes connected with short spacers exhibiting optical transparency]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00903-y 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.]]>
Yu TomiokaRyota TanakaThu Thao PhamShin-ichi YusaHiroaki ImotoKensuke Naka doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00903-y Polymer Journal, Published online: 2024-03-06; | doi:10.1038/s41428-024-00903-y 2024-03-06 Polymer Journal 10.1038/s41428-024-00903-y https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00903-y