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Preparation, Properties and Applications of Functional Polymers
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Preparation, Properties and Applications of Functional Polymers

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymeric Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2023) | Viewed by 19989

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Kwon Taek Lim

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Major of Display Semiconductor Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
Interests: polymer chemistry; polymeric micelles; hydrogels; block copolymers; drug delivery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Functional polymers provide innovative ideas, concepts, and achievements in the science and technology of polymers with functional groups that impart unique chemical reactivity or physical, chemical, structural, biological, and pharmacological functionality. Functional polymers are gaining popularity in both academia and industry. They are macromolecules with unique features and applications. A functional polymer contains functional groups that can permit further reaction and provide unique properties. The ability of functional polymers to form self-assemblies or supramolecular structures is a further incentive. Within the past few decades, functional polymer materials have appeared as one of the most expanding areas in polymer chemistry, owing to the extensive adoption of living and controlled polymerization strategies. Functional polymers are applied in many fields, such as drug-delivery, tissue engineering, medical devices, food packaging, sensors, actuators, optoelectronics, organic light emitting diodes, thin film transistors, batteries, waste water treatment, antifouling, etc. Each application requires customized properties in the polymer, including their chemical compositions, structure, particle size, and morphology.

The advent of modern macromolecular synthesis tools, such as living radical polymerizations, various "click" chemistry strategies, coupling reactions, hydrothermal, solvothermal, and sonochemical synthesis, were simultaneously employed for the synthesis of various functional polymers for various applications. Recently, the utility of functional polymers based on nanomaterials has been quite diverse, involving many potential applications, and has been proposed for their use in various applications.

Researchers continue to propose new functional polymer preparations with enhanced properties, as well as different applications, in light of this enormous scenario of possibilities. The goal of this issue is to present the current state-of-the-art in the synthesis/modification, characterization/properties, and applications of functional polymeric materials, as well as to look ahead to future possibilities. Original research articles and review papers relating to functional polymer synthesis, modifications of natural polymers and synthetic polymers, preparation and characterization of polymeric micelles/nanogels/hydrogels/polymer nanocomposites, and different applications of functional polymers would be highly welcomed.

I am serving as a Guest Editor of the journal Materials (ISSN 1996-1944, IF 3.623). I am pleased to announce a Special Issue entitled "Preparation, Properties, and Applications of Functional Polymers" (deadline September 2022). Given your renowned expertise and significant contributions to this field, I would like to invite you to contribute a research or review article to this issue.

Prof. Dr. Kwon Taek Lim
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • functional polymer
  • photoactive polymer
  • conductive polymer
  • sensitive polymer
  • polymer modification
  • hydrogels
  • polymeric micelles
  • block copolymer
  • polymer nanocomposites
  • polymer biomaterial
  • coatings and films
  • organic light emitting diodes
  • sensors
  • optoelectronics
  • food packaging
  • biomedical applications

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1689 KiB  
Article
Adsorption of the rhNGF Protein on Polypropylene with Different Grades of Copolymerization
by Paolo Canepa, Claudio Canale, Ornella Cavalleri, Giovanni Marletta, Grazia M. L. Messina, Massimo Messori, Rubina Novelli, Simone Luca Mattioli, Lucia Apparente, Nicola Detta, Tiziana Romeo and Marcello Allegretti
Materials 2023, 16(5), 2076; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16052076 - 3 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1988
Abstract
The surface properties of drug containers should reduce the adsorption of the drug and avoid packaging surface/drug interactions, especially in the case of biologically-derived products. Here, we developed a multi-technique approach that combined Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Contact Angle [...] Read more.
The surface properties of drug containers should reduce the adsorption of the drug and avoid packaging surface/drug interactions, especially in the case of biologically-derived products. Here, we developed a multi-technique approach that combined Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Contact Angle (CA), Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), and X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy (XPS) to investigate the interactions of rhNGF on different pharma grade polymeric materials. Polypropylene (PP)/polyethylene (PE) copolymers and PP homopolymers, both as spin-coated films and injected molded samples, were evaluated for their degree of crystallinity and adsorption of protein. Our analyses showed that copolymers are characterized by a lower degree of crystallinity and lower roughness compared to PP homopolymers. In line with this, PP/PE copolymers also show higher contact angle values, indicating a lower surface wettability for the rhNGF solution on copolymers than PP homopolymers. Thus, we demonstrated that the chemical composition of the polymeric material and, in turn, its surface roughness determine the interaction with the protein and identified that copolymers may offer an advantage in terms of protein interaction/adsorption. The combined QCM-D and XPS data indicated that protein adsorption is a self-limiting process that passivates the surface after the deposition of roughly one molecular layer, preventing any further protein adsorption in the long term. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation, Properties and Applications of Functional Polymers)
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14 pages, 2698 KiB  
Article
Phosphorus-Containing Telomers as UV-Curable Binders of Solvent-Free Varnish Coatings
by Agata Kraśkiewicz and Agnieszka Kowalczyk
Materials 2022, 15(24), 8991; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15248991 - 16 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1777
Abstract
The synthesis of novel phosphorus-containing telomers (P-telomers) was conducted via a solution-free UV-initiated telomerization process of butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, and styrene, different phosphorus telogens (dimethyl phosphite (DMPh), dibutyl phosphite (DBPh), diphenyl phosphite (DPPh) or dibutyl phosphate (DBP)), and a radical [...] Read more.
The synthesis of novel phosphorus-containing telomers (P-telomers) was conducted via a solution-free UV-initiated telomerization process of butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, and styrene, different phosphorus telogens (dimethyl phosphite (DMPh), dibutyl phosphite (DBPh), diphenyl phosphite (DPPh) or dibutyl phosphate (DBP)), and a radical photoinitiator-acylphosphine oxide (APO). The course of the UV-phototelomerization process was monitored by photo-DSC and the chemical structures of telomers were assessed by FTIR. Final UV-photocurable varnish compositions consisted of prepared P-telomer syrups, crosslinking monomer (pentaerythritol triacrylate; PETIA), and a radical UV-photoinitiator (α-hydroxyalkylphenone, HAP). The influence of P- telomers on the optical and mechanical features of coatings was investigated. Relatively the highest hardness and satisfactory scratch values, as well as water and solvent resistance, were observed for varnish based on DMPh-telomers. While the strongest adhesive bond to a glass substrate was reported for DPPh-telomers. It is worth pointing out that the P-telomers did not affect the gloss values of varnishes in comparison to the telomer-free reference sample. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation, Properties and Applications of Functional Polymers)
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16 pages, 4985 KiB  
Article
Fast Absorbent and Highly Bioorthogonal Hydrogels Developed by IEDDA Click Reaction for Drug Delivery Application
by Soo-Bin Joo, Muhammad Gulfam, Sung-Han Jo, Yi-Jun Jo, Trung Thang Vu, Sang-Hyug Park, Yeong-Soon Gal and Kwon Taek Lim
Materials 2022, 15(20), 7128; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15207128 - 13 Oct 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3014
Abstract
In this work, we engineered highly biocompatible and fast absorbent injectable hydrogels derived from norbornene (Nb)-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA-Nb) and a water-soluble cross-linker possessing tetrazine (Tz) functional groups on both ends of polyethylene glycol (PEG-DTz). The by-product (nitrogen gas) of the inverse electron [...] Read more.
In this work, we engineered highly biocompatible and fast absorbent injectable hydrogels derived from norbornene (Nb)-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA-Nb) and a water-soluble cross-linker possessing tetrazine (Tz) functional groups on both ends of polyethylene glycol (PEG-DTz). The by-product (nitrogen gas) of the inverse electron demand Diels–Alder (IEDDA) cross-linking reaction carved porosity in the resulting hydrogels. By varying the molar ratio of HA-Nb and PEG-DTz (Nb:Tz = 10:10, 10:5, 10:2.5), we were able to formulate hydrogels with tunable porosity, gelation time, mechanical strength, and swelling ratios. The hydrogels formed quickly (gelation time < 100 s), offering a possibility to use them as an injectable drug delivery system. The experimental data showed rapid swelling and a high swelling ratio thanks to the existence of PEG chains and highly porous architectures of the hydrogels. The hydrogels were able to encapsulate a high amount of curcumin (~99%) and released the encapsulated curcumin in a temporal pattern. The PEG-DTz cross-linker, HA-Nb, and the resulting hydrogels showed no cytotoxicity in HEK-293 cells. These fast absorbent hydrogels with excellent biocompatibility fabricated from HA-Nb and the IEDDA click-able cross-linker could be promising drug carriers for injectable drug delivery applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation, Properties and Applications of Functional Polymers)
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19 pages, 4156 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Organosolv Lignins and Their Application in the Preparation of Aerogels
by Piia Jõul, Tran T. Ho, Urve Kallavus, Alar Konist, Kristiina Leiman, Olivia-Stella Salm, Maria Kulp, Mihkel Koel and Tiit Lukk
Materials 2022, 15(8), 2861; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15082861 - 13 Apr 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3894
Abstract
The production of novel materials and value-added chemicals from lignin has received considerable attention in recent years. Due to its abundant occurrence in nature, there is a growing interest in utilizing lignin as a feedstock for functional materials production, for example aerogels. Much [...] Read more.
The production of novel materials and value-added chemicals from lignin has received considerable attention in recent years. Due to its abundant occurrence in nature, there is a growing interest in utilizing lignin as a feedstock for functional materials production, for example aerogels. Much like in the synthesis of phenol-based resins, the vacant ortho positions of the aromatic rings in lignin can crosslink with formaldehyde and form polymeric gels. After drying the hydrogels with supercritical CO2, highly porous aerogels are obtained. Current study focuses on the preparation and thorough parametrization of organosolv lignins from different types of lignocellulosic biomass (aspen, pine, and barley straw) as well as their utilization for the preparation of lignin-5-methylresorcinol-formaldehyde aerogels. The thorough structural characterization of the obtained aerogels was carried out by gas adsorption, IR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The obtained lignin-based monolithic mesoporous aerogels had specific surface areas and total pore volumes in the upward ranges of 450 m2/g and 1.4 cm3/g, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation, Properties and Applications of Functional Polymers)
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18 pages, 7243 KiB  
Article
Near-Infrared Light-Responsive Shell-Crosslinked Micelles of Poly(d,l-lactide)-b-poly((furfuryl methacrylate)-co-(N-acryloylmorpholine)) Prepared by Diels–Alder Reaction for the Triggered Release of Doxorubicin
by Sonyabapu Yadav, Kalyan Ramesh, Parveen Kumar, Sung-Han Jo, Seong II Yoo, Yeong-Soon Gal, Sang-Hyug Park and Kwon Taek Lim
Materials 2021, 14(24), 7913; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14247913 - 20 Dec 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4496
Abstract
In the present study, we developed near-infrared (NIR)-responsive shell-crosslinked (SCL) micelles using the Diels–Alder (DA) click reaction between an amphiphilic copolymer poly(d,l-lactide)20-b-poly((furfuryl methacrylate)10-co-(N-acryloylmorpholine)78) (PLA20-b [...] Read more.
In the present study, we developed near-infrared (NIR)-responsive shell-crosslinked (SCL) micelles using the Diels–Alder (DA) click reaction between an amphiphilic copolymer poly(d,l-lactide)20-b-poly((furfuryl methacrylate)10-co-(N-acryloylmorpholine)78) (PLA20-b-P(FMA10-co-NAM78)) and a diselenide-containing crosslinker, bis(maleimidoethyl) 3,3′-diselanediyldipropionoate (BMEDSeDP). The PLA20-b-P(FMA10-co-NAM78) copolymer was synthesized by RAFT polymerization of FMA and NAM using a PLA20-macro-chain transfer agent (PLA20-CTA). The DA reaction between BMEDSeDP and the furfuryl moieties in the copolymeric micelles in water resulted in the formation of SCL micelles. The SCL micelles were analyzed by 1H-NMR, FE-SEM, and DLS. An anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX), and an NIR sensitizer, indocyanine green (ICG), were effectively incorporated into the SCL micelles during the crosslinking reaction. The DOX/ICG-loaded SCL micelles showed pH- and NIR-responsive drug release, where burst release was observed under NIR laser irradiation. The in vitro cytotoxicity analysis demonstrated that the SCL was not cytotoxic against normal HFF-1 cells, while DOX/ICG-loaded SCL micelles exhibited significant antitumor activity toward HeLa cells. Thus, the SCL micelles of PLA20-b-P(FMA10-co-NAM78) can be used as a potential delivery vehicle for the controlled drug release in cancer therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation, Properties and Applications of Functional Polymers)
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Review

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18 pages, 2169 KiB  
Review
Applications of Silk Fibroin in Human and Veterinary Medicine
by Piotr Koczoń, Alicja Dąbrowska, Ewa Laskowska, Małgorzata Łabuz, Katarzyna Maj, Jakub Masztakowski, Bartłomiej J. Bartyzel, Andrzej Bryś, Joanna Bryś and Eliza Gruczyńska-Sękowska
Materials 2023, 16(22), 7128; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16227128 - 11 Nov 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2414
Abstract
The properties of silk make it a promising material for medical applications, both in human and veterinary medicine. Its predominant amino acids, glycine and alanine, exhibit low chemical reactivity, reducing the risk of graft rejection, a notable advantage over most synthetic polymers. Hence, [...] Read more.
The properties of silk make it a promising material for medical applications, both in human and veterinary medicine. Its predominant amino acids, glycine and alanine, exhibit low chemical reactivity, reducing the risk of graft rejection, a notable advantage over most synthetic polymers. Hence, silk is increasingly used as a material for 3D printing in biomedicine. It can be used to build cell scaffolding with the desired cytocompatibility and biodegradability. In combination with gelatine, silk can be used in the treatment of arthritis, and as a hydrogel, to regenerate chondrocytes and mesenchymal cells. When combined with gelatine and collagen, it can also make skin grafts and regenerate the integumentary system. In the treatment of bone tissue, it can be used in combination with polylactic acid and hydroxyapatite to produce bone clips having good mechanical properties and high immunological tolerance. Furthermore, silk can provide a good microenvironment for the proliferation of bone marrow stem cells. Moreover, research is underway to produce artificial blood vessels using silk in combination with glycidyl methacrylate. Silk vascular grafts have demonstrated a high degree of patency and a satisfactory degree of endothelial cells coverage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation, Properties and Applications of Functional Polymers)
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