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Polymers
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Emerging Smart Applications of Functional Polymeric Materials
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Emerging Smart Applications of Functional Polymeric Materials

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Smart and Functional Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 May 2024) | Viewed by 8107

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jinhui Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory for Special Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
Interests: electrochromism; energy storage; polymer deformation; sensing; bionics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Zhuanpei Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory for Special Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
Interests: energy storage and conversion; electrochromism; conducting polymers; Ionogel
Dr. Congyuan Wei

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory for Special Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
Interests: organic electrochromic materials; conducting polymers; energy storage; sensing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the last decade, the rapid development of science and technology has promoted the exploration of functional polymer systems. Functional polymeric materials and films can produce unique physical/chemical properties, including optical, electrical, thermal, and magnetic properties, thus leading to a wide range of applications in energy, bionics, sensing, and other intelligent fields. This Special Issue focuses on the most recent advances in research on the development of functional materials and their emerging smart applications. We would be delighted if you would agree to join us in this endeavor by submitting your most recent original research articles and reviews to this Special Issue. The topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Stimulus-responsive polymer materials and films;
  • Functional polymeric materials and films in energy storage and conversion;
  • Polymeric film-based flexible electronics and soft robotics;
  • Nature-inspired self-assembly of functional polymers.

Prof. Dr. Jinhui Wang
Prof. Dr. Zhuanpei Wang
Dr. Congyuan Wei
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • stimulus-responsive polymers
  • polymer coating
  • deformed polymer films
  • conducting polymers
  • self-assembly
  • biomimetic materials
  • energy storage
  • conversion smart applications

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 4131 KiB  
Article
Synthesis, Structure and Properties of Polyester Polyureas via a Non-Isocyanate Route with Good Combined Properties
by Liuchun Zheng, Qiqi Xie, Guangjun Hu, Bing Wang, Danqing Song, Yunchuan Zhang and Yi Liu
Polymers 2024, 16(7), 993; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16070993 - 4 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1663
Abstract
Polyureas have been widely applied in many fields, such as coatings, fibers, foams and dielectric materials. Traditionally, polyureas are prepared from isocyanates, which are highly toxic and harmful to humans and the environment. Synthesis of polyureas via non-isocyanate routes is green, environmentally friendly [...] Read more.
Polyureas have been widely applied in many fields, such as coatings, fibers, foams and dielectric materials. Traditionally, polyureas are prepared from isocyanates, which are highly toxic and harmful to humans and the environment. Synthesis of polyureas via non-isocyanate routes is green, environmentally friendly and sustainable. However, the application of non-isocyanate polyureas is quite restrained due to their brittleness as the result of the lack of a soft segment in their molecular blocks. To address this issue, we have prepared polyester polyureas via an isocyanate-free route and introduced polyester-based soft segments to improve their toughness and endow high impact resistance to the polyureas. In this paper, the soft segments of polyureas were synthesized by the esterification and polycondensation of dodecanedioic acid and 1,4-butanediol. Hard segments of polyureas were synthesized by melt polycondensation of urea and 1,10-diaminodecane without a catalyst or high pressure. A series of polyester polyureas were synthesized by the polycondensation of the soft and hard segments. These synthesized polyester-type polyureas exhibit excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Therefore, they have high potential to substitute traditional polyureas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Smart Applications of Functional Polymeric Materials)
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20 pages, 3284 KiB  
Article
Synapse-Mimicking Memristors Based on 3,6-Di(tpy)-9-Phenylcarbazole Unimer and Its Copolymer with Cobalt(II) Ions
by Ambika Pandey, Andrei Chernyshev, Yadu Ram Panthi, Jiří Zedník, Adriana Šturcová, Magdalena Konefał, Olga Kočková, Stephen H. Foulger, Jiří Vohlídal and Jiří Pfleger
Polymers 2024, 16(4), 542; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16040542 - 17 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2074
Abstract
The title compound, unimer U (tpy stands for 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridin-4′-yl end-group), by itself shows the memristor effect with a retention time of 18 h and persistence of 11 h. Its coordination copolymer with Co(II) ions, [CoU]n, exhibits multimodal resistance changes similar [...] Read more.
The title compound, unimer U (tpy stands for 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridin-4′-yl end-group), by itself shows the memristor effect with a retention time of 18 h and persistence of 11 h. Its coordination copolymer with Co(II) ions, [CoU]n, exhibits multimodal resistance changes similar to the synaptic responses observed in biological systems. More than 320 cycles of potentiation and depression measured in continuous sequence occurred without observing a significant current change, confirming the operational stability and reproducibility of the device based on the [CoU]n polymer. The synaptic effect of a device with an indium tin oxide (ITO)/[CoU]n/top-electrode (TE) configuration is more pronounced for the device with TE = Au compared to devices with TE = Al or Ga. However, the latter TEs provide a cost-effective approach without any significant compromise in device plasticity. The detected changes in the synaptic weight, about 12% for pair-pulse facilitation and 80% for its depression, together with a millisecond trigger and reading pulses that decay exponentially on the time scale typical of neurosynapses, justify the device’s ability to learn and memorize. These properties offer potential applications in neuromorphic computation and brain-inspired synaptic devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Smart Applications of Functional Polymeric Materials)
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41 pages, 10644 KiB  
Article
Colorless Polyimides Derived from 5,5′-bis(2,3-norbornanedicarboxylic anhydride): Strategies to Reduce the Linear Coefficients of Thermal Expansion and Improve the Film Toughness
by Masatoshi Hasegawa, Takuya Miyama, Junichi Ishii, Daisuke Watanabe and Akira Uchida
Polymers 2023, 15(18), 3838; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15183838 - 20 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1644
Abstract
In this paper, novel colorless polyimides (PIs) derived from 5,5′-bis(2,3-norbornanedicarboxylic anhydride) (BNBDA) were presented. The results of single-crystal X-ray structural analysis using a BNBDA-based model compound suggested that it had a unique steric structure with high structural linearity. Therefore, BNBDA is expected to [...] Read more.
In this paper, novel colorless polyimides (PIs) derived from 5,5′-bis(2,3-norbornanedicarboxylic anhydride) (BNBDA) were presented. The results of single-crystal X-ray structural analysis using a BNBDA-based model compound suggested that it had a unique steric structure with high structural linearity. Therefore, BNBDA is expected to afford new colorless PI films with an extremely high glass transition temperature (Tg) and a low linear coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) when combined with aromatic diamines with rigid and linear structures (typically, 2,2′-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzidine (TFMB)). However, the polyaddition of BNBDA and TFMB did not form a PI precursor with a sufficiently high molecular weight; consequently, the formation of a flexible, free-standing PI film via the two-step process was inhibited because of its brittleness. One-pot polycondensation was also unsuccessful in this system because of precipitation during the reaction, probably owing to the poor solubility of the initially yielded BNBDA/TFMB imide oligomers. The combinations of (1) the structural modification of the BNBDA/TFMB system, (2) the application of a modified one-pot process, in which the conditions of the temperature-rising profile, solvents, azeotropic agent, catalysts, and reactor were refined, and (3) the optimization of the film preparation conditions overcame the trade-off between low CTE and high film toughness and afforded unprecedented PI films with well-balanced properties, simultaneously achieving excellent optical transparency, extremely high Tg, sufficiently high thermal stability, low CTE, high toughness, relatively low water uptake, and excellent solution processability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Smart Applications of Functional Polymeric Materials)
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Review

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27 pages, 3299 KiB  
Review
Fibrous Structures: An Overview of Their Responsiveness to External Stimuli towards Intended Application
by Mónica P. S. Ferreira, Afonso S. Gonçalves, Joana C. Antunes, João Bessa, Fernando Cunha and Raúl Fangueiro
Polymers 2024, 16(10), 1345; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16101345 - 9 May 2024
Viewed by 2136
Abstract
In recent decades, the interest in responsive fibrous structures has surged, propelling them into diverse applications: from wearable textiles that adapt to their surroundings, to filtration membranes dynamically altering selectivity, these structures showcase remarkable versatility. Various stimuli, including temperature, light, pH, electricity, and [...] Read more.
In recent decades, the interest in responsive fibrous structures has surged, propelling them into diverse applications: from wearable textiles that adapt to their surroundings, to filtration membranes dynamically altering selectivity, these structures showcase remarkable versatility. Various stimuli, including temperature, light, pH, electricity, and chemical compounds, can serve as triggers to unleash physical or chemical changes in response. Processing methodologies such as weaving or knitting using responsive yarns, electrospinning, as well as coating procedures, enable the integration of responsive materials into fibrous structures. They can respond to these stimuli, and comprise shape memory materials, temperature-responsive polymers, chromic materials, phase change materials, photothermal materials, among others. The resulting effects can manifest in a variety of ways, from pore adjustments and altered permeability to shape changing, color changing, and thermal regulation. This review aims to explore the realm of fibrous structures, delving into their responsiveness to external stimuli, with a focus on temperature, light, and pH. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Smart Applications of Functional Polymeric Materials)
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