Propanol incorporation into nanoporous δ-sPS was analyzed by infrared spectroscopy. Both 1- and 2-propanol diffuse into the nanopores and amorphous free volume, with higher concentration enhancing uptake. At 70 °C, propanol incorporation from aqueous solutions shows three concentration regions, reflecting clustering behavior. High propanol fractions (>0.8) yield larger diffusion coefficients and significantly increased incorporation.

An acid-responsive bis(terpyridine)cobalt(II) polymer thin films was developped using a ligand-engineering strategy, in which a basic pyridine moiety was introduced into the core of the terpyridine ligand. The electronic state modulation by pyridine moieties significantly increased the redox conductivity. Furthermore, introduction of acidic anions through anion-exchange induced protonation of the pyridine moieties. The protonation of the pyridine units decreased the redox conductivity. These findings demonstrate a versatile strategy for controlling charge transport in redox-conductive polymers through proton-responsive ligand design.

Polyampholyte (PA) gels possess tunable mechanical properties governed by chemical crosslinking and noncovalent interactions, yet the mechanisms by which topological constraints dictate network deformation remain poorly understood. Here, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) was employed to characterize the chain network deformation of PA gels under uniaxial stretching. Unlike conventional chemical gels, the more inhomogeneous PA network exhibits the greater elongation at break, enabled by dynamic ionic bonds that reduce stress concentration and dissipate energy through reversible break and reform.

The hydrolysis behavior and thermal properties of dihydroxy-functionalized PTMC analogs with different geometries of the hydroxy groups on the side chains were examined. The polymers are highly water soluble because of the dihydroxy side groups and degrade in water within a few days under neutral conditions. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that dihydroxy side chains efficiently facilitated the formation of intermediate water. This study supports the promotion of the hydrolysis of PTMC analogs by enhancing hydration via side-chain engineering.

The hydrolysis behavior of PLA-bearing physical hydrogels was investigated using synchronized NMR, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), and small-amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS). During hydrolysis, water progressively penetrated and swelled the PLA nanodomains, as revealed by in situ SANS analysis. Although the hydrogels maintained their elastic nature throughout degradation, the storage modulus continuously decreased with the progress of hydrolysis. These findings demonstrate a close relationship between hydrolysis kinetics, nanostructural evolution, and mechanical degradation in biodegradable PLA-based hydrogels.

A series of PETG copolyesters with controlled trans-CHDM content (67–99%) was synthesized via one-pot melt polycondensation. Upon UV irradiation, trans→cis isomerization of CHDM units led to progressive structural changes. High-trans copolyesters exhibited superior UV resistance, retaining mechanical integrity and suppressing chain scission. Mechanistic studies revealed that efficient photothermal conversion via non-radiative energy dissipation–facilitated by enhanced intramolecular friction–underlay the improved photostability. PETG-40-80% achieved an optimal balance of UV durability and mechanical performance.

A sulfur-containing N-alkylated nylon incorporating disulfide and ether groups was designed as a multi-stimuli-responsive homopolymer. The polymer exhibits LCST-type phase separation in water. Orthogonal multi-degradability is achieved through redox-triggered disulfide cleavage and acid-catalyzed amide hydrolysis. Partial reduction induces controlled main-chain scission and oligomerization, enabling redox-responsive regulation of the LCST-type cloud point.

Dissipative particle dynamics simulations reveal how flow kinematics affect the extensional viscosities of dilute polymer solutions under uniaxial, planar, and biaxial extensional flows. The relation between the extensional viscosity and polymer conformation, obtained from a single-chain model, enables separation of the flow-kinematics dependence of the extensional viscosity into purely kinematic effects and flow-induced conformational changes. At low extension rates, purely kinematic effects dominate, whereas at high extension rates, polymer stretching makes the gyration radius in the extensional direction the key factor that governs the flow-kinematics dependence of the extensional viscosity.

P(dCzCN-co-bTP) copolymers were electrocoated onto ITO-coated glass substrates. A dual-type complementary electrochromic device (ECD) was fabricated using P(dCzCN-co-bTP) as anodically coloring electrochromes and PEDOT as the cathodically coloring electrochrome. The P(dCzCN-co-bTP)/PEDOT ECD revealed a high ΔT (38.0% at 630 nm), a high coloration efficiency (η = 531.4 cm²C⁻¹ at 630 nm) and a fast switching time ( ≤ 0.3 s). P(dCzCN-co-bTP)/PEDOT ECD showed yellow at 0.0 V and blue at 1.8 V.