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Development and Innovation of Stimuli-Responsive Polymers

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 1625

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan 32003, Taiwan
Interests: polymer modifications; radical polymerzation; self assembly; organic/inrganic composites ; polymer coatings; biomedical applications
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Responsive polymer-based materials are defined as polymers that undergo relatively large and physical or chemical changes in response to small external changes in environmental conditions. Over the years, these materials have been intensively studied for various applications such as drug delivery, biosensing for tissue generation, smart coatings, and artificial muscles. There are many different stimuli that can modulate the response of polymer systems. These stimuli can be classified as physical (i.e., temperature, electric or magnetic fields, and mechanical stress) or chemical (i.e., pH, ionic factors, and chemical agents). These reactions of polymer systems are very useful in biomedicine, chemical sensing, and chromatography. This Special Issue aims to present the current development of stimuli-responsive polymers. Advanced original research articles and reviews are highly encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Po-Chih Yang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • stimuli-responsive polymer
  • drug delivery
  • biosensing for tissue generation
  • smart coatings
  • artificial muscles
  • physical stimuli
  • temperature
  • electric
  • magnetic fields
  • mechanical stress
  • chemical stimuli
  • pH
  • ionic factors
  • chemical agents

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1518 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of Multifunctional Hyperbranched Polymers via Atom Transfer Radical Self-Condensing Vinyl Polymerization for Applications in Polyurethane-Based Anion Exchange Membranes
by Nhat Hong Nguyen, Chih-Feng Huang and Tongsai Jamnongkan
Polymers 2025, 17(14), 1930; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17141930 - 13 Jul 2025
Viewed by 354
Abstract
Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are vital for electrochemical energy devices such as alkaline fuel cells and water electrolyzers, enabling the use of non-precious metal catalysts despite challenges from alkaline degradation. Hyperbranched polymers (hbPs) with their globular structure, high functional group density, and simple [...] Read more.
Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are vital for electrochemical energy devices such as alkaline fuel cells and water electrolyzers, enabling the use of non-precious metal catalysts despite challenges from alkaline degradation. Hyperbranched polymers (hbPs) with their globular structure, high functional group density, and simple synthesis, offer a promising platform for enhancing transport and stability. In this study, multifunctional hbPs were synthesized from 4-vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) via atom transfer radical self-condensing vinyl polymerization (ATR-SCVP) and crosslinked into polyurethane-based AEMs. Characterization confirmed successful copolymerization and crosslinking, with excellent alkaline stability. Membranes crosslinked with higher molecular weight (MW) and VBC-richer hbPs (e.g., OH-hbP1-PU) exhibited high water uptake (75%) but low ion-exchange capacity (1.54 mmol/g) and conductivity (186 µS/cm), attributed to steric hindrance and insufficient ionic network connectivity. In contrast, OH-hbP2-PU exhibited optimal properties, with the highest OH conductivity (338 µS/cm) and IEC (2.64 mmol/g), highlighting a balanced structure for efficient ion transport. This work offers a tunable strategy for high-performance AEM development through tailored hbP architecture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development and Innovation of Stimuli-Responsive Polymers)
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20 pages, 2317 KiB  
Article
Multifunctional Amphiphilic Biocidal Copolymers Based on N-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)methacrylamide Exhibiting pH-, Thermo-, and CO2-Sensitivity
by Maria Filomeni Koutsougera, Spyridoula Adamopoulou, Denisa Druvari, Alexios Vlamis-Gardikas, Zacharoula Iatridi and Georgios Bokias
Polymers 2025, 17(14), 1896; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17141896 - 9 Jul 2025
Viewed by 383
Abstract
Because of their potential “smart” applications, multifunctional stimuli-responsive polymers are gaining increasing scientific interest. The present work explores the possibility of developing such materials based on the hydrolytically stable N-3-dimethylamino propyl methacrylamide), DMAPMA. To this end, the properties in aqueous solution of the [...] Read more.
Because of their potential “smart” applications, multifunctional stimuli-responsive polymers are gaining increasing scientific interest. The present work explores the possibility of developing such materials based on the hydrolytically stable N-3-dimethylamino propyl methacrylamide), DMAPMA. To this end, the properties in aqueous solution of the homopolymer PDMAPMA and copolymers P(DMAPMA-co-MMAx) of DMAPMA with the hydrophobic monomer methyl methacrylate, MMA, were explored. Two copolymers were prepared with a molar content x = 20% and 35%, as determined by Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR). Turbidimetry studies revealed that, in contrast to the homopolymer exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior only at pH 14 in the absence of salt, the LCST of the copolymers covers a wider pH range (pH > 8.5) and can be tuned within the whole temperature range studied (from room temperature up to ~70 °C) through the use of salt. The copolymers self-assemble in water above a critical aggregation Concentration (CAC), as determined by Nile Red probing, and form nanostructures with a size of ~15 nm (for P(DMAPMA-co-MMA35)), as revealed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The combination of turbidimetry with 1H NMR and automatic total organic carbon/total nitrogen (TOC/TN) results revealed the potential of the copolymers as visual CO2 sensors. Finally, the alkylation of the copolymers with dodecyl groups lead to cationic amphiphilic materials with an order of magnitude lower CAC (as compared to the unmodified precursor), effectively stabilized in water as larger aggregates (~200 nm) over a wide temperature range, due to their increased ζ potential (+15 mV). Such alkylated products show promising biocidal properties against microorganisms such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development and Innovation of Stimuli-Responsive Polymers)
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22 pages, 3528 KiB  
Article
Comparative Evaluation of Redox and Non-Redox Epoxy–Clay Coatings for Corrosion Resistance in ACQ Saline Media
by Yun-Xiang Lan, Yun-Hsuan Chen, Hsin-Yu Chang, Karen S. Santiago, Li-Yun Su, Cheng-Yu Tsai, Chun-Hung Huang and Jui-Ming Yeh
Polymers 2025, 17(12), 1684; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17121684 - 17 Jun 2025
Viewed by 466
Abstract
This study prepared epoxy–clay nanocomposites (ECNs) by incorporating organophilic clays modified with either non-redox cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or redox-active aniline pentamer (AP), then compared their anticorrosion performance on metal substrates in saline environments. The test solution contained 2 wt% alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) [...] Read more.
This study prepared epoxy–clay nanocomposites (ECNs) by incorporating organophilic clays modified with either non-redox cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or redox-active aniline pentamer (AP), then compared their anticorrosion performance on metal substrates in saline environments. The test solution contained 2 wt% alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) wood preservatives. Cold-rolled steel (CRS) panels coated with the ECNs were evaluated via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in saline media both with and without ACQ. For CRS coated with unmodified epoxy, the Nyquist plot showed impedance dropping from 255 kΩ to 121 kΩ upon adding 2 wt% ACQ—indicating that Cu2⁺ ions accelerate iron oxidation. Introducing 1 wt% CTAB–clay into the epoxy increased impedance from 121 kΩ to 271 kΩ, while 1 wt% AP–clay raised it to 702 kΩ. This improvement arises because the organophilic clay platelets create a more tortuous path for Cu2+ and O₂ diffusion, as confirmed by ICP–MS measurements of Cu2+ after EIS and oxygen permeability tests (GPA), thereby slowing iron oxidation. Moreover, ECN coatings containing AP–clay outperformed those with CTAB–clay in corrosion resistance, suggesting that AP not only enhances platelet dispersion but also promotes formation of a dense, passive metal oxide layer at the coating–metal interface, as shown by TEM, GPA, and XRD analyses. Finally, accelerated salt-spray exposure following ASTM B-117 yielded corrosion behavior consistent with the EIS results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development and Innovation of Stimuli-Responsive Polymers)
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