https://phys.org/chemistry-news/polymers/ en-us The latest science news on polymers In the process of converting carbon dioxide into useful chemicals such as ethylene—a key precursor for plastics—a major challenge has been the flooding of electrodes, where electrolyte penetrates the electrode structure and reduces performance. KAIST researchers have developed a new electrode design that blocks water while maintaining efficient electrical conduction and catalytic reactions, thereby improving both efficiency and stability. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-electrode-technology-efficiency-plastic-precursors.html Polymers Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:00:04 EDT news694773151 Have you ever wondered how mussels instantly glue themselves to rocks, allowing them to survive the crushing force of ocean waves? They complete this process in under 30 seconds. Yet, in a laboratory, replicating this process of molecular self-assembly, known as liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), typically takes dozens of minutes, if not hours. A research team of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has recently solved this long-standing puzzle using large-scale molecular dynamics simulation and theoretical analysis, revealing the secret to nature's incredible speed and providing implications for instant biocompatible surgical glues. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-flux-pathway-reveals-mussel-liquid.html Polymers Sat, 11 Apr 2026 17:00:03 EDT news694882655 Researchers at Koç University have developed a light-driven method to produce porous semiconducting polymers under ambient conditions without the need for metal catalysts. The study, led by Prof. Dr. Önder Metin from the Department of Chemistry, in collaboration with Dr. Melek Sermin Özer, Dr. Zafer Eroğlu, and Prof. Dr. Sermet Koyuncu, was published in Nature Communications. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-driven-method-enables-sustainable-production.html Polymers Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:20:03 EDT news694796641 The 19th-century science fiction novel Frankenstein explores the idea of combining artificial materials with human body components, purely as a matter of imagination. Two centuries later, such concepts have become integral to our medical science. Synthetic materials and devices can interface with the body's electrical and chemical systems to restore function—from regulating neural activity in neurodegenerative disorders to managing heart rhythm in cardiovascular diseases. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-polymers-built-body-blood-catalyzed.html Biochemistry Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:00:03 EDT news694688248 In the world of advanced materials, the ultimate goal is to create a substance that possesses the adaptability of biological tissue: it must be strong enough to maintain its shape, yet fluid enough to be molded. The research team at National Taiwan University (NTU) has achieved this balance by developing a sophisticated CGB hydrogel system, with their findings recently published in the journal Carbohydrate Polymers. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-dual-network-chapter-3d-printable.html Polymers Sun, 05 Apr 2026 16:00:03 EDT news694363198 Plastic, once ingenious for its durability and versatility, has become a global environmental issue that is affecting every aspect of life. This, in turn, is fueling the development of degradable polymers as alternative solutions. Among contending the possibilities are poly(disulfide)s, which have garnered attention as redox-degradable polymers with various polymerization techniques that can break down in reductive environments, such as the seafloor. However, according to the specific objective, it is necessary to design and synthesize each monomer to control polymer properties and impart functionality. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-domino-polymerization-route-versatile-degradable.html Polymers Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:20:01 EDT news694430161 A breakthrough method for chemically recycling acrylic—one of the world's most widely used plastics—has been developed by researchers at the University of Bath. In contrast to conventional mechanical recycling, this method uses lower temperatures and sustainable solvents without losing material quality, meaning the plastic can be recycled many times over with minimal environmental impact. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-uv-method-recycling-acrylic-plastics.html Polymers Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:20:05 EDT news694351321 Many emerging medical technologies rely on seamless integration between biological systems and electronics. This requires materials that are soft, electrically conductive, and biologically active—properties that have been difficult to combine in a single system. Research teams led by Prof. Dr. Ivan Minev (TUD Dresden University of Technology, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden) and by Dr. Christoph Tondera (Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden and Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden at TUD) have now developed such a material. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-hydrogel-enables-electrical-biochemical.html Biochemistry Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:20:05 EDT news694182121 Hair damaged by dyes, bleaching or harsh sunlight has just got special treatment. Green chemistry researchers at Flinders University are experimenting with plant-based oils to develop a promising new structural keratin-type repair application to reduce breakage and improve hair health. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-eco-friendly-hair-natural-personal.html Biochemistry Sun, 29 Mar 2026 13:00:04 EDT news693496754 A research team led by Professor Jaehoon Kim at Sungkyunkwan University and Dr. Dong Ki Lee at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has developed a highly efficient catalytic process that electrochemically converts lignin, a key component of woody biomass, into value-added aromatic compounds and cyclohexene-based compounds. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-recalcitrant-lignin-bonds-electricity-conversion.html Biochemistry Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:20:07 EDT news693824822 The words on this page mean something because they are assembled in a particular order and follow the complex rules of grammar and syntax. Creating new chemical polymers follows a similar kind of structure, with rules about what elements and groups of atoms go together and how to assemble them to make sense. Thinking about polymers in that way has led Georgia Tech materials scientists to create new generative artificial intelligence tools that are like Claude or ChatGPT for new materials. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-generative-ai-polymer-lab-dielectric.html Polymers Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:30:01 EDT news693756061 Nitrile and latex gloves that scientists wear while they are measuring microplastics may lead to a potential overestimation of the tiny pollutants, according to a University of Michigan study, published in Analytical Methods. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-nitrile-latex-gloves-overestimation-microplastics.html Polymers Thu, 26 Mar 2026 05:00:01 EDT news693656221 Researchers at the University of Bath have discovered a renewable, bio-based polymer membrane capable of efficiently capturing toxic "forever chemicals" from water, offering a potential new route to more sustainable water treatment. The paper is published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-bio-based-polymer-sustainable-solution.html Polymers Tue, 24 Mar 2026 23:10:01 EDT news693582541 Many important technologies, from handheld phones to medical devices and transportation vehicles, rely on rechargeable batteries. Modern top-of-the-line rechargeable batteries transport lithium ions between electrodes to store and deliver energy. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-safer-nonflammable-battery-electrolyte-flaw.html Polymers Mon, 23 Mar 2026 13:40:01 EDT news693482648 Detergents may begin their journey by cleaning our clothes, but they end up contaminating the environment, flowing into rivers, ponds, and oceans, where they severely disrupt aquatic animal life. Even after wastewater treatment, some chemicals remain and pass through filtration systems, continuing to pollute natural water bodies. A team of researchers from China explored the question: What if our clothes could be washed without detergent? https://phys.org/news/2026-03-fabric-detergent.html Polymers Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:20:03 EDT news693479435 Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have invented a reusable adhesive from waste polymers that is tougher than commercial glues, works underwater as well as in dry environments, and bonds a variety of materials, including wood, glass, metal, paper and polymers. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-mussel-recycled-plastics-detached-reused.html Polymers Sat, 21 Mar 2026 13:00:08 EDT news692964017 In a new study, scientists from the universities of Portsmouth and Manchester report that a specially engineered enzyme can significantly speed up the breakdown of PET—the plastic used in water bottles, food packaging and polyester clothing—when it is processed at high concentrations similar to those used in industry. The findings are published in the journal Bioresource Technology. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-plastic-fusion-enzyme-polyester-textile.html Biochemistry Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:20:01 EDT news693221906 Researchers at the University of St Andrews have unveiled two breakthrough techniques for chemically recycling and upcycling nitrile‑rubber products, such as disposable gloves, seals, and industrial parts, into new materials that are also capable of capturing carbon dioxide. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-scientists-rubber-materials-capture.html Polymers Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:40:02 EDT news693064441 At a potluck, you ate the best chocolate chip cookie—golden-brown, thick and chewy. Unfortunately, you don't know who made the cookie to get the recipe from, so you decide to recreate it. Using forward design principles, you might randomly choose a recipe from dozens of options, bake and observe the resulting cookies. If they are too thin, you might start over with a new recipe, add more flour or chill the dough longer and make a new batch. An alternative method is to start from the cookie characteristics you want and ask: What recipe and baking settings will produce that type of cookie? This method is called inverse design. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-inverse-pathway-custom-functional-polymers.html Polymers Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:07 EDT news692956417 Turning waste into wealth may no longer be just a marketing slogan, as a team of researchers in China has found an eco-friendly way to do exactly that. The abundant sunlight our planet receives was put to use for transforming polystyrene waste, one of the world's largest plastic polluters, into useful chemicals that can help advance the semiconductor industry. By adding elemental sulfur (S₈), they converted the plastic waste into two useful molecules: 2,4-diphenylthiophene and 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene. The first can be transformed into materials used in optoelectronics and high-performance semiconductors, while the second has a unique, rigid planar structure that makes it a great building block for creating advanced functional materials. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-solar-energy-polystyrene-valuable-chemicals.html Polymers Tue, 17 Mar 2026 08:10:01 EDT news692888889 After years of research, international experts have confirmed the discovery of a new chemical reaction, launching new opportunities for rapid advances in a range of fields—from recycled plastics to pharmaceuticals. In the article, "Spontaneous Trisulfide Metathesis in Polar Aprotic Solvents" in Nature Chemistry, the interdisciplinary team explore how sulfur-sulfur bonds can be formed and broken rapidly and cleanly at room temperature, opening new avenues for drug development, biotech and protein science, and chemical and material science. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-plastics-pharmaceuticals-discovery-chain-reactions.html Polymers Fri, 13 Mar 2026 06:00:04 EDT news692538061 A study led by Northwestern University researchers has reported a way to observe hydrogel nano and microstructure while the hydrogel remains fully solvated. The approach reveals that methylcellulose, one of the most widely used hydrogel-forming materials in biomedical research and consumer products, organizes itself into a structural architecture that standard characterization techniques have not been able to visualize. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-common-hydrogel-built-differently-assumed.html Polymers Thu, 12 Mar 2026 15:00:06 EDT news692534041 Kyushu University researchers have directly observed, for the first time, how individual polymers—chain-like molecules—behave when in contact with solid surfaces. Published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the study reveals a previously unseen behavior in which molecules repeatedly stick to and release from the surface. The findings may contribute to enhancing the performance of adhesives for joining different materials. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-captures-polymer-segments-surfaces.html Polymers Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:00:01 EDT news692371564 Over the past century, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased dramatically. This rise has contributed to global warming and led to many harmful effects, including shifting weather patterns and more frequent droughts. There is an urgent need to lower the amount of carbon dioxide in the air to protect ecosystems and reduce future damage to the planet. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-moisture-powered-polymers-air-efficient.html Polymers Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:20:02 EDT news692357565 Bones broken in a skiing accident usually heal on their own. But if the break is too severe or a bone tumor needs to be removed, surgeons insert an implant that enables the bone to grow back together. Implants often consist of pieces of the patient's own bone, known as autografts, or metal or ceramic parts. A key drawback of many of today's implants is that they require a second surgery to harvest the tissue for the autografts. Additionally, metal implants tend to be too rigid and may loosen over time, compromising stability. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-dissolvable-hydrogel-enable-personalized-bone.html Biochemistry Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:20:03 EST news691678648 Every year, over 100 billion nitrile rubber gloves are produced. They are made from synthetic polymers—a material chemically related to plastic and derived from crude oil. The vast majority is used in the health care sector, and most are discarded after single use. This creates a massive amount of material waste globally. However, Simon Kildahl, a postdoc at the Department of Chemistry at Aarhus University, has moved a step closer to a way of recycling these gloves. In a new study published in the journal Chem, he and his colleagues demonstrate how they can transform waste rubber into a CO2 adsorbent in the laboratory. The potential, he explains, is significant. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-trash-climate-tech-rubber-gloves.html Polymers Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:00:01 EST news691417022 Researchers at the University of Waterloo have discovered a way to turn plastic waste into acetic acid, the main ingredient of vinegar, using sunlight. The breakthrough offers a promising new approach to reducing plastic pollution through photocatalysis, while simultaneously creating a useful, value-added chemical product through a process inspired by nature. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-sunlight-powered-plastic-acetic-acid.html Polymers Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:40:03 EST news691078427 A new study led by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) has unveiled the first biomaterial that is not only waterproof but actually becomes stronger in contact with water. The material is produced by the incorporation of nickel into the structure of chitosan, a chitinous polymer obtained from discarded shrimp shells. The development of this new biomaterial marks a departure from the plastic-age mindset of making materials that must isolate from their environment to perform well. Instead, it shows how sustainable materials can connect and leverage their environment, using their surrounding water to achieve mechanical performance that surpasses common plastics. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-chitosan-nickel-biomaterial-stronger-plastics.html Biochemistry Wed, 18 Feb 2026 05:00:09 EST news690483601 To find new ways to shield hair from heat, sunlight and air pollution, researchers in Brazil are turning to vegan-friendly ingredients for shampoos and conditioners. Published in ACS Omega, early tests show that a fruit-algae combination added to haircare products coats strands with a protective film. Although the botanical film makes hair slightly less elastic, it improves shine and makes locks easier to comb compared to hair washed and conditioned with products not containing the biopolymer. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-vegan-friendly-haircare-early-shinier.html Biochemistry Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:09:12 EST news690458941 Additive manufacturing (AM) methods, such as 3D printing, enable the realization of objects with different geometric properties, by adding materials layer-by-layer to physically replicate a digital model. These methods are now widely used to rapidly create product prototypes, as well as components for vehicles, consumer goods and medical technologies. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-3d-ink-lignin-recycles.html Polymers Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:13:48 EST news690135182