Two-dimensional sheet-shaped poly(methyl methacrylate) (2d-PMMA) with crosslinking only in the two-dimensional direction was synthesized via planar polymerization of MMA monomer in montmorillonite (MMT) nanolayers by using γ-ray irradiation, and the samples obtained were characterized by size-exclusion chromatography with a multiangle light scattering (SEC-MALS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Our results provided experimental proof that the desired sheet-like polymer was attained and the obtained samples were appropriately characterized, augmenting the previous reports.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based nanomechanical characterization techniques have been extensively used to investigate the mechanical properties and mechanisms of polymeric materials. This technique enables direct visualization of the micromechanical properties of material surfaces and is referred to as the AFM nanomechanics technique. This review article discusses the application of this technique to studying polymer composites with a specific focus on the significant advances made in tracking the microscopic deformation behavior and visualizing the microscopic stress distribution of materials.

Statistical structural analysis was conducted for ternary blends of copolymers composed of two monomers chosen from acrylonitrile, α-methylstyrene, and styrene. Blending parameters, such as the composition and blending fraction of the component copolymer, were predicted by regularized regression analysis of ¹H NMR data. Regression models were constructed with the dataset for copolymers and binary blends to predict the blending parameters for ternary blends. The composition and blending fraction were predicted with high accuracies

The recent studies on the development of polymeric core crosslinked particles for drug delivery system are reviewed. The first part of this article describes synthesis of polymeric core crosslinked particles via the formation of nanoemulsion, characterization of the particle structure using small angle scattering techniques, and effect of polymer chain conformation on the particle pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The second part introduces zwitterionic amino acid polymer (ZAP)-based core crosslinked particles and discusses some advantages of using ZAPs as a pilot macromolecule for cancer-targeting chemotherapy.

We propose a method for analyzing the morphology of polymer blends with nanometric resolution using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and electron energy-loss spectroscopic imaging in the low energy-loss region (5–30 eV). Furthermore, we employed medium-voltage (200 kV) and high-voltage (1000 kV) STEMs at different temperatures to compare the extent of electron-beam damage. This comparison highlighted the utility of the ultra-high voltage electron microscope for suppressing thermal damage and analyzing thicker samples.

Anionic initiator systems for styrene polymerization were prepared via desilylation of benzylsilanes with metal alkoxides. Benzyltrimethylsilyl anions as the anionic polymerization initiators were obtained from benzylsilanes and potassium tert-butoxide at 70 °C in the absence of 18-crown-6. On the other hand, in the presence of 18-crown-6, benzyl anions were obtained at −78 °C. Subsequent addition of the styrene monomer to these initiators yielded polystyrenes. With the addition of 1,1-diphenylethylene (DPE) to the initiator system containing 18-crown-6, the corresponding DPE adduct was obtained.

A novel polymer material PEDOT:DBSA was prepared using oxidative polymerization and was modified by cross-linker GOPS and H₂SO₄-posttreatment. This material exhibits biocompatibility toward cell culture comparable to the glass substrate. The cross-linking process resulted in complete stabilization of PEDOT:DBSA thin film in an aqueous environment, whereas such stabilization was achieved even without high-temperature treatment. The model OECT device proved that the proposed material possesses electrical properties comparable to or even better than other organic mixed conductors used for transistors. This all shows a great potential of PEDOT:DBSA for bioelectronics applications.

Photoresponsive molecular amphiphiles have been incorporated into distinct soft materials to control properties in high temporal and high spatial manners. We demonstrate molecular azobenzene amphiphiles for construction of chiral supramolecular assemblies with excellent photoresponsibility and a high capacity for supramolecular transformation in aqueous media. Supramolecular chiral structures of azobenzene amphiphiles can assemble from microscopic to macroscopic length scales

Quantifying the interfacial energy of a polymer–liquid interface is challenging. We previously succeeded in analyzing the interfacial energy of a dynamic polymer brush interface by measuring the deformation of an ultrathin elastomer film floating on water. However, the quantitativity remains debatable because the bulk modulus was used. In this study, we reanalyze the interfacial energy using the ultrathin-film modulus. Large negative interfacial energy was observed for the system of high-density stretched brushes. The free energy balance for the system floating on water was calculated, validating the negative interfacial energy.