Key progresses of MOE key laboratory of macromolecular synthesis and functionalization in 2023

• Published in: Chinese chemical letters Vol. 35; no. 11; p. 109893
• Main Authors: Yu, Guanxiong, Xu, Chengkai, Ju, Huaqiang, Ren, Jie, Wu, Guangpeng, Zhang, Chengjian, Zhang, Xinghong, Xu, Zhen, Zhu, Weipu, Yang, Hao-Cheng, Zhang, Haoke, Liu, Jianzhao, Mao, Zhengwei, Zhu, Yang, Jin, Qiao, Ren, Kefeng, Wu, Ziliang, Li, Hanying
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Biomaterials; Catalyst; Fiber; Light-emitting materials; Organic optoelectronics; Polymer; RNA; Organic optoelectronics; Light-emitting materials; RNA; Fiber; Polymer; Catalyst; Biomaterials
• ISSN: 1001-8417
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109893

In 2023, The MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization in Zhejiang University had achieved several important results in the five research directions. First, for controllable catalytic polymerization, a new silicon-centered organoboron binary catalyst was developed for copolymerization of epoxides, and a series of cooperative organocatalysts were proposed for ring-opening copolymerization of chalcogen-rich monomers. Second, with respect to microstructure and rheology, axially encoded metafiber demonstrated its capacity for integrating multiple electronics, while artificial nacre materials showed improved strength and toughness due to interlayer entanglement. Third, concerning separating functional polymers, interfacial polymerization was monitored via aggregation-induced emission, and vacuum filtration was applied to assist interfacial polymerization. Fourth, in terms of biomedical functional polymers, we designed antibacterial materials such as a novel quaternary ammonium salt that enables polyethylene terephthalate recycling and its antibacterial function, nanozyme-armed phage proved its efficiency in combating bacterial infection, and also transition metal nanoparticles showed capacities in antibacterial treatments. We also made achievements in biomedical materials, including polymeric microneedles for minimally invasive implantation and functionalization of cardiac patches, as well as ROS-responsive/scavenging prodrug/miRNA balloon coating to promote drug delivery efficiency. Besides, methods and mechanisms of RNA labeling has been developed. Fifth, about photo-electro-magnetic functional polymers, through-space conjugation was successfully manipulated by altering subunit packing modes, room-temperature phosphorescent hydrogels were synthesized via polymerization-induced crystallization of dopant molecules, and single crystals of both fullerene and non-fullerene acceptors were grown in crystallized organogel, with their photodetection performance further explored. The related works are reviewed in this paper. This paper provides a brief review of the key progresses in 2023 of MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization in Zhejiang University, China. [Display omitted]