Materials
The latest chemistry news and research on materials, including polymers, electronic materials, soft matter and porous materials, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
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Research‘A materials breakthrough’: membranes to separate crude oil could slash energy costs
Separating crude oil into useful fractions take 1% of the world’s energy. These researchers have a plan to tackle this
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ResearchDesert horned lizards that drink captured water from their skin inspire water-harvesting system
Careful observation of these lizards solves mystery of how they squeeze water into their mouths and could help extract water from soil in arid regions
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PodcastA warning for US science & wool’s chemical versatility
We discuss highlights from Marcia McNutt’s final address. Plus, what’s the chemistry behind the woolly sweaters keeping you warm?
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ResearchHalogen bonding makes its debut in a permanently porous framework
Self -complementary linkages stabilise low-density materials with accessible voids
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FeatureSuperatoms offer new dimension to materials chemistry palette
Could atomically precise nanoclusters mimic the chemistry of particular atoms without their toxic or cost drawbacks? James Mitchell Crow reports on the emerging third dimension of the periodic table
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BusinessOlin and Huntsman to merge, creating $12 billion chemical giant
Deal will combine a large chlor-alkali producer with a major user of chlorine and derivatives
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BusinessMaking South Africa’s mines more sustainable
Tighter environmental regulations are stimulating a move to greener extraction technology
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BusinessEU looks to boost protective trade policy against Chinese imports
Critical Medicines Act and rumoured chemicals rules aim to decrease China’s supply chain dominance
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FeatureWool’s complex chemistry unlocks sustainable applications beyond textiles
Once the cornerstone of industrial wealth, wool has struggled against synthetic fibres for decades. Now, its versatile protein structure, featuring keratin helices and sulfur-rich crosslinks, is inspiring innovative applications beyond traditional textiles.
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FeatureHow depolymerisation could enable infinite reuse of plastics
Nina Notman discovers how a type of chemical recycling – depolymerisation – could increase recycling rates, reduce plastic waste and enable a more circular economy
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ResearchAtomic manipulation enters the mesoscale as 40,000 atoms repositioned in single crystal
Electron beam method used to create ’a new form of engineered artificial matter’
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BusinessWhere will we get sulfur and helium from when fossil fuel extraction declines?
Effects of Gulf supply restrictions following US war on Iran hints at potential future challenges
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PodcastBattery week 2026: The EV cathode race & battery-recycling photocatalysts
Who will win the EV cathode race, manganese cobalt or iron phosphate? Plus, how a new photocatalyst could change the way we recycle batteries.
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ResearchDopant boosts carbon nanotubes’ conductivity tenfold
Doped nanotubes could enable stronger, lighter electricity cables
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ResearchCatalyst converts plastic waste into hydrogen and valuable chemical building blocks
Researchers reuse old car battery acid, simultaneously combining waste streams in move towards circular chemicals
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CareersSustainable laboratories: Cleaner solvents and substrates
How to identify greener replacements for DMF and recover ITO from glass substrates
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FeatureThe battery chemistry race shaping the future of electric vehicles
Science and global politics intertwine in the rivalry between lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides and lithium iron phosphate
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BusinessGulf chemicals supply disruption will continue for months to years
Impact on petrochemicals, fertilisers and various co-products like helium and sulfur will ripple throughout extensive supply chains
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NewsChina dominates the discovery of new chemicals and reactions
The country’s contribution to known chemical space has grown exponentially in recent decades, driven by strong domestic R&D investment
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OpinionIran ceasefire is the start of a long recovery process
Conflict’s impact on global energy and chemicals supply chains will take significantly longer to resolve