Polymers
The latest chemistry news and research on polymers, including polymer synthesis and characterisation and sustainable polymers, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
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Feature
Conserving Barbie from degradation
Although she is a cultural icon, conserving Barbie has its challenges: as with most plastic toys and dolls, she was not made to last. Rachel Brazil investigates how conservation scientists are approaching this sticky problem
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Research
Chemists and linguists unite to encode Confucian proverb using sequence-defined polymers
Interdisciplinary collaboration tests how two encoding schemas preserve the visual details of Chinese characters
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News
Plastic chemicals review reveals thousands of compounds have little safety data
Existing scientific knowledge on hazards of plastic chemicals compiled in dossier for decision makers
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Research
Concerns raised over health effects of chemicals leaching from food packaging
Gene assays reveal disruption to cell receptors crucial for hormonal and metabolic control
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Business
US derailment highlights continuing chemical rail freight concerns
Three-train crash in Pennsylvania leaked diesel and plastic pellets into waterways
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Opinion
Bin Liu: ‘Breakthroughs always need patience’
The materials expert on deciding to become a scientist, collaboration and fishing
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Research
Unique polymer can switch from rigid cutlery to an adhesive to malleable plastic
Process that mimics tempering of metals can even be reversed in multi-use plastic
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Research
Engineered enzymes break down silicon–carbon bonds in siloxane, an emerging pollutant
Directed evolution offers a way to tackle waste silicone
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Research
Slow Arrhenius process identified in molecular glasses
Findings challenge common ideas on glassy dynamics
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Feature
Editing polymer backbones
Changing the chemical makeup of a polymer backbone could revolutionise how we make, use and even recycle plastics. James Mitchell Crow reports
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Research
Thermodynamically stable ‘plumber’s nightmare’ structure self-assembles from block copolymers
The crucial role of end group and linker chemistry enabled creation of the infamous structure, offering a new way to produce nanoscale architecture
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Research
Nanoplastics make up around 90% of the plastic particles found in bottled water
Seven different types of plastic detected in three bottled water brands
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Opinion
Julia Kornfield: ‘I’ve often followed an instinct about a person’
The polymer expert on power imbalances and following her instinct
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Research
Bonding nanoparticles to rubber increases material’s fatigue resistance sixfold
Discovery puts rubber on the road to tougher tyres
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News
Chemical recycling finds itself in the firing line as viability of process questioned
Analysis finds that ‘advanced recycling’ creates a toxic waste problem, but some researchers are concerned important nuance is not acknowledged
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Opinion
Saving the sounds of Superstition
Preserving the look, feel and sound of degrading plastic artefacts presents particular problems
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News
Vested interests pose threat to chemical waste and plastic pollution initiatives
Researchers warn that conflicts of interest will hinder efforts to tackle the world’s pollution crises
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Research
New catalytic process completely breaks down nylon-6 in minutes
US chemists report the mildest conditions to date for Nylon-6 depolymerisation, recovering 99% of the original monomers in the plastic