Hydrogels with 3D network structures have attracted wide attention. This review focuses on state-of-the-art advances, systematically reviews recent progress on construction of hydrogels, and explore three main cross-linking methods to develop diversities of hydrogels. The classification and emerging applications of hydrogels are extensively summarized, and promises and challenges for the future evolution of hydrogels are discussed.

This study reports a cross-linked single-ion (Li⁺) conducting polymer electrolyte synthesized via a facile UV-initiated radical polymerization. After incorporation of propylene carbonate as charge-transport supporter, Li⁺ conductivities of 0.21 mS cm⁻¹ at 20 °C and 0.40 mS cm⁻¹ at 40 °C, are achieved. The polymer electrolyte features good cycling stability and rate capability in Li||LiFePO₄ and Li||LiNi_0.6Mn_0.2Co_0.2O₂ cells.

A wearable photo-thermo-electrochemical cell (PTEC) which can harvest solar energy is first fabricated through systematic investigations with regard to the introduction of flexible photothermal electrode materials and the effective matching of p–n paired single devices employing gel electrolytes. The demonstration of the flexible PTEC harvesting solar energy shows the potential in wearable applications.

Ternary polymer solar cells (PSCs) are fabricated with polymer PM6 as donor and m-BTP-PhC6 and Y6 as acceptors. The incorporation of Y6 can effectively enhance photon harvesting in long wavelength range, optimize phase separation, and adjust photogenerated exciton distribution in the ternary active layers, leading to the PCE enhancement from 16.81% to 18.12%.

The combined use of two functional liquid materials, ionic liquids (ILs) and liquid metals (LMs), is of significant interest in the development of highly deformable mixed conductors owing to their unique properties and high fluidity. Polymer composite gels embedded with both IL and LM are prepared using a Ga–In eutectic (eGaIn), an imidazolium-based IL, and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP).

Polymer electrolytes are promising alternative materials for safe high-energy-density solid-state battery technologies. This review highlights important bulk and interfacial physicochemical properties (e.g., ion association, ionic conductivity, cationic transference number, solid electrolyte interphase, and dendrite growth) governing the development of dry polymer electrolytes. Model systems and contemporary chemistries are highlighted.

A liquid–liquid interfacial method is adopted to prepare a narrow bandgap, isocyanide−Co(II) node-containing coordination polymer framework, which is further used as electrode material to assemble micro-supercapacitors with high area and volume capacitances of 0.98 mF cm⁻² and 20.56 F cm⁻³ at 0.1 V s⁻¹, respectively.

The importance and impact of green chemistry, sustainable chemistry, and circular chemistry are discussed as indispensable concepts for a sustainable future of polymer chemistry and avoidance of plastic pollution.

Chemical recycling of postconsumer plastic waste represents a potential path for industry towards a more sustainable future. One challenge along this path are expected impurities, which can act as catalyst poisons for olefin polymerization of recycled monomer feed streams. This study focuses on the catalyst poison impact on a commercial ZieglerNatta catalyst system and its resulting polymer properties.

Bioadhesives have garnered substantial interests, owing to their multi-purpose potential in conventional wound closure, and emerging biomedical applications, including tissue regeneration and bioelectronics. Compared to synthetic materials, biopolymers are desired candidates due to their tunable properties, remarkable biocompatibility, etc. Herein, we provided latest advances, foreseeable challenges and opportunities of biopolymer-based bioadhesives with an insightful focus on bench-to-bedside translation.

Blood plasma fouling on antifouling poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (poly(HEMA)) brushes is dramatically increased and accelerated for some donors due to activation of the complement system. The alternative complement pathway plays a significant role in the fouling on poly(HEMA) through the “tick-over” generation of C3b that can bind poly(HEMA) and trigger an amplification loop.

Triple network hydrogels, leveraging electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, are developed as potential substitutes for various cartilage tissues found in the human body. These hydrogels achieve moduli (i.e., stiffnesses) that parallel several cartilage types, and are also hydrated, strong, and tough. Thus, these hydrogels are promising candidates as cartilage substitutes in numerous applications.

A kinetic Monte Carlo framework which tracks explicit polymer sequences is reported, capable of handling scenarios such as unequal functional group reactivities or multiple reverse reactions. This tool is used to examine equilibrium chain length distributions of polyurethane-like polymers at various temperatures and may be useful in modeling future scenarios such as deleterious side reactions, volatilization, or solvolysis.

This review discusses the factors affecting the design and manufacturing of thermally conductive polymer composites including type of filler, morphology of filler, filler loading, and surface treatment. The preparation strategies and performance of resultant composites are analyzed and compared. The challenges in the field of thermally conductive polymer composites are discussed.

The electrical polarity, positive or negative, defines the types of charges accumulated on the polymer solution jet during electrospinning. Consequently, it causes the changes in molecule configurations on the fibers’ surfaces, resulting in differences in their surface chemistry. Importantly, surface chemistry allows to tune the properties of electrospun fibers for specific applications in energy and water harvesting and tissue engineering.

This review article focuses on studies in which renewable materials, abundant, biodegradable and sustainable in nature, are used as flexible electronic components. The review contains examples of and progress with sustainable flexible electronics components, focusing on the last decade. It also highlights why one needs sustainable materials in flexible electronics and considers relevant future applications.