Christine Luscombe

𝐺𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑦, 𝑃𝑜𝑙𝑦𝑚𝑒𝑟 𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑦 and 𝑅𝑆𝐶 𝑆𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 are delighted to announce that our latest cross journal themed collection, 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰?, is now online and free to access until the end of April 2026. This collection brings together a selection of outstanding reviews, perspectives, papers and communications, which collectively provide a panoramic view of the field’s current vitality. The works range from recycling of polymer wastes, substitution of polymer carbon with oxygen (or sulfur), utilization of biomass to replace petroleum-based polluting polymers, copolymerization of CO₂ with other monomers, and converting polymers (either natural or synthetic ones) into platform chemicals.

New Themed Collection online: 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰?

💚 Collection ➡️ rsc.li/SusPol24
📖 Editorial ➡️ doi.org/10.1039/D5GC...
📝 More info ➡️ blogs.rsc.org/gc/2026/01/1...

@rsc.org @rscsustainability.rsc.org @polymerchem.rsc.org #GreenChemistry #ChemSky#Polymers #Sustainability

High-performance anthrone-based low-migration photoinitiators for low-power photopolymerization In this work, anthrone-based donor–acceptor–donor-type photoinitiators (DXD and DTD) were synthesized and introduced into a two-component system with diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate (Iod) for the...

Read the full collection, including new work on low-migration photoinitiators and helium extraction membranes
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
@polymerchem.rsc.org

Synthesis of molecularly tunable, dual-reactive poly(4-hydroxystyrene)-based photoresists via anionic polymerization, sequential deprotection, and reprotection reactions A novel synthetic strategy was developed to introduce quantitatively protected functional groups into the backbone of poly(4-hydroxystyrene) (PHSt)-based copolymers, enabling their precise design and ...

Precision Synthesis: Shin & Ryu report molecularly tunable, dual-reactive photoresists via anionic polymerization.
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Upcycling of polymer waste to closed-loop recyclable polymers This study presents a novel approach aimed at developing the reclamation of waste plastics and the utilization of bio-based resources to develop sustainable and closed-loop recyclable polymers. Specif...

Sustainability Spotlight: Singh & Sarkar present a closed-loop recycling approach for upcycling polymer waste. Tian et al. propose a non-toxic degradation of epoxy thermosets using deep eutectic solvents to enable carbon fiber recovery.
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
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Prompt2Poly: ask, specify, create – a dialogue-based large language model for targeted TSMPs design Designing polymers with targeted properties is a complex task that often relies on expert knowledge and multi-step computational workflows. Existing approaches typically require rigid input formats an...

AI meets Materials: "Prompt2Poly" by Das et al. introduces a natural language-driven framework. pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Polymer Chemistry Issue 45 is out! This week features advancements in AI-driven design, closed-loop recycling, and precision photoresists. 🧵👇 #PolymerChemistry #ChemSky

pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/...

Issue 44 of @polymerchem.rsc.org is all about demonstrating precise management over polymer systems, from "light-guided dynamics" and "photocontrolled" polymerization to "adhesive-tuning" for specific applications. Read more at: pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/...
#PolymerChemistry #chemsky

Issue 44 of Polymer Chemistry is now available to read!

See cover artwork from Elisabeth Rossegger et al. representing their #OpenAccess research on the synthesis of tetramethylguanidine-based photobase generators

🧪 doi.org/10.1039/D5PY...

#Photobases #DynamicPolymerNetworks #PolymerSynthesis

Take a look at issue 43 of Polymer Chemistry now!

The artwork for this issue was created by Tianbai Xiong, Jia Wang, Xin Wang et al. representing their work on ambient and metal-free cross-coupling polymerization, for the synthesis of polyarylacrylonitriles
🔗 doi.org/10.1039/D5PY...

Molecular dynamics as a tool for unveiling protein-like folding behavior in urethane-based macromolecules: the effect of chain length on the secondary structure of oligourethanes Sequence-defined and stereocontrolled polymers represent an emerging class of macromolecules, offering the potential to design protein-like molecular architectures based on abiotic polymer backbones. ...

Don't miss issue 42 of Polymer Chemistry!

See the latest research on RAFT polymerization by Huanyu Lei, Zhao Wang et al.
🧪 doi.org/10.1039/D5PY...

And #OpenAccess research on revealing macromolecule behaviour through simulations by Róża Szweda, Tadeusz Andruniów et al.
🧪 doi.org/10.1039/D5PY...

Issue 41 of Polymer Chemistry is now available to read, featuring cover artwork by Takehiro Kawauchi et al.

See their work on modulating the luminescence properties of coronene molecules via inclusion complex formation with helical syndiotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) 🧪 doi.org/10.1039/D5PY...

With 41 issues of @polymerchem.rsc.org out, 2025 is flying by.
Dive into the latest on: Smart polymers for 3D printing; Sustainable & bio-based polyesters; Tuneable depolymerization; Rare earth-transition metal cooperativity in ROP, and much more. pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/...
#chemsky #polymers

We're now accepting nominations for the 2026 Polymer Chemistry Lectureship!

This award celebrates an early-career scientist making waves in the polymer field.

Learn more about the lectureship, including eligibility criteria and how to nominate, on our blog 👉 blogs.rsc.org/py/2025/10/2...

Issue 40 of Polymer Chemistry is now online. Featuring new approaches to polymerizations, high-performance adhesives, polymers for solar cells and fuel cells.

Read more at: pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/...

#Polymers #Macromolecules #Chemsky #OPV #fuelcells #adhesives @rsc.org

Also featuring a review on controlled synthesis of poly(vinyl ether)s, recyclable vitrimers, a contribution to the 2025 Pioneering Investigators, and polymer carbon nitride for H2 evolution. #polymers #chemsky #vitrimers #H2evolution

In honour of the 2025 #NobelPrize in Chemistry, we’ve curated a collection of impactful articles from across RSC journals on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) 🏆

Free to read until the end of November 👉 pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/...

Wonderful to have Magda Titrici, @drcurieosity.bsky.social , and @micaelamatta.bsky.social visiting here in Okinawa! 🏝️ Huge welcome to Michaela, who’s sticking around until the end of the year for the @oist-tsvp.bsky.social

So glad to have you all!

Issue 38 is now available and includes, among other topics, cyclic grafted polymers for biomedical applications, upcycling PLA using an organophotocatalyst, and polysulfoniums for enhanced antibacterial activity. Read more at pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/...

#chemsky #polymerchemistry

Issue 37 of #PolymerChemistry is now live packed with cutting-edge research, including a minireview on sustainable phenolic resins and novel methods for 3D printing nanostructured materials.

pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/...

#PolymerChemistry #Polymers #MaterialScience #GreenChemistry #3DPrinting

Check out the cover artwork by Maxime Michelas, Nathaniel Corrigan and Cyrille Boyer celebrating their article featured in the Polymer Chemistry 15th anniversary collection.

🔗 doi.org/10.1039/D5PY...

Explore the anniversary collection
🎂 rsc.li/PY-15thAnniv...

Don't miss Polymer Chemistry issue 36, featuring beautiful artwork from Yasuhiro Kohsaka, Taichi Yoshidab and Natsumi Nishiie, representing their article "Poly(bridged bicycle)s synthesized via cyclopolymerization of cyclic diacrylates"

➡️ doi.org/10.1039/D5PY...

Don't miss Polymer Chemistry Issue 35, with artwork from the #OrtylPhotoLab!

Check out their #OpenAccess article "A thiol-functional amine synergist as a co-initiator for DLP 3D printing applications" by Magdalena Jankowska, Özge Özükanar, Emrah Çakmakçi and Joanna Ortyl

➡️ doi.org/10.1039/D5PY...

Lots of SEC samples ready to be shipped. It took some time to find the capacity to work on it, but now our @iupacpolymer.bsky.social project on SEC accuracy is taking final shape!

Front cover

Issue 34 of @polymerchem.rsc.org features a cover by Maniar and Martins Lacerda et al. with semi-rigid biobased polyesters from renewable resources. Also inside-materials for CO₂ separation and a superabsorbent hydrogel removing heavy metals. pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
#chemsky #polymerchemistry

Issue 33 of @polymerchem.rsc.org is here. The issue includes exciting new research on poly(1-butene) isotacticity, ultralow dielectric polymers, functional fluoropolymers, reprocessable polydisulfides, and more. Find out more 👇
#polymers #functionalmaterials

and Shake It Off to depolymerize?

Thank you to our reviewers for being gatekeepers to high quality science! A special shoutout to our outstanding reviewers including @hatismutlu.bsky.social and @joannaortyl.bsky.social

Calling all chemists and polymer scientists! We are seeking your feedback on new recommendations for classifying and defining polymerization reactions—a chance to help shape the language of our field. Read the provisional recommendation here: iupac.org/recommendati...
#chemsky #polymers @iupac.org

An Integrated Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Coastal Surface Water and Sediment of Japan The ubiquity of microplastics in the marine environment has been highlighted in recent years, yet the extent of microplastic pollution in coastal areas, especially off the coast of Japan, remains uncl...

Jonathan’s study on microplastics around Japan is out! Sediment collects plastics, with rainfall, aquaculture, and fisheries being drivers. Huge credit to Sylvain and our ‪OIST colleague Sam‬. #polymers #microplastics @oistedu.bsky.social @fondationtaraocean.bsky.social
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....

Want to learn more about greener and recyclable polymers? Check out these papers! 👇 #Polymers #Chemsky