We report a highly efficient Suzuki–Miyaura catalyst-transfer polycondensation (SCTP) of various arene monomers including 3-hexylthiophene, 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene (ProDOT), 3-alkylthiophene (3AT), benzotriazole (BTz), and quinoxaline (QX) using bench-stable but highly active Buchwald dialkylbiarylphospine Pd G3 precatalysts and N-methylimidodiacetic (MIDA)-boronate monomers. Theses more stable boronates increased the life-time of the monomers by slowing down protodeborylation, and at the same time, the polymerization rates were increased by highly active Buchwald Pd precatalysts. This catalyst system can promote controlled polymerizations regardless of electronic natures of the arene from strong donor to strong acceptor-type monomers which was possible before. We can further expand the monomer scope beyond homopolymerization to include controlled polymerization of donor-acceptor A,B-alternating conjugated copolymers. Lastly, block copolymers with several combinations will be also presented here. Several applications of this living polymerization system including self-assembly of semi-conducting nano-wires will be also discussed.

A shift from petrochemical feedstocks to renewable resources has the potential to address some of the environmental concerns associated with petrochemical extraction, thereby making the production of plastics a sustainable process. Consequently, there is a growing interest in the development of selective techniques for the conversion of abundant renewable feedstocks into environmentally friendly polymers. We present a one-pot iron-based catalytic system, which is active, efficient, and selective under mild conditions for producing of renewable copolymers. We demonstrate that this system can function as a tandem catalyst for the production of poly(silylether)s, followed by the ring-opening polymerization of lactide. This effective approach provides direct access to novel thermally stable copolymers. Furthermore, we detail the quantitative chemical recycling of such copolymers, underscoring their potential as new environmentally friendly materials.

Conjugated polymers, characterized by small bandgaps and accessible states, are exceptionally versatile materials that find application in disparate fields such as organic electronics, photocatalysis, sensing, healthcare, and energy storage. Chemistry offers powerful tools to control the electronic properties of these materials, their morphology, and to contrast their aggregation-prone nature which often limits the degree of polymerization and lowers their processability.
In those cases where the use of solubilizing side chains is not effective - when a high specific density of functional units is needed (e.g., in energy storage applications) or when immobilization of the active material is beneficial (e.g., multi-step device fabrication procedures) - using polymeric precursors can offer access to high-molecular weights conjugated polymers with high-density of functional units.
On this topic, we are developing a novel approach based on solution-processable polymeric precursors that can be employed to immobilize high-molecular weight conjugated polymers characterized by different structures and electronic characteristics. In particular, I will introduce a novel class of polymeric precursors that can undergo two different transformations to yield from the same starting material two different conjugated polymers characterized by complementary electronic properties.
To show the potential of the approach described, we employed these fully-conjugated materials obtained from the precursors to prepare organic cathodes for metal-ion batteries, OFETs with different polarities, and multicolored electrochromic surfaces.

Part of this study was carried out within the POLiBATT project – funded by European Union – Next Generation EU within the PRIN 2022 PNRR program (D.D.1409 del 14/09/2022 Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca).

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is a well-known technique for the synthesis of inorganic coatings and thin films. Milder variants, such as initiated CVD (iCVD) and oxidative CVD (oCVD), enable the synthesis of organic polymers. In these processes, a monomer and an initiator or oxidant are introduced into a vacuum reactor in the vapor phase, leading to one-step surface polymerization. These techniques deposit polymer films on delicate or porous substrates, ensuring high coating conformality.
We have used iCVD to develop materials with tunable and gradient mechanical stiffness. Bifunctional monomers like allyl methacrylate enable thermal radical initiation while preserving one functionality for UV crosslinking, creating stiffness gradients. This makes the materials suitable for implantable scaffolds requiring tunable mechanical properties.
Additionally, we synthesized polypyrrole using oCVD, integrating polymer synthesis, doping, and film formation in a single step. By optimizing deposition temperature, reactor pressure, and oxidant-to-monomer ratio, we achieved homogeneous polypyrrole films with record conductivity of 180 S cm⁻¹ for a solvent-free method. These polymers were applied to sensors and energy storage. For piezoresistive strain sensors, polypyrrole was coated onto flexible, porous substrates like electrospun fiber mats, phase-separated hydrogel membranes, and 3D-printed lattices, allowing tunable mechanical and electrical properties. Results on strain sensing behavior, gauge factors, and cyclic stability will be presented. For electrochemical energy storage, polypyrrole was coated on a carbon fiber mat and characterized via cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and thermal stability tests. This presentation will highlight recent advances in iCVD and oCVD for biomedical and energy applications.

The wavelength-dependent efficiency of a set of oxime ester-based photoinitiators was examined via photopolymerization action plots in methyl methacrylate (MMA), assessing the polymer yield wavelength by wavelength, after irradiation between 325 nm and 460 nm with a constant number of photons at each wavelength. We systematically vary the structural elements within three carbazole-based oxime esters, i.e. 1, (E)-1-(9-dodecyl-6-nitro-9H-carbazol-3-yl)ethan-1-one O-acetyl oxime, 2, (E)-1-(9-dodecyl-6-nitro-9H-carbazol-3-yl)ethan-1-one O-(4-methoxybenzoyl) oxime and 3, (E)-1-(9-dodecyl-6-nitro-9H-carbazol-3-yl) ethan-1-one O-(4-nitrobenzoyl) oxime, changing their substitution pattern on the carboxyl group from alkyl to two substituted aromatic functionalities. The resulting photopolymerization action plots are strongly mismatched with the extinction spectra of each oxime ester photoinitiator by close to 75 nm to the red edge of the main absorption maximum. The strongly red-shifted reactivity confirms that – at least under the examined conditions – extinction spectra constitute no valid guide for predicting maximum photopolymerization yields. We subsequently examined the wavelength-resolved dependence of the initiator decay in two solvents in the absence of MMA yet identical initiator concentrations by following the photofragmentation reaction via 1H-NMR spectroscopy. In both examined solvents, i.e. dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methyl isobutyrate (MIB), the obtained photoinitiator decay action plots also display a significant mismatch between the extinction spectrum and the wavelength-resolved photochemical action. We thus submit that the red-shifted maximum of the initiator decay is correlated with the enhanced photopolymerization activity of the initiators on the red-edge of the absorption spectrum.

Polymer latexes and various synthetic elastomers are predominantly produced via emulsion polymerization due to their ability to regulate heat, maintain low viscosity, and control particle size and morphology. The reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has become a significant environmental concern, increasing the demand for water-based coatings and making emulsion polymerization a preferred method for their production.

This research investigates the synthesis of stable, waterborne styrene copolymer latexes using reactive emulsifiers. A novel approach is introduced by incorporating both quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) as cationic emulsifiers and non-ionic reactive emulsifiers, each imparting distinct functionalities. QACs significantly enhance antibacterial properties, while non-ionic emulsifiers improve hydrophilicity and contribute to smooth, transparent surfaces, essential for coating applications.

A key contribution of this study is the detailed examination of styrene-based polymerization systems using reactive cationic emulsifiers without conventional surfactants, addressing a notable gap in the literature. The synthesized copolymer latexes were systematically analyzed for structure-property relationships, particularly in terms of stability and suitability for antibacterial and transparent coatings. Emulsifier concentration variations were studied, assessing their impact on solid content, particle size, and key properties.

Comprehensive characterization confirmed that these latexes maintained high antibacterial efficiency (99.99% reduction), exhibited uniformity, and demonstrated exceptional optical transparency, highlighting their potential for advanced antimicrobial and clear coating applications.

Today, BASF’s plastics are represented in all the world’s major markets. Together with our customers, we are systematically developing the properties of plastics to open up new applications. BASF’s plastic portfolio is divided into two main areas: performance polymers and polyurethanes. Performance polymers are and remain innovative trendsetters; they have become an indispensable fixture of everyday life. BASF has become one of the leading producers of polyamides (Ultramid®) and of PBT (Ultradur®) as well as of polysulfones (Ultrason® ) and polyoxymethylene (Ultraform®)).
Ultramid® is a trade name for BASF's polyamides used in injection molding and extrusion. It offers exceptional properties such as strength, toughness, and long-term performance. However, due to its non-biodegradable nature, plastic waste management and recycling are crucial to mitigate the environmental impact of polyamide. BASF continuously explores new applications, develops technical properties, and focuses on sustainability in its PA portfolio: the polyamide product range is broad and includes PA 6 grades (Ultramid® B), PA 66 grades (Ultramid® A) and various specialty (co)-polyamides.
After a short introduction to BASF’s portfolio, recently developed polyamides basis resin containing renewable carbon will be introduced and new production processes to access high stiffness materials will be depicted. In a second part, the compounding of polyamides will be discussed. Advanced polyamide engineering plastics solutions to support eco-friendly applications will be introduced. Lastly, BASF will present new recycling technologies, demonstrating their commitment to address plastic waste re-use. This comprehensive approach highlights BASF's dedication to innovation, sustainability, and meeting the challenges of today's society.