Theme: Frontiers in Polymer Chemistry

Time: January 13, 2026 (9:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.)

Venue: Room 346, Building 25, Wushan Campus, South ChinaUniversity of Technology

1. Exploring Ring-Opening Polymerization in the Realm of Polyethers

Abstract: 

Ring-opening polymerization (ROP) within the domain of polyethers offers a fascinating playground for scientific inquiry. This presentation delves into the intricate mechanisms, catalytic strategies, and diverse applications of ROP reactions in the synthesis of polyether-based polymers. Through a comprehensive exploration, we unravel the molecular transformations underlying this process,from the initiation of polymerization to the formation of tailored polyether architectures with the choice of monomer library. Additionally, we highlight the latest advancements, show casing the potential of polyether-based materials such as biomimetic materials, hydrogels, adhesives, and cryoprotectants.

Speaker Biography

Byeong-SuKim is an Underwood Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Yonsei University, Republic of Korea. He recieved B.S (1999) and M.S (2001) in Chemistry from Seoul National University and Ph.D. in Chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Andrew T. Taon from the University of Minnesota in 2007. After his postdoctoral research at MIT with Prof. Paula T. Hammond, he started independent carrer at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST) in 2009 and moved to Yonsei University in 2018. His research group explores a diverse aspect of macromolecular chemistry, including the ring-opening polymerization, degradable polymers, self-assembly and their applications. Kim research group published over 210 peer-reviewed papers and 50 issued patents.

 2. Functional Polyacetals Based on Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Synthesis,Post-Polymerization Modification, and Applications

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed significant research efforts towards the development of polymer materials that remain intact but undergo on-demand responsive degradation. Polymers based on acetal scaffolds are attractive in a myriad of applications as they are chemically inert under a variety of conditions, and can readily hydrolyze under acidic conditions. Current methods for their synthesis suffer from challenges in monomer design and modulation of degradation mode and structural complexity.

This talk will focus on one of the research aspects in my laboratory: synthesis of functional polyacetals using olefin metathesis polymerization and applications.The first part will focus on a versatile platform to access functional polyacetals via controlled cascade enyne metathesis polymerization using biomass-derived enyne monomers with structural diversity and complex architectures. Elaboration of polymer structure was further achieved by post-polymerization modification and preparation of fully degradable bottlebrush polymers via graft-through polymerization. Modulation of regiochemical and substituent factors around the acetal motif conferred tunablehydrolysis rate, as well as responsive degradability beyond hydrolysis. The second part with will show the application of the method through expansion to ROMP as well as ADMET polymerization. Further utilities of the method were show cased by the preparation of amphiphilic copolymers with complete degradability that exhibited self-assembly behaviors and subsequently nanoparticle formation.

Speaker Biography

Dr. Liangbing Fu received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry at EmoryUniversity (USA), and then performed a post-doc at the Georgia Institute ofTechnology and studied polymer chemistry. He then joined the School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering at South China University of Technology as a tenure-track professor in 2021. Dr. Fu’s lab is devoted to the development of novel polymeric materials for biomedical applications through multidisciplinary efforts between chemistry, biology, and materials science. A particular focus lies on the development of new methods for the synthesis of degradable polymersusing olefin metathesis polymerization. Prof. Fu has published 25 SCI papers as the corresponding or first author in world-renowned academic journals. His research was supported by several national- and provincial-level grants.

3. Macromolecular Engineering via In Situ and Post-Polymerization

Abstract

Nature synthesizes polypeptides in a sequence-specific manner to produce proteins with extraordinary control over their conformations and functions.While polymerization and folding are often considered as separate processes,examples of co-translational folding have been known where polypeptides are folded simultaneously during polymerization with controlled subdomain foldingrate to reach the target native form. Moreover, the produced proteins further undergo post-translational modification where amino acids at specific positionsare modified to have the right functionality for the function.  

Inspired by Nature, my research group is interested in polymerization-induced structuring and postpolymerization modification methodologies that may allow us to produce polymeric materials with new structures and functions. In this talk, I will discuss our recent results related to these topics and show how we can simultaneously assemble and disassemble block copolymer micelles by combining polymerization-inducedself-assembly with polymerization equilibria. I will also show case light-induced postpolymerization modification of polyethers via polar radicalrelay process to produce α-amino polyethers for the first time.

Speaker Biography

Myungeun Seo received his Ph.D. from the Department of Chemistry at KAISTunder Prof. Sang Youl Kim (2008). He spent one more year in the same group as a postdoctoral fellow and then moved to Prof. Marc A. Hillmyer’s group at theUniversity of Minnesota (2009 – 2013). He started his career in 2013 at KAIST and is now a full professor in the Department of Chemistry. He currently serves Chemical Physics Reviews as an Editorial Advisory Board member and Macromolecular Research as an Editor (in polymer synthesis). His research interest focuses on how order and asymmetry can emerge from disorder inpolymeric and supramolecular systems. Particular subjects include polymerization-induced phase transitions, postpolymerization modification,sequence ensemble, and supramolecular chirality.

 4. Visible Light as a Tool for Precision Polymer Modification

Abstract

Post-polymerization modification (PPM) provides a modular approach to polymer structural diversification by obviating the need for monomer library development and individual polymerizations for each target structure. Efficient PPM methods,particularly those operable under mild conditions, hold potential for reducing the environmental footprint of polymer production. Light-mediated transformations have recently gained attention as a strategy for chemicallymodifying polymers under non-invasive conditions. As part of an ongoing effortto develop photochemical PPM platforms, we report a visible light-induced post-polymerization modification in which bridged 1,2-diketones undergo decarbonylation, enabling the traceless incorporation of conjugated aromaticmotifs into polynorbornene backbones. The reaction proceeds rapidly in solution under visible light irradiation, affording quantitative conversion withinminutes. The transformation introduces anthracene pendants, yielding ablue-fluorescent polymer that forms colloidal aggregates under appropriate solvent systems. Unlike conventional photocleavable protecting groups, this method proceeds cleanly, releasing only carbon monoxide and generating structurally discrete fluorophores along the polymer chain. The methodology was further applied to block copolymers, which exhibited light-induced self-assembly in solution without the need for solvent exchange or external chemical stimuli.

Speaker Biography

Jeewoo Lim received his A.B. in chemistry from Princeton University, USA, in2006 and Ph.D. in organic chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Timothy M.Swager at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, in 2011. After working as a senior researcher at Samsung-Total Petrochemicals from 2011 to 2013, he moved to Seoul NationalUniversity, Korea, to start post-doctoral research under Prof. Kookheon Char.In the fall of 2017, he joined the Department of Chemistry and Kyung Hee University (Seoul, Korea) where he is currently an associate professor and the department head. His research program focuses on polymer synthesis and modification,with particular emphasis on controlling polymer–light interactions through polymer photochemistry and refractive-index modulation.

5. Immunostimulating Polymers and Their Anti-TumorApplications

Abstract

In recent years, breakthroughs have been made in tumor immunotherapy, butits clinical application is still limited by key issues such as strong immunosuppression in the tumor micro environment and low drug delivery efficiency. The development of biomaterials has provided innovative tools to address the above challenges, but currently, most materials are still limited to “inert” delivery carriers and lack active immune regulatory functions. We have discovered a type of polymer material for regulating macrophage function based on dendritic macromolecule polyamide-amine (PAMAM). Among them, the derivative (G4P-C7A) prepared by surface-modifying the fourth-generation PAMAM(G4P) with heptahydrate cyclic tertiary amine (C7A) can activate tumor cells to highly express the “at me” signal calreticulin (CALR), thereby enhancing ther ecognition and phagocytosis of tumor cells by macrophages. This effect has been verified in many tumor types such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer,melanoma, liver cancer, glioblastoma, etc. On this basis, when the fifth-generation PAMAM (G5P) was used as the mother structure, the result antG5P-C7A can directly modulate the function and phenotype of macrophages. The injectable hydrogel prepared by cross-linking G5P-C7A with aldehyde glucansignificantly inhibits the tumor growth of primary and distal colorectal cancer without loading any drugs. Our research provides a reference for the development of immune-activating polymer materials.

Speaker Biography

Jinzhi Du, Professor and Principal Investigator (PI) at South ChinaUniversity of Technology, also the recipient of the National Science Fund for Outstanding Young Scholars. His main research areas include biomedical polymers and tumor immunotherapy, with a focus on developing efficient delivery vectors and bioactive materials to regulate macrophage function and enhance the therapeutic effect of malignant tumors. In recent years, he published more than70 papers in journals such as JACS, Adv Mater, Angew Chem Int Et, CCS Chem, ACS Nano, etc. They have been cited more than 7,000 times in total. Many papers have been selected as ESI highly cited papers, and the highest citation of a single paper exceeds 1,000 times. He has presided over key projects of the National Key Research and Development Program, the National Natural Science Foundation of China's Outstanding Youth Fund, and the Guangdong Provincial Distinguished Youth Fund, etc. The research achievements won the First Prize of Natural Science of Guangdong Science and Technology Award in 2021 (as thesecond contributor) and the Second Prize of Science and Technology of Chinese Society for Biomaterials in 2019 (as the second contributor).

6. Molecular Engineering and Functional Applications of Synthetic Coacervates

Abstract

Biomolecular condensates formed through liquid-liquid phase separation constitute ~40% of cellular compartmentalization but suffer from limited chemical diversity and environmental stability. We address these limitations through three strategies:molecular engineering to expand condensate chemistry beyond conventional CHO systems using fluorocarbon, siloxane, and sulfur-containing building blocks;interface engineering employing triblock copolymers that stabilize droplets for months and enable pilot-scale production; and functional enhancement for biocatalysis under extreme conditions. The resulting synthetic condensates exhibit remarkable properties—fluorocarbon systems remain stable at 170°C andpH 0.3 with extraordinary buffering capacity, while siloxane variants retainfluidity below -40°C. When applied to enzyme protection, condensatemicro environments enable PET-degrading enzymes to achieve unprecedented catalytic longevity and turnover numbers , with successful applications insimulated digestive systems, respiratory tracts, and intracellular microplastic degradation. This work establishes synthetic condensates as versatile platforms bridging soft matter physics and biocatalysis with applications from extreme-environment manufacturing to environmental remediation.

Speaker Biography

Dr. Lingxiang Jiang is a recipient of the National Natural Science Foundation of China Excellent Young Scientists Fund(2021) and currently serves as Professor at the School of Emergent Soft Matter,South China University of Technology. He received his B.S. (2007) and Ph.D.(2012) from Peking University, conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and returned to China in 2016 as Principal Investigator at Jinan University before joining South ChinaUniversity of Technology in 2020. His research focuses on biomimeticself-assembly and dynamic behaviors, constructing diverse subcellular structures, identifying critical structural motifs, elucidating assemblymechanisms, and exploring both cellular-scale functions and macroscopicapplications of biomimetic systems. Through rational design, synthesis, and construction of biomimetic platforms, his group simplifies subcellular structures into minimal model systems, demonstrating that seemingly complex architectures can emerge from simple molecular building blocks governed by fundamental physicochemical principles.

7. Design and Synthesis of Highly Conductive and Adhesive Polymers (PEDOT:PSS-X) for Energy Applications

Abstract

Conjugated polymers are used in energy storage systems such as supercapacitors (SCs), lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) and redoxflow batteries because of their ability to store energy, their chemical structure can be changed, and they react quickly. Often, the conjugatedpolymers have limits when it comes to how stable, easy to work with and how much energy they can store when used as active materials. Among the different types of polymer, highly conductive polymers (> 100 S cm-1) have been used as electrodes in various applications. However, they cannot be used in high-performance SCs and LiBs. In this study, we have designed and synthesized new conductive polymers, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)(PEDOT:PSS) derivatives, which have adhesive functional groups and are well dispersible in water. We have made PSS-based copolymers with the best ratio and molecular weights. The prepared copolymers have been used as anionic polymersto make PEDOT by a process called oxidative polymerization. The discussion will cover the different types of PSS copolymer derivatives and how they affect electrical and physical properties. We will also present the performance results of the new conductive polymers for LiBs and high volumetric energydensity SCs.

Speaker Biography

Jeonghun Kim received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Yonsei University, Seoul, SouthKorea, in 2007 and 2012, respectively. From 2012 to 2015, he worked as a Senior Researcher in the Electronic Materials Division at Dongjin Semichem CompanyLtd. He then conducted postdoctoral research at The University of Queensland,focusing on the design and synthesis of functional organic/inorganic materials. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Yonsei University. His research interests include nano architectured materials for energy storage, catalysis, and environmental applications.

8. Actuation Programing of Liquid Crystal Elastomers

Abstract

Soft robotics leverages programmable polymeric actuators to achieve high deformability and intrinsic biocompatibility. Among these, liquid-crystalelastomers (LCEs)-cross-linked networks combining mesogen anisotropy with rubber elasticity-stand out as leading candidates. However, three keychallenges remain: (1) actuation introduction still requires specializeddevices or complex molecular design, (2) dynamic shape evolution during actuation is difficult to control, and (3) thermal, optical, and electrical actuation modes operate independently. To address these limitations, we first report a solvent-induced shape memory effect decoupled from the nematic–isotropic transition, enabling universal actuation introduction/erasing via directional solvent evaporation/swelling. Next, we develop topology-isomerizable LCE networks with spatially programmable actuation temperatures, achieved through light-regulated heterolytic dynamic bond exchange, allowing precise control over actuation sequences. Finally, we introduce LCE dielectric actuators capable of autonomous mode-switching uponheating/cooling, driven by geometry-dependent electro mechanical behavior and bending stiffness variations during thermo-triggered shape changes. Together,these advances establish a programmable platform for next-generation soft robotic systems.

Speaker Biography

Dr. Binjie Jin received his Ph.D. from the College of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Zhejiang University, where he also completed postdoctoral research. He is currently an associate professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering and the Institute of Emergent Elastomers at South China University of Technology. His research focuses on programmable shape-changing polymers. Dr. Jin has published 32 papers, including 16 as first or corresponding authors, in leading journals such as Nat. Commun.(2), Sci. Adv.(2),Adv. Mater.(5), and Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. He was selected as the member of Early Career Board of ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.

9. Making Polymers More Sustainable: Self-healing for Longevity and Upcycling for Circularity

Abstract

Plastics are indispensable to modern society; however, the mismanagement of plastic waste presents grave environmental challenges. While recycling helps mitigate pollution and conserve resources,conventional mechanical methods often face limitations due to materialdowngrading. Chemical recycling and upcycling have thus emerged as pivotal strategies for achieving a sustainable plastics economy. In this presentation,I will share our recent advances in transition-metal-catalyzed chemical recycling and value-added conversion of polyester and polyamide wastes. We have developed a high-performance multinuclear titanium catalyst system that enables an integrated “depolymerization–reconstruction” platform, facilitating closed-looprecycling of these materials. Furthermore, by employing molecular design strategies with rare-earth catalysts, we have synthesized a series of high-value functionalized polyolefins. Notably, these materials exhibit autonomous self-healing capabilities upon damage, significantly extending their service life and reducing plastic waste generation. This work provides new catalytic pathways for waste plastic valorization and the design of next-generation sustainable polymers.

Speaker Biography

Dr. Haobing Wang is a Professor at the School of Advanced Soft Matter,South China University of Technology. He obtained his B.S. in Chemistry from Southwest University and his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from East China University of Science and Technology. Subsequently, he completed his postdoctoral research under the supervision of Professor Zhaomin Hou at the RIKEN (The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research) in Japan.

Since 2021, Dr. Wang has led a research team focusing on the development of polymer-based materials, dedicated to addressing critical challenges in polymer sustainability and industrial applications. He is the recipient of the RIKENEIHO Award (a prestigious accolade recognizing remarkable achievements at RIKEN).