Scientific Research

My research focuses on understanding how structure and dynamics of polymer response to external field by Solid-state NMR and Synchrotron radiation X-ray scattering with particular emphasis on polymer film. We are interested in designing various hyphenated instrument based on NMR and synchrotron radiation X-ray scattering facility.  Followings are my current scientific interests:

Theme 1.  Polymer sequence and network determination

1.1 Sequence determination of the whole polymer chain by the combination of NMR and Kerr cell

1.2. Polymer network characterization by high resolution NMR

Representative References:

(1)   Chen, X.; Lv, C.; Li, Y.; Wu, Z.; Cao, R.; Fei, W.; Lv, J.; Chen, W.* Precise Characterization of the Sequence Distribution of Poly(Vinyl Butyral) (PVB) by 2D-NMR and Isotope Enrichment. Macromolecules 2023, 56 (8), 3036–3049. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.3c00203.

Theme 2.  Non-equilibrium network formation and deformation 

2.1  Develop in-situ synchrotron radiation X-ray scattering to capture gelation during casting;

2.2  Develop in-situ NMR spectroscopy to investigate polymer network deformation under flow.

Representative References:

(1)       Chen, X.; Li, C.; Wu, L.; Yan, S.; Qi, L.; Chen, J.*; Chen, W.* Low-Field NMR for Polymer Science. Giant 2025, 24, 100364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giant.2025.100364.

(2)       Li, C.; Xia, Z.; Wu, L.; Xiong, Y.; Chen, W.* Strain-Dependent Evolution of the Rigid Amorphous Fraction of Low-Density Polyethylene under Deformation. Macromolecules 2025, 58 (5), 2320–2335. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.4c02773.

(3)       Liu, J.; Zhong, F.; Chen, W.*; Dong, X.* Molecular Compatibility and Optical Performance of PMMA/PTFS Hybrid Films. Macromolecules 2025. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.5c00802.

(4)       Wu, L.; Xiong, Y.; Li, C.; Chen, X.; Chen, W.* Strain-Induced Accelerated Chain Dynamics in Cross-Linked Natural Rubber under Active Deformation: An In Situ Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Study. Anal. Chem. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.5c01483.

(5)       Cheng, H.; Zhao, Y.; Wei, X.; Zhang, Q.; Yang, E.; Xiong, Y.; Zhu, J.; Wu, Z.; Chen, J.; Chen, W.* Supercooling and Solvent Depletion-Driven Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Film Formation Mechanism as Elucidated by In Situ Synchrotron Radiation X-Ray Scattering. Macromolecules 2024, 57 (4), 1569–1580. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.3c02640.

(6)       Jin, X.; Zhang, Q.; Xiong, Y.; Wu, Z.; Cheng, H.; Chen, X.; Chen, W.* Molecular Mechanism of Surface Melting of Polyamide12 as Elucidated by Synchrotron Radiation X-Ray Scattering and ¹H Spin Diffusion NMR. Macromolecules 2024, 57 (3), 1277–1290. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.3c02574.

(7)       Li, Y.; Li, Y.; Cao, R.; Xie, J.; Chen, W.* Amplifying the Mechanical Resilience of Chemically Cross-Linked Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Films with the Addition of Boric Acid. Macromolecules 2024, 57 (13), 6321–6332. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.4c01098.

(8)       Xiong, Y.; Xia, Z.; Lu, A.; Chen, W.* Time-Resolved Extensional Rheo-NMR Spectroscopy for Investigating Polymer Nanocomposites under Deformation. Anal. Chem. 2023, 95 (19), 7545–7551. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05788.

(9)       Wu, Z.; Xiong, Y.; Li, C.; Cheng, H.; Li, Y.; Chen, W.* Exploring the Interphase Structure of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) during Sol–Gel Transition Using Selective Probes with Varied Molecular Sizes. Macromolecules 2023, 56 (17), 7113–7124. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.3c01089.

(10)     Feng, S.; Zhu, J.; Yu, W.; Guo, H.*; Chen, W.*; Lu, A.; Li, L. Strain-Rate-Dependent Phase Transition Mechanism in Polybutene-1 during Uniaxial Stretching: From Quasi-Static to Dynamic Loading Conditions. Macromolecules 2022, 55 (6), 2333–2344. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.1c02561.

(11)     Chen, P.; Xia, Z.; Luo, Y.; Chen, W.* A Cryo -Bulge Apparatus for in Situ Weather Balloon Crystallization Capturing during Blowing by Synchrotron Radiation x-Ray Scattering. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 2022, 93 (5), 053901. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0071132.

(12)     Xia, Z.; Wang, Y.; Gong, K.; Chen, W.* An in Situ Stretching Instrument Combined with Low Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR): Rheo-Spin NMR. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 2022, 93 (3), 033905. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0080767.

Theme 3.  Polymer dynamics in the interface

3.1 Environmental Media Penetration and Clustering at the Interface

3.2 Interface de-adhesion failure mechanism