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My research primarily focuses on developing time-resolved solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and synchrotron radiation X-ray scattering techniques to investigate the structural and dynamic responses of polymers under external fields. I am particularly interested in polymer film systems, such as polymer optical films, battery electrodes, and polymer binders in energetic materials. My specific research directions are as follows:

Research Direction 1: Time-Resolved Dynamics and Structural Characterization Techniques

1.1    In Situ Solid-State NMR

We develop unique in situ NMR methodologies based on low-field time-domain NMR, unilateral NMR, and high-field solid-state NMR to track molecular dynamics during polymer synthesis, processing, and service. Recent representative work：

n  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.

n  Xiong, Y., Wu, Z., Wu, L., Li, C., & Chen, W.* Rheo-NMR: A versatile hyphenated technique for capturing molecular dynamics and structure under flow. Magnetic Resonance Letters, 2024，4(1), 100088. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mrl.2023.10.002

n  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.

1.2    In Situ Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Scattering Techniques

For polymer systems with long-range ordered structures, we have developed various in situ synchrotron techniques enabling online detection of multi-scale structures (0.1 -1000 nm) under stretching, shear, compression, and other conditions. Recent representative work：

n  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.

n  Zhao, H., Li, L., Zhang, Q., Xia, Z., Yang, E., Wang, Y., Chen, W.*, Meng, L., Wang, D., & Li, L. Manipulation of Chain Entanglement and Crystal Networks of Biodegradable Poly(butylene adipate- co-butylene terephthalate) during Film Blowing through the Addition of a Chain Extender: An in Situ Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Scattering Study. Biomacromolecules, 2019，20(10), 3895–3907. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.9b00975

n  Zhao, J., Chen, P., Lin, Y., Chang, J., Lu, A., Chen, W.*, Meng, L., Wang, D., & Li, L.* Stretch-Induced Crystallization and Phase Transitions of Poly(dimethylsiloxane) at Low Temperatures: An in Situ Synchrotron Radiation Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering Study. Macromolecules, 2018，51(21), 8424–8434. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.8b01872

Research Direction 2: Polymer Optical Films and Optically Clear Adhesives

In the information society, displays are ubiquitous. From everyday smartphones and tablets to high-end medical imaging devices and aerospace display systems, display panels are essential visual interfaces. Polarizers are core components in Thin-Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Displays (TFT-LCD) and Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLED), composed of multiple optical films laminated with adhesives. Their core functional layers include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polarizing films and interlayer adhesives such as aqueous binders and pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA). We conduct research focusing on these polymer optical films and adhesives.

2.1   Precise Characterization and Control of Polymer Chain Structure

Sequence determines structure, and structure determines function. For novel display-related optical films and adhesives, we employ multi-dimensional NMR and carbon-13 labeling to resolve chain structures in complex polymer systems, combined with machine learning for precise sequence characterization. Recent representative work：

n  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.

n  Tao, W.^#, Yu, W.^#, Zou, X., & Chen, W.* Machine learning assisted interpretation of 2D solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. Journal of Magnetic Resonance, 2023，353, 107492. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmr.2023.107492

2.2   Processing of Polymer Optical Films

Display panels incorporate various polymer optical adhesive films. The PVA polarizing film within a polarizer is prepared through multiple processing steps—swelling, iodine dyeing, boric acid crosslinking, etc.—and is laminated with other optical films using aqueous adhesives and optically clear adhesives to form optical modules. Recent representative work：

n  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.

n  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.

n  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.

n  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.

Research Direction 3: Microscopic Mechanisms in Soft Matter Mechanics

Uncovering the microscopic mechanisms underlying the nonlinear mechanical behavior of soft matter is fundamental to understanding complex fluids and designing novel functional materials. Utilizing our developed in-situ nuclear magnetic resonance and synchrotron radiation techniques, we have established correlations between macroscopic nonlinear mechanics and microscopic multiscale structures and dynamics. Representative work includes:

n  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.

n  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.

n  Xiong, Y., Chen, X., Wu, L., Li, C., Lu, A., & Chen, W.* Molecular origin of stress softening in elastomer-based nanocomposites via in situ elongational nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Communications Materials, 2025，6(1), 187. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-025-00920-1

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

n  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.

Research Direction 4:  Polymer Crystallization

Nearly two-thirds of polymers are semi-crystalline. Our research primarily utilizes solid-state NMR and X-ray scattering techniques to investigate early-stage nucleation, intermediate chain conformations, and orientation information in polymers. Representative work includes:

n  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.

n  Xiong, Y.-Q., Li, C.-L., Lu, A., Li, L.-B., & Chen, W.*Conformational Disorder Within the Crystalline Region of Silica-Filled Polydimethylsiloxane: A Solid-State NMR Study. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2024，42(11), 1780–1792. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-024-3164-y

n  Tang, X.^#, Chen, W.^#, & Li, L.* The Tough Journey of Polymer Crystallization: Battling with Chain Flexibility and Connectivity [Review]. Macromolecules, 2019,52(10), 3575–3591. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.8b02725

n  Chen, W., Wang, S., Zhang, W., Ke, Y., Hong, Y.-L., & Miyoshi, T.* Molecular Structural Basis for Stereocomplex Formation of Polylactide Enantiomers in Dilute Solution. ACS Macro Letters, 2015, 4(11), 1264–1267. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmacrolett.5b00685