Molecular Structure Of Polymer Research Articles

Multi-Cover Persistence (MCP)-based machine learning for polymer property prediction.

Accurate and efficient prediction of polymers properties is crucial for polymer design. Recently, data-driven artificial intelligence (AI) models have demonstrated great promise in polymers property analysis. Even with the great progresses, a pivotal challenge in all the AI-driven models remains to be the effective representation of molecules. Here we introduce Multi-Cover Persistence (MCP)-based molecular representation and featurization for the first time. Our MCP-based polymer descriptors are combined with machine learning models, in particular, Gradient Boosting Tree (GBT) models, for polymers property prediction. Different from all previous molecular representation, polymer molecular structure and interactions are represented as MCP, which utilizes Delaunay slices at different dimensions and Rhomboid tiling to characterize the complicated geometric and topological information within the data. Statistic features from the generated persistent barcodes are used as polymer descriptors, and further combined with GBT model. Our model has been extensively validated on polymer benchmark datasets. It has been found that our models can outperform traditional fingerprint-based models and has similar accuracy with geometric deep learning models. In particular, our model tends to be more effective on large-sized monomer structures, demonstrating the great potential of MCP in characterizing more complicated polymer data. This work underscores the potential of MCP in polymer informatics, presenting a novel perspective on molecular representation and its application in polymer science.

Improved Interfacial Electron Dynamics with Block Poly(4-vinylpyridine)-Poly(styrene) Polymers for Efficient and Long-Lasting Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have recently entered the market for indoor photovoltaics. Fast electron injection from dye to titania, the lifetime of the excited dye, and the suppression of back electron recombination at the photoanode/electrolyte interface are crucial for a high photocurrent conversion efficiency (PCE). This study presents block copolymers of poly(4-vinylpyridine) and poly(styrene)-P4VP67-b-PSt x(x=23;61) as efficient accelerators of electron injection from dye to titania with extended lifetime excited states and long-lasting back electron recombination suppression. P4VP67-b-PSt23 and P4VP67-b-PSt61 rendered devices with PCEs of 10.0 and 9.8%, respectively, under AM 1.5G light; PCEs of 19.4 and 16.4% under 1000 lx LED light were attained. Copolymers provided a stable PCE with the two most popular I3 -/3I- electrolytes based on ACN and 3-methoxypropionitrile solvents; PCE history was tracked in the dark and under 1000 h of continuous light soaking with passive load according to ISOS-D1 and ISOS-L2 aging protocols, respectively. The impact of the polymer molecular structure on electron recombination, charge injection, dye anchoring, light absorption, photocurrent generation, and PCE and the long-term history of photovoltaic metrics are discussed.

Tailoring molecular structure and electromechanical properties of polydimethylsiloxane elastomer for enhanced energy conversion efficiency

AbstractThe molecular structure of dielectric elastomers dictates their mechanical, electrical, and properties to react under external stimuli, influencing their suitability for applications such as actuators, sensors, and energy harvesting devices. The molecular structure of polymers can be tailored by incorporating plasticizers and particulate fillers to achieve multifunctional properties. However, achieving a balance between flexibility and maintaining mechanical strength due to incorporation of fillers induced phase separation and compromised intermolecular interactions remains challenging. In the present work, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites are synthesized using plasticizer and particulate fillers, polyethylene glycol (H‐(OCH2CH2)nOH) and titanium diboride (TiB2) respectively in various concentrations using shear mixing and doctor blade casting technique. Molecular structure of synthesized PDMS composite is confirmed by observing peaks of Raman spectra sift, which exhibits robust CO bonds dominating for both fillers. Chain entanglement due to filler incorporation significantly affects the crosslink density of PDMS composite, it increases with the concentration of plasticizer and possesses inverse relation for particulate. Furthermore, interdependence of the filler types and concentration are found on the mechanical as well as electrical properties. The specific deformation energy exhibits a significant increase of 118.9% when comparing particulate to the plasticizer at concentration of 8 wt.%. Although plasticizer increases the actuation strain and energy conversion efficiency but decreases the electrical breakdown voltage in comparison to particulate. By systematically varying fillers concentration, subtle changes in multifunctional properties are achieved. Overall, this investigation provides a framework for tailoring dielectric elastomer composites with desired electromechanical characteristics through the amalgamation of filler types and crosslinking densities, all intricately tied to the molecular architecture for electromechanical sensors.Highlights Filler incorporation changes DE molecular structure and materials properties. Formation of additional bonds and micro‐capacitors in DE enhances capacitance. Actuation strain in DE depends on filler type and concentration. Energy conversion efficiency varies with the concentration of filler.

Enhancing photocatalytic hydrogen production in conjugated porous polymers through donor-π-donor fragment insertion

Recent progress in conjugated polymer photocatalysts has opened avenues for enhancing photocatalytic hydrogen production (PHP) activity through structural design. This study highlights the impact of the acceptor-to-donor feed ratio on PHP activity in copolymers, influencing their energy level structures. Five conjugated porous polymers (CPPs) were synthesized by adjusting the acceptor-to-donor molar ratio. Notably, at a 2:1 acceptor-to-donor ratio, the polymer demonstrated a high hydrogen evolution rate (HER) of 61.9 mmol g−1 h−1 under full arc irradiation without co-catalysts and an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 7.77% at 475 nm. However, further increasing the proportion of the donor unit in the copolymers decreases their HER. Experiments and theoretical simulation characterized that the feed ratios effectively tune the polymer's molecular structure, hydrophilicity, band gap, and the generation and transport efficiency of photo-induced charge carriers, ultimately affecting the hydrogen production kinetics and efficiency. This research demonstrates that tuning the band structure and chemical compositions of CPPs through statistical copolymerization significantly impacts their PHP activity.

Well-Tailored Norbornene-Based Fluorinated Copolymers toward Modulating Icephobicity and Mechanical Robustness.

Well-tailored construction of icephobic surfaces with mechanical robustness and investigation of the structure-property relationships at the molecular level are highly desirable. Herein, a series of norbornene-based fluorinated polyolefin copolymers (FPOR-x) with varying norbornenyl dodecafluoroheptyl ester (NDFHE) molar fractions (0-100 mol %) were well-designed and fabricated via living ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) employing NDFHE and norbornenyl pentafluorophenyl ester (NPFPE) as the soft and hard segments, respectively. The mechanical and icephobic properties of the fluorinated copolymers can be regulated by adjusting the soft NDFHE contents. As a result, the well-designed norbornene-based copolymers exhibited a wide range of tunable mechanical properties, including tensile strength ranging from 0.2 to 26.4 MPa, elastic modulus ranging from 0.6 to 593.7 MPa, and breaking elongations ranging from 5718.7% to 3.7%, correlating with the proportion of soft NDFHE content. Furthermore, the synergistic interplay between soft and hard segments, particularly the hardness in the majority and softness in the minority or vice versa, could achieve a significant difference in the local modulus and enhance the propagations of cracks within the three-phase regions (soft regions/hard regions/ice), ultimately leading to a significant reduction in ice shear strength. Notably, FPOR-25% with a tensile strength of 12.0 MPa and an elastic modulus of 227.5 MPa exhibited a remarkably low ice shear strength of 57.7 kPa. This study not only highlights the relationship between the polymer molecular structure and surface icephobic properties but also breaks the limitations of icephobic surfaces with a low modulus.

Rheological behavior of particle-filled polymer suspensions and its influence on surface structure of the coated electrodes

Abstract Capacitive deionization electrode prepared by coating was commonly investigated, with polymer solution as binder and active particles as adsorbent. In the coating process, microstructure constituted by the two components was damaged by shear, then rebuilt when shear was removed. The microstructure strongly influenced the surface structure of the coated electrodes, further to performance and cycle life. The discussion of the interaction between the components in the coating process facilitates the identification of structural mechanisms. Rheology bridged the flow regimes in macroscale and interaction in microscale, through which the interaction between the polymer and particles can be investigated in a macroscopic phenomenon. In this study, hydrophilic polymer, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were used as binders to prepare the suspension for coating. The influence of polymer molecular structure to interaction and microstructure was investigated by rheology. Results showed that the flexibility of polymer determined the adsorption morphology, leading to different flocculation structures. For rigid PVA, a 3d-crosslinked network was formed, giving a tough coating. While for flexible PEO, encapsulation structure was formed, leading to a brittle coating. A model based on bridging flocculation was evaluated to describe the formation and destruction of the flocculation structure. And a rheological method for binder selection and coating operation was proposed.

Preparation of Low-Molecular-Weight Polyacrylamide as the Delayed Crosslinking Plugging Agent for Drilling Fluid.

Deep wells and ultra-deep wells often encounter cracks, karst caves, and other developed strata, which can lead to leakage during drilling. Conventional bridge slurry plugging technology is prone to leaking due to the poor plugging effect of the plugging agent. The gel plugging agent possesses characteristics of flexible plugging and adaptive matching of formation leakage channels. It can fill cracks or caves and enhance the pressure-bearing capacity of the formation. A controllable crosslinking plugging agent based on low-molecular-weight polyacrylamide was studied. Polyacrylamide with different molecular weights is synthesized from acrylamide and an initiator. A crosslinking time-controllable polymer is synthesized from low-molecular-weight polyacrylamide by adding crosslinking agent and retarder. The low-molecular-weight polyacrylamide plugging agent has low viscosity before gelation and good fluidity in the wellbore. After being configured on the ground, it is transported by pipeline and sent underground to reach the thickening condition. The gel solution rapidly solidifies, and its strength improves after high-temperature crosslinking. The synthesis conditions of the polymer were as follows: a monomer concentration of 9%, initiator 3.5%, synthesis temperature of 65 °C, and hydrogen peroxide initiator. The optimal formula of the gel plugging agent is as follows: a polymer concentration of 6%, a crosslinking agent concentration of 1%, and a retarder concentration of 8%. The generated polymer molecular structure contains amide groups. This crosslinking time-controllable plugging agent based on low-molecular-weight polyacrylamide has stable rheology, and its temperature resistance can reach 150 °C. At 150 °C, the gelation time can be controlled by adjusting the concentration of retarder, and the longest can reach 4 h. The plugging efficiency of the gel plugging agent is more than 95%. With the increase in seam width, the pressure of the gel plugging agent gradually decreases.

Synthesis of copolymers of N‐vinylpyrrolidone and 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate by DL‐methionine‐mediated reversible deactivation radical polymerization and their dispersion behavior in preparation of LiFePO4 battery positive slurry with high solid content

AbstractDispersants play a significant role in the formulation of positive battery slurry. Adding a small amount of dispersant can effectively reduce the viscosity of the slurry, which is beneficial for the production of positive batteries. A series of copolymers of N‐vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) and 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate (2‐EHA) with different molar ratios of NVP to 2‐EHA, different polymer molecular weights and different polymer structures are synthesized by dl‐methionine‐mediated reversible deactivation radical polymerization. The ability of these copolymers to disperse LiFePO4 battery positive slurry with a high solid content (57.08%) as dispersants has been evaluated. Research shows that when the ratio of NVP to 2‐EHA is 20 and the polymer molecular weight is 6000, poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone‐ran‐2‐ethylhexyl acrylate) (NVP‐ran‐2‐EHA) exhibits the strongest dispersing ability to the slurry. This polymer can reduce the viscosity of the slurry by 43.925% and has the longest stabilization time of 3 h, which is better than poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone)‐block‐poly(2‐ethylhexyl acrylate) (PVP‐b‐PEHA) with the same molecular weight.

Fine-tuning gas separation performance of intrinsic microporous polyimide by the regulation of atomic-level halogen substitution

The molecular structure of polymers is essential to membrane separation performance. However, the inherent relationship between molecular structure and gas separation performance of polymeric membranes is unclear. Herein, the halogen atoms (F, Cl, and Br) were introduced into intrinsic micropore polyimide (PIM-PI) to precisely regulate its interchain cavity and elucidate the structure-property relationship. Based on the pristine BAPI, the halogen atoms were precisely designed at the ortho position of the amino group and synthesized three PIM-PIs, namely BFPI, BCPI, and BBPI, respectively. Then, it can be found that the packing structure of polymer chains and fine-tuning of fractional free volume (FFV) exhibits a regular trend in halogen-containing PIM-PIs. In addition, as the van der Waals volume of halogen atoms increases, the gas permeability of halogen-containing PIM-PIs exhibits an increasing trend. Specifically, compared with BFPI, the CO2 permeability of BCPI and BBPI is increased by 48 % and 100 %, respectively. Our findings may elucidate the structure-property relationship of microporous polymer membranes and provide a brand-new insight to design an advanced high-performance membrane.

High performance photodegradation resistant PVA@TiO2/carboxyl-PES self-healing reactive ultrafiltration membrane

The occurrence of ultrafiltration (UF) membrane fouling frequently hampers the sustainable advancement of UF technology. Reactive self-cleaning UF membranes can effectively alleviate the problem of membrane fouling. Nevertheless, the self-cleaning process may accelerate membrane aging. Addressing these concerns, we present an innovative design concept for composite self-healing materials based on self-cleaning UF membranes. To begin, TiO2 nanoparticles were incorporated into the polymer molecular structure via molecular design, resulting in the synthesis of TiO2/carboxyl-polyether sulfone (PES) hybrid materials. Subsequently, the nonsolvent-induced phase inversion technique was employed to prepare a novel of UF membrane. Lastly, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel coating was applied to the hybrid UF membrane surface to create PVA@TiO2/carboxyl-PES self-healing reactive UF membranes. By establishing a covalent bond, the TiO2 nanoparticles were effectively and uniformly dispersed within the UF membrane, leading to exceptional self-cleaning properties. Furthermore, the water-absorbing and swelling properties of PVA hydrogel, along with its capacity to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, resulted in UF membranes with improved hydrophilicity and active self-healing abilities. The results demonstrated that the water contact angle of PVA@5%TiO2/carboxyl-PES UF membrane was 43.1°. Following a 1-h exposure to simulated solar exposure, the water flux recovery ratio increased from 48.16% to 81.03%. Moreover, even after undergoing five cycles of 12-h simulated sunlight exposure, the UF membranes exhibited a consistent retention rate of over 97%, thus fully demonstrating their exceptional self-cleaning, antifouling, and self-healing capabilities. We anticipate that the self-healing reactive UF membrane system will serve as a pioneering and comprehensive solution for the self-cleaning antifouling challenges encountered in UF membranes while also effectively mitigating the aging effects of reactive UF membranes.

Current Challenges on the Alkaline Stability of Anion Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells

AbstractAnion exchange membranes (AEMs), which consist of positively charged groups, not only allow the directional transport of OH− but can also separate anode and cathode reactions. Over the past decades, significant progress has been made in the preparation of high‐performance polymer electrolyte membranes with high conductivity, good mechanical properties, and satisfactory dimensional stability. However, the wide application of AEMs remains limited by various factors, especially alkaline stability, thereby hindering the development of fuel cells. This minireview provides an overview of recent strategies for improving the alkaline stability of AEMs. The influence of various polymer molecular structures on alkaline stability is discussed in detail. These insights into key factors affecting alkaline stability can act as guidelines for the design of novel AEMs with enhanced performance.

A review of the factors that influence aging and degradation in crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) polyolefin

In today's world, the use of products made of crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) is critical. The total share of polyethylene accounts for more than 40% of the entire commercial plastics market. Polyethylene is the most widely used because of its low cost and ease of processing. However, at high temperatures, simple polyethylene loses its physical properties, limiting its application. The crosslinking of polyethylene is done to preserve the desired properties of the material while also acquiring new qualities. XLPE is the densest of polyethylene materials and has superior technical and operating properties due to its polymer base and molecular structure. XLPE has several distinct properties, including thermal resistance, durability, chemical resistance, and resistance to stress fracture, low dielectric losses, high resistance to microorganisms, and many others, which have allowed its products to be used in the majority of modern human activities. This study aims to review the performance of crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation and factors influencing changes in its properties during the service.

Imperative role of SBS molecular structure on the performance properties of modified binders and asphalt mixes

ABSTRACT The current study evaluates the impact of SBS molecular structure (L-SBS, B-SBS, HV-SBS, and DB-SB) and concentration on asphalt mix performance. Polymers were characterized using GPC, FTIR, melt rheology, and DSC analysis. GPC analysis indicates that BSBS has the highest molecular weight, while DB-SB has the lowest. FT-IR studies show differences in vinyl content among the four polymers. Asphalt mixture study resonated binder study where B-SBS polymer outperformed their counterparts. Results showed that compared to widely used L-SBS polymer, B-SBS copolymer generates ≈ 33 %, 26 % and 18 % more fatigue resistance, rutting resistance and stiffness behaviour, respectively, at a polymer content of 4.5 wt.%. The combined effect of higher molecular weight, triblock structure and the long-chain branching in B-SBS copolymer contributes to the discussed outcome which facilitates its utilization for high-stressed pavement sections at upper and intermediate service temperatures. However, L-SBS and HV-SBS polymers depict almost similar mixture performance due to their alike molecular structure. Moreover, the presence of a di-block structure and lower molecular weight results in inferior performance for mixes prepared with DB-SB polymer. The results clearly signify the dominance of polymer molecular structure in identifying the mixes’ performance properties at respective polymer content.

ReaxFF Simulation of Pyrolysis Behaviors of Polysiloxane Precursors with Different Carbon Content

Polymer-derived ceramics are a promising class of high-temperature materials. This work uses LAMMPS and reactive force field (ReaxFF) energy potential to first-time quantify the atomic evolution of the polymer-to-ceramic conversion. Three different polymer structures are selected based on initial carbon content and molecular structure differences. From these simulations, the ceramic composition, yield, atomic structure, bond change, and radial distribution function (RDF) are comprehensively analyzed and provided data that are not available otherwise. The ceramic compositions correlate with the polymer compositions. The C-rich precursor forms C–C bonds through Si–O, Si–C, and C–H bond losses while less C-rich polymers have no significant C–C bond formation during C–H bond loss. The end structures have vastly different Si–O-rich and C-rich domain sizes, which cannot be observed by any bulk analysis. For the first time, H presence and cluster separation are shown to be determined by the polymer molecular structure. The RDF results show that higher pyrolysis temperature leads to more C–C bond formation. Even at 2100 K, C–H bonds are still prevalent and there is no long-range ordering. Such fundamental understanding provides new knowledge about polymer atomic evolution to silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) ceramics.

Challenges in Developing MOF-Based Membranes for Gas Separation.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising candidates for membrane gas separation. MOF-based membranes include pure MOF membranes and MOF-based mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). This Perspective discusses the challenges for the next stage of the development of MOF-based membranes based on research conducted in the past decade. We focused on three major issues associated with pure MOF membranes. First, some MOF compounds have been overstudied, despite the availability of numerous MOFs. Second, gas adsorption and diffusion in MOFs are often independently investigated. The correlation between adsorption and diffusion has seldom been discussed. Third, we identify the importance of characterizing the gas distribution in MOFs to understand the structure-property relationships for gas adsorption and diffusion in MOF membranes. For MOF-based MMMs, engineering the MOF-polymer interface is essential for achieving the desired separation performance. Various approaches to modify the MOF surface or polymer molecular structure have been proposed to improve the MOF-polymer interface. Herein, we present defect engineering as a facile and efficient approach for engineering the MOF-polymer interfacial morphology and its extended application for various gas separations.

A Review of Polymer‐based Solid‐State Electrolytes for Lithium‐Metal Batteries: Structure, Kinetic, Interface Stability, and Application

AbstractSolid‐state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) for all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs) have received considerable attention owing to excellent processability, good flexibility, high safety levels, and superior thermal stability. However, the practical application of SPEs is currently restricted by their low ionic conductivity, narrow electrochemical oxidation window, and poor long‐term stability of lithium (Li) metal. These challenges are mainly related to the polymer molecular structures, the dynamic of the polymer electrolyte, and the polymer compound stability at the electrode‐electrolyte interface. In this review, we provide recent strategies and discuss strategies of interest for applications to high‐energy‐density ASSB, particularly the molecular design, ion‐transport dynamic mechanisms of solid polymer electrolytes, and organic‐inorganic composite. Based on recent work, perspectives on future research directions are discussed for developing solid polymer electrolytes.

Multiscale Analysis of the Aging Process of Cable Insulation

Cables, transmitting both power and signal, are essential in electric power systems. Due to the combined effect of electromagnetic and thermal fields, cable insulation aging starts from the destruction of polymer molecular structure and deteriorates in the form of insulation defects, resulting in the degradation of cables eventually. In this article, multiscale simulation is implemented to comprehensively analyze the insulation aging mechanism and reveal the variation law of aging characteristics. Regarding multiscales, by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and finite-element method (FEM), the material and electrical parameters are calculated and quantitatively analyzed. According to the findings, tiny molecular products resulting from thermal and electrical aging are the main causes of dielectric constant and electrical conductivity variations. Field distribution inside the cable is distorted due to the degradation of material parameters, thus changing power loss and electrical parameters. The multiscale analysis method in this article can make the cable insulation aging analysis more time- and resource-efficient, providing the theoretical basis and data support for cable fault diagnosis and remaining useful life prediction.

Recent Progress of Polymer Electrolytes for Solid-State Lithium Batteries

The critical challenges for lithium-ion batteries today are how to improve the energy densities and solve the safety issues, which can be addressed through the construction of solid-state lithium metal batteries with solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs). Significant efforts have been devoted to the design and synthesis of SPEs, in which their electrochemical windows and corresponding compatibilities with both electrodes are crucial, particularly when taking high-voltage transition metal oxides as cathodes. In this review, the SPEs with different electrochemical windows are summarized and categorized, including (i) anode stable SPEs with good lithium metal compatibilities, (ii) cathode stable SPEs with good oxidation resistances, (iii) multilayer SPEs simultaneously withstanding reduction of a lithium anode and oxidation at high voltage. The impacts of polymer molecular structures and compositions on the SPE properties and performance are discussed. The development of high-performance SPEs that can stabilize or form stable interfacial passivation layers with both cathodes and anodes simultaneously is the desired candidate of future applications.

Ultraclean and Facile Patterning of CVD Graphene by a UV-Light-Assisted Dry Transfer Method

The synthesis of large-area graphene by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method is a mature technology; however, a transfer procedure is required to integrate CVD-grown graphene into a functional device. The reported methods for transferring graphene films cause different degrees of defects (cracking, rupture) and ion/polymer residues, which deteriorate or alter the electrical properties of as-grown graphene. Developing a reliable and fast transfer method that can maintain high-quality graphene remains a challenge. In this work, we employed UV light release tape (UV-RT) as the support layer to replace the frequently used thermal release tape (TRT) in a typical roll-to-roll dry transfer process. In this process, we used an easier-to-remove polymer as an adhesion layer to greatly reduce the strain and defects that occur during the transfer process. The cleanliness of graphene transferred by this method is above 99%, and the carrier mobility is 1.6 and 1.1 times higher than that obtained with conventional wet transfer and TRT transfer methods, respectively. UV illumination leads to facile and uniform release of the graphene film onto the target substrate, achieving one-step and selective patterning of graphene (feature size of <100 μm). The UV-assisted decomposition of the polymer molecular structure into small molecules enables a residue-free and ultraclean graphene surface. This proposed transfer method enables facile patterning of graphene and 2D films while maintaining high quality, which paves the way for versatile functional graphene applications.

Effect of polymer molecular structure on the quality of thin‐walled hollow microspheres for inertial confinement fusion

AbstractPolymer microspheres can be used as fuel containers for laser inertial confinement fusion (ICF) due to their low atomic number, low density, and high thermal stability. The thin‐walled polymer microspheres are prone to cracking due to an increase in the diameter to thickness ratio (diameter/wall thickness). The effect of polystyrene (PS) and Poly (α‐methyl styrene) (PAMS) materials commonly used in ICF experiments on the quality of thin‐walled microspheres is investigated. PS hollow microspheres show better sphericity, smoother surface, and lower cracking rate than PAMS microspheres. Moreover, the heat treatment of solidified PS microspheres can improve the strength so that the cracking rate of the microspheres decreases. The relative mechanism of how the molecular structure affect the quality is also discussed. This study provides some guidance for the preparation of thin‐walled polymer microspheres with high quality for ICF experiments.