The 50 most-cited articles in Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2024

Abstract This review article provides a comprehensive overview of bacterial cellulose (BC), focusing on its physicochemical properties, production methods, purification techniques, and applications. It aims at providing a nuanced understanding of the current state of knowledge in those fields and bridging the gap between academic research and industrial applications. The physicochemical properties of BC, including its chemical structure, morphology, thermal properties, mechanical properties (such as tensile and compression properties), specific surface area, cytotoxicity, and biocompatibility, are discussed. Production methods of BC, including microorganism comparison, culture conditions, and vessel types, are thoroughly explored. Purification methods and sterilization techniques for BC are also addressed. Furthermore, the review highlights industries and applications that have shown interest in BC along with commercially available products, including medical, cosmetic, textile, food ingredients, and scaffolds in cell culture. A conclusion summarizes key findings and potential…

Abstract Previous studies on epoxy foams were subjected to the specific property, and improvements in thermal insulation or dielectric property were usually accompanied by the sacrifice of mechanical strength or thermal stability. The current research reported a high‐performance epoxy foam by the pre‐curing process using E‐51/DDS and expandable microsphere (EMP) as polymer matrix and physical blowing agent, respectively. The effect of EMP loading on the structure & property of epoxy foam was reported. The mean diameter of E‐51/EMP foam was in the range of 19–21 μm. The compression property of E‐51/EMP foam was fit for the power‐law model and its integrity was well maintained during compressive test. Compared with bulky epoxy, a significant decrease of thermal conductivity of 62.93% was observed in 10 wt% EMP‐filled epoxy foam. E‐51/EMP foam showed superior thermal stabilities, with a T5% of over 300°C. The dielectric constant was decreased by 54.5% from 4.92 in bulky epoxy to 2.24 in E‐51/EMP foam (10 wt% EMP). Notably, there was a percolation phenomenon of EMP (6 wt%) regarding on…

Abstract This review provides an in‐depth analysis of the electrical responses and relaxation behaviors of various polymeric materials including fiber‐reinforced polymer composites, polymer nanocomposites (PNC), and nanofiller‐reinforced polymeric films and coatings using dielectric spectroscopy (DS). The underlying theory of DS, corresponding instrumentation, various dielectric parameters, relevant equations, interpretations, and polarization mechanisms are thoroughly explored. The impact of synthetic and natural fibers and a diverse range of nanofillers on the dielectric responses and relaxation mechanisms of fiber‐reinforced composites, and PNC and films, respectively, are also examined. For each summarized article, we provide an overview of the composite or film preparation, followed by concise explanations of the dielectric behaviors under diverse conditions, including variations in temperature, frequency, moisture levels, fiber/filler ratios, and chemical treatment. In essence, this review contributes to a nuanced understanding of the intricate relationship between material…

Abstract As global industries move toward sustainability, the search for alternatives to current petroleum‐based polymer products is becoming necessary. Bio‐based epoxy resins have emerged as a sustainable alternative to petroleum‐based epoxy resins. Commonly, furan derivatives, carbohydrates, cardanol, and lignin are commercially utilized with bio‐based curing agents to form crosslinked structures. In recent years, epoxidized vegetable oils have gathered significant attention as sustainable bio‐based materials for epoxy resin. Vegetable oils have an abundance of unsaturation sites, leading to epoxy‐functionalized molecules. This review provides various materials, synthesis methods, properties, and applications of vegetable oil‐based epoxy resins.

Abstract Biodegradable conductive films are crucial for the sustainable development of wearable electronics. In this work, a flexible and degradable conductive film was prepared based on a carefully designed interface of polylactic acid (PLA) electrospun fibers and silver nanowires (AgNWs). The amphiphilic triblock copolymer was added to PLA solution for electrospinning, followed by solvent posttreatment to induce the hydrophilic block of the amphiphilic triblock copolymer to migrate to the fiber surface. Dopamine can be uniformly polymerized on the surface of hydrophilic PLA fibers, and the prepared PLA@PDA fiber film can form a good interface combination with AgNWs. The electrical conductivity of AgNWs/PLA@PDA flexible film can reach 258.5 S cm−1, showing obvious Joule heating effect and good mechanical properties. Degradation experiments showed that in phosphate buffered saline, the PLA molecular chain showed a dynamic equilibrium due to the scission and rearrangement of the ester groups and degraded slowly, while AgNWs/PLA@PDA degraded rapidly under alkaline conditions. Our…

Abstract The use of waste‐based bio‐fillers in composite manufacturing has increased in recent years due to their sustainable and biodegradable characteristics. The current study fabricates jute/banana (JB) fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites incorporating waste‐derived eggshell (ES) bio‐filler and investigates the effect of ES bio‐filler on the mechanical, morphological, and water absorption properties of the composites. JB fibers (1:1) and varying ES filler contents (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) were used to manufacture the composites using the hand lay‐up technique. Their tensile, flexural, and impact properties, microstructure, chemical compositions, and water absorption are then examined. It is found that the composite composed of 15 wt% ES exhibits better tensile and flexural properties with a tensile modulus and strength of 4.42 GPa and 95.27 MPa, and a flexural modulus and strength of 3.96 GPa and 117.47 MPa, respectively, whereas the composite filled with 5 wt% ES shows a maximum impact strength of 46.83 kJ/m 2 and drops with increasing bio‐fillers. Scanning electron microscopy…

Abstract This research intends to create biodegradable packaging films using solution casting method. The films are composed of guar gum, carboxymethylcellulose, and blends of these materials with citric acid as a crosslinking agent. The concentration of citric acid ranges from 10 to 30% (w w −1 ). This study performs a curing treatment at 140°C for 30 min on the dried films containing the crosslinking additive to promote the esterification between the polymeric matrix and the crosslinking agent. The thin films have a smooth, homogeneous, and transparent aspect. Although the crosslinking reaction – evidenced by FTIR spectra – does not affect the thickness of the material, it causes a slight color variation making the samples assume a yellowish shade. Moreover, the crosslinking process enhances the water resistance, decreases the crystallinity index, and improves the water vapor barrier and thermal resistance of the films. The SEM images reveal the excess of unreacted crosslinking agent accumulated on the samples; these particles work as a plasticizer, affecting the morphology of the…

Abstract The dispersion of a filler in a rubber matrix is a crucial parameter affecting the mechanical and dynamical properties of a rubber compound. It is the current issue of the rubber compounding industry because, most fillers are categorized as a mineral, while the rubber is an organic material. The surface modification of the filler has been accepted as an effective technique for the improvement of the abovementioned parameter. First, the surface premodification of commercial carbon black with a grade of N660 (CB) was implemented by four different oxidation methods. After that, among of used methods, the oxidation method using citric acid was selected to produce modified carbon black (CB‐Oxi) for further treatment. Subsequently, the coupling agent, Bis[3‐(triethoxysilyl)propyl] tetrasulfide (TESPT) was functionalized on the surface of CB‐Oxi to produce modified‐CB‐Oxi. Also, for comparison purposes, the TESPT functionalization was accomplished on untreated CB to form modified‐CB. The FTIR spectra of CB‐Oxi showed using the premodification method introduced the hydroxyl and…

Abstract Modern society demands transitioning to sustainable agriculture to alleviate environmental effects. Traditional nitrogen fertilizers, like urea, lead to undesirable leaching, runoff losses, and low nutrient use efficiency in crops upon contact with water. Controlled‐release fertilizers (CRFs) present a promising solution by mitigating nutrient loss and enhancing plant uptake. However, concerns arise with synthetic polymer‐coated fertilizers, as they may not degrade in soil and can impact microbial activity. This review focuses on bio‐based coatings for CRFs, summarizing their performance over the past decade in the release properties in water and soil, water retention, biodegradability, and evaluating their efficacy in greenhouse and field trials. Additionally, the review explores innovative strategies for smart coating materials in CRF development, including pH‐sensitive, thermos‐sensitive, enzymatic‐sensitive, and self‐healing technologies. This critical evaluation aims to promote the development of more effective and sustainable fertilizers for agriculture.

Abstract Biodegradable films have been developed to tackle the problem of environmental pollution caused by food packaging waste. However, microbial growth in these films can lead to food spoilage and pose a threat to health. This study aimed to create antibacterial edible films using tragacanth gum, carrageenan, and clove essential oil (CEO) to prevent microbial growth. The influence of various concentrations of CEO (10%, 20%, and 30 w/w%) on the physical, optical, mechanical, antimicrobial, biodegradability properties and packaging of these films was examined. The results indicated that the addition of CEO enhanced film elongation, whereas it reduced tensile strength and Young's modulus. Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed an interaction between the CEO and tragacanth gum/carrageenan. Incorporating CEO reduced the films' moisture content and water vapor permeability, while increasing their antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. The films containing 30% CEO exhibited a strong inhibitory effect against both Escherichia coli and Bacillus. The…

Abstract Mechanical robustness and durability are crucial for anion exchange membranes to guarantee the longevity and consistent performance of AEM water electrolysis (AEMWE) systems. In this study, a composite membrane based on the quaternized poly(p‐phenylene oxide) (QPPO)/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was developed. This membrane was fabricated by enhancing the QPPO‐based AEM through a pore‐filling technique within a porous PTFE structure. The tensile strength of the composite membrane was increased significantly from 16.5 to 31 MPa. The conductivity of the composite membrane was 6.25 mScm −1 lower than 30 mScm −1 of the QPPO‐based membrane at 20°C, resulting from the low volume fraction of QPPO in the composite membrane. At 40% RH, the net change mass of the composite membrane is 1.59%, much lower than that of QPPO‐based membrane (10.98%) at 40°C. The composite membrane demonstrated a significantly increased lifetime in the working electrolyzer (>200 h) compared with an otherwise identical electrolyzer assembled with a QPPO‐based membrane (50 h).

ABSTRACT Light‐based 3D printing techniques, including stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP), are of great utility owing to their ability to create complex geometries with high speed, high spatial resolution, and often, optical transparency. These are useful for fabricating custom components and structures for various biomedical applications—scaffolds, implants, microfluidic devices, in vitro cellular experiments, etc. However, a drawback of light‐based methods is that uncured resin monomers and other additives have the potential for cytotoxic effects, adversely impacting cells and tissues. In this study, we investigate a facile method to process light‐based 3D printing to mitigate cytotoxicity. Three optically clear, photocurable resins—a commercially available acrylate‐based resin, BioMed Clear, and an ecoresin derived from soybean oil—are subjected to various post‐treatment protocols. These involve combinations of isopropanol (IPA) washing, UV curing, and water or IPA agitation. The in vitro cytotoxicity and effect on cell proliferation are characterized…

Abstract Multicellular, thin‐walled impact tubes have been intensely studied and used in various engineering fields in recent years due to their lightweight, high performance, ease of application, superior energy absorption, and stable deformation characteristics. In this study, energy absorption, crashworthiness performances, and deformation properties of thin‐walled structures manufactured from polylactic acid (PLA+) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) using fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology were compared under quasi‐static axial compression. Thin‐walled structures consist of multicellular tubes connected by concentric corner‐edge connections with square and hexagonal cross‐sections. Experimental testing outcomes indicate that the energy absorption capacity increases with increasing the number of corners in multicellular structures. The tubes with square wall‐to‐wall (S‐WW) and hexagonal wall‐to‐wall (H‐WW) cross‐sections exhibit superior crashworthiness performance compared to other cross‐sections. Based on the experimental results, the absorbed energy by WW…

Abstract Lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) battery shows promising development potential in secondary lithium‐ion batteries. However, the shuttle effect of polysulfides, uncontrollable lithium dendrite growth, and safety hazards in conventional liquid electrolytes limit the popularity of Li‐S batteries in the future commercial market. In this work, a high‐performance gel electrolyte (GPE) was prepared in situ by initiating the ring‐opening polymerization of 1,3‐dioxolane (DOL) with aluminum trifluoromethanesulfonate (Al(OTf)3) and using diethylene glycol dimethyl ether (DME) as a plasticizer, which can effectively improve the interfacial compatibility between sulfur cathode and the electrolyte, as well as the stability of lithium anode. The electrochemical performance of the poly‐DOL (PDOL) GPE was optimized by adjusting the concentration ratio of the initiator. When the concentration of Al(OTf)3 is 4 mM, the PDOL GPE has a high ionic conductivity up to 3.81 × 10−4 S cm−1 and a lithium ion migration number of 0.57. The assembled quasi‐solid‐state Li‐S batteries shows an initial discharge…

Abstract Electrospinning is an economical, efficient, and versatile process for the preparation of continuous nanofibers with desired patterns, tailored fiber diameters, and orientations. Since its invention, electrospinning has been utilized to prepare nanofibers from several natural polymers and synthetic polymers for use as scaffolds in tissue engineering, regeneration, and biomedical applications. Furthermore, complex scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning complex polymer solutions formulated by blending natural and synthetic organic polymers with bioceramics and other inorganic molecules. Lately, coaxial electrospinning has emerged as a promising technology in the preparation of drug‐loaded biodegradable core‐shell structured micro/nanofibers for sustained drug delivery applications. This paper will discuss the basic mechanism of electrospinning, parameters governing the electrospinning process, various materials investigated for use in the electrospinning process, and its recent advances.

ABSTRACT Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) can absorb and retain water thousands fold their weight, so it is believed can overcome water depletion issues. However, the applications are dominantly found in daily consumer goods, while still limited especially in agricultural and environmental sectors. This review aims to provide insights into the preparation, synthesis, key properties, recent applications, and challenges of SAPs targeted to support water sustainability. The resources for SAPs synthesis are cellulose, chitin, chitosan (as natural‐based), and polyacrylate (as synthetic‐based). Likewise, semi‐synthetic SAPs have also been explored by graft copolymerization and crosslinking between natural and synthetic resources. Several key properties in SAPs are absorption capacity, biodegradability, antibacterial capabilities, swelling properties, and grain size. It is found that cellulose‐based SAPs have high water absorption capacity and biodegradability, chitosan‐based SAPs are superior in biodegradability and antibacterial capabilities, and polyacrylate‐based SAPs are eminent in…

Abstract A highly efficient hydrogel derived from D‐Mannitol xanthate has been successfully synthesized using a free‐radical solution copolymerization technique. An equimolar mixture of acrylonitrile (AN) and acrylic acid (AA) has been reacted with D‐Mannitol xanthate (DMX) under inert atmosphere. Three distinct grades of D‐Mannitol xanthate‐based hydrogels viz. DMXHGs‐1, DMXHGs‐2, and DMXHGs‐3, were prepared. Extensive analyses were conducted on the hydrogels using various methods such as UV, FT‐IR, SEM, XRD, GPC, TGA and ΔpHPZC. The maximum swelling ratio of DMXHGs‐3 was found to be 52122%, 50434% and 48576% for 24 h with water retention ratio of 80.98%, 78.64% and 79.22% for 30 h in distilled, tap and gray water respectively. These findings indicate the DMXHGs‐3 hydrogel has remarkable swelling and water retention capacity. Comprehensive investigations were carried out to evaluate the hydrogel's remarkable adsorption capacity to act as an adsorbent for effectively removing hazardous metal ions. The highest removal percentages of 95.5% and 94.4% and maximum adsorption capacities…

Abstract Polyurea (PUA) is widely used as a coating in construction, tunnels, bridges, and other fields because of its excellent performance. However, its combustion emits toxic gases and smoke, hindering escape and posing potential fatality risks. Enhancing the flame retardancy of PUA is crucial for safety and expanding its applications. The synthesis of two‐dimensional FePP nanosheets was reported in this paper, employing the solvothermal method, followed by the sequential growth of MoS 2 and Ni‐MOF to establish a multilayer composite structure. The elemental composition and morphology of the synthesized FePP@MoS 2 @Ni‐MOF flame retardants were characterized and analyzed. The flame retardant properties of polyurea composites with varying amounts of FePP@MoS 2 @Ni‐MOF were investigated using Cone calorimeter tests. The results showed that the prepared flame retardant had good thermal stability and significantly improved fire safety properties. The PUA/FePP@MoS 2 @Ni‐MOF 3.0 composite exhibited notable improvements compared to pure PUA. Specifically, the peak heat release rate,…

Abstract One of the most prevalent cancers affecting women globally is breast cancer. Consequently, the development of cost‐effective and low‐risk treatment options remains a critical pursuit. This study describes the synthesis via water‐in‐oil‐in‐water (W/O/W) of a pH‐responsive nanocarrier for curcumin delivery, a promising anticancer drug. The nanocarrier comprises carboxymethyl starch (CMS), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and gamma alumina (γ‐Al 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles. The molecular interactions between the nanocomposite components, its crystalline structure, surface morphology, size distribution, and surface charge were assessed via Fourier‐transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission‐scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential, respectively. The nanocarrier showed a size ranging from 150 to 280 nm, zeta potential of +35.4 mV, drug loading of 47% and an encapsulation efficiency of 87%, which are among the maximum values reported to date for curcumin nanocarriers . A gradual drug release was observed,…

Abstract Adhesive joints play a crucial role in enhancing the structural integrity and performance of 3D printed parts. The purpose of this study is to investigate the failure load and behavior of polycarbonate (PC) single lap joints (SLJs) produced by fused deposition modeling (FDM) using experimental and finite element analysis (FEA) methods. The FEA of joints presents a new approach by integrating PC substrates with Hill yield criterion, transversely isotropic material and adhesive layer with cohesive zone modeling (CZM). The study focused on the effect of printing angles (0°, 45°, and 90°) and overlap lengths (12.5 and 25 mm) on the performance of SLJs. The influence of 3D printing parameters on the mechanical behavior of PC joints was investigated by tensile testing of SLJs. The experimental failure load was 1586 N for a 12.5 mm joint at 90° and 4115 N for a 25.4 mm joint at 0°. Comparison of the experimental and FEA failure loads of the joints showed maximum and minimum differences of 11.98% and 1.34%, respectively. This result showed that the proposed model is applicable for…

Abstract Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is one of the important cellulose derivatives, and it can be developed as a host polymer for solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) membrane. This study aimed to synthesis of CMC from coconut fiber cellulose and it was applied to prepare the SPE membranes. Cellulose isolation was conducted through the delignification and bleaching process, while the CMC synthesis was conducted through alkalization and carboxymethylation treatments. SPE membranes were prepared by blending CMC with carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) (80/20) and mixed with various weight percentages of LiOAc at room temperature. SPE membranes characterizations were conducted using FTIR, EIS, XRD, SEM, and tensile testing. Cellulose and CMC yields were 23.1% and 65.44%, respectively. Incorporating 20 wt% LiOAc into the CMC/CMCh (80/20) SPE membrane yielded the highest ionic conductivity of 1.37 × 10 −3 S/cm. Based on the results, CMC obtained from coconut fibers has the potential to produce solid polymer electrolyte membranes with some modification.

Abstract This study presents the development of an innovative nanofibrous membrane to remove microplastics (MPs) from drinking water. This membrane exhibits additional functionality in removing lead (Pb), highlighting its promising potential for utilization as a point‐of‐use (POU) device. The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibrous membranes are crosslinked using glutaraldehyde, and their efficiencies in the removal of MPs are evaluated. The results show that crosslinking the 7 and 10 wt% PVA nanofibers increases their average diameters to 330 and 581 nm, respectively, and enhances their surface area. The treatment efficiency of crosslinked PVA fibrous media is evaluated using polyethylene (PE) (5 μm ≤d ≤ 25 μm) and polystyrene (PS) MPs (d ≤ 1 μm). The filtration efficiencies of both 7 and 10 wt% c‐PVA nanofibrous media are found to be 99.8% ± 0.1% in the removal of PE MPs at pH 8. Further examination of the filtration efficiency in the removal of PS MPs shows that the highest removal efficiency achieved was 77.3% ± 1.4% at a pH of 6. Additionally, the lead removal efficiency of this…

Abstract When ionizing radiations interact with polymers, free radicals are generated and are known to be the initiating species for the modification in materials. Monitoring and identifying free radicals after irradiation allow assessing the impact of X‐rays and gamma rays on materials. A comparative study has been performed on materials made from polypropylene and polyethylene after irradiation by the two irradiation technologies. Electron spin resonance (ESR) signal has been monitored up to 380 days when signal was still present. ESR signals, concentration profiles, and kinetics were observed after X‐rays and gamma rays.

Abstract Electrospun glass nanofibers (EGNFs) were prepared to reinforce polyethylene (PE) plastic waste towards the development of photochromic anti‐counterfeiting patterns and long‐persistent photoluminescent materials, such as smart windows and concrete. By physical integration of lanthanide‐doped aluminate (LdA) nanoparticles (NPs) into polyethylene plastic reinforced with EGNFs, a transparent lanthanide‐doped aluminate nanoparticles (LdANPs)/EGNFs@PE sheet was produced. The colorless EGNFs@PE hybrids became green under ultraviolet (UV) rays and greenish‐yellow in a darkened room as proved by CIE Lab and photoluminescence analysis. In the luminescent LdANPs/EGNFs@PE hybrids, the identified photochromism was promptly reversed at low concentrations of LdANPs to designate fluorescence emission. Photoluminescence was maintained with slow reversibility for the high phosphor concentrations to designate afterglow emission. LdANPs exhibit diameters of 5–12 nm, whereas glass nanofibers have diameters of 70–120 nm. The morphologies of LdANPs/EGNFs@PE substrates were studied by…

Abstract Transdermal drug delivery using dissolving microneedles (DMNs) is promising due to increased patient compliance and safety. This article presents a comprehensive simulation and experimental analysis of DMNs with varying tip and base diameters and polymers. The objective of the simulation study is to identify the optimal tip and base diameter of DMNs, as well as the most suitable polymer, for achieving maximum penetration depth. The simulation results showed that the compound consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) in a ratio of 2:1, with a tip radius of 17.5 μm and a base radius of 150 μm, achieved the deepest penetration among the different types of polymers investigated (including PVA, hyaluronic acid (HA), and PVA/PVP in ratios of 1:1 and 1:2). In addition, mechanical and skin penetration experiments were performed on PVA/PVP 2:1 DMNs with varying concentrations of 4, 7, 10, and 15% w/w to determine the optimal polymer concentration. The results of this study indicated that the optimal composition, considering the viscosity of the polymer…

Abstract Polymer structures are essential in biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to form intricate structures on micro‐ to nanometer scales. This review, emphasizing electrospinning and phase inversion techniques, examines the fabrication strategies and chemical design of polymer structures for biomedical use. Electrospinning, particularly needleless electrospinning, produces nanofibres with high porosity and flexibility and is widely applied in tissue engineering and drug delivery. Phase inversion, including thermal, nonsolvent‐, vapor‐ and evaporation‐induced phase separation, allows precise control over polymer properties but faces challenges in terms of cooling rates and solvent characteristics. Chemical design through doping, functionalization, cross‐linking and copolymerization enhances the biocompatibility, biodegradability and mechanical properties of polymers, facilitating advanced applications in drug delivery, tissue scaffolding and biosensors. Advanced functional polymers are revolutionizing biomedical fields, offering…

Abstract Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) play a pivotal role in advancing electrochemical devices, such as proton batteries and supercapacitors, owing to their potential for enhancing safety and flexibility. In this work, employs a solution casting technique to prepare SPEs, utilizing chitosan‐dextran blends as the polymer matrix. Ammonium thiocyanate (NH4SCN) is incorporated as a charge carrier, while honey is introduced as a plasticizer. The interaction between these materials is confirmed through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that the addition of 10 wt.% honey (H10) to the polymer blend results in the lowest degree of crystallinity (15.24%), emphasizing the pivotal role of plasticizers in modulating the structural properties of SPEs. Furthermore, by incorporating 40 wt.% NH4SCN (SN40) into the plasticizer‐polymer host (H10), the ambient temperature conductivity obtains its maximum value of (1.08 ± 0.19 × 10−3 S cm−1) with the lowest degree of crystallinity of 10.44%, verify it is the most amorphous electrolyte. The observed…

Abstract The development of efficient water purification technologies is a critical research focus driven by the crucial role of clean water sources for ecological sustainability. This study explores the strategic incorporation of nanoparticles within polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes as a promising approach to enhance membrane performance for wastewater remediation. PVDF membranes containing varying ratios of graphene (GR) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocomposites were fabricated via phase inversion method. Characterization techniques including XRD, FTIR, and FESEM‐EDX revealed that the 80% GR nanocomposite membrane exhibited desirable structural and functional properties with pronounced sponge‐like morphology and homogenous nanoparticle distribution. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and x‐ray diffraction analysis confirmed the 80% GR membrane retained PVDF crystallinity while uniquely eliminating TiO2 crystallinity. Subsequently, performance testing demonstrated the 80% GR nanocomposite membrane had the highest water flux and methylene blue dye rejection rates…

Abstract High dielectric constant (ε), thermal conductivity (TC), and breakdown strength (Eb) along with low loss flexible polymeric nanocomposites display multifunctional applications. In this work, to synergistically bolster the TC and Eb while restraining dielectric loss and leakage current in the percolating flaky copper (f‐Cu)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), presenting a giant ε, the core@shell structured f‐Cu@MgO (magnesium oxide) nanosheets were first created via a chemical precipitation method, then incorporated into host PVDF to explore the MgO shell’ impact on the TC and dielectric properties of the resulting nanocomposites. The introduced MgO interlayer strengthens the interfacial interactions and significantly mitigates the interfacial mismatch in both ε and conductivity between the f‐Cu and PVDF, resulting in elevated TC and Eb of the f‐Cu@MgO/PVDF in comparison to pristine f‐Cu/PVDF. Furthermore, the insulating MgO interlayer introduces deep traps and inhibits the long‐distance migration of electrons, leading to remarkably suppressed dielectric loss. More…

Abstract Ammonium polyphosphate (APP) is often used to construct intumescent flame retardant systems together, but it is faced with the problem of adding too much flame retardant. This paper envisions the construction of a modified APP flame retardant (TR@ZIFAPP) with a sandwich structure by the method of covering, which, in order to endow APP flame retardant with better flame retardant effect. By constructing a metal catalytic layer and a triazine carbon formation layer, the modified APP flame retardant has both catalytic carbon formation and phosphorus–nitrogen synergistic flame retardant functions. TR@ZIFAPP is expected to be used in flame‐retardant polymer composites with low addition requirements, adding it to epoxy resin (EP) reveals that the TR@ZIFAPP flame retardant could achieve the optimal flame retardant effect when the addition amount was only 3 wt%. The UL‐94 rating reached V‐0 grade, and the two off‐fire auto‐ignition time levels were only 0.7 s. The analysis of its flame retardant mechanism showed that the flame retardant in EP was mainly through the rapid formation…

Abstract The goal of this research was to study and optimize the structure and geometric features of scaffolds made using a combined method of 3D printing and gas foaming. This endeavor aimed to produce scaffolds with a hierarchical structure that closely resemble bone tissue. The study examined the effects of saturation pressure, foam temperature, and foam time on the scaffolds using response surface methodology (RSM). RSM is statistical technique used for optimizing and analyzing processes by modeling relationship between input variables and output responses. The results of multi‐objective optimization showed that highest pressure (55 MPa), the shortest time (40 s), and the temperature of 68°C were the optimal conditions. RSM was also used to develop mathematical models of structural properties, dimensional accuracy, and mechanical strength, focusing on different foam parameters, which could be used to predict desired properties. Subsequently, the designed scaffold underwent MTT assay testing to assess cell toxicity indicating its biocompatibility. The results demonstrate that by…

Abstract The present study investigates the usability of lignocellulosic kapok fibers as a reinforcement for lightweight composites. Kapok fibers are modified by dewaxing followed by a silane coupling agent at different concentrations. The crystallographic structure and the alignment of silane linkage polymer chains on fiber structure are examined using X‐ray Diffraction (XRD). The linkage of chemical bonds (SiOC And SiOSi) between the polymer structure of the fiber and silane coupling agent is confirmed from FTIR spectroscopy. Additionally, the small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) study is done considering kapok fiber as a nonideal two‐phase system and the study investigates the modification occurring within the macromolecular structure of the kapok fiber. Following the grafting of silanes onto the fiber, silane‐modified kapok fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites are fabricated using the hand lay‐up technique. The chemical treatments on the fiber, enhanced flexural, tensile and impact strength of the composites by 132%, 102%, and 146% respectively.

Abstract The ultraviolet/flame retardant protection cotton fabric is successfully prepared using a spray baking process with tannic acid (TA) and phytic acid (PA) as key ingredients to address the issues of cotton fabric such as high flammability and lack of ultraviolet (UV) resistance. With respect to the treated fabric by 4 wt% PA solution and 3 wt% TA solution, it presented 29.5% limited oxygen index (LOI) value, 8.0 cm damaged length and 26.4 ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), while they were 28.3%, 7.5 cm and 30.6 for treated fabric by 3 wt% PA solution and 4 wt% TA solution, which indicated that in the mixed system, although TA primarily acted as an anti‐UV agent, it also exhibited flame retardant properties, and PA primarily functioned as a flame retardant and could provide a certain degree of UV protection. The prepared cotton fabric through this facile method presented excellent UV/flame retardant protection capabilities, and improved the functional efficiency of TA and PA materials. Moreover, as‐prepared fabric showed great application potential, especially in…

Abstract Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is one of the most widely used biopolymers in biomedicine for the production of scaffolds and biomaterials in tissue engineering. This is due to its characteristics as a drug carrier, as well as excellent controlled release properties compared to other biopolymers. Electrospinning is a technique often employed for manufacturing mats with this application, although chlorinated or fluorinated solvents are predominantly used, presenting high cellular toxicity. A viable alternative as a green solvent is glacial acetic acid in the preparation of electrospinning solutions. In this study, we investigated the molecular degradation via acid hydrolysis of PCL in acidic solvents (acetic acid/formic acid) and how the contact time (storage) influences the morphology of the produced structures. Solutions containing 30% by weight of PCL in acetic acid/formic acid (9:1) were prepared and stored at 35°C for up to 14 days. Subsequently, samples were tested by electrospinning to assess the resulting morphology. To analyze the acid degradation of PCL, samples were…

Abstract Loss of a lower limb leads to immobility, necessitating the use of prosthetic foot and socket as substitutes for lost limbs. However, the production of these prosthetic devices poses challenges due to the wide array of printing settings, materials, and post‐processing techniques involved. The objectives of this study were to examine the compression and flexural behavior of polylactic acid reinforced with carbon fiber fabricated via fused filament fabrication (FFF) and to investigate the effects of process constraints, namely nozzle hole diameter (0.20, 0.40, and 0.60 mm) and internal filling pattern (rectilinear, honeycomb, and triangle). The study employed compression and flexural tests, along with the analysis of failure morphology, on build samples. The resulting data were analyzed using Taguchi ANOVA and response surface methodology (RSM) to determine how compression and flexural behavior vary with the specified process constraints. The research findings demonstrate that the prosthetic socket and foot prosthesis created using FFF exhibit superior flexural and…

Abstract A detailed account of the poly(vinylidene difluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP)/succinonitrile (SN)/lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI) based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) of various compositions is reported. SN is incorporated as plasticizer, while LiTFSI is employed as the source of lithium ions. Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy reveals the formation of polar and electroactive γ crystal phase by PVDF in pristine PVDF‐HFP and the prepared SPE films. FTIR further confirms the interaction between the host polymer and the salt and between the salt and the plasticizer. The interaction between the salt and plasticizer suggests that SN not only offers the plasticization effect but also facilitates salt dissociation. The ion conductivity increases with increasing salt content up to 20 wt% but beyond that concentration a decline in ion conductivity is observed, which could be attributed to the ion pair association or cluster formation due to the excess salt concentration that reduces the availability of free ions and ultimately leads to…

Abstract This study explores fabrication and characterization of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for gas separation, employing a cost‐effective solution casting method. Polycarbonate (PC) and polystyrene (PS) blends are combined with graphene oxide (GO) and zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) nanofillers, with and without a deep eutectic solvent (DES) obtained through hydrogen bond exchange. Various MMMs compositions (2–20 wt%) are systematically examined using diverse characterization techniques, including differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, porosity determination, and water contact angle analysis. The MMMs exhibit enhanced gas permeability and selectivity, surpassing conventional membrane materials. Notably, H2 gas permeability reaches outstanding levels, with the composition PC/PS‐DES‐GO/ZrO2 at 20 wt% (PBC20‐IV) demonstrating the highest value of 86.32 Barrer. This superior performance is attributed to the unique properties of ZrO2, increased sorption capacity of GO, and enhanced thermal…

Abstract The accumulation of ice and snow will have a great impact on industry and people's lives. People usually adopted active deicing method for deicing in the past, which is characterized by high energy consumption, low efficiency, and high cost. Passive anti‐icing materials are the most widely used due to their low icing adhesion strength and energy saving, but passive anti‐icing materials tend to lose anti‐icing performance after mechanical damage or following exposure to harsh environments resembling low temperatures, high humidity. Recently, new anti‐icing materials have been rationally designed through the combination of passive and active anti‐icing, exhibiting high‐efficiency and energy‐saving anti‐icing properties. The design idea is that low surface energy polymers combine photothermal and electrothermal particles to achieve photothermal and electrothermal superhydrophobic anti‐icing. Anti‐icing materials are easily damaged after long‐term outdoor use, so the self‐healing capabilities of the materials are important. This review briefly introduces the ice formation…

Abstract High efficiency thermal insulation materials are highly desirable in aerospace industry, whereas combining low density and low thermal conductivity of thermal insulation materials still remains a challenge. In this work, a series of fluorinated polyimide foams (PIFs) based on 4,4‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) were successfully prepared by microwave‐assisted powder foaming. The modification of fluorination decreased the melt strength while simultaneously enhanced the thermal properties of fluorinated PIFs through the high bonding energy of CF bond. Thus, fluorinated PIFs exhibited one of the lowest densities of reported PIFs, among them, the density of PIF6FDA‐DMBZ was as low as 9.34 kg m−3. The glass transition temperature of all fluorinated PIFs was greater than 295°C. Microwave‐assisted foaming optimized the cell structure effectively, resulting in the thermal conductivity of PIF6FDA‐ODA as low as 0.029 W m−1 K−1. The incorporation of hexafluoroisopropylidene groups reduced the polarization and enhanced the free volume of fluorinated PIFs,…

Abstract Glass fiber‐reinforced epoxy resin composite materials are widely used in various fields because of their excellent properties, especially in the stringent performance requirements of wind turbine blades manufacture for wind power generation. However, the irreversible cross‐linking network of the epoxy resin makes it difficult to recycle. In recent years, the management of large amounts of decommissioned wind turbine blade waste has become spotlight. This study used self‐developed solid‐state shear milling technology to effectively remove the epoxy resin from the glass fiber surface while preserving its high aspect ratio, ensuring its mechanical reinforcement potential. Furthermore, this process also significantly reduced epoxy resin particle size. Subsequently, composites with filler contents up to 50 wt.% were formulated with polypropylene. In the optimized composition, the material exhibited a remarkable 37.1% increase in tensile strength, 147.3% increase in modulus, and 63.8% increase in flexural strength, 165.5% in modulus, respectively. In this research, we conducted…

Abstract The state‐of‐the‐art manufacturing process known as additive manufacturing (AM) employs components that may be processed by AM, including ceramics, polymeric materials, metallic substances, titanium, metallic substances, and composites, to produce parts with intricate designs and exact properties. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a rapidly growing 3D printing technique. However, most FDM systems only support polylactic acid (PLA) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) as a printing medium. The impact of print orientations and graphene nanoparticles upon the tensile and shear properties of PLA single‐lap joint samples created by FDM has been investigated in this work. According to experimentation, the 0° orientation has the highest load‐bearing capacity and shear strength compared to 45° and 90°. Also, addition of GNP to epoxy adhesive improved greatly, with 0.25 to 1.00 weight percentages of 20.94, 12.34, 38.98, and 31.11%, respectively. FESEM has been used to analyze the failure criteria. The free vibrational analysis confirmed that the 3DS6 sample had the highest…

Abstract A binary blend of polylactic acid (PLA) and poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT), along with algae in their respective composites, were successfully produced using a melt extrusion process. The produced in‐house coupling agent was used to enhance interfacial adhesion and algae dispersion. The influence of algae content incorporated into the compatibilized binary blend was thoroughly investigated, focusing on the bio‐composites morphology, mechanical, and thermal properties. The addition of PLA‐g‐MA to the binary blend led to notable improvements in the storage modulus, mechanical strength, and thermal properties of the binary blend. Subsequently, the introduction of algae into the compatibilized binary blend further augmented the storage modulus, with an optimum algae concentration of 10 wt%. However, higher algae content led to decreased tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact resilience. The optimal balance of these properties was achieved at an optimal loading of 5–10 wt% of algae into the compatibilized binary blend. The thermal stability of the…

Abstract Polypropylene (PP) is believed to be a rather promising cable insulating material for high‐capacity electric power system with low carbon emission due to its decent thermo‐resistance and recyclable nature. In this paper, a new dually chemical grafting modification strategy by methyl acrylate (MA) and acrylic acid (AA) is put forward to tailor the charge transportation behavior in PP, thus further enhancing the electrical properties. Experimental results indicate that the dually grafted PP with 2.3 weight percent (wt%) MA and 1.9 wt% AA shows enhanced volume resistivity and electrical breakdown strength than pure PP, and the space charge injection is significantly suppressed. This work further adopts thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) test and computational analysis based on density functional theory (DFT) to reveal the mechanism of enhancement. The analysis shows that grafted chemical groups can introduce quantities of deep traps and electrostatic potential wells which are strongly correlated with the carbonyl group and would hinder the charge transportation…

Abstract Wounds infected by resistant microbes have become a cost and health problem worldwide. In modern wound care, healing mechanisms require particular strategies, such as adding natural antioxidants and antimicrobials in a biocompatible biopolymer matrix mimicking extracellular tissue such as cellulose. Here, ascorbic acid or Vitamin C is a promising bioactive as a topical drug loaded in a cellulose‐based composite matrix for skin tissue repair. Ascorbic acid, cellulose, or cellulose composites enriched with ascorbic acid have shown better biocompatibility and biological effects for accelerating wound healing, making them promising as sustainable medical textiles. Future challenges relate to the ideal engineered wound dressing design, raw material toxicity, and 3D printing technology.

Abstract Recently, researchers have shown increasing interest in incorporating bioactive substances with therapeutic properties into fiber‐structured mat biomaterials, which are favored as tissue scaffolds for wound healing applications. In this study, curcumin (Cur)‐loaded polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan (CS) composite mats were produced using the electrospinning method and followed by the freeze‐drying method. Scanning electron microscope images proved the homogeneous structure of the composite mats, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that the Cur‐loaded composite mats were successfully produced. The antibacterial activity of Cur‐loaded PVA/CS composite mats was evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and the results showed that the antibacterial activity of the composite mats increased with the addition of Cur. Furthermore, the antioxidant test, release kinetics tests, and in vitro biocompatibility studies such as cytotoxicity, staining, and scratch assay of Cur‐loaded PVA/CS composite mats were carried out. The results showed that…

Abstract Polypropylene (PP) recyclates face limitations in their use due to lower qualities compared with virgin PP, resulting from contaminations and the mixing of different PP grades. In particular, their high melt flow rate (MFR) hinders their suitability for applications requiring low MFR, such as pipes. This study investigates the feasibility of producing low MFR PP recyclates from packaging waste. For this purpose, recyclates were produced exclusively from manually sorted extrusion blow molding grades and compared with a recyclate derived from a conventional PP waste stream. Different washing temperatures and recyclate production processes were used to study their effects on the properties of the recyclates. The main objective was to determine the lowest achievable MFR and the rheological, mechanical, and thermal properties of the recyclates from improved sorting. The results are intended to serve as reference points for the evaluation of future automatic sorting trials. The enhanced sorting resulted in an 80% reduction in the MFR and improved ductility, thereby extending the…

Abstract Imparting good flame retardancy and mechanical properties to epoxy resin (EP), while pursuing the sustainable and safe application of EP, we synthesized a novel reactive phosphorus/nitrogen flame retardant for biomass through nucleophilic addition reaction, which contains flexible ether bonds and rigid aromatic ring structure (DVD). Owing to the cooperative effect of aryl ether diamine, phosphorus phenanthrene, and biomass vanillin, the DVD exhibited excellent flame retardancy. EP/DVD‐1 (0.4 wt% phosphorus content) achieved UL‐94 V‐0 rating, with an improvement in limiting oxygen index value from 26.5% (pure EP) to 32.5%. In the CCT, the modified DVD EP showed a 44.5% reduction in peak peak of heat release rate (PHRR) and a 38.0% reduction in total heat release compared to pure EPs. And flame retardant epoxy resin (FREP) still had good transparency after the addition of DVD, which indicated the nice compatibility between DVD andEP. What was noteworthiness was that at high levels of addition, the mechanical properties of modified EP for DVD was still improved compared to…

Abstract Epoxy polymers are commonly utilized in structural applications due to their high bearing capacity and excellent chemical resistance. However, their inherent brittleness poses a significant challenge for their use in high shock and fracture strength products. To address this shortcoming, fillers can be incorporated into the polymer during preparation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of incorporating cellulose‐based fillers, namely cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), on the mechanical properties of epoxy polymer composites. The study evaluated the impact of various factors, including filler concentration, particle size, and moisture content, on the mechanical properties of the composites. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of CNC or MCC powders at concentrations below 5% could enhance the mechanical properties of the resulting epoxy composites without adversely affecting their surface and thermal properties. The maximum tensile strength and fracture toughness of the filler‐based epoxy composites were achieved at…

Abstract Biopolymer blend composite films based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan (CS) incorporated with varying amounts of chicory extract (CE) have been developed by the green solution casting technique. The impact of CE content on structural, thermal, mechanical and electrical properties was thoroughly examined. The existence of intermolecular interactions in the blend composite was confirmed by Fourier‐transform infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy. The x‐ray diffraction pattern proved the successful preparation of PVA/CS/CE composite film. The scanning electron microscopy images of the composites showed shape and grain size for the different bio‐filler contents. The thermal transition temperature of the blend composites was significantly improved by the addition of CE extract deduced from differential scanning calorimetry. The dielectric study showed that the permittivity remarkably increases with decreasing frequency and maximum dielectric constant was observed for 15 wt% loading. The activation energy obtained from the AC conductivity decreased as the temperature…

Abstract Vitrimer materials have machinability and stability because of their shape remodeling and self‐healing properties at high temperatures. This article reports the synthesis of epoxy resin using vanillin, p‐aminophenol, and epichlorohydrin as raw materials, and polyetheramine‐400 as a curing agent. To study the effect of free amine on the mechanical and self‐healing properties, two materials with epoxy and amine stoichiometric ratios of 1:1 and 1:1.2 were studied, respectively. The experimental results show that when the molar ratio of epoxy to amine stoichiometric is 1:1.2 (V1:1.2), the tensile strength of vitrimer materials can reach 5.4 MPa and the self‐healing efficiency can reach 99.5% after 6 h of healing at 120°C. When the molar ratio is 1:1 (V1:1), the obtained epoxy material has a higher tensile strength of 9.5 MPa. After 24 h of healing at 120°C, the self‐healing efficiency can reach 83.4%. In addition, epoxy vitrimer materials can be remodeled at 120°C, and the self‐healing and mechanical properties are not influenced after remodeling. This work proposes a novel…