Macromolecular Materials and Engineering最新文献

Efficient recycling of mixed plastic waste remains challenging due to the intrinsic immiscibility of constituent polymers, which compromises mechanical performance. Here, a synergistic compatibilization strategy combining reactive maleic anhydride–grafted low-density polyethylene (LDPE-g-MA) and non-reactive styrene–ethylene–butadiene–styrene (SEBS) is demonstrated to enhance interfacial adhesion and mechanical properties of LDPE/PS/PA6 blends. The cooperative action of LDPE-g-MA and SEBS minimized mutual interference and improved compatibilization efficiency at both LDPE/PA6 and LDPE/PS interfaces. In the LDPE/PS/PA6 (40/30/30) blend, the bicontinuous LDPE/PS morphology with PA6 encapsulated in PS transformed into an LDPE matrix containing salami-like core–shell domains with mixed PS/PA6 cores upon addition of 5 wt.% LDPE-g-MA and 5 wt.% SEBS. In the LDPE/PS/PA6 (70/15/15) blend, the PA6@PS domains evolved into distinct, refined salami-like structures with inner PS cores and interfacial localized PA6 domains upon addition of 3 wt.% LDPE-g-MA and 3 wt.% SEBS, increasing notched impact strength from 3.3 to 18.2 kJ·m⁻². In the LDPE/PS/PA6 (15/15/70) blend, LDPE@PS core–shell domains converted to salami-like PS@LDPE structures with 3 wt.% LDPE-g-MA and 4.5 wt.% SEBS, enhancing impact strength from 2.9 to 11.7 kJ·m⁻². This work offers an effective, industrially relevant route to tailor morphology and upgrade the performance of heterogeneous plastic waste toward sustainable recycling.

Polymer chains capable of forming metal complexes have been widely utilized in biomedical applications. The formation of polymer metal complexes offers size-related advantage, and the locally concentrated state of metal complexes increase inherent catalytic activity and molecular interaction. The specific polymer architectures provide additional benefits to form supramolecular assemblies to enhance their properties. More details can be found in the Perspective by Tiancheng Wang and Shigehito Osawa (DOI: 10.1002/mame.202500319)

Hydrogen bonding plays a pivotal yet often overlooked role in shaping the structure and dynamics of alginate-based materials. In this study, we use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate how hydration and solvent environment influence the organization of neutral alginate at the molecular and mesoscale levels. Starting from short isolated chains and progressing toward periodic and entangled systems, we systematically vary water content and examine structural responses using radial and minimal distance distribution functions, as well as geometric analysis based on Alpha Shapes. We find that hydration transforms the polymer matrix from compact, rigid bundles into layered and porous nanostructures, with water acting not merely as a plasticizer but as an active mediator of hydrogen bonding. Even small amounts of water accelerate supramolecular aggregation and promote internal flexibility. At higher hydration, polymer–polymer contacts become more diffuse yet remain structurally coherent. A comparison with ethanol reveals solvent-specific effects on porosity and tortuosity, while the functional surface composition remains robust across all conditions, closely reflecting the molecular stoichiometry of the polymer. These results provide a detailed molecular-level understanding of solvent-mediated self-assembly in alginate and offer general design principles for soft, bioinspired materials where hydrogen bonding is the key structural motif.

Front Cover: The crystallization kinetics of PLA filament is analyzed by considering melt calorimetric (erasing thermomechanical history) and solid calorimetric (preserving nuclei) protocols. Pre-existing nuclei accelerate crystallization, leading to crystallization time comparable with cooling time in Fused Filament Fabrication process. The proposed model is proved to be accurate in predicting the crystallinity evolution for two different crystalline phases of PLA through both protocols. More details can be found in the Research Article by Sara Liparoti, Dario Cavallo, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo, and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/mame.202500204).

Metal complexes are utilized in numerous medical and biological applications. However, their direct use as small-molecule agents is often challenging due to rapid systemic clearance, unfavorable biodistribution, and loss of catalytic efficacy under the diluted conditions of a biological milieu. Incorporating the metal complexes into a polymer addresses these issues, providing three key advantages. First, it significantly improves pharmacokinetics by leveraging the size, which leads to a prolonged circulation and an enhanced therapeutic index for systemically administered medicines. Second, the polymer matrix creates a locally concentrated environment for the metal complexes. Neighboring metal complexes allow for efficient reactions, such as the generation of reactive oxygen species, even under biologically dilute conditions. Third, the multivalent effect of multiple binding sites on the polymer chain dramatically increases molecular recognition and binding affinity. This can be the driving force for supramolecular formation, including nanoparticles and hydrogels. Combining these merits could advance a new generation of biomaterials, enabling various types of theranostics. The polymer matrix also promotes catalytic reactions of metal complexes that cannot feasibly proceed in an ordinary aqueous solution state, mirroring a biological system. Thus, we believe that polymer-metal complexes will further promote biomaterial development, including in medicines and artificial tissues.

Front Cover: A multilayered drug-loaded dressing developed via hybrid fabrication combines PVA and PCL matrices with DOX, AMOX, and IBU for postoperative cancer treatment. The design enables controlled and sequential release for therapeutic action. More details can be found in the Research Article by Ayse Betul Bingol and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/mame.202500218).

Epilepsy is a disease that arises from the disruption of nerve conduction in different parts of the brain due to intense and repetitive discharge of nerve cells, and some of the symptoms manifest through seizures. The low bioavailability of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used for treatment and the inability to administer drugs orally during seizures highlight the need for new drug delivery systems. In the present study, the effect of ethosuximide (ETX) supplementation to polylactic acid (PLA)/bismuth ferrite (BFO, BiFeO₃) mixture on epileptic seizures was investigated in detail. ETX-loaded fibers were created by adding ETX in different ratios (10, 15, and 20 mg) through the same procedures. The morphological analysis showed that the minimum diameter belonged to the 10% PLA fibers. According to the tensile testing results, the 10% PLA + 5 mg BFO fiber had the highest tensile strength value (2.49 ± 1.01 MPa). The biocompatibility results, performed with the human neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y), demonstrated that all fibers had no cytotoxic effect. The ETX release was performed both under and without an electric field in vitro conditions. The results demonstrated that the ETX released faster from fibers under an electric field.

E. Asare, B. Azimi, E. Vasili, D.A. Gregory, M. Raut, C.S. Taylor, S. Linari, S. Danti, and I. Roy, “Electrospun Fibers of Polyhydroxyalkanoate/Bacterial Cellulose Blends and Their Role in Nerve Tissue Engineering,” Macromolecular Molecules and Engineering 310, no. 9 (2025): https://doi.org/10.1002/mame.202500074.

A Conflict of Interest statement was missed.

We would like to add the following statement:

Prof. I. Roy and Dr D. A. Gregory are Directors of PHAsT Limited that develops biomedical grade polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) for a variety of applications, including healthcare and biomedical applications. The polymers used in this work were produced in the Roylab and not by PHAsT.

We apologize for this error.