Journal of Applied Polymer Science最新文献

This study developed a polydopamine (PDA)-modified ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite hose with a variable diameter to address the limitations of single-interface design and insufficient pressure resistance in conventional fire hoses. First, UHMWPE fibers were functionalized with PDA to enhance their interfacial adhesion with the TPU matrix. Subsequently, the modified fibers were fabricated into preforms and combined with TPU inner tubes via hot-pressing to produce novel variable-diameter hoses. Multiple hose specifications were designed and manufactured to systematically evaluate interfacial bonding strength, pressure resistance, and failure mechanisms. The results demonstrate that precise control of PDA modification parameters and hose structural design significantly improve both interfacial bonding and pressure resistance. This work provides an innovative strategy for fabricating multi-interface, high-pressure-resistant fire hoses with enhanced adaptability.

X-rays are widely employed in medical diagnostics, nondestructive testing, and aerospace exploration. However, conventional lead-based protective garments are heavy and rigid, resulting in discomfort and reduced efficiency. To address the need for lightweight, high-performance shielding, this study prepared a chitosan-Methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) composite aerogel using freeze-drying. Four high-atomic-number fillers (Bi₂O₃, WO₃, Gd₂O₃, and BaSO₄) were incorporated into its framework to form a three-dimensional microporous SiOSi network. The material was characterized by SEM, infrared spectroscopy, shielding performance tests, thermogravimetric analysis, and water contact angle measurements. The results demonstrated that the aerogel achieved up to 72% attenuation efficiency at 40 keV, exhibited superhydrophobicity with a contact angle of 172.2°, and showed excellent thermal stability in thermogravimetric analysis. These findings confirm the potential of the aerogel for lightweight, high-efficiency X-ray protection applications.

Accurately identifying edge balls in table tennis competitions remains a persistent challenge, frequently leading to delays, disputes, and compromised fairness owing to the inherent limitations of current detection technologies. To address this issue, we present a flexible polymer elastomer capacitor sensor that functions as a “Hawk-Eye system.” Owing to the intrinsic viscosity and toughness of the elastomer, the device is capable of real-time motion data acquisition and analysis across multiple target scenarios. The film-type capacitive sensor was fabricated from a styrene–isoprene–styrene block copolymer composite embedded with carbon nanospheres, exhibiting a high dielectric constant (6.54) and remarkable sensitivity (6.38 mV/N). Notably, this unique polymer-based film capacitor, which can be mass-produced via a one-pot synthesis method, offers both athletes and referees effective training guidance and real-time assistance during matches. Beyond table tennis, this work not only broadens the application of Hawk-Eye-like systems to smart sports monitoring and decision support, but also contributes to the advancement of big data analytics within the smart sports industry.

In this study, we present a transparent, recyclable hydrogel composite by integrating TiO₂ quantum dots (TDQDs) into a polyacrylamide (PAM) matrix, where the TDQDs function dually as photoinitiators and photocatalysts. The TDQDs were synthesized via a simple water-bath method and facilitated rapid photopolymerization of PAM, forming a porous hydrogel with uniformly dispersed quantum dots (2–3 nm), as confirmed by SEM and HRTEM analyses. The resulting TDQD/PAM hydrogel demonstrated efficient photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and methyl orange within approximately 2 h, outperforming conventional P25/PAM composites due to its superior light transmittance and nanoscale distribution of photocatalysts. Importantly, the hydrogel retained stable photocatalytic activity over seven consecutive cycles without regeneration, indicating excellent durability. Mechanistic studies revealed that TDQD generated reactive oxygen species, effectively degrading dyes with a tendency toward mineralization and reduced toxicity risk. This dual-functional hydrogel offers a sustainable and scalable platform for advanced wastewater treatment and aligns with circular economy principles.

The fabrication of PVA/collagen/niacinamide composite films focuses on exploring their potential use in wound healing and melanoma prevention. The PXRD analysis indicated that the composite films changed from amorphous to semicrystalline in nature with an increase in dopant concentration. The SEM findings corroborate the PXRD results, demonstrating that niacinamide is uniformly dispersed into the PVA/collagen matrix. FTIR analysis revealed shifts in the bands corresponding to hydroxyl, amino, and amide groups of the polymer matrix towards lower frequencies due to the multiple H-bonding interactions between the matrix and dopant. The mechanical testing demonstrated that higher niacinamide concentrations significantly improved the stiffness and tensile strength of the films, with Young's modulus increasing from 13.5 MPa in the unmodified sample to 1010 MPa at 2% niacinamide. An in vitro wound closure assessment on the NIH3T3 cells revealed that the film with 2% niacinamide achieved a notable cell migration rate of 61.49%, due to the sustained release of niacinamide at pH 7.4. Furthermore, the film exhibited anticancer properties against A375 cells in vitro, showing a cytotoxicity rate of 40.46% at 24 h and 45.80% after 72 h. Thus, the experiments indicated the potential use of biofilms as wound closure patches with anticancer activity in biomedical applications.

In this study, PLA/Zein composite films were fabricated via solvent casting by blending polylactic acid (PLA) with the plant-derived protein Zein. Zein acted as a heterogeneous nucleating agent, significantly accelerating PLA crystallization by promoting molecular chain rearrangement. This behavior was confirmed by attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), polarized optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). At a Zein content of 30 wt%, the crystallinity of the composite film increased by 152.4% compared to neat PLA, along with improvements in tensile strength, elongation at break, and UV-shielding performance. The introduction of Zein increased heterogeneous nucleation sites, reduced crystal size, and lowered both the glass transition and cold crystallization temperatures, facilitating rapid crystal growth and inducing ordered folding and stacking of PLA chains. In addition, the incorporation of cinnamaldehyde (CA) imparted antibacterial activity and further enhanced UV-blocking capacity. The PLA/Zein30-CA5 composite film exhibited nearly zero UV transmittance in the 200–350 nm range. Overall, these results suggest that the bio-based PLA/Zein/CA composite films hold promising potential for use in active food packaging.

The interaction between crumb rubber modified asphalt (CRMA) and aggregate interface is a key factor affecting the pavement service life. This study prepared CRMA using an ultrasonic-assisted process and employed a macro–micro multi-scale approach to investigate its self-healing properties and adhesion mechanisms. Laser scanning confocal microscopy analysis revealed that the self-healing rate of base asphalt is significantly higher than that of CRMA. Ultrasonic treatment effectively inhibits the aging process of asphalt, resulting in an enhanced recovery of crack. A molecular dynamics model constructed using Materials Studio was employed to computationally analyze performance parameters. Analysis of the density growth rate, mean square displacement (MSD), and binding energy revealed that ultrasonic treatment effectively enhances the self-healing properties of asphalt. Interface analysis revealed that the relative atomic concentration in the calcite aggregate-asphalt system exceeds that of the quartz system. Combined with adhesion work calculations, results demonstrate that ultrasonic treatment enhances asphalt molecular activity, thereby promoting interfacial fusion between free components and aggregates. This study elucidated the mechanistic role of ultrasonic-enhanced modification processes in optimizing both the self-healing performance and interfacial adhesion effects of CRMA through synergistic validation of experimental characterization and molecular simulation, providing a theoretical foundation for developing high-performance asphalt materials.