Polymer International最新文献

The production of easily separable and recoverable photocatalytic materials remains a critical challenge in achieving sustainable photocatalysis. Here, we have created a hybrid material consisting of photocatalytic polymers encapsulating magnetite nanoparticles. These nanoparticles exhibit excellent performance in oxidative hydroxylation of both boronic-acid- and boronic-acid-pinacol-ester-containing substrates. Moreover, these nanoparticles can be easily recovered and regenerated from the reaction medium via a simple magnetic separation technique. Extremely high efficiency has been maintained over multiple cycles, by recycling the magnetic photocatalyst. © 2025 The Author(s). Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

The flame-retardant modification of plant fiber-reinforced composites (PFRCs) is a fundamental requirement for achieving broader industrial applications. However, commonly used modification methods often compromise the fiber mechanical properties or surface reactivity due to structural damage. In this paper, a water-soluble system consisting of phytic acid imidazole salt and biobased benzoxazine was devised to modify a regenerated cellulose fabric through water-phase immersion. Benefiting from the neutral solution and self-assembly coating, the modified fabric (F-RCF) exhibited a typical self-extinguishing behavior while maintaining good structural integrity and mechanical properties. By further combining F-RCF with a DOPO-containing epoxy resin blend (FEB) to prepare a fiber-reinforced green composite (F-RCF/FEB), the results indicated that the co-curing reaction between the modifier and resin matrix contributed to improved interfacial adhesion. This enabled the simultaneous enhancement of tensile modulus (from 9.82 to 11.29 MPa), impact strength (from 6.58 to 7.26 kJ m⁻²) and interlaminar shear strength (from 11.41 to 13.89 MPa). More importantly, F-RCF/FEB exhibited excellent anti-flammability in terms of a high limiting oxygen index value of 34.3% and a UL-94 V-0 rating, and the peak heat release and total heat release were also markedly reduced by 44.9% and 36.9%, respectively. Mechanism analysis revealed that the modified system effectively prevented the wick effect and provided an inhibitory effect in the gaseous phase, as well as a barrier effect in the condensed phase. This study presents a non-destructive modification strategy for plant fibers, which may also inspire the synchronous enhancement of interfacial compatibility and fire-proof performance of PFRCs. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have been recognized as potential replacements for fossil fuel-based, non-biodegradable plastics. PHAs exhibit properties that are analogous to those of synthetic plastics. The production of PHAs offers a multitude of advantages, primarily due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. The most naturally occurring form of PHAs are the polyhydroxybutyrates (P(3HB)s). The major limitations of P(3HB)s are their brittle nature and inferior mechanical properties. Hence, these biopolymers have been observed to have limited biotechnological applications. In contrast to P(3HB)s, copolymers of PHAs have almost all the desirable properties, making them suitable for high-end applications such as those in the medical sector. Structural modifications in PHA molecules have expanded the scope of their applications, including in medical implants, wound healing and bone grafts. It is noteworthy that considerable progress has been made in the field of PHA nanocomposites, which are now being explored for their biotechnological applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering and biosensors. The prospects for PHA nanocomposites are also summarized. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biocompatible and biodegradable polyesters synthesized from biomass resources by various microbes in appropriate growth conditions as intracellular energy storage. PHAs have great biocompatibility, low immunological response, bioresorption, non-toxic degradation products and possibly resilient cell adhesion properties. Their mechanical characteristics can be modified to fit numerous tissues ranging from very soft (skin) to hard (bone). Multiple approaches have been used to create well-defined architectures with the best characteristics for processing as medical devices and biomedical application tools. The implementation of PHAs into medical devices as new functional materials with advanced 3D printing techniques has been described. Additionally, new challenges in improving PHA-based bioinks for creating scaffolds with enhanced biodegradation control suitable for tissue regeneration are also elucidated in this review. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Starch phosphate carbamate was synthesized via a one-pot method using phosphoric acid, urea and starch, and it was added into polyurethane (PU) to replace some polyol. The fire retardancy and thermal stability of the resulting PU system were evaluated by the results of vertical burning test (UL-94), limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimeter (CONE) test and thermogravimetric analysis. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to analyze the char layer after the CONE test, and the thermogravimetric–infrared test was used to analyze the gas products at the maximum rate of thermal decomposition. The introduction of 13.7 wt% starch phosphate carbamate (PU-15) in PU enables the system to pass the V-0 rating, with LOI reaching 22.8%. The peak heat release rate of PU-15 decreased by 36.54% compared to PU, and the total heat release of PU-15 was only 27.87 MJ m⁻². Starch phosphate carbamate reduces the generation of combustible small molecules during the combustion of the system, producing a more protective char layer. Raman results indicate that starch phosphate carbamate can increase the stability of the char layer. Integrating the results from various tests, the combustion mechanism of PU with starch phosphate carbamate was explored. Starch phosphate carbamate provides a new approach for preparing high-performance PU. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

This study investigates the synthesis, nucleation and modification of biodegradable poly(sodium sulfonated butylene fumarate-co-acrylic acid)/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering, with a focus on the effects of incorporating hydrophilic sulfonate and carboxylic acid groups. Poly(butylene fumarate) was sulfonated at varying degrees and used to form nanocomposites through in situ nucleation of nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) in a simulated body fluid solution. Critical parameters such as water absorption, swelling behavior, mechanical properties, nanoparticle dispersion and biocompatibility were evaluated. Water uptake ratios ranged from 2.72 to 6.88 g g⁻¹, while compressive modulus values increased up to 25.9 times compared with the corresponding homopolymers, demonstrating improved mechanical stability. Despite the formation of over 80% nanoparticles, well-distributed nHA, with sizes averaging 39 ± 13 nm, was achieved through the incorporation of sulfonated groups, preventing nanoparticle agglomeration within the scaffold matrix. Additionally, the scaffolds supported human dermal fibroblast adhesion and proliferation, with cell viability remaining high throughout the culture period. These results suggest that the developed nanocomposite scaffolds offer enhanced biocompatibility, mechanical strength and osteogenic potential, making them promising candidates for bone tissue regeneration applications. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

A novel approach is developed for the preparation of a membrane electrode assembly with low methanol crossover, designed for application in direct methanol fuel cells. This method involves a two-step process starting with the modification of a Nafion membrane through chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole, using FeCl₃ as an oxidant. Subsequently, galvanostatic electrodeposition of several metals (copper, nickel and silver) was performed on the previously prepared composite membrane (polypyrrole–Nafion). Scanning electron microscopy was conducted to examine the growth evolution, morphology and distribution of the deposited polypyrrole and metals. Additionally, X-ray photoelectron analysis enabled for the identification of elemental composition and chemical states within the coating to confirm the growth evolution, morphology and oxide phases present in the coatings, as well as their structural characteristics. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Wound management is a complex clinical challenge that needs advanced materials and techniques for satisfactory results. Electrospun nanofiber mats have emerged as an innovative alternative for wound healing purposes due to their porous architecture, greater surface area, ease of water absorption, mimicry of the extracellular matrix of natural tissues and tunable mechanical properties. This paper sheds light on recent advances in the fabrication techniques, properties, structural features and application of electrospun polymeric nanofiber mats for wound healing purposes emphasizing the importance of polymer selection and processing parameters in tailoring their physicochemical properties. Furthermore, the review explores the underlying principles of the wound healing process and various approaches to incorporating bioactive agents into nanofiber mats to enhance their biological performance and wound healing potential. The possibility of embedding stimuli-responsive sensors into the nanofiber mats to develop smart mats is also briefly explored. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.