Pub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129614
Long Chen , Hongli Jin , Jiakang Zhang , Xinjie Zhang , Zhen He , Tao Fu , Yuhui Zhang , Yanchun Zheng , Meidong Lang
In order to address the poor compatibility between thermoplastic starch (TPS) and polyester during the blending process, this study employed the melt blending method to prepare poly (ethylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PEAT)/thermoplastic starch (TPS) composite films. A series of composite films were evaluated for mechanical properties, micromorphology, thermal behavior, water absorption, and water vapor and oxygen barrier, systematic study was conducted on the effect of the amount of reactive chain extender poly((phenyl isocyanate)-co-formaldehyde) (PAPI) addition for the performance of PEAT/TPS/PAPI composite films. The results indicate that PAPI, as the reactive compatibilizer, effectively improves the interfacial adhesion of PEAT/TPS blends. The research findings indicate that PAPI enhances the compatibility between PEAT and TPS by forming urethane bonds. The incorporation of PAPI significantly enhances the mechanical properties of the composite film, with tensile strength and tensile modulus increasing by 62 % and 88 % respectively, and toughness increasing by 48 %. Moreover, the incorporation of PAPI has enhanced the water vapor barrier properties of the composite film by 44 %, and improved its oxygen barrier properties by 26 %. The results obtained in this study provide a reference for the manufacture of PEAT/TPS composites, which will facilitate the practical application of PEAT/TPS composite films in the packaging film.
{"title":"Improved properties of biodegradable poly(ethylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PEAT)/thermoplastic starch (TPS) composite films via chemical crosslinking: Enhanced mechanical properties, water-oxygen barrier performance, and compatibility","authors":"Long Chen , Hongli Jin , Jiakang Zhang , Xinjie Zhang , Zhen He , Tao Fu , Yuhui Zhang , Yanchun Zheng , Meidong Lang","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129614","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129614","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In order to address the poor compatibility between thermoplastic starch (TPS) and polyester during the blending process, this study employed the melt blending method to prepare poly (ethylene adipate-<em>co</em>-terephthalate) (PEAT)/thermoplastic starch (TPS) composite films. A series of composite films were evaluated for mechanical properties, micromorphology, thermal behavior, water absorption, and water vapor and oxygen barrier, systematic study was conducted on the effect of the amount of reactive chain extender poly((phenyl isocyanate)-<em>co</em>-formaldehyde) (PAPI) addition for the performance of PEAT/TPS/PAPI composite films. The results indicate that PAPI, as the reactive compatibilizer, effectively improves the interfacial adhesion of PEAT/TPS blends. The research findings indicate that PAPI enhances the compatibility between PEAT and TPS by forming urethane bonds. The incorporation of PAPI significantly enhances the mechanical properties of the composite film, with tensile strength and tensile modulus increasing by 62 % and 88 % respectively, and toughness increasing by 48 %. Moreover, the incorporation of PAPI has enhanced the water vapor barrier properties of the composite film by 44 %, and improved its oxygen barrier properties by 26 %. The results obtained in this study provide a reference for the manufacture of PEAT/TPS composites, which will facilitate the practical application of PEAT/TPS composite films in the packaging film.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"346 ","pages":"Article 129614"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146021844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129615
Bingying Gao , Pan Xu , Jiafeng Qin , Mengjie Chen , Yujun Wang , Ruzheng Wu , Xiaoyi Su , Yusa Liu , Linqiang Mao
The high-value recycling of waste polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) is essential not only for interrupting its “pollution cycle” but also for transforming this waste into a resource that supports green technology and a circular economy. Herein, we report the first scalable strategy for the conversion of rPET into functional membranes via a low-temperature ethanol process, thereby establishing a novel pathway for plastic upcycling. The method integrates tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) hydrolysis-condensation with rPET alcoholysis to form a sol-gel network, leading to rapid membrane formation in ethanol. The membrane-forming process is straightforward, does not require catalysts or high temperatures, and can be completed in a relatively short time (about 2.5 h). The reaction results in a hybrid polymer comprising a rigid Si–O–Si inorganic network and flexible rPET organic segments, interconnected through strong interfacial Si–O–C chemical bonds. The sol-gel process produces a continuous, dense, and defect-free, three-dimensional cross-linked network, which is well-suited for coating and membrane formation and imparts excellent mechanical properties. The long-term water-exposure test demonstrated that the prepared membrane possesses outstanding water impermeability and an extremely low water absorption rate. The addition of a small amount of montmorillonite (Mt) increased the solid-liquid interface, facilitating mass transfer and enhancing the mechanical strength of the membrane. Activation energy (Ea) calculations reveal that Mt catalyzes the reaction by providing a lower-energy reaction pathway. This TEOS-mediated approach enables the high-yield upcycling of rPET into membranes under mild conditions, offering an economical and scalable waste-to-product solution.
{"title":"Tetraethyl orthosilicate-assisted rapid fabrication of thin membranes from recycled polyethylene terephthalate waste","authors":"Bingying Gao , Pan Xu , Jiafeng Qin , Mengjie Chen , Yujun Wang , Ruzheng Wu , Xiaoyi Su , Yusa Liu , Linqiang Mao","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129615","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129615","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The high-value recycling of waste polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) is essential not only for interrupting its “pollution cycle” but also for transforming this waste into a resource that supports green technology and a circular economy. Herein, we report the first scalable strategy for the conversion of rPET into functional membranes via a low-temperature ethanol process, thereby establishing a novel pathway for plastic upcycling. The method integrates tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) hydrolysis-condensation with rPET alcoholysis to form a sol-gel network, leading to rapid membrane formation in ethanol. The membrane-forming process is straightforward, does not require catalysts or high temperatures, and can be completed in a relatively short time (about 2.5 h). The reaction results in a hybrid polymer comprising a rigid Si–O–Si inorganic network and flexible rPET organic segments, interconnected through strong interfacial Si–O–C chemical bonds. The sol-gel process produces a continuous, dense, and defect-free, three-dimensional cross-linked network, which is well-suited for coating and membrane formation and imparts excellent mechanical properties. The long-term water-exposure test demonstrated that the prepared membrane possesses outstanding water impermeability and an extremely low water absorption rate. The addition of a small amount of montmorillonite (Mt) increased the solid-liquid interface, facilitating mass transfer and enhancing the mechanical strength of the membrane. Activation energy (<em>E</em><sub>a</sub>) calculations reveal that Mt catalyzes the reaction by providing a lower-energy reaction pathway. This TEOS-mediated approach enables the high-yield upcycling of rPET into membranes under mild conditions, offering an economical and scalable waste-to-product solution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"346 ","pages":"Article 129615"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146021970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129643
Yi Luo , Yang Wei , Jiaming Qu , Minzhe Peng , Guangxian Li , Yajiang Huang
The thermal autohesion of support polymer powders is an undesirable phenomenon frequently encountered in laser-based polymer powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/P) additive manufacturing. This study investigated the autohesion behavior of a precipitated bio-based polyamide 1012 (PA1012) powder using thermal annealing and chain-end capping experiments. The mechanism underlying the thermal autohesion of PA1012 was attributed to post-condensation reactions and chain diffusion at contact points between adjacent particles. Dry particle coating with SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) effectively isolated PA1012 particles, thereby mitigating thermal autohesion and improving powder flowability. Coating PA1012 powder with SiO2 NPs enabled the fabrication of parts with fewer defects and enhanced mechanical properties, while also mitigating the mechanical deterioration of parts caused by powder reuse. This work deepens the understanding of polyamide powder behavior in PBF-LB/P and underscores the multiple benefits of dry particle coating for improving the processability and sustainability of polyamide powders.
{"title":"Thermal autohesion of support polyamide powder during laser powder bed fusion: mechanism and suppressing strategy","authors":"Yi Luo , Yang Wei , Jiaming Qu , Minzhe Peng , Guangxian Li , Yajiang Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129643","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129643","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The thermal autohesion of support polymer powders is an undesirable phenomenon frequently encountered in laser-based polymer powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/P) additive manufacturing. This study investigated the autohesion behavior of a precipitated bio-based polyamide 1012 (PA1012) powder using thermal annealing and chain-end capping experiments. The mechanism underlying the thermal autohesion of PA1012 was attributed to post-condensation reactions and chain diffusion at contact points between adjacent particles. Dry particle coating with SiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles (NPs) effectively isolated PA1012 particles, thereby mitigating thermal autohesion and improving powder flowability. Coating PA1012 powder with SiO<sub>2</sub> NPs enabled the fabrication of parts with fewer defects and enhanced mechanical properties, while also mitigating the mechanical deterioration of parts caused by powder reuse. This work deepens the understanding of polyamide powder behavior in PBF-LB/P and underscores the multiple benefits of dry particle coating for improving the processability and sustainability of polyamide powders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"346 ","pages":"Article 129643"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146021843","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129629
Ying Xue , Yang Yu , Yue Wu , Xiaonan Hao , Qing Liu , Shulin Sun
This study successfully prepared a porous spherical PBAT-g-IL/MMT composite adsorbent (PIMMT) for treating toxic, refractory dye wastewater through a one-step melt blending process combined with non-solvent-induced phase separation. Ionic liquids perform a dual function in this process. ILs enhance PBAT hydrophilicity through radical grafting and form intercalation structures with MMT via ion exchange, providing rapid transport pathways for pollutant molecules. This research aims to develop a biodegradable adsorbent material that combines highly efficient adsorption performance, good hydrophilicity and structural tunability. The effects of initial dye concentration, pH, temperature, contact time, and adsorbent dosage were systematically investigated. Under optimal conditions, the best sample PIMMT8 demonstrated high removal efficiency for cationic dyes methylene blue (MeB) and auramine O (AO), achieving maximum adsorption capacities (Qmax) of 145.85 mg g−1 and 191.07 mg g−1 respectively. Adsorption kinetics conformed to the pseudo-second-order model (R2 > 0.99), while isotherm data better aligned with the Freundlich model (R2 > 0.99), indicating multi-layer adsorption. The adsorbent demonstrated excellent reusability, maintaining removal efficiencies above 85 % for both MeB and AO after six adsorption-desorption cycles. Furthermore, the study innovatively employed a combined alcohol-alkali hydrolysis process to achieve resource recovery of the adsorbent, successfully recovering monomers such as terephthalic acid and adipic acid. This research not only fills a gap in the study of PBAT/MMT composites for dye adsorption but also provides novel insights for designing wastewater treatment materials that combine high adsorption efficiency, environmental friendliness, and resource recycling properties.
{"title":"Dual-functional ionic liquid-modified PBAT-based biodegradable spherical adsorbent for high-efficiency treatment of dye wastewater","authors":"Ying Xue , Yang Yu , Yue Wu , Xiaonan Hao , Qing Liu , Shulin Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129629","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129629","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study successfully prepared a porous spherical PBAT-g-IL/MMT composite adsorbent (PIMMT) for treating toxic, refractory dye wastewater through a one-step melt blending process combined with non-solvent-induced phase separation. Ionic liquids perform a dual function in this process. ILs enhance PBAT hydrophilicity through radical grafting and form intercalation structures with MMT via ion exchange, providing rapid transport pathways for pollutant molecules. This research aims to develop a biodegradable adsorbent material that combines highly efficient adsorption performance, good hydrophilicity and structural tunability. The effects of initial dye concentration, pH, temperature, contact time, and adsorbent dosage were systematically investigated. Under optimal conditions, the best sample PIMMT8 demonstrated high removal efficiency for cationic dyes methylene blue (MeB) and auramine O (AO), achieving maximum adsorption capacities (Q<sub>max</sub>) of 145.85 mg g<sup>−1</sup> and 191.07 mg g<sup>−1</sup> respectively. Adsorption kinetics conformed to the pseudo-second-order model (R<sup>2</sup> > 0.99), while isotherm data better aligned with the Freundlich model (R<sup>2</sup> > 0.99), indicating multi-layer adsorption. The adsorbent demonstrated excellent reusability, maintaining removal efficiencies above 85 % for both MeB and AO after six adsorption-desorption cycles. Furthermore, the study innovatively employed a combined alcohol-alkali hydrolysis process to achieve resource recovery of the adsorbent, successfully recovering monomers such as terephthalic acid and adipic acid. This research not only fills a gap in the study of PBAT/MMT composites for dye adsorption but also provides novel insights for designing wastewater treatment materials that combine high adsorption efficiency, environmental friendliness, and resource recycling properties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"346 ","pages":"Article 129629"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146005614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129628
Weiguang Zhou , Mingqi Sun , Yankai Mao , Xinze Mao , Zijian Wu , Pengcheng Che
Multifunctional cellulose nanofibers (CNF)-based composites have great promise for applications in advanced electronics. In this work, an onionskin-cell-like biomimetic structure was developed within the CNF matrix based on the volume repulsion mechanism, which can construct dual-continuous conductive networks of nanosilver flowers (AgNFs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The resulting composite films with 4.18 vol% AgNF and 20 vol% CNTs exhibit a through-plane thermal conductivity (TC) of 3.13 W/mK and a remarkable thermal conductivity enhancement coefficient (TCE) of 821 %. This exceptional performance is attributed to the high interconnectivity (25.9 %) of the Ag–Ag pathways within the primary thermally conductive channel. The superior thermal behavior of these composite films with such bionic structure has also been demonstrated through infrared thermography analysis. Temperature distributions of the CNF-based films with different structures is simulated by transient finite element method to investigate the reinforcement mechanism of such onionskin-cell-like bionic structure. Meanwhile, the composite film (150 μm) with such a dual-channel structure can achieve an impressive electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) up to 43.7 dB due to the reflection of electromagnetic waves through the densely interconnected conductive network, which means a shielding efficiency exceeding 99.99 %. Building on this foundation, these films were introduced into a Janus composite as the conductive A-layer, which present multifunctional properties, including an out-of-plane TC of 2.86 W/mK, electrical insulation (1.32 × 109 Ω cm), and a specific shielding effectiveness (SSE) of 233 dB/mm. Overall, this research contributes a novel structural design concept to meet the multifunctional requirements of electronic device applications.
{"title":"Onionskin-inspired construction of dual-continuous Ag/CNT networks in cellulose nanofiber films toward Janus multifuncitonal composites","authors":"Weiguang Zhou , Mingqi Sun , Yankai Mao , Xinze Mao , Zijian Wu , Pengcheng Che","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129628","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129628","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Multifunctional cellulose nanofibers (CNF)-based composites have great promise for applications in advanced electronics. In this work, an onionskin-cell-like biomimetic structure was developed within the CNF matrix based on the volume repulsion mechanism, which can construct dual-continuous conductive networks of nanosilver flowers (AgNFs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The resulting composite films with 4.18 vol% AgNF and 20 vol% CNTs exhibit a through-plane thermal conductivity (TC) of 3.13 W/mK and a remarkable thermal conductivity enhancement coefficient (TCE) of 821 %. This exceptional performance is attributed to the high interconnectivity (25.9 %) of the Ag–Ag pathways within the primary thermally conductive channel. The superior thermal behavior of these composite films with such bionic structure has also been demonstrated through infrared thermography analysis. Temperature distributions of the CNF-based films with different structures is simulated by transient finite element method to investigate the reinforcement mechanism of such onionskin-cell-like bionic structure. Meanwhile, the composite film (150 μm) with such a dual-channel structure can achieve an impressive electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) up to 43.7 dB due to the reflection of electromagnetic waves through the densely interconnected conductive network, which means a shielding efficiency exceeding 99.99 %. Building on this foundation, these films were introduced into a Janus composite as the conductive A-layer, which present multifunctional properties, including an out-of-plane TC of 2.86 W/mK, electrical insulation (1.32 × 10<sup>9</sup> Ω cm), and a specific shielding effectiveness (SSE) of 233 dB/mm. Overall, this research contributes a novel structural design concept to meet the multifunctional requirements of electronic device applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"346 ","pages":"Article 129628"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146005677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
<div><div>Direct Writing (DW) has emerged as a versatile additive manufacturing (AM) technique for fabricating multi-material structures in various fields, particularly in sensors and wearable devices. These devices typically consist of multiple functional elements that must be integrated within a single platform. DW enables the fabrication of such devices within one build area in a single process. However, multi-material and composite printing using different inks remains challenging due to difficulties in controlling the ink flow behavior, printing parameters, and ink-substrate compatibility. Especially, multi-material DW is limited by mismatched ink rheology, differing drying behaviors, and poor ink-substrate interactions, often resulting in unstable deposition and interfacial defects. Also, the wettability between the polymer substrates and ceramic-filled ink is critical to achieving uniform deposition, defect-free interfaces, and reliable performance in flexible electronic systems. This interfacial spreading and adhesion are especially important for printed devices, such as humidity sensors, where reliable response depends on how the active layer interacts with moisture and transduces changes into measurable electrical signals. As a result, understanding and controlling the ink-substrate wettability are critical for ensuring consisting printing quality and functional reliability in multi-material DW.</div><div>In this study, we address these challenges by developing a process-design framework for DW of SiC–Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>–PVA composites, with a focus on substrate wetting behavior, drying kinetics, and ink spreading dynamics. And finally, the mechanical behavior of the printed structure under different humidity conditions were studied to evaluate the stability of the printed structure under different humidity conditions. The influence of deposition speed and build platform temperature on the morphology of printed PVA substrates and SiC–Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> composite lines were evaluated. Printed lines exhibited defects such as surface cracks, delamination from the substrate, and irregular line edges under non-optimal conditions. It was found that build platform temperature of 70 °C created a uniform and defect-free PVA substrates. Surface analysis of printed composite lines demonstrated that dispensing speed and substrate temperature influence the surface roughness and line morphology, with higher substrate temperatures suppressing instabilities and yielding improved surface properties. Contact angle measurements further revealed that substrate type and thermal conditions dictate droplet shape and surface wettability, enabling precise control over adhesion, line resolution, and layer uniformity. Furthermore, mechanical characterization under controlled humidity conditions revealed tunable tensile behavior of the composites, with decreased strength and increased elongation at higher relative humidity due to PVA plasticizatio
{"title":"Process design and direct writing of flexible multilayered ceramic-magneto-polymer composites for humidity-sensitive devices","authors":"Anasheh Khecho, Dylan Burke, Erina Baynojir Joyee, Prabhtej Singh Sahni","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129630","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129630","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Direct Writing (DW) has emerged as a versatile additive manufacturing (AM) technique for fabricating multi-material structures in various fields, particularly in sensors and wearable devices. These devices typically consist of multiple functional elements that must be integrated within a single platform. DW enables the fabrication of such devices within one build area in a single process. However, multi-material and composite printing using different inks remains challenging due to difficulties in controlling the ink flow behavior, printing parameters, and ink-substrate compatibility. Especially, multi-material DW is limited by mismatched ink rheology, differing drying behaviors, and poor ink-substrate interactions, often resulting in unstable deposition and interfacial defects. Also, the wettability between the polymer substrates and ceramic-filled ink is critical to achieving uniform deposition, defect-free interfaces, and reliable performance in flexible electronic systems. This interfacial spreading and adhesion are especially important for printed devices, such as humidity sensors, where reliable response depends on how the active layer interacts with moisture and transduces changes into measurable electrical signals. As a result, understanding and controlling the ink-substrate wettability are critical for ensuring consisting printing quality and functional reliability in multi-material DW.</div><div>In this study, we address these challenges by developing a process-design framework for DW of SiC–Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>–PVA composites, with a focus on substrate wetting behavior, drying kinetics, and ink spreading dynamics. And finally, the mechanical behavior of the printed structure under different humidity conditions were studied to evaluate the stability of the printed structure under different humidity conditions. The influence of deposition speed and build platform temperature on the morphology of printed PVA substrates and SiC–Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> composite lines were evaluated. Printed lines exhibited defects such as surface cracks, delamination from the substrate, and irregular line edges under non-optimal conditions. It was found that build platform temperature of 70 °C created a uniform and defect-free PVA substrates. Surface analysis of printed composite lines demonstrated that dispensing speed and substrate temperature influence the surface roughness and line morphology, with higher substrate temperatures suppressing instabilities and yielding improved surface properties. Contact angle measurements further revealed that substrate type and thermal conditions dictate droplet shape and surface wettability, enabling precise control over adhesion, line resolution, and layer uniformity. Furthermore, mechanical characterization under controlled humidity conditions revealed tunable tensile behavior of the composites, with decreased strength and increased elongation at higher relative humidity due to PVA plasticizatio","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"346 ","pages":"Article 129630"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129631
Xin Pan , Gang Wang , Li Zhou , Xiangning Zhang , Meiling Du , Mengyao Dong , Renbo Wei , Juanna Ren , Hassan Algadi , Hanhui Lei , Terence Xiaoteng Liu
With the rapid development of high-temperature superconducting technology, high-temperature superconducting cables have demonstrated significant potential in the field of power transmission due to their high efficiency and low loss characteristics. This paper reviews the research progress of PPLP materials in the application of high-temperature superconducting cable insulation. The electrical, space charge and thermodynamic characteristics of PPLP used for HTS cable insulation are analyzed. The adaptability of PPLP materials in power transmission, rail transit, extreme environment and other fields is prospected. Findings support HTS cable design and engineering, promoting superconducting transmission industrialization.
{"title":"Research progress on the characteristics of PPLP materials for high-temperature superconducting cable insulation","authors":"Xin Pan , Gang Wang , Li Zhou , Xiangning Zhang , Meiling Du , Mengyao Dong , Renbo Wei , Juanna Ren , Hassan Algadi , Hanhui Lei , Terence Xiaoteng Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129631","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129631","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the rapid development of high-temperature superconducting technology, high-temperature superconducting cables have demonstrated significant potential in the field of power transmission due to their high efficiency and low loss characteristics. This paper reviews the research progress of PPLP materials in the application of high-temperature superconducting cable insulation. The electrical, space charge and thermodynamic characteristics of PPLP used for HTS cable insulation are analyzed. The adaptability of PPLP materials in power transmission, rail transit, extreme environment and other fields is prospected. Findings support HTS cable design and engineering, promoting superconducting transmission industrialization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"346 ","pages":"Article 129631"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129617
Yiyi Xu , Hua Xin , Xinjian Wang , Yue Chen , Xinqi Li , Bo Gao , Xiaojuan Lai
Conventional waterborne polyurethanes characteristically possess a linear structure, a property that invariably leads to deficiencies in both water resistance and mechanical strength. In this study, two novel functional monomer crosslinkers, eugenol-based polyol (EUMP) and bis(mercapto)fluorine-containing binary chain extender (PTFA), were synthesised through a thiol-ene click reaction. Crosslinked network waterborne polyurethane (EUMP WPU) with different dosage of crosslinking agent EUMP was prepared by self emulsification method. The test results showed that when the amount of EUMP was 4 wt%, the contact angle of EUMP-WPU reached a maximum of 85.6° and the tensile strength reached a maximum of 23.61 MPa. Therefore, the optimum amount of cross-linking agent EUMP was selected as 4 wt%, and different amounts of dimercapto fluorinated binary chain extender PTFA were introduced into the system using the thiol-isocyanate click reaction to obtain fluorinated waterborne polyurethane (EUMP-FWPU). The EUMP-FWPU samples were characterised through a series of tests and the results showed that the mechanical strength, adhesion and hydrophobicity of the latex film were significantly improved. It was observed that when the PTFA dosage was 8 wt%, the tensile strength was 30.34 MPa, and the contact angle was 117°. The film transmittance rate is above 92 %, which can be applied to mobile phone screen protector in hydrophobic and can protect the screen without affecting the sensitivity of normal operation of the mobile phone screen.
{"title":"Development of highly transparent cross-linked networked waterborne polyurethane films with improved mechanical strength and hydrophobicity by thiol click reaction","authors":"Yiyi Xu , Hua Xin , Xinjian Wang , Yue Chen , Xinqi Li , Bo Gao , Xiaojuan Lai","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129617","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129617","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Conventional waterborne polyurethanes characteristically possess a linear structure, a property that invariably leads to deficiencies in both water resistance and mechanical strength. In this study, two novel functional monomer crosslinkers, eugenol-based polyol (EUMP) and bis(mercapto)fluorine-containing binary chain extender (PTFA), were synthesised through a thiol-ene click reaction. Crosslinked network waterborne polyurethane (EUMP WPU) with different dosage of crosslinking agent EUMP was prepared by self emulsification method. The test results showed that when the amount of EUMP was 4 wt%, the contact angle of EUMP-WPU reached a maximum of 85.6° and the tensile strength reached a maximum of 23.61 MPa. Therefore, the optimum amount of cross-linking agent EUMP was selected as 4 wt%, and different amounts of dimercapto fluorinated binary chain extender PTFA were introduced into the system using the thiol-isocyanate click reaction to obtain fluorinated waterborne polyurethane (EUMP-FWPU). The EUMP-FWPU samples were characterised through a series of tests and the results showed that the mechanical strength, adhesion and hydrophobicity of the latex film were significantly improved. It was observed that when the PTFA dosage was 8 wt%, the tensile strength was 30.34 MPa, and the contact angle was 117°. The film transmittance rate is above 92 %, which can be applied to mobile phone screen protector in hydrophobic and can protect the screen without affecting the sensitivity of normal operation of the mobile phone screen.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"346 ","pages":"Article 129617"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129625
Yaqian Guo, Zhaolei Li, Chao Yan
Commonly employed thermoplastic elastomers such as polyether-b-polyamides (or -polyesters), polyurethanes (or with -urea) and olefin block copolymers, are typically processed via a stretching process to confer high elasticity and toughness on their end products, wherein a critical determinant is the size diversity of hard crystalline microdomains. In previous dynamic Monte Carlo simulations about the dilution effects of noncrystallizable blocks in diblock and tetrablock copolymers with alternately linked crystallizable and noncrystallizable blocks, we have elucidated that strain-induced crystallization of locally concentrated and diluted crystallizable blocks contributes to the large and small crystalline microdomains, respectively, and thus enhances the size diversity of crystalline microdomains. And the dilution effects remain robust from diblock to tetrablock copolymers. In the present work, we continued to study the effects of crystallizable block length on strain-induced crystallization of concentrated and diluted crystallizable blocks in diblock copolymers. The results show that shortening the crystallizable blocks makes the lamellar crystalline microdomains shrink both in concentrated and diluted cases, and thus enhances the size diversity of crystalline microdomains further. Moreover, shortening the crystallizable blocks has little effect on both onset crystallization strains and the chain-folding probability of crystallites in the concentrated cases; however, it raises the onset crystallization strains while reduces the chain-folding probability of crystallites a lot in the diluted cases. Our observations imply that low chain-folding-probability crystallites in diluted lamellar crystalline microdomains will store potential deformations for initiating a short melting-recrystallization process at lower strains; meanwhile, high chain-folding-probability crystallites mainly in concentrated lamellar crystalline microdomains will hold the resistance to the loading stress and store more potential deformations for higher strains. Therefore, similar to those diverse nano-size beta-sheets in spider silks, the diverse chain-folding-probability crystallites in diverse size of lamellar crystalline microdomains endow excellent toughness to semicrystalline multiblock copolymers. Our simulation results presented herein enable a deeper insight into how the crystallizable block length governs toughness in semicrystalline thermoplastic elastomers.
{"title":"Dynamic Monte Carlo simulations of strain-induced crystallization in multiblock copolymers: the influence of crystallizable block length on dilution effects","authors":"Yaqian Guo, Zhaolei Li, Chao Yan","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129625","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129625","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Commonly employed thermoplastic elastomers such as polyether-<em>b</em>-polyamides (or -polyesters), polyurethanes (or with -urea) and olefin block copolymers, are typically processed via a stretching process to confer high elasticity and toughness on their end products, wherein a critical determinant is the size diversity of hard crystalline microdomains. In previous dynamic Monte Carlo simulations about the dilution effects of noncrystallizable blocks in diblock and tetrablock copolymers with alternately linked crystallizable and noncrystallizable blocks, we have elucidated that strain-induced crystallization of locally concentrated and diluted crystallizable blocks contributes to the large and small crystalline microdomains, respectively, and thus enhances the size diversity of crystalline microdomains. And the dilution effects remain robust from diblock to tetrablock copolymers. In the present work, we continued to study the effects of crystallizable block length on strain-induced crystallization of concentrated and diluted crystallizable blocks in diblock copolymers. The results show that shortening the crystallizable blocks makes the lamellar crystalline microdomains shrink both in concentrated and diluted cases, and thus enhances the size diversity of crystalline microdomains further. Moreover, shortening the crystallizable blocks has little effect on both onset crystallization strains and the chain-folding probability of crystallites in the concentrated cases; however, it raises the onset crystallization strains while reduces the chain-folding probability of crystallites a lot in the diluted cases. Our observations imply that low chain-folding-probability crystallites in diluted lamellar crystalline microdomains will store potential deformations for initiating a short melting-recrystallization process at lower strains; meanwhile, high chain-folding-probability crystallites mainly in concentrated lamellar crystalline microdomains will hold the resistance to the loading stress and store more potential deformations for higher strains. Therefore, similar to those diverse nano-size beta-sheets in spider silks, the diverse chain-folding-probability crystallites in diverse size of lamellar crystalline microdomains endow excellent toughness to semicrystalline multiblock copolymers. Our simulation results presented herein enable a deeper insight into how the crystallizable block length governs toughness in semicrystalline thermoplastic elastomers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"346 ","pages":"Article 129625"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146001757","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129627
Yadong Lu , Shuo Qi , Hao Zhang , Yiming Wang , Wei You , Fenggang Bian , Wei Yu
The delicate balance between filler-filler and filler-polymer interactions primarily determines the thermodynamics governing nanofiller dispersion in polymer matrices. While it is well established that the relative strength of these interactions significantly influences dispersion quality, a critical gap remains in our understanding of how dynamic changes in these interactions affect multiscale structures and material properties. In this work, we employ polymer matrices and fillers with varying polarities to elucidate the influence of interfacial energy on filler dispersion and mechanical reinforcement. A detailed analysis of the hierarchical filler structures demonstrates that enhanced attractive filler-polymer interactions promote nanofiller dispersion. Notably, particles with lower surface hydroxyl density impose stronger topological constraints on the polymer matrix, thereby producing a greater enhancement of the rubbery modulus at the same specific area. This phenomenon can be attributed to the distinct loop conformation of adsorbed polymer chains according to the adsorption-induced entanglement mechanism. Through quantitative analysis of the failure of time-temperature superposition, we uncover temperature-dependent variations in the adsorption state, which are further corroborated by thermodynamic analysis of desorption using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Our results reveal that interfacial adhesion energy and the conformational state of adsorbed chains govern the desorption process. Desorption of chains exhibiting loop conformations triggers further nanofiller agglomeration.
{"title":"Structures and dynamics of polymer nanocomposites: filler-polymer interaction and desorption-mediated agglomeration","authors":"Yadong Lu , Shuo Qi , Hao Zhang , Yiming Wang , Wei You , Fenggang Bian , Wei Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129627","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymer.2026.129627","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The delicate balance between filler-filler and filler-polymer interactions primarily determines the thermodynamics governing nanofiller dispersion in polymer matrices. While it is well established that the relative strength of these interactions significantly influences dispersion quality, a critical gap remains in our understanding of how dynamic changes in these interactions affect multiscale structures and material properties. In this work, we employ polymer matrices and fillers with varying polarities to elucidate the influence of interfacial energy on filler dispersion and mechanical reinforcement. A detailed analysis of the hierarchical filler structures demonstrates that enhanced attractive filler-polymer interactions promote nanofiller dispersion. Notably, particles with lower surface hydroxyl density impose stronger topological constraints on the polymer matrix, thereby producing a greater enhancement of the rubbery modulus at the same specific area. This phenomenon can be attributed to the distinct loop conformation of adsorbed polymer chains according to the adsorption-induced entanglement mechanism. Through quantitative analysis of the failure of time-temperature superposition, we uncover temperature-dependent variations in the adsorption state, which are further corroborated by thermodynamic analysis of desorption using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Our results reveal that interfacial adhesion energy and the conformational state of adsorbed chains govern the desorption process. Desorption of chains exhibiting loop conformations triggers further nanofiller agglomeration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":405,"journal":{"name":"Polymer","volume":"346 ","pages":"Article 129627"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号