Advances in Polymer Technology最新文献

Continuous basalt fiber-reinforced polypropylene (BFRP) composites exhibit excellent mechanical properties, chemical stability, and environmentally friendly characteristics, making them one of the most promising types of composites. However, basalt fibers’ (BFs) smooth and chemically inert surface leads to poor interfacial bonding between the fibers and resin, significantly hindering their rapid development. Most existing fiber surface treatment methods are conducted discontinuously, making them unsuitable for the continuous online production of composites. This study developed an online plasma continuous fiber surface treatment device to integrate fiber surface modification with preparing continuous BFRP composites using the melt impregnation method. Orthogonal experiments were conducted to assess the influence of plasma discharge power, treatment distance, and gas pressure on the effectiveness of fiber surface treatment. Additionally, the working gas type’s impact on basalt fiber (BF) modification was explored. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mechanical property tests were employed to comprehensively evaluate the surface morphology and chemical composition of the treated fibers, as well as the mechanical properties of the composites. The results revealed that the surface roughness (Ra) of the fibers treated under optimal process parameters increased by 34% compared to the control group. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the BFRP composites increased by 104%, the tensile strength of standard samples improved by 10.28%, bending strength increased by 9.47%, and impact strength rose by 18.19%, all compared to the control group. These findings indicate that plasma treatment technology can be effectively applied to online fiber modification, significantly enhancing the mechanical properties of the composites.

This study investigates the effects of different extraction methods—water retting and alkali treatments using 5% and 10% NaOH—on the properties of Carica papaya fibers (CPFs) for sustainable composite applications. Physical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the fibers were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and tensile testing. Results showed that alkaline treatment enhanced fiber purity, crystallinity, and thermal stability, with 5% NaOH offering the best compromise between strength and flexibility. Crystallinity index (CI) reached 64.06%, and tensile strength improved significantly (276.98 MPa for CPF5 compared to 116.88 MPa for untreated fibers). Thermal degradation onset increased by 13.5°C compared to retted fibers. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey HSD tests confirmed statistically significant improvements. Although no composites were fabricated, the thermal and mechanical properties of treated CPF suggest compatibility with thermoplastic matrices such as polypropylene and PLA. These findings demonstrate that Carica papaya (CP) pseudostem, an agricultural residue, can be a promising reinforcement source for biodegradable composites. Further investigation is needed to optimize fiber–matrix interactions and long-term durability under environmental stress.

The increasing need for environmentally friendly substitutes for petroleum-based polymers has positioned plant-based biopolymers as potential candidates for additive manufacturing, especially in the context of fused deposition modeling (FDM). Though plant-based biopolymers have limited thermal stability, poor mechanical properties, and variable printability, limiting their industrial use. This review seeks to overcome such limitations by examining the intersection of plant biotechnology and polymer engineering, with a particular focus on the optimization of biopolymer performance through genetic engineering, recombinant DNA (rDNA) technologies, and new processing technologies. A multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) approach, integrated with machine learning (ML) algorithms, is suggested to enable optimal material selection based on printability, biodegradability, and mechanical properties. The research consolidates knowledge from recent developments in genetic modification, enzymatic polymerization, and artificial intelligence (AI)–based computational modeling to demonstrate improved polymer characteristics, such as improved tensile strength, improved interlayer adhesion, and improved thermal resistance. The main findings highlight the revolutionary role of AI-aided design loops, digital twins, and biofabrication in the achievement of scalable and high-performance biopolymers. Future research directions focus on integrating synthetic biology, autonomous laboratories, and closed-loop recycling systems toward achieving eco-efficient and next-generation additive manufacturing platforms.

Bone diseases and consequent defects present a significant challenge in the orthopedics. Synthetic scaffolds mimic bone porose structures and can be substituted in bone defects. In this study, we designed and evaluated four scaffold models with different architectures (regular Voronoi (Rv), irregular Voronoi (Iv), Star (S), and Vintiles (V) structures). Additionally, the scaffolds were designed with four different porosities (50%, 60%, 70%, and 80%), and 16 scaffold models were designed and manufactured using the three-dimensional (3D) printing (3DP) method. The models were fabricated using two photosensitive resins (50% PLA-Pro resin and 50% P-CROWN [zirconia and ceramic]). Thus, the models’ mechanical properties were tested using compression tests. The results showed porosity plays an essential role in scaffold mechanical behavior. Moreover, the architecture was effective in the mechanical performance of the models. The elastic modulus of the models was 4–30 MPa, which is close to trabecular bone mechanical properties. The S-50 model showed a maximum stress of 17.75 MPa, which was 20 times higher than the S-80 model. Similar results were visible in other groups of scaffolds. In all four groups, 50% and 80% porosity scaffolds showed the highest and lowest mechanical strength, respectively. The results of this study showed that the Voronoi structure mimics bone morphology with a stochastic porosity and demonstrated a mechanical property similar to the scaffold with regular structures, which confirms its compatibility with bone tissue engineering. The outcomes of this study shed more light on scaffold design and fabrication for bone defects.

Epoxy resins have attracted considerable attention as versatile adhesives due to their structural stability, chemical inertness, and excellent resistance to oxidation. Their performance can be further enhanced through the incorporation of various additives designed for specific applications. In the present study, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), recognized for their high mechanical properties, were employed as a reinforcing agent. CNCs were incorporated into the epoxy resin at loading ratios of 0.0625%, 0.125%, 0.25%, and 0.5% to produce the nanocomposites. According to the obtained results, the lowest reductions observed in flexural and tensile strengths were 13% and 16%, respectively, while the highest increases in flexural and tensile modulus were 18% and 50%, respectively. Morphological analyses revealed that CNCs were not homogeneously distributed within the matrix, particularly at higher concentrations, where agglomeration likely contributed to the observed declines in mechanical performance. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated a slight improvement in thermal stability at lower CNC loadings; however, thermal stability diminished at higher CNC concentrations. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated that the neat epoxy exhibited the highest crystallinity index (CI, 62%), which progressively decreased with increasing CNC content, resulting in a more amorphous nanocomposite structure.