Polymer Bulletin最新文献

This study investigates polyester composites reinforced with a blended natural fibre mat comprising 40 vol% total fibre content (60% Caryota urens fibre and 40% viscose bamboo fibre) and varying concentrations of lignin biopolymer filler. The mechanical, wear, and water absorption behaviours of the developed composites were systematically evaluated to assess their performance and application potential. Among the investigated compositions, the composite containing 2 vol% lignin (PBL3) exhibited the best mechanical performance, achieving tensile, flexural, impact, and interlaminar shear strengths of 132 MPa, 164 MPa, 5.82 J, and 27.1 MPa, respectively, corresponding to improvements of 83.3%, 67.3%, 87.7%, and 20.4% over the baseline composite. These enhancements are attributed to improved fibre–matrix interfacial bonding facilitated by lignin addition. In contrast, the composite with 4 vol% lignin (PBL4) demonstrated superior tribological performance, recording the lowest specific wear rate of 0.014 mm³/Nm, a coefficient of friction of 0.24, and the highest hardness value of 87 Shore-D. The baseline composite exhibited minimal water absorption (0.5%), owing to the hydrophobic nature of the polyester matrix. Scanning electron microscopy revealed uniform fibre dispersion and reduced fibre pull-out in lignin-modified composites, corroborating the observed property enhancements. The combined lightweight nature, improved mechanical strength, wear resistance, and moisture stability indicate that the developed composites are promising sustainable alternatives for automotive interior components, construction panels, and other lightweight industrial applications.

This study examines the mechanical, physical, water-absorption, elemental characteristics, thermogravimetric and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of epoxy composites reinforced with Areca husk fiber and included with Areca nut seed filler. Five distinct composites were fabricated using compression moulding techniques, maintaining a constant 70 wt% epoxy while varying the fiber/filler ratios from 30/0 to 20/10 wt%. Areca fibers were treated with 5% NaOH to enhance surface roughness and strengthen the fiber-matrix adhesion. The mechanical characteristics, including tensile, flexural, impact, interlaminar shear strength, and hardness were determined. The structure and components are examined by water absorption, thickness swelling, SEM, and EDAX analyses. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to investigate the thermal characteristics of biodegradable hybrid composites. In addition, the FT-IR spectroscopy method was utilized to investigate the chemical formation of the novel bio composites. The composite containing 22.5% areca husk fiber and 7.5% areca nut seed filler (22.5AHF7.5AFI) exhibited superior performance, achieving a tensile strength of 72.58 MPa, a flexural strength of 63.92 MPa, an impact strength of 11.43 kJ/m², and compression strength of 34.78 MPa. The composite with 20% of areca husk fiber and 10% of areca seed filler has maximum hardness value of 78.17, and a low water absorption rate, thickness swelling of 2.02%. EDAX indicated the presence of carbon, oxygen, and other elements, signifying effective dispersion of the filler and optimal interaction with the matrix. The TGA results showed that hybrid composites of (22.5AHF7.5AFI) had the highest thermal stability. The presence of cellulose and hemicellulose are showed in the FTIR analysis. The findings indicate that hybrid composites derived from Areca fiber are suitable for application in the field of light weight automobile interior panels and packaging materials.

In this research, laccase was immobilized on electrospun nanofibrous matrix composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) and xanthan gum (PVA/XG) using a two-step process involving physical adsorption and subsequent cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. Several key immobilization parameters, including enzyme concentration, nanofiber content, adsorption duration, and cross-linker concentration, were systematically optimized to enhance catalytic performance. Under optimal conditions, the immobilized laccase displayed a specific activity of 59.47 ± 1.29 U/g and an immobilization efficiency of 49.44 ± 1.57. tructural and morphological analyses (FTIR, DSC, TGA, and SEM) confirmed the successful incorporation of the enzyme into the nanofibrous matrix. Morphological evaluation revealed reduced porosity, increased fiber diameter, and expanded surface area following immobilization. Compared to the free enzyme, the immobilized laccase exhibited a shift in optimum pH from 4.5 to 5.5 and a broadened optimum temperature range from 35 °C to 35–45 °C. Kinetic analysis revealed moderate increases in K_m and slight decreases in V_max, indicating partial diffusion limitations while maintaining catalytic function. Furthermore, the immobilized enzyme retained more than 50% of its initial activity after 20 reuse cycles and demonstrated stable storage performance at both 4 °C and 25 °C. The system effectively degraded phenol and related compounds (up to 100 mg/L), with phenol showing the highest degradation rate. These findings highlight the potential of the PVA/XG nanofibrous platform as a robust medium for enzyme immobilization in environmental bioremediation applications.

Global water shortage and water pollution are severe. Nanofiltration membranes are used in the field of water treatment, but traditional nanofiltration membranes have problems such as low permeability flux and serious membrane pollution. This paper selects a kind of ionic liquid called 1-aminepropyl-3-methylimidazole bromine salt (AMIB) as an aqueous additive to prepare a modified nanofiltration membrane. The chemical structure of the film was characterized by ATR-FTIR, XPS and other means, and it was found that the crosslinking degree of the modified film was smaller than that of the initial film, and AMIB was successfully introduced; SEM and AFM observations showed that the modified film was looser, the polyamide layer was thinner, and the surface roughness was reduced; the water contact angle test showed that the surface hydrophilicity of the film was improved; the Zeta potential test showed that the modified film was negatively charged in a larger pH range. The separation performance test results show that while the modified membrane maintains a high retention rate for Na₂SO₄, the water flux is greatly increased, The water flux of the NF-AMIB-0.2 membrane reaches 75.96 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹, which is 1.48 times higher than that of the unmodified membrane (51.24 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹). The retention rate of Na₂SO₄ exceeds 98%, and the retention rate of salt follows the Na₂SO₄ > MgSO₄ > MgCl₂ > NaCl, and has excellent long-term stability.

Biocomposite materials have gained significant attention in recent decades due to their sustainability, lightweight nature, and ability to valorize waste biomass into high-value engineering materials. This study investigates the mechanical, thermal conductivity, and wear behaviour of vinyl ester–based biocomposites reinforced with silane-treated Caryota urens mat fibre and biochar derived from Sterculia foetida fruit shells. Biochar was produced via a slow pyrolysis process, while composite laminates were fabricated using the hand lay-up technique. The composites were evaluated according to ASTM standards to assess tensile, flexural, impact, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), hardness, wear rate, coefficient of friction, and thermal conductivity. Results indicate that silane-treated fibre reinforcement significantly enhances mechanical performance compared to neat resin, achieving tensile strength of 54 MPa, flexural strength of 86 MPa, impact strength of 3.4 J, ILSS of 18.6 MPa, and hardness of 72 Shore-D. Among the hybrid composites, the specimen containing 40 vol% fibre and 2 vol% biochar exhibited the highest overall mechanical performance, with tensile, flexural, impact, and ILSS values of 96 MPa, 148 MPa, 5.4 J, and 28.1 MPa, respectively. Higher biochar loading (4 vol%) led to a marginal reduction in mechanical properties but improved wear resistance, frictional behaviour, and thermal conductivity. These results demonstrate the potential of the developed biocomposites for lightweight structural applications in automotive interiors, housing components, and consumer products.

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Coating polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics by flame-retardant polyacrylate (PAc) is considered as a convenient and efficient method for improving the flame retardancy of PET fabrics. In this study, melamine (MEL) was reacted with phytic acid (PA), leading to the successful synthesis of a PA-based flame retardant, MP. Subsequently, aluminum diethylphosphinate (ADP) and MP were compounded at a mass ratio of 18:2 and incorporated into the PAc coating to prepare a flame-retardant PAc coating. When this flame-retardant PAc coating was coated to the surface of PET fabric, PET-ADP-MP_18:2 was obtained. The PET-ADP-MP_18:2 fabric exhibited excellent flame-retardant performance, achieved fire rating B₁ in the Vertical flammability test (VFT), with a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 26.3%. Compared to the untreated PET fabric, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) was reduced by 70.81%. Moreover, the mechanical properties of PET-ADP-MP_18:2 were also improved. The tensile strength in the warp direction increased by 41.7%, while that in the weft direction increased by 57.7%. The flame retardant obtained by the combination of ADP and MP is therefore considered to hold significant potential for application in the field of flame-retardant PET fabrics (FR-PETs).

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have demonstrated remarkable lab-scale efficiencies exceeding 26%, yet their commercial deployment is significantly hindered by the limitations of the electron transport layer (ETL). Conventional ETLs, such as TiO₂ and SnO₂, often present a “trilemma” of mismatched energy levels, low electron mobility, and poor environmental stability, which collectively cap device performance and durability. Bridging the gap to commercial viability requires fundamental innovations in ETL design. This perspective reviews and contextualizes several advanced material strategies aimed at solving this trilemma. A diverse range of solutions is emerging, including doped or modified metal oxides like SnO₂, fully organic ETLs, quantum dots, and 2D materials. A particularly promising approach involves creating synergistic organic-inorganic hybrid materials. As a central example, we explore XTiO₃-polymer hybrids, where the favorable dielectric and chemical properties of inorganic perovskite titanates are enhanced by the tunable electronic and surface-passivating functions of polymers. These advanced materials, compatible with scalable manufacturing, highlight a broader trend toward multifunctional, composite ETLs. Ultimately, we position these diverse strategies as part of a critical toolkit for developing the next generation of efficient, stable, and commercially viable PSCs.

Sodium alginate has emerged as a cornerstone biopolymer for encapsulation, offering biocompatibility, tunable gelation properties, and widespread applications across biomedical, food, and environmental sectors. This review traces the historical evolution of alginate encapsulation, from its early adoption to its current advancements, and explores the physicochemical mechanisms underlying its encapsulation efficiency. Key aspects such as stability, controlled release, and interactions with crosslinking ions are examined, alongside regulatory considerations and global safety standards. This review specifically highlights the synergy that arises from the use of predictive modeling through AI on the one hand, and the concept of socio-economic sustainability on the other; a nexus, which is not commonly covered in today’s literature. Using architectures within the realm of Machine Learning algorithms, namely Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and XGBoost, it is possible to accelerate rheological analysis by a factor of 70 and achieve encapsulation efficiencies exceeding 90%, thereby translating alginate research from empirical trial-and-error methodologies to data-driven, predictive, and digitally optimized design frameworks. The review also addresses the socio-economic and environmental implications of alginate encapsulation, emphasizing its role in sustainability and waste reduction. Finally, we discuss future perspectives, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges in commercializing alginate-based encapsulated products. By bridging fundamental knowledge with cutting-edge advancements, this review provides a comprehensive outlook on the evolving landscape of alginate encapsulation and its transformative potential in multiple industries.

Poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA)/sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) composites were successfully synthesized via in situ free-radical polymerization using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator to examine the influence of unmodified clay layers on the structural, thermal, and functional properties within the composites. The resulting composites were comprehensively characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. TGA results indicated that the incorporation of Na-MMT promoted an intercalated morphology and the formation of a compact, thermally stable hybrid network. XRD and SEM analyses confirmed an increase in interlayer spacing and significant changes in surface morphology, evidencing effective monomer intercalation into the clay galleries. The addition of Na-MMT notably reduced water uptake and moisture retention efficiency, generated a tunable micro-/mesoporous structure, reflecting the strong reinforcing effect of the unmodified clay. Furthermore, the PBMA/Na-MMT composites exhibited superior antibacterial activity compared to pure PBMA, demonstrating synergistic polymer–clay interactions. Overall, this study establishes in situ organo–inorganic hybridization as an efficient strategy for developing multifunctional PBMA–clay materials with enhanced structural, thermal, and antibacterial properties, suitable for potential applications in packaging, coatings, and antimicrobial surfaces.

In marine engineering, the inherent sound absorption capabilities of polymeric materials are often limited, necessitating the incorporation of nanofillers to optimize both mechanical and acoustic properties of underwater sound-absorbing composites. In this study, Ti₃C₂T_x was modified using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) alone or synergistically with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), yielding PVP-modified Ti₃C₂T_x (PVP/Ti₃C₂T_x) and PVP/CTAB-modified Ti₃C₂T_x (PVP/CTAB/Ti₃C₂T_x). These modified fillers were integrated with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) via a solution blending method to fabricate Ti₃C₂T_x/TPU, PVP/Ti₃C₂T_x/TPU, and PVP/CTAB/Ti₃C₂T_x/TPU nanocomposites. Comprehensive characterization using FT-IR, XRD, XPS, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy confirmed that CTAB not only achieved effective surface modification of Ti₃C₂T_x but also cooperated with PVP to form a complex intercalated structure. Mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and underwater acoustic tests revealed uniform dispersion and excellent compatibility of the modified Ti₃C₂T_x within the TPU matrix. The composites exhibited simultaneous reinforcement and toughening effects, particularly with the addition of only 2 phr (parts per hundred rubber) PVP/CTAB/Ti₃C₂T_x, which increased tensile strength and elongation at break by 59.7% and 34.6%, respectively, compared to pure TPU. The composites incorporating Ti₃C₂T_x and its modified variants demonstrated superior underwater sound absorption performance, with sound absorption coefficients exceeding those of pure TPU. Notably, the PVP/CTAB/Ti₃C₂T_x/TPU composite achieved a 71.4% improvement in average sound absorption coefficient and exhibited enhanced performance at lower frequencies (below 1–3 kHz), particularly at 1.8 kHz, where its coefficient surpassed pure TPU by 0.23. This study provides novel insights for the development of advanced underwater sound-absorbing composites.