Abstract We developed a new type of nano-modified two-component waterborne polyurethane(2K WPU)coating using a regular structure of nano-silica: methyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) as a modified material. The POSS regular cage structure is used to improve the hardness and wear resistance that waterborne polyurethane lacks, maintain its good water resistance and heat resistance, and does not contain a benzene ring structure in the coating, eliminating the hidden danger of yellowing of the original benzene ring-containing 2K WPU hardening coating. The coating was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, contact angle measurement, UV-visible spectroscopy, water absorption test, hardness test, and anti-graffiti test. The evaluation results show that the modified coating has improved water resistance, hardness and contact angle, has excellent UV resistance, and has excellent anti-graffiti performance.
Abstract This study examines Agave vilmoriniana leaf fibers after consecutive alkali, silane, and starch treatments for polymer composites. The treatments reduces hemicellulose, moisture absorption and improving fiber stability. X-ray diffraction Analysis showed intensified (002) peaks that confirming improved crystalline ordering, while Fourier Transform Infrared spectra showed the reduction of hemicellulose and lignin and after alkali and silane treatments by the peaks around 1730cm−1 band and the peak 750cm−1 confirms the emergence of siloxane linkages. Subsequently, thermal analysis using Thermogravimetry showed improved thermal stability with onset and maximum degradation temperatures were rising from ~285 to 305 °C and ~340 to 355 °C respectively. Mechanical testing shows starch coating increases stiffness to 23.42 GPa. Scanning Electron Microscopic image observations confirmed the gradual surface modifications. The result makes that the fibers were more suitable for high-performance, moisture-resistant and polymer composites.
Abstract Biomaterials engineering has evolved rapidly, with a particular emphasis on biofunctionalized hydrogels for tissue repair. This systematic review, based on PRISMA 2020 guidelines, analyzed 75 studies from the SCOPUS database, evaluating biopolymers combined with bioextracts for wound healing. Bibliometric analysis revealed a significant increase in publications from 2022 onward, with a focus on Biomaterials Engineering and Biotechnology. The most productive centers were the departments of Medical Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, and Biomedical Engineering. Among the central authors, Li, Doostan, and Karamanlioglu stood out. The most cited articles focused on antimicrobial and regenerative strategies. China leads in scientific production, followed by India and the USA. The most frequent keywords included “wound healing,” “hydrogel,” and “biocompatibility.” In vitro studies (53%) and combined in vitro/in vivo studies (43%) predominated. It is concluded that biofunctionalized hydrogels hold high therapeutic potential but require methodological standardization and clinical validation for safe application in regenerative medicine.
Abstract Natural fibers have attracted growing attention due to their sustainability, low cost, and low density, yet their hydrophilic nature limits compatibility with polymer matrices and constrains broader applications. To overcome this challenge, diverse surface modification techniques-including chemical, enzymatic, and physical treatments- have been developed to improve fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion. These modifications are crucial for significantly enhancing the mechanical performance and environmental robustness of the resulting composite materials.This review critically evaluates established and emerging strategies, highlighting their effectiveness, advantages, and limitations. Among the various approaches, alkali treatment remains the most widely adopted, demonstrating consistent improvements in composite performance through impurity removal, enhanced surface roughness, improved fiber–matrix adhesion, and superior load transfer capabilities.
Abstract This study presents a novel glycerol-based polymeric material doped with 0.12% (w/w) copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate for high-dose gamma dosimetry. Upon irradiation with doses ranging from 10 to 250 kGy using a Cobalt-60 source, the initially greenish material exhibited a progressive color change from yellow to dark red. Two analytical approaches were employed to evaluate the dosimetric potential: UV-Vis spectrophotometry, which demonstrated an exponential increase in absorbance at 456 nm up to 70 kGy, and digital image analysis using ImageJ, which extended the useful dose range to 250 kGy through measurements of green channel optical measurements. Both methods yielded reproducible calibration curves, highlighting the material’s potential as a low-cost, easy-to-handle dosimeter. This short communication reports preliminary findings that support further investigation into the material’s dosimetric mechanisms and optimization.
Abstract In this work the effect of pultrusion process variables i.e. pultrusion die temperature, speed of pulling, and % of a hybrid bio filler (calcium carbonate (CaCO3), bagasse fiber, and carbon black (CB)) on the characteristics of pultruded glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites is discussed. The response parameters, namely ultimate tensile and flexural strength, hardness, and % shrinkage were analyzed to realize the effect of pultrusion process parameters. A Taguchi L9 orthogonal array was used for single response optimization, and gray relational analysis for multi-response optimization. Results show that pultruded GFRP properties are significantly influenced and improved by optimizing the selected process parameters. An improvement of 31%, 6.5%, and 14.6% is achieved in ultimate tensile strength, flexural strength, and hardness respectively in comparison to result reported in earlier work by the authors. Results show that process optimization effectively enhances the performance, making them suitable for lightweight forearm protection applications.
Abstract In this study, different polymer systems, including polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene-co-vinyl acetate (EVA) formulations, were exposed to gamma radiation. Spectroscopic analysis using FTIR revealed that these polymers retained their functional groups even after high doses of radiation. However, UV-Vis analysis indicated that gamma irradiation caused a significant increase in the yellowing and darkening index of standard PC, attributed to the formation of radiolytic species. The presence of radiostabilizing compounds reduced these effects on optical properties by 45%. Thermogravimetric analysis was conducted to determine parameters for thermal degradation and the activation energy of PC and EVA, showing that gamma irradiation could impact the kinetics of pyrolysis reactions in polymer systems.
Abstract This study explored Ecovio®-based filaments and 3D-printed membranes functionalized with zinc oxide (ZnO), biocide (BCD), and carnauba wax (CW) for gravity-driven oil–water separation. Filaments and membranes were produced via fused filament fabrication in grid and triangular geometries and characterized through melt flow index, water absorption, optical microscopy, contact angle, and separation performance. ZnO increased melt flow and long-term water absorption, whereas CW reduced water absorption and increased surface hydrophobicity. Optical microscopy revealed composition-dependent pore architectures ranging from ≈ 355 to 668 µm, directly affecting permeation behavior. Membranes delivered high permeation fluxes, exceeding 1.10 × 107 L·m−2·h−1 under gravity-driven operation. The integrated results showed that tailored filler combinations and infill geometries enable tunable hydrophilicity, porosity, and flux, establishing Ecovio® composites as a sustainable and viable platform for additive manufacturing of oil–water separation membranes.
Abstract Replacing petroleum-based packaging with biodegradable materials encourages the development of polymers from renewable sources such as sodium alginate, which is biodegradable and abundant in brown algae. The goal of this study was to promote sustainable seedling packaging practices by producing sodium alginate films enriched with urea and glycerol as plasticizers, which were then cross-linked with calcium, fumaric acid, or adipic acid. In this study, both 27 wt% urea and 10 wt% glycerol was used, and the alginate films were prepared by casting with 3 or 10 wt% cross-linker. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that films containing urea exhibited greater thermal stability. FT-IR spectroscopy revealed the formation of partial cross-links between alginate and the cross-linkers, which improved the mechanical and viscoelastic properties. Films cross-linked with calcium ions suggesting that urea does not significantly alter alginate, but contributes to film rigidity, which limits their application for the intended purpose.
Abstract Slow-release urea fertilizer (SRUF) with gradual nitrogen release and high water absorption capacity was synthesized in situ by incorporating urea into a superabsorbent hydrogel matrix of h-collagen-g-poly(acrylic acid). The water absorption capacity of the product was 110 (g/g) times its weight in distilled water at room temperature over 90 minutes. Nitrogen content analysis indicated that the product contained 5.58% nitrogen. The water-holding properties of the product and nitrogen-release behavior in soil and water media were also investigated. The findings indicate that the product exhibits good slow-release properties and excellent water retention capacity. This will efficiently enhance fertilizer utilization and water resource management simultaneously.
Abstract The development of functional textiles offers wide-ranging applications, with nanoencapsulation of essential oils emerging as a promising strategy for antimicrobial purposes. This study focused on biodegradable nanoparticles loaded with citronella essential oil (CEO), deposited on cotton textiles using three methods, with or without non-thermal plasma (NTP) treatment. The immersion method achieved the highest CEO content per textile area (5.9 µL cm -2). XPS and FT-IR analyses revealed that NTP treatment enhanced the hydrophilic functional groups through oxidation, as confirmed by contact angle assays and textile mass loss. Despite these changes, NTP treatment did not significantly alter the in vitro release profile of the CEO. Non-treated NTP samples were tested against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, showing a stronger antibacterial effect against gram-positive S. aureus. These findings highlight the potential of these materials for use as functional antibacterial textiles with promising applications in health and hygiene products.
Abstract Hybrid laminates are formed by layers of different reinforcements in a matrix to combine distinct properties. Hybridization aims to leverage the advantages of materials, creating a composite with greater mechanical performance and sustainability. This study investigates the replacement of synthetic reinforcements by natural ones. Six composite configurations are analyzed, using glass (G) and jute (J) fabrics with 145 GSM and 245 GSM, respectively, two pure (GGG and JJJ) and four hybrids (GJG, GVG, GGJ and JJG), produced by manual lamination followed by compression. The tensile strength tests (σ), according to ASTM D3039, revealed that the GJG (σ = 87.37 MPa) presented performance closer to the GGG (σ = 89.60 MPa), followed by the GGJ, JJJG, JGJ and JJJ. The resistance is mainly influenced by the sequence of layers, method of manufacture and volumetric fraction of reinforcements. Despite the manufacturing limitations, composites have demonstrated viability for applications with lower structural requirements.
Abstract This study developed active low-density polyethylene (LDPE) packaging incorporating natural antioxidants from wine industry residues and compared them with synthetic antioxidant (BHT). The antioxidant extract (AE), obtained from wine residues, contained 15 phenolic compounds, with catechin (30.51 mg/100g) and epicatechin (22.40 mg/100g) as major flavonoids. Packaging films were produced via extrusion and characterized by FTIR, colorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The FE1 active packaging formulation with 12% AE, showed reduced light transmission and improved thermal stability. In peroxide index tests, FE1 preserved sunflower oil below the legal oxidation limit (10 mEq/kg) for up to 5 days, reduced oxidation by 67.90% compared to standard LDPE packaging and 67.71% compared to BHT packaging, maintaining peroxide levels below regulatory limits for a longer duration.The results indicate that incorporating natural antioxidant extracts into LDPE creates active packaging with promising antioxidant properties, with potential for developing innovative solutions through extrusion processes using residues from wine industry.
Mechanical tests previously demonstrated that optimizing the dispersion of micro-and nanoparticulate CaCO3 in polypropylene (PP) composites was successfully achieved through a Design of Experiments (DOE), enabling the identification and guided processing parameters for further evaluation of thermal and barrier properties. The formulation with 1.2 wt% nanofiller exhibited enhanced crystallinity compared to hPP. The incorporation of-4.0 wt% nanoparticulate CaCO3 increased the Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) by 12 degrees C compared to neat homopolymer polypropylene (hPP), and by 3 degrees C relative to microfilled composites. Oxidation Onset Temperature (OOT) improved with increasing filler content, especially in nanocomposites. A slight reduction in flammability was observed for the composite with-0.5 wt% nanofiller. Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) remained mostly unchanged in microcomposites, while a 1.5 wt% microfilled sample showed excellent Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) performance. Notably, nanocomposites containing 0.48wt% CaCO3 reduced OTR by 52%, confirming their thermal stability and barrier properties at low filler loadings.
Abstract This study investigates the surface modification of gelatin films coated on stainless steel using radio-frequency plasma treatment, with a particular emphasis on O2-plasma. Gelatin films cross-linked with glutaraldehyde were subjected to radio frequency plasma modification using N2, O2, and Ar atmospheres. Results showed that O2-plasma was most effective, reducing the water contact angle from 97.3° to 24.9° after 600 seconds due to the introduction of hydrophilic functional groups (–OH, –COOH, –CONH2). Short O2-plasma treatments (10-30 s) significantly decreased bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption from 452.5 to 334.4 μg/L (P < 10−4), indicating improved anti-protein adsorption behavior. However, treatments exceeding 60 seconds caused surface cracking and increased BSA adsorption due to higher roughness. The study concludes that controlled short-term O2-plasma modification effectively enhances the surface performance of gelatin-coated stainless steel for biomedical applications.
This study investigates the mechanical behavior of biobased polyurethane (PU) composites reinforced with chemically treated sisal fibers. Two composites were fabricated: one reinforced with sisal fibers treated in a 10% NaOH solution and the other with fibers treated in a 10%Al(OH)3 solution. The novelty of this work resides in comparing how each treatment affects tensile performance and fracture characteristics. Tensile tests were conducted following ASTM D3039, and fracture surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composite reinforced with Al(OH)3-treated fibers exhibited the highest tensile strength (15.14 MPa), followed by the NaOH-treated composite (14.09 MPa), both outperforming neat PU (6.46 MPa). SEM revealed mixed fracture modes, indicating improved fiber-matrix adhesion in treated systems. Results confirm that chemical treatment significantly enhances the mechanical properties of PU-sisal composites. Among the methods studied, Al(OH)3 treatment yielded the most favorable performance, highlighting the potential of treated fibers for sustainable high-performance composites.
Abstract Polypropylene (PP) is a promising insulation material for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables due to its electrical, thermal, and chemical stability. However, limitations such as high thermal expansion coefficient, low thermal conductivity, and poor flame retardancy restrict its direct application. This study investigates incorporating nano-scale oxide (MgO) and nitride (AlN) fillers into PP via solution blending to enhance dielectric performance. Nanocomposites with varying filler concentrations were prepared, and their AC breakdown strength and DC conductivity were evaluated. Results show that PP filled with 3 wt% AlN and 3 wt% MgO exhibited improvements in AC breakdown strength 15.4% and 13.82%, respectively compared to pure PP. DC conductivity analysis indicated reduced leakage current for nanocomposites at optimal filler concentrations, supporting their suitability for HVDC insulation. The incorporation of oxide and nitride nano-fillers into PP matrix enhanced electrical insulation characteristics, confirming these nanocomposites' potential for advanced HVDC cable applications
Abstract Plastic pollution caused by synthetic polymers is a global concern demanding environmentally friendly alternatives. This study presents the development of a thermoformable bioplastic composed of shrimp-derived chitin, corn starch, sugarcane bagasse, glycerol, and acetic acid, integrated with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and maleic anhydride as a compatibilizer. The composite underwent mechanical, thermal, and biodegradability assessments. The formulation containing 5% chitin achieved a tensile strength of 0.833 MPa and a density of 2780 Kg/cm3, highlighting its mechanical viability. Under controlled composting conditions, degradation was observed in 120 days. Although the primary polymer matrix consists of petroleum-based PET, the term "bioplastic" is justified by the presence of renewable constituents and proven biodegradability, following the definition by European Bioplastics. This structure supports partial replacement of fossil-derived plastics while promoting sustainable waste management. The study underscores the potential of integrating agro-industrial residues into polymeric systems aimed at contributing to circular economy in material science.
Abstract This study developed PBAT (poly[butylene adipate-co-terephthalate]) biocomposites with 10 wt% and 20 wt% Brazil nut urchin particles by extrusion and injection. TGA showed thermal stability up to 275°C (10 wt%) and 250°C (20 wt%), with degradation peaks near 400°C. XRD indicated maintained crystallinity, with the 10 wt% composite having the highest peak intensity (5254 a.u.). FTIR confirmed molecular interactions through characteristic OH (3442 cm−1) and C=O (1710-1720 cm−1) peaks. SEM revealed better surface integrity at 10 wt%, while 20 wt% showed porosity and poor adhesion. Tensile strength decreased from 9.36 MPa (PBAT) to 7.08 MPa (10 wt%) and 6.7 MPa (20 wt%). Elongation reduced, whereas Young’s modulus increased to 210 MPa (10 wt%) and 316 MPa (20 wt%). Shore D hardness improved by over 40%, but impact resistance dropped by up to 88%. These biocomposites show potential for applications requiring higher stiffness and hardness, contributing to sustainable plastic alternatives.
Abstract Several numerical simulation strategies for polymer melt flow have been used to optimize simulation time and reduce numerical errors. It is known that in this type of flow, the emergence of numerical diffusion in the cavity walls is common due to the high stresses caused by highly viscous fluids. In order to avoid uniformly refining the entire mesh and increasing simulation time, a common strategy is to use a localized refinement on the cavity walls. In this context, this study presents a standardization in the smoothing of the mesh on the cavity walls for simulations of transient non-isothermal flow of polymer melts. The main results showed that this type of application is highly efficient and contributes to reducing the time and computational effort of simulations of complex cavities with good accuracy.
