This study presents an integrated engineering approach for the development of biodegradable oil-absorbent materials through the combined control of nanocomposite formulation and additive manufacturing parameters. Architecture-tunable polylactic acid (PLA)/nano-calcium carbonate (nCaCO3) composites were fabricated via material extrusion (MEX), enabling systematic variation of filler loading (0–5 wt%), infill density (25–75%), and lattice geometry. Rheological analysis revealed a non-monotonic melt flow behavior arising from the competing effects of particle dispersion and agglomeration, which directly influenced filament processability and print fidelity. Thermal characterization indicated that n CaCO3 functions as a heterogeneous nucleating agent, reducing the cold crystallization temperature while slightly decreasing thermal stability due to disruption of polymer chain packing. Microstructural evaluation confirmed homogeneous nanoparticle dispersion up to 5 wt%, although higher infill densities resulted in processing-induced defects that compromised structural integrity. Oil absorption performance exhibited a non-linear dependence on material composition but a strong dependence on structural architecture. Notably, the 25% honeycomb configuration demonstrated superior absorption capacity, attributable to its interconnected pore network and enhanced capillary transport pathways. Mechanical performance was primarily governed by infill density, while optimal reinforcement was achieved at 1–2 wt% CaCO3 due to improved interfacial interactions. Soil burial tests indicated that 1 wt% CaCO3 promoted accelerated biodegradation, achieving a maximum weight loss of 3.81% over 90 days. Overall, this study establishes a structure–process–property–sustainability relationship for additively manufactured biodegradable composites, demonstrating that architectural design plays a dominant role in functional performance. The findings provide a scalable engineering framework for the design of resource-efficient, biodegradable sorbents for environmental remediation applications.

Effective food preservation using biodegradable films depends on the balanced regulation of oxygen and moisture transport rather than the isolated optimization of a single barrier parameter. Here, cotton stalk (CS), an agricultural residue, was incorporated into polylactic acid (PLA) matrices, with PLA-g-MAH used as a reactive compatibilizer to tailor the PLA/CS interface. FTIR and XPS analyses indicated changes in the local chemical environment of hydroxyl-, ester-, and carboxyl-related groups at the PLA/CS phase boundary, supporting possible interfacial reactions and secondary interactions. SEM and three-dimensional surface profilometry demonstrated that the film containing 6% PLA-g-MAH exhibited the most compact fracture morphology and the lowest surface roughness. This configuration minimized both the oxygen transmission coefficient and water vapor transmission rate, indicating that targeted interfacial regulation suppressed defect-driven molecular diffusion pathways. In contrast, excessive PLA-g-MAH induced local phase heterogeneity that partially reopened transport channels. In food storage tests, the optimized film reduced banana weight loss, slowed visible color deterioration, and lowered total viable counts in fresh pork without requiring migratory antimicrobial additives. These findings support a passive preservation strategy in which agricultural-residue-based PLA films modulate oxygen and moisture transport through interfacial design.

Divinylbenzene (DVB) was grafted onto polybutylene succinate (PBS) to improve its compatibility with distiller's grains (DG), an abundant industrial by-product from liquor manufacturing. Introducing aromatic DVB units into the PBS backbone is expected to strengthen interfacial interactions with lignocellulosic DG via pi-pi interactions and hydrogen bonding. PBS/DG and PBS-g-DVB/DG composites were prepared by melt blending, and the influence of DVB grafting on molecular structure, crystallization behavior, mechanical properties, thermal stability, water absorption, and biodegradation was investigated. FTIR and XRD supported successful DVB grafting and showed changes in crystallization behavior that are consistent with improved DG dispersion and interfacial compatibility in PBS-g-DVB/DG composites. Compared with PBS/DG, PBS-g-DVB/DG composites exhibited higher tensile strength and elongation at break at equivalent DG contents, suggesting more efficient stress transfer across the filler-matrix interface. DSC and TGA further indicated restricted chain mobility and enhanced thermal stability after DVB grafting. Water absorption and soil-burial tests showed reduced moisture uptake and delayed mass loss, reflecting a more compact interfacial structure. Overall, DVB grafting provides an effective compatibilization approach for incorporating higher DG contents into PBS without severe mechanical deterioration, offering a feasible route for value-added utilization of DG in biodegradable composites.

A series of polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites incorporating 4,4′-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (BBD) as a chain extender and a commercially supplied graphene/zinc oxide (G/ZnO) hybrid filler were successfully synthesized. The effects of G/ZnO loading (0–2.0 wt.%) on the structural, thermal, mechanical, surface-wettability, and antibacterial properties of the nanocomposites were systematically investigated. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the formation of the polyurethane structure and revealed changes in characteristic absorption bands following G/ZnO incorporation. Morphological observation of the pristine G/ZnO hybrid filler revealed an irregular and aggregated morphology, while X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of crystalline ZnO. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and elemental mapping showed Zn-containing regions within the examined areas of the G/ZnO-containing PU samples. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy further confirmed the surface presence of Zn-containing species, with the Zn atomic concentration increasing from 0 at.% in PU-01 to 0.82 at.% in PU-04. Thermogravimetric analysis showed modest changes in thermal decomposition behavior with increasing G/ZnO loading, while differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis revealed shifts in glass-transition and relaxation behavior, consistent with changes in polymer-chain mobility and the local interfacial environment. The tensile strength increased from 2.68 MPa for neat PU to 11.76 MPa for the nanocomposite containing 2.0 wt.% G/ZnO, accompanied by an increase in Young’s modulus. The water contact angle increased from approximately 68° to 89°, indicating reduced apparent surface wettability with increasing G/ZnO loading. The nanocomposites also exhibited antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with antibacterial efficiencies exceeding 95% at higher G/ZnO loadings. Overall, the incorporation of the commercial G/ZnO hybrid filler was associated with changes in the thermal, mechanical, surface, and antibacterial properties of the BBD-containing PU system. Because separate PU systems without BBD and individual graphene- and ZnO-containing controls were not included, the individual contributions of BBD, graphene, and ZnO, as well as any synergistic effect between graphene and ZnO, cannot be established from the present results. Further studies addressing filler leaching, long-term antibacterial stability, coating adhesion, environmental durability, and cytocompatibility are required to establish the practical applicability of these materials.

A dual strategy combining maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) and graphene-doped ZnO (G-nZnO) was developed to enhance polypropylene (PP) for active packaging. MPP/G-nZnO nanocomposite films were prepared by melt blending and compression molding. At 0.2-0.3 wt% G-nZnO, the films achieved optimal performance, with tensile strength and elongation improved by similar to 24%, maximum decomposition temperature (T-max) reaching 459.8 degrees C, and oxygen and water vapor permeabilities reduced by 20.4% and 33.3%, respectively. XPS and FTIR analyses support the presence of interfacial interactions, consistent with -COO--Zn2+ coordination at the MPP/G-nZnO interface, forming a chemically anchored, tortuous interphase that enhances stress transfer and barrier compactness. The films exhibited > 99.8% antibacterial efficiency against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and effectively extended pork shelf life under refrigeration (similar to 7.4 log CFU/g at day 4). Higher filler contents (>= 0.4 wt%) led to aggregation and property decline. This work demonstrates an efficient and scalable interfacial design strategy for improving mechanical, thermal, and functional performance of PP via interfacial coordination and multifunctional reinforcement, offering a practical route toward sustainable, high-performance packaging materials.

Sustainable food packaging that preserves quality without migratory additives is highly desirable. While CS-LDPE composites have been widely studied for structural applications, their role in food packaging remains limited. Herein, cotton straw (CS) is used as a bio-filler in LDPE films via melt blending compatible with conventional processing. With LDPE-g-MA compatibilization, interfacial densification and modified surface morphology are achieved, enabling coupled regulation of gas transport, moisture behavior, and the local microenvironment. Surface roughness variation further reflects these interfacial changes and their influence on moisture interaction. At moderate CS contents (10-15 wt%), oxygen transmission is reduced by up to ∼55% while maintaining balanced water vapor permeability. These effects translate into improved preservation, including reduced weight loss, delayed deterioration, stabilized pH, and reduced microbial growth. The effect is attributed to structure-regulated mass transport rather than direct antimicrobial activity, offering a scalable strategy for LDPE-based food packaging.

Crude oil spills remain a persistent environmental challenge, creating long-term ecological and economic damage, highlighting the need for efficient, biodegradable absorbent materials. Conventional polypropylene (PP) sorbents are widely used for spill cleanup but generate secondary environmental concerns because of their non-biodegradable nature. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a renewable and biodegradable thermoplastic, offers a sustainable alternative; however, its inherent oil sorption capacity is limited. In this study, PLA melt-blown nonwoven sorbents were enhanced using calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CCN) to improve porous structure, wettability, and oil uptake performance. PLA/CCN composites containing 3–10 phr CCN were fabricated through a scalable melt-blown process. Low CCN concentrations (3–5 phr) enabled uniform nanoparticle dispersion and the development of mesoporous structures (average pore width ∼3.8 nm), resulting in increased surface area and improved oil uptake. The PLA/CCN composite containing 10 phr CCN exhibited the highest absorption capacity (16 g/g), surpassing commercial PP sorbents in oil uptake capacity. However, excessive filler loading also promoted particle agglomeration and reduced structural uniformity. Mechanical testing showed that moderate nanoparticle loading improved stiffness, whereas higher loading decreased ductility. Thermal analyses confirmed increased crystallinity and enhanced stability with CCN addition. Adsorption behavior followed the Freundlich isotherm (R 2 = 0.98), indicating a heterogeneous, multilayer sorption mechanism, whereas overall oil uptake is governed primarily by capillary retention within the fibrous network, with secondary surface adsorption contributions. Overall, PLA/CCN composites demonstrate strong potential as sustainable, high-performance sorbents for oil spill remediation and provide a viable pathway for designing advanced biodegradable nanocomposites for environmental applications.

This study investigates the incorporation of nano-silver carbon black (AgCB) into polypropylene (PP) to develop nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical, thermal, barrier, and antibacterial properties. AgCB, synthesized with a carbon black-to-silver ratio of 19:1, was incorporated into PP at 0.5-5 wt% via melt blending. At 1 wt%, AgCB improved tensile strength by 21.5%, enhanced thermal stability, and reduced water vapor and oxygen permeability, achieving optimal performance with uniform dispersion. With increasing AgCB content, antibacterial activity improved significantly, achieving a sterilization rate exceeding 99.7%, although higher concentrations led to agglomeration, reducing mechanical and barrier performance. The dual function of AgCB as a nucleating agent and functional additive was demonstrated through DSC, WAXRD, and antibacterial tests. This work highlights the potential of AgCB as a cost-effective filler for PP composites, suitable for applications requiring enhanced durability, barrier properties, and antimicrobial efficacy.

In this study, cotton stalk (CS) was incorporated into low-density polyethylene (LDPE) to fabricate biodegradable composites for food packaging applications. LDPE-CS composites with varying CS contents (5–30

This study developed modified poly (butylene succinate) (MPBS) nanocomposites reinforced with ZnO nanoplate-decorated carbon nanotubes (CNT-ZNP) to improve mechanical, thermal, and functional properties for food packaging applications. MPBS was synthesized via grafting of maleic anhydride to enhance compatibility with nanofillers. Incorporation of only 0.1 g/hg CNT-ZNP led to substantial improvements in tensile strength (36.5 %), elongation at break (108.6 %), and yield strength (41.6 %), demonstrating that enhanced performance can be achieved with minimal nanofiller content. The nanocomposite also exhibited enhanced crystallinity, thermal stability, and water vapor barrier performance. Food preservation tests demonstrated that MPBS/CNT-ZNP films effectively maintained banana freshness over 14 days and inhibited microbial growth in raw chicken for up to 108 h. These outcomes highlight the material's potential to extend shelf life and reduce spoilage in perishable products. Overall, the MPBS/CNT-ZNP nanocomposites combine mechanical robustness with antimicrobial and preservation functionality, supporting their application as sustainable and multifunctional food packaging films.

Polylactic acid (PLA), despite its biodegradability, suffers from inherent brittleness, low electrical conductivity, and insufficient antibacterial properties, limiting its application in high-performance fields. To address these limitations, this study developed high-performance conductive nanocomposites by introducing modified poly(lactic acid) (MPLA) and nanocarbon black (nCB). At an optimal nCB content of 8 %, the composites achieved significant enhancements, including a 48.6 % increase in tensile strength (from 48 MPa to 71.3 MPa), improved crystallinity, hydrophobicity, and electrical conductivity (up to 6.85 × 10-1 S/cm). The formation of a unique 3D network structure between MPLA and nCB was confirmed through FTIR, XPS, and TEM analyses, revealing key chemical bonding and microstructural features responsible for performance enhancement. SEM observations further verified uniform filler dispersion and improved interfacial compatibility. Water absorption, contact angle, antibacterial (against E. coli and S. aureus), and biodegradation tests demonstrated enhanced resistance to moisture, microbial growth, and environmental degradation. The optimized formulation was successfully processed into 3D printing filaments, and tensile specimens showed an 81 % improvement in tensile strength compared to pure PLA. These findings highlight the potential of MPLA/nCB composites as sustainable, multifunctional materials for biomedical engineering, wearable electronics, and advanced 3D printing applications.

This study presents the development of high-performance biodegradable nanocomposites by modifying polybutylene succinate (PBS) with maleic anhydride (MAH) and reinforcing it with ZnO nanoplatelet-coated graphene (G-ZnP). The introduction of MAH improved interfacial compatibility and provided reactive functional groups, while G-ZnP acted as both a reinforcing agent and barrier enhancer. Structural analyses (FTIR, XPS, GPC) revealed the formation of ester bonds and coordination interactions, leading to a partially cross-linked network. The nanocomposites exhibited significantly enhanced mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties, with optimal performance observed at 0.2 wt% G-ZnP. At this composition, the tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation at break increased by 39.5 %, 52.2 %, and 128.2 %, respectively, compared to neat PBS. Water vapor permeability decreased by 27.8 %, and the contact angle increased, indicating improved hydrophobicity. The nano-composites demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, with a sterilization rate exceeding 97 % at >= 0.5 wt% G-ZnP. In food preservation tests, the PBS-g-MAH/G-ZnP_0.2 film reduced vegetable water loss to 9.8 % and extended the shelf life of refrigerated chicken beyond 108 h. Soil burial tests over 180 days confirmed biodegradation levels exceeding 50 %, indicating environmental compatibility despite the inclusion of antibacterial fillers. These findings suggest that PBS-g-MAH/G-ZnP nanocomposites are promising candidates for sustainable food packaging and biomedical applications requiring a balance of mechanical performance, antimicrobial functionality, and biodegradability.

Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS)-based nanocomposites, reinforced and toughened with ZnO-coated multi-walled carbon nano-tubes (MWCNT-ZnO), demonstrate significantly enhanced properties, making them ideal for potential applied in food packaging applications. This study explores the effects of varying proportions of MWCNT-ZnO on the overall characteristics of these composites. The addition of 0.1 parts per hundred (phr) MWCNT-ZnO optimizes the nanocomposites' mechanical properties, crystallinity, melting temperature, thermal stability, and barrier performance. Specifically, the composite exhibits a 22

To enhance the various properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), varying concentrations of carboxy-functionalized graphene (CFG) were employed in the preparation of CFG/PVA nanocomposite films. FTIR and XRD analyses revealed that CFG, in contrast to graphene, not only possesses carboxylic acid group but also exhibits higher crystallinity. Mechanical testing indicated a notable superiority of CFG addition over graphene, with optimal mechanical properties such as tensile and yield strengths being achieved at a 3% CFG concentration. Relative to pure PVA, the tensile strength and yield strength of the composite increased by 2.07 and 2.01 times, respectively. XRD analysis showed distinct changes in the crystalline structure of PVA with the addition of CFG, highlighting the influence of CFG on the composite structure. FTIR and XPS analyses confirmed the formation of ester bonds between CFG and PVA, enhancing the overall performance of the material. TGA results also demonstrated that the presence of CFG enhanced the thermal stability of CFG/PVA nanocomposite films. However, analyses using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed that a 3% concentration of CFG was uniformly dispersed, whereas a 6% concentration of CFG caused aggregation of the nanofiller, leading to a decrease in performance. The incorporation of CFG significantly enhanced the water vapor and oxygen barrier properties of PVA, with the best performance observed at a 3% CFG concentration. Beyond this concentration, barrier properties were diminished owing to CFG aggregation. The study further demonstrated an increase in electrical conductivity and hydrophobicity of the nanocomposites with the addition of CFG. Antibacterial tests against E. coli showed that CFG/PVA nanocomposites exhibited excellent antibacterial properties, especially at higher CFG concentrations. These findings indicate that CFG/PVA nanocomposites, with an optimized CFG concentration, have significant potential for applications requiring enhanced mechanical strength, barrier properties, and antibacterial capabilities.

Mechanically robust and ionically conductive hydrogels poly(acrylamide‐co‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate‐lithium)/TiO2/SiO2 (P(AM‐co‐AMPSLi)/TiO2/SiO2) with inorganic hybrid crosslinking are fabricated through dual in situ sol‐gel reaction of vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) and tetrabutyl titanate (TBOT), and in situ radical copolymerization of acrylamide (AM), 2‐acrylamide‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate‐lithium (AMPSLi), and vinyl‐SiO2. Due to the introduction of the sulfonic acid groups and Li+ by the reaction of AMPS with Li2CO3, the conductivity of the ionic hydrogel can reach 0.19 S m−1. Vinyl‐SiO2 and nano‐TiO2 are used in this hybrid hydrogel as both multifunctional hybrid crosslinkers and fillers. The hybrid hydrogels demonstrate high tensile strength (0.11–0.33 MPa) and elongation at break (98–1867%), ultrahigh compression strength (0.28–1.36 MPa), certain fatigue resistance, self‐healing, and self‐adhesive properties, which are due to covalent bonds between TiO2 and SiO2, as well as P(AM‐co‐AMPSLi) chains and SiO2, and noncovalent bonds between TiO2 and P(AM‐co‐AMPSLi) chains, as well as the organic frameworks. Furthermore, the specific capacitance, energy density, and power density of the supercapacitors based on ionic hybrid hydrogel electrolytes are 2.88 F g−1, 0.09 Wh kg−1, and 3.07 kW kg−1 at a current density of 0.05 A g−1, respectively. Consequently, the ionic hybrid hydrogels show great promise as flexible energy storage devices.

This study investigates the potential of using natural cotton stalk (CS) to enhance the properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) composite materials. Simple processed CS, used as a bio-based filler, is integrated into the PLA/PBAT matrix with the objective of improving mechanical properties, barrier performance, and compatibility, while simultaneously reducing costs and environmental impact. The experiments conducted include tensile testing, scanning electron microscopy analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, X-ray diffraction study, thermogravimetric analysis, contact angle measurement, water absorption tests, as well as water vapor and oxygen permeability tests. The results demonstrate that the inclusion of CS significantly enhances the mechanical properties and crystallinity of PLA/PBAT composites, along with increasing their water vapor and oxygen barrier capabilities. Compared to PLA/PBAT without CS, the addition of 2% CS to PLA/PBAT led to substantial improvements in tensile strength and elongation at break, with increases of 21.5%, 41.6%, and 74.4%, respectively. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analyses indicate that the incorporation of CS promotes the compatibility and chemical interaction between PLA and PBAT, thereby enhancing various properties of the composite material. Image analysis revealed that the distribution area of CS fibers in the polymer matrix increased with content up to a peak at 2% but decreased at higher contents due to severe agglomeration, leading to uneven distribution and performance decline. This work proposes three possible reasons for the improvement in water vapor and oxygen permeability performance. Overall, the analysis suggests that an optimal amount of CS can effectively enhance multiple properties of PLA/PBAT composites, while excessive CS may lead to a decline in performance.

Conductive polyacrylic acid/polyaniline/SiO2 (PAA/PANI/SiO2) nanocomposite hydrogels as electrolytes for a high-performance flexible supercapacitor were prepared by combining in situ radical polymerization of anionic monomer acrylic acid, in situ sol-gel reaction of vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES), and oxidative polymerization of conductive monomer aniline (ANI). In the nanocomposite hydrogel, vinyl-SiO2 nanoparticles served as analogous covalent crosslinkers, while the reversible noncovalent interactions (such as hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions, and chain entanglements) between the PAA/SiO2 and PANI networks acted as physical crosslinkers. The interconnected PANI and PAA/SiO2 networks thus constructed an interpenetrating three-dimensional network that improved the movement of electrons and ions while also enhancing the mechanical properties of the hydrogel. At a volume ratio of ANI to VTES of 50:200, the compressive strength and conductivity of PAA/PANI/SiO2 hydrogels were as high as 1505 kPa and 4.42 S/m, respectively. Moreover, the flexible supercapacitors based on the nanocomposite hydrogel electrolyte exhibited high specific capacitance (574.7 F/g), energy density (19.6 Wh/kg), and power density (1.4 kW/kg) at a current density of 0.05 A/g. Meanwhile, these supercapacitors exhibit exceptional flexibility and mechanical stability, and can be repeatedly bent without degrading performance. This nanocomposite hydrogel has considerable potential for use in other flexible energy devices and electronics due to its excellent mechanical and electrochemical properties.

Highly ordered porous structures of PLA composite films can be designed with the addition of calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CCN) in polymeric film formation using the breath figure (BF) technique at controlled humidity. Both 2D and 3D monodispersed honeycomb-like porous structures of the PLA composite films are achieved by the adding CCN at the concentration of up to 1.00 phr, whereas hierarchically multiscale porous structures of the PLA/CCN films are obtained when the CCN concentration in the composites increases to more than 1.00 phr. These structures can be fabricated due to three mechanisms: water absorption and condensation, nano-Pickering emulsion, and capillary flow by selfassembly of the nanoparticles. Moreover, the nano effects of CCN on polymeric film fabrication are maximized by increasing the relative humidity to 90%, resulting in the formation of porous multilayers up to 95-120 mm in thickness. The application of the prepared porous composite films of PLA/CCN in the food and medical industries was illustrated. A model colorimetric sensor is made from PLA/CCN composite films enriched with bromothymol blue. The color of the films quickly changes from yellow to blue within 10 min after coming into contact with histamine, a representative gas generated from spoiled food. (c) 2023 Kingfa Scientific and Technological Co. Ltd. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

This research systematically explores the use of corn stover (CS) with polypropylene (PP) and modified polypropylene (MPP) for sustainable food packaging. MPP is produced via melt mixing with dicumyl peroxide followed by maleic anhydride. The study aims to assess the potential of these biomass composites in eco-friendly packaging applications. Our comprehensive evaluations include crystalline behavior, water absorption rate, contact angle, water vapor permeation coefficients, and oxygen transmission rates. Notably, at 20% CS content, the tensile strength of the MPP/CS composite material is about 120% higher than PP/CS composites. We also observed that CS significantly alters key properties of PP and MPP. The weight loss analysis of vegetables and water vapor transmission rate tests indicate that the MPP/CS composite film with 20% CS has the best effect on water vapor barrier and preservation of vegetables. Additionally, microbial growth analysis reveals that Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus grow less abundantly on composites with lower CS contents, and MPP/CS composites show reduced microbial growth compared to PP/CS. This integrated study demonstrates the optimization of composite material performance through CS variables, revealing innovative potential for CS in enhancing PP and guiding the design of future sustainable packaging materials.Highlights 20% CS in MPP/CS boosts tensile strength by 120% versus PP/CS composites. 20% CS in MPP/CS gives optimal water vapor barrier and veggie preservation. MPP/CS reduces E. coli and S. aureus growth better than PP/CS, especially at low CS. MPP's functional group enhances CS compatibility, dispersion, structure, and crystallinity. Corn stover-reinforced PP composites offer a sustainable, eco-friendly packaging option. The preparation of modified polypropylene (MPP) and corn stover (CS), as well as the interaction reaction mechanism between them.image

This study investigates the modification of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with maleic anhydride (MAH) to produce modified PVA (PVA-MAH), and the development of PVA-MAH nanocomposite films embedded with multiwall carbon nanotubes decorated with nano zinc oxide (MWCNTs-NZnO) using a solution blending approach. FTIR analysis confirmed the formation of a robust three-dimensional network between MAH and PVA, involving ester, coordination, and hydrogen bonds, which DSC analysis further corroborated through an observed increase in glass transition temperature. Modification with MAH and the integration of MWCNTs-NZnO improved moisture resistance and swelling behavior, with MAH enhancing crosslink density to reduce moisture uptake, while optimal MWCNTs-NZnO concentrations further mitigated water absorption. Excessive MWCNTs-NZnO content, however, led to aggregation, compromising structural integrity and diminishing nanocomposite performance. The PVA-MAH/MWCNTs-NZnO films displayed optimal elongation at break, contact angle, and gas barrier properties at 0.3