Polymers, Volume 18, Issue 2

The increasing urgency to mitigate plastic pollution has accelerated the shift from linear manufacturing toward circular systems. This review synthesizes current advances in mechanical, chemical, biological, and upcycling pathways, emphasizing how ar...

This study reports the synthesis and detailed characterization of pullulan-isononanoate (Pull-Iso), as well as the preparation and characterization of Pull-Iso films incorporating liposomes loaded with silibinin (SB) and smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria...

Additive manufacturing has been widely adopted in industry as an alternative to traditional manufacturing processes for complex component production. In fact, a diverse range of materials, particularly polymers, can be processed using 3D printing for...

Poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) is a biodegradable elastomer with high potential for tissue engineering. However, its limited structural stability and degradation control restrict broader biomedical applications. This study presents an integrated fabri...

This study aimed to control rapid localized corrosion and inflammation of biodegradable magnesium implants by developing a pH-responsive mPEG-PLGA coating loaded with dexamethasone (Dex). The mPEG-PLGA layer was designed to selectively degrade in alk...

Printed electronics (PE) have emerged as a rapidly growing technology owing to their potential for low-cost fabrication, flexibility, and scalable device manufacturing. The dependence on fossil-based components raises environmental concerns, leading...

Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) and waterborne poly(urethane-urea) (WPUU) dispersions allow safer and more sustainable manufacturing of rechargeable batteries via water-based processing, while offering tunable adhesion and segmented-domain mechanics. B...

To efficiently reuse endless fibre-reinforced composites after their life cycle, the recovery of endless fibres including matrix material with subsequent reprocessing in their original state is desirable. Thanks to their covalent adaptive networks, v...

The unique physicochemical properties of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have made them versatile tools for biomedical applications, such as imaging, therapy, and drug delivery. The surface modification of GNPs with polymers or biomolecules can enhance the...

The development of sustainable wood-based composites has driven increasing interest in formaldehyde-free, low-odor, and recyclable bonding systems. However, achieving high mechanical performance and dimensional stability in high-density fiberboards (...

This study aims to evaluate the effects of different surface treatments and adhesive systems on the shear bond strength (SBS) of additively manufactured (AM) and subtractively manufactured (SM) restorative materials. A total 675 rectangular specimens...

Glass ionomer cements (GICs) are widely used in restorative and luting dentistry due to their fluoride release and chemical adhesion to dental tissues; however, their limited mechanical strength necessitates reinforcement strategies. The objective of...

Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a major clinical challenge due to the limited regenerative capacity of the central nervous system (CNS). Effective scaffolds for repair must combine mechanical compatibility with host tissue, controlled degradation ma...

It has long been desired to achieve mechanical enhancement and structural health monitoring by introducing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into traditional carbon fiber (CF) composites. Herein, the initiation of micro-damage and crack propagation has been in...

Thin film/substrate structures based on the principle of buckling mechanics exhibit both excellent stretchability and mechanical stability, and they have been recognized as a critical configuration in the design of flexible electronic devices. During...

To address the thermal management challenges in electronic devices, this study systematically investigates the effects of injection molding and compression molding on the microstructure and thermal conductivity of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/boron nitr...

This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effects of resin type, layer thickness, and printing orientation on the surface and mechanical properties of 3D-printed occlusal splints fabricated using digital light processing (DLP) technology. Three comme...

Thermoplastic starch (TPS) blended with biodegradable polyesters such as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polycaprolactone (PCL) represents a promising route toward sustainable alternatives to petrol...

This study examined the association between biofilm growth and surface properties of 3D printed, milled, and conventional materials used for manufacturing fixed dental prostheses. Disc-shaped specimens were produced and finished from five 3D-printing...

Accurate immobilization is critical in head and neck (H&N) radiotherapy to ensure precise dose delivery while minimizing irradiation of surrounding healthy tissues. However, conventional thermoplastic masks cannot secure 100% replicas of the pati...

Essential oils are natural insect repellents, which can be microencapsulated and protected by wall materials to provide prolonged protection against insects. The protection and release of these repellents depend on various parameters, including morph...

In order to improve the utilization of alkali lignin (AL) as an effective component for ultraviolet (UV) shielding, demethylation and acetylation modification were carried out to improve the UV absorption performance of lignin. Then, lignin-based sun...

Rubber materials undergo continuous wear in high-pressure seal applications. To address the risk of adhesive wear and consequent leakage of rubber seals operating under reciprocating sliding in high-pressure hydrogen storage and refueling systems, th...

Enhancing the flame retardancy of polymeric materials by adding only eco-friendly ammonium polyphosphate (APP) while simultaneously maintaining high-temperature resistance has become a challenge. Talcum has been introduced as a cooperative agent into...

The identification and targeting of lung-cancer-cell-surface proteins are important for drug development. Molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (nanoMIPs) offer a synthetic approach for the recognition of proteins on the cell surfaces. This wor...

Pitch-based activated carbon fibers, recognized for their excellent electrical conductivity, mechanical strength and durability, offer a compelling electrode alternative in the development of next-generation supercapacitors. In this review, we provid...

The optical properties, electronic structure and morphology of thin films of the polymer donor PTB7-Th blended with either the fullerene acceptor PC70BM or the non-fullerene acceptor ZY-4Cl were systematically investigated to evaluate their annealing...

Despite the increased interest in neuromorphic materials—a physical implementation of neural networks that could overcome the so-called von Neumann architecture’s limitations—most studies have been performed on the basis of systems...

Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites are widely used in structural applications due to their high specific strength and durability; however, their mechanical performance strongly depends on fiber architecture and environmental exposure. T...

The fate of a selection of linear and cyclic silicone oil formulations in heavy-duty fluid dampers is studied from molecular dynamics simulations. Mimicking cyclic agitation to all-atom simulation models, we elaborate oscillatory compression/decompre...

Self-healing polymer nanocomposites are increasingly investigated as damage-tolerant materials for structural and functional applications; however, their engineering translation remains limited by the difficulty of achieving high mechanical reinforce...

The increasing demand for sustainable polymer composites has driven the development of hybrid laminates that combine natural, recycled, and synthetic reinforcements while maintaining adequate mechanical performance. However, the combined influence of...

The present study analyses the changes in antioxidative behavior of biodegradable Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based composite films with bioactive additives derived from pomegranate peel, an abundant agricultural by-product rich in antioxidants and antim...

Driven by societal and technological progress, the polymer tubing industry is increasingly focused on sustainable and biodegradable products, with polylactic acid (PLA)-based microtubes gaining attention for applications such as medical stents and di...

The viscoelastic properties of ultraviolet radiation-curable polymer coatings of optical fibers were studied experimentally and numerically. The test setup was completed, and a series of natural experiments were conducted for an extended temperature...

Liners made of natural materials, such as expansive soil with sand, have a wide range of applications, including geotechnical and geoenvironmental applications. Besides being environmentally friendly, these materials are locally available and can be...

This study investigates how molecular weight, ionic strength, and ionic composition influence the performance of sodium lignosulfonate as a dispersant for titanium dioxide (TiO₂) suspensions. Adsorption behavior was quantified using a quartz crystal...

Water-lubricated bearings are critical components in marine propulsion systems, necessitating materials with exceptional tribological properties to ensure reliability. Filament-winding technology is an effective molding method for enhancing the compr...

In this study, a W–polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG)-based 3D-printed composite was designed for medical radiation shielding, and syringe shielding components were fabricated to evaluate shielding performance and particle dispersion char...

Fluorine-containing polyarylates (F-PARs) were synthesized via interfacial polycondensation of hexafluorobisphenol A (BPAF), bisphenol A (BPA), and two acyl chloride monomers under four feeding strategies. Sequential feeding affords the highest M_w (2...

This Special Issue, devoted to new features on “Mechanical Behavior of Polymeric Materials”, includes many exciting works related to this frontrunner polymer Research and Development area [...]

This study analyzes the mechanical behavior of a quasi-isotropic biaxial glass fiber–vinyl ester composite in a multiaxial stress condition and the effect of the orientation of the fibers. A ply structure was created through the process of vacu...

The development of functional polymer films on porous paper substrates is inherently constrained by substrate-induced defects that hinder film continuity and barrier performance. In this study, process-controlled amylose–Poly(Vinyl alcohol) (PV...

Flexible, intelligent color-changing windows with excellent color-switching capability and fast response time rely significantly on conductive composite layers composed of electrochromic materials and flexible, transparent substrates. Herein, we deve...

Regarding the issues arising from the addition of external curing agents in the application of epoxy resin in cement-based materials, this paper explores the feasibility of endogenous curing of epoxy resin in the alkaline environment of cement-based...

Aramid-based polymeric fabrics are increasingly employed in lightweight protective and structural applications where high strength, flexibility, and impact resistance are required. Their response under high-velocity impact is governed by complex inte...

The bridging defects compromise the structural integrity and strength of 3D-printed polymer parts with the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) process. Conventional approaches to avoid bridging defects include simply minimising bridging span and/or addi...

In recent years, diagnostic technologies that utilize noninvasively collected sweat have garnered significant interest. However, the concentration of components in sweat is lower than that in blood, making the introduction of a concentration step as...

This study investigates a 26th Dynasty Ptah–Sokar–Osiris wooden statuette excavated from the Tari cemetery, Giza Pyramids area, to decode ancient Egyptian manufacturing techniques and establish evidence-based conservation strategies of su...

In recent years, the unsustainable consumption of fossil resources has been causing major ecological concerns, especially for the production of polymeric materials. 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is one of the most appealing biobased chemical buil...