Search Results (156)

Biodegradable polymeric composites reinforced with natural fillers represent one of the most promising routes toward low-impact, circular, and resource-efficient materials. In recent years, a growing number of studies have focused on the valorization of plant- and animal-derived organic waste, ranging from agricultural residues and natural fibers to marine and livestock by-products. This review provides a comprehensive and comparative overview of these systems, analyzing the nature and origin of the waste-derived fillers, their pretreatments, processing strategies, and the resulting effects on mechanical, thermal, functional, and biodegradation properties. Particular attention is dedicated to the role of filler composition, morphology, and surface chemistry in governing interfacial adhesion and end-use performance across different polymeric matrices, including PLA, PCL, PBS, PHA, PHB, PBAT, and commercial blends such as Mater-Bi^®. The emerging applications of these biocomposites, such as packaging, additive manufacturing, agriculture, biomedical uses, and environmental remediation, are critically discussed. Overall, this work provides fundamental insights to support the development of the next generation of biodegradable materials, enabling the sustainable valorization of organic waste within a circular-economy perspective. Full article

Graphene oxide (GO), with its high surface area, tunable chemistry, and exceptional mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, is rapidly advancing as a transformative material in both composite engineering and membrane technology. In composite systems, GO serves as a multifunctional reinforcement, significantly improving strength, stiffness, thermal stability, and conductivity when integrated into polymeric, ceramic, or metallic matrices. These enhancements are enabling high-performance solutions across electronics, aerospace, automotive, and construction sectors, where lightweight yet durable materials are in demand. In addition, GO-based membranes are revolutionizing water purification, desalination, and other high-end separation technologies. The layered structure, adjustable interlayer spacing, and abundant oxygen-containing functional groups of GO allow precise control over permeability and selectivity, enabling efficient transport of desired molecules while blocking contaminants. Tailoring GO morphology and surface chemistry offers a pathway to optimized membrane performance for both industrial and environmental applications. This paper gives a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in GO-based composites and membranes, highlighting the interplay between structure, morphology, and functionality. Future research directions toward scalable fabrication, performance optimization, and integration into sustainable technologies are discussed, underscoring GO’s pivotal role in shaping next-generation advanced materials. Full article

Natural resources, such as wood components (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) and plant oils, have drawn significant interest for the development of polymeric biocomposites. Despite some advantages of soybean hull (SH) and soybean meal (SM), such as high abundance, low cost, and high functionality, both materials lack film-forming properties and mechanical performance and are highly hydrophilic, which makes them incompatible with most polymer matrices. This study demonstrates the suitability of using various ratios of SH and SM in combination with other soy-based derivatives—soy oil-derived polymers—simultaneously in the development of cross-linked biocomposites. For this purpose, we reacted SH or SM with maleic anhydride (via hydroxyl groups) to introduce reactive sites for free-radical polymerization, followed by the bulk polymerization of the maleinized SH and SM in the presence of high-oleic soybean oil-based acrylic monomer (HOSBM). As a result, simultaneous “grafting from” polymerization on the filler surface and formation of the HOSBM homopolymer occur. The synthetic procedure results in a homogeneous distribution of fillers, both modified with soy-derived polymeric chains in the biocomposite matrix (polyHOSBM). In the study, up to 35 wt.% of total SH and SM was incorporated into the biocomposites, further cross-linked via post-polymerization autoxidation of polyHOSBM unsaturated functionalities. The mechanical characterization shows that incorporating 25 wt.% soybean hull leads to an enhanced Young’s modulus and tensile strength in comparison to other investigated biocomposites. Overall, the resulting cross-linked biocomposite films exhibit Young’s modulus in a range of 50–140 MPa, tensile strength of 1–2.9 MPa, and elongation at break of 18–55%. This work demonstrates the potential of the developed synthetic procedure to homogeneously distribute two abundant natural fillers simultaneously in cross-linked biocomposites. Full article

Tailoring the spin crossover (SCO) effect in molecular materials remains a fundamental challenge, driven by the need to control critical parameters, such as the spin transition temperature (T₁/₂), hysteresis width, cooperativity, and switching kinetics for applications in sensing, memory, and actuation devices. SCO behavior is highly sensitive to small changes in the structure or crystal structure of the surrounding environment. In this context, achieving predictable and reproducible control remains elusive. Embedding SCO complexes into polymer matrices offers a more versatile and processable approach, but understanding how matrix–guest interactions affect spin-state behavior is still limited. In this study, we investigate a polymer-mediated strategy to tune SCO properties by incorporating the well-characterized Fe(II) complex [Fe(1,10-phenanthroline)₂(NCS)₂] into three polymers with distinct structural features: polylactic acid (PLA), polystyrene (PS), and polysulfone (PSF). In terms of potential electrostatic interaction between the complex and the polymeric matrixes, the polymers offer distinct features. Either there does not seem to be any specific interaction (PLA case) or, rather, there is π-π stacking between the aromatic rings of the SCO complex, and the corresponding ones present either in the backbone or in the side chain of the polymer (PSF and PS, respectively). The latter can potentially influence spin-state energetics and dynamics. Importantly, we also reveal and quantify the migration behavior of SCO particles within different polymer matrices, an aspect that has not been previously examined in SCO–polymer systems. Using magnetic susceptibility, spectroscopic, diffraction, and migration studies, we show that the polymer environment, PLA as well, actively modulates the SCO response. PSF yields lower T₁/₂, slower switching kinetics, and enhanced retention of the complex, indicative of strong matrix confinement and interaction. In contrast, PLA and PS composites exhibit sharper transitions and higher migration, suggesting weaker interactions and greater mobility. In addition, the semi-crystalline nature of PLA seems to induce the extension of the hysteresis width. These results highlight both the challenge and the opportunity in SCO polymer composites to tune SCO behavior, offering a scalable route toward functional hybrid materials for thermal sensing and responsive devices. Full article

Self-healing polymer-based coatings have emerged as a new generation of adaptive protective materials capable of restoring their structure and function after damage. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of current strategies enabling autonomous or externally triggered repair in polymeric films, including encapsulation, reversible chemistry, and microvascular network formation. Emphasis is placed on polymer–inorganic hybrid composites and vitrimeric systems, which integrate barrier protection with stimuli-responsive healing and recyclability. Comparative performance across different matrices—epoxy, polyurethane, silicone, and polyimine—is discussed in relation to corrosion protection and biomedical interfaces. The review also highlights how dynamic covalent and supramolecular interactions in hydrogels enable self-repair under physiological conditions. Recent advances demonstrate that tailoring interfacial compatibility, healing kinetics, and trigger specificity can achieve repeatable, multi-cycle recovery of both mechanical integrity and functional performance. A representative selection of published patents is also shown to illustrate recent technological advancements in the field. Finally, key challenges are identified in standardizing evaluation protocols, ensuring long-term stability, and scaling sustainable manufacturing. Collectively, these developments illustrate the growing maturity of self-healing polymer coatings as multifunctional materials bridging engineering, environmental, and biomedical applications. Full article

Aflatoxins remain among the most challenging food contaminants to monitor due to their structural diversity, low abundance, and the chemical complexity of cereal- and nut-based matrices. In this study, a multifunctional Cu/β-cyclodextrin@carboxylated graphene oxide (Cu/β-CD@CGO) nanocomposite was synthesized through a green, two-step procedure and employed as a high-affinity nanosorbent for trace extraction of AFB₁, AFB₂, AFG₁, and AFG₂. The architecture integrates three complementary components: β-cyclodextrin for inclusion-driven molecular recognition, copper nanoparticles that establish coordination interactions with lactone-bearing aflatoxins, and CGO nanosheets that supply extensive π-rich surfaces and abundant carboxyl functionalities. Comprehensive characterization (FTIR, Raman, XPS, SEM, EDX-mapping, and HRTEM) confirmed the formation of a uniform, porous hybrid network. Under optimized d-SPE conditions, the nanocomposite enabled quantitative recovery (92.0–108.5%) of aflatoxins from pistachio, maize, and rice extracts while achieving sub-ng kg⁻¹ detection limits and excellent reproducibility. The results demonstrate that the Cu/β-CD@CGO platform provides a robust, selective, and sustainable alternative to conventional immunoaffinity or polymeric sorbents, offering strong potential for routine surveillance of aflatoxins in complex food systems. Full article

Ferulic acid (FA), together with its polymers and derivatives, has been attracting growing attention as a building block for advanced sustainable polymeric materials due to its renewable origin, intrinsic antioxidant activity, and potential for biodegradability. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent progress in the synthesis and functionalization of FA-based polymers, covering polymerization strategies, enzymatic modifications, and grafting approaches. The physicochemical characteristics of these materials are discussed, with particular emphasis on thermal stability, antioxidant performance, controlled release of active agents, and their impact on the mechanical and barrier properties of polymer matrices. Furthermore, key application domains—including biomedicine, food packaging, and environmental engineering—are examined, highlighting both the advantages and current limitations associated with FA utilization. Finally, perspectives are outlined regarding the necessity for further research to enhance bioavailability, stability, and synthetic efficiency, as well as the potential of FA-derived polymers in the development of next-generation, functional, and environmentally sustainable materials. Full article

The convergence of carbon nanomaterials and functional polymers has led to the emergence of smart carbon–polymer nanocomposites (CPNCs), which possess exceptional potential for next-generation sensing and actuation systems. These hybrid materials exhibit unique combinations of electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties, along with tunable responsiveness to external stimuli such as strain, pressure, temperature, light, and chemical environments. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the design and synthesis of CPNCs, focusing on their application in multifunctional sensors and actuator technologies. Key carbon nanomaterials including graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and MXenes were examined in the context of their integration into polymer matrices to enhance performance parameters such as sensitivity, flexibility, response time, and durability. The review also highlights novel fabrication techniques, such as 3D printing, self-assembly, and in situ polymerization, that are driving innovation in device architectures. Applications in wearable electronics, soft robotics, biomedical diagnostics, and environmental monitoring are discussed to illustrate the transformative impact of CPNCs. Finally, this review addresses current challenges and outlines future research directions toward scalable manufacturing, environmental stability, and multifunctional integration for the real-world deployment of smart sensing and actuation systems. Full article

In this study, a commercial anion-exchange resin (D301), known for high regenerability but limited selectivity, was chemically modified to enhance its sorption performance. The modification included graft polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate followed by thiourea functionalization, yielding a new sorbent, TD301, with chelating functional groups. Characterization using SEM/EDS, IR spectroscopy, XPS, and zeta potential measurements confirmed the successful introduction of sulfur- and nitrogen-containing groups, increased surface roughness, and decreased surface charge in the pH range 2–6. These changes shifted the sorption mechanism from nonspecific ion exchange to selective coordination. Sorption properties of TD301 were evaluated in mono- and bimetallic Mo–W systems, as well as in solutions obtained from real ore decomposition. The modified sorbent showed fast sorption kinetics and high selectivity for Mo(VI) at pH 1.5, while retaining high W(VI) uptake at pH 0.5. In binary systems, separation factors (α) reached 128.4, greatly exceeding those of unmodified D301. In real leachates (Mo ≈ W ≈ 0.04 g/L), TD301 selectively extracted W at pH 0.66 and Mo at pH 1.5. These findings demonstrate that TD301 is an effective sorbent for pH-dependent Mo/W separation in complex matrices, with potential for resource recovery, wastewater treatment, monitoring, and suitability for repeated use. Full article

Adhering to the principles of green analytical chemistry (GAC) is crucial for advancing sample pretreatment. In this work, we developed a green in-tube solid-phase microextraction (IT-SPME) material utilizing non-toxic cyclodextrin and zwitterionic polymers as co-functioning monomers. The hybrid monolithic material was synthesized within 38 min via an efficient epoxy ring-opening reaction and free radical polymerization. Comprehensive characterization confirmed a rigid framework with strong anti-swelling properties, good permeability, and high enrichment efficiency on the polymers. When coupled with HPLC-UV, the optimized IT-SPME method enabled highly sensitive detection of polypeptides (vancomycin and teicoplanin) in aqueous matrices, achieving detection limits as low as 15.0–20.0 μg L⁻¹, a wide linear range (60–800 μg L⁻¹, R² > 0.99), and good precision (RSDs = 5.9–8.2%). The prepared material demonstrated remarkable performance in real complex water samples, achieving recovery rates of up to 95.4%. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that the adsorption mechanism primarily involves hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. This study presents an effective approach for the development of green chemical synthesis of extraction materials and offers a sustainable platform for monitoring trace contaminants in environmental waters. Full article

Functional hydrogels are a growing class of soft materials. Functional hydrogels are characterized by their three-dimensional (3D) polymeric network and high water-retention capacity. Functional hydrogels are deliberately engineered with specific chemical groups, stimuli-responsive motifs, or crosslinking strategies that impart targeted biomedical or environmental roles (e.g., drug delivery, pollutant removal). Their capacity to imitate the extracellular matrix, and their biocompatibility and customizable physicochemical properties make them highly suitable for biomedical and environmental applications. In contrast, non-functional hydrogels are defined as passive polymer networks that primarily serve as water-swollen matrices without such application-oriented modifications. Recent progress includes stimuli-responsive hydrogel designs. Stimuli such as pH, temperature, enzymes, light, etc., enable controlled drug delivery and targeted therapy. Moreover, hydrogels have shown great potential in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The flexibility and biofunctionality of hydrogels improve cell adhesion and tissue integration. Functional hydrogels are being explored for water purification by heavy metal ion removal and pollutant detection. The surface functionalities of hydrogels have shown selective binding and adsorption, along with porous structures that make them effective for environmental remediation. However, hydrogels have long been postulated as potential candidates to be used in clinical advancements. The first reported clinical trial was in the 1980s; however, their exploration in the last two decades has still struggled to achieve positive results. In this review, we discuss the rational hydrogel designs, synthesis techniques, application-specific performance, and the hydrogel-based materials being used in ongoing clinical trials (FDA–approved) and their mechanism of action. We also elaborate on the key challenges remaining, such as biocompatibility, mechanical stability, scalability, and future directions, to unlocking their multifunctionality and responsiveness. Full article

In this study, a new type of double crosslinked nanospheres (DCNPM-A) was developed to solve the problem of gas channeling caused by fracture development in the process of CO₂ oil displacement, and the microsphere system with delayed swelling was successfully synthesized by inverse micro lotion polymerization. The microsphere adopts a dual crosslinking structure of stable crosslinking agent (MBA) and unstable crosslinking agent (UCA), achieving intelligent sealing function of shallow low expansion and deep high temperature triggered secondary expansion. The successful preparation of microspheres was verified by characterization methods such as Zeta potential and SEM, and the effects of reaction temperature, time, initiator and crosslinking agent dosage on microsphere properties were systematically studied. The experimental results show that DCNPM-A microspheres exhibit excellent expansion performance, thermal stability, and acid resistance in acidic, high-temperature, and high mineralization environments. Their expansion ratio can reach 13.5 times, and they can maintain stability for more than 60 days in supercritical CO₂ environments. Core displacement experiments have confirmed that the microspheres have the best sealing performance in matrices with a permeability of 10 × 10⁻³ μm² and fractures with a width of 0.03 mm. The combination of 0.8 PV injection volume, 0.5 mL·min⁻¹ injection rate, and continuous injection method significantly improved the plugging rate and recovery rate of CO₂ flooding. This study provides new technical support for the efficient development of low-permeability fractured reservoirs. Full article

Chitosan is a natural polymer derived from chitin through the deacetylation process. It has emerged as a key ingredient in sustainable wastewater treatment, due to its biodegradability, non-toxicity, and low cost. This biopolymer possesses abundant functional groups, such as -NH₂ and -OH, that efficiently interact with pollutants. This review offers a comprehensive evaluation of pollutant separation techniques involving chitosan-based materials, including adsorption, membrane filtration, flocculation, and photocatalysis. It further examines the underlying adsorption mechanisms, emphasizing how pollutants interact with chitosan and its derivatives at the molecular level. Special focus is given to various modifications of chitosan, alongside a comparative assessment of different chitosan-based adsorbents (hydrogels, nanoparticles, nanocomposites, microspheres, nanofibers, etc.), highlighting their performance in removing heavy metals, dyes, and emerging organic pollutants. The reviewed performance of these polymeric materials from 2015–2025 not only gives an insight about the recent advancement but also points the need for the design of high-performing chitosan-based adsorbents with applications in real water matrices. Full article

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have garnered significant attention due to their potent antimicrobial properties and broad-spectrum efficacy against pathogens. Recent advances in polymer science have enabled the development of AgNPs-integrated hydrogels and membranes, offering multifunctional platforms for biomedical and food-related applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent strategies for synthesizing and incorporating AgNPs into polymeric matrices, highlighting both natural and synthetic polymers as carriers. The structural and functional properties of these nanocomposite systems, such as biocompatibility, mechanical stability, controlled silver ion release, and antimicrobial activity, are critically examined. The focus is placed on their application in wound healing, drug delivery, food packaging, and preservation technologies. Challenges such as cytotoxicity, long-term stability, and regulatory concerns are discussed alongside emerging trends and safety paradigms. This work underscores the potential of AgNPs–polymer hybrids as next-generation materials and outlines future directions for their sustainable and targeted application in biomedical and food systems. Full article

Anthocyanins, the most ubiquitous water-soluble phytopigments in terrestrial flora, have garnered substantial attention in sustainable food packaging research owing to their exceptional chromatic properties, pH-responsive characteristics, and putative health-promoting effects. Nevertheless, their inherent chemical lability manifests as rapid chromatic fading, structural degradation, and compromised bioactivity/bioavailability, ultimately restricting industrial implementation and incurring significant economic penalties. Recent advances in stabilization technologies through molecular encapsulation within polymeric matrices or nanoscale encapsulation systems have demonstrated remarkable potential for preserving anthocyanin integrity while augmenting multifunctionality. The integration of anthocyanins into advanced functional materials has emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing food safety and extending shelf life through smart packaging solutions. Despite their exceptional chromatic and bioactive properties, anthocyanins face challenges such as chemical instability under environmental stressors, limiting their industrial application. Recent advancements in stabilization technologies, including molecular encapsulation within polymeric matrices and nanoscale systems, have demonstrated significant potential in preserving anthocyanin integrity while enhancing multifunctionality. This review systematically explores the integration of anthocyanins with natural polymers, nanomaterials, and hybrid architectures, focusing on their roles as smart optical sensors, bioactive regulators, and functional components in active and smart packaging systems. Furthermore, the molecular interactions and interfacial phenomena governing anthocyanin stabilization are elucidated. The review also addresses current technological constraints and proposes future directions for scalable, sustainable, and optimized implementations in food preservation. Full article