Wang Ziwei, Tong Yuxing, Liu Zhichang, Yu Yang, Wang Yixin, Zhang Lei, Gao Song, Feng Xiong, Lei Wang
{"title":"Green and High-Value Polyurethane Foams: Lignin-Microcrystalline Cellulose Biocomposites From Industrial Byproducts","authors":"Wang Ziwei, Tong Yuxing, Liu Zhichang, Yu Yang, Wang Yixin, Zhang Lei, Gao Song, Feng Xiong, Lei Wang","doi":"10.1002/app.70507","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/app.70507","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The growing demand for sustainable polymeric materials has driven efforts to replace petroleum-based polyols in rigid polyurethane foams (RPFs) with renewable alternatives. Lignin, owing to its abundant hydroxyl groups and aromatic structure, is considered a promising candidate; however, its intrinsic rigidity and structural heterogeneity often limit its incorporation and compromise foam performance. In this study, industrial Kraft lignin (KL) was liquefied using 1,4-butanediol and employed as a bio-based polyol for RPF fabrication. Process optimization demonstrated that catalyst, surfactant, and water contents played critical roles in regulating foam density and compressive strength. To enhance mechanical performance, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) derived from tobacco stems was introduced as a reinforcing phase. At an MCC loading of 5 wt%, the compressive strength at 10% strain increased by 34%, from 171.6 ± 7.5 to 229.7 ± 12.6 kPa, with enhancement up to 50% strain, while the apparent density increased slightly from 85.4 ± 2.0 to 93.5 ± 2.6 kg·m<sup>−3</sup>. MCC incorporation also reduced the water contact angle from 110.3° to 100.0°. Morphological analysis revealed that increased system viscosity during foaming led to gas entrapment and larger, more irregular cellular structures. Overall, this work demonstrates an effective strategy for valorizing industrial byproducts into high-performance, sustainable RPFs.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":183,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Polymer Science","volume":"143 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147562142","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yizhou Xu, Zhichao Zhang, Ziqing Gong, Shengfei Hu
{"title":"Preparation of SiO2/MA Coated APP and Its Application in Flame Retardant and Foamed PPO/PS Blends","authors":"Yizhou Xu, Zhichao Zhang, Ziqing Gong, Shengfei Hu","doi":"10.1002/app.70508","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/app.70508","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This article reports the preparation of a multi-layer core-shell flame retardant (APP@SiO<sub>2</sub>@MA) using melamine (MA), ethyl silicate (TEOS), and γ-(2,3-epoxypropoxy) propyltrimethoxysilane (KH-560) as raw materials, coated with ammonium polyphosphate (APP). Apply the flame retardant to PPO/PS composite materials to improve their flame retardant properties and investigate its effect on the foaming performance of PPO/PS composite materials. This article confirms the successful microencapsulation of APP by SiO<sub>2</sub> and MA through energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation. The combustion performance of P samples and their foam samples was evaluated through thermogravimetric analysis (TG), limit oxygen index (LOI), and UL-94 vertical combustion test, the residual carbon quality significantly increased from 17% of PPO/PS to 38%, and the maximum oxygen index increased from 22.9% to 30.5%. At 165°C and 3.5 MPa foaming conditions, the foaming ratio increased from 1.18 to 4.56 times, and the maximum oxygen index after foaming was 27.9%. This study provides a green and convenient method for the preparation of flame-retardant PPO/PS bead foam materials, expanding the practical application of PPO/PS in industry.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":183,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Polymer Science","volume":"143 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Preparation of Self-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites via Infrared Radiation Preheating","authors":"Qi Kuang, Yi Guo, Bobing He","doi":"10.1002/app.70503","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/app.70503","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Previous studies implemented a hot-pressing protocol to optimize the processing parameters and composition for producing high-performance self-reinforced polypropylene (SRPP) composites, yet the methodology still necessitates further refinement. This study systematically investigates the influence of infrared radiation pretreating combined with film-stacking hot pressing on the properties of SRPP composites. This approach significantly improved the properties of SRPP without nucleating agents. Compared with the original process, the tensile strength increased from 95 MPa to 128 MPa (a 35% improvement), while the flexural strength and flexural modulus increased from 23 MPa to 35 MPa (54%) and from 1.05 GPa to 2.25 GPa (114%), respectively. However, in systems with <i>β</i>-nucleating agents, infrared treatment compromised the interfacial defect repair effect, thereby restricting the performance optimization of SRPP under high-pressure conditions. Nevertheless, infrared radiation preheating constitutes an effective processing strategy for self-reinforced composites, providing a practical approach for producing high-performance composites in industrial applications.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":183,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Polymer Science","volume":"143 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"High-Performance Neat Polyurea Coating for Mechanical Protection","authors":"Hanru Zhang, Chengqi Han, Zhefeng Wang, Gang Tong","doi":"10.1002/app.70505","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/app.70505","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Polyurea coatings with high mechanical performance hold tremendous promise for mechanical protection. However, high-performance neat polyurea remains a significant challenge, and the interrelationships among synthesis, microstructure, and properties are poorly understood, thereby limiting its applications and potential for further enhancement. This study synthesized a neat polyurea using isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), polyetheramine J2000, and J230 as the only three basic reactants, by employing a two-step process that features the secondary addition of IPDI. Extensive measurements revealed superior properties, including a tensile strength of 52 ± 3 MPa, elongation at break of 1807% ± 100%, thermal decomposition temperature of 300°C, and glass transition temperature of −56°C, along with remarkable resistance to impact and corrosion. Molecular analysis and microstructure observation unveiled that these superior properties likely originated from a linear long-chain structure, enhanced by the synergistic effects of ultra-short-range microphase separation and lateral crosslinking by trimers. Simultaneously, further optimization was achieved by controlling the fraction of short ring chains and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. High-performance polyurea coatings show great potential for aerospace and lightweight protection. Neat polyurea with excellent mechanical properties provides a solid foundation for further applications and modifications.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":183,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Polymer Science","volume":"143 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Farzin Azimpour-Shishevan, M. A. Mohtadi-Bonab, Bahman Rahmatinejad
{"title":"Repeated Low-Velocity Impact Response of Graphene Nanoplatelet-Reinforced Basalt Fiber Composites","authors":"Farzin Azimpour-Shishevan, M. A. Mohtadi-Bonab, Bahman Rahmatinejad","doi":"10.1002/app.70515","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/app.70515","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study examines the effect of graphene nanoplatelets (GPLs) on the repeated low-velocity impact behavior of basalt fiber–reinforced epoxy composites (BFRCs). Multiscale composites containing 0.2 wt.% and 0.4 wt.% GPL were fabricated and tested under repeated impact loading up to 40 cycles. Key parameters including peak force, contact stiffness, bending stiffness, and absorbed energy were analyzed to evaluate impact resistance under progressive damage. SEM fractography was conducted to investigate failure mechanisms and GPL dispersion. Results show that GPL incorporation significantly modifies the impact response of BFRCs. All laminates exhibited increased peak force and contact stiffness between the 10th and 20th impacts, indicating a temporary strengthening effect. At this stage, the 0.2 wt.% GPL composite achieved a 44% increase in peak force compared to pure BFRC, while the 0.4 wt.% GPL composite showed limited improvement. Beyond 20 impacts, stiffness degradation occurred due to damage accumulation; however, GPL-modified composites exhibited delayed degradation. At higher impact numbers, the 0.4 wt.% GPL composite demonstrated superior bending stiffness retention and energy absorption. SEM analysis confirmed crack deflection, platelet pull-out, and enhanced interfacial bonding, contributing to improved damage tolerance.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":183,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Polymer Science","volume":"143 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Baoji Hu, Hongfei Wang, Xiaorui Wu, Haoge Qin, Yalin Yang, Yaxi Niu, Yalan Yang, Manman Zhai, Shuai Sun, Qiaoling Zhang, Si Chen, Mengying Li
{"title":"Development of TPU Composite Micro-Nano Fibers Based on Coaxial Electrospinning and Research on Their Thermal Regulation and Humidity Response","authors":"Baoji Hu, Hongfei Wang, Xiaorui Wu, Haoge Qin, Yalin Yang, Yaxi Niu, Yalan Yang, Manman Zhai, Shuai Sun, Qiaoling Zhang, Si Chen, Mengying Li","doi":"10.1002/app.70469","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/app.70469","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Coaxial electrospun microfibers, distinguished by their unique structural attributes and remarkable adaptability, have attracted considerable interest in the domain of smart materials. The aim of this study is to prepare composite microfibers (Nfc-s) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the core layer and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) as the shell layer by coaxial electrostatic spinning, to systematically investigate the role of the core solvent on the modulation of the functional properties of the microfibers, and to evaluate the potential for their application as smart materials. Coaxial electrospun microfibers (Nfc-s) with a PEG core and TPU shell show tailored properties based on the core solvent. Three types were synthesized: TpP@w (H<sub>2</sub>O), TpP@t (THF), and TpP@d (DMF). Water-based Nfc-s (TpP@w) had high elongation at break; THF-based fibers (TpP@t) displayed a significantly higher elastic modulus; DMF-based ones (TpP@d) exhibited exceptional thermal hysteresis. All Nfc-s exhibited improved hydrophilicity relative to pure TPU, with TpP@t and TpP@d demonstrating superior performance, evidenced by contact angles of 55.45° and 56.08°, respectively. Moreover, the T-TpP@t (TPU/TPU-PEG@THF) composite nanofibers attained a maximum bending angle of 12° and a recovery rate of 63.6% at 60% humidity. These results highlight the novel characteristics of Nfc-s as a functional material with considerable potential for applications in clothing, home textiles, and healthcare.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":183,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Polymer Science","volume":"143 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147567893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Berk Esenli, Başak Keskin, Bahriye Eryildiz-Yesir, Muayad Al-Shaeli, Mahsa Haddad Irani-nezhad, Alireza Khataee, Ismail Koyuncu, Vahid Vatanpour
{"title":"Enhancing the Performance of PVC Ultrafiltration Membranes Using Biotite and Biotene: Antifouling Properties and Separation Efficiency in Removal of Organic Pollutants","authors":"Berk Esenli, Başak Keskin, Bahriye Eryildiz-Yesir, Muayad Al-Shaeli, Mahsa Haddad Irani-nezhad, Alireza Khataee, Ismail Koyuncu, Vahid Vatanpour","doi":"10.1002/app.70516","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/app.70516","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Water scarcity is an escalating global issue due to population growth, climate change, and increasing demand for clean water. Membrane technologies, particularly ultrafiltration (UF) membranes, have gained significant attention for water purification owing to their high efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and energy-saving properties. However, membrane fouling and reaching high water flux and high removal efficiencies remain a critical challenge, affecting operational performance and longevity. In this study, we investigated the influence of biotite and biotene, natural clay-based nanomaterials, on the performance of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) UF membranes. Various concentrations of biotite (1 wt%) and biotene (0.1–2 wt%) were incorporated into PVC membranes via phase inversion technique. The fabricated membranes were characterized using SEM, FTIR, and zeta potential analysis. Performance evaluations, including permeability, antifouling properties, and organic pollutant removal efficiency, were conducted using bovine serum albumin, Reactive Red 120, and Reactive Black 5. Results demonstrated that the incorporation of 1 wt% biotene significantly enhanced membrane permeability, hydrophilicity, and antifouling properties while maintaining high pollutant rejection rates. Long-term stability tests further confirmed the potential of biotene-modified PVC membranes for water and wastewater treatment applications. This study presents a novel approach to improving PVC UF membrane performance using naturally abundant and cost-effective nanomaterials.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":183,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Polymer Science","volume":"143 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shanlei Guo, Xiangling Zhao, Chenxia Juan, Zhongqian Su
{"title":"Recent Progress in Polymer Gate Dielectrics for Low-Voltage Organic Field-Effect Transistors","authors":"Shanlei Guo, Xiangling Zhao, Chenxia Juan, Zhongqian Su","doi":"10.1002/app.70528","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/app.70528","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) are indispensable integral parts of the future wearable electronics such as artificial e-skins, flexible displays, health monitors, and other areas. The power consumption is one of the important issues needed to be addressed for the commercialized of OFETs. Therefore, developing the low-voltage operation OFETs is urgently needed. The gate is an important functional layer in OFETs, which isolate the charged transport layer and gate electrode, regulate electronic performance, and directly affect the power consumption. In this review, we firstly introduced the basic structures of the OFETs, and the roles of the gate dielectrics in OFETs. Next, we summarized the recent progress in polymer gate dielectrics for low-voltage OFETs including high-<i>k</i> polymers, polymer electrolytes, polymer-based hybrids, with emphasis on leakage current and operating voltage in the devices. Lastly, challenges and outline future research perspectives of polymer gate dielectrics for future low-voltage flexible electronics are discussed in conclusion and outlooks.</p>","PeriodicalId":183,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Polymer Science","volume":"143 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/app.70528","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Enhanced Properties of Sulfur-Vulcanized Natural Rubber via Post-Cure-Induced Polymerization of Bismaleimide","authors":"Mohit Puranik, Akheela Nasir, Adityan Chundagaparambil Sundaresan, Pranali Narendrarao Raut, Sakshi Sushil Mishra, Kasilingam Rajkumar, Shibulal Gopi Sathi","doi":"10.1002/app.70509","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/app.70509","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This work demonstrates a novel approach to utilize a minor network damage due to reversion in a natural rubber (NR)/accelerated-sulfur system by incorporating a thermally polymerizable bismaleimide, Perkalink 900 (PL), as a reactive modifier. For that, a blend of NR/PL: 90/10 is prepared and crosslinks the rubber phase using a conventional vulcanization (CV) system. The curing time is extended to 2 h to facilitate two key processes: (i) the Diels-Alder reaction between the in situ formed diene-backed NR at the point of reversion and PL, and (ii) thermal polymerization of PL within the damaged network. The 2 h cured NR/PL: 90/10 composition at 160°C exhibits exceptionally enhanced mechanical properties—including tensile strength, modulus, hardness, crosslink density, and compression set—compared to the unmodified (NR/PL:100/0) counterpart. A plausible chemical mechanism is proposed to explain the observed improvements, highlighting the effective integration of PL into the NR matrix in the post-curing phase.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":183,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Polymer Science","volume":"143 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147562676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jianxun Du, Honghao Zhang, Jin Dong, Chaoqi Xu, Tengfei Wang, Chengzhou Xue, Jing Xiao
{"title":"Mechanical Performance of Additively Manufactured Polymer Based Honeycomb Protective Structures With Bio-Inspired Detachable Mortise-Tenon Joints","authors":"Jianxun Du, Honghao Zhang, Jin Dong, Chaoqi Xu, Tengfei Wang, Chengzhou Xue, Jing Xiao","doi":"10.1002/app.70511","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/app.70511","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Inspired by the internal microstructure of beetle elytra, this study proposes a detachable protective structure fabricated from carbon fiber composites. The structure, compatible with additive manufacturing techniques, incorporates biomimetic mortise-tenon connections. This configuration, comprising a honeycomb core combined with biomimetic mortise-tenon joints, effectively dissipates impact energy, thereby mitigating stress concentration and reducing environmental sensitivity in heterogeneous material joining systems. Through numerical simulations, we systematically investigated the impact resistance under various working conditions and parameters, along with the dynamic response mechanisms of laminated honeycomb assemblies. Multiple configurations of biomimetic mortise-tenon honeycomb structures were manufactured using polymer-based composites via additive manufacturing. Quasi-static compression tests demonstrated that the PLA-CF composite achieves exceptional specific energy absorption of 5.8 kJ/kg, while PC-based structures exhibit superior compressive resistance of 20.2 kN, confirming the tunable mechanical performance through polymer selection and structural design. Furthermore, a CFRP laminated structure with bio-inspired mortise-tenon connections was developed using biomimetic stacking sequences, with its stress distribution and failure modes under tensile loading analyzed. This work provides critical insights into the design of disassemblable joining systems for heterogeneous materials and highlights their potential for enabling reusable polymer-based composite structures in lightweight aerospace applications, pending further experimental validation.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":183,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Polymer Science","volume":"143 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}