PolymersPub Date : 2025-04-27DOI: 10.3390/polym17091191
Mumin Tutar
{"title":"Reinforcement of Polylactic Acid Parts Manufactured Additively by Material Extrusion Method by Adding Monofilament Polyester Mesh Interlayers.","authors":"Mumin Tutar","doi":"10.3390/polym17091191","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17091191","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the use of monofilament polyester mesh interlayers to enhance the mechanical performance of PLA parts produced by fused filament fabrication (FFF). Through tensile and bending tests conducted on samples manufactured with varying numbers of reinforcement layers (0, 1, 2) and extrusion temperatures (210 °C, 230 °C, 250 °C), it was determined that extrusion temperature significantly influences mechanical properties; low temperatures led to insufficient adhesion issues, while increasing temperatures generally improved strength. It was also found that polyester mesh reinforcement particularly increased tensile strength at low temperatures, but this effect diminished or became negative at higher temperatures. In conclusion, this research suggests that the incorporation of reinforcement mesh interlayers in FFF offers a promising hybrid approach to improve mechanical properties with proper parameter selection.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12073349/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143977160","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2025-04-27DOI: 10.3390/polym17091190
Ze-Liang Gao, You-Wei Cui
{"title":"Static Magnetic Field Increases Polyhydroxyalkanoates Biosynthesis in <i>Haloferax mediterranei</i>: Parameter Optimization and Mechanistic Insights from Metabolomics.","authors":"Ze-Liang Gao, You-Wei Cui","doi":"10.3390/polym17091190","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17091190","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), as biosynthetic and biodegradable polymers, serve as alternatives to petroleum-based plastics, yet face critical cost barriers in large-scale production. While magnetic field (MF) stimulation enhances microbial activity, the optimal MF parameters and metabolic mechanisms for PHA biosynthesis remain unexplored. This study optimized magnetic field parameters to increase PHA biosynthesis in <i>Haloferax mediterranei</i>. A custom-engineered electromagnetic system identified 110 mT of static magnetic field (SMF) as the optimal level for biosynthesis, reaching 77.97 mg/(L·h) PHA volumetric productivity. A pulsed magnetic field caused oxidative stress and impaired substrate uptake despite increasing PHA synthesis. Prolonged SMF exposure (72 h) maximized PHA productivity, while 48 h of exposure attained 90% efficiency. Metabolomics revealed that SMF-driven carbon flux redirection via regulated butanoate metabolism led to a 2.10-fold increase in (R)-3-hydroxybutanoyl-CoA), while downregulating acetoacetate (0.51-fold) and suppressing PHA degradation (0.15-fold). This study pioneers the first application of metabolomics in archaea to decode SMF-induced metabolic rewiring in <i>Haloferax mediterranei</i>. Our findings establish SMF as a scalable bioenhancement tool, offering sustainable solutions for the circular bioeconomy.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12073411/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144050611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2025-04-27DOI: 10.3390/polym17091196
Xiang Qiu, Jing Xie, Jun Mei
{"title":"Recent Advances in the Applications and Studies of Polysaccharide-, Protein-, and Lipid-Based Delivery Systems in Enhancing the Bioavailability of Capsaicin-A Review.","authors":"Xiang Qiu, Jing Xie, Jun Mei","doi":"10.3390/polym17091196","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17091196","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The primary active ingredient in capsicum is capsaicin. However, capsaicin bioavailability is low due to its restricted water solubility, and its potent spicy flavor will further restrict its use in food. This paper provides a complete overview of capsaicin. The biological activity of capsaicin and its impacts on metabolism in vivo are described. To increase capsaicin stability and bioavailability, several capsaicin-based delivery systems, including liposomes, double emulsions, nanoparticle mesosystems, and multiple systems made of distinct hydrocolloids, are covered in this review. Finally, potential uses for food preservation are introduced in line with this. Numerous delivery systems introduced in this review have effectively solved the problems of poor water solubility and poor bioavailability of capsaicin. Although capsaicin has potential uses in food preservation, there is little research on its application in functional food development. More innovative capsaicin-based delivery methods should be established, and more capsaicin-based applications should be developed in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12073809/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143977158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2025-04-27DOI: 10.3390/polym17091194
Jingwen Li, Anbang Li, Yupeng Li, Siqi Zhu, Lin Song, Song Liu, Ronge Xing, Kecheng Li
{"title":"Preparation of Chitooligosaccharides with Specific Sequence Arrangement and Their Effect on Inducing Salt Resistance in Wheat Seedlings.","authors":"Jingwen Li, Anbang Li, Yupeng Li, Siqi Zhu, Lin Song, Song Liu, Ronge Xing, Kecheng Li","doi":"10.3390/polym17091194","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17091194","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chitooligosaccharides (COS) exhibits good activity of inducing plant resistance, but the structure-activity relationship is still unclear. In this study, chitin oligosaccharides (CHOS) with a degree of polymerization (DP) of 2~6 were used as raw materials. Three deacetylases (NodB, <i>Vc</i>COD, and <i>Ar</i>CE4A) were employed to prepare three different sequence-arranged COSs, namely N-COS, C-COS, and A-COS, and their structures were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. Further studies were conducted on inducing the plant salt resistance of the three different sequence-arranged COSs on wheat seedlings. The results showed a sequence-dependent effect of COS inducing plant salt resistance. Among them, A-COS exhibited the best activity. When sprayed at a concentration of 10 mg/L on wheat seedlings under salt stress for 3 days, the leaf length of the wheat seedlings sprayed with A-COS was recovered, and the wet mass and dry mass were recovered by 20.40% and 6.64%, respectively. Following the enhancement of proline accumulation, the malondialdehyde content decreased by 34.75%, and the Na<sup>+</sup>/K<sup>+</sup> ratio also exhibited a significant reduction, thereby alleviating salt stress-induced damage. This study was the first to demonstrate the effect of COS with specific sequences on inducing plant salt resistance, providing a theoretical basis for the development of a new generation of efficient COS plant biostimulator.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12074182/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144041527","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Design Strategies of PEDOT:PSS-Based Conductive Hydrogels and Their Applications in Health Monitoring.","authors":"Yingchun Li, Xuesi Zhang, Shaozhe Tan, Zhenyu Li, Jiachun Sun, Yufeng Li, Zhengwei Xie, Zijin Li, Fei Han, Yannan Liu","doi":"10.3390/polym17091192","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17091192","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Conductive hydrogels, particularly those incorporating poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), have revolutionized wearable health monitoring by merging tissue-like softness with robust electronic functionality. This review systematically explores design strategies for PEDOT:PSS-based hydrogels, focusing on advanced gelation methods, including polymer crosslinking, ionic interactions, and light-induced polymerization, to engineer hierarchical networks that balance conductivity and mechanical adaptability. Cutting-edge fabrication techniques such as electrochemical patterning, additive manufacturing, and laser-assisted processing further enable precise microstructural control, enhancing interfacial compatibility with biological systems. The applications of these hydrogels in wearable sensors are highlighted through their capabilities in real-time mechanical deformation tracking, dynamic tissue microenvironment analysis, and high-resolution electrophysiological signal acquisition. Environmental stability and long-term durability are critical for ensuring reliable operation under physiological conditions and mitigating performance degradation caused by fatigue, oxidation, or biofouling. By addressing critical challenges in environmental stability and long-term durability, PEDOT:PSS hydrogels demonstrate transformative potential for personalized healthcare, where their unique combination of softness, biocompatibility, and tunable electro-mechanical properties enables seamless integration with human tissues for continuous, patient-specific physiological monitoring. These systems offer scalable solutions for multi-modal diagnostics, empowering tailored therapeutic interventions and chronic disease management. The review concludes with insights into future directions, emphasizing the integration of intelligent responsiveness and energy autonomy to advance next-generation bioelectronic interfaces.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12073221/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144013455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2025-04-27DOI: 10.3390/polym17091193
George D J Phillies
{"title":"Review: Mean-Square Displacements of Simulated Polymers.","authors":"George D J Phillies","doi":"10.3390/polym17091193","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17091193","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We review simulations of polymeric fluids that report mean-square displacements g(t) of polymer beads, segments, and chains. By means of careful numerical analysis, but contrary to some models of polymer dynamics, we show that hypothesized power-law regimes g(t)∼tα are almost never present. In most but not quite all cases, plots of log(g(t)) against log(t) show smooth curves whose slopes vary continuously with time. We infer that models that predict power-law regimes for g(t) are invalid for melts of linear polymers.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12073395/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143989930","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2025-04-27DOI: 10.3390/polym17091197
Gaziza M Zhumanazarova, Akmaral Zh Sarsenbekova, Lyazzat K Abulyaissova, Irina V Figurinene, Rymgul K Zhaslan, Almagul S Makhmutova, Raissa K Sotchenko, Gulzat M Aikynbayeva, Jakub Hranicek
{"title":"Study of Mathematical Models Describing the Thermal Decomposition of Polymers Using Numerical Methods.","authors":"Gaziza M Zhumanazarova, Akmaral Zh Sarsenbekova, Lyazzat K Abulyaissova, Irina V Figurinene, Rymgul K Zhaslan, Almagul S Makhmutova, Raissa K Sotchenko, Gulzat M Aikynbayeva, Jakub Hranicek","doi":"10.3390/polym17091197","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17091197","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This research presents the results of a combined numerical and experimental study of the thermal decomposition behavior of copolymers based on polypropylene glycol fumarate phthalate. The thermal decomposition of polymers plays a key role in various fields, such as waste recycling and energy recovery, and in the development of new materials. The objective of this study is to model the degradation kinetics using thermogravimetric data, matrix-based numerical methods, and quantum chemical calculations. To solve the resulting systems of linear algebraic equations (SLAEs), matrix decomposition algorithms (QR, SVD, and Cholesky) were employed, which enabled the determination of activation energy values for the process. Comparison of the activation energy (<i>E<sub>a</sub></i>) results obtained using the decomposition method of Cholesky (207.21 kJ/mol), normal equations (205.22 kJ/mol), singular value decomposition (206.23 kJ/mol), and QR decomposition (206.23 kJ/mol) showed minor changes that were associated with the features of each method. Quantum chemical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G(<i>d</i>) level were performed to analyze the molecular structure and interpret the IR spectra. This study establishes that the content of functional groups (ether and ester) and the type of chemical bonds exert critical influences on the decomposition mechanism and associated thermal parameters. The results confirm that the polymer's structural architecture governs its thermal stability. The scientific novelty of this work lies in the integration of numerical approximation methods and quantum chemical analysis for investigating the thermal behavior of polymers. This approach is applied for the first time to copolymers of this composition and may be employed in the design of heat-resistant materials for agricultural and environmental applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12073326/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144040314","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2025-04-27DOI: 10.3390/polym17091202
Sara Naderizadeh, Anna Faggionato, Muhammad Umar Nazir, Rosario Mascolo, Mohammad Mahbubul Hassan, Emiliano Bilotti, James J C Busfield
{"title":"The Thermal and Mechanical Performance of Leather Waste-Filled Bio-Based Thermoplastic Polyurethane Composites.","authors":"Sara Naderizadeh, Anna Faggionato, Muhammad Umar Nazir, Rosario Mascolo, Mohammad Mahbubul Hassan, Emiliano Bilotti, James J C Busfield","doi":"10.3390/polym17091202","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17091202","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The leather tanning industry generates a substantial quantity of solid waste, which, in part, is discarded in the environment in landfills or incinerated. One alternative end-of-life solution is to manufacture engineered materials by forming composites with a thermoplastic polymer/binder. In this work, leather fibres (LFs) were melt-compounded into partially bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), at leather fibre contents between 10 and 30% (TPU/LF), followed by compression moulding or 3D printing. The results showed that the incorporation of LF into the polymer matrix produced materials with a Young's modulus comparable to that of leather. The melt extrusion processing influenced the polymer chain orientation and the resulting mechanical performance. The cyclic stress softening and abrasion resistance of the TPU/LF materials were evaluated to understand the potential of this material to be used in the footwear industry. The level of LF incorporation could be tailored to produce the specific targeted mechanical properties. This work demonstrates that LF could be used to produce materials with a high potential to be used in the fashion industry.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12074012/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144041533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2025-04-27DOI: 10.3390/polym17091188
Ana I Lopes, Adma Melo, Tiago B Afonso, Sara Silva, Lillian Barros, Freni K Tavaria, Manuela Pintado
{"title":"Alginate Edible Films Containing Essential Oils: Characterization and Bioactive Potential.","authors":"Ana I Lopes, Adma Melo, Tiago B Afonso, Sara Silva, Lillian Barros, Freni K Tavaria, Manuela Pintado","doi":"10.3390/polym17091188","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17091188","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Essential oils (EOs) are natural substances rich in phenolic compounds with notable antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. However, they present some limitations, such as low stability and bioavailability. Incorporating EOs into polymeric films offers a novel approach to overcome these challenges while enhancing their efficacy. In this study, we produced and thoroughly characterized alginate-based edible films incorporated with five different EOs-rosemary, eucalyptus, oregano, sage, and thyme. This is the first comprehensive investigation to include this diverse range of EOs in alginate films. Their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were also evaluated. The results demonstrated that alginate films containing EOs exhibited significant bioactive properties. Notably, the film incorporated with oregano EO completely inhibited the growth of all tested bacteria and fungi and showed the highest antioxidant activity. Based on these findings, alginate films containing EOs present promising bioactive potential and could serve as biodegradable alternatives to conventional packaging materials, reducing environmental impact. However, further studies are necessary to assess their safety profile and confirm their viability as replacements for traditional food packaging. Future research should focus on evaluating cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and the practical application of these films in food matrices.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12073713/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144041764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2025-04-27DOI: 10.3390/polym17091186
Mehmet Palabiyik, Serhat Aydin, Oguzkan Senturk
{"title":"Investigation of the Mechanical, Fatigue, and Creep Properties of PA6/GO Nanocomposites Manufactured by a Combination of Melt and Solvent Mixing.","authors":"Mehmet Palabiyik, Serhat Aydin, Oguzkan Senturk","doi":"10.3390/polym17091186","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17091186","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the mechanical, fatigue, and creep properties of polyamide 6 (PA6)/graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites manufactured by a combination of melt and solvent mixing. Results showed that increasing GO content improved tensile and bending properties and reduced temperature dependence. The tensile modulus and strength of PA6/GO nanocomposite containing 1 wt.% GO (PA6 + 1GO) were measured with an increment of 33% and 37%, respectively, compared with neat PA6. The reduction in tensile strength occurred gradually with the increasing amount of GO. As the temperature increased from 25 °C to 70 °C, the tensile strength of PA6 and PA6 + 1GO decreased by 20% and 4%, respectively. Fatigue tests demonstrated that the rigid GO particles hindered the deformation capability of the matrix and facilitated crack propagation. While the PA6 reached 10<sup>5</sup> cycles at 60% of its tensile strength, PA6 + 1GO was able to reach 10<sup>5</sup> cycles at 35% of its tensile strength. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed that GO enhanced both storage modulus and glass transition temperature (T<sub>g</sub>). Creep tests demonstrated better deformation resistance under stress in PA6/GO nanocomposites compared to pure PA6. After a 10 h creep test, the decrease in creep strain was observed as 52.4% for PA6 + 1GO.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12073737/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144009325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}