Polymer Degradation and Stability最新文献

{"title":"An eco-friendly PVA/XG/AP nanocomposite multifunctional shield for wood with high flame retardancy and superior thermal insulation","authors":"Hui Ren,&nbsp;Shun-Zhi Zhou,&nbsp;Tian Yu,&nbsp;Meng Jin,&nbsp;Jia-Rong Chen,&nbsp;Bin Wu,&nbsp;Zhong-Xiang Tang,&nbsp;Ning Ma,&nbsp;Fang-Chang Tsai","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111684","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111684","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Traditional flame-retardant methods for wood, which employ organic reagents and halogens, are detrimental to human health and the environment. Therefore, a PVA (Polyvinyl alcohol)-based coating (PX-AP) incorporating xanthan gum (XG), phytic acid (PA), and aluminum phosphate (AP) was developed to enhance flame retardancy, antibacterial performance, and thermal insulation of wood. XG improves viscosity, stabilizes AP suspension, facilitates carbon formation, and collaborates with AP to form a dense char layer. PX-AP achieves UL-94 V-0 rating with LOI &gt; 60 %; TGA results show residual carbon content increases by 102.8 % compared to natural wood; cone calorimeter tests indicate Total heat release (THR) decreases by 36.9 % and Peak heat release rate (pHRR) by 43.7 %; and the maximum backside combustion temperature drops by 44.1 % in thermal insulation tests. Bio-inorganic carbon armor enhances fire-resistance &amp; structural integrity of wood for safer evacuation. It also exhibits strong adhesion, meeting diversified demands for wood applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 111684"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145154989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multifunctional DOPO-based polydopamine nanospheres for simultaneous flame retardancy and antibacterial enhancement in epoxy composites","authors":"Wei Liu ,&nbsp;Xiaosui Chen ,&nbsp;Yipei Zhang ,&nbsp;Yuhang Huang ,&nbsp;Shuzheng Liu ,&nbsp;Aiqing Zhang ,&nbsp;Shengchao Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111681","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111681","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To develop multifunctional epoxy (EP) composites integrating good flame retardancy, suitable mechanical performance, and superior antibacterial properties, a nanosphere-shaped flame retardant (PDA@KH560-DOPO) was fabricated by grafting 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) onto polydopamine (PDA) nanospheres via the bridging of silane coupling agent KH560. This additive exhibited two distinct degradation stages with low maximum degradation rates (1.79 and 1.52 %/min) and high charring ability (58.6 % at 700 °C) under N₂ atmosphere. The EP composite containing 8 % PDA@KH560-DOPO achieved a limited oxygen index (LOI) of 31.8 % and a UL-94 V-0 rating, while maintaining good tensile and impact properties comparable to neat EP. The cone calorimeter test showed reductions in peak heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR), and total smoke production (TSP) by 48.1, 32.1, and 19.0 % respectively. This is attributed to the cooperative flame-retarding mechanisms combining staged free-radical scavenging (phenoxy and P-containing radicals), inert gas dilution, and a reinforced char barrier (18.1 wt% in cone calorimeter test). Crucially, the composite also exhibited potent antibacterial activity, with over 94 % inhibition rate against Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus). This work provides a practical pathway for expanding the applications of EP composites into domains that require fire-safe and hygienic standards.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 111681"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145154960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"OBITUARY – David McKeen Wiles","authors":"Norman Billingham","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111673","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111673","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 111673"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145118637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From network degradation to mechanical brittleness: The aging response of epoxy vitrimers","authors":"Ben Jewell,&nbsp;Trisha Sain","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111654","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111654","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The growing use of composite materials in engineering has intensified the need for sustainable alternatives to traditional thermoset polymers, which are difficult to recycle and contribute to environmental pollution. Vitrimers, a class of covalently adaptable network polymers capable of bond exchange reactions, offer a promising solution by combining the mechanical robustness of conventional thermosets with the potential for reprocessing and recyclability. However, their long-term stability under extreme environmental conditions remains underexplored. This study investigates the effects of oxidative and hydrolytic aging on a DGEBA-based vitrimer system formulated with glutaric anhydride and zinc acetylacetonate. By subjecting samples to accelerated aging conditions and analyzing changes in macromolecular structure, thermal behavior, and mechanical performance using FTIR, DMA, microscopy, nano-indentation, and tensile testing, we explored the degradation mechanisms that govern vitrimer durability in extreme environments and evaluated their potential for long-term structural applications. Although both oxidation and hydrolysis are identified as coupled diffusion-reaction processes in bulk polymers, their degradation mechanisms for the chosen vitrimer were found to differ significantly. Hydrolysis exhibited an initial period of mass gain due to water sorption, followed by a reaction-dominated phase characterized by substantial mass loss via bulk erosion. In contrast, oxidation, limited by the low diffusivity of oxygen at atmospheric pressure, did not show a diffusion-driven mass gain or an induction period. Instead, degradation initiated immediately, resulting in an overall mass loss and the localized formation of micro-pores near the material’s outer surface. While the two extreme environments provided two differing degradation mechanisms, they shared a similar macroscopic response of increased embrittlement as aging progresses, demonstrated by a significant reduction in peak stress and failure strain. These insights into the distinct degradation pathways and their converging mechanical consequences provide a critical foundation for evaluating the long-term viability of vitrimers in demanding structural applications and for guiding the design of more durable, recyclable polymer systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 111654"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145154990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Study of peptide bonding under ionizing radiation in solid condensed phase under an inert atmosphere: Gas emission and radiation-induced macromolecular defects in beta-sheet-rich polyglycine","authors":"H. Al Assaad ,&nbsp;O. Yahyaoui ,&nbsp;M. Ferry ,&nbsp;F. Aubrit ,&nbsp;T. Gomez-Leduc ,&nbsp;V. Pacary ,&nbsp;Y. Ngono","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111677","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111677","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Proteins are components of the human body. In the treatment of cancers, these molecules can be degraded due to the effect of irradiation. The objective of this study is to understand, at the molecular scale, the evolution of these particular molecules under ionizing radiation. Homopolypeptides were used as models to investigate the effect of molecular structure on the degradation of proteins under ionizing radiation. Since very few studies have targeted this topic, this study was performed to understand the evolution of polyglycine, a homopolymer formed from glycine, the simplest amino acid. Polyglycine samples with the highest β-sheets ratio reported were prepared and irradiated with ionizing radiation at room temperature under an inert atmosphere. Macromolecular defects and gas emission were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry respectively. By infrared spectroscopy, deconvolution of amide-related bands revealed a higher susceptibility of β-sheets to radiation-induced scissions compared to 3₁₀-helices. At very high doses (7.5 MGy), half of the initial structures were lost through structural reorganization due to the buildup of radiation-induced defects, such as secondary amides at chain ends or imine groups, resulting in a disorganized structure. The formation of new carbonyl groups, most probably ketones, was confirmed. Among radiolysis gases, H₂, CO, CO₂ and CH₄ were identified, with H₂ and CO being primary products. The formation of CO correlates with amide bond scission, while CO₂ yields exceeded expectations if its formation were solely based on carboxyl end-chain radiolysis; suggesting a contribution from residual solvent used during sample preparation. Notably, neither NH₃ nor primary amides were detected. These findings provide valuable insights into how the peptide bond responds to ionizing radiation and could be extended to the study of more structurally complex glycine-based peptides.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 111677"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145227490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impacts of aggressive aviation fluids on physical and chemical properties of aerospace-grade fiber composites","authors":"Abdulhammed K. Hamzat ,&nbsp;Fatih Altun ,&nbsp;Farzana Yeasmin ,&nbsp;Naime Unlu ,&nbsp;Ersin Bahceci ,&nbsp;Eylem Asmatulu ,&nbsp;Mete Bakir ,&nbsp;Ramazan Asmatulu","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111679","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111679","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) are crucial in the aerospace industry because of their lightweight and durable features. However, concerns exist regarding their performance when exposed to aviation fluids. This study examines how five aviation fluids—hydraulic fluid (HF), isopropyl alcohol (Iso P), dry cleaning solvent (DCS), methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and an oil-water mixture—affect aerospace-grade carbon and glass fiber composites over 15 and 30 days. MEK caused the highest fluid absorption in both composite types, with glass fiber composites being more prone to degradation. Interlaminar shear strength analysis showed that carbon fiber composites retained better resistance to delamination when exposed to aviation fluids, with MEK causing the greatest reduction in interlaminar shear strength (ILSS). Specifically, the ILSS of carbon fiber composites decreases by about 30% in MEK, while that of glass fiber composites drops by around 45%. Dynamic mechanical analysis demonstrated notable decreases in storage modulus and glass transition temperatures, indicating significant softening of the polymer matrix. Energy dispersive spectroscopy identified fluid-specific elemental signatures at fiber-matrix interfaces, such as phosphorus and sulfur enrichment in HF-treated samples and chloride penetration in MEK-exposed specimens. The superior performance of carbon fiber composites results from better interfacial stability compared to hydroxyl-rich glass fiber surfaces, which are vulnerable to chemical attack. This research provides insights for designing more fluid-resistant composites, paving the way for safer and more durable solutions in aerospace engineering.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 111679"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145118634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial degradation behavior and mechanism of polyamide 6 fibers in seawater","authors":"Hanjiao Zhang ,&nbsp;Haojia Chen ,&nbsp;Tiexian Liang ,&nbsp;Dehua Wen ,&nbsp;Xin Chen ,&nbsp;Xiaotu Liu ,&nbsp;Yan Yang ,&nbsp;Hongbing Ji","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111676","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111676","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polyamide 6 (PA6) is a widely used thermoplastic polymer. Compared to other nylons, it offers good mechanical properties as well as chemical and thermal stability. Difficult to degrade and coupled with its massive annual global production, it has rapidly become a significant ecological pollutant. Therefore, developing environmentally friendly degradation methods is an urgent need, among which microbial degradation represents a promising solution. This study conducted laboratory-simulated seawater degradation experiments on polyamide 6 (PA6) fibers. The structural changes of PA6 over a 190-day degradation period were analyzed using characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, relative viscosity, and differential scanning calorimetry. Results demonstrated significant and irregular degradation of PA6. Prolonged degradation led to decreases in relative viscosity, number-average molecular weight, melting temperature, and melting enthalpy. FTIR and XPS analyses revealed cleavage of C–C, C–N, and <em>C</em> = <em>O</em> bonds, accompanied by intensified signals of C–OH and <em>O</em> = <em>C</em>–O–C groups, indicating hydrolysis of amide bonds to generate terminal amino and carboxyl groups. Degradation product analysis suggested that the initial step of PA6 degradation primarily produced tetrameric and cyclic dimeric forms of 6-aminohexanoic acid. Further microbial community analysis and functional annotation identified <em>Proteobacteria</em> as the dominant microbial population responsible for PA6 degradation. This study provides new insights into the degradation behavior of polyamide fibers in marine environments and contributes substantially to solving the problem of marine polyamide waste.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 111676"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145118635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Incorporation of bio-based 1,5-pentanediol to fabricate thermoplastic elastomers with high resilience and biodegradability","authors":"Caohong Chen ,&nbsp;Fei Liu ,&nbsp;Tao Yang ,&nbsp;Caiqi Liu ,&nbsp;Linrong Wu ,&nbsp;Jinggang Wang ,&nbsp;Jin Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111678","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111678","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this paper, we present a direct synthesis method for producing thermoplastic elastomer with high resilience and biodegradability by simply incorporating 1,5-pentanediol (PeDO), a bio-based monomer with odd carbon atoms, to poly(1,4-cyclohexandimethanol succinate), instead of using polyether soft segment. The incorporated PeDO is able to make the crystalline and amorphous regions of the copolyester reach an equilibrium at molar content of 40 %, resulting in novel thermoplastic elastomer with remarkable resilience (shape recovery ratio over 70 % at 200 % strain), exceptional mechanical (elongation at break over 1200 %). Meanwhile, it has excellent thermal stability and biocompatibility. Unlike traditional thermoplastic polyether ester elastomers that are difficult to degrade, this elastomer also possesses excellent degradability, with a mass loss of 100 % after a 6 days degradation in enzyme solution at 37 °C. This study developed a novel, concise, and efficient construction method for the fabrication of thermoplastic polyester elastomers based on thermoplastic semi-crystalline polyester, without using polyether soft segment, thus obtain novel and sustainable thermoplastic elastomers with good biodegradability and biocompatibility.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 111678"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145105683","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing flame retardancy and mechanical performance of polycarbonate with cinnamate-containing liquid crystalline copolyester","authors":"Yao Yan,&nbsp;Zuanxin Yang,&nbsp;Songming Chen,&nbsp;Rong Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111675","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111675","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The flame-retardant modification of polymers, while preserving or enhancing their mechanical properties, is critical for engineering plastics. In this study, we develop flame-retardant polycarbonate (PC) composites with improved mechanical performance by incorporating cinnamate-containing liquid crystalline copolyester (CLCP). During the injection molding process, CLCP forms oriented microfibrils in situ, boosting the tensile strength of the composites by up to 66 %. The cinnamate groups in CLCP undergo radical-initiated thermal crosslinking, which increases melt viscosity, prevents dripping, and achieves a UL-94 V-0 rating. The primary flame retardancy mechanism occurs in the condensed phase: early decomposition of CLCP triggers thermal crosslinking, leading to the formation of a dense, graphitized char layer that reduces the peak heat release rate (PHRR) by 46.8 %, total smoke production by 17.9 %, and increases the limiting oxygen index (LOI) to 32.5 % (compared to 27.0 % for neat PC). This dual-functionality of CLCP addresses both the flammability and mechanical limitations of PC, making it a promising candidate for engineering applications requiring high-performance materials. This work introduces a novel molecular design strategy, integrating liquid crystallinity and cinnamate crosslinking, to enhance both flame resistance and mechanical properties in engineering plastics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 111675"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145106105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High-performance insulating epoxy Vitrimers: Facile modification enables ultra-high healing efficiency and closed-loop recycling","authors":"Qiang Wu ,&nbsp;Fan Shi ,&nbsp;Shuan Li ,&nbsp;Baoyan Zhang ,&nbsp;Mingping Zhou ,&nbsp;Zhijian Wang ,&nbsp;Jiping Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111680","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111680","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To develop an insulating epoxy Vitrimer exhibiting synergistic enhancement of intrinsic performance alongside recyclability under mild conditions, this study fabricates a system via a facile approach involving dipropylamine modification and a blend hardener system composed of methyl hexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA) and glutaric anhydride. The optimized D-EP30/M75 epoxy Vitrimer, containing 30 mol% dipropylamine modifier and 75 mol% MHHPA hardener, exhibits outstanding properties: an electrical breakdown strength of 38.01 kV/mm, tensile strength of 68.4 MPa, glass transition temperature (<em>T</em>_g) of 104℃, and 93 % tensile strength healing recovery.</div><div>Using ethylene glycol as a solvent at 130°C, all designed epoxy Vitrimers (2-mm-thick plates), including D-EP20/M100 with a <em>T</em>_g up to 117℃, are fully degraded within 9 h. The polyalcohols obtained via degradation (PAls) are suitable as feedstocks for epoxy resin and polyurethane preparation. This study establishes a simple and sustainable paradigm for high-performance insulating epoxy Vitrimers, integrating high healing efficiency and closed-loop recycling to address sustainability challenges, with significant promise for circular economy adoption.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 111680"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145227494","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}