Polymer Degradation and Stability最新文献

{"title":"Synergistic UV shielding and radical scavenging: Bifunctionalized ZnAl-LDH for enhanced photothermal oxidative stability of polypropylene","authors":"Zeshi Hao ,&nbsp;Shuqiong Liu ,&nbsp;Yuying Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111985","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111985","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) hold significant promise as antioxidant carriers for enhancing the aging resistance of polymers. However, their widespread application is hampered by inherent limitations such as low antioxidant loading capacity, diminished activity post-intercalation, and insufficient ultraviolet (UV) shielding. This study presents a strategic dual-modification approach: the UV absorber (UV-284) was intercalated into the ZnAl-LDH interlayers, constructing an intrinsic \"UV shield\" while the hindered phenolic antioxidant (AO) was covalently grafted onto the LDH surface using γ-glycidyl ether oxypropyl trimethoxysilane (KH-560) as a bridging molecule. This process successfully created a synergistic anti-aging system, denoted ULKA, which integrates both UV shielding and radical scavenging functionalities. Results demonstrate that the intercalation of UV-284 reduced the band gap of ULKA from 3.84 eV to 2.88 eV, significantly enhancing its absorption of low-energy ultraviolet light. Furthermore, the introduction of an electron-donating ester group into the antioxidant molecule increased the electron cloud density around the phenolic hydroxyl groups, thereby improving its radical capture efficiency. Incorporating merely 1 wt% of ULKA into polypropylene (PP) via melt blending yielded PP/ULKA composites with superior resistance to photo-thermal oxidation compared to both pure PP and PP containing an equivalent amount of commercial antioxidant Irganox 1010. After 600 h of UV accelerated aging, the PP/ULKA composite retained 85.94% of its impact strength and 81.76% of its elongation at break, significantly outperforming PP/1010. The oxidation induction time (OIT) of the composite reached 22.7 min. Following 28 days of thermal oxidative aging at 110 °C, the increase in the carbonyl index (CI) was merely 0.93%, far lower than the 3.5% increase observed for pure PP. XPS analysis further confirmed that the <em>C</em> = <em>O</em>/C-C intensity ratio increased by only 0.018, a value significantly lower than those of other samples. This work provides a novel design strategy and experimental foundation for developing highly efficient and migration-resistant anti-aging additives for polymers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"247 ","pages":"Article 111985"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171923","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":"Imparting polyvinyl alcohol enhanced biodegradability, tunable water-solubility, melt processability, and antibacterial activity simultaneously","authors":"Deming Zhou ,&nbsp;Chenji Zhang ,&nbsp;Feipeng Yuan ,&nbsp;Leyan Li ,&nbsp;Lifan Li ,&nbsp;Jiapeng Ye ,&nbsp;Kun Luan ,&nbsp;Zaixing Zhang ,&nbsp;Lingxiao Jing ,&nbsp;Ruizhi Xue ,&nbsp;Tonghua Zhang ,&nbsp;Jinggao Wu ,&nbsp;Shuangqing Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111998","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111998","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a biodegradable polymer with great potential for sustainable applications. However, its susceptibility to bacterial growth, low biodegradation efficiency, low melt processability, and uncontrollable water solubility limit its wide spreading practical application. Herein, we report a chemical copolymerization strategy to overcome those limitations. Modified PVA (PVA<em>-co-</em>ADMH) was prepared by copolymerizing vinyl acetate (VAc) with the N-halamine monomer 3-allyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (ADMH). The biodegradability, thermal properties, antibacterial activity, and water solubility of the synthesized PVA<em>-co-</em>ADMH were evaluated. Composting degradation and soil burial tests showed that, within 30 days, the biodegradation efficiency of PVA<em>-co-</em>ADMH reached 47.1% and 35.4%, respectively, whereas those of pristine PVA were only 15.3% and 5.7%. Enzymatic degradation experiment demonstrated the enhanced biodegradability of PVA<em>-co-</em>ADMH that hydrolytic enzymes can selectively degrade it. Thermal property test indicated that PVA<em>-co-</em>ADMH has a minimum melting temperature of 185.4 °C, endowing it with favorable melt processability. Antibacterial and water solubility tests showed that PVA<em>-co-</em>ADMH exhibited an antibacterial rate of 99.99% after chlorination and could be completely dissolved within 1 min. These results confirm that the copolymerization strategy of VAc with a low proportion of ADMH can improve the biodegradability and water solubility of PVA, while imparting it with antibacterial activity and melt processability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"247 ","pages":"Article 111998"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171487","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":"In vitro hydrolytic and photooxidative stability of polyester-based materials for clear orthodontic aligners","authors":"Tahar Sif eddine Bouchema ,&nbsp;Johanna Saunier ,&nbsp;Jessica Mauriello ,&nbsp;Brice Savard ,&nbsp;Najet Yagoubi","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111930","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111930","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the stability of PETG material used in clear orthodontic aligners (COAs). The material was subjected to hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis, and hot aqueous environments. The objectives were to reproduce different situations that can occur during the intraoral aging of COAs when patients fail to follow the orthodontist's instructions or clean their aligner, and to evaluate the impact on the material properties and the compounds leached under these conditions, two factors that can have consequences for the performance and safety of the device. Changes in surface chemical groups were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while surface hydrophobicity was assessed by measuring the water contact angle. Monitoring of leaching products was performed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Furthermore, the thermomechanical properties were studied using several techniques, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).</div><div>The most significant impact on the device was observed in an alkaline environment, during photooxidation, and after contact with hot or alcoholic beverages. These alterations manifested in different ways: the PETG chains can be degraded, resulting in the formation of small degradation products, whose leaching can be promoted by the interaction with the liquid simulant. The released products differ significantly depending on the storage conditions and may have consequences for patient safety. Interactions with environment can also modify the thermo-mechanical behavior, and alter the surface properties. The surface of the device can be modified through the formation of a rougher surface during hydrolysis, the creation of cavities during photolysis and oxidation, or the formation of coatings. A significant decrease in hydrophobicity was also observed. In addition, thermomechanical properties, particularly the static and dynamic glass transition temperatures, can decrease after storage due to chain reorganization and solvent sorption. The stiffness of the device is also impacted, with a decrease in the storage modulus, particularly for alkaline solutions and photooxidation, suggesting potential consequences for the treatment efficacy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"246 ","pages":"Article 111930"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974641","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":"Flame resistant polypropylene foam enabled by a silicone/expandable graphite/montmorillonite coating","authors":"Shuheng Wang ,&nbsp;Congling Shi ,&nbsp;Yanan Hou ,&nbsp;Xiaodong Qian ,&nbsp;Kaihao Wang ,&nbsp;Jun Sun ,&nbsp;Xiaoyu Gu ,&nbsp;Sheng Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111919","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111919","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High loading of flame retardants typically impairs the mechanical and thermal insulation properties of polypropylene foam (PPF). Herein, a silicone resin-based (poly-DDPM) coating containing expandable graphite (EG) and montmorillonite (MMT) was applied to PPF via brush painting, aiming to enhance flame retardancy while preserving intrinsic performance. At an ultra-low coating loading of ∼5 mg/cm², flammability evaluations revealed significant improvements. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) increased to 31% from 21% for pure PPF, UL 94 rating reached V-0, and peak heat release rate and peak smoke production rate decreased by 35.8% and 31.3%, respectively. Additionally, the compressive strength was improved by 14.3% with retained thermal insulation property, resolving the traditional fire safety-performance trade-off. When PP matrix suffered burning, poly-DDPM formed a continuous \"Si-O\"/\"Si-C\" network that suppressed melt dripping, creating a stable base for EG to expand into a \"worm-like\" char layer. This porous structure was further reinforced by MMT, which intercalated into the char to increase pore density, reduce pore size, and enhance phonon scattering during heat penetration. Collectively, these components built a robust barrier that blocked heat, oxygen, and fuel transfer. This coated PPF composite shows strong commercial potential in structural insulation and aerospace applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"246 ","pages":"Article 111919"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145941233","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 simulation to distribution: A novel approach to depolymerization kinetics using PHB hydrolysis as a case study","authors":"Norbert Hohenauer ,&nbsp;Dominik Wielend ,&nbsp;Katharina Kelderer ,&nbsp;Jan-Michael Holzinger ,&nbsp;Gunnar Spiegel ,&nbsp;Clemens Schwarzinger ,&nbsp;Christian Paulik","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111949","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111949","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Flory–Schulz distribution has long been used to describe the probability mass function of polymerization processes, enabling the calculation of polymerization kinetics. However, an equivalent distribution function for depolymerization processes remains elusive. In this study, we present a novel simulation-assisted kinetics model to investigate the depolymerization dynamics of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB).</div><div>Our simulation replicates the random scission of a linear polymer chain and is calibrated against experimental data, yielding a conversion parameter that quantifies the extent of bond cleavage within the polymer. This conversion was then incorporated into the established pseudo second-order reaction kinetics for PHB to describe the temporal evolution of the depolymerization process.</div><div>A key assumption in the model is that oligomers with six or fewer repeating units are water-soluble and constitute the measurable depolymerization yield. The simulation provides the proportion of these small oligomers, which were fitted as a function of conversion. This relationship was integrated into the kinetics model, resulting in a predictive expression for the water-soluble yield over time.</div><div>To further simplify the application of the simulation results, we derived an analytical distribution function that approximates the fragment length distribution resulting from random chain scission. This distribution reproduces the simulation outcomes with high accuracy and enables easier application in analytical and modeling contexts. Together, the kinetics model and distribution function offer a comprehensive and practical framework for understanding and predicting polymer degradation behavior.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"246 ","pages":"Article 111949"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073693","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 coating for polyester/spandex fabrics with carbon black/melamine polyphosphate/aluminum diethylphosphinate dispersion: flame retardancy and antistatic protection","authors":"Xian-Wei Cheng ,&nbsp;Jia-Yi Song ,&nbsp;Zheng-Yi Wang ,&nbsp;Ying-Jie He ,&nbsp;Jun Wu ,&nbsp;Jun-Hui Yang ,&nbsp;Kang Tao ,&nbsp;Jin-Ping Guan","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111956","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111956","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of sustainable, multifunctional polyester/spandex (T/S) protective fabrics is of increasing importance for advanced textile applications. In this study, a stable and multifunctional dispersion comprising melamine polyphosphate (MPP), aluminum diethylphosphinate (ADP), and carbon black (CB) was prepared via zirconia bead-assisted grinding and subsequently applied to T/S fabrics using a roll-bake coating process with the aid of polyacrylate adhesive. The coated T/S fabrics were systematically evaluated for color characteristics, antistatic performance, flame retardancy, combustion behavior, and underlying flame-retardant mechanisms. The results revealed that the coated T/S fabrics exhibited stable black coloration and excellent antistatic property, with minimal impact on tensile strength and air permeability. Furthermore, the coated T/S fabrics demonstrated self-extinguishing behavior, with a significantly reduced damaged length of about 7.1 cm and no molten dripping. The limiting oxygen index reached 27.5%, indicating enhanced flame resistance. They also displayed significantly suppressed heat release capacity. Mechanistically, MPP and ADP promoted the formation of a stable char layer through acid catalysis and carbonization, while releasing phosphorus-containing radicals and inert gases that disrupted flame-propagating reactions and reduced local oxygen concentration, effectively inhibiting combustion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"246 ","pages":"Article 111956"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073695","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":"Organic-inorganic epoxy-polysilazane hybrid adhesives: High-temperature structural stability and self-reinforced interfaces","authors":"Haochen Guo ,&nbsp;Haotian Xiao ,&nbsp;Weigui Kang ,&nbsp;Xiaoqing Sun ,&nbsp;Zijie Xu ,&nbsp;Jian Xu ,&nbsp;Xiaoxiao Zhang ,&nbsp;Tianhao Li ,&nbsp;Chongwen Yu ,&nbsp;Yujie Song","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111955","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111955","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High-temperature stability in epoxy adhesives often relies on rigid structures, such as benzene rings, which increase brittleness and limit polar group mobility, deteriorating adhesion performance. However, good adhesion performance requires flexible segments and polar groups, which lowers high-temperature stability. Such limitations restrict the use of epoxy adhesives in extreme environments. In this work, we cured E44 epoxy resin with organic-inorganic hybrid polysilazane (PSZ). PSZ forms a densely crosslinked network with epoxy molecular segments while simultaneously generating Si-O-Si inorganic structures within the network. The inorganic structure Si-N and Si-O in this network exhibits better thermal stability than that of benzene-ring-containing epoxies. Furthermore, the hybrid network shows unique dynamic behavior at high temperatures: The organic epoxy structure contributes to high adhesion ability, while the inorganic siloxane backbone provides high-temperature stability. The siloxane backbone also exhibits flexibility at elevated temperatures, which allows the crosslinked molecular segments to undergo relaxation and rearrangement. This process optimizes their conformation, giving the polymer chains better interfacial adaptability and increasing their Van der Waals forces with the substrate. This high-temperature interface self-enhancement effect results in the system retaining up to 35% of its adhesion strength at 250°C and retaining up to 80% after 250°C high-temperature aging. The inorganic structure's protection of the carbon chains also enables the system to meet flame retardancy requirements. This work expands applications of epoxy resin adhesives in extreme environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"246 ","pages":"Article 111955"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073699","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":"Macromolecular mobility changes in virgin and thermally aged epoxies","authors":"Emmanuel Richaud ,&nbsp;Takato Ishida ,&nbsp;Nicolas Delpouve ,&nbsp;Hideaki Hagihara","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111938","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111938","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Epoxy diamine systems were thermally oxidized at 110 °C under air. The impact of ageing on the macromolecular relaxation dynamics was monitored using DMA in multi-frequency multi-temperatures mode, whereas structural changes were sought from sol-gel measurements and Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS) measurements. The analyses lead to the conclusion that chain scissions first occur, but are compensated by crosslinking at long ageing times. Thus, the structural heterogeneity increases, as evidenced from the free volume hole sizes distribution. To estimate the changes of relaxation parameters with ageing, the experimental data were exploited using Williams–Landel–Ferry (WLF) and Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann–Hesse (VTFH) equations, showing respectively that C₂^g increases meanwhile the fragility index (m) decreases. These variations are monotonous despite the dual degradation mechanism. It is assumed that the relaxation dynamics are essentially influenced by the cooperativity drop, resulting from internal crosslinks and antiplasticization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"246 ","pages":"Article 111938"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146035633","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":"Ring-opening graft polymerization of poly(p-dioxanone) from α-1,3-glucan for high-strength, thermoplastic, marine biodegradable materials","authors":"Zhengyu Su ,&nbsp;Jin Ho Seok ,&nbsp;Satoshi Kimura ,&nbsp;Tadahisa Iwata","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111928","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111928","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Poly(<em>p</em>-dioxanone) (PDO) is a biodegradable polyester that combines excellent flexibility and good biocompatibility, showing broad application prospects in biomedicine and other fields. To further expand its potential uses, α-1,3-glucan-<em>graft</em>-poly(<em>p</em>-dioxanone) (α-1,3-glucan-<em>graft</em>-PDO) copolymers were synthesized via ring-opening graft polymerization in an ionic liquid using 4-dimethylaminopyridine as a catalyst. The introduction of PDO side chains imparted thermoplasticity to α-1,3-glucan, enabling the fabrication of hot-pressed films, while the grafted PDO side chain content allowed tunable control over mechanical and thermoplastic properties. The α-1,3-glucan-<em>graft</em>-PDO copolymer films exhibited a broad range of performance: higher PDO content enhanced flexibility, whereas isothermal annealing and uniaxial stretching dramatically improved mechanical properties, achieving a tensile strength up to ∼130 MPa. Marine biodegradability was evaluated by Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) testing in seawater, showing all α-1,3-glucan-<em>graft</em>-PDO copolymers were microbially degradable, with faster degradation observed at higher PDO content. This study demonstrates a strategy to expand the applicability of PDO by leveraging the advantages of α-1,3-glucan, thereby producing a material that combines high strength and marine biodegradability, with greater potential for sustainable applications requiring high mechanical properties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"246 ","pages":"Article 111928"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974643","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":"A transparent, room-temperature self-healing, and flame-retardant peach gum-based vitrimer enabled by boronic ester bonds for sustainable materials","authors":"Ningning Zhang,&nbsp;Aoqian Xi,&nbsp;Wenpei Chen,&nbsp;Ting Huang,&nbsp;Yurong Zeng,&nbsp;Li Zhou,&nbsp;Yanning Zeng","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111937","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.111937","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recyclable bio-based vitrimers present a promising pathway to mitigate environmental pollution and diminish reliance on petroleum resources. However, integrating multiple functionalities, including flame retardancy, room-temperature self-healing, antibacterial activity, antioxidant performance, and closed-loop recyclability, into a single vitrimer system via a straightforward method remains a considerable challenge. Herein, we address this challenge by developing multifunctional bio-based vitrimers derived from natural peach gum polysaccharide (PGB) through direct curing with 1,4-phenylenebisboronic acid. The resulting cross-linked network exhibits excellent room-temperature self-healing capability, achieving over 94% healing efficiency within 180 min, attributable to the dynamic boronic ester bonds. Furthermore, the PGB vitrimers demonstrate outstanding flame retardancy, achieving a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 33.8% and a UL-94 V-0 rating. They also possess significant antioxidant activity (&gt;85% DPPH radical scavenging rate) and exhibit strong antibacterial efficacy against <em>S. aureus</em>, with an average inhibition zone diameter of 15.3 mm. Owing to their multifunctionality, sustainability, and straightforward preparation, these peach gum-derived vitrimers hold great potential for advanced applications in coatings, packaging, and soft electronics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"246 ","pages":"Article 111937"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145975016","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}