Journal of Polymer Research最新文献

{"title":"Fabrication and performance of CA-PK-PVP membrane for oil-in-water emulsion separation","authors":"Syed Khizer Arshad,&nbsp;Pen-Chi Chiang,&nbsp;Chang-Tang Chang","doi":"10.1007/s10965-026-05093-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10965-026-05093-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The increasing global demand for clean water and the limitations of conventional wastewater treatment technologies have accelerated interest in sustainable membrane-based solutions. In this study, a novel cellulose acetate-poly ketone-polyvinylpyrrolidone (CA-PK-PVP) composite membrane was fabricated through a non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. The uniqueness of this work lies in the combined use of cellulose acetate as a hydrophilic biopolymer, poly ketone as a mechanically reinforcing and solvent-resistant component, and PVP as a hydrophilic pore-forming agent to tune membrane morphology and separation performance. Different CA: PK ratios (9:1, 8:2, 7:3 and 5:5) were first investigated, and the CA₈-PK₂ membrane showed the best balance between permeability and oil rejection. Further incorporation of PVP significantly enhanced membrane porosity and surface hydrophilicity, leading to the formation of an asymmetric porous structure with improved water transport pathways. The optimized CA₈-PK₂-PVP₅ membrane exhibited a low water contact angle of 42.3° and a high oil contact angle of 124.7°, indicating excellent hydrophilic and oleophobic surface properties. In addition, the membrane showed improved mechanical strength of approximately 23 MPa and good solvent resistance after long-term immersion in ethanol, hexane, isopropanol, and toluene. Among all fabricated membranes, CA₈-PK₂-PVP₅ achieved the optimal separation performance, with a high water flux of 848 L m⁻² h⁻¹ and oil rejection above 99% under a low operating pressure of 100 mbar. The membrane also effectively separated different oil-in-water emulsions, including hexane, toluene, xylene, and petroleum ether, while maintaining stable rejection performance over repeated filtration cycles. These findings demonstrate that the synergistic integration of CA, PK, and PVP provides an effective strategy for preparing high-performance membranes for oily wastewater treatment.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":658,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymer Research","volume":"33 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148837501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Polymeric composites based on polyacrylic with polyethylene glycol and calcium chloride for atmospheric water harvesting","authors":"Carlos Aarón Martínez-Castillo,&nbsp;Vladimir Alonso Escobar-Barrios,&nbsp;Sergio Díaz-Castañón","doi":"10.1007/s10965-026-05081-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10965-026-05081-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Materials for Atmospheric Water Harvesting (AWH) have emerged as an alternative to address freshwater scarcity, which affects millions of people. Such materials are able to absorb moisture from the environment and can condense it without being near natural resources like rivers, lakes or oceans. In this study, polymeric composites have been synthesized using poly(acrylic acid) incorporating calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) for efficient moisture absorption, condensation and self-water release. The obtained results show that it was possible to achieve a maximum moisture absorption of 1.49 g_moisture/g_composite in 12 h at 90% relative humidity and simultaneous spontaneous water release of 73% (1.09 g_water/g_composite) without external heating. In addition, the composite remained functional along several days of study in outdoor analysis and released 0.23 g_moisture/g_composite despite environmental fluctuations. FTIR analysis confirmed the integration of PEG and CaCl₂, while DSC results indicated thermal stability at room temperature. The composite maintained 44% of its initial absorption capacity after ten sorption-desorption cycles.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":658,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymer Research","volume":"33 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148837502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recent progress in the green synthesis, modification, and high-end applications of sulfone polymers (2015–2026)","authors":"Rui Xiao,&nbsp;Jinyong Wang,&nbsp;Huanfeng Jiang,&nbsp;Dongzhen Li,&nbsp;Wanqing Wu","doi":"10.1007/s10965-026-05075-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10965-026-05075-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Sulfone polymers are amorphous aromatic thermoplastics in which each repeating unit contains a sulfone group connected to phenylene rings by aryl ether linkages. This architecture imparts high glass transition temperatures, resistance to oxidation and hydrolysis, dimensional stability, and transparency, and has established bisphenol A polysulfone (PSF), polyethersulfone (PES), and polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) as mainstays of the specialty engineering plastics market. Existing reviews consider sulfone polymers either as membrane materials or primarily from a synthetic perspective; the complete manufacturing chain from sulfur feedstock to a finished high-end component has not been examined systematically. This review covers literature published from 2015 to 2026 and is organized around this value chain. We first analyse the industrial state of the art by examining chlorosulfonation, the sulfuric acid and sulfur trioxide routes to 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone, and one- and two-step solution polycondensation to PSF, PES, and PPSU. We conducted a comprehensive comparison of these process routes. The resulting bottlenecks define the central theme of the review: green synthesis. At the monomer stage, we assess solvent-free and recyclable-acid sulfonylation, sulfide oxidation with H₂O₂ and O₂/air, palladium-catalyzed C–H sulfonylation, and solid sulfur dioxide surrogates that valorise surplus industrial sulfur. At the polymer stage, we assess ionic-liquid and zwitterionic media, phase-transfer catalysis, AB-type self-polycondensation, continuous and process-intensified polymerization, melt polycondensation, and oxidative conversion of poly(arylene sulfide)s, and identify opportunities to integrate monomer-level and polymer-level green chemistry. Modification strategies, including blending, copolymerization, grafting, and stimuli-responsive functionalization, are then linked to the high-end applications that now drive demand: proton- and ion-exchange membranes, water treatment, gas separation, haemodialysis, and epoxy toughening. Finally, we identify the most promising strategies and current best-performing materials, analyze the origins of the remaining bottlenecks, and outline research priorities and translational pathways for moving these technologies from the laboratory to industrial deployment.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":658,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymer Research","volume":"33 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148783233","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fish skin–derived collagen–chitosan composite membranes: Structure, properties, and packaging performance","authors":"Nhan Thi Thanh Dang,&nbsp;Chi Bao Nguyen,&nbsp;Thang Quoc Le","doi":"10.1007/s10965-026-05094-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10965-026-05094-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Sustainable and bio-based polymer materials are increasingly investigated as alternatives to synthetic plastics. In this study, type I collagen was extracted from catfish (<i>Pangasius bocourti</i>) skin, a seafood processing byproduct, and blended with chitosan to fabricate collagen–chitosan composite membranes. The structure and properties of the membranes were systematically characterized in terms of morphology, intermolecular interactions, thermal stability, water resistance, and antibacterial functionality. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed composition-dependent microstructural features, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated intermolecular interactions between collagen and chitosan chains. The composite membranes exhibited enhanced thermal stability and reduced water solubility with increasing structural compatibility. The functional performance of the optimized membrane was further evaluated using persimmons (<i>Diospyros kaki</i>) as a model system under refrigerated storage conditions, demonstrating reduced moisture loss and delayed visible deterioration compared with unwrapped controls. The results illustrate how structure–property relationships govern the functional behavior of collagen–chitosan composites and highlight the potential of fish skin–derived collagen as a sustainable biopolymer resource.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":658,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymer Research","volume":"33 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148783234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Material-process-property relationships in SLA 3D printed photocurable PLA/TPU Blends for tunable mechanical and elastic recovery properties","authors":"Paritosh Tomar,&nbsp;P Sumanth,&nbsp;P Vishalini,&nbsp;Aparna Zagabathuni","doi":"10.1007/s10965-026-05091-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10965-026-05091-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Photocurable polymer blends combining rigid and elastomeric phases are of increasing interest for stereolithography (SLA), yet systematic studies on PLA–TPU systems under UV-curing conditions remain scarce. In this work, photocurable polylactic acid (PLA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) resins were blended at ratios of 30:70, 50:50, and 70:30 and fabricated by systematically varying UV exposure time (2–50 s) and layer thickness (0.025–0.10 mm). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed physical blending without covalent bond formation, while increased UV exposure promoted enhanced interfacial interactions through curing-induced network densification. Mechanical performance showed strong composition and process dependence: PLA-rich blends (70:30) achieved the highest break stress (28.22 MPa), elastic modulus (168.40 MPa), and toughness (~ 1401 mJ/mm³) at a 0.025 mm layer thickness, whereas TPU-rich blends (30:70) exhibited superior ductility and elastic recovery (~ 51.24%), as supported by nanoindentation analysis. Increasing UV exposure time consistently improved tensile strength and toughness by enhancing curing efficiency and interlayer adhesion, while reducing layer thickness minimized curing defects and further strengthened the printed structures. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed thermal stability well above physiological temperatures, and contact angle measurements (42–59°) demonstrated tunable surface wettability. Overall, this study provides a clear and quantitative framework for tailoring the mechanical, elastic, and surface properties of SLA-printed PLA–TPU blends through controlled composition and processing parameters.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":658,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymer Research","volume":"33 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148837765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fabrication and characterization of optimized PHB/BCP/PVA-based scaffolds for potential bone tissue regeneration","authors":"Shifa Ibrahim Shaikh,&nbsp;Nandini Robin Nadar,&nbsp;S. C. Sharma,&nbsp;G. Satheesh Babu,&nbsp;Srividya Shivakumar","doi":"10.1007/s10965-026-05090-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10965-026-05090-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The present work reports the fabrication and evaluation of PHB, PVA, PHB/PVA, and PHB /PVA/BCP electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. The scaffolds were synthesized through an optimized electrospinning method and characterized using FESEM, EDS, FTIR, XRD, mechanical testing, sterility, biofilm formation, water absorption, and degradation studies. FESEM analysis confirmed uniform, bead-free fibers with interconnected porosity, with PHB/PVA/BCP showing enhanced surface roughness and BCP particle distribution. EDS verified the successful incorporation of Ca (4.25%) and P (2.56%) within the composite. Furthermore, FTIR and XRD confirmed the presence of characteristic PHB and PVA functional groups and clear crystalline peaks of BCP, indicating strong polymer-filler interactions. Additionally, mechanical strength revealed that PVA exhibited the highest tensile strength (83.29 MPa) and elongation (64.76%), while PHB showed the highest stiffness (1017 MPa). The PHB/PVA/BCP scaffold demonstrated balanced mechanical properties (UTS 25.10 MPa; Young’s modulus 21.0 MPa), suitable for supporting early-stage bone regeneration. Sterility tests confirmed that PHB-containing scaffolds remained stable in culture media, while PVA dissolved rapidly. Although no scaffold exhibited antibacterial activity, biofilm analysis showed the lowest biofilm formation on PHB (P1) after 24 and 48 h. Water absorption studies showed maximum uptake in PVA (300%), moderate swelling in PHB/PVA (150%), and controlled absorption in PHB/PVA/BCP (125%). Degradation analysis revealed minimal mass loss in PHB (20% at 5 weeks), rapid dissolution of PVA, and accelerated but controlled degradation in PHB/PVA (55%) and PHB/PVA/BCP (50%). Furthermore, in-vitro cytocompatibility of the scaffolds was evaluated using MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cells through MTT assay. The PHB/PVA/BCP scaffold exhibited the highest cell proliferation rate (132%), followed by PHB (123%) and PHB/PVA (109%), whereas pure PVA demonstrated comparatively lower proliferation (84%) relative to the untreated control (100%). The PHB/PVA/BCP scaffold exhibited excellent morphology, bioactivity, cytocompatibility, and controlled degradation, demonstrating its potential for bone tissue regeneration.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":658,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymer Research","volume":"33 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148836308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Facile construction of coordination polymer sodium cobalt diphosphonate-based composite material with enhanced adsorption properties for lead ions","authors":"Xuejiao Ju,&nbsp;Wansong Zhang,&nbsp;Ping Yin,&nbsp;Yuzhong Niu,&nbsp;Yanbin Xu,&nbsp;Feng Wang","doi":"10.1007/s10965-026-05087-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10965-026-05087-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A novel composite material (MWCNTs/NaCo-Pz) has been developed by integrating hydroxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes and sodium cobalt diphosphonate-based coordination polymer through a facile in situ hydrothermal synthesis method. The as-synthesized coordination polymer-based composite material has exhibited excellent adsorption properties of effective lead ions removal. The adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, adsorption thermodynamics, adsorption selectivity, and adsorption mechanism of MWCNTs/NaCo-Pz for lead ions have been investigated. The corresponding kinetic results of lead ions adsorption by MWCNTs/NaCo-Pz followed the pseudo-second-order model and the Elovich kinetic model, and gave the highest coefficients of linear approximation <i>R</i> = 0.989 and 0.978, respectively. The experimental data fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm, and the predicted adsorption capacity of MWCNTs/NaCo-Pz for lead ions could reach 534.38 mg/g at 35 °C. The adsorption thermodynamic parameters Δ<i>G</i>, Δ<i>H</i> and Δ<i>S</i> of MWCNTs/NaCo-Pz were − 13.05 kJ mol^− 1 (35 °C), 26.84 kJ mol^− 1, and 96.94 J K^− 1 mol^− 1, respectively. Furthermore, the adsorption process parameters have been optimized using response surface methodology (RSM), and the maximum adsorption capacity (592.69 mg/g) for lead ions could be achieved under the optimum operating conditions. From this perspective, the extraordinary features of MWCNTs/NaCo-Pz for lead ions adsorption could ensure applicability and feasibility in environmental remediation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":658,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymer Research","volume":"33 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148783237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Liquefaction of bamboo and Japanese cedar bark in a PEG-400/Glycerol system for producing bio-based polyols and polyurethane adhesives","authors":"Inti Palina Jyothi,&nbsp;Pei-Yu Kuo,&nbsp;Sankar G","doi":"10.1007/s10965-026-05077-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10965-026-05077-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Polyols are essential intermediates in the production of polyurethanes, which are widely used in applications such as foams, coatings, adhesives, and elastomers. In this study, bamboo and Japanese cedar bark were liquefied using a polyethylene glycol-400 (PEG-400)/glycerol co-solvent system to produce bio-based polyols. The resulting liquefied products were characterised by hydroxyl number, acid number, liquefaction yield, residual content, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The bamboo-derived polyol exhibited a hydroxyl value of 297 mg KOH g⁻¹ and a liquefaction yield of 91.9%, whereas the Japanese cedar bark-derived polyol exhibited corresponding values of 283 mg KOH g⁻¹ and 91.3%. Both biomass feedstocks produced bio-polyols with comparable liquefaction yields. FT-IR confirmed the characteristic functional groups of the liquefied bio-polyols and the corresponding polyurethane adhesives, while TGA and DSC revealed differences in their thermal response during heating. The liquefied bio-polyols were subsequently used to prepare polyurethane (PU) adhesives containing different proportions of biomass-derived polyol. Tensile strength and failure mode were evaluated under different curing conditions. Bamboo-based adhesives exhibited relatively consistent tensile strength across the investigated formulations, whereas bark-based adhesives showed higher mean tensile strength for some formulations, although variation among replicate measurements was observed. Both adhesive systems predominantly exhibited cohesive failure. The results demonstrate that bamboo and Japanese cedar bark are promising renewable feedstocks for producing bio-based polyols suitable for polyurethane adhesive applications, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived materials.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":658,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymer Research","volume":"33 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148837195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fabrication and functional evaluation of polyvinyl alcohol films reinforced with bio-derived silicified microcrystalline cellulose and zinc oxide nanoparticles","authors":"Ajmal Thayyullathil,&nbsp;Subair Naduparambath,&nbsp;C M Naseera,&nbsp;F M Liyakhath,&nbsp;E K Vydhehi,&nbsp;Leena Palakkal,&nbsp;R Jeevana,&nbsp;Muhammad Ismayil K M","doi":"10.1007/s10965-026-05082-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10965-026-05082-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Biodegradable films with enhanced barrier, UV- shielding, antimicrobial and mechanical properties are highly desirable for food packaging, protective coatings and biomedical applications. In this context, Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) composite films reinforced with bio-derived Silicified Microcrystalline Cellulose (SMCC) and Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were fabricated to develop biodegradable multifunctional films with enhanced properties. Bare PVA, PVA/MCC and PVA/SMCC films were also fabricated to assess the individual and synergistic effect of Microcrystalline Cellulose, SMCC and ZnO nanoparticles on the overall performances of films. On analysis, PVA/SMCC showed reduced water uptake and water vapour transmission compared to PVA/MCC while PVA/SMCC-ZnO exhibited the lowest moisture absorption by restricting polymer chain mobility. Antibacterial studies revealed no activity for PVA, PVA/MCC and PVA/SMCC, while PVA/SMCC-ZnO film exhibited a distinct inhibition zone of ~ 11 mm against both E. coli and S. aureus, which is attributed to ZnO induced reactive oxygen species generation and membrane disruption. Soil burial studies demonstrated that MCC enhances the biodegradability of PVA, while SMCC and ZnO suppresses the biodegradation due to their antimicrobial nature. FE-SEM analysis supported these findings, revealing severe surface deterioration in PVA/MCC films, moderate degradation in PVA/SMCC, and minimal morphological changes in PVA/SMCC–ZnO films. Contact angle increased from 67.3° (PVA/MCC) to 86° (PVA/SMCC) and 92° (PVA/SMCC–ZnO), indicating enhanced hydrophobicity. Mechanical testing indicated that PVA/SMCC–ZnO possessed superior tensile strength with reduced elongation at break. Overall, the synergistic interaction of SMCC and ZnO significantly enhanced the barrier, antibacterial, and mechanical performance of PVA, underscoring their suitability for advanced packaging applications.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":658,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymer Research","volume":"33 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148783347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A green strategy for improving the crystallization of polylactic acid: influence of tomato peel residue on its crystallization and melting behavior","authors":"Jianghua Du,&nbsp;Junxia Li,&nbsp;Tingting Yang,&nbsp;Yingchun Yu","doi":"10.1007/s10965-026-05088-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10965-026-05088-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Polylactic acid (PLA) poses significant challenges in practical processing and application because of its inherently slow crystallization kinetics. This paper proposes a green and low-cost modification strategy by investigating the effect of waste biomass, tomato peel residue (TP), on the crystallization performance and melting behavior of PLA. The results demonstrate that TP with an average particle size of 4.56 μm after ultrafine grinding can significantly promote the crystallization process of PLA. Under isothermal crystallization conditions at 96 °C, the addition of 5 wt% TP notably reduced the half-crystallization time of PLA from 10.05 min to 1.55 min, corresponding to an approximately 6.5-fold increase in the crystallization rate. Under non-isothermal conditions at a cooling rate of 5 °C/min, the degree of crystallinity was enhanced by 6.8-fold. These improvements are substantially superior to the effects achieved by single-component lignin or cellulose under identical conditions. Further analysis via crystallization kinetics and surface free energy characterization indicates that TP primarily facilitates PLA crystallization by providing abundant heterogeneous nucleation sites and strengthening interfacial interactions. The multi-component composite system of TP exhibits a distinct synergistic enhancement effect. This work provides an economical and green strategy for designing high-performance, fully biodegradable PLA composites and is expected to advance the high-value utilization of agricultural waste in the field of sustainable materials.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":658,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymer Research","volume":"33 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148783080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}