Journal of Polymers and the Environment最新文献

{"title":"Feasibility of Eu3+ and Ti4+ Sorption Using Amine Functionalized Poly Acrylate hydrogel/nano Silica from Monazite Waste Aqueous Solution: Kinetic and Equilibrium Aspects","authors":"S.M. Elashry,&nbsp;M.N. Kouraim,&nbsp;A.I.L. Abd El Fatah,&nbsp;M.F. Attallah","doi":"10.1007/s10924-025-03731-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-025-03731-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The polyacrylate /nano silica (AFPA/NS) material is a newly engineered composite with modified amine density, integrated nanosilica, and a tailored pore structure designed specifically to remain stable under the ultra-low pH conditions of monazite raffinate. It is considering a novel composite material to use for sorption Eu(III) and Ti(IV) ions. Batch sorption behavior of these ions is investigated in terms of equilibrium time, mass of adsorbent, Eu(III)and Ti(IV) concentration, and pH of solution. The sorbent could absorb Eu(III) and Ti(IV) from an acidic monazite waste solution. The experimental findings indicated optimal loading capacity at pH of 0.5 with 15 min for Europium and pH of 4 with 60 min for titanium. The sorption capacity reaches its greatest of 202.08 and 125.7 mg/g for Europium and Titanium, respectively, at 298 K. The pseudo-second order kinetic model, suggesting the involvement of a chemisorption process, and the Langmuir isotherm describe the experimental data well. The values of the thermodynamic parameters proved that the adsorption process of Eu(III)and Ti(IV) onto the prepared hydrogel could be considered exothermic (∆H &lt; 0) and spontaneous (∆G &lt; 0). The AFPA/NS hydrogel exhibits high chemical stability, reusability, and fast equilibration. Further, the above procedure has been successfully employed for applying real monazite waste solution, and the results revealed that the AFPA/NS hydrogel was used successfully as a promising material for the elimination and recovery of Eu(III)and Ti(IV).</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-025-03731-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147829977","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":"3D-Printed Polycaprolactone/Gelatin Scaffolds Reinforced with Nano-Strontium Carbonate and Bioactive Glass for Enhanced Osteogenic Performance","authors":"Niloufar Keihani,&nbsp;Melika Babaei,&nbsp;Ashkan Bigham,&nbsp;Farshad Amiri,&nbsp;Seyed Ali Poursamar,&nbsp;Mohammad Reza Nilforoushan,&nbsp;Mohammad Rafienia","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03814-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03814-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Bone tissue engineering has attracted considerable interest as a strategy to address the limited regenerative capacity of large bone defects. In this study, three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds based on polycaprolactone (PCL) and gelatin (GEL), incorporating varying ratios of bioactive glass (BG) and nano-strontium carbonate (nSrCO₃), were fabricated using extrusion-based 3D printing. The printed scaffolds exhibited well-defined, interconnected porous architectures with uniformly distributed nanoparticles. BG-containing scaffolds showed smoother fiber morphology and fewer surface particulates, with the PCL–GEL/BG formulation achieving the highest porosity (88.67 ± 4.12%). Mechanical testing revealed that scaffolds with equal proportions of BG and nSrCO₃ exhibited the highest compressive strength and Young’s modulus (14.22 ± 4.91 MPa and 21.09 ± 5.45 MPa, respectively). Increasing nSrCO₃ content resulted in reduced wettability, swelling behavior, and degradation rate. Elemental analyses (ICP-OES and EDX) confirmed the homogeneous incorporation of bioactive elements and demonstrated the potential for controlled ionic release. In vitro studies showed cell viability exceeding 90% at days 1, 3, and 7, with the 50:50 nSrCO₃–BG scaffold exhibiting the most favorable cellular response. DAPI staining confirmed increased and uniformly distributed cell nuclei, while ALP activity significantly increased with Sr incorporation, indicating enhanced osteogenic differentiation. Overall, these results suggest that the PCL–GEL/nSrCO₃–BG (50/50) scaffold is a promising candidate for bone tissue regeneration.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture><span>The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.</span></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147829510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Toward Eco-functional Materials: PLA/PBAT–Graphite Filaments with Enhanced Mechanical and Electrical Performance","authors":"Samuel Nogueira Figueiredo,&nbsp;Alisson Rodrigues de Oliveira Dias,&nbsp;Antonio Aurelio Barbosa de Sousa,&nbsp;Fábio Delano Penha Marques Torres,&nbsp;Alexandre de Castro Maciel,&nbsp;Arthur Antonio Sousa Sampaio,&nbsp;Renata Barbosa,&nbsp;Tatianny Soares Alves","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03782-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03782-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The growing demand for sustainable materials in additive manufacturing has driven the development of biodegradable polymeric composites with functional properties. In this study, filaments based on a PLA/PBAT blend reinforced with different graphite contents (2.5–12.5 wt%) were produced and systematically characterized. The composite filaments were fabricated via melt extrusion and processed through 3D printing to evaluate their performance in mechanical, electrical, and flammability tests. Optical microscopy revealed good dispersion of graphite, while tensile testing indicated that graphite addition enhanced stiffness without compromising structural integrity. Impedance spectroscopy and volumetric resistivity measurements demonstrated a progressive reduction in electrical resistance, with percolative behavior emerging above 7.5% graphite, enabling antistatic functionality. Thermal stability and flammability tests (UL 94 HB) confirmed adequate performance for low-risk electronic and packaging applications. Additionally, soil burial biodegradation tests were conducted to assess the environmental stability of the developed filaments. The results showed gradual mass loss and mechanical degradation over time, indicating that the PLA/PBAT-graphite composites maintain biodegradability despite the presence of the conductive filler. From an environmental perspective, the use of a PLA/PBAT matrix—biodegradable and partially derived from renewable resources—positions these composites as promising candidates for sustainable additive manufacturing. Overall, the results demonstrate that PLA/PBAT-graphite filaments combine multifunctional performance with environmentally responsible behavior, making them suitable for applications in protective packaging, electronic enclosures, and technical components requiring both performance and ecological balance.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-026-03782-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147829400","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":"Photoresponsive PLA-based Smart Materials via Physical and Reactive Blending with Azobenzene Dyes","authors":"Iara C. Puglia,&nbsp;Francisco Marré,&nbsp;María J. Galante,&nbsp;Walter F. Schroeder,&nbsp;David A. D’Amico,&nbsp;Ileana A. Zucchi","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03842-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03842-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The development of photoresponsive bioplastics offers exciting opportunities for sustainable, functional materials in advanced applications such as sensors, packaging, and biomedical devices. In this work, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was combined with 4-phenylazophenol (AZO), an azobenzene derivative, to produce light-responsive polymers via two strategies: physical blending and reactive blending. Physical blends exploited hydrogen bonding between PLA and AZO, while reactive blending employed dicumyl peroxide to incorporate AZO into the PLA backbone, preventing dye migration. The influence of PLA morphology, amorphous vs. semicrystalline, on AZO’s optical response and diffusion was systematically investigated for the physical blends. UV-vis spectroscopy confirmed efficient <i>trans-cis</i> photoisomerization and indicated higher <i>trans</i>-isomer absorbance in semicrystalline matrices, although thermal back-isomerization kinetics were largely unaffected by crystallinity. Migration studies showed significantly reduced AZO diffusion in semicrystalline matrices and complete suppression in reactive systems, as confirmed by spectroscopy and visual inspection. Overall, reactive blending enabled the production of stable, non-leaching, photoactive PLA materials without compromising responsiveness, offering a scalable approach for the synthesis of functional bioplastics.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147797010","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biophysical Characterization of Wafers Co-loading Quercetin Loaded Chitosan-Coated Oleosomes and Polycladia Myrica-Mediated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Antiviral, Anti-inflammatory and Hepatoprotective Therapy","authors":"Mofida E. M. Makhlof,&nbsp;Mariam Zewail,&nbsp;Sahar E. Abo-Neima,&nbsp;Mohammad Y. Alfaifi,&nbsp;Ali A. Shati,&nbsp;Fatma Alzahraa Mokhtar","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03838-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03838-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study introduces a novel wafer-based nanoplatform integrating quercetin (QER)-loaded, chitosan-coated oleosomes (F3) with green-synthesized Polycladia myrica-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles (PZnONPs, 22.95–29.51 nm) into sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) matrices for enhanced antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects. Comprehensive characterization confirmed nanoscale uniformity, high QER encapsulation (96.7%), positive ζ-potential (+19.7 mV), and biphasic sustained release from F3 oleosomes (up to 120 h), further extended to 144 h in wafers with minimized burst. The dual-loaded F3/PZnONPs wafers exhibited superior hepatoprotection (IC50 = 23.25 µg/mL) over free QER, improved HAV antiviral activity via nanoencapsulation synergy, and sustained COX-2 inhibition despite lower acute potency (vs. free QER IC50 = 4.67 µg/mL), highlighting the novelty of prolonged multi-target delivery. These findings underscore the platform’s clinical translation potential, pending in vivo validation.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture><span>The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.</span></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147797065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fabrication and Characterization of Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose Nanoparticles from Eichhornia crassipes Stem","authors":"Samy A. Elsayed,&nbsp;M. A. Elhady,&nbsp;A. K. Tammam","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03836-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03836-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study presents an innovative method for extracting sodium carboxymethyl cellulose nanoparticles (Na-CMC NPs) from the lignocellulosic biomass of water hyacinth (<i>Eichhornia crassipes</i>). The process consists of two major stages: cellulose extraction and Na-CMC synthesis, followed by nanoparticle precipitation. Structural analysis confirmed the success of the extraction process, with X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealing a semi-crystalline structure with a high degree of crystallinity (81 ± 1) % and nanoparticle sizes (11–40) nm. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and NMR spectroscopy verified the substitution pattern and molecular structure. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) identified four distinct decomposition stages, indicating good thermal stability. For the first time, the dielectric properties of Na CMC NPs derived from water hyacinth were thoroughly investigated revealing a correlated barrier hopping (CBH) conduction mechanism with a relaxation activation energy of 0.12 ± 0.05 eV. Morphological characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the formation of nanoparticles with diameters ranging from (50–200) nm. The yield of Na-CMC NPs was 62 ± 3%, with a degree of substitution of 0.68. These findings highlight the potential of converting an invasive species into a functional biopolymer nanomaterial with tunable properties for potential applications in electronics, packaging, or as a sustainable polymer matrix. The work establishes a foundation for further exploration of Na-CMC NPs in specific industrial applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-026-03836-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147797080","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":"Polyserotonin-Functionalized Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanosheets as Composite Adsorbents for Uranium (VI) and Thorium (IV) Removal","authors":"Deniz Emre,&nbsp;Özlem Selçuk Zorer,&nbsp;Ali Bilici","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03843-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03843-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Effective management of radioactive nuclear waste is vital for a sustainable energy supply. However, challenges in the synthesis and design of ideal adsorbent materials with desired adsorption properties remain. Here, a novel graphitic carbon nitride-based adsorbent was developed for the removal of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) from wastewater. For this, sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride (SCN) nanosheets were prepared through the calcination of thiourea, and their surfaces were modified with polyserotonin (PS) using a simple enzymatic polymerization process. The modification process enhanced the surface area, functionality, and dispersion stability of the SCN. Batch experiments were performed at various temperatures, contact times, pH levels, and initial solution concentrations to assess adsorption performance, kinetics, and thermodynamics. The experiments showed that SCN had an excellent Th(IV) adsorption capacity of 336.43 mg/g. The PS modification increased its Th(IV) adsorption by 1.5 times (565.83 mg/g) and enhanced U(VI) adsorption performance by more than 2.5 times (from 36.88 to 94.10 mg/g). Moreover, these adsorption performances were achieved at low adsorbent concentrations (1–5 mg) and low radionuclide concentrations (5–50 mg/L). This composite adsorbent (SCN@PS) exhibited relatively good reusability and strong anti-interference properties, highlighting its stability and practical application. The adsorption mechanisms were elucidated by XPS analysis. The findings indicated that U(VI) ions selectively coordinated mainly with the oxygen atoms of the composite material, whereas Th(IV) ions coordinated mainly with sulfur atoms.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-026-03843-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147797078","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":"Surface Activation of PLA and PLA-CeO₂ Films by Atmospheric Pressure Air Plasma for Catalytic Water Treatment","authors":"J. Quezada-Urbina,&nbsp;A. Torres-Islas,&nbsp;E. Vázquez-Vélez","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03832-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03832-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The growing demand for clean water is driving the development of sustainable technologies for dye removal from wastewater. In this study, recycled polylactic acid (PLA) films and PLA-CeO₂ nanocomposites were investigated as catalytic media for plasma-assisted degradation of methylene blue (MB). Before degradation experiments, the films were surface-activated using an atmospheric-pressure corona discharge. The use of recycled PLA contributes to waste valorization within a circular economy framework. Surface analyses by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that plasma activation induces chain scission, increases crystallinity, and enhances surface roughness in PLA films. In PLA-CeO₂ nanocomposites, plasma treatment increases nanoparticle accessibility while preserving polymer structural integrity. Methylene blue degradation was carried out in a continuous flow plasma-liquid system using an atmospheric-pressure air corona discharge. Under these conditions, plasma-treated PLA films served as catalysts, achieving complete MB degradation (~100 %) within 70 minutes. Plasma-treated PLA-CeO₂ films showed a rapid initial degradation, achieving approximately 90% removal after 20 minutes, followed by a slower phase reaching approximately 96% after 60 minutes. The high catalytic activity of plasma-activated PLA is attributed to plasma-induced hydrolysis and the generation of reactive surface sites that favor heterogeneous oxidation processes. Notably, plasma-treated PLA films exhibited degradation efficiencies comparable to those of CeO₂ containing composites. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate the direct catalytic role of a plasma-activated polymeric substrate in dye degradation, positioning recycled PLA as a sustainable, low-cost platform for plasma-assisted wastewater treatment.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture><span>The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.</span></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-026-03832-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147797067","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":"Advances in Programmable Hydrogels for Regenerative Drug Delivery: A Review","authors":"Pawan Kumar,&nbsp;Jitender Sharma,&nbsp;Ravinder Kumar,&nbsp;Katerina Benova,&nbsp;Jaroslav Frantik,&nbsp;Jayendra Kumar,&nbsp;Akhilesh Patel","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03844-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03844-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Programmable hydrogels have emerged as a new generation of intelligent biomaterials capable of integrating stimuli-responsiveness, biocompatibility, and regenerative functions for precise drug delivery. Unlike traditional passive hydrogels, these systems utilize dynamic covalent and supramolecular crosslinking to achieve reversible adaptability and spatiotemporal regulation of therapeutic release. This review systematically summarizes the molecular design principles, stimuli-responsive mechanisms (pH, redox, enzyme, thermal, mechanical, and light), and crosslinking strategies that enable programmability and biodegradability within hydrogel networks. The crucial design approaches, including hybrid network architectures, molecular imprinting, and bioresponsive linkers, are highlighted as central to achieving selective and adaptive functionality. Particular focus is placed on multi-stimuli and feedback-controlled systems that coordinate drug release with biological signals to enable autonomous, context-specific therapy. Recent progress shows the integration of molecular imprinting, bioresponsive linkers, and hybrid structures that improve structural stability while maintaining responsiveness. Applications in wound healing, angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration emphasize the role of programmable hydrogels as bio-instructive matrices that modulate the immune response, preserve redox balance, and promote scar-free healing. Furthermore, emerging technologies such as AI-guided material design, 4D bioprinting, and bioelectronic integration are accelerating the development of closed-loop and patient-specific therapeutic platforms. Despite these advances, significant challenges remain, particularly regarding scalability, reproducibility, long-term stability, and the predictability of in vivo performance, which continue to limit clinical translation. Overall, programmable hydrogels mark a significant shift from static carriers to dynamic, self-regulating biomaterials for advanced regenerative medicine.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture><span>The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.</span></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147797079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tailoring Rheological and Structural Properties of Bigels for Solid Fat Replacement: Influence of Gelator Type","authors":"Gamze Hanbeyoğlu-Aktürk,&nbsp;Evren Demircan,&nbsp;Beraat Özçelik","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03845-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03845-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Conventional solid fats play a key role in food structure and texture but raise health and sustainability concerns due to their high saturated and trans-fat content and environmental impact. Bigels offer a promising alternative by combining hydrogel and oleogel networks to create healthier lipid systems without compromising functionality. This study investigates how different gelators affect rheological, textural, microstructural and thermal properties of bigels with 80:20 oleogel-to-hydrogel ratio, formulated using a lipid-based low molecular weight gelator glycerin monostearate (GMS), or a non-lipidic polymeric gelator, ethylcellulose (EC), in the oleogel, in combination with thermo-reversible hydrocolloids sodium alginate (SA) or low acyl gellan gum (GG) in the hydrogel. Rheological analysis using Ostwald-de Waele power law model showed that viscosity and shear-thinning behavior were mainly influenced by oleogelator, while bigel strength was influenced by both phases. Among all formulations, the GMS–SA bigel exhibited the highest resistance to deformation, with a storage modulus (G′) of approximately 10⁵ Pa. GMS bigels melted between 45 and 60 ℃, EC bigels remained stable during temperature changes. Furthermore, the oleogelator significantly influenced particle size and distribution: GMS-containing bigels showed larger and more broadly distributed particles (131.17–163.08 μm), whereas EC-containing bigels exhibited smaller and more uniform particles (51.75–94.08 μm). These findings provide key insights into the structural and functional properties of bigels, reinforcing their potential as solid fat replacers in plant-based high-fat food applications such as meat analogues, bakery products, and dairy alternatives.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture><span>The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.</span></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-026-03845-z.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147797011","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}