Journal of Polymers and the Environment最新文献

{"title":"Selective Laser Sintered PCL/Mg-Zn Composite Scaffolds: Mechanical Enhancement and Degradation Regulation","authors":"Baike Shi,&nbsp;Dongying Li,&nbsp;Meigui Chen,&nbsp;Bin Wang,&nbsp;Xiaohui Liu,&nbsp;Yushu Zhang,&nbsp;Mengqi Li,&nbsp;Yong Xu","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03950-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03950-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Enhancing mechanical load-bearing capacity while accelerating degradation rates is a critical challenge for polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds in tissue engineering applications. To address this, polycaprolactone/magnesium-zinc alloy (PCL/Mg-Zn) composite porous scaffolds were fabricated using triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) design combined with selective laser sintering (SLS) technology. On the one hand, the Mg-Zn alloy particles embedded in the matrix act as a rigid reinforcing phase, effectively bearing greater loads and inhibiting crack propagation, thereby significantly enhancing the scaffold’s mechanical properties. On the other hand, the galvanic corrosion effect between the Mg-Zn alloy particles and the catalytic degradation cycle formed between the PCL and Mg-Zn alloy synergistically regulate the scaffold’s degradation behavior. More interestingly, the incorporation of the Mg-Zn alloy significantly enhanced the scaffold’s bio-mineralization capacity, enabling rapid HA deposition in SBF solution. Experimental results indicate that the mechanical strength of the PCL/Mg-Zn composite scaffold was significantly improved, with compressive and tensile strengths increasing by 98.2% and 125.30%, respectively. Furthermore, the weight loss rate of the composite scaffold was 1.2 times that of PCL, indicating that the Mg-Zn alloy effectively modulates its degradation behavior. Encouragingly, the composite scaffold also exhibited good hydroxyapatite-inducing capacity. Finally, cell viability experiments demonstrated that both the PCL and PCL/Mg-Zn composite scaffolds exhibited good biocompatibility and cell viability.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148838253","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":"Sustainable Chitosan/Essential Oil Nanocomposite as a Multifunctional Bio-Coating of Historical Cellulose Substrates for Enhanced Antifungal and Anti-Aging Performance","authors":"Saeede Soleimani,&nbsp;Maryam Afsharpour","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03951-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03951-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The chemical preservation and antifungal protection of historical cellulosic documents remain a significant challenge in sustainable conservation science. Traditional synthetic fungicides often pose environmental risks and lack long-term compatibility with the delicate cellulose matrix. In this study, a sustainable multifunctional coating was developed by encapsulating <i>thyme</i> essential oil within chitosan nanoparticles and applied to historical cellulose-based paper. The antifungal performance of <i>thyme</i> essential oil (EO), nanochitosan (NC), and the resulting nanocomposite (ECC) was evaluated against <i>Aspergillus niger</i> and <i>Penicillium sp</i>., two common fungi found in libraries and archival collections. The protective effect of the nanocomposite was further assessed through thermal and biological aging tests by monitoring changes in tensile strength, acidity, color changes, cellulose structure, and fiber morphology. The results show that the nanocomposite enhances the antifungal efficiency and solves the shortcomings of chitosan and <i>Thyme</i> essential oils in the paper. The nanocomposite exhibited inhibition zones of 29 mm against <i>Aspergillus niger</i> and 42 mm against <i>Penicillium sp</i> after 7 days. In addition, the treated paper retained 98.6% of its original tensile strength after aging and reduced color changes (ΔE = 1.2) compared with the chitosan nanoparticles (ΔE = 2.69). The improved performance of the nanocomposite is attributed to the combined properties of chitosan and <i>thyme</i> essential oil. Chitosan as a reinforcing biopolymer provided mechanical reinforcement and an alkaline reserve (ΔpH=-0.07), while the encapsulation strategy improved the stability of the essential oil, resulting in enhanced resistance against oxidative degradation and aging-induced deterioration. These findings demonstrate that chitosan/<i>thyme</i> essential oil nanocomposites offer a promising environmentally friendly approach for the long-term preservation of historical cellulosic artifacts by integrating antifungal protection, deacidification, and structural stabilization within a simple coating system.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148838173","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":"Publisher Correction: From Saline Habitats to Sustainable Bioactive Polymers: Physicochemical and Biological Insights into Water Extracts from Salicornia Neei Lag","authors":"Gustavo Cabrera-Barjas,&nbsp;Aleksandra Nesic,&nbsp;Cynthia Meza,&nbsp;Pablo Castro-Varela,&nbsp;Roberto Abdala-Diáz,&nbsp;Aldo Borjas,&nbsp;Alina Ursu,&nbsp;Cedric Delattre,&nbsp;Heng Ying,&nbsp;Aparna Banerjee","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03930-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03930-3","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148837705","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":"Lightweight, Flexible, and Sustainable Piezoresistive Foams based on EVA/PCL Composites with Biochar for Wearable Electronics and Motion Monitoring","authors":"Boon Peng Chang,&nbsp;Subhasis Das,&nbsp;Andrei Veksha,&nbsp;Grzegorz Lisak,&nbsp;Anatoli Kurkin,&nbsp;Wei Jing Koo Wynn,&nbsp;Lay Poh Tan,&nbsp;Vitali Lipik","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03898-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03898-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Lightweight and flexible polymer-based foam sensors hold great promise for wearable electronics and motion monitoring applications, offering excellent adaptability and sensitivity. Despite growing interest in sustainable technologies, the realization of a green and circular economy in wearable device design still faces significant challenges. In this work, we developed a piezoresistive foam sensor using poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA)/polycaprolactone (PCL) blends reinforced with biosource-based carbon (biochar) derived from pine sawdust residues. Lightweight EVA/PCL foam composites were achieved by incorporating expandable microspheres during the melt-blending process followed by compression foaming, resulting in low-density foams with good piezoresistive sensitivity and mechanical robustness. The morphology, phase connectivity, and conductive carbon network formation within the composites were thoroughly investigated. The fabricated piezoresistive foam sensor demonstrated acceptable sensitivity of 0.09 kPa⁻¹ in detecting human motion, making it a promising candidate for wearable electronic applications. Additionally, the partially biodegradable composition with high bio-based and sustainable content (up to 40 wt%) aligns with global sustainability goals, offering an eco-friendly solution for next-generation green electronics within a circular economy framework.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148836304","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":"Sustainable Avocado Seed Starch Nanoparticles for Limonene Encapsulation: A Novel Immunomodulatory Delivery System","authors":"Guilherme L. Alves,&nbsp;Gislane O. Ribeiro,&nbsp;Maria Carolina B. Di Medeiros,&nbsp;Luciano M. Lião,&nbsp;Luísa C. Coelho,&nbsp;Anamélia L. Bocca,&nbsp;Maria I.G. Leles,&nbsp;Ricardo N. Marreto,&nbsp;Kátia F. Fernandes","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03955-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03955-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>D-limonene is a bioactive monoterpene with recognized antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, whose therapeutic application is severely constrained by its high volatility, sensitivity to oxidation, and poor aqueous solubility. Nanoencapsulation within biopolymeric matrices represents a promising strategy to overcome these limitations. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and characterize chemically modified avocado seed (<i>Persea americana</i> Miller) starch nanoparticles, produced via a simple one-step nanoprecipitation method, for D-limonene encapsulation, evaluating their physicochemical properties, long-term stability, and immunomodulatory potential. Acetylation of the starch was confirmed by FTIR, ¹³C NMR, and degree of substitution (DS) determination, which collectively demonstrated successful introduction of acetyl groups into the polymer backbone and the resulting increase in hydrophobicity that underlies the encapsulation capacity of the nanocarrier. Thermogravimetric analysis further characterized the physicochemical properties of the modified starch and nanoparticles. The resulting nanoparticles displayed mean diameters lower than 350 nm, predominantly homogeneous size distributions (PdI &lt; 0.3), zeta potentials ranging from − 10.46 to − 13.77 mV and encapsulation efficiency higher than 80% in two formulations. Long-term stability assessment demonstrated preservation of colloidal integrity after 10 months under refrigerated storage, with retention of approximately 69% of initial encapsulation efficiency. TEM analysis revealed small, globular particles with smooth surfaces and narrow size distribution, while FT-IR spectroscopy provided surface chemistry characterization consistent with limonene confinement within the nanoparticle core. In vitro release studies demonstrated a sustained, gradual release profile, with 59.1% of the encapsulated DL released after 24 h and release kinetics best described by a first-order model, with Fickian diffusion as the dominant transport mechanism. Immunological analysis demonstrated a potent and context-dependent immunomodulatory potential of ASNP-DL1. In vitro assays showed the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in macrophages and dendritic cells, concurrently maintaining anti-inflammatory IL-10 at basal levels, indicating a coordinated shift toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype. These findings underscore the potential of this sustainable nanocarrier as a versatile platform that effectively addresses the physicochemical limitations of D-limonene, positioning this sustainable, agriculturally-derived nanocarrier as a promising candidate for immunomodulatory therapies with broad pharmaceutical and biotechnological relevance.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-026-03955-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148837886","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":"Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) Composite Membrane Containing Tetracycline Microspheres and Andrographolide for the Treatment of Periodontitis","authors":"Nootchanartch Panith,&nbsp;Sasivimon Pramual,&nbsp;Aree Wanasuntronwong,&nbsp;Rudee Surarit,&nbsp;Jisnuson Svasti,&nbsp;Nuttawee Niamsiri","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03945-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03945-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membrane plays an important role in barrier function and regeneration of supporting cells for periodontitis treatment. However, bacterial infection is currently considered as the major reason for GTR failure in clinical applications. Our work is focused on formulating a composite GTR membrane composed of a biodegradable polymer poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), co-loaded with the antibiotic tetracycline encapsulated in microspheres (TCMS) and the bioactive molecule andrographolide (AG), denoted as PHBV:TCMS/AG membrane. The encapsulation efficiency of TC and AG in PHBV:TCMS/AG membrane was found to be 86.4% and 81.1%, respectively. The membrane morphology, surface hydrophilicity and mechanical properties were investigated. The PHBV:TCMS/AG membrane showed controlled release of TC and AG over 18 days, and exhibited antibacterial activities against periodontitis-causing bacteria <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> and <i>Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans</i>. Thus, the composite PHBV:TCMS/AG membrane demonstrates sustained dual-drug release and its efficacy in suppressing the growth of periodontal pathogens.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782909","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":"GO-Modified Pectin-Based Biopolymer Hydrogel for Sustainable Basic Fuchsin Removal from Wastewater: Process Optimization and Multiscale Mechanistic Insights","authors":"Aseel M. Aljeboree,&nbsp;Khawla K. Jasim,&nbsp;Haider Ali Dhaher,&nbsp;Ayad F. Alkaim","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03943-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03943-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A novel graphene oxide-functionalized pectin-graft-poly(acrylic acid-co-polyvinyl alcohol) hydrogel composite (PEC-g-(AAc/PVA)/GO) was successfully fabricated via free-radical polymerization and evaluated as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of Basic Fuchsin (BF) from aqueous media. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization using FTIR, XRD, TGA, FESEM-EDX, BET, and TEM confirmed the successful formation of a porous, heterogeneous, and thermally stable hydrogel network enriched with abundant adsorption-active functional groups. Swelling studies demonstrated enhanced hydrophilicity and network flexibility, with maximum swelling observed under neutral conditions. Process optimisation using response surface methodology based on the Box–Behnken design identified optimum adsorption conditions at pH 7, 30 °C, 60 min contact time, 0.08 g adsorbent dosage, and 900 mg L⁻¹ initial dye concentration. Adsorption kinetics were best described by the pseudo-first-order model (R² = 0.9768–0.9987), while equilibrium data were most accurately represented by the Freundlich isotherm model (R² = 0.9896–0.9997), indicating multilayer adsorption on a heterogeneous surface. The maximum adsorption capacity predicted by the Langmuir model was 1198.11 mg.g⁻¹. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH = + 10.67 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS = + 93.53 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, and ΔG = − 31.23 to − 36.87 kJ mol⁻¹) confirmed a spontaneous and endothermic adsorption process. The developed hydrogel retained more than 85% of its adsorption efficiency after ten regeneration cycles and exhibited excellent performance in real water samples. Molecular dynamics simulations and DFT calculations (ωB97XD/6-31G(d,p)) revealed stable dye–surface interactions, governed predominantly by dispersion forces, complemented by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding, with significant electron-density redistribution upon complex formation. Preliminary economic assessment further demonstrated the practical feasibility of the developed material. These findings establish PEC-g-(AAc/PVA)/GO as a highly efficient, reusable, and scalable adsorbent for advanced wastewater treatment applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782708","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":"Immunomodulatory Activity of a Low-molecular-weight β-glucan Produced by Liquid Fermentation of Chaetomium globosum","authors":"Zichao Wang,&nbsp;Feifei Qin,&nbsp;Yixin Shi,&nbsp;Xueyan Zhou,&nbsp;Haozhi Yuan,&nbsp;Qi Wang,&nbsp;Yahui Yang,&nbsp;Xueqin Wang,&nbsp;Guojun Wang,&nbsp;Yanli Qi,&nbsp;Lemei An","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03952-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03952-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>High molecular weight generally limits the water solubility and practical applications of β-glucans. In present study, a low-molecular-weight, water-soluble β-glucan was directly produced by <i>Chaetomium globosum</i> through submerged fermentation (28 ℃ for 7 days), with a yield of 1.54 ± 0.17 g/L. The structural characteristics of this β-glucan, designated β-glucan-CG, were characterized using chromatography, FT-IR, NMR, electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy, revealing a carbohydrate content of 98.37 ± 0.52% and an average molecular weight of 5.3 kDa. After treatment of RAW264.7 cells with 5 mg/mL β-glucan-CG for 24 h, the results demonstrated that β-glucan-CG not only enhances the phagocytic activity of macrophages but also significantly stimulates RAW264.7 cells to produce immune-related factors, including NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Notably, at 5 mg/mL, β-glucan-CG increases NO production to 27.62 ± 2.14 µmol/L, approximately twofold higher than that in the control group. These findings highlight β-glucan-CG as a promising immunomodulatory ingredient for food, medical and cosmetic applications, and emphasize green and controllable submerged fermentation as a key technological advantage for producing low-molecular-weight and water-soluble β-glucans.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782722","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":"Structural Reinforcement of Alginate Biopolymer Matrices with Silk Fibroin for Stable Whole-Cell Biocatalysts","authors":"Somaye Imanparast,&nbsp;Mehrdad Azin,&nbsp;Saeed Mirdamadi,&nbsp;Sanaz Jafari","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03944-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03944-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Whole-cell immobilization provides an attractive alternative to purified enzyme systems, although matrix instability and mass-transfer limitations often restrict industrial application. In this study, silk fibroin was integrated into calcium alginate microbeads to fabricate a mechanically reinforced composite for immobilization of heat-treated glucose isomerase (GI; EC 5.3.1.5)-producing <i>Streptomyces olivochromogenes</i>. FTIR analysis suggested additional intermolecular interactions between fibroin and alginate, consistent with improved structural cohesion of the composite matrix. Compared with alginate-only beads, fibroin-containing composites exhibited enhanced compressive resistance, improved pore interconnectivity, and superior structural integrity during repeated batch operation. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated increased thermal stability of fibroin-containing matrices, while silica incorporation further increased residual mass (38.08%) and delayed thermal degradation. However, the denser silica-containing matrix was associated with higher apparent <i>K</i>m values and lower catalytic activity, suggesting increased diffusion resistance. Under reaction conditions of 60 °C, 3 M glucose, and pH 7.0, fibroin–alginate immobilized cells retained more than 80% of their initial activity after 20 reuse cycles and maintained approximately 91% activity after four months of storage at 25 °C. These results demonstrate that fibroin reinforcement enhances the structural stability of whole-cell immobilization matrices while preserving effective substrate accessibility, providing a reusable biopolymer platform for industrial glucose isomerization.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782723","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":"Sustainable Waterborne Polycaprolactone/Chitosan Coatings for Potentially Recyclable and Compostable Paper-Based Packaging","authors":"Catalina Obando-Garzón,&nbsp;Yesfrin Castellanos,&nbsp;Pilar Hernández-Muñoz,&nbsp;Rafael Gavara,&nbsp;Carol López-de-Dicastillo","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03948-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03948-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Sustainable and compostable coatings for paper-based packaging substrates represent a promising strategy to replace conventional petroleum-derived packaging materials while improving substrate performance. In this work, environmentally friendly waterborne coatings based on blends of the immiscible polymers polycaprolactone (PCL) and chitosan (CS) were developed for the first time through an emulsification–evaporation approach. The proposed methodology enabled the production of stable aqueous polymer dispersions with controlled concentrations by adjusting emulsion parameters, allowing the stabilization of coatings with high CS content despite polymers immiscibility. This approach yields formulations with adjustable PCL/CS ratios and complementary functional properties, while avoiding the use of organic solvents in the final coating system. The coatings were applied onto two paper substrates and a commercial poly(lactic acid) (PLA) film, and their barrier and surface properties of the resulting multilayer systems were comprehensively evaluated. The effects of thermal post-treatment and double coating application were also investigated. The developed coatings significantly enhanced oxygen barrier performance, achieving permeability reductions of up to 98% compared with uncoated paper substrates and 69% relative to uncoated PLA film. In addition, the surface properties of paper were markedly improved, increasing both water and oil repellency, with water contact angle values increasing from 56° to 99° and oil contact angle values from 17° to 67°. Overall, the combination of biodegradable PCL and bio-based chitosan in stable waterborne formulations provides a sustainable route for the development of high-performance coatings designed for paper-based packaging applications with potential compatibility with recyclable and compostable end-of-life scenarios.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-026-03948-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782721","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}