Journal of Polymers and the Environment最新文献

{"title":"Decoding Counter-Anion Effects in Bio-Ionic Liquid-Modified Methacrylated Carboxymethyl Cellulose Hydrogels: From Network Mechanics to Cytocompatibility","authors":"Syeda Bushra Rahat,&nbsp;Rabid Ullah,&nbsp;Habib Ullah,&nbsp;Muslum Demir,&nbsp;Mudassir Iqbal","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03989-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03989-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Developing biomimetic platforms that accurately replicate the native extracellular matrix remains a major challenge in tissue engineering. In this study, we report the design of a novel series of photo-crosslinked hydrogels based on methacrylated carboxymethyl cellulose (MA-CMC) integrated with choline-based bio-ionic liquids containing different counter-anions, namely chloride, acetate, propionate, glycolate, succinate, and benzoate. The primary objective was to systematically investigate how the physicochemical nature of each anion influences the structural, mechanical, and biological performance of the resulting hydrogels. Comprehensive characterization using FTIR, NMR, XRD, SEM, TGA, and tensile analysis confirmed successful synthesis and revealed formulation-dependent differences in hydrogel properties. Organic anions, particularly glycolate and benzoate, significantly enhanced macroscopic tensile strength, whereas the chloride-based system exhibited pronounced ductility and elasticity. Biological evaluation using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) demonstrated that these material differences were associated with distinct cellular responses. The chloride-modified hydrogel supported extensive cell spreading and high viability, while acetate and propionate systems promoted the formation of dense three-dimensional spheroids. In contrast, the highly rigid glycolate network was associated with restricted cellular expansion and reduced viability over time. Overall, this study demonstrates that controlled variation of bio-ionic liquid counter-anions provides a tunable strategy to modulate hydrogel mechanical properties and influence hMSC morphology and viability, offering a versatile platform for the development of next-generation biomimetic scaffolds.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132026","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":"Bio-Based Hydrophilic Polymers from Porcine Plasma Reinforced with Cellulose Nanofibers and Genipin","authors":"Estefanía Álvarez-Castillo,&nbsp;Antonio J. Capezza,&nbsp;Richard T. Olsson,&nbsp;Carlos Bengoechea,&nbsp;Antonio Guerrero","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03983-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03983-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Most superabsorbent polymers are based on non-biodegradable petroleum-derived acrylics that pose serious environmental challenges. This study explores the use of porcine plasma protein, an abundant by-product of the meat industry, to develop biodegradable hydrophilic polymers as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived materials. Materials based on porcine plasma–glycerol were reinforced with genipin, cellulose nanofibers, or both, to improve mechanical properties while maintaining the hydrophilic character. Results for samples prepared at different pH values (3, 8, and 10) indicate that both genipin and cellulose can modulate material properties. Cellulose slightly increased the degradation temperature, as determined by thermogravimetric analysis, especially at acidic pH, while the effect of genipin was less pronounced. FTIR deconvolution of the Amide I region revealed modifications in the relative contributions of β-sheet and α-helix/random coil structures after incorporation of genipin and cellulose nanofibers, indicating changes in local protein organization while largely preserving the overall secondary structure. The inclusion of 5 wt% cellulose resulted in a free swelling capacity exceeding 10 g/g at native pH, surpassing the threshold commonly used to classify a material as superabsorbent. In contrast, increasing genipin content consistently reduced free swelling capacity due to enhanced crosslinking. Rheological tests confirmed this trend, with genipin-containing systems exhibiting higher viscoelastic moduli than cellulose-reinforced materials. Genipin also reduced soluble matter loss, indicating improved network stability during immersion. Blood absorption decreased upon reinforcement with either genipin or cellulose, used individually or in combination, compared with the reference material. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of genipin and cellulose nanofibers to tailor the performance of sustainable hydrophilic polymers derived from industrial by-products.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132089","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":"Microbial Exopolysaccharide–Mediated Enhancement of Deep Eutectic Solvent‑based Eutectogels for Bio-based Functional Biomaterials","authors":"Bryan Fernando Páramo-Chávez,&nbsp;Blanca Rosa Aguilar-Uscanga,&nbsp;Álvaro de Jesús Martínez-Gómez,&nbsp;María Guadalupe Morán-Aguilar,&nbsp;Iván Costa-Trigo,&nbsp;Fabiola Vilaseca,&nbsp;Josué Raymundo Solís-Pacheco","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03991-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03991-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The development of sustainable biomaterials is essential for replacing fossil-derived materials. Natural polymers are increasingly integrated into three-dimensional (3D) printable formulations, wound-healing matrices, biocomposites, and biodegradable packaging, underscoring the need for renewable carbohydrate-based functional components. This study reports the design and photopolymerization of eutectogels (Egels) providing, to the best of our knowledge, the first evaluation of a microbial exopolysaccharide (EPS) from <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> LH04 incorporated into an Egel system for biomaterial fabrication. The optimal formulation, composed of choline chloride: xylitol: acrylic acid and supplemented with 1% EPS, exhibited enhanced performance, increasing elongation at break from ~ 460% to 628% and markedly reducing the measured electrical resistance from 457.2 ± 12.0 kΩ to 69.6 ± 5.5 kΩ. Surface analysis revealed increased hydrophilicity (contact angle reduced from ~ 47° to 32°), while thermal analysis confirmed preservation of the major endothermic transition near 255 °C. Water-uptake kinetics indicated reduced equilibrium moisture absorption. EPS-containing Egels also displayed improved adhesion, requiring ~ 198.7 ± 10.3 kPa for detachment on glass under a fixed geometry. Overall, these results suggest that microbial EPS may act as a potential structural and interfacial modulator within DES-derived polymer networks, enabling the fabrication of stable, and renewable Egels with properties relevant to soft material platforms, including flexible electronics, adhesive interfaces, and printable polymer systems. Further studies will be required to assess long-term performance and application-specific suitability.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132088","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":"Modulation of Polyhydroxyalkanoate Crystallinity by Combined NaCl and Citrate Stress in Burkholderia sacchari","authors":"Seung-Yeon Kim,&nbsp;Hao Wu,&nbsp;Minjae Kim,&nbsp;Woong Kim","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03977-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03977-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In microbial processes relevant to waste-derived and environmentally variable feedstocks, coexisting salts and organic acids can influence polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) accumulation and crystallization-related material characteristics. However, the effects of simultaneous osmotic and organic-acid-related stresses on PHA structure-property relationships remain poorly understood. This study investigated the combined effects of sodium chloride (NaCl) induced osmotic stress and citrate associated organic acid stress on PHA production and crystallization in <i>Burkholderia sacchari</i> using response surface methodology (RSM). The RSM-derived condition, 6.82 g/L NaCl and 4.41 g/L citrate, enabled measurable PHA accumulation while being associated with changes in crystallinity-related thermal, structural, and morphological properties. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) showed no detectable changes in the major functional groups of PHA, whereas differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated changes consistent with reduced crystallinity-related ordering, altered melting characteristics, and morphological heterogeneity under combined stress. Compared with the control, stress-produced PHA showed decreases in melting temperature from 158.6 to 151.3 ℃, melting enthalpy from 90.0 to 75.7 J/g, and DSC-derived apparent crystallinity from 61.6% to 51.8%. XRD showed lower overall diffraction intensity, and SEM suggested a more heterogeneous surface morphology. These findings suggest that coexisting osmotic and organic acid related stress may serve as non-genetic process variables associated with changes in PHA crystallinity related properties, although the underlying metabolic and biosynthetic mechanisms remain to be directly verified.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132025","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":"Bio-Based Itaconate Polyesters with Enhanced UV Stability for 3D Printing via Naphthalene Incorporation","authors":"Yu-Chen Chen,&nbsp;Ruei-Jing Chu,&nbsp;Chih-Yu Jao,&nbsp;Hsin-Yen Ke,&nbsp;Chin-Wen Chen","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03987-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03987-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Unsaturated polyester resins (UPRs) are widely used thermosetting materials because of their excellent mechanical properties, high thermal stability, and good processability; however, their poor resistance to ultraviolet (UV) degradation limits outdoor applications. In this study, UPRs were synthesized from itaconic acid (IA) and ethylene glycol (EG) by melt polycondensation and further modified by incorporating dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and dimethyl 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate (NDC). Acrylic acid was used as a reactive diluent, and (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) was used as the photoinitiator for curing under 405 nm UV irradiation, followed by comprehensive property evaluations. This work investigates the effects of molecular structure on the thermal, mechanical, and UV resistance properties of UV-cured UPR systems. The results show that the incorporation of NDC effectively suppresses photodegradation through its rigid naphthalene structure and enhances UV resistance through synergistic mechanisms, including UV absorption, energy dissipation, and improved chain stability. UPR-I_9.5N_0.5E exhibited the optimal mechanical performance, with a tensile strength of 82.59 MPa, a flexural strength of 158.51 MPa, and the highest impact resistance of 1.49 kJ/m², while maintaining a T_d−5% above 200 °C. In contrast, UPR-I_8.5N_1.5E demonstrated superior aging resistance, retaining 54.00% of its tensile strength after 1000 h of UVA-340 irradiation, approximately four times higher than that of UPR-IE (13.69%). However, NDC incorporation resulted in a higher color difference during aging, although it improved mechanical property retention. Furthermore, selected UPR formulations were successfully fabricated using an LCD-based 3D printer. The printed objects exhibited dimensional deviations below 0.5% with well-resolved structural details, demonstrating excellent printing quality and highlighting their potential as sustainable photopolymer resins for UV-curable 3D printing applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132027","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":"Innovative Use of Clove Hydrosol as a Solvent for Biodegradable Quince Films","authors":"M. Carmen Codina,&nbsp;Clara García-Pardo,&nbsp;Juana Coello,&nbsp;Manuel Carmona,&nbsp;Ana Molina,&nbsp;M. Isabel Berruga","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03965-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03965-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The naturally occurring mixture of polymers found in quince byproducts (<i>Cydonia oblonga</i>) allows for the fabrication of bio-based films for food applications. This work aims to take advantage of the benefits of clove hydrosol as a solvent rich in phenolic compounds and similar to water from a physicochemical point of view to produce a film based on two distinct concentrations quince-products. In the films prepared with hydrosol, catechin gallate, coumaric acid, and coniferyl aldehyde were identified as main compounds by HPLC, while eugenol was detected using GC–MS. Hydrosol-based films exhibited a total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (19.9–22.9 mg GAE/g film and 74.6–76.6%, respectively) that were approximately double those of films formulated with water (9.4–12.3 mg GAE/g film and 49.6–45.8%). Furthermore, their antifungal activity against <i>Penicillium nordicum</i> (15.1–16.6%) and <i>Aspergillus jensenii</i> (15.0-16.5%) was comparable to that of a commercial film used as a reference (19.6–20.2%). Film solutions prepared with the higher polymer concentration displayed increased viscosity (118.18 cp. and 112.30 cp., water and hydrosol respectively) and the transmittance of the resulting films was lower than those made with the less concentrated polymer (52.78 cp. and 52.80 cp., water and hydrosol respectively). FTIR and thermogravimetric analysis showed that the hydrosol does not modify the film structure. SEM confirmed a compact matrix with a crack-free surface. The integration of clove hydrosol into quince by-product films offers a promising strategy for developing functional and bioactive food packaging materials.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-026-03965-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132740","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":"Sustainable Chitosan–PF127 Hydrogel Incorporating Waste Lemon Peel Hydrochar and Pistachio Resin for Antibacterial Activity and MRSA-Infected Wound Healing","authors":"Metin Yildirim,&nbsp;Erdal Yabalak,&nbsp;Sibel Türedi,&nbsp;Mehmet Cimentepe,&nbsp;Kemal Dogan,&nbsp;Özge Öztürk Cimentepe,&nbsp;Özden Dellal,&nbsp;Akın Yiğin","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03975-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03975-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The development of sustainable wound dressings with potent antibacterial activity is of growing interest for the treatment of drug-resistant infections. In this study, a multifunctional chitosan–Pluronic F127 (CS–PF127) hydrogel incorporating waste lemon peel–derived hydrochar and natural pistachio resin was developed for the management of methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA)-infected wounds. The hydrogel exhibited excellent biocompatibility and hemocompatibility while maintaining suitable mechanical and rheological properties for wound dressing applications. Among all formulations, the CS–PF127–BC–PR hydrogel demonstrated the strongest antibacterial activity against MRSA, producing an inhibition zone of 22.4 ± 1.2 mm, which was greater than that of the reference antibiotic cefoxitin (16 mm). Bacterial cell membrane disruption and severe morphological damage were observed following treatment. In an MRSA-infected rat wound model, the hydrogel effectively eliminated infection and significantly accelerated wound closure, tissue regeneration, re-epithelialization, and collagen deposition compared with control groups. Histopathological analyses further confirmed enhanced healing and reduced inflammatory responses. Molecular docking studies supported the antibacterial potential of α-pinene, the major constituent of pistachio resin, against key MRSA-associated targets. These findings demonstrate that the combination of waste-derived hydrochar and natural pistachio resin within a CS–PF127 matrix provides a sustainable and effective strategy for the treatment of MRSA-infected wounds, highlighting its potential as a next-generation antibacterial wound dressing.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132821","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":"Crocin-Loaded 3D-Printed Chitosan/Collagen/nano-Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds for Rabbit Calvarial Defect Repair: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation","authors":"Mohammad Hadi Nejat,&nbsp;Afsaneh Jahani,&nbsp;Ali Moradi,&nbsp;Fatemeh Kalalinia,&nbsp;Mohaddese Mohaddesi,&nbsp;Nafiseh Jirofti","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03961-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03961-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Crocin (Cro), a bioactive compound derived from saffron, has shown potential in bone healing by regulating osteoclast activity, promoting osteoblast differentiation, and supporting bone regeneration. This study evaluated a 3D-printed scaffold composed of chitosan (Cs), collagen (Col), and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA), loaded with Cro, for bone tissue engineering (BTE). Using an advanced three-dimensional (3D) printing process, scaffolds containing 25 and 50 µM Cro were fabricated and assessed for structural, biological, in vitro, and in vivo properties. It was hypothesized that Cs/Col/nHA scaffolds loaded with Cro would exhibit enhanced bioactivity and improved suitability for BTE. The results demonstrated that Cro loading was associated with enhanced scaffold structural integrity, interconnected porous architecture, and thermal stability, with measured porosity values reaching approximately 90%. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed successful Cro loading and favorable interactions within the scaffold matrix. Cell studies demonstrated time and concentration dependent responses of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs), with preserved cell attachment and morphology across all groups and the Cs/Col/nHA/Cro50 scaffold showing the most favorable response. Histopathological evaluation following implantation showed acceptable tissue compatibility, with no major adverse tissue responses observed. Masson’s trichrome staining revealed greater collagen deposition in the Cro-loaded scaffolds, particularly at 25 µM Cro, providing preliminary evidence of enhanced extracellular matrix (ECM) formation and regenerative potential. In vivo, preliminary observations from this pilot animal study suggested a potential improvement in cranial defect repair following Cro loading. These findings highlight the potential of Cro-loaded Cs/Col/nHA scaffolds as customizable matrix for bone repair and support the need for further comprehensive investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132876","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":"Interfacial Engineering of Polycaprolactone-based Cell-plastics through Surface Acylation of whole-Cell Algal biomass","authors":"Akihito Nakanishi,&nbsp;Takeshi Matsui,&nbsp;Tomohito Horimoto,&nbsp;Jun Ishii","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03969-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03969-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Microbial cell-based plastics offer a route for directly utilizing whole-cell biomass, but poor compatibility between hydrophilic cells and hydrophobic polymers can limit composite formation. Here, we investigated whether treatment of whole <i>Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</i> cells with acyl succinimidyl esters alters their aqueous-phase behavior, apparent dispersion, and mechanical contribution in polycaprolactone (PCL)-based cell-plastics. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry using 5/6-FAM SE supported the accessibility of succinimidyl ester-reactive amino-containing cellular components, although labeling was not restricted exclusively to the outer cell surface. Among C6, C10, and C18 acyl succinimidyl esters, C10 treatment produced the lowest relative turbidity in the upper aqueous phase, indicating the strongest apparent hydrophobization under the tested conditions. C10-treated cells retained recognizable morphology after freeze-drying and appeared more evenly distributed than non-acylated cells in selected surface regions of the molded composites. Young’s modulus increased with increasing C10-treated-cell content, reaching 435.9 ± 44.1 MPa at 25 wt% compared with 198.8 ± 13.9 MPa for neat PCL, consistent with a stiffer initial elastic response and altered load transfer. However, upper-yield stress was not markedly improved, while tensile strength decreased from 26.0 ± 5.7 to 13.1 ± 2.1 MPa and strain at maximum stress decreased from 45.6 ± 14.4 to 23.9 ± 1.7. SEM observations of selected specimen-surface and tensile-fracture regions revealed local morphological differences among neat PCL and the cell-containing composites, but did not establish bulk dispersion, the exact fracture origin, or whether cells underwent rupture, collapse, debonding, or pull-out. These results provide a proof-of-concept that chemical treatment of whole-cell biomass can serve as an interfacial-design variable in hydrophobic biodegradable polymer matrices, while direct chemical characterization and quantitative bulk-dispersion and systematic fracture analyses remain necessary.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132533","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":"Assessment of the Impact of Cellulose Label, Adhesive And Metals on the Chemical Recyclability of High-Impact Polystyrene from Yogurt Cups","authors":"Saddys Rodríguez-Llamazares,&nbsp;Mario I. Sanhueza,&nbsp;Constanza Sabando,&nbsp;Diego Ricciardi,&nbsp;Kevin J. Fernández-Andrade,&nbsp;Serguei Alejandro-Martín,&nbsp;Rebeca Bouza,&nbsp;Sonia Dopico,&nbsp;Natalia Pettinelli,&nbsp;Edgar Pastene,&nbsp;Eliezer Velásquez","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03970-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03970-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Auxiliary food-packaging components, including paper labels, adhesives, and inks, are expected to influence and hinder chemical recycling processes; however, their effect on product selectivity during pyrolysis remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of paper labels, adhesive residues, and metal contaminants originating from labels and additives used in yogurt cup manufacturing on the product distribution resulting from the noncatalytic pyrolysis of post-consumer high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) packaging. Five Chilean dairy manufacturers were selected as sources of yogurt cups. For each yogurt brand, cups containing labels, cups containing adhesive residues, and clean cups were considered separate sample groups. Attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy combined with principal component analysis confirmed that the cups from different brands had similar chemical structures and minimal food contamination. The polystyrene fractions exhibited similar molecular weight distributions (<i>M</i>_n = 87–105 kDa and <i>M</i>_w = 230–280 kDa). The polybutadiene content was 9–11 wt%. Adhesive residues and labels decreased the thermal stability of post-consumer HIPS and contributed to the formation of stable carbonaceous residues above 690 °C. Al (1,090–3,800 µg g^− 1), Fe (7.7–270 µg g^− 1), Ti (0.72–353 µg g^− 1), Zn (50–116 µg g^− 1), and Cr (0.9–54 µg g^− 1) were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Noncatalytic pyrolysis predominantly produced aromatic hydrocarbons (82.5–98.9% relative area), with styrene as the main compound. An inverse correlation between Al content and styrene selectivity was observed in samples containing a label. Clean post-consumer samples showed higher styrene selectivity than virgin HIPS during pyrolysis. These findings identify paper labels, particularly their Al content, as the auxiliary packaging component with a negative impact on styrene selectivity, highlighting their removal as a key pre-treatment step to improve the chemical recycling of post-consumer HIPS.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132751","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}