Journal of Polymers and the Environment最新文献

{"title":"Review on Aging of Biodegradable Polymers: Experimental Approaches and Emerging Role of Machine and Deep Learning","authors":"Nicole Venachi,&nbsp;Alejandra I. Guerrero,&nbsp;Pedro Alban Bolaños,&nbsp;Lily Marcela Palacios,&nbsp;Germán Antonio Arboleda Muñoz,&nbsp;Diego Fernando Roa Acosta,&nbsp;Héctor Samuel Villada Castillo","doi":"10.1007/s10924-025-03761-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-025-03761-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Biodegradable polymers are currently the focus of intense research due to their biodegradability and potential to replace conventional plastics. However, they still face several limitations: high cost, limited large-scale production, and faster decline of its properties over time, which compromises its performance and durability. Their complex molecular structures, combined with the strong influence of physical, chemical, and environmental factors, make their performance difficult to predict with traditional methods. These complexities highlight the need for advanced modeling approaches capable of capturing nonlinear and high-dimensional behaviors. Machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) offer promising tools in this context. Their application to biodegradable polymers can improve predictions of aging behavior and lifetime under different environmental conditions, guide the design of biodegradable polymers, identify optimal synthesis and processing parameters for extended service life and detect complex patterns in large datasets. This review discusses experimental techniques commonly used to evaluate the aging of biodegradable polymers and examines recent applications of ML and DL in this field. It also links experimental data with ML/DL models and outlines the key challenges and future perspectives for integrating these approaches into biodegradable polymer research.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-025-03761-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147341422","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":"Incorporation of Apricot Shell Loads into Novel Highly Ductile Thermoplastic Zein Biopolymers Through Injection Molding for Food Packaging","authors":"Jorge Israel Peñafiel-Alvarado,&nbsp;Jaume Gomez-Caturla,&nbsp;Jan Novak,&nbsp;Pavel Brdlík,&nbsp;Rafael Balart,&nbsp;Luis Quiles-Carrillo","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03789-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03789-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The replacement of petroleum-based plastics with sustainable, biodegradable alternatives is a key challenge in the transition toward a circular economy. Zein, a maize-derived protein, is a promising candidate for biodegradable thermoplastics, but its limited ductility and processability have hindered wider adoption. This study addresses this gap by exploring the effect of apricot shell flour (ASF) on zein (ZEI) thermoplastic materials plasticized with 25 wt% diethylene glycol (DEG) and processed by extrusion and injection molding. To date, the use of DEG as a plasticizer for zein in thermoplastics and the incorporation of ASF as a synergistic filler–plasticizer in such systems have not been reported, defining the novelty of this work. Mechanical analysis revealed an outstanding ductility. ZEI-DEG exhibited a strain at break of 57.2%, which was increased to 119.2% with 15% ASF, while impact strength rose from 6.4 to 15.9 kJ/m², confirming a synergistic plasticization effect between DEG and ASF. A decrease in glass transition was observed by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis with the incorporation of ASF, probably due to the interaction of uronic acids present in ASF with DEG and zein through hydrogen bonding. Morphology analysis showed good filler dispersion and good compatibility with the zein matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed a slight decrease in thermal stability with ASF, but materials remained stable up to 350 °C. Materials exhibited a progressive darkening with dark brown colors, providing a wood-like appearance that is potentially attractive for sustainable wood plastic composite applications such as packaging. The properties of these materials were far higher than the traditionally glycerol-plasticized zein materials. Overall, these findings highlight ASF as a promising bio-based filler that enhances flexibility and toughness of thermoplastic zein while maintaining good thermal behavior and creating aesthetically appealing natural composites. These green materials offer significant potential for biodegradable food packaging, furniture, and interior design products.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-026-03789-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147340437","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":"Chitosan/Poly(Itaconic Acid) Films via In-Situ Radical Polymerization: Insights into Morphology, Structure, Mechanical, and Water Resistance Properties","authors":"Guilherme Frey Schütz,&nbsp;Gabriel Ferreira Toledo,&nbsp;Raniery Ferreira Rosa,&nbsp;Luís Marangoni Júnior,&nbsp;Roniérik Pioli Vieira","doi":"10.1007/s10924-025-03745-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-025-03745-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Chitosan (CH) is a biopolymer with strong potential for sustainable food packaging applications. However, this is hindered due to its poor water resistance and limited mechanical performance. To overcome these limitations, this study proposes an easy modification strategy based on the <i>in-situ</i> radical polymerization of itaconic acid (IA) directly within the CH film-forming solution, resulting in CH-based films incorporating poly(itaconic acid) (PIA) in a single step. The incorporation of 10% IA increased the water contact angle from 87.3° to 92.3° and reduced moisture content from 23.8 to 21.1%. Thermal stability was improved, and tensile strength increased by approximately 50% compared to the unmodified film. These enhancements are attributed to intermolecular interactions and partial grafting of PIA chains onto CH, as supported by FTIR, XRD, and SEM analyses. Hence, the direct synthesis of PIA during film formation offers a simple yet effective modification of CH, enhancing water resistance, thermal stability, and mechanical properties, positioning CH/PIA films as strong candidates for food packaging applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-025-03745-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147340357","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":"Investigations on Thermomechanical and Biodegradable Properties of Alkaline Hydrolysis Isolated Nano Hydroxyapatite Reinforced Polylactic Acid Composite Blown Films for Sustainable Packaging","authors":"Radhika Panickar,&nbsp;Devotha Mwazembe,&nbsp;Benny Alexander,&nbsp;Edwin Freeman,&nbsp;Desmond Mortley,&nbsp;Vijaya Rangari","doi":"10.1007/s10924-025-03737-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-025-03737-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In this study, nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HAp) was extracted from pink perch fish scales (PPFS) using a simple and efficient alkaline hydrolysis method. The obtained n-HAp was characterized through XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, SEM, and TEM. Various concentrations of n-HAp (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 wt%) were then incorporated into a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix using solution blending followed by blown film extrusion. The influence of n-HAp on the thermal, mechanical, and biodegradable properties of the PLA-based composites was systematically analyzed. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy confirmed chemical bonding between n-HAp and the PLA matrix in the blown films. Thermal analysis via TGA revealed an increase in the initial degradation temperature compared to neat PLA, attributed to the presence of n-HAp. DSC analysis showed a reduction in glass transition temperature and crystallinity, which restricted polymer chain mobility and increased the amorphous phase. Mechanical property evaluation through tensile testing demonstrated that lower concentrations of n-HAp significantly enhanced elongation at break, with PLA_HAp 0.75 exhibiting improved flexibility and an increase in elongation compared to neat PLA. A 180-day soil biodegradability study indicated that incorporating 0.5 wt% n-HAp into the PLA matrix accelerated the hydrolysis process by 500%, enhancing the overall degradation of the PLA_HAp composite film. These findings highlight the potential of n-HAp in improving the functional properties of PLA-based composites for food packaging applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147340373","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":"Synthesis, In Vitro Evaluation, Molecular Docking, and DFT Studies of Chitosan Aldehyde Derivatives as Anticancer Agents Via Modulation of the JNK/ERK-p53 Signaling Axis","authors":"Ghada H. Elsayed,&nbsp;Marwa El-Hussieny,&nbsp;Sawsan Dacrory","doi":"10.1007/s10924-025-03762-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-025-03762-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Formulation of a new composite based on chitosan (Cs) with heterocyclic aldehydes (thiophen, ferrocene, and chloroquinoline) has been prepared and investigated via different techniques: FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TGA. The neutral red uptake assay was utilized to evaluate the <i>in vitr</i>o anticancer activity of chitosan aldehyde derivatives: <b>Cs/thio-aldehyde(1)</b>, <b>Cs/ferro-aldehyde(2)</b>, and <b>Cs/chloro-aldehyde(3)</b> on human cancer cell lines, namely Caco-2, MDA-MB-231, and HepG2. Compounds <b>1</b>, <b>2</b>, and <b>3</b> showed more inhibitory influence on Caco-2 and HepG2 growth, while compound <b>3</b> revealed more cytotoxicity contra MDA-MB-231 cells compared with doxorubicin. Relative to control values, the qRT-PCR results showed that compounds <b>1</b> and <b>3</b> significantly affected the up regulation of JNK and p53 genes and the down regulation of the ERK gene in treated cells. Thus, these results demonstrated that the examined compounds <b>1</b> and <b>3</b> triggered apoptosis via controlling the JNK/ERK-p53 signaling axis and decreased the growth of Caco-2, MDA-MB-231, and HepG2 cells. Also, these biological studies confirmed through molecular docking and DFT calculation with different proteins and showed that <b>Cs/thio (1)</b> is the most reactive compound with short bond length and less energy gap (Eg) (0.18518) than <b>Cs/chloro (3)</b> with energy gap (Eg) (-0.71892) descriptors, which showed excellent correlation with experimental results.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-025-03762-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147340369","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":"A Comparative Study of Bio-Based Antimicrobial Membranes Induced by Medicinal Plant-Derived Biocide for Dairy Wastewater Treatment","authors":"Zahra Goli Sangchi,&nbsp;Majid Peyravi,&nbsp;Mohsen Jahanshahi","doi":"10.1007/s10924-025-03757-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-025-03757-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This research involves a new class of biodegradable bio-membrane based on natural polymers (agarose and gelatin) incorporated with medicinal plant-derived biocides. This study employed a biological agent as an alternative to antibacterial nanoparticles to reduce any environmental issues arising from the release of such particles. The performance of the prepared membranes in terms of antibacterial activity and resistance to biological fouling is evaluated. The antibacterial characteristics of the membranes are tested against <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> via disk diffusion, colony count, and FESEM analysis. The findings suggest that the membranes, including medicinal plant extracts, demonstrate strong antibacterial properties. The pure water flux for the neat membrane is 5.6 <span>(:pm::)</span>0.2 L.m⁻².h⁻¹. In contrast, the membranes modified by garlic and nettle extracts and the hybrid membrane including garlic and nettle extract demonstrate enhanced performance with flux values of 6.6 <span>(:pm:)</span> 0.3 L.m⁻².h⁻¹, 10.4 <span>(:pm:)</span> 0.4 L.m^− 2.h^− 1, and 10 <span>(:pm:)</span> 0.3 L.m⁻².h⁻¹, respectively. Also, the permeate flux recovery increases from 85.71% for the neat membrane to 90.90% after modification, indicating improved fouling resistance. In addition, the pressure drop of the dairy wastewater effluent for these membranes reduces from 13.04% to 7.14%, 9.1%, and 7.9% for the garlic, nettle, and hybrid membranes, respectively, confirming a reduction in flow resistance throughout the purification process. The results show that the membrane with a combination of garlic and nettle extracts achieves the highest COD removal of 99% among the synthesized membranes.</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 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147340436","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":"Rheo-Mechanical Characterisation of Polyol-Modified Polyacrylamide-Gellan Gum Interpenetrating Network Organohydrogels","authors":"G. K. Gokul,&nbsp;Sudheesh Parathakkatt","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03785-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03785-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigates the mechanical and rheological behaviour of interpenetrating network (IPN) organohydrogels composed of polyacrylamide (PAAm) and gellan gum (GG), modified with varying concentrations of glycerol (GL) and ethylene glycol (EG). Through systematic swelling, tensile, and rheological analyses, we demonstrate the dual role of polyols: acting as plasticizers at moderate concentrations (25–50%) and as network-reinforcing agents at higher concentration (75%). Swelling experiments revealed an initial increase in water uptake due to enhanced polymer chain mobility, followed by a marked reduction at high polyol content, indicative of hydrogen-bond-driven network densification. Tensile measurements validated this transition, showing substantial improvements in tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young’s modulus at 75% GL and EG. Oscillatory rheology revealed nearly frequency-independent storage moduli (G′), confirming the formation of a robust gel network, while elevated loss moduli (G″) at high polyol concentrations reflected enhanced energy dissipation. The observed rheological response, including the evolution of tan δ and damping behaviour, highlights the tunable mechanical and viscoelastic characteristics imparted by polyol incorporation. Collectively, these results establish a clear structure–property framework for tailoring polyol-modified IPN organohydrogels for advanced applications in flexible electronics.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147340374","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":"A Concise Study on Synthesis and Performance Evaluation of a Partially Bio-Based Polyurethane–Acrylate–Alginate Hybrid Adsorbent for Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ Removal","authors":"Balasubramanian Pillai,&nbsp;Siddhesh Mestry,&nbsp;Pavan Borse,&nbsp;Jyoti Darsan Mohanty,&nbsp;Shashank Mhaske","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03774-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03774-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study reports the development of a partially bio-based polyurethane–acrylate–alginate (PUA–alginate) hybrid adsorbent engineered for the removal of Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions from aqueous solutions. A vanillin-derived Schiff-base acrylate was synthesized and incorporated into a polyurethane–acrylate network to introduce imine, hydroxyl, and ester functionalities capable of coordinating transition metal ions. Sodium alginate, a renewable polysaccharide, was integrated as a secondary phase to enhance hydrophilicity, swelling behavior, and the density of oxygen-rich binding sites. The resulting hybrid materials were prepared as dispersions and as ionically crosslinked hydrogel beads. Structural evolution from vanillin to Schiff base and acrylated monomer was confirmed by ATR-FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Polyurethane–acrylate formation and full isocyanate consumption were validated through FTIR and NCO titration. Adsorption experiments performed at pH 6.8 ± 0.2 demonstrated high uptake capacities for both ions, with maximum values of 77.6 mg g⁻¹ (Cu²⁺) and 76.0 mg g⁻¹ (Fe³⁺) for the PUA matrix, and 76.2 mg g⁻¹ (Cu²⁺) and 79.2 mg g⁻¹ (Fe³⁺) for the alginate-modified systems. The enhanced affinity toward Fe³⁺ in the hybrid beads is attributed to the combined contributions of imine nitrogen, urethane and ester carbonyls, and alginate carboxylates, enabling synergistic electrostatic and coordination interactions. These results position the PUA–alginate system as an effective and structurally tunable platform for transition-metal ion adsorption. While the current work establishes synthesis, structural validation, and preliminary adsorption performance, further investigation into adsorption isotherms, kinetic modeling, and sorbent regeneration is required to assess long-term applicability in wastewater treatment.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147340434","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 Magnetic Cellulose–Alginate Beads for Selective Biosorption of Cd (II) and Ni (II) Ions from Contaminated Waters","authors":"Vinicius A. M. Gomes,&nbsp;Paula P. Silva,&nbsp;Gizilene M. Carvalho","doi":"10.1007/s10924-025-03749-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-025-03749-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The role of magnetic properties in metal ion adsorption remains unclear, particularly whether magnetite (Fe₃O₄) enhances the uptake of paramagnetic ions such as Ni (II) compared to diamagnetic ions such as Cd (II). To address this, cellulose/alginate/magnetite (CEL/ALG/MAG) composites were synthesized via a green route and structurally characterized (FTIR-ATR, XRD, SEM, BET), confirming magnetite formation and revealed Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ mediated crosslinking between components, which reduced cellulose crystallinity and created rough, cavity-rich surfaces despite low specific surface area. Batch adsorption experiments demonstrated removal efficiencies of ≥ 94.8% (1.34 mg g^− 1) for Cd (II) and up to 94.4% (0.46 mg g^− 1) for Ni (II) at pH 6. Kinetic and isothermal studies indicated that chemical mechanisms, such as complexation interactions, also play a relevant role in the process, complementing electrostatic interactions processes are involved in adsorption, as described by the pseudo-second-order Freundlich (n_F &gt; 1) and Dubinin-Radushkevich (E &gt; 8 kJ mol^− 1) models. Based on magnetic interactions, a preferential adsorption of Ni (II) was hypothesized; however, competitive adsorption experiments revealed the composites showed preferential Cd (II) adsorption (0.29 mg g^− 1 – 92.9% vs. 0.22 mg g^− 1 – 65% for Ni (II)). This unexpected selectivity is attributed to intrinsic physicochemical factors: larger ionic radius and smaller hydration sphere of Cd (II) promote stronger binding to biopolymer functional groups, whereas Ni (II) is hindered by extensive hydration, indicating that magnetic domains play a limited role in competitive adsorption. Beyond mechanistic advances, the magnetically recoverable materials combine sustainability with facile separation, highlighting their potential in water purification.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><img></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-025-03749-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147340370","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":"Dual Interface Engineering in PLA: Co-equal Roles of Silanization and Chain Extension for Agri-Food Lignocellulosic Filler","authors":"Anna Czajka-Warowna,&nbsp;Bogna Sztorch,&nbsp;Miłosz Frydrych,&nbsp;Robert E. Przekop,&nbsp;Andrzej Antczak,&nbsp;Andrzej Plichta,&nbsp;Joanna Ryszkowska","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03786-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03786-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The addition of agri-food waste to the biodegradable polymer matrix supports the circular economy. In this paper, lignocellulosic residues of beetroot pulp (BP) are modified using (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES). Moreover, the influence of an epoxy-based chain extender (Joncryl^® ADR 4468 (ADR)) on the properties of the poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biocomposites was investigated. BP as a PLA filler, as well as the co-equal roles of silanisation and ADR addiction, have not been widely tested. The chemical composition of the BP filler was determined. The success of chemical modification was confirmed by FTIR and SEM-EDS analyses. DSC, DMA and TGA were applied for the characterisation of thermal properties of the manufactured biocomposites. The influence of APTES modification and ADR on the biocomposite on the molecular weight of PLA, water resistance, rheological and mechanical properties was tested. Results showed that adhesion between filler and matrix is enhanced after APTES modification according to SEM observation. APTES modification of the BP and ADR addition has a slight influence on reducing water absorption; however, the combination of both methods significantly increases water resistance. It can be justified by the possible reaction between the amino group of APTES and the epoxy group of ADR. Rheological and molecular weight studies showed that ADR counteracts the effects of PLA hydrolysis at elevated temperatures thanks to the PLA branching process. The tensile strength increased after the silane modification by 28% compared to unmodified BP composites, which confirms enhanced adhesion between components. Tensile strength increases despite a decrease in molecular weight, which confirms the effect of increased adhesion at the interface, counteracting the effect of the aminolysis reaction. Results are promising to produce ecological biocomposites with satisfying mechanical, thermal and rheological properties from agri-food residue.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-026-03786-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147340435","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}