Journal of Polymers and the Environment最新文献

{"title":"Sustainable Porcine Plasma/Carboxymethyl Chitosan Bioplastics: Tunable Porosity for High-Performance Absorbents","authors":"Stefano Liotino,&nbsp;Stefania Cometa,&nbsp;Manuel Félix,&nbsp;Antonio Guerrero,&nbsp;Carlos Bengoechea,&nbsp;Elvira De Giglio","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03922-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03922-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study reports the development of injection-moulded bioplastics based on porcine plasma proteins (PPP) blended with carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCH), as sustainable absorbent materials for hygienic-sanitary applications as alternative to conventional polyurethane foams. Glycerol (Gly) was used as a plasticizer, while sodium carbonate (SC) was employed to induce porosity, and genipin (G) as a natural crosslinking agent. The materials were characterized by FTIR, XPS, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, tensile testing, and scanning electron microscopy. The liquid absorption assays included water uptake capacity (WUC), free swell capacity (FSC), centrifuge retention capacity (CRC), absorption under load (AUL), and rewet performance. SC incorporation increased porosity and free swelling, so that PPP-CMCH/Gly_SC reached 3600 WUC%. Conversely, G-crosslinking reduced soluble matter loss and enhanced stiffness and AUL, with PPP-CMCH/Gly/G_SC formulation achieved a superior balance reaching an AUL of 5.97 g/g and rewet values as low as 0.77 g. This bioplastic reached FSC, CRC and AUL values of about 52%, 22% and 100% with respect to a commercial PU foam. Overall, the combined porosity-inducing and crosslinking strategy enabled a balance between absorbency and mechanical integrity.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-026-03922-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148614627","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":"pH-Responsive κ-Carrageenan–Egg Albumin Hydrogels Reinforced with Curcumin–Aloe vera Composite for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering Applications","authors":"K. Likhith,&nbsp;Tarun Mateti,&nbsp;Goutam Thakur,&nbsp;S. Supriya Bhatt,&nbsp;Manasa Nune","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03914-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03914-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Regeneration of impaired tissues requires advanced biomaterials that integrate mechanical integrity with antioxidant functionality and biocompatibility. In this study, we fabricated a bioactive κ-carrageenan–egg albumin (KC–EA) hydrogel incorporating a curcumin–Aloe vera (CUR–ALV) composite via ionotropic gelation. Incorporation of the CUR–ALV composite enhanced both structural and functional properties of the hydrogel, as characterized through mechanical testing, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and swelling analyses. The composite-loaded hydrogel exhibited enhanced mechanical performance relative to the KC–EA hydrogel, while SEM analysis revealed increased surface roughness and heterogeneous microdomains suggesting successful composite incorporation. The hydrogel exhibited pH-responsive curcumin release, reaching a maximum cumulative release of approximately 80% at pH 8.5, with kinetic modeling suggesting erosion-influenced release under alkaline conditions. The system demonstrated high hydrophilicity and controlled biodegradation under physiological conditions. Antioxidant assessment by the DPPH assay showed substantially enhanced radical scavenging activity (~ 67%), likely reflecting the synergistic contribution of curcumin and Aloe vera constituents. In vitro cytocompatibility assessed by the MTT assay suggested high cell viability comparable to tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) over seven days, suggesting cytocompatibility and sustained cellular proliferation. Overall, these findings suggest that CUR–ALV-loaded KC–EA hydrogels represent a promising pH-responsive, antioxidant-active system for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-026-03914-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148614620","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":"Fabrication and Characterization of Bilayer Electrospun Polyvinyl alcohol/Polycaprolactone/Glutamine Membranes Integrated with 3D-Printed Polycaprolactone/Propolis Scaffolds for Skin Tissue Applications","authors":"Fatemeh Azimi Gharibdosti,&nbsp;Mehdi Mehdikhani,&nbsp;Melika Babaei,&nbsp;Seyed Ali Poursamar,&nbsp;Mina Mirian,&nbsp;Shadi Farsaei,&nbsp;Mohammad Rafienia","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03924-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03924-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study reports the development of a multifunctional bilayer wound dressing combining a 3D-printed polycaprolactone layer coated with propolis (PCL/PRP) and an electrospun polyvinyl alcohol/polycaprolactone/L-glutamine matrix (PVA/PCL/GLT). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed a well-defined bilayer architecture, with porosities of 83.2 ± 1.5% for the electrospun layer and 70.8 ± 2.1% for the printed layer. The scaffold exhibited skin-relevant mechanical behavior, an optimal swelling ratio (16.90 ± 0.52%), favorable wettability (37.39 ± 2.45°), and a controlled degradation, with 20.18 ± 1.99% weight loss after 72 h. Sustained release profiles were obtained for GLT and PRP, reaching 68.09 ± 2.98% and 14.76 ± 1.32%, respectively, over 96 h, while the incorporation of PRP and GLT enhanced antibacterial performance. Fibroblast viability was significantly improved in the 4% GLT formulation, with metabolic activity reaching 124.69 ± 2.37% (MTT assay). SEM micrographs after 7 days confirmed effective cell adhesion and spreading on the scaffold surfaces, with prominent filopodia indicating active cell–material interactions. Furthermore, scratch assay analysis demonstrated superior wound closure for the bilayer scaffold, with 83.25 ± 3.57% closure after 24 h compared to 64.48 ± 2.13% in the control group (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.05), reflecting enhanced fibroblast migration. Overall, the PCL/PRP–PVA/PCL/GLT (4% w/v) bilayer scaffold shows promising physicochemical and biological performance for wound healing applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148614621","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":"Enhancing Poly (lactic acid) Crystallinity Using Bio-Derived Glyceryl Lactate Oligomers: Effect of Chain Length, Loading, and Annealing Conditions)","authors":"Getachew Tadesse Gurmu,&nbsp;Tatek Temesgen Terfasa,&nbsp;Melakuu Tesfaye Alemea,&nbsp;Kasahun Tsegaye Mekonen","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03928-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03928-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a potential material owing to its biodegradability; however, its inherently low crystallinity limits its large-scale use. This study reports the synthesis of glyceryl lactate (GLY LAC) by condensation polymerization at 190 °C for 8 h from bio-based sources of controllable molecular weight (1:3, 1:6, 1:9, and 1:12 molar ratios of glycerol and lactic acid) and their application as highly effective nucleating agents for PLA. The success and purity of the polymerization reaction of glyceryl lactate (GLY- LAC) were proven using acid value, viscosity, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopy. DSC analysis indicated that GLY LAC with a 1:6 molar ratio is the most suitable compound to act as a nucleating agent for PLA, which yielded a crystallinity degree of 87.8 ± 1.7% when the optimum values of temperature (110 °C), time (150 min), and concentration (10 wt %) were applied. Enhanced mechanical properties of PLA were also observed, including increased tensile strength (68.7 ± 2.4 MPa), Young’s modulus (3.52 ± 0.18 GPa), and elongation at break (14.8 ± 0.9%). These results demonstrate that GLY LAC simultaneously serves as both a nucleator and plasticizer.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148614623","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":"Two-Stage Microwave-Thermal Treatment Process for Depolymerization of Polyurethane in Deep Eutectic Solvents","authors":"Amirah Nasuha Mohd Razib,&nbsp;Mohd Sharizan Md Sarip,&nbsp;Nik Muhammad Azhar Nik Daud,&nbsp;Mohd Asraf Mohd Zainudin,&nbsp;Amirul Ridzuan Abu Bakar,&nbsp;Ahmad Hazim Abdul Aziz,&nbsp;Zuhaili Idham,&nbsp;Abul K. Azad,&nbsp;Ken-Ichiro Sotowa","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03891-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03891-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Polyurethane (PU) is widely used across various industrial sectors. Its strong chemical resistance renders conventional recycling methods inefficient. Developing greener and more energy-efficient depolymerization strategies is therefore essential. Previous methods for DES-based depolymerization of PU usually require high temperatures and long reaction times. This study proposes a two-stage microwave-thermal treatment process to accelerate PU degradation under milder operating conditions. This study investigates deep eutectic solvents (DES) as sustainable media for PU degradation to identify an efficient treatment system that lowers processing temperature and reaction time while improving product recovery. Choline chloride (ChCl)-based DES formulated with urea, glycerol, and levulinic acid was synthesized and characterized for density, viscosity, and thermal stability. PU depolymerization was evaluated under heat treatment (160 ℃ to 180 ℃, 120 to 480 min), microwave irradiation (360 W to 700 W, 3 to 7 min), and a two-stage microwave-thermal treatment process approach. Structural analysis and degradation kinetics of the products were conducted using ¹H NMR. Incorporating microwave irradiation at 360 W for 3 min before heating resulted in 100% PU conversion at only 160 ℃ within 90 min, reducing the reaction time by up to threefold and lowering the required temperature by 20 ℃ compared with conventional heating. The observed improvements suggest reduced energy consumption and offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional PU recycling methods. This combined method also enhanced <i>o</i>-toluidine recovery, reaching 3.63 g ± 0.18 recovered from 5 g of PU. Spectroscopic analysis suggests that the degradation of PU in a ChCl-urea system may proceed through a synergistic pathway in which urea-mediated hydrogen bonding polarizes urethane carbonyls, facilitating nucleophilic attack by choline moieties, leading to cleavage of C-O bonds and the recovery of constituent monomers. This work establishes ChCl-urea DES, coupled with microwave-thermal processing, as an efficient, low-temperature pathway for PU degradation, contributing toward greener recycling strategies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148613769","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":"Electroactive Thermally-Induced Shape Memory PEG-Plasticized Polymer Nanocomposites Based on TPU/PLA with CNC and MWCNT","authors":"Sara KhanMohammadi,&nbsp;Fatemeh Goharpey,&nbsp;Ali-Asghar Katbab","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03916-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03916-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Responsive polymers have attracted considerable attention over the past two decades due to their potential in advanced functional applications. The practical implementation of these materials often requires multicomponent systems comprising polymer blends and functional nanofillers. In this study, a highly efficient stimuli-responsive nanocomposite was developed, based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polylactic acid (PLA) plasticized with low-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol (PEG). Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a biocompatible and renewable nanofiller and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a conductive nanofiller were incorporated to enhance mechanical properties and electroactivity. The results demonstrated that the nanofillers effectively regulated phase morphology, elasticity, and shape memory behavior, with the optimal performance achieved through the hybrid integration of these nanofillers. The addition of PEG reduced the glass transition temperature of PLA by 19 °C, thereby improving the recovery ratio. Moreover, the PLA matrix exhibited excellent shape fixity performance, with a fixity ratio of at least 96.8%. The optimized nanocomposite achieved a rapid electroactive response, with recovery ratios of 82.1% for the unplasticized and 90.2% for the plasticized nanocomposites. These findings underscore the potential of synergistic CNC-MWCNT incorporation for designing advanced stimuli-responsive materials.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148613770","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":"pH—Viscosity Stability of Water-Based Flexography Inks with Bio-binder: Full Acrylic Replacement","authors":"Rahul Ramchandra Pingale,&nbsp;Alexandra Pekarovicova,&nbsp;Bilge Nazli Altay","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03923-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03923-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The replacement of petroleum‑derived acrylic binders with sustainable bio‑based alternatives is of increasing interest in water‑based flexographic inks; however, successful adoption requires preservation of storage stability and printed color fidelity. In this study, a bio-binder based on soy protein was evaluated as a partial and full replacement of a conventional acrylic emulsion binder in cyan water‑based flexography ink formulations for linerboard application. The soy replacement of 0–100 wt% in the let‑down ink vehicle were formulated and assessed for storage stability via pH and viscosity measurement over 60 days using a Zahn #2 cup efflux time. The physical properties ink, such as optical ink density and colorimetric performance (CIE L*a*b* and delta E 2000 (ΔE₀₀) color difference) were determined. All formulations maintained stable alkaline pH values (≈ 8.7–9.2) and consistent viscosity within the flexography printing operating window (≈ 25–28 s), indicating good chemical compatibility and resistance to viscosity shift. Optical ink density showed only minor, non‑disruptive changes across formulations. Colorimetric analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in L* or a* values, while modest formulation‑dependent shifts were observed in the b* coordinate at intermediate soy levels. Importantly, ΔE₀₀ values were below 2, a common perceptibility threshold, indicating negligible visual color differences relative to the acrylic control. The results demonstrated that soy protein bio-binder can replace acrylic binder across the full substitution range without compromising storage stability, press‑relevant viscosity, or printed color appearance. This work supports soy protein bio-binder as a sustainable alternative for water‑based flexography inks, enabling reduced reliance on petroleum‑based polymers and associated Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions while maintaining performance required for packaging applications.</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 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-026-03923-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148613768","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 Lignin–Acrylonitrile Copolymers via Aqueous Free Radical Polymerization for Carbon Materials Development","authors":"Marta C. Lourenço,&nbsp;Talita Nascimento,&nbsp;Ana C. Marques,&nbsp;Marta Ramos-Andrés","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03920-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03920-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigates a bio-based precursor for carbon materials by directly copolymerizing unmodified LignoBoost lignin (LB) with non-fossil derived acrylonitrile (AN) via aqueous free radical polymerization (FRP), forming lignin–polyacrylonitrile (PAN) graft-type copolymers. In contrast to conventional approaches, the process avoids organic solvents and lignin functionalization. Key parameters such as lignin activation, the order of reactant addition, and the reactivity of functional groups were analyzed. Activation was achieved through in situ radical generation without introducing permanent chemical modifications. Copolymers with increasing LB initial contents (3.4, 17.5, and 33 wt%) were synthesized and characterized in comparison to polyacrylonitrile (PAN) homopolymer based on molecular weight (GPC), molecular structure (FTIR, ¹H NMR, and EA), and thermal stability (TGA and DSC). Higher LB initial content (33 vs. 3.4 wt%) resulted in lower Mw (24206 vs. 56075 g/mol) and higher lignin incorporation in the copolymer (33.0 vs. 18.0 wt%). The new copolymers exhibited enhanced thermal stability compared to PAN and LB, as reflected by higher char yield at 900 °C (39–42 wt% vs. 27 wt% for PAN and 32 wt% for LB). DSC results indicated a more controlled cyclization process, as evidenced by lower heat release per temperature interval (|ΔH| = 2.78–4.42 J/g/°C vs. 4.85 J/g/°C for PAN) and lower onset temperatures of the exotherms (177.9–208.4 °C vs. 234.7 °C for PAN). The lignin-PAN copolymers, obtained from renewable and non-fossil derived raw materials and through a sustainable and potentially scalable process, showed improved thermal behavior compared to PAN, highlighting their potential as precursors for carbonizable polymer systems and carbon-based materials.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10924-026-03920-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148613772","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":"Synthesis and Application of Xanthan Gum based Supported Magnetic Ionic Liquids as a Green Catalyst for one-pot Synthesis of Thioether linked 4-Hydroxycoumarin Derivatives","authors":"Ayushi Aggarwal,&nbsp;Harish Kumar Chopra","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03918-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03918-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Compared to neat magnetic ionic liquids (MILs), supported ionic liquids (SILs) provide notable provide notable benefits, particularly in terms of facile separation and reusability, while significantly mitigating common limitations. MILs often suffer from disadvantages such as high cost, potential toxicity, and challenges associated with product isolation. To address this issue, a xanthan gum based supported magnetic ionic liquid ([XGIM][FeCl₄]) was synthesized by immobilizing IL onto backbone of xanthan gum (XG) which is the most prevalent polysaccharide in nature and economical in industrial waste followed by anion exchange with anhydrous FeCl₃ by using ultra probe sonication. [XGIM][FeCl₄] was thoroughly characterized using various techniques such as FTIR, FE-SEM, EDS, elemental, TGA, vibrational Raman spectra, VSM and EPR. In addition, [XGIM][FeCl₄] served as an effective organocatalyst for synthesizing thioether-linked 4-hydroxycoumarin-benzothiazole, benzoxazole and benzimidazole derivatives under mild reaction conditions. Therefore, incorporating a magnetic core as the counter anion with the xanthan gum cationic framework enables rapid magnetic separation without filtration or centrifugation, allowing up to nine reuse cycles.</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 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148613771","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":"Effect of Fabrication Methods on Rheological and Thermal Properties of Polylactic Acid (PLA)/Polyethylene Oxide (PEO)/Cellulose Nanocrystal (CNC) Nanocomposites","authors":"Daehan Oh,&nbsp;Min Chan Kim,&nbsp;Hyeong Yong Song,&nbsp;Kyu Hyun","doi":"10.1007/s10924-026-03919-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10924-026-03919-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In this study, polylactic acid (PLA)/polyethylene oxide (PEO)/cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) nanocomposites were investigated using rheological and thermal analyses to quantitatively evaluate the effects of fabrication methods on CNC dispersion. The nanocomposites were fabricated via two approaches: one-step melt compounding and two-step mixing involving solution dispersion followed by melt compounding. Morphological analysis did not reveal clear differences between the two methods. However, both linear and nonlinear rheological properties sensitively captured differences in CNC dispersion. Nanocomposites prepared by one-step mixing showed negligible changes in rheological behavior upon CNC addition, whereas those prepared by two-step mixing exhibited enhanced rheological responses with increasing CNC content. This improvement was attributed to PEO-mediated dispersion of CNCs, resulting from effective wetting during the solution mixing step. The improved dispersion also influenced thermal properties. While the overall thermal behavior was dominated by the plasticizing effect of PEO, two-step-mixed nanocomposites showed gradual improvements in thermal stability and crystallization behavior with increasing CNC concentration. In contrast, poor CNC dispersion in the one-step-mixed nanocomposites led to deteriorated thermal properties. These results demonstrate that CNC dispersion can be effectively controlled through fabrication methods, enabling tunable rheological and thermal properties in PLA-based nanocomposites.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":659,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","volume":"34 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148466492","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}