Polymer Bulletin最新文献

{"title":"Advancements in metal complex integrated polymer composites for synergistic electromagnetic interference shielding","authors":"B. Roopashree","doi":"10.1007/s00289-026-06741-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-026-06741-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is a growing concern across various industries, from consumer electronics to aerospace, and poses significant challenges in maintaining the reliability and functionality of electronic systems. Traditional metallic EMI shielding materials, while effective, come with inherent drawbacks such as weight, rigidity, and difficulty in large-scale production. This review explores advances in polymer-based composites that integrate metals, metal oxides, and metal complexes, offering a versatile and cost-effective alternative for EMI shielding. The review discusses the fundamentals of EMI shielding, including reflection, absorption, and multiple reflection mechanisms, along with key parameters that influence shielding effectiveness. It further delves into the various polymers used in EMI shielding composites, ranging from thermoplastics and thermosets to conducting polymers and elastomers, highlighting the role of structure–property relationships. The incorporation of metallic fillers, including nanoparticles such as Cu, Ag, and Ni, is examined, with a focus on dispersion, interfacial interactions, and the percolation threshold required for optimal conductivity and shielding. The review also covers metal oxide and metal complex-based composites, discussing their magnetic and dielectric loss mechanisms, as well as their performance in EMI shielding. Hybrid and multifunctional composites that combine metals, metal oxides, and complexes are presented, emphasizing their synergistic effects, lightweight nature, and flexibility. Processing techniques such as solution mixing, melt blending, electrospinning, and 3D printing are explored for their role in enhancing scalability and fabrication efficiency. The challenges of material dispersion, cost, and sustainability are addressed, and future research directions are proposed, including the development of smart, multifunctional, and environmentally friendly composites. This comprehensive review serves as a critical resource for advancing the design and application of polymer-based EMI shielding materials across diverse industries.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"83 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149189866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modification of combustion performance and mechanical properties of HTPB-based highly-filled composites with non-reactive polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanostructures","authors":"Abolfazl Moein,&nbsp;Abbas Kebritchi","doi":"10.1007/s00289-026-06744-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-026-06744-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigates the influence of Octa-isobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OIBS) and Octa-phenyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OPS) nanostructures on the mechanical and combustion performance of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB)-based high-energy composites (HECs). The mechanical behavior of the composites was systematically evaluated at POSS loadings of 0.1, 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 wt%. At a low POSS concentration (0.1 wt%), the composites exhibited enhanced elongation at break accompanied by a reduction in mechanical strength. However, increasing the POSS content from 0.1 to 2.5 wt% resulted in a progressive improvement in mechanical strength, with the reinforcing effect being more pronounced for OPS than for OIBS. The combustion behavior of HECs containing 0.5 wt% POSS was also examined. Compared with the neat composite, the incorporation of both POSS nanostructures increased the burning rate, while OIBS demonstrated a greater enhancement than OPS. Structural and morphological analyses using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the incorporation of POSS modified the combustion products and microstructure, thereby improving combustion efficiency. Based on the experimental observations, a mechanism is proposed to explain how the homogeneous dispersion of POSS nanostructures within the HTPB matrix enhances both the mechanical properties and combustion performance of HECs. These findings demonstrate the potential of functionalized POSS nanostructures as effective multifunctional additives for improving the overall performance of HTPB-based high-energy composites.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"83 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149189659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fabrication and characterization of humic acid-modified Fe3O4/waterborne polyurethane nanocomposite emulsions","authors":"Lei Lin,&nbsp;Xiaofen Zhao,&nbsp;Zemin He,&nbsp;Xiangbo Feng,&nbsp;Zongcheng Miao,&nbsp;Yuzhen Zhao","doi":"10.1007/s00289-026-06733-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-026-06733-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Humic acid (HA)-modified Fe₃O₄/waterborne polyurethane (HA-FWPU) nanocomposite emulsions were successfully fabricated via a dual-modification strategy. Isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), polycaprolactone diol (PCL-1000), and 2,2-bis (hydroxymethyl) propionic acid (DMPA) served as the primary reactants, while HA and nano-Fe₃O₄ were incorporated as functional modifiers. The optimal modifier content was systematically determined. Comprehensive characterization revealed that HA significantly reduced the average emulsion particle size and improved colloidal stability. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were surface-functionalized with (3-isocyanatopropyl) triethoxysilane (IPTS) to enhance compatibility and dispersibility within the polyurethane matrix. The incorporation of nano-Fe₃O₄ not only improved the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the films but also imparted notable electrical conductivity and magnetic responsiveness. At an optimal Fe₃O₄ loading of 2.0 wt%, the HA-FWPU3 film exhibited a tensile strength of 23.01 MPa—a 67.7% increase over the unmodified counterpart and a saturation magnetization of 6.01 emu/g. This work presents a feasible approach to designing multifunctional waterborne polyurethane composites for potential applications in electromagnetic shielding, sensors, and functional coatings.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"83 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149189656","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A comprehensive study on aloe vera, graphene oxide, and graphene nanoplatelet modified PVA-based composite films by comparison with hydrogel form: mechanical, thermal, and self-healing properties","authors":"Özge Bildi Ceran","doi":"10.1007/s00289-026-06729-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-026-06729-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Self-healing polymer composites have garnered mounting interest due to their capacity to prolong the service life of products. Consequently, the present study investigated the performance of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based self-healing composite films comprising graphene oxide (GO), graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), and aloe vera powder (AV). Composite films containing 0.012 g GO, 0.012 g GNPs, and 2 wt% aloe vera powder (PAGGN); 0.024 g GNPs and 2 wt% aloe vera powder (PAGN2); and 0.012 g GO and 3 wt% aloe vera powder (PAG1) were determined to be optimal. Their hardness values were 238.38, 209.00, and 502.71 MPa, respectively, and their elastic modulus were 2.54, 2.41, and 3.76 GPa, respectively. The PAG1 composite film had a hardness value and elastic modulus approximately 22- and 19-times higher than those of the composite film containing only aloe vera (PA), respectively Crucially, the optimal composite films had self-healing rates of 99.5% (PAGGN), 89.02% (PAGN2), and 51.00% (PAG1). Notably, hydrogen bonds formed between the hydroxyl groups of PVA and the oxygen-containing functional groups on the surfaces of aloe vera and GO appear to play a fundamental role in improving the mechanical strength and self-healing performance of the composite films. Consequently, Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy confirmed the presence of these bonds, which significantly support the structural integrity and healing ability of the composite films. Therefore, this study has developed sustainable, durable, and functional PVA-based composite films with high mechanical properties and self-healing rates.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"83 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149189658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synergistic effects of carbon, steel, and polypropylene fibers with ZnO on the electromagnetic shielding of rhyolitic tuff geo-tile","authors":"Mahfuz Pekgöz,&nbsp;İlker Tekin","doi":"10.1007/s00289-026-06743-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-026-06743-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Geopolymers have emerged as promising materials for incorporating supplementary additives to enhance electromagnetic (EM) shielding performance. However, the combined effects of functional powders and conductive fibers on the mechanical, electromagnetic, economic, and environmental performance of rhyolitic tuff-based geopolymers remain insufficiently understood. Therefore, this study investigated rhyolitic tuff-based geopolymers incorporating micronized calcite and ZnO at varying percentages and reinforced with 2% by volume of three distinct fiber types, namely polypropylene, brass-coated micro-steel, and carbon fibers. A comprehensive experimental program was conducted, including water absorption, shrinkage measurements, compressive and flexural strength tests, microstructural analysis, and EM shielding effectiveness measurements across the 900–6000 MHz frequency band at 100 MHz intervals. The carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and production costs of the developed geopolymers were also evaluated and compared with those of conventional ceramic tiles. The mechanical performance of rhyolitic tuff-based geopolymers was significantly enhanced by the incorporation of ZnO powder. However, fiber type played a pivotal role in determining the EM shielding properties. The highest total EM shielding values among the investigated fiber types were obtained for the carbon fiber-reinforced geopolymers, reaching 31.2, 42.8, 39.16, and 46.86 dB at 900, 1800, 2400, and 5000 MHz, respectively. The combination of 2.5 vol.% ZnO and 2 vol.% carbon fibers provided the highest total EM shielding performance, reaching 60.32 dB at 5800 MHz. The lowest recorded CO₂ emissions and production cost were 2.63 kg CO₂/m² and $1.30/m², respectively, corresponding to reductions of approximately 81.7% and 90.9% compared with conventional ceramic tiles. Overall, the findings demonstrate that ZnO improves the mechanical performance of rhyolitic tuff-based geopolymers, whereas carbon fibers substantially enhance their EM shielding effectiveness. The developed composites therefore offer a promising low-cost and environmentally sustainable alternative for multifunctional building applications requiring high EM shielding performance.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"83 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149189652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation of biomass derived biocarbon, and Eleusine coracana straw microfiber reinforced PVA composite for EMI shielding application","authors":"S. Ramesh,&nbsp;B. Sathyasri,&nbsp;B. Yuvaraj,&nbsp;S. Hanish Anand","doi":"10.1007/s00289-026-06742-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-026-06742-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Research on bio-based polymer composites has been expedited in response to the increasing demand for environmentally friendly, lightweight, and highly effective electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. Using a solution casting approach, this work generated hybrid poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composites for EMI shielding applications. The composites were reinforced with GPTMS-treated Eleusine coracana straw microfibre and soy hull-derived activated biocarbon. Alkali treatment was used to remove the microfibre, then pyrolysis and chemical activation were used to create activated biocarbon. In order to enhance the compatibility between the reinforcements and their dispersion within the PVA matrix, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) was applied to their surfaces. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, mechanical, morphological, and dielectric properties were assessed in the manufactured composites. Composite stiffness was increased, leading to a decrease in elongation at break, while tensile strength, tear strength, and Shore D hardness were all significantly improved with increasing biocarbon loading. A combination of better stress transfer and increased fracture resistance were shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results demonstrating improved fiber-matrix adhesion and rough fracture morphology. Reinforcement loading increased the dielectric constant and dielectric loss, according to dielectric studies. This is because charge carrier mobility and interfacial polarisation are both improved. The P4 composite showed a 30.8 dB maximum absorption shielding effectiveness (SEA), 7.5 dB reflection shielding effectiveness (SER), and 38.3 dB total shielding effectiveness (SET) in the J-band (10–12 GHz), a significant improvement in EMI shielding performance. A combination of conductive biocarbon networks, interfacial polarisation, and multiple internal reflections led to a shielding mechanism that was mostly driven by absorption. Research like this shows that composites made of GPTMS-treated Eleusine coracana microfibre and soy hull biocarbon provide an eco-friendly and effective substitute for traditional EMI shielding materials used in modern electronics.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"83 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149189194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tailoring mechanical and functional properties of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) filaments for additive manufacturing: A review of blends and additives","authors":"Hajar Naemah Sohif,&nbsp;Hanisah Manshor,&nbsp;Maziati Akmal Mohd Hatta,&nbsp;Mohd Shaiful Sajab","doi":"10.1007/s00289-026-06739-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-026-06739-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is widely used in additive manufacturing (AM) and is known for its notable flexibility. However, its applications are restricted by its low stiffness, poor thermal stability, hygroscopic nature, and processing challenges in AM. Modifying specific formulations of TPU with blends and additives can overcome these limitations. Existing studies have reviewed TPU printing parameters, modifications, and applications, but the relationships between formulations, microstructural development and resulting properties remain insufficiently integrated. Thus, this paper analyses the processing-microstructure-property framework for TPU. The review begins by outlining the processing behaviour of TPU, emphasizing material diversity, processing optimization, and polymer immiscibility. It then reviews commonly used blends and additives in TPU systems, including polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), as well as additives such as fillers, compatibilizers and plasticizers. The literature demonstrates that polymer blending enables the alteration of properties such as stiffness, toughness and shape memory behavior, while additives modify compatibility, processability and functionality. Nonetheless, these improvements are highly dependent on composition and microstructural development, such as phase morphology, interlayer adhesion, crystallinity, and filler dispersion. Material incompatibility and filler agglomeration can otherwise limit material modifications. This paper also considers the application of TPU-based 3D printing in four (4) sectors, namely medical devices, electronics and sensors, non-pneumatic tires (NPT), and textiles and sports equipment. The final section highlights emerging directions, including sustainability, bio-based, and recyclable TPUs with multi-material and 4D printing capabilities. For future research, this paper provides a framework that connects material formulation and processing to microstructural development and final properties for designing smart, high performance and sustainable TPU-based additive manufacturing.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"83 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149189182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rapid adsorptive and optimization of batch process for removal of methylene blue using hybrid GA@SnO2-AC composite materials","authors":"John Busayo Adeoye,&nbsp;Sie Yon Lau,&nbsp;Yie Hua Tan,&nbsp;Yee Yong Tan,&nbsp;Tung Chiong,&nbsp;Nabisab Mujawar Mubarak,&nbsp;Mohammad Khalid,&nbsp;Jeffrey Tze Wei Ng","doi":"10.1007/s00289-026-06745-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-026-06745-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Methylene blue poses different health risks to humans and harms the environment. The current research developed a hybrid adsorbent combining gallic acid and tin oxide, with the addition of activated carbon, to mitigate the detrimental impact of methylene blue effluent pollution. The adsorptive characteristics of GA@SnO₂-AC were validated using the point of zero charge, SEM-EDX, FTIR, and TGA. The variables that determine dye adsorption were examined. The highest adsorption capacity of 95.24 mg/g was achieved. The experiment data matched with Langmuir model and PSO, indicating the applicability of the MB dye uptake. The R_L values range from 0.6880 to 0.7280, suggesting a favourable process. Thermodynamic investigation showed negative values for ΔH^o (-23.1196) and ΔS^o (-0.0442), indicating an exothermic adsorption system with random subsidence by adsorbed species. The negative ΔG° values (-9.9540 to -8.6286 kJ/mol) indicate the spontaneity and viability of the adsorption system. The optimum conditions for MB adsorption onto GA@SnO₂-AC were obtained at an adsorbent dosage of 50 mg, a concentration of 58 mg/L, a contact time of 48 min, and a pH of 11.0, with a desirability of 1. The results indicated that 98.64% of the MB dye had been removed. The model validation results showed 98.13%, indicating an excellent fit between the predicted and actual values. The GA@SnO₂-AC showed excellent stability and regeneration ability towards MB, with a removal efficiency of 86.66% at its five repeated adsorption-desorption cycles. This current study establishes the basis for the possible development of environmentally friendly and economical treatment methods, providing novel opportunities to address key environmental concerns in the water treatment sector.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"83 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00289-026-06745-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149189405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of a polyaniline – sulfonated phenol formaldehyde (PANI–SPF) composite as a fluorescence ‘Turn-off’ chemosensor for Cr6+ and Fe3+ ions, antimicrobial application and DFT investigation","authors":"Murugan Rajeswari,&nbsp;Konda Kannan Satheesh Kumar","doi":"10.1007/s00289-026-06738-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-026-06738-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The growing contamination of water by toxic heavy metals is a major global issue. Thus, developing a simple, real-time, and highly sensitive technique to detect low concentrations of heavy metals in water is crucial to ensuring consumer safety. This research successfully developed a highly efficient fluorescent chemosensor based on a PANI–SPF (1—6) composite via in situ oxidative polymerisation in aqueous solution. The prepared PANI–SPF (1—6) composite were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, XPS, SEM, EDX, and TGA. The PANI–SPF 3 composite exhibited the highest electrical conductivity of 6.31×10 ^{− 3} S cm ^{− 1}. The optical properties of the PANI–SPF (1—6) composites were investigated using UV – Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy in DMSO: water (9:1 v/v) as a solvent. PANI–SPF 3 composite fluorescence spectra were strongly quenched upon increasing Cr⁶⁺ and Fe³⁺ concentrations, and linear Stern–Volmer relationships were obtained, indicating a fluorescence quenching mechanism. PANI–SPF composite sensor showed a high sensitivity for detecting Cr⁶⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions. The limit of detection values for Cr⁶⁺and Fe³⁺ in PANI–SPF 3 composite are 0.61 and 0.68 nM, respectively. Antimicrobial tests were performed on all composites, with PANI–SPF 3 showing the strongest activity. It demonstrated notable zones of inhibition against E. coli and S. aureus compared with Gentamicin. Furthermore, the PANI–SPF 3 composite exhibited non-cytotoxicity up to 500 µg/mL, as confirmed by the MTT assay. The formation of complexes and the observed antimicrobial effects were further clarified through DFT analysis.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"83 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhanced adsorptive and photocatalytic removal of methyl orange and congo red using ZIF-8/Chitosan composite and ZIF-8/Chitosan/ZnO nanocomposite: comprehensive kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamic investigations","authors":"Fatemeh khodaei,&nbsp;Mohammad Yari,&nbsp;Omid Moradi,&nbsp;Massoumeh Sayadian,&nbsp;Mehrnoosh Khaleghian","doi":"10.1007/s00289-026-06721-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-026-06721-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A novel ZIF-8/chitosan composite and ZIF-8/chitosan/ZnO ternary nanocomposite were successfully synthesized through a facile co-precipitation method for the efficient adsorption and photocatalytic removal of the anionic dyes Methyl Orange (MO) and Congo red (CR) from aqueous media. Structural characterization by FTIR, XRD, SEM–EDS, TEM, XPS, and N₂ adsorption–desorption analyses confirmed the successful formation of both composites, homogeneous incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles, and the development of hierarchical porous structures. The ZIF-8/chitosan composite exhibited a BET surface area of 438 m² g⁻¹, while the ZIF-8/chitosan/ZnO nanocomposite retained a high surface area of 312 m² g⁻¹ with an increased average pore diameter of 3.4 nm. TEM analysis showed uniformly dispersed ZIF-8 nanoparticles with an average particle size of 38.6 ± 7.8 nm, whereas ZnO incorporation reduced the average particle size to 26.4 ± 7.2 nm, indicating suppression of crystal growth and formation of finely dispersed hybrid domains. Under the optimum adsorption conditions (pH 6, adsorbent dosage of 0.1 g per 100 mL, initial dye concentration of 500 mg L⁻¹, and 60 min contact time), the maximum adsorption capacity of the ZIF-8/chitosan composite reached 450 mg g⁻¹ for MO and 465 mg g⁻¹ for CR. In comparison, the ZIF-8/chitosan/ZnO nanocomposite exhibited significantly enhanced overall removal capacities of 480 mg g⁻¹ for MO and 490 mg g⁻¹ for CR, while the corresponding photocatalytic degradation efficiencies were 96% and 98%, respectively. The adsorption equilibrium was best described by the Langmuir isotherm, whereas the pseudo-second-order kinetic model provided the best fit for the adsorption step, indicating that chemisorption governed the adsorption process. The subsequent photocatalytic degradation under irradiation followed apparent pseudo-first-order kinetics. Thermodynamic analysis revealed an endothermic adsorption process with enhanced adsorption at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the incorporation of ZnO significantly improved photocatalytic performance through the synergistic integration of adsorption and photocatalysis, demonstrating the strong potential of the developed nanocomposite as an efficient and sustainable material for wastewater treatment.</p><h3>Graphic Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div><p>Schematic representation of the synthesis, adsorption, and UV-driven photocatalytic degradation of Methyl Orange (MO) and Congo Red (CR) over the ZIF-8/Chitosan/ZnO nanocomposite, illustrating the synergistic removal mechanism and the conversion of dye pollutants into environmentally benign products (CO₂ and H₂O).</p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"83 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}