Polymer Bulletin最新文献

{"title":"Application of nanotechnology in anti-aging cosmetics: advantages, challenges, and prospects","authors":"Xuexue Pan,&nbsp;Zhida Zhong,&nbsp;Xiaoxiao Hu,&nbsp;Jingyi Wu,&nbsp;Weiyuan Huang,&nbsp;Wenkai Li,&nbsp;Yi Zhao,&nbsp;Yuanlin Xie,&nbsp;Yawei Huang,&nbsp;Jianrong Liang,&nbsp;Jiayi Wu,&nbsp;Rongyue Huang,&nbsp;Jinjie Xie,&nbsp;Meiyu Wu,&nbsp;Rong Hu,&nbsp;Yonggan Fang,&nbsp;Lu Zhang,&nbsp;Jun Wang","doi":"10.1007/s00289-025-05903-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-025-05903-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Nanotechnology is rapidly emerging in the cosmetics industry, especially in developing anti-aging products. This article reviews the application of nanomaterials in improving skin permeability and bioavailability. It explores their advantages in delivering anti-aging active ingredients such as vitamin C, retinol, and peptides. By analyzing the structure and function of the skin barrier, how nanomaterials can enhance the stability and permeability of active ingredients is illustrated. In addition, the safety and biocompatibility of nanomaterials are evaluated, and potential risks and management strategies are identified. However, nanotechnology has shown significant advantages in skin care, and technical and application challenges exist, such as large-scale production and cost issues. The article concludes with a look forward to future research directions, highlighting the promise of nanotechnology in personalized skin care.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"82 14","pages":"8635 - 8725"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00289-025-05903-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236957","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":"Linseed-based hydrogel nanocomposites for pH-responsive and controlled insulin delivery: design, characterization, and in vitro kinetic analysis","authors":"Farya Shabir,&nbsp;Asif Mahmood,&nbsp;Muhammad Zaman,&nbsp;Rai Muhammad Sarfraz,&nbsp;Abir Boublia,&nbsp;Hira Ijaz,&nbsp;Muhammad Rouf Akram,&nbsp;Ayesha Mahmood,&nbsp;Barbara Ernst,&nbsp;Mohammad Raish,&nbsp;Yacine Benguerba","doi":"10.1007/s00289-025-05917-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-025-05917-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study presents the design, development, and characterization of pH-responsive hydrogels and hydrogel nanocomposites (HNCs) tailored for the safe oral delivery of insulin. A number of formulations of the aforementioned networks were developed utilizing acrylic acid and methacrylic acid (monomers) and a crosslinker in variable amounts. Swelling investigations confirmed minimal expansion at acidic pH (1.2) and significant swelling at physiological pH (7.4), aligning with controlled insulin release in the intestinal environment. Concentration variations of monomers and crosslinkers influenced swelling (89.45–98.5%), gel fraction (82.47–98.34%), and loading efficiency (69.98–97.63%). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) validated the successful formation of grafts and safe loading of insulin. Morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that surface variations were influenced by the inclusion of Ins-Mmt nanoclay. X-ray diffraction (PXRD) studies indicated that the optimized formulation retains the physical form of insulin. Thermal investigations (DSC and TGA) demonstrated enhanced thermal stability in the case of HNCs. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the effective incorporation of the insulin–montmorillonite nanoclay (Ins-Mmt) complex within the hydrogel. Release studies indicated controlled and pH-responsive insulin release (72.52–94.52%, up to 24 h), with kinetic modeling fitting the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, suggesting non-Fickian diffusion. Based on the release kinetics, the Ins-Mmt complex containing linseed and acrylic acid-based hydrogel formulation (Ins-Mmt-LA6) was considered the optimized formulation. This comprehensive characterization establishes the potential of these formulations for pH-responsive and safe oral insulin delivery, offering insights for future advancements in controlled drug release systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"82 14","pages":"9535 - 9580"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236960","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":"Unveiling the transformative horizon of biopolymers in drug delivery","authors":"Pranjal Mishra,&nbsp;Braj Rawat,&nbsp;Kantrol Kumar Sahu,&nbsp;Wasim Akram","doi":"10.1007/s00289-025-05919-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-025-05919-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The landscape of drug delivery is experiencing a paradigm shift catalyzed by the transformative potential of biopolymers. Derived from natural sources such as chitosan, alginate, and gelatin, these polymers offer inherent advantages including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and versatility, making them highly desirable for precision drug delivery systems. Across various routes of administration including oral, transdermal, injectable, ocular, and targeted delivery, biopolymers showcase unparalleled levels of precision and patient-centricity. From advanced nanoformulations and microbiome-targeted systems in oral delivery to microneedle arrays and hydrogel dressings in transdermal delivery, biopolymers drive innovation. Injectable systems featuring smart hydrogels and cellular targeting exemplify the shift toward minimally invasive yet highly effective treatments. Ocular and targeted delivery, particularly in cancer therapeutics, witness groundbreaking advancements facilitated by biopolymers, promising enhanced bioavailability and specificity. Current research trends highlight the potential for personalized medicine with multifunctional nanoparticles and stimuli-responsive polymers, offering tailored treatments for improved efficacy and therapeutic outcomes. As the transformative horizon of biopolymers in drug delivery continues to unfold, we stand on the brink of a new era characterized by innovation, sustainability, and enhanced patient care, promising to revolutionize pharmaceutical sciences for the foreseeable future.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"82 14","pages":"8727 - 8762"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236958","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 comparative dermatokinetic evaluation of thymoquinone-loaded nanoemulsion gel for enhanced wound healing and anti-inflammatory efficacy","authors":"Mariam K. Alamoudi,&nbsp;Niyaz Ahmad,&nbsp;Khalid Ansari,&nbsp;Rana M. Aldossari,&nbsp;Mohammed Saifuddin Khalid,&nbsp;Zabih Ullah,&nbsp;Hanan Mesfer Alyami,&nbsp;Ali Jaber Alqahtani,&nbsp;Ahmed Merghani,&nbsp;Sarfaraz Ahmad,&nbsp;Anzarul Haque","doi":"10.1007/s00289-025-05922-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-025-05922-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>This study aims to design, formulate, and assess a Thymoquinone (TQN)-loaded nanoemulsion, which is further transformed into a nanoemulgel to enhance solubility, improve skin penetration with dermatokinetic properties, and optimize its topical application for wound healing and anti-inflammatory treatment. Since TQN has limited or poor water solubility, its therapeutic efficacy is directly impacted. Therefore, developing a TQN-NE gel is essential to enhance transdermal delivery.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>The TQN-loaded nanoemulsion (TQN-NE) was formulated using the aqueous microtitration method, incorporating Labrafil®M2125, i.e., oil, Tween 80, i.e., surfactant, and plurol oleique i.e., co-surfactant. To improve retention time for topical use, the nanoemulsion was combined with a carbopol 934-based gel, resulting in a nanoemulgel. Both nanoemulsion and nanoemulgel were analyzed by various parameters, including thermodynamic-stability, globule–size, physical–properties, pH, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), drug content, rheological properties, permeation via skin, in vitro drug release, viscosity, -spreadability, shear stress, -bioadhesive strength, -swelling index, and adhesive force.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>The TQN-NE6 formulation resulted in a transparent, stable, and well-defined nanoemulsion with an average droplet/globule size of 151.7 ± 5.93 nm, a ZP of − 18.10 ± 2.61 mV, and a polydispersity index of 0.197 ± 0.061. The Thymoquinone nanoemulsion gel (TQN-NE-Gel) exhibited a mean droplet size of 172.32 ± 6.94 nm, a PDI of 0.126 ± 0.123, a ZP of − 23.30 ± 0.45 mV, and a pH of 6.66 ± 0.08. It also demonstrated a viscosity of 5424 cP at 100 rpm and a spreadability factor of 0.129 ± 0.09 cm²/g, along with enhanced mucoadhesive strength and a smooth, spherical shape confirmed by TEM analysis. The optimized TQN-NE-Gel formulation significantly improved skin permeation, with dermatokinetic analysis showing a notable (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) enhance in C_max and AUC_0–8 h in treated skin compared to conventional TQN gel. Additionally, the optimized TQN-NE-Gel demonstrated superior wound healing efficacy upon topical application. No signs of inflammatory cell infiltration were observed post-treatment, confirming the formulation’s safety and non-toxic nature.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>A novel TQN-NE-Gel was successfully developed, demonstrating enhanced solubility and improved skin permeation of Thymoquinone. The formulation exhibited superior efficacy in promoting wound healing and providing anti-inflammatory effects when applied topically. TQN-NE-Gel serves as an effective carrier for the Thymoquinone, facilitating improved transdermal delivery and therapeutic potential in future.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"82 14","pages":"9581 - 9621"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236962","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 thermal, rheological, mechanical, and morphological properties of reactive recycled PET/recycled PP blends: influence of long-chain branching","authors":"Aboulfazl Barati,&nbsp;Erfan Dashtimoghadam,&nbsp;Shaoyang Liu","doi":"10.1007/s00289-025-05891-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-025-05891-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (<i>r</i>PET) was blended with 25-75 wt% of recycled polypropylene (<i>r</i>PP) by reactive blending in an internal mixer. Pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) was used as a chain extender for PET to modify the blends and improve their performance. Effects of the long-chain branched (LCB) structure of PMDA and nucleation effects of <i>r</i>PP on <i>r</i>PET were investigated quantitatively by studying morphology, rheological behavior, crystallization, thermal, and mechanical properties of the blends. Rheological behavior showed that modified <i>r</i>PET/<i>r</i>PP blends achieved significantly high storage moduli and complex viscosities after branching. Both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that increasing the content of <i>r</i>PP in the blends led to an increase in crystallinity, suggesting that the <i>r</i>PP phase acts as a nucleating agent for the crystallization of <i>r</i>PET. A further finding was that PMDA decreased the degree of crystallinity because of the effect of LCB structure on crystallinity. In comparison to unmodified <i>r</i>PET/<i>r</i>PP blends, modified blends showed improved impact resistance. Nanomechanical mapping showed interfacial broadening between the <i>r</i>PET matrix and <i>r</i>PP dispersed phase, confirming the LCB’s effect. Moreover, SEM images showed an irregular surface at the grain boundary between <i>r</i>PET and <i>r</i>PP in modified blends, confirming enhanced interaction at the interface.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"82 14","pages":"9473 - 9491"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236835","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":"Innovative chitosan/TiO2 composite membrane for the sustainable photocatalytic purification of water contaminated with emerging micropollutants","authors":"Ingrid Luiza Reinehr,&nbsp;Débora Fernanda Capra,&nbsp;Aniela Pinto Kempka,&nbsp;Luiz Jardel Visioli,&nbsp;Alexandre Tadeu Paulino,&nbsp;Heveline Enzweiler","doi":"10.1007/s00289-025-05921-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-025-05921-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The removal of emerging micropollutants from water is one of the main challenges of contemporary society, among these, caffeine that is widely consumed throughout the world. Caffeine is a persistent micropollutant of difficult degradation in aqueous solutions, which has motivated the search for efficient, sustainable treatment methods. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of photocatalytic processes using low-intensity UVC as the radiation source and chitosan/TiO₂ composite membranes for the degradation of caffeine in an aqueous medium simulating wastewater. The general procedure involved the synthesis and characterization of the composite membrane, caffeine photodegradation tests, serial photodegradation test, analyses of the chemical oxygen demand before and after the photodegradation studies, and the analysis of the phytotoxicity of the purified medium. One-step photodegradation efficiency was 52.91% with an initial caffeine concentration of 3.0 mg L⁻¹ after 240 min of exposure to low-intensity UVC radiation. Three-step serial photodegradation generated a caffeine degradation of 86.14%. The chemical oxygen demand analysis revealed a 63% reduction after three batches. The phytotoxicity tests demonstrated the environmental safety of the process, with a 220% germination index after one-step, and 235% after three-step photocatalysis. This study demonstrated the potential of the photocatalyst immobilized in a chitosan membrane as a sustainable process for removing emerging micropollutants using a single step or multiple steps of batch reaction, thus contributing to the development of safer, more economically feasible effluent treatments.</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":"82 14","pages":"9513 - 9533"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236834","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 graphene/silver-PCL/PVP-based nanocomposite membrane produced by electrospinning provides protection against coronavirus and pathogenic bacteria","authors":"Francisco Fábio Pereira de Souza,&nbsp;João de Deus Pereira de Moraes Moraes Segundo,&nbsp;Jamilly Salustiano Ferreira Constantino,&nbsp;Marcos Vinicius Lorevice,&nbsp;Marisa Masumi Beppu,&nbsp;Adriano Lincoln Albuquerque Mattos,&nbsp;Fábia Karine Andrade,&nbsp;Rodrigo Silveira Vieira","doi":"10.1007/s00289-025-05920-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-025-05920-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The spread of infectious diseases through air and contaminated surfaces is a constant threat to public health. The development of porous materials based on nanofibers incorporated with antimicrobial compounds results in the production of multifunctional composites that may control the spread of infectious agents. This study aimed to develop and characterize nanofibers incorporated with graphene oxide and silver nanoparticles (GOAg), produced by electrospinning. The GOAg nanocomposite was synthesized and incorporated into a poly(ε-caprolactone) and (PCL)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (1:1) blend solution and used to produce nanofibers. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy initially confirmed that the GOAg nanocomposite exhibited silver nanoparticles (diameter, 10.4 ± 4.0 nm) anchored onto GO sheets. The GOAg-PCL/PVP nanofibers were characterized in terms of morphological, chemical, thermal, and mechanical features and their biological activities against bacteria and MHV-3 coronavirus. The GOAg-PCL/PVP nanofiber presented a porous structure, with a diameter of 0.52 ± 0.38 µm, and improved thermal and mechanical properties. Furthermore, the GOAg-PCL/PVP nanofiber inactivated 99.97% coronavirus, inhibited the growth of <i>S. aureus</i> (98%), <i>E. coli</i> (62%), and <i>P. aeruginosa</i> (48%) bacteria, and was not cytotoxic to fibroblasts. The GOAg-PCL/PVP nanofiber exhibits significant physicochemical properties and antimicrobial properties, making it ideal for the development of a multifunctional nanocomposite for health applications. These materials are particularly suitable for advanced filters for air filtration and purification, especially for use in personal protective equipment used during viral outbreaks or pandemics.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"82 14","pages":"9493 - 9512"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236836","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":"Production of gamma polyglutamic acid from Glycine max fermentation; its extraction, separation, and application: a review","authors":"Rakhi Rajput,&nbsp;Soumya Pandit,&nbsp;Bibhu Prasad Panda,&nbsp;Sunita Sheoran,&nbsp;Subhasree Ray,&nbsp;Kuldeep Sharma,&nbsp;Debasmita Bhattacharya,&nbsp;Moupriya Nagg,&nbsp;Dibyajit Lahirih","doi":"10.1007/s00289-025-05872-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-025-05872-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Polyglutamic acid, often known as γ-PGA, is a kind of polymer material with great biological compatibility and biodegradability that is frequently used in the food, pharmaceutical, environmental, skincare, and agricultural industries. Since microbial fermentation produces γ-PGA, its isolation, purification, and detection by quantitative methods are crucial. Methods of separation used in this investigation include organic solvent precipitation. Eastern India consumes kinema, a regional meal made of fermented, unsalted, sticky soybeans. Customers cite stickiness as one of the nicest aspects, resulting from the creation of poly-glutamic acid (PGA) from <i>Bacillus species</i>. The fermented soya product \"natto\" contains a significant amount of poly-gamma-glutamic acid. This review highlights various procedures, which include lyophilization and grinding of natto seeds, optimization of protein together with peptide elimination, precipitation with the alcohol, and HCl degradation, which result in the production of highest amount of γ-PGA in natto. </p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"82 14","pages":"8791 - 8826"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236763","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":"Sustainable and versatile applications of cellulose nanocrystals in food processing: a comprehensive review","authors":"Navjot Kaur,&nbsp; Hamid,&nbsp;Kshirod Kumar Dash,&nbsp;Pintu Choudhary,&nbsp;Rafeeya Shams","doi":"10.1007/s00289-025-05894-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-025-05894-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have garnered significant attention as biodegradable and renewable nano-material, owing to their unique structural and mechanical attributes, such as high stiffness and large surface area. This comprehensive review presents recent advancements in the production of CNCs, with specific focus on their characteristics, production techniques, and potential as eco-friendly additive in various aspects of food processing. Various preparation techniques, including acid hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, and mechanical fragmentation, offer distinct advantages in terms of yield and purity. Subcritical water hydrolysis and natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) have emerged as sustainable green approaches that are widely adopted for the development of functional nanocrystals. These nanocrystals can also be surface modified for development of high-performance nanocomposites using hydrophobic polymer matrices. The functional versatility of CNCs is further explored through their application in stabilizing essential oil and emulsions, production of thermally stable hydrogels, and enhancing the bioavailability and controlled release of active ingredients in oral nutraceutical formulations. In addition to these, incorporation of CNCs to packaging materials offers promising solution as a sustainable and biodegradable alternative to synthetic options, with enhanced mechanical and barrier properties. By identifying the challenges and summarizing the advancements, this review underscores the potential of CNCs as a sustainable nanotechnology platform, paving the way for future innovations in food technology, drug delivery, and smart packaging applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"82 14","pages":"8763 - 8789"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236764","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":"Elaboration of novel biocomposite hydrogel polymers made of alginate and sepiolite and endowed with enhanced properties","authors":"Meriem Baziz,&nbsp;Mostefa Kameche,&nbsp;Nassira Benharrats,&nbsp;Liran Hu,&nbsp;Samy Remita","doi":"10.1007/s00289-025-05897-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00289-025-05897-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Nowadays growing attention is given to the design and development of novel interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) from the combination of hydrogel polymers loaded with natural clay. In this work, we used the eco-friendly IPN strategy to develop novel hydrogel biocomposite beads, made of alginate (ALG), with improved clay dispersion, higher pH sensitivity, better stretchability and swellability, together with enhanced regenerability properties and delayed biodegradability. Fibrous clay, namely, sodium sepiolite (NaS), was loaded into alginate simple biocomposite network (SBN) beads, via manual co-grinding mixture/encapsulation method, at different sepiolite loads. Alginate double biocomposite network (DBN) beads were also prepared at different sepiolite loads, via the diffusion of acrylamide monomers (AAM) inside alginate single biocomposite network (SBN) beads, followed by external and in situ free radical polymerization of AAM into polyacrylamide (pAAM), using ammonium persulfate (APS) as polymerization initiator and N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (Bis) as covalent crosslinker agent. The as-elaborated SBN and DBN beads were then characterized by digital camera recording, XRD analysis, ATR-FTIR characterization and SEM observation. FTIR results showed that NaS and pAAM were successfully incorporated into DBN beads, while partially exfoliated morphology was obtained with XRD analysis, which revealed the enhancement of fibrous clay dispersion, even at relatively high sepiolite loads. Besides, SEM microscopy confirmed the porous spongious nature of DBN beads. The properties of the as-elaborated SBN and DBN beads were also evaluated by test touching, swelling rate measurements, adsorption/desorption experiments and biodegradability evaluation. DBN beads properties were always found enhanced in comparison with those of SBN beads. This suggests that the synergetic effect between IPN and biocomposite structure improves the stretchability of the DBN beads, their stability in water whatever the pH and their swelling behavior (up to 2000 g/g adsorbed water after 110 min, which was nevertheless found dependent on the pH and on sepiolite load). Moreover, DBN beads displayed enhanced adsorption/desorption properties toward methylene blue (MB) dye (no reduction in MB adsorption capacity after 5 cycles), very good regenerability (ethanol being used as effective eluting agent) and delayed biodegradability (complete degradation only after 8 days in the presence of sepiolite). In summary, this work showed an interesting and safe IPN/biocomposite approach to develop high-performance alginate biocomposite polymers as a promising system toward their use in eco-friendly processes.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":737,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Bulletin","volume":"82 14","pages":"9445 - 9472"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236826","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}