{"title":"An Insight into the Rate Dependent Viscoelastic Behavior of PVDF","authors":"Arthanareeswaran Shubha, Sachin Varma, Payel Bandyopadhyay","doi":"10.1134/S0965545X26600183","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S0965545X26600183","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is widely used in soft piezoelectric devices, where mechanical stability plays a critical role in long-term performance. In this work, the rate-dependent elastic and viscoelastic behavior of pristine PVDF films is investigated using nanoindentation. Experiments are carried out at room temperature with a maximum load of 30 mN using four different loading times (5, 10, 15, and 20 s), corresponding to loading rates of 6, 3, 2, and 1.5 mN/s, while maintaining a constant holding time of 10 s. The results show a clear loading-rate dependence, with the elastic modulus and hardness increasing by approximately 14.7 and 11.7%, respectively, as the loading rate increases. Creep compliance data obtained from the indentation hold segment are analyzed using the three-element Standard Linear Solid (Kelvin–Voigt form) and the four-element Burger model to extract the viscoelastic parameters. Comparative analysis reveals that the instantaneous elastic modulus (<i>E</i><sub>1</sub>) remains independent of loading rate in both models, whereas the delayed elastic modulus (<i>E</i><sub>2</sub>) decreases with increasing loading rate by ~31% in the SLS–K.V model and ~40% in the Burger model. Furthermore, the viscous parameters show significant rate sensitivity, with η<sub>1</sub> decreasing by ~57% and η<sub>2</sub> reducing to nearly half of its initial value at higher loading rates in both models. These results highlight the pronounced rate-dependent viscoelastic response of PVDF and provide insights relevant to the mechanical reliability of PVDF-based piezoelectric devices.</p>","PeriodicalId":738,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Science, Series A","volume":"68 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149222691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Influence of a Chamber Temperature on the Tensile Strength and Impact Toughness of PA6 in FDM 3D Printing","authors":"Le Duong, Pham Thi Hong Nga, Ngo Vu Nguyen","doi":"10.1134/S0965545X26600377","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S0965545X26600377","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In fused filament fabrication/fused deposition modeling (FFF/FDM), the mechanical properties of Polyamide 6 (PA6) are strongly governed by thermal conditions during printing, particularly the build chamber temperature, which controls cooling rate, crystallinity, and interlayer bonding. This study evaluated three build chamber temperatures (30, 40, and 50°C) while keeping all other parameters constant to determine their effects on tensile strength, impact toughness, and microstructure. Five specimens per condition were tested for tensile and impact properties, and fracture surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results demonstrate a clear temperature dependence: increasing the chamber temperature from 30 to 50°C enhanced tensile strength from 21.32 to 24.61 MPa and impact toughness from 13.58 to 14.35 kJ/m<sup>2</sup>, whereas 40°C yielded the lowest values of 16.09 MPa and 11.37 kJ/m<sup>2</sup>. SEM observations suggested that specimens printed at 50°C exhibited improved filament fusion and fewer interlaminar voids, resulting in a more homogeneous and ductile fracture surface, whereas specimens printed at 40°C showed less uniform interlayer bonding and a more heterogeneous defect distribution. These observations are consistent with enhanced interlayer bonding under more favorable thermal conditions. The findings indicate that approximately 50°C is the optimal build chamber temperature within the investigated range, providing improved mechanical reliability of FFF/FDM-printed PA6 parts and a basis for optimizing the processing window for load-bearing applications.</p><div><figure><div><div><picture><img></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":738,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Science, Series A","volume":"68 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149222692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Karishma Tavar, Netram Kaurav, Jaiveer Singh, A. Sharma, J. Tripathi
{"title":"Structural, Mechanical and Morphological Characterizations of PMMA/PS Blends: Influence of Polystyrene on Poly(methyl methacrylate) Films","authors":"Karishma Tavar, Netram Kaurav, Jaiveer Singh, A. Sharma, J. Tripathi","doi":"10.1134/S0965545X26600390","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S0965545X26600390","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study reports the structural, morphological, mechanical and dielectric behavior of solution-cast poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films containing trace fractions (0.5 and 1%) of polystyrene (PS). X-ray diffraction shows that all films are amorphous, exhibiting broad halos whose position reflects the average inter-chain spacing; PS incorporation shifts the halo slightly, indicating modestly looser chain packing rather than any crystalline change. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy reveal no new bands and only marginal shifts, confirming the absence of chemical bonding and consistent with the known immiscibility of PMMA and PS. Atomic force microscopy uncovers a composition-driven morphological transition: at 0.5% PS the surface develops a diffusion-limited dendritic network, which reorganizes into a phase-separated pore structure at 1%. Microhardness varies systematically with composition, and dielectric spectroscopy shows that ε′, ε″ and tanδ change measurably with PS content, which we attribute to interfacial polarization at the phase-separated domains. The results establish trace-PS addition as a simple route to tune the morphology and permittivity of PMMA films for dielectric-coating and flexible electronic applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":738,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Science, Series A","volume":"68 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149222690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Collision-Induced Conformational Changes of Trp-cage and Ubiquitin in the Gas Phase","authors":"S. A. Dubrovskii, N. K. Balabaev","doi":"10.1134/S0965545X26600717","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S0965545X26600717","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Collision-induced unfolding of trp-cage and ubiquitin is studied using molecular dynamics simulations of protein ion drift in helium. We first simulate the drift of protein ions in a strong electric field, where they become activated, increasing their internal energy through collisions with gas molecules. We then simulate the drift of activated protein ions in a weak field, where they cool to a temperature close to the gas temperature. To reduce the time required for activation and cooling, the simulations are carried out at gas pressures significantly higher than the experimental ones. The internal temperature of proteins reaches steady-state values within a few nanoseconds. Their radius of gyration changes almost simultaneously with the change in temperature or even somewhat faster. For both trp-cage and ubiquitin, it increases significantly upon protein activation and returns to nearly its pre-activation value upon protein cooling. This indicates that upon activation these proteins adopt unfolded conformations and upon cooling they become compact again. The collision cross section is calculated based on the mobility determined under conditions where the protein temperature is close to the gas temperature. These calculations show that activated and then cooled proteins have collision cross sections close to those of non-activated proteins. This is in contrast to the results of ion mobility experiments, in which activated proteins have larger collision cross sections after cooling than non-activated ones. The distance between the N and C termini in activated and then cooled proteins differs from the distance between these ends in non-activated proteins. This indicates that, despite similar radii of gyration, these proteins differ significantly in conformation.</p>","PeriodicalId":738,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Science, Series A","volume":"68 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Solvent-Directed Surface Nanoarchitectonics for Enhanced Electromagnetic Attenuation in Polymer Microspheres","authors":"Zhiang Liu, Jiajia Song, Dengpan Zhang, Chengqian Dong, Miya Sun, Yujing Liu, Qiuxiang Sun","doi":"10.1134/S0965545X25601200","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S0965545X25601200","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Conventional breath figure (BF) templating techniques shows significant potential in surface patterning used for constructing micro/nanoscale architectures in recent years. However, BF remains ineffective for the patterned regulation of three-dimensional structures in microscale materials, limiting its practical application in surface functionalization. In this work, we propose a novel solvent-induced chain conformation modulation strategy, enabling both forward patterning and reverse pore erasure on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) microspheres. By treating the microspheres with solvents of different polarities (e.g., isopropanol, tetrahydrofuran), reversible regulation of surface morphology from raspberry-like rough textures to smooth interfaces was achieved. After carbonization, the surface morphology of the microspheres exhibited a strong correlation with their electromagnetic (EM) absorption performance. The rough surface structure enhanced interfacial polarization and energy dissipation, leading to excellent EM wave absorption performance (minimum reflection loss: –30.48 dB, maximum effective absorption bandwidth: 3.84 GHz). This work not only establishes a versatile patterning strategy for microscale materials but also provides fundamental insights for designing high-efficiency EM absorbing materials.</p>","PeriodicalId":738,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Science, Series A","volume":"68 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Significance of 3D-Printed Biopolymer Composites for Sustainability: a Review of Engineering Applications","authors":"Ghaith M. Algharbi, Suha K. Shihab","doi":"10.1134/S0965545X26600730","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S0965545X26600730","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This review emphasizes the use of natural reinforcements in polymer matrices, achieved by application of advanced 3D printing technologies, to foster sustainable engineering practices. The environmental issues associated with the use of conventional petroleum-based plastics have risen, biodegradable and eco-friendly plastics are gaining in demand, making the use of biopolymer matrices and natural fillers more critical. Using additive manufacturing technologies, geometry can be controlled precisely, material usage is minimized, and design flexibility is maximized, and creating lightweight, mechanically optimized, and environmentally friendly composite parts. Recent advances in material development, printing technologies, and post-processing techniques have helped to broaden the applications of bio-reinforced composites in the energy sector, automotive industry, structural, and biomedical industry. Experimental results indicate that these composites can be optimized based on the type of reinforcement, compatibility of the fiber and matrix, and the method used for 3D printing. The mechanical and functional results of FDM, SLS, and SLA/DLP vary, and this needs to be carefully matched with the requirements of the application. There are still some knowledge gaps regarding long-term durability, environmental stability, and replicability under real-world conditions. This review elucidates the possibilities and constraints of 3D printed bio-reinforced polymer composites, and their potential to reduce the environmental impact while also fulfilling the functional requirements of contemporary engineering processes. Standardized experimental protocols, optimization of material formulations, and scalable manufacturing strategies should be the subject of future research to enable the complete exploitation of the sustainable and circular economy potential of these composites.</p>","PeriodicalId":738,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Science, Series A","volume":"68 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xinmin Huang, Rongcheng Dai, Ke Sang, Qinguan Yuan
{"title":"Preparation and Properties of Anisotropic SA/AM/AA/CNC/Ca2+ Hydrogel Flexible Sensor","authors":"Xinmin Huang, Rongcheng Dai, Ke Sang, Qinguan Yuan","doi":"10.1134/S0965545X26600626","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S0965545X26600626","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In this paper, a SA/AM/acrylic acid (AA)/CNC/Ca<sup>2+</sup> double network anisotropic hydrogel was prepared by stretching, remodeling, drying, and ionic crosslinking methods. SEM images show that the prepared hydrogel has an anisotropy. When the CNC content increases to 3 wt %, its tensile strength increases to 0.21 MPa. Its elongation at break is 1344.9%. The tensile strength of the hydrogel pre-stretched by 300% increases significantly. It has good cyclic stability during 10 continuous loading and unloading processes at different strains from 50 to 400% and 200% strain. The hydrogel sensor has high sensitivity (GF = 4.46), fast response (166 ms), and recovery (249 ms). The hydrogel sensor can detect the real-time bending degree of fingers, wrists, and elbows.</p>","PeriodicalId":738,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Science, Series A","volume":"68 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149068037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
O. B. Avazova, M. Abdurazakov, R. Yu. Milusheva, S. Sh. Rashidova
{"title":"On the Complexation of Bombyx mori Protein with Chitosan and Their Thermal Properties","authors":"O. B. Avazova, M. Abdurazakov, R. Yu. Milusheva, S. Sh. Rashidova","doi":"10.1134/S0965545X26600572","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S0965545X26600572","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The experimental results confirmed the possibility of forming complexes between <i>Bombyx mori</i> protein and chitosan. It was found that changes in the pH of the medium significantly influence the complexation process. In particular, in 2% acetic acid solution, the formation of protein–chitosan complexes was most intensive in the pH range of 4.8–6.7, as observed by the turbidimetric method. This phenomenon is associated with the charge state of macromolecules and can be explained by electrostatic charge compensation and increased intermolecular association between protein and chitosan molecules within this pH range. Infrared spectroscopic analysis revealed shifts in the absorption bands at 1641, 1538, and 1068 cm<sup>–1</sup>. These changes indicate the formation of complex structures through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions involving amide, amino, and hydroxyl groups. In particular, the shift at 1641 cm<sup>–1</sup> is associated with conformational rearrangement of amide I vibrations, indicating local changes in the secondary structure of the protein. Thermogravimetric analysis made it possible to evaluate changes in the thermo-oxidative degradation behavior resulting from complex formation. Comparative analysis showed that the studied biopolymers exhibit general degradation patterns along with sample-specific characteristics during thermal oxidation. Thermograms demonstrated that the protein exhibits higher thermal stability compared to chitosan. In addition, a decrease in medium acidity led to a reduction in the thermal stability of protein–chitosan complexes.</p>","PeriodicalId":738,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Science, Series A","volume":"68 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149068036","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Polyaniline/MWCNTs/Cellulose Acetate Nanomembrane Composite is a Pioneering Development in Electrochemical Sensing","authors":"Vineeta Gautam, Umesh Kumar","doi":"10.1134/S0965545X25600887","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S0965545X25600887","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This research focuses on the preparation of composite materials consisting of polyaniline (PANI), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and cellulose acetate (CA). This material was characterized structurally, morphologically, and electrochemically. Two materials were considered, PANI/CA and PANI/MWCNT/CA. In the fabrication process, the following critical occurrences happened: monomer coupling of aniline, unfolding of the CA fibers to make nano-sheets, π−π stacking of MWCNTs to PANI chain, and ionic bonding of PANI and CA. Such events resulted in the formation of a layered nanomembranous material with increased surface and improved electrochemical performance. The MWCNT played the role of binder of PANI/CA, giving rise to new redox centers and transfer pathways. The nanomaterial showed electroactivity, conductive, hydrophilic, biocompatible and stable. Catechol and Ascorbic acid were taken as analytes, where the modified PANI/MWCNTs/CA electrode had better sensitivity for catechol. The prepared sensor had a good linear range (20 µM to 20 mM), fast response time (4 s) and lower detection limit [22.51 µM (Ascorbic acid) and 19.59 µM (Catechol)].</p>","PeriodicalId":738,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Science, Series A","volume":"68 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149068035","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effect of the Heat Treatment on the Mechanical, Thermomechanical and Morphological Properties of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate","authors":"Abdeslam Bencid, Safia Merabet, Farid Rouabah, Brahim Barka, Magali Fois, Kamel Chadi","doi":"10.1134/S0965545X2660016X","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S0965545X2660016X","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The effects of thermally induced residual stresses on the mechanical, thermomechanical, and morphological properties of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) were systematically investigated. Specimens were subjected to free quenching at controlled bath temperatures (0, 10, 20, and 30°C) and compared against an annealed reference. Quenching at 20°C was identified as the optimal condition, maximizing Izod impact strength (~8.7 kJ/m<sup>2</sup>) and elongation at break (~5.1%) while minimizing elastic modulus (~0.95 GPa) and density. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed a moderate degree of crystallinity (χ<sub>c</sub> = 33.6%) for this condition, reflecting an optimal balance between crystalline reinforcement and amorphous ductility. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) corroborated these findings through an enhanced loss modulus peak and a characteristic residual stress profile featuring surface compressive stresses that impede crack propagation. These results establish quantitative microstructure–property relationships across multiple characterization scales and provide practical guidelines for optimizing the post-processing cooling stage in rPET injection moulding. These enhancements are attributed to the increased free volume retained upon rapid cooling, which promotes segmental chain mobility and augments the energy absorption capacity of the material under mechanical solicitation. The present findings establish quantitative microstructure–property relationships across multiple characterization scales, elucidating the mechanical behavior arising from the interplay between the crystalline and amorphous phases inherent to semi-crystalline of rPET.</p>","PeriodicalId":738,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Science, Series A","volume":"68 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148856650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}