Article
Polymer Science
Yi Li, Guoyong Huang, Cong Chen, Xue-Wei Wei, Xi Dong, Wei Zhao, Hai-Mu Ye
Summary: By incorporating AD units into PBS chains, the crystallization temperature and crystallinity of PBS can be depressed, while the primary nucleation capability is significantly strengthened without altering crystal modification or crystallization kinetics. The presence of specific interactions among AD units is crucial for the performance of PBSAD, and further investigation may lead to the design of superior PBS copolymers in the future.
Article
Polymer Science
Maryam Safari, Ricardo A. Perez Camargo, Laura Ballester-Bayarri, Guoming Liu, Agurtzane Mugica, Manuela Zubitur, Dujin Wang, Alejandro J. Mueller
Summary: This study explores the possibility of blending PBS and PCL with BSxCLy copolymers and systematically studies the crystallization behavior of the blends. The results show that the PBS/BS78CL22 blend exhibits good miscibility at high PBS content, while the PCL/BS15CL85 blend still displays partial miscibility at high PCL content. The BS46CL54 copolymer can crystallize in both PBS and PCL type crystals, depending on the polymeric matrix.
Article
Crystallography
Cong Chen, Xue-Wen Zhang, Hai-Mu Ye
Summary: The introduction of 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy) units as end groups in interacting telechelic poly(butylene succinate) (PBS-UPy) oligomers has been shown to increase primary nucleation density and promote nucleation, while reducing spherulite growth rate. The impact of UPy stacks on nucleation ability changes from inhibition to promotion with respect to molecular weight (M(n)), leading to a significant increase in nucleation density even under an initial inhibition of nucleation ability. The change in the impact of UPy stacks on nucleation ability is speculated to originate from the memory expression feasibility of ordered conformation in the melt during crystallization.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xue-Wei Wei, Cong Chen, Tian-Yu Wu, Li-Hai Cai, Hai-Mu Ye
Summary: Co-crystallization is crucial for integrating and regulating thermal and mechanical properties in polymer blends. However, poor compatibility between components in the crystal phase has hindered co-crystallization. In this study, we propose a method using 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy)-functionalized polymers to connect different chain ends, promoting co-crystallization and inhibiting phase separation. This work enhances our understanding of co-crystallization in crystalline/crystalline polymer blends.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Panagiotis A. Klonos, Nikolaos D. Bikiaris, Alexandra Zamboulis, Miguel angel Valera, Ana Mangas, Apostolos Kyritsis, Zoi Terzopoulou
Summary: Two series of sustainable block copolymers based on poly(butylene succinate) (PBSu) and polylactide (PLA) were studied. The effects of PBSu/PLA ratio, chain length, and initial PBSu length on thermal transitions and crystallization of copolymers were investigated. The addition of PBSu improved the performance and degradability of the copolymers, as observed through calorimetry and dielectric spectroscopy.
Article
Polymer Science
Zhipeng Sun, Zhiguo Jiang, Zhaobin Qiu
Summary: In this research, the thermal, crystallization, and mechanical properties of branched PBS copolymers (PBDS) were systematically investigated and it was found that branching did not modify the crystallization mechanism, but significantly improved the elongation at break and decreased the Young's modulus and tensile strength of the copolymers.
Article
Polymer Science
Carlos Perez-Valdez, Guillermina Burillo, Rodrigo Navarro, Angel Marcos-Fernandez
Summary: PBS and PBSA were irradiated with gamma radiation up to a dose of 400 kGy, resulting in the formation of gel content. PBSA exhibited higher gel content compared to PBS. Analysis revealed that chain scission predominated over crosslinking. Branching and chain scission increased the dispersity and affected the molecular weight. NMR analysis showed the appearance of new species and changes in species with increasing dose. The thermal properties, especially crystallization temperature, were significantly affected by irradiation. Mechanical properties of both polymers were greatly reduced, making them fragile even at low doses.
Article
Polymer Science
Rene Androsch, Katalee Jariyavidyanont, Andreas Janke, Christoph Schick
Summary: In this study, the melt-crystallization process of PBS under different melt-supercooling conditions was analyzed using X-ray scattering techniques, microscopy, and fast scanning chip calorimetry. It was found that lamellar thickening is not the main mechanism of isothermal secondary crystallization, and low-temperature crystallization leads to the presence of crystal defects.
Article
Polymer Science
Tianqi Yue, Huanbo Wang, Yuan Fu, Shiyu Guo, Xuefeng Zhang, Tian Liu
Summary: In this study, TiO2-incorporated RS/PBS biocomposites were prepared with different TiO2 powder loadings, with 1% TiO2 showing the best mechanical and crystallization properties. Both rice straw fiber and TiO2 acted as nucleating agents for PBS, improving its crystallization and mechanical properties significantly.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Justus Kuhnigk, Niko Krebs, Christian Mielke, Tobias Standau, Doris Pospiech, Holger Ruckdaeschel
Summary: A current trend in the progress of bead foams is to use engineering polymers such as poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), which have higher temperature resistance and offer new areas of application. However, currently PBT bead foams can only be foamed and molded using an epoxy-based chain extender. This study investigates the influence of molecular weight on crystallization behavior and finds that higher molecular weight PBTs result in lower open cell content and higher expansion behavior, increasing the contact area between beads during the molding process.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Chuanhui Zhang, Chao Chen, Chunping Ouyang, Xiangbin Zeng, Zhilong Guo, Fenghua Lai, Jianjun Li
Summary: Aliphatic and aliphatic-aromatic polyesters are widely used in food packaging, with a particular focus on volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This study utilized various analytical techniques to investigate the presence of cyclic esters, a type of VOC, in poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). The results showed that the cyclic esters varied in repeating unit length and were influenced by different reaction conditions.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Priscilla B. A. Bedor, Pedro Rondelli, Sergio Thode Filho, Fernando G. de Souza Jr, Selma G. F. Leite
Summary: This study focused on the production of poly(butylene succinate) microspheres containing urea for the biostimulation of native microbiota in contaminated sites. The results showed efficient controlled release of urea and promoted microbial growth, while also revealing the ecotoxicity of the urea-containing microspheres on A. salina.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Polymer Science
Massimiliano Barletta, Clizia Aversa, Muhammad Ayyoob, Annamaria Gisario, Kotiba Hamad, Mehrshad Mehrpouya, Henri Vahabi
Summary: The development of biodegradable and compostable materials, such as polybutylene succinate (PBS), as alternatives to fossil-based plastics is highly important. PBS is a compostable aliphatic polyester with good mechanical strength and thermal resistance. However, it is often blended with other polymers, fillers, and additives to improve processability and mechanical performance. Recent advances in polymer blending processes have made PBS blends an interesting material platform for applications requiring a balance of mechanical strength, flexibility, thermal resistance, and compostability.
PROGRESS IN POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Meng Zhang, Chao Jiang, Qiuhua Wu, Guolin Zhang, Fuxin Liang, Zhenzhong Yang
Summary: In this study, the addition of organic-inorganic composite Janus nanosheets (PLA/PBS JNs) to the blend of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polybutadiene (PBS) successfully improved the mechanical properties and gas barrier performance.
Article
Thermodynamics
Xiao-Ming Zhou, Xiao-Ya Wang, Tianci Wu
Summary: In this study, graphene oxide (GO) was successfully prepared and dispersed in PBNPGS during the experiment, accelerating the crystallization process. Non-isothermal crystallization behavior of GO-PBNPGS was influenced by GO content and cooling rate, and GO served as an effective nucleating agent when 0.10% GO was added.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Cristina Righetti, Paola Marchese, Micaela Vannini, Annamaria Celli, Cesare Lorenzetti, Dario Cavallo, Connie Ocando, Alejandro J. Muller, Rene Androsch
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Monika Dobrzynska-Mizera, Monika Knitter, Salvatore Mallardo, Maria Cristina Del Barone, Gabriella Santagata, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo
Summary: Bio-based composites made of PLLA and CD-Lim were prepared by melt extrusion, with the successful encapsulation of volatile d-limonene molecules within beta-cyclodextrin cages. Despite some limonene release during high-temperature processing, the filler's good dispersion acted as a nucleating agent favoring PLLA crystal growth. Thermomechanical analysis confirmed the lowered glass transition temperature and constant stiffness of the modified materials, which are crucial in PLLA-based formulations.
Article
Polymer Science
Alessandra Longo, Giovanni Dal Poggetto, Mario Malinconico, Paola Laurienzo, Ernesto Di Maio, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo
Summary: This work presents the enhancement of crystallization rate of poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) by introducing optically pure short chain branches. The synthesized graft copolymer demonstrates faster crystallization rate compared to commercial PLLA and a binary blend with the same composition. The short branches play a crucial role in promoting crystal nucleation and growth.
Article
Polymer Science
Wei Wang, Seif Eddine Fenni, Zhe Ma, Maria Cristina Righetti, Daniele Cangialosi, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo, Dario Cavallo
Summary: The debate on the origin of annealing peaks in semicrystalline polymers continues, with some suggesting they are related to defective/thinner crystals melting, while others propose they are associated with the enthalpy relaxation of the rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) directly coupled to crystalline stems. The study on polymorphic poly (butene-1) (PB-1) shows that the annealing peaks are related to the RAF striving to attain thermodynamic equilibrium in its glassy state within the investigated temperature range.
Article
Polymer Science
Maria Cristina Righetti, Patrizia Cinelli, Laura Aliotta, Elisa Bianchi, Fabio Tricoli, Maurizia Seggiani, Andrea Lazzeri
Summary: This study investigates the thermal, morphological, and mechanical properties of environmentally friendly poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and PHB/poly[(butylene succinate)-co-(butylene adipate)] (PBSA) blends, revealing that while the blends are immiscible, they exhibit some mechanical compatibility. The elastic modulus is found to be properly described by the rule of mixtures across the composition range, with ductility increasing with higher PBS or PBSA content. The unusual behavior is attributed to a co-continuous morphology and shrinkage during sequential crystallization, potentially leading to physical adhesion between the blend components.
POLYMER INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Polymer Science
Serena Coiai, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo, Patrizia Cinelli, Maria Cristina Righetti, Elisa Passaglia
Summary: Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a widely produced biobased, biodegradable and biocompatible polyester. Although it shares similarities with petroleum-based polymers, its high brittleness and low toughness limit its utilization, prompting the blending with other biobased and biodegradable polymers. By incorporating appropriate additives and solid nanoparticles, the toughness and ductility of PLA can be improved, enhancing its mechanical performance, thermal stability and gas/vapor barrier properties.
Article
Polymer Science
Alessandra Longo, Ernesto Di Maio, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo
Summary: This article presents a novel method to enhance and control bubble nucleation in PLLA foaming without relying on external nucleating agents. The method involves annealing amorphous PLLA at temperatures close to its glass transition and foaming it after sorption of CO2. The resulting foam has a bimodal morphology with bubbles of different sizes.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Maria Cristina Righetti, Micaela Vannini, Annamaria Celli, Daniele Cangialosi, Carla Marega
Summary: This study assessed the temperature dependence of the constrained amorphous interphase or rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) in biobased semi-crystalline poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PEF). The results showed that the RAF developed parallel to the crystal phase during crystallization at lower temperatures, and vitrified upon subsequent cooling. The physical properties of RAF were found to be different from those of the amorphous fraction far from the crystals. The study also revealed the significant influence of temperature on the crystal phase and crystallization rate.
Article
Polymer Science
Maria Cristina Righetti, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo, Dario Cavallo, Alejandro J. Muller, Massimo Gazzano
Summary: The structural evolution of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) crystals was studied using synchrotron wide-angle and small-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS and SAXS) analysis after crystallization at 100 degrees C. Isothermal crystallization of PBS resulted in a single lamellar population. The temperature-dependent WAXS/SAXS analysis revealed the development of an additional crystal population characterized by thicker lamellae upon heating, leading to a dual lamellar population. The derived temperature dependence of the lamellar thickness for the two different crystal populations provided structural information that elucidated the multiple melting behavior of PBS.
Article
Polymer Science
Alessandra Longo, Ernesto Di Maio, Fanfan Du, Rene Androsch, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo
Summary: This study compared the cold crystallization of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) containing α-mesophase with fully amorphous PLLA by mild CO2 treatment. CO2-induced mesophase developed in surface-near regions of the PLLA disks, while the core remained amorphous. Cold-crystallization of CO2-treated PLLA resulted in the formation of conformationally disordered α'-crystals.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fanfan Du, Irene Bonadies, Alessandra Longo, Harald Rupp, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo, Renei Androsch
Summary: Fibers consisting of PLLA and mosquito-repellent IR3535 were successfully prepared by solution electrospinning. The incorporation of more than 40 m% of IR3535 into PLLA fibers was achieved. IR3535 facilitated the crystallization of PLLA and had a plasticizing effect on PLLA, leading to a decrease in the glass transition temperature. The slow release of IR3535 from PLLA/IR3535 fibers suggests their potential use as a long-lasting repellent-delivery system for combating diseases caused by mosquito bites.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maria Cristina Righetti, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo, Patrizia Cinelli, Massimo Gazzano
Summary: The study quantified the temperature evolution of the constrained or rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) of PBS, indicating that at room temperature and at human body temperature, all amorphous fraction is mobile. This information is important for the development of PBS products for various applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Mustafa Kalay, Abidin Esidir, Mahmut Ruzi, N. Burak Kiremitler, Mustafa Serdar Onses
Summary: This study proposes stable and addressable polymer PUFs, utilizing a cross-linkable polymer system, which demonstrates high stochastic characteristics and low-cost production. The performance of the polymer features is evaluated through various analyses, and direct image authentication is achieved using feature matching algorithms.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Jingyu Jin, Guoqiang Lu, Jun Nie, Xiaoqun Zhu
Summary: Photopolymerization technology is limited in the fields of food packaging and biomedicine due to the high migration of small molecules from photoinitiators. In this study, a polymerizable 2-vinyl thioxanthone (ETX) was synthesized to improve the migration stability of photoinitiators. Macromolecular photoinitiators (PPI1, PPI2) were also prepared to further reduce migration. The results showed that the ETX/TEOA system had higher initiation performance and PPI2 displayed favorable initiation ability. Additionally, the migration of ETX, PPI1, and PPI2 in photocured film was significantly reduced. These low-migration photoinitiators have potential applications in the fields of food packaging and biological materials.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Weijie Li, Jun Nie, Yingying Zhao, Xiaoqun Zhu
Summary: This study focuses on the development of high-performance, low-migration photoinitiators. A polymerizable photoinitiator (VBP) was synthesized by introducing an ethylene group into benzophenone, and three different molecular weight single-component photoinitiators (PVBN1-3) were synthesized based on VBP. The results show that these new photoinitiators have stronger absorption ability compared to benzophenone and significantly reduce the migration of initiators and co-initiators, addressing the safety concerns caused by migration.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Seira Morimune-Moriya, Yuki Iwahashi, Mitsuru Nakamura, Daisuke Ogawa, Keiji Nakamura
Summary: This study investigates the effect of plasma treatment on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and the structure/properties of polyimide (PI) nanocomposites with ultra-low content of CNTs. The results show that plasma treatment introduces isocyanate groups on the surface of CNTs and enhances the interfacial interaction between PI and treated CNTs. This leads to a significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites, with even a small addition of treated CNTs showing a substantial increase in Young's modulus, tensile strength and toughness.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Yuanlong Li, Chaojie Chen, Guoqing Cui, Li Liu, Chao Zhou, Guangfeng Wu
Summary: In this study, a novel ion-conducting hydrogel was fabricated using a straightforward approach. The hydrogel showed excellent tensile properties and high toughness due to physical interactions and covalent binding. Additionally, the introduction of hydroxyethyl cellulose and lithium chloride improved the biocompatibility, mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and frost resistance of the hydrogel, demonstrating its potential for cold climate applications.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Dengwei Yan, Jinxian Yang, Xuejun Pan, Xiaozheng Duan, Lianwei Li, Mo Zhu
Summary: The influence of backbone length on grafting efficiency during the graft-onto reaction process was investigated. It was found that the polydispersity effect of backbone length does not affect the final grafting efficiency, indicating that the local dynamics of chain segments dominate the graft-onto process.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Zhaoyi Luo, Xianjie Pan, Fanqi Liu, Quanxi Yi, Yanning Zeng, Yunhua Chen, Chaoyang Wang
Summary: This study provides a method to prepare high-performance epoxy materials with good malleability and thermal stability. The materials have self-healing and welding capabilities, thanks to the addition of specific chemical bonds and network structures. They exhibit mechanical properties comparable to commercial epoxy resins and show great potential for sustainable industrial development.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Chaoji Xiong, Hao Wang, Lihua Deng, Kun Liang, Chunhua Wu, Wei Wu, Qian Chen
Summary: In this study, four polyamides were synthesized and their adsorption performances for Hg2+ in aqueous systems were investigated. The polyamides exhibited high adsorption capacities and excellent reusability, with the involvement of sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen in the chemical adsorption process of Hg2+.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Siim Laanesoo, Olivier Bonjour, Rauno Sedrik, Iris Tamsalu, Patric Jannasch, Lauri Vares
Summary: The insertion of rigid aliphatic or aromatic building blocks in polymer structures is an effective way to synthesize high -Tg polymer materials. In this study, a series of isosorbide-2-aryl carboxylate-5-methacrylate monomers (ArIMAs) were synthesized by functionalizing isosorbide 5-methacrylate with various aromatic lignin-inspired esters. These monomers were polymerized to obtain high molecular-weight poly(aryl carboxylate isosorbide methacrylates) (PArIMAs). The resulting polymers showed high glass transition temperatures and thermal stability, making them suitable for use as high-performance plastics and coatings.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Yuqian Wu, Weijie Xu, Jianliang Li, Zhangfeng Zhong, Liqing Huang, Shengke Li, Huaping Tan
Summary: This study investigates the improvement of degradation and drug release characteristics of dynamic Schiff base-mediated natural polysaccharide hydrogels using tannic acid (TA), leading to enhanced stability and functionality.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Xi Zhang, Xiangli Kong, Xin Zhou, Yiyan Gao, Yibo Sun, Guanghui Gao, Wei Liu, Kai Shi
Summary: Conductive hydrogels have great development prospects in flexible strain sensors, but long-term direct contact with human skin can cause bacterial infection. A hydrogel with antibacterial, biocompatibility, and toughness was designed and manufactured using a freeze-thaw method. The hydrogel maintains tensile properties and fatigue resistance at low temperatures and is resistant to bacteria. Therefore, hydrogel sensors can be used to monitor human movements.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Wei Zhang, Jiangang Yu, Mingyang Wu, Rui Li, Anqiang Zhang, Yaling Lin
Summary: In this study, polyacrylamide containing quaternary ammonium salts (PAM-X) were synthesized and found to effectively inhibit soil-borne pathogenic fungi while maintaining the balance of microbial population in soil. PAM-X also showed low toxicity to earthworms and fish, providing a new method for the prevention and control of soil-borne fungal diseases.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Jiawen He, Haojie Yu, Li Wang, Jian Yang, Yanhui Zhang, Wenbing Huang, Chenguang Ouyang
Summary: This review discusses the use of polymeric hydrogels for atmospheric water harvesting (AWH), including the mechanism of water sorption, fabrication methods, and strategies for optimizing the structure of hydrogels. The extended applications of hygroscopic photothermal hydrogels, such as agricultural irrigation and dehumidification, are also explored. The challenges and prospects of using polymeric hydrogels for AWH are summarized.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Ying Du, Shuaishuai Lu, Yuanna Sun, Qingshan Li, Xinhai He
Summary: This study introduces a method to improve the performance of hydrogels by incorporating proline, resulting in hydrogels with excellent stretchability, high conductivity, and long-term stability. The hydrogel remains flexible and conductive even at ultra-low temperatures.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)