Tingqiang Yan, Xiaodong Wang^*, Yingjie Qiao^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.8, pp. 1587-1604, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0075 - 22 August 2025

Abstract Polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable polymer, exhibits superior mechanical strength and processability. However, its broader adoption is hindered by inherent brittleness, low hydrophilicity, and sluggish crystallization kinetics. Chitosan (CS), a natural polysaccharide renowned for its biocompatibility and biodegradability, offers potential to address these limitations. While both materials have garnered significant attention in materials science, research on their integration via melt blending and the resulting performance enhancements for food-contact plastics remains understudied. This research comprehensively explores how different levels of CS content, from 0% to 10%, impact the characteristics of chitosan/polylactic acid (CS/PLA) composites. It specifically… More >

Tetyana Pokynbroda¹, Ihor Semeniuk^1,2, Agnieszka Gąszczak³, Elbieta Szczyrba³, Nataliya Semenyuk², Volodymyr Skorokhoda², Serhiy Pyshyev^4,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.7, pp. 1439-1458, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0030 - 22 July 2025

Abstract The selection of carbon sources and the biosynthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by the Azotobacter vinelandii N-15 strain using renewable raw materials were investigated. Among the tested substrates (starch, sucrose, molasses, bran), molasses as the carbon source yielded the highest PHB production. The maximum polymer yield (26% of dry biomass) was achieved at a molasses concentration of 40 g/L. PHB formation was confirmed via thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Composite films based on PHB, polylactic acid (PLA), and their blends were fabricated using the solvent casting. The biodegradation of these films was studied More > Graphic Abstract

Jiahao Liu^1,#, Xinyu Zhang^1,#, Huiwei Wang¹, Yupeng Li¹, Shan Jin¹, Guanxian Qiu¹, Ce Sun^1,2,*, Haiyan Tan¹, Yanhua Zhang^1,2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.4, pp. 669-685, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0042 - 21 April 2025

Abstract In recent years, degradable materials to replace petroleum-based materials in preparing high-performance foams have received much research attention. Degradable polymer foaming mostly uses supercritical fluids, especially carbon dioxide (Sc-CO₂). The main reason is that the foams obtained by Sc-CO₂ foaming have excellent performance, and the foaming agent is green and pollution-free. In current research, Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), poly (lactic acid) (PLA), and other degradable polymers are generally used as the main foaming materials, but the foaming performance of these degradable polyesters is poor and requires modification. In this work, 10% PLA was added to PBAT to… More > Graphic Abstract

Nayara Koba de Moura Morgado, Guilherme Ferreira de Melo Morgado, Erick Gabriel Ribeiro dos Anjos, Fabio Roberto Passador^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.1, pp. 95-110, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.059364 - 27 March 2025

Abstract The continuous improvement in patient care and recovery is driving the development of innovative materials for medical applications. Medical sutures, essential for securing implants and closing deep wounds, have evolved to incorporate smart materials capable of responding to various stimuli. This study explores the potential of thermoresponsive sutures, made from shape memory materials, that contract upon heating to bring loose stitches closer together, promoting optimal wound closure. We developed nanocomposites based on a blend of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)—biopolymers that inherently exhibit shape memory—enhanced with carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene nanoplatelets (GN)… More >

Prashanth K P^1,*, Rudresh M², Venkatesh N³, Poornima Gubbi Shivarathri⁴, Shwetha Rajappa⁵

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.12, pp. 2115-2134, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.055437 - 20 December 2024

Abstract This study explores the mechanical properties of a novel composite material, blending polylactic acid (PLA) with sea shells, through a comprehensive tensile test analysis. The tensile test results offer valuable insights into the material’s behavior under axial loading, shedding light on its strength, stiffness, and deformation characteristics. The results suggest that the incorporation of sea shells decrease the tensile strength of 14.55% and increase the modulus of 27.44% for 15 wt% SSP (sea shell powder) into PLA, emphasizing the reinforcing potential of the mineral-rich sea shell particles. However, a potential trade-off between decreased strength and… More >

Jiazhao Huang¹, Xiaoying Qi¹, Chu Long Tham¹, Hang Li Seet¹, Sharon Mui Ling Nai¹, David William Rosen^1,2,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.3, pp. 1-2, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.012040

Abstract The emergence of 4D printing introduces stimuli-responsive, shape-changing capabilities through additive manufacturing (AM) and smart materials, has advanced the field of soft robotics. However, there are currently lack of methods or tools that capable of aiding in the generative design of 4D AM structures. The current generative design procedure for 4D AM structures often lacks transferability among various structures due to limited understanding of shape memory material behaviors for soft robotics. To develop such a digital library, investigation of fundamental elements, such as material properties of shape memory materials, geometry parameters of design primitives, and… More >

Manivasagam Vishwa Rohini^1,#, Sathish Kiruba¹, Danniel Santhanaraj¹, Prakash Priyanka Nair¹, P. Sudhakara^2,*, Jujhar Singh³, Balamurugan Rathinam^4,*, Vanaraj Ramkumar^5,6,#

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.41, No.3, pp. 159-178, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2024.054801 - 30 September 2024

Abstract The Cavendish banana, Musa acuminata, is a climacteric fruit that ripens quickly after harvest. Due to their high perishability and susceptibility to disease, bananas have substantial postharvest losses. After harvesting, it is important to extend the bananas’ shelf life. Unique coating gel solutions based on glycerol and ascorbic acid were developed to accomplish this. Chitosan mixed with glacial acetic acid, lactic acid, and sodium alginate were among the gel solutions in these combinations. The goal was to improve banana preservation while maintaining freshness and quality by implementing innovative formulations and techniques. The fruits are hand-dried and… More >

Selwin Maria Sekar¹, Rajini Nagarajan^1,*, Ponsuriyaprakash Selvakumar², Ismail Sikiru Oluwarotimi³, Kumar Krishnan⁴, Faruq Mohammad⁵, Mohammed Rafi Shaik⁵, Nadir Ayrilmis^6,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.8, pp. 1455-1474, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.052952 - 06 September 2024

Abstract An innovative microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) natural fibre powder-reinforced PLA biocomposite was investigated using the hand lay-up technique. The polymer matrix composite (PMC) samples were prepared by varying the weight percentages (wt.%) of both PLA matrix and MCC reinforcement: pure PLA/100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50 wt.%, respectively. From the results obtained, MCC powder, with its impressive aspect ratio, proved to be an ideal reinforcement for the PLA, exhibiting exceptional mechanical properties. It was evident that the 80:20 wt.% biocomposite sample exhibited the maximum improvement in the tensile, flexural, notched impact, compressive strength and hardness… More >

Ponusa Songtipya^1,2,*, Thummanoon Prodpran^1,2, Ladawan Songtipya^1,2, Theerarat Sengsuk¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.5, pp. 951-967, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.049068 - 17 July 2024

Abstract The synergistic effect of organoclay (OC) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles on the crucial properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposite films was systematically investigated herein. After their incorporation into PLA via the solvent casting technique, the water vapor barrier property of the PLA/OC/ZnO film improved by a maximum of 86% compared to the neat PLA film without the deterioration of Young’s modulus or the tensile strength. Moreover, the film’s self-antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens, including gram-negative (Escherichia coli, E. coli) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, S. aureus) bacteria, was enhanced by a maximum of approximately 98–99% compared to the neat… More > Graphic Abstract

SAMANEH MOSTAFAVI, ZUHAIR MOHAMMAD HASSAN^*

Oncology Research, Vol.32, No.3, pp. 477-487, 2024, DOI:10.32604/or.2023.043926 - 06 February 2024

Abstract Intracellular communications between breast cancer and fibroblast cells were reported to be involved in cancer proliferation, growth, and therapy resistance. The hallmarks of cancer-fibroblast interactions, consisting of caveolin 1 (Cav1) and mono-carboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) (metabolic coupling markers), along with IL-6, TGFβ, and lactate secretion, are considered robust biomarkers predicting recurrence and metastasis. In order to promote a novel phenotype in normal fibroblasts, we predicted that breast cancer cells could be able to cause loss of Cav1 and increase of MCT4, as well as elevate IL-6 and TGFβ in nearby normal fibroblasts. We created a… More >