Search

This study aimed to investigate the impact of plastic particles on cell viability and tissue toxicity. The cells were subjected to incubation with plastic particles immobilized in agar gels, resulting in minimal cell death and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, direct exposure of various cell types to suspended plastic particles showed negligible effects on cell viability, with no observed lysis or growth inhibition. Staining techniques revealed minimal plastic particle‐induced cell death, with the majority of cells remaining viable. However, histological evaluations of mouse tissues demonstrated that the nondegradable low‐density poly(ethylene) (LDPE) groups exhibited severe irritation, characterized by an excessive presence of macrophages, neutrophils, fibrosis, fat infiltration, and increased blood vessel formation in subcutaneous tissue. In contrast, biodegradable neat poly(butylene succinate) (KRICT‐PBS) and cellulose nanocrystals/PBS nanocomposite (CNC‐PBS) groups induced minimal toxicity. Interestingly, the intravenous injection of KRICT‐PBS and CNC‐PBS degradate solutions in mice exhibited mild toxicity, suggesting no significant damage to normal kidney and liver function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancements in the utilization of naturally derived nanocellulose and nanochitin/chitosan have opened new avenues for self‐cleaning and purification applications to address environmental challenges. This review highlights the unique structural properties of bio‐based nanofibers, which are typically rich in hydroxyl groups that enhance their functionality in various industrial sectors. Through appropriate chemical modification, they can perform specific functions facilitated by carboxylic acids or amine groups. We explored the mechanisms by which these materials facilitate oil/water separation, ultrafiltration, and self‐cleaning processes, including the incorporation of inorganic nanoparticles, such as TiO2, to improve hydrophilicity and oleophobicity. Furthermore, this review discusses innovative fabrication techniques, such as spray‐assisted layer‐by‐layer assembly, which enhance the performance of nanofiber‐based coatings. We examined the potential of these materials for diverse applications, including food packaging, wastewater treatment, and personal protective equipment, emphasizing their role in promoting sustainable industrial practices. As the global emphasis on eco‐friendly solutions intensifies, continued research and development of nanocellulose and nanochitin is expected to drive significant advancements in materials science, paving the way for greener technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe robustly anchored triblock copolymers that adopt loop conformations on surfaces and endow them with unprecedented lubricating and antifouling properties. The triblocks have two end blocks with catechol-anchoring groups and a looping poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) midblock. The loops mediate strong steric repulsion between two mica surfaces. When sheared at constant speeds of ∼2.5 μm/s, the surfaces exhibit an extremely low friction coefficient of ∼0.002-0.004 without any signs of damage up to pressures of ∼2-3 MPa that are close to most biological bearing systems. Moreover, the polymer loops enhance inhibition of cell adhesion and proliferation compared to polymers in the random coil or brush conformations. These results demonstrate that strongly anchored polymer loops are effective for high lubrication and low cell adhesion and represent a promising candidate for the development of specialized high-performance biomedical coatings.

Despite that biodegradable plastics are perceived as environmentally friendly, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of their fate in soil. Current Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, along with new UNEP regulations on plastic pollution, necessitate scientific information on plastic degradation in soils for developing sustainable biodegradable plastics. In this study, we examined the degradation rates of two biodegradable plastics, poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA), in a laboratory microcosm experiment using uncontaminated soil, with PBAT or PLA added at 8.3% (w/w). Our aim was to further understand the impact of these plastic types on soil properties and microbial communities under different incubation temperatures. Both PBAT and PLA treatments elevated cumulative CO2 efflux compared with the control soil incubated at 25 and 58°C. After 33 weeks, 9.2% and 6.1% of the added PBAT and PLA degraded, respectively, at 58°C, while only 2.3% of PBAT and 1.7% of PLA degraded at 25°C, implying slower degradation rates of PBAT and PLA under the lower temperature. Degradation at 58°C increased total soil carbon by 0.6%, 1.9%, and 4.3% for Control, PBAT, and PLA, respectively, and soil electrical conductivity by 0.17, 0.33, and 2.38 dS m−1, respectively, but decreased soil pH. Microbial diversity and richness decreased under thermophilic conditions at 58°C compared with that at 25°C. We conclude that the degradation of PBAT and PLA varies with environmental condition, and influences soil properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While modern research into biodegradable and renewable plastics has expanded to cover a wide variety of applications, some characteristics, such as desirable elastic properties, are still difficult to achieve without the use of petroleum-based monomers. In addition, 100% biomass-based polymers are in high demand as environmental regulations increasingly require the use of biomass-based monomers. In this study, biomass-derived monomers, such as adipic acid (AA), 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), and 1,3-propanediol (PDO), were used to synthesize terpolyesters with elastic properties. The unsymmetrical structure of FDCA led to a spiral motif that biodegrades efficiently, and its ring structure also plays an important role as a hard elastomer domain. Applying the "odd–even effect" of PDO resulted in very high biodegradation rates, low melting points, and low degrees of crystallinity. An FDCA : AA ratio of 7 : 3 led to an elongation of around 600% and a recovery rate of 89% (to the original state) at a fixed PDO concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent, self-healing elastomers play a vital role as protective coatings, particularly in display applications. However, mechanical toughness and efficient self-restoration are often mutually exclusive. A performance equilibrium can be achieved through the molecular design of reversible bonds. However, aromatic disulfide-based dynamic covalent bonds produce an unattractive coloration owing to electron chromophores. In addition, H-bond moieties induce unintended adhesion to the substrates and are limited by hydration-induced weakening. In this study, the molecular design of aliphatic disulfides is presented for colorless, non-tacky, and water-resistant elastomers that rapidly self-heal at ambient temperatures. By employing molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate that an excess of H-bond acceptors promotes shorter bond exchange durations while maintaining a higher quantity of cohesive H-bonds, surpassing the performance of equivalent donor/acceptor systems at identical donor concentrations. In addition, dynamic H-bond exchange enables effective healing, whereas the increased H-bond cross-linking density ensures both waterproofness and an impressive tensile strength of 45 MPa. Furthermore, the absence of aromatic groups grants the elastomers a remarkable transmittance of 99%. The optimized properties achieved in this study using the proposed strategic molecular designs will further the commercialization of self-healing thermoplastic polyurethanes as intelligent protective coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]